The slithering creature whipped a thin tail to tuck it around it’s many legs. It was fixated on Chastain. Eyeing her as though it might launch from the shrubbery to attack her.
Chastain’s mouth was dry, her hands trembled, and she instinctively knew that this horrible little thing was evil.
The penetrating look in its eyes was disorienting.
She’d never seen anything like it.
That tail whipped again. Then it did just what she’d feared. It launched up at her with a violent hiss. Cracking off branches in its momentum and tossing leaves in a swirling typhoon.
She screamed and threw her arms up to shield her face. But nothing made contact.
There was such silence that it was haunting. Like everything in the forest had hushed.
As she peeked open an eye she caught the glimmer of opalescent white scales curving just above her to traverse upward at such incredible speed that one moment it was there. The next, it was high above. Blending
Elsabet was a sight to behold tonight. Mardichi was glaring at her. Sebastian was as mesmerized as Acharius’ lady had been mere hours ago. That glimmering silk was silver. As was the circlet which drew her long braid from her forehead. Making her deep blue eyes look even larger. Tiny metal flowers dangled from her ears and a silver vine wound her arm to encircle one wrist. She looks like some little fey I’d find in the woods. Bast thought. Magical. And just as likely to bite. “Perhap’ she’s no’ as evil as they say.” He grudgingly conceded. Sine she’s here to hear it. Bast laughed inwardly. Knowing full well how fond Mardichi was of Elsabet, though neither would admit it. “She may tend me.” Mardichi moved the sheet down to his waist to expose all his crisscrossing bandages. “I already did.” She said softly. “You put cool rags on me but I dunno’ recall you bandaging me. But you m
Elsabet grabbed Bast’s other arm in grip just as painful as the first. Her nails had turned to long black claws. She was twisting his arm to see the wounds. Just tearing his sleeve aside had dragged the scabs stuck to his dark blue shirt, loose.Making each wound sting like it was new.“Would you like me to continue?” She hissed. “Or is it just that leg?”She twisted his arm to show him how badly torn it was. There were several gashes that were so deep that they were white. Where the fat shielding the muscles had been ripped into. Leaving wide tears in their wake. She ruthlessly looked at it.“Ouch.” Bast hissed through his teeth.“Well, it must not hurt that bad.” She declared. “You didn’t even bandage it!”“I didn’t want you to worry.”“Do I look worried?” She snapped.“You look very, very angry.”“Strange...”“You’re not?”“No, I’m beyond that.”“I wasn’t trying to make you angry.” He said quietly.“Well you certainly failed, didn’t you?”“Appears that way.” He said dryly.She used
Sebastian knew Mardichi was only jesting about drinking in order to mask the pain he endured from discussing those he’d loved and lost.That’s fair. Sebastian thought. The sickening idea of what he’d be like if Elsabet was gone, was too awful for him to fully consider.“As soon as you’re healed…” Sebastian hesitated. “And after you’ve rebuilt the Driter’s Den.”That ought to change the direction of his thoughts.“Wha’?” Mardichi looked horrified. “For how much coin?”None.“For your honor. Since you destroyed it.”Mardichi frowned. “’ave ye met me, Brother?”“You do have honor.” Bast insisted. “I’ve given the barkeep coin for his family for now. And my word you’ll rebuild what you burned.”“You’re a foul brother.”“As you say.” Bast grinned.“Givin’ me wor’, fer me…” Mardichi grumbled. “Vowing fer me...Ugh.”His groan seemed to go on forever.“Building it, will busy your hands and mind.”Hopefully draw you from drink.“You’ve wallowed long enough.”Mardichi’s face crinkled up at the i
WhiteHall, Harridan Hamlet, Paladines (Lost for twenty years)RAESERaese Whiting had torn apart every library in the Paladines, in an effort to fill in the gaps in his memory. He was frustrated with the not knowing.The places I don’t understand.The questions I have no answers for.His mind before he’d arrived in Harridan Hamlet had been a blank slate.From what he knew his best friend had found him wandering the road naked, muddy, and bloody.But no one knows why.But Raese had seen something, some strange kind of a dream that haunted his mind’s eye his every waking moment. A presence that was always with him, but just out of reach, had indicated that there was a book he had to find.Something I have to read.But where?He was searching for a staff. One he’d once wielded as the most powerful weapon in all existence. That was what the book she’d pulled from a shelf for him to read had shown him.He had reason to believe that the gorgeous spirit which haunted his sleep and tormented
