Law of Shadows, page 9
I've heard the story, but I thought the lance was lost.
Annia shudders. “It's almost like a work of art.”
“Master called it a work of pain and misery.” Oilell walks further along the path and I hurry to leave the gruesome scene behind me. How much hatred must someone feel to defile his enemy's corpse like that? I try to see it from Magnus's point of view, but find myself unable to imagine the bond he must have had with his family.
What would it be like not only to have Annia, but a whole clan of people you love? I always stood on my own until I took Annia under my wing. In a sense I took the role of a mother. Our real mother never bothered to be one, so I tried to give Annia what I never had. And when the clan-head tried to trade her away like he tried with me, I flipped. I took Annia and ran. What would have happened if I had stood and fought?
My thoughts are interrupted when the path ends in a small enclosed garden with a lot of flowers. A woman is standing at big bush of roses, watering them with a can. Upon noticing us, she turns around and smiles. “You must be Sely and Annia. I've heard a lot about you two.”
I narrow my eyes, not liking the fact that she seems to know us so well. “And you are Fiacre?”
“Indeed. Forgive my intrusiveness, but Oilell visited me yesterday evening and all she did was talk about you two. In addition, the net is full of news about your disappearance inside the Bathomeus territory.” Fiacre gestures with her hand and summons a table and four chairs from the earth. “Please take a seat.”
I carefully step closer and marvel at her skill. The furniture is perfectly smooth stone. To do something like that with such ease... she is either very talented or very old. If she is close to her brother's age, then by guessing from Magnus's story she is over two thousand years old. “You seem to be doing well. Just living here and tending to the gardens?”
Oilell takes a seat at the table. “Master told them what happened to the clan.”
Fiacre raises an eyebrow. “He did? How unexpected.” Noticing my curious gaze, Fiacre gestures for Annia and me to sit down. After we've done so, she continues. “Unlike Magnus I've seen a lot of bad things in my time.” She pauses. “Of course, he's also had opportunity to collect his share of bad experiences. But by the time of our clan's demise he was still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. A baby, facing a cruel world, believing that the tale always has a happy ending.”
She sighs. “Well, it didn't. And I had more than sixty years to cope with the events of that day. I've thought a lot about what I could have done different, instead of allowing myself to be manipulated and used by Kelvyn.”
After pursing her lips, she continues. “I fell in love with a man who couldn't tolerate that he wasn't the head of the clan. He devised a plan to take the position away from my brother and I went along with it, not willing to see the true extent of how far Kelvyn intended to go. By the time I woke up, I had already lost half my family. And when I tried to save at least one of them, I lost the other half too.”
“The simple fact is that I was so blindly in love with Kelvyn that I didn't want to see the full extent of his machinations until he had killed my brother. Then he locked me away after realizing that I am not the key he wanted. Looking back, I've to admit that I would repeat all the idiotic steps which led to the revolt. There was no doubt in my mind until it was too late.”
I interrupt her. “But Magnus is still trying to deal with his anger.”
She shakes her head. “Magnus isn't dealing with the events. I don't know if it's because of the loss or the torture, but he is firmly suppressing everything that's related to that day. The fact that he told you his story makes me happy. It may be a sign that he is starting to heal.”
An unladylike grunt escapes me before I can stop myself.
Fiacre interprets it in her own way and makes an all encompassing gesture. “This is my atonement, in a way. Tending to the reality marble and giving Magnus the time to get his act together. That's my way of apologizing for my failures. One could say that it was my decisions and my ignorance which wiped out the clan.”
Annia leans back. “That's a harsh way to punish yourself.”
Fiacre's reply is a simple, earnest smile.
“Gods! I am such a bad host! Here you are sitting in your winter clothes when it is in the middle of summer!” That's when Oilell jumps up, dashes away, and returns to us, once more displaying her inhuman speed. I try to explain that there is no problem since both of us sisters know environmental magic. My attempt falls short when Oilell raises a skimpy skirt with a blouse for Annia and a white, tight, silken one piece dress with extremely high incisions on the sides to reveal some leg. In fact they are too high, going all the way up to the waist!
I briefly imagine showing off my figure in that thing, which would undoubtedly result in revealing my panties too. Do I even have a bra that can hide my nipples with such a thin fabric? “No. Not in a hundred years. Do you intend to dress me up like some pornstar and have me do a lapdance to provoke Magnus?”
Fiacre grins, inspecting my body. “I suppose you wouldn't need the lapdance to have him devour you whole.”
I clench my teeth, the thought causes a strange, fluffy feeling in my belly. I can't deny the physical attraction to him. Oh, how I hate that my body is betraying me like that. Just because he gave me one orgasm. Okay, maybe seven, but that’s it. I am still not sure if it would be a good idea to give in to such desires. It would be like falling for your rapist. Despite everything I've learned today, we still barely know each other.
But maybe it's a good way to tease him out of his shell in order to learn his true intentions. He always closes up when he starts smoking. Hmmm.
