Thirteen
Ten Years Later
Casin refrained from licking the blood off the blade and surveyed his handiwork. He sighed, wishing he could revel in his latest accomplishment, but knew it wouldn’t be wise. Finally, he went out into the living area and opened the door to the hallway. Good, his youngest brother still stood right where he’d told him to. “Get in here,” he commanded, happy when Wren obeyed just like the good little soldier he was trained to be.
Wren stopped in the doorway and scanned the opulent living area as his eyes adjusted to the evening gloom.
“Hurry up,” Casin growled. “Close the door behind you, for demon’s sake.”
Casin then led him into the bedchamber and smirked when Wren walked through the door and faltered at the sight of blood all over the massive bed.
“Come on, get over here,” Casin said.
“What … what did you—” Horrified, Wren scanned the room.
“Do not question me,” Casin shouted, then lowered his voice. “He had it coming.” Then he shoved the blade into his brother’s hand. “Here, hide this.” Wren’s eyes widened and Casin sighed. “Unless you want to get caught with it.”
“Ah …” Wren swallowed deeply, pissing Casin off.
“Oh, get over it,” he snapped.
Wren hastily tucked the knife into the folds of his robe. “What do you want me to do with—?”
Casin ignored him as he left the bedroom and made his way over to the door. Then he eased it open and peered once more out into the hall. No one was about. He smiled and looked back at Wren. “Do not question me. Find somewhere to dispose of it, where no one will find it. I’ll meet you back at my office after I take care of some business.”
Never doubting that Wren would do as he’d been instructed, Casin slipped into the hallway of the large three-tiered building. He took the stairs to the first floor, careful to avoid the soldiers on sentry duty at the front door, then ducked into the bustling kitchen. With their mind on putting together meals, the cook and his helpers never even noticed Casin as he hurried out the back door.
Blood pumping in excitement, Casin absently patted the leather pouch attached to his belt. He’d finally done it. He’d killed the one person standing in his way. Glee at his actions, and a deep hatred for his family, consumed him.
They thought he didn’t know about their magic, but he did, and the unfairness burned through him. He had tried to deny it, had even told Captayen that Tirah had no magic, but he knew the truth. He clenched his jaw as hatred smoldered. Why had they been given gifts and him nothing? If what his mother said was true, and they all shared the same father, they should all have some gift, some magic, but no. He had nothing.
Bitterness burned deeply, and he vowed to make them all pay. Still, the evening had gone better than expected. How easy it had been to take the life of one he’d hated since he was a small child.
Now there was only one other person and then he’d be the one in control. Well, okay, maybe two people. As he went through his plans for dear ol’ mom, he hastened his steps. Soldiers went about their business and no one paid him any attention, which pissed him off. It didn’t matter that it was to his benefit that no one noticed him. Instead it grated on him that despite his rank, no one took him seriously. That would soon change.
At the thought of all the blood tonight, his cock grew hard with bloodlust. Demons, he’d love to bathe in the stuff. Casin picked up his pace and licked his lips at the sight of the fenced-in slave community.
“Visiting tonight, sir?” one of the guards asked.
Casin ignored him and passed through into the gated compound. Once inside, he grinned as he reminisced over what he’d finally done, wishing he could do it again. Yes, soon everyone would be addressing him differently. Someone just needed to discover the body, and he couldn’t be around when that happened.
Moments later, Casin walked up to a small, nondescript house of the same make and style as all the others. A house just like his mother’s, only this one was smaller since there was only one occupant. Drab grey with two rooms and a water closet. Anticipation flowed through him and without knocking, he shoved the door open, then chuckled when the young dark-haired woman looked up at him, startled.
“I-I didn’t expect you today,” she said, suddenly nervous. Her rapid pulse made him even harder. Casin slipped his hand beneath his robe and rubbed himself, ready to have some fun. With auburn hair and big tits, she was similar enough to his sister that he could forget for a moment that she wasn’t Tirah.
“Get ready for me.”
“Yes, of course.”
As she hurried to her bedroom, the fear in her eyes only turned him on more. Casin imagined all he’d do to his little sister when he finally found her. After what he’d just set in motion tonight, it should be soon. He could hardly wait. It had been too long. The bitch had killed his best friend and taken off, robbing Casin of his chance to sample her wares. But not for long.