Chapter 34
Lucy: In the Belly of the Beast
Somehow, it wasn’t as dark in Thaddeus’s stomach as it had been in the cottage. Perhaps, a small part of her brain reasoned, it was because she now had a fox’s eyes. Foxes, like werewolves, were predominantly nocturnal, weren’t they?
She gave a small yip of sorrow, then shook herself. There was no need for that. The stomach acids and digestive systems would take her life eventually. She didn’t need to waste what little time she had left feeling sorry for herself. She wouldn’t give Thaddeus the satisfaction.
Suddenly, the world outside her rumbled, and she realized it was the sound of Thaddeus laughing. “It tickles when you try to speak, lo-lu. Go on, do it again. Let me hear your pretty little voice as you wait for death to claim you.”
As if she needed another reason not to waste her time on self-pity. She clenched her muzzle together, feeling the soft glass ridges of the vial against the top of her mouth. She would not give Thaddeus the pleasure of hearing her fear.
“The only regret I have is that you didn’t tell me where you left that lovely little vial of poison,” Thaddeus continued.
Lucy tried not to shiver as she felt his words reverberate around her.
“I really need that vial if I’m going to get what I am owed.
And, if nothing else, I do plan to do that job.
” He sighed. “Ah, well. I’m sure you stored your pack somewhere you considered ‘safe.’ Or maybe you gave it to soldier boy, like you said you did.
” Another horrible laugh. “I almost hope that’s true.
I’d like to pay him back for turning you against me. ”
White hot rage poured through Lucy. She forgot about keeping her mouth shut.
She forgot about waiting, and somehow, even forgot that she was trapped.
Without thinking, she opened her mouth and let the vial slip out as she gave a little growl of her own.
Then she bared her claws, scratching against whatever was surrounding her.
Everything shook as Thaddeus let out an unearthly howl. “Don’t do that, little wretch,” he growled. Something hard pressed against the outer wall. “You won’t like the consequences if you do.”
What’s he going to do? Lucy wondered. He’s already eaten me. I’m already going to die. So why bother listening to him?
As if he could hear her thoughts, Thaddeus chuckled.
“I already told you what I’m planning for your precious soldier boy.
But you forget, I have your lovely grandmother here with me.
” There was a thump and a muffled groan.
“She’s not particularly active right now, but she will be.
And I have the power to either leave her in peace once I leave this ugly little place or I can make her passing a lot more painful.
And I’ll do it right now, as you’re listening, so you can hear her anguish, as you pass on to the next life.
” Another chuckle rang out around her. “So, what’s it going to be, little lo-lu?
Gonna listen as I kill your beloved grandmother?
Or are you going to be good as you wait for death? ”
Lucy considered her options for a moment. She was already dead; she knew that. But there had to be a way to protect Tala and Sebastian, not to mention the emperor, once she was gone.
Suddenly, her eyes landed on the little vial of poison, and a thought struck her. Avelar had said that the poison was deadly enough that one drop would kill a man within a few minutes. If she released the entire vial while inside Thaddeus’s stomach….
“I can hear you thinking, lo-lu. Whatever you’re planning, don’t waste your time. You can’t stop me.” Thaddeus laughed again, sending chills up and down Lucy’s spine.
She gritted her teeth. He might be right. She might not be able to stop him before she could kill him. But she was going to try.
She reached out for the little vial and managed to fit her maw around the rubber stopper. As she moved, Thaddeus stopped laughing. “Lucy? What are you doing?” he growled.
What I have to do. Lucy wriggled against the stopper, trying to get enough purchase for it to open.
The hard object pressed even firmer against the outer wall. “I’m serious, Lucy, stop it.” For the first time, Lucy fancied she heard a note of fear in his voice. “Stop it, now!” This came out as a snarl. Lucy ignored it. She had to get the vial open. It was now or never.
A blow to her surroundings startled her, but she ignored it. It was no worse than the acid that she fancied she could feel eating at her fur, and if it was Thaddeus’s attempt at a distraction, she couldn’t afford to let it work.
