Dark Hunger

Nessa was excited as all she could think of was how she was going to exact revenge upon Elize and Caleb. She looked at all of them one by one with wide eyes and complete attention. When none of them spoke, she said, "So, what is the plan?" 

Urhan's lips kicked up. He relaxed back on the sofa, placed his hands on the armrest and said, "The plan is very simple. First, we have to draw them out from their hiding and bring them to the human world where their magic is limited. As soon as they are here, we take them away to a place where no one can find them, kill them and dump their bodies over there. 

It was Edyrm who spoke. "I have heard that Rhys, king of Zmjia is at loggerheads with the entire clan of Caleb. Queen Adrianna had killed all his men in a war against them and then pushed them to the depths of Zmjia ocean. We should get him out of the slumber."

"Getting Rhys would mean wasting more time, Edyrm," said Urhan. "We need a simpler way to get them out. One that is effective at the first go." 

"Then what do you propose?" 

Laurel waved her fingers in the room and a variety of food appeared on the table. Roasted duck, walnut cakes, orange juice, sweet corn and boiled, salt and pepper vegetables. Nessa and Owen's eyes became wide like saucers. They were seeing so much good food after a long time. "Please enjoy yourself," said Laurel with a glint in her eyes. 

--- 

The week passed with the trees and crops and earth of Ixoviya replenishing from the drought it suffered for a month. 

Caleb was on his horse with Elize sitting in the front as they were traversing the kingdom's countryside one fine evening when the cloud was a shade of deep purple and light orange. Clouds drifted in the sky and there was no sign of the storm he had called a week back. The mud had begun to dry and he knew that the kingdom needed more rains. Surrounded by the royal soldiers, the king and queen were on their mounts. Caleb had wrapped his arms securely around Elize. She had suggested that she take another horse, but he dismissed her suggestion with a stern shake of his head. 

"If we don't get more rain, the effect of the previous one is going to wear off…" said Elize. 

"Hmm…" he replied. But he couldn't do anything. He had to wait for two weeks before his energies were completely replenished to summon rain. In the meanwhile, the dilapidated mansions on the outskirts of the cities had been seized under the pretense that recreation centers were going to be made in them. That had put a break on the activities of those who were casting spells to ward off the clouds, however, Caleb was surprised that they were at it again. Unfortunately, there was no place where they could catch them from. The group had become too cautious and changed locations to god-knows where.

As if understanding what he was thinking, Elize asked, "Why don't you arrest them?" 

Caleb exhaled heavily as he stopped his horse and watched at one of the mansions where the mason had started laying bricks with their magic. The bricks flew on top of each other in a neat wall. "They are councilmen, Elize. If I simply go and arrest them without evidence, there would be more protests. I will be doing something that will stop them forever." 

"And what is that?" she asked. 

He kissed her temple and grinned. "Just keep watching." He turned the horse towards the castle. "And get ready for the evening."

The royal couple was invited to dinner at Elin Obras' house, yet another councilman who had participated in the ritual to ward off the clouds with Urhan. His men were keeping a close watch on Urhan and everything seemed too perfect to be true. 

"I don't want to go," said Elize, pouting her lips. 

He rubbed her thighs and said, "Are you unwell, love?" 

"No! It's just that I am not in a mood!" 

He chuckled. "Then make up your mood." 

Elin Obras was a short and stout man with beady eyes and shortly cropped auburn hair. He was smart but his only problem was that he was too greedy. He had eyes on the treasure of Ixoviya. Using his influence with the previous queen he had siphoned off a lot of gold from the castle, but with Daryn and Caleb Silver, he was not at all successful. He had invested all his gold in trades that failed, and he was in dire need of money. The man was helping Urhan and on the façade trying to keep in the king's good books. His loyalty was going to tilt in the side where he would profit. 

"Your Highness!" he said and bowed to Caleb. He looked at the queen and again bowed. His wife had also come to receive them. She ushered Elize inside. 

Elize was shocked to see the kind of luxury the mansion was equipped with. Exotic rugs, mother-of-pearl carved furniture and fine drapes hung on windows. She sat down on a sofa and smiled at his wife. 

As the evening proceeded, Elin spoke about his trades to Caleb and his ventures. Caleb kept on listening very quietly throughout with a faint smile. At the end of the dinner, he winked at his wife and mouthed, shall we go. She blushed and nodded lightly. When they came out and sat in the carriage, Caleb took her wrist in his hand and lightly touched her bracelet with Amber Moonstone. A beam of light passed in it. It danced its way down and then dropped in the stone's belly. A wisp of smoke puffed out of it and the stone settled on her wrist as if nothing ever happened to it. 

"Gods above!" Elize rasped. "Did you?" Caleb pressed his finger to her lips and she became quiet. 

For the next two days, two more councilmen called him for dinner and Elize accompanied him out of sheer excitement. Caleb did the same on those two also. 

It was by the end of the week when Caleb was having a quiet wine with his wife in the castle after the day's work when all at once, the servant announced that Daryn had come. Caleb's forehead creased with a line of worry and he hoped that Dawn was fine. When along with Elize he strode to the main hall he found Daryn fidgeting with his coat's buttons, totally uneasy and very anxious. "What is it?" asked Caleb. He clasped Daryn's shoulders to steady him. "Is Dawn okay?" 

Daryn sucked in a sharp breath. "She is well." He turned his gaze to Elize. "It's news about your brother." 

A stiff expression came on her face. She narrowed her eyes and clenched her jaws. She was happy without the presence of her brother and his pathetic wife. "What about them?" she asked in a harsh voice. 

"Owen is—" Daryn pursed his lips. "Last night, hooligans attacked him and he was shot at." 

Elize's heart fell to her stomach as disbelief and shock skittered through her body.