Page 92 of Kiss of Light

Lemar felt another wave of nausea roll over him as he boarded the Spider. He had slipped into the castle kitchen before their departure to see if he could find any fresh meat. Even off-cuts for the dogs would do.

But all he’d been able to scrounge was some raw mince. He’d sucked what precious few juices he could from it, then wolfed the rest. It wasn’t enough digestible iron, but it took the edge off.

Feeling the prying stares of the kitchen staff on his back, he’d turned slowly and deliberately, allowing his canines to lengthen as he smiled. The servants had scrambled to disappear.

Now, as he sank into a seat on board the travelling behemoth, he struggled to hide the effects of his iron deprivation from Tala.

She was a tough one to hide things from.

“You look pale,” she said critically.

“I’m a night-dweller. It’s my default position.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m fine.”

“Lemar, you can feed from me. It’s okay, really.”

The thought of pinning her down and sinking his fangs into her succulent flesh while she writhed beneath him… he shook his head irritably.

“I said I’m fine. Let’s go.”

The moon was low in the sky as Tala uttered the words to close the hatch and start the Spider on its journey. It lurched up, trundled round until it faced the right direction, then sprang forward.

It was indeed a lot like being on a ship. Or on a camel with too many limbs. The Spider’s eight legs propelled it along with a smooth rocking gait which Tala rather enjoyed.

She opened a metal shutter and gazed out, surprised by how fast they were moving. Even horses at full gallop would have trouble keeping up.

“I wonder if we can travel on the roof of this thing?” she wondered out loud. “That would be fun.”

“It would also give our enemies something to aim at.”

“What enemies? No-one knows you’re here.”

“Ravij does,” Lemar pointed out. “He’s had plenty of time to get back to Nush’aldaam by another Gate. My guess is Salaq is already trying to find us.”

He was right. Tala sank back into her chair. She picked up a silken cushion and started to pick at a loose thread.

“Why don’t you want to feed from me?”

“I don’t want to discuss it.”

“You’re pissed off by our conversation earlier.”

“Tala,” Lemar said wearily, “you’re not listening to me. I don’t need to feed.”

“There’s no fucking point taking you to Palissandra if you starve to death before we get there.”

“Hardly likely. We’ll be there in two days.”

“And you haven’t eaten for nearly a week.”

“For the last time. I am fine. My hunger is under control. But my temper won’t be if you keep goading me.”

His voice was cold, his eyes even colder. A tiny chill ran down her spine as her instinctive self-preservation kicked in.

“Fine. Suit yourself.”

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