Kady's Vengeance

Malthus had been meeting Larena Wiggins, Kady Maguire's sister, outside the hawthorn hedge circling the Maguire Estate ever since he planted Larena in Kady's household to poison Kynyr last autumn. The hawthorn hedges' thick, strong tangle of growth set atop a three-foot embankment prevented livestock from wandering, but a mon could slip through easily. Malthus sat on a heavy blanket concealed in an evergreen thicket on a patch of cleared ground, resisting an urge to pace. A blind hid him from the road, spelled to appear as an accidental fall of branches should anyone stumble upon it, and sheltered him from the winds and breezes. The sound of someone moving through the trees brought him to full attention.

Larena's buxom form appeared, her belly rounded with his child. She smiled at him, letting her hood back. Her waist-length flaxen hair bloused around her shoulders and she pulled it free of the neck of her cloak. A tentative smile brushed the edges of her mouth.

"You're late." He snarled at her, letting his needle thin fangs show.

She flinched with a whimper. "The place is crowded. It was difficult to get away unseen."

"But you managed?"

"Yes."

Malthus embraced her, nuzzled her neck, and let his fingers trace her stomach. "How is our poor prince?"

"Stronger."

"That won't do." Malthus reached into his pouch and brought out a small wooden casket. "I've been experimenting with that object you brought me. What do they call it?"

"A syringe. That's what the Guild calls it."

"They've made some interesting discoveries in that ancient library." He opened the box. The syringe that Larena had brought him lay there in a bed of cotton, filled with a nacreous liquid. "I assume they leave you alone with him?"

Larena nodded. "We all take turns sitting with him."

"Give him all of this at one time." Malthus mimicked pushing the plunger in. He knew the risks. If they caught Larena, he would lose his only pawn in Kynyr's household. She could not betray him because of the coercions in her brain. It was a gamble, but the injection would be quick and efficient compared to his past efforts.

"That looks different from what I was giving him."

"It is." Malthus closed the box and handed it to her.

Larena slipped it into her pouch. "Will it kill him fast?"

"In minutes."

"Good. I'm sick and tired of living under my sister's thumb."

"Once he's dead, I'll move you to a better place."

Malthus pulled her down, pressed his body over hers, and pushed her skirts up. He made no pretense of giving her pleasure – it was too cold for it. Unlacing his pants, Malthus shoved his erection into her hole and began his ride.

GODWAR CENTRAL

Kady's Vengeance