“My dear, you really are just a little common girl.” The Ambassador turned and stared at her.
The Kid slumped back in his chair, caught in the crossfire.
“The Sherlocks are the King’s personal investigators. They have unique and special ways to find exactly what they are looking for.” The Ambassador reached for his wine goblet and took a sip.
Val chewed the roll and the new information simultaneously.
The Kid sat forwards. “But, what if they don’t know what they’re looking for?”
“What?” Red wine dribbled from the corner of the Ambassador’s mouth. “They find everything!”
Val leant around the Kid. “Yeah, that’s not what you said.”
The Ambassador glared back at them, his eyes narrowing and his face turning a deep shade of red.
The Count burst into laughter. “I think they have you there, Ambassador. The Sherlocks are nothing more than a fairy-tale, meant to scare children.”
The Ambassador stood abruptly, slamming his hands on the table. “You dare mock me! You and your peculiar band of miscreants! I have a good mind to cancel the union. Your daughter does not deserve the honour.”
Aria exhaled as if she had been holding her breath since the news broke. A touch of colour returned to her face as she turned to look at her father.
“Nor does she want this… honour.” The Count sat forwards, glaring across the table. “Sit down Ambassador. At no point did we accept your offer…”
“OFFER!” The Ambassador interrupted. “THE KING DOES NOT OFFER, HE COMMANDS.”
The Count spat on the floor. “That is what I think of your King.” He spoke with a calmness that defied the statement and its implications.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Nobody moved. Val’s gaze flitted back and forth between the Count and the Ambassador. A Sudden shriek sliced through the tension. Val turned towards the far end of the table. George gasped, clutching at the long black spearhead piercing his chest.
His hands slid over the bloody shaft. The Ambassador sighed and leant back in his chair. George’s gaze darted around the room, his eyes dripping with fear and confusion. He lashed out, scattering plates and bowls across the table as he struggled to accept his fate.
The Count stared at the Ambassador, not once looking at George as he bled out. The Ambassador’s wine goblet rattled against the table as he moved it towards him. George let out his final breath and his head flopped forwards.
The Count turned to Aria. “Looks like you are one step closer to the throne, my dear.”
Aria nodded, biting her bottom lip as the Count looked away. Dante exhaled but his face was as hard to read as ever. The Ambassador slurped at his wine goblet, his hand trembling. The Kid wiped his face with his sleeve and examined the blood splatter.
The Count sat back in his chair, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s nothing personal Ambassador, just bad timing on your behalf. Very bad timing.”
The Ambassador closed his eyes and clutched his wine goblet with both hands.
The Count waved to the servants. “Shall we continue with dinner?”
Val stared at George as the servants swarmed the table. He slumped forwards in his chair, the spear the only thing stopping him from falling to the ground. She looked away. Golden guards lined the walls, surrounding them.
A servant leant around Val and cleared her soup bowl. He picked up her spoon and nodded. She watched him scurry away, weaving between the swarm of servants. When she looked back at the table, a large red lobster stared back at her.
Val poked at it with her fork, lifting one of its legs. She put her hand to her mouth as the image of the woman eating the insect jumped to the forefront. Another servant leant over the table checking the wine goblets, but only the Ambassador had been drinking.
She glanced at George again. Blood trickled down the spear, dripping onto the lobster set before him. Val looked around as the last of the servants scurried away. The Ambassador took another sip from his wine. Nobody else moved. Val’s gaze returned to the lobster, her hands resting on her knees.
CRUNCH.
The Count snapped the lobster’s shell and scooped out a chunk of white flesh. He placed it in his mouth and chewed. Everyone else sat staring at the table, still and silent.
“Well, it would appear that dinner is over.” The Count swallowed his mouthful and stood. “Guards, please return my guests to their rooms.”
Still, nobody moved.
“I will not ask twice.” The Count looked at his guards and nodded.
The room shook as they took a step towards the table.
Aria jumped to her feet and scowled at her father. She hurried around the table and took Val’s hand, pulling her out of her seat. “Please do as he says.”
Val stepped away from the table, glancing back at George once more. The Kid stood and moved towards them. Dante pressed his hands against the table and climbed to his feet.
“Not you.” The Count pointed at Dante and then wagged his finger. “I have something I would like to discuss with you.”
Val looked at Dante, squeezing her free hand into a fist. He shook his head and then walked towards the Count. Aria gripped Val’s arm and led her away, the Kid following close behind. Four golden guards stepped forwards and escorted them towards the door.
“Ambassador. This is your last chance.” The Count tilted his head to one side.
“The King will hear of your treachery. You will not get away with this.” The Ambassador picked up his goblet and gulped down the rests of his wine.
The Count shook his head and turned away from the table. He waved for Dante to follow. The golden guards marched Val, Aria, and the Kid through the doorway and into the corridor.
Val turned back, staring into the banquet hall. The remaining guards closed in around the Ambassador as the ornate door swung shut. A high-pitched cry ripped through the air, echoing along the corridor. The door shut with a click and the scream faded away.
CHAPTER SIX
GO TO YOUR ROOM
The heated tiles warmed Val’s bare feet as she walked. She clenched her jaw and let out a long sigh.
