The Novices exchanged confused looks. What a shame. My initiation had been one of the sweetest days of my life. And here, it was about ruin these innocent girls.
“Let us begin.” Marlene closed her eyes and began whispering a familiar incantation. It was the same one the Zelle Sisters had sung for me. The words were about the Sire of Souls and the joy of eternity. What a disgrace to use that song in this sham. As if in response, the ghostly choir only chanted more loudly. The angry note in their voices set my teeth on edge.
Marlene stepped up to the front of the platform, pausing only a few yards away from me. She folded her arms across her chest while scanning the basilica with a greedy stare. Bit by bit, she raised her arms and began the incantation for soul smoke.
Every inch of my body prickled with awareness. Soul smoke was a terrible spell, only used on your worst enemies. It killed you not only in this life, but in the next as well. It was the worst thing you could do to another living being, and Marlene was doing this to innocent girls?
More than that. A small smile rounded Marlene’s lips as she spoke the incantation. This woman was enjoying it.
It took everything I had not to scream. Instead, I gripped the prayer bench so tightly, it creaked under my hold.
The spell took shape. Soon, a sphere of blue light appeared before every novice except me. The other girls stopped wriggling on their prayer benches and began watching the play of brightness with wide eyes. Some of them smiled. They didn’t even know what spell they were staring at.
Grinning at soul smoke. What an outrage.
Bile crawled up my throat. This was so wrong. No doubt, that haze was there to seal their innocent souls to the tiny creatures that would soon become their mark. The spell would kill them for all eternity.
Marlene snapped her fingers. “Guards, hold them.”
There were two guards for each novice. Now, it was clear why. One guard held each Novice in place, while the other pressed the girl’s hands against the prayer bench.
The smiles instantly faded from the Novice’s faces. One by one, Marlene stepped up to them and whispered a spell. The manacles on their wrists fell to the floor with a clang. My guards loomed closer to me, as if warning me not to move or help. I knew there was nothing I could do. Not yet, in any case.
“Guards, expose their shoulders.” The girls exchanged worried glances. Marlene looked down on them indulgently. “It’s all right, girls. This is all part of the ceremony. You must take on the mark of the Tsar and this Cloister. You’ll all become mine.”
Mine. She was planning to leech off their life force and enjoy doing it. I wanted to kill her now.
The guards tore open the fabric on the Novice’s shoulders. It was shameful to touch a Necromancer anywhere, but in a Basilica? I grabbed the top of my prayer bench harder, afraid of what I’d do if my hands were free.
Marlene raised her left arm and whispered more of the incantation for soul smoke. Every word seemed to singe my ears. If only there were some way I could stop this tragedy.
The bones in Marlene’s left hand glowed blue. Before her on the platform, two skeletons appeared, both of them shining with sapphires. “Fetch the vessel,” said Marlene.
The skeletons nodded and vanished. A moment later, they reappeared, holding a massive golden bowl between them.
Marlene stepped over to the vessel. “Behold the gifts of the Tsar, Viktor the Great.” She reached inside the bowl and scooped up something in her hands. I looked over and winced.
Centipedes.
Only, I’d never seen ones so large, and we had all kinds of insects back on the farm. Marlene dropped the wriggling creatures back into the bowl and approached the first Novice in line, Veronique.
“What are you doing with that?” Veronique struggled with her guards, trying to break free. “I’m a Royal!”
“Keep quiet, or I’ll make this really hurt.” Marlene smiled. “Let me show you.” She pulled one of the centipedes out of the bowl, and tickled its belly. Long antennae sprung out of its legs and head. A few of the Novices shrieked. I blinked hard, not sure that what I was seeing was real.
Those couldn’t be bone crawlers, could they?
I knew all about bone crawlers, they were the stuff of nightmares. If you took a centipede, gave it a crusty spine and long spindly legs, that would be a bone crawler. They burrowed inside your skin while their legs dug into your organs. These monsters carried the first plague. Necromancers across the continent had teamed up to wipe them out. I’d no idea any still existed. And these bone crawlers were glowing red. That was a sign of Caster magick. What had the Tsar done to them?
