He moved to stand beside her. He reached to touch her cheek, and she shrank back.
"You need not fear me, my love, not as long as you do as I ask."
Wordlessly, she nodded. Dirkk cupped her elbow with his hand and guided her from the room.
In the hallway, she walked woodenly beside him. What can I do? To the right, movement caught her eye. She heard a shrill cry of rage. Pain exploded against the right side of her head as she plunged into darkness.
*****
"Regan? Regan, open your eyes."
The voice floated toward her downward from a tiny ember of light.
No, it hurts. I'm staying here. I can't be hurt here.
She was moving. Someone was carrying her, and each step sent knifing pain through her head.
"Get away from me," the voice ordered with rage. "Go back to your cage."
"Next time I will kill the human female."
"You, and you, take her to her cage and lock her in."
"No," the other voice wailed. "No."
Then the sound faded.
What had happened? Why did her head hurt so? Her mind refused the answer.
""Regan, my queen, you must come back to me."
The voice, she knew it, but who was it? She wasn't a queen. Tessa was queen.
"Momma! What did you do to my momma?"
Daniel. Regan's eyes popped open as she was laid upon a bed. She couldn't focus. She blinked, and then blinked again, bringing the world into view. "Daniel," she whispered.
"Momma, you're bleeding."
"Away," the voice ordered, and all of it came back.
"Someone hurt your mommy," Dirkk said, "but she has been seen to."
She heard the rage in his voice. He's on the edge of violence. One nudge and he'll go over. She reached out and grasped her son's hand. "I need a drink of water. Get it for me, Daniel."
"Yes, Momma."
She looked into Dirkk's face. "Hades?"
Dirkk nodded.
Daniel returned with the cup of water. Dirkk snatched it from him and held it to her lips.
"Bring something to bathe her head," Dirkk said.
Daniel glanced at his mother and then into Dirkk's face before scurrying to do as ordered.
The red faded from Dirkk's face and his breathing slowed. "I am sorry. It will not happen again. I will see to it."
Daniel returned with a scrap of cotton cloth. Dirkk took it from the boy and moistened it in the remaining water. With a magnanimous smile, he handed it to Daniel. "You may bathe her head."
Her son laid the cloth against her still throbbing head. She gasped at the coolness. He started to pull the cloth away, but she covered his hand with hers. "It feels wonderful, Baby."
"Don't press too hard. I don't want it to start bleeding again," Dirkk said.
Regan heard the jealousy in his voice and removed her hand from her son's. She felt a warm tongue lick her other hand and glanced down at Maggie. "I'm going to be fine," she said, scratching the basset hound's ear. "I'll just have a little headache for awhile."
"Regan, you may remain here this night. I have things I must see to." Dirkk stared down at her for a long moment, then turned and walked away. At the door he motioned to a fenris'ena. "Stay. Guard."
For once Regan welcomed its presence as the beast settled across the open doorway.
*****
"Hades," Dirkk's said. "Come to me."
The etain'daman remained huddled in the far corner of the cage.
Dirkk clutched the dagger. "Come, I said."
Hades rose. Her vulpine face twisted as she fought the call of the dagger.
"Why fight it?" Dirkk said. "You will obey."
She stumbled toward him.
Dirkk thrust the crystal against her arm.
The etain'daman shrieked and stumbled back. The others, in their cages, wailed in response.
"Shut up," Dirkk screamed at them, "or next it will be you."
The wails dulled to an occasional whimper.
Dirkk pulled the crystal back from Hades. She fell at his feet and writhed upon the stone. Glaring down at her, Dirkk touched the crystal to her thigh. Her thigh jerked and contracted as she screeched again. He watched, waited until her eyes rolled back in her head, then removed the crystal.
"You will never touch Regan without my command. Do you hear me?"
When Hades did not answer, he dug the toe of his boot into her side.
"I hear," she panted, rolling away from him.
"I hear what?" Dirkk demanded, bringing the emerald dagger toward her.
"Master," she said, her eyes narrowing to feral slits.
