"If she gets in my way, I'll kill her."
He strengthened the wards and went to his study. Taking out the necklace of carrying globes and placing it on top of his desk, he tapped the red one with a word of command. Three bundles of blades came out, each wrapped in a different colored cloth, crimson, azure, and black. Malthus unwrapped the blades in the crimson cloth. Two knives as long as short swords lay there. He handled the plain, unadorned blades cautiously, exchanging them for what he normally carried at his hips. A tap and a word put the rest of the blades back into the globe.
The poisoned blades prepared him to deal with Pandeena should he need to. Malthus shielded his nieces into their bedroom and left. He paused in his yard long enough for a low level scan for undead. If Sergei was still out there, then he had withdrawn beyond the reach of Malthus ability to detect. Sergei, like the one who turned him, used his powers discretely and rarely, so that no one knew their full range and what he was capable of. Flashy mages who used their abilities constantly and for every little thing, generally did not live longsomeone eventually ate them.
Malthus strode along the dirt path leading back to the main compound. He could hear women's voices as they queued up for their weekly allotment of dry goods. When he came in sight of them, Malthus could see the buckets each woman held and the three at the head of each line, who were dispensing goods from large sacks. The camp's small buckboard was pulled up, and Torquil was handing the large sacks down to another male. The smith's apprentice did this once a week with his master's permission. Clodagh stood at the head overseeing everything.
"Clodagh, I need to speak with you. It's important."
"A moment, Malthus. I'll be right there. She excused herself and turned over her duties to another before crossing the yard to his side. What is it?"
"Ros is hurt. I need you to come help me with her."
"Oh, no. Her hand went to her mouth. What can I do?"
"Sit with her, keep her comfortable."
"What happened?"
Malthus glanced around the camp. I can't tell you here."
"Let me throw a few things together."
Soon they were headed back along the path through the patches of sunlight and shade. Malthus stopped in one of the largest patches of sunlight and looked a long time at Clodagh.
"Is something wrong? she asked him.
"Your color is off. It's been like this for days."
She dropped her head. I'm nauseated in the mornings. So are seven of the other females in camp."
"Morning sickness?"
Clodagh flinched away from Malthus. Yes."
"Has anyone told a Reader or the healer?"
Clodagh shook her head, her shoulders sagging. Kandaishee Read us."
"Kandaishee?"
"I uncorded her long enough to do it. We were afraid to ask anyone else. We were all terrified that what we're carrying is yours."
"I hope they all are. Malthus lips curved into a sly smile. My sire was unusually fertile for a sa'necari his age."
Clodagh shuddered. Only four are."
"Only four? Malthus licked his lips and started walking again, forcing her to follow him. He might have left children behind him somewhere. He didn't know because he had spent too many years moving around. Dyllys, his only long time mistress, had insisted upon using herbs to protect herself from pregnancy. Neither the herbs, nor the other method of contraceptionhaving a mage seal their wombs through kweigeylwere available to the camp's females because the methods cost money they did not have and there were no mages at Wolffgard.
"Which four, Clodagh. I will move them to safety before my forces take Wolffgard."
Clodagh's shame painted itself across her face.
Malthus chuckled. One of them is you? Who are the others?"
"Kandaishee, Oliffyia, and Tryphaina. They're farther along than I am. Kandaishee and Oliffyia are already showing."
"Is what's growing in your belly sa'necari or lycan? His thoughts strayed to Silkie Faggini in Hell's Widow. The Madam of the Crimson Lady was already very pregnant by him.
"Sa'necari. They all are. What about their other children?"
"I'm feeling generous. The children will go with their mothers.
"And those who aren't carrying your children? What's going to happen to all these females you've taken?"
"I may still decide to keep my little harem."
They reached the house and Malthus released the seals on it before ushering her inside. He settled her in the most comfortable chair in the living room.
"Stay there."
Then he released the holds on his nieces bedroom. Ros looked the same as she had when he left her. Lyrri was curled up crying.
"She's hurt, but I'm making her better. Clodagh's here to help."
