Read Online Steel Maiden by Kim Richardson - Free Book Online Page A

the anniversary of the Day of Reckoning, when the Temple of the Sun
came into power .”
    I watched the other priests. The only ones
that looked slightly confused were the apprentices. The hateful,
self-important priests looked on knowingly. Whatever this race was,
it was clear they knew about it.
    Still, something in the high priest’s
attitude unsettled me. He had never appeared to be enraged that I
had stolen the Anglian crown—not by a long shot. He had looked
joyous.
    “ For the last three
hundred years,” the high priest continued, “we have maintained this
tradition.”
    I watched as heads shook in the chamber.
    “So what does that have to do with me?”
    “Everything,” said the high priest.
    I noticed Brother Edgar’s face darken.
    “You see, Elena. This is no ordinary race.
The champions from each kingdom must travel to dangerous lands and
undertake quests in which they must face both monsters and the
undead. Anyone, regardless of their station, can enter the race if
they dare. Most will never return. Only the strong can survive…only
the gifted .”
    I scowled.
    “A race? You want me to participate in a
race?”
    The high priest’s white robes swung in a
great arc around him.
    “As I am the one who must chose the champion
who will represent the Temple of the Sun Empire, who better could I
select than a thief who also happens to be gifted. It is
clear, the Creator himself has chosen her.”
    Brother Edgar stepped forward.
    “Your Eminence. You cannot be serious. You
cannot trust this creature. It would be madness,” he growled.
    I could see a large vein throb on his
forehead.
    “She will betray you. You cannot allow this.
She must die!”
    A consensus of agreement sounded through the
chamber.
    The high priest looked at Brother Edgar
dismissively.
    “I am high priest here. Not you, Brother
Edgar.”
    The high priest seemed to grow taller, and
the chamber darkened as though the torchlights had been dimmed.
    “I will take your opinion under advisement.
But make no mistake, Brother Edgar, I will not hear another word
from you. Is that clear?”
    Brother Edgar’s eyes met mine for a long
charged moment. Then his face went from red to a deep shade of
purple, but he pressed his lips together and was quiet.
    Once the high priest was satisfied, he
turned to me.
    “Elena Milegard. You were caught stealing
the Anglian crown, a crime punishable by death. Moreover, you are a
magic bearer, a crime also punishable by death.
    I swallowed hard.
    “As such, my brothers want your death.”
    He paused.
    “And under normal circumstances I would not
hesitate to see your head on a silver plate. In my opinion, any
magic bearer is an enemy of the Empire, of all things natural, and
of the Creator himself.”
    The high priest sighed and straightened his
sleeves. I found it odd that while he claimed magic was evil, he
chose to use it himself.
    “But I find myself with a tool of
opportunity. Therefore, I’m giving you two options, Elena. You can
choose death, or you can choose to redeem yourself as my champion
for the Great Race. What will you choose?”
    I raised my brows. He already knew what my
answer would be.
    If I agreed to be his champion, I might be
able to escape with Rose to Girmania or Espan. I did my best to
keep my expression blank although I smiled on the inside.
    “And if you think of escaping,” said the
high priest as though he had read my mind, “think again. I will
send other champions along with you, and if you leave I will hear of it.”
    He paused and turned to Baul with a cold
smile on his face.
    “What was the name of the person who hid
her?”
    “Rose Fairfax, Your Grace,” said Baul.
    I wanted to cut out his tongue.
    “Rose,” purred the high priest. “Hear me
now, Elena. If you try to leave or if you try to escape, I will
torture Rose until she begs me to end her life.”
    My lips trembled, but I couldn’t find my
voice.
    “There’s more. If you do not win this race,
if you do not