Trick of Shadows (The Duskhunter Saga Book 2) Page 2

  I pursed my lips. “Well I don’t envy you that, but let us first focus on making it to a village before nightfall. I have an eerie feeling in my bones, and I’d rather not rest without a locked door between us and vampires.”

  The stablehand glanced between us with wide eyes, then scurried away.

  Steifan watched him go. “You do have a habit of scaring people, don’t you?”

  I scowled. “Hurry up and mount, or I’ll be forced to scare you too.”

  Steifan did as he was asked while I climbed into my own saddle, then angled my horse toward the nearby gates, which were already opening for us. A few hunters stopped to watch us depart, and I startled, recognizing a face well behind them near the door to the main keep.

  The Potentate stood alone, tall and wiry, but still strong. He watched me go, that same strange expression on his face, like I was a creature entirely new to him. He’d never watched me like that previously, only since I had returned with news of Karpov’s death.

  I wasn’t sure what had changed, and it was debatable whether I really wanted to know. I knew better than most that some secrets were best left buried.

  Chapter Two

  We reached Silgard on the evening of the third day after leaving Castle Helius. We’d made camp near villages too small to have inns the first two nights, and stayed at an inn the third night closer to the city. There had been no vampires, nor Nattmara, nor anything else. I almost felt foolish for being so worried, but I knew all too well that being bold would get you killed. When you’re a hunter worry is a virtue, even when unwarranted.

  Steifan and I were both deep in our own thoughts as our horses plodded down the wide dirt road leading up to the city built atop a hill. We passed farms and peasant dwellings, the chimneys leaking smoke to flavor the air. It was a nicer thing to notice than the underlying scent of manure tightening my throat. My sharp senses were a blessing at times, but could also prove a curse.

  As we started up the incline, farms shifted to more homes, and a few merchants with carts. My stomach growled as we passed a cart with honey rolls, but we could not in good conscience delay any further. The duchess’ body was probably smelling far worse than the manure.

  “What do we do once we reach the city?” Steifan asked.

  I gazed at the distant metropolis, its walls twice as high as those of Castle Helius and made from pale gray stone. “We seek out Duke Auclair. We’ll need to observe the duchess so she can be given her rites. If we are lucky, the duke will offer us a meal and a place to stay, as is customary, but I have not come to expect it. Few want a red-haired witch within their estate.”

  He straightened in his saddle and blinked at me. “Truly, you were not offered lodgings on those grounds?”

  I shrugged. “Old tales tend to linger.” In truth I could have changed my hair color, there were many ways to stain or lighten one’s hair, but I’d never tried. I knew the color had to have been passed down by one of my ancestors, and with so few of my relations still living, I clung to that small connection.

  Steifan turned his attention to the city gates as we approached. The portcullis stood open with just two city guards posted to question visitors. It didn’t seem a good way to protect the city to me, but then again, Silgard, the Capital of the Ebon Province, had not suffered siege in over a century. Between the Capital and the other provinces lay the mires, desolate forests, vampires, and ghouls. Further south was the Merriden Sea, an impassible expanse. If the vampires weren’t enough to scare away conquerors, the lack of motivation to acquire such cursed lands would do the trick. Though Silgard was as large as any great city, the rest of the province left much to be desired.

  We dismounted as we reached the wide bridge leading to the gates, and I wondered how many vampires were lurking within the walls. Other provinces had them too, but none could rival the Ebon Province in number of undead. Maybe it was the lack of sunlight that drew them, or perhaps many of the lines simply originated in my homeland and never branched out.

  The guards standing to one side of the entryway were both older men wearing polished breastplates over midnight blue livery. They looked at our hardened leather armor skeptically as we approached, as if unaware Steifan and I could probably throw them into the open canal below with little effort.

  “We weren’t told to expect the Helius Order,” one said.

  I furrowed my brow, holding my mare’s reins taught to keep her close behind me. “Were you not informed of Duchess Auclair’s murder?”

