Fractured Reality

Battle Plans

Chapter 46

It was an overcast day, which was incredibly helpful for what the sisters were to face later. They had all spent most of the day in a session with the commanders of their armed forces. All but Hector, as he barely counted as such. The creatures all responded to Carmilla and the others just as readily.

The Forgemaster had been confined to Lenore's quarters for the day. He hadn't even been allowed to work. Not that there were any new corpses. All the forces had drawn in and were waiting for Isaac and his horde. That fact had Hector thoughtful. Lenore had not meant for him to find out, but he had overheard Carmilla talking about the situation. So, Isaac was after him for betraying Dracula. That did not shock him.

The only problem was that he didn't know what to think about it. Yes, Lenore had betrayed him as well, but it had been easy because so many things she said made sense. Despite how much he wanted to hate her for it, they still did. Yes, he had betrayed his last master. It had been unwittingly, but that did not negate his deeds. However, had his master betrayed him first? It was clear with hindsight that Dracula had lied to him about his goals. But did that make the ends justified?

A large portion of his mind greeted the thought of the other Forgemaster finding him. It would put an end to his captivity. Still, there was a small part that could not seem to shake off his notice of how upset Lenore had been at the news of his possible death. He wanted to continue to hate her, yet there was some sick sense of belonging with her that he could not deny. It was pathetic, and he wished it would have burned off when she slipped that ring around his finger like a noose.

His thoughts slipped away when Lenore was shown into the tent. One of her guards had kept her concealed from the weak sunlight so she could retire. Not that she would sleep. She gave Hector an unreadable look when he didn't bother to greet her. It only lasted a moment before she moved to the bed. She patted the space next to her as she sat. "Come and join me. At least until dusk. It is not far off now."

Hector wasn't sure what motivated him, but he complied without fighting it. He was shocked by how bright Lenore's smile turned when he sat. However, he was not surprised when she leaned her head onto his arm. He didn't bother speaking. Whatever she had to say would come out with no prompting from him.

He was correct. It did not take long before she spoke up. "Tonight I want you to stay in this tent. That is an order. As soon as the sun sets, I will have a contingent of your creations sent to guard you."

Hector frowned at the protective note in her voice. Despite his knowledge that he should just keep his mouth shut, he did not. "Of course. It wouldn't do for Carmilla to lose the maker of her army."

Lenore moved before he could even register that fact and grabbed him by the face. She sneered at him, but quickly wiped it away and gave him a concerned look instead. She relaxed her grip on him as she spoke. "While I am sure Carmilla wishes your safety for that reason alone, she isn't the one that asked to have you guarded. I have given the order. Not because you are what my sister needs, but because you are mine. I do not want to lose you."

Her words made no more sense to him now than they did the first time she said them. Instead of starting a pointless argument, he managed to nod. Lenore seemed to be mollified by his action and sat back once more. "Now, the scouts have said that Isaac should be here tonight, but he stopped a short distance away. He is likely waiting for reports on this camp as well, though we see no reason why he would delay longer. All efforts will go into keeping him out."

Hector could tell she was only telling him this to get it off her mind, not that she felt he needed to know any of it. She must have realized it as well since she scooted back and gave him an alluring smile. "Enough of that. We only have an hour before dusk. Why don't you come and keep me warm until then?"