After The Rabbit (Waldo Rabbit Series) Read Online Free Page B
Author: Nelson Chereta
smiling.
They are like a pair of squabbling two year olds , Lilith thought.
“Mother, you cannot mean that!”
“You know better,” Lilith said. “Only children need their parents to protect them. Once you put on the robes, you must be strong enough to defend yourself.”
If it were possible, the zombie looked ill. It dropped the mangled chicken on the tray and rose to its feet. “If you will excuse me, mother, I think I will go.”
She gave him a nod. “As you wish.”
“I will see you soon,” Hera said. There was an eager look in her eye.
Walter withdrew as quickly as he could.
Though Lilith gave no outward sign, she was pleased. Walter had been growing arrogant of late. Her son had needed a reminder of his place.
“That really was revolting.” Hera snapped her fingers at the closest servant. “Remove this mess and bring me fresh bread.”
The man immediately moved to obey.
“Remain where you are,” Lilith said.
The servant halted.
“It seems Walter is not the only one who is being presumptuous this morning. You can have the servants do whatever you please when I am not about. However, when I am here, I am the only one who will give them orders.”
In her seat Hera offered a hasty bow. “Forgive me, Aunt Lilith. I was just trying to be helpful.”
“That dress you are wearing. Did you bring it with you?”
Hera remained perfectly still and composed. “No.”
“Where did you obtain it, then?”
“I told the servants to bring me clothes and other things I might need.”
“I see. It might interest you to know I recognize the clothes you have on. They once belonged to my daughter Kara. She has been dead eleven years.”
“If I overstepped my bounds, I apologize, Aunt Lilith. I arrived here with only my robes and small clothes. I assumed my needs would all be provided for. I can return the clothes and have my father send me my wardrobe and other things.”
She is very calm , Lilith thought. The only time she loses her composure is when she is angry .
Lilith waved a hand dismissively. “Keep them, along with whatever else you have acquired. But remember you are not my daughter yet, only my apprentice. You keep your position at my whim. Do not forget that, niece.”
“Yes, Aunt Lilith.”
“Oh, and you are not to destroy Walter.”
Both of Hera’s thin eyebrows rose. “But just now…”
“Walter required a lesson. There is a limit to how much I will put up with. Yet zombie or not, Walter is still my son. I would not be pleased to see my son destroyed.”
“I understand.” Hera paused. “Can I at least punish him?”
Lilith nodded. “Certainly, though zombies cannot feel pain, so it may not be as satisfying as you hope.”
Hera shrugged. “I will take what I can get.”
Lilith waved to the same servant to clear away the remains of Walter’s meal. She and Hera then settled down and had a peaceful breakfast.
The meal was nearly done when her steward Hollister entered the dining hall and strode quickly to Lilith’s side. She knew immediately that something must have happened. Hollister bowed low to her. “Mistress, we have just received a message requesting a meeting of the Council of Seven within the hour.”
Unscheduled meetings were always about bad news. No one ever called for one to announce the birth of a healthy child or the creation of a new spell. “Who has requested this meeting?”
“The message came from Darius Heartless, mistress.”
“Wonderful, just wonderful. Well go and prepare my escort.”
“Yes, mistress.” Hollister bowed once more and swiftly departed.
“It seems your morning lessons will have to be cancelled, let us hope the interruption is short.”
“Does this happen regularly, Aunt Lilith? You seem to be taking this very calmly.”
“It occurs from time to time, though, Dark
They are like a pair of squabbling two year olds , Lilith thought.
“Mother, you cannot mean that!”
“You know better,” Lilith said. “Only children need their parents to protect them. Once you put on the robes, you must be strong enough to defend yourself.”
If it were possible, the zombie looked ill. It dropped the mangled chicken on the tray and rose to its feet. “If you will excuse me, mother, I think I will go.”
She gave him a nod. “As you wish.”
“I will see you soon,” Hera said. There was an eager look in her eye.
Walter withdrew as quickly as he could.
Though Lilith gave no outward sign, she was pleased. Walter had been growing arrogant of late. Her son had needed a reminder of his place.
“That really was revolting.” Hera snapped her fingers at the closest servant. “Remove this mess and bring me fresh bread.”
The man immediately moved to obey.
“Remain where you are,” Lilith said.
The servant halted.
“It seems Walter is not the only one who is being presumptuous this morning. You can have the servants do whatever you please when I am not about. However, when I am here, I am the only one who will give them orders.”
In her seat Hera offered a hasty bow. “Forgive me, Aunt Lilith. I was just trying to be helpful.”
“That dress you are wearing. Did you bring it with you?”
Hera remained perfectly still and composed. “No.”
“Where did you obtain it, then?”
“I told the servants to bring me clothes and other things I might need.”
“I see. It might interest you to know I recognize the clothes you have on. They once belonged to my daughter Kara. She has been dead eleven years.”
“If I overstepped my bounds, I apologize, Aunt Lilith. I arrived here with only my robes and small clothes. I assumed my needs would all be provided for. I can return the clothes and have my father send me my wardrobe and other things.”
She is very calm , Lilith thought. The only time she loses her composure is when she is angry .
Lilith waved a hand dismissively. “Keep them, along with whatever else you have acquired. But remember you are not my daughter yet, only my apprentice. You keep your position at my whim. Do not forget that, niece.”
“Yes, Aunt Lilith.”
“Oh, and you are not to destroy Walter.”
Both of Hera’s thin eyebrows rose. “But just now…”
“Walter required a lesson. There is a limit to how much I will put up with. Yet zombie or not, Walter is still my son. I would not be pleased to see my son destroyed.”
“I understand.” Hera paused. “Can I at least punish him?”
Lilith nodded. “Certainly, though zombies cannot feel pain, so it may not be as satisfying as you hope.”
Hera shrugged. “I will take what I can get.”
Lilith waved to the same servant to clear away the remains of Walter’s meal. She and Hera then settled down and had a peaceful breakfast.
The meal was nearly done when her steward Hollister entered the dining hall and strode quickly to Lilith’s side. She knew immediately that something must have happened. Hollister bowed low to her. “Mistress, we have just received a message requesting a meeting of the Council of Seven within the hour.”
Unscheduled meetings were always about bad news. No one ever called for one to announce the birth of a healthy child or the creation of a new spell. “Who has requested this meeting?”
“The message came from Darius Heartless, mistress.”
“Wonderful, just wonderful. Well go and prepare my escort.”
“Yes, mistress.” Hollister bowed once more and swiftly departed.
“It seems your morning lessons will have to be cancelled, let us hope the interruption is short.”
“Does this happen regularly, Aunt Lilith? You seem to be taking this very calmly.”
“It occurs from time to time, though, Dark
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