Heir to the Shadows

Now you're not quite so sure that Protocol will protect you, are you, boyo? Saetan didn't allow his amusement to show. If this boy was going to approach a dark-Jeweled Warlord Prince, it was better he learn the potential dangers. 'And you serve?'

'I-I don't exactly serve in a court yet.'

Saetan raised one eyebrow. 'You serve Lord Hobart?' he asked, his voice a bit cooler.

'No. He's just the head of the family. Sort of an uncle.'

Saetan picked up the letter and handed it to Morton. 'Read this.' He sent a thought to Andulvar. *What's the game? The boy's not experienced enough to-*

'Nooo,' Morton moaned. The letter fluttered to the floor. 'She promised me she'd be polite. I told her I'd be waiting for a reply, and she promised.' He flushed, then paled. 'I'll strangle her.'

Using Craft, Saetan retrieved the letter. Whatever doubts he'd had about motive were gone, but he was curious aboutwhy the question was being asked now. 'How well do you know Karla?'

'She's my cousin,' Morton replied in the aggrieved tone of a ruffled male.

'You have my sympathy,' Andulvar said, rustling his dark wings as he shifted in the chair.

'Thank you, sir. Having Karla like you is better than having her not like you, but. .' Morton shrugged.

'Yes,' Saetan said dryly. 'I have a friend who has a similar effect on me.' He chuckled softly at Morton's look of astonishment. 'Boyo, even being me doesn't make a difficult witch any less difficult.'

*Especially a Dea al Mon Harpy,* Andulvar sent, amused. *Have you recovered yet from her latest attempt to be helpful?*

*If you're going to sit there, be useful,* Saetan shot back.

Andulvar turned to Morton. 'Did your cousin keep her promise?' When the boy gave him a blank look, he added, 'Was she being polite?'

The tips of Morton's ears turned red. He shrugged helplessly. 'For Karla… I guess so.'

'Oh, Mother Night,' Saetan muttered. Suddenly a thought swooped down on him, and he choked. He used the time needed to catch his breath to consider some rather nasty possibilities.

When he was finally in control again, he chose his words carefully. 'Lord Morton, your uncle doesn't know you're here, does he?' Morton's nervous look was answer enough. 'Where does he think you are?'

'Somewhere else.'

Saetan studied Morton, fascinated by the subtle change in his posture. No longer a youth intimidated by his surroundings and the males he faced, but a Warlord protecting his young Queen. You were wrong, boyo, Saetan thought. You've already chosen whom you serve.

'Karla. .' Morton gathered his thoughts. 'It isn't easy for Karla. She wears Birthright Sapphire, and she's a Queen and a natural Black Widow as well as a Healer, and Uncle Hobart. .'

Saetan tensed at the bitterness in Morton's blue eyes.

'She and Uncle Hobart don't get along,' Morton finished lamely, looking away. When he looked back, he seemed so young and vulnerable. 'I know Karla wants her to come visit like she used to, but couldn't Jaenelle just write a short note? Just to say hello?'

Saetan closed his golden eyes. Everything has a price, he thought. Everything has a price. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. 'I truly wish, with all of my being, that she could.' He took another deep breath. 'What I'm about to tell you must go no further than your cousin. I must have your pledge of silence.'

Morton immediately nodded agreement.

'Jaenelle was seriously hurt two years ago. She can't write, she can't communicate in any way. She. .' Saetan stopped, then resumed when he was sure he could keep his voice steady. 'She doesn't know anyone.'

Morton looked ill. 'How?' he finally whispered.

Saetan groped for an answer. The change in Morton's expression told him he needn't have bothered. The boy had understood the silence.

'Then Karla was right,' Morton said bitterly. 'A male doesn't have to be that strong if he picks the right time.'

Saetan snapped upright in his chair. 'Is Karla being pressed to submit to a male? At fifteen?'

'No. I don't know. Maybe.' Morton's hands clenched the arms of the chair. 'She was safe enough when she lived with the Black Widows, but now that she's come back to the family estate. .'

'Hell's fire, boy!' Saetan roared. 'Even if they don't get along, why isn't your uncle protecting her?'

Morton bit his lip and said nothing.

Stunned, Saetan sank back in his chair. Not here, too. Not in Kaeleer. Didn't these fools realize what was lost when a Queen was destroyed that way?

'You have to go now,' Saetan said gently.

Morton nodded and rose to leave.

'Tell Karla one other thing. If she needs it, I'll grant her sanctuary at the Hall and give her my protection. And you as well.'

'Thank you,' Morton said. Bowing to Saetan and Andulvar, he left.

Saetan grabbed his silver-headed cane and limped toward the door.

Andulvar got there first and pressed his hand against the door to keep it closed. 'The Dark Council will be screaming for your blood if you give another girl your protection.'

Saetan didn't speak for a long time. Then he gave Andulvar a purely malevolent smile. 'If the Dark Council is so misguided they believe Hobart is a better guardian than I am, then they deserve to see some of Hell's more unusual landmarks, don't you think?'

3 / The Twisted Kingdom

There was no physical pain, but the agony was relentless.

Words lie. Blood doesn't.

You are my instrument.

Butchering whore.

He wandered through a mist-filled landscape full of shattered memories, shattered crystal chalices, shattered dreams.

Sometimes he heard a scream of despair.

Sometimes he even recognized his own voice.

Sometimes he caught a glimpse of a girl with long golden hair running away from him. He always followed, desperate to catch up with her, desperate to explain. .

He couldn't remember what he needed to explain.

Don't be afraid, he called to her. Please, don't be afraid.

But she continued to run, and he continued to follow her through a landscape filled with twisting roads that ended nowhere and caverns that were strewn with bones and splashed with blood.

Down, always down.

He followed her, always begging her to wait, always pleading with her not to be afraid, always hoping to hear the sound of her voice, always yearning to hear her say his name.

If he could only remember what it was.

4 / Hell

Hekatah carefully arranged the folds of her full-length cloak while she waited for her demon guards to bring her the cildru dyathe boy. She sighed with satisfaction as her hands stroked the cloak's fur lining. Arcerian fur. A Warlord's fur. She could feel the rage and pain locked in his pelt.

The kindred. The four-footed Blood. Compared to humans, they had simple minds that couldn't conceive of greatness or ambition, but they were fiercely protective when they gave someone their loyalty – and equally fierce when they felt that loyalty was betrayed.

She had made a few little mistakes the last time she had tried to become the High Priestess of all the