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begun lazing about at every opportunity in a comfortable robe and carpet
slippers. Kady had worked hard all her life, and being able to do absolutely
nothing if she wished felt like heaven.
She had a caretaker who often served as a butler, three nibari slaves, a
stablemaster, Kynyr's uncle Trevor Sinclair and his wife Mary, their four
children, and Iollen Newell and his wife Aghavie living with them. They all
fussed over her, which sometimes amused and sometimes irritated her.
Trevor had her coming up to the salle to train twice a day. The current salle
was a converted drawing room. The foundation for a permanent salle had been
laid, but most of the work would have to wait until spring.
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Word had gotten out that Kynyr was the prince and heir to Red Wolf. There were
still people who wanted to dispute the fact, but Sheradyn Kelly had verified
it and the talk was dying down. The abused daughter of a tavern owner had
become a princess and was well on her way to being a warrior as well.
It had been only a matter of time until a member of her family showed up.
However, the last thing she had expected was to have her sister, Larena,
weeping at her kitchen table. It was late and most of Kady's household had
gone to bed. Trevor and Mary had insisted on sitting with Kady and Larena in
case Kady needed moral support.
It soon became clear that she did not need it.
"For the Gods sake, Larena. Don't just sit there crying. Tell me what's
wrong. Kady gave her sister an impatient glare and ran her fingers through
her fluffy short hair. The oil lamp cast orange highlights on her flaxen
curls. She had given up trying to look harsh, yet she went nowhere without her
kendaryl blades strapped to her forearms. They had been a courting gift from
Kynyr.
Her seventeen-year-old sister Larena lowered her handkerchief. I'm ...
pregnant."
"That's nothing a dose of tansy won't fix."
"No. No, I don't want to lose it. Larena looked panic-stricken. I love him."
"Have you told the father? The entire conversation seemed surreal. Larena had
been one of the first to condemn Kady after her love affair with Cullen
Blackwood that had tarnished her reputation.
"He's married."
"Oh, shit. How could you be so stupid? Kady knew she was being snide and
insensitive, but she could not seem to rein it in. She fought with her temper,
which wanted to berate Larena in no uncertain terms.
Larena cringed and her crying worsened. I love him."
"Hereward will toss you out on the street for this."
"I know. That's why I'm so frightened."
Remembering how frightened she had been after their father withdrew his
protection and before Cahira had taken her in, Kady heaved a loud sigh of
resignation. There was no way that she could in good conscience allow her
sister to suffer as she had. I know I'm going to regret this. She turned to
Trevor. Would you take her home to get her things and move her in here?"
"Are you sure you want to do this? Trevor scratched at the cinnabar stubble
on his chin. He was a large wolf, standing six foot three, two hundred and
sixty pounds of muscle, and intimidated many people with his sheer size.
"I can't let her end up on the street. I'm sure you can handle Hereward. She
refused to call him Dad any longer.
"You can't believe how grateful I am, Larena sobbed.
"You'd better be. Kady's lips tightened.
* * * *
At midnight, fourteen-year-old Rachel Wiggins found herself irresistibly drawn
from her home. She passed along the darkened streets beneath a waxing moon and
turned down Cheshire Road. Rachel wore a nightgown and a robe, for she had
been preparing for bed when the come-hither spell seized her. A sense of
dreaming unreality clung to her awareness and wrapped her in its smothering
folds. Half an hour later, Rachel Wiggins stood in Malthus sitting room
blinking away the fog that had forced her to his home. I I don't know why I'm
here."
Malthus had always made her feel uneasy, although she never showed that in the
tavern because he gave good tips. He was one of four humans living in
Wolffgard proper. The others were Atreius Ivanstern, the apothecary; Luciano
Albertus, a spiritworker and palm reader who had opened a mage shop; and Bella
Montegna, Luciano's assistant. They were all dark-skinned, black-haired
Waejontori.
Malthus face filled with predatory cynicism. He stroked the long strands of
his mustache and pulled at his oak leaf beard in a gesture that Rachel had
always disliked. You don't. I do."
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He stalked toward her, reeking of sexual threat in every angle of his body. A
sick fear seized her and she backed away from him, shifting into her hybrid
form, which stressed the seams of her clothing. Don't touch me."
She swiped her claws at him. His hands shot out and grasped her wrists,
pinioning them in one hand. Rachel jerked and pulled but could not free her
hands. She brought her leg up to strike him in the groin. Malthus deflected it
with his hip and hit her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her.
Rachel gasped for air, unable to speak as his fingers stroked her throat and a
sharp pain plunged through her. Her hybrid form wavered and departed.
"Scream if you wish. No one can hear you. Malthus dragged her stumbling into
the bedroom and forced her down.
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