soulofawitch_463-9e1.htm

by Soul Of A Witch (lit)

  Grimly, he ordered, "Back off."

  The pirate sneered back at him. "If you shoot me here, do you really think you’ll walk away alive?"

  "Let’s find out." The laser whined as Sinya pulled the trigger back.

  Beulah saw the Overlord watching in interest, still chewing a piece of meat and rasing a goblet to his lips. Fredrico watched without expression. His pirates watched with varying degrees of interest, amusement and anger.

  Apprehensively, Beulah looked up at Sinya. His normally cheerful, handsome face was grim, eyes dark and deadly with purpose. In that second, Beulah knew he would kill the pirate without a qualm.

  The other pirate seemed to realize it, too, but he merely grinned.

  "Sinya," Beulah began softly.

  He silenced her by the simply act of placing his other hand on her shoulder and pressing gently but firmly. "You will apologise to Beulah, and get the hell away from her," he said tightly.

  The pirate shrugged. "And you’ll kill me if I don’t, right?"

  "I’ll send you straight to hell."

  "I’ll be right at home there."

  Laughter trickled up from the hall below, and Beulah knew that everyone watched and waited in anticipation.

  "Last chance," Sinya said, and started to squeeze the trigger.

  The pirate, a little more uncertain now, glanced at Fredrico, who shrugged and took a sip of ale from his mug. The pirate’s gaze switched back to Sinya, and he raised one brow.

  "Enough." The Overlord set his goblet on the table. "Fredrico, call your man off."

  "Shumla," Fredrico immediately said quietly. "Tell the witch you’re sorry, then get your arse back in your chair."

  Shumla smiled at Beulah. "Sorry, witch-woman." Straightening, he took his plate back to his place at the table, sat down, and started to eat without a further word.

  Sinya sat slowly, holstering his laser. Not once did he glance at Beulah, but he nodded shortly to the Overlord.

  "Come, fill your plates and share my food with me," the Overlord said, then his gaze swept around the table, his pink eyes enlarging and growing smaller again. "I wish no more interruptions, or things like this will happen."

  A feeling of dread overcame Beulah, and she couldn’t stop her gaze from going to the pirate that had tried to provoke trouble. Even as she watched, a hooded man came up from the shadows, a scythe in his hand, and in one movement, he jerked the unsuspecting pirate back from his chair. The chair clattered to the floor and the pirate disappeared from sight behind the table. A cry of horror sounded, and the scythe sliced downward. The cry turned to a gurgle, then was cut off abruptly. The hooded man bent, and straightened with the pirate’s head dangling from his hand by the thick hair. He held it up for the Overlord to see, and at the Overlord’s nod, he tossed the head nonchalantly into the shadows of the hall.

  A couple of screams, laughter, and even cries of delight greeted the head as it thumped onto the floor and rolled under a table. From out of nowhere appeared two great hounds with red eyes, one of whom dived under the table and appeared again with the head in it’s mouth. It took off out of the hall, the other hound in pursuit, to the accompaniment of applause.

  Nausea roiled inside Beulah, making her throat burn. A fine sheen of sweat marred her brow, and she felt hot and cold in turns. Violence was in the air, and cruel amusement.

  Under the table she felt Sinya’s hand close around hers, his strong fingers linking through her own, his thumb rubbing against the back of her hand as he spoke to the Overlord in an even tone. "I thank you for getting rid of that bastard."

  The Overlord laughed outright, then subsided abruptly. "And what of you, witch-woman? What did you think of my brand of discipline?"

  She had to play the game, had to keep her barriers up and block the horrors from her mind. Coolly, she looked up at the Overlord, seeing the cold interest and curiosity in his pink eyes. "I don’t approve of your methods, but then, I don’t think that will trouble you."

  He laughed, genuinely amused, then waved his hand to the table again. "Come, eat, and we shall discuss business."

  Food was the last thing on her mind, and she wondered if she could even keep it down. But to not eat, to refuse, would cause unknown--and definitely nasty--consequences. Her gaze swept the table, seeing the plates of steaming meat. She realized that most of the food was meat, and some of it was very rare. Blood actually dripped from a big haunch not far to her right, and she felt her stomach turn again.

