I can't leave the house, Vice-Director, until I have guards. That idiot wizard Haral wanted to kill me yesterday. Somebody else got to him first. Nearly took his head off and sliced him up pretty good. They must have used a really sharp knife to do that kind of damage.
Reah, I'll inform Erland Morphis—I know the King of Karathia had a price on that one's head—he was a warlock, not your garden-variety wizard, Lendill told me. Well, that explained a lot. Warlocks tended to be worse than wizards if they went bad. It made me wonder about Milus and Carthin. They were the wizards, in addition to Haral, whom Bel said weren't native to Mandil.
Does Wylend have a bounty on anyone named Milus or Carthin? I asked.
You know Wylend? Well enough to call him by his first name?
Probably not to call him Wylend, but we did meet—I cooked for him when Ry, Tory and I were on Tulgalan. He came to check on Wyatt.
I forgot about that, Lendill said. It sounded as if he were mentally chastising himself. I'll ask about those two. That may not be their real names, Reah. Many of them have so many aliases we can't keep track of them. If you meet with Ry soon, perhaps he can get a look at them. He's aware of those wanted by Wylend Arden, just as well as his father Erland is. In the meantime, don't trust your bodyguards. Don't trust anyone there except Tory and Ry.
Don't worry, Vice-Director. There aren't that many anywhere who deserve my trust.
Slamming things around in the kitchen helped with my frustration, and that's where Teeg found me later. My new bodyguards were right behind him. He'd hired two. Those two were Tory and Ry.
Consciously closing my mouth (it hung open for several ticks, I just know it), I listened while Teeg introduced my new bodyguards. At least they'd kept their first names. Ry was now Ry Nolin and Tory was Tory Lathif. I wondered if Lathif was Tory's bending of the term Thifilathi, but I sure didn't want to ask. Not out loud, anyway. Teeg grinned at my discomfort. Ry and Tory were disguised, but I could see right through that. A bit of shimmer lay about them, just as there had been when they'd been on Mandil. I'd learned that meant that Ry had used the ability he had to create the disguise.
"Don't go anywhere without at least one of them," Teeg gave his instructions to me. "Don't let her out of your sight unless she's with me," Teeg instructed Ry and Tory. Both nodded. "Now, go make those tarts, I know you can't stand it," Teeg gave me a quick grin and stalked out of the kitchen.
"He thinks this is funny," I muttered, crossing arms over my chest.
Avilepha, if I could, I'd be kissing you breathless right now, Tory sent.
I love you, too, I returned. The kissing will have to wait. Tory grinned. Ry was watching Tory and grinned when his brother did. "Come on," I sighed. "Let's go to the restaurant. We have oxberry tarts to bake." I led them downstairs and out the side door to get to The San Gerxon.
The private party was very successful. Arvil came, as did his hired celebrities. I stayed in the kitchen, making sure we had enough of everything. The salmon pastries went over very well, as did all the entrée samples. We'd pulled out the best wine we had in stock, and when the desserts came, I was baking more oxberry tarts quickly. Everybody loved them and wanted more. Arvil brought people into the kitchen after the third batch went out.
"Reah, this is Wilffin and Wilffox, the brothers Hardlow," Arvil smiled as he introduced the two most notorious criminals in and out of the Alliance. Now I knew who Arvil's partners in the drakus seed enterprise were. Tory and Ry, both of whom stood against a wall and out of the way, never blinked when those two names were announced. It was my bet, though, that one or the other was sending mindspeech to Lendill just as fast as he could.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Wilffox, Lord Wilffin." I nodded respectfully to both of them. I knew, as did almost everyone, that Wilffox was older and even more murderous than his murdering younger brother, Wilffin.
"You're the one who made these wonderful tarts for me last time. And that bit of chocolate cake with the cream center and the caramel," Wilffin was smiling. I'd unwittingly pleased one of the worst criminals, ever.
"Yes, Lord Wilffin," I nodded to him again. "I'm glad to hear you liked them."
"It's the best thing I've ever gotten here. Might I hope you'll cook for me again while I and my brother are here? I don't wish to impose—Arvil tells me you're one of his heirs."
"Yes, Lord Arvil has been very kind. With his permission, I will be happy to cook for you again."
