Aisha went to tend Isranon. Fianait hesitated and hung back, as Searlait joined her sister-in-law.
"Whatever is in the cave belongs to Isranon, Aisha decreed before anyone could start toward it, by right of conquest, and I will personally call challenge on anyone who tries to take the smallest piece of it. Aisha had been the fiercest of the young wolves in her youth, which was what had drawn Claw to her; he liked a feisty bitch.
"Aisha! Claw protested, disliking the way she always put him on the spot in front of his myn; and yet he had a grudging admiration for it that he would never admit to either. They would have a big argument about it in private later, but the kiss and make up afterward would be passionate and intense. He always liked the kiss and make up.
"Old mon, she replied in her most crotchety oldwife voice. He saved our daughter's life."
He scratched his head and then ran his fingers through the thick black thatch. Well, there is that, isn't there?"
Belgair brought him the heart and he sat down chewing on it thoughtfully. Some of the others got a big fire going while they served up Troyes body and the clan ate.
Searlait grinned and set to the obscene meal with gusto. Fianait flinched from the bit of sa'necari flesh that Erskine placed in her hands. She nibbled at it, forcing herself to swallow.
"I was strong then. Claw shoved the memory away.
Aisha returned with Malthus. Claw wondered why it had to be his wretched son-in-law, when he would far rather it had been Kynyr. Malthus did try to get along with him, but too often they disagreed, and Claw disliked him on a gut level. A frown passed over Claw's face and he wondered at the more than racial similarity between Malthus and Troyes.
He started to refuse the help, caught Aisha's disapproving look and fell silent. No need to make a bigger fuss than has already been made today.
Malthus helped Claw down the hall to Darmyk's room. When the chieftain saw how pale and still his grandcub was, his chest tightened uncomfortably, and his left arm began to ache in that now familiar pattern that he knew reflected how damaged his heart had become. He knew he should mention it to Sheradyn, but Claw hated being coddled and restricted. No one was going to make an invalid of him if he could help it.
Gillivray sat in a chair on the far side of the bed, so Malthus fetched a second chair for Claw and got the chieftain settled into it. The old wolf held one of Darmyk's little hands, rubbing his thumb over it, thinking how much he loved the cub and how desperately he wanted him safe. When Merissa first informed him of her pregnancy, Claw had been outraged to discover she had been sleeping with a sa'necarieven one so well regarded as Isranon had been in those days. Fifty years ago, Merissa would have been stoned to death, chieftain's daughter or not, for sleeping with a sa'necari, much less for having become pregnant by one.
Claw had tried to force her to abort Darmyk, but now he was grateful that he had allowed Nevin to talk him out of it. The innocent love and affection that the cub showed him blessed Claw's old age with an indescribable joy that filled his heart to overflowing every time Darmyk climbed on his lap. He remembered building the treehouse, and the way that Darmyk had stood watching them, laughing and clapping his small hands with delight.
Darmyk's blanket had slid down, and his robe had opened enough for Claw to see the bear-shaped birthmark on the cub's slender chest. I love you, Little Bear."
The cub's eyes fluttered open. Grandpa?"
Hope surged within Claw. Yes, Little Bear. No one's going to be pushing you away from my door again. He shot Gillivray an irritated look. I'll always have time for you."
* * * *
Malthus walked Claw back and the chieftain halted him at the Blue Room.
He could taste the aura of suffering surrounding Claw and he knew that the chieftain had begun to have chest pains again. What is it?"
"I don't want to go to bed. Grab a bottle of wine, some glasses, and a deck of cards, Claw ordered.
A broad smile spread across Malthus face. That Faewinian wine?"
"Yeah, that one. Pleasure shone in Claw's face.
Malthus did as he was ordered, taking time to refresh the spell on the bottle, and brought it to Claw.
The old wolf poured for both of them. They sat, drank, and played cards for two hours. Malthus smiled, joked, and deliberately lost to Claw. It kept the old wolf happy and drinking his death. With luck, the next heart attack would come sooner than Malthus had first anticipated. The fragrance of Claw's discomfort, which was slowly turning into outright pain, pleased Malthus necromantic senses. He could almost make a meal off the taste and smell of Claw's suffering it was so heady and strong.
