The Ranger of Marzanna (The Goddess War #1) - Jon Skovron Page 0,90
a man? You prissy imperials disgust me!”
More insults. Right in front of his men. Sebastian couldn’t believe the gall of this man. Who did he think he was? Didn’t he understand how easy it would be for Sebastian to end his life in a blink?
“Have a care, old man. I made an effort to be gentle with you, but if you continue to irritate me, I may forget my control.”
“You don’t scare me, you little piece of shit. I’ve had hangovers that felt worse than this.”
Sebastian’s face flushed with frustration and embarrassment. He was giving this man every chance to back down, and all he got in return was more insults.
“Is that so? Well, then I’ll raise it a few more degrees!”
He increased the heat of the liquids coursing through the miner’s body. The man grunted with pain. He didn’t release his pickax, but at least he dropped to his knees. Perhaps now the idiot understood how hopeless his situation was.
“That’s more like it,” said Sebastian. “You’ve learned some proper respect.”
“I’ll… never respect… the likes of you.”
Sebastian stared in disbelief as the man used his pickax to push himself up off his knees. His eyes were bloodshot, and blood leaked from his nose. His ragged trousers were damp with urine but he looked at Sebastian as if he was the disgusting one.
“You entitled… spoiled little brats… think you own us.” He spat out the words as his body shook with pain. “I’d rather be dead… than bow to a cowardly little weakling like you!”
“So be it!” Sebastian shouted, then released the rest of his will at once.
The miner froze, his eyes bulging and his mouth open in a silent scream.
Then he burst apart, spraying a steaming pulp of blood, meat, and bones into the cold night air.
The other miners, now covered in the still-hot remains of their leader, gaped first at the red-stained snow where he had just stood, and then at Sebastian, whose hands shook with the shock of his own actions, and the thrill of newfound power. Maybe now they would respect him.
But incredibly, one of the miners stepped forward, his face twisted into a mask of rage.
“You monster! How could you—”
That miner also froze, but only for a moment. Then he exploded as well.
“Anyone else?” Sebastian asked through clenched teeth. There was an odd eagerness in his voice that he didn’t quite understand.
The rest of the miners threw down their weapons.
“Good,” he said, although he felt a brief flash of disappointment. “Private, see these men are restrained.”
“You got it, sir,” said Rykov.
It was, Sebastian realized, the first time his aide-de-camp had addressed him properly. It made sense. Exploding torches were impressive, perhaps, but they had just learned what Sebastian was truly capable of when his patience was tested. Perhaps he hadn’t known himself. Now there could be no doubt from anyone present that Sebastian was a force to be reckoned with.
Once the miners were chained up, Sebastian left a few soldiers to guard them. The rest dismounted and followed him into the mine.
“There might be a few more miners lurking in here, sir,” said Rykov as they strode inside, holding the darkness at bay with torches.
“I’ve made my point,” said Sebastian. “You can take care of any stragglers.”
“Very good, sir,” said Rykov.
There were a few more miners scattered about, but as soon as they saw Sebastian and his men bearing down on them, they realized their main force had already been neutralized, and surrendered immediately.
At last they reached a large, open shaft where two miners held a finely dressed man at knifepoint. Or rather, the man would have been finely dressed if his luxurious mink coat hadn’t been caked with dirt and blood. His lip had been split, and one of his eyes was dark and swelling. But when he saw the orderly march of imperial troops, his face brightened.
“Oh, thank God you’re here, Captain!”
“Stay back!” said one of the miners who held him.
Sebastian held up his hand and his soldiers halted. Behind him he heard one of them whisper to his fellows, “Like it matters how far back we stand.” Several snickered quietly in response. They were breaking rank, but Sebastian allowed them that moment because they were reveling in his power with him. They felt themselves under his protection. One of his men. And that made him feel even more powerful.
“What is it you want?” asked Sebastian.
“W-we demand better working conditions!” said the second miner.