  They locked gazes for a moment, then the one who’d spoken shrugged. “Many believe the murder wasn’t actually committed by a vampire. I did not think the Order had been contacted.”

  “We were told there was no question to the murder,” Steifan cut in. “What do you mean it wasn’t committed by a vampire?”

  Another knowing glance between the guards. “Forget we said anything,” the more vocal guard continued. “The duke’s estate is on the northern end of the city, further up the hill. Head that way then ask around, most anyone will be able to point you in the right direction. Duke Auclair is a well-known man.”

  They both turned their attention forward, making it clear we were dismissed.

  I shrugged to Steifan, then led my horse into the city. The wide stones of the bridge turned to cobbles, spreading before us to form a central court. Merchants gathered here, backed by stables and an inn on one side, and short wooden homes on the other. Beyond the inn I could see the tall arched roof of the guild hall.

  The chatter of voices as we walked further into the square was both comforting and unnerving. I couldn’t pick out any specific conversations, but surely some were remarking on our arrival. I supposed I would never know what was said, but it was still nice being in a city outside Castle Helius.

  I received curious glances from market goers on all sides as I led the way toward the stables. I was sure there would be separate stables near the duke’s estate, but after the strange words of the guards I wasn’t keen on leaving my horse there.

  We didn’t make it far before a courier in green and gold livery stopped us. He was young, probably only twelve or thirteen, with sandy hair and freckles that made him look even younger.

  He shifted his eyes between me and Steifan, finally settling firmly on Steifan. “Duke Auclair tasked me with waiting here every day for your arrival. He’ll be pleased to see you shortly. You can stable your horses within the White Quarter.”

  I appreciated Steifan looking to me for instruction.

  I clutched my reins protectively. “We will stable our horses here, then you will lead us to the duke’s estate.”

  The courier opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, then his eyes flicked to the sword visible over my shoulder and his mouth snapped shut. He bowed his head. “As you wish. The White Quarter is not far.”

  I had already deduced as much. In the distance a cobbled path led upward from the square, lined with a secondary inner wall. Tall roofs towered beyond that wall, their white shingles glaring in the sun. I was betting the duke lived somewhere behind those walls. Curious, that the vampire would risk the well-guarded area instead of preying on the peasants outside the city walls. Maybe the guards were right and it wasn’t a vampire. Either way, the murder was probably personal. Not a random killing. If the only need was blood or death, a duchess was not necessary.

  The courier and Steifan were both watching me, and I realized I’d gotten lost in my thoughts.

  I cleared my throat, then tugged my mare’s reins, continuing toward the stables. The courier was given the choice of either moving out of my way, or getting trampled by my horse. He moved.

  We stabled our horses, then rented a room at the inn to store our belongings. Once we were ready, we followed the courier toward the duke’s estate. I noticed the market goers sparing more glances for the courier than they did for Steifan and me. His livery made it clear to which noble he belonged. Just what type of duke was this man who made city guards nervous, and whose courier drew m
ore curiosity than a red-haired hunter?

  I could feel eyes on my back as we started up the cobblestone expanse toward the wealthy estates. The path wound upward, bordering the tall wall guarding the homes to our left. To the right of the path were shops and more modest wooden homes.

  Eventually we reached wrought iron gates and two more city guards, this pair younger and more alert than those outside the main wall.

  Both guards wordlessly observed the courier, then looked us up and down. “You’ll need to leave your swords,” one said.

  Standing straight I was taller than one guard and Steifan was taller than both, but I didn’t think these two men would be intimidated by size. Regardless, they were fools if they thought they would part me from my sword.

  “We are here to hunt a vampire,” I said. “We will not be without our swords.”

  “It’s daylight,” one guard said tiredly.

  He did have a point, but I still wasn’t giving up my sword. I was tired from our travels, and ready for a hot meal and a pint of ale. As I saw it, these two guards were the only thing standing between me and that end.

