The Master and the Sorceress- Wildecoast Saga Book 4 Read online

Only ten yards away, a huge gray dog stood, its malevolent yellow stare fixed upon her, lips curled in a snarl. Dread exploded in her heart as she recognized deadly intent in its eyes. Run!

  Kat burst out of the crowd in front of the stall and charged up the street, her boots snapping against the cobbles. Rapid pad-falls and snarling followed her. Whatever the thing was, it would not give up easily. She cast a look back. The dog from hell had gained on her in that short time. Snapping her head back to the front, she cast about for some sort of rescue, but the appearance of the beast had sent market patrons flying into alleys and under stalls. The road before her was almost deserted.

  Her breath burned in her lungs and blood pounded in her ears. Desperation made her clumsy, and she stumbled, clutching at a post at the side of the road. There was a shop! Kat lunged for the door, shoved it open, and slammed it shut behind her. The huge body of the dog crashed against the door with a force that shook the whole front of the premises. Growling and high-pitched yowling echoed through the building. Keeping her back to the door, she surveyed her surroundings for the first time.

  “You!” she said, the man before her enough to distract her from the dog outside.

  “What the deuce are you doing here, lady?” James Tomel wiped his hands on an apron and stalked toward her, eyes stormy and dark hair spilling from its bindings. “And what is that damned awful noise? It sounds like all the hounds of hell are outside my shop.”

  “Your shop?”

  “Yes, and I’ll have you know I don’t need you bringing trouble to my door.”

  The door banged against her as the creature threw itself against it again. “Well, I’m sorry,” Kat said, gritting her teeth to stop them chattering. “It was that or let it eat me.”

  He blinked at her. “What do you mean?”

  “That beast out there is huge! I was shopping in the market, and the next thing it’s chasing me as though I’m its next meal. What are we going to do?”

  James frowned, then squared his shoulders as the door shuddered again. “I have a back door. I’ll grab my knives and move around to the front of the shop, then dispatch it.”

  She must be hearing things. “You’re a tradesman. You can’t go around killing dangerous dogs. You’re not trained for it!” Her voice rose so high she didn’t recognize it. Damn it! She had never been one for hysterics, but her hands shook so hard Kat knew she could not have picked up a knife, let alone thrown it.

  James cast her a contemptuous look. “And you know me so well.” He walked back behind the counter and collected five knives, two of which he slipped into his boots, then pulled on a chest holster where he stowed another two. One knife in hand, he stalked out the back.

  “Wait! James!” Kat abandoned the door and followed the jeweler, catching up to him as he opened the back door. “I’m coming with you.”

  His eyes bugged. “Stay here. Bad enough you brought me this menace. I don’t want you getting in my way.”

  She watched him stalk away, irritation showing in every ounce of his body. But she couldn’t let him face the thing alone with only five knives to defend himself. And she couldn’t use her magic in public, not to the extent she would need to vanquish that dog anyway. Her knives would be as useless as James’s. Kat cast her eye up and down the alley and spotted a broom with a thick handle lying against the wall. It would have to do. She seized her weapon and followed James around the corner of the shop to the street.

  Kat poked her head around the side of the building just as James whistled at the beast. Her eyes darted to the hound as it turned to face the intruder. The dog launched itself toward James who braced himself, feet apart and knives at the ready. Kat charged into the street, brandishing the broom and came to a halt beside James. The dog slid to a stop, its gaze shifting between the two humans.

  “What are you doing?” James hissed from the corner of his mouth.

  “Saving your behind. Knives are too slow. You’d be fortunate to get one thrown before he was upon you.”

  The dog studied them, perhaps wondering if two humans might be overcome as easily as one. Kat kept her eyes on it, noting the heavy jaw and muscled shoulders. If she could get the broom end in its jaws, perhaps James had a chance with his knives. At that thought, James’s first knife hurtled at the beast, lodging in its shoulder. It screamed in pain and spun to bite at the blade. James seized the chance to hurl another knife at its exposed flank. The second one hit its target too.

