“Yes!” Danbury declared. “I want vengeance!”
“What would you have me do?”
“He plans to raid me again. An assassin I keep on my coin has told me of his intent.”
Radix’s wooden chair creaked.
His interest is piqued.
“How did he find out? The Boy is hard to track.”
“He was boasting in the Rum Runnel.”
Boasting. Savage would never boast of a plan.
This is a setup designed for Radix’s minions.
“Hmm. And your assassin is sure it was him?”
“He knows him. They’re comrades. Well done Danbury!”
There was silence where Chavias assumed Danbury beamed with pride. Then Danbury’s step as he was exiting Radix’s chamber.
Chavias planted his feet and waited.
Danbury turned in the dark and couldn’t see him. Slamming into Chavias and the sullied bucket before him. Smearing Danbury’s fine clothes.
Danbury squawked and lunged backward. “What have you done. You fool!”
Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling Border CHAVIAS Since Chavias had heard Radix leaving in Danbury’s coach he had been fingering the iron key tucked under his cot and wrapped in Calisto’s cloak. Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps she doesn’t deserve to die, as I’d thought. Have I gotten so dark that I seek vengeance where it’s not needed? But then he remembered overhearing Radix telling Deiti, the redheaded temptress who tormented him, to stay close to the caves because soon he’d be sending her after a Winter Dread. Sabine. The precious creature Chavias was protecting. Breathtaking Sabine who dances in snowflakes and invites danger into her bed. A wondrously gorgeous creature who seemed innocent of all evil in the world. Deiti wanted to hunt her down and steal her powers until the innocent girl was seared from the inside out.
“Eternally.” Dimurah hissed up at him in answer to his question. His gaze roved her agitated face. “I dearly hope not.” Unable to resist he dropped a quick kiss to her cheek. She twisted her head away and stalked back behind the bar. Still angry with me. Annoyance made his jaw twitch as he watched her. “That’s the way it is to be then?” She tossed him a quick look. Jerking her head to one side in assent. “Fine. I have other things to attend to anyway.” He stomped across Winter’s Haven, to stand perilously close to where ColdKill leaned against the pillar laughing as he jested with one of the benched tables. Savage was unmoving until the entire table quieted, and all eyes lighting on him. At length, ColdKill slowly turned. Tankard in hand. “Ah, you’re still alive! I heard you were ambushed.” “You heard wrong. An ambush implies you didn’t know it was coming.” Which I did.
How did I ever think she was lovely? Chavias pondered as he stared at the lustful whore. Radix’s most favored pet. She’d sent him away into some idiotic delusion simply by baring her flesh. But Sabine’s mere presence in this world, had drawn him back. Back to the things I believed in. Back to pieces of me. He thought sadly. Closer to who I was once. Sabine doesn’t deserve to be contaminated by any of our darkness. Chavias fisted the cold iron key. Feeling the grooves of it biting into his palm. He strode to his cell and stuck an arm through and wrapped it around toward the lock. Inserting the key, he gave it a grating turn and aimed straight for Radix’s chamber. He felt a swell of victory at taking her from Radix. The way he’s taken countless things from me. He quietly lifted one of the hooks off the wall just inside the entry to the narrow room. He was almost to Deiti before she se
I know the feeling. His twitched with the urge to get ahold of her. And have my way with her. Right now. But it was clear on her face. “That was a bit brutal.” RedBayne said from a corner of the alehouse. Though his tone indicated only approval. He likes a bit of violence every bit as much as me. “Care for a dram?” He lifted his tankard in offering. Savage nodded. Happy to have an escape from Dimurah’s wrath. For now. Savage slid into the seat opposite him. “You’re already good and sodden brother.” “Indeed!” RedBayne declared triumphantly. Savage’s eyes narrowed on him. “What’s wrong with you?” “Tis an anniversary, Ol’ Friend.” “Of what?” Savage already sensed that this wasn’t a celebratory date. “Of the day me wife murdered me babe and bolted.” “She ran?” “Fled me like a doe in the heart of Fall. Taking what parts of me were whole, with her.”
“Your shoulder.” An assassin pointed as Savage’s skin seamed together over the wound. Overlapping the blood inside and then sealing over it. “How-Savage-You just-” “How did you do that?” Wildling was unsettled.“That is devil magic!” “Dread magic!” Another assassin whispered in a hushed voice. “That’s how he does it.” Someone else said conspiratorially. There were awestruck gasps and everyone was staring. Savage didn’t glance at it. Didn’t blink. “I can do a lot more.” He confided. Cracking his neck ominously. Wildling glared at him a moment, face jerking, before striding from Winter’s Haven on thudding boots. “You’re just going to let him go?” Dimurah cried. Lunging against Phalanx’s strong arms as she shouted at Savage.Her voice cracking in betrayal. Savage skid a blue-eyed gaze at her over his shoulder. There’ll be no consoling her. He knew. Patience woman.
