“As you wish.”
“Colby,” Fazendiin called out as his son turned to obey. “You are a King now. You might not wear a crown, but you are immortal and powerful, and soon to be the most powerful King alive. A true King. The true King.”
His meaning: act like one.
Colby nodded, taking the first step up that mountain with no top.
It started with reminding everyone who was truly in charge, but not before he made a short detour. One of his own making.
Fazendiin was not startled when his other company approached as soon as his son had departed.
“You wished to see me, Master.” Tanzea Chased appeared, walking with a cane, and bowed her head in greeting.
“Yes. Sit, if you wish.” He magicked a chair for her.
“No need. What may I do for you today?”
“I’ve asked Colby to go to the island. I need to see Juliska. As well as KarNavan. It’s nearly time.”
“Very well.” She waited. This wasn’t what she’d been called here for. She was familiar enough with her Master to see it in his eyes. She was one of few, who could.
“Is Juliska still trying to seek out that damn Song Spinner and the Projector?”
“Yes. I did as you asked. I have attempted to sway her into giving up this search, but she insists on continuing.”
“I’d hoped it would be enough if we got the Song Spinner out of sight and out of mind. I wanted her alive, just in case I needed her at some point. And then that boy, got in the way of that plan by rescuing her.”
“Juliska’s son…”
Fazendiin lifted a brow.
“Juliska is perilously close to discovering the truth, Master, even without having the Song Spinner around.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. I’ve already been dealt a blow by my own son when he freed my tyrant of a mother from the damn glass. Which is of no matter. She’s got no more power here than she did before. Even less, now that Jasper’s out of the picture.”
“What would you have me do?” Tanzea asked him.
“I’ll take care of Juliska. She should arrive soon. I can keep her busy while you come up with some other plan to get her off the trail. If we can locate the Song Spinner, and get her free of the Projector, we’ll just kill her. Problem, solved. Although, keep her alive long enough to take her gift. I’m sure that’s what Juliska is after as well. And it’s a useful one, so I can see why.”
“Of course. As you wish. I’ll send out hunters.”
“No. They’d fail. The Projector is young and untrained, but he’s too powerful, and motivated by love. You track them down. I need this done right. And quick.”
“I’d be delighted, Master.” There was a wicked gleam in her eye.
“I’ve changed my mind, once you have the girl, bring her to me. I’ll take her powers myself, and that will be the end of the Song Spinner problem.”
“And what of the Projector, Master?”
“He’ll be pissed, no doubt.” He scratched his chin, thinking. “Wait here a moment.” He left and returned a minute later. “I can spare just a little of this.” He handed Tanzea a small tin.
She opened the lid to see what looked like dust, inside. She sniffed, unable to place what it was. She eyed her Master, silently asking.
“Bone dust. Projector, bone dust.”
“Ah. Of course.”
“I kept some on hand for Colby, just in case. He’s doing well so far, but he’s only just gotten his powers. But I’m prepared, just in case something goes awry. The only problem of raising a teenage son coming into manhood. Hormones and emotions. How unfortunate that so much of our magic is tied to emotions.”
“Something that will dampen, over time,” Tanzea assured.
“Use the bone, sparingly. It won’t take much. A direct hit will mess him up enough to keep him from saving the day. And by the time he comes back to his senses, he won’t be able to find us. Go now. Get it done.”
CHAPTER 4
“Ardon,” called out KarNavan, seeing his second in command. She joined him and nodded curtly. His gaze wandered; he was looking for something. “I need my daughter. Have you seen her? She’s been avoiding me since she arrived yesterday.”
Ardon sneered. “Of course she has. She’s a stubborn, know-it-all teenager. That’s what they do.”
KarNavan frowned. Only Ardon could have gotten away with such honesty.
He’d only discovered he had a daughter a couple of years ago when the girls’ mother had died and the girl had shown up out of the blue. There had been no mistaking it though. No denying it. Katana Jade was her father through and through, at least in appearance. She was, as Ardon had put it, a stubborn, know-it-all, teenage girl. But still his daughter. And that meant she had a job to do.
“I’ll find her,” offered Ardon poignantly.
“Do it fast. There’s a job she needs to get started on. Tonight. Not tomorrow.” He filled her in on the task.
“Your daughter might be stubborn, but this job is just up her alley,” Ardon remarked smartly.
KarNavan frowned. “I know. I’m not entirely pleased with the idea. But Juliska wants it done without magic involved. I have no idea why. But she is the Queen.”
It was Ardon’s turn to frown. “Have you, um, given any thought to that thing we discussed the other day?” She’d given him time to think it over but was growing impatient for his answer. Though she feared she already knew it.
“I have. And while I understand your concerns, Ardon, do you really think I would go into this agreement with Fazendiin if I wasn’t absolutely certain our future safety was guaranteed?”
“No, of course not. But I’m not blind. Or stupid. Fazendiin doesn’t share power with anyone. And he has no problem going back on his word.”
“I’m well aware,” growled out the Striper leader, his tone indicating this talk was over.
“Very well. I’ll go find your daughter.” She turned to do just that.
“Ardon.” She stopped. “Do I have you?”
