“Then we’ll likely leave the city.”
“So soon? I thought you had so much to do here.”
Lilith smiled insincerely. “Oh, well, I’ve changed my plans some. As to where we go next, I’m not sure yet. In any case, it’s nothing to bother yourself about.”
The Oathtaker pursed her lips in thought. “All right. I guess I’ll head off to bed then.”
“Good night. I’ll be up shortly.”
“If you don’t mind, I need a change of clothing from my saddle bag. I forgot it there.”
Lilith leaned back. “Mind? Why, you’re not a prisoner, Velia. Of course I don’t mind.”
“Very well. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Yes, I know you will. I warned Jabari to stay away from you.”
Edmond smirked.
Velia opened her mouth to speak, but then thought better of it, not wanting to make Lilith angry or suspicious.
She walked out the front door. She had to hurry if she wanted to speak with Jerrett at all.
As she stepped off the veranda, a crow chased at her heels. She danced around it. When she couldn’t get free of the beast, she kicked it with all her might, finding intense satisfaction when it hit the side of the building and fell to the ground. She hoped it never moved again.
She rushed to the stables as more birds darted at her. “Jabari? Jabari?”
He stepped into view.
She looked around the stables. They were alone. “Jerrett,” she whispered, “they’ve arranged for a meeting at sanctuary tomorrow. I think it’s with Mara and Dixon. Lilith means to trap them there with the girls. I just know it. Oh, Jerrett, we have to warn them!”
“Sanctuary!” he exclaimed. “But she can’t do anything against the interests of the Select there.”
“But she can! I heard her myself. She told Edmond that the only sanctuary she needed to fear was the one in Polesk because it was made with magic.”
He scowled. “I’d do what I could to intercept them, but I don’t know what they look like.”
“Neither do I. Look, I have to hurry.” Velia reached for a blade hanging from his belt. “May I have this?”
“Sure.”
She dropped the blade into her boot. Evidently while bathing, Lilith, or perhaps Edmond, found and removed the extra knife she usually kept there. Now, with this one, along with her Oathtaker’s blade, she carried two weapons. She smiled weakly. Two was just the right number: one for Lilith, and one for Edmond. Oh, if only she really could take Lilith down. She rushed to her saddlebag and pulled out her nightclothes.
“Oh, Jerrett, what’ll we do?”
“Keep your eyes and ears open. When you can, whatever the cost, disclose Edmond for what he is.”
She turned away, then glanced back at him, worry in her eyes.
“Stay safe,” he called out as she dashed back to the inn, dodging crows along the way.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
“Dinner is served!” exclaimed Celestine as she and Nancy slapped plates on the table. The appetite inducing smells of pork loin stuffed with rosemary and garlic, buttery mashed potatoes, and warm fresh garden peas, filled the air.
Mara and Dixon each held one of the twins. The girls had become difficult at mealtimes, as they demanded to taste the savory offerings. Mara laughed as she scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes, blew on it to cool, then offered it to Eden. The child’s eyes lit up. She grasped the edge of the table and pulled forward, begging for more.
After weeks of study, they would leave for Lucy’s first thing in the morning. Mara believed it the right course of action, as the oracle, which she checked almost daily, once again displayed the message “Go.” Tonight they celebrated with Ezra, Fidel, and Leala.
Taking a seat, the innkeeper handed Dixon a note.
“What’s this?”
“I believe it’s a follow up message from Edmond.”
Dixon handed Reigna to Nina, then opened the note. After scanning it over quickly, he read out loud:
So glad I got back before you left. Unfortunately, I have to stay elsewhere, as I’ve much business to attend to and should remain singularly focused. However, I implore you and Mara to meet me tomorrow at sanctuary. The place is crawling with visitors, but I’ve got crucial information to share about the person we previously discussed. I’ve taken the liberty of reserving the room on the top floor facing the compound, for midday. Please, please come.
“That’s it?” Mara asked.
“I thought you didn’t want to go to sanctuary,” Ezra said to Dixon, “that you were concerned someone might recognize you.”
“He could wear a disguise,” Leala suggested.
Dixon turned to Mara. “I suppose I could. What do you think?”
“Yes, that should work.” She didn’t want to miss out on any information about Lilith. Dreams had troubled her sleep the past few nights—dreams that started when the oracle once again provided its message. They made her anxious to get out of the city.
“I suppose I could meet Edmond alone, but I’d prefer having you there. I’d rather not travel by magic though because . . . Well, I don’t want to chance someone catching me again, and it sounds like sanctuary is very busy just now.” She hesitated. “So it seems if we don’t go by magic, it would be quicker if I leave the girls here. And really, if I did go by magic, I couldn’t take you and the girls all at the same time anyway.”
“Just the two of you will go then?” the innkeeper asked.
“Would you be willing, Ezra, to help keep an eye out here with Samuel?”
“Sure. But what of your plans to leave the city?”
“I guess we’ll have to wait until first thing the next morning then.” Mara fed Eden another spoonful of mashed potatoes. “What time did Edmond say?”
“Midday.”
Ezra answered a knock at the door. “What is it?” he asked his man, Arne.
“A report from Jamison.”
