Odin gestured to the knife and Aubreigne moved back out of the way. Odin took hold of the knife and pulled, forcing the large, hunting knife out of Shane’s chest. The squelching sound it made when it pulled free was enough to make Aubreigne feel physically ill.
Both she and Odin watched, amazed as the blood Enthrall was feeding Shane began to seep from the wound in Shane’s chest before the flesh began to miraculously knit together, repairing itself, though it would leave an obvious scar.
Enthrall was weakening, on the verge of giving too much of his own blood to Shane. Normally a Vampire would have drained their chosen victim-soon-to-be-fellow-vampire, then fed him again, having had more than enough blood to sustain them both, but Shane’s blood had been spilled on the ground where Odin had found him. Enthrall had not had a chance to fortify himself before he began to change Shane.
“Enthrall, you must stop,” Aubreigne said.
Enthrall shook his head. “He needs more.”
“You are almost too weak yourself. You must stop,” Aubreigne insisted.
“No,” Enthrall whispered, adjusting his wrist so that Shane could continue to feed.
“What’s happened?” Felicity exclaimed, the moment she and Brannaugh materialized a few feet from them.
Enthrall looked up at Felicity and his tears began to fall.
“He’s given too much to Shane already,” Aubreigne said urgently.
Felicity hurried to Enthrall and Shane, dropping to her knees beside Enthrall. She held her wrist out to Enthrall. “Take what you need,” she said.
Enthrall hesitated for only a moment before sinking his razor sharp fangs into his mate’s wrist. He took only three pulls of blood from her before pulling away, and removing his own wrist from Shane’s mouth while moving her wrist to replace his at Shane’s mouth.
Felicity looked down at the young man she’d loved as her own since the first time she’d met him. His color was coming back, the wound on his exposed chest freshly healed and pink. And he took shallow breaths as his body slowly began to adjust to its new reality.
She waited until he took a few more mouthfuls, finally pulling his own mouth from her wrist, though still, he slept. His eyes remained closed, but he was obviously out of danger. “He’ll sleep now,” Felicity said.
“For how long?” Aubreigne asked.
“Some sleep for days, others wake sooner. It just depends on how long it takes his body to recover,” Felicity said.
“We need to get him inside, then find Deaumanique,” Enthrall added shakily.
“I’ll help,” Brannaugh said.
Brannaugh knelt down and lifted Shane into his arms. Shane was not a small man — had Brannaugh not been Fae, he would have needed help lifting him. Once he had Shane in his arms and started toward the house, Enthrall stood to follow, but stopped and turned toward Odin.
“Thank you. If you hadn’t brought him to us, we’d have lost him.”
Odin gave a single nod.
“You are granted sanctuary for as long as you wish. I am forever in your debt,” Enthrall said.
Odin’s eyes widened. He never in a thousand years expected to be granted sanctuary. He was a Demon alone and without his brethren. Ice Demons rarely left their own kind. In fact, Odin knew of no other before him that had escaped their realm and survived. He’d assumed he’d always wander, never being allowed to make a place for himself. Even here in Whispers, he’d believed that as soon as he was forced to face Enthrall, he’d be ejected and driven out. The only reason he’d risked bringing Shane back to his home was because it was the right thing to do. He’d spent eons doing things the wrong way, and took a special perverse kind of pleasure in doing the right things now that he had a choice. “Thank you,” he finally managed.
But Enthrall had already turned away and was following Brannaugh who carried Shane with Felicity hovering over him into Shane and Deaumanique’s home.
“Enthrall!” came a deep, booming voice.
Aubreigne raised her head with a sense of relief, she’d know that voice anywhere.
Enthrall turned at the sound of his name just as Murder landed, setting foot just behind him near the house.
“Brannaugh called for Destroy before he left with Felicity, shouting that Shane had been hurt and Deaumanique missing. Destroy came to me, I alerted Carnage. Both are searching for Deaumanique now. I came here to you and Aubreigne. What can I do?”
