Page 73 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

“She has no soul,” said Cane.

“Then tonight let’s send her to the place where the soulless belong,” said Raki.

The men’s vengeful glares merged.

“Burn her,” said Zuba with fire in his eyes. “Burn her!”

#

For the Darkling, Sygnosis Sparth, the summit of the mountain was a cathedral, her place of

reckoning. She communed with the elements . . . and herself. The queen’s sober petition, after a

night of love making with a female vampire of this pedigree, was a slap to Sygnosis’ muliebrity

the likes of which she had never known. The emotion that coursed through her on this morning-

after was one that the great Lilithian had never felt . . . used. Sex was the vampire’s religion,

Sygnosis was its high priestess, and GoGo Bah, her lover, was now an infidel.

“I have seen a thousand morning-afters, why should this dawn be any different?

Is my sacred body to be chored by this queen of a lost kingdom? Who does she think she is?

Queens have been my concubines. Am I to be seduced for alms by she who would be my

sycophant? Did she think by trick of her tongue I could be courtesaned? I am worshiped by

throngs of lovers whose utmost pleasure is that I dare them to touch me! Am I to barter my

jeweled goblet of azulin for her wooden cup of eros? A night in my glory is worth the lives of a

thousand princes. With but a flick of my fangs she would be groveling before me, suffering in

supplication, my Undead thrall. Bitch! I have spawned kingdom-thralls. Royalty? She has never

seen true royalty. I am the Vampress of the House of Sparth, daughter of the Vampirical,

granddaughter of Anu the Astrian. Sygnosis! My very name inspired the Enochian! I am the Rose

of Astral Byzantium! Vamperatu Imperica!”

Enraged, Sygnosis lifted her arms into the air and a whirlwind swirled around her.

#
Sooth entered Omar’s bedchamber. The queen was there, dressed in a white robe of a Mandinka

jong, a servant, or less, a slave. She solemnly lit candles with a hand torch.
“Am I disturbing you, my queen?”