Aria squeezed Val’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Val stroked the back of Aria’s hand with her thumb. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“He is my father.” Aria looked down at the ground.
“Hey.” Val leant into her. “You’re not your father.”
“Quiet!” A heavily armoured guard snapped at them from behind.
Val squeezed Aria’s hand and smiled. The Kid walked alongside, muttering something to himself. He glanced at Val and then looked back at his feet. The corridor opened onto the large circular room, the staircase winding up along the wall. They stopped.
The lead guard turned to face them, his armour clinking as he stood to attention. “This way milady.” He gestured for Aria to follow him.
“I will stay with Val and Luis.” She squeezed Val’s hand again and gave her a worried look. “Either they come to my room or I go to theirs.”
The guard pursed his lips. “I’m sorry, milady, the Count gave very specific instructions.”
“I think you are forgetting who I am.” Aria stamped her foot in protest.
The guards looked at each other and began to laugh.
“No, milady. I think you are forgetting who your father is. You will come with me.” The lead guard took Aria’s hand and dragged her away from Val.
Aria squealed.
“Stop it. You’re hurting her.” The Kid rushed forwards.
A long spear swung through the air, sweeping the Kid’s feet out from beneath him. He hit the ground with a thump. Before he could even think of moving, the spearhead pressed against his chest.
“Look. The Count gave us orders to take you to your rooms and that is what we are going to do.” The lead guard glanced at the Kid before turning back to Aria. “Whether that’s dead or alive, is entirely up to you.”
<
br /> “Stop it! I’ll go to my room. Just don’t hurt them.” Aria let go of Val’s hand and stepped towards the guard.
He waved the second guard away from the Kid. “Thank you, milady.”
Val pulled the Kid to his feet. He went to follow Aria, but she held him back. They stood in the middle of the circular room, watching as the guard led Aria down another corridor. She looked back and managed a half smile as they walked out of view. The remaining three guards closed in around them.
“Right, play times over. Let’s go.” One of the guards shoved them towards the stairs.
Val climbed up the first step.
Thwack.
“What was that?” The Kid turned, staring beyond the guards.
One of the guards spun around, pointing his spear across the room. “It came from over there.” He gestured towards the corridor Aria had just gone down.
The other guards spun around. Val grabbed the Kid’s shoulder and dragged him to onto the stairs. He looked at Val for an explanation. She shook her head and pointed.
The Red Hood emerged from the corridor, striding towards the middle of the circular room like he owned the place.
“What are you doing here?” One guard stepped forwards, his spear aimed at the intruder. “How did you get into the palace?”
The Red Hood leant on his staff and smirked, his left eye bruised and swollen. “Where is the Count?”
“What is this, question time?” The second guard leapt off the stairs. His spear swung through the air, the spearhead arcing towards the Red Hood.
He stepped to one side and shook his head. The blade struck the tiles, energy rippling through the shaft. The Red Hood spun towards the guard, whipping his staff around his body.
CRACK.
The guard dropped to the ground, blood splattering the tiles. His spear slipped from his grasp and rolled away. The Red Hood caught it beneath his foot as he turned to face the remaining guards, the smirk still covering his face.
Val shuffled back, pulling the Kid further up the stairs. She peered through the stone railings as the two remaining guards thrust their spears towards the Red Hood. He pivoted to one side, skipping between the flashing blades. With a flick of his wrist, he spun his staff up knocking their spears high into the air. The guards could only watch as he raced towards them.
Thwack. Thwack.
The spears clattered against the tiles, coming to rest beside the guards’ lifeless bodies. Val sank back behind the railings and listened. Footsteps moved towards them. Val held her breath.
“Brother.” More footsteps approached. “We have the Count’s daughter.”
“Good work, brothers.”
The Kid tried to move, but Val held him down, covering his mouth. She shook her head. The Kid’s brow furrowed as he glared at her, but she refused to let go.
“Let’s find the Count. He will finally pay us what we are owed.” The footsteps hurried away, disappearing along the corridor, accompanied by muffled squeals.
Val locked her arm around the Kid’s waist, holding him back as he struggled to break free. The footsteps faded into the distance and the room fell silent. The Kid grumbled through Val’s hand, trying to bite her fingers. She let go, pushing him down the stairs.
The Kid scrambled to his feet. “How could you let them take Aria?”
“Did you hear how many of them there was?” Val walked down the steps, staring at the fallen guards.
The Kid ran across the room. “We could have saved her.”
Val grabbed two of the guards’ spears and tossed one to the Kid. “We will, but we need to be smart about it. These guys are crazy and organised. We will have to catch them by surprise.”
The Kid raced down the corridor, heading back towards the banquet hall. Val scooped up the bottom of her dress and tied it into a knot at her hip, freeing her legs so she could run. She rested the spear on her shoulder and hurried after the Kid.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE AMBASSADOR’S TYPE
The ornate door lay on the floor, rocking gently from side to side. The Kid strode into the banquet hall, stopped suddenly, and then looked back at Val. A crimson pool stretched out from beneath the table. Guards’ bodies littered the floor, their golden armour shimmering in the blood. The Ambassador slumped back in his chair opposite George.