Claw tensed, rubbing his chest, lines deepening in his face. He grimaced and laid his cards down.
"What's wrong? Malthus asked, his tone urgent. Are you all right?"
Claw blinked and then grimaced again, the lines deepening in his face. I think I need to go back to bed."
"I think so too. Maybe you've done too much, too soon."
"Help me get back. I need to lie down."
Lie down and die, old wolf. That's the best thing you can do.
"I'll do it. Kynyr stepped into the room and past Malthus, practically brushing him aside. He cupped Claw's elbow.
Malthus glared at Kynyr's back, visualizing a dozen blades in it.
And you can die, too, Kynyr Maguire. I just need to decide how to do it.
* * * *
Caimbeul changed to Patton and went to the Difficult Horse to watch for Shalto and Oswyl to turn up as they usually did. He chose his usual table and put his back to the wall where he could scan the room without fear of getting a blade in his back. Gwythyr, the son that Pandeena had borne him, had died that way. Caimbeul still blamed himself for it, although in all of his arguments over their son's death he had never admitted it to Pandeena. Perhaps the time was drawing near when he would have to tell her the full story and acknowledge his part in it.
Old Hereward the tavern master had begun to regard him as a regular and automatically sent a nibari to his table with a tankard of mead without being asked. He paid for his drink and dropped a few coppers down the front of her blouse. Even slaves deserved a few extras.
She giggled and he wondered what she would buy with it. Probably ribbons for her hair. Nibari were silly creatures. What they never tried to buy was their freedom. Certain genetic problems ensured that they did not survive well on their own and rarely lived more than a couple of years without a master to see to their special needs. The sa'necari and the vampires had made a mess of their genes, Caimbeul thought with a trace of bitterness, and it was exactly what they wanted to do with his own people. It had been one of the dependencies the Butchering Serpent had been trying to create in lycans with his experiments.
Shalto and Oswyl came swaggering in with Preece. Of all the Lycamornots, Caimbeul disliked Preece the most. Preece had a cold, quiet presence as if he were measuring people for a kill. It reminded Caimbeul of the ones who had murdered his son Gwythyr.
The trio spotted Caimbeul and joined him at his table.
"So I see you're still here, Shalto said, as if it had been he who had won their last cock-wagging match instead of Caimbeul. The old wolf let it slide.
"And so are you. Caimbeul took another swallow of mead. He noted that they were wearing pairs of long blades at their sides instead of the usual multi-purpose knife commonly carried by his people. So do I get to meet him?"
"He doesn't want to see you."
"I don't believe you've spoken to him yet."
Preece half turned in his chair, leaving one arm on the table, checking the room before he spoke. Don't mess with us."
"I think it would be a good idea if you stopped visiting our bitches, said Shalto.
"I'll stop when I'm ready. Caimbeul drank down the last of his mead and left.
He headed home, taking a roundabout approach to it. Walking along Elmind Street, Caimbeul paused in front of Cahira's Potions and Notions. The shop was closed at that late hour, h
owever, if he pounded on the door loudly enough, someone would answer.
He wavered in temptation, but he dared not change to his proper form and Todd would receive him with suspicion.
The sound of soft footsteps made Caimbeul glance behind him. He saw Shalto and Preece sauntering toward him. He assessed his situation with a scan of the street and spotted Torquil leaning against a building in the mouth of an alley. Oswyl, Nesswen, and Yren waited at the other end. One or, possibly, two he could handle; but not all of them at once.
Caimbeul darted around the side of the shop and jumped the fence into the backyard. He crouched in the shadows, his back against the rear of the shop. His heart pounding, Caimbeul crept across the yard and slipped into the barn. The horses stirred uneasily in their stalls. He extended his fireborn aura to calm them. Two ladders, one at each end, accessed the loft. Caimbeul picked the second one.
Climbing to the top, he found himself in what appeared to be a cubs meeting place. A small, low table sat in the center with the bales arranged as layered seating. Resuming his true form, the lawgiver leaned back and dozed against the hay as soon as he felt certain that he had not been spotted there.
