"I mean, I always knew you had a kill-switch, Del Can't, but…demons and hellhounds!" Thaddeus gazed wide-eyed at the carnage.
Carnage I had caused. Carnage I didn't want to look at. I wiped the sweat off my brow and started picking weapons off the fallen.
"Was that all of them?" Vera looked at me as if she weren't quite sure what to make of me.
"Doubtful." I tugged a dagger off one of the men's boot. "There could be more downstairs."
"For their sakes, let's hope they've got a small army standing behind them. And to think your mother was actually worried about you." Thaddeus snorted, then used his foot to turn a dead man's face to the side. The tattoo on the back of his neck tagged him as a Mort.
"Here…take these…" I handed Thaddeus and Vera a few of the blades I'd pilfered.
They hesitated before taking the weapons from my hands. Not because they didn't want the weapons, but because I was holding them, and they looked a little scared of me. At last, they took them and followed me down the hall to the double doors of our library.
One of the doors had been left open, casting a prism of light on the opposite wall. I peered inside the room. The desk lamp had been left on, but the room was otherwise empty, probably because its previous occupants were currently lying dead or incapacitated near the front door. Between the two tall windows of the library stood the majestic portrait of Yosemite's Bridal Veil Falls, closed and seemingly untouched. I crossed the room to the desk, slid my hand beneath the top panel and pushed up. It gave way to the secret compartment that hid the key, but there wasn't a key in there now. I frowned at the portrait.
"Whatcha looking for?" Thaddeus whispered beside me.
I crossed the room to the portrait. There was no point in being quiet now. If there were someone down there, they would've heard us walking down the hall, assuming the fighting hadn't given us away first. I gripped the frame and pulled. It moved on its hinges. They'd discovered the lower library. What I didn't know was if anyone were down there now.
I inched the portrait open farther. The stairwell beyond was dark, but not as dark as it should've been. I climbed onto the platform and descended, holding tight to the stolen scimitar. When I reached the door at the base of the steps, I stopped. The door was cracked open, and a line of golden light glowed. I peered through.
Even in my limited view I could see the room had been ransacked. Books and documents and priceless artifacts lay everywhere, and the drawers had been pulled from their units and left hanging on hinges. Someone had obviously been searching for something. The sword, maybe? I took a deep breath, placed my hand on the door, and pushed.
There were four men seated at the table near the far wall, playing cards. Hearing the door, they glanced up. I was not who they were expecting.
Chairs screeched as they stood and drew their weapons, and one of them started forward. I knew that one. He was Lorimer Faris, Denn's father.
He recognized me in that same instant. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the illustrious—"
I didn't let him finish. Within three minutes, he and two of his men were either dead or unconscious. I was in a dance with the last, and then got him in a hold with my scimitar at his neck when a voice said, "Not another move or she dies."
I froze, the Mort squirming against the edge of my blade. The voice had been feminine, but it didn't belong to Vera. I couldn't tell where it'd come from, either. I glanced over my shoulder. Vera stood in the stairwell, grunting and struggling against a massive hand gripping her neck. A half-giant. Thaddeus stood at the base of the stairwell gazing up at Vera, his sword arm limp at his side.
"Drop your weapons," the voice continued with the same authority, coming from somewhere beside me.
I hesitated for one full breath as a bead of sweat slid down my temple. The half-giant tightened his grip on Vera's neck and brought the edge of his dagger to her cheek. The dagger looked like a small butter knife in his hand. Thaddeus released his sword, and it fell to the floor with an empty clatter.
"I will not ask you again, Aegis," continued the slippery female voice.
The half-giant lifted Vera so that her toes grazed the stone steps, and she cried out. I dropped my sword. The Mort shoved away from me and rushed to the side of the room.
"Kick it away from you," the female voice said.
I kicked the sword to the back of the room. "Are you going to show yourself, or keep hiding while I kill the rest of your men?"
A pause. "They said you were uncommonly skilled and efficient, Aegis, but I must say…I'm very impressed, and that's not something I am often."
I narrowed my eyes in the direction of the voice. "And you are…?"
