Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “This is a sin that weighs heavily on me, Kitten. It’s why I have nightmares, like the one today that I couldn’t snap out of until you slapped me. Your mother is helping Fluff with her issues, so maybe you can help me with mine. If you know what it is.”

  Stacia could see the fear, self-loathing and despair in his eyes. “Iffin ya need to speak of it to me master, then I will listen to ya words. I swear on me soul I will nay tell another what ya tell me. I can nay do what me mother does, I have nay been taught how to do it. I will ask, though, iffin there is anything that she might be able to teach me.”

  Alburet nodded and looked down for a moment to collect his thoughts. “Thank you, Kitten. Let’s start at the beginning. I have a friend named David…”

  Breakfast grew cold while he told her about David, and how they became friends. Of Kaylee and how he ended up like a surrogate father to her. How the three of them had found a happiness that, while slightly odd, was one he had enjoyed. His voice faltered when he got to the call from David, the attack, Kaylee in the hospital and the surgery to save her life. His voice broke when he described how she’d been left paralyzed and terrified of all men except David.

  She covered his shaking hands with her own, her eyes not judging him but giving him only love and compassion as he told her about the day he’d gone to work and killed the man responsible for hurting Kaylee. He described how he’d executed the man in cold blood and eventually been sentenced to life in prison. He was able to bring his emotions back under some control by the time he told her about the offer he’d received that led to him being here all the time.

  “The nightmares center around Kaylee being hurt and me killing the man who hurt her. Today I relived the part where I killed him in the hall. The words… the words I said in my dream are not what I recall saying to him. Somehow, they’re the right words, though. The words I recall are wrong, flawed, false in some way and I don’t know how.”

  Stacia said nothing as she got out of her seat and went to him, sitting in his lap and holding him tightly. He broke as she began to stroke his hair, clutching her and sobbing out his hurt, fear and anger. He’d been so afraid she would curse him and revile him, yet here she was soothing him and speaking words of love to him.

  “Master, ya did the right thin’, do nay doubt that. I would have done the same iffin it had been me sister in her spot. Ya did what ya should have done, it was right even if ya mad crazed world could nay understand it. Ya said ya hope this guild, Mindblown, mayhap be able to one day give her the chance to join ya here. To walk and laugh and love again, aye?”

  He nodded once as he sniffled, trying to stifle his tears, “Yes.”

  “Then they know and be okay with what ya did. Instead we should do our best to give them what they want to help make them feel like they should do what ya wish, aye?”

  His lips quirked slightly at her logic, “It doesn’t work that way, but yes, Kitten.”

  “I can only love ya more, now tha’ ya have told me, master,” she said and tipped his head back so their eyes could meet. Hers were fiercely proud of him and full of love, “Ya did what ya did for family. Protectin’ ya family be what everyone should do. Ya have no reason to fear me lovin’ ya less, the Dark Lord knows, I just be lovin’ ya more now.” She dipped her head and kissed him softly.

  The pure love in that kiss came across to Alburet. Almost as if their hearts were one, beating in unison. When the kiss finally came to an end he realized they hadn’t eaten and that he had a very naked Kitten on his lap. He smiled softly, “Thank you, Kitten. Now we need to eat up and you need to dress. We’re supposed to meet up with the others after my first meeting this morning.”

  Stacia wiggled on his lap slightly, “Aye master.” She got up slowly, making sure he had a really good view of her toned athletic body as she did so. “I be right back, then. I can eat after ya go. And iffin I do nay get dressed, ya very well may be too distracted to eat.” She sashayed to the bedroom, glancing back and winking at him at the doorway.

  Alburet shook his head and turned his attention to the meal. It was a little like glue, cold as it was, but still tasty. He finished eating just as Stacia came back out from the bedroom clad in travel clothes and her leathers. “I will be over at the guild hall after ya go, master. Iffin ya want to meet anywhere else just let me know.” She sat down and began to eat.

  “Will do, Kitten.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek as he got to his feet. “I’ll go see if Gerald is already here. If I don’t come back, it’s because it was time for me to go.”

  Stacia nodded at him, her mouth full of cold frumenty. After he left the house she put her spoon down and bowed her head. She knew he wasn’t a religious man, so she tried not to bring her own religion up in front of him. “Dark Lord, iffin ya are listenin’, please look on me husband with kindness. He has given me much happiness and brought me into the fold under ya guidance as a Succubus. He has darkness in his past which haunts him, dark deeds committed for a good cause. Use ya will and ease his burden for him, please. As the shadows grow, light ends.” When she finished her prayer, she picked up her spoon and continued to eat. She would have to talk to her mother about learning the dream techniques that Succubi normally learned in the Dark Lord’s service.

  Alburet stepped outside to find a carriage waiting outside the archway and Gerald just exiting the guild hall. “Oh good, thought I was going to have to wake you,” Gerald said in greeting.

  “I’ve been awake for a bit now,” Alburet replied, keeping his face neutral. “This for us?”

  “Yes, this is the carriage that Kim hired to get us there and back,” Gerald said and handed a card to the driver. He climbed into the back. “You seem a little worn.”

