Deadly Dance: A Daath Short Story (The Daath Chronicles) Read Online Free Page A

Lightning shot out of his palms, similar to Lucy’s whip. The flare blasted my chest and the tattoo burned, but I was fine. My clothes weren’t burned. I wasn’t burned.
Thank The Creator.
    “What do you know; you’re both in. Take them to Nomad.”
    “Impressive,” Lucy whispered. “I was beginning to think it was just me. Care to explain?”
    “No.”
    The guard led us to a large tent. The white hide sat between two giant trees that had the images of an eagle carved into the bark. White hide only came from one animal I knew of, and those winter wolves could easily rip a grizzly to shreds.
    Inside, the Nomad King stood over a table.
    He wasn’t a man. He was a boy … only a few years older than I was. How could a boy command so many?
    “These two have unique gifts, sir. Thought you’d want to see them before they were assigned an area.”
    The boy nodded, his stark blond hair falling in front of his face. “You may leave us.”
    “Young to be a king.” Lucy helped herself to a cantor sitting on a tray.
    “What can you do?” He dropped the parchment on the table and leaned against one of the posts holding the tent up.
    “Charm you into sharing a drink with me.”
    I coughed.
    Nomad grinned. “I don’t need to be charmed for that.” Lucy poured him a glass, and he took it.
    “I hypnotize with my voice.”
    “Interesting.”
    “And you,” he looked at me.
    “He’s immune.”
    I glared at Lucy. “I can speak for myself.”
    “I know, but you’ll end up brooding and boring us all. So …” Lucy showed me her back, putting all her attention on the king. “Do you have a name other than Nomad?”
    “None that needs to be known.”
    “Oh, I love a little mystery.”
    “Tell me, my lady. Why do you want to join my army?”
    “Revenge.”
    “A good motivator.”
    Cold seeped into his bright gaze, and I sensed anger.
    “Someone kidnapped my brother to sell him to The Order. So young …” She clutched her chest.
    Nomad touched her shoulder. “I know the pain of losing a loved one to them. When I rule, no one will be taken from their family.”
    She sniffed and wiped fake tears from her eyes.
    “Here.” He handed her his handkerchief.
    She is most certainly a witch.
    “Thank you.”
    “How does your companion fit into this?”
    “Oh, him? He’s my protection.”
    Nomad nodded. “I could use both your skills, but you’ll need to wait until my advisor returns. He has a very unique gift for seeing the truth. If you two are who you say, you’re welcome to join.”
    “That would be wonderful.” Lucy placed a hand on his knee.
    Unless, she has another trick up that cowl, we’re in trouble.
    “All I have is one request,” Nomad said.
    “Of course.”
    He whispered near her shoulder. “Don’t ever use your magic on me or I’ll light your pretty face on fire.”
    I snorted on a laugh, and Lucy snapped her head back at me.
    “You two are excused.” Nomad stood, while Lucy huffed and desperately tried to recover.
    She shoved past me. “Not a word,” she hissed.
    “Of course,” I repeated in her voice.
    She glared, and I laughed. Finally, we were having some fun.

    The light from the lantern in our tent cast a shadow on the wall. Lucy sat across from me chewing a piece of dried pork. Her hair hung loose across her shoulders, flowing in black waves. How was she able to keep it so clean and shiny when traveling?
    “Not hungry?” She ripped a chunk off, talking with her mouth full.
    “I am.”
    “Then why are you staring instead of eating?”
    I grabbed the mutton. “Who was she?”
    “She?”
    “The girl you killed to look like that.”
    Lucy stopped and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “That was a long time ago.”
    “Does that mean you don’t remember?”
    “Oh no, I remember. I had a choice between three girls. All of them beautiful, well, by human standards.”
    The firelight accentuated her cheekbones and sharp eyes.
    “My father handpicked them. They were