Dragonvein (12 page)

Chapter Six

T
he door to
the two story bordello flew open with a mighty crash from Jared’s kick. As he stormed inside, the dozen or so girls gathered there gasped in unison at the sight of their infuriated boss and scrambled to get out of his way.

He paused after a few steps to survey the area. To his right was a small waiting room with cheaply made chairs and a few small tables scattered about. Empty mugs and wine bottles left over from the previous night’s activities littered every available surface, and the scent of stale beer saturated the air.

“Get off your lazy asses and clean this place up!” he roared. “It’s disgusting in here.”

The girls instantly obeyed, rapidly clearing the tables and straightening the chairs. Still scowling, Jared continued on until he reached a door at the far end. He tried the handle, but it was locked.

“Brutis is still sleeping,” said a tiny voice behind him.

Spinning around, Jared let his hand fly. It connected hard with the cheek of a young blond girl no more than twenty years old. Her thin frame was sent sprawling to the floor. With tears in her eyes, she scurried across the stained carpet into the nearest corner. Jared watched her cower with satisfaction.

“Brutis!” he yelled, banging on the door.

There was the sound of a muffled curse from inside, followed by a loud crash. A few seconds later the door cracked open and a head poked halfway out. Brutis was at least a full foot taller than Jared, with close cropped black hair and a square jaw.

“Get up and get the boys together,” ordered Jared.

Brutis rubbed his eyes. “What happened?”

“Specter,” he spat. “That’s what happened. He’s crossed me for the last time.”

“You’re going to kill Specter?” asked Brutis.

“No,” he replied. “You are.”

Brutis heaved a sigh. “Are you sure you…?”

“I don’t pay you to ask questions, you lumbering moron,” Jared snapped. “Just do what you’re told.”

Having issued his orders, he turned on his heels and headed to the stairs, muttering curses along the way. He paused halfway up and snapped his fingers. The room instantly went silent.

“When I come back down, this place had damn well better be clean,” he warned.

With the girls feverishly redoubling their efforts, he continued upstairs and down a long hall lined on either side by poorly furnished bedrooms. After turning right, he unlocked a door at the far end.

His office was as much a mess as the rest of the bordello. Old wine bottles and papers were strewn carelessly all over the tables and floor. A bookshelf positioned in the far right corner doubled up as a liquor cabinet. After snatching a half empty bottle, he plopped down into a chair behind his desk.

“What’s wrong, Jared?” came a familiar voice from behind a small couch in the left corner. “Did you miss me that much?”

He leapt up, at the same time grabbing a small dagger from his desk drawer.

Kat stepped into view and took a seat on the couch. “No need for that.”

“I should skin you alive!” he shouted. “Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused me?” He took a menacing step toward her.

Kat smiled. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a pain. But that’s over now. I’m back for good.”

Jared huffed. “You think you can just walk into my office after what you did and all will be forgiven?”

“If you want me to leave…” She moved to get up.

The dagger came flying across the room, its point burying into the floor right next to Kat’s feet. “You’re not going anywhere.”

She jumped back and hugged her knees.

Jared chuckled while crossing the room and retrieving the dagger. “That’s better.”

He loomed over Kat until he was content she was sufficiently cowed, then took a seat beside her. “Now then…what to do with you?”

By now, Kat’s hands were trembling. “I’ve heard about a shipment of copper coming in this week. I can…”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “Hush, my dear. Now that you’re a woman, your stealing days are over. But you knew that before you came here, didn’t you?”

She nodded weakly.

Jared brushed a stray hair away from her face and smiled. “Don’t be frightened. You’ll like it here. I can protect you…keep you safe.” He shifted closer. “You just don’t know how upset it used to make me, knowing that you were on the streets all by yourself. There’s no telling what could have happened to you out there.”

A single tear fell down her cheek. “But I don’t…I mean…I’ve never…” Her voice trailed off.

“Don’t worry about that,” he reassured her. “I’ll show you everything you need to know.” He leaned in to kiss her, but Kat jumped up from the couch and backed away.

Jared’s face flashed with anger, but quickly softened. “I understand. I’ve seen this before.” He got up and went to his desk. “I have just the thing.” Reaching into the drawer, he produced a small tin box.

Kat’s eyes shot wide. “Please. I don’t want
daiva.
”

“All the girls use it,” he replied. “A little bit won’t hurt you, I promise. It will just make things…easier.”

