I had been aware of the Mimetidae’s cannibalistic tendencies in the same peripheral way as I knew my dear friend’s husband snored or that Lourdes enjoyed a good hand massage after a hard day’s work. There were things I had heard, not that I had seen or had firsthand knowledge of. No meager warning could have prepared me for witnessing Lleu as he partook of his enemy’s flesh.
“Easy there, little mouse.” Vaughn’s voice was a warm whisper in my ear. His breath hit my throat, and his lips hovered too close for my comfort. “Breathe past it. There’s nowhere to run.”
Exhaling, I righted myself and severed all contact with him. I had toyed with this predator, invited his attention when morbid curiosity got the better of me and let the slow burn in my gut evaporate my common sense. Before that night in the tunnels, I had feared him as I feared a wild canis. Those few touches, those few glimpses stolen of his darker self, I had ignored…until now.
Try as I might, Vaughn’s nature was not to be ignored.
“I suppose it was for the best I never made that visit.” His eyes were flat, black and dull. His voice was empty. “I won’t touch you again, but stay close. What protection I can offer is yours.”
I nodded, grateful, but lacking all words except those I would regret later.
Chapter Five
Thank the gods for small mercies. My feet were too numb to register how raw they were or that the cold had made my heels split. The soles of my shoes were damp with blood, and every so often I heard the mournful calls of canis from the nearby woods and cringed. For whatever reason, the pack under Theridiidae control avoided me. Not even the scent of fresh blood lured them from their masters.
I had the feeling the wild canis had no such objections to sampling my flavor.
“How are you holding up?” Vaughn asked so low I strained to hear him.
“I’m well.” As well as any of us were. “How are you?”
How polite our conversation, despite our dire situation.
“I smell blood. Yours.” He stared ahead. “They will pay drop for drop. I swear it.”
His vow made my sluggish blood run colder. Yes, I had been a fool to dismiss this warrior’s nature. How easily he made me forget, how shocking the harsh remembrance was. I shuddered.
Scanning the area for distraction, I saw none of our fellow prisoners. “Can you see Pascale?”
“No. They’ve moved her again. She’s no longer riding with Torrance. I do scent she’s near.”
I nodded, relieved by that. “What about Lleu? Can you see him or Bram?”
Vaughn towered over me, his view of ursus backs rather than their nubby tails.
“Bram is well enough.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Lleu is less so.”
“They’re suffering venom sickness.” I had surmised as much. “Lleu is Theridiidae too?”
“His father is,” Vaughn said slowly. “His mother was a clanswoman of mine.” He frowned. “You’re familiar with the circumstances of Rhys’s birth. Lleu was born into a similar situation.”
Ah. So he was a bastard too. I’d seen the wound in Lleu’s side, knew the Theridiidae had used their poisoned arrows to kill the honorable among our party. That Lleu hadn’t died meant he was immune, as Bram was, from their venom. As for why they’d poisoned Bram, I wagered they had wanted him to suffer as a precursor to the fate awaiting him upon his return to their clan home.
Venom sickness was miserable. Both males would live, but they would suffer for it.
“Do you think his father will purchase his freedom? That’s why he’s still alive, isn’t it?”
“No,” Vaughn said simply. “He won’t.”
My nails dug into my palms. “What sort of parent wouldn’t—?”
“You can’t understand.” Vaughn scoffed. “Lleu will die before naming his father.”
I smarted at his tone. “Then he’s a fool.”
“Perhaps, but his foolishness has kept him alive this long.”
“So this is our plan then? We march until our toes blacken and hope we’re ransomed by our clans before the Theridiidae grow bored of playing host?” I kicked a mound of snow and tripped.
Vaughn’s shoulder prevented my fall. “Calm yourself and save your strength.”
It was hard tamping down my anger when it warmed me so well. “I will do as you ask.”
“See that you do.” His gaze strayed toward the horizon. “At this pace, we’ll reach the veil by tomorrow night. You need your wits about you for the crossing. You know the danger it poses.”
