WARNING: This story and all others included in "Dreams of Reality" are copyrighted to FuryKyriel, 1997. Any unauthorized publication of this material will be prosecuted.

Blood and Water





(Part Three of Five)

The first victim was still cooling when they called me in for questioning. A mid-grade sorcerer known more for boasting than magic, Tameo had been found face-up in his bunk with an expression that could almost have been called peaceful if not for the gash in his throat. Witnesses said it had been ripped open to the spine. When I first heard the story, I had trouble even remembering the man's face, but that didn't stop the armed guards from "inviting" me up to the Captain's Room.
    Uto was already there, seated behind a huge oak table with face grim, eyes downcast, and his chief mates arranged around him. There was just one other person present: Bruun. The gray man gave me a triumphant smirk as I sat down, but I ignored him as best I could and concentrated on keeping my cool. It was a hard task, since I knew good and well what was coming. Just remember, Kyriel, I told myself, whatever happens, you are innocent.
    It was a long time before the captain looked up, and when he did, his face was a mix of rage, anguish, and -- was it fear? That shook me more than the guards or Bruun had done. "No doubt you are aware," Uto said grimly, "that one of our guests was murdered last night."
    "I am." With an effort, I kept my eyes off Bruun. I didn't need to see him to know what he was up to.
    The captain quickly proved me right. "The doctor here," he went on, gesturing toward the smug little man, "has accused you of the deed. Do you have a response?"
    I didn't try to hide my anger; that would only have fueled the Fury. Besides, it was a relief to finally have the opportunity to defend myself. "I certainly do," I snapped. "This man has been stalking me from almost the moment I came on board, scowling at me, making ridiculous insinuations, and lying about me behind my back. I have no idea who he is or why he's doing any of it, Captain, but I give you my word, I had nothing to do with that murder. Bruun's trying to set me up."
    Unmoved, Uto turned back to my accuser. "Bruun? Have you told this woman who you are?"
    The gray man cleared his throat, then fixed me with a beady gaze. "I am a psychic sensitive," he declared grandly, "and a professional demon hunter. I sense the presence of supernaturals, track them down and, when they commit a crime, present them to the authorities for disposal." Judging by his smirk, he must have expected me to cringe in horror.
    I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. "How nice for you," I said, my tone as flat as his was florid. "And what does this have to do with me?"
    "You know what you are," the gray man answered coldly. "Admit it now, and save us all a lot of pain."
    It was at that moment that revelation struck: Bruun didn't know my full nature! True, as Enric said, he had me "pegged" as a supernatural; but if he'd known I was a Fury, he would have said so, rather than trying to make me name myself. Even more so, if he'd known my role and known his lore he'd have realized murder was antithetical to my nature, and he never would have dragged me in here in the first place.
    The man's obtuseness was infuriating...but then again, it could have its uses. "What I am," I said carefully, looking him right in the eye, "is an innocent traveler trying to get a straight answer out of her accuser. Just what do you think I am, Bruun?"
    The demon hunter blinked once, quickly. "A supernatural, of course!" he snapped.
    "Really? What kind?"
    "That's beside the point."
    "I don't think so. I believe the captain would agree that I have a right to know what I'm accused of."
    Bruun's head jerked violently. "You're accused of being a murderer! You killed last night -- don't try to deny it! I felt the life you took."
    That brought me up short, but not for the reason he'd intended. The hunter's "feeling" was correct, but the first time I'd killed, he knew I'd taken my Fury out on a rat. It stood to reason he'd know I was still concentrating on rodents; but if so, why would he lie and say I'd murdered Tameo? I wished I had the time to think it out. Unfortunately, any hesitation now would look like an admission of guilt.
    Honesty was the best policy here -- at least, as much honesty as was possible. "I'm sure I squashed a cockroach or two," I answered truthfully, then switched my gaze to Uto. "But, captain, I swear to you on my life, I didn't kill Tameo." Uto only folded his arms and glanced between us. Clearly, he meant to leave the burden of proof to accuser and accused.
    Bruun was rallying for another attack when I caught sight of the medallion around the captain's neck. "Sir," I said quickly, cutting the hunter off just in time, "I believe I might be able to settle this, if you'll give me a moment's indulgence."
    "Yes?" the captain looked up with interest.
    "Your medallion," I pointed -- "that's a holy symbol, isn't it?"
    Uto saw instantly where I was heading, and for the first time began to smile. "Why, yes, it is."
    "And I'm sure that Doctor Bruun, being an expert in these matters, will tell us that no evil supernatural can touch a holy symbol." The hunter shot me a suspicious glance but had to agree; what I'd said was common knowledge.
    "Then, with your permission --" I stood and began to reach across the table.
    "Just a minute!" Bruun leaped like a scalded cat. "Don't let her near you, Captain -- it's a trick! She'll probably try to kill you, too, and then jump out the window."
    Uto paused in the act of leaning forward. Reluctantly, and not without a doubtful glance at the hunter, he sat back and drew the chain from around his neck. "Here," he said, and pushed it toward me.
    Hands wandered to sword hilts as I reached across the table. Carefully -- so I wouldn't alarm anyone with a sudden move -- I picked up the medallion and closed it within my palm. Then I waited a moment, relishing the rapt silence, before opening my hand to reveal undamaged flesh.
    The captain sighed, while Bruun slowly began to turn red. Again I grabbed the opportunity to cut off my opposition. "I swear by Chresta and all that is holy," I said, unable to suppress a tiny smile, "I am not a monster, and I had nothing to do with Tameo's murder." And just for good measure, I kissed the holy image before sliding it back to its owner. "Captain, may I go now?"
    Uto sighed again and nodded, and I hustled out before he could change his mind. Bruun was already spluttering about tricks and witchcraft, but his voice faded as I walked away.
   
