Master of Chains - Jess Lebow [88]
"You're making a huge mistake," said the baron. He waved his hands before him, and the air began to crackle with arcane energy.
"No," said Olivio, "it is you who is making the mistake."
* * * * *
Montauk breezed down the staircase leading deep into Shyressa's tomb. The thick dust that had covered the stone steps was no longer present-it had been carried away by the feet of vampire spawn over the past few months.
At the bottom, he stepped through the archway and into the vampire's den. The sarcophagi that had dominated the room were gone, replaced with row upon row of kneeling spawn, their heads bowed in supplication to the glorious vision before them. On the dais in the middle of the room stood Shyressa. She was glamoured in her favorite image-one of a striking young woman with long dark hair and porcelain skin.
Shyressa stood before the kneeling throng, her hands raised in the air. Between them, over her head, floated a large box. Beams of pale white energy radiated out from the box, reaching out to touch each and every one of the kneeling vampire spawn.
Carved in the middle of the box were the twin entwined figures-the twisted runes-that Montauk had come to adore since his induction into the secretive organization. The man stood looking on, enjoying the sight before him. So many unsuspecting people worked for the Twisted Rune. Only a few had the privilege of knowing what sort of work they were doing. Many died for the cause never understanding their larger purpose in the puzzle. Not Montauk. He had been kept in the know from the very beginning. Shyressa was good to him, and he felt he had served her well.
It had all been worth it, of course. He was now the head of the Crimson Awl. Soon he would be the baron of Ahlarkham. He smiled. Some time after that he may even be King of Erlkazar. And after that, Shyressa had promised to help him achieve immortality. The thought brought a smile to his lips.
It was glorious to be a part of something so powerful.
The box Shyressa held over her head stopped glowing, and she lowered it. The vampire spawn kneeling on the floor began to stir, and the Rune Mistress lowered her eyes to the human waiting in the archway.
"Montauk," she said, her voice sounding sleepy and lethargic. "Come to me, my pet." She waved for him to approach her on the dais.
The vampire spawn hissed as they parted before Montauk. The floor cleared quickly, allowing the human passage through the crowded room. Approaching the dais, he climbed up the steps and knelt before his mistress.
She offered him her hand, and he kissed the back of it. Though it appeared to be the soft, supple skin of a beautiful young woman, against his lips it felt like cold, lifeless flesh.
"What news, Montauk?" asked Shyressa, pulling back her hand.
"Everything goes as planned," said the human, getting up from his knees. "Lord Purdun has backed himself into a corner, and the king's enforcers are in Duhlnarim as we speak."
Montauk rubbed his hands together, excited at the proposition of his plans all falling into place. "The King's Magistrates will put Purdun in chains and take control of Zerith Hold. They'll see for themselves how your vampires attack the peasants, and the king will have no choice but to side with the Crimson Awl. Wanting to avoid the same fate as Elestam, which he himself helped to topple, Korox will lock Purdun away for good and institute me as the Baron of Ahlarkham."
"The pieces are in motion. Soon the entire country of Erlkazar will be ours to command," purred the vampire. "You've done well."
Montauk swelled inside. "Thank you, mistress."
Shyressa opened her arms. "Come to me, Montauk. Let me embrace you."
Montauk paused. "Embrace me?" A chill wind blew through the chamber, and Montauk pulled his cloak tighter.
The vampire smiled. "Is it not the custom of humans to embrace when they are pleased?"
"Well…" said Montauk hesitantly. This didn't feel right. "Yes. It is."
"Then come to me. Let me embrace