by Nesa Miller
“By the stars!”
“Tartarus!” Dar retracted the talons. In a single step, he stood over the elf.
Linq looked up with a wry smile. “I’d forgotten how dangerous it is to hunt with you.” His hair, face, and clothes were nearly as bloody as Dar’s.
“Are you hurt?”
“Not my blood.” Linq accepted the offered hand.
Distant noises of pursuit echoed through the trees. “We best get moving.” Dar stretched out his wings. “See you at Laugharne.” In a single thrust, he was airborne. Banking in a wide circle, he flew over the encampment before turning toward the castle. The corner of his mouth twitched to see the Bok scurrying about in confusion, deprived of their leaders, like ants rushing to protect their colony.
In a matter of minutes, he hovered over Laugharne and set down outside the outer wall. He was met with another unwelcome sight as he walked into the courtyard. Faux and Freeblood.
“Goddamn,” he cursed under his breath.
“Hey, Dar,” Freeblood said. The smile on his face disappeared when the blood-drenched Dar passed by without as much as a glare. “We’ve come to help.”
Faux huffed, wrinkling her nose. “Ugh, you’re disgusting.”
Dar cast her a wicked glance. “This is not a place for children. Run along to wherever you came from…and take your boy with you.”
Freeblood’s hands curled into fists.
“Like he said, we’ve come to help.” Faux slipped an arm through Freeblood’s. “Besides, we’re a couple, just like you and Etain. Get used to it.”
Dar’s hand itched to slap the grin from her face. “You will never compare to Etain.” His eyes cut to the boy. “And you…” He shook his head and walked away.
“Wait a minute,” Freeblood yelled, darting after the big man. “You don’t own the market on honor. We heard the plea for help and came.”
Dar took a moment to scan the boy’s thoughts. Aye, there was honorable intent there. Yet something else lurked at the fringes. Images flooded into his mind…cravings, morning sickness. He had specifically included the words in his spell to alleviate the usual ailments of pregnancy. Even with her being a demon, it should have done the job.
Experience as a king and warrior had ingrained their lessons deep. Nothing showed on his face or in his voice.
“We have done what we can to even the odds, but they have reinforcements coming. The foe we face outnumber us.”
“Then why don’t you give them what they want, so they’ll go away,” Faux said, licking her lips, her tail swaying.
“Go into the house.” Dar’s voice was cold.
Black eyes flashed and the pernicious tail snapped, taking an interest in the rude Krymerian. “Luckily for you, I do feel a little tired.” She tugged on Freeblood’s arm. “Come on, baby. We’ll find something to do tomorrow.”
“You go on,” Dar said, his eyes on the boy. “Freeblood and I have things to discuss.”
“Like the lady said, we’ll find something to do tomorrow.” They turned toward the house. Dar grabbed him by the shoulder, spinning him around. Freeblood offered no resistance. “Okay, we can do it now. Go on, Faux. I'll be right behind you.”
With a huff, she shot Dar a dirty look. “No prisoners, mon petit.” She pressed her lips to Freeblood’s and disappeared in a shimmer.
“You wanted to talk to me about-”
A firm hand to his throat cut off his words, but Dar’s fingers tightened on thin air. Freeblood dashed away in a blur, reappearing a few steps behind the Krymerian. “You said you wanted to talk.”
Dar turned. “You have behaved dishonorably, little man.”
“We haven’t done anything that would hurt the baby.”
Dar swung out with a brick-like fist. “Fighting recruiters?”
Freeblood blinked and nearly lost his head. At the last second, he ducked as the fist whizzed over. “Wait.” Dar was quick to recover and slashed back with his left. Freeblood leaned back out of the line of fire. “I told her I could handle it, but she wouldn’t listen to me.”
“You have no respect for family.” He lashed out again, grazing the young man’s chin.
