Dirk
and I halted outside the manor house. The moon was just reaching its
peak, and everything around us was a sharp contrast of silver and
black. Ivy climbed the walls like a tide of shadows, the windows
reflected light like mirrors.
Trees
reached for the sky with craggy fingers, adding to the desolation of
the night. I tried to suppress a shiver, but it rolled through me
anyway. Dirk tugged on my hand and pulled me closer. “Everything
will be fine, my Lamb. I'll protect you, as always.”
I
didn't feel protected. His presence only seemed to amplify the
sensation of eyes upon me. Cold, intense, piercing all the way into
my soul. Similar to when I was bait, when the monsters hunted me, but
this was a different kind of hunger.
Something
about this thrilled me.
The
others entered the courtyard and Dirk led me up to the front door. It
opened silently when he touched it, revealing a warmly lit entryway.
Lamps glowed with steady flame, and I heard a fire crackling to the
left.
We
moved across the threshold, and the sensation of being watched only
increased. There was warmth and comfort, but I felt only a chill
seeping deeper, making its way to my heart.
“Show
yourself,” Dirk called out, still holding my hand. He led me toward
the fire in the parlor, head turning constantly, seeking the dokkalf.
“We're all here.” The others stomped into the house, slamming the
front door.
The
parlor door slammed closed behind us.
I
jumped and spun, heart in my throat. Dirk released my hand to draw
his heavy knife, on guard against attackers, but we were alone.
Brenna
pounded on the door. “It's locked. I'll try breaking it down.”
Her shoulder thudded into the wood, but the door only rattled in the
frame. A second shoulder joined hers in quick succession, with more
force, but no results.
Dirk
pressed against my back. “Stay close.” His low voice almost hid
his stress and worry; but I knew him too well. He didn't enjoy
springing the trap, even if that had been the plan.
“Show
yourself!” Dirk shouted again, his voice filling the room.
Paintings rattled on the walls as Brenna and Chen continued their
attempts to break down the door. The wood creaked but didn't
splinter; they were no closer to joining us than when they'd started.
Albrecht
was watching us, of that I was certain. I could almost see those
emerald eyes again, could feel him a hair's breadth away from me. Was
he amused by our struggles, watching from afar via arcane means? How
long would he let us pound at the door and bellow for him?
Perhaps
he was waiting for us to burn out our rage, like a trainer waiting
for a wild animal to calm down before approaching. Can't get bitten
if the animal is too tired to move. Dirk swore, stomping in a circle
around me, and I felt sure of my analogy.
I took
a deep breath and laid a hand on Dirk's arm. He whipped his head
around to face me, brows furrowed and mouth turned down in a snarl.
He started to speak, and I shook my head, finger across my lips.
“Brenna,
Chen, if you don't stop, Albrecht won't join us.” My voice carried
through the door; the warriors stopped, and the silence was
deafening. No pounding, no shouting; the crackle of the fire could be
heard again.
Dirk's
frown relaxed as I continued speaking to the unseen dokkalf.
“Whenever you are ready, Albrecht, we
are ready to talk.” Our group waited quietly.
A
hidden door opened, revealing the man in question. “At least
someone realizes it's bad manners to destroy a host's home.”
