“Quinn!” I hadn’t seen the girl in a few days, and her presence had been missed. When Quinn didn’t answer, I frowned. “What’s wrong?” Quinn’s eyes seemed unnaturally dark, and there was a blank look on her face. When she didn’t acknowledge me or my questions, ice began forming in my veins. “Quinn?”
“She’s fine.” Aeonia patted the girl on her head. Even that didn’t garner a reaction. It was like Quinn had become a statue. I was too far away to see if she was breathing, and I was too scared to move any closer. Was this why Aeonia had summoned me? To turn me into a statue as well?
“What did you do to her?” My voice came out shaky and high-pitched, and again I cursed my foolishness for leaving the house unarmed and alone.
You are not alone, Jaegger reminded me. My left palm surged with heat, filling me with resolve.
I took a step forward. “Aeonia—”
“Like I said, she’s fine.” Aeonia shrugged off my question. “But I can’t promise she’ll remain fine. Do you have what I asked for?”
I shook my head.
Her brows narrowed, the first time all night she’d shown any type of emotion. “Have you even tried looking for it?”
“Of course I have,” I snapped. “You threatened me, so I don’t have much choice, do I, Aeonia? But Parnaby isn’t stupid. He doesn’t have the amplifier on display, with a giant sign saying, ‘Here’s my amplifier! Come and take it!’”
“That’s because you haven’t been looking hard enough!” While my tone of voice had been all fire, hers was frosty, and we glared at one another across the alleyway.
“I’ve been busy! There’s a murderer running around Rise!” Belatedly I wondered if I should have shared that or not.
But Aeonia wasn’t interested in my excuses. “That’s Parnaby and his soldiers’ problem. You should be looking for the amplifier while he’s distracted. Or do you want something to happen to Quinn?” She placed her hand on top of the girl’s head again, running her fingers through the black locks. Suddenly, she grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked Quinn’s head back. A knife appeared in Aeonia’s free hand, and she held it up to Quinn’s throat.
“No!” I was back in the prison, watching Bantheir slit Vernen’s throat. Watching as the life bled out of Vernen until the light in his eyes faded and his body stilled. My screams had echoed off the walls, pleading with Bantheir to stop, but he hadn’t listened. Locked in my cell, I hadn’t been able to do anything.
I wasn’t locked up now.
Rushing forward, I dove for the knife. Aurora, who I’d forgotten about, stepped between us. She grabbed my right arm and twisted it behind me painfully. I fell to my knees with a muffled sob, staring up at Aeonia and Quinn.
“Don’t hurt her. Please.”
“Only because you said please.” Winking, Aeonia removed the knife from Quinn’s throat. “I thought you were crafty, Irina. But it appears you require some assistance.” She twirled the knife between her fingers, the moonlight reflecting off the blade in a silvery flash. “Tomorrow, there will be a distraction. When it happens, do not squander your chance at finding the amplifier. There will not be another one. And in case you think about betraying me…” Her face turned cold as she yanked Quinn roughly to her side, the knife positioned over the girl’s throat once more. “Bring me the amplifier, or else Quinn…” She left her threat hanging in the air.
Panic made it hard to breathe, but somehow I managed to cry, “Leave her out of this! I said I’d help you, and I will!”
Satisfied with my response, Aeonia nodded to Aurora, who let me go. I cradled my sore arm and blinked hard to keep my tears of pain from falling. “I’ll be watching and waiting for you. The moment you have the amplifier, leave the president’s mansion, and I will find you. If you fail to deliver, then expect to find Quinn’s head on your doorstep.”
They left me, crouched on the ground of the alleyway, my arm throbbing as I struggled to control my breathing. Alone, the silence threatened to consume me, and I forced myself to stand up and exit the alleyway.
I couldn’t solve anything sitting there, feeling sorry for myself. Even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, I needed to go home. Tomorrow, I’d go to the mansion and face whatever it was Aeonia had planned.
Jae, can you help me find it?
I will try, little bird.
I was scared trying wouldn’t be enough. What if, despite tearing the mansion apart, room by room, we didn’t find it? No. That wasn’t an option. Quinn’s life was hanging in the balance. There was no time left for doubts and fears.
