With that thought she jumped from the bed as if a fire had been lit under her. Great start, Allantra! she chided herself. Her eyes fell on the cluttered desk, sprinkled with parchment, feathered pens and ink. Very Old World she thought wryly, almost smiling thinking of how Dharean must look dipping the feather and writing some horrible spell. A large book was opened and beckoned her to it. Something told her if she went to that book, her world would change. Her heart pounded erratically as she got nearer. She stood looking at the book before she would allow herself to even read from the pages. But her eyes were betrayers and they riveted on the right page of the book, drinking in the text:
Touched by evil that flows and ebbs
The Ancients cower from its web
The Scion comes from enemy land
A harbinger for change at hand
Mated first to an enemy that’s not
Mated second to a wizards’ lot
The three shall form the weapon to be
The catalyst of death to the enemy
If one should falter from the path
T’would bring down destiny’s final wrath
The enemies’ stronghold shall re-enforce
Survival of the Ancients, shall end its course
Her mind refused to accept the words she was reading. Was this referring to her? Was that too arrogant? She reread the words and shock settled in. “No, it can’t be.” She said aloud to herself.
“Well, I see you made yourself at home…” Dharean’s voice rang loudly in the small hut; it seemed to echo as he paused then added, “Scion.”
Chapter Five
Allantra’s voice caught in her throat, frantically her eyes darted from Dharean to the old tome in utter disbelief; disbelief that of course in no time turned into utter outrage.
“You knew this, and didn’t tell me!” she screeched balling her fists in frustration.
Dharean looked at her as if they were having a perfectly normal conversation. Turning his back on her, he began idly grabbing ingredients off the shelves. “You were … ah … are on a need-to-know basis.” He grabbed a small jar of whatever the hell it was and casually put it into a small leather satchel. “You forget, little one, you are a Civil Lander. Our trust is not given to those of your ilk so easily.”
“My ilk?” Allantra’s voice dropped to an almost deadly whisper. “You want to clarify that for me, asshole?” At that statement Dharean looked over his shoulder, his gray eyes turning a shade darker at her endearment. He paused in what he was doing and turned around to face her, now giving the irate Allantra his full attention.
“I will ignore you said that and not take it out on your hide.”
“You have the nerve to be offended after you just virtually called me worthless and untrustworthy.”
“You got two words out of the one?” he crossed his arms in front of his chest, appearing unaffected by her mood.
“It was not my choice to have my parents murdered and to be raised in a place where I was considered less than dirt just because of what I am. What you are. I fought tooth and nail for everything that I got. And no, no one asked me to come on this mission but I volunteered because I was tired of seeing my people, whether they are half-breeds or not, suffer. I don’t need to take this shit from you. You don’t know how many times I was almost killed trying to find your people. I left behind someone I lo…” she stopped when she realized just what it was she was about to say. Dharean, however, was no fool.
“Say it, go on, tell me about your vampyre lover.” He challenged her and when he got no response but her silent anger, he let loose with his barbs. “I smelled him on you the moment I spotted you and yet you won’t talk about him. Is he not good enough for you, either?” Dharean watched her closely. His anger began to fill the small room.
“Don’t you dare speak to me about sacrifice. I have sacrificed much for my people and in return I get their fear. Some even their scorn as they stand behind me for my protection. No one asked me either to do the things I have done for my people, but they needed to be done. It was my father, the Shaman, who was killed by those blood drinkers. Do you think you are the only one who has suffered, princess? My trust does not come easily, as I suspect neither does yours.”
The air reeked of tension as a loud silence rang between them. Allantra tried to breathe easily as she got a grip on her anger, and let it slide from her body. Dharean began to throw a few more bottles into the satchel. “I didn’t know the Shaman was your father.” She said quietly. Dharean stopped and looked at her. She averted her eyes choosing to look instead at the books that she never actually saw. His shoulders sagged as he gave up his anger quickly.
“Most don’t know, my father never married, he had many … lovers to put it mildly. I was one of many. I am, however, the only one who inherited his gift for the magical arts. Ergo, the people by default are my responsibility.”
“But they don’t know your heritage. Perhaps if you told them…”
“I will not barter for respect. They either accept me for who I am as I stand alone or not at all.” Dharean slung the satchel across his shoulder.
“Where are you going? Am I to stay here alone, with all these creepy things?” Allantra crossed her arms and rubbed them.
“I am going to put a protection barrier around the village. There are vampyre servants about. I needed a few things. I left Masque to keep an eye on things until I am finished. And, no, I fully intend to share these quarters with you, Scion.” Allantra breathed a sigh of relief. He came to her, lifted her chin and placed the smallest of kisses on her lips. “I am sorry for the loss of your parents.” Then he left, leaving Allantra wanting a much deeper kiss.
* * * *
“Did he say how close to the village they were?” Minn asked as she threw more vegetables into the pot. It had been hours since Dharean left and Allantra had no choice but to seek out company. No one actually talked to her. She asked where Minn’s hut was and they just pointed vaguely and kept going. She knew she instilled mistrust and fear. After all she was the ‘Harbinger of change’ and it wasn’t exactly for the better, at least not immediately. Minn had welcomed her in as she set about making dinner for her twin boys.
