Masters of Deception

by J C Kang

  De Lucca, who’d all but disappeared, cleared his throat. “Cassius, you mustn’t. Nor the watch. It will escalate the conflict with the crime families. Things are already so tense. They will send armies of their enforcers to attack us.”

  Cassius chewed on his lip. His shoulders slumped. “You’re right.”

  “I will definitely be joining you,” Teacher Dawit said. “I don’t care what they say. Let’s see them stop me.”

  So assertive, for a man! It was almost cute, like a child puffing out her chest and demonstrating a simple cantrip to her mother for the first time. Still, he might provide a distraction. Maybe his Neuromancy could charm a few mobsters.

  Cassius straightened. He sucked in a deep breath, then let it out. The Resonance shifted as he drew a card from a pocket in his longcoat. He held it out, revealing a man in armor. “The Paladins. It will soon be an auspicious hour to confront the Acerbi in their own den. Take them with you.”

  A knot formed in Brehane’s stomach. The Bahaduur had betrayed her people in the past. Now she’d have to trust them.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Cassius watched as Brehane and Dawit headed to the door. Uneasy standoff between the Signores and Mafia be damned, he needed to go with them. Needed to protect Brehane…er, his investment.

  And what horrible timing! Had this been just a few hours later, he could’ve turned Brehane over to Phobos, and the Bovyans would’ve wiped out the Mafia.

  With the Gods’ Whispers still resonating through him, he drew another card from his deck, so as not to waste the leftover energy.

  Death.

  His own.

  The Knight card had already been drawn. Unlike his duel with the enforcer days ago, there was no way to change this future. To join in the confrontation this time would end in only one way. He drew another card to be sure.

  A lithe girl with wings. Arcea, the Betrayer. He peered out the window, where the sun rose higher towards Arcea’s star.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  With Master Anish singing at his side, Sameer watched as the last of the charcoals reduced Elder Gitika to ash and bleached bone. His voice was hoarse from chanting, and after a night without sleep, every nerve screamed at him to rest.

  He couldn’t. Not now, not with Sohini possibly held by a Golden Scorpion and his Mafia allies. Signore Cassius had promised to Divine an auspicious time and place to confront the Acerbi family, but he had come and left with the Aksumi. Jie had left, as well, accompanying the city watch somewhere. That had been two hours ago, and the crowds had thinned to just a few of the fire brigade.

  “Master Anish, Sir Sameer,” Cassius called from behind.

  Sameer took one last look at the pyre, exchanged nods with Master Anish, and turned around.

  Standing at the top of the seawall, Cassius looked even more haggard. At his side, Brehane wore plain white robes instead of the gorgeous dress from the night before, but she still glared at him in suspicion. Apparently, she wouldn’t be letting go of a three-hundred-year-old grudge anytime soon. An older Aksumi male hovered a little behind.

  Master Anish sucked in a breath.

  “Sir Paladins,” Cassius said. “We have a convergence of coincidences that not even the heavens could foresee.”

  It was an unexpected statement from someone always so certain about things. Sameer met his gaze. “Do you have news of Sohini?”

  The Diviner motioned toward Master Anish. “I told the master that all clues suggest she is held by Don Acerbi, and the most auspicious time and place to confront them is noon, at their headquarters.”

  Glaring, Master Anish let out a hiss.

  When he didn’t speak, Sameer pressed his palms together and bowed his head. “Thank you.”

  “Not only that, Makeda went to confirm if Sohini was there, and they took her captive as well.” Cassius gestured toward the Mystics. “This is the convergence I speak of. If you join forces with the Aksumi, you have a greater chance of success.”

  Brehane shuffled on her feet. “You must be trustworthy. The Mafia demanded I go alone, and if they see all of you coming, they might hurt Makeda.”

  It didn’t seem like Brehane would mind, given the hostility evident in the way the two female Mystics glared at each other the night before. Sameer turned to Master Anish. “You can use a Command to keep them from harming her.”

  Master Anish’s head bobbled. “Shouldn’t you be the one practicing Commands?”

  Sameer’s shoulders drooped. “I’m too exhausted, and there might be a Golden Scorpion there.”