  Alburet got in after him, “Late night celebrating with the family. Add in a woman who craves sex like a fish needs water and, well…”

  Laughing, Gerald shook his head, “I still don’t get it. But you seem happy enough. I mean, Succubi are supposed to be all about sex. I still don’t get why you picked her over Karen, though. Hell, even Fluff seems sweet on you.”

  “Who knows why love does what it does?” Alburet replied, looking out the window. “Four years ago I would have taken the chance with Karen or Fluff. Even if I hadn’t married Stacia though, I wouldn’t have hooked up with either of them now. My current situation would not allow it to work.”

  “This have to do with that NDA?” Gerald asked lightly.

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’ll stay out of it,” Gerald said. “I’ve had a few people mumble about wanting to try to make me the guild leader. They think you shouldn’t have missed the meeting at Mindblown, didn’t listen that you couldn’t. I’ve slapped them all down, but you should be aware if you hear muttering.”

  Alburet shrugged, “People are people.”

  “Also,” Gerald looked out the other window, “thanks.”

  “Huh?” Alburet turned his attention to Gerald.

  “Marysue,” he paused, “might be looking at me as more than a friend. It started as soon as we got back from the down time. Getting in to the testing like I did was thanks to you so, thanks.”

  “Fluff had a part in that as well,” Alburet reminded him.

  “I know, and I will thank her as well,” Gerald replied. “We met because you helped Mary, then we grouped up with Fluff. Again, because of you. In my mind, it all traces back to you as the key.”

  Alburet laughed, “Don’t make me out to be some kind of central figure in a story. Those guys always get the shaft in the end.”

  Gerald chuckled, “Yeah, you’re no storybook hero, that’s for sure. When we first met I thought you were kind of an asshole, actually. Part of that was because I thought you were going to make a play for Mary.”

  “Well, she is cute,” Alburet opined. “But yeah, she isn’t my type at all.”

  “Bob still kind of grates on me,” Gerald added. “How do you stand him?”

  “He takes a special kind of angle to understa
nd. If he knows it bothers you, it just encourages him to keep doing what he does. Tiny respects you though, he sees the same drive to protect people in you that he has.”

  “Huh, no idea what to say to that,” Gerald mumbled as the carriage started to slow. He looked out to see a walled estate. The carriage passed through the gates and was slowly moved up an ornate drive to the front of a grand manor house. “Yeah, this is what I thought it would be like. Did you want to take the lead and have me cut in to apologize for your blunt manner? Or did you want me to take the lead and then explain that you have a very blunt manner before they insist that you do the talking?”

  Alburet blinked, “It’s going to be that bad?”

  “Almost a certainty,” Gerald said as the carriage came to a stop and a man in livery stepped forward to open the door.

  “You take the lead, then,” Alburet sighed.

  “If you will follow me, please,” the man in livery stated, waiting for them to climb out of the carriage and leading them to the door of the manor where another man was waiting for them. The new guy was dressed as a butler, “Jeeves will escort you to Sir Carradine.”

  Jeeves bowed to them, “Welcome to House Carradine, sirs. Which of you is Alburet the Two-souled?”

  “The man with me is Alburet the Two-souled,” Gerald replied in a polished voice. “I am the second of command for Alpha Company, Gerald the Two-souled.”

  “If you will follow me,” Jeeves approached the doors, which swung smoothly open at his approach. The two guards posted inside the doors closed them after the trio. Jeeves continued on as if all doors opened like that, with the two trailing after him. Alburet noted the highly polished emblazoned armor the two guards wore. The rooms visible all contained obviously expensive furniture and decorations.

  Jeeves led them down a hall and up a set of stairs until they came to a door that looked like most of the ones they had passed. He knocked once then opened it and bowed them inside, “Alburet the Two-souled and his adjunct Gerald the Two-souled to see you, sir.”

  Gerald was the first one through the door, as if he were a bodyguard. Alburet followed him in and saw a thin, bald man seated behind the desk, who seemed to radiate a palpable aura of calm. Gerald stepped forward with a half bow, “As requested, Alburet the Two-souled to speak with you regarding important matters, Sir Carradine. Alburet has asked me to speak for him, as I am far more experienced in dealing with matters pertaining to class, and he would not wish to offer unintended insult due to his ignorance.”

  Sir Carradine stood up, the saffron robe he wore hanging loosely from his thin frame. “It is good of you both to come. You do me an honor. Please, come and have a seat,” he motioned to the two chairs across the desk from him. Once they were all seated he continued. “I will not be offended by blunt speech or bald honesty, unlike most of the other nobles. Please do feel free to speak plainly with me, Alburet. Your colleague turns a pretty phrase, but he won’t be needed in that role today.”

  “If that’s what you want,” Alburet stated. “What can I do for you?”

  “Blunt and to the point, much as Vladimir told me. Very well. I wish to know as much as you can tell me about the Forgotten Prison and how you came to obtain the book and letter opener now in possession of the Crown. I do realize you probably have several agreements binding you regarding how much information you may disclose. I wish to acquire all the knowledge I can.” Sir Carradine sat back, steepling his fingers in front of his mouth.