Kat moved behind the couch and picked up a small bundle. “Can’t we drink this instead? I got it for you just before I came.”

Jared frowned. “Did you now?”

She approached the desk and set down the bundle. Jared stared at it for a moment before unwrapping it.

He picked up the bottle inside and held it at eye level. “Harbor Fields,” he remarked. “Twenty years old. Very nice.” He studied the cork and seal carefully before removing them.

Kat laughed. “Do you think I’m trying to poison you?”

Jared took two cups from the cabinet. “Perhaps. We’ll see soon enough.” He poured the wine and handed her a cup.

Without hesitation, she drained it dry and let out an appreciative sigh. Her tongue ran over her lips seductively. “Mmmm! More please.”

Smirking, Jared poured her another. He watched with eager anticipation as she drank half of the second cup, her eyes staring into his the entire time.

“You’re going to be quite popular,” he said. Sitting down at the desk again, he patted his leg.

After another gulp of wine, she settled onto his lap.

“By the way. How did you get in here?” he asked.

“Don’t worry,” she replied. “Soon you’ll know all of my little secrets.”

Jared tried to kiss her again, but she put the cup to her lips to prevent him.

“Men don’t like being teased, my dear,” he scolded, kissing her exposed neck gently.

Kat giggled and hopped up from his lap. “That tickles.”

Jared reached out, but she danced away and jumped playfully onto the couch. He stood up and took the bottle. After pouring himself a cup, he ambled across the room and stood over her.

“You know, Kat, some men don’t like girls who aren’t…how should I put it?” He pointed to her shirt. “Endowed with womanly attributes. Not me, mind you. I like it that way.”

She lowered her eyes, her face flushing with embarrassment. It was true that her body had only just begun to develop. Since it had, she had made a habit of wearing loose fitting shirts and blouses to hide the fact.

Jared slipped down beside her. “You can’t be this shy when you’re working. You know that, don’t you?”

Kat met his eyes. “Don’t worry. I won’t be.”

He drained the cup and tossed it carelessly on the floor. “Of course, if you please me, I may just keep you all to myself. Would you like that?”

She smiled sheepishly. “I might. What would I have to do?”

He placed his hand on her leg. “That’s what I’m about to…to…”

His words faltered. Suddenly, his brow creased and his mouth twisted into a pained frown.

Kat’s smile never faded. “Is something wrong? Don’t you think I’m pretty?”

Jared leaned back. His hands were shaking and his face was turning deathly pale. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.

She stood up. This time,
she
was looming over him. “I’m sorry, Jared. I don’t think I’ll be letting you put your grimy little hands on me ever again.”

With eyes now wide with fear, he struggled to move but only managed to topple over onto his side. Kat lifted him back into an upright position.

“I have a confession to make,” she said. “I
did
poison you. But it wasn’t
in
the bottle, it was
on it
. You were done the moment you took the wrapping off and touched it.”

Jared gave a soft moan. “Oh, don’t worry,” Kat continued. “The poison’s not lethal. It will only paralyze you for a few hours. You see, I needed your full attention, and this was the only way I could get it.”

She knelt in front of him. “When you imagined me on my knees, I bet this wasn’t what you had in mind.” She rested her chin on his leg and grinned spitefully. “And to think I used to be so scared of you. It makes you feel good when women are afraid, doesn’t it? I’ve seen the way you smile when you beat your whores bloody and make them beg for you to stop.”

Kat reached down and pulled a short dagger from her belt. Jared renewed his attempts to move, but his efforts were futile. Slowly, she dragged the tip of the blade along his inner thigh, stopping just before the outline of his manhood.

“Is this what you wanted to put in me?” she asked.

Again he let out a moan, his eyes begging for mercy. She clicked her tongue. “What’s wrong, Jared? Afraid I’m going to cut it off?”

She pressed the blade down until it pierced his flesh, but only slightly. “Is this what gives you the right to hurt women? This tiny piece of useless meat? Is that where your power comes from?”

She pulled the dagger away and stood up. Jared breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

“Lucky for you, I’m not as cruel as you are.” She walked to his desk and took a coin purse from the drawer. “You don’t mind, do you? I’ll need some extra gold after I’m gone.”