A woman slipped out from behind a wardrobe that had been moved away from the wall beside me. I'd never seen her before in my life, but I had the feeling that I should know who she was. She looked timeless, defying age in a way that made me think she was far older than she appeared. Her gown was a mesh of obsidian shards clinging to her body, as though she'd raised the glass fragments of dead shadowguard from deep inside the earth and pulled them to her skin to cover all the important places. Long, dark hair coiled over one shoulder, and her face was all sharp angles and power. Her eyes were dark and missing that special quality that made a person human. I suddenly wished I'd never kicked my sword aside.
Her eyes moved past me and settled on Thaddeus, and they flashed with fire. "Thaddeus." It was as though she'd cursed his entire existence just by speaking his name.
Thaddeus flinched. "Hey, Ma."
Ah, it all made sense. She was the infamous dark sorceress, Mistress Astaire Dothrai, Eris's servant and Thaddeus's mother. I hadn't been there when Daria and Thaddeus had stumbled upon her. I reminded myself that although Mistress Astaire Dothrai was a sorceress, her power wasn't a concern here. Here, on Earth where there were only vestiges of magic to draw from, she was powerless. That's why she'd demanded I lose my weapon. She knew she wouldn't stand a chance in a physical fight against me.
Sensing the direction of my thoughts, those dark eyes slid back to me, reptilian and cold. "You don't waste time, do you, Alexander Del Conte?" Her lips curled.
I glared at her. "What do you want?"
Lithe as a cat, she stepped over to the globe of Gaia, her long, slender fingers trailing over the surface, the tip of them vanishing into a cloud. "I imagine I'm here for the same reason you are." She dropped her fingers and took another step toward me.
If only she'd come a little closer…
"Tell me, Aegis…" she continued.
One more step…
She didn't take another step closer, but instead took to circling me like a predator. "What were you hoping to achieve with the sword?"
I followed her with my eyes only. I didn't answer.
"Did you expect the people of Gaia to follow you based on the relic of a traitor?" she asked. She touched the corner of her mouth, amused. "You do, don't you? It has always fascinated me how a person with such talent and cleverness can be rendered senseless by the brittle threads of hope. Hope knows no reason. Hope doesn't give credence to evidence or logic. Even if you had the sword, and even if, somehow, you managed to unite the territories against my lord, Eris, what chance would you have?" She paused before me, just beyond arm's length. "My lord has tens of thousands of shadowguard in Valdon and a vast number of faithful servants throughout the territories. Who would even be left to stand with you? Alioth? My lord has already severed Lord Tosca's power, and even with Orindor's betrothal to your princess, Orindor will never stand against him. I expect Commodus to accept our offer any day now. Lord Vega of Campagna will not help you, either—he's fortifying his shores as we speak, in preparation of Pendel's imminent arrival. The Arborenne is weak and dying and they never interfere, which leaves you only with Gesh. That will hardly be enough for you to rally an effective defense against my lord, Eris, so tell me…what do you hope to accomplish?"
I stared into those empty black eyes. "I wonder why your lord sent y
ou here to deal with me, when my task is—as you so clearly put it—hopeless."
She stared back, her expression impassive. Then she glanced down at her fingernails as if she were bored. "Where is the sword?"
"Why do you want it if it's just a relic of a traitor?" I asked. There had to be something within reach—something I could use as a weapon.
Her eyes narrowed. "Tell me where it is."
When I didn't answer her, she said, "Perhaps you need a little persuasion." Her lips twisted into an elegantly cruel smile, and her eyes slid over to Vera. "Yes, you'll be an even better subject than that other woman who lived here." Mistress Dothrai noticed my anger and her eyes lit up. "Ah, I see you found her on your way here. Yes, the two of us had a bit of fun. Of course, she didn't tell me what I most wanted, and I've little patience for those who prove themselves useless. I make it a…mission of mine to make use of them. A sacrifice to Mortis is one of the greatest honors bestowed, though it's a pity your friend didn't recognize the honor. I must say, for such a fragile creature, she had a strong pair of lungs. I'm not sure I've ever heard a person scream quite like—"
I lunged at her. My body froze—pitched forward, arms extended and knees bent, as if I were a snapshot of myself in action. I couldn't move. I couldn't even wiggle my pinky finger. Mistress Dothrai had complete control over my body. Somehow, in this world, she'd found a way to use magic. Dread pitted in my stomach.
