Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,222

see your world die than suffer it any longer, and as for this creature, far too many of my servants’ bones lie bleaching in the sun around its lair.”

The fae-lord’s remark reminded Will of what Tailtiu had told him the first time he had approached the cave where the Cath Bawlg lived, “Whatever it eats does not return; its prey remains dead—forever—including us.”

At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to see the goddamn cat eating Elthas’ head and heart. The fae-lord saw the hate in his eyes, and in response he withdrew the sword for a moment, then thrust it through the goddamn cat’s chest again. Will’s ears were filled with the demigod’s scream, and he wished he could close his ears as easily as his eyes.

His grandmother moved closer, until she stood beside him. She seemed fascinated by the great cat’s torment. Then she spoke to Will, “Your power has grown, grandson, but it appears your resistance is still not strong enough to keep me from binding you.” She turned her head to face him, then added, “Are you really that weak, human?”

Will glared back at her with a hatred so intense it seemed impossible that the fire in his eyes didn’t burn her to ashes on the spot, but at the same time the more logical part of his brain was working in the background. Is she trying to tell me something?

Aislinn studied the war hammer for a second. “Interesting spell. Was it your idea? The execution is particularly elegant.” She glanced in Selene’s direction. “It was her design, wasn’t it? I knew she would make a worthwhile servant.”

“She isn’t yours and she never will be,” growled Will.

Elthas was listening, and at that comment he laughed. “Fool. Death solves a thousand problems. What do you think I promised my dear wife in return for her constant and faithful service? Your death will absolve any question of ownership, and I will get the pleasure of helping her to adjust to immortality, as I did with Aislinn herself, years ago.”

Will’s eyes fairly bugged from his head, his outrage was so great. He looked to his grandmother for help, but she merely shrugged. “I am bound to my lord’s will, though I am not displeased. You should be proud. Your wife will become a shining new star among my people. You accomplished the impossible with her. She’s now a third-order wizard, and with a few centuries and my training, she will become the second greatest magic user to ever join the fae.”

From twenty yards away Selene still struggled, but she managed to open her mouth enough to hiss a reply. “Go fuck yourself!”

Madrok’s healing was nearly complete, and as he sat up, he seemed to be impatient. “How long do you intend to take?”

Elthas frowned. “Don’t rush my pleasure.”

“Our bargain wasn’t for your pleasure. Fulfill your oath and kill the cat and the wizardling,” snapped the demon-lord.

The fae-lord seemed irritated but he nodded. It was then that Aislinn interrupted. “Let my daughter handle it. It will be an important part of her recovery.”

Elthas smiled. “An excellent idea.” His eyes went to Tailtiu then, and he seemed to see her for the first time. His gaze went to Dinner, hanging contentedly in his sack. “What is that?”

Tailtiu answered in a voice that showed little concern. “A toy.”

Elthas snapped his fingers, and a vine shot forth from the ground and ripped through the strap holding the sack. Dinner fell to the ground and before Tailtiu could protest he brought his heel down on the puppy’s head, grinding it into the soil. Tailtiu didn’t move, but her body jerked slightly as the little dog died. “Next time leave your toys at home,” admonished her stepfather.

Will was so caught up in his own thoughts that he hardly noticed the tear that suddenly ran down Tailtiu’s cheek, but he heard the heartbreak in her voice. “Yes, father.”

“Are you really that weak, human?” Aislinn’s words repeated in his mind. Should I be stronger? he wondered. Or was she giving him a clue? Why had she emphasized the word ‘human’? Maybe she thinks I’m faking it—that I’m not really helpless. That would explain the way she had labeled him as human. The only advantage humans had over the fae was their ability to lie.

But the simple truth was that he couldn’t move. If his grandmother was playing a game within a game, he was about to fail the test. Aislinn’s next command caught his attention. “Daughter, I