I tried to swallow past the knot of fear in my throat. Who would have thought the Tsar would use bone crawlers? I looked over to Nan. All the blood had drained from her face. This was too terrible.
Closing her eyes, Marlene whispered the final verses of the incantation for soul smoke. One by one, the bone crawlers levitated out of the golden bowl, their glowing red spines and long tendrils writhing in the air as they entered the bright blue spheres that still hovered before each Novice.
The bone crawlers soaked up the blue light until their bodies became indigo dark. My heart beat so hard, I thought it might break free from my rib cage. The creatures stopped squirming, and somehow that was more frightening than when they were wriggling away.
And this could be my fate, too.
Even if I somehow live past Sunday, this is what Viktor does to anyone with Necromancer power. I scratched at my shoulder, imagining the antennae under my skin.
“Hold them!” At Marlene’s order, all the guards gripped the Novices tighter. “Now, become as one.” The creatures bolted forward, burrowing into the throats of the girls and digging under their skin. Within seconds, they’d taken the form of a V on every shoulder blade. Nan’s chin quivered as tears rolled down her cheeks. My poor friend.
Marlene raised her arms. “Now, you are now tied to the Tsar, the Midnight Cloister, and most of all, to me. You will follow our rules or the penalty will be severe. Sophia, it is time.”
My gaze snapped to Sophia. I’d been so concerned with Nan, I’d forgotten that Sophia was here. Like Tristan, I feared another friend die was about to die before my eyes. I wasn’t sure my heart could take it.
Sophia’s shoulders shook as she tried to stay upright. I’d never seen anyone look more frail and frightened. My heart lurched as Sophia knelt down.
Marlene raised her voice to address the Basilica. “Know this. Sophia has decided to gift me the rest of her life energy through our connection via the mark. This has all been sealed in magick.” Marlene gently rested her fingertips beneath Sophia’s chin. “Shall we?”
Sophia’s back stiffened. The creature in her shoulder glowed blue under her dark robes. Its insect body twisted and writhed. Sophia’s gentle face contorted with pain and fear as her frail skin lightened until it became almost translucent. Clumps of snowy white hair fell out of her scalp. She collapsed onto the stage. Her gentle features disappeared as her body withered away. Within seconds, there was nothing left of her but skin and bones. I couldn’t stop crying.
Marlene smiled benevolently, and in that moment, I never loathed anyone more. “This ends the ceremony. You are now Sisters of the Midnight Cloisters. Know this. Any time you break a rule, you pay with your life energy… Just like Sophia. The other Sisters can instruct you.”
Nan caught my eye. Her proud face was twitching with fear. Something inside my soul cracked.
“My congratulations,” announced Marlene. “Guards, escort the new Sisters to the initiates wing.” She gestured to me. “And take that one back to the Novice’s dormitory.” She stalked up to me, and evil grin stretching across her mouth. “I’ll see you in my study tomorrow.” She arched her brow, waiting for my reply.
“Yes, Mother.” My voice came out choked and hoarse. I hated that she knew how deeply she’d hurt me.
“Good.” Turning on her heel, Marlene stalked out through the back
door behind the altar. It swung shut behind her with a clang. The ghostly choir disappeared. A guard yanked me away from my prayer bench and hustled me out the back of the Basilica. I forced myself to focus on the one bright spot in this dark moment.
I still had a chance to claim revenge for everything that happened here today. The odds weren’t great, but there weren’t gone, either.
The guards shoved me into the Novice’s Dormitory. Moonlight peeped through the single window-hole. My footsteps echoed across the stone floor as I lumbered toward my cot. The place felt quiet as a tomb. There were no more young girls giggling, gossiping, or mumbling in their sleep. Ada was curled up in the bed beside mine. She fluttered her eyes open. “Are they all Sisters now?” she asked through a yawn.
“Yes.” I was proud that my voice didn’t break.
“Why aren’t you with them?”
“Mother Superior wants me to stay with you, remember?”
Ada blinked sleepily. “Does Sophia know?”
