by JK Ensley
“He loved those fish—sat down there for hours.” He paused long enough to inhale a ragged breath. “They were beautiful… like him. Yet, I think he admired them most because they could swim.”
Jenevier didn’t make a sound as his sad words started to fill in some of the blanks concerning her summons to kill the murderous young man who had looked exactly like her beautiful, beloved Yui.
“I had a bridge built… all the way across it.” He was absently plucking petals off the little rose in his hand, staring into the past. “He had grown tired of the edge only. He wished to see the larger koi, the ones that never swam close enough for him to enjoy.” The old man smiled a tender smile, his eyes glistening with fondest memories. “I would have granted him anything.”
Her mind drifted back to her own beautiful son, and the precious little granddaughter she’d had to leave behind… not knowing if she would ever behold either of their smiling faces again.
“I don’t know what happened,” the man continued. “No one does. No one was there.” He released his tiny sobs then. “I was the one who found him. I was the one cursed to look upon his lifeless, floating body.”
Jenevier stood then. “What are you saying? What did you do, old man? What evil did you wrought?”
“Evil?” His eyes were as flames when he turned to face her. “You’re the only one who wrought evil, Witch. It was you who slew my son.”
“Not so, mad Brutus. Let your own words prove truth. He drowned. Long before my eyes beheld that beautiful boy, he drowned. You confessed so yourself, only just.”
“No! You’re the one who killed him!”
“Yet I still draw breath.” She crossed her arms. “If you truly believed that, I would be dead by now.” She narrowed her gaze, studying him on the inside. “You are terrified. Terrified to admit the truth.” When she took a step toward the man, the room started to slowly spin. “You would destroy an entire realm of this universe to try and cover your own guilt? Hear me now, you mad old fool. It… will… not… work. Even in the Otherworld, your guilt will follow you, plague you, eat away at your damned soul.”
Jenevier took another step and went down on one knee.
Naga! What’s wrong?
She didn’t answer her frantic Dragon.
“Tell me what you did, Brutus,” she demanded. “Make confession now.”
The old man only smiled a cold, dark smile. “You are in no condition to make demands of anyone, least of all, me.”
She knew she had been drugged, but refused to give in. She stopped trying to move, focused all her energy on simply remaining conscious.
“Children should not play about with dead things. Did your mother not teach you thus in your youth? When someone is gone, they should stay gone. You do not mess around with things such as that, old man.”
He chuckled. “And why is that, Angel? Do you think you’re the only one who holds dominion over life and death?” He approached her, took her chin in his hand, squeezing her jaw. “You must think quite highly of yourself. Look at you—covered in scars, forever marred by your own countless mistakes.” He turned her head from side to side, studying her face. “It doesn’t matter how pretty they’re painted, they are still flaws. And you, my dear, are covered with them.”
He roughly released her and stood up straight, jerking on the bottom of his starched black jacket. His disgust was obvious in his clouding eyes, vividly apparent in his cold smile.
“What is dead should stay dead,” she continued, refusing to be swayed by his taunts. “What you brought back… that was not your son. It was something dark and dirty and evil. How did you do it? Who helped you with this most wicked of deeds?”
He didn’t answer her, only turned silently back to the white rose bush.
“You realized it, did you not?” She tried to steady her spinning head. “You now know you freely invited a dark, demented thing into your beautiful son’s lifeless body.” The world around her was fading into darkness as she went down on her hands and knees. “You gave away the most precious thing in the world to you, your baby boy. You just threw him away, gave his body to a monster. A twisted monster… one who waits in the darkness… patiently waits to gobble you up.”
And with those words, she lost her fight to the drug that now coursed through her collapsing body.
Chapter 21
Valencia
(vah-LIN-cee-ah)
“We’re alone now. Spit it out,” Suou said without turning to face Duhrias. “I knew something was wrong, felt it in my gut.” He lightly ran his fingertips across the empty place on the table where he had placed her ethereal weapons. “What has happened to my Angel?”
