The Princess and the Blade

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad showed Laurius an impatient snarl. "My daughter is not a vampire. And it sounds like you've done quite a bit of research on her without our knowledge. What did YOU get out of these little experiments?" The question was like a drawn bowstring waiting to shoot through his skull.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius took a step back, lifting his hands. “Notes. Just the research itself. It was a mutual exchange,” he said. “And, you are right. She is not a vampire—not entirely. But, her magic is related to yours… I thought it was only the Kings, but now I see it is greatly connected to you. It’s a vampire’s power in a mortal body, and it’s eating her in exchange for that power. That’s why it drains her so deeply.”

“It drains Atul, too. Magic is taxing,” Tenele said. “She’s not a vampire.”

“No, she isn’t,” Laurius said, feeling frustrated. They weren’t hearing him. He opened his mouth and then snapped it shut before his argument could come out.

“Where are your notes?” Lelana asked. “If you took notes on Tenara, we should destroy them or take them with us. The last thing we need is anyone finding out anymore about her or our family.”

Laurius hesitated. “They were in the book… but I don’t mention your family. I didn’t even believe her when she got high and started rambling about having three fathers..”

[Soran Nightblade]

"If Elias is dead in the other world, who has your book now?" Vlad demanded.

Ren rubbed at his forehead, thinking about the last time he'd held it. "Milandra was holding it during the ritual."

"Who?"

The thought of her brought up, with no effort at all, every memory Ren had of the woman. He drew back a step from the vampire, fighting off the memories like a swarm of bats.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius swept between Vlad and Ren, putting his hand back to curl securely around Ren’s arm. “A sorceress. She has a twin. They both made themselves immortal by accepting a vampire’s kiss. They call themselves the Black Sisters. If she has my book, and Elias isn’t around to keep her in line, then she might either deliver it to Shea or the Citadel.”Neither of those were particularly good options. The worst was if she decided to keep it and use it herself.

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren blinked as Laurius stepped between him and the vampire and his nerves instantly quieted. The protective gesture didn't just instantly quiet the static in his head. It also made his chest feel tight. No one was in more danger right now than Laurius, but he took the risk on such a protective gesture, all because he knew the Black Sisters well.

From what they'd told him, he knew them very well.

'You're not exactly his type.'
'Just goes to show he'll sleep with anyone.'

Ren shook his head, focusing on Laurius's warm hand around his arm.

Vlad had turned to pace the room. "What else is in the book?"

"It is focused on soul magic," Ren answered, unsure if the question was meant for him. "But they do not know how to read it. They needed me to translate."

"And so you just rolled over and handed them the spell they needed?" Vlad growled at him.

Ren frowned, rubbing the knife scars on his right forearm.

[Emora Deen]

“He didn’t,” Laurius said, but he didn’t know that for certain. Ren obeyed when women spoke. But he had also been abused by them. “He did everything he could to protect your daughter, even going so far as to offer himself. He even convinced Elias to go to Ren’s world, where men are enslaved, to protect her. Ren should be honored, not punished.”

[Soran Nightblade]

The vampire paced the edge of the large room, giving a strong resemblance to a caged lion pacing because it couldn't reach its desired kill. "If that is true, I will not require Ren to take part in your punishment." He leveled a hard look on Havi. "Spiky, on the other hand, will go with you."

[Emora Deen]

Laurius tilted his head in confusion, asking, “Go… where?” To prison? To hell?

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smirked ruefully at him. "You're going to get the book back. Obviously. You let them get to it, so you can take responsibility for it. Of course, I want you to actually succeed, so I'd hardly send you without a weapon. Perhaps Spiky won't be such a fuckup without my daughter around him."

Havi's fists clenched until his claws pierced his own skin. He was angry. So angry. But the truth of the words beat down the ruthless thrashing of his hormones.

He must have made a sound without thinking, because the Tenara's father cast him a challenging glare. "Have a complaint, Spiky?"

