FOREVER KNIGHTS: #15 Insatiable Beasts

“Bast, I’ve got the last of it.” The tracker emerged from the hall balancing a worn sack. “Have you got the armory opened?”

When Bast hesitated to answer, Rhyers spotted them in the foyer.

“Ah, Savage Jack! Welcome. Good to see you again.”

“You know him?” Bast asked incredulously.

“He saved my hide outside of Nightway.” Rhyers skipped down the stairs and set the sack aside to greet Savage.

Bast’s head whipped back. “You were the voice we didn’t recognize.”

“I was.”

“You didn’t identify yourself.”

“I didn’t feel it was the most important issue at hand.” He nodded toward Rhyers.

“Why’d you do that?” Bast was suddenly firing off questions.

“Because he owed me one.” Rhyers slapped Bast’s shoulder. “Can you relent some, Old Friend. He’s no enemy.”

“I wasn’t implying he was. I’m curious.”

Curious? About me?

About how I operate. He realized. He’s trying to learn what manner of man I am.

“He saved my woman’s life.” Savage explained. Realizing how hollow the words sounded in comparison to their reality.

I’d be a rampager today if he had not.

She grounds me.

“What’s brought you here this afternoon?” Rhyers queried.

More questions. Savage thought with faint annoyance. At least this one gets me to my point.

“Yes, what has? You mentioned you could do something for me?” Bast added.

“Indeed. I can tell you where your mate is.”

“Elsabet?” Bast stilled. Waiting with baited breath.

Savage let it prolong.

“Tell me!” Bast declared.

“She’s gone to Radix’s lair.”

“In the Netherlands?” Rhyers asked.

Savage frowned. “In the Black Mountains.”

What lair in the Netherlands.

“His lair is in the mountains?” Rhyers was stunned. “I always lost his tracks in the Netherlands. Because there were too many.”

“Because all his minions come out of those mountains.”

“Even Chavias.” Bast said coldly. Worry furrowing his brow.

Savage nodded vaguely. More intent on watching this man’s body language when speaking of Chavias.

They were close once.

Chavias had spoken often of Sebastian.

And what they did for each other.

“Why is she going to see Radix?” Bast asked. Dread written over him.

“She wants to be recruited.” Deadpan.

“Why would she do that!”

You tell me.

I tried to talk her out of it.

“She said she couldn’t bear the loss of her daughter and that she needed vengeance.”

“But Radix was to blame.”

“Sounded as though she thought you were.” Savage countered.

“Too far!” Rhyers intervened. Stepping between them as Bast deflated.

I needed to see.

How does this news effect him.

Bast looked unsteady. Color drained from his tanned skin and he looked prepared to vomit. “It was my fault.”

The words were barely audible but Savage heard them. “What did you do?”

“My magic bound her when our daughter needed her.”

“Sounded like there would’ve been too many for her to take on anyway.”

“There were!” Rhyers spat. Angry at Savage as he turned to lead Bast to the Parlor. “That was unnecessary.”

“Not for me.”

I needed to know if he wanted a prisoner or cared for a mate.

“There were too many but she would’ve taken them all along for Sebet.” Bast said numbly. Walking backward as Rhyers guided him. Looking to shell shocked to turn himself.

Perhaps it was too far.

“I was wrong to keep her.” Bast admitted.

“Then why did you?” Savage called across the foyer. Not moving from where he stood.

“Because I couldn’t let her go.”

Could I have? Savage pondered. If Murah hadn’t wanted to stay with me?

He could’ve refrained from ever taking her off that ship and allowed her to fend for herself if that would’ve been what she wished. But after she’d gone back with him and he’d begun to develop feeling for her it would’ve been different.

I’ve never felt for anyone how I feel for her.

I would’ve let her go. He was fairly certain. Though he couldn’t guarantee it. I’d have wanted her to be happy without me.

But his mind commanded that to fully analyze the comparison he needed to account for the two missing factors. What if I thought she wasn’t happy not only before me but wouldn’t be after? And what if I knew that Radix and every one of his demons would want to possess her?

With those two details in mind he knew his answer changed. I’d never let her fall into his hands.

And if that meant keeping her against her will, I’d keep her.

Screaming, ranting, wailing and crying. As long as it took. Until I knew she’d be safe or happy.

Savage considered going into the Parlor and trying to offer comfort. But I’m no good at it and he doesn’t know me.

He could heart Rhyers talking softly to Bast who was now dead silent. It’s better that I go.

He left as silently as he’d come. Having found the answers he sought. I know what she is to him.