Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles #4) - Ilona Andrews Page 0,18
you.”
He nodded and marched away. The three vampire knights fell in behind him.
To the right, two vampire women followed him with their gazes. Both wore armor with the crest of House Kozor, a horned beast on blue. One was lean and tall, with a waterfall of chestnut hair framed by elaborate braids. The other, curvier, her armor more ornate, left her corn-silk blond mane free. It fell all the way to her butt in shiny waves, and by the way she tossed her head, she was quite proud of it.
Interesting. “Would you like to see the shuttles?”
“Yes,” Helen said.
“Let’s go look at them.”
They drifted closer to the shiny shuttles and to the two vampire women. Helen went to look at the elegant pure white fighter, and Maud watched her, keeping the two women on the very edge of her vision.
“…not the time to satiate your appetites,” the taller woman said.
Maud’s implant remained silent, but she understood regardless. Ancestor Vampiric. It was an older language, with dozens of regional dialects and variations. A lot of vampires could barely comprehend it, especially if it was spoken by a vampire from a different home world. Speech implants failed to interpret it, and outsiders didn’t speak it, but then she wasn’t an outsider. A lot of the great epics had been written in Ancestor Vampiric and reciting them in the original dialect had been a point of pride for members of House Ervan. She had tried so hard to be the best wife for Melizard. She was fluent in twelve main dialects and could understand others enough to get by. This particular one was odd, an offshoot of the Third Planet Coastal. They blended their vowels left and right but if she concentrated, she could make do.
“You have to admit, he’s a prime specimen,” the blond said.
“He’s preoccupied with his human toy. That’s her over there.”
“Toys can be broken,” the blond said.
Anytime you want to try.
“That is a beautiful child,” the blond said.
“A halfer,” the brunette sneered.
“Still, a cute little mongrel. Do you think she’s his?”
“No. The woman is an exile from some no-name House. One of the nouveau riche from the frontier. She was married to their Marshal’s son. He betrayed his House.”
“Interesting.” The blond stretched the word.
“Apparently Arland found her on Karhari.”
“The Marshal gets around.” The blond smiled. “You should let me play with him. It really is a shame to lose—”
“Be silent,” the chestnut snapped.
“Fine,” the blond sighed.
“I mean it. Mind your tongue, Seveline. Too many people have done too much work for you to ruin it with your blabbering. The future of our House is riding on this.”
Helen moved on to the next shuttle and Maud strolled past the two women.
“My lady,” the blond said in Common Vampiric. “Pleasant day to you and your beautiful daughter.”
Maud inclined her head a neutral couple of inches. “Greetings, my lady.”
“I’m Seveline of the House of Kozor. This is my friend, Lady Onda, also of House Kozor.”
They treated her like she was an idiot who couldn’t identify crests. Perfect.
“I’m honored,” Maud said.
The two women smiled, showing the very edges of their teeth.
“Is this your first time enjoying the hospitality of House Krahr?” Onda asked.
“Yes.”
“You’re in for a treat,” Seveline said. “Their festivities are legendary. Once you are settled, do find me. I see us becoming the best of friends.”
“Indeed,” Onda said.
Two-faced bitches.
“I’ll do my best,” Maud promised.
Arland was marching toward her with a grim look on his face.
“I must beg your forgiveness,” Maud said. “The Marshal requires my presence.”
“We wouldn’t presume to keep you,” Onda said.
“You are beyond gracious. Come on, my flower.”
Maud took Helen by the hand and headed toward Arland. They met halfway.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
“Trouble?”
“Inconvenience. Are you ready to depart?”
“Yes.”
He led her to a small silver shuttle, a six-seater.
“Am I flying with you in your personal craft?”
“Yes,” he said.
“Is that wise?”
“I thought we established that I don’t care about being wise.”
Flying in his personal shuttle meant she’d face scrutiny at the point of landing, but it also meant she could speak to Arland in privacy.
Maud settled Helen into a soft blue seat and hopped into the passenger spot next to Arland. He touched the controls and the shuttle streaked through the hangar into the sky.
Arland was an excellent pilot. The take-off was so smooth, she barely felt the acceleration. He didn’t bother with autopilot.
The landscape rolled under them, a thick forest growth, the massive trees stretching their ancient