Rhynn's eyes remained steady. "Torture me all youlike. I won't break."
"I wouldn't be so sure. They call me the Sharkbecause I'm the predator's predator. I've fought twenty-two vampires andcountless humans, and I've always made my kill." Pride colored in herwords. "Now-" her hand was a swift blur as she tangled strong fingersin Rhynn's hair-"cooperate, and you come out of this with your sanity andmaybe your freedom. Fight me-" she tightened her grip until Rhynn gaspedsoftly-"and you'll have neither."
The Shark chanted an incantation, blunt-nailed fingersdigging into Rhynn's skull. Rhynn arched in pain, her shackles rattlingfuriously, but she could not resist. The Shark's spell tore open the elf'smind.
The woman's emotions had obviously been confused bythe vampire's magical charms, for she saw him as a being devoted to good ratherthan the monster he was. The Shark had probed other minds in that mannerbefore, and always in the victims' memories the blooder was averitable saint. The Shark concentrated on the elf's appearance, his name, hisdestination, even as Rhynn tried frantically to secret the information. In herweakened condition, Rhynn could not bear the mental violation. Her mouth openedin a soundless scream, then unconsciousness claimed her.
She's luckier than she knows, thought the Shark; hadshe resisted further, the struggle to protect the vampire would have destroyedher sanity.
Triumphant, the Shark released her hold on Rhynn. On awhim, she tossed the keys within the elf's reach. Rhynn might revive and freeherself before her captors realized it. Maybe she'd escape. Maybe they'd killher. It didn't really matter. The Shark slipped the hood of her cloak over herhead and vanished, thanks to the cape's enchantment. With hardly a thought, shewalked out of the small prison and passed the two guards. Her horse was waitingfor her behind the jail, out of sight of the guards. Quietly she mounted. Snowmuffled the hoofbeats as the Shark headed toward Mistledale's single main gate.The idiot guards there noticed nothing.
According to Rhynn, the monster wanted to return toEvermeet, the elven homeland. The Shark snorted with contempt. Did the blooderactually think he could cross water? No, he'd be stranded along the Sword Coast, probably in Waterdeep. He already had a three month head start. She'd have toride hard to catch up with him.
The Shark turned her mount westward, toward the placethat was becoming known as the "City of Splendors," and kicked theanimal savagely.
The hunt was on.
A bawdy song spilled out of the Orc's Head Inn. TheShark, clad in demure feminine attire and appearing deceptively fragile,entered the noisy tavern. She brushed snow off her cape as she observed thenoisy, slightly drunken crowd, then unobtrusively seated herself in a shadowedcorner. The blooder wasn't there yet, but her sources had assured her he wouldmake an appearance that night.
She had only been seated a moment when a pretty youngbarmaid plunked a foamy tankard of ale in front of the Shark. The girl wassmall but full-figured, with a tumble of golden curls cascading down her back.
"On the house tonight," the barmaidexplained. "Shallen Lathkule-" the girl gestured to an extraordinarilyhandsome youth surrounded by merry companions-"is to be wed tomorrowafternoon. He's buying drinks for all, in memory of his lostbachelorhood."
"Well, to Shallen and his bride. He seems to be apopular young man," ventured the Shark, hoping to draw the barmaid intoconversation. Perhaps Shallen knew the blooder.
"Oh, he is indeed. Friendly as you'd like. Andtalented. Crafts the prettiest baubles this side of Evermeet, so theysay."
"He's a pretty bauble himself, isn't he?" joked the Shark.
Before the girl could answer, the door opened and thebarmaid's eyes lit up with pleasure. The Shark followed her gaze-and her owneyes flashed in excitement.
A slim figure entered, carrying a large crate. Heleaned on the door to close it behind him. Though he wore a gray cloak over hisblue tunic, his shoulder-length hair was uncovered, brilliant wheat-golddusted with snowflakes. No hood shadowed his fair features and bronze skin. Hiseyes perused the scene with subtle caution, a furtiveness that the Sharkrecognized. The silver gaze settled on her for a moment, then moved on.
Her elf vampire had arrived.
She watched him intently as he moved gracefully to aspot near the door and set down his crate. Unobtrusive as he was, Shallenspotted him.
"There you are!" the young man criedhappily, extricating himself from his less sober companions. "Khyrra toldme to talk you into coming to the wedding tomorrow."
"I'm afraid I cannot," replied the elf. TheMistledale folk hadn't exaggerated when they had described the blooder's voiceas sweet, like music. "But this might take the sting out of myrefusal."
With a small dagger, he cut the rope that had securedthe crate and pulled out a small statue. Carved of soft pine, the figurine wasa mere eight inches high, but the moment the elf brought it into the light, alleyes were upon him and his work.
Balanced in his golden palm was a miniature of Lliira,Our Lady of Joy. Her long hair flowed about her, merging into her swirlingdress as she danced in sheer delight. One hand was raised, palm flat, while theother one curved around her body, following the drape of her garb.
"Her hand is empty, but there's a little hollowright here," the elf pointed out. "Fill it with a jewel that has aspecial meaning for you and Khyrra. Our Lady of Joy will stand in my stead atyour wedding tomorrow."
Shallen's blue eyes were wide and sparkling withtears. The Shark's own eyes narrowed. How easily tricked they were, all ofthem-Rhynn, Shallen, and probably that little barmaid as well, judging by herreaction to the elf's entrance. Like the vampire who had made it, the gift wasbeautiful, but surely also dangerous.
"Thank you. I-" Shallen's throat closed upand he turned back to the bar, embarrassed by his emotion.
"Too much ale," quipped a friend.
The awkward moment dissolved into laughter, and theperformers resumed their tune. Though the music was loud enough to drown outmost conversation in the tavern, the Shark had come prepared to eavesdrop. Sherested her chin on her hand, ostensibly engrossed in the singing. As she did,she held a tiny, perfectly formed horn to her ear, easily concealed by herflowing black locks. She whispered a spell, and the voice of the barmaid cameclearly to her ears.
"That must've taken you months! What's Shallendone for you that you give him so pretty a thing?"
The elf glanced back at the jeweler and said, "Hewears his youth and happiness like a beautiful robe, for all to see and sharein. That's enough. When it's time for you to get married, Maia, I promise I'llgive you and your husband something even prettier."
Maia's response was an uncertain laugh.
"Don't know as I'll ever have a husband,"she said. Slender, nervous hands gestured at her body, a shade too ripe formodesty, and her beautiful face, a touch too hard for innocence. "Most menlike uncharted territory, Master Jander, and I'm more like their ownfields."
The vampire reached to still her suddenly anxioushands.
Gently, he said, "You told me something of thatsort six months ago, when I found you in the City of the Dead. I told you thenthat your past need not destroy your future. I was right-Kurnin hired you atonce, didn't he?"
A sheepish smile played on her full lips.
"Aye," she admitted. "But, MasterJander, none of these people know what I am!"
Her voice had dropped to a near whisper, and the elf'steasing expression grew more solemn.
"You're wrong, Maia. They know what you are. Theydon't know what you were, and that no longer matters."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
As Shallen had been a moment earlier, Maia seemedclose to tears. She blinked them back and allowed herself a true smile,revealing the purity of the beauty that lurked behind the hard facade."You'd charm the very birds off the trees," she laughed, trying tolighten the mood.