Cousin Ash had been too weak today; he hadn’t been able to break through my Veil.
He wasn’t near as strong as he used to be. The stories from home had painted him almost invincible, but that wasn’t true. I’d seen and felt his wound for myself, knew exactly where it was. Wouldn’t take much to fight him. All I needed was a proper Veil or just the right enchantment. One well-placed blow. He’d fall then, crash and burn like only a Darkling can. Sizzle all the way across the night sky, a streak of meteor light. A bright bit of flotsam in the sunless heavens.
Then, at that moment, I would take the deed to Ticonderoga Falls.
I’d steal it before anyone else could claim it.
Chapter 54
A Perfect Home
Thane:
The village of Ticonderoga Falls spread before me now, street after street of wooden houses, all with lights glowing and doors open. A new journey led me from house to house. I grinned behind the mask that hid my face, the taste of the forest lingering in my throat, the remnants of that gluttonous feast back at the Driscoll mansion still surging through my belly. I ran testy fingers over my arm, wounded by the werebeast not that long ago. Now, it was completely healed.
Together River and I clambered up the steps to a screened-in porch. There we knocked and huddled, shivering in the wind. We were posing as a pair of six-year-old boys. All alone. Much too young to be out on a night like this without a chaperone.
The door swung open and a young man stood silhouetted in the doorway.
I lifted my head, then sniffed. What I wanted was inside. I chattered my teeth together as I stammered a weak, “Trick or treat.” Then I followed it with a sneeze.
A young woman appeared on the porch, shaking her head.
“It’s too cold to let those boys stand outside, Hank. Bring them in the house. Would you two like some hot cocoa?”
“Yes, ma’am,” River answered with a smile. He clapped his hands together, as if trying to keep them warm.
“Come in.” The young man held the door open for both of us.
This was the seventh home River and I had approached since our feast in the wood. With each meal, my plan had grown until now I was certain it would succeed.
Just a few more houses like this one and then everything would be set in place.
River sat on a vintage horsehair sofa, sipping hot chocolate, always keeping one eye fixed on me. Just like he should. An old clock ticked on the mantel, a hypnotic rhythm, pendulum swinging back and forth inside a polished case of wood and glass. Everything inside the home sparkled—the wood floors, the silver teaspoons, the chandeliers.
It was a perfect home.
But one dream remained unanswered here, flitting about like a butterfly too fragile to grasp. This young couple had always wanted a child of their own, but so far—
I nodded at River, granting him permission to do as he wished. Then I walked toward the kitchen, where the human woman was frosting cookies. I heard the sizzle of a Veil as soon as I turned my back, knew that River was already leaning over the young man and conjuring up a dream.
But dreams come and go, I mused as I stared at the woman, who stood with her back to me. I changed my shape to imitate that of her sleeping husband, altered it only slightly—broadened his shoulders, deepened the blue of his eyes, erased the scar on his cheek. Then I put one hand gently on the woman’s waist and pulled her to me, kissing her neck.
She giggled and leaned into my embrace, whispered, “Hank, what about the boys in the next room?”
“They just left.”
“Really? I didn’t hear them leave.” She turned to face me, her eyes widening for a second, then her gaze ran over my body. She grinned.
“Quiet as little mice. I think it was your cocoa.” I slid my arms around her, untied her apron. Then I kissed her shoulder, her neck, her lips, my desire growing. I took her hand in mine, gave her a shy smile.
“Come on.” I tugged her hand ever so gently, leading her toward the bedroom.
She followed me with nary an enchantment.
Dreams come and go, I thought as I ran my tongue over her salty skin. But this was the dream of a lifetime. If it turned out the way I hoped, then it would grant me everything I had ever wished for—an empire of my own, just like the one Cousin Ash had. In fact, it was no longer just my cousin’s empire that I longed to possess.
To that end, I was building myself an army tonight as I journeyed from bedroom to bedroom, an army of half-breeds just like Elspeth, who could walk through doors and windows without an invitation.
With this newborn army at my side, I could claim any village. In fact, I could take every city on this entire mountain if I wanted.
Chapter 55
Cavern of Light