“So.” Duhrias hooked his thumbs in his belt. “You do know she’s an Angel, then.”
“Of course I know she’s an Angel,” Suou snapped. “Quit stalling and come out with it.”
The handsome River Spirit only smiled at the Prince.
Suou narrowed his eyes at the man, studying his ageless, attractive features. His jealousy began to grow.
“Who are you?”
Duhrias chuckled. “Ahh, so now you see me. Good, splendid actually. It is satisfying—watching a man’s eyes open.” He tapped the side of his head. “It’s good to know who your opponent is, good to understand what you are up against.”
“My opponent?” Suou growled. “In what? Do you wish to challenge me?”
“I already have, Your Highness. When I saved her from…” He paused after almost spilling the truth about her beating, almost ruining what it was he had come to avoid. “When I rescued her, gifted her with my magic, healed her broken bones… I captured a place in her heart. You and I now stand on equal ground with the fair Angel.”
Duhrias watched, amused, as the Prince’s chest rose and fell in his vain attempt to control his swelling anger. He smiled again, satisfied with the internal torture he had gifted the other man.
“But that’s not why I am here,” he continued. “I am here to help her out in her quest. As you once completed her mission for her, so too now do I come to stand in her stead.”
“Why? What has happened?” The Prince almost yelled out his fears. “Is she well? Does she yet live? Is she here? Has she truly returned to this realm? You must tell me. You must tell me why she is here, and why she did not come to me herself.”
In answer to his many questions, Duhrias unsheathed his sword and took a knee. There, kneeling before the future King of the Spirit World, the sell-sword made his vow.
“I swear loyalty to you, Prince Suou, Commander of Peace and rightful heir to the throne of Gokula.”
Suou was taken aback, startled by the man’s sudden actions. “What? But… why?”
“Why?” Duhrias released a bemused chuckle. “Do you doubt a sworn vow declared before you by the great River Spirit himself?”
“River Spirit?” The Prince’s jaw hardened, extreme jealousy nearly choking off his air. “I have not heard a proper vow.” He cleared his throat. “Did she send you here just to play with me?”
“Do you truly think that?” Duhrias rolled his eyes. “Very well, Milord. I am Duhrias Rogallis, Guardian Spirit of the Rogall River. I kneel before you now and pledge… My sword is yours. My magic is yours. My life is yours.”
Suou’s voice softened. He took a step toward the man. “And again I ask you, why?”
Duhrias smiled so big his dimples nearly swallowed his cheeks. “Because my heart… is hers.”
The Prince could feel the burn of coming tears. He knew the truth in this man’s words. His own heart ached with the thought of her.
“And if she ever forsakes me, Spirit of the Rogall River… what then? What shall become of our bond if she abandons my cause, leaves me alone in this quest?”
Duhrias held the Prince’s tortured gaze. “Then, she will take my heart with her. A sword is only cold steel… minus a heart.”
Suou nodded his understanding. “Very well, then. I accept your vow and welcome your might. Come. It l
ooks like it’s about time to begin this bloody little party.”
Duhrias stood, sheathing his weapon. “Yes, I couldn’t agree more. Especially since our colorful little Angel is now having to play the miserable part she was so cruelly dealt in this most wretched of games.”
“And what part is that, Spirit?”
He placed his hand on the Prince’s shoulder. “That fascinating little bundle of trouble is now being tested by Lord Brutus. While we hold council here, he is determining if she is a worthy wife for his son. While we discuss war, Your Grace, the cunning, vengeful Brutus is determining Naga’s value… and Akio is preparing their bedchamber.”
“No…” Suou’s words gushed out of him like stale air. “How has this happened? Why is she allowing such a thing?”
“Another tragic result of another epically bad decision,” Duhrias said, shaking his head. “A simple mistake when she entered this realm has turned into an unstoppable tragedy. Alas, she now dreadfully answers for it.” He slapped the Prince on the back and smiled. “Remove your fears, Sire. If we hurry, we will avert that coming little catastrophe. Forget not. She may look like an Angel, but she is Kagi Naga. Her fire and cunning will guarantee her protection until our arrival. Come. I will tell you all about it.”
