The Dark Lord's Tribute

By Demi Knight

“My name is Sevarenn and I’ve witnessed unimaginable horrors. I’ll do what I must to protect my family and my village from this evil—even through sacrifice.”

While out hunting, Sevarenn stumbles upon true evil and has to run for her life. In her haste, she lands in the arms of a mysterious man called Damian, who saves her from certain death.

Her attraction to him is instant, but she knows what she must do. There’s no place in her life for romance.

In spite of her mother’s belief that the tradition of offering tribute to the Dark Lord is barbaric and should be outlawed, Sevarenn is compelled to volunteer as a tribute. This is the only way she can ensure the evil, she’s witnessed never reaches her village or family.

Damian—Sevarenn’s beautiful, mysterious and powerful rescuer is attracted to the little huntress in ways more than mere attraction can describe. When he learns of her plan to offer herself as tribute, he makes a life altering decision, one that changes the course of Sevarenn’s life in ways she couldn’t conceive.

Will Sevarenn persevere to follow her duty? Or, will her desires for the mysterious and powerful stranger make her question her decision to sacrifice her happiness and life for the safety of her family and village?

• Language: English
• Publisher: 13 Doors Publications
• Release date: Dec 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781524281380

Book preview

WARNING: This Story Contains Explicit Sexual Language and Situations

Thank you for buying my book. I hope you enjoy it. If you do please tell your friends, and leave a review. If you don’t please tell me. You can contact me at: [e-mail]

Here’s to your reading pleasure.

Chapter One

Thunderous roars of menacing hooves trampled the ground underfoot. The spectacle sounded like the raging gallop of a thousand stampeding horses, instead of the four riders speeding toward the town center. Their entrance shattered the expectant silence. The riders bore down on the town folk, headed straight for the girls lined up as tribute.

Regret clutched Sevarenn’s heart, as she waited in the town square with the six other volunteers. Selected, she’d lose her one chance at love. Fail and her family would suffer.

Time was up for the chosen one to be selected.

A cold blanket of menacing emotions wrapped around Sevarenn. It strangled and crushed her with its intensity.  Sevarenn glanced over at her friend Akasha, as their hands fastened. A weak smile brushed her lips in reassurance in answer to her friend’s unspoken words and ... to hide the tremor just below the surface. Determined, Sevarenn willed her body to remain still as she battled hard against instinct.

She could do this. She’d witnessed the unimaginable horrors waiting outside the town’s limits—real dangers beyond her safe little world existed. If only there was a way for her to unlearn the things she’d seen; things no one should ever experience.

Hunting took on a whole new meaning.  The pastime she once enjoyed now illuminated the real danger lurking a little too close to home. Their town’s tradition had true reason and meaning. It was evident they needed protection. The tradition stood for a lot more than her mother led her to believe.

It seemed a millennium ago, she’d gathered her bow and arrow and told her mother, I’m going hunting.

Zelda looked out the window and raised her eyebrows, This late in the day dear? Her mother’s tone didn’t conceal the curiosity within it.

It’s not too late, the sun is still high and you know it’s the best time to hunt. It was a little past midday, and normally she’d leave a lot earlier. However, the rumors about activity in the neighboring villages gave her a great deal to think about. The list for volunteers would soon be posted. She grappled with the idea of taking part, knowing how much it would displease her mother. Not to mention Akasha’s reaction when she brought up the topic of the tribute to her. She’d been so adamant about Sevarenn not volunteering and being part of such an outdated objectifying practice.

I suppose. Zelda’s voice broken through Sevarenn’s thoughts, and held a hint of uncertainty.

Please don’t say no Mother, you know how much I enjoy it. Sevarenn’s voice trailed off, she needed to clear her head and hunting was the only way she knew how.

A silent pause, then a long sigh, lay between them before Zelda smiled at her and nodded.

Take as long as you need dear, be safe. Aware of Sevarenn’s impulsive nature, she cocked her brow and added, I mean it, don’t do anything foolish!

I promise, I’ll be careful. Sevarenn smiled, kissed the older woman’s cheek, then she was out the door.

Within moments she’d left behind the village and entered the part of the woods she knew so well. Sevarenn loved everything about the forest. The calm surroundings brought her together with nature, and helped to soothe her spirits. She’d return home, clear headed and energized.

For her, hunting small animals kept her focused, while her subconscious worked to find a solution to whatever was on her mind.

Time passed before she found the perfect mark, a rabbit nibbling on some grass. Sevarenn stayed quiet. After a while the animal raised his head and hopped away in the opposite direction. Her bow raised and arrow nocked to the ready, Sevarenn followed. She made sure to maintain a discreet distance and waited for the perfect moment to strike.

With her attention focused on the small animal, violent screams carried on the breeze went unnoticed. The cries sent the animal bolting for cover, and freed her concentration. Alert, her heart pounded at the sound. Her body pivoted toward the shattered shrieks as she realized somewhere nearby someone was in trouble.

Her weapon still raised