At that moment heavy footfalls could be heard coming down the hall. Jared’s eyes darted to the door and then back to Kat. A few seconds later there was a knock. The door slowly swung open to reveal Brutis, now dressed in a black leather vest and pants. He stepped inside.

Jared glared at Kat triumphantly.

“Are you not done with him yet?” Brutis asked.

“Give me one more minute,” Kat replied.

Jared’s triumph instantly turned to sheer terror.

Brutis frowned. “You sure you can go through with it?”

Kat’s eyes settled on Jared and she flashed a wicked smile. “I’m sure.”

Brutis gave a sharp nod and left the room.

“I should have mentioned it earlier,” Kat said, once he had gone. “Brutis really didn’t care too much for what you wanted to do to me. It didn’t take a lot to convince him that he would be better off running things around here.” She folded her arms. “Didn’t it occur to you that someone must have let me in here? I’m a good thief, but your office has a
very
good lock.”

She walked slowly across the room and sat beside him. “Right now you might be wondering why I’m doing this. Why have I gone to all this trouble? Well, the reason is simple. After two years of living in fear. Two years of beatings. Two years of dreading the day I would become a woman…I feel I owe you something. And after all – a princess always pays her debts.”

She took a moment to gaze at the dagger gripped lightly in her hand. “Goodbye, Jared.”

In a single swift motion she slit Jared’s throat. The poison kept him from jerking and sputtering as the blood poured from the wound and soaked his shirt. Kat stood up and watched impassively as the light faded from his eyes.

She thought about the moment she had plunged the dagger through Hank’s neck. After that she’d been unsure of how to feel. This time it was different. This time she would not be tormented by regret and uncertainty. This time…it was justice.

Kat wiped the dagger on Jared’s pants and put it away. She gave one final glance over her shoulder just before leaving the room. Jared’s blood was now pooling at his feet.

She sneered hatefully at her one time boss and abuser. “Goodbye…and good riddance.”

Chapter Seven

E
than shielded his
eyes from the morning sun that was cresting the top of the buildings. He took a deep cleansing breath. Even the stench of the city was preferable to the smell of stale beer and vomit that permeated the air inside the Hareesh headquarters.

A tall thin man wearing a green cloak with the hood thrown back was waiting in a wagon a few yards away. His black, stringy hair and narrow set eyes made him look almost sickly and frail.

Specter prodded his captives forward. “Don’t let his looks fool you,” he said quietly, reading Ethan’s expression. “Thaddeus is about as deadly as they come.”

“You think they’ll give us a problem?” Thaddeus asked him when they drew closer

“Not if they want to see tomorrow,” he replied.

“We won’t cause you any trouble,” assured Jonas.

Ethan could almost see the wheels turning in Jonas’ mind. For a short time they would be unshackled in order to pass through the city gates without raising suspicion. But he doubted they would remain free for very long after that. Whatever they were going to do, it would need to be done before the chains were put back on.

Specter pointed for Jonas to join Thaddeus in the front and Ethan to get in the rear. “Remember old man,” he warned. “If you say one bloody word when we reach the gates, you’ll get a dagger through your neck the instant after I gut your young friend.”

Thaddeus snapped the reins and the wagon lurched forward. The closer they came to the gate, the more crowded the street became. Soon the wagon was moving at no more than a mere crawl. For a short time Ethan gave serious consideration to jumping off and making a run for it, but Specter was watching his every move. Besides, even if he was lucky enough to get away, he knew that it would likely be a death sentence for Jonas. He could not risk that.

It took them nearly an hour to reach the main gate. There was a line of several wagons and men on horseback on the right hand side of the avenue, while those passing through on foot were to the left. Dozens of armed men, some city guards and others Imperial soldiers, were scattered about checking everyone’s cargo and travel papers.

Specter whispered a curse. “Damn Imperials.” He retrieved two pieces of folded parchment and gave them to Ethan and Jonas. “These are better than the trash you paid for. Even so, say nothing unless you’re asked directly.”

A city guard approached their wagon. He looked up at the group with a scowl. “So where are you off to, Specter?”

He jumped down, a broad smile plastered across his scarred face. “Nowhere special, Captain. Off running errands.”

Ethan noticed him press something into the guard’s palm.

“What’s with all the soldiers?” Specter asked.

The guard shot a disdainful glance over his shoulder to where a group of Imperials were searching a large wagon. “You haven’t heard? Some idiot killed three of their men the other day. Needless to say, they’re not too pleased about it.”

