Huntress of the Malkin: War of the Malkin series, #2

By Virginia Ripple

Can Nadine keep the book from falling into the wrong hands and save her friend or will she doom all of creation to certain annihilation?

An accomplished healer of both cats and humans, Nadine finds herself whiskers to fangs with a demon while making what should have been a routine house call. Defeated, the demon soars away, but not before warning her that the world is about to be ripped from existence. Nadine casts the idea aside as the rantings of evil until she returns to her temple home to discover it in flames and her mentor vanished. When a visiting monk named Eli says her friend was taken by a religious extremist group looking for a book that can erase existence Nadine realizes she must take the demon's warning seriously and go after them. Despite her misgivings about Eli, she takes him with her on what promises to be a fur-raising adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Virginia Ripple
• Release date: Mar 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497730182

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Huntress of the Malkin

War of the Malkin Book 2

Chapter 1

The man pulled the hood of his monk’s robe low over his head, smiling to himself at how easy this job was going to be. The Brothers might never know they’d been robbed of the most precious artifact they had. A pity, that. Getting away with the prize wasn’t as enjoyable when no one knew it was gone.

He shuffled down the corridor, heading toward the room his employer said the map was in. He’d found it strange that the Brothers would keep such a priceless thing amongst the usual books and scrolls in their library, but the fat preacher’s assistant had assured him it was there.

When he entered the room, he blinked. It wasn’t a room. It was a cave lined with shelves marching back further than the lamplight could reach. This would complicate matters. Two hours might not be enough time to search the entire library. He stepped to the nearest row, watching Brothers shuffle past, their hands tucked into the arms of their robes and gazes cast toward the floor. Not one carried a book or scroll. Chained, then. That made his job easier. Chained books meant no dragon guardians. Of course, that also meant he was on his own in finding the map.

Do you need help, Brother? asked a skinny yellow tom at his feet.

The man looked down the aisle of books, weighing his options. He turned his attention back to the feline.

I’m sorry to trouble you, Brother, but I’ve come from another temple in search of a precious artifact. The Head Temple Father of my temple said it was here, but I haven’t a clue where to begin looking.

We have many religious artifacts stored in our vaults, which one do you seek?

It’s a map to the location of a mythical book.

The yellow tom’s tail tip twitched. Cat tails. Best tell a human can watch for. The man kept his face neutral.

I know the map you’re looking for, said the old cat, but it’s nothing more than a paper full of scrawls penned by a blind madman.

The blind see more than the sighted, Brother — I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.

Jonas, the tom said. His tail tip twitched again. And you are?

Eli.

Well, Brother Eli, it seems you are among the young ones who take a fancy to treasure hunting rather than applying yourself to the depths of the Word.

The man’s jaw tightened as he steeled himself for the oncoming lecture. It would have been so much easier if his fool employer had taken the time to find out precisely where the item was. Not to mention giving him as much time as he needed. Ordering his goons to sack the place if he didn’t return in the allotted time was overkill. Patience wins the prize. He lowered his eyes to the floor. The old cat snorted, making Eli bring his gaze back to him.

Don’t pretend to care what I say, Jonas said. I can see there would be no persuading you otherwise.

The man had to smile. At least the querulous old feline knew when the battle was lost.

It’s down that aisle, he said, waving his tail in the direction of the line of shelves Eli had been looking at. It’s kept in a room in the back.

The man nodded and shuffled away. He could feel the tom’s gaze trying to burn through his robe, but he didn’t turn to see if it was a figment of his imagination. He had to keep up the ruse. This was possibly the longest he’d ever had to play a role for a job like this. When he reached the end of the aisle, he saw two doors. He glanced behind, expecting to see Jonas trailing him. The row was empty. He stared at the door on the left, then turned to the one on the right. In which room would the Brothers hide the map? He tried each door handle, finding the one on the right had been locked. In the locked one, of course.

