Chapter 4 A Skin

• “Cousin?” My voice rose.
• “We were raised more like brothers.”
• “You don’t talk about him fondly. Respectfully but not fondly.”
• “I’m not fond of him anymore.” He said. Lifting a glass of wine to his lips. “He betrayed our family.”
• “How?”
• “He killed the King and Queen. His mother and father.”
• Eyeing him a moment, I decided to change the subject.
• Perhaps a bit safer.
• So far, I was finding him coldly logical but about as reasonable as a wall.
• “You stand up here in the dark, sipping your fine wine, and watching the grounds below, watching as they creep into the villages at night to murder and torture and you do nothing.”
• “There’s no reason to intervene. They’re entertained and more content.”
• “What if I gave you a reason.”
• “Please do.” He waved an inviting hand.
• “Those people are good people. They don’t deserve to live in fear. To be tormented by predators which have nothing better to do than toy with them like hapless animals.”
• He scoffed. “There’s no such thing as good people. And certainly, perilously few in the Doglands.”
• “They have goods, grains and cattle they’d willingly provide you for protection rather than suffering.”
• “I have all that I need. This fortress is lush with meats, cheeses, vegetables and grains.”
• “How can it be? You live in the snow caps.”
• “We have our ways. We’re far more ingenious than you give us credit for. Besides, if we had a need for such things, we’d just take it. Like stealing pastries from a babe.”
• I hated hearing a loathsome monster describing Skins like they were inferior.
• “Babes are we? Is it babes you bring up to your chamber?”
• “Define your meaning.” He said a bit more commandingly. Sipping his wine.
• “You’ve adorned this chamber with a fire and light. Clearly you’re having Skins here.”
• “Skins aren’t the only ones who need warmth and fail to see in the dark.”
• “No, but the others would likely not get within a mile of you. But us babes…Sometimes one trusts power.”
• “Sometimes, perhaps, I seek other conversation.”
• “From that of Eternus and discussing enslaving humanity.”
• “From discussing hunger and lust.”
• “I get the sense that’s all you’d wish to talk of.”
• “You’d be wrong. Your senses are as weak as your intelligence in coming here.”
• “I’m not a fool.”
• “You are unwise in your choices.”
• “Do you plan to kill me?” I was never one to pull my punches.
• “Depends.”
• “On what?”
• “If you’re offering me something worth while.”
• “Money?”
• “No.”
• “Wines!” I offered quickly. Thinking of it when he lifted the glass again.
• He laughed coldly. “Not hardly. I’ve plenty.”
• “To offer you intelligent conversation. I could schedule the wisest of the villagers to come debate with you.”
• “I don’t want them.”
• “Then what do you want?” I tired of this guessing game.
• “You.”
• I reared back. “I’m not that manner of woman.”
• “What manner of woman do you think I’m calling you?” He asked dangerously. Striding from the shadows to circle me. Looking me over as if I were a prized mare he was considering for purchase. He scanned me from every angle.
• “One that can be so easily bought.”
• “I’ve no intention of buying you, Clever Girl.”
• “Then what?”
• “I offer your people protection.” He waved his hand dismissively. “From my kind and all other kinds. And you stay here. With me.”
• “I won’t.” I took a long step backward. And jumped when I bumped into a hard chest. Whirling around I found him standing there.
• Somehow maneuvering behind me with such speed I’d not seen him move.
• “I’ve no intention of remaining in this fortress.”
• “You’re ‘intentions’ mean very little to me.”
• “I won’t stay.”
• “You will.” He said confidently. “You can either choose to and I’ll protect your people. Or you can refuse me, and I’ll take you prisoner.”
• “Because I’m a Skin?” I said bitterly.
• “No.” He shook his head. White teeth flashing in the dark. “Because I find you fascinating.”