*****
Ben sprang toward Margeaux and caught her as she fell. "By the Goddess, what have you done?"
Peter pushed himself up on his elbows as three red-liveried men ran into the room.
"Fetch Helena," Peter said. He pointed at Delilah. "Detain her." One turned on his heels and ran from the room, while the other two sprang forward and grabbed Delilah.
"Hurry. The healer is in the next room," Ben cried.
Held by the two guards, Delilah slumped. "It was an accident. I wasn't going to use it."
Ben stared hard into Margeaux's eyes. "Don't you leave me, beautiful lady."
The elven healer reached up and touched his lips.
Helena rushed into the room with a cloth bag of green. She dropped to her knees beside Ben. "Lay her down."
As Ben gently laid Margeaux upon the floor, Queen Tessa burst through the open door. "I heard a loud noise." Her gaze went to Margeaux and the spreading pool of blood. "By the Goddess, what has happened?"
"A bullet wound," Ben said.
Tessa's forehead furrowed. "Bullet? What is a bullet?"
Peter swung his legs off the side of the bed. "A high-speed projectile, propelled from a gun. I've read of them in Grandfather's journal."
Margeaux moaned.
Helena palpitated the outside of the bloody wound with her fingertips. "There's something in there. It has to come out, but I must stop the bleeding first." She opened her bag, drew out a leaf-wrapped bundle and crumbled dried leaves upon the wound. "Move her onto the bed, but gently. Gently."
Peter stood and moved shakily to lean against a wall.
"Let me help," Delilah said.
"No," Ben snapped, spearing her with a quick glare before aiding the guards in moving Margeaux to Peter's bed.
"I've had some medical training," Delilah said. "Who else here has?"
Margeaux's eyes opened. "Let your daughter aid Helena," she whispered.
Ben touched his finger to her lips. "Do not talk."
The elven healer's eyes closed.
"Margeaux? Margeaux," Ben said, his voice rising in panic.
"She has left us for now," Helena said. The healer closed her eyes for a moment. "I plead with you, Goddess of healing, to let me return her to us."
Ben swayed, then steadied himself with a hand against the wall. He turned and glared at his daughter. "Bring her back to me."
Tessa nodded at the guards and they released the girl.
Delilah took a deep breath and crossed to Margeaux. "Turn her on her side."
Hands gently did so.
"There's no exit wound. The bullet's inside." She glanced at Helena. "I need a knife. A small sharp one, and something to sterilize it with."
Helena frowned. "I don't know sterilize."
"Something to kill the germs, ... the things that make you sick."
"Yes, the poisons," Helena said. "We use fire." She turned to a guard. "Bring me a candle."
"Fire?" Delilah said. "Then what do you cleanse your hands with? And the outside of the wound?"
The healer stared at her in silence.
"Damn," Delilah swore. "Where's Angus? I need the stuff he drinks." She struggled to rip the gown Margeaux wore.
"Angus is gone," Tessa said. "But you need his Fire and Ice?" She turned and ran from the room.
"Let me," Ben said. He ripped t
he gown from neck to waist. Blood still pumped from the two-inch hole just below the elven healer's ribcage.
"Damn, we've got to stop the bleeding. Put some more of those herbs on the wound," Delilah said.
Helena crushed green leaves in her palm and sprinkled them across the bleeding hole.
Delilah chewed at her bottom lip. "Hot water. I need lots of hot water, strong soap and clean pieces of cloth."
Helena pulled a roll of bandages from her bag. "Here."
A guard rushed back into the room, carrying a candle. "Light it, fool," Helena snapped.
"I will light it," Peter said. A small ball of blue formed in his palm. The guard held the candlewick toward the ball and it flared into flame.
"Can you use it for healing?" Delilah asked.
"The Power? I am too drained, but with Regan I can."
"Then get her," Delilah said.
"I will," the guard said, running toward the door.
Queen Tessa came back into the room carrying a silver flask. "He always has extra in his chambers, but it is not full."
A guard burst into the room carrying a handful of knives. "I brought them all."
Delilah selected a sharply pointed knife and handed it to Helena. "Make the poison go away."
