by T. G. Ayer
Evie glanced up, wanting to ask him what he meant but she knew that their time together would end soon. Someone would come to take him away as he'd already been with her for a while now.
She hadn't kept track of the time either, which could mean she and her counsel likely had mere minutes left. She couldn't imagine that the Irin would be that generous when it came to someone they believed killed one of their own.
Evie shook her head firmly. "No. I'm fine. Let's get on with this. I don't think we have much time left."
The demon nodded, straightening to stand a little taller, as if about to tackle a big problem. "So, there is blood but it isn't all that much. And we already have the ink and the quill to begin with so this shouldn't take all that long."
Evie frowned then looked in the direction of the demon's gaze. She'd made a few notes of the things that he needed to get done and then she set the quill and pad on the floor. the inkpot though was still sitting on the chair where the gargoyle had left it. She got up to fetch it, asking, "So, what happens if we use up all this ink for the gargoyle spell and then we need to make more notes?"
Barry grunted. "That's not a problem. The ink is twofold. Once the ink is spelled, it remains ready for the final spell that renders it invisible. So you can write with it wherever and whenever you want, but the ink will only turn invisible when you speak the final spell."
"So why couldn't the gargoyle have left me a pot of that ink in the first place?"
"Because the writer must be the bleeder," Barry said his tone dry. Then he added, "Although you can always purchase gargoyle ink though that's generally not the over the counter kind of deal."
"What kind of deal will that be then?" Evie asked, curious even though time was ticking.
"The purchaser needs to contribute a portion of blood equal to the blood used by the angelic being to create the ink. And because there is a mixture of blood, the initial spell must be performed under a silver moon, in layman's terms a full solstice moon. But what we will do now is much quicker. most people just whip up a pot on the go as long as they have something to use as ink."
Evie quirked an eyebrow. "Other than ink, what else can be used as ink?"
Barry smirked again, eyes filled with laughter. "Any liquid that can be gathered into a quantity sufficient for writing out a letter. So, water of course, any drinks, even milk. Any kind of milk, if you get my drift."
Evie rolled her eyes. "You can be so immature."
Barry shrugged. "Well, there's also urine. And the other stuff."
"What other stuff?" Evie asked eyes narrowed. Then she threw out her hands. "Never mind. I don't want to know.
The demon laughed so loudly that Evie was a little worried that a guard would come running.
She waved a hand at him. "Can we do this?"
barry smothered his laughter and nodded. "Okay. Grab the quill and the pot and put in on the floor, given that we don't have a table to work with."
Evie followed the demon's instructions and then looked up at him as she sat crouched in front of the writing tools.
"Okay, now with the quill, stab yourself somewhere. You need to generate at least three drops of blood, and let them drop into the pot without spilling anything."
"What happens if I spill some blood?"
"Why do you always have to dwell on the negative?"
"Barry? What happens?"
He grunted. "The spell is nulled and you'd have to start with a new pot of ink."
Ebie took a breath. "Just great." Then she rolled her shoulders. "Okay, fine let's get this done."
Before the demon could speak Evie leaned over the pot and held her finger over the small mouth of the glass receptacle. She picked up the quill and used the sharp end to quickly slice through the skin, making the cut as deep as possible without really injuring herself.
Almost immediately blood welled to the surface and formed a bright red droplet. Evie carefully turned her finger over and allowed gravity to guide the blood droplet into the pot. One down two to go. again she turned her finger over and pressed the flesh to generate a second droplet. She repeated the process but on the last drop Evie was forced to stop what she was doing.
Boots clattered on the stone outside the door and she looked over at Barry. "What do I do now?'
"I guess nothing. We're going to have to wait until I come back to tell you the rest of the spell."
"But that means it will take so much longer to get the gargoyles to call Julian to meet us."
"It's going to have to be the case, Evie. They're coming."