Enthrall shook his head, clearly overcome with sorrow.
Murder watched Brannaugh carry Shane into his home with Felicity right behind him and put two and two together. “You fed Shane.”
Enthrall nodded. “He was dying. I had no choice.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Murder said, allowing his eyes to travel the length of Enthrall’s arm to his wrist, still raw from where he’d fed Shane.
“Here,” Murder said, sinking his own fangs into his wrist before holding it out to Enthrall.
Enthrall shook his head, refusing the offer to strengthen himself.
“Do not be proud, Enthrall. Had you not given too much, you would be carrying Shane into his home yourself. Here, you know my blood is strong. It will take only a little to replenish you,” Murder said, still extending his wrist to Enthrall.
Enthrall’s mind flashed back to another time that Murder had had to supplement him. He’d been there for him when he’d saved Felicity as well. Enthrall gave a single nod of agreement and stepped toward Murder.
Murder smiled warmly and held his arm steadily aloft as Enthrall approached. He gave no indication that he even felt it when Enthrall sealed his lips around the open wound on Murder’s thick wrist.
Five minutes later Enthrall pulled away, feeling physically stronger than he’d been when he’d awakened that morning. “Thank you, my friend. It seems you are always there when I need you.”
“As you are for all of us. Go, tend your son, I’m going to help with the search for Deaumanique,” Murder said, patting Enthrall on the shoulder.
“Where is Zeke?” Enthrall suddenly thought to ask.
“Destroy said he is with Rowan and their children. He is safe. Destroy’s little witch is powerful and can easily protect the children if necessary. You need only think of Shane for now,” Murder answered.
“I’ll check on Shane, then leave him with Felicity so that I can help search for Deaumanique as well,” Enthrall said, all traces of weakness gone from him and his voice, though it was apparent he was still emotionally shaken.
“It’s not necessary. We are all searching. I’d not be surprised if Carnage hasn’t stopped everywhere he passes and recruited all he can find to assist,” Murder said.
“I’m helping. I’ll be there shortly,” Enthrall insisted.
Murder knew it was pointless to argue and simply waited for Enthrall to disappear inside Shane’s home before turning to Aubreigne. “Do you wish to come with me, or will you search on foot?”
“Rune and I are searching on foot, I think I could possibly see more from down here in some areas than you can see from above. But please keep me informed,” Aubreigne answered.
“You shouldn’t be alone, Aubreigne. We don’t know who attacked Shane, or where Deaumanique is,” Murder said. “Has anyone checked near where Shane was found?” he asked.
“Only briefly. There was no one near the young male. I’ll return to the dark swamp now, though, and search again. I’ll ask any I see there to help as well,” Odin said.
“And don’t worry for Aubreigne. I’ll be with her,” Brannaugh said, stepping out of the house and onto the porch.
Murder glanced toward Brannaugh, then let his eyes linger a little too long on Odin. “Very well. Surely with everyone’s help we can find her.”
Chapter 23
Lily was playing a game of marbles with Boon on their living room floor. Boon had been called inside by Carnage before he’d flown off in search of Deaumanique and pouted at having to stay inside until Carnage returned to let them know it was safe to go outside a
gain.
The marbles clacked as Lily sent one rolling into Boon’s favorite and knocked it out of the circle.
“That’s no fair!” Boon exclaimed, pouting that Lily had just won his favorite marble.
“I said I’d play marbles with you. I didn’t say I’d let you win,” Lily said with a laugh.
“But that’s my favorite! And you know it’s my favorite!” Boon objected.
“Then you shouldn’t have played with it,” Lily said.
“It’s not fair! You’ve been playing longer than me. And you know that one’s my favorite,” Boon complained.
“Boon, if you didn’t want Lily to play fairly, you shouldn’t have asked her to play,” Carolena said.
“But she always lets me win,” Boon said.
