by Jay Boyce
Ammon was frowning at the idea of just shooting it without honor. He stared contemplatively at her and asked, “You’re positive that the man in that room isn’t human?” It seemed he was having second thoughts about her accuracy.
She met his gaze unflinchingly as she asserted, “I’m one hundred percent positive. He made my magic scream ‘danger!’ as soon as I touched him. I promise you, whatever is in that room, if it was human before, it isn’t now.”
Seeming to take strength from her conviction, he steeled himself to kill one of his men. Well, it wasn’t really his man, but as much as she was sure of that, he still held some reservations. But after spending the last three hours with her, he was finding it harder and harder to doubt her ability. Nodding, he said quietly, “Why don’t you wait in one of these rooms with Christopher? I want you away from the line of fire, but close enough to heal anyone who gets hurt.”
She nodded and immediately walked across the room, entering one of the private rooms with Christopher right behind her as everyone else set up in near silence. She did, however, refuse to completely close the door, choosing instead to watch the room from a small crack. Christopher didn’t seem to like it, but she ignored him. She had brought death upon this man or creature, and she would watch the end.
She was surprised when Ammon was the one who walked to open the door. Apparently, he was taking this pretty personally as well. He opened the door and was surprised when he scanned the room: there was no one there. He was about to walk into the room when Jade shoved her door the rest of the way open, yelling simply, “Don’t go in!”
Her warning was too little, too late. ‘Phillip’ dropped from the ceiling on top of the count, slashing him with the sword in his hands. Ammon was struggling with the creature and everyone else seemed frozen in shock for a split second. Jade screamed again, “KILL IT!” as the soft twang of bowstrings being released could barely be heard above the thing’s snarls, and Ammon’s labored breathing as swords clashed. The solid whump of arrow hitting flesh was heard, and Phillip was turned into a pincushion by expert archers. He finally let go of Ammon, stumbling back as he seemed to lose his form, turning into an amorphous blob that was quickly becoming a puddle on the floor, the things it had been wearing now long gone.
Jade ignored the new flashing red dot and began shoving her way through the archers because she could see the blood pooling on the ground beneath Ammon as several people were trying to help him. “Let me through!” She was practically hysterical.
Then a booming voice she recognized as Christopher’s boomed from behind her, “MAKE WAY!” It was like the parting of the red sea, and she rushed through the gap. Upon reaching Ammon, she sunk to her knees next to him, grabbing his arm and shooting her magic into him.
The wounds were deep, but she systematically dealt with them, willing his flesh together and making sure his systems were unharmed. She was a little surprised not a single arrow had hit him, considering how entwined he’d been with the creature. The marksmanship of the guards had proved to be extraordinary in her experience. Ammon was pale and weak, but he was alive. When she was done, she heaved a sigh of relief, then sat back on her heels, watching him with a tired smile. Glancing over at the blob that people were avoiding, she rumbled tiredly, “Nailed it.” Ammon gave her a confused, but still grateful, look. She sighed and laughed hoarsely. “I told you so. Besides, who ever heard of a count going into a hostile area face first? At least pie the door.”
Ammon just smiled and said, “I have no idea what you mean. You’ll have to explain it, but not today. I think I need to get some rest. Thank you, for everything.”
Jade nodded and smiled back. “That’s a good idea. You heard my spiel. Eat red meat. If you feel anything out of the ordinary, contact a healer sooner than later. Get a checkup with Mike or me one week from now to be sure everything healed properly.” He nodded and allowed himself to be led out.
Jade glanced at Christopher and asked quietly, “So...who’s second in command? I’m kinda still holding a ticking time bomb here.” She patted the jar of blood hanging at her hip. Christopher again looked stumped by her terminology, but seemed to get the general gist due to her patting the blood jar.
“That would be Countess Marcelle D’Ard. I’m not sure where she’d be at this time of day though…” Christopher looked thoughtful, but Jade was no longer concerned with his musings. This was mostly because a middle-aged woman with an air of command had just walked into the common area, and people were giving her bows of respect and making way, and a couple of people seemed to be trailing her while giving reports. She’d also stopped and exchanged a few words with Ammon on his way out.
Jade studied this remarkably no-nonsense woman. Her expression was strict, and there were little crow's feet around her eyes, as if she was perpetually glaring. Her hair was just long enough to be pulled back into a low ponytail and of a middling brown color. Her icy blue eyes seemed to take in all the details of the room, finally settling on the pile of goop and Jade, who were the two things most out of place. She walked over, inspecting both of them as she did so. Jade had to resist the urge to straighten and salute.
“You’re the healer girl who found the doppelganger?” It seemed she’d been fairly well versed on what had happened already, which was impressive, given that she’d just gotten here. She figured Count Ammon had given her a quick rundown before he was carted out. The real question was how the woman had gotten here so quickly? Perhaps Ammon had sent word hours ago when she first started, but her appearance at this exact moment seemed too coincidental. She dismissed the thought. It didn’t matter how she’d known to show up at this moment, only that she had.
