Free The Crow King's Wife by Melissa Myers Page B

at the words and he
slowly glanced back at Caleb once more. He knew those titles.
Everyone in Sanctuary knew of the Black Bastard of Arovan or the
Bloody Huntsman, he simply hadn’t realized Caleb Faulklin was
either. He hadn’t even realized the bastard and the huntsman were
the same person for that matter. It made the reputation even more
infamous. If the stories about either held any truth at all Caleb
Faulklin really was a psychopath as he had suggested to
Onvalla.
    “You aren’t really?” Shade began quietly and
his voice trailed off as he glanced from Caleb to Finn and then
back to the view screen.
    “What you didn’t realize you were giving a
ride to the Bloody Huntsman Shade? Didn’t you wonder when he told
you his friends called him Grim? That isn’t exactly a nickname that
one gives to a sweet tempered individual.” Finn said dryly.
    “This is neither here nor there. I sincerely
doubt you came here to discuss my reputation.” Caleb snapped with
obvious irritation.
    “Quite right, I have gotten a bit off track,
back to business then.” Finn conceded with a faint nod, but his
smirk was still present. It was clear that he found Shade’s current
dismay entertaining. “The favor can wait a moment. I have a
question for you first Shade. Do you know what Kevala’drin means?”
    “This is none of your affair Finn.” Caleb
snarled and half rose from his seat.
    “The bloody hell it isn’t my affair. I rule
hell, Huntsman, and where exactly do you think you will end up? I
know the truth about you even if the bards of Arovan fill their
lives by telling lies about you. I know what you truly are. If you
continue down this path you will die and I will make you my pet
when you do.” Finn roared and the power of his voice drove even
Caleb back to his seat. Finn’s green eyes flashed with anger and he
turned back to Shade who was once again staring at him in utter
shock.
    “I have no idea what Kevala’drin means.” Shade admitted meekly. He had thought Finn was bluffing
about being a Divine right up until his anger had shown. Now he was
certain it was the truth. He had never seen so much raw power in
anyone, not even Jala.
    “It is an old Glis term. It means the Final Reckoning . Your new found friend intends to commit
suicide in a very colorful manner.” Finn explained calmly and
glanced back at Caleb once more shaking his head with disgust.
    “I intend to deliver vengeance for Micah and
my family.” Caleb growled.
    “And you will die for it, but I have a very
compelling reason for you to change those plans.” Finn said with a
sigh.
    “I sincerely doubt there is anything you can
say that will change my mind.” Caleb argued stubbornly.
    “Really? Let’s try. Syrah still lives.” Finn
shot back without pause.
    All color drained from Caleb’s face at the
words and Shade glanced quickly between the two of them before
turning his attention once more to flying. “Who is Syrah?” He asked
quietly.
    “Syrah Khalia Faulklin, his daughter.” Finn
answered simply his gaze still locked on Caleb. “She is being held
in Rivasa at the Citadel in Prendington. I don’t know of her
condition beyond the fact that she is not close to death. I wish I
could say the same for Evanell or Ryven, but they were both lost in
Amdany. I’m sorry for the losses you have endured Caleb, but you
haven’t lost everything.” Finn’s voice had taken on a gentle
quality that Shade had never heard him use before, and the
expression on his face was filled with sympathy rather than his
typical smirk. Swallowing heavily Finn shifted in his seat to face
Caleb more directly and cleared his throat quietly. “Look, we have
always been at odds, and I know this likely won’t mean much to you
coming from me, but I know what it’s like to lose everything. I
also know what it is like to have one thing left to grasp onto.
Syrah is your lifeline here Caleb, grab on and hold tight. You have
a reputation across Arovan for being a hero,