Page 48 of Duncan

There was also something strange about how quickly she had sworn on her life to keep her promises, and what she had said.

She means cheat us of our due, but when, and how?

When they reached Caladh she would have to act. Until then, she needed to conceal almost all of her thoughts, and dwell only on the destruction of the enchantress’s enemies.

She found their sovereign standing outside a barn, from which small rivers of blood poured out to mix with the muck of the street. From inside the structure the sound of knives working through flesh came, along with the smell of fresh meat and newly-spilled blood. Swaying lamps hanging from the rafters spilled moving pools of light over a dozen Cait Sith who were butchering carcasses.

“Your sisters complained of hunger,” Derdrui said, sounding bored. “Since the full moon is near, I permitted them a hunt for some stray cattle, which they brought to me for slaughter.”

Speal kept up her thought barricades, as she doubted her sisters had been that hungry, or the enchantress would be so generous. She wishes lull us into trusting her again. “I met with Tiene. She shall take our offer to the other hybrids.”

The enchantress frowned. “You should have killed her. That would have compelled the others to obey you.”

“They’re swiftly losing what remains of their mortal sentiments, my sovereign. One cannot bargain with those who think only like sea creatures, or no’ at all.” She glanced back toward the docks. “We should set sail at first light. ’Twill take most of two days to make the journey, and longer if the weather changes. Once we’re within sight of Caladh we should wait until nightfall before we attack.”

“Do you intend to instruct me on how to wage a war?” Derdrui asked idly. “For I have fought countless battles against enemies of unimaginable power in Elphyne. I cut my own brother to pieces when I took the rule of the Therion from him. I even slaughtered that whore Eilonwy when she got in my way. What have you battled in this puny realm? Mortal villagers wishing to drown or burn you?”

“We’ve served you, Princess.” She smiled as the enchantress’s expression darkened. “You should ken none of the others may provide you with the location of the MacMar and their island. Only Fia, and now I, can guide you there, and she’s dead. Slay me, and never shall you find them.”

“After the battle, that threat will no longer restrain me, you idiot. Nor can you keep me out of your thoughts forever.” The dark Fae woman drew herself up, wrapping her silk cloak around her slender form. “Tell the monsters to decide quickly.”

After Derdrui strode off toward one of the larger houses that remained standing, Speal entered the barn and closed the doors behind her. The lovely stench coming from the tables made her blood stir along with the promise of the coming monthly change. Once the full moon rose, she and the rest of the Cait Sith would revert to their feline Therion forms until dawn. They would be savage and hungry, and wish to do nothing but hunt, kill and devour any living thing that crossed their path. It would be the perfect time to invade Caladh, as long as the enchantress dealt with the black beast that possessed the MacMar with the deadly skinwork.

Mace came to her with a plate of the choicest slices of ribcage meat. “I’d cook these for you, but they’re best raw.”

“I’m no’ hungry. Stop the others from drinking the blood,” Speal warned her. “’Twill hasten the change, and we must reach the MacMar’s island before we surrender to the full moon.”

The Cait Sith frowned, and made a hand signal asking for a reason for everything she’d just said.

“Later, sister. Do as I bid,” she urged her, and then walked out.

NICOLE OPENED her eyes to see Duncan sitting beside her, but she didn’t recognize anything else in the room. The large bed had only plain linens, and aside from a washstand, she noted the other furnishings: the two chairs by the fire, a small table and three trunks all looked quite old. From the light layer of dust covering everything it seemed no one had cleaned the room in a while.

“’Tis Nyall’s bedchamber,” the healer told her as he watched her face. “He goes to Caroline’s cottage most nights. ’Twas the empty room nearest the laird’s chamber.”

He must have carried her here after she’d passed out, which she only vaguely recalled. “Is Fiacail okay?”

He nodded, smiling. “Aye. The laird’s wife took charge of her.”

Something about his smile seemed almost smug, and then she recalled Merrick being in the room before she had come.

“Your laird planned all of this. He never had any intention of allowing me to leave with the ferryman.” Nicole sat up, unsure as to why she wasn’t angry about being deceived. “Were you in on it? Is that why you hit me over the head?”

“Connal told me naught of his plans, for he guessed I would stop him. When you didnae return with the manacle key I went looking for you. You lay in the passage outside the laird’s chamber, and I couldnae rouse you, even with hartshorn held under your nose.” His dark eyes shifted as he studied her face. “I thought you collapsed from healing the hybrid. ’Twas something else caused your swoon?”

“No. Maybe. I can’t remember.” She pressed a hand to the back of her head. “I’m a little sore back here.”

“Mayhap you struck your head when you fell. If I may?” When she nodded and took away her hand he touched the back of her skull, moving his fingertips through her hair as he checked her scalp. “’Tis no sign of injury, Nicole.”

“I probably started healing before you found me.” The soft way he said her name made her throat tighten. “May I have some water?”

Duncan drew back, giving her another searching look before he tipped up her chin and studied her neck. “You’ve some fading bruises on your neck, my lady.”

“Could they have come from the fall?” she asked, her dread growing.

“’Tis unlikely. Wait.” He rose and left the chamber, returning after a few minutes with a goblet. When he gave it to her Nicole sipped it, and then found herself gulping the contents until water ran down from the corners of her mouth.

Seeing that he was watching her made her cringe a little. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was so thirsty. I should probably go and get some sleep.”