Lyrri rushed out, and started to climb into Clodagh's lap.
"Not yet, said Malthus. Go sit down, while I do something."
Lyrri went and sat down in a corner.
Malthus opened Clodagh's robe and put his hand on her belly. She flinched when he began to Read her. Kandaishee's right ... yes. A broad smile spread over his face. It's mine. He's sa'necari. My first son."
Clodagh's shoulders sagged. I knew it when it happened. I'm gifted that way."
"Really? And when was that?"
"The first rape. That too was foreseen."
"Foreseen? Foreseen! What is all this foreseeing? Who did it?"
"An old wandering peddler named Dyna."
"What else did she foresee?"
"I don't remember. I was Ros age at the time. All that I remember is her telling me that ... actually she was telling it to my mother, but I was listening at the crack."
Malthus put his finger to her head and lunged into her mind, searching. He had not known to look for it, so he hadn't found it. In a tiny corner was a ward, surrounded by a forgetfulness spell that stank of yuwenghau. His moment of joy was spoiled. Come on, he snarled, grabbing her by the arm. I'll show you what to do for Ros."
* * * *
Lokynen, Hathura, and Meleajys the son of Kalirion stalked through the pines and hickories on the northeast side of the Valley near where a Battle-clan had perished at Iudris Meadows. The arrival of Teakamon and his entourage, who were heading for the area around Wolffgard to join Pandeena, had freed the trio to investigate this area.
The three yuwenghau were a study in contrasts: massive Lokynen with his barrel chest, and arms like temple columns, his legs like tree trunks; Hathura, slender to the point of appearing fragile, yet flaring through the shoulders, translucently pale skinned with white hair and silver eyes; Meleajys, a dark-skinned blond, whose lanky build stretched his ropy muscles along a raw-boned frame.
They emerged onto the broad expanse of open ground with asphodel already sprouting to mark where one hundred lycans had died in battle with an unidentified force. One thing was certain, they hadn't been any imps here. Imps never fought in the open where their small size worked against them. Iudris Meadow was awash in golden flowers on tall stalks as well as the pale, white asphodeldeath flowerand shone brightly in the morning sun.
White oaks clustered with thickets of hickory on the far side of the meadow and the ground rose up beyond that into stands of aspens that whispered in the early breeze. A dark object rose above it all in the distance.
"What's that over there? Lokynen pointed to a hillside barely visible beyond the trees circling the meadow.
Hathura's eyes narrowed as he strained to make it out with his sharp Fae eyes. It's a steading on that hill."
"Let's have a look."
They all carried an array of weapons that reflected their divergent origins, for Hathura's mother had been Fae, Meleajys two mothers had been Sharani, and Lokynen's mother had been half-Sharani. Hathura carried his silver longbow at his back a pair of short curved knives at his sides. Lokynen wore his big sword, Thunder, at his shoulder, two long knives at his hips and a pair of axes thrust through his belt.
Light-footed, Hathura ran ahead o
f the others. Lokynen and Meleajys crossed the meadow, but by that time Hathura had already disappeared up a winding dirt path that climbed the hill. Lokynen's eyes searched the woods as they walked. When they reached the stands of aspens, they saw Hathura racing back to them. The Fae's eyes were troubled.
"Something's wrong up there."
"What do you mean? Meleajys asked.
"I saw no one in the fields or moving about the three houses."
Lokynen's mouth tightened. Come on. He strode out ahead of the others, authority in his movement and purpose in the way he held his arms. Hathura strung his bow and followed.
Silence.
The creak of a broken shutter in a sudden breeze.
That was all they heard. Not even the lowing of a cow in the fields.
Lokynen paused and unsheathed his big sword. That door is standing open."
He pointed at it and Hathura nodded as Meleajys moved to Lokynen's opposite side. Lokynen strode up to the house, and pushed the door fully open with his sword. A flight of ravens rushed out, skimming his head. None of the yuwenghau so much as flinched in surprise, completely calm and centered. Hathura unstrung his bow and put it in his case, pulling the deadly golden fans from his sash instead.
