Assassin's Curse (42 page)

“Get up,” he whispered menacingly.
 
“Get up or I will make you wish you were never born.”

He watched her struggle to understand the words he spoke.
 
She was still too far under the drug’s spell to comprehend anything more than base emotions, but Mave understood those emotions far better than most.

“You’re pathetic and weak.
 
Because of you, your sister will die, because you are too weak to help her, too pathetic to save her.”

The words were having the desired effect as he watched the young girl struggle to shake off the effects of the drug.
 
He had the dart with the tincture of Darkshade ready in case she was able to conjure any spells.
 
He doubted she would be able to, but he was always careful around witches since his last encounter.
 
Young or not, she was still a witch and definitely not to be underestimated.

Kara fought to focus her eyes and understand what was happening to her.
 
Mave’s lip curled back in a sneer.
 
He was enjoying her torment and continued whispering to her.
 
His whispers entered her half-awakened mind, the words insinuating themselves into the girl’s nightmare, their essence shaping and warping the very fabric of her reality.

“What good are your powers when you couldn’t even save your own mother?
 
When she needed you most, you failed her, like you will fail everyone else in your miserable, little life.”

The young girl whimpered louder and began to thrash against her invisible bonds.
 

Mave leaned closer to the girl and continued.
 
“Do you even know what happened to your mother?
 
Your real mother?
 
The mother who gave you birth and died to save you and your pathetic sister?”

Mave watched as comprehension dawned on Kara’s face.
 
He had her full attention now.
 
“Do you know who killed your mother?
 
Murdered her like the tramp she was?
 
Do you want to know?”

The girl’s eyes were fully open now and staring with hatred at him.
 
She understood what he was saying.

“It was your precious father, the one you love so much.
 
He’s not your real father; he’s an assassin, just like me.
 
He killed your mother and stole you and your sister from the family who loved you.
 
Hate me for what I tell you, but know it is the truth.
 
Look into his eyes and ask him yourself, if you live that long.”

Mave let loose a cruel laugh at the shock on Kara’s face.
 
He couldn’t have gotten a better reaction if he had planned it.
 
No, this was perfect.
 
He reached over and pricked her with the dart and watched as she fell back into unconsciousness.

***

The words, the words… what did he
say
?
 
She hated him, but she could not understand why.
 
If she could just make out the words, remember what he said,
then
she would know why.
 

She hated him; that was all she knew as she fell unconscious again.

***

Jeda breathed a sigh of relief when the wagon crested the final hill.
 
The city of Constantine looked much the same as when he left it years ago, and he was itching to get in and out as soon as he could.
 
The ride from Rocher had been slow and uneventful, but as the city came into view, Jeda tried to cajole the women to greater speed.
 
Neither Gelda nor Natasha paid him any mind.
 
Neither of the women wanted to travel fast over country roads in a wagon bearing a pregnant and unconscious woman.

“You stick to your swords and knives,” Gelda admonished him on his third attempt at speeding up the group, “and let us worry about women’s business.”

“Women’s business?” Jeda shot back.
 
“What are you talking about?”

“How about your pregnant wife?” Gelda retorted.
 
“What do you know about birthing children?
 
Too many bumps along this dirt road could send her into labor.
 
Now shut up and watch out for any of those assassin friends of yours.”

“They’re not my friends,” Jeda mumbled back, but Gelda’s warning did shut him up.
 
He swore he could have walked faster into the city.
 
As a slight precaution, Jeda had traded places with Kala, who sat in the back under the watchful eye of Gelda.
 
Kala seemed to be warming up to the older woman, her newfound grandmother, finding her ready smile welcoming and her no-nonsense attitude amusing.
 

Natasha slowed the wagon as the Coven of Constantine came into view, surprised at the dozens of sisters waiting patiently for them to arrive.
 
The aura of power surrounding this group was palpable even at this distance.
 
Standing front and center were two women, each commanding attention in their own, unique way.
 
The first stood serenely with her hands clasped together, a striking figure of natural beauty and authority.
 
The other who stood by her side was no less impressive, but with a slight scowl on her face and hands clenched at her hips.
 
These two were imposing figures, women who stood out in a crowd, women of power.
   

Natasha glanced back at Gelda.
 
“I’m not sure I like this idea any longer.
 
The friendship you have shown me may not extend to the women of this coven.”

Gelda looked out from the back of the wagon and scoffed.
 
“Ha, don’t let those two pretentious, old biddies worry you.
 
I’ll take care of them right quick.
 
As for the rest, you are under my protection and none of them would dare to harm you in any way.
 
I am still the most powerful healer in the kingdom and my word holds great power here.”

***

Catherine stood regally in front of the group of witches.
 
Though she possessed no magic herself, she had discovered long ago that the pretense of power worked just as well.
 
Walk into a room as if you owned it and soon you would.
 
She could not suppress her nervousness, but she would not let any hint of it show in front of this group.

“So this is the wagon we have been waiting for?”

“Yes, Countess,” Elizabeth replied formally.
 