The healer took the knife and held it over the flickering flame of the candle. Delilah took a swab of cotton and held it toward Tessa. "Pour some on here."
The queen moistened the cloth with the liquor.
"Your herb worked. The bleeding has stopped. Will it hurt if it gets inside?" Delilah asked as she mopped the blood from around the wound.
Helena came back with the knife held before her. "They will not harm."
Delilah took the knife and handed the healer the swab of cotton. "I've got to get the bullet out, but you've got to keep the blood out of the way so I can see to find it." The healer nodded as she took the piece of cloth. Delilah turned to Tessa. "Pour some on my hands."
Her hands still wet from the dwarven liquor, Delilah bent over Margeaux and made a quick cut. Blood welled and Helena blotted it from Margeaux's skin. From behind her, she heard a gasp. She knew it came from her father, but didn't look up from the incision. Please, she silently begged, forcing her finger inside and feeling around.
Where is it? Her fingernail grazed a piece of metal. "I've found it." Delilah chewed her lip as she sought to maneuver the slippery bullet toward the wound opening. "I think I see it. Blot the blood. Yes, I've got it. Get me something to put it in." A bowl appeared beside her. Delilah forced the bullet from inside. It made a small metallic clank as it hit the silver bowl's bottom.
Tessa handed the girl a needle and silk thread. With four stitches the wound was closed. Delilah sat back and rubbed the small of her back. "Wipe it with some more of the liquor." She glanced at Peter. "This is where you come in. Drop some healing magic this way."
"We must wait for Regan."
A guard rushed into the room. "She is gone," he said.
"What?" Peter demanded.
"Your daughter sleeps, but Regan is gone. They are searching the castle."
"Dirkk," Peter said.
Queen Tessa whirled to face him. "Dirkk?"
"It was Dirkk's demon-wolves and fairies who attacked Daniel and me. And somehow he has taken Regan.” Peter pushed away from the wall and stumbled toward the door.
Ben grabbed the mage as he fell. "You can do nothing yet. If Dirkk has taken Regan, I will find her."
Peter sagged in Ben's grip. "He has my son, too."
"Rourk and Kelsey will get them back," Ben said. "DaKar is leading them to the wolf demons' place. We did not know Dirkk was responsible ... until now."
"Dirkk," Tessa said, her voice thick with hatred. "This time he will die."
Forgotten, Delilah slipped from the room.
*****
Delilah pressed her hand against her drumming heart as she leaned against the stable doors. She listened, but all was quiet. They hadn't missed her yet.
She glanced around. The area looked empty. A roan gelding stood in the nearest stall. It only took her a moment to saddle him and ride from the castle.
The shops' darkened windows watched as she rode by. Light streamed from homes as she passed, and from one open door came the sound of laughter. They're all with their families, like I should be, she thought. Tears flooded her eyes and ran down her cheeks. She flicked them away, unknowingly leaving a trail of Margeaux's blood behind. He won't come with me now. I saw the hate in his eyes, and it will be worse when she dies.
A sob escaped her and she pressed her lips tightly together. She knew Margeaux would die. Yes, she'd removed the bullet, but what damage had it done inside? If it had nicked an intestine, peritonitis would set in, and their primitive medicines wouldn't be able to combat it. Even if there wasn't an infection, the elven healer had lost so much blood.
"I didn't mean to. It was a threat, nothing more," she said. "But damn, his grandson needs him. How could he choose them over his own flesh and blood?"
Delilah passed the ripening fields of corn and shuddered as she made her way through the shadows of Peak's Pass. It was so quiet. It was as if every living thing held its breath until she passed. I don't belong here, and they know it. I was stupid to come.
She heard the rush of a swift-flowing river and glanced to the side.
I follow this road until it comes to another part of the river, and then cross it. It won't be hard to find my way back to the rift thing.
I'll find a blood marrow donor for Joshua without Benford Samson. I haven't searched everywhere yet. There's an entire world left. Somewhere there has to be a match.
She pressed her lips together. She didn't need her father. She didn't need him as she'd grown up, and she sure as hell didn't need him now.