  Chapter 18:

  Confrontations

  For Jie, borrowing dark clothes from a nearby tailor’s shop and infiltrating the Mafia den had been second nature. Criminals and spies were nearly cousins, and the crowded gambling hall had been easy enough for even a day-three Black Lotus initiate to lose themselves in. It might’ve been a family reunion. Now, though, she was trapped under a large table, dodging the shuffling feet of the Acerbi leadership.

  And Makeda’s.

  Jie suppressed a snort. She’d been cornered more times on this one trip than in the last couple of years combined. After sneaking into the Acerbi headquarters through the back kitchens, she’d soon found out all the row houses were actually connected inside, and most of the interior space was a cavernous gambling den. She’d clung to the shadows and found this room on the mezzanine, only discovering that it was the boss’ meeting room when he and his underlings came in with Makeda.

  And she hadn’t come in as a prisoner. Nor had she broached the issue of Sohini or the missing sorcerer.

  The Mystic laughed now. “I don’t care what you do with her. I just want her necklace. And she can never leave Tokahia.”

  The door creaked open, and a voice called in. “Don, the sorceress is coming, and she’s not alone.”

  Jie sucked on her lower lip. Not alone. Maybe, just maybe, Brehane stood a chance.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Brehane’s heart raced as she, Teacher Dawit, Sameer, and the Paladin Master Anish approached the center building in a long row of brightly-colored, connected houses. Cassius had stayed back at the insistence of Signore De Lucca, who worried Signore involvement would lead to an all-out war with the Mafia.

  Four of them against an entire den of mobsters didn’t sound as smart now as it had before. They didn’t even have the surly half-elf; not like she could do much more than pick their pockets. And who knew if Cassius’ suggestion of a noon attack was auspicious or not? At least the Resonance was as strong here as any other place in this fascinating city. With Makeda’s life at stake, they’d need every advantage.

  All of this, for a worthless cousin who’d tried to sabotage her at every opportunity. Brehane shook all the curses out of her head, ignoring the stares of the ruffians and lowlifes walking on the seedier side of the entertainment district.

  Standing by the front entrance, two burly, fearsome men in black longcoats eyed them with nothing but disdain. How brazen these criminals were, carving out their own section of the city, where their word was law. And soon, she’d come face-to-face with the woman running this operation.

  When they reached the heavy wooden door, she read a sign on the wall. No Diviners.

  One of the brutes held out a halting hand. “Only the Female Darkie can come in.”

  Shoving his way to the fore, Sameer pressed his palms together. “We also have an appointment with Don Acerbi.”

  The two men exchanged glances before the first one grunted, “Don Acerbi is indisposed. Go away.”

  Master Anish waved a hand at them. “Stand aside.”

  The Resonance echoed from him, feeling much like a charm spell. The two men stepped away from the door.

  Brehane clasped her crystal. How amazing! Paladin powers could replicate Aksumi Neuromancy. This was yet more evidence that her theories, gleaned from all her research of the different forms of magic, was true. She looked to Teacher Dawit, who gave a tentative nod.

  Sameer yanked the door
open, allowing boisterous noise and the stench of burning gooseweed to waft out. He stalked inside.

  Armed only with an attitude, the kid apparently had a death wish. Maybe he was trustworthy, maybe not; but for now, with both Makeda and Sohini captive, their goals aligned like some of Cassius’ stars. Brehane followed after him with the others.

  The noise petered out. Her eyes took a few seconds to adjust to the low light, but when she looked, she had to suppress a gasp.

  It was one giant room, connecting all the houses on the block. Walls had been knocked down, replaced by wood columns that vaulted all the way to the roof. Several dozen men sat around tables, their card game stalled as they stared at the newcomers. How strange it was for men to engage in such idle pastimes, instead of taking care of hearth and home.

  Equally disconcerting were all the scantily-clad, pretty girls circulating among them, carrying drinks and food—serving men. They, too, froze in place.

  A flash of dark skin whisked by in Brehane’s peripheral vision. She turned. Was that the missing Melas? No, it was a drunken patron, watching with unfocused eyes.

  Brandishing a club, a particularly large man stomped toward them. “Get out, Darkies.”