Carinthia
Magnus
What's wrong with me? I turn around and head back the way I came. Yesterday and this morning I acted like someone with a split personality. My rational mind tells me to take their stuff and throw them out. Let the Hammons have them. Maybe they would even ignore me. There is a small chance that I might get out of this without a blood feud. Maybe the seven I killed weren't that important to the Hammon family.
Yeah, like they wouldn't send their most trusted to retrieve the sisters with the artefacts. Maybe they weren't their best, but they surely had rank.
On the other hand, Sely takes just one look at me and my eyes stay stuck to those luscious lips, her soft ass, and those impossible, bouncy jigglemadingdongs! Now I am even thinking nonsense! The ancestors are my witnesses, I tried to scare her off. I even thought that she would be too disgusted to stay close to me once she found out more about my life. And I still brought her to my home. I also allowed her into the mansion, and to top it all off, I told her that story.
It was supposed to be one night on the couch and instead I allowed her so deep into my life that I can hardly throw her out now. Oilell would be a pain in the ass.
And why am I even kidding myself? She is a hundred and eighty-something and I am a hundred and fifty-four. She is older than me. Not that twenty or thirty years difference will count for much in a few more decades. Is she even interested me? And what happened to my determination to make her mine?
I should just push her down and spear her like the bitch she was at the chapel. My instincts worked perfectly fine back then. There was no problem in humping each other's brain out. So why do I get all defensive and awkward when I am close to her?
Changing the direction once more, I head for another round around the mansion. I've been doing this since this morning. Just walking, walking and then some more walking to clear my head.
It didn't work.
Fumbling around inside my pocket, I pull out my cigarettes and take one between my lips. Then I snap my fingers in an attempt to cast a small spark. I just want to light the cigarette and not torch the garden. Concentrating on my fingers, I don't pay attention as I turn around the corner.
And bump directly into Sely. The package with the cigarettes escapes my grasp and the contents disperse on the ground. A growl escapes me. It isn't so much directed at Sely and more at the fact that I once again lost a package of weed on the ground. Something that seems to become a trend around her.
To my astonishment she growls right back at me, her eyes flashing red. She plugs the cigarette from between my lips and throws it to the ground, stepping on it. “That stuff dims the mind. You might not be permanently affected like the humans, but you may not perform correctly when it's needed.”
“What do you think you are doing, woman!? That stuff is the only thing that keeps me from going on a rampage!” My eyes are stuck to her clothes. That tight dress! At least she is wearing trousers, but I can see her underwear through the dress! Every bump and curve of her body. I realize that I am ogling her, but I simply do not care.
“I would rather think that the weed keeps you from being you. Seen enough? It's not like you haven't already seen them,” she barks.
I smile. “Actually I only remember the grand view of your behind. Can I see more?”
“I am here to discuss important things regarding the Hammons. If you want a chance at negotiating with them, then some insider knowledge would surely help a lot.” She shifts, trying obstruct my view, revealing other parts of her anatomy. Ah, what the heck! Sometimes a man simply has to try and grovel to get the price.
“Hmmmm.”
“Switch off your cerebellum and pay attention to me!”
Oh, I am paying attention. A lot of attention to what's interesting right now. “Can I invite you out?” I catch her hand in mine. “I promise not to smoke. Think of it as an apology for those dreams.” Then I pull her towards the entrance hall. If we want to eat in a good restaurant, then we have to go outside.
“One moment! What's going on? Just because I am in your territory doesn't mean that I am here for your convenience.” She digs in her heels, but I pull her forward, causing her shoes to slide over the smooth ground.
Since I am heavier, I've the advantage in this game. I am tired of fighting with myself. “I've totally lost it! You are inside my head and I can't get you out, despite my best efforts. I've decided to make a serious move on you. You are a single woman in my territory, so it's fair game to date you. And when the Hammons try to take you back I'll torch their holdings.”
“I am still legally married! And you know what I did to the last guy who tried to rape me!” She shrieks.
That pinches my heart a little, but her so called husband never tied the bond. In fact he ran away when she made him unable to perform. “It's a little worrisome, but nothing that can't be solved with a few well placed straps of leather!”
“Leather!?”
“I've also some good chains if it makes you feel safer. And regarding that so-called husband... consider yourself a widow when he shows up.” We reach the entrance hall and she almost stumbles over the stairs, but I know better than to let go.
Then her mind catches up. “Chains!? One moment. Are you talking about me being chained, or you being chained?”
I try to think of a list of good restaurants, so don't exactly pay attention to my answer. “Whatever works to gain your cooperation in my bed.”
13. ~Date~
“Everyone has his little secrets. The best way to unearth them is to dig up dirt until you get to the bottom of their little hidy-holes.”
A memory of the Old Ones.
Carinthia
Magnus
“How are you going to pay for all of this?” Sely surveys the room with sceptical eyes.
The Zunderhaus is the most expensive restaurant we have in Carinthia. There is a large dining hall, but also various private rooms if you are willing to pay the price. The food and service are excellent, so I always come here when I want to celebrate. I survey the room which was arranged to mimic a library. Each private room inside the Zunderhaus has its own theme. One I know of is entirely blue. Another is trying to give off the feeling of being inside a farmhouse. And they always have one room in the process of being remodelled. So there is always something new. “I'll give them money.”
