The Turning War: The Horned Blade Pt. III by Richard A. Knaak

Author:Richard A. Knaak [Knaak, Richard A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The strain on Hadrea was proving too much. Try as she might, she could not induce labor. Elven women could choose the time and place of their children’s birth once a certain period passed, but even though she had quickly prepared herself and even though Cabe was clearly ready to be born, he would not come just yet.

And with each passing moment, Hadrea grew weaker while Melenea grew stronger.

Grew stronger on the infant’s life essence.

Hadrea had hoped that by forcing Cabe out earlier, she would leave the dark spirit without enough power to complete her plan. Hadeen’s niece had no concern for her own life. So long as she was able to contain Melenea, that was all that mattered.

Hadeen tended to her as if he was her parent. He had already replaced the previous flower, which was one reason Hadrea still had some command of the situation. Unfortunately, it was the last of his supply. Now, he was forced to give her quickly-concocted potions designed to enhance her health.

“The master must know!” Wiln argued. “I am sworn to him ---”

“And to me!” Hadrea all but shouted. “You promised ---” She broke off as a wave of agony washed over her. Part of it, she knew, was from the strain she put herself through, but some of it was also Melenea seeking to reestablish domination.

You struggle in vain, my sweet thing, the voice purred. Each moment, the child makes me stronger...

“Uncle!” Hadrea cried. “You must help me do this now!”

“You’ll die if we do it as you want.” Still, he nodded and quickly returned to the cabinet. With a grimmer and grimmer expression, he began mixing.

Hadrea tried to concentrate on Cabe, thinking how even though he would have to grow up without her, at least he would grow up. She would live through him and, if possible, guide him from beyond ---

Melenea laughed.

Hadrea felt her body suddenly reject her commands.

“Master Hadeen!” Wiln called, drawing his dagger at the same time.

Her uncle whirled around, the potion in his hand only half-completed. Simultaneously, Wiln readied the dagger for a toss. He would do what he felt he must and, at the moment, Hadrea could not blame him.

“Little fool...” Hadrea’s mouth said.

A bolt of energy struck Wiln full in the chest. He went flying across the room. Hadeen set the potion down and leapt for Hadrea.

“Such concern! How sweet! How futile...” Melenea murmured through her.

The boards making up the floor suddenly tore free, then wrapped around Hadeen’s lower half. He stumbled, then fell.

Hadrea rose above the bed. She felt a tingle. Her arms paled and grew longer, slimmer. The half-elf felt her hair tighten and shrink. An uncomfortable twitching covered her face.

Even without seeing all that was happening, Hadrea knew that she was literally becoming Melenea.

Wiln forced himself to his feet. He immediately threw the dagger.

“For shame, for shame,” Melenea reprimanded.

The blade peeled apart, then peeled apart again.

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