figures gave a curt bow. “Autumnal equinox it is. The moon will be in perfect position. Do not be late. She is too powerful for less than a full coven to handle. I will bring her myself.”
Opening a rectangular wooden box placed on the table in front of him, he withdrew a highly polished silver dagger. Although his massive hand covered the hilt, those there knew the intricate carvings on the hilt would be glowing. As they prepared to exit the room, each passed by, pricked an index finger with the point, and left a drop of blood at the base of the blade. With each drop, the heat pulsating through the hilt intensified. When all had filed past, leaving their blood offering behind, the large man secured the knife somewhere under his robe. Gazing at the welts rising on the palm of his hand, he muttered an incantation. A bright yellow light flickered across his palm and the angry red welts evaporated.
***
Daelen waited just inside the trees surrounding the mansion. She would come. She always did. For five hundred years, in one form or another, she had attempted to recruit him. Now that her minions were free to roam the mortal world, she thought she was invincible. A smile graced his lips. She always had been overly certain of her powers.
“What a lovely smile. I’ve always enjoyed your smile.” Her voice came from behind him.
He turned to face her and gave a short bow. “Lilith.”
Her forehead furled. “Don’t use that name. You know how I hate that.”
Daelen chuckled and raised one eyebrow. “It is your name. After all these years do you honestly expect me to call you Master?”
Lilith’s face smoothed into a mask of sweet innocence. “I do rule this world now, or haven’t you noticed?”
“Ah, yes. About that, is your master aware of your undertakings? What you are doing is in strict violation with the treaty.”
“Those who wrote and signed the treaty are long gone,” she snarled.
“So you say.”
Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly as her lips slid into an inviting smile. “Daelen, my pet, I don’t want to argue with you. Why must you always treat me so brutally? Have I ever been anything but sweet to you?” Her crimson lips pulled into the cutest of pouts.
“What do you want, Lilith?”
“Now dearest...”
“I’m not joining you. As always, we are neutral. Regardless of your feelings on the matter, we will abide by the treaty.”
A flush of pink filled her cheeks. Daelen knew she was unaccustomed to being treated as an equal, and although it angered her, he couldn’t refrain from goading her. For a moment he expected her to erupt, but then her face smoothed once again and her color returned to normal.
“I need you to do a service for me. Consider it a favor.”
“No.”
“Now Daelen, don’t be a prick. You don’t even know what I need.”
“The answer is still no.”
Lilith exhaled sharply. “I’m trying to be nice. Right now I’m asking. In a few seconds it will be an order. Are you sure you want to take me on alone?”
His eyes narrowed as he replied, “As usual, you assume too much.”
“Ah, but this is such a little thing and right up your alley. Sharelle has a human in her possession that is in need of help. This poor young girl--beautiful girl I might add--has no idea where she comes from. She’s completely lost.”
“And out of your love for humanity, you want to help her? Your tone is sweet, but the lie drips from your tongue like ichor.”
Her nose wrinkled in disgust. “How completely vulgar. Really, Daelen. I must insist you attempt to at least pretend to be civilized.”
He grunted and continued to glare at her.
“This one’s special. There is something completely different about her. It is possible she is one of yours.”
“Ha! You go too far, Lilith. There hasn’t been a druid born since the 1700’s. What game are you
Opening a rectangular wooden box placed on the table in front of him, he withdrew a highly polished silver dagger. Although his massive hand covered the hilt, those there knew the intricate carvings on the hilt would be glowing. As they prepared to exit the room, each passed by, pricked an index finger with the point, and left a drop of blood at the base of the blade. With each drop, the heat pulsating through the hilt intensified. When all had filed past, leaving their blood offering behind, the large man secured the knife somewhere under his robe. Gazing at the welts rising on the palm of his hand, he muttered an incantation. A bright yellow light flickered across his palm and the angry red welts evaporated.
***
Daelen waited just inside the trees surrounding the mansion. She would come. She always did. For five hundred years, in one form or another, she had attempted to recruit him. Now that her minions were free to roam the mortal world, she thought she was invincible. A smile graced his lips. She always had been overly certain of her powers.
“What a lovely smile. I’ve always enjoyed your smile.” Her voice came from behind him.
He turned to face her and gave a short bow. “Lilith.”
Her forehead furled. “Don’t use that name. You know how I hate that.”
Daelen chuckled and raised one eyebrow. “It is your name. After all these years do you honestly expect me to call you Master?”
Lilith’s face smoothed into a mask of sweet innocence. “I do rule this world now, or haven’t you noticed?”
“Ah, yes. About that, is your master aware of your undertakings? What you are doing is in strict violation with the treaty.”
“Those who wrote and signed the treaty are long gone,” she snarled.
“So you say.”
Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly as her lips slid into an inviting smile. “Daelen, my pet, I don’t want to argue with you. Why must you always treat me so brutally? Have I ever been anything but sweet to you?” Her crimson lips pulled into the cutest of pouts.
“What do you want, Lilith?”
“Now dearest...”
“I’m not joining you. As always, we are neutral. Regardless of your feelings on the matter, we will abide by the treaty.”
A flush of pink filled her cheeks. Daelen knew she was unaccustomed to being treated as an equal, and although it angered her, he couldn’t refrain from goading her. For a moment he expected her to erupt, but then her face smoothed once again and her color returned to normal.
“I need you to do a service for me. Consider it a favor.”
“No.”
“Now Daelen, don’t be a prick. You don’t even know what I need.”
“The answer is still no.”
Lilith exhaled sharply. “I’m trying to be nice. Right now I’m asking. In a few seconds it will be an order. Are you sure you want to take me on alone?”
His eyes narrowed as he replied, “As usual, you assume too much.”
“Ah, but this is such a little thing and right up your alley. Sharelle has a human in her possession that is in need of help. This poor young girl--beautiful girl I might add--has no idea where she comes from. She’s completely lost.”
“And out of your love for humanity, you want to help her? Your tone is sweet, but the lie drips from your tongue like ichor.”
Her nose wrinkled in disgust. “How completely vulgar. Really, Daelen. I must insist you attempt to at least pretend to be civilized.”
He grunted and continued to glare at her.
“This one’s special. There is something completely different about her. It is possible she is one of yours.”
“Ha! You go too far, Lilith. There hasn’t been a druid born since the 1700’s. What game are you
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