“I… I wasn’t sure. You saidit was an honor and he’s a deity.”
“I know what I said! How couldI say otherwise with his men around? I know he’s not the god heproclaims to be, but he’s a powerful ruler of many worlds and adangerous black magician.”
“You can’t let him sacrificeme!”
“He’s too powerful tooppose.”
“You could ask him to spare meas a gift to you, one of his loyal men.”
“You kept him from finding anddestroying the Temple of Kumba and you’re his sworn enemy’s wife.He’d never give you to me.” His eyes were sad as he unlocked herhandcuffs and left the room.
Toemeka glanced around for ameans of escape or a weapon. The door opened and Seetva entered.Right behind her was Amaretta, the slave who served Toemeka atCadmus’ fortress. The girl’s eyes were vacant and didn’t showany sign of recognition.
“I’m told you’re to besacrificed tonight,” Seetva said. “I hadn’t expected this twistin my plans, but I can’t say it displeases me. Take off yourclothes.”
“No. If Samrat Condor wants medead, he can kill me dressed as I am.”
“I can use my power on you as Ihave on your slave girl.”
“You won’t find me as easy tocontrol as Amaretta.” She felt Seetva trying to invade her mind andquickly strengthened her inner shield.
Seetva sneered. “I could easilykill you.”
“Condor will be angry if youdeprive him of his sacrifice.”
“I haven’t time for games.”Seetva pulled out a wicked-looking knife. Toemeka moved into adefensive pose. Instead of coming toward her, Seetva grabbedAmaretta’s hair, jerking her head backward and held the knife toher exposed throat.
“No! Don’t hurt her. I’llcooperate.” Toemeka removed her faded dress and shoes.
“Your underwear, too.”
Toemeka removed her undergarmentsand stood, naked and shivering, in the cool room, feeling vulnerable.
Seetva released Amaretta and hereyes swept over Toemeka. “You’re a scrawny, unattractive woman. Idon’t know what Cadmus sees in you.” She looked at Amaretta.“Dress her.”
Amaretta helped Toemeka slide ona sleeveless, floor-length dress made of a sheer red fabric. Overthat she placed an orange, flame-patterned gown and veil, throughwhich Toemeka could only see shadowy forms.
Amaretta set slippers in front ofToemeka who pulled them on with trembling hands.
Seetva smiled wickedly. “Duringthe ceremony you’ll dance around the sacrificial firepit and jumpinto the flames.”
“They’ll have to throw mein,” Toemeka said. “I have no intension of jumping in.”
“Samrat priests have spellsthat will take control of your mind, so you’ll obey them.”
Commander Rochambeau entered theroom and Seetva gave him a gloating smile. “Your prize is lostbefore you even had a chance to enjoy her.”
“Shut up, witch.”
Seetva glared at Toemeka, “Todayyou’ll scream in agony as you feel and smell your flesh burn.You’ll wish for death and wonder why your god has failed you.”
“Enough, Seetva!” Cadmus saidthrough gritted teeth. “Get out and take that slave girl with you.”
“Samrat Condor ordered me toaccompany the sacrificial woman to the ceremonial hall. Apparently,he doesn’t trust you.”
“Get out of this room before Iend your worthless life!”
Bright red spots appeared onSeetva’s cheeks. “One day we’ll fight and determine once andfor all who is more powerful. I’ll be waiting in the hallway. Don’tbe long.” She left the room and Amaretta followed like a soullessbeing.
Toemeka felt numb. To die likethis — sacrificed to the evil sorcerer whose men had killed herfamily. Was there nothing she could do? Nothing she could say toconvince Cadmus to save her? She tried to speak but her throat feltconstricted and her mind couldn’t put words together properly.She’d never see her baby again. Never see him take his first stepor hear his first words. She’d never be held by Michio again or seehis love for her in his eyes. A wave of sorrow swept over her. Shehad known the risks when she came to Alandra, but she hadn’tthought she’d have to pay this high price.
“We’ve only got a short timebefore we must leave,” Cadmus said, breaking into her thoughts. Hefolded back the veil and gazed into her eyes. “I can’t stop thisceremony, but I brought you a pill that will deaden the pain of beingburned alive.”
She shook her head. “I can’ttake it.”
“You must. Seetva spoke thetruth. Dying by fire is a horrible death.”
“No, I’ll go to my death infull consciousness. Not drugged senseless so I can’t defend myselfagainst the sorcerers.”
“You won’t be able to defendyourself against the priests, regardless of whether you take the pillor not.”
“I can surrender to a higherpower.”
“Blind faith won’t do you anygood.” He drew her close. “You’re the only beauty and light inmy dark world. Samrat Condor couldn’t have asked more from me thanthis.”
“And yet you’d let me die inthis terrible ceremony without a word of protest,” she said, seeingthe anguish in his expression.
“No one dares cross SamratCondor. He wields immense power.” His mouth descended over hers ina possessive kiss.
Toemeka pushed him away. “Evennow you force yourself on me, knowing that I’m to die soon.”
“It was a good-bye kiss.”
16
CeremonialHall
Worried about Cadmus’ obsessionwith Toemeka, Michio stared out the air-truck window at the bombedruins of Tismus as Benray drove to the military compound. He’dopened the window to get some fresh air as the cab reeked fromBenray’s unwashed body. Benray reminded him of a wild animal withhis dark, bushy beard and mass of hair.
Finally, the compound came intosight and Benray parked on a side street.
“Stay here,” Michio said,getting out of the truck. “I’m going to see if Toemeka’s in thecompound.” He warily moved toward the gate, adjusting hisvibrations to everything around him so his presence wouldn’t benoticed. The guard didn’t look his way as he drew closer andcloser.
A military air-truck drove up tothe gate and Michio stepped onto the tailgate as the gateelectronically opened. As the truck drove inside the compound andover to a building, Michio jumped down and slipped away.
He focused within, searching forToemeka’s unique vibrations. Soon he felt a trace of