Freeblood’s head snapped back. He stumbled but kept on his feet. “Hang on!” His eyes widened. “That wasn’t my fault!” Another left made contact with the right side of his face. Caught off guard, Freeblood dropped, his other cheek kissing the gravel. With a shake of his head, he scrambled away and got to his feet. “Whoa! Wait a minute. They just showed up. I don’t know how they found me, but-”
“You risked the life of my child.” Dar came at him.
“Hang on!” He danced back to widen the gap between himself and the enraged man. “Faux is fine and so is the baby.”
“This time. There are no guarantees on the next. You have no idea what it means to lose your family.”
Double-fisted jabs connected with Dar’s diaphragm, doubling him over. “Don't tell me I don't know what it's like to lose family.” Freeblood pulled back, ready to deliver another hit. “Unlike you, I loved my brother. Thanks to my asshole father, I wasn’t told of his death until a month after he was gone.” Satisfied he had made his point, he lowered his fists. “You’d better take your own advice and rest up, old man. You're going to need it if you want to kill more Bok than me.”
Hands on his knees, Dar steadied his breathing, watching the boy go into the house. He did not agree with Freeblood’s actions where Faux was concerned, but he did acknowledge the common ground they now shared. He needed time to think. Catching his breath, he spread his wings and was airborne in seconds.
27
Betrayal
An Alamir Ambassador, accompanied by a man and a woman, entered the courtyard. The smaller man with close-cropped brown hair was dressed in Ambassador robes of red, white, and blue. His companions had come prepared for battle, outfitted in black leather armor. When they saw the winged demon take flight, they exchanged worried looks. A murderous-looking pitchfork appeared in the woman’s hand when the demon landed in front of them.
“Greetings, my friends.” The red-eyed demon tucked his wings close to his body and offered his hand in welcome. “Thank you for coming.”
The black-leathered man tentatively accepted the offering. “You are not an Alamir,” he stated, noting the blood splatters decorating the demon’s skin and clothing.
The creature grinned. “No, just the hired help.”
“I know this to be the Castle Laugharne of the UWS clan. Where are her people?” The other man adjusted his robes as he surveyed the area.
“It is rather late. I would say most are inside, asleep.”
“Asleep?” The first man asked, suspicious of their absence. “Rather presumptuous, don’t you think?”
The demon sighed. “It’s been a bitch of a day, and tomorrow promises to be even longer.”
“How do we know this blood all over you isn’t Alamir?” The woman pushed the tynes of the pitchfork toward the demon.
“You’re going to have to trust me.” The three shuffled, exchanging uncomfortable looks. “I’ll get someone to wake Inferno. You can wait in the kitchen if you wish. There should be fresh coffee.”
The robed man shrugged at his companions. “How many demons make an offer of coffee?” He looked the demon in the eyes. “We’ve come to help in whatever way we can. Please, lead the way.”
“Cappy, you sure you want to do this?” the woman whispered.
“We will be fine, Arachnia,” Cappy replied, pulling his robes close against the chill of the night air.
“If you say so,” she said, keeping her pitchfork at the ready.
Inside the kitchen, the demon said, “Feel free to help yourself. Like I said, the coffee should be fresh. If you prefer tea, bags are in the tin.” He pointed toward the canisters lining the counter. “I’ll get a clansman to wake Inferno.” He ducked out the hallway door.
Arachnia leaned toward the tallest of her companions. “Awful friendly for a demon,
don’t you think, Thoric? Since when do demons work with the Alamir?”
“Anything’s possible these days.” Thoric turned to the other man. “Does he look familiar to you, Cappy?”
The friendly demon returned before Cappy could answer. “Inferno should be down soon,” he said and walked past the three toward the back door. “If you will excuse me, I have other business.” Before he stepped out, he added one more thing. “By the way, if someone asks, I didn’t do it.”
Arachnia gasped, shaking her head, and smirked. “I guess the rumors are true.”
“What rumors?” Thoric asked, confounded by her reaction. “Anyone for a coffee?”
“Make mine black,” Cappy piped up. “The rumors about our Krymerian friend, my young chap.”
“Aye. Dar.” Arachnia scowled at Cappy. “And no one was talking to you.” She turned to the other Ambassador. “I’d prefer tea if you don’t mind. I ran into a few of his former clansmen not long ago. They said he had changed.”