In public, Elizabeth always reverted to a more proper form of address to Catherine.
 
The king still ruled in Tavia and proper respect must be shown to his nobility, despite the fact that she was her sister.
 
At one time in her life, Elizabeth had claimed similar title, but she gave up that pretentious nonsense long ago.

“The girl must be in the back,” Elizabeth continued, waiting for this moment to inform Catherine only one of the twins would be arriving today.
 

Catherine’s head whipped toward Elizabeth.
 
“Girl? Only one of them comes today?
 
You knew this and did not tell me before now?”

“I did not want to worry you.
 
We will find the other soon enough.”

Elizabeth could see Catherine’s anger growing by the clenching of her jaw, but in a public gathering like this she would never break her precious noble form and show any excess emotion.
 
Nobles were so predictable in their manner.
 
She held back the smile from her face as she watched her sister deal with this latest tidbit of news.

It’s always the little things…
  

The wagon rolled to a stop and Elizabeth stepped forward to meet them.
 
Her eyes widened slightly as she realized that the woman driving was a wilding.
 
This was not something she had expected and she did not like being surprised.
 
Before she had any time to react, a head popped out from the back of the wagon.

“Lizzie, it’s so good to see you again.”

Elizabeth cringed at both the name and the caller.
 
She never liked being called that or talked to as if she were still a young girl.

“Gelda,” she said formally.
 
“Seems the years haven’t changed you much.”

“Not at all, but look at you.
 
You look so tired and worn out.
 
Have you been ill?”

“No Gelda, I am not ill.
 
Where is the girl?
 
The countess has been waiting long enough.”

“Yes, yes, of course, mustn’t keep the
countess
waiting,” Gelda replied, looking over to Catherine.
 
“Hello Catherine, you are looking well.
 
I have someone back here you might want to meet.
 
Come now, let’s everyone get down so we can make proper introductions.”

Jeda jumped down from the wagon and went to help Gelda get out.
 
When they had all gathered, Catherine could wait no longer and stepped forward.
 
She knelt in front of Kala with eyes brimming tears.

“Hello, young lady.
 
My name is Catherine and I am your grandmother.”

Kala looked questioningly at her before turning to Jeda.

“Poppy, how many grandmothers do I have?”

***

Jeda fidgeted while he watched the women meet and introduce themselves to each other.
 
They were all powerful women, each used to being in charge, and Jeda had enough sense to keep quiet while they settled the pecking order.
 
Even so, he was relieved and not really surprised when Gelda effortlessly took charge of the whole affair.
 
She quickly organized the women and had them help get Keisha moved from the wagon into the coven.
 
Gelda and Elizabeth led the group into the coven, followed by the group of women carrying Keisha.
 
Natasha, Catherine, and Kala walked directly behind this group, with Jeda following behind the whole lot as discreetly as possible.
 
Once he knew his wife was safely inside and under the care of the coven healers, he planned on leaving for the fortress.

He tried to follow them into a healing room, but was stopped at the door.

“Please wait here,” the young girl requested.
 
“This is women’s business.”

Jeda nodded his head, having heard this before and already knowing the outcome of any argument he might start.
 
Instead, he realized this was the opportunity he needed.
 
This was his chance to leave for the guild fortress without bringing any of the others with him.
 
He knew how dangerous this would be, and did not want to put anyone else in harm’s way.
 
If any of these women went to the fortress and began using their magic, then the rescue would turn into a bloodbath with Kara right in the middle.
 
That was not something that Jeda could allow.
 
When the young healer turned and went inside, Jeda headed back out to the gates alone to go and rescue his kidnapped daughter.
 
What he missed as he left the coven enclave was Kala as she slipped out and followed him.

***

“What do you mean she’s missing?
 
I leave her with you for a few moments and she disappears?” Elizabeth raged at the young healer who had been assigned to sit with Kala.

The young girl wrung her hands.
 
Incurring Elizabeth’s wrath was never a good thing.
 
“I’m sorry, mistress.
 
She said she had to use the privy.
 
I told her where it was, but I didn’t follow her when she left.
 
When she didn’t return after a reasonable time, I did go and check on her.
 
Once I found her missing, I came immediately here.”

Catherine was standing next to Elizabeth.
 
“But where would she go?
 
Why would she leave when all of you have only just arrived?”

“Because we are all not here,” Natasha answered.
 
“Kara is still missing and I’m sure if you check, you will find that Jeda is gone as well.
 
They have gone to the assassin’s guild fortress to rescue her, although I am surprised that Jeda would take Kala with him.”

“Rescue her?” Catherine said.
 
“Why would he have to rescue her?
 
I hired the guild to bring both of the girls back.
 
She doesn’t need rescuing.”

Gelda turned toward Elizabeth.
 
“You knew of this?”

“Of course I did,” Elizabeth answered.
 
“We were desperate to get the girls back when they first went missing.
 
The guild provided a means to do that.”

“I see,” Gelda said, shaking her head, “and what a mess you’ve created in the process.”