Page 127 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

it did not break the skin. She sighed, fraught with inner conflict, and then held the dagger in front

of her face. She looked at her reflection in the polished silver of the blade.

“How poetic that a blade should hold a reflection, for it is only by blood that we shall truly

know ourselves.”

GoGo paused then placed the blade against her palm. She sliced it until blood oozed from

the cut. She reached over and took the cup from the table, dumped the milk, and held her bleeding

hand over the cup. She watched as it dripped down, filling the basin.

“Blood,” she whispered and drank.

“My queen,” said a voice. GoGo looked around. Daka was there. She quickly hid her

bloody hand.

“What is it, Captain?” she said.

“You are needed,” he said.

#

GoGo entered the throne room with Daka to see Sygnosis holding the Rhune Mystic in her arms.

The queen walked over and stood in front of her. The royal court looked on.

“The Rhune Mystic, Ophi. I killed him and drank his blood, then buried him in the sand,”

said Sygnosis.

The queen was silent—and then spoke, “Daka.”

“Yes, my queen,” he said and stepped to her side.

“Take his body and burn it,” she commanded.

Daka took the body from Sygnosis, who stood in silence. The royal court watched as Daka

placed Ophi’s body into the fire. The flames engulfed his remains like a funeral pyre.

“May God receive him,” said GoGo. “No one is to speak of this. Is that understood?”

“Yes, my queen, as you command,” they said.