  “Nice throwing,” Kat said, not taking her eyes from the howling creature. Before James had time to throw again, the dog turned and lunged at them, its movements awkward. Blood sprayed across the cobblestones. Kat jabbed with the straw end of the broom and the beast snapped at it, seizing the bristles and shaking his head from side to side whilst still moving forward. She was pushed backward, frantically trying to stay on her feet. Her heart pounded, breath straining in her chest. The movement of the beast stabbed splinters into her palms and fingers.

  Another two of James’s blades appeared in the left ribcage of the dog but Kat hardly noticed as she fought to keep the creature on the end of her broom. Blood poured from it, and it showed signs of weakening. Would its demise come soon enough, or should she risk using her magic?

  The beast surged forward and caught Kat by surprise. Her hands slipped off the handle and it was upon her, its weight bearing her to the cobblestones. Her skull cracked on stones and pain blasted through her head. With her last shred of desperate strength, she managed to get her hands around the dog’s neck. Its yellow fangs were mere inches from her face, and she retched at the stench of its breath. Her arms trembled with the effort of holding it back. It wouldn’t be much longer—already the threat of those teeth inched closer to her throat. Kat tried to gather her magic, but as she did, her hands relaxed their grip on the beast’s neck. She screamed, fear, anger, and frustration battling for supremacy. And then the pressure on her arms ceased as the dog collapsed onto her chest.

  Kat flung her arms out to the side, tears streaming from her eyes as she drew great gasping breaths into her tortured chest. I am safe! The weight lifted from her as James grasped the beast by the scruff of the neck and hauled it away. She rolled to her side and sobbed, tears mixing with the blood from the fearsome hound.

  “Are you whole, Katrine?” James clasped her shoulder and his gentle finger probed the back of her head. “You’re bleeding.”

  “I’m alive, that’s all I care about.” She dried her eyes on the crisp white handkerchief James offered and climbed to her feet with his help. The world tilted and she grabbed his shoulders, eyes closed to stop the spinning.

  “You were foolish to intervene.”

  His voice soothed even though he admonished her. Strange. She opened her eyes and met his serious gray gaze. Serious and frightened! Perhaps he did care a little what befell her. “I am steady now.” As she slipped her hands from his shoulders, he released her waist but stayed near. She looked down at the dog and knelt to examine it. A wave of sorrow brought fresh tears and she brushed them away. Why should I feel any regret for the loss of this creature that was trying to kill me?

  “Come into the shop,” James said. “I need to clean your head wound.”

  “In a moment.” Kat hardly heard him. She pushed her deep sadness aside and tried to concentrate on the body. The beast was the size of a wolf, with short gray hair, heavy snout, and stumpy ears. Its eyes were red but what drew her attention were the feet. There were six toes on each paw and the back feet had retractable cat-like claws that were huge and razor sharp. Ideal for disemboweling prey.

  She shuddered and exposed the claws for James to see. “I wouldn’t have lasted long had it not been almost dead when it leaped on me.” She stood, walked over to a bench near the wall of the shop, and sat down. Townsfolk surrounded the beast, poking at it with their boots and muttering. Kat kept her eyes down lest they blame her for its presence.

  James spoke to a stout old man wearing a watch on a gold chain, then joined her on the bench. “The mayor says they haven’t seen a night hound in these parts for fifty years.”

  Her gut clenched. “They are legend only. Used to scare children into staying close to home.”

  “He took one look at the hind paws and declared it a night hound. I want to know more.”

  “What will they do with it?”

  “He wants to study it, then it will be burned.”

  She shuddered. “I never want to see that thing again.” She thought back to what she was doing before the dog attacked. Witchcraft. Had the thing been attracted to her magic? It was said the hounds served the powers of darkness, so it seemed likely they might be able to detect her sorcery. She shuddered again. If the hound was attracted to her spell, why had this never happened before? There must be another explanation.