The boots clattered closer now and Evie bit her lip. She pressed her finger harder now, drew the droplet and dropped it into the inkpot faster than was safe. ut thankfully, it slipped in without trouble and Evie let out a sigh of relief. "Now what?' She asked the demon who was standing there shaking his head. "What's the spell?"
"You don't say the words of the spell. The magic is inside you so it's a matter of thinking the spell rather than saying words."
"Jeez Barry. That's harder than you think.” Evie was disappointed knowing it wasn’t likely that she’d be able to finish the spell. And just as she completed the thought, the key rattled in the lock.
Stiffened, she remembered one thing. “Barry, how would I know to trust the gargoyle guard. He’s offering to help but can he be trusted?”
Barry sighed. “You can do a blood oath spell. Blood to blood on a handshake. It’s not hard, just like making a promise then spitting in your hand and shaking on it.”
“Thanks for the details, demon,” Evie muttered as the door opened on a crash.
Chapter 19
Two guards stormed into the cell, faces red though Evie wasn't sure who they were so pissed off with. They certainly didn't glare at her in anger. Nor did they appear to be furious with Barry. Then, without a word of warning, they grabbed a hold of him and marched him out of the cell.
"Evie, don't stress. I'll get everything sorted and I'll try to be back tomorrow, if not later today," he called out as the guards dragged him closer to the door. Thankfully he spoke the last of his words before he left the bubbled of silence, which meant Castor would not have heard his voice.
The hallway echoed with the sound of metal armor clashing, boots thumping stone and the odd grumble and groan.
Then a voice spoke from the doorway. "I'm afraid that the demon overlord is very much mistaken. He will not be back today or tomorrow. If the brotherhood has anything to say about it, then he will not be back at all."
Evie's eyes widened as she stared at the master who stood before her, his dark cloak wrapping him in a shadow of nothing. He reached out to give her the standard warrior greeting, saying, "I'm Master Braxus. Greetings at last, Nephilim Evangeline."
Evie had no choice but to walk over to him to return his greeting. She didn't want to consider that since he'd identified himself, she had a face to put to the person who'd shirked his duties and not taken care of her the way she deserved. She held his arm and tightened her grip a little as he did the same. The Master let Evie's hand go and strolled into the cell, hands now held loosely behind his back. He scanned the space the way a visitor would when walking through the halls of a museum, and to Evie, he appeared extremely idiotic. Especially the way he forced a serene smile on his face that set his caterpillar moustache shivering as though it were about to molt.
But she held back her instant dislike and pretended to remain respectfully silent.
He didn't take very long to speak though,
"I have to express our great disappointment at this transgression," Braxus said, the serenity in his eyes turning to stone.
Evie lifted her eyebrows. "Transgression? I'm afraid you will need to expand on that accusation Master Braxus. I'm unaware of what this transgression is."
Braxus's eyes darkened, mouth tightening at the corners. "The Brotherhood of the Irin have at no time given permission for Demon Overlord Baa'ruk to stand as your legal counsel. The very fact that he was here in the cell without permission
allows us to throw him into one of the darkest corners of the lower dungeons."
Evie pursed her lips. The lower dungeons amounted to little more than a pig pen, reserved for occupation by only the lowest of the low, creatures near incapable of coherent thought or possessed of sufficient intelligence to defend a charge, Or for those who'd tipped over into insanity at some point during their incarceration.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken. I made a formal request to have Baa’ruk instated as my counsel and I believe it was approved. How else would he have been allowed to come to meet with me?" Evie asked carefully, aware that she should take care what she said or she could put Mykia in trouble. Unless she already was taking flak from the brotherhood for allowing Barry to come meet Evie.
Braxus snorted. "I'm not sure where you are receiving your information but the step after the request is where the brotherhood authorizes that request."
"I believe you have to have a very good reason to decline, though. So what is your reason, Master Braxus?"
"We have every reason to make the decisions as we see fit. This transgression is unconscionable and you had no right--"
"Actually Brother Braxus, Evangeline had every right ," said a tall incomparably beautiful blonde woman as she strolled into the cell, her movements almost liquid. She wore a pair of white pants, the fabric silky and falling to her ankles in an elegant swathe. Her long sleeved satin blouse was the palest shade of a paua shell’s iridescent interior, shimmering as she moved, even in the shuddering torchlight of the cell.