The Prince sighed wearily. “I am no longer sure I wish to know.”
*****
Jenevier sucked in a deep breath when the cold water was splashed in her face, and then began coughing out what she had breathed in.
“Good. Looks like you are fully awake now, tiny Princess.”
She immediately recognized the female voice. It pulled a deep growl from within her.
“Bare your teeth all you want,” Valencia said. “It will do you no good. The shackles that bind you now, they are carved with celestial wards. The only way you can escape them… is with these.” She dangled the keys in front of Jenevier’s nose. “Now then, be a good little demon whore and tell me what the plan is. Since you are here, it is obvious something big is up.” She chuckled coolly. “This whole thing has Arch written all over it. Too bad they put all their eggs in your basket. Did they forget how clumsy and inept you are?” She laughed again. “Oh, and you must tell me where you sent that gorgeous sell-sword off to. That part was a bit disappointing, I must say.”
Valencia picked up a short-handled cat-o-nine tails from the nearby table and began pacing the stone floor.
“I could tell he was exactly your type—tall, handsome, crowned with long brown tresses nearly the same color as his tanned flesh, and oh those dimples. I will admit. I nearly swooned myself.” She cut her eyes toward Jenevier. “A man like that can make any woman’s blood race.” She sighed loudly, exaggeratedly.
“Do tell, sweet sister. What did the look of that fine man do to you?”
Valencia ignored her. “Imagine my complete and utter disappointment when he simply turned on his heel and left you standing there with Akio—that little wolf in sheep’s clothing. I mean, I was absolutely certain Duhrias would have bedded you by now… or the other way around. Either way, I expected him to at least put up a little fight to keep you.” Valencia motioned with a nod of her head to the cold metal cuffs hanging from the wall beside Jenevier. “I was hoping to have him strung up here as well. Now that would have been some delicious fun, don’t you think?”
Jenevier followed the she-Guardian’s gaze to the empty shackles intended for her sworn Knight. She growled again.
“Oh, don’t be so cross,” Valencia quipped. “I meant fun for me. Not you.” She laughed a cold, maniacal laugh. “No. I have something much more delicious planned for you, Death Angel. Once we are done here, I have promised what’s left of you to the one who helped me out with this whole twisted little game of mine.” She giggled then. “He is the master of such fun. Believe me when I tell you, there is no mind as dark and as devious as is his. And all he asked for in return… was you. A price I would gladly pay a hundred times over. You, little Angel, are nothing more than coin in my pocket—currency now promised to another… and bound with unbreakable, dark celestial magic.”
“Valencia, do what you came here to do and shut your vile mouth,” Jenevier hissed. “Your madness and unfounded arrogance are almost more than my stomach can handle. But know this, you used up old worthless piece of Underworld trash. Plant these words on your heart and hold them as divine truth.” She narrowed her burning ethereal gaze. “I will kill you before I leave this realm. Whatever horrible thing it is you plan to do with me… it is of no consequence. Look into my eyes now and heed every word that spills from my lips. Your coming, unimaginable suffering, will far outrival that of Shabriri and Shibta combined. This. I. Vow.”
Valencia screamed out her rage as she slapped Jenevier across the face, her chest heaving with her pent-up anger. She yelled in anger once more before spitting in that now tangled mess of pink and gold curls.
“Never have I hated a creature the way I hate you. Never! You are my sole source of pain and torment.”
“Yeah, well… you’re welcome for that, by the way.” Jenevier smiled and winked.
Valencia gritted her teeth. “I may have bartered your fair hide away, you wicked little demon whore. But not all of it, no. Some of that scarred up, sparkling flesh I shall keep for myself.”
Jenevier laughed softly and looked up to face the unraveling baby sister of her beloved Varick.
