The four of them looked at each other, and one of the other men spoke. “We… do. Sadly. She sent a raiding party to us about four days ago. She stole our entire stores for the next two months.”
“Did you seeher?” Bel asked.
“No, just her soldiers,” he answered. “We could broker no fight. We are too far from Elkthorne to fight back.”
“Do you know where they came from?” I asked. “Where they might be going?”
“Our lookouts have said they have seen horses and men in the far distance, north of One League Falls. They are in the valley. There are caves there, so they may be hiding.”
“How did they get past your lookouts?” Rilen asked.
“The night, sir. We cannot see far in the dark, and we haven’t been attacked in centuries. There was no need for night watchmen until now. Not that our village of two hundred could really do anything against a force like that. They had guns. We have swords.”
“How far are these caves?”
“Half a day’s hard ride,” he answered. “But if you plan on going today, I would advise against it. The storm will be on us soon, and you don’t want to be caught in the mountains when there is lightning.”
“Do you have a place we can spend the night?”
“Yes,” the lone woman said, “but we don’t know how much food we have to feed you, nor are we able to share our blood.”
“We don’t need any of your supplies—just a place to stay dry and sleep,” Dorian said.
“In exchange for a place to stay dry, I will buy your stores for the two months,” Aiko said, stepping around Bel.
“How can you do that?”
“Take the sloop, go to Elkthorne. Ask for Suri Cloudbearer, and tell her that her son sent you and that Reo’s accounts will pay for your food and supplies.”
They glanced at each other, and a moment later, one of the men took off running. The woman motioned us with a nod of her head.
“Come. I’ll show you dry rooms, and how to use the elevation platform, instead of climbing the stairs in the morning. Those defy even vampire strength and speed.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
OSIRDAN
“It’s time to go, Gwen,”I stated gently. I lifted her weak form up into my arms, careful to keep her itching fangs away from my neck. I walked toward the boulder and kicked it aside easily. “Are you still with me?”
“Blood…” Gwen spoke, her voice raspy, as her blue eyes rolled up into her head. “I need blood.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll have that soon enough.” I held her snugly against my chest as soldiers turned a corner of the cave ahead of us—shock and confusion holding them immobile. “Close your eyes for a moment, and count to ten. It’s about to get a little crazy.”
“Hmm.” Gwen’s eyes shut as commanded. Her mouth parted on dry lips, and she slurred, “Kill them all.”
My lips tipped up at the corners in a wicked grin. “That is the plan.”
Queen Niniane’s soldiers raised their guns, shaking themselves out of their shock. They were vampires. I decided it would be sporting to kill them like one, too. It was only fair.
I blurred forward, precious cargo clutched tightly against my chest, and sped right past them. Only a gust of wind ruffling their clothing allowed them a guess to where I had gone. I stopped directly behind them and started cutting through their throats with my fangs, ripping each neck to shreds. Nary a scream was heard.
Blood dripped down my chin as their bodies fell to the ground, dead. I swallowed their sweet, crimson blood, and peered down at the vampire in my arms.
She blinked at me repeatedly. “Huh.”
“I told you to keep your eyes shut.” The woman obviously did not take orders well.
“You move as fast as King Belshazzar.” Woozy eyes stared at my chin—the blood there. She lifted a pointed finger and wiped clumsily at my face. Her digit quickly went into her mouth, and she moaned long and hard. “More.”
