Page 41 of Lured By the Dus
“Because you misunderstand my intentions. It was you who warned me about the innocents in Dowler, how unfair it was for them to suffer, and so I’ve removed them.”
My jaw dropped, and I stared. “By stealing them from their homes and bringing them to your lair? Who will take care of them?”
“Their parents will, if they have the good sense to follow their children and flee. As I told you, there are tunnels beneath the castle, and the one that leads out was re-opened when the tower collapsed. If the people follow it, it will take them beyond the forest and leave them on a hillside. If they walk north, eventually they’ll find a road that will lead them far, far away from here. It’s the only way.”
“Oh.” Once again, I’d misinterpreted his intentions. With a sigh, I leaned against the wall, staring at him. At some point, I’d thought I’d figured Oren out, but he continued to surprise me. Taking the children was dangerous, reckless even, but if their parents followed and they were reunited, perhaps they’d forget the horror of being forced against their will to the Piper’s doorstep.
“I did not have to do this.” He fixed me with his piercing eyes. “But I suspect a fight will break out, and the city may not survive. Indeed, I don’t believe anyone in Dowler should survive after turning a blind eye to such horrors. But that is the price of mortality. Fear. Maybe they will realize I have given them a second chance to do better. Instead of fighting evil, they let it into their midst.”
“But you’re the one they call the devil,” I said softly.
“Yes.” Moving closer, he slipped one arm around my waist, yanking me against him. He searched my face, and perhaps found what he was looking for, so he continued. “I’ve been called many names, often some form of devil because I make people pay for their actions. I force them to understand the consequences and no one likes that. But you’ve seen me at work, you’ve felt my magic, tasted my blood, you know I am no devil. That doesn’t mean I’m good. As I once told you, I’m one of the Fallen. I used to have wings and live in celestial glory, but that time has passed.”
“You were an angel?” I gasped, recalling the twin scars on his back.
He raised his eyebrows. “Another name, perhaps, but that is my past. This is my present and you, you could be my future.”
He said the last words very low, as if he dared not speak louder. I closed my eyes, hearing them ring within my very soul. I’d been furious with him until he explained, and now I understood. The end was coming for Dowler, but he’d tried to save as many as possible. Because he’d left me alone for three days, my budding faith in him had wavered.
Pressing my hand to his face, I rose on my tiptoes, brushing my lips against his, and then held his gaze. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”
With a sigh, he closed his eyes, soaking in my words, fingers threading through mine. “Tanith, the terms of our deal have been met. You are free.”
Stunned, I stared at him. Blood rushed through my ears as I realized what he’d just said. I was free to go. I spluttered for words. “But … but you said the contract of our marriage was a life bond. How can you annul it?”
“I can’t. But I keep my word. I made you a promise and I always keep my promises. You are free to go. I’d suggest you wait for the citizens to collect their children, then go with them through the tunnels. Forget Dowler, forget everything that happened here. Forget me. Start a new life.”
How? The word crashed through my mind, and I felt as though someone had punched me in the stomach. I couldn’t turn away. I couldn’t run. Tears shone in my eyes as the truth of his words sunk in. “How can I forget you and everything that happened? You’re my husband, we …” I swallowed hard, blinking away the tears. “We consummated our marriage.”
“We did,” he agreed, his voice no louder than a whisper. “I’ve ruined you, haven’t I?”
My voice rose as I protested, the lump of disappointment swelling in my throat. “I can’t just walk away from this and forget you, forget I was married, forget the plague and magic and the flute and you …”
“What are you saying, Tanith? Speaking plainly. I can’t read your mind.”
“No?” I yelled, as though he should have been able to. This was the opportunity I’d wanted ever since the idea of robbing the tomb sprang into my mind. Not only could I leave, but I’d be supported by the safety of numbers instead of alone. I could return to Solynn, start a new life, and perhaps Oren would even finance my journey. But the very idea of leaving him made my stomach clench, even though I certainly did not want to stay in Dowler.
When I did not respond immediately—because I was unsure exactly how to pinpoint and explain what I wanted—Oren went on. “I have to go. Time is wasting, and I want to strike while they are reeling in shock, before they have time to come up with a plan to strike back.”
Letting go of me, he stepped away, and I took a step after him. “Wait, I’m coming with you.”
31Tanith
Oren did not try to stop me. He moved down the hall, boots ringing out, calling over his shoulder. “If you come with me now, you will miss your chance to leave with the citizens of Dowler. I will not be able to escort you to the city.”
“I understand,” I replied. Deep inside, I wondered exactly where he was going and why he wouldn’t be available any longer. Although it was none of my business what happened to Dowler after the magic-thralls were free. After all these decades, I could not imagine what terrible things they’d do with their newfound freedom.
I followed Oren to the double doors that led into the courtyard. He opened them wide, and a roar met my ears. Shouts and cries of angry parents. My eyes widened in alarm, catching sight of pitchforks glinting in the light. A crossbow sang and rotten fruit smacked into the door. A mob of villagers were at the doorstep and they had come for blood.
“We demand our children!”
“Give them back!”
“We know you took them!”
“You’ve taken everything else from us!”
“A curse on your house.”
