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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html a handful of dangerous missions. As best of the best, Malthus had been given first choice of them. He had chosen the Red Wolf assignment for several reasons. Among them, his half-brother, Troyes Iagaris, had vanished here nearly five years ago. Also, he had a fetish for lycans; most of his lovers had come from that race. After reading reports on the realm, Malthus had decided to use his nieces as his excuse for going there and staying. The two pretty little girls won him the sympathy he needed from the lycan folk, who opened their doors and hearts to them as refugees from the war in Waejontor. He had felt secure in his ability to keep them safe. Now Ros was dead; and Lyrri had become so terrified that she spent most of her time hiding, emerging only when he called out to her. He knew that Ossian was closing in on him. The lawgiver had ordered the militia to patrol the roads leading out of Wolffgard, and doubled the compliment of Bridge Watchers on duty. Ossian was waiting for Malthus to try and make a break for it. He could not leave without Lyrri; he did not want to leave without Merissa and his sons. However, if he had to abandon one to save the other, he would leave behind his sons and Merissa. The lycans would not harm them. Lyrri was another matter. She was sa'necari-born. If something happened to him, there was every reason for him to believe the lycans would kill Lyrri. Malthus had to plan for eventualities; for getting himself and Lyrri safely out of Wolffgard, if worse came to worst. He went down to Isbeth's room and dropped the bar across the door. His arrival startled Isbeth. She sat nursing her infant, seated in a chair by the cradle. "What do you wish, Master Malthus?" "Put the brat down and join me at the table." If they took Waejonan's ring from his hand, Malthus would be revealed as sa'necari. He had a theory, however, and was about to give it a try. As Isbeth watched him, he took a knife out and began cutting around the finger that wore the ring. Gritting his teeth, he opened a flap of skin and peeled it back. He shoved the ring under the skin close to the knuckle to disguise its presence, drew the flap over it, and gestured peremptorily at Isbeth. She laid her child in his cradle and joined Malthus. He grasped her wrist, sank his fangs into her, and sucked the blood out. His finger healed over the ring. It looked like a calcium deposit from an old injury. Now, if they stripped him of his rings, the lawgivers would not find that one. * * * * Kynyr stood in the center of the largest suite in the manor. He had never suspected that anything this splendid existed there. "This was Suleahan's. My Father's. Stone ran his hand over the gold-leafed arm of a sturdy chair. This was his favorite chair." "As king, this should be mine and Kady's." "No. It should be yours alone." "Why?" "Let me show you." Stone led Kynyr into the master bedroom of the suite, walked to a door on the side, and gestured for Kynyr to enter. He found another bedroom. "This is the main bedroom of the Queen's suite. It was my mother's. Or so I thought." "Sorcha was not your mother?" Stone shook his head. My mother was Ardala, daughter of Tala and Hadjys. My father's lover. I was born two days before Fianait and delivered to my father on the night that Fianait was born. Sorcha covered Suleahan's indiscretion by saying she had borne twins." "That was generous of her." "She was kind and understanding. I'm told that her heart broke the night that I was exiled. She died the following winter." "Kynyr! Darcy burst into the room, breathing hard. Come home quick!" "What's wrong?" Page 129 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html "Kady's gone into labor." "It's too early." "Mary says the stress brought it on." Kynyr followed Darcy into the hallway, gripped by a tense urgency to be with his wife. Ahead of him, he spied the one person he had no desire to encounter. Jocelyn stopped speaking with Vertram and stepped into his path. So your slut is going to lose your son. It serves you right. I hope they both die." Kynyr stopped to avoid colliding with her. You're lucky I don't hit bitches." "Too bad. I will. Darcy grinned and backhanded Jocelyn into a wall. Jocelyn struck hard and crumpled, weeping. Kynyr rolled his eyes at the ceiling. If you don't mind... He strode on. Jocelyn glared at Darcy and then turned to Vertram. Help me, Vertram, she whined. Help me. She hurt me." The thane of Chandler's Rock shrugged and made no move toward her. I think Darcy was within her rights." "That's General MacIver to you, thane. Darcy tucked her thumbs in her belt. "General MacIver. He gave her a polite bow. "And don't forget it, Stone added. She killed Lairgan Yates in single combat." Silence settled over the watching crowd. Vertram studied Darcy for a moment. Impressive feat. No wonder you're the general." "It's what Todd trained me for. Darcy loped off to overtake Kynyr. * * * * Kady sweated through contractions. She lay with her feet in the pair of crude stirrups on what Qaseem called a birthing bed; another of the new inventions to come out of Creeya since the discovery of the ancient library of Louistrana. An assistant wiped her face with a cool damp cloth. They had shaved her womanly parts and that made Kady feel all the more naked and exposed. Power kept flashing through her and over her in intermittent rainbow patterns. The premature birth had triggered her talents. Kady had no control over it and no idea what was happening to her. She struggled to ride it, but coupled with the contractions it overwhelmed her senses. Kady whimpered as much in confusion as pain. Pandeena entered the room alongside Kynyr. She went to Kady and extended her power through her. Breathe deep, Kady. Enter rapport with me before you hurt someone." "Can I touch her? Kynyr asked, watching Kady's eyes close. "No. Cahira came in and put her arm around him. You might knock her out of rapport." "Gram...." "No, come away with me, Kynyr." Qaseem looked up at Mary. We'll have to turn him. He's in the wrong position." "I'll get the obstetrical forceps. Mary went to the cabinet. Kynyr glanced back at them and then left with Cahira. He followed her to the kitchen and settled into a chair, feeling sick and weary. If I lose Kady..." "You're not going to lose Kady. Cahira stroked her grandson's head. "Aghavie died in childbirth." "Kady isn't Aghavie." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |