Wraith(45)

Marrock jerked slightly, my words obviously coming as news. ‘The Gneiss have broken through the siege?’

‘Not many of them.’ I told him what I’d seen from the alleyway.

‘Just the one vehicle?’

I nodded.

His face grew dark. ‘That doesn’t make sense. If they have the power to break through into the city then why just send one carload?’ He jerked his chin to where de Florinville and Ange had gone. ‘What makes you think this is to do with her and not him?’

‘They want her,’ I said quietly. ‘They don’t want him.’

His eyes met mine. ‘We need to know more. Come with me.’ Marrock strode away. I jogged to catch up with him, unsure where he was going or what he was planning.

‘I have an unrelated question,’ I said, keeping my voice low. ‘Have you heard of a Fior Ghal before?’

Marrock sent me a sidelong glance. ‘Yes.’

‘And? What is it?’

‘I’m curious why you’re asking.’

I pressed my lips together. Never give away more information than you need to. Apparently, however, I didn’t need to because realization lit Marrock’s face. ‘That’s why he hates me.’ He gave a loud laugh that echoed around us, bouncing off the silent bandit machines. ‘Now it makes sense!’

I glared at him. ‘I don’t see how.’

‘You’re his Fior Ghal. You have no idea what that means, do you? Or how precious it makes you.’

I sighed in irritation. ‘Marrock…’

‘Haven’t you ever wondered why there are so few Dark Elves in Scotland?’

I crossed my arms. ‘I wonder what’s going to be in my weekly rations and whether I’ll live long enough to eat them. I wonder whether today will be the day that the goblins break down my door. I don’t wonder about Dark Elves.’

‘Why would the goblins break down your door, Saiya?’

‘Why wouldn’t they?’ I retorted.

‘You’re Gabriel de Florinville’s Fior Ghal. That’s reason enough, I suppose.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘But we both know there’s even more to you than that.’

‘I’m sexy, smart and wonderful. Yes.’ I was hardly about to tell Marrock I was a wraith. ‘Now enlighten me. What is a Fior Ghal?’ I repeated.

He jabbed his finger at me. ‘Bear in mind this information is third hand. I don’t move in Dark Elf circles so I don’t have all the lowdown.’

‘I hear you. Tell me what you do know.’

‘You’re his baby mama.’

I blinked. ‘Excuse me?’ Of everything I’d expected to hear, that certainly wasn’t on the list.

Marrock’s grin split his face, creasing it from ear to ear. ‘There are so few Dark Elves because for each Elf there’s only one other person in the world who can have their babies. You’re the only person on this earth who can carry Gabriel de Florinville’s child to term. It’s destiny. It can’t be altered.’ He laughed again.

I thought of the strange jolt I’d felt when de Florinville first touched me, the gentle way he’d treated me and his willingness to follow me into burning buildings. It suddenly made sense. ‘I’m a brood mare,’ I whispered.

‘Yep.’

‘A Dark Elf incubator.’

‘Indeed.’

I felt nauseous. ‘Can…’ My voice was faint. ‘Can I have any Dark Elf’s child?’

‘Nope. Just his.’ He chuckled.

I wondered whether I should rejoice or whether it made me feel worse. I’d been starting to warm to the Elf, despite what had gone on before. Now I didn’t have to worry that he’d kill me if he found out I was a wraith; he needed me more than I needed him. Then a second more horrifying thought occurred to me. He didn’t actually need me, he just needed my body as a vessel.

‘Mr I’m-not-a-Lord-de-Florinville doesn’t like me because he thinks we’re an item. You and me! What a ridiculous idea!’ Marrock chuckled. ‘You’re looking rather pale, Saiya.’

No shit. I was feeling kinda bloody pale. The urge to run and get as far away from Gabriel de Florinville as possible was almost overwhelming.

‘Where are you going?’ The voice of the Dark Elf himself floated over from the gloom somewhere to my right.

I couldn’t prevent an alarmed squeak from escaping my lips. Marrock’s response was far cheerier. ‘We’re going to do a little spying on the goblins,’ he said. ‘Wanna come with?’

I felt de Florinville watching me but I couldn’t look at him. I couldn’t even say anything.

‘Sure,’ he said finally. He walked up to me and hooked a proprietorial arm round my waist. I flinched and drew away. Something dark flickered in his gaze but otherwise he didn’t respond.

Marrock laughed again. He seemed to be under the impression that all this was simply a show for his own entertainment. ‘How’s the woman? Ange?’

‘Sleeping. She’ll be alright.’

I folded my arms and moved as far away from the Dark Elf as I could. I wasn’t ready to use Marrock as a shield between De Florinville and myself but I wasn’t too far from that point. ‘When can she be moved?’ I asked.