Hathura's eyes hooded a moment. There's death upstairs. I can sense it."
Broken and overturned furniture littered the front room. Lokynen stepped through it, heading for a crude stair into the loft where the bedrooms had to be. The buzz of swarming flies could be heard as they climbed. A narrow corridor opened on three rooms at the top.
Lokynen looked in the first one. Two child sized beds stood against opposing walls. A nightstand was overturned in the middle. Lokynen walked into the center and studied the room for an instant. A huge red stain was spread across a patchwork quilt. A large crockery basin sat beside the bed with a cup in it. Lokynen picked up the cup and scratched at the red-black crusting it around the imprints of lips. Blood. Old blood. A child died there. They drained him and drank his blood."
The eyes in every face hardened.
Hathura nodded. Check the other rooms."
Meleajys went to look in the next room while Lokynen and Hathura took the one at the end. Lokynen jerked the door open. The third room swarmed with flies, huge flies. Hathura snapped his fans open and spun into the room. From his fans emerged white birds with trailing tails that consumed the flies and vanished. In the middle of a double bed lay a body bound spread eagle, the narrow chest showing that the female must have been spellcorded in her hybrid state. The cords were gone now and only the ropes that held her to the posts remained.
"Mortgiefan, Lokynen snarled.
"We know what happened to the people who dwelled in these three houses."
Lokynen nodded, his lips tight, and walked out.
They met Meleajys looking as grim as they did. There's a body in there. He pointed at the second room.
"Mortgiefan? Lokynen asked.
"Yes."
"One in there also. Hathura pointed back where they had come.
They searched all the houses, finding six more rited bodies.
"Fire the buildings and pray for their souls, Lokynen said.
Hathura went to each doorstep and summoned a firebird with his fans. They checked the barns and found them empty. It looks like the livestock was driven off by the attackers."
"There's nothing in the fields, said Meleajys, staring out across the open grounds.
"Let's see if we can pick up their trail, said Hathura.
Lokynen nodded and they walked to the far end of the little road beyond the houses.
"See, Hathura said. He pointed to a trampled area with many and diverse footprints. A meeting was held here. The Trickster is right. The valley is endangered."
Lokynen knelt beside a large paw print and measured it with his huge hand, spreading his fingers. Rakshasha. Several of them."
"And myn. Many myn and imp prints, said Meleajys from the far side. Some are going toward the hamlet of Three Stones."
"Let's follow them, Lokynen said.
When they drew near to the village, Lokynen signed a halt. We've lost them. The Trickster hasn't said anything about our revealing ourselves to the locals yet."
"We have a group of predators to find and destroy, said Hathura said. I wonder how Pandeena is doing?"
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
WEDDING
Malthus arrived to take Merissa walking. She carried a basket on her arm and wore a red ribbon in her hair, the first bit of brightness he had seen on her since she received his forged letter concerning her lover's betrayal. Merissa wore a slate skirt of soft material that swished around her ankles alluringly, drawing Malthus eyes instantly, and a loose blouse that matched the ribbon in her hair. There were no petticoats and tight bodices to guard her from his hands. It brought a speculative smile to his face. She had dressed for him; the red vibrant against her fair complexion.
He glanced around for Darmyk and the cat, but found they weren't there. Just us?"
"You don't mind, Malthus? Her voice held a tentative edge, a soft vulnerability that attracted him and made him hungry. Do you have someone watching the girls?"
Malthus kissed her. Need you ask? And, yes, Clodagh is watching them. Where would you like to walk?"
"Silver Veils."
His hopes rose, knowing that the Silver Veils was a lycan trysting place. Malthus took the basket from her, slipped his arm around her shoulders, and pressed her close against him, feeling the warmth of her. She leaned into him and, when his hand chanced to brush her breast, Merissa smiled.
