“Yes. Your father.” He shot Lenora a sideways look. “I’d like to hear more about that. How in the hell is Bane your cousin?”
She looked back to Bane, who nodded his consent. “Samuel’s father had an affair with my mother’s sister.”
“Dorn? How would he have even met her?”
“My father taught engineering and mechanics at the university,” Bane told him.
That, at least, made sense to Drake. Dorn’s knowledge and skills were way beyond your typical mechanic. He had built Cal from the frame up; made her into a machine of unparalleled speed and installed features found in no other vehicle. There were times she seemed to have a life of her own.
Lenora continued with the story. “When my aunt became pregnant and it was discovered who the father was, Dorn was immediately exiled. My mother was disgusted by the whole affair, and insisted that Samuel be sent to live with him as soon as he was old enough to leave my aunt’s care.”
“And how old was that?”
“Let’s just say that I doubt I was ever breastfed for more than a few days,” said Bane.
“As soon as I found out about him, I kept in touch,” Lenora added.
Bane leaned closer to her. “She’s being more than a little modest,” he said. “She financed my father’s business, and later on saw to it that I was accepted into the College of Mages. Though to my shame, I disappointed her by getting myself kicked out. Even though Lenora was just a young girl, she was still kind and thoughtful enough to help us. Not to mention clever enough to keep it secret.”
He gave her shoulder a tender squeeze. “We were on the brink of starvation. I owe her my life. I only wish I could repay the debt under better circumstances.”
Drake considered their tale for several minutes. At least it tied together one more thread of this tangled web. “Okay. I’ll buy it,” he said. “But what prompted you to try and kill Salazar. He’s your cousin too, right?”
“He is, though in name only. The truth is, he’s never held anything but disdain for me and my father. But that’s not the reason I wanted him dead. As you know, I worked for Fisk from time to time. And before you give me a scolding, I was not his hired killer. I was the one who cultivated that particular aspect of my reputation. In truth, you’ve probably killed more men than I.”
Drake doubted that very much, though he made no attempt to argue.
“During one of my assignments, I ran across a letter I was definitely not meant to see. It said that Prince Salazar was planning to wipe out all life in the provinces. He was offering Fisk sanctuary within Troi, as well as governorship of the provinces after it was over in exchange for his help.”
He paused before turning back to Lenora: “But you knew this too. Why didn’t you expose him?”
“I did,” she responded. “That’s how Father found out his plan.”
“And that’s why you tried to kill him,” Drake said to Bane.
He shook his head. “No, not entirely. The letter also expressed the need to eliminate Lenora. She was deemed to be a threat, as was the king. That’s when I knew for certain that I had to act. Lenora knew nothing of this.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Drake asked.
“You were Salazar’s best friend. I couldn’t risk that you would turn against me. I feared you would think to change his mind rather than do what really needed to be done. Unfortunately, my father discovered the trap I had set. After he’d disconnected it, I didn’t have time to put it back in.”
Drake’s jaw tightened. “You put the bomb inside Cal?”
“I didn’t ignore everything my father tried to teach me,” Bane said, smiling. “But rest assured, it would not have harmed you in the slightest. It was designed to kill only whoever was sitting in the front passenger seat.”
“And what if someone else had been sitting there at the time?”
Bane sighed. “That was a small flaw in the plan, I admit. But after my father disabled the bomb, I intended to be with you. I thought perhaps I could use its presence to gain your trust.”
A pair of approaching headlamps halted the conversation. Another cargo truck blew by. Drake turned on Cal’s camouflage and called up the map.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“The College of Mages,” Bane replied.
This produced shocked looks from both Drake and Lenora.
“Don’t worry,” Bane added quickly. “We’re not going inside. I have a friend there who is willing to help. We’ll be safe with him for a while.”
“Not a chance,” said Drake.
Lenora touched his hand. “I think we should do as he says. Whatever you might think, he’s my cousin, and I trust him completely.”
The College of Mages was only a few hours to the southeast. From its location, it was still possible to see the lights of Troi – far closer than Drake had intended to be. Nevertheless, Lenora’s touch was enough to bend him to her will. It always had been.
“Fine,” he huffed. “But if they find us, I swear he’ll be the first one I shoot.”
Bane burst into laughter. “I could not ask for a fairer deal. Oh, and you’ll be happy to know that your sword is still in the trunk, along with almost everything else.”
“Almost?”
“I figured the only reason you sent Cal to Grim Lake must have been to help out that poor old fellow, Vic. So I took some of the money and left it where he could find it.”
Drake nodded his acceptance. “Thank you. He’s a good guy.”
“Can’t say I ever saw you as the kind and caring type before, though.”
Lenora reacted in a flash. “I’ll have you know that Drake is one of the kindest men I’ve ever known,” she told her cousin.