  “Lyss—” Steifan began, likely noting the change in my expression.

  But I was already stepping forward past the courier toward the guard. “Look, you can try and physically take my sword from me, which I do not recommend, or you can explain to Duke Auclair why his wife will spend another day rotting in her bedroom waiting for us to avenge her murder.”

  The guard to my right audibly swallowed, the one I was eyeing paled.

  The pale one gave a curt nod. “I suppose if I escort you, and the duke accepts your presence with weapons, then we can allow you to pass.”

  I wanted to say, There, was that so hard? But I knew better than to press my luck. I accepted his offer with a nod. “Lead the way.”

  I stepped back as the guard who would remain behind opened the ornate gate, letting the rest of us pass through before shutting it behind us. The other led the way past a grouping of stables, down a wide expanse between estates. He walked with stiff shoulders, nose lifted.

  As we walked Steifan gave me a look that told me I should behave.

  I wrinkled my nose, but nodded. He was likely worried that word of my rude actions would make it back to his father. I felt sympathy for his position, but he was the one here to charm nobles. I was just here to solve a murder.

  More confident now that he was within the secondary walls, the courier scurried forward to lead the way while the guard seemed to think better of keeping his back to us and fell into step beside Steifan.

  I smiled to myself. The guard had deemed Steifan the greater threat, the one who needed to be watched more closely. Amateur.

  My grin faded as I caught a glimpse of an oddly familiar face beyond the wrought iron fence of one estate’s expansive garden. I blinked, and the face was gone. Had I just imagined it? I didn’t have time to consider it further as the courier stopped before the tall wooden door of a particularly grand estate.

  We waited at the base of three wide stone steps leading up to the door while the courier knocked. Almost immediately the door swung inward, revealing a servant in the duke’s livery, an older man who seemed relieved to see us.

  He gave the guard a quick, questioning glance, but waved us in, stepping back and holding the door wide.

  Steifan and I stepped inside and glanced around. The floor beneath our boots was pristine marble, matching white walls rising tall overhead. Bookshelves lined the sitting room, though they held few books and even fewer trinkets. While the home was grand, the decor was oddly sparse. The smell of a rotting corpse hung in the air.

  A man came down the adjoining stairs to greet us, presumably the duke. He looked us over with small eyes set in a ruddy face. At our backs, the servant who’d opened the door was arguing with the guard on whether or not he would be allowed inside.

  The duke straightened his stiff crimson lapels, ignoring the arguing men in favor of regarding us. “You are late. It’s preposterous how long I have been asked to hold my wife’s body. She deserves her rites.” With jerky movements, he swept his hand over his thinning silver hair, fluttering it down to flatten his well-oiled beard.

  Steifan swooped into a ridiculous bow. “My apologies, Duke Auclair. We have ridden many nights from Castle Helius to reach you. I am Steifan Syvise, son to Gregor Syvise. My father sends his greetings, and his condolences.”

  I snapped my jaw shut. I knew Steifan was practically nobility, but I’d never seen him act the part. His words seemed to placate the duke.

  We turned at the sound of commotion as the guard pushed past the door servant, charging inside. The courier followed, reaching out helplessly to stop him. The servant stood stiff-spined near his post.

  “Duke Auclair.“ The guard bowed his head, then quickly raised it. “The hunters would not relinquish their weapons. I wanted to ensure they were welcome in your presence.”

  The duke’s face grew ruddier. “They are hunters, you fool!” He waved his hands. “What good are they to us without their weapons? They must find the creature who killed my wife.”

  At this point I would’ve interjected to calm the flustered men, but I was too busy trying not to breathe in the scent of rotting corpse coming from upstairs. Could the men not smell it? It was only comfortably warm outside, but I had a feeling the upper rooms must amplify the heat to produce such a smell.

  The guard and courier were muttering apologies while the servant watched the duke to see how he would react. Steifan seemed unsure if it was his place to intervene. What I wouldn’t give to be hunting in a small village away from such ridiculous men.