I wasn’t leaving that mansion until I had Parnaby’s amplifier in my hands.
I WAITED UNTIL I WAS safely back in my room before speaking with Jaegger again. Huddled in bed, I wrapped my blanket around me tightly, but it did little to stop the tremors that wracked my body. I couldn’t erase the image of Aeonia pressing a knife against Quinn’s throat from my mind. Thinking about that made me relive watching Vernen die, and I was stuck in a vicious cycle that was destined to drive me mad. Jae, what did you mean earlier when you said you were growing weaker? I hoped a conversation with the dragon would distract me.
It is hard to explain, but I will try, he said. You know that long ago, before the wars with the magicians, I would grant pieces of my Essence to my most loyal followers.
Yes, and the Essence that Bantheir stole was the last one. Your final missing piece. When I’d come face-to-face with the dragon, a piece of his shoulder had been missing.
After a human makes a wish, the Essence returns to me. But, in this case, part of it did not.
I stared at the faint scar on my palm. Because it’s in me.
Precisely. It may just be a sliver, but it is still part of me. I am not whole without it, and because of that, I grow weaker each day.
I thought of Leonid’s knives in his room. So if I just dig it out—
No, little bird, there’s no need to do anything so drastic. Besides, you need me to find the amplifier.
But you said you’re growing weaker! I protested. Jae, I don’t want you dying on me.
The dragon gave a low chuckle. I’ve been giving pieces of my Essence to my followers for thousands of years. I can last a little longer.
After we find the amplifier, I’m cutting the Essence out of my hand, I promised him. Surprisingly, the thought of losing Jaegger made me sad. I’d grown used to having the dragon inside of my head.
Thank you, little bird. He paused. I will miss you as well.
Where will you go, once you’re freed? Before I met Jaegger, I, like everyone else, assumed dragons were extinct. What would it be like, to be the last of your kind? I pulled my knees to my chest, frowning. I didn’t like the thought of Jaegger out there alone, especially now that his followers had all but abandoned him.
Are you asking me to move in? The dragon chuckled.
I smiled at that. You could stay on the roof!
The roof? The great dragon Jaegger would not be banished to the roof. I’ll have your lover’s room, he decided. That’s the nicest room in the house.
Great dragon or not, I don’t think Leonid would give it up to you that easily.
He would when he realized he’d have to move in with you. He would not mind that at all. I see how he enjoys sharing a bed with you.
I started blushing. Jae, really!
The dragon chuckled again. Try to get some rest, little bird. We have a long day tomorrow.
I sobered. Jaegger was right. Biding him good night, I stretched out in bed and tried to turn off the racing thoughts in my head. But it was hours later before I finally dozed off, and my dreams were plagued with dragons, magicians, and a horrible woman holding a knife to a child’s throat.
THE NEXT MORNING, AS WEST and I were eating a subdued breakfast of toast and tea, there was a knock at the front door. The toast immediately turned into a rock in my stomach as I envisioned Aeonia on the other side of the door.
When I didn’t move, West got up t
o see who it was. Male voices echoed from the foyer; realizing it was soldiers, I relaxed slightly. West came back into the kitchen, raising his brows. “Seems like the captain sent us an escort.”
If only Leonid knew I’d been wandering around Way by myself last night.
“I’ll be right there.” Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I left the kitchen, nodding to the soldiers who were waiting in the foyer before mounting the stairs. Outside Vernen’s room, I knocked softly.
He didn’t reply.
“Vernen? We’re heading to Rise now. You don’t have to come, but if you don’t want to be alone, tell me. One of us will stay with you.” I shut my eyes briefly, wishing I could stay, but with Aeonia’s ultimatum, I had to go.
I heard sounds of shuffling through the door, and then Vernen spoke from the other side of the wood. “I’ll be fine. Go, Irina.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too,” he said.
Pressing my hand against the door, I stood there for a moment, gathering my courage, before leaving him.