Drake felt a sudden desire to wrap his arms around her and pull her close. On the other hand, he felt awkward and unsure about making such a move. She had just lost her father; her brother wanted her killed; and she was running for her life. This was not exactly the best of times for rekindling a romance. All the same, he was sharply aware that every second he spent with her was fueling his passion and love to an even greater level. He had no idea how to best deal with this.
As it turned out, she solved his dilemma a few minutes later when she leaned her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes. An enormously grateful Drake put his arm around her, and she snuggled in tight.
“Wake me before we get there,” she said.
She was asleep in a matter of minutes.
Drake nearly wept for joy. He had almost forgotten what it felt like to hold her in his arms. He had thought that returning home would be enough. And perhaps it might have been before. But now, looking at her tiny smile – the kind that only feeling safe and loved could bring forth – he knew he had to have more. He had never believed in fate. Now, though, with the warmth of her body and the way the simple sound of her breathing was making him feel, he was beginning to change his mind. It certainly felt as if they were meant to be together.
“I’m relieved to see it,” said Bane. His voice was a half whisper, so not to wake his cousin.
Drake had almost forgotten he was there. “Relieved to see what?”
“That you love her as much as she does you,” he replied. “But I need to know one thing. Are you willing to let her go?”
Drake creased his brow. “Let her go?”
“Yes. Like it or not, she is the princess. And this is a war. One that I have no intention of losing. Prince Salazar must die. I know Lenora refuses to accept it at this point, but you and I both understand that things have gone way too far for there to be any other outcome. It’s either Lenora or Salazar. When the prince is gone, she will inherit the throne. Once that happens, she will need all the support she can gather. And I think you know what that means.”
Drake did indeed, and a crushing sense of reality washed over him. For her to stay in power, alliances would have to be forged. She would need the support of the nobles, and they would never give her that if she were with him. He
gave Bane a look that said he understood.
“Good. Because I know her. I know how much she cares for you. She would risk everything to follow her heart. You cannot allow her to do that.”
“I won’t. When the time comes, I’ll leave.”
The words tore at his spirit. Fate was indeed playing its part. But fate had never promised anyone a happy ending. Only a certainty that what must be would inevitably come about.
“I’m sorry,” Bane said, his tone sounding genuine. “As much as I want her to be happy, I want her to stay alive even more. But for now, you have time. Don’t waste it.”
I won’t, he silently swore.
Despite the millions of mana streams overhead, the night suddenly felt empty and dark. He pressed down on the accelerator, pushing Cal faster. He imagined he could feel fate closing in from behind, reaching out with clawed fingers. He went faster still, all the time knowing there was no possibility of escape. Like Bane, he was determined to win, even though his victory would cost him everything he loved. He looked down at Lenora’s sleeping form. In that tender moment, all doubt left him.
Yes. If it cost him his very soul, he would see her safe and sitting on the throne of Vale.
Chapter Nineteen
Salazar winced as he dropped heavily into his chair. His father’s private study was always so cold. The books and dark wood furnishings had seemed out of place in the palace, to his eyes. The desk was hundreds of years old, as were the chairs and side tables. The carpet was reputed to have been woven the day after the barrier was erected as a gift for the very first king. Or was it a queen? He couldn’t recall. The past three rulers had all been men, a fortune of the order of birth. Now, as the eldest child and with his father gone, this was to be his study.
He thought to cross over to the door and warm up the room a bit, but a wave of pain kept him where he was. He cursed under his breath. He had been foolish to go after them alone. He’d had little choice, though; the secret of the tunnel was far too valuable to risk its discovery. He should never have told Lenora of its existence.
Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved the crystal. This, at least, was warm. He cupped it in his hands and closed his eyes, allowing the power radiating from its core to rush through him.
“If only I’d had you with me,” he muttered. “But then she would have known his secret. That must never be allowed to happen.”
“What would she have known, Your Highness?”
He hadn’t heard Captain Xavier enter. He quickly placed the crystal back in his pocket. “What do you want, Captain? Shouldn’t you be out looking for my sister?”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. Now that Mister Fisk has agreed to our terms, it won’t be long.”
“And you are sure you can rely on him?”
“No. But I am more than sure he understands the price of failure. The Exodus base that Drake Sharazi destroyed was but one. Once we find the others, all will be ready. That is, assuming you still want to go through with it.”
Yes. It must be done. There is no other way.
Salazar shook his head. Not now. Be quiet.
“Are you all right?” Xavier asked.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Though the massive burn on his chest was covered by a new shirt, it was taking a great effort not to twist his face from the pain.
“I only came to tell you that the funeral arrangements are all going well. As are those for your coronation.”
“Is that all?”
“No. There is one more minor detail.” Xavier reached into his coat and produced an envelope. “This is the letter of consent.”
Salazar looked at the envelope as if it were poisoned. “Do we have to do this now?”
“The sooner the other nobles know of this change, the easier it will be for them to accept it.” He placed the envelope on the desk. “That is, unless you do not intend to honor our agreement.”
