by S. E. Akers
Federo dropped the barb and banged on the iron maiden. “Do you like my toy?” he asked. “Personally, I think it was made for you.” Federo whisked a pristine white handkerchief out of his pocket and began wiping his fingers as he paced with a calculated strut. “Of all the things that could have prevented me from claiming the sunstone that night, I never would have imagined it would be the one who possessed the diamond.” He stopped abruptly and peered into the slits. “But your presence, young one, has actually turned out to benefit me beyond my wildest dreams. Fate allowed me to claim my brother’s stone and soon, it will shine its favor on me once more.” Federo pulled out the red chalcedony and gave it a triumphant toss. “I will have everything I’ve ever wanted…including the diamond. It is inevitable. Make this easy on yourself. Tell me where you have hidden the wand.”
I pressed my brow against the openings. Federo took the bait and leaned closer. Considering the iron gag crammed inside my mouth prohibited any speech, he didn’t have the least bit of trouble deciphering the two-syllable expletive I mumbled.
Swiftly, he threw the stained handkerchief on the table, picked up the barb, and jammed it into another hole on the right. I scooted in the opposite direction as much as I could, so luckily it missed — barely. The sound of my heavy breaths echoed around me.
Federo backed the barb out of the hole and straightened his stance. “Don’t worry. I am not going to kill you,” he cooed. “Not yet.”
Valisco crept into the room, rubbing his jaw.
Oh perfect…
“Have all the preparations been made?” Federo asked.
“Yes,” Valisco confirmed with a slow nod. “The discus is there, ready and waiting.”
“Excellent,” Federo purred. “Has our guest-of-honor arrived?”
“Yes,” Valisco replied.
“What are you waiting for? Send him in,” Federo commanded.
“Are you sure it is wise?” Valisco questioned.
“It is perfectly safe,” Federo assured him with a smirk. “She’s wearing the bridle and I watched her drink all the potion personally. The iron makes it impossible for her to dispel its effects. He won’t discover a thing…until it’s too late.”
My mind whirled with speculations while my two captors rolled off a wicked series of laughs. What did he put in that drink? And who the heck is crashing this party now? I closed my eyes. Anyone but the Onyx, I repeated over and over. ANYONE but him…
Federo yelled to the guard standing outside the cell. “Send him in.” My eyes flew open, breathlessly awaiting the emergence of their “mystery guest”. The next thing I knew, a familiar and hostile presence appeared in the doorway.
Damiec. I drew in so much air, I practically snorted. What is HE doing here?
Federo waved to my iron coffin like a car salesman vaunting next year’s model. “You see. I am true to my word. Here is the one you seek…as promised,” Federo boasted. Damiec stepped closer and peered into the narrow slits. His haunting green eyes looked even more intimidating than before. The corners of his mouth slowly lifted to form a baleful grin.
“And I had my doubts you could lore her away from her protectors,” Damiec remarked with a flippant air. The Bloodstone Talisman tried to force open the iron maiden, shaking it violently with no luck. “Let’s get this over with, Federo!” he demanded. “You promised me the diamond in exchange for sparing your life last night!”
Last night? Did he show up at the vortex too?
Damiec tried rattling the maiden again. “I want it NOW!”
“Patience,” Federo urged as he grabbed Damiec’s arm. “It won’t be too much longer.”
Damiec jerked away from his grasp. “FOOL! You are risking an awful lot by waiting.”
“You worry too much,” Federo laughed. “Tanner is off chasing shadows and the other one is being dealt with as we speak.”
I heard the sound of a woman’s voice screaming at the top of her lungs. It was Kamya. I was certain.
Damiec rolled his eyes towards the cell door. “You would be wise to kill her soon. That’s like lighting a stick of dynamite and pausing to marvel at the sparks flaring on the fuse.”
“Kamya appreciates torture. I figured I would give her a respectful taste.” Federo leaned towards me. “She’s trapped in iron too,” he whispered. “But not a maiden like you. She’s in a tank. And if you are curious why she is screaming, it is filled with water, which renders her powers useless. But I left her just enough air to breathe,” he added with a reassuring wave. “And a few electric eels… And maybe a stingray.” Federo turned to Damiec, unable to control his amusement. “Possibly a venomous sea snake or two.”
