Niyx Samantha Kroese (i am malala young readers edition .TXT) 📖

“You summoned me?” Demi asked coolly as he reached Niyx’s side. His attitude clearly conveyed that he didn’t think he’d done anything wrong, even though Niyx had punished him.

Niyx looked at the glowing magical tattoo carved into Demi’s neck. The hoarfrost made it glow blue. It was Niyx’s mark. It bound Demi to him. He rolled his shoulders. “Teach me how to summon the Night Creatures. It is time my people came home.”

Demi nodded and knelt obediently in front of Niyx. He drew magical runes of power in the ice in front of Niyx’s dark boots, then with a smirk, he rose and backed away. “You need only touch those with your sword and command your people to come. They will hear you and be unable to resist your call. Wherever they are in this world, they will come.”

Niyx studied the markings trying to piece out the spell they created. He didn’t quite trust Demi. But it would be a lot harder for Demi to betray him with the binding mark Niyx had created. He placed the tip of his blade in the center of the markings and closed his eyes. He summoned the hoarfrost, feeling it travel down his arms and awaken in the blade. Then it flowed down into the runes and lit them one by one.

“Call to them. Command them to come to their king,” Demi urged, his voice excited.

In his mind’s eye, Niyx could see the world unfold before him and his people to light up like tiny blue spots. As they appeared to him, he used his magic to call to them. He could feel their shocked responses. There were so many. Far more than he imagined. They were out there. Suffering. When the magic faded, he stood for a few moments in shock. He opened his eyes and frowned at Demi. “Did you know there are so many?”

Demi stared into the forest. “Yes. Like there are many of my people lost out there as well. Our war-torn world was not kind to Night Creatures or Dragons. My people who you rescued will need years to recover. They will be safest here with your kind. I will help you find your people, then you can help me unite mine.”

Niyx settled his blade on his back and gave Demi a cool glance. “Why do you think I’ll do that?”

“Because it is in your heart. You love my kind. As your grandsire was born to be a slayer of dragons, you were born to be our savior. Magic always has an opposing side. The proof of that is your bond with Ice.” Demi waved a hand toward the large blue dragon.

Ice snorted frost-breath then rested his large snout on Niyx’s shoulder. Niyx reached to scratch under the dragon’s chin. “Nial does not have magic. Does that mean he will not need it?”

“Perhaps. It may be an indicator that you and your generation will set the world to rights and, by the time he is grown, we will have peace for his lifetime. Or perhaps he will come into it later in life.” Demi shrugged.

“Ruel is King of the elves. I am King of the Night Creatures. Onyx is Lord of the assassins. Our grandsire is the King of the humans,” Niyx mused.

“There are reasons for all these things. Your generation is meant to bring our world back from the brink of the apocalypse my generation tried to cause. That is why you are so powerful. Why your twin is powerful. Why Ruel is powerful.” Demi said, his gaze distant. “There is purpose to Rubei being with one of the pirate Kings as well. The world is shifting to favor those who are pure once again. Evil is being vanquished. The world is recovering. Peace will reign for a time. Perhaps a long time. But always remember this, young Niyx. War always returns. Evil always exists. The scale always tips one way or the other.” Demi turned to start back inside. “The wise prepare for both. Rebuild your kingdom. Enjoy your peace. But don’t take it for granted. War will come again for us all.”

Niyx continued to scratch Ice’s chin as he looked out as far as he could over their torn world. He imagined his people coming to him. However long their journey was, he wished them safety. Once Demi was gone, Niyx turned to find Kiril. Perhaps there was a way to bring them safely in a swifter manner. He had an idea, but he needed Kiril’s thoughts.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Onyx strolled along the road between Niyx’s fortress and Aderaan, on his way to carry a message for Ruel. But mostly he had spent the hours since dusk looking for Sephyrn. He had a feeling his sire was watching them still. Yet, tracking Sephyrn was proving impossible. Onyx could not smell if Sephyrn was near. His magic couldn’t sense his sire. He couldn’t hear him. Even his blood magic failed to find a trace this time. It was a very strange sensation. As darkness fell, he walked farther along the fence-lined road that led into Aderaan, feeling defeated.

“Looking for me?”

Onyx whirled at Sephyrn’s voice behind him, unnerved. How had his sire snuck up on him like that? Sephyrn sat on a fence post, whittling a piece of wood with a dagger. The giant cheetah that always accompanied him lay at his feet, to all appearances peacefully asleep. Floof had taught Onyx not to trust the capricious nature of magical cats and he could sense the cheetah was not a normal beast. His composure regained, Onyx spoke. “You said I could ask you questions after I helped Niyx. I think Niyx is pretty well established now.”

Sephyrn smirked at him, glancing up from the whittling. “Yes. He has done quite well, hasn’t he? Not that you have not. You have built an empire for yourself out of the ashes of your former owners. I’m quite impressed with both of you. Good thing I didn’t kill you both