The Fires of Tartarus

by Emma V. Leech

  He moved back suddenly and then the door opened, Kai bursting in with a smile which faltered as the tense atmosphere he'd interrupted became apparent. The flames disappearing from my wrists, I almost yelled at him for not knocking, but perhaps it had been for the best.

  “Hello, Kai,” Corvus said, his previous demeanour vanished and his smile genuine.

  I felt a burst of jealousy that he should be so at ease with Kai when there was such strain between us. It wasn't fair.

  Kai, looked anxiously from Corvus to me, and I felt ashamed of myself. Kai wasn't having much more luck than me at the moment. I couldn't begrudge him Corvus' friendship.

  “Hey, Kai,” I said, trying to force my expression into something less uptight. “Why don't you give Corvus the tour of the Château, introduce him to everyone.”

  “OK, Jéhenne.” He nodded and then looked up at Corvus, a little shy suddenly. “Do you want to come?”

  Corvus glanced at me and then nodded. “Yes.”

  Kai smiled, and I was relieved to see him look a bit happier than before.

  “Don't forget to go to prayers,” I said softly.

  Kai nodded and grinned at me as he left and Corvus hesitated for a moment before following. He paused in the doorway and turned back to look at me, but I couldn't read his expression at all.

  I went to close the door, watching as they walked down the hallway with the guards following close behind. I wished I could hear what they were talking about. I closed the door and bit my lip as an idea formed in my head. It wasn't the sort of thing I'd normally consider as it amounted to nothing more than spying, but I was getting desperate; and I needed every advantage I had.

  I went and settled myself in the chair behind the desk and closed my eyes.

  Lucas had chosen the guards well, Decimus in particular. He was a big man, not especially tall but very well built. He'd been a gladiator in ancient Rome, undefeated for many years until his final fight which he still insisted had been rigged, and he'd been drugged so he'd lose. Either way his Master had admired his skills and decided to turn him rather than lose all that ability. In fact Decimus was as old as Corvus, but not just age made a powerful vampire. He simply wasn't very bright. He was loyal, though, and Corvus had taken him in when his own Master had been killed. I focused on Decimus and felt the slightest jolt of shock as I spoke in his mind. Vampires were used to communicating this way, but it unnerved me slightly, so I rarely did it with anyone but Lucas unless I was addressing the family as a whole. It would come as a surprise to him to hear my voice in his head alone.

  “Decimus, I need your help.”

  “Anything, Master.”

  I smiled at the reverence in his voice. I'd not done what I had for any other reason than that I loved Corvus and needed him back, but there were many whose gratitude for what I'd done bordered on adulation. It was both comforting and disturbing at the same time.

  “I want to see what you see. I need to get to know Corvus again but he fears me, distrusts me. He's not at ease and won't speak freely with me. I want to spend time with him when he's not on his guard. Will you let me?”

  I could feel his surprise. A Master would not normally request, they would simply do as they wished, but I didn't want to use him without his permission. It was wrong.

  “I am your servant, Master. Use me as you will, it is my honour to serve you.” The deep voice rumbled through my mind and his reply made me faintly nauseous, but I took it in the spirit it was meant and thanked him before I looked out through his eyes.

  At first there was little to see. Kai chattered as he showed Corvus around, though I could tell it was forced, not his usual unrestrained effervescence, and Corvus walked beside him. I wondered if he could tell Kai wasn't himself. He was watching him carefully, but he said little, occasionally stopping to look at something which had caught his interest.

  Everyone looked up as a flurry of wings was heard and a raucous squawk and Nerva flew towards Corvus, landing on his shoulder and shrieking with delight. Corvus held his hand up, and Nerva hopped onto it, rubbing his head ecstatically against Corvus' fingers as his other hand came up to stroke him.

  “He's yours,” Kai said with a grin and Corvus nodded, frowning as though he was trying to remember.

  “The white crow,” he said, softly, ruffling Nerva's feathers as he closed his eyes in bliss. “Corvus ... Albinus, The White Crow.”

  “You?” Kai asked. “You are The White Crow?”