Val walked into the room as the Kid spun towards the table, stepping over body after body. He moved past the Ambassador’s chair, leaning on the spear sticking out the back. A groan seeped into the air.
He stopped and slowly turned his head. “Was that the Ambassador?”
Val crept towards the table. “It can’t be.” She moved towards his chair and leant on the table, examining his face. “He looks pretty dead to me.”
The Kid hid behind Val as he approached. Val rolled her eyes and put her hand on the Ambassador’s shoulder. She shook him. His mouth swung open, but his eyes remained closed.
“No, he’s definitely dead.” Val turned around, scanning the room. “Maybe it’s one of the guards. Come on, we better go.”
The Ambassador’s eyes flicked open as Val stepped away. His arms shot up into the air, grasping at the Kid. He let out a pained groan, revealing his bloody, crooked teeth. Val shoved the Kid back, knocking him onto the table.
Wine goblets and plates clattered across the floor as the Kid scrambled away. The Ambassador lurched forwards, jerking to a stop when the spearhead pressed against his chest. The Kid slid off the table and fell to the floor.
“You said he was dead.” The Kid jumped to his feet, glaring at Val. He turned to the Ambassador and then looked at Val. “Why isn’t he going after you?”
“Maybe I’m not his type?” She grinned.
“Val! Seriously, what’s going on?”
She pointed to her chest. The Kid rolled his eyes.
“No, not those, this.” She held up the amulet. “I took this from Agravain. It seems to make the wearer invisible to zombies. I think it works on vampires too.”
The Kid squinted. “Alright, let’s say I believe you. That doesn’t explain why the Ambassador is a zombie?”
The Ambassador let out another long groan and pushed forwards, the spearhead slicing into his flesh. He snatched at the air, reaching for the Kid.
Val stepped back. She swung her spear through the air, slamming the edge of the blade through the Ambassador’s neck. His head fell forwards, tumbled into his lap, and then rolled onto the floor. It stopped beside his chair where a golden goblet sat in a puddle of red wine.
Val gasped. “It’s the wine!” She tapped the goblet with her spear and then turned to the Kid. “Did you drink the wine?”
“No.”
“Did anyone else?”
“I… I don’t think so.”
Val hurried across the room, gripping her spear.
“What’s wrong?” The Kid rushed around the table, following Val to the back of the banquet hall.
“Aria had seen this symbol before.” She tapped the amulet.
“You think Agravain delivered some of the zombie wine here.”
“Maybe, but what if it’s not just Agravain.” Val turned to the Kid. “We need to find Dante.”
“And Aria.” The Kid added.
Val nodded. She walked past the Count’s chair at the head of the table and scanned the back wall. “I think they went this way.”
The Kid stopped beside her. “Where? It’s a solid wall. The only way out is where we came in.”
Val sighed. “There has to be a way out. Look for hidden doors…”
“You mean like this one?” The Kid lifted a banner to reveal a small wooden door.
Val shook her head. “Yeah. That looks promising.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
SAN FRANCISCO’S SECRET
The wind whistled through Val’s hair, whipping it across her face. She shielded her eyes and stared into the sky in disbelief. The Kid peered over the edge and then glanced at Val. He shook his head and stepped back.
/> Waves crashed into the cliff face below, throwing spray high into the air. The Kid pushed his back against the wall and slid towards the narrow cave entrance that led back to the banquet hall. Val’s gaze remained fixed on the airships, dominating the sky.
“There must be more than a hundred.” The Kid turned to Val. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” Val wiped the hair from her face and examined the opening.
A narrow set of steps climbed up to the left, carved into the side of the cliff. Val leant over the edge. High above, she could make out the occasional flash of red whipping in the wind.
“I think I can see them.” She pointed almost straight up.
The Kid shuffled forwards and peered over Val’s shoulder. “Where? I don’t see them.”
“There.” Val pointed as another gust dragged a red cloak into view.
The Kid swallowed. “I guess we better follow.”
Val turned to him and prodded his chest with her finger. “It’s too bad you can’t fly.” She turned and started to climb.
“I never said I could fly.”
She glanced back and smiled as the Kid climbed onto the first step. Another wave smashed against the rocks, sending a fine spray shooting up the cliff. He slowed, wiping the water from his eyes.
Val clung to the rock face and twisted her body, peering beneath her arm. “Come on. There isn’t another way. They have Aria remember.”
He took a deep breath and pushed on. The wind lashed at them, tugging and pulling at their clothes. Val caught the edge of her dress as the gusts slipped beneath the fabric and threatened to lift her into the air.
Val gripped the stone steps with her toes as she climbed, water trickling down the stairs and washing over her feet. She kept one shoulder pressed against the cliff face, but the edge was never more than a few inches away.
Spray caught in the updraft, bombarding them. Val’s wet gown clung to her skin. She pulled herself up the last step and climbed into another small opening. A second flight of stairs snaked back in the opposite direction.
The Count of San Francisco (Valiant Lineage Book 3) Page 3
