Cursed Sight

by T. G. Ayer

  Mara whispered something to the woman and then headed past Allegra, giving her a grin. Later, Allegra wondered how she hadn’t seen through the old woman before that.

  As she turned to face her opponent she felt something hit hard on the back of her legs and sweep her off her feet.

  Allegra landed flat on her back, staring up at the clear blue sky.

  So much for all the martial arts training during her formative years.

  She’d expected laughter from the other trainees but she received only silence. Apart from Mara’s self-satisfied cackling.

  The afternoon passed with Allegra leaving the training grounds, her arms and thighs covered in black-and-blue welts. An hour immersed in the hot pools was sufficient to ease her pains and Allegra entered the dining-room, a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

  “That smile does not match the condition of your body,” said Les as she filled her plate with slices of chicken.

  “As incongruous as it sounds, I have never felt better.”

  “She is a natural,” said Mara as she hobbled into the room. The old woman seemed slower now, despite how well she’d bested Allegra on the field not too long ago. Mara snorted as she caught Allegra’s scrutiny. “It’s not about how much you fight, but more about how well you fight.”

  Allegra nodded, finding herself agreeing with the old woman. She bit back a retort, the urge to inform the old woman that she was experienced enough. Still Mara was likely to insult her training considering she’d been trounced by a woman almost 4 times her age.

  As she took her seat she felt the photograph crinkle in the pocket of her skirt. Through dinner the piece of paper seemed to burn a hole into her thighs and she was supremely glad when the meal came to an end.

  As the after-dinner conversation shifted into a lull of companionable silence, Allegra drew the photograph out of her pocket and placed it in front of Les and Mara who were both sitting opposite her and Max.

  Both women stilled and Allegra found herself confused. She glanced up and met Max’s eyes. He too seemed intrigued by the women’s seemingly mirrored consternation at the sight of Langcourt’s face.

  Mara looked up first.

  “So you know him?” asked Allegra.

  Mara nodded and was about to speak when Allegra shook her head, looking pointedly at Les who looked up only a fraction slower.

  “Recognize him?”

  Les nodded. “I know him. I saw him at a meeting the ambassador had with General Qhapaq.”

  “Do you usually go to meetings with McIvor?” asked Max.

  Another nod. “Especially when it has to do with community or citywide events. It was a planning session in preparation of the New Year celebrations. We were meant to talk about budgets and what the NGS Embassy planned to contribute.”

  Les paused as she picked up the photo and stared at the image. “He was there, in the general’s office. Whatever he’d had to discuss it had taken longer than expected, and we found ourselves waiting almost thirty minutes. Then he came out fuming about something . . . barely looked at us as he left. It’s why I remember him. He was very, very creepy and far too arrogant when most people are extremely deferential with the general. Qhapaq’s too powerful a man to anger in any way.”

  Allegra sat back, biting on her lip as she absorbed the knowledge that the man who had tortured her was in Qusqu right now.

  She glanced over at Mara who nodded solemnly.

  “If you ever see this man, I suggest you run. Far, and fast. You do not want to encounter him, no matter how powerful you think you are.”

  “Who is he?” Allegra asked, wanting to know what Mara herself knew of Langcourt.

  “Lord Severus Langcourt. Or at least that’s the name he’s been going by during the last . . . recently.” Her gaze shifted briefly to Les who was still staring at the photograph. “Whatever you do, do not engage him. Stay away.” She nodded at the scar on Allegra’s chest. “I will not be surprised to find he was behind your attempted assassination. The man is very adept and determined when it comes to removing the Pythian line from existence.”

  Les stared up at Allegra as Mara spoke. “What do you mean removing the Pythian line?”

  Allegra leaned forward. “He’s a very dangerous man. Did you hear any of what they were discussing?”

  Les shook her head. “No. I wasn’t listening because the ambassador was talking the entire time. We could hear raised voices at one point but then nothing. He left in a rush, seemed angry.”

  Max grunted. “I’m surprised he made a visit to the general in public.”

  “Desperate?” suggested Allegra.

  Max nodded. “Very likely.” He took a deep breath and got to his feet. “I need to retire. I have a few things to sort before bed.” He looked at Allegra. “You need to get some rest. I’m not sure how much battle training is going to help you when you need to rest and recuperate.”

  He threw Mara a glare that said volumes.

  As he walked off, Allegra gave Mara an apologetic smile and followed after Max. She met him at the top of the stairs and he paused to wait for her.

  “You don’t approve of the training?”

  He shook his head. “I think it’s a good idea. But not at this particular point in time. The doctors said you needed rest.”

  “And you think trekking through the jungle was resting?”

  “That couldn’t be helped. And it was probably not the best idea especially coming so soon after being shot. I just worry you aren’t getting enough rest to recover properly.”

  Allegra stepped closer to him and placed her palm on his chest. “I’m fine. I promise.” She could feel the beat of his heart beneath her fingers.

  She felt Max’s arms wrap around her as he tucked her head under his chin, enveloping her within his warmth. “Just as long as you tell me if you are not.”

