Origin by Nora Ash

Author:Nora Ash [Ash, Nora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Huldra Media
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Warin

Zet led them through the narrow tunnel until it opened up into the basement of what turned out to be the cellar of a busy inn. It was hidden behind a false bit of wall.

“I’ve Compelled the innkeeper and the maids,” Zet explained as they made their way through rowdy drunks and busty barmaids that had Aleric sending their exposed necks longing looks. “They never ask questions about the room I rent here, nor its occupant.”

“And who’s the occupant?” Aleric asked. A glare from Warin made him tack on, “My lord?”

“You’ll see,” Zet said. “Patience is a virtue, young one.”

Aleric made a rude noise. “Sorry, my lord, I just think it’s pretty fucking weird how you dismissed your entire court to take two strangers through your secret getaway tunnel to meet some mysterious inn-dweller. I’d like to know what we’re getting into.”

“Aleric!” Warin snapped, but Zet waved him off, an amused smile playing across his full lips.

“I like your fearlessness, youngling,” was all he said before he turned back around and led them up the stairs to the rooms above.

They all followed, Thea clinging to Warin’s arm as he shot daggers at his brother. Aleric pretended not to notice.

The room the Ancient rented was located at the very end of the hall, as far away from prying eyes as possible. He pulled a chain over his head that his shirt had hidden from view and thrust the key attached to it into the lock, letting it slide open. It was dark inside, but the faint smell of magic drifting out was unmistakable.

Warin narrowed his eyes at the Ancient. “It would appear my brother was correct in his brash assumptions. What is this?”

“Not what it seems, I promise you that.” Zet pointed a single finger at Thea. “If you wish to learn what she truly is, the answer lies in here. Do you care enough about your human to push aside your prejudice, young warrior?”

“Warin,” Aleric warned. He put his hand on Warin’s shoulder in a silent plea for caution. He was right—this Ancient required caution, to be sure. No vampire would ever have anything to do with magic of the sort this room smelled of without nefarious motivations.

But…

Warin looked down at Thea. He’d come this far.

Steeling himself, he let go of her and stepped inside the room, ensuring that whatever—or whoever—was inside, they wouldn’t be able to get to her without going through him first.

A woman lay curled up on the bed in the dark. She was breathing steadily. The stench of magic oozed from her.

“A witch!” Aleric hissed behind him. The snick of his fangs’ descent sang through the air.

The sound seemed to stir the woman. She murmured sluggishly, as if drugged, pushing at the covers on the bed to sit upright. She waved her hand with a lax movement and the candles on the window ledge and on the desk lit up.

Thea gasped behind him.

“Zet,” the witch murmured, seemingly blind to anyone but the dark-haired vampire. “I thirst.

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