Page 72 of The Howling
His hand continues its descent. I don’t flinch. I don’t even take my eyes from his.
“Barghest males regularly enjoy each other when they are unmated,” I say evenly. “A Barghest pack is a happy pack.”
I shift my position as far as I’m able, shoving myself at him.
He withdraws his hand in a movement which indicates he was not expecting my response. Disgust fills me at this creature, deeper and more violent than ever.
The Faerie think they can take whatever they want. He thought he could do to me what Lord Guyzance attempted to do with my sweet Wynter.
“You have no pack and you will have no mate,” he growls. “I marry her in the morning. If you ever want to see her again, you’ll think on my offer.”
“What offer?”
“Tell the Reaper you belong to me. And maybe I’ll let you join in with me and my wife.”
WYNTER
Ipull on the clothing Lilburn has for me. No dresses this time. I don’t even want to look at a dress. Instead there’s a pair of trousers in black leather and strong canvas which mould to my form but incorporate a number of useful, functional pockets, a shirt, and a jacket to match the trousers. I will always take enchanted clothing over lycra any day.
Finally, I pull on a pair of long boots which feel like they were made for my feet.
The ghostly form of Lorelei looks on with concern. Lilburn explained that she is only here, in this odd hermitage, carved out of solid rock, because it’s still within the grounds of Reavely’s castle and she has the strongest connection to the place.
“Are we sure this Lord Soulis definitely has Reavely?” I ask Lilburn.
“He needs at least one monster to gain full control of Queen Mab’s old position. He can’t take the wyrm, no one can, the Brag is in the Night Lands, Linton is…not in his employ and as for the Shellycoat…” Lilburn flexes her hands.
“The Shellycoat works for whomsoever he chooses, presumably he turned Soulis down.” Lorelei says.
I look between both of them. “Leaving Reavely?”
“He’s the only one with something to lose.” Lilburn says, averting her gaze from Lorelei.
I heave out a sigh. Looks like both Lilburn and Lorelei were right, thereisonly me left to get Reavely out of whatever situation he’s found himself in.
And if he came for me, then I will always come for him. Even if, I heartily suspect, he would prefer I didn’t.
“How do we get to Lord Soulis’s fortress from here?” I ask Lilburn. “Without rendering me unconscious again?” I give her a baleful look.
“Most creatures survive a portaling without passing out,” she huffs.
“I’m not most creatures. Have you portaled with a human before?”
“No.” She glares at me, mirth dancing in her eyes. “Why in the Yeavering would I do that?”
She hands me a small jewelled dagger. I tuck it down my boot.
“Oh, I don’t know,” I retort. “Practice?”
Lilburn snorts a laugh and Lorelei’s titter tinkles in the air.
“The Hedley Kow is a creature of mischief, not transport,” Lorelei says. “Unless it was worth her while to trick a human, she wouldn’t use the energy.”
Lilburn nods sagely.
“So, if this Lord Soulis has a fortress on the other side of the Yeavering, how are we to get there without it taking forever?”
“There’s a portal.” Lilburn gives me a dirty look. “I think I can probably activate it if the Faerie haven’t messed with it too much.” Lilburn tucks a loaf of bread and a hunk of orange cheese into a leather bag which she slings round her neck.