“That's obvious, unless you want to end the evening by running off without paying the restaurant. What I meant to ask is where the money comes from. You are wasting your time by playing games in that game store. Has your clan left you so much money that you can live the high life even a hundred years after their demise?” She abruptly closes her mouth, realising that she probably went too far.
I rub my eyes which must have flashed red. Then I place my arms on the table, fingers together. I even try to smile, but I am afraid that it's only my mouth that does so. “I am the owner of that game store. In addition, I own the weapon factory which is located in the neighbouring valley. I like to be sure that my guns are of high quality. The microchip factory across the lake is also mine and I am actually thinking about buying the capacitor factory at the industrial area. And there is an electro-motor factory on which I've set my eyes. The owners aren't willing to pay the rent for the land, which incidentally belongs to me. They will soon move to some Third World country. In addition, my clan left me with various plots of land, located all around the area. Spoken in terms of wealth, I own two thirds of everything that's inside this federal state. Of course everything on different identities because the humans would flip out otherwise. It’s no different from the territories of other Old Ones.”
When she puckers her lips I smile for real. “I admit that my territory isn't very large. It’s humble compared to what other clans accumulated, but I can expend my money on some luxury without having to resort to theft. The fact that I regularly steal cars is just out of convenience. I lack the patience to wait for a taxi. In my life I had a lot of time on my hands and I used it. It's not like I play games and police the territory twenty four seven. So, what's your story? Tell me how you finally ended up in this room.”
She tilts her head and regards me with those blue eyes of hers. Looking closer, I find that there is even a shade of green in them. Finally she decides to tell her story while we slowly eat the food.
“I was born to Cecilia Hammon, one of the four wives of Gavin Hammon, the clan-head of the Hammons. Cecilia brought me up at the Hammon's main estate, an underground complex, which is hidden inside a hollowed out mountain in Norway.”
I nod and picture the Hammon territory in my mind. It spans over large parts of Norway and deep into Russia. Their Veil is a powerful one, but it's spread thin because it has to cover such a large area. The Hammons hold their territory by pure strength in numbers. Their own clan is already a big one, but they also have four smaller clans which are held like vassals. I am not sure if they would fight an offensive battle for the Hammons, but they are helping them to hold the territory.
“Mom was just the acquired fourth wife from a clan in Spain. She never spoke about it, but I heard some rumours within the clan. I assume that she was sold to Gavin or taken by force. She never managed to develop any love for me and simply went through the motions of motherhood. I suppose that I've to be thankful that she did at least that much, since she is a broken woman. Gavin never bothered to show himself inside our quarters. He simply 'requested' Mom's presence from time to time. It took me a while to catch onto the deeper meaning of such requests.”
So he simply orders one of his wives to his quarters if it itches him. That's a nice life, though I am not sure if I would like it to distance myself from my partner in such a way.
“At first I grew up oblivious to that part of their relationship. There was Mother and me… and that’s it. I didn't know anything else. After getting older, I slowly realized that what I've with my mother isn't a real family relationship. And that we are missing a father. I enviously observed how the other families interacted within their groups. Somewhere along the line I learned that Gavin is my father and that he has four wives. To me he was always just the clan-head. When I was sixteen, Gavin informed me that I would be married off to one of his British allies. Something about sealing a deal. Just the thought of being like my mother was enough for me to vehemently object to being traded away as a price. Gavin was angry, but he let me go.”
She takes a sip of the wine, then she continues.
“I didn’t believe in getting away so easy. Gavin isn’t the kind of leader who allows ‘no’ as an answer. So I started to spy on Gavin and his cronies. I accidentally overhead a discussion between Gavin and one of his advisors. They planned to bind me forcibly to my new husband, using magic. Luckily I had until my seventeenth birthday before the Bocheaux would arrive from Britain to perform the ceremony. I invested every free minute I had into research, learning every possible way to control a person's mind and body. Nobody knew that I had caught onto their plans, so I wasn't stopped when I wormed myself through every book in the clan's library.
“A few days before my husband arrived, I found the binding spell under the altar at which the marriage would be performed. I was seventeen and a child, but I wasn't foolish. If I ran away, or destroyed their magical circle, they would catch me and prepare everything a second time. This time without me being able to interfere. They would lock me up in a hole and bring me in front of the altar bound and gagged if need be.
“So my only chance would be to allow them to perform the ceremony. I had to make sure that they can't perform it a second time or correct their mistake. On the night before the ceremony, I snuck to the altar and manipulated their circle. The original circle was aimed at increasing my emotions and channelling them into erotic desire towards a targeted person, the one who performs the marriage bond with me. In addition it forced total obedience to any instruction given by that person.
“I was so mad they were trying to make me into a sex slave. They were my own clan, but apparently I was nothing more than a broodmare. I couldn't change the part with the heightened emotions. It was a basic part of the circle. Had I changed that, everyone would have seen my meddling from afar. The enslavement part was changed into a protection against interference. I went as far as allowing it to kill me if I fall under another’s control. My opinion is that being dead is better than being a puppet with my mind caught inside my own body.
