Unleashed Fury (BloodRunes: Book 1)
Page 18
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“Even knowing what she's capable of and what she's done, Master, I sometimes find myself drawn in by her lies. The forked tongue of deceit slips in and out so easily for her that it's almost imperceptible,” reported Jonathan.
The masked figure nodded in agreement, “Mmm, I noticed the same. She is very practiced in the art of deception, and is well aware that most people do not expect such complete dishonesty. No one expects to have to confirm her stories. We will have to make sure that this is not the case with us. I want everything that she tells us to be double-checked. Even with the added...compulsion, I still caught her in several misleading statements.” He paused for a moment in thought. “Were you able to get the message I sent you with delivered?”
Jonathan nodded. “I was.”
“Good,” Master said simply. “I want to see what she's capable of.”
Jonathan would never think to speak out against Master, but failed to see why he wanted to keep this obviously untrustworthy woman around.
Master seemed to guess Jonathan's thought and went on, “I realize it seems unnecessary to have her, but as well as possessing her own interesting attributes, there is also her man Devon. Though a snake in his own right, he provides her with excellent information, information that I don't believe we would be able to gain access to, except through her. He seems to have a special,” he hesitated, looking for the right word, “connection with her. By having her under our supervision, we can arrange for Devon to be useful for us as well as our fine lady. I'd like you to keep a close eye on her, close enough that you can see firsthand what's going on. I give you permission to reveal yourself to her as her guide, and I'll leave the details in your capable hands.”
Jonathan flushed at the compliment and allowed himself a question, one which had been tickling his curiosity. “If I may,” he started politely, “would you be willing to share with me just what this connection is? The one that Devon has with Jezebel I mean.”
Master hesitated, and Jonathan could feel appraising eyes upon him from beneath the mask. “I will,” he said finally. “The Lady Jezebel prides herself on her control of her magic. In reality, it controls her through her negative emotions. Both she and Devon are fascinated with pain and blood. On a night where the fine lady imbibed a little too much of the wine she so enjoys, she let Devon enjoy her. They unknowingly performed a ritual of binding through this shared fascination. Though neither would admit to the night having occurred, nor are they themselves aware of the connection, there is now an unmistakable bond between them which has revealed itself differently in each person. This is the information that I can give you. It is up to your capable intellect to deduce the rest which I am sure you will be able to, just as you will be able to fulfill my wish of properly inserting yourself into a position to gain access to the lady.”
Jonathan bowed and removed himself from his Master's company. He was eager to prove him right, and his curiosity was dampened at least, if not completely satisfied, by this new information about Devon and Lady Jezebel. This new aspect of his project was proving to be very interesting – even if he was still unsure of Jezebel’s worth to their operation – and Jonathan was curious to see how it all played out.