“He’s back?”
“Just arrived.”
The innkeeper turned to Dixon and Mara. “Do you mind?”
Mara had come to trust Ezra’s men. They were instrumental in keeping her informed of Lilith’s whereabouts. Moreover, it appeared the woman had followed, at least to some extent, the false information they’d passed out. They had led her to remote, unpopulated areas once they discovered what she was doing.
“Not at all.”
Arne walked away, only to return minutes later with Jamison, a young man, clean and dressed simply. His blonde hair hung to his shoulders. His blue eyes darted around the room as he took a quick inventory of those in attendance. He’d met the group weeks ago, before his last venture out.
“Have a chair,” Ezra said as he directed the young man to a nearby seat. “What’s the news? You hungry?” he added as an afterthought.
“No, thank you.”
“So what’s the news?” the innkeeper repeated.
“The army hasn’t moved. It’s been stationed at the same place for a couple weeks or so now.”
Ezra stopped, his fork halfway to his mouth. “That’s odd. Lilith generally hasn’t stayed long in any one place.”
“That’s what I thought. But as usual we couldn’t get very close to her camp.”
“At least they’re not coming this way,” Mara said.
“I must say, I’m surprised you’re still here.”
“They had planned to leave tomorrow,” Ezra said.
“Overmorrow, now,” Dixon offered.
“Their plans just got delayed,” the innkeeper explained. “So, that’s it then?” he asked the young man.
“That’s it. I left when Carlyle arrived to relieve me. He’ll remain there until I go back in another week or so.”
“Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?” Mara asked.
“No, but thank you.” He paused. “Could I be of any help to you tomorrow? I’ll be around all day and have no other plans.”
“Well,” Dixon said, “
since you’re offering, perhaps you could help Samuel keep an eye on things for a time so that Ezra would be free to see to his business. Mara and I have a meeting to attend.”
“I’d be happy to.” Jamison reached into his pack and pulled out two small balls. He offered one to each of the girls. They both promptly took the toys to their mouths. Then he got up to leave. “Say, I’m curious, have the crows been over this way?”
“Crows?” Ezra asked.
“Yes, it’s the strangest thing. A murder of them invaded the city earlier today. I saw them causing no end of problems in the main square when I made my way through there a short time ago.”
“Now that you mention it, I saw a few earlier today.”
“I hate those birds,” Nina said.
“Me too,” Erin agreed.
“Well . . . use care when they’re around,” Jamison cautioned. “They’ve attacked a number of people in the city. It might just have been rumor, but I heard that one guy lost an eye.”
Mara shuddered. “Thank you, Jamison.” She turned to Dixon. “Good thing we’re not taking the girls with us tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you later then,” Jamison said.
After dinner, Mara offered small tokens of her appreciation to Fidel, Leala, and Ezra. Later she urged Ezra to play his fiddle for them. Laughing and visiting, they whiled away the hours, trying to keep away any sadness over their separation soon to come.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Lilith rode, Jabari at her side. She thought about Velia who’d served her purpose getting her to the City of Light without questions. She smiled. Yes, the Oathtaker had served an important purpose—and the most important was yet to come.
Now, to get those children, she thought. She wished she could just dispose of them on the spot, but she sought the immortality Daeva promised her if only she sacrificed them on a sanctuary altar.
“Out of the way!” she shouted at a passerby who stepped out in front of Bob. Then she sat back and rode on silently, a scowl on her face.
“Excuse me, ma’am?” Jabari interrupted her reverie.
Startled, she looked at him. He’d never initiated a conversation with her in the past. “Yes?”
“Do you mind my asking where we’re heading?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Are Edmond and Velia to meet us there?”
She shook her head. “It’s none of your concern.”
He shrugged in apparent disinterest.
“Why do you ask?”
“Just curious. I thought Velia was your Oathtaker.”
“No, she wasn’t—she isn’t.”
“Isn’t that rather odd?”
“What? Not to have an Oathtaker?” Lilith eyed her guard. “I don’t want one and I don’t need one. What would you know of Oathtakers anyway?”
He said no more. He simply watched ahead as the crows seemed to open a way for them. Earlier, when Lilith had informed him that they were going somewhere without Edmond and Velia, he’d decided to take Donagh for himself. Now he coaxed the animal to stay calm in the midst of the beasts.
Lilith turned to the right, off the main thoroughfare, and then continued until she came to a small but busy inn. She pulled up to the stables. “This is it.”
“We’re stopping here?”
“Yes.”
“But—”
Her eyes darted his way. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing.”
She instructed him to keep the horses saddled so that she could come and go at will. Then she pulled her hood up closer around her face and made her way inside.
She looked for the hallway that Edmond had told her led to Dixon and Mara’s suite. She wanted a room as near to their quarters as possible.
She approached the reception desk. “I need a single room for the night,” she said to Ezra, who she recognized from Edmond’s description of the man.
“Are you new to the city?” The innkeeper rubbed his hand under his scruffy chin.
“Just visiting.”
“I have a room for you right down that hall.” He pointed, then placed a key on the counter.
The room was down the wrong wing of the building. “Pardon me, but I’d prefer a room near the back door to the stables.”