Impossibly blue eyes narrowed as she studied Master Braxus, one eyebrow raised haughtily .
Silence range around the trio for a moment. Then, eyes rounded and flickering with fury, Braxus barked, "Who are you to tell me what I am saying is wrong. She,” he cocked a thumb in Evie’s direction, his lack of respect clear, “had no right to elect a demon as her counsel. We did not authorize the placement." His voice broke in indignation, lips quivering making his mustache dance like a drunken caterpillar.
The master didn’t receive an answer immediately. Instead, the woman shifted to face Evie, giving her a respectful nod. Evie returned the silent greeting then stilled as Master Braxus began to sputter, choking on whatever words he meant to utter.
Evie looked over at him and found him staring at the woman, now stunned into horrified silence as she reached out in Evie’s direction.
The blonde waved her hand over Evie’s leather cuffs, her lips moving silently as she spoke the words of a spell. Ears ringing, Evie tamped down the ripple of excitement at the prospect of release--she could be wrong and the woman may end up adding a second layer of cuffs for extra security.
But the cuffs simply shifted around Evie’s wrists, loosened, then fell to the stone floor in a sad heap, the bronze prongs and studs tinkling as they hit the rock.
Evie held her breath, certain she was imagining having just been given her freedom from the bonds. The leather cage around her wings though, hadn’t been removed, which told Evie a lot. She hid her disappointment--she shouldn't be ungrateful-- then turned to see the stunned horror on the face of Master Braxus as he stared behind her, his eyes a little crossed, his cheeks flaming, mustache twitching.
The air at her back shifted, as though a gust of wind had sped past her, sending her feathers shuddering.
Her feathers?
Evie froze, barely hearing the clinking of the leather bands as they too hit the stone floor flopping into a heap at her feet. She could barely breathe, barely hear the shocked gasp of the brother.
“What? Who are you?”
The woman raised her hand and Braxus fell silent, almost as though she’d put a spell on him. "I am Jacinta Caranarvon, representative of the Supreme High Council. I’ve been assigned as Overseer for this case. As for your claim, according to the Law of Rights of the Supreme High Council, every accused has the right to legal counsel, no matter the charge. And every accused has the right to choose their legal counsel. Should they decline to choose, or be unable to make such a decision, then the SHC will allocate counsel but only one who the members of the counsel are certain will represent the accused to the best of their ability. In this current situation, I do not see anything wrong with Overlord Baa’ruk being allocated this case. He is intelligent, and has a keen mind, and he has reason to fulfil his duty to the best of his ability."
Braxus wasn't letting go easily though, appearing determined to overrule this stranger who’d walked in on his attempt at laying down Irin law to Evie. He shook his head. "I must object. We weren't given time to look the request over and approve the request."
"Master Braxus, I'm afraid there is a bit of confusion here. The SHC makes the final decisions on whether or not to approve the selection of legal counsel by an accused. In this case the SHC has no objection whatsoever. Which means, for all intents and purposes, that you are now breaching the law. Should I be launching an investigation into whether the rights of this accused has been infringed in any way?"
The woman's words were like music to Evie's ears, both in that she appeared to be taking Evie's side, and because her voice were literally music to a mortal. Evie understood then that the SHC had assigned a Titan as their representative in the Irin’s case against her.
The reminder of the murder charge doused Evie’s pleasure. But had to acknowledge that she couldn't have had a better SHC rep for her case; Titans were known for their pure sense of justice.
Braxus though, was like a pit bull. “I respectfully disagree. This is an Irin Brotherhood matter. I will--”
The Titan flicked her fingers and instantly Braxus fell silent. Evie blinked as she glanced around her. The Titan had frozen everyone within the room other than Evie. Whether she’d also stopped time, Evie couldn't tell.