Jade nodded, then stood and proffered, “Yes, I am. I assume you’re Countess D’Ard?” The lady nodded, so Jade continued. “Then I’m going to need your help. While all this…” and here she waved her arms to indicate the pile of goop, “is well and good, it’s not the reason I visited the camp today.” The countess looked intrigued, at least. She nodded, then led Jade over to the private room next door, where two people followed behind her like aides and then shut the door after she and Christopher entered.
Jade walked over to a table, pulling out the jar of blood as she explained, “This is the blood that contains the mesmer taint. They should be drawn to it. I could have removed and killed the virus completely, and burning it should do the trick. However, I came up with a different use for it. If you know where the mesmer are going to go, then you can prepare.” She paused, collecting her thoughts before continuing.
“I think we could set up a trap. Put the blood in a secluded building. If the mesmer are drawn to it, just keep the building unlocked, unguarded, and unused. If we put the blood in an inner room, we could rig the door to that room so that bars come out to block the exits when it’s opened. Each bar could be reinforced with light magic to deter them further, and it should set off some type of alarm so you know they’re there and can go shoot them full of arrows. I would recommend the hallway to get to the inner room with the blood be rather long, or that there are several doors between that and the exit. That way, if there are multiple mesmer, you’ll hopefully catch them running in a pack.”
“Alternatively, we could have more than one building set up this way so that they’re like little beacons that lower the potential of your people getting hurt because they’ll be drawn by the blood to the trapped areas. Honestly, we can probably divide this blood up quite a bit if necessary, because even a little bit of it seems to attract them. I just ask that you be very, very careful when divvying it up, because should a person get it on them and become infected, you will have just made a new target.”
She took in a deep breath, surveying the countess, aides, and Christopher to gauge how her idea was being received. Christopher was staring at her in shock again, while the other three were contemplating her. Finally, Countess D’Ard nodded. “That sounds like a well thought out plan, if it’s viable. The only problem is the glowing bars you men
tioned, but we could probably include some glass that becomes visible instead.”
Jade frowned. “Why are the glowing bars not an option?”
The countess laughed at her like she was a silly child. “Light magic doesn’t stick to metal.”
Jade sighed in exasperation, then reached up and pulled out one of the bobby pins in her hair. Holding it in front of her, she met the countess’ eyes squarely before pouring her magic into the bobby pin. Like everything else, at first it resisted, but she stubbornly shoved her magic in until it began to glow, then shine brightly. She set the pin on the table and said simply, “If your mages can’t do it, I can.”
She glanced at her hands, then back at the countess as she finished, “Perhaps your people have been told it was impossible for so long that the mages believed it and stopped trying.” She thought of something else and shrugged. “Either that or because I’m also a metal mage, I can do it. I don’t know for sure. Whatever the case is, have them try, and if they can’t light them, send me a message and I’ll come over and do it. Just try to have the bars ready so that I can do it all at once, because I don’t ever seem to have a whole lot of spare time.”
Really, the only breather she’d had since she got here was her reading time, and even that was a mad race for information. Did her bath this morning count?
What was that saying again–there’s no rest for the wicked?
Chapter Thirty-Five – Creation
Countess Marcelle was giving her a considering stare, but she nodded. “We’ll try it. I will inform you if we require further help.” She looked to be choosing her next words deliberately. “It’s a good idea, thank you. If this works, it will be a great boon for the kingdom.” There was something in her voice that Jade couldn’t quite place. It was the sadness and regret when her aides peeked at their leader that clued Jade in.
“You lost someone too, didn’t you?” More statement than question, Countess Marcelle looked surprised that she’d made the connection, then laughed a little grimly.
“It would be more surprising to find someone here who hasn’t lost a loved one. It’s a dangerous world. But yes, I lost my son three years ago.” She was staring at the blood in the jar. “I couldn’t save him, but I will at least try to avenge him.”
Jade nodded a little sadly. She mentally cataloged all the new people she’d quickly come to care for. What if something happened to them? Would her conviction falter? She didn’t know. She did know she didn’t want to live in fear of being taken. She shook that thought off, then smiled at Marcelle again. “Then may the odds be ever in your favor.” It was all she could do to stop herself from dwelling on the fact that it was a kill or be killed situation. She stood up, nodding to the jar. “Be careful with that until you’ve got the trap set. It’s like a giant target painted on you.” Marcelle nodded, still pondering what she’d said.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Lady Jade.” It was the first real smile she’d seen the countess have. To Jade’s surprise, Marcelle, who hadn’t given her the typical greeting, now brushed her cheek as she was leaving. She was even more surprised by Marcelle’s whisper. “Be wary. The heavens have a habit of retaliating against those who change the natural order.”
Well, that wasn’t ominous at all... Jade met her gaze briefly, then nodded and walked out with Christopher on her heels. Absently, she began singing under her breath. “I’m waking up, I feel it in my bones. Enough to make the whole system blow… Welcome to a new world, to a new world… I’m radioactive, radioactive.”
“What’s radioactive?” Christopher reminded her of his presence with his question as they walked among the curious gazes of the guards they passed.
