The Taming

As Fast as Bast

Lucien had relented and made love to the girl.

He now knew that Radix must've scented Lucien on her. That's why he targeted her. She smelled like me.

He thought she was mated to a Knight.

It'd taken the demon master very little time to strangle the girl, upon their return to the Ballroom. He'd used the seam of her own wrap and committed the cruelty behind a pillar in the Ballroom.

I only lost track of him for a moment. A little voice in Lucien defended.

But it was all the time Radix needed.

Lucien rounded the corner in time to catch Radix tossing her skirts up over her face. A quick scrubbing from his clawed hands in the air and she was covered in purple bruises and deep lacerations on her exposed legs. Lucien gave a shout, to ward him off.

But I was too late. The sound of his voice only drew others closer to the gruesome scene.

Radix opened his mouth and the shrill shriek of a woman emerged. The same as he'd done to Mardichi back in England.

Lucien stared at him, horrified.

Then Radix used his own rasping voice to shout. "My Lord Lucien! 'Twas Lucien Sabias!"

The crowd drew close enough to see poor Miss DeLaine's crumpled body.

Instantly the party goers turned on him. A swelling crowd of monstrously masked faces shouting and shoving. They believed him.

Radix cheered them on. Giving outraged cries about the poor girl's damage.

Thusly, Lucien now found himself, the dark Lord covertly walking the cobbled streets of InnerCircle, Mane.

***

Lucien was tugged back to the present by the roar of the murderous party behind him. A bloodhungry lot.

A glance down revealed the large black cat suddenly moving into stride with him.

Where the hell did he come from? Lucien smiled, recognizing the feline.

It didn't really matter. It mattered more that the damn cat had a knack for knowing precisely how to be in the right place at the right time.

"Ah, I'm relieved to see you." Lucien breathed.

The animal blinked questioning gold eyes up at him.

"Come Bast don't look at me like that. You know the rules. When a young girl dies, somebody must be set to blame! Are we not the shadiest characters to set foot in InnerCircle?" He gestured around. "It's not entirely my fault."

That was a lie.

Lucien was convinced it was. Mine and Radix's.

The cat lowered its dark head and gave it a sullen shake.

Lucien sighed. "They know nothing of the evils of Radix. He wanted the Mane people to blame me. His efforts are validated now." Lucien cracked his neck. "Every time we come to this bloody country he manages to chase us out."

The feline gave a faint rumble in response.

The snarl of the panther.

The sounds of their pursuers increased.

Lucien and Bast exchanged a look.

It's time. I've overstayed my welcome.

That cat, that'd been his companion longer than any mortal was by his side when he needed help most.