“What fool would do that, I wonder?” Specter responded, shaking his head.

The guard shrugged. “Who knows? Probably best that you’re leaving the city though. Sooner or later they’ll be at the Hareesh’s door asking questions.” He eyed Specter with sudden suspicion. “You’d tell me if you knew anything, of course.”

Specter laughed. “You know I would. I always try to help you and your friends, Captain.”

The man held his gaze for a few more seconds before relaxing. “I’d stay out of town for a bit if I were you. Things are getting pretty tense around here.”

Specter nodded and jumped back into the wagon. The guard took one final look at the others and then waved them through.

Once beyond the gate, Thaddeus let out an exaggerated sigh.

“What’s wrong?” teased Specter. “A bit too much excitement for you?”

He sniffed. “You’re just lucky we didn’t get searched by an Imperial. I doubt your gold and wit would have gotten us past one of
them
.”

Specter grinned. “I’ll take luck over skill any day.”

“Where exactly are you taking us?” asked Jonas, breaking into their conversation.

“Thinking of escape are you?” scoffed Specter with obvious humor. “In that case, I’ll tell you. I’m taking you fifty miles north to the Imperial garrison. Not that knowing this will do you much good.”

He reached into a sack just behind the driver’s seat. Ethan heard the clank of metal, and before he could protest, a set of shackles had been snapped securely around his wrists.

Specter leaned back with a look of smug satisfaction. “That’s better. Flee if you like, old man. I won’t even try to stop you. But you’ll have to leave your young friend behind.”

Jonas turned to look hard at Ethan.

Specter chuckled. “He’s thinking about it, boy. Some friend
he
is.”

Jonas’ shoulders sagged.

Thaddeus was also amused. “Don’t feel too bad,” he remarked. “He wouldn’t have really let you escape.”

“Sure I would,” said Specter. “The old man is worthless to me. It’s the boy they want.”

Thaddeus twisted around to face him. “And why would you say that?”

“That’s not your concern,” Specter replied sharply. “You’re just here to see that the boss gets his cut.”

Thaddeus grunted. “And mine too.” He snapped the reins, pressing the horses to go faster.

For the next few hours they traveled in complete silence. Specter sat with arms folded, his eyes never leaving Ethan. Once again Ethan couldn’t help but feel there was something familiar about the man. But he knew this was impossible. Not only would he have remembered meeting someone with such pronounced scars and rough appearance, Specter was from Lumnia, so they could never have met before.

It was now well beyond midday, and Ethan could no longer bear the silence. “What happened to your face?” he asked.

“Way ho!” cried Thaddeus. “Did I just hear what I think I heard? Did someone dare to ask Specter about his scars?”

Specter was not amused. “It doesn’t matter how I got them, boy. And if you ask me again, I’ll give
you
some to match.”

Ethan met Specter’s hard stare without flinching. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just wondered.”

“Best you hold your tongue,” Specter warned him. “So far as I’ve seen it gets you into nothing but trouble.”

“Maybe you should cut it out?” suggested Thaddeus.

“Maybe you should close your mouth as well,” Specter snapped back.

Thaddeus mumbled something incoherent, but kept his attention on driving the horses.

That evening they pulled the wagon off the road and built a small fire. Thaddeus produced a bottle of wine and a portion of roasted lamb from a pack, neither of which he offered to share.

Specter secured Ethan to a thin pine tree using a short chain and lock. This done, he tied Jonas’ hands and feet with rope and propped him up beside Ethan.

“I’ll untie you in the morning,” he said. “And I suggest you seriously consider abandoning your young friend. His fate is sealed. Yours is not.”

He gave each of them a piece of bread and a flask of water. Ethan hadn’t realized how hungry he was and devoured the meager repast in mere seconds.

Specter and Thaddeus sat close to the fire talking in whispers. Thaddeus glanced across at Ethan several times, pointing and shaking his head. Soon it was obvious that they were in a heated, albeit quiet argument.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” asked Ethan.

Jonas shifted into a slightly more comfortable position. “It doesn’t matter. The only thing I’m concerned with is how we’re going to get out of this mess.”

“I don’t want you getting yourself killed over me,” said Ethan. “You should take him up on his offer and go.”

Jonas gave him a sideways glance. “I doubt the offer is sincere. And even if it is, I have a duty to perform.”