“No, just said he was putting a protection barrier around the village.” Allantra murmured as she looked around the hut. A very cluttered hut. Minn seemed not to notice the chaos in her own home, yet she kept Za’rae’s immaculate.
“He works so very hard. It’s a shame the people don’t treat him better. But I guess the women who slip into his bed at night make it all worth while. Well at least some of it.” Minn laughed to herself as she checked the small fire pit she was cooking over. “But since you’re there I suppose that business is going to have to stop.”
Allantra could feel her cheeks blush as she ignored the jealous feelings that rose up when she pictured all the women that surely must come to him at night. Did he not mention that himself? Who could blame them? He was gorgeous and dangerous as hell. Was there a better combination of man? “There is nothing going on between Dharean and me.” Allantra shifted her position on the floor mat trying to get the small scrap of material she wore to fully cover her bottom, or at least to cover some of it. Minn had given her the two-piece short sarong-like skirt and bikini-like top to wear instead of the scratchy sack. She didn’t know which one was the lesser of two evils.
“I know. And no one saw what happened between the two of you in the clearing.” Minn came back full force smiling and laughing at her at the same time.
“He put me under some kind of spell, I know he did. I don’t do things like that.”
“Highly possible, but not likely because that wouldn’t explain why he was just as affected by you. Magic doers can’t fall under their own spells.”
For this Allantra had no answer so she chose to change the conversation, put Minn under the microscope a little. “If you don’t mind me asking, where is the boys’ father?” The smile dropped just a little from Minn as she answered
, Allantra felt like a heel for asking.
“He died two years back. Some humans were out here hunting trying to prove their worth to one another. They shot him with a poisoned bullet while he was in hawk form. It was his totem animal. Dharean did everything he could to save him, but the poison worked fast. Masque, of course hunted them down and killed them before they made it out of the Savage Outlands. It didn’t bring him back, but I rest easier knowing his murderers are just as dead.”
“I’m so sorry, Minn.”
“Wasn’t your fault. Anyway Masque feels responsible for us now. I have urged him to seek his own happiness and find a mate, but he won’t. Before the Mass Execution I knew he was in love with someone. He wouldn’t tell me who, only would say he was sure she was his destined mate. Our mother and father demanded to meet her. I don’t know what happened after that, only that he lost all ability to enjoy life, and he refused to do any magic.”
“Refused to do magic?”
“Yes, he was well on his way to being quite a sorcerer, probably could have even rivaled Dharean. He never told anyone why, not even Dharean.”
“How very strange, and he never talks about it?”
“At least not to me. Sometime after that my parents died in the Mass Execution. They weren’t with the representatives of our people that day. They came a day later, not knowing what had happened. They just wanted to spend a day in town. Mother wanted some exotic spices that she insisted could only be found in the Civil Lands. The vampyres slaughtered every shifter they saw. We lost a lot of our royal line from different clans. What’s left of all the clans are here in this village.”
“I don’t remember it exactly. Just being alone and crying. I remember a nice lady taking my hand and telling me to shush. After that she was all I ever remember. She loved me.”
“You were lucky that night.” Minn said solemnly.
“I was lucky that night.” Allantra repeated as she thought about the prophecy. Was she lucky that night? Or was it all destined to happen?
* * * *
Sometime between late night and early morning Dharean finally found his way into his hut. Despite his fatigue he couldn’t help the way his heart quickened at the thought that Allantra was there, inside. Not necessarily waiting for him, but there nonetheless. He closed the door quietly, careful not to wake her. He treaded lightly to the big bed, his eyes feasting on the sleeping woman as he came closer. The cloth she wore about her hips rose high, revealing creamy brown thighs. Her small waist showed a marked dip as his eyes rose higher until they rested on her chest. An equally small scrap of material pushed them together showing her small but shapely breasts. He watched fascinated as she breathed the pattern of the deeply resting.
What was it about her that captured his attention so? She had a smart mouth, and no respect for his authority. She was strong willed and independent and most of all she wasn’t afraid of him. Not like the others were. Her fear of him was simply because she couldn’t control him, and he suspected that he caused her just as much angst as she caused him. No she wasn’t afraid of his power or his dark side, she was afraid of the affect he had on her. His sharp ears picked up the familiar sound of his door being quietly opened. He had neglected to lock it. He had never locked his door. Tonight for the first time he would regret this arrogant act.
A slim hand rounded the door and caught the knob on the other side, soon followed the lush body of one of the female villagers. Nani, recently mated for prestige, not love. It was the reason she was in his bed several nights a week. At first these antics did not bother him, but now… Shifters are supposed to mate for life, they are supposed to wait for the other that completes them. Over the years (his father a prime example) they had taken on human habits of marrying for other than companionship and love. He suspected that was also the reason for the low breeding, making it difficult to propagate their numbers. Was Allantra the same? Was her vampyre lover merely for convenience or did she really feel for him as she almost proclaimed?
