Content Warning: This chapter contains mild violence. Reader discretion is advised.
A female lion stepped into the chamber. She was tall, her features were sharp and elegant. She wore leather armor, and looked like someone with authority. She looked at Nyx with open contempt.
"Kira." Raziel pulled back. "Report."
"The council has gathered. They demand explanation for…" She gestured at Nyx. "This."
"She has a name."
"I don't care. She smells of death and you bring her into our lands?"
Nyx pushed herself to stand.
"I've never hunted lions. Whatever you smell, it's not your people."
"All predators smell the same to us." Kira took a step closer with her hand on her weapon. "The laws are clear. Humans are enemies. They must be…"
"The laws are mine to interpret." Raziel cut her off. "She is under my protection. Anyone who touches her answers to me, understood?"
Kira's jaw clenched. For a moment, Nyx thought she'd challenge him but she bowed instead.
"As you command, my King."
"Tell the council I'll address them shortly."
And then Kira left.
"She seems nice." Nyx commented.
"She's my second in command who is loyal, fierce and currently questioning my sanity." Raziel grabbed a fur cloak and tossed it to her. "Put this on. Cover your scent as much as possible."
"Why are you protecting me?"
"Because you're the first interesting thing to happen in three centuries. Because you survived five minutes in the Shadowlands where trained warriors die in seconds, because you looked me in the eye and called me 'kitty' and because I still haven't decided if I want to kill you or keep you."
"That's not reassuring."
"It wasn't meant to be." He walked out. "Stay here but touch nothing. If someone tries to kill you before I return, try not to die too quickly. I'd like to be there for it."
Then he was gone, leaving Nyx alone in a chamber surrounded by furs and weapons.
She sat back on the furs, exhausted. Her shoulder throbbed, her ribs ached, and every muscle in her body screamed for rest but her mind was racing.
Three hundred years since humans were here. Genocide. Bonding magic. A King who looks at me like I'm a prey, a puzzle and something he wants to possess.
The loud sound of the footsteps disrupted her thoughts. Nyx stood up immediately. Three lions entered the chamber; all male, armed, and looking at her with cold eyes.
"The King said she's under his protection." One growled.
"The King is blinded by novelty." Another replied. "We should end her before she brings the curse."
"Before she corrupts him further."
They spread out, cutting off escape routes. Nyx moved towards the wall. She had no weapons and was injured, and outnumbered.
Fu*k it. If I die, I die fighting.
"You want me?" She called out. "Come get me."
They charged towards her. Nyx grabbed the clay jar of medicine and threw it at the closest lion's face. It shattered, paste entered into his eyes. He roared, clawing his face.
One down.
She rolled aside as the second lion lunged, grabbed a bone knife from the weapon display, and cut him. The blade slit into his fur, it wasn't deep enough to kill but it was good enough to hurt.
The third lion caught her from behind. She screamed in rage and moved her head backward with full force, onto his face. His grip loosened.
Then Nyx turned and cut him with the blade. Blood sprayed on her face. The lion collapsed.
The second lion froze, staring at his fallen companion and at the human who'd just killed him.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?"
Raziel's roar shook the chamber. He appeared at the entrance with Kira and a dozen guards.
The two surviving lions immediately dropped to their knees.
"My King, we were…"
"Attempting to murder my guest." Raziel's voice was deadly. "After I explicitly forbade it."
"She's an enemy! She'll bring…"
"Silence."
The lions shut up instantly, trembling. Raziel walked towards Nyx, who was still holding the bloody knife and was breathing hard. He looked at the dead lion, and at the fierce expression in her eyes.
"Did you do this?"
Nyx lifted her chin.
"Self defense."
"How many were here?"
"Three. One's blind, one's bleeding, one's dead."
A smile appeared on his lips.
"You killed a trained warrior with just a knife while wounded."
"I've killed bigger."
"I believe you." He turned to his guards. "Take these traitors to the cells. I'll deal with them after the council."
"My King." Kira interrupted. "She killed one of our own. By law…"
"By law, they attacked her under my protection. The fault is theirs. She defended herself. That's her right."
The guards dragged the lions away. When they were alone, Raziel took the knife from Nyx's hand and put it aside. Then he cupped her face, and brushed his thumb on the blood on her cheek.
"You're magnificent." He murmured looking at her lips.
For a second, Nyx thought he'd kiss her. But he stepped back.
"The council is waiting. You're coming with me."
"What?"
"They need to see you." He offered his hand. "Can you walk?"
Nyx looked at his hand. She saw the claws that could tear her apart but still she took it.
"Let's go and show them their nightmare."
Raziel grinned.
"That's my girl."
The council chamber was carved into the heart of the largest rock formation. A semicircle of lions was waiting for them. They were pride's leaders.
All eyes turned towards Nyx as Raziel led her in, his hand was still holding hers.
"Is that…"
"A human."
"Kill it before…"
"ENOUGH." Raziel's voice silenced them. "This is Nyx Keller. She is a human survivor and under my protection by right of first claim."
"You cannot protect an enemy!" One elder roared.
"The laws are clear." Another one added. "Humans must be eliminated on sight to prevent another bonding war."
"The laws were written three hundred years ago by our ancestors who feared human magic. But look at her." He gestured towards Nyx. "Does she look like she can tame us? Control us? She can barely stand."
"Appearance means nothing! The legends…"
"Legends are stories. She is real and I will not punish her for the actions of dead humans three centuries ago."
The council erupted in argument. Nyx stood there, as lions debated. Then one voice cut through the chaos.
"Let the other Kings decide."
Everyone stopped, and turned. Kira stepped forward.
"This is not just Lion Clan business." She continued. "If humans have returned, all Five Kings must know. Send word to Darius, Korran, Sylthis, and Zephyr. Let them judge."
The council murmured in agreement. Raziel's jaw tightened.
"You would invite them here and risk war over one human?"
"You've already risked war by claiming her." Kira looked at him. "At least this way, we share the decision."
"Fine. Send word to the other Kings for emergency council meeting in three days." He looked at Nyx. "You'll face the Five Kings. You'll have to convince them you're worth keeping alive."
"No pressure." Nyx muttered.
"Welcome to the Beastworld, little hunter." He smiled. "Let's see if you can survive politics as nicely as you survived combat."
MONITORING CHIP ACTIVE
SUBJECT: NYX KELLER
STATUS: ALIVE (UNEXPECTED)
VITALS: STABILIZING
THREAT ASSESSMENT: EXTREME
SURVIVAL ESTIMATE: REVISED TO 72 HOURS
NOTE: SUBJECT KILLED INDIGENOUS LIFE FORM AND WAS PROTECTED BY DOMINANT MALE
CONTINUE OBSERVATION
On Earth, Director Zhao watched the data scrolling.
"She killed one." A technician whispered. "She killed a trained predator and that too on her first day and while being injured."
"And the alpha male is defending her." Zhao leaned back. "Interesting."
"Should we extract her?"
"No." Zhao smiled. "Let's see how this plays out. She's either going to die spectacularly or become something we've never seen before."
On the monitors, Nyx stood beside a lion king, covered in blood, facing a council that wanted her dead.
But she was smiling.