Flameseeker (Book 3) (35 page)

“You look like you slept well, Omari,” Jarial
said.

Omari smiled—a genuine smile, the like of which
Jarial had rarely seen from him. “I did. It was nice to be able to sleep in my
old room again.”

“Good. Are you ready?”

“As ready as I will ever be.”

It was Jarial’s turn to smile. He pushed open the
doors. The Councilmembers were already sitting at the table, talking amongst
themselves as they waited patiently. When Jarial stepped into the room, all
eyes turned to him.

“Good morning, everyone.” Jarial gave a curt nod.

Burke smiled. “Ah, welcome, Master Glace. You are
just in time.”

Jarial took his seat, and Omari pulled up a chair
beside him.

“I now call this meeting to order on the matter of
the induction of a new member of the Nine,” Burke said, standing from his seat.

Everyone fell silent and all eyes remained fixed
on him.

“As you are all aware, before Master Faulk’s untimely
passing, he had nominated Omari Batsuyou for the position of the Fifth Seat,
Illusion. Based on his progress, and even a personal recommendation from one of
our own, Jarial Glace, I have determined that Omari Batsouyou is deemed worthy
for this position. Does anyone oppose this decision?”

Jarial looked around the table. He began at
Virgil, expecting him to protest, but much to his surprise and relief, Virgil
kept silent.

The elder beamed. “Well then. Proper protocol has
been followed. Omari Batsuyou, congratulations. Welcome to the Council of the
Nine.” He gestured for Omari to stand.

Omari’s eyes widened, and he grinned. He sprang up
from his chair. “Thank you, everyone! It is such an honor to be apart of this
elite group of great masters!”

Jarial also got up from his chair and gestured for
Omari to move to it. “This chair is rightfully yours now, Omari.”

Omari looked at him hesitantly, then moved to the
plush chair. He sat back down—slowly.

Jarial remained standing. “Elder Burke, as Omari
has now ascended in my place, I hereby resign as acting member of the Council.
You all don’t need me anymore. Omari is more than capable of taking my place.”

Everyone looked shocked at Jarial’s announcement
but didn’t speak out. Burke cleared his throat.

“It is unfortunate that you are leaving us again,”
Burke said. “But we understand and wish you well in your endeavors.”

Jarial inclined his head. “Thank you for allowing
me this opportunity one last time.”

Sadness filled Omari’s eyes, but he said nothing.
After sweeping low with a bow, Jarial saw his way out of the chamber.

He didn’t leave the Citadel right away. Rather, he
went to visit Tachus in the underground cells. He detoured from the main hall
on the first floor to a short corridor that led to a set of spiral stairs
leading down into the darkest parts of the Citadel, places where he’d tread
only a few times. He’d mainly visited the cells to see Xavorin when he’d been
caught practicing Necromancy while at the Citadel. It was as if old memories
were sparked again as he walked through the narrow, musty halls.

He heard voices ahead and noticed a flicker of
candlelight. As Jarial drew nearer, he recognized the voices and the figure
that the candlelight outlined.

Saris stood before the locked cell, speaking to Tachus.
When Jarial approached, he stopped talking and looked at him.

“Master Glace! What are you doing here?” Saris
asked in a huffy voice.

Jarial eyed him coolly. “I’m here to see a
friend.” He heard a chuckle from the cell afterward.

“A friend,” Tachus said. “Never thought friendship
would come out of this.” He grabbed the bars and looked at Jarial. “I do owe
you my thanks. And I plan to make a new name for myself as I serve my sentence.
I have told my son of the plans. He will be resigning from the Citadel and
returning to Zebi once his escorts arrive.”

Jarial nodded. “I’m glad that everything worked
out for the best. And I am certain Saris will make a fine
shak’ha.
” He
looked at the young man.

Saris pursed his lips, then inclined his head.
“Thank you, Master Glace. I am honored that you think so highly of me.”

Jarial turned back to Tachus. “I’m here to bid
farewell to you, Tachus. I have resigned from the Council, and Omari has now
taken my place.”

Tachus frowned slightly, then shook his head. “I
see. Where will you go?”

“I don’t know yet. But wherever I go, I plan to
settle.”
And be with the woman I love.

EPILOGUE

Kaijin lay on his side, staring at the candle that
burned on his bedside table. He ran his hand over the flame, watching it lick
his fingers. The fire grazed the ring on his finger, burning away the smallest
specks of dirt. The wedding three days before had been a small but beautiful ceremony
at the Pyre. Ranaiah had been especially lovely, dressed in an elegant orange-and-yellow
gown with flames embroidered at the bottom.

What surprised Kaijin more were his friends, who had
all been in attendance. Through a series of scrying spells, Vargas had managed
to locate all of them, and Kaijin sent messengers out to contact them, inviting
them to the ceremony.

Kaijin pinched the flame from the wick and held it
in his hand. He smiled. As a boy, he’d only dreamed of being able to perform
such a feat. His passion for the element only burned even greater, since it had
stopped burning him.

The small fire he held burned brighter, turning white.
The Firelord must approve.

Smiling, Kaijin returned the flame back to the
wick and resumed playing with it. He heard Ranaiah shift behind him.

“Kaijin ...” she moaned sleepily. She cuddled with
him, reaching over and extinguishing the flame with her fingers. “Stop playing
with the candle and come to bed.”

The feel of her soft body against his made Kaijin
relax. Only a small ember remained on the wick.

Smiling gently, he rolled back over in bed and embraced
her. His necklace pulsated more warmth, in time with his heartbeat.

He could’ve sworn he heard Za’thaak chuckle in his
mind.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R.M. Prioleau
is a game designer by day
and dangerous writer by night. Since childhood, she’s continued discovering new
ways to expand her skills and creativity as she delves into the realm of
literary abandon. R.M. is a National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) enthusiast
who has been active in the worldwide writing community since 2009. Find out
more about the author at
www.rmprioleau.com
.