Lily had stopped listening. She wasn’t even aware that her mother and brother were still talking. Instead she was listening to a deep, raspy voice in her mind. A voice that had been a part of her since she was a very little girl. A voice that had become more and more prevalent as she grew older. The voice of a Dragon.
“Lily, are you alright?” Carolena asked concernedly, walking over to Lily.
Boon stopped pouting and really paid attention to his sister. “Lil?” he asked, reaching out and shaking her arm.
“Lily!” Carolena snapped.
Lily blinked and looked around at her mother and brother. “They’re at my tree. He’s got Deaumanique at my Dragon Tree!” Lily's mists started gathering as she stood up. “I have to go there!” Lily said as she began to fade from sight.
“No! Don’t go alone, call to Lore!” Carolena demanded.
“I already have,” Lily’s voice echoed as she faded completely from the living room.
~~~
It was very difficult for the Gargoyles to see through to the ground because the canopy created by the trees was so dense it couldn’t very easily be seen through. Carnage and Destroy were both combing the woods on foot now, having given up trying to track anything or anyone from the sky. Carnage had enlisted Simon who was searching the waterways with help from Gaston. But, so far no one had located Deaumanique. It was apparent that someone had her in their grasp, and they were on the move, otherwise she’d have been located by now.
Murder had made his second pass over Whispers and decided to turn back and meet up with Odin in the dark swamp to see if he’d found any trace of Deaumanique there. Just as he’d turned to the south, he felt a push at his subconscious and realized Lore was calling for him. He turned away from his previous direction and followed Lore’s call. Murder concentrated, and realized that he was being summoned to the Dragon Tree. The Dragon Tree was located almost to the far West of Whispers, far away from any homes, or frequently used footpaths. It was not a place that was visited by most — except for Lily.
Not sure of why he was being called to the Dragon Tree, he made sure to continue to surveil as much of the ground as he could see as he rushed to answer Lore’s call.
~~~
Rune kept his nose to the ground, sniffing his way through the woods. He turned onto an almost completely hidden path that was over-grown from lack of use.
“Shouldn’t we stay on the path we’re on?” Brannaugh asked, when Aubreigne ducked under several low hanging branches to follow Rune.
She shook her head. At first they’d followed Rune toward the dark swamp before he’d changed direction and moved past Deaumanique’s home once more. She’d been quiet for most of their walk as they followed Rune in what seemed to be circles through the seldom used areas of Whispers. She’d been praying nonstop to every god she’d ever heard of, as she followed Rune through the trees and undergrowth instead of paths and trails the residents of Whispers often traversed. But when Rune had led them to what they believed was a place that someone had lain in wait, watching Deaumanique’s home for sometime as evidenced by the crushed leaves, flattened ground and footprints in that concentrated area, she’d begun to make promises to every deity she’d ever heard her mother call on. She’d even begun to beg Amilanu to intercede on her behalf, promising both him and The Dark One anything they wanted in exchange for protecting her daughter and returning her safely home. She knew Amilanu likely couldn’t even hear her, but just the thought of him somewhere out there with all the power The Dark One had to offer available to him, made that plea worth her while. It was also quite possible The Dark One could hear her — he was after all, a deity of sorts in his own right. Once she got to the end of her prayers and pleas, she started all over again. All she wanted was her daughter safe and alive, she’d give up anything she had to in order for her daughter to live. She’d remained completely silent while she begged any and all to help her until now, following the wolf without question as he seemed on the trail of someone. “He’s tracking. I’m not letting him out of my sight,” she said firmly.
“Alright,” Brannaugh agreed.
Aubreigne was operating on auto pilot. Her alarm grew, and her skin had reddened more as her emotions grew with her alarm. Aubreigne was now struggling to keep the winds that whipped with her temper at a minimum so that she could continue to effectively search for her daughter. She stumbled at one point, causing Brannaugh to reach out for her to try to steady her.
“No!” Aubreigne rushed out, trying to yank herself away from him, instead reaching out toward a tree to stop her fall. “Don’t touch me,” she hissed.