  James was talking. “…get you inside before the watch comes asking questions. You’re in no condition for it.” He helped her up and into the shop then seated her near his wash basin.

  As he bathed her wound, he kept up a soothing run of useless conversation. “It’s only a small injury, but you’ve lost some blood and taken a knock to the head. You’ll have a headache. I’ll fix a powder for you and you must rest on the pallet I use when I stay here overnight. Then I’ll take you home.”

  The fear and tension drained from Kat as she closed her eyes and let his voice wash over her.

  Kat awoke with a start. She was on a pallet on the floor and a lamp bathed her in its gentle golden light. Where am I? She surged up and pain smashed through her skull.

  “Ahh!” She grasped her head and battled a wave of nausea.

  “Lie back before you pass out,” James said, his hand a gentle pressure on her shoulder.

  She did as she was told, and the pain subsided to a low thudding ache in the back of her skull. “What time is it? I must get back to the Delacosts and Mason. They will be worried.”

  “Never fear. I sent a message to them. Mason is bringing your coach.”

  “Oh…” Kat experienced an unreasonable pang that James wouldn’t see her home himself, then cursed herself for a weak and feeble woman. I’m not weak! I saved James, not the other way around. “You’ve been kind, James, and I thank you.”

  “Your man should be here soon.” He reached behind him and produced a silver goblet. “I’ve mixed this powder for your headache.” The liquid in the goblet was bitter, but she drank it all down and ate the bread he provided.

  “This is excellent bread,” she said. “Your wife’s?”

  “I’m not married. My housekeeper baked this.” His words were stilted as though he would rather not talk about his private life.

  Kat’s heart leaped at the revelation of James’s single status, but she reined it in. No point going silly over the man. It was a passing attraction they shared, or, rather, that she felt. She had no idea if James sensed it too. He had already told her what he thought of Kat and her kin.

  “Look,” he said, sliding his hand through his hair. “I was rude yesterday. It was unfair to blame you for what happened to Reid. I apologize.”

  She stared at him, and he looked right back as if her eyes were as normal as anyone’s. “You don’t have to apologize just because I am hurt or because I saved your life,” she said.

  His mouth fell open. “I… you…you saved my life? I was perfectly capable of handling that pup on my own!”

  “Huh, there was no evidence of it when I arrived. Do you really believe your knives would have stopped a full charge? You did see those claws on the hind feet, did you not? We would have been picking up your entrails for days!”

  “I had it covered,” James said through gritted teeth.

  “Well, sir, you may think what you wish, but it was my arrival which gave the dog pause and allowed you time to get your knives into it.”

  He scowled at her, the muscles of his jaw tensing and relaxing. Finally, he cast his eyes to the ceiling. “I admit you handled yourself well. There is no point fighting over who saved who. And I apologized because I was rude, not for any other reason.”

  She nodded. “Then I accept. Reid must be a good friend.”

  “He is a true and decent man, but if I speak of it again, I will only be angry so let’s change the subject.”

  “My sister is a good person, James.”

  “You must say that because you cannot believe anything else.” He stood and walked away, his fingers again coursing through his shoulder length locks. The band that usually restrained them had long since fallen out. She admired his broad shoulders and again experienced an itch to run her fingers through his hair. It must be the head injury putting such insane fancies into her mind. The man disliked her. Besides, there was no room for romance in her life. How could she inflict her deep melancholy on anther being? She must find a way to live with herself before contemplating a partner.

  Kat sat up, waited for the room to stop swaying, and then stood. “You’re wrong, you know. I’m not blind to my sister’s shortcomings.”

  James turned to face her. She must have looked a sight because he hurried across and clasped her forearm. “I’m not sure you should be on your feet.”

  She shook her head and immediately wished she hadn’t as the queasy feeling struck her stomach. “I’m trying to explain. Stop changing the subject.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” His fingers tightened on her flesh. “I’ve apologized for my treatment of you, so let that be the end.”