WhiteHall, Harridan Hamlet, Paladines (Lost for twenty years) RAESE Raese sat up in bed. Blinking into the darkness. Awed by the fact that he felt the accusing rage he’d experienced then, just as genuinely now. As real as his own heartbeat thudding in his chest. A feeling of angry recognition of that description. And a deep suspicion that the whole reason he’d been tasked with observing the woman to begin with, had been some meddling plan of the man that she had mentioned. Sebastian. But Raese didn’t feel hate. He felt an odd resentment of someone being a meddling nuisance. Perhaps like a little brother. Was he my brother? A glance at his fire told him it’d long since gone out. Which explained the bone deep cold seeping into his bones. Climbing from his bed he drug his coverlet with him. Wrapping it around him to ward off the chill as he went to his window, he stared across the gree
Her eyes narrowed. And her lips whitened. “Yes, you would try.” He set the chalice back to the table. “I thought as much.” Thus, why I can never take you out of these walls. “What would happen if I…tried?” She choked on the word that implied she’d not succeed. “I’d never take you out with me again.” His voice cracked through the empty room like a whip. “And if I did not?” You wouldn’t be able to resist. Still he responded. “Perhaps I’d let you out of WaterRose more often. Extend your freedom?” He suggested temptingly. “One day maybe we could reach the point where I’d let you go wherever you wished,” His voice lowered. “As long as you returned to me.” Those words landed in the room stones in a pond. Sending out ripples of endless promise. The enticing proposal to hunt with Sebastian still hovered in the air between them as he waited with breath baited, for her answer. El
WhiteHall, Harridan Hamlet, PaladinesRAESEPerhaps I’m losing my mind. Raese Merlinus stared out his window.He’d whispered the only name he could grab from his past, into the dark. Like throwing stones in a cave, to see where they’d echo. Hoping for some signal that someone out there would hear him.It was idiotic. He was a practical man. One that should’ve known better. But something had drawn him closer to that window. Something pulled at him like a hand on his collar, leading him there.He’d waited there, hoping, for over an hour. But saw nothing. Finally sighing, he rotated to go back to bed but a slight movement in the distance caught his eye.His gaze narrowed, hyper-focusing on that spot.Snow had just begun falling and something had wandered from the high trees bordering Raese’s expansive lawns. Something dark and moving in long strides.It was a bit hard to
Inside WaterRose, there was a rumble like thunder. The whole castle rippled. Every candle in the stronghold gusted and went out. Halls went silent and life seemed to die from every corridor of the structure. Sebastian’s presence withdrew from every cranny. Like the very breaths of magic he’d once given it, were dissipating. Water stopped rushing over the walls. Towers faded and began to crumble. Entire staircases, doorways and walls began to disappear. Vanishing as if they’d never existed. There was a grave silence settling over WaterRose which could mean only one thing. The magic keeping WaterRose alive was suddenly absent. The stronghold seemed abandoned now, no longer filled with life. There were no Forever Knights in residence tonight, that could notice the change. No one that Radix would sense, that could draw him to stronghold while it was exposed. But it didn’t change the deep impact of the desiccating stronghold. Everyt
Once he felt the energy of the stronghold steady, he felt it was safe for him to go upstairs. He needed to stay collected. If the both of them were in chaos, the stronghold could peel itself apart.Bast hurried up the steps and turned into the flat hall. Pulling himself around the banister to rush his pace. He hurried to her chamber, only to come to an abrupt halt at the chamber just before hers.The door was open and inside was Sebastian’s twin brother.Alazareth was sitting in a chair inside the room. His back to the wall so he could hear everything within the next room. Worry was on his face, and he was massaging the back of his jaw. A motion that always indicated severe tension. Alazareth was always composed.This is bad. “What is it?” Bast’s steps slowed.“Something is wrong.” Alazareth’s jaw ticked.Oh, no… Sebastian tensed. His fists working at his sides as he waited. “What?”