  She nodded, her head bobbing and bumping into his chin. She wanted to stay there within his arms for as long as possible, but a noise at the bottom of the stairs drew her attention.

  Mara stood below them, her pale eyes staring up at them. Allegra moved away from Max. Her smile was wide and cheeky and she cackled as she said, “Aurelia will be happy.” Then she grinned again, “Have you told her?” She nodded at Allegra.

  Max remained silent.

  “Very well. When the time is right, eh?” she laughed and began to walk off. As her footsteps receded Allegra heard her say, “Wait too long and it might be too late.”

  Allegra looked up at Max, and her heart tightened at the expression on his face; conflict, confusion, and a touch of fear.

  She smiled and patted his arm. “I told you I am happy for you to wait until you felt the time is right. And I meant it.”

  Allegra left him standing there and hurried down the hall. As she reached her room she turned and looked over her shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile.

  “I can wait. Don’t worry about Mara.”

  She spoke the words and found she meant it because she’d discovered one crucial truth.

  She trusted Max.

  Chapter 38

  Max clenched his fingers into fists as he glared down at the photograph in his hand. He’d kept the image with him, but now he wasn’t so sure why he’d taken it.

  It wasn’t as if he didn’t know who Langcourt was. The Brittanic police had given the NGS and FAPA a report on their raid of the tunnels and the grounds where Allegra had been held. At the time neither Max nor the Brittanic police had known who the High Priest was.

  Only after the raid, and the torching of the ancient Langcourt villa, did the Brittanic police confirm the ownership of the estate and surrounding land. Langcourt had gone missing—presumed dead—and the Brittanic police were happy to put the case to bed.

  And why would they not have been happy? One of their most illustrious lords, a man from a family whose history went back generations, was under suspicion of heading up a cult responsible for killing and mutilating children.

 
Max and Allegra had left Londinium so quickly, on the trail of a deadly virus, that they hadn’t been there to receive the report first hand.

  The high priest’s suspected identity as Lord Severus Langcourt was confirmed but since then he’d gone AWOL and nobody had seen him since.

  And now he turns up in Qusqu, the very same place Allegra had seen the destruction of an entire city.

  Was it mere coincidence that he was here, or was there some fated design to the whole disaster?

  Max brought up the mail program on his phone and typed in the details of everything that had transpired over the last few days, from the blowing up of their embassy apartment to their escape, and then the destruction of their getaway chopper. When he got to the trek through the jungle and Les’s betrayal he paused, still unable to believe Les would do such a thing. What was motivating her, he had no idea. Not that he could claim to know her anymore anyway.

  One thing Max was sure of; he’d been careful about the circuitous route he’d taken, and he’d stayed below radar. He was pretty certain they hadn’t been followed but he could very well be wrong.

  Given that he’d had no clue they’d been followed the first time, and had been blindsided when their pursuers had shot the first chopper out of the sky, Max wasn’t about to get complacent.

  He sent a message to Marcus requesting immediate backup to be sent to Qusqu. Only when he got the confirmation that they were coming did he relax. He filled Marcus in on the danger to McIvor and possible danger to his wife. Their safety was of great concern which warranted a quicker response from the NGS. He didn’t say anything further about his suspicions regarding the McIvors’ possible involvement.

  It irked Max that the McIvors would get the NGS moving faster than the Pythia could. Suppressing a sigh Max headed for the bed. While Allegra had been training with Mara and her team, he’d been servicing the chopper. Having sat so long unused, Max was surprised the old Bell army chopper was still in excellent condition. Now, he wanted to be fueled, serviced and ready to go as soon as possible.

  He’d brought Allegra here for safety, but knowing what they knew now, safety was a luxury they couldn’t afford.

  Breakfast was a subdued affair and Max waited until the moment was right to make his announcement.

  “You cannot be serious,” Les whispered setting her glass of peach tea down on the table with a thump.

  “I’m dead serious. We have no choice. Sitting here doing nothing is worse than going back and trying to save the city.”

  Les shook her head. “You have no idea what you’re doing.”

  Max grinned. “Maybe I don’t but I’m not going to do nothing either. Langcourt will come for Allegra no matter where she is. You can stay here with Mara and the team. Nobody knows you’re here so you’ll be safe.”

  Les was shaking her head but Max had already turned his attention to Allegra. “I can see you’re feeling better.”

  “Must be those magical waters. They seem to rejuvenate me every time I soak myself in it.”

  Her eyes widened and Mara let out a bark of laughter. “Don’t worry. These are not magical waters. They are just full of minerals. Copper, magnesium, zinc. All good things for the rejuvenation of muscles.”

  Max nodded, his expression saying he was barely paying Mara any attention. “We should be heading back soon. I’d like to leave at sundown.”

  Mara nodded then looked over at Allegra, her smile warm—unusual for the old cantankerous woman. “You must return soon.”

  Allegra was shaking her head, unsure if there would be a need in the future to return. A part of her thought it wouldn't be such a bad idea. She’d quite enjoyed herself at the compound.

  Mara smiled. “This is your home now. Aurelia left the compound and the responsibility of all its people to you as the new Pythia.”