Mistress Dothrai approached me, digging sharp fingernails along my extended forearm. "Fascinating, isn't it? I'll admit: your kind of magic is extremely difficult, but lucky for me, I don’t work with your kind of magic. Of course"—she reached out and dug those nails into my chin—"it's still a bit more difficult on this planet, though I don't imagine that will be the case for much longer. Now, where is the sword?"
Pressure lightened on my lungs and mouth—enough so I could speak. "I don't—"
She squeezed harder, pinching off my words. "I'm running out of patience, Aegis."
Vera cried out again behind me. The half-giant carved a bright red line down her cheek. Blood pooled and trickled in its path.
"Hellfire, Ma, I can tell you where it is." Thaddeus shoved past the Mort I'd almost killed before the sorceress appeared to stand beside his mother. Thaddeus admired my current predicament, and that cocky smirk appeared on his face.
That lying sack of kutt. I should've killed him in Pendel.
Thaddeus sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. You didn't honestly think I'd switched sides, did you? I mean, no hard feelings, Del Can't. I appreciate the second chance and all, but you should've listened to your instincts, not Daria's. Daria is like a lamb who leads herself to the slaughter."
Hatred burned through my arms, my legs. My world turned red.
"Spirits! I must be better than I thought!" Thaddeus said, looking back at Mistress Dothrai. "To fool my own mother! And it was your idea I stay behind with the princess to find out their counter-moves, remember? If anyone should be mad here, it should be me." He folded his arms over his chest, looking offended. "You left me in Karth with a horde of kytharii. I could've died."
She frowned. "Then what's taken you so long?"
"I haven't exactly had a chance to write you a letter, you know—not without being caught. After that little stunt you and pops had me pull at the castle, wouldn't you know people aren't really that willing to trust me. I was hoping to play this game a little longer, too, but Del Can't will die before he ever tells you anything, and I know pops will be furious if you don't bring him back alive. So I'll save you the drama and out myself by telling you where the sword is."
"You…lying…" I fought for air to speak, my rage contained only by Mistress Dothrai's hold. "I knew…"
"Better save your breath, Del Can't. She'll only squeeze tighter." Thaddeus patted me on the shoulder and let out an exaggerated sigh. "The things I go through for this family."
"The sword…?" Mistress Dothrai said, impatient.
"Right. I'll go get the sword. But first we need to tie up Del Can't. You saw what he did upstairs, and I'm not taking my chances. Plus, you need to save your power if you plan on holding him on the other side, because he's pretty good with magic, too. Trust me. I lived with the guy for five years."
Mistress Dothrai looked skeptical, but she nodded.
"Finally," Thaddeus said, strutting past his mother. "Never thought I'd have to work so hard to get my own ma to believe me," he said while searching through scattered odds and ends. "After everything I've done, one might think I'd get a 'thanks,' but noooo. Not in this family. You aren't doing your part if you aren't throwing yourself to the gargons on a daily basis."
"Thaddeus," she snapped.
There was a clank and some shuffling behind me. "One sec. Gotta make sure I got something strong enough."
I was going to kill him. I didn't know how or when, but he was going to die, and I was going to be the one to do it.
"Ah! Perfect." Thaddeus appeared beside me wearing that proud smirk. I wanted to rip off his face. His hands were behind his back, so I didn't know what he'd found.
There was a whir of movement and a click, and Mistress Dothrai's wrists were bound in cuffs. Magic-binding cuffs.
Mistress Dothrai's hold on me evaporated. I collapsed on the floor, heaving. There was a thud beside me, and I lifted my head in time to see the Mort collapse. The half-giant fell seconds after, sliding face first down the stone steps and onto the floor where he lay, motionless. Vera staggered down the stairs, choking on air. A tiny, red-feathered dart protruded from the back of the half-giant's thick neck. I looked down at the fallen Mort. A dart stuck out of his neck, too. Thaddeus preened, dusting his hands.
