The Sanction (14 page)

“
When do we leave?” Rhys
voice took on a businesslike note once again – a General awaiting
his instruction.

Graeme sighed. “Tomorrow at daybreak.
You will travel during the daylight hours. The Scouts will not be
suspicious of one that travels with a pregnant female, so there
should be no trouble.”

Rhys compressed his lips in a thin
line, but nodded all the same. “What of food? It is a four day ride
to the glen. If she hunts there, the people are bound to
notice.”

Graeme had already considered that.
“You will stay with her.” Rhys inhaled sharply, about to protest.
He beat him to it swiftly. “She needs sustenance. There is
livestock at the village. Her thirst grows with each passing day.
She must be fed.”

“
But the people
-”

“
Will be none the wiser if
things are done discreetly.”

Rhys’ jaw clenched. “I hope you know
what you are doing Graeme.”

“
This will work.”

“
And if it does not? What if
her presence is discovered by the Scouts? Or the
Hunters?”

“
Then head for the Grampian
Pass.”

Rhys face paled considerably. “Are you
insane? No one has used that bridge in decades and for good
reason.”

Graeme stood and rested a heavy hand on
his shoulder. “You are an exceptional general, and an even better
friend. It is imperative you do everything in your power to secure
her life. When the battle is over, I will find you.”

Rhys nodded understanding and hesitated
before turning away. Graeme exhaled heavily and strode through the
doorway that led into the main hall. There was a light tension in
the atmosphere, as if all of the men and women who went about their
tasks suspected his intent. Still, they knew that something
monumental was happening. Why else would the Scouts be guarding the
stronghold so viciously? Why else would they work so tirelessly
night and day to ensure that the outer walls were secured, and the
entrance of the inner gate was thoroughly reinforced? The muscle in
his jaw ticked several times before he ventured into the yard. The
sun sank low in the western sky, caught between the wintry haze of
steel blue skies and the dusky horizon.

The air had lost some of its sting, a
testament that spring would soon come. The journey that was
required of Amarinda was a treacherous one, especially given her
present condition. Still, there was no one short of himself he
trusted more than Rhys. With each passing day he grew restless. The
vampires would attack soon. They would brave suicide and attempt to
breech the stone walls of the fortress…and he would have to explain
to the masses why. Graeme was not fool enough to believe that there
would be any consideration to be had if the truth were told. They
would consider the mating a betrayal, and would kill them all. The
thought of his offspring harmed caused an intangible ache somewhere
in the center of his chest. Uncomfortably he rubbed the area and
huffed, grieved that he must manipulate those that trusted him the
most to protect his family.

So caught up in thought he did not
notice the man that approached until he was standing three feet
away. Tall and stocky, Graeme’s brows furrowed as he tried to call
into memory the stranger. He appeared to be as any other warrior –
scared and weary. Still, his hands were fisted and his shoulders
tense. The hackles on the back of his neck stood an end. The pair
of deep set brown eyes that met his were not those of a Were. This
man was human. And he was very afraid.

“
Who do you
seek?”

The stranger’s eyes darted this way and
that before he dared to take another step. “Graeme.”

“
You’ve found him.” He
swallowed with some difficulty and glanced over his shoulder.
Graeme frowned and followed his gaze before shifting impatiently.
“What is it that you want man?”

“
I’ve been asked to deliver
a message for you, from the woman’s family.”

Graeme nodded toward the hall in a
gesture for him to follow. Enclosed once more in the privacy of the
solar he turned to his guest abruptly. “I am listening.”

The man shifted this way and that
before finally scratching behind his head nervously. “Her father
wants a meeting tonight – the witching hour at the same location as
before.”

Graeme studied him well, arms folded
across the width of his chest. “Of what assurance can you give that
this meeting will not be met with treachery?”

He searched thoroughly in the pocket of
his leather trousers and presented a heavy metal ring that boasted
the Cronus seal in exquisite detail. Graeme held it tightly for a
brief moment before turning aside.

“
What was the price for
coming here?” he queried by the way.

The man’s voice cracked only once.
“That my family be spared.”

Graeme grunted and nodded slowly.
“Break bread with us tonight. You are safe here. Tomorrow you will
return.”

The messenger nodded and turned away
anxiously before hustling out the room. Darkness descended in slow
degrees. His thoughts were centered on what he must do tonight.
There was the distinct possibility that he just might be walking
into a trap. He turned away and studied the emblem in the fading
sunlight. He would not be naive and put trust in the vampires’
gesture of goodwill. Decision made, he ventured into the dining
room and gestured for the General to join him on the stair. Rhys
opened his mouth to protest then shut it just as quickly when all
was explained.

“
There was almost a
blood-bath the last time,” he muttered instead. “I do not
understand his need for secrecy. Why send the human when thus far
they have been using their own emissaries? I do not like the scent
of this.”

Graeme nodded. “Nor do I. But I am
curious, and if they are focused on the meeting, we shall take the
opportunity to move her tonight.”

Rhys’ sigh resonated in the still air.
“It is a trap.”

“
I shall be well prepared
for such.”

The man nodded and stiffened, his face
a mask of determination. “If you insist that you must go, then let
me accompany you.”

Graeme laid a heavy hand on his
shoulder and offered what could have passed as a smile. “You are
entrusted with the most important part of this plan. If it is
indeed a trap, and I have no doubt that it is, then she would be
safe away from here and the hunters, if only until I can think of
something more…permanent. Gather the men you trust. Tell them only
what is necessary and have them await my summons at midnight. You
leave with her posthaste.”

