To Curse the Darkness by P.G. Forte Page A

need a much larger clothes allowance if that’s what you’re expecting of me.”
    Conrad’s eyes flashed. “Just answer the question,” he snarled angrily, reminding Georgia that he was not in the best of moods.
    â€œI beg your pardon,” she murmured as she lowered her eyes and offered a respectful curtsey. “No, my lord, I have no other clothes here with me that I might change into.”
    Conrad sighed. “Then I suppose you have no choice but to continue to wear it. Have it burned as soon as you’re home—let someone else do it, don’t touch it yourself any more than you need to. And, Georgia, under no circumstances are you to try and salvage it.”
    â€œConrad…”
    â€œI understand that it’s new, and that you seem to harbor a fondness for it, but you will do as I say in this matter. Have several more made to replace it, if you like—as many as you want. I do not care how many you buy or how costly they are. You may send the bill to me.”
    â€œTo hell with dresses, Conrad! Whenever have you known me to care overmuch for such things? Tell me what’s going on—that’s what I’m really interested in. What’s this all about?”
    Conrad glanced again at Brockwell. “Do you not find it strange that, for someone as proud of his House’s reputation as Brockwell has always been, he should be accompanied here tonight by a mere fledgling—and one not even of his own making?”
    Georgia shrugged. “I found the fact that he brought just the one strange enough on its own. As I recall, he used not to go anywhere without a complete entourage. And that this single servant was not Invitus —that, too, struck me as being odd. Why bring a single slave when he could have commanded a battalion of warriors to attend him? It seems most unlike him.”
    â€œExactly.”
    Georgia eyed him curiously. “You sound very certain of something. Do you believe you know the answer to these questions?”
    â€œYes.” Conrad’s lips stretched in a horrid parody of a smile. “And, unfortunately, I find myself in agreement with Brockwell. It seems Sojinnyara’s announcement tonight was indeed premature. I fear the plague has not been entirely eradicated after all.”
    â€œWhat? You don’t think that Brockwell…? Conrad, are you certain?”
    â€œI would not have taken such care in how I killed him otherwise, nor would I be taking all these precautions now. Yes, my dear, I’m certain of it.”
    â€œSo then his ill temper tonight? And all those deaths Drew mentioned?”
    Conrad sighed. “Were a result of his illness, yes. I believe when we look into the matter, we will discover that the population of his House has been diminished to a very great extent.”
    â€œBut why?”
    â€œIt is likely that, in an attempt to prolong his own life, he has killed off not just those who angered him, but also anyone strong enough to challenge him, as well as those whose blood he might have hoped would sustain him.”
    â€œThat would include his Invitus , I suppose?”
    â€œI’m sure they were the first to go.”
    â€œAnd when did you realize all of this?”
    Conrad’s lips twisted into a grimace of distaste. “Not until it was almost too late. I was sadly remiss. That mad gleam in his eyes should have alerted me much sooner, for I have seen that look too many times over the years. That, combined with his reckless behavior, was enough to leave me suspicious. However, it wasn’t until he was dead and the scent of his blood reached my nose that I was absolutely certain. For that, too, is something I have become acquainted with.”
    â€œHis blood?” Georgia gasped. “Oh, Conrad, no! You did not drink it?”
    Conrad glared at her. “What is wrong with you? Were you not here to observe that I did not? As I just said, I took great care in