Read Online Mortals & Deities by Maxwell Alexander Drake - Free Book Online

than answering the door. Questioning the Priest’s “habits” was another new thing that had developed with her emotions. Why she even gave it a thought was beyond her. It was not like she needed to look for a weakness to exploit amongst those she served!
    Or, does she? Have the priests trained her too well?
    She gave a knowing smile to the boy and glided past him.
    The room beyond could only be described as lavish, not that she had much experience outside the Temple. Still, compared to many of the other priest’s quarters—not to mention her own bare room—the Highest lived in comfort. She entered the audience chamber, the first room of the large complex used by the High Priest. Plush carpets covered the marble-tiled floor. Deep lacquered wood, both carved and gilded, warmed the area. A large desk sat to one side and cushioned armchairs created a sitting area around the main fireplace on the other. Bookshelves lined the back wall, flanking a set of double doors that led deeper into the apartment.
    A young girl, of an age of the boy who had answered the door and dressed in the same almost see-through robe, crouched next to the biggest chair that sat before the fireplace. She held a silver tray on her palms in front of her, as if she were a small table. A plump, blotchy white hand leaned over the table and returned a golden goblet to the tray before the hand stroked the girl’s long, black hair with a gentle touch.
    Frowning to herself, Elith crossed the room and stood between the large chair and the unbearably hot fireplace. Looking down at the High Priest—his silk robes stretching to cover his extended belly, his bald head lightly powdered, his eyes bloodshot from drink even at this early aurn—she was thankful she was not required to prostrate before this man. She was one of the few on this Plane that did not. He scowled up at her and she knew he resented her for it. A slip of a smile came to her as she inclined her head. “The Revered Father bade her to attend you, Highest.”
    “Aye. So he did.” A pasty smile pulled his multitude of chins up. “Please, sit yourself, child.” He removed his meaty hand from the girl next to him long enough to wave it toward a chair, then knitted his hands together in his lap. “These are exciting times and there are some things the Revered Father would have you know before you leave the Isle.”
    Walking to the chair indicated, Elith pulled her Ratave staff from its small pouch on her back before sitting. Willing the end to form a small point, she used it to clean the dirt from beneath her fingernails. She did this often when the Highest spoke to her. It seemed to offend him. For some reason, this pleased her.
    Eyeing her work, the priest grimaced. “Must you do that now, child?”
    Pausing with the sharp tip under her nail, Elith looked into the man’s bloodshot eyes and smiled. When the man did not look away, she shrugged and withdrew it. Willing it to return to the blunt state, she laid the Ratave staff on her lap.
    “Thank you.” The priest did not sound grateful at all. Still, after picking up his wine cup, he continued. “The Revered Father has been awaiting the reappearance of the Mah’Sukai onto this Plane for a long time. It is what you have trained your whole life for.”
    “She knows this. Though, she does not know why.” It shocked her that she voiced that question. Chastising herself to silence, she relaxed her face.
    “The why is not for you to know!” The Highest jabbed his cup at her, causing a splash of red to spill onto the floor. “The Mah’Sukai must be brought here. To this temple. Alive and unharmed. That is all you need to know. You have the entire resources of the Priests to aid you in this.” His eyes licked her slim frame. “Though you may not have to force him to accompany you. You may be able to entice him to come of his own free will.”
    The statement took Elith aback. “Of his own free will? How is she to do that?”
    A wicked