Thoric laughed. “You really think that was Dar?”
She looked at him as though he were a half-wit. “Who else says I didn’t do it? Besides, he didn’t ask for identification. Who does that when we’re all on high alert? Trust me. That was Dar.”
Thoric poured two cups of coffee, while water for the tea heated in a kettle. “Anytime the words ‘trust me’ come from your mouth, Ara…” He handed a cup to Cappy and took a seat, “I have to hold my breath.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Have I introduced you to my pitchfork lately?”
Thoric grinned and sipped his drink.
“With Dar here, it poses a problem for us,” Cappy said, leaning back, coffee cup in hand.
“I don’t agree,” said Thoric. “I have it on good authority that he dissolved the clan. No clan, no problems.”
“I beg to differ, my friend. His clan accused him of treason. The dissolution of it has no bearing on the charge. Are we not the Ambassadors of the Alamir, sworn to uphold our laws?” Cappy blew into his steaming cup and dared a sip. Finding it too hot, he smacked his lips and performed the process again. “Besides, there is the matter of the LOKI stone and into whose safekeeping it has been bestowed.”
“May I remind you that any action taken must be unanimously agreed upon by the Ambassadors?” Thoric looked around the room. “I only see you and me here, so any charges against the man will be set aside for now.”
“Good to hear.” A scruffy Inferno shuffled into the kitchen, heading straight for the coffee. “A bickering clan’s the least of our worries.”
In his flight to consider the situation with Freeblood and Faux, Dar happened across a small Bok unit tucked off the side of the road. Hoping to uncover vital information, he silently landed a few yards away and crept close enough to eavesdrop on their conversation. What he heard were not plans for attack though. Gathered around a fire, the Bok warriors discussed the events of the day and speculated on what was to come. Their talk came around to what they thought would be the capture of the High Lady.
“I’ve heard tales of her unusual strength.”
“Yeah. There’ve been whispers about her powers, too. A fierce white light is what they said.”
One scruffy soldier laughed. “White light? Who gives a damn about any light, white or otherwise? I want a gander at that soft pussy, part them pink lips with my-”
The man next to him guffawed, slapping him on the back. “Careful what you wish for, Mick. That might be where the white light comes from!”
“Hey-o,” another one joined in the laughter. “Sizzle that little bit of sausage right off.”
Mick good-heartedly pushed at the man next to him and spit into the fire. “Eh, won’t be much fight left in her after the officers have their share.”
“If the master leaves anything to share,” another said, his gaze going around the group. “If she survives his attentions…” He picked up a stick and poked at the fire, “she’ll be given to the most valiant soldier from the campaign. So you boys may as well go home. The bitch is already mine.” His thin lips spread in an evil grin, revealing a row of yellow-stained teeth.
“You’ll need us to hold down that puffed-up husband of hers, Krinos. Make him watch.” The laughter grew louder. “That should teach him not to mess with us.”
“We’ll see how high and mighty either of ‘em are after that,” Mick snorted.
The danger lurking in the shadows never registered with the soldiers until a deadly set of talons burst through the chest of one. Dar jerked back, pulsing heart in hand, devouring it before their wretched eyes. The men scrambled over each other, some drawing their swords, others running away in terror. The demon flashed through the throng of those who stayed to fight, a slash to the left, another to the right. Each one fell beneath his talons. His bloodlust rekindled, he bathed in their blood, smearing it over his face, chest, and arms.
Those who ran suffered a worse fate than those who stayed to fight. Dar reveled in the chase, darting behind trees and rocks, relishing in the false sense of security he allowed them to feel when they thought they had lost him, only to be skewered with his talons and dragged up into the sky. Sharp incisors sank into their sweat-covered flesh and the warm blood flowed, trailing down to dangling feet and raining over those below. His dazed victims watched in horror as he ripped the hearts from their chests and squeezed them into a bloody pulp before their eyes darkened in death. These hearts he did not deem worthy of ingestion. With the flick of a wrist, each of his prey fell to the ground, crushing anything in their path.
