From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(106)
“I say we use the damned things as archery practice,” a passing knight muttered as they rode by the roof Emily perched upon.
“Ill luck to shoot a raven,” his companion returned in a voice that quavered slightly. Raising a gauntleted hand to his chest he made a quick warding gesture as they continued down the road.
Emily shook her head at the gesture and returned her attention to the birds. It might have been interesting to see what happened if the animals were attacked. Her instincts told her the creatures weren’t entirely natural and who knew what would happen if they were attacked.
A soft whimper from below her perch drew her attention and she edged toward the sound and leaned down toward the open window. The noise from the birds was so loud that she nearly missed the cry. A second whimper followed and Emily frowned. It was Legacy crying, probably hungry again. The child always seemed to be hungry, especially in Jala’s absence. Another louder wail rose from the window and Emily dropped soundlessly to the sill to peer inside.
The crying wasn’t unusual. Legacy was miserable without his mother nearby. The unusual part was the fact that Wisp wasn’t in the room yet. The Fae was seldom far from the child and usually responded with the first whimper. Silently Emily slid through the open window and looked down into the crib at the fussing baby. Her gaze moved from the crib to the door that was still closed tightly. It was possible that Wisp hadn’t heard the noise through the racket the birds were making. Moving slowly, Emily advanced on the door, her head cocked toward the outer hall, listening closely for any noise that spoke of trouble.
Legacy wailed again and Emily glanced back at the crib with indecision filling her mind. She didn’t want to actually touch the child. She had refrained from even getting too close to him since he had been born. It wasn’t that she disliked him. It was the simple fact that she didn’t trust herself by him. He was so small and fragile, and the Blight instincts seemed so much sharper when Marrow was away. Yet she didn’t want to leave him alone either, especially when he was upset. She could relate with his feelings completely. It was horrible to be left behind.
A soft patter at the window drew her gaze past the crib to settle on the huge black bird that had landed. The bird cocked its head, looking around the room before hopping farther in and closer to the crib. She was about to attack it when a soft rasp at the door drew both of their attention. They froze as the door knob slowly began to turn the bird’s attention as focused as her own. Definitely not a natural animal then, she decided with growing interest. So which is more dangerous here, the bird or whoever is at the door? She pondered silently and wished that Marrow was with her once again. The Bendazzi not only had more experience with life than she did, he was a partner in situations such as this. Had he been here they could have divided their strength and eliminated both threats at once.
Wisp would already be in the room. Emily realized with a frown. Whoever this was opening the door was far too cautious to be a member of the household. All of the maids adored the child and would have scrambled had they heard the pathetic cries he was making. Her breath slowed as the door slowly pushed open revealing a sliver of shadows from the darkened hallway beyond. A black gloved hand appeared against the wood frame of the doorway and the faint coppery smell of blood filled the room.
Emily crouched beside the wall waiting for the intruder to enter the room fully. There was no question of it now. This was an enemy. All she needed now was a full target. The door opened farther and a man stepped fully into the room. His features were impossible to make out between the murk of the hallway and the heavy black cloak he wore, but Emily had no doubts on attacking.
The moment the stranger cleared the door frame she moved, lunging forward with a speed that would make a cat envious. One hand locked around the man’s throat, her claws digging in deep as she slammed him hard against the wall, her other hand slashing at his stomach. Warm blood gushed from both wounds and the smell was intoxicating. A broken gurgling noise tore from his throat as the wound to his stomach tore farther spilling his innards onto the thick carpet. Emily smiled and watched the frantic look in the man’s eyes as his body began to fail him. “Not this child you don’t. This one is protected,” she hissed as she slowly released the dying man and watched him slump to the floor his lifeblood pooling around him.
“More than you know,” a man’s voice whispered behind her and Emily whirled. He stood by the window, the child cradled in his arms with one tiny hand clutching at a raven black feather from the stranger’s cloak. She hadn’t even realized Legacy had fallen silent.
“Put him down now,” Emily hissed, already pacing to another location in the small room.
“You have a dilemma, Emily Solace. He was not the only intruder in the house. There are more. Look down at that man’s side. Do you see the dagger there? That’s the mark of the Nightblades. They were sent for the child as should have been expected,” The man leaned back against the wall his gaze falling to Legacy and a small smile formed on his lips. “You have no idea of the hostage value this child has to just about everyone for one purpose or another.”
“How do you know my name?” Emily growled as she continued to approach the man. If she could just get close enough she could possibly snatch Legacy from the man’s grasp before he had a chance to flee out the window.
“That is irrelevant. What you should be considering are your friends below. The Nightblades have already incapacitated them both as well as the household staff and while they are not dead now if you continue to waste time they will be,” the man continued his eyes still on the child.