Delilah reined in the gelding and glanced at the horizon. The sun nested there. Bands of red, purple and orange radiated from the glowing ball. It would be dark soon. She looked at the trees surrounding her. A wolf's howl shattered the stillness and she shivered. What kinds of animals prowled here at night?
The gelding neighed and shook its mane, and she nudged him in the side with her heels. "Come on. We'll never get to the river this way." The horse snorted and tried to turn around. "Not that way, stupid." She tightened her hold on the reins. The gelding shook his head, fighting the bit. "We're going this way." He reared. With a sharp cry, Delilah pitched backwards. She landed with a teeth-jarring thud. Tears blurred her vision as she fought for breath.
"You come back here, you stupid nag," she was at last able to shout, but all she heard was the pound of retreating hoofs. "Damn. Damn. Damn. You're not worth anything. If you were mine, I'd sell you for glue. You dim-witted—" Another howl halted her tirade.
With the sun now gone, the King's Highway wore a shroud of darkness. Delilah scrambled to her feet and glanced toward the trees she knew flanked the road. "I can't go any further without some light. I should have brought a flashlight with me instead of a gun." She sighed. "It's going to be a long night." A gust of wind blew one of her braids into her eyes and she shivered. "A cold one, too." Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the trees. It had to be more protected among them than where she stood here in the open.
Her back pressed against an oak's trunk, Delilah hugged her knees to her chest. A stiffening wind shook the leaves above her, an occasional blast gusted down to poke her with icy fingers. She'd taken her jacket off to sit on, trusting her ribbed sweater to keep her warm, but was now having second thoughts. Twice she'd heard an owl hoot, and once again a wolf's howl, but it had sounded no closer than the previous ones.
She wondered briefly what it hunted, and didn't wolves hunt in packs? With her right hand she fingered the stout gnarled limb she'd wrested from a nearby bush. If it got any colder she'd put the jacket back on and make a bed out of the leaves on the ground around her.
Delilah looked skyward. How long had she sat here?
The brush to her right rustled and, smothering a cr
y with the back of her hand, she jumped to her feet. The rustle came again and, with a soft curse, she grabbed for the forgotten limb. Holding it waist-high before her with both hands, she faced the brush.
"Just get out of here. I won't hurt you if you don't hurt me."
The moon won its battle with the clouds and cast a silver wash of light on a small patch of ground. By its light she watched a man step into the clearing. He stood, staring at her for a long moment in silence, and then whispered. "By the shards of the blessed one's tomb, I have found an earth goddess of the night who adorns her hair with stars. Your eyes are the dark of obsidian, and your mouth glistens like polished cherry wood. Does it taste of a cherry's tart sweetness? I yearn to know."
Delilah stared, unable to speak. She was standing in the dark. How could he see her? But, my God, he took her breath away. She'd never seen a man she would call beautiful, not until now. He was tall, and his long silvery hair glistened. His almond-shaped sea-blue eyes moved slowly across her, and her skin tingled, as if he caressed each inch of her skin his look paused upon.
She could see his winged eyebrows rise in knowing acknowledgment. The instant attraction was not just on her side. Delilah watched the quick rise and fall of his chest. Emboldened, she let her own gaze wander across the expanse of leaf-green clothing.
"I am Prince Darrian Silverthorne. How may I assist you, goddess?"
Darrian Silverthorne. She reached her hand toward him. He grasped it and placed a warm kiss upon her palm.
His lips curved. "I know what you seek. Will you come with me? I've a cottage not far away."
He knew what she wanted? He could guide her to the rift? And a cottage was far better than spending the night in the woods with howling wolves.
Unable to speak, she nodded. He whistled and a black horse trotted into the clearing. Darrian mounted and then pulled her up in front of him.
His arms, to each side of her, seared her skin.
"I need my jacket."
He urged the horse to where her jacket lay, then leaned to the side and grabbed it from the ground.
"Your jacket."
She held it, unwilling to put it on and let the leather be between her and the heat of his body.
The Emerald Dagger Page 17