“She does.” I swallowed past the knot of grief in my throat. “She made it happen.” I stepped to Ada’s side and tucked her blanket under her chin. “Sleep now.” Ada yawned again, smacked her lips, and drifted off to rest. Her tiny shoulders rose and fell with each breath. She seemed so tiny and alone in this huge room. And after tomorrow, I might not even be here to keep her company.
I’ll come back for you, Ada. I promise.
Chapter Fifteen
The guard pounded on the dormitory door, waking me with a start. “Get up, you lot.”
I rubbed my eyes and looked around. The Novice’s dorm was still dark. How strange. The guards never work us up before dawn.
Ada softly snored in the cot near mine. Like always, she’d looped all her pillows and blankets around her, reminding me of a baby chick in a nest. A peaceful smile rounded her small mouth. My shoulders drooped.
Ada didn’t know about Sophia yet.
The door whipped open. Marlene stepped through, her eyes glimmering with smug excitement. I remembered her promise to take me to her study this morning. Was that why Marlene seemed so pleased with herself? Nan stepped in behind her. My friend looked pale and miserable. I had the sudden urge to hug her. After that, I had even stronger desire to kill Marlene with a bone melter spell.
That damned mark was already draining Nan.
Swinging my legs over my bedside, I turned to Ada. “Wake up, little one.”
Ada stayed asleep while my scarab beetle fluttered into view. “Not you,” I said. “You better hide until everyone is gone.” Whenever I had a moment and a quiet spot, I’d been trying out new spells to activate the little bug. Nothing had worked, but there was no time to worry about it now.
I leaned in closer. “Come on, sleepyhead.”
Ada’s eyes half-opened. “Morning, Elea.” She gave me a sleepy smile. Poor girl. Her world was about to turn upside down again.
I gently tapped her shoulder. “We have company.”
Marlene walked into view. I half-stood, ready for her to order me off to her study. But Marlene’s hungry gaze locked on Ada. I froze. Marlene showed up to break the news about Sophia. That’s why she arrived early. Rage sped through my bloodstream.
Ada’s gaze flickered between Marlene and Nan. Her sweet face paled. “Where is Sophia?”
I reached forward and pulled Ada onto my lap. She curled into my shoulder and her thin frame trembled. I glared at Marlene. “I’ll tell you all about Sophia later, Ada.”
Marlene arched her right brow. “I’m Mother Superior here. We discuss things on my schedule, not yours.”
Ada shook more violently. A jolt of protective energy shot through me. “The Midnight Cloisters is almost empty now. Isn’t that enough for you? Do you have to prey on the few who are left?”
“No, it wasn’t enough, as a matter of fact.” Marlene casually flicked imaginary dust from the skirts of her black robes. “All Necromancer power belongs to the Tsar. Until every mages bears his mark, our work isn’t done.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She thinks this is some kind of crusade to help Viktor.
Ada whimpered against my shoulder, jostling me out of my thoughts. I held the child more closely and shot Marlene a frustrated look. “You’re scaring her.”
“She should be frightened, and if you had any sense, you would be, too. I can make life unpleasant for you both, even without a mark. Do we understand each other?”
The question hung in the air for a moment. There was only one answer. “We do.”
For now. Come Sunday, it should be another conversation entirely.
“Excellent. Ada...” Marlene tapped Ada’s cheek. “You need to look at me when I’m talking to you.”
Ada peeped out from under my shoulder. “Yes?”
Marlene gestured around the empty room. “Do you know where everyone is, Ada?”
“They all became Sisters.” Ada’s face drooped with disappointment.
“And you know that Sophia was sick.”
“We can’t talk about that,” Ada said quickly.
“Oh, but now we can.” Marlene motioned Nan to her side. “Tell her, Nan.”
“Sophia’s gone, Ada.”
Ada’s brows drew together. “Where is she?”
Marlene exhaled a dramatic sigh. “That wasn’t a clear statement, nan. Let me explain it more succinctly. Sophia’s Dead.”
Ada’s lower lip wobbled. “Like Mom and Dad?”
“Just so. And now, Elea and Nan will to take care of you.” Marlene turned to Nan. “Isn’t that right?”