  "Here." Sinya placed a bowl of fruit at her elbow. "These vegetarians, Overlord, I don’t know how they survive without a good piece of meat."

  "Nature lovers," the Overlord agreed, smiling expansively. "A constant source of wonder to one such as us, eh?"

  "Definitely." Sinya took the jug of iced water that Ephim quickly passed him, and poured it into Beulah’s goblet. "Don’t eat meat, don’t drink ale or wine. Just fruit, veggies and water."

  She glanced up at him, and he met her gaze with a warm, soft expression in his eyes. He knew how sick she was feeling, how much control she was having to use, and was giving her the easiest way out that he could, without alerting the Overlord. She smiled at him, reached out, and took an apple.

  The fruit was fresh, crisp, and flooded her mouth with a welcoming, fresh taste. Her stomach still churned, but she ignored it, concentrating instead on the men at the table.

  Fredrico ate unconcernedly, as did his pirates. Sinya’s crew ate stoically, giving no indication how they felt. Even though Sinya appeared at ease beside her, she felt the tension within him. She also felt his protectiveness towards her. It was a tangible thing between them, a mingling of their auras where she could feel his protection and concern.

  "So." The Overlord’s voice drew her attention back to him. "You have come to ask me of Hortra’s whereabouts, Sinya."

  "Yes."

  "He has your brother, Wes."

  "News travels fast." Sinya met his gaze steadily. "How did you find out?"

  "I have ears and eyes in many places. Nothing goes on in the centre of the Outlaw Sector that I don’t know about." The Overlord tossed a scrap of meat down to the woman at his feet.

  By the clink of chains, Beulah knew she’d caught it eagerly.

  "This Hortra is a dark mystic," Sinya said. "We’ve met him, as you already know."

  "Ah yes, the fireball." The Overlord looked at Beulah. "In the spirit plane, too, I believe."

  Beulah nodded.

  "The spirit plane..." Voice trailing off, the Overlord gazed almost unseeingly at her, then shook his head and turned his attention back to Sinya. "You intend to get your brother back from Hortra?"

  "Yes."

  "You could die, you know."

  "I’m prepared for that."

  "Your witch could die."

  "He’s my brother."

  "And what is the witch to you?"

  Beulah felt the sudden turmoil inside Sinya, the tic of a muscle in his jaw, and answered for him. "Sinya came to me for help, and it is my duty to do so. I go willingly."

  "And why is it your duty?" The Overlord asked.

  "Wes is a child in need," she replied simply.

  "A child with powers, I understand."

  "A lost child."

  They gazed at each other, and she was certain he was going to push for more information. Instead, he surprised her by nodding and leaning back in his chair. His white skin gleamed dully in the torch light.

  Sinya pushed his plate aside. "Overlord, I was told you could tell me where Hortra is. Please, where does he dwell?"

  The elongated pupils in the pink eyes dilated, enlarged, and dilated again. "I’m helping you for a reason, Sinya. Do you know what that reason is?"

  "No."

  Beulah could sense Sinya’s frustration and impatience at not getting his answer immediately.

  "It’s linked to Beulah. If she hadn’t chosen to help you, then I would not have chosen to help you."

  The answer took Beulah by surprise, as
much as it did Sinya. But whereas she remained surprised, Sinya was suspicious.

  "What do you want with Beulah?"

  The Overlord was serious. "Nothing. This is something I choose to do for reasons of my own. The directions for the fortress are in here." The Overlord pulled a piece of paper from the depths of his gown and handed them to Sinya over the table. "Put them into your computers, and you will know immediately."

  Opening the sheet of paper, Sinya glanced at the contents and nodded. "I thank you."

  "Do not thank me." The pink-eyed gaze slid to Beulah. "Thank your witch."

  Beulah nodded. "Then I thank you."

  "You may not thank me later, Beulah. Hortra is not a person to trifle with. He is powerful, his magic dark. How you hope to vanquish him, I have no idea. But know this," he pointed at her suddenly, his finger stabbing the air. "I have assisted you as much as I feel it my duty. Once you are in his territory, you are alone. There will be no further assistance from me. Whatever happens, happens."

  Well, he’d certainly made his choices plain.