The woman looked over at Evie and smiled. “Are you okay, Evangeline?”
Evie nodded. “I’m fine, thank you, Jacinta.” She gave the woman a grateful smile.
The blond shook her head. “Call me Jess. And are you sure you’re okay? Have you been harmed in any way? Afraid for your safety?”
Evie shook her head, confused by the question. Was a Titan capable of sensing the presence of the Shade? Evie didn’t think that was likely but she wasn’t so sure either. She said, “Not at all. I’m quite alright,” she said looking puzzled all the while hoping that the titan wouldn’t sense her lie.
Jess nodded and smiled, the expression a little mischievous as she aimed a finger upward. “That’s good to know. So, do you want to drop your sound ward?” she asked, eyes twinkling.
Evie’s jaw dropped as she looked up to see the faint shimmer of her magical sound barrier still in place. “Oops. Sorry. I was so distracted with them hauling Barry off like that.” With a pulsing of the energy from within her mind, Evie released the power, hoping whatever she did would actually work. She still felt a bit stupid when it came to magic, like she was flailing around, crossing her fingers and making wishes.
But Jess nodded slowly, still smiling serenely. “Good. Our discussions need not be warded as it is not meant to be a secret from the SHC. I have of course provided us with sufficient protection but one that ensures the SHC are at all times privy to our formal discussions.”
Jess paused as she scanned the cell, studying the chair for a moment, the twist of her lips expressing her utter distaste. She flicked her hand and the horrid chair disappeared. “Awful thing. Please do not tell me they had you tied to that?” she asked, her tone hard.
Evie shrugged. “Sorry, I believe I can’t lie to a Titan.”
The woman’s eyes flared color, her fury evident from the tight lines of her face and neck. “The Irin Brotherhood will be taken to task for this.” Evie was shaking her head, about to say that it’s not worth it to rock the boat, but Jess sent her a dark glare. “You have no say in this, Evangeline. When the case it over, the use of the Seat of Iphramit will be addressed, and mark my words, whoever is responsible will pay accordingly.”
Evie let out a soft breath. “L
et’s just hope you find the actual person responsible. That’s a little hard around here from what I can see.” The words were soft, but the Titan heard, and Evie knew she’d been reckless. The curious glance Jess gave her only stoked her regret but it was too late to take it back.
But the Titan simply straightened, apparently choosing to ignore Evie’s comment. “Give me a few seconds to check on your counsel’s current state. Let’s just figure out if he is well and that you have no reason to worry.”
Evie nodded but from the absent expression on Jess’s face, she was mentally traveling. Still, she was back seconds later, blinking as she looked at Evie, her expression calm. “The demon overlord is fine. He’s not in any danger and in fact,the Grand Master is making certain he is taken care off and is getting whatever he needs in order to prepare you defense.”
Evie let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.” Then she looked over at the frozen Master Braxus. “Now we just have to deal with this guy,” she muttered, more to herself though Jess’s soft laughter confirmed she’d heard every word.
Chapter 20
The Titan released Master Braxus from his frozen state and gave Evie a small smile before the man continued, “--be taking the matter up with the Supreme High Council this instant.”
He was already turning when Jess called out, “Master Braxus?”
He paused in his stride and glanced over his shoulder, eyes going wide when the Titan flicked her fingers and a leather-bound folder appeared between her thumb and forefinger, sparking an explosion of soft glows.
The brown aged leather of the folder gave off an iridescent shimmer for a few seconds as Jess held it out to the stunned brother who hesitated at first, the silence stretching uncomfortably in the long moments he took to make the decision. Then at last, he stepped to her and accepted the file, though he did so in rebellious silence, dark gaze holding a mix of anger and distaste as he glanced from her face to the folder to Evie and then back again.
Then he flipped the folder open, and stared down at the parchment, his hood slowly sliding off the smooth surface of his bald head. From where Evie stood she could see the broad scrawl, as though some council member had scratched out the writ in a fever of anger or frustration.