She glanced at him, shaking her head. “Something I hope this world never has to deal with. By the way, what are your orders? How long are you planning to escort me?” He looked a little uncomfortable with her question, and she raised a brow. “Spit it out. I want the exact orders.” Since he didn’t want to tell her, she now conversely really wanted to know.
He sighed, then offered, “I was to pick you up from The Green Dragon, escort you to the gate and accompany you until you left. I’m only to leave you when you’ve reached either The Green Dragon, the library, or Dracona.”
She pondered this new information. It potentially told her a couple of things. One, they still thought she was in danger. Two, they wanted to know where she was at all times. Three, the safe spots were the ones controlled by the king where there were already monitors in place. Four, they really did think she needed a keeper. She frowned. She didn’t want to be followed everywhere she went.
She smiled sweetly at Christopher, then said innocently, “As much as I enjoy your company, I hereby relieve you of my guard duty.” He looked startled, and she continued. “If there’s a problem with that, tell whoever gave you the order to talk to me themselves.”
Christopher glanced around, then challenged, “You do realize it’s generally considered an honor to have a guard? It’s like announcing your worth to the people.”
She nodded, considering him. “I figured. But that comes with its own consequences, and not all of them good in my opinion. It’s my life to live, and I don’t want to do it with someone following me around, as nice and helpful as they may be. It’s nothing against you personally, just on principle. I don’t need a keeper, despite what people may think.” She scowled a little bit. This felt like something Stephen had arranged, and while she appreciated it, she was also annoyed. “You can tell them that too.” She figured it might keep him out of trouble when she ditched him. He had been helpful, and she felt no tiny amount of remorse for what she was about to do, but she needed space to think.
She turned and walked out the gate, and when he moved to follow her, she turned and raised a brow. “Please stay here.”
He smiled helplessly. “Jade, I’ve got my orders…”
She smiled archly, affecting a confidence she didn’t feel. “And I’ve changed them. See you later, Christopher.” Concentrating, she imagined a wall of wind blocking the gate. When she felt it was firmly fixed in place, she mentally reminded herself to cut off the energy flow in a few minutes and then wiggled her fingers at Christopher. “That’ll come down in a few minutes.”
“What will?” She smiled and turned, walking away. She glanced back only to see him look completely confused when he ran into an invisible wall. She could feel him pushing on it, then glowering at her. “Jade, come back here and take this down!”
She smiled and kept on walking, quickly turning the corner and picking up the pace. She didn’t want to be nearby when she let the wall come down. Maybe she was being selfish, but she didn’t want to be monitored anymore. All her life, people had been watching her every move. She was finally free, and she wasn’t about to give that up! Singing softly, she made her way to the center of town once more. “I’m only human, I do what I can, don’t put the blame on me…”
Once she was what felt like an appropriate distance away, she cut off the energy to the wall so it would drop and stepped into a restaurant to eat lunch. Granted, she’d eaten a bit at the gate, but it wasn’t enough to keep her energy stores up. Ordering a large meal, she settled down to wait as she checked her notifications. There were the whole bunch from touching all the guards and the people on the way to the gate, as well as one flashing red icon and a yellow icon. Having expected the red icon, she clicked on it first.
Warning. Siphon target Doppelganger has died. Remaining siphon duration has been canceled.
All right, that was fine. But what was the yellow icon? She clicked on it next, curious.
Alert. You have siphoned a species ability incompatible with your body. Correctional action has been taken. Special ability Adaptable has been added.
What the what? Did it fail or not? She quickly pulled up her profile, clicking immediately on the new special ability listed to bring up the description.
Adaptable: Your body now accepts change more easily.
; Wait, seriously? That was it? One lousy sentence that didn’t really tell her anything. She was more than a little miffed. She had hoped she might get some cool ability like Tonks where she could change her hair and eye color at will. But noooooo, apparently, she just accepted change more easily. Whatever. If the system thought it was important enough to call it a special ability, then it would probably be useful in the long run. At least, she hoped so.
Sorting through her notifications once again, she picked two of them and clicked on her choices. She figured there were enough there that she’d be in danger again if she did them all at once tonight. Not to mention the people she’d been tagging on the street, but the fact that she had 36 more guards and 5 mages… She was going to have to be very careful.
Siphoning complete. Assimilation of Constitution and Mental Fortitude from Marcelle D’Ard underway.
Siphoning complete. Assimilation of Strength and Perseverance from Ammon Whitaker underway.
She was expecting it to still hurt, given that she’d chosen the two highest titled people she’d met today. She was surprised when it only itched like it had when she siphoned Jessica and Kaylee the first time. She resisted the first few minutes of itching, then relaxed and enjoyed her food as it went away for the time being. She’d have to wait until the stats updated, but if this new update to her ability meant it was less painful/itchy than before… Well, it was actually sort of a jackpot after all.
Finishing and paying for her meal with a smile, Jade slipped out of the restaurant and set off once again, only glancing over her shoulder occasionally to see if anyone was following her. She might be a little paranoid at this point, but it didn’t really hurt to be cautious. Stopping by The Glass Phoenix, she was shocked by the fact that the door was locked and closed for the day.