Blue Lark Guild, Dread Hideout SAVAGE JAXSON Dimurah returned with the Sleep Duster. “Here.” Savage scooted across the bench to offer her room next to him. She tossed a hasty glance around. “There’s no one here that would care.” He assured. Her eyes landed on Phalanx, who’d restrained her last night. Her face darkened. Clearly still mad at him. Savage covertly passed him an apologetic look. Knowing the man had done it for him. To keep her from hurting herself trying to slay the man on her own. Phalanx looked to have a bruised cheek for his efforts, this morning. But he stayed far enough away and avoided looking directly at Savage to hide that they were allies. He’s loyal. Which was something Savage greatly appreciated. It seemed that manner of man was getting harder and harder to come by. “Thank
“Dimurah.” He waved as he strode past the counter. Heading for the backdoor. The command had her leaping to obey, despite herself. She stepped through a swinging half door and headed through a few men parting to make a path. Once outside, she quickened to catch up to him crossing the floating deck to round the front of the structure. “What is it?” She asked urgently as he rounded to face her. Without a word he spun and grabbed her cheeks. Slamming his mouth to hers as she ran into him. Consuming her in a kiss that bordered on violent. She reared back startled. Probably because I’ve never touched her harshly. “You have to go.” He gave her a piercing look. “No.” She shook her head, brows lowering. “No…” You must. “I won’t leave.” She read his face. “Dimurah…” I knew she’d be difficult. “No, Jax. I’ve done everything you ever asked me to. You promised me you’d neve
She nestled in, rolled over to scoot back against him and tugged his arms tight around her. He was quiet. Deathly still. Holding her. Listening until her shuddering sobs stopped and she subsided in slumber. He took in the scent of her. Her smell, the texture of her hair and skin. Lightly caressing his fingertips over her shoulder and down her arm. After a time, she rolled over to snuggle against him. Wiggling her hips and arms in until she was cuddled against his middle. Once she was still, he slid back enough to see her face. Caressing her cheek and outlining her brows and the slope of her nose with a reverent fingertip. Moving to the sharp lines of her defined cheekbones. I’m going to miss her face. He couldn’t imagine the Blue Lark, nor Winter Haven without her. Her vibrant red hair and fiery nature made this place feel alive. Makes me feel alive. He’d always had her here, ever since he’d first gotten
“Too far!” Rhyers intervened. Coming from the lower parlor to step before Savage. Clearly furious. But Savage’s eyes were locked on Bast who’d clearly deflated at the words. His hand gripping the railing next to him, shook slightly. Drawing Savage’s keen eye. He could see the fury written over the green-eyed tracker who looked ready to do battle in Sebastian’s defense. I needed to see. Savage stomped down the slight pang rising through him. How does this news really effect him? Savage was watching Sebastian carefully. Bast looked unsteady. Color drained from his tanned skin, and he looked prepared to vomit. “It was my fault.” The words were barely audible, but Savage heard them. “What did you do?” “My magic bound her when our daughter needed her.” “Sounded like there would’ve been too many for her to take on anyway.” “There were!” Rhyers spat. Angry at Savage as he turned to lead Bast t
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country Savage was standing, still as a statue, in the shadowed foyer of WaterRose when Sebastian came down the steps. Gaze on the stairs, he wasn’t paying any attention until he glanced up and spotted Savage’s shadowed face and stopped midway down. “Jaxson?” Sebastian echoed that quiet stance. Like a buck posed in the morning light. Deciding if there was a threat at hand. The Kill Beads in Savage’s hair clinked as he looked up at him. “Nobody calls me that.” Most don’t even know it. How’d he find out? RedBayne or the Nauvree. He sussed out. Didn’t take much to guess that. “What would you have me call you?” Sebastian asked kindly. Savage was momentarily taken aback. It had been a long time since someone had asked him that. Since Chavias, to be specific. “It’s fine.” Savage would never have admitted it, but it w
“How was your night?” He queried. Couldn’t have been too bad. I smelled no blood or Cimmerii. Nor did I hear any unusual ruckus. And he’d been listening. “Not bad.” She slid her undergarments down her milky white legs. And crawled under his coverlet next to him. “How was the last fortnight?” “You know well it was fine. I had a minor argument.” “And?” He leaned up to look at her. How’d that go? “Your bodyguard handled it.” He explained. Phalanx. Of course, he did. Savage relaxed. “And the bartering?” “Shut up, Jax.” She slid atop him. Palms and breasts pressed to his chest. Her legs outside his. Her mouth brushing along one side of his jaw before moving on to the other as she trailed sensual little kisses along it. “Make love to me.” Absolutely! He lurched up and caught her in a vise grip. His mouth consuming hers as his tongue engaged in the wild dance with her