“We’ll be a right proper team.”
“Sophia was fine for a time, but she wasn’t very fun toward the end, was she.” Marlene waved her hand dismissively. “Now, Elea and Nan will be far more entertaining.”
Nan and I locked gazes. We’re her next choice to torture for fun. And if I escaped, I was leaving Nan alone to endure it. Already, everything about my friend seemed gray and hollowed out. What would more time do to her?
Ada turned to Nan. “Will you get sick, too?”
Nan shrugged casually, but I couldn’t miss that nervous tic by her eye. “Looks like.”
“Now, you mustn’t ask Nan to break too many rules, Ada. You wouldn’t want her to be in trouble.” As she said the word ‘trouble,’ Marlene positively beamed. How I loathed that woman.
“I’ll try, Mother,” said Ada.
“That’s all I ask,” said Marlene. “Now that I’ve so few Sisters in my collection, I must watch them all very, very carefully.” She tapped her chin. “I have an idea. Ada, why doesn’t you spend the day in the storehouse with Elea and Nan? You always had such fun there with Sophia.”
At the mention of Sophia, Ada’s bottom lip quivered. “Yes, Mother.”
“Ah, ah, ah.” Marlene flicked her pointer finger from side to side. “Good Necromancers control their emotions, Ada. Watch out or you’ll never be made a full Sister.”
Ada’s eyes lined with tears. “Yes, Mother.”
Nan took Ada’s hand and guided her off my lap. “Time to get going. We’ll visit the storehouse right after breakfast.”
Ada looked so small and helpless as she clung onto Nan’s hand. I rose to stand beside them. “I’ll go with you, too.”
“You can see them later,” said Marlene. “You’re off to my study now.”
That’s right, Marlene wanted to meet with me. My pulse kicked up speed. What did she want to talk about, anyway? Could she know my true plans?
I forced my face to be calm. “Yes, Mother.”
Marlene motioned to the door. “Fall in.” Four guards stepped into the dormitory. “Ada, Nan, I’d like you to meet your new personal guard. They’ll be keeping a close eye on you. We wouldn’t want anything to happen now, would we?” Marlene stalked to the door and paused. “How about a show of gratitude, eh?”
“Thank you, Mother,” said Ada.
Marlene glared at Nan and me. “And you?”
“Thank you,” we sa
id in unison. The words felt like poison on my tongue.
“Come along, Elea.” Marlene swept out the door, her long gossamer robes fluttering behind her.
Nan and I shared a long look. Overnight, fresh lines of misery had dug in around Nan’s eyes and mouth. What would happen when I was gone?
“Don’t fuss over me,” Nan whispered, guessing my thoughts were about her. She shot a wary look at the guards. “The Sisters explained the rules last night. What we can and can’t do.” She patted Ada’s head. “And we can’t wait around here. We need to get to our marrow pudding and breakfast.”
Marlene stood framed in the doorway. “When I say come along, that means now.”
I gave Ada a quick hug. When I embraced Nan, I spoke quietly in her ear. “Whatever happens, I’m coming back for you and Ada. Remember that.”
“We’ll be waiting.” Some of the old fire lit up in Nan’s eyes.
“Good.”
“Elea! I’m out of patience.” The ice in Marlene’s voice made me flinch. Turning on my heel, I raced off to follow Marlene. Whatever she had planned for me in her study, I was certain that it wouldn’t be pleasant.
Chapter Sixteen
Marlene whipped open the simple wooden door to her study. I followed her inside, expecting the place to be something like Petra’s study back at the Zelle. My old Mother Superior worked in a small room that held only a table and two chairs. Simple, controlled, and spare.
That’s not what I found here.
Marlene’s study was a gaudy collection of jewels, tapestries, and chests that would make a pirate proud. Colorful armoires lined the walls, their doors overflowing with furs and silks. Wooden trunks were stuffed with gold coins and silver figurines. I shook my head in disbelief. No Necromancer should hoard valuables like this.
An odd chill crept over my skull. Treasure isn’t the only thing Marlene hoards. The woman collects pain, too.
Which is no doubt why I’m here.
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