ZINA
Silence like no other engulfed Zina as those words hung over her like a curse.
She was no fool, ever since her captors told her that Luna Savage even with her dying breath did not reveal her identity, she had wondered how it came to be that her powers as a Seer was revealed.
"That can't be…" she spluttered, her voice hitched and pained.
But Modrich was particularly vicious, wishing to shatter the illusion of love she had ever had.
"Of course it is," he said in a dark, twisted voice, "guess how much we made just from selling your identity?"
No….
"The money is not as important as the additional packs that we have acquired. Currently, the Wolfknights are now a little over a hundred…"
No….
"And I am the Alpha of it all…"
No….
"The aged prophecy is about to come to pass. The day of the rising of the WolfKnights is here."
N..no…
"Did you not confirm the same prophecy? Even you too saw the rising of our pack. I bet you didn't think the sacrifice would be you!" He jeered, laughing maniacally.
Zina was so still that even she herself was not entirely sure she was still alive. For all she knew, she could be hearing Modrich from the underworld.
As if sensing the raw hurt and rage that was dripping off of her, he growled, "Aberrant, don't tell me you wish to curse me as you did that man? I know of your antics and they won't work on me."
"Curse you?" Zina managed to gasp out, the amount of pain in her words surprising her greatly. Suddenly, she understood the words on her staff.
It was a horrible curse that would never be lifted up. This was her fate, to be abandoned for life.
Just the same way her real parents had no need for her, the same way her adoptive family utterly betrayed her for years, and the same way Jacen Vampage rejected her… Zina's cursed fate was so strong that it could never be lifted up, no matter how much she tried.
Why was it that her life had to be so terrible? Did she offend the gods? Why was she cursed to live like that! No better than nothing!
Tears stung her eyes, but they didn't roll down. It had always been like that, she had never been able to cry, but in the past two weeks, fifteen years worth of unshed tears had graced her dark heart in the face of the emotional wreck she had been on.
"So now you have no need for me?" Zina asked in a voice even too low for her to hear.
She sounded utterly pathetic. But she figured that was what happened when a safe haven she had come to appreciate for eighteen years of her pathetic existence crumbled down.
"Of course we do! While our pack is no longer a pitiful small pack, we are still nothing compared to the almighty NorthSteed pack. I am sure they will have use for you, and in turn, you should never forget to help your roots when your rise!"
Mondrich must have been on something for as far as Zina was concerned, the NorthSteed pack was a glaring moon high up in the sky, while the WolfKnights were a grain of sand on the earth.
"My mother… Pia… did they know?"
Modrich scoffed so loudly, "are you seriously asking that question? Of course Ma Thea knew! And don't you think it's quite pathetic to still call her mother!"
Zina said nothing.
"No matter your many impediments," Modrich continued in a voice equal parts of haughty and imploring, "you're still a rare beauty and your powers are useful… the NorthSteed pack will surely have a use for you so serve them in any way you can!"
Zina did not have the decency to act shocked at the implied meaning of his words. That she act as a prostitute, or worse, a power stone for anyone to inquire about the future.
At least Alpha Belmore had the decency to keep everything away from her, but Modrich was quite content flamboyantly throwing everything in her face.
A knock sounded on the door, saving Zina from offering a reply to Modrich's ridiculousness.
"Alpha Modrich," the voice of the male servant sounded, "you must leave now."
"Do not forget the goodness of the WolfKnights!" Modrich whispered harshly, then turned and left.
Zina staggered upright, the tears that stung her eyes gone. Almost immediately, another knock sounded.
"May I come in, Seer Zina?" A female voice said.
"You may…" Zina croaked, "You may." She repeated much better.
The door opened, and more than a pair of footsteps approached her.
"What is it?" Zina asked to what she assumed were at least three persons standing before her.
"We bring the decree of the Alpha King."
Zina numbly knelt to receive the decree, her mind a grainy mess.
"I, Alpha King Xavier NorthSteed. Alpha of the NorthSteed pack, King of the Arctic North, the white wolf, and the Arctic Wolf of the North decree that You, Zina WolfKnight be initiated into the role of Theta of the NorthSteed pack.
"For centuries, the figure of the Theta wolf has stood as a symbol of spiritual prowess and a connection to the moon goddess. The Alpha holds the head of the pack, while the Theta holds the rear by guiding the people in the way of the wolf.
"I find that your spiritual powers are proven and acceptable in my sight. Be that you are with a wolf, nonetheless, I still find you fitting and declare that Zina WolfKnight be initiated into the NorthSteed pack with the title, Orathmir, meaning the Seer of All."
Zina was in a daze, the words floating about her. It wasn't until a female voice called to her did she jolt out of her reverie.
"Seer Zina, please receive the Decree."
Even then, Zina didn't find her words. Instead, three questions floated in her thoughts—what on earth was she doing there? Where on earth was the direction of her life going? And what should she do about it?
There was a smear to avenge. A life to destroy. A betrayal to pay for.
"Seer Zina…" the voice implored impatiently.
Zina tugged the ties of her blindfold loose then and there. And her audience gasped, the sound of their steps backing away from her like music to her ears.
A smug smile tugged at her lips while her mind burned with a hate for herself and the world she found herself in. In a low, ravishing voice she responded,
"I, Zina WolfKnight, the Great Seer and Orathmir, accept the command of the Alpha King."