Salazar longed with all his heart to roast Xavier alive, but to do so would spell disaster. The man knew far too much; he was also extremely well prepared to expose everything if he were to die. Picking up the envelope, Salazar removed a letter that he read slowly and carefully several times. Eventually, after a contemptuous glance at the captain and allowing a deep sigh to slip out, he signed and stamped the document with the royal seal.
“There,” he said, tossing it across the desk. “You are now officially Lord Xavier Mortimer.”
The captain examined the signature and seal thoroughly before returning the document to its envelope and storing it safely away in his pocket. “Thank you, Your Highness. Now if you will excuse me?” He bowed low, his smile vicious and confident. He paused at the door. “Oh, I nearly forgot. The Grand Mage wishes to see you. She’s waiting just outside.”
The whispers in Salazar’s mind had become too numerous to make out. This always happened when a high mage was near. He pressed his fingers to his temples and leaned his elbows on the desk. “I see. Tell her to come in.”
He heard the Grand Mage’s footsteps treading ever so softly on the carpet. The light scraping of silk was like a scream raking at his ears.
“You are not well, Your Highness.”
Salazar opened his eyes and looked up. The Grand Mage was not as old as her title suggested. At a guess, he would say no more than forty years. Rather than the orange and black robes her order typically wore, she chose attire suited to a noblewoman: an elegant red dress with gold stitching, together with a silver veil draped over her head that she wrapped around to cover her mouth.
“What do you want?” he asked. Reaching into his pocket, he gripped the crystal. As if a mist had lifted, he felt his strength returning.
“In a foul mood, I see,” she responded. Her tone was that of a mother scolding a child. “I came to tell you that you should refrain from further visits to the power station for a time.”
No. Don’t let her. She wants to keep you from us.
“Why is that?” he demanded.
He could see her frown through the veil.
“Do not play the fool. I know what you have been doing. You cannot imagine how dangerous it is. You are the king now. We cannot permit you to endanger yourself.”
“There is no danger,” he protested. “Look at me. I’m fine.”
“You are not fine,” she told him firmly. “And if this plan is to succeed, we need you to keep your wits about you.”
He felt a flash of rage. “Everything is going according to plan.”
Calm. Patience. She cannot suspect.
“It had better be. It was difficult enough for me to convince the others. Should this fail, you will not like what comes next.”
“Do not threaten me, Grand Mage. I am the king, and you will speak to me with respect.”
Unmoved by this royal demand, she gave a sniff of contempt. “You are king only because I allow it. As it was with your father before you. Test this assertion and you will quickly find yourself walking the same path as he. Do you not realize that we could have stopped you at any time?”
Salazar rose from his seat, fists balled and face crimson.
Do not act rashly. Your time will come soon.
The voice cut through his anger. Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his posture. “You are correct, of course. I would not want to jeopardize our plans.”
“Good. I knew you would see reason. Now, as to your sister. She must be found quickly. Her voice carries much weight. If she moves against us, it could be...problematic.”
“I will find her,” he assured the woman.
“And what will you do then?”
“That, Grand Mage, truly is none of your affair.”
She bowed her head. “Of course. So long as she is out of the way, the high mages will be satisfied. Now, if you will pardon me, Your Highness.” Turning away, she seemed to almost float across the carpet to the door.
Salazar returned to his seat and continued fingering the crystal. His anger was boiling. Only the calming ton
e of the voices kept him from flying into a rage. He had missed them. He hadn’t realized how much until his return. The high mages were fools. They had the power to reshape Vale at their very fingertips, yet still they did nothing. Too dangerous? Bah! Cowards, the whole lot of them. Not one possessed the courage of their convictions. They sought to rule in petty, cruel ways. Even when faced with the obvious truth, they hesitated to do the right thing.
A culling was required if Vale was to endure.
Chapter Twenty
Drake pulled into the drive and around to the back of a modest dwelling. It was a single-story home built from wood and brick, with a porch that wrapped almost all the way around. The yard was well kept, and the grass unusually healthy and lush. There were even a few flower bushes planted at the border. Only one light shone through the window, and from the way it flickered and danced, it was not from a mana bulb.
“Max fancies himself a practitioner of natural magic,” Bane told them. “You can’t imagine how much time he spends keeping his place green.”
“Natural magic?” repeated Drake. “What does that mean?
“He believes all living things have their own particular properties of mana. He’s been trying to learn how to extract them individually in the hope of curing the land.”
“From what I’m seeing, it appears to be working.”
“Not really. This is a result of Max spending nearly everything he earns on fertilizers. Most of the other mages at the college think he’s wasting his time.”
“Do you?” asked Lenora.
Bane shrugged. “Who knows? Max is an idealist. In my experience, that often blinds one to reality.”
As they climbed out of the car, the back door opened, and a man in a blue nightshirt and with a candle in his hand came out onto the porch. He was quite old, with a thin head of gray hair and a careworn face. On seeing Bane, he shook his head and frowned.
“What have you done this time, Samuel?” he asked in a sleepy voice. “And who have you brought with you?”
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