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Nineteen
Baine
The white mare had died during the night. The wound had festered until blackness covered the entire horse. Lord Demious had spent years studying the darkthings: abilities, weaknesses, cures to their wounds. One thing everyone knew, unless the wound was treated with a life crystal, there was no cure, and the crystals were slowly diminishing from Saol. Lord Demious could’ve attempted to save the horse with one of his life crystals he had hidden away, but they were too precious and had to be used sparingly. The magistrate would not waste such a precious mineral on an animal, though I highly disagreed.
“Still no sign of the darkthing that did this?” I asked.
“None, and we’ve searched everywhere. There hasn’t been another attack since the orchard. It doesn’t make sense.” Marco washed his hands in the basin. “Something is not right. And what is he planning today? Did you see what he made us capture?”
“I did.”
Before dawn, Lord Demious asked part of the guard to leave the estate and catch a moon cat. Beautiful creatures with silver and black fur and large floppy ears. Their cute appearance is a guise as the animals were nasty and quick to attack.
“These tests are ridiculous. He should pick a bride and be done with it.” Marco nudged my shoulder. “There they are.”
Ms. Begalia led the females out to the staged area on the grounds. Rosalie walked near the back with her exotic friend. Seeing Rosalie made me tense. She should have left, but she was stubborn and difficult. I’d never been more frustrated and conflicted. Staying would risk her life. Going would put Demious on the hunt, but that was something I could deal with, even take control over as long as he didn’t suspect me which was a possibility. Very few even knew of the hidden entrance to his laboratory.
Rosalie laughed at something her friend said and looked my way. When our gazes met, she nibbled her bottom lip. It took everything in me to not whisk her off into the woods and take her away from this place. After last night, I realized how much I cared for the human. I shouldn’t, yet I couldn’t ignore how I came alive in her presence.
Lord Demious would need to choose a bride today, and I would sway him to another female, reminding him he needed a woman of extreme talent. Though the man rarely listened to the advice of others, I had earned his respect and he would listen to me. After that, I would plan a way to free Rosalie on the road to the Borderlands along with the other humans.
The moon cat hissed in the cage. Marco sighed.
“Be on your guard,” I said. “If the darkthing is out there, we need to be prepared.”
The women gathered outside the training circle. Lord Demious motioned for Marco to bring him the moon cat. Though I sensed her watching me, I could not acknowledge Rosalie in Lord Demious’ presence.
“Good morning!” Lord Demious smiled and clasped his hands in front of his chest. “Today will be the last chance for you all to convince me why I should choose you as a bride. Remember, the woman I choose will have her debt fully paid while the others will be forced to work for three years. Do not hold back in this exercise.”
The Haalow sisters huddled near each other. The youngest one had red rings around her eyes as if she had been crying for hours. I never did learn how his night with the trio went, but from the distraught looks, not well.
Marco dropped the cage in the circle and stepped out to take point opposite me.
“This is a moon cat,” Lord Demious said. “A wild creature who will attack if it feels threatened. As my wife you must be prepared to defend and fight at all times.”
The humans whispered to one another; most had probably never been in a fight. I knew Rosalie could protect herself, but the thought of Lord Demious putting her in harm’s way sent a wave of fury through me. I gripped the hilts of my swords to contain the rage and remind myself she’d be in more danger if I revealed my feelings.
“Alicia, step forward.” Lord Demious motioned the frail girl to him.
Rosalie whispered in Alicia’s ear before the terrified thing moved.
Keeping his smile wide, Lord Demious took the human’s trembling hands. “Once the barrier is up, I will release your collar and the beast. If I sense you are unable to protect yourself, I will step in.” He gazed out at the remaining females. “Do not fret my beauties, I shall keep you all safe. This is merely a test of strength.”
Uneasiness settled in my bones, and by Marco’s frown, I sensed he felt it too. I stepped closer and directed the nearby guards to close the circle around the area.
Alicia shook, and if Lord Demious noticed, he didn’t act on it. He removed her collar and stepped behind the cage.
“Prepare yourself,” he said.
I blinked at the human, unsure if my eyes deceived me, but her body became almost ethereal.
Lord Demious released the moon cat and backed away from the creature with a smirk on his face.
The poor human shrunk back from the creature as it stalked forward, hissing.
This was a ridiculous test. Alicia had no offensive magical ability. What did Lord Demious hope to achieve?
The moon cat launched forward, and Alicia disappeared.
