"That's about to change."
"I don't think so," Richard said.
"Marcus and Raina had an arrangement with me. They and the rats dictated that my hyenas could never rise above fifty in number. To make this happen they used gifts, not threats."
"The threat was always there," Richard said. "War between you, us, and the rats, with you on the losing side."
Narcissus shrugged. "Perhaps, but have you not wondered what I've been doing since Marcus died and you took over? I wondered when the gifts would start arriving, but instead all gifts stopped, even the ones I'd begun to count on." He looked at me then. "Some of those gifts were yours to give, Nimir-Ra."
I must have looked as confused as I felt, because Jean-Claude said, "The wereleopards."
"Yes, Gabriel, their old alpha, was a dear, dear friend of mine," Narcissus said.
Since I'd killed Gabriel, I didn't like the way the conversation was going. "You mean that Gabriel gave some of the wereleopards to you?"
Narcissus's smile made me shiver. "All of them have spent time in my care, except Nathaniel." His smile faded. "I assumed Gabriel kept Nathaniel to himself because he was his personal favorite, but now that you've told me what Nathaniel is, I know that wasn't it." Narcissus leaned forward on his knees. "Gabriel was afraid to give me Nathaniel, afraid of what we might do together."
I swallowed hard. "You covered your reaction really well when I told you."
"I'm an accomplished liar, Anita. Best remember that." He looked up at Richard. "How long has it been since Marcus's death, a little over a year? When the gifts stopped coming, I assumed the pact was at an end."
"What are you saying?" Richard asked.
"There are over four hundred werehyenas now, some new, some recruited from out of state. But we rival the wererats and werewolves now. You will have to negotiate with us as equals instead of peons."
Richard said, "What do you ..."
Jean-Claude interrupted. "Let us come to terms." I felt the fear that was behind his calm words, and so did Richard. You did not ask a sexual sadist what he wanted. You offered what you were willing to give up.
Narcissus looked at Richard. "Are they Jean-Claude's wolves now, Richard? Do you share your kingship?" The tone was mocking.
"I am Ulfric, and I will set the terms, no one else." But his voice was cautious, the temper slowed. I'd never seen Richard like this, and I wasn't sure I liked the change. He was reacting more like me. As I thought of it, I wondered ... I channeled some of his beast, some of Jean-Claude's hunger, what did they gain from me?
"You know what I want," Narcissus said.
"You would be wise not to ask for it," Jean-Claude said.
"If I cannot have you, Jean-Claude, then perhaps to watch the three of you make love on my bed would be enough to wash this insult clean between us."
Richard and I said together, "No."
He looked at us, and there was something unpleasant in his eyes. "Then give me Nathaniel."
"No," I said.
"For one evening."
"No."
"For an hour," he said.
I shook my head.
"One of the other leopards?"
"I won't give you any of my people."
He looked at Richard. "And you, Ulfric, will you give me one of your wolves?"
"You know the answer, Narcissus," Richard said.
"Then what would you offer me, Ulfric?"
"Name something I'm willing to give."
Narcissus smiled, and I had a sense of Ajax and Asher circling each other as they felt the tension rising. "I want to be included in the conferences that run the shapeshifter community in this town."
Richard nodded. "Fine. Rafael and I thought you had no interest in politics, or you would already have been asked."
"The rat king does not know my heart, nor do the wolves."
Richard stood. "Anita needs to go to her people."
Narcissus smiled and shook his head. "Oh, no, Ulfric, it is not that easy."
Richard frowned. "You're to be included in decision making. That's what you wanted."
"But I still want gifts."
"No gifts pass between the rats and the wolves. We are allies. If you wish to be an ally then there will be no gifts, except that we will come to your aid when you need us."
Narcissus shook his head again. "I do not wish to be allies, to be dragged into every squabble between animals that do not concern me. No, Ulfric, you mistake me. I wish to be included in the conferences that set policy. But I do not wish to tie myself to anyone and be dragged into a
<<Previous page Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 1 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 2 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 3 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 4 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 5 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 6 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 7 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 8 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 9 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 10 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 11 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 12 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 13 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 14 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 15 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 16 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 17 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 18 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 19 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 20 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 21 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 22 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 23 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 24 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 25 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 26 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 27 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 28 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 29 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 30 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 31 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 32 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 33 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 34 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 35 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 36 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 37 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 38 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 39 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 40 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 41 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 42 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 43 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 44 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 45 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 46 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 47 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 48 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 49 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 50 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 51 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 52 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 53 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 54 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 55 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 56 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 57 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 58 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 59 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 60 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 61 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 62 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 63 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 64 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 65 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 66 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 67 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 68 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 69 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 70 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 71 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 72 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 73 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 74 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 75 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 76 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 77 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 78 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 79 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 80 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 81 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 82 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 83 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 84 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 85 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 86 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 87 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 88 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 89 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 90 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 91 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 92 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 93 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 94 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 95 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 96 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 97 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 98 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 99 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 100 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 101 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 102 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 103 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 104 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 105 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 106 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 107 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 108 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 109 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 110 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 111 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 112 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 113 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 114 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 115 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 116 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 117 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 118 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 119 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 120 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 121 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 122 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 123 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 124 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 125 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 126 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 127 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 128 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 129 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 130 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 131 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 132 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 133 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 134 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 135 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 136 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 137 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 138 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 139 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 140 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 141 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 142 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 143 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 144 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 145 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 146 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 147 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 148 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 149 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 150 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 151 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 152 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 153 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 154 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 155 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 156 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 157 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 158 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 159 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 160 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 161 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 162 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 163 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 164 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 165 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 166 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 167 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 168 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 169 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 170 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 171 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 172 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 173 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 174 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 175 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 176 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 177 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 178 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 179 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 180 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 181 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 182 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 183 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 184 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 185 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 186 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 187 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 188 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 189 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 190 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 191 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 192 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 193 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 194 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 195 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 196 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 197 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 198 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 199 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 200 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 201 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 202 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 203 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 204 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 205 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 206 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 207 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 208 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 209 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 210 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 211 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 212 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 213 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 214 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 215 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 216 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 217 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 218 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 219 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 220 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 221 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 222 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 223 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 224 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 225 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 226 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 227 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 228 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 229 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 230 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 231 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 232 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 233 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 234 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 235 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 236 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 237 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 238 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 239 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 240 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 241 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 242 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 243 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 244 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 245 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 246 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 247 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 248 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 249 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 250 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 251 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 252 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 253 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 254 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 255 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 256 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 257 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 258 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 259 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 260 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 261 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 262 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 263 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 264 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 265 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 266 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 267 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 268 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 269 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 270 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 271 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 272 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 273 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 274 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 275 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 276 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 277 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 278 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 279 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 280 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 281 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 282 Narcissus in Chains - By Laurell K. Hamilton - Page 283
Next page>>