The folks they passed nodded greetings. They were becoming accustomed to seeing them together. Some stopped them as they passed, extending invitations to dinner, telling them to bring the children. Merissa laughed delightedly at this. Nothing had turned out as badly as she first expected and she felt she owed it to Malthus, her ever-present defender. Rather than treating her child's repudiation as more reason to chide her for her mistakes, they were responding to Malthus arguments for compassion.
"See, I told you they like you, Malthus, she said.
"It isn't me, Merissa, it's finally seeing you smile again. He kissed her dark hair and her face brightened. She slipped her hand into his. He squeezed her soft fingers.
They spread their blanket beneath a tree near the largest of Silver Veil's falls, the rush of the water like a counter-point to their words. Malthus hand stole across her to lightly brush the firm, fullness of her breast.
Merissa stiffened for an instant. II haven't let anyone touch me in nearly four years ... Not since he left."
"Too long without a man's touch for someone as lovely as you. He cupped her breast, patiently observing her reaction. She shivered, yet did not retreat from him. His thumb moved across her nipple, rubbing gently. Merissa rested against him, her head on his shoulder. He pressed his lips to hers, pushing them open as he slid his tongue inside. She twined hers about his, accepting him hungrily. Malthus eyes glittered: yes, she had come to give him what he desired.
He freed the bottom of her blouse from the skirt, sliding his hand along beneath it, finding not to much as a breastband to interfere with him, and fondled her breast. She moaned softly. Malthus stripped her blouse off, and laid her on the ground. Merissa's eyes filled suddenly as the blouse came free and she lay half-exposed to him.
"I can never replace him, Merissa. I can only love you, poor man that I am."
Merissa swallowed back her tears. I know."
Malthus nuzzled her breasts. His mouth closed over her nipple, teasing it with his tongue, sucking it to hardness. She moaned again, this time long and low. Malthus gave her one last flick of his tongue and straightened.
Time to act the gentleman and pull back . If you wish, I will leave it at this. I don't want to push you, Merissa. I love you too much."
"No. I want you. She stroked his hardness, slid her hand inside his pants, her fingers closing firmly around his cock. I love you."
&n
bsp; Malthus reached beneath her skirt, ran his hand up her leg, and discovered that she wore nothing beneath it: she had come prepared to yield to him. His hand covered her womanly parts and his long forefinger played with her entrance.
"Oh gods, I shouldn't let you do this..."
"Why? He slipped his finger inside her.
Merissa caught her breath sharply. I'm too close to my fertile time ... What if I'm making a mistake."
"Marry me, Merissa. I swear I will try to be a good father to your son ... And to ours should we have them. I love you."
"Yes. I'll marry you. She lifted him free of his pants, caressing him.
Malthus removed his clothing. Merissa slid out of her skirt, opening her legs to him. Her beauty filled him with an eagerness beyond anything he had experienced before, even with Dyllys. This is the sweet bitch who will bear my heirs ... legitimate heirs. Forget my concubines and their bastards. I'll keep them, as my father did his, but nothing more.
He stroked her body, sucking and probing, bringing her to readiness. Malthus entered her and her legs tightened around him. He began to move gently, and then harder, deeper at her body responded to his. Malthus was slow to come when a death was not involved. Merissa wept at the height of her passion, yet Malthus had not yet had his. She gave him an odd look as he strove harder. When his seed spilt into her, Malthus dropped, rolling to the side so that his weight was off her. When we return, Merissa, we will tell your parents."
Merissa clung to him. Yes."
"Let us marry immediately. Life is too fragile to wait."
"Yes."
* * * *
"Marriage? Claw looked Malthus up and down. They stood in the large main hall of the house near the hearth where Aisha, Merissa's mother, and her two aunts had their looms. If you are looking to get something out of this, mon, forget it. You're not lycan. Everything goes to my grandson and any lycan heirs you get on her."
Malthus met his gaze squarely. All I want is Merissa. I love her. And I've grown very fond of little Darmyk. He and my nieces get on well together."
"Father, I have a right to a little happiness, Merissa protested. I love Malthus more than I've ever loved anyone."
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