“Dharean?” came Nani’s whispered query as she saw him standing beside the bed, still oblivious to Allantra’s sleeping form. Using wizard speed Dharean was beside Nani in a mere blink of an eye, wanting to quiet her before she awoke Allantra.
You must leave Nani. He said into her mind.
“Have you replaced me already?” she cooed softly wrapping her arms around his neck. Dharean swiftly removed them. Go home to your husband.
“He doesn’t satisfy me. What is this? You are refusing me?” she practically snarled the soft seductive voice all but a memory.
Do not test me woman. Know your place. I am in no mood for you. Dharean looked behind him, afraid her rising voice would wake the woman, but that proved to be another careless error on his part. For Nani followed his line of vision.
“You take that Civil Lander to your bed in my stead? You know what is said about her. They whisper she is the Harbinger of Change. She will bring nothing but strife to our people and you choose to bed her?” Nani’s voice began to rise as her outrage grew. Dharean had sworn to himself to never use magic on his own people unless it was absolutely necessary, he was torn between what was necessary for him and what was necessary for the situation.
You forget you are mated to a prominent trader who has given you much, Nani. Should you make a scene here in my hut he will know your whereabouts, and the deeds you no doubt have been up to!
Dharean could see the fight die in her but the maliciousness stayed. “You two deserve each other, foul creatures such as yourselves should not taint the beds of decent folk.” With that the bold adulteress left the hut in a hurry. Despite her scathing words, she appeared to be afraid she might have pushed him to his limit of control. With a thought, Dharean locked the door behind her, taking the lesson to heart.
“Perhaps my being here is not such a good idea.” Allantra’s sleepy voice reached his ears. Dharean turned to see Allantra sitting half way up and staring at him with her lovely feline shaped eyes.
“It was not a good idea for Nani to be here.” Dharean corrected approaching the bed.
“But you have slept with her before.” Allantra stated, with just a trace of hardness to her voice. If Dharean didn’t know any better he would say that she was jealous.
“I have done many things before that I choose not to do again, when I give myself wise counsel,” he countered sitting on the bed and laying a large warm hand on her exposed thigh. He waited for protest but got none, so he sat contented for the moment being able to just touch her.
“It’s late. You are tired. We can share the bed so long as you keep your hands to yourself.” Allantra smiled as soon as she said the words. She looked down at his hand but said nothing.
“As tempting as you are, young one, I have not the strength to devour you. It has been a very long day.”
“What happened today?”
Dharean was a little startled at the question. No one had ever asked him about his day. No one had ever cared to hear the things he’d done. They only wanted to know if they were safe, and then they would continue to give him a wide berth.
“Many vampyre servants are about, including the one who tried to capture you. I am afraid my people can no longer reside here. I must move them. I put a protection barrier around the encampment, so they cannot get in should they get a mind to before we can evacuate. We have a few days, and a hidden access to the river. Tomorrow I shall make the announcement and give them time to take only what is needed.”
“What about me? I did not come here to stay, Dharean, I must get back and soon.”
“I have thought of that as well. When my people are safely relocated Masque and I will return with you to handle this delicate negotiation. After all, the outcome of this will affect my people as well. It could quite possibly give them the freedom to live their lives without fear.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, reaching out to him with her small hand and brushing a stray strand of his hair away from his face.
“Y
ou are most welcome, little brave one. But I feel you will not feel so kindly towards me on the morrow”
“Why is that?” she wrinkled that space between her brows in confusion. Dharean was fascinated by every facial expression of hers, even the angry ones.
“I have asked Za’rae to examine you, find the reason why you are the crucial point to the triad.”
“I don’t think I follow you.”
“Vampyres are powerful creatures, from what you have told us, the one you are—attached to is powerful. I am powerful within my own right as well. You play a crucial role, but you have no magic. There is something about you that we are missing.”
“You’re saying I am a weak link?” a wry smiled crossed Allantra’s face. “I am not offended. I have wondered this myself. I have wondered ‘why me?’ ever since my arrest began in the Civil Lands.” She paused as she considered her next statement. “Will it hurt, the examination?”
“No, it is more a ceremony of sorts, but my part comes in when I must test you, find out what it is you can and cannot do. I cannot go into battle without knowing what my soldiers are capable of. We need a strategy if things don’t go as planned. If I know vampyres, they can’t be trusted.”
“Not all vampires are the same.” Allantra said defensively.
“I will reserve my opinion of your lover until it is proven to me. Meanwhile get some sleep, the next few days will prove to be quite taxing for the both of us.”
For reasons he did not know, and reasons Allantra did not question, he pulled her into his arms. She not only allowed it, she snuggled into him. Her back to his front and he felt just as satisfied as he would have if he’d just made love. Okay, maybe not as satisfied but close enough. He was content with her just being there. With no time to waste, they both fell asleep with a smile on their faces.
Bloodlines 2 Ancestry Page 6