Oh no…
“Couldn’t you find a shark?” Damiec scoffed.
“The tank is not that big, my friend,” Federo insisted. “Though if I’d had more time, I could have rounded up a piranha or two.” Federo stopped laughing and turned away from Damiec. “I could have asked my brother to have Lorelei help supply those…if we were on speaking terms.”
Damiec tilted his head suspiciously.
How can Benicio “speak” if he’s dead? Why doesn’t Federo want Damiec to know he killed him?
“She’s a feisty one, isn’t she?” Federo continued.
“I suppose,” Damiec shrugged. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her.”
And Damiec doesn’t want him to know he saw her last week.
“How long?” Federo asked as he turned around. “Exactly?”
“Years,” Damiec replied with a forceful grunt.
That was I lie. I knew it. Damiec knew it. And Federo, who was probably Lorelei’s true mate, knew it too — no thanks to me.
That explains my gag, but what is he up to? Federo said that “he” was going to have everything he wanted, including the diamond. An epiphany slapped me across the face. If Damiec claims the diamond, Helio will have to come out. Federo still has the sunstone. He’s planning on letting Helio go back into the stone so he can use it to kill Damiec…He’ll use the red chalcedony like he did before when he took his brother’s stone. He’ll claim the diamond’s full power, just like his brother’s turquoise, not just half of it. Sneaky bastard! That made perfect sense, but something else still puzzled me.
But why involve him? Federo could have already killed me, claimed the diamond, and used the sunstone. Why the wait? Why let him claim it at all?
Federo shook his head. “I will never understand what my brother sees in her.”
Damiec simply stared at him, but never said a word.
“I’m curious,” Federo began, “Why did the two of you end things…so long ago?” he stressed.
Damiec looked away pointedly, deep in thought. “Fate,” he remarked with a tinge of sadness.
“Really?” Federo remarked surprised. “Fate?”
I could tell Federo’s inquisition was starting to irritate the Bloodstone Talisman by the streaks of red whirling in his dark green eyes. “It simply wasn’t meant to be,” Damiec added gruffly. “And now it’s over.”
“For good?” Federo posed.
Damiec shot him a curt, steely look.
“But you still love her, do you not?” Federo probed.
“A part of me will always love her,” Damiec barked back, cutting off the Amber Talisman’s intrusive cross-examination.
Damiec may not have been able to see the vindictive look dancing in Federo’s eyes, but I sure could from my angle. “That is what I thought,” Federo announced with a cunning grin. For a second, I wasn’t sure whose eyes were greener.
Jealously? Over Lorelei? I remembered his reaction when I’d revealed that she had kissed Damiec. I thought he was simply “surprised”, but apparently he was way more “pissed”. And I had a sneaky suspicion that she was still in love with Damiec. Anyone could see that if they had been up on that rooftop and witnessed their kiss. Federo obviously suspected it too. He probably wants it to look like an accident, just in case Lorelei questions Damiec’s death. She s
ure looks like the type who could hold a wicked grudge. I shook my head. Humph! And guys think we’re the “schemers”!
Federo headed for the door. “Come. Let us have some fun with Kamya before we depart.”
“You go ahead,” Damiec grunted.
Federo’s brow furrowed. “Valisco has placed a spell on the maiden, my friend,” he warned. “One that you cannot break. You will have your bloody retribution in due time, and as long as you keep the other part of our bargain.”
“Is that why your witch is here?” Damiec concluded, sizing up Valisco with a surly scowl. “To make sure I don’t kill her?”
“You cannot fault me for wanting a little insurance,” Federo remarked. “I know what the creature inside you craves, and I am well aware of the power it has over your soul. It is not you that I am leery of, my friend…it the curse, one that you have suffered with long enough. Valisco is merely here to help you with some restraint. You may drain the diamond’s powers and claim your prize, but I want to be the one who takes her last breath.”