Why? “From whom?” “Your father.” The elf said before ducking back into the tower. Sebastian Bodane. “He’s not-” Savage objected reflexively. Maybe he is. I’ve no idea. He opted for silencing. Rotating he headed for the elaborately vined double doors, entering into the castle foyer. He entered the cold structure and immediately felt it was different. Eerily silent, darker and far less welcome than it had been before. He suspected it was all for the same reason. He paused looking around and saw not a single candle burned on the base or second floor. Candles in the sconces long cold. “He’s not here.” The feminine voice wafted down from the hall of the second floor. Savage looked up. Eyes glowing gold around the pupil. Luminescing in the dark so he could see. It’s her. The healer. “I’m not here for him.” Not this time anyway. Perhaps I’ll return another day to
“But only Dreads float. Or demons. Or well, nothing good!” Phalanx added despite his vow not to discuss it further. “I wasn’t floating.” “But I saw you!” “I was flying. With her.” “Well,” Phalanx tossed his arms. Saying in a hushed voice. “suddenly that makes it okay then!” Savage gave him a sideways glance. Indicating he was getting annoyed. I should’ve heard him coming. “What exactly are you two doing?” Phalanx slowly turned to face the man confronting them. Savage rotated reflexively and snapped his head to meet the stranger’s blue-eyed glare. Who is he? Savage had never seen this one before. But he could instantly tell by the colored lights surrounding this man that he was one of them. He’s a Forever Knight. He’s with them. A quiet one. I thought only the Tracker could sneak up on me. “I came to see why he’s gathering you all here. What you’re prote
“Dimurah?” “Yes?” She blinked those pretty blue eyes at him. “If you’re going to ask me for something, there’s no need for flattery.” “I’m not, actually.” She sighed. “I just miss you when you’re gone.” “But you hate when I’m here.” “I do hate when you’re here.” She admitted. “I never know who you’re going to kill or when. Or what it’s going to do to my business.” He tilted his head in acknowledgement. She’s not wrong. I never know who or when I’m going to kill. “Should we go fly?” “We?” She gave him a chastising look. “I think you mean me.” “Do I?” Savage dressed. Putting back on his sleeveless padded tunic and black breeches and tugging on his boots before helping her do the laces on her green dress. Once she was clothed she caught his hand and began tugging him behind her. “This way.” “I know the way, Murah.” He laughed. But she was jogging. Pulling hi
Giving Delacourt a swat that sent him to the stable where the stable boy would recognize him and properly tend him, Savage made his way straight to the pond. Circling around to the part where very few people went, he shucked his clothes and entered the water. The chilly bite of the water was a relief today instead of a startle. Pleasantly cool on my hot skin. “You’re back.” He popped his head up and saw Dimurah standing at the edge of the water. Her arms crossed. “What are you doing up so early?” She likes to sleep in since the alehouse runs late into the night. “How else do you suppose I bathe in this guild?” She gave him a half smile. “We’ve bathed together many times in the afternoon.” “Yes. When you’re here we can bathe anytime during the day and no one would bother us.” He frowned at the logic in it. “So, when you’re alone you come early?” She nodded. How many times has
“I’m so hungry. And I’m angry…” Samuel said as if considering the same thing himself. “But my friend…” The Tracker? “He likely won’t be your friend now, I’m afraid.” “I’m afraid of that too.” Samuel swayed backward and forward. But the Tracker can handle this mess for himself. Savage saw no danger to the girl as this man would have his most volatile reaction when he neared a Forever Knight. And if he was right and that was precisely where he was heading, both Samuel Marshall and Rhyers would soon be discover what Samuel was and if he was capable of fighting it. Unlikely. He’ll instinctively be driven to kill Rhyers. Well, he’s healed enough to defend himself. Savage shrugged and stepped from the man’s path. Not my problem. But Savage caught another smell. A more potent stink of rot intermingled with the sweaty smell of all the animals that had come to the river for drink. He
Phalanx and the Seditious were partway across the glen but had begun to slow at the sight. There were shouts of objection and yelled threats. Savage’s gaze was fixated on Danbury who leisurely lifted the sword and hooked it under Savage’s throat. Notching his chin higher as he pressed the tip into Savage’s chorded throat. Savage felt the quick bite but was unblinking. “It’s a shame I can’t gut you here. After all you’ve done, it’d be the least warranted.” Danbury said in an enraged voice. Nearly shaking with the desire. You’re too afraid of Radix. Coward. Savage gave him a lopsided grin. Archers had climbed from the second carriage and more paid guard from the third. They all circled around him. Weapons at the ready. “Now whose outmanned?” Danbury taunted. “We shall see.” Savage said emotionlessly. It has yet to be determined. “Yea. We shall.” Danbury gloated as he sheathed his short sword and pulled h