With a twitch of his wrist, he had a set of lock picks in his hands and soon had the door opened. He didn’t hide his grin as he ducked behind the door, closing it softly and engaging the lock. He stood for a moment, listening with his ear pressed against the thick wood. Nothing. He turned to begin searching the room and jumped when he spotted the skinny yellow tom perched on a display case in the middle of the room.

I see you’re no ordinary Brother, said the tom.

And neither are you.

Touché.

I suppose you sneaked by me as I opened the door.

Possibly. I suppose you want the map so you can find the Book of Knowledge.

Perhaps.

The two stared at each other. Eli could just make out the furthest edges of the map under the glass Brother Jonas was sitting on. The yellow tom’s whiskers splayed as his eyes narrowed.

And how did you plan on taking the map out of the temple?

I’d actually figured on walking out the front door with it, but that seems unlikely now. What would you suggest?

Well, now, if I were an uncommon thief such as yourself, I believe I would have several routes already planned. Of course, none of those would likely include taking a hostage.

Are you offering?

Convince me.

My employer sent his personal guard with me. They have orders to invade the temple and do whatever it takes to get that map.

If that’s the case, then why send you?

He doesn’t want anyone to know he’s after it.

Shrewd, but desperate. The yellow tom stared at him, his rail-thin tail thumping against the glass. As tempting as it is to give you a sound thrashing and then send you on your way, I believe what you say is true, though why you would admit to it is a mystery.

Expediency.

Self-love. Your position is understandable, even if it isn’t admirable.

Do we have a deal?

Brother Jonas glared at the man. His tail-tip twitched. Such as it is.

The yellow tom dropped to the floor and padded toward the door. Eli stepped toward the display case and inspected the lock. It looked easy enough to open. He flicked his wrist, sending his picks into his hand. The old tom cleared his throat.

Don’t bother. The map you want is hidden in the vault next door.

The unlocked door? Very clever.

Brother Jonas grunted and lead the way out of the display room and into the vault. A metal box the size of a horse squatted in the far corner. With a quick lash of his tail, the cat opened the heavy metal door.

It’s on the top shelf. Far right.

The thief snatched the rolled up parchment, took a quick look, then stuffed it inside an inner pocket. Time to go.

Jonas closed the safe with a flick of his tail and led the way out of the library. Eli shuffled along behind, darting glances down the empty hall as they went.

Where did the others go?

Evening gathering.

Will you be missed?

No.

The man wasn’t so sure, but there wasn’t time to wait through a full religious service. He considered having the old tom give him the directions to leave, but thought better of it. There were no guarantees the cat wouldn’t sell him out as soon as he was out of sight. No, better to chance some stray monk would come looking for the old feline than risk getting double crossed.

How much further?

Down this hall and to the left. The door isn’t used much, so no one should see you leave.

You mean us. I want to be well rid of this place before I let you out of my sight.

Jonas snorted and shook his head. As you wish.

The old tom sauntered down the hall toward the half-hidden door. Eli darted a glance behind them as he reached for the handle, half expecting a monk to wander their direction. The hall was still deserted. The quiet made his neck hair stand up. When he opened the door, he realized why.

The clanging of bells assaulted his ears the moment they stepped outside. He glared at the old tom.

What did you do?

As I said, it’s evening gathering. It is my duty to set the bells ringing to announce gathering time.

Those are not the sounds of vesper bells.

The skinny yellow tom cocked his head to listen. His whiskers were splayed when he looked at Eli.

So they aren’t. I suppose I tripped the evacuation alarm by mistake. How clumsy of me.

The man opened his mouth to retort and was startled when the old cat slumped to the ground. He bent to check if the feline was still breathing, his hand brushing a tiny dart. He heard footsteps running up behind him and pulled together a story for the monks. A rough hand shoved him out of the way and he fell against the temple wall.

Good catch, thief, said the thug leader. "The pastor oughta be pleased you brought an interpreter,