  Corvus nodded.

  Kai smiled and pointed at Nerva. “He's called ...”

  “No!” Corvus stopped Kai, his face one of intense concentration. He stared at Nerva and then cursed and Nerva leapt in surprise. “Shhh,” Corvus said, by way of apology, stroking the tatty feathers on his chest. “I didn't mean to startle you.” He looked at Kai. “It is very ... frustrating,” he said with a wry smile at the understatement.

  “You don't remember anything?” Kai asked.

  Corvus shrugged. “Nothing of use.” He hesitated. “Scattered images. I see myself holding a sword.”

  “You were a warrior?”

  “Yes.” He frowned again rubbing his head with his hand, and Kai stepped forward, touching his hand to Corvus' arm.

  “Don't try so hard, it will come. You are safe, people care for you here, they love you.”

  I could see the shock in Corvus' eyes, though Decimus had drawn back a little to give them the illusion of privacy. Not that Corvus would think it. If it wasn't for the spells I'd set around the rooms for privacy he could have been standing in the village and still have listened in on Corvus' conversation if he wanted to.

  “Is true,” Kai insisted. “You are greatly loved.”

  “Who?” he demanded, and I thought I detected a desperate note in his voice.

  “Everyone,” Kai said with a smile. “Even the crow, see how he hurt himself for missing you.”

  Corvus looked back at Nerva and touched his hand to the bald patch where Nerva had pulled out the feathers on his chest in misery. Nerva bobbed up and down and cawed happily and Corvus laughed. “Well, it's good to see you too,” he said with a smile.

  I felt tears gathering in my eyes and forced my emotions back before Decimus stood sobbing for no apparent reason. I doubted he'd thank me for ruining his hard man image.

  Corvus looked up at the guards stationed around the room and then back to Kai. “I have to say I'm not feeling any great outpouring of love and affection yet.”

  Kai nodded and stepped closer. “You not a fool, Corvus. They are afraid of you, afraid you are not the same.”

  Corvus stared back at him, his expression cool. “I'm not.”

  “How do you know?” Kai asked, his voice soft. “If you don't remember.”

  Corvus hesitated and looked reluctant to speak but the sympathy in Kai's expression seemed to reassure him. “No one would feel that way for me.” The words were bleak and so raw that I was unable to stop the wave of emotion that hit Decimus, and he gasped.

  I knew I'd be forever grateful to Kai in that moment as he threw his arms around Corvus and hugged him, taking him so much by surprise that Decimus' little slip wasn't noticed.

  “Not true!” Kai said, his voice fierce and Corvus laughed despite himself, hugging Kai in return for a moment before letting him go again.

  “You'd love anyone who smiled at you.” Corvus chuckled. “You have too much heart. You'll get hurt you know.”

  Kai's smile subsided and Corvus frowned, stepping forward.

  “What happened?”

  I watched as Kai shrugged, blinking back tears. He shook his head, obviously unable to speak without crying. “Who?” Corvus demanded, the tone of his voice sending a shiver of fear down my back. He grasped Kai by the shoulders, one hand beneath his chin, forcing him to look up at him. “Tell me who?” He held the young pixie in his power and Kai had no choice but to reply.

  “Rodney,” he said.

  Chapter 28

  “Shit! Decimus!” I hadn't
needed to instruct him, the three guards had followed Corvus, the speed of their action making me giddy as I looked out of Decimus' eyes.

  They were in the kitchen. I ran.

  I took the stairs two at a time and flew through the kitchen door to find Amelia standing in front of Rodney who was wide-eyed with terror as the three guards struggled to keep Corvus in their grip. Max stood between both groups. The massive cat's teeth were bared, but he was clearly torn as to who he was supposed to be protecting until I came into the room, and he leapt in front of me, daring anyone to come close as he roared.

  The wave of Corvus' anger hit me, stinging my skin as I got closer.

  “Jéhenne!” Amelia screamed. “Help!”

  “Stop this!” I commanded. “Stop!”