  Allegra’s mouth dropped open and she had to force it shut. A sense of belonging filled her, warring with the responsibility now within her hands.

  The knowledge that the place now belonged to her put Allegra under a great deal of strain. She’d never been responsible for other people before and she wasn’t sure she was up to the task. And yet she was unable to turn the old woman down.

  Allegra merely nodded and got to her feet, readying herself to head to her room and pack.

  They took the next two hours to prepare and Mara bade them farewell in front of the open door of the chopper.

  The old woman patted her cheek, and bent close to whisper words in her ear.

  As the chopper left the ground and ascended, Allegra stared at Mara through the glass.

  “Go with the grace of Apollo, Allegra Damascus.”

  Allegra was sure the old woman had pronounced her surname as Damaskos.

  Chapter 39

  The flight back to Qusqu was filled with silence, only relieved when they stopped at the waterfall to refuel for the last leg of the journey.

  Les had decided on returning too with Allegra and Max, but she behaved as if they were forcing her. She sat in a huff, glaring out of the window, it annoyed Allegra to no end.

  “Why did you come if you didn’t want to? Nobody forced you,” Allegra said, then gritted her teeth. She wanted to say so much more but she felt she’d already said too much.

  Les snapped her gaze back to Allegra’s face. “You have no clue what’s going on. I have too much at stake,” she bit out before her eyes widened.

  Allegra assumed now that Les may have slipped and said too much. “Les, what’s going on? What are you not telling us?” Allegra probed, hoping Les would reveal a little more. “We brought you away for your own safety, but you haven’t been honest with us about what’s really going on.”

  Les’s jaw tightened and she turned away, staring out of the window now. “I’ve said enough.”

  Allegra wanted to continue the questioning but she’d learned a thing or two about Les. When the woman made a decision, no matter how much she didn’t like it, she kept to it. And now, it meant that no matter what Allegra said or did, she wouldn't get anything out of Les.

  Chapter 40

  Max touched down in a field a few miles out of Qusqu and they were met by two cars, army issue all-terrain vehicles with roll bars and gigantic wheels.

  Max’s gut was tight, but he’d pulled a steady calm over his thoughts. There were too many possible options to consider and he needed to focus. He felt bombarded from so many sides and with just him to protect both Allegra and Les he found himself feeling a little impotent.

  The soldiers ushered them into the vehicles and drove them to a drop point a few minutes outside the city where they stopped to drop the three off at a parked car.

  Again, the NGS team was efficient, giving them clothing and hats to wear that would at least partly protect their identity. They entered the city pretending to be tourist types. Max was driving them to a safe house, one owned by FAPA that sat on the outskirts of the city, as far from the ruined embassy building as they could get.

  “Let’s move inside and we can figure out what we’re doing next,” said Max. His words were completely unnecessary and he had a suspicion he was speaking only in order to fill the silence.

  Les, who’d been stiff and silent most of the way, stalked off into the building without a word.

  “Don’t worry about her. She’ll calm down,” Max murmured as they grabbed their bags and followed her.

  Allegra shrugged. “Something is going on that she isn’t willing to share. I wish I could help her but either she can’t tell us or she won’t tell us. I’m more sure now than ever that she’s being blackmailed or controlled somehow. That whatever she is doing is against her will and she has no choice.”

  Max paused as he held the door open for her. “You really think so?”

  “She just appears very conflicted to me. But you know her better than I do. What does her behavior tell you?”

  Max sighed. “To tell you the truth I can no longer read her. Whatever is going on in her head, it’s not something
I can understand. And neither is it something she is willing to tell me about.”

  They entered the apartment and Max scanned the street before he shut the door behind them.

  Allegra set her duffel on the floor. “Well, whatever it is I have a bad feeling about it.”

  “You and me both,” said Max.

  As she walked toward the room Max called out, “Wait. One more thing.”

  She turned on her heel, a smile on her face. She looked uncertain, as if she wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, and the long narrow jewel box he held out to her was not it.

  “What’s this for?”

  “It’s an emergency distress beacon.”

  Flipping the lid her eyes widened. A narrow bracelet glinted up at her, a long band of diamonds and multicolored gems that was both elegant and attractive. A heart-shaped charm hung from the clasp.

  Marcus had had it delivered to the embassy while Allegra had been unconscious, and Max felt she needed it now. Things were too insane to be complacent.

  “Press the carved portion—it’s the switch—and it will send out the emergency transmission. It will allow us to find you provided you activate it while near enough so I can get a lock on you first. Otherwise it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

  Allegra smiled and nodded, tucking the box into her bag. She left him then, and he couldn’t help but notice the worry in her eyes.

  He stood there for a moment in the darkened living room, immersed in worry for what could happen tomorrow. Then he forced himself to move, to check the property and confirm everything was safely locked down, to check on the guards posted discretely on nearby street corners.

  He’d covered all his bases to ensure their safety.

  Or at least he hoped he had.

  Chapter 41

  A few hours later, they retired to their rooms, fatigue from their travels weighing them all down. Les’s behavior hadn’t changed. In fact, Allegra got the distinct feeling the other woman’s attitude had only grown worse.