Damiec folded his arms and sharpened his glare. “And why is that?”
Federo let out an exaggerated sigh. “Because she claims another stone,” he admitted humbly.
He couldn’t know about the lapis lazuli. I never told him…and I know Tanner wouldn’t have. Kamya either…unless he magically coerced it out of them. That was possible, but if Federo did that, then he would know about my spelled purse too.
Federo walked over to the table and picked up my golden topaz. “You are very wise to question my motives. Here,” Federo said as he held out his hand. “See for yourself.”
“The golden topaz?” Damiec questioned, seeming stunned. “I was under the impression that its original owner was still in possession of its powers.”
“You are mistaken, my friend,” Federo fibbed. “She reigns over the stone and wields its magic.”
My eyes narrowed. Liar.
Damiec tapped the ring in his hand suspiciously. “I’ll admit it’s a stone worthy of possessing, but in lieu of the diamond? Surely you don’t think I’m that stupid?”
Federo softened his gaze and placed his hands on Damiec’s shoulders. “On the contrary, old friend. I look upon you as if I have gazed into a mirror. I know from my own experiences what a nagging thorn family can be. But to have your own father influence Adamas as to what your punishment should be? To die a monster? Claiming the diamond could possibly stave off the creature, freeing your soul. That alone is almost as fulfilling as the vengeance you seek. Consider this a gift… A gift I have helped fate grant you. The only thing I ask is that when you unleash your wrath on the others, you leave me be.”
“And what about Benicio?” Damiec posed. “He was with them when they left me to die that day. He stood aside without the slightest objection. Do you wish to barter for your brother’s life too?”
“He is of no concern to me,” Federo stated. “Do with him what you may.”
I rolled my eyes at his award-winning performance. Easy for you to say… Brother-killer.
Damiec appeared to be taking great pains to contemplate Federo’s claims, but all of his reservations seemed to fall by the wayside the longer the Bloodstone Talisman stared at me. I’ve never seen a more lustful gleam. Kamya was right. Desperation can turn even the shrewdest person into a fool, and right now, Damiec’s anguish and desire for revenge had blinded his wits like an anxious kid taking reckless swings at a piñata.
“What about the wand?” Damiec asked. “Where is it?”
“I’m afraid she is being rather difficult about that matter,” Federo grumbled. “We have searched all of her things. She’s hidden it well. I’ll give her that.”
“It won’t matter once I have all of her memories. They’ll guide me straight to my prize,” Damiec vowed. He walked over to the torture-table and picked up my necklace. He held it in the air, eyeing the sparkly gemstone like something cheap that had fallen out of a bubble-gum machine. “What is this?” Damiec posed.
I held my breath.
“Nothing,” Federo assured him with an equally foul sneer.
Damiec approached me and dangled the diamond in front of the slits. “It may not possess any power, but I doubt it is nothing. A sentimental trinket, possibly?” he probed.
I clenched my fists, hoping to curtail my bubbling emotions. Katie’s safety depended on me remaining cool and collected.
Damiec returned to the table and reached for my veiled moonstone. “Now this is something. I’d know an Imbsweiler’s handiwork anywhere.” Damiec tried several times to lower its golden dome. “What is hiding under here?” he asked.
“Her tiger’s-eye,” Federo interjected.
“Clever,” Damiec mumbled as he attempted to unmask the stone one more time.
Federo delicately removed it from Damiec’s grasp. “Its shield is very stubborn,” he commented. Damiec reached for my purse. “I have already searched its contents,” Federo assured him.
Instead of rummaging through my bag, Damiec turned it upside down and started shaking everything out onto the table. If it weren’t for the iron gag, I swear I would have bit my lip in two. Only my crap fell out — thankfully. Everything else remained magically tucked inside. Even the journal I’d stolen from Lazarus’ safe was magically shielded. Damiec then ran his hands through the empty purse one last time before he tossed it onto the table.
“I told you,” Federo remarked.
“Were these the only stones in her possession?”
“Yes,” Federo nodded. “No ruby… Not even an amethyst.”
