The Crow King's Wife (63 page)

“You should have known better than to trust
me.” Hemlock whispered just before his dagger took her through the
heart. He pulled the blade free and wiped it carelessly across her
then turned on Kali. “What in the hell did you do to her?” he
demanded with disgust clear in his voice.

“Infused her with the Changeling genetic. Her
body reacted poorly to it and I’m afraid she didn’t have the mental
aptitude to hold herself together.” Kali replied calmly never
taking her eyes from the small child she was carefully wiping
clean. The baby writhed in her grip making pathetic mewling sounds
and from what Hemlock could see of the creature it was just as
deformed as its dead mother.

“We wasted time for that to be born?” Hemlock
growled in disgust. “I feel as though you wasted a very useful life
on this endeavor. Nahlia was talented.” He tried to keep the anger
from his voice but failed miserably. He didn’t have time for a
fight with Kali right now and he knew it. The city was being torn
apart above them and the opportunity to escape was rapidly
dwindling.

“You don’t understand at all.” Kali murmured
and waved a hand for him to move closer as she gently laid the
child down on the table before her.

With an annoyed sigh Hemlock walked to her
side and stared down at the sallow skinned creature. It resembled a
human in shape alone and he felt his stomach clench in revulsion as
he watched it. He couldn’t even call it him or her, the creature
had no gender just bare smooth flesh between its legs.

“A Changeling is nothing, yet everything.
This one is as close to pure blood as I can make it. Nahlia’s death
was not in vain.” Kali said gently and a smile of satisfaction
curved her lips as she carefully covered the child with her hands.
Her pale eyes closed and her breathing slowed with focus.

The child mewled again then too Hemlock’s
amazement fell silent as it mimicked Kali’s serene expression. Its
pale flesh darkened to a healthy pink color with perfect rosebud
lips. Dark red hair sprouted from the top of its head and Kali
slowly pulled her hands back. The skin between the child’s legs was
no longer smooth Hemlock realized with a start and he found it
nearly impossible to believe the perfect little girl fidgeting on
the table was the same creature that had been lying there when he
approached.

“You have to give them their first form. You
have to show them how to change and what you want them to be.” Kali
explained softly as she gently wrapped the baby in the blanket once
more and lifted her from the table.

“You chose a girl?” Hemlock asked doubtfully.
He knew how Kali felt about other women and the idea that she would
wish to raise one was difficult to believe.

“Our perfect little tool against the fools
above. With one sweet smile she will bring them to their knees.”
Kali crooned as she motioned for Hemlock to follow. “Come, leave
the city to them. For now we have nothing more to worry about
beyond this child. She will require training from you as well.”

“What about the Undrae? She is in the city I
can sense her.” Hemlock protested.

“Forget the Undrae for now. I have a way to
deal with her later. I promise you she will not be a thorn for much
longer.” Kali assured him then paused as she realized he still
wasn’t following her. “Hemlock, our mission is complete here. The
Barrier will remain standing for some time. Myth is a fool if he
thinks killing the Elder Blood will release him. As long as I am
alive the Barrier remains. Now come. The Elder Blood are too weak
to be a threat to our world at the present. For now our focus is
this child and nothing more.”

“If the Undrae awakens the Veyetta they will
turn their attention on the Barrier once more.” Hemlock warned.

“She won’t have a chance I promise. Not even
Seth will be able to save her.” Kali promised as she slowly began
walking toward the darkened halls that would lead them both from
the city.

Hemlock frowned and glanced up at the ceiling
once more as it shuddered under the impact of the battle raging
above them. Shaking his head slowly he glanced at Nahlia’s remains
for a final time before he followed after Kali. “I’d love to
promise you I’d protect your child, but she is in Kali’s hands now,
which means she is as good as damned.” Hemlock whispered. He knew
that fact better than most, he couldn’t remember exactly how long
he had been in Kali’s hands, but he knew without a doubt that he
was damned.