Another blow, and this one knocked her backwards. She barely held on to the vial. “I’m serious, Lucy. If you don’t stop, I will kill your gran. Slowly. Painfully. Just to make your last moments a little more unpleasant than they already are.”
Abruptly, a muffled smash from somewhere outside sounded, and someone…someone whose voice she recognized spoke. “Where’s Lucy?”
The world around her shifted, and Thaddeus chuckled. “Come to play, soldier boy? You’re too late. And I will take great pleasure in killing you, just as I killed the little defective wolf.”
No. Not Sebastian. No, no, no, please no. Lucy scrabbled against the rubber stopper and, to her horror and delight, she felt it give way. The bright green liquid slipped out of the vial and into her surroundings.
That was when Lucy saw the flaw in her plan. In killing Thaddeus, she would also hurry her own death along. Well, it didn’t matter anymore. As long as Sebastian was safe. She closed her eyes, welcoming the poison as it enveloped her.
Outside, she heard Sebastian speak. “You’d better hope she’s not dead yet,” Sebastian warned. “Or your end will be more painful than you can imagine.”
Another chuckle from Thaddeus. “I’d like to see you try.
” Then the world tilted, sending shockwaves over the enclosed area.
Everything grew colder, but Lucy barely noticed.
The green poison shielded her from the worst of the cold, so much so that she welcomed its presence.
She closed her eyes, reveling in its near-warmth.
“Robin? Robin!” The panic in Sebastian’s voice almost broke through the haze in Lucy’s mind…almost, but not quite. Time had slowed down, somehow. There was no need to rush. Not anymore.
Another thud sounded outside, and a second voice joined the first. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. He just collapsed. I—” Sebastian’s voice cracked. “What do we do?”
“First thing is first.” The third voice wasn’t as familiar. Lucy half-opened her eyes, trying to place it. “We need to get her out of there. Once we do, we can figure out—”
“Right.” There was a shuffling sound. “Robin, do you want to do the honors?”
“I think you’ve earned it, my friend.” The second voice was back. “I’ll see to her gran. Just be careful. We don’t want to cause any more damage.”
“I won’t.” The first voice grew louder. “Lucy, if you can hear me, move away from my voice.”
With great difficulty, Lucy struggled to do as she was told. Then there was the sound of metal cutting through flesh. Something in her rose, bile, maybe, but she didn’t have the energy to act on it or swallow it down. All that mattered now was staying warm.
A small glimmer of light pierced the dim space. Distantly, she wondered about it. Why was it getting brighter? Hadn’t the cottage been black as night? She tried to remember back, but even that felt like a monumental effort. She just wanted to sleep. Her eyes fluttered closed…
“I see her!” The nearness of the first voice forced her eyes open.
Large, calloused hands reached for her, but she couldn’t make herself edge away from them.
The hands pulled her into the dimly lit cottage and cradled her to a muscular chest. “Lucy? Lucy, you hear me?” Weakly, she nodded, resting in the unexpected warmth.
“Doyle, she’s dripping with green liquid,” the second voice said. “She’s drenched with it.”
“Green li—” Horror flooded through the first voice. “Lucy, did you open the Schlecht?”
Lucy didn’t have the strength or energy to answer him. She rested her head on his chest, letting his heartbeat lull her into a deep sleep.
“She did. I found the vial in his stomach.” The anger in the second voice was palpable. “It’s empty.”
“You need to wash your hands, Sir Sebastian.” There was pain in the third voice. “It’s not as effective on skin contact, but it’s still—”
“No.” The rumble of the first voice was comforting. “I’m not leaving her. I won’t give up on her.”
“Nein, you must not give up.” Another voice joined the first three.
“We must act quickly if we are going to save Fraulein Lucy’s life.
” Nimble fingers prised Lucy’s maw open and poured in something cool and refreshing.
“We must wash the poison from her fur while the antidote takes effect. Mr. Doyle, you must also take a dose.”
“I will once Lucy’s safe,” the first voice said, shifting his hold on her small body. “Where’s the sink in this place?”
Someone said something else, but Lucy couldn’t make herself hold on any longer. She sighed and slipped into sleep.