She spun around. “Of course.” To show any hesitation would be a bad idea. He nodded, then dematerialized into the background. Going in what direction, she did not know.
Ardon headed to where she had last spotted KarNavan’s daughter, her mind abuzz with plans. Her fearless leader might have fallen for Fazendiin’s promises, but they needed a backup plan for when that failed. Because she was certain, it would.
Unless he was holding back information. Also a possibility, but not like him. Perhaps he sensed her discontent with this job. She had not been happy about it since day one. And had always prided herself in being open with her feelings with the leader. Which is why he liked having her around. Maybe this time, she had it wrong.
Regardless, there needed to be a backup plan, just in case.
Ardon reached the cold, windswept beach. What a bleak place they were in. This island was a haven for gloom and it was wearing on them all. Stripers preferred to live a little wilder. Loved the outdoors. This lack of sun, or color, was dampening all their spirits at this point. But they never quit a job. They didn’t get reputations for being cutthroat and thorough, for no reason.
Ardon found who she was looking for. The young woman with a new job to get to. Hiding in plain sight down on a gloomy beach. Ardon plunked down next to her, and the young woman rolled her eyes.
“What’s he want, now?” she asked, annoyed.
Ardon chuckled. The kid was a pain in the butt, but not so unlike herself at that age.
“Your father has a job for you.”
“Great. Just what I always didn’t want.”
“Katana Jade,” Ardon started in that voice that meant, just do it and don’t argue.
“Like I have a choice,” she retorted. “God forbid, anyone defy my father, the great and mighty leader of the Stripers. Or my aunt.” She slid a dark eye to Ardon.
“Hush now. People might hear you say that. You know I don’t want people to know I’m your father�
�s half-sister. And you’re almost seventeen, Katana.”
“Which means I’m automatically doomed to follow in my precious father’s footsteps,” the young woman spoke as if she’d been reminded of the fact daily. “Whatever. What’s my job? Something so fun, my father couldn’t even tell me to my face?”
“He’s a busy man these days,” Ardon excused. “Besides, I actually think you’ll like this job.”
Katana got to her feet and dusted the damp sand off her pants. “I’ve never liked any of the jobs my father set aside for me.”
Ardon joined her on her feet and grinned, a little sideways, and knowingly.
“Huh,” Katana pushed out. “You really do believe yourself. Okay. Keeps me from watching the not-sun go down. This place is dreary. I don’t like it here.”
“C’mon. Let me show you where you’ll be working.” Katana followed, pushing her cropped brown locks out of her eyes. She ignored the stares of other Stripers carrying out various duties; they always stared. She’d always thought the newness of her would wear off after a while. Apparently not. Boy, had her father been shocked when she showed up on his doorstep three years ago. Just lost her mother, nowhere else to go, in disbelief he was her father. It had been her mother’s final words to her. And there was no denying it. To see Katana and her father, KarNavan, standing side by side… the similarities were striking. Even down to the stubbornness.
Ardon stopped and pointed to a wooden cart, covered in a thick canvas.
“What’s in there?” It was obviously a cage of some sort.
“Prisoner. One we need information from,” Ardon said pointedly. “And without using magic.”
“I get to interrogate someone?” Katana’s eyes lit up. “I don’t need magic for that.”
“Which is why your father is assigning this to you. C’mon, I’ll explain on the way.” They followed to catch up with the cart. Ardon stopped abruptly when another cart rolled by, the one from the kitchen crew making their food delivery.
She caught the eye of the three youngsters whose lives were hanging from a thin line, and they didn’t have any idea. Daveena, Joseph, and Mireya. As if she sensed it, Mireya’s gaze fell on the cart with the covered cage. It didn’t take much to put together what prisoner they were transporting.
“Don’t do anything stupid, kid,” Ardon mumbled under her breath.
The girl was smart. She forced herself to look away and get on with her business. Which was done for the day. They were pulling into the kitchen and finishing up.
##
Jae’s cage was rolled along the street. To where? No idea. His new prison, he assumed. Wherever Juliska wanted him kept. Her prize. Her weapon.
The gathering had been every bit the nightmare he imagined it would be.
Juliska had been crazed after some insane vision she’d had and ordered all the Svoda gathered, at once. Which meant his family and the rest of the Svoda were about to find out he was still alive. And witness, first hand, the monster he had become.
He wasn’t prepared for it.
He’d thought he was.
But he had not expected his father’s condition. A shell of the man he was just some months ago. His mother, barely aware, and present herself. Mireya, shocked. Stunned. And amazingly, not a single doubt cast about his guilt or innocence. The only thing he saw was a raw desire to save him. Free him. Get him out of Juliska’s grasp.
There had been no preparing for it. Seeing her all grown up like that. The innocent twinkle in her eye now a darkened reality she’d clearly accepted, but still fought anyway. How had this change happened so fast? What had happened to her? And his family? Had they been punished because he’d tried to kill himself? And free himself from what he’d become?
Juliska had ordered him to transform inside his cage as a reminder to everyone, just what she was capable of. Something was off though. Her speech to the Svoda, not filled with the vitriol he expected. Like somehow, by the time she’d given the order, and actually went to make her show of force, she wasn’t quite so sure in her actions. There was a force behind them, some invisible hand of sorts, pushing her, it seemed. She was living out the motions, speaking the words, but something was… off.
