CARNAGE CASTLE

CHAPTER 39

Storm wasn't aware of his wife's transgressions or the weight on Lani's shoulders as he chained Ignacy to their bed, then motioned for the noble slaves who were now dressed in civilian clothes to follow them. Taran, Fintan, Ian, Clanna, and the sextuplets joined their parents on the excursion into town, drawing the attention of the civilians as they milled about the streets. 

"I feel like I should have brought business cards," Lanecea smiled as she tucked her hand in the crook of Storm's arm as he walked at her side balancing a toddler on each of his shoulders. 

Only ten of their children accompanied them, but it must have been a rather interesting sight, if not impressive, but she needed to remain under the radar, not advertise her breeding program on their venture from the castle.

Storm grinned at Lani before informing her that he would be by the blacksmith should she need anything before inviting Taran to accompany him leaving Lani to shop with her newborns, Fintan shadowing her. Lani was surprised that Storm had trusted the noble slaves to be left alone with her while unchained. Nothing was stopping them from making a run for it, but losing her slaves wasn't foremost on her mind. Lani just couldn't bring herself to tell Storm that his wife was a gift she would love to return, her feelings conflicted. She was still a gift from the man she adored. What a pickle...

"Are you alright?" Roman asked as he stepped closer to Lanecea's side while his comrades flanked her, creating a proactive barrier between their mistress and the other customers in the market.

"Yes, thank you, Captain Prochowicz," Lanecea addressed Roman, her eyes lighting up as he smiled, noticing the change as she addressed him by his title and surname, showing respect to her slave in public. "Gentlemen, most of the ladies you see are true priestesses, but within a hundred years, they will be on the verge of extinction. There are men who have taken up residence a few streets away from this market, and if they are successful..."

Roman nodded before exchanging a look with his companions.

"Give us all the information you have, Mistre...I mean, My Lady and we will take them out tonight."

Lanecea couldn't have been more proud of her noble slaves and her sparkling eyes showed it, but she shook her head as she pushed the stroller, the men and Fintan falling into step.

"Not yet...we can't blow our cover. Their leader is creating a network as well - one that will spread across Europe. They will have headquarters in England and in Washington, D.C. It is their network we need to take down. Without allies..." Lanecea didn't finish her sentence as she looked up at her slaves. She appreciated that they wanted to make her happy, but that wouldn't hold up should they be caught. These men needed to catch her vision.

The men looked down at their mistress, the queen who was the head of the priestess brigade as she clutched the handle of the stroller with white knuckles. Behind her, in the market stalls were Belgian priestesses attempting to be a blessing to their husbands as they sold their handcrafted goods blissfully unaware of the vampires plotting the extinction of their descendants just a few streets away.

"Stronger together," Lanecea's voice was so soft that she could barely be heard above the sound of horse-drawn carriages rumbling down the street. "Trust is everything." But those words remained unspoken.

****

Lanecea decided not to tell Storm that her heart was troubled because Herja was his wife and Lani didn't want him to ever think that she was ungrateful for her gifts. That wasn't the case at all, but some gifts tarnish faster than others. Lani kissed Storm's cheek, then crawled off his cock while taking care not to wake him.