Viper's Kiss - Lisa Smedman [88]
"Glisena will give birth soon," Naneth continued. "When she does, she'll need a midwife. One who knows how to deal with what's inside her. Lord Wianar's best interests lie in turning the girl over to me."
"Who do you serve?" Arvin asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.
"Sseth's avatar," Naneth answered. "In this incarnation, he is known as Sibyl."
"Where is this Sibyl?" Arvin asked, hoping that Karrell was listening. "In Hlondeth?"
"Why?" Naneth asked-suspiciously enough that Arvin's guess might have been on the mark.
"Lord Wianar will insist on dealing with her personally."
"That won't be necessary. Deliver the girl to me, and I'll convey her to Sibyl."
"Why should Lord Wianar trust you?" Arvin asked. "The hiding place you chose was compromised; be thankful that I found it before Foesmasher did. No, I think he will want to deal with Sibyl, in person."
There was a long pause. "What is it Wianar wants?" Naneth asked.
"What do you mean?" Arvin asked.
The egg shook, making Arvin dizzy. "Don't play with me," Naneth spat. "Wianar wants something from Sibyl, in return for the girl. But he doesn't realize the consequences of the delay he's causing-or of angering Sibyl. Only a fool would dare to blackmail a god. And you are a greater fool, to serve him."
"I may be a fool, but I know where Glisena is, and you don't," Arvin countered. "And unless you want to face the wrath of your god, you'll have to do something other than threaten me. What can you offer, in return for Glisena?"
"I'm not so foolish as you think," the midwife growled. "I held a playing piece back from Sibyl-one that will prove valuable, if Dediana survives. I'm willing to offer it in trade for the baron's daughter. But I'm obviously wasting my time with you. I'll talk to Lord Wianar myself."
Arvin's breath caught. Would she kill him now? Then he realized that Naneth was bluffing-trying to make Arvin sweat a little. As if being trapped in an egg wasn't doing that readily enough.
"Lord Wianar knows better than to trust you," he countered. "But he trusts me." He paused. "What can you offer me, if I help you?"
"Your life," Naneth said, relief evident in her voice, "and the gratitude of a god."
"That's a good start," Arvin agreed. He rapped on the inside of the egg with the hilt of his dagger. "But
I'm not going to negotiate from inside an egg. Let me out of here, and we'll talk."
Arvin was jostled back and forth, and a seam of light shone in through a rip in the egg. He saw Naneth's pudgy fingers-impossibly large-tear the egg, widening the rip, and felt the liquid drain away. Suddenly he was breathing air once more. The egg parted into two halves, and he fell. The floor of the but rushed up to meet him…
Before it struck him, he returned to his full size. His feet hit the floor with a thud. He staggered then regained his balance. As he looked up, he saw that the rainbows were gone-and that Karrell was hanging from the ceiling, just behind Naneth. She was swaying back and forth, hissing softly. No, not hissing, whispering the words of her charm spell.
A spell that, Arvin knew, would have no effect whatsoever on Naneth.
Reacting to the hissing, Naneth whirled to face Karrell.
"Naneth," Karrell hissed. "I have an urgent message for Sibyl from the ssthaarof the Se'sehen. Where is she?"
Naneth's eyes narrowed. One hand was behind her back; with it, she began a complicated gesture that could only have been the start of a spell. Karrell, under the impression that Naneth had been charmed, didn't seem to have noticed. She just hung there, swaying, about to take the brunt of whatever spell Naneth was going to cast.
The time for bluffing was over.
Arvin leaped forward, seizing the midwife's hand and clamping a hand over her mouth, but Naneth twisted her head aside and spat out a one-word incantation. Electricity shot into Arvin's hands and surged through his body, throwing him backward. He landed heavily on the floor, heart rattling in his chest, gasping for