Shadow of the Avatar

Chapter 34 -- Dining At Loric's Table

 I've known four Kel'Varans in my life, and have had the good fortune of calling two my friend. The first one made my life interesting for more than a century. The other, well, I haven't recovered yet...

--Loric Felspar

Vulcindra. The name sent a shock through Wren's body. She eyed the huge D'klace bounty hunter, Sindra, who smiled back at her, brushing at strands of her perfectly curled black hair. The room, which already felt tiny with the four women in it, seemed to shrink even more. Wren's focus narrowed down to Sindra's silver-gray eyes.

"When did you see her?" Wren's tone was forced.

Sindra looked at her askance. "No business discussions now."

Wren's tone became sharper. "Please, Lady Sindra, when did you speak with her last?"

The big woman rubbed her throat, jeweled rings flashing on every finger. "Three days ago. Scared witless. Seems she'd just learned you escaped from Hethanon."

"How did you happen to run into her?"

Cassin spoke up. "We get around. We visited Corwin when we dropped off my sister Everia."

"Dal'Taak'tem," Jharon let out abruptly. "That's right. Everia said Cassin brought her. These are the ones she said were Dal'Taak'tem."

The gold woman held up a hand. "That's it. There's a rule. No business right before dinner. We are definitely straying in that direction. So, if you're ready, we should be adjourning to the dinner table."

"Damn--"

"Later!" Cassin cut her off. Wren didn't get out even a word of protest before the two gold women each had her by an arm and were propelling her toward the hall.

A glance back showed Jharon being escorted in a similar fashion by Sindra and Drucilla. Big as he was, the two giant ladies outweighed him and pulled him along without apparent effort.

Wren relented, mindful of Cassin and Annawen's touch. Their skin felt feverishly warm, the flesh of their arms when it brushed up against her was perfectly smooth and without hair. The hard heels of their boots clacked on the marble flooring, echoing in the long hallway. Lamps glowed overhead bathing the passage in a steady yellow-orange light.

"There will be time for everything," Cassin said, looking down at Wren. Her coal-dark eyes glittered. "Revenge is one of those things that should be allowed to age, planned so that its taste is sweet rather than flat."

Wren looked down at the woman's abnormally warm hand on her arm. For someone who said something so cold blooded, her skin didn't have the feel of a reptile. Of course, she had to remind herself that this golden lady kept company with D'klace bounty-hunters. "So you're an expert on revenge?"

Cassin half smiled. "I have a good imagination."

"Yes, well, I imagine my revenge will be non-existent if Desiray gets to her first."

"Tall lanky lady like that Vulcindra? Should be enough to go around."

"If you knew we'd want her, why did you let her go?"

The gold woman looked at her askance. "When did I say we let her go?"

Wren tried to stop, but the impetus of the two ladies just towed her along as though she were caught in a current. "You--"

"Shhh," Cassin hushed. "Don't you have happier things to entertain your mind? Your health for one thing?"

"My health is great," Wren answered. "It's my freedom I'm concerned about."