1. A
ghost of a smile crossed her lips. Lips he had the sudden urge to kiss. He felt
his body tense up with the memory of the past few months. Their wild,
uninhibited need to copulate because of Atty's surging hormones, and the lure
of her out-of-control pheromones emitted during that first trimester of her
pregnancy, often left them exhausted but elated. Fortunately, with her in her
second trimester, that would no longer be an issue.
2.
Renken
gestured at the lodge around them. “We can't assume this summit is going to be
all sweet cakes and puppies. We can't assume this Highcliff character is
looking to fill his docket with both sides, hoping they'll either come to blows
or end up signing off on a new set of treaties.” He threw his knife onto the
table, the hilt swaying gently upon impact as the blade sank into the wood. “Call
me a pessimist, but what if those battle lords who hate Mutah far outnumber
those of you who don't? And I'm talking big odds, like four to one, or maybe
higher. What if those anti-Mutah bastards' intent is to gather all the
pro-Mutah leaders together in one convenient package? Draw us in nice and neat
in the center with them forming a bloody donut around us?”
3.
There
was a flash of brightness as the ex-mercenary moved out of her line of sight to
fetch her weapons from where they were strapped to the saddle. Atty stood and
turned to face where the blood red light was emanating. Her hands grasped the
long bow and quiver that were thrust into her hands, looping the container of
arrows over her neck. Notching a shaft was automatic, done without thought
until she realized she was armed and ready.
4.
She
tugged on Renken’s tunic, pulling him along with her. She heard the almost
silent silvery whine as he drew his sword from its scabbard. He reached behind
him with his other hand and touched hers tugging on him. Her shoulder bumped
into the wall…and it gave way. Hastily, she pushed it open further and
retreated inside, almost dragging the ex-mercenary with her. The two strange
men passed them less than a heartbeat later as they stood just inside the
doorway. They heard the footsteps stop not too far down the hall, then a door
opened and closed, leaving them in absolute silence once again.
5.
He
couldn’t breathe.
6. “D’Jacques.”
The tone was gentler. Coaxing. Yulen turned to the battle lord. “It’s not too
late to change your mind.” Highcliff held out his hands like a man giving a
benediction. “You are an excellent soldier and a brilliant strategist. But,
somehow, you traveled off the beaten path. That woman must have beguiled you to
make you this way. Perhaps she used some sort of potion or Mutah magic. But it
doesn’t have to be that way anymore. Just turn your back on those monstrosities
and join my ranks. Come back to us, Yulen. Make your father proud, and help me
wipe out the last of that diseased race. Believe me when I tell you, the last
thing I want to do is make a martyr out of you.”
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