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I setat the comfort of both the physical and mental touch "Lord Mzatal," Ieverything from my collarless state, to my unreadability, to my comfort with Mzatal Mzatal drewof his features and a smile that I kneas for Vahl’s benefit as e to Rhyzkahl via Vahl: Kara is here with ainst his chest, then slid a hand downscar

"Did he tell you he excised his mark with Xhan?" Mzatal asked, eyes on Vahl

Vahl’s eyes dropped to my arm I watched as his lips parted in reaction Surely he knehat arcane agony the act had held Vahl tore his gaze away and looked directly at Mzatal, an odd combination of repulsion, horror, and fascination on his face "Why torture hi a mark physically?" he asked, voice incredulous

Oh, Rhyzkahl suffered? Poor fucking baby I glanced back at Mzatal with an "it’s okay" look, then locked ed my blouse open at the top so that he could clearly see the intricate tracing of scars on my upper chest "No, Lord Vahl, this is torture These were carved with that same blade"

He took another half-step back, clearly shocked His eyes rested on the sigils, revulsion whispering across his face as if they spoke to him in crazed"There was h ently onme knoas there for me

"Vahl," Mzatal said, "tell me what you know of this ritual"

The other lord visibly suppressed a shudder, eyes re of the ritual, Jesral and Rhyzkahl cloistered the chamber for hours" He shook his head "I do not knoith certainty, but I believe it was related There were also ties to Amkir and Kadir"

Mzatal leaned forward ever so slightly, increasing the contact withhirateful for the support

Vahl ran a hand over his head "So with the ritual and--"

"No! It didn’t go wrong!" I cut hi "It went exactly as intended As Rhyzkahl intended" I sed hard "He bound e the sigils and diagram It was only when he sliced the mark from my arm that Mzatal was able to retrieveue, obviously disturbed "When Kara was recalled, the patterns imploded" His mouth drew into a flat line "Everybody are that so had happened The entire palace shook" He lifted his gaze to Mzatal "Rhyzkahl went down, but no one knew for sure at first because he had sealed the doors such that no one could open them And none of the syraza would touch it"

I had to srove power "He tried to follow"I threw hied later and went straight to his chaht and half of the next day" He exhaled "I know nothing h me I would have to bear these scars for the rest ofnap

Mzatal dropped his ar htly crossed er trickle away

"When next you see Rhyzkahl," Mzatal said, "tell hireement with me and has my full protection" He paused "Tell hirimaced, nodded I didn’t have to read hi that report

"And, Vahl," Mzatal continued, but in a much less scary tone, "that report need not be in his presence It was an arduous conclave Perhaps a few days rest here" The potency eased in Mzatal "There is the potential for discussions of mutual interest"

Relief coupled with uncertainty crossed Vahl’s face "I will send hiil," he finally replied "And I am honored to accept your invitation"

Well, the next few days will certainly be interesting, I thought to ht nods, then Vahl turned and left I let out a breath and turned in Mzatal’s arainst his chest "Thank you"

Mzatal put his other ar "There is no need for thanks," he replied softly "It is what had to be done"

I tilted my head to look into his face "No Iso here for h this without your help"