The walk to Rise was uneventful, although being escorted by a group of soldiers brought back memories of the night Leonid had me arrested as Bantheir’s accomplice. The soldiers kept their hands on the hilts of their swords, and anyone we passed gave us a wide berth. I kept my hood up and my hair tucked back, hoping no one recognized me.
In Rise we took the tunnels, and we arrived at the mansion to find Leonid and Aden waiting for us. Leonid’s face brightened, but when he realized Vernen wasn’t with us, it fell.
I went to his side. There were deep circles under Leonid’s eyes, and his face was dotted with dark stubble. Just as I suspected, he hadn’t slept at all. “Vernen’s fine,” I said. “He just wanted to rest, and I told him he should.” When Leonid wouldn’t look at me, I put a hand on his arm. “Leonid, he’s not angry with you.”
“I yelled at him,” he said hoarsely. “I lost my temper, even though I knew he wasn’t to blame.”
I could feel West’s eyes on me. “Leonid, I need to—”
“Is everyone here?” Parnaby swept into the room, trailed by Elyse. “Good. Follow me.”
I snapped my mouth shut. Perfect timing as usual, Parnaby. Leonid gave me a half-shrug, as if to say, “What can you do?” before taking my hand and following Parnaby out of the room. We turned two corners before Parnaby went inside a large room. In a normal home, with a normal family, this would be the dining room. Parnaby, however, had turned it into a massive study. Thick curtains covered the windows, but candles on every available surface brightly lit the room. It was as stifling hot as the rest of the mansion, and I removed my coat, hanging it on the back of one of the chairs. A long table took up the majority of the room. Papers and books were strewn across it, and charts were hung from the walls. I recognized Leonid’s handwriting and went over to one, reading his notes on the case as the others filed into the room.
Parnaby looked at us—me, Leonid, Elyse, West, and Aden—and said, “Is that everyone?”
Leonid nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“No Vernen?”
“He wasn’t feeling well,” West spoke up before I could. We exchanged a look, and I knew exactly what he was silently telling me. He wanted me to somehow pull Leonid from the room and explain what had happened the previous night.
I broke eye contact, pretending I didn’t understand West’s message. He sighed loudly but didn’t press the issue.
Jae? Are you there? The dragon had been silent all morning, worrying me.
After a moment, he softly said, I am here.
I touched my palm with the tips of my fingers. Jaegger, Vernen, Quinn. Somehow, I needed to save them all.
“Let’s get started,” Parnaby said. He met my gaze and I lifted my chin slightly. This man, or, more specifically, this man’s amplifier, was the key to saving them all.
I can do this, I thought.
Yes, Jae hissed, sounding more like his old self. Yes, little bird, you can. And I will help you.
Raynard strolled into the room. My stomach soured at the sight of him. I wanted to hide behind Leonid, but I forced myself to remain where I was. He didn’t even spare me or Leonid a single glance as he sat down at the table and asked Parnaby, “Did you find the culprit yet?”
Parnaby’s gaze narrowed. Even from across the room I could see the hatred spilling from his eyes. And I thought he didn’t like me. I didn’t know the extent of their relationship, but if I had to guess, I would say the feeling of dislike was mutual. During the Bantheir mess, Raynard had been pressured by Parnaby to find the truth as soon as possible. Now it seemed like the tables were turned, which didn’t make sense. Parnaby was still Raynard’s boss.
I remembered what Leonid had said he’d seen the day he’d visited the mansion after the blizzard. Raynard had been angry about the increased taxes on the citizens of Rise. Maybe this was his way of getting back at Parnaby.
“Do you think we’d be standing around discussing the case if we had the culprit already in custody?” Parnaby asked, disdain dripping from his words.
“Oh, is that what you’re doing?” Now Raynard allowed his gaze to cast about the room. “This group, again? Really, Parnaby? After they made such a spectacular mess with the Bantheir incident?”
Next to me, Leonid bristled, but he remained quiet. I marveled at his self-control. Even back in the prison, when Raynard had hurled insults left and right, Leonid never allowed himself to be baited. I, on the other hand, was already fighting the urge to claw the man’s eyes out.
