Chapter 2

“Who dares interrupt the sacrifice of the great god of the dead?”The high priest and other spiritual leaders of the clan stood up looking for the culprit while the crowd held their breaths. This was not a good sign, such has never happened in the land and it is considered a bad omen. Black rode before the crowd, with Damon sitting on his back all high and mighty. 

“‘I do”

“Your Highness, with due respect, it is not the border and as such you have no grounds here” Mark Logan chief of spiritual cleansing and incantations, stood up before him. Damon knew better, he was not ready to get into politics or tackle power with his half-brothers. Climbing off the black, he walked up to the fragile figure lying on the ground barely clothed, his heart ached just staring at her state, she was covered in bruises of every shape and kind. This made him wonder what type of life she has had to endure in the last 18 years. 

He was not new to the happenings of the ritual, however, he wasn't going to stand by and watch his mate be killed just to satisfy the thirsty blood demons of the capital. He had been searching for her for the past decade, which made more sense as to why he couldn't locate her. 

“I have no intention of stopping your ritual or activities I just want what is mine” he bends down scoping the little lady into his arms trying as much as he can not to break more bones on her. The guards surrounded him all ready to fight. 

‘’I am afraid you have been too away from the capital that you have forgotten where you stand brother. It is not your place to decide who to sacrifice and who not to. She is the chosen one with the mark of Zeranda and as such she is to be killed today and no one can stop it, back off you are not on your grounds” Philip Williams, the eldest prince of the first wife of King Williams stood war front before his younger brother. He is known for his quick temperament and judgemental attitude. He has always been jealous and feels he is treated less than his brother and everything within winning the throne is nothing but a game of survival to him. “Never the I have to leave and that won't be without her”

 Damon held on tight to Seranda, he knew better than fighting not on his ground. He gently placed Seranda, on Black and whispered something into his ears. Every royal is born with special talents and as such has special animals at their call. Black was quick on his war with Seranda on its back, while Damon transformed. His brothers hadn't seen him in his wolf form, and they had to step back for he was enormous. A black wolf with golden paws, white strips on his tail, and blue skylight eyes. 

‘’Bring it on’’ he growls at the guards. Everyone knew better than to fight with the god of war. He was the war god and the best in the land, ‘’come on if you want your sacrifice so much then you will have to go through me to get it, nothing more” Damon was not only daring be scary as well. Prince Philip transforms, his wolf is dark and scary with bloodshot red eyes, white fur, and dark spots. He is the few blessed with red eyes, which Is not very common within the clan. 

“Stop it both of you” 

Both princes were on the verge of killing each other when they were stopped by their father. King Willam Senior, god of the land and ruler of all, His word is the law. He's feared by all and loved by his people. A sneaky leader who outsmarts his officials on a regular basis. He has always enjoyed watching his children especially the men fight over power. To the crowd, it was a fight for sacrifice but deep down he knew it was a fight for recognition and power.

 “Who is the better heir” has always been the aim. Philip is First and as such believes it is by right he inherits the throne, however, there is no such law as the first son should be the king. Damon has contributed politically and increased the lands, he has so much military control which frightens his brothers. 

“Damon, it is absurd for you to take away a slave raised and nurtured to be sacrificed to the gods, dont you think so?” 

“What if she is my mate? Do I just stand by and watch the knife cut through her head?’” Damon was quick to respond. Everyone was aware of the pain of losing a mate. His father looked at the spiritual leaders, with a determined look, they knew he favored the children of his favorite concubine which was Damon, and his sister Princess Emery.

“Another slave will be sacrificed in place of the chosen Slave.”

‘’Your Highness?”’ whispers Achoad amongst the crowd but no one dared say anything, as such a slave from the royal castle was taken in place of Seranda. The festivity had lost its uniqueness and citizens left the slaughter grown soon after the departure of the royals. It wasn't the case before, citizens would stay longer to sing and dance to the god of dead souls, however, this time around they all retired home as more grieving. Very few wiped their white clothes on the blood of the slaves, for fear of bringing the wrath of the gods into their homes. 

“‘My chambers now”’ the king ordered his children as soon as they arrived at the castle. Edward knew someone was in for an earful.

“‘How could you two fight over a slave? How can you display your emotions in the open? How dare you disobey my orders”’

“‘Father it wasn't intentional, I had to protect our ways and beliefs, I think Damon has been away too long in the borders that some things have long been erased from his memory”’ Philip looked at the others with hatred, he knew no one was on his side. They all just wanted a scapegoat to sacrifice, they were not their brother's keeper.