* * * *
Trevor watched Kady work through her forms on the reed mats of the drawing room that he had turned into a temporary salle until Erwin Twelvetoes could finish the addition to the house that would include the permanent one. So how does it feel to be Kady Maguire?"
"Terrible. She grimaced. I can't stand to eat. Especially if it's green. I almost vomited when I saw the asparagus on the platter last night."
"Nauseous?"
She completed her forms and stepped off the mat. Yes."
"Go on down to the kitchen and have Mary fix you something soothing. We'll work out again this evening if you're feeling up to it."
Trevor had taken over Kady's training from Todd since Kady had moved into the house. Todd stopped by twice a week to check on her progress and offer suggestions.
Kady nodded and walked out. The fact that Kynyr was leaving in a few days to go to Hell's Widow and fight troubled Kady more than she wanted to admit. Her hand went to her belly as she ambled toward the kitchen and she thought about the little bit of Kynyr growing inside her.
"I don't want for you to be all I have left of him."
Kady went into the kitchen and settled into a chair. Mary, and the three nibari that Kynyr had purchased two days ago, had dinner started and the smell of roasting duck made her mouth water.
Mary immediately put a cup of tea in front of her.
Kady smiled. I'm not used to people fussing over me like this."
"Get used to it. You're the lady of the house."
Mary hugged her and then sank into the chair beside her, took Kady's wrist, and Read her. It's a boy, Kady."
"A son for Kynyr. Kady's smile brightened. And then lots of sisters."
"To keep him from going fishing."
"Why fishing?"
Mary laughed. I'm surprised that Kynyr hasn't asked you to go fishing."
"He's been too busy fishing me out of the rivers. Kady's lip curled into a grimace of disdain.
"Well, fishing is why Kynyr tends to flinch whenever a bitch tells him he's handsome."
Kady leaned in, folding her arms together on the table. What has fishing got to do with compliments?"
"Kynyr's sisters never liked him to get dirty. Whenever he came back from fishing, he was absolutely filthy. I swear he must have rolled in the mud banks. They were constantly combing his hair and treating him like a pretty toy. One day, he ran to Todd while trying to elude them. Kynyr couldn't have been more than seven. And, anyway. Kynyr looked up at Todd and said in a very, very serious voice, ugly cubs have more fun. When Todd stopped laughing, he took Kynyr fishing. And they both came back filthy."
Kady laughed until her sides ached while Mary gave her an extremely detailed account of what Kynyr and Todd had looked like coming home that day.
Henry poked his head through the door. There's a bitch outside wants to see you."
"Who is she? Kady's laughter dwindled to an intermittent snicker.
"Larena Wiggins."
Kady stiffened, remembering the last time she had seen her sister. Send her in."
Mary put her hand over Kady's. You don't like your sister?"
"I don't like my family. Larena flirted with Kynyr and I knocked her down for it."
Mary laughed. No wonder I like you. I wasn't the only bitch chasing Trevor and it got hairy at times."
Henry held the door for Larena.
Kady noted the demure way her sister entered and wondered what had changed. Larena hugged Kady before sitting down at the table.
"Can I talk to you alone, Kady?"
"There's nothing you can say that can't be said in front of Mary."
Larena flushed. I came to apologize. I'm sorry for what happened in the shop that day. You were right to hit me."
Kady felt staggered. Larena had never apologized for anything; not even when they were children. I accept your apology."
CHAPTER TEN
MISDIRECTION
Pandeena Moonbow had just finished assembling the lesson for the children of the refugee camp, and closed her books, when a soft, yet urgent knock came at her door. The moon had reached its zenith, and she could see its sliver glowing through her window. Pandeena did not need to see the moon to feel its phases and movements keenly. As the granddaughter of the moon god, Tala, Mistress of Wolves, she experienced the moon and its patterns more intensely than the rest of the lycans.
Pandeena opened her door to find Caimbeul there.
"Let me in quick, he said, glancing around.
She stepped aside and allowed him to enter, closing the door quickly. What is it? If you've come to break your promise...."
