Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

up a completed metal band. ‘Like when we heal through the use of an external stimulant, these bands emit waves through the skin that block some aspects of the mind and open up others.’

He dropped the band back onto the bench, letting it clatter and ring as it fell from his hand to the bench top once more.

‘Thereby setting free that in ourselves which is stronger, which has no moral qualms about going after what it wants, and which uses the darker, base desires of our nature to our own benefit.’ Chezran stepped closer to Siraay and cupped her chin in his hand, forcing her face up towards his greater height.

His grip was firm enough to hurt, but Siraay ignored it as she looked into a pair of darkly glowing eyes, her heart thumping excitedly at the touch of the powerful male. ‘And this is the result. Strong, devoted soldiers, and leaders, who can use all of their sleeping mind to help us achieve our goal.’

Chezran let go of Siraay’s chin, his hands moving now to her shoulders, and Siraay could feel the strength behind those arms as the lord continued speaking.

‘I will see a Kaslon that will be strong enough to defeat any threats. Like this metal, we will purge those elements of society that lack strength, or who resist us, leaving a pure Kaslon in which to bring about change that will result in the beginning of a new age.’

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHEZRAN ALSO SHOWED her the armoury that morning and took her out of the palace grounds and into the city itself, a retinue of guards following, but at a respectful distance—they, too, knew what their lord was capable of.

Siraay took note throughout her tour of the palace and grounds who was wearing bands and who wasn’t. Although it was possible that the accessories could have been hidden under the sleeves of some people, she observed that most persons in positions of authority usually did not wear the bands, but most who assisted in menial duties and labour, and the majority of the soldiers, did.

Chezran noted her glances. ‘There are those who are true believers in our cause,’ he said, nodding towards a female who was giving orders to a large group as she supervised a building project of some sort. ‘And there are those who, awakened by the tarzneum in the bands, become valuable contributors. Either through simple efforts or through the value of a special skill set.’

Siraay nodded, appreciating the strategy, and ran a finger over the detailed lines of her necklace. It was the most important thing in her life now—without it, she wouldn’t exist. And then a new question popped into her mind. ‘So, why does the chief archon wear a mask?’ She wondered if it was similar to why she needed to wear the necklace.

Chezran snorted. ‘Chief Archon Pyron is allowed to indulge himself in wearing that mask, as he been unfailingly loyal and valuable to our cause since he has been with me. Although,’ the lord continued in a quieter voice, ‘I suspect he might be scarred underneath—from some fire when he was just a youth. But you should not bring it up, as the chief archon would not appreciate it, I’m sure.’

Pyron? Viciously scarred? Siraay was inordinately pleased for a moment to have discovered such a weakness in her foe, but then grimaced as she touched her own facial scars and realised it made her and Pyron all the more similar.

She moved on to her next question.

‘I was wondering,’ she asked casually, ‘if my—’

‘My lord.’

A female’s voice called out from behind them, and Siraay glanced back to see who it was. When she recognised Archon Atalia, she schooled her face into a carefully neutral expression, and she only turned after Chezran had faced the approaching female.

Atalia was looking particularly attractive this morning, with her shoulder-length blonde hair pulled back into a complex tail, the daylight bringing out the colour in her pale-green eyes.

And the skin-hugging gear she wore did reveal a shapely form.

Was it Siraay’s imagination, or did Chezran’s head tilt just a little before he verbally acknowledged the archon?

‘Yes?’ invited the lord.

A simple question, but Siraay could detect layers of meaning within it, and she knew that the archon’s approach was something out of the ordinary.

‘We have had an update from the second division—they have new intelligence on the movements of the Resistance.’ Atalia hesitated, just for a heartbeat, her gaze flicking to Siraay, a look of mild concern mixed with weighted consideration crossing her face.

A brilliant piece of acting. Just enough to make Chezran wonder why his head tactician might be concerned about revealing critical intelligence in Siraay’s presence but not enough to offend him outright by questioning his new lady’s loyalty.

Siraay mentally adjusted her evaluation of Atalia—attractive and cunning. A mix that would appeal to Chezran.

The lord flicked his fingers. ‘Speak—Lady Siraay will be privy to most matters that hold my attention.’

Siraay noted with satisfaction how Atalia’s eyes seemed to darken a shade at the mention of her title. But the archon had enough control to conceal whatever she might be thinking, and she nodded sharply once, her hard eyes resting on Siraay.

‘Yes, my lord.’ Her gaze shifted back to Chezran. ‘It appears that the Resistance groups are slowly coming together—so far, the second division has intercepted two groups that appeared to be making for a hilly area near the capital.’

Chezran nodded. ‘Did we question those we captured?’

A cruel smile spread across Atalia’s face, sensual and slow. ‘We did—bands were placed on those who were susceptible, giving us some new intelligence, and those who weren’t … eventually answered our questions anyway.’

Surprise almost broke across Siraay’s face as she registered that interesting fact—that not everyone was susceptible to the bands. She bit down hard on her tongue to still her face and pushed the thought to the side for the moment, turning her attention back to Atalia’s words.

As much as Siraay didn’t like the female, she had to respect