“Come now, Guardian,” she taunted. “I am almost certain you are capable of far greater hate than what you now possess. Show some imagination, she-devil. Because if that little peck on my cheek is what you call torture, then I am in for a bit of a vacation, compared to my normal day at the office.” She suddenly jerked on her binding chains, baring her teeth, causing the other woman to hastily jump back. “Show me what you are made of, Valencia. But dish out only what you are certain you can handle, Sister. My turn comes next.”
*****
“Father?” Akio quietly entered Brutus’s room. “How did things go with my intended?”
He asked the question already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear the lie drip from those wrinkled old lips.
“I would never have disturbed you while you’re resting, Father, but I cannot seem to find Naga anywhere. I wished tea and polite conversation with that beautifully enchanting woman. She is a rarity indeed, don’t you agree? I wish never to be parted from her.”
Brutus started coughing. Akio helped him sit up.
“Forget about that one, son,” he said, when his hacking had subsided. “She is not the one for you.”
“Father,” Akio said softly. “That is what you always say. Come now, don’t be so cross. If you continue to act this way, people will begin to think you love me too much. I mean, is there no one good enough for me? Is there no woman within this entire realm with whom you will be satisfied? Do you not wish to see grandchildren before you’re too old to enjoy them?” He smiled sweetly. “Imagine the rare beauty of our children, Father. Kagi Naga would bear you such glorious grandchildren. This whole world, everyone you know, would be envious of them.”
“She is not the one.”
Akio’s smile faded. “Very well, Father.” He poured a glass of water as he continued speaking. “I have always listened to you, heeded your wise counsel. Never have I gone against your will in anything.” He handed him the half full glass.
“Yes,” Brutus rasped before taking a long sip. “You have always been such a good boy, never given me even the slightest moment’s trouble. Just like your precious mother, rest her soul.”
“I am glad you feel that way, Father. I treasure your high opinion of me above all others. It makes what I have to do, all the easier.” He took the seat beside the bed. “If you feel up to it, I wish a few words. Please, tell me of my brother. Tell me why he quit taking his meals with us, why he suddenly quit sleeping in his bed. Do you know, Father? Do you know why he left this place, or why Prince Suou killed him?”
Brutus cleared his throat and leaned back agai
nst the many pillows. “Why are you asking such things at a time like this, my son? Did you forget? That same murdering Prince is on his way to our doorstep. Should you not be seeing to our armies instead of strolling down memory lane?”
“Perhaps you’re right, Father. My mind should be on your war… not your lies,” he mumbled.
Brutus started speaking before Akio had completely finished. “And marriage… what in the world possessed you to bring a girl here for me to entertain? The timing couldn’t have possibly been worse. Nor the girl, for that matter.”
“I see. Apologies, Father. It is as you say. Forgive me. I will let you get some well-deserved rest now. You need your strength.” Akio stood. “I only wanted to make sure your heart was truly set against our marriage union. That’s all.”
“It is,” he grumbled, closing his eyes.
“As you say, Father. Oh, before I go, there is one more thing I wished to tell you.”
Brutus slowly opened his eyes, waiting for his son’s coming words.
“I know the truth of what you did to Orpheus, Father. I was standing in the doorway. I heard your confession to my Naga.”
The old man’s eyes widened.
“He was my little brother, and your favorite son.” Tears filled Akio’s dark eyes. “How could you do such a thing? He was so beautiful, so innocent. I always protected him. We always protected him. Tell me, Father. Tell me how could you allow someone, some thing, to do that to our beloved Orpheus?”
Brutus tried to reach for his first born, but his arms would not move. He opened his mouth, but no sound came forth.
“Do not be alarmed, Father. I have stilled your tongue. I was tired of listening to all the lies.” He glanced over at the glass of water he had poured for the man. “And I have stilled your wicked hands as well. They have meddled in too much evil already. It is time for you to rest now, Father. Your days wax old and you deserve your rest.”
Akio watched with a heavy heart as the horror grew in his father’s clouding, aged eyes.