"Hush. Listen.... Caimbeul went quiet, abruptly swallowing back his words. He had come to inform her that lycan males came and went from the camp all night long, that it had been turned into a brothel. But then he remembered Pandeena's temper, which he could not always mitigate or influence, and decided not to gamble on persuading her not to act once she had the information. He knew that the Serpent had placed death spells in all of the women, not just Clodagh, to be triggered if they were discovered. Caimbeul would not risk the women's lives, if he could avoid it.
"You've discovered something, haven't you? she asked suspiciously when he went quiet.
"I can't tell you. I can't risk you doing something before I'm ready."
"Then why bother to come? I clearly heard alarm in your voice."
Caimbeul settled his big frame into the largest chair near the window. I think I may have been pushing too hard and too fast. My life could be in danger."
"From who? Pandeena sat down on the sofa in the corner closest to him.
Caimbeul smiled thinly, reading a slender acquiescence in her move to the furniture. Again, I can't tell you."
"You are operating too much on your own, Pandeena snarled. The Butchering Serpent is the deadliest sa'necari in existence."
Caimbeul sighed heavily. I know that. But I need to play it close to my chest until I have something more solid. If something should happen to me, it's all down in my journals."
Pandeena lowered her head, and tangled her fingers in her hair. Be careful, old lecher. I don't want to lose you."
Caimbeul perked up. Aha! You do still care."
"Not that way, Pandeena snapped. We're friends."
Caimbeul wiggled his eyebrows at her and put his hands in his lap. He sobered. There's a gang of juvenile dogs that appear to be running with the Serpent or one of his agents."
"Moonlight pure. Pandeena gasped. This is a tangled web. Are we betrayed by our own kind? She licked her lips, fighting for calm. You think it's Malthus?"
"He's human and he used to live here at the camp, all of which gave him opportunity to become acquainted with them. However, we both know ... or ought to Caimbeul paused to frown deeply at Pandeena, -that ... he's not t
he Serpent. The Serpent is sa'necari."
"Don't remind me."
"Have you considered the possibility that the Serpent is a shape-thief?"
Alarm washed across Pandeena's face. They are rare, aren't they?"
"Not as rare as I would like. Caimbeul considered things. Shape-thieves were sa'necari who could access the memories and take on the form of someone they killed in a special way. It means the Serpent could be anyone."
"Do you think the Serpent attacked the little prince?"
Caimbeul shook his head and moved to the sofa beside Pandeena.
"Oh, no, you don't, you old lecher! Pandeena jumped up and took over his vacated chair. Stay where you are, and just answer my questions."
"No, I don't believe the Serpent attacked the prince. Vampire more likely, but if so it was either in bat form or one of the smallest vampires I've run into. Caimbeul showed the width of the bite between his thumb and forefinger.
"That is small. Pandeena sounded thoughtful. I warded both the windows of his room, and all of the entrances to his play house."
"Thank you, Pandeena. Caimbeul reached inside his robe and rubbed the Godmark that Pandeena had burned into his shoulder as a link between them. See if you can find out what happened to his cat. Kenly has been missing for a week. Ask the animals."
"I'll do that."
* * * *
Claw sat in the main upstairs drawing room, the Blue Room, feeling frustrated. Aisha refused to allow him in the Great Hall because she did not trust him on the stairs yet. They were making an invalid of him and he resented it. Aisha, Merissa, his sisters also. Even Belgair and Malthus. That was the reason he had decided not to tell them that every single day he had more twinges of chest pain, more feelings of pressure as if someone were piling stones around his heart. It worried Claw, but the price of confession would be that they would gang up and put him back to bed again.
At least sitting in the drawing room meant that people came by to visit with him and he did not feel as isolated.
Claw stared down at his lunch: slices of lamb cooked with some of Aisha's pickled plums, a chunk of his favorite sharp cheese, and the half a bottle of that red wine he had shared with Malthus the other night. Claw worked the cork out and filled his glass. He still had two unopened bottles left of that Faewinian wine that Malthus had brought back from Hell's Widow for him. Malthus could be very thoughtful at times, but Claw could not get past all of his misgivings about the mon.
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