The ex-Banon, now Queen of all, had given the Svoda twenty-four hours to come forth and turn over the escaped prisoners. Unbeknownst to him, something his sister, Mireya, had been involved with. Along with her friends, Joseph and Daveena. If the Svoda refused to reveal the fugitives secret hideout, the Queen was going to start picking people off, one by one. With Jae’s help, of course. He’d known this is what she’d do. That, he’d prepared to hear.
He wasn’t sure why he felt so blasé about the whole ordeal.
Maybe it was just easier than feeling anything. He’d known it was coming, sooner or later.
His prison cart squeaked to a stop. The cage was moved around a bit and then settled into its spot. He half-expected it would be in the middle of the town square where everyone could see him, and watch him. Where he could be made an example of.
Someone started tugging at the canvas. A moment later it was torn swiftly off his cage. And he was not outside at all. But in the old barn where they kept the horses. The ones who pulled carts around the Isle. The person who pulled off the canvas though, this was not who he expected. He figured he’d have a Striper guard, that were big burly reminders that he was not only a prisoner, but tall and lanky, and not very physically, tough. At least, not in his human form.
But this guard was the exact opposite.
A young woman, he’d guess around his age. Sixteen, seventeen, maybe. But a Striper, no doubt. And she was grinning, smugly. Had a sharp gaze and he’d wager, a quick wit. Which meant he didn’t have to question why she was here. It was a trick, to get him to talk.
And what did Juliska want from him? He’d already told her Amelia Cobb was dead, and that had sent her into a frenzy. What else could she want to know that only he could tell her? And did they actually believe for a minute, he’d fall for the, send in a pretty girl, routine. And I’ll just talk talk talk.
The young woman approached. “My aunt does know me well.” She might actually enjoy this job.
Jae held his ground, refusing to back away as she got closer. Like it would make any difference, he was still locked in a cage. She reached him, standing just out of arm’s length.
“Just how I like them. Tall, handsome, and broody.”
Jae frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh yeah, so very broody.”
“You’re talking about me?”
She glanced around. “You see anyone else?”
No. He didn’t. And he was done talking. And he was not broody.
She shook her head. “This is a useless job. You’re never going to talk to me. I can see it in your eyes. You’d have to be forced and even then, your will is strong.” She had to respect him for that.
Now, maybe, he kept to himself.
But not when he’d needed it to be.
Not before he’d gotten himself into this mess.
He watched the young woman pull up a stool and take a seat, looking him over as if searching for something.
“My name is Katana Jade. You are Jae Mochrie. And like it or not, we are going to be spending a little time together, Jae.”
He said nothing, choosing to remain silent.
“Okay, then, I’ll talk, Mr. Broods-much. You listen.”
Again, he remained silent at his post.
“My father is KarNavan, leader of the Stripers. My aunt, is his number two in command, Ardon.” She smirked, his surprise at this noticeable, even if he didn’t want it to be. “You’re wondering why I’m telling you this. What kind of game I’m up to? Well, Jae Mochrie, I don’t play games. I’ve never been one much for pretend. I’m supposed to get some information out of you. Locations of people… friends of yours, I’m sure.”
“And you think by being honest with me, I’ll just open up and tell you everything?” Jae sc
offed. “Like I’d fall for that playing my friend, card.”
“Oh, I’m not your friend. But I am your freedom.”
Jae didn’t like this one bit. This Katana Jade was ruthless, just like her father and all the Stripers. Not to be trusted. No matter what she said, he’d be the loser. Always, the loser.
“You don’t believe me. I don’t blame you.” She leaned forward a little, pondering.
“It doesn’t matter what you say, or do. Or threaten me with. I know, with severe certainty, what Juliska will order me to do. Whether I tell you anything, or not. So why give up my friends, only to kill my family anyway?”
There was a glint of sympathy that flicked in Katana’s jade-colored eyes. She’d been named after the color.
“She might. That’s true. But there’s something she does want from you. And I’ll fill you in on a little tidbit no one else would ever tell you.” She came closer, just out of reach. “She doesn’t want to force you, or use magic in any way, to get this information.” The gleam in her eye said, you put two and two together.
It wasn’t hard. This was personal to Juliska. Something she didn’t want someone else to know. There were few someone’s he could think of at this point. Mainly, he guessed Fazendiin. He must have a way of knowing what she was up to when it came to the Scratchers. It still didn’t give him much hope. Juliska would only give him so much time. Right now, twenty-four hours.
“Still don’t want to talk?” Katana prodded. “That’s fine. I’ll drop some more reality on you. Because I find the truth, is far more a frightening weapon than anything else.”
“I already know the truth. There’s nothing else you can tell me that’s any worse than what’s waiting for me tomorrow.” He let out a short push of air. “My only regret is that I didn’t succeed when I tried to kill myself. But I will be dead soon. One way or another.”
“Juliska will never free you, even with death.”
Sacrifice (The Wayward King, The Projector's Mother, and A Prophecy Reborn) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 9) Page 5
