A soft patter at the window drew her gaze past the crib to settle on the huge black bird that had landed. The bird cocked its head, looking around the room before hopping farther in and closer to the crib. She was about to attack it when a soft rasp at the door drew both of their attention. They froze as the door knob slowly began to turn the bird’s attention as focused as her own. Definitely not a natural animal then, she decided with growing interest. So which is more dangerous here, the bird or whoever is at the door? She pondered silently and wished that Marrow was with her once again. The Bendazzi not only had more experience with life than she did, he was a partner in situations such as this. Had he been here they could have divided their strength and eliminated both threats at once.
Wisp would already be in the room. Emily realized with a frown. Whoever this was opening the door was far too cautious to be a member of the household. All of the maids adored the child and would have scrambled had they heard the pathetic cries he was making. Her breath slowed as the door slowly pushed open revealing a sliver of shadows from the darkened hallway beyond. A black gloved hand appeared against the wood frame of the doorway and the faint coppery smell of blood filled the room.
Emily crouched beside the wall waiting for the intruder to enter the room fully. There was no question of it now. This was an enemy. All she needed now was a full target. The door opened farther and a man stepped fully into the room. His features were impossible to make out between the murk of the hallway and the heavy black cloak he wore, but Emily had no doubts on attacking.
The moment the stranger cleared the door frame she moved, lunging forward with a speed that would make a cat envious. One hand locked around the man’s throat, her claws digging in deep as she slammed him hard against the wall, her other hand slashing at his stomach. Warm blood gushed from both wounds and the smell was intoxicating. A broken gurgling noise tore from his throat as the wound to his stomach tore farther spilling his innards onto the thick carpet. Emily smiled and watched the frantic look in the man’s eyes as his body began to fail him. “Not this child you don’t. This one is protected,” she hissed as she slowly released the dying man and watched him slump to the floor his lifeblood pooling around him.
“More than you know,” a man’s voice whispered behind her and Emily whirled. He stood by the window, the child cradled in his arms with one tiny hand clutching at a raven black feather from the stranger’s cloak. She hadn’t even realized Legacy had fallen silent.
“Put him down now,” Emily hissed, already pacing to another location in the small room.
“You have a dilemma, Emily Solace. He was not the only intruder in the house. There are more. Look down at that man’s side. Do you see the dagger there? That’s the mark of the Nightblades. They were sent for the child as should have been expected,” The man leaned back against the wall his gaze falling to Legacy and a small smile formed on his lips. “You have no idea of the hostage value this child has to just about everyone for one purpose or another.”
“How do you know my name?” Emily growled as she continued to approach the man. If she could just get close enough she could possibly snatch Legacy from the man’s grasp before he had a chance to flee out the window.
“That is irrelevant. What you should be considering are your friends below. The Nightblades have already incapacitated them both as well as the household staff and while they are not dead now if you continue to waste time they will be,” the man continued his eyes still on the child.
“You expect me to leave this room without that child? You are mad. Legacy is to be protected at all costs and both Jail and Wisp would agree with me,” Emily snarled as she crouched for another lunge. If she came in low she could lift the child straight from his grasp and perhaps still manage to get a solid hit on the fool.
“Nice plan, think it will work?” the man asked in a mocking voice, his smile growing wider. Looking up from the child he turned his attention straight to her and winked.
Emily returned the stare. Her jaw dropped slightly as she stared at the man in complete and utter shock. Not even Neph could tell precisely where she was without the glasses Sovann had crafted, and yet this stranger was looking right at her. “Are you a Blight?” she mumbled as she slowly stood back up from her crouch. She hadn’t sensed him as a Blight, but then she hadn’t truly sensed him at all.
“Ah, if only it were something that simple to deal with. No, Emily, I’m infinitely more dangerous than your brethren. I am however on your side here. I want the child safe as well for my own reasons. He won’t be safe here. As long as your enemies know that Jala and the main strength of Merro are gone, they will send more for this child. Your friends are very near death now Emily, I suggest you hurry and make your choice. Let them die and fight me for the child or save them, kill your enemies, and allow me to return Legacy to his mother’s side.” His eyes continued to follow her as she backed a half step away from him, and Emily’s frown deepened.
“How do I know you will take him to his mother? I don’t even know who you are,” she asked as she studied the man searching for any clue to his identity or who he might be working for.
“My name is Seth, and you don’t know I will, you must simply have faith,” Seth said with a mocking smile. “It would be a perfect time for you to practice that particular part of being human. Faith is the thing you have the most difficulty with isn’t it? Well aside from snacking on your comrades that is. Which in fact will be very easy for you to do shortly and they will already be dead so no fight in getting the meal.”
“I can’t allow you to leave with him,” Emily snarled as she lunged with no warning at all. Despite the surprise she was positive she had, Seth dodged the attack easily and laughed.
“You never had a choice, Emily. I was simply trying to allow you a chance to keep your pride. Sorry doll, but I have no more time for this. The Nightblades are already closing on this room. Better kill them quickly, Emily or you will have let your friends die as well as lost the child. That’s more failure than I’m sure you want to deal with.” Seth spoke the words even as she was charging him again, his mocking smile never once faltering.