“I am well aware.” Its danger was more acute to those like me with ties to the spiritlands.
The veil separated the northlands from the southlands, eternal winter from eternal summer. I held similar views to those of my mentor, Old Father. He believed the pulsing energy curtain was a remnant from when the two gods forged this, their Second World. As their First World had been consumed by fire, their Second World was capped with ice. Balance had been struck. Neither of the seasons held sway over the other. The cost of that balance was another matter. The rumors of Araneaeans who entered the veil and never returned were true. Since the essence of the gods was the foundation for the veil, and all life as well, when its power waned, its stores were replenished by the blood of its fellow creations. All gods required sacrifice. The veil was their collection box.
Sharp whistles echoed down our ranks. Ursus halted and riders dismounted.
Sunlight warmed to oranges and reds. I drank in those dwindling rays of heat.
“It will be dark soon.” Now that I stood still, my feet throbbed. “What will they do with us?”
“Tie our feet and sit us close enough to the fire we don’t freeze.” His smile was grim. “If we get lucky, they may give us bread and water. If we don’t, then we may have to risk eating snow.”
My stomach cramped at the thought. “It’s going to be a long night.”
“With any luck, Lleu and Bram will be returned to us. That gives you three bodies’ worth of heat for the taking. It’s not ideal, but I can trust Lleu to behave…” he sighed, “…within reason.”
“A night spent between three males.” I hadn’t realized I’d spoken aloud.
He scowled. “You don’t have to sound so amenable to it.”
“I have never slept with one male, let alone three.” My cheeks burned. “You surprised me.”
“I’ve done worse.” He grunted. “I’m sure you’ll survive intact.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” Salticidae believed in soul mates. We believed in fidelity prior to meeting our other halves. No male would take from me what belonged to my future husband. Yet another way I differed from Vaughn. He must have had scores of lovers by now, a fact which did not make my teeth grind or my jaw ache. If only I could see his aura, I could read him. I could…
“You cling to your vows of chastity.” His eyes glittered. “Careful you don’t lose your grip.”
“My hold on my beliefs is secure.” Only he made me feel as if I was slipping.
He inclined his head. “You don’t worry I could pry your fingers free of your morality?”
“I—I trust you to act with honor.” If for no other reason than he feared his brother’s wrath. I denied the tremble in my knees at the idea of seduction by him. “You promised not to touch me.”
“Fine.” He rolled his shoulders, working sore muscles. “I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
I sensed a loophole in need of threading. “What about the rest of you?”
He chuckled. “Would you trust my word if I gave it to you?”
“I do trust you.” I added a qualifier. “In matters of my safety, you have my complete faith.”
“Yet the loss of your virtue—to me—concerns you?”
I nodded before I thought to censor my response.
His smile dazzled me. “Good.”
“You there, walker.” A new guard approached. “Torrance says if you have any business in the woods, you best handle it before dark.” He cocked hi
s head. “I know you’ve heard the canis. I doubt anyone leaves the fireside tonight, too damn close to the veil. Everything’s hungrier here.”
“In that case,” Vaughn said, sliding between us. “I’ll accompany her, to protect her.”
“Right nice of you to offer, but I have my orders.” The male smiled. “Well, yes or no?”
“Yes.” If this was to be my one respite, I wouldn’t squander it because of one voyeur.
“Mana.” Vaughn’s voice grated. “There are more dangerous things in the woods than canis.”
“I have my orders.” The guard smirked. “Won’t stop me from watching, will it?”
A low growl peeled Vaughn’s lips from his fangs. “Look your fill, guardsman.”
Blood drained from my face as I caught the murderous glint in Vaughn’s eyes. His threat was clear. Look your fill and it will seal your fate. His earlier warning hung clear in my memory.
Vaughn was not a male who made idle threats. I pitied the guard for not realizing it.
“Get on with it.” The guard shoved me. “Or a squat in the road is the best you’ll get.”