  Sameer continued, undaunted. When the brute swung the club, the young Paladin’s movements blurred, merging with the Resonance. The man thudded to the ground, disarmed and moaning.

  Now the young Paladin held the club.

  Chairs screeched back. Men sprang to their feet. Knives flashed.

  This was a bad idea. Brehane backed toward the door. “Sameer, there are too many.”

  The enemies surged forth, angry war chants on their lips.

  Brehane’s hands trembled. Flaming darts might kill one mob enforcer, but she wasn’t supposed to use lethal force, and there were so many of them. A foxfire…no use. A sleep spell! She eyed a pack of goons, closing fast. Her mouth felt like cotton. The syllables to invoke even that simple magic died on her lips.

  Teacher Dawit grunted several words of Aeromancy and pointed at the vanguard. A thunderclap erupted, splintering tables and sending cards fluttering like a swarm of butterflies. A dozen thugs lay on the ground, unconscious.

  One convulsed at Brehane’s feet. Bile rose in her throat, even as she gawked. Dawit had never displayed such power before. He’d always been the demure Neuromancer, using no more than the basics of the other schools. By the Tear, he wasn’t supposed to know more than the basics.

  The second wave of men held back, mumbling among themselves. One’s eyes locked on Teacher Dawit. He cocked his arm back and flung the knife.

  Brehane’s heart leaped into her throat. The whirling blade might’ve been traveling in slow motion, the way time seemed to slow. A shield! All she had to do was take a step forward and invoke a single syllable. What was it? Just one stupid word.

  Teacher Dawit’s mouth opened in a scream. Now there wasn’t enough time to raise that shield—

  Master Anish’s naga swept into the path of the knife and knocked it out of the air with a clang.

  The mobsters all froze, wide-eyed, before one—no, two—jumped forward.

  “Stop!” A rotund, middle-aged man in a bright longcoat stood on a staircase, pointing. “Men, put away your weapons.”

  The ruffians hesitated, then tentatively sheathed their knives. Several helped their fallen comrades.

  Brehane’s stomach heaved, and it took all her willpower to swallow the rising bile. She’d been totally useless in this fight. Couldn’t even remember the words to an easy spell that could’ve protected Teacher Dawit. Performing rote patterns in combat drills or warding off Makeda’s dirty tricks didn’t begin to compare to using magic when there was a real threat of harm. Her shoulders sagged. Some descendant of the First Mystic she was.

  The fat leader descended, the steps creaking under his weight. Several fearsome men followed behind him, while more joined when he reached the landing. He motioned to an alcove near the back. “Bring our guests to my niche.”

  With derisive glare, another mobster strode over and jerked a head toward the alcove. “This way.”

  Sameer folded his hands in front of him and followed a goon through the tables. Patrons and enforcers alike grumbled as they passed, while the women worked to clean up spilled drinks and pick up overturned chairs and tables.

  Head spinning, Brehane could only stare. Everything was wrong in this culture. Men didn’t know their place. Women didn’t claim theirs. And there, groaning in a leather couch, was a slob of a man. How could a man, let alone one so fat, inspire others to follow?

  Yet eight men guarded him, hands on weapons.

  His eyes met hers, then swept over the rest. “I’d extended an invitation only to her.”

  Master Anish pressed his palms together. “Don Acerbi, greetings. I am Anish Mohta of the Ayuri Paladin Order.”

  Brehane found Sameer in the corner of her eye. The young Paladin was clenching his fists so tight, the knuckles turned white. Whenever his missing mistress was involved, he could barely contain his rage.

  Don Acerbi placed two fingers on his forehead. “Anish Mohta of the Ayuri Paladin Order. My men have seen you around the city on and off for at least a year, always sticking to Signore territory. What are you doing, disrupting my place of business?”

  “I am here to demand the release of my apprentice, Sohini, and to retrieve the swords of my master and my other apprentice.”

  The don pursed his lips. “I don’t know about any swords, and I’ve never heard of him. This So-whatty.”

  “Her.” Sameer took two steps forward.

  The men around the don formed up, knives and clubs in hand.