"They'll be staying at the palace," Arvil was smiling graciously. "We can make dinner arrangements, most certainly. Have whatever you need brought from the restaurant, Reah. We'll make sure our guests are served only the best."
"Of course." I smiled at the brothers Hardlow. It wasn't until I watched them walk out of the kitchen with Arvil that I noticed the four—yes, four—warlocks who closed in and walked out behind them. Each Hardlow was protected by two warlocks. I'm not sure how I knew what they were, I just did.
Holy crap, Tory's voice sounded in my mind as I busied myself at the prep table.
Did you send mindspeech to the Vice-Director? I returned.
In less than a heartbeat, Ry's voice sounded in my head.
Don't worry, baby, we'll do our best to keep all of us safe, Tory said. I shivered slightly—mothers frightened their children into obedience by telling them the Hardlows would come get them if they didn't behave. We'd all heard horror stories and seen vids of horrible crime scenes, on and off Alliance worlds. No place was safe against them. They'd even been accused of starting wars on non-Alliance worlds. This worried me. Were they attempting to take the Alliance down with drakus seed? Prove that the Alliance army and the ASD were powerless against them, so it should be every planet for itself?
That would be an effective way to annihilate all of us. Divide and destroy. The Hardlows might be the biggest master strategists ever. I hadn't seen Farzi and the other reptanoids recently, either. Arvil must have sent them out to look for new planting fields again. The ground suddenly felt shaky beneath my feet—this was a game too big and too deep for me to be playing. I had no experience with this sort of thing. Why had Lendill demanded I stay here? I was completely out of my element.
Steady, Reah. Tory knew. Must have read the emotions crossing my face. I deliberately didn't look at him, although I wanted to. There was nothing I wanted to do more at that moment than to run to him and fling myself into his arms. Ask him to take me away from Campiaa. Anywhere would do, as long as people didn't want me dead and I wasn't surrounded by criminals who might kill me on a whim.
Was Teeg in on this somehow? Did he know about the Hardlows? Another question I was afraid to ask, since I might not like the answer. I folded pastry around oxberries in creamy filling, preparing them for the oven. My automatic navigator worked that night. I couldn't depend on my brain to form any thought that wasn't wrapped in fear.
Tory and Ry escorted me back to the palace after the party was over. I was never so thankful to get out of a kitchen in my life. Ry must have placed a shield around us—Tory nodded to his brother first before pulling me against him and leaning down to give the promised kiss. Several kisses, actually. I clung to him before he pulled away. Someone could be wondering why it took so long for us to walk the distance between The San Gerxon and Arvil's palace.
* * *
"Sweetheart, you look ready to drop." Teeg was there, waiting for us in the kitchen. I still hadn't eaten anything; he was having a sandwich. Ry waved all of us into our seats and proceeded to make good sandwiches for Tory, himself and me. I was nearly too tired to eat. Teeg did a little coaxing and Ry set a glass of wine in front of me. I just wanted to sleep where I sat. Tory was watchful, too, while Teeg massaged my neck. I'd forgotten about Tory's claiming marks there. Teeg hadn't even asked about them. I had no hair to cover them, although it was growing out. I probably had three finger-widths of hair, now. Perhaps I should get it styled.
"Reah, you look fine," Teeg assured me. I didn't even notice that he'd known what I
was thinking.
Teeg showed Ry and Tory to their bedrooms down the hall in our wing. They'd be sleeping on the same floor, at least, and I figured Ry would be putting a shield around all of us while we slept. That's what I would do if I had the ability.
"Reah, come here, baby." Teeg lifted me and carried me after we'd left Ry and Tory in their rooms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my head against his shoulder. He helped me in the shower, holding me up when I wanted to huddle in a corner on the expensive tiles.
"Don't let them do this to you, sweetheart." Teeg rubbed a soft, fluffy towel over me, making sure I was dry before putting me to bed. He didn't bother with pajamas for either of us; he just settled me under the covers and crawled in next to me. His nearness soothed me so I closed my eyes to sleep.
Chapter 10
Delvin didn't know what to do—Haral had mucked up the plan. Delvin still didn't understand how Haral had been killed—the wizard had a shield around him at all times. It could only have been a more powerful wizard, but there weren't any on Campiaa. Not that he didn't know about. He and the others had gotten word the moment the Hardlows arrived at the shuttle station. Both of them had come, bringing all four warlocks with them.