“I trust them,” Parnaby said stiffly. “Leonid, if you will.”
Leonid nodded and turned to one of his charts. The others sat, and I joined them, even though I wanted to remain by Leonid’s side. I noticed with a sense of satisfaction that no one took the seats near Raynard. If the councilor noticed—or cared—he didn’t show it. He was watching Leonid coolly, his chin propped up on one meaty fist.
Clearing his throat, Leonid started at the beginning, describing the first incident at the home in Rise. Sitting between Aden and West, I watched as West pulled out a notebook and pencil from his satchel and began scrawling notes. Noticing my gaze, he tore out a blank page and passed that and another pencil to me. Nodding my thanks, I turned my attention back to Leonid.
Fourteen people celebrating a birthday, dead. After carefully interviewing the staff, Leonid had ruled them all out. The winemakers had also been ruled out, after West identified the poison. “Someone placed the powder—the burning chaos—into the wine glasses before the wine was added.”
“Then that means it was a member of the staff,” Raynard said, staring at us like we were idiots. “Why did you rule them out, Captain Leonid?”
I wondered if I was the only one who noticed the way his voice turned sarcastic at the word “captain.”
Next to me, West pressed his pencil down so hard on his paper that the tip broke. Cursing softly, he reached into his satchel for another one. No, I thought. I’m not the only one who noticed.
“If the captain says it’s no one on the staff, then it’s not,” Aden spoke up, surprising everyone in the room. “He’s not wrong about things like that.”
“You’re just an ignorant boy,” Raynard said to Aden. “You shouldn’t even be here.” He turned to Parnaby. “Shouldn’t he be out on the streets, patrolling?”
“Leave him alone.” My words were met with silence.
Raynard turned his beady eyes toward me. “Speaking of ignorance, what are you doing here? You were a magician’s assistant.” He spat the words, and I did my best not to recoil. “Tell me right now what you expect to contribute to this meeting.”
When I’d been locked up, I’d been so scared I had cowered before this man. But I’d seen much scarier things since then, which is why I lifted my chin and said, “More than you. In fact, why are you here, Raynard? So far all you’ve managed to do is insult practically everyone in this room. We’re trying to catch a murderer, and yet you seem inten
t on distracting us from the task at hand.”
Leonid’s lips twisted into a slow smile, and he gave me a nod of approval. He may not have wanted to speak against the councilor, but I had no reason to hold my tongue.
Raynard’s face turned red. “How dare you—”
“Raynard, either shut up or leave,” Parnaby snapped. “If I wanted your opinion on my spies, I would ask for it. But as I don’t give a damn about your opinion—now, or ever—do me a favor and be quiet.”
Honestly, I expected Raynard to get up, maybe throw a chair or something, and yell at Parnaby. Instead, he closed his mouth and turned to Leonid, waiting for him to continue.
I exchanged an incredulous look with Aden. Raynard knew how to listen to someone besides himself? That’s unexpected.
Parnaby gestured for Leonid to continue. After an awkward moment, Leonid cleared his throat and began speaking again.
“We’ve been trying to discover which shop sold the burning chaos. I’ve sent a few men—and I’ve gone a couple of times myself—to apothecaries across Dusk.”
“In the slums and Way?” I asked.
Leonid nodded. “We can’t assume the burning chaos came from the slums. We also can’t assume it came from Way. We need to cover every option, and narrow the choices down, one by one. It’s a slower process.” He shot Parnaby an apologetic glance. “But it’s necessary. We can’t afford to make assumptions this early on. It’ll end up coming back to haunt us.”
“With more people dying,” I said.
“Exactly.”
“So what have you found out so far?” I hoped no one minded that I was asking all of the questions, but I was desperately behind on the case and wanted to prove to everyone—even Raynard—that I belonged here. “Have you been able to rule out any apothecaries so far?”
Going over to the map, Leonid began pointing out the ones that he or his men had visited. Each was marked with either a small black “X” or an “O.” “The ones crossed out are the ones we’ve ruled out. The ones with the circles need further investigation.”
The Burning Chaos (Smoke and Mirrors Book 2) Page 15