Ezra looked up, though he couldn’t see his newest visitor’s face, as she wore her hood too far forward. “Very well,” he said. He retrieved another key, then handed it over. “Second on the left down that hall,” he indicated with a nod.
She turned away.
“Have you anything you need brought to your room?”
“No, thank you, I just need lunch delivered to my assistant in the stables. My things will arrive before long.”
“Anything for you? For lunch, I mean?”
“Nothing, thank you.”
“We’ll see to your assistant.”
Lilith found her room. Midday was still some time off, but likely Dixon and Mara would leave soon. Then so much depended on Edmond. He needed to stretch his meeting with them out for as long as possible.
This was the moment she’d waited for, worked for, longed for. She sat at the dressing table. It was time to connect with Daeva. She placed her hands in her lap, closed her eyes, and then called on the power of Sinespe.
Her skin started to burn. The heat went deeper and deeper. Soon she felt as though she’d melt. She glanced into the looking glass, surprised at how red the whites of her eyes had become. Steam drifted up.
“Daeva!”
A face formed in the mirror. The underlord grinned maliciously. “It’ssss about time, Lilith. What kept you?”
She gasped for air. “You know well, Daeva, that I’ve seen to the commission you set before me.” She looked into his cadaverous eyes. “They’re here. The time is now! I’ve arranged for their Oathtaker to be called away. She and Dixon will leave soon.”
“Did you know that thissss Oathtaker was at the palacccce? Ssssearching? No doubt looking for the sssscepter?”
Her expression fell.
“I thought not.”
“Not to worry, Daeva. She could never have found it.”
“Well, we’ll discussss this later. For now, what issss your plan, my pet?”
“Once they leave, I’ll take the children, return to sanctuary, and then sacrifice them there myself. Just as you commanded.”
“That eassssy?”
“No. Too many people roam the streets. The crows have turned back only a small number of them.”
“What issss that to me?”
“I need more of them. I need the people off the streets.”
“Very well. More crowssss you shall have.” He tilted his head back. “And then?”
She closed her eyes. “Please, turn down the heat. I’ll be consumed if you do not.”
“Lilith, my pet. Need I remind you? I have already conssssumed you. There issss no turning back for you.” He increased the burning. Satisfied when she cried out, he turned it back down again. “Have you what you need to ssssee to this?”
“Right here.” She patted at her belt.
“And she is alive?”
“She’s still breathing—for the moment. But she won’t be for long.”
“Procccceed,” he ordered. Then slowly, his visage faded away.
The heat of Daeva’s presence lingered. Finally, when reduced to the point familiar to Lilith, she went to an end table upon which sat a glass and a decanter of water. Her hands still shaking, she filled the glass and drank it, then filled it again.
When her tremors subsided, she took in a deep breath. Time marched forward. She’d best watch for Dixon and Mara, as she needed every second she could get.
She glanced out the window. Oh! There he is now and . . . So, that’s the great Oathtaker. Lilith got her first good look at Mara. They’re alone, just as Edmond predicted. Her plan would work. The girls were without sufficient protection.
It was time.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Mara patted Ch
eryl’s neck. She’d not ridden regularly for some time and had missed the good company of her faithful assistant. Fortunately, Ezra’s people had taken good care of the mare.
While preparing to leave for sanctuary, they’d found it difficult to disguise Dixon. His height and bearing, his air of confidence, made him all too recognizable. In the end, they’d settled on simple garb intended to secret his strength: an eye patch and a long, ragged, hooded cloak. Though he mocked the idea of carrying a tin cup for alms, his friends outvoted him.
They planned that upon arriving at sanctuary, Fidel and Leala would meet Dixon at the stables. From there, the oldtimers would guide him to the upper chambers through seldom-used back hallways. Meanwhile, Mara would make her way to the meeting place solo, through the public walkways.
The Oathtakers chose not to ride side-by-side so that if someone should recognize Dixon and take him into custody, Mara could still meet with Edmond.
People bustled through the streets. Wagons, buggies, vendors’ carts, and carriages, hurried toward their destinations. Now and again a brazen child darted across the roadway, zigzagging between the traffic.
The criers called out to the crowds: “Crows invade!” “A murder of crows attacks!”
As the minutes passed, more and more of the winged thieves swept through the air and darted at the crowd. One swooped down and plucked a treat from a child who cried, then turned his empty uplifted hands to his caregiver.
Momentarily distracted by the sight, Mara almost didn’t see another as it neared her. It came in with its legs stretched out, its feet extended like claws. Instinctively, she steered Cheryl to the right. Then she lashed out to scare the beast away, but the action served instead to encourage another attack. This time, the bird flew straight toward her face. She swatted at it with all her force. Stunned, it landed on the street at her feet. Cheryl stopped, then stamped her hooves to crush the dazed creature.
Are you all right? Dixon asked.
Yes. She pulled her hood up for added protection.
In the center of the city, the vendors remained on alert. Many in the crowd carried things overhead to keep the crows from their faces. Mara couldn’t recall ever having seen the creatures behave quite so aggressively before, but she felt she had a new understanding for why a group of them was known as a murder.
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