  She let out a huff of annoyance. “You’re so stubborn. I can’t stand to be in your presence a moment longer.” She twisted out of his grip and tottered toward the door. “I’ll wait outside.” At least there she wouldn’t be confronted with his virile strength, his taunting, musky male smell … or his overbearing attitude.

  “Katrine.” The word was filled with regret and frustration.

  She stopped but kept her back to him. What was this that swirled between them? Her name on his lips seemed to whisper that he was affected by her. Or was she delusional?

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to say. Please stay inside until your carriage arrives. There may be more night hounds out there.”

  Kat swallowed a sudden burst of fear and turned to face him. She didn’t lower her eyes, just let him see who she was—a woman changed in a crystal chamber, by magic. A woman alone. And she knew he cared about her, even if only a little.

  She said nothing but sank into a nearby chair and closed her eyes.

  Chapter 4

  James handed the reins of his horse to a groom and entered his mansion, slamming the door behind him. He was late for supper, but it would have to wait. He needed to change his clothes and have a wash. The blood of the night hound had lodged in his nostrils along with the perfume of a certain feisty woman. His house keeper came to greet him. He threw up his hand to silence her and kept walking to his bedroom. Alone. I need to be alone.

  His usual bath was prepared. He stripped off his clothes and stepped into it, sliding under the water until he was completely submerged. His thoughts leaped to the events of the day—Katrine bringing the night hound to his door, her willingness to place herself in danger for him, and the revelations of his connection with her. He would ignore the connection, of course. He had his life planned out, and it definitely didn’t include Lady Katrine Aranati. Imagine Reid’s face if I told him of a relationship with the sister of his former fiancée. He’d be furious. Well, it would never happen.

  Of equal concern was the appearance of the night hound—a creature out of legend. What had brought it to Costa? And how many more of them were there? He must discover the answers to these questions or the streets wouldn’t be safe. Starting tomorrow, he would cast his net far and wide to see if his spies had heard anything.

  He popped above the water to be greeted by a scream. His maid Eva’s wide eyes latched onto him above the pile of towels she was carrying.

  “Master Tomel! You scared me. I didn’t realize you were here.”

  Curse women and their damned reactions! Their infernal squeals would be the death of him.

  “Take yourself in hand, girl, and give me a blessed towel!” He winced as Eva jumped and hurried across to the bath, a fresh towel held out and eyes averted. The Goddess knew he wasn’t used to the delicacies of women after being raised amongst six brothers. The situation had molded his mother into a woman more than capable of holding her own with her men. James recalled many a time when Mother had waded into the middle of her fighting sons, grabbing two by the ears and elbowing the rest out of her way.

  He stood and wrapped the towel around his middle, then grabbed another to dry himself.

  “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know what’s gotten into me.” Eva continued toward the wash stand where she deposited the remaining towels. She turned to leave and let out a strangled cry.

  “Ahhhh!” The girl doubled over, clutching at her stomach, and, as a cold wave of fear washed over James, clear fluid gushed down the girl’s legs. She screamed and dropped to her knees.

  “I’m leaking, sir! Is it the babe?”

  For a second, he froze in mind and body, but then he was moving, grabbing towels to place under the girl. “Rest on these while I get help, Eva. No need to panic. If the babe is coming, we’ll deal with it.”

  “It’s too early, sir! It can’t be coming.”

  “Eva,” he said, his voice firm. “Stay calm. You won’t help the child by getting upset. Breathe and I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He left the room and bolted for the kitchen.

  Kat battled a night hound, but this time the dog and its pack surrounded her, and there was no James to help. Magic should be able to save her if she could summon it. There was a barrier between her and the glowing golden source that lay within. She tried again to reach it, to block out the hounds, and believe in herself, but a loud knocking distracted her. Was it the frantic beat of her heart? Or the drums summoning her to her eternal reward? Reward? She had the presence of mind to realize she didn’t deserve any reward.