Delvin didn't have enough power to fight one of those warlocks, let alone four. Even with all eight of Arvil's wizards fighting, they'd still be out-powered. Reah should have been off the planet at the very least and he and the others could have plotted to remove Teeg. Arvil was extremely angry that Haral had betrayed him. He hadn't spoken five words to any of his wizards after the incident. Arvil hadn't wasted any time bringing in his allies, however, and the Hardlows had shown up in less time than it took to blink. At least Farzi and his bunch were off hunting new fields for drakus seed plantings. Farzi gave Delvin the shivers and Delvin couldn't explain why.
"Perhaps you should amass your wealth in a more conventional manner," Milus sat down at the bar next to Delvin. Delvin had chosen a bar at one of the casinos Arvil didn't own. Milus had tracked him down.
"We're this close," Delvin held up a thumb and forefinger.
"Perhaps you're that close. I am considering retirement, friend. I don't like the Hardlows or their warlocks. They could kill all of us with barely a thought."
Delvin gave a quick nod—they didn't want to say that name too loudly anywhere. The Hardlows were unforgiving if they felt slighted in any way. Bodies tended to pile up in their wake if the rumors were true. Not that the Hardlows would stoop to dirty their hands in a killing—that was what their hired warlocks were for. Milus wasn't being completely honest with Delvin—he'd already made up his mind to leave Campiaa the following morning. He wanted no part in killing the girl, and if he were honest with himself—he liked Teeg.
Milus was old as a warlock. Very old. The King of Karathia had hunted him for thousands of years. Milus was headed for a small, non-Alliance world where he could sell his smaller spells for enough to eat and to buy a modest home. Riches no longer called to him. Carthin had persuaded him to take this job since Arvil needed as many warlocks as he could get as insurance against the Hardlows' four power wielders—the Starr brothers. Milus smiled wryly. If Arvil only knew how ineffective his wizards and warlocks would be against those four if they decided to attack.
"Something funny, friend Milus?" Delvin swallowed the last of his drink and called for another.
"Just thinking about the Hardlows' warlocks," Milus said. "Have fun, friend Delvin." Milus slid off his barstool and clapped Delvin on the back. "I'm going to bed." Milus walked out of the casino. He'd made up his mind suddenly. He wasn't waiting for the morning. He could fold himself away easily, and he didn't want to take time to pack. Milus disappeared the moment he was away from prying eyes.
* * *
"Yes, I met him at the bar in the Sandstorm Casino last night," Delvin raked a hand through his hair. "He said he was thinking about retiring. How am I supposed to know whether he decided to go right then or if the same one who killed Haral got him, too?"
Arvil had discovered that Milus was gone when he woke. All his wizards always gathered to learn what Arvil wanted from them during the day. Milus failed to appear. His room was searched—nothing was missing and all appeared untouched. Reah and Teeg had been called in, as had Reah's new bodyguards so Arvil could give them information on Milus' disappearance.
* * *
Delvin looked as if he were about to have a meltdown. Things were definitely not going as planned, somehow. I wondered just what it was that Delvin had been plotting. He wasn't lying about Milus—at least I knew that much. The Hardlows came in, warlocks in tow as Delvin explained about his meeting with Milus the evening before. I got as much information as I could by snatching quick glimpses at the Hardlows' warlocks. All four looked similar—with dark hair and dark eyes. Close to the same height, too, but there were minor differences. It made me wonder if they were brothers. Ry answered my mental question.
They're brothers. Wylend has been hunting them for a while now. Very powerful, too. Only the Hardlows could afford all of them together, I think.
I thought about asking for names, but held back. Maybe it was better if I didn't know. It didn't matter—I ended up cooking breakfast for everyone as soon as the meeting was over. Arvil was going to investigate Milus' disappearance, but I could tell he didn't have much hope of finding anything. I was hoping Milus was far away; I found him to be the least offensive of all of Arvil's wizards. It made me sad, too—I'd liked and trusted Delvin at one time—when he'd been working with Bel.
"This is very good," one of the warlocks told me. I'd made coddled eggs for him and the others—with sauce and a few other specialties.
"I'm glad you like it," I nodded respectfully to him.
