Page 49 of Shadowlands Omega

“Not that they exist.”

“Your denial, if anything, serves as confirmation.”

Fire. Dear gods. Is her whole family infused with it? Kiandah is simply the visible spark. “You are a bold female. You think you deserve such an honor?”

“I never much understood concepts of honor, my Lord. I can’t buy anything with it and alone, it has no power. Information has power. That’s what I want and I’m good at getting it. I want to be rewarded for my hard work.”

It all comes together. “That is why you sought placements in the castle. And when you were denied, you found another provider. And since you are eager to join the Black Cloaks, it’s clear you have no issue with slaughtering for your own gain.”

“I didn’t slaughter for Trash City. I transported the bodies. That’s all.” She may be lying. She may be. And I cannot tell. She is a dangerous female and if I did not have need of her, I would kill her myself, break her neck and throw her down the stairs right here, and tell Kiandah it was an accident.

I resume walking and hear Owenna move in line just behind me. A dangerous place for a female like that. “You will have your colors, Owenna, if you can bring Trash City to me or if you are able to ascertain actionable information as to the whereabouts of the bodies they’ve stolen. Anything less and you’ll be bound to the kitchens forever. No one will ever know how clever you truly are.” I turn down the hallway leading to my chambers. “Or how ruthless.”

Owenna doesn’t respond immediately, she doesn’t need to. My terms are final, a threat, yes, but also an opportunity for us both. “Why me? Why offer me a chance to commit the same treason that once relegated me to the dungeons, this time for reward?”

“Because I am running out of time. I intend to take Kiandah for a wife and I want to do it knowing that she is safe. My Riders are too obvious in their searches and my Black Cloaks have thus far been unsuccessful. They’ve found whispers, but not their provenance. You are the only one I know that’s alive, that’s done business with Trash City directly. I could torture you for information on their whereabouts, but I believe a mutually beneficial solution may yield quicker results. And torture is a messy process. I don’t think Kiandah would want to fuck me anymore if she discovered I’d ripped your intestines out through your belly button and strangled you with them…”

Owenna balks. “You…ancestors be…you can’t talk about my sister like that in front of me. Regardless of what you think, she’s still my little sister…”

“And she’ll be my wife. I suppose I do owe you a debt of gratitude for that. If you hadn’t traded your soul for a few pieces of silver, I’d never have been thrust into her path and would have lived and died without ever having tasted her, and the taste of her…” I suck in a breath through clenched teeth. “It is exquisite.” We have climbed the stairs and made it to the east hall. Up ahead, the stairs climb to my private quarters. “We’re almost there now. It goes without saying, you’ll tell no one about our arrangement.”

“I won’t, my Lord.”

“You have four weeks. I expect some results by the time the next blood moon rises, either on locating Trash City and where they’ve gone, or what has happened to the bodies they’ve absconded with.”

She glares at me and it’s a powerful thing. I cock my head to the side.

“How much do you know, Owenna? Do you know what’s become of the corpses?”

“I don’t for certain, but I have my suspicions.”

She presses her lips together and I nod, deciding. “When you leave the keep, you will do so with an escort. My Crimson Rider Siphowill accompany you.”

“He’ll only slow me down and arouse suspicion.”

“And yet, I believe you are a woman of wiles. I believe you will find a way to make it work regardless. Find me what I want, Owenna, and you will have it — power. Softer, but perhaps even more than mine.”

Her eyes flash and she nods. I nod again in response as we begin our ascent to my chambers. “You and your family will join Kiandah and me in the village tomorrow where I plan to address your family’s crimes. A contingent of Riders will come for you around noon. Be ready then.”

Reaching my chamber doors, I turn from Owenna and shove the door open with my shoulder. I place the tray on the sideboard just inside of the room and turn to take the wine and jug from Owenna, but she pulls them back to her chest and tries to look around my body. “My Lord?”

“Yes?”

“Can I see her?”

Something softens in me towards this battle-hardened female, this viper in the grasses. I open the door, allowing her entry. She goes straight to the bed and places the wine on the small table abutting it. She stands next to Okayo, reaching past him to give her sister a prolonged hug before ascertaining whether or not she’s okay.

She’s fine. Okayo has finished with her stitching and has placed a small bandage above her eye and across her palms. I imagine she has others on her stomach, though perhaps the wounds were superficial. I am soothed by the warmth that radiates from between the two women as I approach. Okayo comes to me, his supplies packed away already.

“I was just waiting for your return,” he says.

“She will live, then?”

“Very well, if I’m judging by the look on your face right now.”

I shoot him a glare, but it’s mocking.

He smiles and gives me an exaggerated bow before I roll my eyes and nod, dismissing him.

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