“I know,” Damiec stated with a smug grin and pulled something out of his pocket. There, between his thumb and index finger rested a tumbled purple stone. “She dropped this in the street, back in New Orleans.”
My head fell forward and struck the lid in one loud “clunk”. At least it wasn’t lost anymore.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Careless young girl,” Federo scolded. He turned to Damiec. “Come join me before we depart. I’m sure Kamya would love to see you.”
“In a minute,” Damiec replied firmly, locking his stance.
“As you wish,” Federo agreed with a slight bow and then strutted out of the cell.
Once Federo and his underlings were out of sight, Damiec approached the iron maiden with a commanding swagger.
“I’d always thought that Adamas’ heir would be a male,” Damiec scoffed. “But I’m no stranger to fate’s twisted sense of humor.”
Great… He’s a sexist too.
Damiec tapped his fingers on the side of the maiden and then walked back over to the table. He picked up the golden topaz. “So… You lay claim to Beatrix’s stone?” Damiec whirled around. “Tell me, how did you do it? Did the wretched old woman suffer? Did you show her any amount of mercy?” Damiec rushed towards the iron maiden and bellowed, “Answer me!” Curiously, he peered into the small slits. “You can’t,” he remarked slightly baffled and then turned his stare to the cell door. “Now why is that?”
Wouldn’t you like to know. I’m guessing I would put a damper on Federo’s “sunstone surprise” if I blabbed. That explained the need for my silence, but something else still didn’t seem quite right. Why would Valisco question him being around me if I couldn’t talk? What was in that potion? Kamya said he could delve into a person’s thoughts and memories just by tasting their blood. My eyes flickered with suspicion. I wouldn’t have to say anything to him. The strange odor I detected in the glass popped into my mind. I suddenly remembered where I’d smelled it before. When Bea burned the Onyx powder in her bathroom and again in the cab. Lorelei drank it to shroud her mind from him at the club. That had to be what Federo slipped into the drink, so he can’t find out about Helio. Damiec can’t sense Helio because he’s an earth stone, but he could pull it from my memories. A ray of hope shined through the murky cloud hanging over my head. But I didn’t drink the potion. Surely it wouldn’t take him long to discover Helio? Would it? Padimae’s cards had been on the mone
y about everything else — the voyage across the sea, protecting my friends, someone trying to deceive me. Could this be my “help from an unlikely source”? I had to force down a hard gulp. My knight-in-shining armor? My body rolled in a shudder thinking about all of those mutilated corpses back at Nocturne. How much will he have to take? Would a little do? Crap! My veins were twitching already.
Damiec took in a deep snort of air. “You stink of fear…and blood. Though I must admit, it’s irresistible,” he winked.
Let’s test that theory. If the only way for him to find out anything was through my blood, then I was left with no other choice. What a painful paradox…and downright iffy to say the least!
I purposely averted my gaze. There wasn’t much I could do but ignore him, so I went with my gut. Damiec didn’t seem like the kind of guy who liked to be tuned out, especially by the prey he was taunting.
“It’s quite excruciating…having your powers ripped from your soul,” Damiec vowed. “The pain alone will probably kill you, regardless of any measures Valisco chooses to put in place.” Damiec cleared his throat. “Look at me,” he demanded.
I ignored his request and simply rolled my eyes off to the side.
“I said, LOOK AT ME!” Damiec growled.
“No,” I mumbled in a grunt.
“NO?” Damiec snapped.
I forced out a few chuckles and then rolled them into a muffled stream of laughter as soon as I spotted that fiery red hue singeing his pupils.
“You find this amusing?” Damiec questioned.
I shot him a snarky glare and stretched what I could of my lips into a grin. That did it. Damiec stormed over to the rack of barbs and grabbed two of them. He was back in front of the iron maiden within a flash, jabbing them into the slots repeatedly. His strikes came at me so swiftly that I lost count after nine. I heard the one he’d forced into my right thigh clank against the back wall of the maiden. My supernatural torturer left that one right where it was. He yanked out the other bloody barb and tossed it across the room in a rage.
