I took special notice on the return trip from Roth's chambers to my own. I was careful to note and remember the direction as I had already decided to return for the dawn meeting. It would be in Roth's chambers I was sure and I intended with the help of Nadar's ink markings and whatever lay within The Key to conceal myself and hear the truths I knew had been hidden from me.
Hatha dragged at my elbow. The woman did not like me. I did not know why and I did not particularly care, the feeling was mutual. After one vicious tug too many I broke free of her grasp.
"You hurt me
servant
."
She paused, eyes flashing with anger. "Sorry, Mistress," she lied after averting her eyes.
"As well you should be," I said in anger.
I held out my arm for her to take. She did so, lightly resting her fingers at my elbow to guide me. We walked at an easy pace, both of us masking our seething anger and frustration behind our calm façade. I knew from whence mine came but I did not understand hers. Why did she resent me?
When we were back at my chambers I dismissed her early. "I can undress myself Hatha. You may go."
She paused at the door. I waited for her to protest but she did not. Instead she sighed and said softly, "As you wish Mistress."
She looked tired. Defeated. I did not care.
It was a struggle but I twisted the bindings of the corset to the front and unlaced myself. The chemise came off easily. It was but a mere slip. I used it to wipe clean my face. No doubt destroying the expensive fabric but I did not care. I had no wish to ever wear it again. I looked down at the painted smears on the black and silver.
Black and Silver
Roth and Nadar.
A red smear on the black made me think of Nadar's blood stained lips. Of Roth's. I ached for their bites. Both bites. At once.
Confusion and lust ripped through me. The feelings overwhelming. My chest hurt and my sex throbbed.
Answers
. I needed answers.
I went down on my knees to reach under the bed. The book was wedged right at the back near the wall. I had to scoot on my belly across the cold stone floor. I cursed my impatience, wishing I had dressed before this task. I was shivering when I came out from under the bed. I forwent my nightdress and instead wrapped myself in the heavy blanket of my bedding. I crossed my legs and shifted on my buttocks closer to the candle on my bedside. By the light of the flickering flame I opened the heavy leather bound book.
The pages were vellum, gilt edged. Beautiful and fine. I first looked at the chapter listing and then flicked to the back of the book in search of an index. I ran my finger down the alphabetical listing searching for any mention of The Vessel. There was one listing, anticipation thrummed in my veins as I opened up to the page.
I skimmed the words, seeking out the relevant information amongst the flowery prose. Whomever partakes of The Vessel shall have the power of influence. Extended life and strength. The Vessel is from the Sarran Coven. She is a Sarran witch.
I knew of Sarran Witches. We were warned of their power. My Uncle had once threatened to send me to them for punishment. He had shown me a parchment picture of a Sarran witch. A hideous Crone, her pock marked skin lined with strange symbols. My heart raced. I read on, my eyes flicking across the words;
In times past The Vessel served as an adviser to the Vandarran Crown...Misuse of the Sarran and fear of their power lead to a purge of The Covens...Few Covens remain...hiding from Vandarran Masters.
Misuse
. How had The Vessel been misused?
The power of The Vessel lays within her, but can be harnessed if she is freely Claimed by one. Once Claimed her power can be drained by the direction of that Master alone. The Master of The Vessel has great power, strength, longevity and influence. The Vessel is in his total control.
Claimed
. Roth wanted to Claim me. He thought I was The Vessel.
Even as I read the words—rebelled at the idea of being Claimed and drained—I wanted it. I wanted Roth.
Nausea rolled through me. I dropped the book and my blanket. I barely made it to the bathing chamber before I emptied my stomach. I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth and took a drink from the water jug that sat atop the small bathing chamber armoire. Even after my mouth had been rinsed the bitter taste remained. It was the taste of betrayal. Roth had betrayed me. Used me.
Nadar had to know. That was why he refused to take me. Why he had not bitten me as Roth had.
I stood up. Using the remaining water from the jug I washed my body. With the freezing water I did all that I could to scrub the residue of Roth's betrayal from my skin. Once clean I dressed. Dark blue was the closest I had to black. It would have to do. I was not concerned about the humans. I knew the symbols would protect me. I wanted a dark shade to hide from the sight of any Master.
If I was The Vessel I needed to know what Roth and Lord Malchard wanted from me. The only place I could learn that was at the dawn meeting. I could only hope that it was at Roth's chambers.
It was not yet near dawn but I decided to go now. I reasoned that his chambers would be now empty of his guests and that he had not yet returned. I knew I could bewitch my guards and I hoped the symbols would do the same to the four that guarded Roth's chambers.
When I reached Roth's chamber I was relieved to see that the four guards had been whittled down to two. I was more confident of being able to bewitch two than four. I raised my forearm to the guards. "Is the chamber empty?" I asked.
"Yes," came their dull monotone answer.
"Hide me inside where they hold their meetings."
They had not yet opened the red lacquer doors when I felt a hand at my wrist. Heart thumping, I turned to see who it was.
Hatha.
I raised my arm and pointed the Sarran symbols at her barking out the order, "Go back to your chambers. You did not see me."
She laughed. A bitter sound. "That magic has been worked on me by much stronger than
you
whelp," she hissed.
"Who?" I asked.
Misery crossed her face at my question. Sorrow hung heavy in her eyes. She did not answer me. She just shook her head and tightened her grip on my arm. The guards did nothing. Still locked in their magic induced haze they stood still and silent.
I tried to wrench free. "I need to know Hatha. Let me go. I need to know!"
"Know? What? Knowing will change nothing."
"It will change
me
," I said, my voice beginning to break, weary sorrow tightening my throat.
She softened, and for the first time I saw a flicker of compassion in her hard gaze. She released my arm and brought her hand up to cup my chin. "It won't change the fact that you have been Chosen by the Dark Prince. You must accept it. It is the only way. She fought. It did her no good. It broke her heart. Broke mine too."
"Who? Who do you speak of?"
Hatha did not answer me, out of the darkness came his dark honeyed tone and a flash of silver. "My mother," he said.
Nadar.