I picked my way over ice patches and scrambled up the bank. Shadows fell across my face, a reminder to hurry. There were few hours left, and I wanted to return to Vaughn before night fell.
Another shove sent me to my knees. “This is far enough.”
“My hands are tied. How can I…? Can’t you release me for a moment?”
His lips pursed as he debated my request. “If you try your tricks on me, I’ll sink a dart in that pretty backside of yours.” He withdrew a knife and sliced through my bonds. “Anything else?”
I rubbed my hands to return circulation. “Turn your back.”
His smirk returned. “Can’t very well turn my back on a prisoner, now can I?” His tongue darted out to wet his lips as I unlaced my pants. “Don’t be shy. You aren’t around the Mimetidae heir. I’ve seen how he looks at you—like he’s starving. You’re braver than me if you’re fucking the likes of him. You can’t play the role of delicate flower when your petals have been parted.”
Fury made my hands clumsy as I shoved fabric past my hips down my thighs. I squatted and emptied my bladder while the guard adjusted himself. After cleaning myself, I stood and waited.
“Have you looked your fill?” I asked.
“For now,” he said. “There are many more days between here and Siciia.”
A steady growl rose over his shoulder. He spun as I peered around him. A black canis stood there, his lip quivering. The beast swung its head my way, and intelligence brimmed in its golden eyes.
“I think I’d like to return to camp now.” I took a step toward the road. The canis followed. It chuffed once when I froze and butted me behind the knees with its head. I let it herd me toward Vaughn, bumping my legs when I slowed, snapping at the guard’s heels when he came too near.
Bracing on a fallen tree, I eased down the embankment. It—he—nudged my hand with his wet nose. I recoiled from his mouthful of sharp fangs, so he snuffled my legs with undue interest.
The guard trailed us. His gaze locked on the canis, and his hand clasped a dagger’s hilt.
Rare to own one canis, let alone a full hunting pack. My four-legged guard was too valuable for the Theridiidae to harm. He’d have to take cues from the beast too until its master intervened.
Breaking through the forest’s edge, I spied Vaughn bound to a fallen tree. Shoulders coiled tight, he tested the strength of the rope. When his head lifted and his nostrils flared, scenting me, tension ebbed. His gaze locked on me, skimming down my body before narrowing on the canis.
By the time he’d located the guard still several steps behind me, he grinned.
“I see you made a new friend.” His voice was light, but his eyes were dark, tumultuous.
“So it seems.” In Vaughn’s presence, I breathed easier. Even with his hands bound, I felt protected. “Get.” I shooed the canis. It swiveled its ears and stared up at me. “Find your master.”
“I don’t think you ought to shoo him, Mana,” Vaughn warned.
Its pink tongue lolled from the side of its mouth as it sat at my feet. I flicked my wrist, and it growled until my hand dropped. Perfect. Forget tying my hands, I had a personal guard on duty.
“You forgot this.” The Theridiidae dangled a length of rope. “Back this way, nice and slow.”
I laughed, the sound crazed. “You wish me to leave myself defenseless if he attacks?”
The canis flopped over my feet, miring me in place.
The guard cursed under his breath, then slapped his thigh with the rope. “Don’t move.”
“I don’t plan on it.” Even when I teetered, off balance, the canis grumbled.
Running from the fire toward the milling Theridiidae, the guard left us alone.
“I’ve never seen a canis act so…domesticated.” Vaughn lifted his head, nostrils flaring. “There are more of the animals, wild ones, following us. It’s the same pack we heard in the forest before the Theridiidae released their beasts.” He leaned a fraction closer. “This one smells like them too.”
“What does that mean?” No wild canis would behave this way unless… I gulped. “You don’t think it’s been infected, do you? The closer we get to the veil, the warmer the weather and the more likely we are to encounter the plague.” I wiggled my toes, willing the canis get off, get off.
“I don’t think it’s sick. Animals infected by the yellow death smell rotted, even while alive.” His nostrils flared once more. “This one smells wilder than the others. I’m interested to see what the hunt master makes of him.” He bent low and inhaled. “The beast smells familiar somehow.”