  Corvus glared at me and stopped struggling, but I could feel his rage burning like a brand against my flesh. “Out,” I said to Rodney and Amelia who didn't need telling twice and fled from the room. “You as well.” I nodded at the guards. They looked reluctant, and I waved them out with an impatient shooing motion. “Go on, it's fine. Corvus can control himself,” I said, not covering the sarcasm in my voice as I looked back at him and raised one eyebrow. “Can't you?”

  He growled, an unhappy sound but then gave a curt nod.

  Max, however, made it clear he wasn't going anywhere as he leaned into me, stuck to my side like he'd been glued in place. A low growl rumbled through him, vibrating through my legs and Corvus looked at him curiously. I stroked his big head and paused before I spoke to Corvus, realising I couldn't know why he had attacked Rodney.

  “What was this about?”

  I saw the muscle working in his jaw as he tried to get control of his temper. It was a familiar trait, and I smiled despite the situation.

  “He hurt Kai,” he said, his tone one of barely restrained fury.

  “And that made you angry?” I asked.

  “Yes!” he shouted, looking at me like I was a moron.

  “Why?” I asked, needing to know what had motivated him, why Kai had provoked such a violent response.

  Corvus looked at me in frustration, clearly unwilling to spell it out.

  “Tell me why, please,” I pressed.

  “Because he's an innocent,” he snapped. “He has no protection against others. He wears his emotions in full view of everyone.”

  “So you wanted to protect him, as he couldn't do it himself.”

  He frowned. “I ...” I could see the anger in his eyes at having been seen to care for something other than himself. He didn't like to make himself vulnerable like this. “Kai is a fool,” he said, his voice angry. “He has no idea of the dangers he courts.”

  He turned too late to see Kai standing in the doorway and his stricken expression. Kai turned and ran. Corvus watched, his face impassive, but I knew what he was feeling, no matter he was shielding his thoughts from me.

  “Dangers like you for instance.”

  He snorted and gave me a fierce grin. “For instance,” he repeated.

  I shook my head with a bitter laugh. “Rodney didn't do anything wrong,” I said, my voice soft. “He's engaged to Amelia. He's loved her for years. Kai only joined us recently but he fell for Rodney right away. Rodney didn't have a clue.” I sighed rubbing my face wearily, tonight wasn't going as I'd expected. “He made a pass at Rodney earlier today and Rodney let him down as gently as he could. He didn't want to hurt Kai as they're friends, good friends. But ... It's hard to love someone who doesn't love you back.” I heard too much desperation in the words, but I couldn't change that.

  Corvus watched me, a frown in his eyes. “He didn't lead him on?”

  I laughed at the idea. “Rodney would never do that. He's a good person, a good friend. To all of us.”

  His frown deepened, and I watched as he stalked around the kitchen, his temper subsiding as he moved. “To me?”

  I nodded and perched on the corner of the kitchen table, watching him. “A very good friend to you.”

  He sighed and it was a frustrated sound.

  “Perhaps you could get the full story before you try and kill someone next time?” I said, inspecting my nails as I spoke. My words were light, though my tone wasn't, and I looked up, giving him the benefit of a cool expression. “I don't want to have to lock you up again.”

  “Don't you?” he glared at me, and I met his gaze, hoping he could tell I was being honest with him. Max stirred beside me, his teeth bared as he heard Corvus' tone.

  “No, Corvus, I really don't.”

  He looked away, his expression angry. He was lost here and enraged by it. He didn't know who to trust, who to believe.

  “I can't imagine how it must feel, to have everything about you stripped away,” I said, choosing my words with care. “I know you must feel cut adrift, suspicious of all of us. I accept that, but please try and believe me when I tell you we are all on your side. We aren't trying to trick you, we just want you back ... back where you belong.”

  I couldn't keep the catch from my voice, and he looked at me.

  “Where do I belong, Jéhenne?” he asked, not hiding the despair in his voice this time.

  I got up and walked closer to him, raising my hand and touching his cheek as he had to me, trying hard to keep my fingers from trembling. I could feel the tension in him, the way he was holding himself still, allowing me to touch him. “I can't tell you that,” I said, hoping he could hear the regret in my voice. “You have to find out for yourself, but I swear to you that I will help you if I can.”