Dar landed, standing in the wavering firelight, covered in gore, his white wings stained crimson. The blood-soaked mercenary took flight, returning to the courtyard of Laugharne as the sun lightened the cloudy sky. When an alarm was sounded, Inferno and the rest of the small army came running, weapons drawn and ready, Freeblood and Faux at the front of the pack. Everyone came to a standstill, staring at the bloody apparition.
“By the gods, man,” Inferno exclaimed. “Are ya hurt?”
“It is not my blood.” There was no emotion in his response.
“Where’ve you been?” Linq asked, giving the man a good once-over.
Dar’s gaze pierced through each person standing there. “Those cutthroats will never touch my wife.” He looked down at Freeblood. “I will cut down anyone who stands in my way when it comes to the protection of my family, whether they be Bok or Alamir, innocent or not.” Freeblood stared the threat in the face. “Thanks to the Black Blades, we should have enough time to finish preparations.” Dar turned to Inferno and Linq. “I need to rest. Wake me in exactly two hours, if I’m not already up.”
“Aye, Dar. We’ll be sure to have ya up in time,” Inferno said, worried. “Ya sure yer all right?”
“I need to rest.” He walked toward the main doors.
Faux started to follow. Freeblood tried to stop her, but the sting of her tail on his cheek made him let go. “Dar. Dar,” she called out, running after the man.
His stride did not falter. “I have no time for your games, Faux. Go away.”
She caught up and stood between him and the doors. “No games, Dar, I promise.” Enflamed eyes of gold made her shiver. There was no warmth in their depths. “Uh… Where's Etain? I've been looking for her.”
“She is safe. That's all you need to know. Now, leave me in peace.”
“But, Dar-”
“I have no time for you, girl!” His voice resounded throughout the courtyard. He pushed her aside and disappeared into the house.
After watching the altercation between Dar and Faux, Inferno turned to Linq. “Something's going on with him. I think we best keep a close eye while Etain’s away. He seems ready to snap.”
“I think that wire snapped some time ago. We need to make sure he doesn't unravel. I hope Etain stays where she is until this is over.”
“She won’t leave me wife and Swee alone.”
“They're in no danger in Nunnehi. She knows that. If she gets any ink
ling how bad it is here, nothing will keep her away. You know how she is.”
Inferno laughed and clapped him on the back. “Aye, I know well. We best make sure we win the fight before she finds out.” Another thought crossed his mind. “Speaking of staying put, have ya seen that blasted brother of hers lately?”
“Not since Dar returned. Think we should be concerned?” Linq asked, focused on the map at hand.
“Maybe, but I don’t have the time to be frettin’ over the bloody fool. I hope he can hold his own if he runs into any Bok.”
A handful of those from outside walked through the kitchen, including Arachnia and the two Ambassadors. Faux and Freeblood were seated at the island, eating their breakfast in silence. Faux stared as they passed. The trio ignored her, but as Arachnia neared the doorway into the hall, she glanced over her shoulder with a guarded expression.
In the hallway, she commandeered Cappy and Thoric into the dining hall. “Who was that woman?”
The men looked at each other. “What woman?” they asked at the same time.
She rolled her eyes and lowered her voice. “The one with the horns, sitting at the island in the kitchen?”
“Hmph. Sorry, dear. Didn’t notice.”
“You should pay closer attention, Cappy. Something about her isn’t quite right.”
“Well, if you think she’s that important, you keep an eye on her, Ara,” Thoric said. “We have more pressing business.”
She placed her hands on her hips, blocking the door. “I get the sense there’s something you’re not telling me.”
Cappy gave her an unconvincing smile. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“Both of you seem distracted. No, you are distracted. What’s going on?”
The men exchanged a glance. Thoric shrugged and nodded toward Arachnia, indicating that Cappy had the floor. The Ambassador cleared his throat. “Well, this is not for public consumption and must be kept in the strictest confidence.”