by P. Mattern
Cory has obviously made his choice. It’s hard for his mother, but he is probably where he needs to be.” Cass finished, adding,
“And now I must go to Mitzi. She’ll need some comforting I’m sure. And I’m planning to have as many offspring as we can, since we’re on a roll. A PASSEL of them in fact. Better hone your avuncular skills bro’!”
Adrastos peered down from his natural height of nearly seven feet to look coolly into his offspring’s frightened eyes. He thought it well that Argent looked frightened. He could smell fear radiating from the young man’s sweaty face as Argent explained in unsure and halting terms why he had been unable to bring Mitzi with him for this final visit.
As the boy finished his recitation Adrastos brought the fingertips of both hands together and brought them to his lips, as though contemplating the boy’s fate. Inwardly he was elated that Argent had decided, of his own volition, to make Faquier Hall his permanent home. Argent was ‘of age’ according to even V-net statutes and there was therefore no legal basis for any interference in this living arrangement. If Castor Noble tried to come after the boy the V-net itself would impose sanctions on him, Adrastos was sure of it. Adrastos looked forward to teaching his natural son everything he himself knew, which was quite a monstrous lot.
For now, though, he had to remain stern. The boy had failed in at least part of his mission, and must be punished. Adrastos had been looking forward to lying with his Declared Woman one final time just for his own lustful amusement, but he felt that his greater purpose in his sexual congress with her had already been accomplished.
First Seer Maung had confirmed that Parmitsvia was indeed with child.
Adrastos’ attention returned to Argent, who returned his gaze unflinchingly despite his fear. He appreciated that Argent hadn’t attempted to over explain himself like a common house servant. But he would have to punish Argent anyway to show him that failure brings consequences.
“Argent,” he said sternly. “Although I am glad to welcome you to your rightful home I cannot overlook your failure to bring your mother here also. Therefore punishment will be forthcoming. Do you understand this?”
Wide eyed and mute, fear and uncertainty showing in his eyes, the young man nodded.
“Guards!’” Adrastos shouted,” Bring Umbra with the whip!”
Two guards stepped up and, standing on either side of Argent, ripped his shirt down to the waist. Argents back was broad and well-muscled in spite of his youth, Adrastos was glad to note. At first Argent started to resist the henchmen, then cutting his eyes to those of Adrastos, stopped as his mouth formed a determined and stubborn line.
With an audience of encircled guardsmen toward the center of the immense chamber, and wetnurse clones and other residents standing whispering and peering from the alcoves, Argents naked back was turned toward Adrastos. A male energy wearing a huge, square shaped studded leather mask entered the chamber carrying a fearsomely large whip with tails of both metal and rawhide pierced with sharpened metal. Adrastos began to speak again, his masterful voice echoing throughout the hall.
“This is my own son, whom I hold dear. He will be residing at Faquier Hall from this day forward, and he will rule over you all, just as I do. Any that fail to obey his every command will be put to death.
But he has disappointed me in a small matter, and cost me my evening’s entertainment. Therefore he must be punished.”
Nodding to Umbra, Adrastos said clearly “Forty lashes plus one!”
A gasp went up from every vampire and creature gathered inside the chamber. Such a severe punishment was rarely meted out at Castle Adrastos, and even then only for the most egregious offenses.
The wetnurse clones, especially those that had lain with the Young Master, covered their eyes.
Cory was a vampire by blood and birth, but as the lash was raised over and over, though his wounds healed almost instantaneously, it was all he could do not to cry out. The pain was excruciating and unfamiliar, and by the time the first twenty lashes had been administered his muscles were cramped and smarting from the tension. Although he was fiercely strong he made no move to fling aside the guards that held him in position for the flaying.
Again and again his skin was ripped open, blood dripping and muscle and sinew exposed. Even though the wounds healed quickly Argents once pristine back was streaked and spattered with blood from his many lacerations.
Although breathing hard, Argent refused to cry out even once.
Finally, just as the last two lashes were to be administered, Adrastos stepped down and held up his hand for Umbra to stop. Standing beside the Torturer he quickly bared his own forearm and made a quick slash across his own skin with a dirk, smearing his blood on the flails of the whip as Argent, his face crimson, hung sweating and panting between the two soldiers holding him.
As he replaced his sleeve, Adrastos said to Argent conversationally.
“Because they are mixed with my blood, these last two lashes will scar your back my son. They will remain on your immortal body and serve as a reminder that my expectations of you are high and that you should never disappoint me-or yourself. Ever.
Wear them proudly, because they are the insignia of my love for you, now and for eternity.”
Adrastos nodded once again to Umbra and the last two lashes were given with full force. Argents back ripped open, as first one side and then another was slashed by the whip in a double ”X” pattern. Still Argent did not cry out, though, unlike his other wounds; the last two stripes did not heal but stayed open and bleeding.
The soldiers released Argent, and he turned around immediately to face Adrastos. Adrastos was pleased at his son’s appearance. His blonde hair shone like spun gold, his body language defiant, and his chin was still held high. Having been lashed, he seemed more grown up somehow. More like a young man than a boy.
“Father I…” he began.
And then his eyes rolled back in his head, and he fainted.
END OF BOOK THREE OF FULL MOON SERIES
FULL MOON FALLING FASTER, Part I