Mistress Dothrai screamed and lunged at Thaddeus. He sidestepped and waved a finger in condescension. "Ah, ah, ah. It'll only make it worse, Ma, and you look tired enough as it is. Actually, I think this is the first time you've ever looked your age, and let me tell you—two-hundred and thirty-one does not look good."
"You miserable…how dare you!" She fisted her hands and swung back to strike him. He ducked, and I came in from behind, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and wrenched her head back.
She struggled against me, but her hands were bound, and without magic she was as brittle and light as an autumn leaf. "You'll die for this!"
Thaddeus folded his arms over his puffed up chest. "Probably. So I guess this is where I tell you thank you for everything, because I learned all my tricks from you, Ma. Couldn't have had a better teacher." He winked at her.
She spat at him but missed. "Mortis curse you. You are no son of mine. From this day until your last, may you never find what you seek, and may all those you hold dear spurn you as you have spurned me." The runes on the cuffs glittered, absorbing the magic pulsing through her body. "I cast you forth from Gaia, never to belong, not even in death—"
Her jaw fell slack and her body slumped against mine. Vera had jammed a dart in Mistress Dothrai's neck.
"Thanks, V." Thaddeus smiled at Vera.
Vera gave him a sharp, affirmative nod.
I laid Thaddeus's mother on the ground, then stood tall and looked straight at Thaddeus.
He recoiled a bit, his hands splayed in defense. "Hey, now…you better know I made all that up."
I stared at him, trying to stare the truth out.
"Seriously, Del Can't. I swear on the spirits I didn't mean any of it! I mean, it's true my ma wanted me to stay behind and see what you all were up to, and she did put on that act for Rook so the princess would think my ma and pops had abandoned me, but what my ma didn't know was that I really had made my decision to stay. For good. I couldn't have told her that before, or she would've never let me leave and find you guys in the first place. I swear!"
I drew an inordinate amount of pleasure watching him squirm beneath my scrutiny.
"I believe him," Vera said.
Thaddeus's shoulders sagged with relief.
"But don't"—she jammed a finger in his shoulder
—"think for a second I won't be watching every single move you make."
Thaddeus grinned at her. "Every move…? Even when I bathe—Ow!"
She'd punched his shoulder.
"How'd you know those cuffs were here?" I asked Thaddeus, glancing down at his unconscious mother.
"I didn't. There seemed to be enough Gaian paraphernalia down here…I just hoped I could find something useful. And since this home belongs to one of the most paranoid and overprotective aegises I've ever known, ahem, I thought finding magic-binding cuffs down here wouldn't be a stretch. The darts, though—didn't see those coming. They're a little black market for your style. Been making secret trips to Thieves over the years, eh, Del Can't?" He winked at me.
"No, actually, I stole them from your private stash at AQ."
"You? Steal? I must be wearing off on you."
I raised a brow. "If that ever happens, please let me know so I can go kill myself."
"No way! Rook would never forgive me."
Mention of Daria brought me back to the task at hand. I looked at Vera. The line on her cheek had stopped bleeding and was starting to clot. "You okay?"
"Fine."
Thaddeus rolled his eyes and grunted.
"We need to get the sword and get out of here," I said.
I stepped around bodies, over books and other scattered objects, until I reached the armoire. The drawers sagged, clinging for life on the very ends of their hinges. I tugged them free, one by one, setting them carefully on the floor. Crouching low, I reached in and slid my fingers along the bottom panel. The joints were smooth—nothing at all suggesting a hidden compartment. I searched for any sort of latch or indentation, but there was nothing.
"Find anything?" Thaddeus asked.
"Nothing so far…" Again, I slid my fingers along the inner framework of the armoire's face, until my fingers grazed a raised surface of cool metal no larger than a thumbtack. I pressed it in, there was a click, and the bottom panel of the armoire disengaged. Brilliant.
Carefully, I lifted the front edge, lifting and sliding the wood at an angle through the bottommost vacant drawer frame. Sure enough, there was a hidden slot beneath. It wasn't very large, only a few inches deep with a surface area of about four square feet. Inside was a bundle of black velvet, tied with a red, satin ribbon. I set the counterfeit base on the floor behind me then reached inside the hidden compartment to remove the bundle.
Heir of Pendel (A Pandoran Novel, #4) Page 14
