Free Wolf's-own: Weregild by Carole Cummings Page B

their own lands to evict the sentinels of the gods—rent earth from bedrock, broke forests from their beds and burnt whole cities—it was more damage than the Ancestors could take. It wrung their sanity from them and took their guidance from their people, sent their Untouchables shrieking, made them living Ghosts, and opened a chasm between the Adan and the Jin that could not be repaired or forgotten.
    The two peoples would not come together again, they would be forevermore out of balance, one enslaving the other. And now Wolf was in his Cycle, the prospect of freeing his people from their bondage never more possible—and Asai was in a position to hand it to his new god. And he needed the twin to do it. Because if Asai held the earth-bound—Jacin-rei's heart —in his hands, not even Kamen would be a match for the Ghost.
    Considering all of that, everything that was at stake, everything Asai had done to bring about this particular future....
    Did Leu really think Asai would pause to await her permission ?
    "Asai?"
    Asai blinked, frowning for a moment while his mind came back from its wanderings. Leu was looking at him with a mix between irritation and concern, her hand still trustingly between his, her guard almost nonexistent.
    With a smile and a self-deprecating chuckle, Asai shook his head, patted Leu's hand. “My apologies, I seem to have wandered.” He let the smile falter. “I had such hopes for the Jin, you see."
    Leu sighed, slumped, and closed her eyes. “Asai, I think—"
    She never saw it coming, the fool. One quick jerk of his arm inward, and two fingers set swiftly to her temple. Hazel eyes flew open, already blooming with petechiae, and then Leu merely crumpled at Asai's feet. Boneless. Soundless. Lifeless.
    Asai stepped back, prodding her ribs a little with the toe of his slipper until her body rolled to the side. A temporary measure—she would be back and there would be others—but it would take time, and perhaps it would be enough. She would never plead his case to Wolf now, but she probably wouldn't have done anyway, and if Fate conformed to the paths Asai set, he'd hardly need her to. And by that time, there would be little choice but for all to see her folly and the necessity of her removal.
    "Nothing personal,” he told the corpse. “You made a lovely obstacle, but an obstacle nonetheless."
    At least there was no danger now that she might ally with Kamen and—
    Kamen. Damn. Asai had almost managed to put Kamen out of his mind for a few moments. Almost, but not entirely, which was good, he supposed—Kamen was a danger to everything Asai hoped to accomplish, and Asai still had no idea yet if Kamen's presence was part of the future-possible he'd foreseen, that had led him here, or if he was to be the destruction of it. Asai had wanted Temshiel , but not this Temshiel , damn it. Why couldn't Jacin-rei ever do anything bloody right ?
    Asai shook his head, sighed. Back to the cards, he supposed. Back to his meditations. Back to the bones and the stones, and every divination tool he had, and the frustration of too-vague allusions and not enough distinct auguries. Another long night. And he didn't intend to spend it with Leu's empty shell.
    "Vonshi!” he called, shoulders slumping wearily as he slouched back around the desk, and threw himself into the chair. “Vonshi, I need you!"
    * * * *
    Not at all the same tableau as the one he remembered so fondly, and yet it had only been yesterday. When had he gotten so soppy? It wasn't even long enough yet to be considered nostalgia, for fuck's sake.
    Samin set the tray in the middle of the table, watching little Caidi's eyes light up at the sugary lumps of fried dough and the mound of fresh fruit. He quirked a smile and dropped her a wink when her shining eyes met his.
    "Rice and fish first,” Joori chided as both Morin and Caidi made grabs for the treats before he'd even finished pouring them their tea. Morin glowered for a moment, mutinous, but Joori