  “You seem to know about as much as I am able to say, sir. The Forgotten Prison is rumored to be in the Dead Lands. As for how I came upon the items, I found them doing what all Two-souled do, poking my nose where it shouldn’t have been.”

  A fleeting smile graced Carradine’s lips, “Such a refreshing way to put it. Do you think it likely that you will be free to speak on the matter or that you might come to have other such objects in the near future?”

  “I can’t speculate,” Alburet said plainly. “If I do obtain something of similar value, I’m either going to gift it to the king directly this time or maybe sell it via the auction house.”

  Carradine sat forward, “I would like to present you with a third option to consider. Sell any such similar items directly to me. Only the Royal Court controls more wealth than I, and I have considerable influence in the city. It could well prove to be to your advantage.”

  “I will take that into account if the time comes.”

  “Very good,” Carradine sat back again. “I have heard you were recently married, to a commoner of this world. Have you considered that you were perhaps a bit… hasty… in your decision? There are a number of very attractive young ladies among the minor houses that you would find quite accommodating, even with a… concubine in tow already.”

  Alburet felt his hands tighten on the arms of his seat and his eyes narrowed slightly. “Did you just call the woman I love, a kept whore, as politely as possible?”

  Carradine’s lips quirked up at the corners, “It seems Gilden was right, you do dote upon her.”

  Gerald cut in, “Sir Carradine, Alburet is known to love his wife as much, if not more, than any man could. He tends to view any insult offered to his wife as grounds for a duel.”

  “Admirable, if short sighted,” Carradine replied. “Sadly, it seems we have reached an impasse.” Carradine pulled on a red cord hanging from the ceiling. A moment later ten men in armor trooped into the room. “The gentlemen are leaving.”

  Alburet glanced from the men to Carradine before he got to his feet. “Good day.” The words held all the warmth of a frozen lake.

  Gerald rose also, directing a shallow bow at Carradine before turning to follow Alburet. Alburet walked towards the guards as if they were bowling pins, daring them to stand in his way. The guards stepped smoothly aside and fell in behind Gerald. They were escorted out to the yard, where the carriage was waiting for them. Once they were in and the vehicle was in motion Alburet punched the seat next to him.

  “You okay?” Gerald asked mildly.

  “It was hard not to just cold cock the prick,” Alburet said. “Are they all going to be so arrogant?”

  “Well, er... This one actually let you speak plainly, so many will be worse in all regards.”

  “Fuck it, you’re going in my stead then, to all of them,” Alburet sighed. “I’d just end up getting into a fight with them.”

  “I’ll need to know about this Forgotten Prison then, and exactly what I can and can’t say about it.”

  “I’ll fill you in during the gnolls,” Alburet replied. “I really need to kill shit right now.”

  Gerald knock on the roof, “Driver, take me to the Dead Man Inn.” When the driver acknowledged the order, Gerald turned to Alburet. “Easier if I get dropped off to grab my stuff first. Meet you out at the Gnoll Fort.”

  Nodding in absent thought, Alburet considered whether any of the meetings were really worth the hassle or if he should ask Vladimir to use that favor to call the peacocks off. He grunted in reply to Gerald’s goodbye, still considering his options as the carriage took him home. When the carriage came to a stop in front of his door, he got out, “What do I owe you?”

  “Kim has already paid me, sir, and it was easy enough duty today.” The driver tipped his hat and set the carriage moving off down the street.

  Alburet turned towards the guild hall, all his instincts suddenly screaming at him. Alburet went with his instinct and dove sideways, causing the knife aimed at his back to miss. A man in grey and blacks appeared. Scrambling to his feet, Alburet stared at the Assassin. “Tiny, come to me,” Alburet spat as he pointed directly in front of him. A puff of smoke and Tiny was there, facing the Assassin.

  “Well, bollocks,” the assassin said, stepping back. “I was just trying to finish the job easy this time. Last time you got me once, so I was trying to be respectful and kill you in single strikes instead of playing about with poison.”

  Alburet’s blood went cold at the assassin’s admission of bei
ng the same one who’d killed him before. “How many this time?”

  “Three again. A thousand gold a pop, a fair shiny penny even to a noble.” The assassin backed away as he spoke. “Sorry, but I do still need to kill you one more time. Now, do you want to dismiss your demon and let me do it nice and easy? Or do I have to make this painful again?”

  Alburet saw that the man had backed out of his area of effect for Fire Burst. “I think we can do this now,” Alburet said. “Tiny, you can go.”

  Tiny rumbled, “He will kill you if I do, master.”

  “Possibly,” Alburet said. “I am telling you to go. We will be going gnoll hunting shortly.”

  Grumbling, Tiny vanished and the assassin smiled, “Glad to see you taking this in stride and being sensible. Hah, and you don’t even have to worry about the final death. Do you want it from the front or behind?”

  Alburet’s grin went vicious, “Oh, behind works well. Doesn’t it, Kitten?”