how to rule. He could kill a hundred different ways, handle himself in any kind of battle, keep his head cool when the goddamned world was on fire. But ask him to address a thousand of his people in a crowd? His stomach rolled.
“Warrior?”
“Yeah, you'll be hearing from me.”
“But that's still not the favor you owe.”
“What is—” He brushed a hand through his hair. “I take that back.”
She laughed softly. “You always did learn fast.”
“I'd better.” If he were going to be king.
The Scribe Virgin floated closer to him, and he smelled lilacs. “Put your hand out.”
He did.
The black folds shifted as her arm came up. Something fell into his hand. A ring. A heavy gold ring set with a ruby the size of walnut. It was so hot he almost had to drop the thing.
The Saturnine Ruby.
“You will give her this from me. And I will attend the ceremony.”
Wrath gripped the gift so hard, it bit into his palm. “You honor us.”
“Yes, but I have another purpose in coming.”
“The favor.”
She laughed. “Good one. A question posed in the form of a statement. You will, of course, not be surprised when I do not indulge you. Go now, warrior. Go to your female. Let us hope she is a good choice for you.”
The figure turned and moved away.
“Scribe Virgin?”
“We are through.”
“Thank you.”
She paused by the fountain.
Black folds shifted as she reached out to the tumbling water. When the silk fell back, a blinding light was revealed, as if her bones glowed and her skin were translucent. The moment she touched the water, a rainbow sprang from the contact, filling the white courtyard.
Wrath hissed in shock as his vision suddenly cleared. The courtyard, the columns, the colors, her, all of it came into sharp focus. He latched onto the rainbow. Yellow, orange, red, violet, blue, green. The jewellike colors were so brilliant, they sliced through the air, and yet their vivid beauty didn't hurt him. He drank in the sight, wrapped his mind around it, held on to it.
The Scribe Virgin faced him, dropping her hand. Instantly, the colors vanished and his vision faded again.
She'd given him a small gift, he realized. Just as she'd put the ring in his hand for Beth.
“You are right,” she said softly. "I had hoped to be closer to you. Your father and I, we were bonded, and these lonely centuries have been long and hard. No one worshiping, no one chanting, no history to be kept. I am useless. Forgotten.
“But far worse,” she went on, “I see the future, and it is grim. The survival of the race is not ensured. You will not be able to do this alone, warrior.”
“I'll learn to ask for help.”
She nodded. “We will start anew, you and I. And we will work together, as it should be.”
“As it should be,” he murmured, trying out the words.
“I will come to you and your brothers tonight,” she said. “And the ceremony will be performed accordingly. We will set you into a covenant that is right, warrior, and we will do it in the right way. Assuming the female will have you.”
He had a feeling the Scribe Virgin was smiling.
“My father told me your name,” he said. “I would use it, if you wish.”
“Do.”
“We'll see you then, Analisse. And the preparations will be made.”
Black Dagger Brotherhood 1 - Dark Lover
Chapter Forty
Mr. X watched Billy Riddle walk into the office. Riddle was dressed in a dark blue polo shirt and a pair of khaki shorts, looking tanned, healthy, strong.
Strapping, to use an old-fashioned word from Mr. X's youth.
“Sensei.” Billy bowed his head.
“How are you doing, son?”
“I've thought it over.”
Mr. X waited for the answer, surprised by how much he cared about what it was going to be.
“I want to work for you.”
Mr. X smiled. “That's good, son. That's real good.”
“So what do I have to do? Are there papers I have to fill out for the academy?”
“It's a bit more involved than that. And the academy isn't really going to be your employer.”
“But I thought you said—”
“Billy, there are a few more things you're going to have to understand. And there's the little detail of an initiation.”
“You mean hazing? Because that's no problem. I've been through a couple already. For football.”
“It's a little more hard-core than that, I'm afraid. But don't worry, I got through it and I know you'll do fine. I'll tell you what you have to bring with you, and I'll be by your side. The whole time.”