  The duke’s body grew stiff as the guard continued to convince him that he had done the right thing in escorting us. “Silence!” The duke snapped. “Everyone away except the hunters. Make sure we are not disturbed.”

  I’d never seen two men and a boy move so fast. In mere moments Steifan and I were alone with the duke.

  “This way,” the Duke said blandly, gesturing up the stairs.

  It made me wary that his anger could disappear so quickly. I wondered what other emotions lurked just below the surface. But that was a worry for later. I led the way up the stairs, overly conscious of the sound of my boots on the painted wood. The rest of the house was utterly silent.

  I reached the top and stepped aside to wait for the duke, pretending I didn’t know which direction to go in. Steifan came up last, and I fell into step beside him as the duke led us down a wide hall adorned with the longest rug I’d ever seen. Following the putrid smell, my eyes landed on the door before the duke stepped in front of it. It wasn’t as hot up here as I imagined. It should have taken the body longer to stink.

  “I’d rather not see her like this,” the duke said as he opened the door. “I’ll wait out here.”

  I nodded, then stepped inside the room. As soon as I was out of the duke’s line of sight, I lifted my sleeve to cover my nose and mouth.

  Steifan moved to my side, already looking green. Together, we looked down at the bed.

  The duchess wore nothing but a night shift, the fabric sheer enough to clearly show her wilted shape beneath. She had probably been stripped when the corpse was examined. Graying ringlets were plastered back from her snow white face. As reported, there were two small puncture wounds in the side of her neck, but that wasn’t what held my interest. The way her curls dried made it seem like they’d been sopping wet when she’d been laid up on the bed. Parts of her shift were stained brownish yellow, like blood had been washed away. I wanted to speak my observations out loud to Steifan, but had little doubt the duke would be listening from outside the door. I didn’t want him to hear me, because no one had mentioned the body being tampered with. I’d guess she was moved long after her death. It explained the lack of blood on the wound, and the water stains. Just how long had the duchess been missing before her death was finally reported?

  I leaned closer, my nose and mouth still covered by my sleev
e, for what good it did against the stench. Judging by her skin, I didn’t think the rotting had occurred while she’d been submerged in water, more like she died, rotted, then had gotten wet far after the fact.

  I straightened, giving the rest of the room a quick glance. Nothing stood out—other than Steifan looking close to retching in the corner. The dresser was tidy with only a few visible trinkets, just like in the sitting room. I would have liked to peruse the drawers, but had a feeling the duke would intervene. I didn’t want to let him know I suspected anything. Not just yet.

  I motioned for Steifan to exit the room ahead of me. The duke still waited for us in the hall.

  I searched his expression, looking for hints of guilt. If the guards at the main gate didn’t think she was killed by a vampire, did they perhaps suspect her husband? Either way, something was very wrong here. “I was informed she was found in her bed, deceased,” I said simply.

  The duke puffed up his cheeks. “That is correct, this is where I found her. Her body was damp, but I do not know why.”

  I cleared my throat, trying to rid myself of the clinging smell of death. Perhaps he was telling the truth. Maybe someone else put her there. “Do you have any enemies? Anyone who would do this to your wife to horrify you?”

  Sweat shone on his brow as he shook his head. “Wealth breeds enemies, but I can think of no one in particular.”

  I sighed. He was definitely hiding something, but what, was yet to be determined. “I’ll need a list of all of her friends,” I explained, “and any places she frequented. If she kept a journal, seeing that would be helpful.”

  The duke’s tiny eyes went so wide they bulged. “Questioning her friends, I understand, but what use would you have for her journal? Is she not deserving of her privacy?”

  Steifan stepped closer. “Often vampires will stalk their prey for days or weeks before attacking. Sometimes journals can reveal if the victim noticed anyone watching them, or if they recently met someone new. It might even provide a physical description.”