Regardless of what Ethan had felt about Jonas previously, at that moment he was forced to admire his courage. “Thank you,” he said.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he replied. “All of my plans to break free relied on us both being tied with rope. I have nothing with which to loose your chains.”

Ethan’s heart sank. He had hoped Jonas was just biding his time. He twisted his wrists and pulled, but the shackles were too tight. He looked across at his captors. Specter had stood up and was glaring down at Thaddeus, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“Try it and you won’t live long enough to spend your bounty,” said Thaddeus, his voice suddenly louder.

After another tense moment, Specter turned sharply away and stormed off into the night.

“Right now would have been a perfect time to escape,” remarked Jonas.

“How would you have done it?” asked Ethan.

“I can start small fires with magic, remember? Burning through a bit of rope wouldn’t be much of a challenge.”

Ethan looked again at the shackles and grunted with frustration. “This is just the sort of thing Markus would know how to handle. There wasn’t a pair of handcuffs anywhere in the world that he couldn’t get out of.”

“I don’t suppose he showed you how to do it?” asked Jonas.

Ethan’s head drooped. “No. He was going to, but there wasn’t time.” He pictured his friend’s smiling face. “Right now, I’d give anything to have him here.”

“Right now, I’d settle for the street urchin,” added Jonas, chuckling softly. “I bet
she
could get you free.”

“Maybe, but Markus would never have run out on us. I wish I knew what happened to him. It breaks my heart to think about him here all alone.”

“I’m sure he was all right,” said Jonas.

“I hope so. He was the best friend I ever had.” A sad smile formed. “One time, right after we got to England, he saved my life in a South London pub. One of the locals tried to kill me.”

“Why?”

“He thought I was hitting on his girl. And let me tell you, this guy was huge – literally twice my size. Anyway, I was trying to explain to him that I had only asked her if she knew the bartender’s name, but he didn’t believe me. Actually, I think the guy just didn’t like Americans and wanted an excuse to fight.”

“What’s an American?” asked Jonas.

Ethan couldn’t help but laugh at the question. “I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s a dumb story anyway.”

“Finish it,” said Jonas. His voice was unusually kind. “I want to hear it.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

Ethan sighed before continuing. “First of all the guy pushed me up against the bar, so I hit him as hard as I could. But like I said, he was
really
big. It didn’t have any effect. He just smiled at me and pulled out a knife. Markus was using the bathroom at the time, so I was all alone and scared out of my wits. I tried to apologize, but this freak giant just spat at me and called me a Yank bastard. He had me by the throat and was just about to stick the knife in when Markus ran up behind and busted one of those big heavy beer mugs over his head. Must have hit just the right spot because it damn near knocked him out cold. Three of his mates jumped up from the bar, but we were already out the door and away down the street before anyone could stop us.”

He smiled broadly while picturing the moment.

“It sounds like he was a good friend,” said Jonas. “I am truly sorry you lost him.”

“I swore I would never let him down,” said Ethan. “But I did, didn’t I? I left him to die in this God awful world.”

“You know that’s not true,” said Jonas. “What happened to him was beyond your control.”

“I know. But I still feel like I should have done something.”

The sound of footfalls halted their conversation. Specter appeared and stood over them for a moment. He said nothing, but there was anger still burning in his eyes.

“Come to your senses yet?” Thaddeus called over.

Specter moved away and sat down alongside him by the fire. “Yes, I think I have.”

Thaddeus was still smirking over an imagined psychological victory when, in a motion too quick for the eye to follow, Specter thrust a long dagger up under his chin and deep into his brain. The man’s muscles seized instantly and he toppled stiffly over onto his back.

Ethan and Jonas stared in stunned horror.

After a few moments Specter got up and walked over to Ethan. Still gripping the bloodied dagger in his free hand, he grabbed Ethan’s shackles and jerked him forward.

“Don’t!” pleaded Jonas.

“Quiet, old man,” Specter growled.

He buried the blade in the ground and produced a key from his belt. “You must be losing your memory,” he told Ethan sharply. “I hit him with a wine bottle…not a bloody beer mug.”

Ethan blinked and stared, his mouth agape, scarcely noticing that his shackles were being removed.

“Markus?” was the only word he found himself able to utter.

His old friend stood up and turned his back. “My name is Specter.”