  The words, what were the words? And the hand motions…. Fingers manipulating the Resonance, Brehane uttered several syllables and waved. Three of the men to Don Acerbi’s right collapsed in sleep, while two more wobbled. She staggered, too, as her energy flagged from the effort of casting the spell without sand or rose petals as a medium. At least she had succeeded this time.

  Don Acerbi grunted. “Enough. Shedding blood is bad for business, but I’ve sent word to two hundred of my foot soldiers. They’ll be converging here soon, and I suggest you not be here when they arrive.”

  “Stand down, Sameer.” Master Anish beckoned to the apprentice.

  Sameer arranged his fingers in a pattern, but maintained his glare on the don. “I was told you have Sohini.”

  “And I told you, I have no idea who she is, unless she’s one of the Ayuri whores we brought up from the South. I don’t know any of their names.” His flippant tone was anything but dissembling.

  Whore…whatever it meant, the Arkothi word sounded close to their word for a four-legged furry pet, or an irrigation ditch. Brehane placed a hand on Sameer’s shoulder. It felt cold, and his body shook so much it was stirring the Resonance.

  Master Anish opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Sameer. “Signore De Lucca sent her here to demand you close your brothels. Then, last night, your men murdered my master. You have my sword, and hers.”

  Expression contorting into genuine confusion, Don Acerbi’s gaze swept around his men. “What is this boy blabbering about? Did anyone kill his master?”

  A thin man with spectacles at the edge of the alcove placed two fingers on his forehead. “Don Acerbi, we received no reports of hostilities at any of your places of business last night.”

  As nonchalantly as she could, Brehane scrutinized the don. These Northerners’ expressions were too hard to read.

  Don Acerbi looked up, smirking. “See, Darkie?”

  Sameer jabbed a finger at him. “Your men came to the Seafarer last night.”

  “That’s Signore territory.” Don Acerbi laughed without mirth. “Maybe you should be asking them. Now take that finger out of my face before I have my men break it, then chop it off knuckle by knuckle.”

  A shiver ran through Brehane, a feeling of cold as the Resonance shifted.

  “The Signores aren’t criminals
!” Sameer clenched his fist.

  Don Acerbi’s laugh guttered. His expression darkened. “Tell me, boy, what is the difference between a businessman like me, and the Signores?”

  Sameer opened his mouth, then closed it.

  Don Acerbi harrumphed. “Why is it that both Signore De Lucca and I deal in the pleasures of the flesh, and yet he is somehow a noble and I am considered a criminal?”

  Sameer waved at the guards. “You enforce your will with fear.”

  “And you think the Black Armbands don’t?”

  “The pyramid,” Brehane said, clasping her necklace as she remembered what Cassius had said. “The Signores are sworn with the Divine mandate to protect it, to prevent the orc gods returning on their flaming chariots. You Mafia families are ganging together to take control of it.”

  “Nonsense. The pyramids and flaming chariots are fairy tales, and I know nothing about our families banding together.” The don waved a dismissive hand. “The Signores just want to scare people into paying taxes for an expensive, meaningless honor guard, and skim money off the top for themselves.”

  “Enough.” Master Anish motioned at Don Acerbi. “Where’s the Ayuri girl? Tell me.”

  The Resonance shook at his words. Don Acerbi’s eyes glazed over. “At one of my brothels. The South Seas.”

  A low growl rumbled in Sameer’s throat, again shaking the Resonance of the Universe. Thankfully he didn’t have a weapon, because he might’ve cut Don Acerbi down right then.

  The Resonance shifted again, the source of the disturbance unknown. The cold sent goosebumps erupting over Brehane’s skin.

  Don Acerbi’s gaze faded, but then regained its focus. “Kill all the Southerners.”

  Brehane’s heart leaped into her throat. How did that happen?

  The don’s guards stomped forward, knives in hand. Back in the main room, more weapons rasped from sheaths.

  Chapter 19:

  Blaze of Glory

  Crouching on the bar along the back of the gambling den, Jie’s jaw dropped at the sudden change in atmosphere, from tense to downright hostile. Don Acerbi must’ve decided to honor his deal with Makeda, and had been stalling to get his men in position to capture Brehane.