Dread Hideout, Dread CountrySighing, Acharius headed back toward his caves. His huge form should’ve lumbered, but he moved far lighter than he should’ve for his size. His blonde hair hung to his shoulders, a few warrior braids near his face. A fur was slung over his back with a bow and a quiver over that.He lifted the bow over his head just as he reached his chamber but paused when Alazareth’s voice summoned him back out. “Acharius!”The viking’s head whipped in the direction of the opening. Noting it was odd for Alazar to come here.Acharius ducked slightly as he emerged from the lower mouth of the cave. His massive size blocked the darkness beyond him. “Alzareth?”His eyes moved to the identical figure next to him. “Bast?” His voice dropped in concern. “What is it?”“What is it?” Acharius asked.“We need the women.” Alazar responded.“Mags and Aggie?” Acharius looke
“Elsabet?” Sebastian called, having just arrived back at WaterRose, he was frantic to check on her.To see if she’s alright. If our babe is.“Yes?” She called from upstairs.He followed the sound of her voice up to her chamber. Finding her still abed. “Are you well today? Is there anything you need?”“I’m exhausted.” She sighed wistfully.Drawing near, he saw that her ripe belly seemed to have grown overnight, straining her petite frame.“I feel weak. But better. The pain is less.” She swept hair from her forehead so she could better look at him. Blue eyes lovely.“Come.” She waved him over.He walked to her.She caught his larger hand in hers. Rubbing the back of it with a soft thumb pad.He turned his hand to link his long fingers through her small ones and let her pull him down next to her.She scooted over and he was swallowed by the warmth of where she’d lain. Feeling that rare heat he only pe
Elsabet eventually fell asleep.Sebatian was wide awake behind Elsabet. Careful not to bump her wounded back. He suspected that, like him, if she were able to change shape she could go far in the way of healing.But she can’t. Her body wouldn’t let shift while there was an infant in her womb.He stroked her hair.She made small sounds of distress that told him she was either having a nightmare or suffering the throes of her fever.“It’s okay, sweetheart.”“Why weren’t you there?” She whimpered again.She doesn’t believe I was. That made him feel like he’d let her down, even though he had been there. He laid with her for a long while.When he did finally move to go and began sliding his arm from beneath her head, she abruptly caught his forearm and wrist. “Stay.”He did. Because he could deny her so very little.It was hours before he did slip away. He made it to the door that time
“Sebastian. Sebastian…” Elsabet moaned. Throwing her head side to side.“I’m here.” He told her. Crouched next to the bed, holding her hand. His expression was rife with worry as he saw her suffering.She was so strong, seeing her this weak was painful. She was fighting against something she couldn’t see.For both her and my daughter. Sebastian’s throat felt raw, and his face was swollen from the emotions he had while sitting at her side.“Where are you?” She murmured, tossing her head. She was covered in sweat. The fever had taken hold and now wreaked its cruel havoc.“I can’t find you!”“I’m here, sweetheart.” He said brokenly.“Why won’t you come?” She whispered urgently.He realized she was dreaming, perhaps reliving that moment in the grove. Wherever she was, his voice wasn’t reaching he
“Is that?” Alazareth asked quietly. Staring at the sky where the glistening creature had vanished. His sword lowered in astonishment.“Don’t say his name.” Sebastian snapped, throwing out a hand.Radix will hear you. Mardichi crouched. Preparing to launch skyward.“No!” Sebastian shouted. “Let him go.”“With her?” Rhyers asked indignantly. “Sebastian?” Deragan grunted between the targue, he fought. He threw one and straightened to look over the others. “Are you certain?”Sebastian looked back at him. “We have no choice but to trust him. For now.”With the most precious thing I have.Sebastian had to let her go. He focused his fear and anger on the hoard before him, praying that Elsabet was being taken somewhere safe and not straight to the demon master.“Alpha!” Alazareth shouted.“Fight them back and take the sky. Go different directions to scatter them, we’ll circle back la
Just when Sebastian’s fear might’ve reduced him to begging Radix, futile as it would’ve been. He heard a sound that brought hopeful light back to his world.A sound which forced back the darkness.A familiar roar. The battle cry of his brother.Alazareth emerged from the trees, sword in one hand, a dagger in the other, and dark blood staining his tunic as he sliced through the animals before him. Working his way from the back to the front in a flurry of attacking blades. He was a blur of motion.Targue shrieked in suffering.Alazar purposely ran across cimmerii nonis. Stomping on them like the rats they were, as he went.Another targue lunged at Elsabet, trying to get to her skirts but there was a shout from the distance. “I’m coming!”Sebastian recognized the flash of Rhyers’ dark hair coming through the woods. He ran barefoot. Launching against trees and throwing his body sideways to evade obstacles without stopping. As he reached o
Elsabet’s hair lifted along the back of her head, darkening to brown. Her eyes burned red and long black claws jutted from her nails.She’s feeling what I do. Everything in this clearing suddenly felt wrong.Her reaction only alarmed Sebastian more. It meant she intended to fight instead of run.No, Elsabet. Sebastian ran from the bank and stepped into the knee-deep water, backing next to Elsabet as he scanned the ground and the trees above them. He knew that the nonis were nothing compared to the Sarabi that could descend from the sky without any warning.He curled his tail around her hips, to know where she was.No. Sebastian’s heart thrummed like a drumbeat. You can’t hurt her. I won’t let you. Shifting human would do him no favors. His reactions were stronger and faster as the panther. I don’t have time nor room to turn into a dragon. How did they find me? He
Radix lifted the goblet in Chavias’s direction. Sloshing some of Chavias’s blood on his skinny, gnarled fingers and black nails. “Let’s see what secrets you’ve let up today.”Radix gulped the fluid down. So greedily that it ran down the corners of his mouth.Radix was heedless. Focused on the visions running behind his eyes.Chavias’s memories peeled through his mind. Images of Chavias laughing with his gold-haired friend. Or playfully sparring with the others. Then the world darkened into an endless stream of days in his miserable cell in the caves.The blood was tainted with Chavias’s misery giving it a bitter flavor.Which had been the moment that Chavias had gained control over the pain. Feeding into his blood the most mundane memories he possessed.Radix spit the last swallow of Chavias’s blood out. Not caring for the taste of those memories of his cavernous prison.“Strong stronghold?” Okine chirped hopefully. Wondering if Radix