  "Hortra is nowhere near as powerful as I. He stays in his territory, and is no threat to me--nor ever will be, for he knows what I do to those who are." The Overlord dropped his hand into his lap beneath the table. "I’ve repaid what I consider a debt, and that is an end to it. You will have safe passage through the inner Outlaw Sector until you reach Hortra’s domain, and there my debt is completed, and you are on your own. Now eat, enjoy the meal, and leave when you are ready."

  The Overlord moved his hand, and his chair lifted and floated back from the table. Turning, he floated towards the door at the side of the alcove. The chained woman walked gracefully after him, unabashed in her nudity, shoulders back and breasts thrust proudly out.

  The door opened, and the Overlord disappeared through it. It shut behind him.

  Their audience with the Overlord was at an end.

  Beulah looked across at Fredrico, to find him regarding her thoughtfully. He was swirling the ale in his goblet. The pirate was an unknown factor in this place. She would have read his aura, regardless of her ethics on a person’s privacy, but she’d seen and felt too much in this place of horrors. Her barriers were holding well, as she knew they would, but personal delving into the private hells of this man were something she didn’t dare do.

  She had enough with what she’d seen.

  Sinya touched her shoulder, and she turned to look at him.

  "Are you ready to go?" he asked softly.

  "More than ready."

  Nodding, he placed his hand under her elbow and drew her up with him. His crew followed suit.

  "I’ll walk you back to your ship," Fredrico announced easily, getting to his feet also.

  Sinya held Beulah close to him as they descended the stairs into the hall below them. This time she kept her gaze forward, refusing to look at anyone, concentrating only on the opening ahead.

  Fredrico paced along beside Sinya. "I’ll be your escort until we reach the boundaries of Hortra’s area, then I’ll leave you there."

  Sinya nodded.

  Stepping out of the tunnel and into the open, Beulah took a breath of air, but it still had an oppressiveness about it. She could see now that they’d landed in a huge area surrounded by grey stone walls. Another ship was docked nearby.

  Sinya’s ship, long and black and sleek, looked like a safe haven to her. Her pace quickened. She wanted to get inside it, and away from this hell hole.

  ~ * ~

  Sinya had been worried at how Beulah would take the sights he knew she’d see, but she had remained calm. She’d coped better than he’d thought she would. The Overlord’s assistance was something that puzzled him, but he doubted he’d get an answer there, for even Beulah was puzzled.

  Regaining the safety of his ship, he breathed a sigh of relief when the ramp closed. He sent his crew to their various areas to await take-off. He walked with them to the second floor, where he watched them head for their places, then turned his gaze to Beulah.

  She was gazing calmly up at him, but he could sense that something was not quite right. Taking her hand, he asked quietly, "Are you all right?"

  "I’ll be fine," she replied. "You have the coordinates, so we can leave now?"

  "For a certainty." Her hand was cold, and he frowned. "Beulah--"

  "It was cold in there. Didn’t you feel it?" Pulling her hand from his, she turned away. "I need a shower to wash away the... smell."

  He didn’t miss her hesitation, but didn’t stop her from walking away. He had the coordinates, and wanted to get a start on the journey. They were so close to getting Wes. Striding to the control cabin, he entered and gave the coordinating to Drake, who typed them into the computer.

  "Glad to see you all back in one piece." Drake shuddered. "Wretched place! Filthy and full of thieves and pirates."

  "You’re a pirate," Sinya said dryly.

  "A much classier pirate, thank you very much."

  Franc appeared in the doorway. "Jus be thankful you didn’t have to eat there." He made gagging sounds.

  "Dear God, you didn’t!" Drake was horrified. "That food is full of bugs and germs and lord knows who cooked it--yech!"

  "Thank you very much," Franc said sourly. "I feel so much better now."

  Listening to the familiar talk, Sinya relaxed and focussed on the viscomm. They were already drawing away from the planet, and he could see Fredrico’s ship not far to the side of them. Again he wondered exactly what Fredrico’s involvement with the Overlord was. He remembered a time when he and Fredrico had been friends. That was before Fredrico grew more dangerous, more bloodthirsty, and harder.