Rhys ground his teeth and turned away,
his controlled fury matching the stubborn set of his shoulders.
Graeme took the winding stairwell two at a time. He found her
brushing the tangles out of her lustrous curls. She met his eyes in
the mirror and her brows furrowed at the concern she read on his
face. Slowly, the brush was laid aside.

“
Something is
amiss.”

He wasted no time on pleasantries.
“Plans have been changed. You leave within the hour.”

Stunned, she rose to her feet. His eyes
fell to the swell of her stomach. Beneath the fall of fabric, the
movement of the babe was prominent. “One night can hardly make a
difference.”

“
War may be upon us. You
need to travel while you can. Rhys will see you settled well, and
will stay with you until I join you.”

Concern shadowed her face. Her eyes
scanned his features for several long moments, looking for more
detail than he offered. The determined set of his jaw convinced
her. She nodded compliance and turned to gather the thick furs that
were littered across the bed. The slight tremble of her hand was
not lost to his sharp eyes. “You will kill many of them…my
family…”

He heard the pitch of her voice and
moved to stand behind her. “They come for you. I cannot let that
happen. They will kill every man, woman and child within these
walls and raze the castle to the ground. It is my duty to protect
what belongs to me.”

“
The horde belonged to you
before I did.” Her broken whisper was met with tears. Graeme
clenched his jaw impatiently. “So many lives will be lost…because
of my decision to stay.”

“
It was not my decision to
be mated to a vampire, but here you are.” He threaded his fingers
through her hair and studied her face thoroughly. “I do what I
must.”

“
And the horde? The women?
The children?”

“
The women and children will
be taken through the glen and to the coast. There is another
village there.” Her eyes fell and she shuddered unwillingly. “Do
not be concerned Amarinda.”

“
You ask the impossible. I
do not know to whom my loyalty should belong. You will kill many of
my people… my brother, my uncles…and for that I should hate you.
And if you die…” She hiccupped and pulled the fur across her
shoulders. The tightening of his chest forced that unwanted ache in
the region of his heart once more, and he grunted something
non-committal before heading toward the door.

“
Your loyalty belongs to
me,” he announced stiffly. The hinges creaked ever so gently. “Do
not forget that.”

She lifted her head and met his
stubborn stare before allowing him to escort her out of the room,
the first time she had left it’s confinement since her capture
those many months ago.

Chapter Twelve

Thunderclouds formed a thick canopy,
hiding the luminance of the moon. In the inky darkness of the
forest the Weres heard the thunder of hoof beats long before the
rider was spotted, guiding the mount with a careless ease that
forced a suspicious frown upon Graeme’s brow. Fully clad in armor,
complete with helmet and visor, there was no doubt that their
visitor was indeed a vampire. The scent of putrid flesh made his
nostrils flare. Even from his distance, he noted that the Hunter
was small, no bigger than a teenage lad. His men did not make to
move, but awaited his instruction. They were a precaution in the
event that the meeting was not as honorable as was intended. Thus
far, no other sound could be heard. He motioned for them to stand
down and out of sight before stepping into the clearing. Upon
spotting him the Hunter reigned in swiftly. The horse reared and
danced beneath the tense grip that was applied to the reigns.
Graeme studied the man well, his eyes flaming orange in the
darkness, gaze sly.

“
You are not the one called
Macer,” he announced smoothly. “For your deceit alone I should have
you killed.”

The soft gasp that was elicited forced
him to pause. His gaze fell suddenly to the slender legs that were
parted wide to accommodate the width of the saddle and the tiny
foot in the stirrup. Suspicion and disbelief forced his feet to
move. His sudden motion spooked the mount and it reared. The rider
cried out in surprise and clutched onto the animal’s neck to
prevent being thrown. Graeme snagged the bridle and steadied the
beast swiftly before all but dragging the rider from the saddle.
Even as he felt the light weight in his arms he knew. The moment he
tore the helmet away, he stopped breathing in rage.

A female!

Fingers as hard as steel sank
themselves into her arms and lifted her off the ground. “What form
of treachery is this?!”

Hot tears stung her eyes, and even in
his rage he seemed to recognize the title of her nose and the shape
of her face. Slowly, carefully, he put her away from his form and
took a cautious step back. His eyes swept the woods and he motioned
to the Weres that surrounded him to search the area.

“
You…” he began, hesitating
as he considered the moisture in her eyes. Thick red hair crowned
her head and fell to the dip of her back. Her skin was timeless,
her eyes fringed with thick lashes. She was a stunning beauty to be
sure…and she bore a striking resemblance to Amarinda. “You are her
sister?”

She shook her head quickly. When she
spoke, it was with a husky voice that betrayed the years her face
did not show. “Her mother.”

Confusion marked his face then, and he
clenched his jaw in anger. “You sent the missive. Why? If your mate
discovers that you have come here there will be mass
murder!”

“
I am here to help
you.”

Exasperated, he shook his head in
finality. “Get on your horse and ride back to the Coven woman! You
were a fool to come here!”

“
I will gladly die a fool to
protect my daughter!”

“
Your daughter does not need
protection from me!” he snarled. The guttural baritone of his voice
forced her to whimper, but she stiffened her spine and met his gaze
head on.

“
I am well aware of that.
Now if you will just get a hold of your temper for a moment I will
explain why I have lured you here falsely.” He turned away, his
shoulders taut. “The Council has convened. All has been decided.”
When he said nothing, she continued. “The Hunters have already left
the Covens. They come from the north.”

He turned to meet her wide eyes and
held his breath. “North?” he croaked thickly. “Tis impossible.
There is nothing north but highlands and rock. Nowhere to hide from
the sun. They will never make it.”