"My name is Astralan," he held out his hand. I took it politely. He already knew who I was. Stellan, Astralan's brother, introduced himself next, followed by Celestan and Galaxsan. Somebody's parents had been star-struck, it seemed.
The table in the dining room looked like a hurricane had hit it when Arvil, his wizards, the Hardlows and all four warlocks finished their meal and left to tend to business. Teeg shrugged at me—he had to go with Arvil. That left me with the kitchen staff, Ry and Tory.
I helped the staff carry dishes into the kitchen, but they washed and cleaned everything for me. Tory, Ry and I went to The San Gerxon to order supplies and have some of them delivered to the palace. I was going to supervise the menu served to the Hardlows personally, if I didn't cook it myself.
What do you think happened to Haral? Ry asked mentally while I went over food orders.
Ry, when I saw him, his head had nearly been severed from the body and there were long, deep cuts across his chest and torso. There was also—I hesitated for a moment, trying to choose the proper words—a cut around his groin. Blood was everywhere. It was hard to determine the extent of the injuries, there was so much blood. I didn't want to tell Ry that it looked as if the genitals had been removed and destroyed—males seemed sensitive about that and I was embarrassed to say it.
I just wanted to know so I could inform Dad and Wylend. We also need to understand what we're dealing with here—in case whoever did this comes after any of us.
Bro, that's such a comforting thought, Tory broke into our mental conversation.
You can make the cameras go fuzzy if you want—with your talent? I asked Ry but included Tory in the conversation.
It's one of the easiest things to do—interfere with electronic signals. That's one of the first things Dad taught me. And then he told me he'd mute my power for years to come if I ever did it within Mom's palace. Ry ducked his head to hide the grin.
So, you did it elsewhere, didn't you?
Oh, man, Tory's laugh came through his mindspeech.
How's Aurelius? I changed the subject.
Aurelius is fine. Why don't you send him mindspeech? I think he's about to go crazy without you, and I think the Vice-Director still may have Auri's fingerprints on his throat. Ry
was laughing mentally this time.
I took Ry's advice. I was still going through the kitchen comp-vid, ordering food and supplies. Aurelius? I sent.
Reah? Thank goodness. When Torevik sent the message saying that someone had attempted to attack you, I nearly took the house apart. Aurelius' voice was warm inside my mind.
Love, I'm sorry I didn't contact you sooner—I didn't know whether you were busy or not.
Reah, my beautiful love, I am never too busy for you. Even if I am in combat, I will get back to you as swiftly as possible.
Auri, I wish I were with you. Right now. I did—I hadn't ever been so worried in my life. Even when Edan was beating me, at least I knew it would stop for a while after he hit me. This was constant and completely over my head. Aurelius always seemed so confident. I wished for a little of that, right then.
Reah, you sound lost, love. Is there no way we can see one another?
Auri, I'm afraid. I don't know what I'm doing and Lendill wants me to stay here. Now, Arvil San Gerxon has named me one of his heirs and I'm a target for his enemies or those who want to take what he has. What am I supposed to do? I was wiping tears off my face even as I entered amounts of stock items into my comp-vid. Tory almost got up but Ry grabbed his arm and dragged him back to his seat.
Reah, don't cry, love. We'll see one another soon. Aurelius broke off the mindspeech.
"Reah?" Kiasz's voice broke into my concentration. I think everyone in the kitchen knew I was crying by that time. I hadn't meant for that to happen—I should have waited until later to contact Aurelius.
Avilepha, hold your head up. We'll take care of this later. Tory's mindspeech had me wiping my eyes again. "She's all right," Yindu was shooing the others away. "Go on, you'd do worse if somebody tried to poison you." Well, that had gotten around fast. I brushed dampness from my cheeks and went back to work.
* * *
"I heard you worked in Desh's kitchen, but I never thought I'd get their yaris fish outside any of their restaurants. This is even better than I remember." Wilffox Hardlow certainly liked what he'd been served for dinner. Teeg hadn't said a word when he came in with Arvil and the Hardlows—I had no idea what they'd been doing or what poor Teeg might have done or witnessed. The warlocks were enjoying their meal, too. Arvil was smiling from his place at the head of the table—his heir was making everybody happy tonight, except herself.
Demon Revealed (High Demon Series #2) Page 15
