The Black Forest (working title)
an excerpt

“Come,” Alerich said flatly, after a prolonged bit of silence. He set down the now empty goblet on one of the many blanketed tables around the room. “Assist me in gathering up the rest of the men and women. I wish for all of us to discuss tactics at dinner, up in the balcony.”
Kieger looked down at Liamh. “I will catch up with you in a moment, sire.”
Alerich flicked an annoyed glance at his sister, but nodded his head in assent. “Very well. Do not be long,” he said, before merging into the crowd once more. The couple stared after him, their distant expressions mirroring each other’s.
“Go,” Liamh finally said, forcing herself to smile up at his gaunt face. She was already starting to dread the idea of being alone, but she pushed the selfish thoughts away with an internal shake. “You will rest better tonight after things have been discussed.”
Kieger made an incomprehensible sound that could only be described as a grunt. “I sincerely doubt it. But it must be done, nevertheless. There are still many things that need to be arranged before morning,” he said, his voice sounding tired. The lines at the corners of his mouth were drawn downward.
Suddenly overcome with the impulse to comfort him, Liamh raised her hand to stroke his narrow jaw. He looked down at her in an afflicted expression and for a moment she found it hard to think, let alone move. A shiver ran down her spine as he took her hand in his and kissed her warm palm. Then he left.
Liamh's hand curled reflexively into a fist as if to keep the feeling for as long as possible. It was not often he responded to her often impulsive, affectionate gestures, and when he did it always made her feel like she held the world in her hands. The voice in her head was somber as it spoke. If only he did it more often....then maybe he would understand.
It was then that she felt it for the first time that night. The distinct feeling that she was being watched, and not by eyes that she was accustomed to. And it was not only that she was being watched, either. She was being touched by their eyes, caressed by an invisible force that she blocked out at once.
It vanished, and for a moment Liamh could not be sure that it had actually occured. A slow frown formed beneath the auburn fringe of her hair, and she looked around the room with an air of curiosity. Over her shoulder, to her left, her right. Only to find no one staring at her, no one out of place. Her cheeks grew hot with dread, but her expression remained composed. Then she felt it again, this time with unmistakable force. She blocked the intruder once more as goosebumps erupted on her sun-freckled skin.