Homesick Book 2. The Secrets of Blackthorn Manor

Bait and Trap

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Chapter Twenty-Two

Bait and Trap

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The ride up to the top floor was uncomfortable. Adrian could feel Sizani's eyes on him, fixed like only a snake could. She was suspicious of them which Adrian could understand. The tension was broken ever so slightly when Duchess rather loudly demanded uppies from the imposing female naga.

'She wants you to hold her,' Adrian said as Duchess gave another imperious howl.

'Why?' Sizani asked, dropping her gaze to the black cat.

'Because she's a pest,' Owethu said dryly. Adrian grinned. The woman bent down and scooped up the little cat. Duchess settled herself, content to be held by the naga. Finally, the elevator came to a halt with a musical chime. The room that lay before them was just as strange and labyrinthine as Adrian remembered. All kinds of mismatched antique furniture from walnut candlestick holders to ceramic-topped side tables lay hither and thither. Stacks of books, piles of cloth, and even a few bones Adrian was sure were too big to be animal bones were all strewn about the space.

The blind creature that lived in this strange kingdom was already rising up from all the clutter, his milky eyes turned their way as they stepped off the elevator.

'What is that you carry Sizani?' said the slow, deep voice. Adrian didn't have any idea how old this man was, but if he had to guess, he would say close to a thousand. He had scars from hundreds of battles, his shoulders and arms were only covered by a patterned silk dress jacket. His hair was nearly white with age, but it was still thick and well-groomed. Where legs should have been was a long silver and white serpent's tail.

'Practitioner Blackthorn has a very demanding familiar,' she said. Duchess licked over a paw with little concern for the seriousness of the situation.

'Young Blackthorn,' rumbled the powerful serpent. 'It has been some time since your last visit. My grandson has told me the human council has prevented your return.'

Adrian nodded though he knew the naga could not see him. 'That is correct.'

'But you are here now?'

'Yes. Forgive our intrusion but we have something important. I discovered an artifact in the Blackthorn collection that I believe belongs to your people.'

'Indeed? And you are here to return it...'

'Actually, I am here to ask your permission to use it to catch a traitor in our clan.'

There was a dangerous pause. 'Our clan?'

Adrian could feel the tension. Owethu was silently telling him to be careful, their bond humming quietly with the naga's unease. 'Yes. I am part of your clan. You are my naga just like I am your practitioner.'

The nasty silence broke with a low hissing chuckle. 'I suppose it can't be said you are boring or meek. I have an appreciation for that. I can rely on your loyalty?'

Adrian nodded. 'You canx. So long as Owethu is here, I am here.' He felt Owethu's presence in the back of his mind, the unease slowly melting away like frost under a warm sun. He could feel the pang of surprise and pride Owethu felt at Adrian's words. He really shouldn't have been so stunned. Adrian wasn't interested in using his relations with the clan for his own benefit. His connection to the naga was only because of his mate bond to Owethu.

'My grandson is... attached to you. I had my concerns that this would weaken him.'

'And has it?' Adrian asked.

The old serpent stared at him with those ghostly white eyes. 'No. It would seem not. Very well. Tell me about this trap.'

'Respectfully, the less details we share, the better. We suspect that some here know more than they are willing to share. My hope is they will try and reclaim this.' Adrian held up the necklace.