Brood of Vipers, Maggie Claire [e novels to read .TXT] 📗

he’d choose the side of the Ddraigs, preying on his emotions by showing him the helpless young. That Ddraig just wants to protect his own, much like I seek to keep Lynx’s child from harm. Wren drops his head, wishing he could detach himself from the crazy ideas already taking shape in his mind.

He must have grumbled audibly as he recalls the black Ddraig’s plea for aid, and Lynx eyes him suspiciously, asking, “What’s wrong?”

“I think I just decided to join the fight,” Wren admits, cursing himself for getting too involved, even though a small part of his heart feels relieved to finally have a cause that matters this much to him. “And it appears that I’m going to be the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.” But it’s nothing new to me, is it? Wren declares, silently offering up a prayer that he’ll find a way to survive this mess.

Lynx’s mouth falls open as she finally comprehends Wren’s plan. “You’re saying that while Wolf watches me, waiting to see if I sell him out—”

“He’ll hopefully miss the fact that I’m the real threat,” Wren finishes, a thankful sigh of relief escaping his lips when Lynx’s knife falls in the dirt. “I’ll make him grow to depend upon me, to trust my judgment even more than he values the rest of his pack. I’ll use Fox’s leaving to my benefit, letting Wolf believe he’s the betrayer, selling out Wolf’s secrets to Iris and the Ddraigs. Whatever it takes to keep suspicion off me, I’ll do it.” Wren scans the field, his keen eyes watching for any signs of movement that might point to someone spying on them.

“Why?” Lynx demands, absently clutching her stomach as if the gesture could protect her son.

“Loyalty to my old house, my own damned love of intrigue, or downright insanity, I don’t know. There are a thousand different answers to that question,” Wren explains, his mouth hardening into a slim, straight line across his face as he prepares to explain his plan to Lynx. “If we’re going to survive this, you’re going to have to trust me completely. There may be times when I have to say and do things that hurt you. If Wolf tells me to beat you, I won’t bat an eye as I do it.”

“I can endure anything you put me through,” Lynx whispers, her gaze on her shoes. “I’ve already been through worse, believe me. Just keep my son alive and safe.”

Wren nods as if her demand was already anticipated. Then, with carefully practiced motions, Wren strikes out hard and jabs a fist into Lynx’s jaw. She lands on the ground at the impact of the jarring blow, and already a bruise blooms to life under the edge of her mask. “That’s to give us a story should any guards see us return to the campsite.” He slips an extra shirt from the deep pockets of his coat, wadding it into a ball as he steps toward the fallen woman. “Carry this as if it is your son. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them I caught you trying to escape my tent.” In a softer voice, Wren murmurs, “I’m sorry it’s come to this. Every time I end up hurting you, please remember that it’s just a part I’m playing to keep us alive.”

“Fair enough.” Lynx hesitates to receive the outstretched bundle, rubbing her jaw as she exclaims, “But just how do you intend on becoming Wolf’s right-hand man? He’s not easily fooled.”

“Neither am I,” Wren adds with a mirthless laugh, hoisting Lynx off the ground carefully. “However, tonight, we were nearly caught because there’s a bigger threat in our midst. But I think I know who it is, and I’ve already got a plan to get rid of him. I’m going to drive some doubt into Wolf’s mind.”

“Just like that?” Lynx scoffs, dusting off the coating of wet sand that covers her pants with grit. “You really think it will be that easy?”

“A few well cast shadows are all it takes to seed mistrust. The rest will happen naturally, especially since Wolf’s already feeling betrayed and vulnerable. It won’t take much for his mind to assume there might be more traitors in the camp. I just have to make sure his thoughts lead him toward Jackal and away from myself,” Wren exclaims as he hands Lynx the shirt bundle that will pass for a newborn. “Trust me. If there’s any one thing I’m good at, it’s this kind of game. Wolf will never know what hit him.”

“You better be right,” Lynx acquiesces, still unconvinced as they turn and hurry back to camp. “We’re depending upon you now.”

***

“This is where you sleep?” Cyrus wonders as he steps into the grand chamber that leads to the Pith caverns. I nod, unable to speak as Cyrus stares at me expectantly. When no explanation comes, he adds. “I just figured you’d have picked someplace deeper in the heart of the caves. Somewhere that’s easily defensible and holds less painful memories for you.”

Scanning the room, I understand Cyrus’s assessment of the place. After all, this is where Antero was burned alive, where I’d first discovered he was a traitor, and where Wolf had first been separated from my side. “Yes, there are strong memories here. It’s true. Some are difficult to recall,” I agree, surprising Cyrus when I add, “But there are precious ones too, Cyrus.”

“Like what?” Cyrus wheezes, and judging by his tense expression, I suspect he’s silently praying my answer has nothing to do with Wolf. Already feeling vulnerable and emotionally threadbare, listening to me praise anything about his monstrosity of a brother would probably send Cyrus into a nervous breakdown.

I offer him a wistful smile, recalling my first moments in the cavern mouth. “This is where I learned that Ddraigs exist. That knowledge completely rerouted my life. Now, this is the first place to defend against any invaders who might seek to steal into our lands. As long as I’m here, I can