Vashti taps patiently on the keypad, trying not to let the worry seep through. So far she has seen two others dead on the security footage, although some sections are offline. Backtracking what sections she can see only brought more problems ( Read more... )

Vashti washes her hands meticulously. Dealing with traitors is always unpleasant, and Luzah's cowardice leaves a bad taste in the mouth. No higher beliefs there, just greed ( Read more... )

As much as Samem Ren disliked the bizarre and illogical structure of Ishamael's estate, it provided many excellent places to talk in private, like a secluded area behind the stables. On the surface, he was talking with Luzah Ashan, chief of laundry services about washing the bedding that the Darkhounds slept on. Samem Ren was a big man with lengthy ( Read more... )

There was something about the smell of jasmine that appealed to Graendal. Maybe it was the expense of the stuff. Maybe it was the alleged aphrodisiac properties. But whatever it was, Graendal enjoyed the smell as she languished on the back of a large man clad only in the barest scraps of silk ( Read more... )

As often happened, Loira was in the room dusting while Shelley laid about the bed, absently petting Abdiel who as usual purred contentedly at his mistress's ministrations. Loira thought the little redhead was particularly fond of sulking about whatever Lord Ishamael had done or not done depending on her mood. She could never quite figure the matter ( Read more... )

At the appointed time, the door slid open. The morning sunshine streamed through the slowly billowing curtains. A very nice day, certainly. Wearing her usual black and red dress, Loira beamed happily as she walked in carefully balancing a large basket of towels. Her voice was cheerful and pleasant as she strode towards the bathroom ( Read more... )

As Mesaana calmly wandered off to find Semirhage, Lanfear glanced around to find Rahvin. Some of the Friends of the Dark began to stir quietly, talking amongst themselves. Whispers of something happening between the Chosen. A few of the most observant ones left quietly. Too much quiet talk amongst the Chosen for their taste, certainly. They knew ( Read more... )

It was a beautiful evening. The stars shone brightly through the clear ceiling of the ballroom. The guests were beginning to trickle in, a lot of very influential Friends of the Dark. The question was, when would the Chosen begin to arrive? Ishamael would be fashionably late, of course. The man always loved to make an entrance. Mesaana was ( Read more... )

Lanfear places the pages deliberately back on the table before focusing a cool look on the servant before her. The handwriting is unimpressive, though readable. Evidently too long with the use of a transcriber has rendered the woman out of practise. The servant hardly dares to glance up ( Read more... )

Something on the floor nearby her catches her eye as she settles back into her corner, trying to go back to sleep. It's a roll of the odd electronic paper the Second Age uses. Hesitantly, she picks it up.

To the Lady Nita Callahan ( Read more... )