  They’d both grown harder, but Sinya had never grown bloodthirsty. Unless people, like that bastard Shumla, laid hands on Beulah. When he’d seen the lust in his eyes, and the faces of some of the people in the hall, he’d wanted to shoot every one of them. Their lust was underlined with maliciousness, and the thought of Beulah, in all her innocence and goodness, at the mercy of the hall occupants, turned his stomach.

  It had taken everything he had not to pick her up and take her back to the safety of his ship. To sit there and watch her in the midst of the dark crowd... he shook his head. He never wanted to do that again.

  Once they were well away from the planet and heading into space, he left the control cabin and checked on his crew. Most of them were in either the dining cabin or the living area. Ephim and Beli were doing a weapons check. Ralfis and another pirate were doing maintenance on the laser guns.

  A strange sensation stole over him while he sat sipping a cup of hot una. Uneasily, he shifted on the stool. Something troubled him, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Frowning, he mentally chided himself and tried to relax.

  It wasn’t working. Restless, he stood up and tipped the last of the una into the sink, then started for his own cabin. Maybe a shower, or even some sleep, might help.

  The uneasiness grew as he climbed the stairs, and it increased as he strode down the empty corridor. As he neared his own cabin, the troubled feeling he had deepened, and suddenly he knew where it came from.

  Beulah.

  Swinging on his heel, he threw her door open. The cabin was empty, but he heard her retching in the shower cabin. Hurrying across the cabin, he looked inside to see her kneeling over the toilet, vomiting the tiny bit of food she’d managed to swallow.

  Without another word, he poured a glass of water and tipped mint juice into it, picked up a face washer from beside the basin, wet it, then knelt on one knee behind Beulah with both articles. Worry ate at him, but it was no time to ask questions. Not when she couldn’t answer, and was still dry retching.

  Finally she slumped back, and he was there to support her, catching her shoulders and easing her back against his chest. Using the face washer, he wiped her pale face. Her eyes remained closed, and she was breathing almost erratically. Her cheeks were damp from tears.

  "Beulah," he said softly. "Are you all right?"

&n
bsp; Grimacing, she wiped one hand across her mouth.

  Picking up the glass, he held it to her lips. "Sip this, rinse your mouth and spit out," he instructed. "Repeat as many times as you need. It’ll freshen your mouth and get rid of the foul taste."

  She did as bidden, sipping, rinsing and spiting it into the toilet bowl. Beulah didn’t stop until the glass was empty. With the last spit, she reached up and flushed the toilet, sending the mess spiralling out of sight. Slumping wearily back against him, she opened her eyes and looked up at him dully.

  His heart nearly broke at the expression in her normally sparkling eyes. "Oh, Beulah." Standing, Sinya swept her up into his arms and carried her back into the cabin. Laying her on the bed, he sat down at her hip. Leaning one hand on the other side of her, he gazed down at her, and wiped his hand soothingly across her brow. "It was too much for you, being in that hell hole."

  "No." Swallowing, she tried to muster a smile of reassurance.

  "Don’t try for heroics, sweetheart. It’s not going to work this time."

  "It worked before."

  "This is no joking matter, Beulah." Pushing the stray strands of hair back from her face, Sinya studied her face. "Tell me what happened. You protected yourself, didn’t you?"

  "Yes."

  "Did you weaken your own protection, by including us in it?"

  "Of course not."

  "Then tell me what happened."

  He didn’t think she was going to answer at first, for her lashes lowered to hide her eyes. But then she drew in a deep breath and met his gaze once more. "It was being around all that evil. All that horror."

  "You couldn’t protect yourself from it? I don’t understand."

  "I was protected spiritually, but I still saw things." A shiver went through her. "That man hanging and bleeding. The lust, the enjoyment of pain. The debasement of each other." Beulah’s gaze was sad. "They don’t have respect, nor love. Only the wanting of blood spilt, of horror, of riches and power."

  "That’s the Overlord’s world, Beulah." Gently he ran his thumb along her cheekbone, catching the tear that slipped free. "This is the world you should never have to see or experience."

  "I’ve felt the horror of those who have come to me. I know there’s things beyond my valley which can drive a person insane. I know how to protect myself from it. But I’ve never been so close to it before. I saw it, I felt it." Another tear slipped free. "It still affects me."