“I only meant to steady you. I wouldn’t harm you, Aubreigne,” Brannaugh answered, misreading her order not to touch her.
Aubreigne shook her head. “I know. I only meant to stay away because I don’t want to hurt you. If you touch me, you’ll be burned,” she explained, holding her red hands up for him to see. When she pulled her hand away from the tree she’d reached out to catch herself with, Brannaugh’s eyes widened. She’d left a hand print burned into the trunk of the tree.
Brannaugh nodded. “I understand.”
Then they heard Rune begin to growl a short distance away from them, and hurried to follow after him.
“Where does this path lead?” Brannaugh asked.
“The Dragon Tree,” Aubreigne answered.
~~~
Amilanu had been buried deep inside himself for days now, doing his very best to block out all The Dark One orchestrated in order to punish him for daring to crave an existence separate from him, for daring to love, for any kindness Amilanu had dared to offer while The Dark One slept and recovered from his vices. But now there was a soft pull at his soul. A soft pull, a distant touch he recognized as his Aubreigne.
Amilanu risked a glance through eyes that he did not always control, and found himself surrounded by a bevy of lovers. Some of which had literally given their lives during their last bout of submission to The Dark One. Knowing The Dark One slept, he paid more attention to the feel of Aubreigne calling to him. Once he opened himself to her call, he felt it — she was distraught. She was begging him for help.
Amilanu struggled to shove bodies away from himself as he rose from the rugs and pillows he lay upon. Once he’d stood for a moment and gotten his bearings, he determined the best way out of the brothel he found himself in and started for the door, his focus on the desperation Aubreigne’s spirit called to him with.
He was startled to a stop when he almost literally stumbled over a young woman chained to a wall. He took in her clothes, her manner, and the tears that coursed down her face. It was apparent she didn’t belong here.
“Why are you chained here?” Amilanu asked, his voice husky and tired.
“Please don’t hurt me,” she answered.
“Why are you here?” he asked again.
“My mother chained me here during the night. She gifted me to you,” the young woman said, her voice shaky, as her eyes glanced over toward the rugs and pillows he’d been ensconced in only a few minutes earlier.
Amilanu looked over toward where he’d awakened. “Is she there?” Amilanu asked.
The woman didn’t answer, so he looked back at her. S
he was nodding her head furiously, while trying to look away from the naked people lying haphazardly about or at Amilanu himself.
“Why would she gift you to me?” he asked.
“You demanded she prove her loyalty,” she said softly. “She claimed my father would kill her if she gifted me with no dowry. You gave her coin to appease my father and brothers.”
“Apparently, they accepted the coin,” Amilanu snapped.
“You laughed when she brought me here, said it was amusing to you how little humans cared for their children when coin was involved.”
Amilanu’s chest rumbled. It was obviously beyond time to destroy himself so that no other suffered at his hands. “Did I harm you?”
The woman shook her head and gazed across the room.
“And those of your family meant to protect you, to shelter you, took the coins? Are you certain?” Amilanu pressed.
“I saw them. I heard them celebrating as she dragged me away,” the woman said, casting her head to the floor in shame.
“Then you have no family,” Amilanu said angrily. He took hold of the chains holding her prisoner and pulled them out of the wall. “Come,” he said, pulling the woman to stand beside him.
“Please! Please don’t! You can still save your soul, let me go!” she cried, trying to pull away from him.
Amilanu laughed so hard, so sardonically, so pitifully, that several of those still lying on the rugs he’d left shifted in their sleep. “There will be no redemption for me. That is clear now. You, however, will live a better life. Come!” he demanded.
The woman had fought with him, struggling against his hold the entire time he’d spoken to her.
“Cease your struggling this instant!” he ordered.
The woman stopped fighting Amilanu when he shook her, startled by his roughness.
“What is your name?” Amilanu demanded.
“Please…” she whispered through tears.
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