I wrinkled my nose. He smelled of wet hair and fetid breath to me.
“Eh, is this him then?” A brawny male swaggered toward us. “Rangy thing he is.”
“He won’t leave the female’s side,” the guard supplied. “Take your mutt and go.”
Scratching his cheek, the hunt master said, “He’s not mine. Not part of my pack.”
“Who else’s would he be?” The guard scoffed. “You’re not saying he’s wild?”
The hunt master spat a guttural command at the canis who flicked his ears and shut his eyes.
“See that? Didn’t so much as bat an eye.” He waved a hand. “Get my bow. I’ll handle this.”
Regret stirred behind my heart, but fear of the plague kept me from interfering. Early stages of the illness made infected animals act peculiar long before the yellow death made its body rot.
I witnessed that firsthand when the plague came to Beltania.
The guard arrived with a bow, his arrow notched. The canis yipped, bolting into the woods.
“Clever beast.” The hunt master glanced from the forest to me. “Too clever.” He slapped the guard’s shoulder. “I’d keep an eye on the female if I were you. I heard she does tricks. If she can bespell canis, Torrance will have to intervene. You’d have to be deaf to miss the pack trailing us like babes following their mother.” His eyes cut to the woods. “Or their alpha. It’s not natural.”
From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a flash of yellow eyes amid the deepening shadows.
The hunt master was right. This wasn’t natural at all.
Howls raised chills along my arms. When firelight reflected a pair of golden eyes at the edge of the forest, I shifted nearer to Vaughn. He glanced up, his eyes warmed by some emotion, there and gone before I could name it. Ah yes. So like the canis I had compared to his prowess. I jerked my chin toward the tree line. “He’s still out there.”
“He’s marking as he goes, claiming new territory.” He inhaled, scrunching up his face. “Or I suppose he might be leaving a trail for his pack to follow. I’ll admit, despite the family crest, I’m woefully uneducated in the habits of canis. They were native to Cathis once, but not any longer.”
“Your family’s crest, the Mimetidae clan head’s crest, is a canis?” How fitting an emblem.
/> “You sound surprised.” His brow creased. “Canis embody things prized by my father and forefathers: loyalty, ferocity, intelligence. Father had a breeding pair and spoke of repopulation.”
“I never knew that about Brynmor.” Granted, my knowledge of him was limited and tainted by the grief he had dealt my family, the calculated murder of my uncle, Rhys’s father, Kowatsi.
“Few did.” He grinned. “He told all those who asked that he bred them for their flavor.”
I returned his smile, because it was easy and fond, and because I cherished similar memories of my own father. Exhaling past the old pain, I reminded myself my parents had enjoyed long and happy lives. They had bound their life threads. When a sickness even Old Father had been unable to cure claimed father’s life, Mother had followed him into the spiritlands moments later.
That was the sort of bond I craved, the sort of tie to another person my happiness required. I would find no such soulful connection with Vaughn. I lifted my hand, but strain as I might I saw no aura’s shine. Old Father had explained to me that my condition was common among walkers.
We often lacked the ability to see in ourselves what we saw in others. Lack of an aura didn’t mean lack of a soul, a fear I’d had as a youth and a curiosity I’d had about Vaughn’s blankness.
Since spirit walkers saw auras, we often foretold soul matches among our clansmen, though the gods gave us blind spots where our own souls were concerned, denying us the possibility of matching ourselves. Walkers, on occasion, were blind to their families’ or their loved ones’ fates.
While it puzzled me that I saw Rhys’s aura, yet not Vaughn’s, I learned long ago that it was not my place to question the gods or the wisdom they granted me. Perhaps Vaughn’s line had the equivalent of a walker in its history and he’d inherited the blank trait from them. It was possible.
“I think I lost you,” Vaughn said softly. “Where did you go just then?”
A Feast of Souls: Araneae Nation, Book 2 Page 6