Havi was grateful the man was holding his sword. It made it easier to speak without growling. Did he have a complaint? The demand seemed reasonable. Vlad could have simply commanded him to go jump off a cliff, or crushed the sword into dust. "...No. I will help."

His pathetic emotions screamed for attention inside him. You won't see her. You'll have to leave her! He squashed down his desperation. He'd already lost the right to be with her. But if he let himself think about it, he could feel his mind start to go white, and he was afraid of what was on the other side of that sensation. Maybe madness? He thought of how Artisuren had been when he'd first met him in Laurius's hotel room. Bond-broken, scalding from the inside out.

Stop being dramatic. Stop thinking.

He shook his head. "I will go," he muttered again, unable to remember if he'd answered the vampire.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius swallowed. He felt he would take prison or hell over going after Narissa and Milandra. He wondered if he could negotiate—how many years in prison were worth avoiding them?

And then, he thought of the book and how it might come back to harm Tenara a third time. He couldn’t let another single thing happen to her because of him. He owed her this, and it was the least he could do.

At least Ren wouldn’t be going with them. The idea of being parted again, so soon after finding him, made this strange hollow ache spread through his chest. But, he would be safe from seeing those monsters—if they even made it that far.

“We don’t have any supplies. Are you sending us out now? We’ll sooner starve or freeze crossing the border a second time. Is the goal for us to die or get the book back?”

Gods be damned why couldn’t he just say, “Yes, sir. No, sir.”

[Soran Nightblade]

"Why limit yourself to one?" Vlad sneered. But the vampire sighed and rubbed his temples. That last teleport had cost him, and his temper was fouler than usual. "You and Spiky can take the night to set your plan. I'll arrange for whatever supplies you require tomorrow. Choose your target, and I'll deliver you within proximity. My sister can play in your head this time, Marr," he grinned evilly.

His gaze dropped to the pendant around his neck. "Since you asked nicely, and since I need you motivated to return to Hajara, Spiky II will be staying with me."

[Emora Deen]

Laurius glanced down at the amulet and cupped his hand over it. He clenched it tight, but not painfully so. Then, slowly, he lifted the gold chain over his neck. But, instead of delivering it to Vlad, he walked past the vampire and knelt next to where Tenara lay draped on the sofa. He held it a moment longer, admiring the ruby jewel that had once been sapphire, then reached out and looped the chain over Tenara’s head.

If he—if they—didn’t come back, Tenara would take care of Ren. He didn’t doubt it for a moment.

“For what it is worth, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. It might not seem like it, but I do care dearly for your daughter. Her kindness is… infectious. She didn’t deserve what they have done.”

[Soran Nightblade]

"Make no mistake. Your platitude is worth very little," Vlad said, eyes gleaming a warning. "I would much rather kill you now, but you're of better use retrieving the book than being my afternoon snack." He surveyed the man's body thoughtfully. "You don't look especially nutritious at the moment, anyway." He still didn't know the details about what had passed between them all, but the merchant looked the worse for wear, which pleased the vampire very much.

Ren stood silently behind Laurius as he transferred the necklace to the princess. He felt Tenara's soft presence against his soul, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't Laurius. A complaint lodged in his throat. He had served for years under a master with a sadistic side. He knew instinctively not to challenge Vlad further in his current mood.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius stood slowly, hating how far it already took him from the amulet. He turned and held out his hand for Havitharon’s mended blade. “Havitharon and I will take up in the east wing tonight to make our plan, if that works for you?”

“I’ll go with him,” Lelana said, folding her arms. “I don’t trust the twerp not to bolt before morning.”

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad winked at his sister. "Do nothing I wouldn't do," he smirked.

A ribbon of relief draped across Ren's mounting anxiety. He had been concerned about the two males being alone, given Thvoros's current state. A female presence would make it significantly safer. At least they wouldn't die before even leaving tomorrow.

Ren watched the line of Laurius's back as Lelana turned him and Thvoros away. A pit swelled in his stomach as it occurred to him that he wouldn't get the opportunity to speak with him alone again.

Act calm. Don't cling. "Goodnight, Master," he said.