    "Tell me you didn't have anything to do with Tameo's murder!" I demanded, the Fury boiling inside me like lava.
    "I didn't." Enric opened the door of his cabin a little wider and gestured me inside. I knew as well as he did that it wasn't safe to talk about such things in the open, but I was so mad I could hardly think. In fact, I didn't even consider the possibility of ambush until he'd shut the door behind me.
    "Have a seat." He pointed me to the cabin's single chair and slouched on the edge of the bunk, bowing his head much as Uto had done. "I know what you're thinking," he sighed after a moment. "What happened to Tameo could have been the work of a werewolf."
    "Was it?" I worked hard to keep my voice steady.
    "Possibly, although I don't know of any others on board besides myself. Then again, a human could have done the job, given the right weapon." Still hunched, he raised his head and laughed bitterly. "Hell, for all I know, it could be the kind of thing you do for kicks."
    "Your precious nose ought to tell you that's not the case."
    The werewolf tossed his head and snorted. "Of course it does! But what else do you want me to say besides, 'I didn't do it'?"
    But that was the whole problem. I wasn't sure what I did want him to say. "Convince me that you're telling the truth," I answered weakly. It was the best I could manage.
    At that, Enric jerked upright, his eyes molten, his face more wolfish than I'd yet seen it. I'd hate to have faced that look in battle. "And just how in hell am I supposed to do that?" he growled. "Dammit, Kyriel, I'm getting tired of waiting on you to trust me."
    The words rang through the cabin, a sharper accusation than any I'd laid against him, and this time I was the one who hung my head. What was it that made me so paranoid? I'd hate to think it was that damn vampire, still influencing my emotions three years after his death. My guts curdled at the very thought. Anyway, I told myself, Enric was nothing like Aedros had been. He was friendly, patient, open -- and if he'd really wanted to kill me, surely he would have made a move before now.
    The werewolf's expression was already softening; and as the echoes of his rage died away, so did mine. I spoke quickly, before reason could kill my resolve. "I'm a Fury," I said.
    "I know," Enric answered.

On to Part Four



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