  I dropped my hand and stepped back before I lost control and threw myself into his arms. “You'd best go and make amends with Kai,” I said, opening the kitchen door for him and trying to regain my composure. “He's had a wretched time today. I don't want him to lose your friendship too.”

  “Alone?” he asked in surprise.

  I nodded. “Yes. I trust you not to hurt him,” I said with a smile. “But you will report back to the guards as soon as you're done if you want to be free tomorrow night too.”

  He snorted. “Yes, Master.” The cool look was firmly back in place and my heart ached with regret, but I couldn't let him run loose. If the guards hadn't been with him he could have killed Rodney tonight. He wasn't to be trusted. Not yet. Not by a long way.

  I watched him go and closed the door, instructing the guards to report back to me before sunrise.

  I went and grabbed the massive kettle and filled it, putting it on the range cooker to boil. Deciding the drama was over for now, Max curled up as small as he could, and went to sleep on the floor. He still took up half the floor space so I had to go the long way around the kitchen to fetch the big brown teapot which Rodney swore had belonged to his mother. I tried to let the familiar ritual of warming the pot and adding the tea leaves sooth me but my mind was too full of everything I'd seen and heard tonight, and the lid clattered against the pot as my shaking hands tried to get it to fit.

  I'd just lifted it to pour when there was a fierce rush of energy and Sariel appeared in front of me. I dropped the pot in shock. Sariel reached out and grabbed it between both hands, apparently unconcerned by the heat, and placed it gently back on the worktop. I clutched at my chest and waited to see if my heart was going to start beating again. I gave him a pained expression. “Doesn't anyone around here ever knock,” I said in frustration. “One of these days I'm going to have a frigging heart attack.”

  “No,” he said with an amused look. “You're not.” I didn't like the way he said it and held out my hand.

  “Don't tell me ... Please, if you have some inside knowledge of when my number's up do me a favour and keep it to yourself.”

  He shook his head, his violet eyes laughing at me. “I couldn't say if I wanted to.”

  “Thank heaven for small mercies,” I said and he gave a low chuckle at my words.

  “Good save by the way,” I said as I picked up the pot again. “Rodney would have killed me if I broke this.” I lifted the pot towards him. “Want one?”
/>
  He looked at me in surprise, and I wondered if it was the first time he'd been offered a cup of tea. I guessed it wasn't most people's first thought when an angel appeared before them. Especially if he looked like Sariel. He was massive and muscular, built like a warrior - a seriously bad ass warrior. There was a deep scar across his bare chest and a pair of soft, moleskin trousers rode low on his hips. His feet were bare too.

  He watched with rapt attention as I selected another mug and added a drop of milk before I put the little tea strainer in place and poured.

  “One lump or two?” I asked, gesturing to the sugar bowl. He looked a little bewildered so I added one and handed it to him. “Help yourself if you want it sweeter.”

  He looked at the mug I'd chosen as I handed it to him and raised one eyebrow. It had a picture of the devil on it with ‘God is busy, can I help you?’ written on the side.

  I smirked at him. “Come on, you've got a sense of humour don't you?”

  He snorted and took a sip of the tea. I waited to see his reaction, and he pursed his lips before nodding and taking another taste.

  “So, what can I do for you, Sariel?” I asked, hoping he wasn't going to hit me with some major revelation or a demand to go get something he'd lost. I was all out of favours, and I figured we were even now.

  “As it happens, Jéhenne, I have something for you.” He moved back and Max scurried away out of the path of the massive wings that trailed over the kitchen floor leaving a faint trace of gold in their wake. “You are planning to use the Knife of Belial on Dis Pater?”

  There was little point in looking surprised. Of course he knew. “Yes,” I said. The idea of killing him with the knife that Corvus had used to sacrifice himself was something that appealed to me very deeply. “We figured he'll be a little more vulnerable here, and if we can trap him for long enough the knife should be able to finish the job.” The Knife of Belial had been made by demons and could kill anything, any supernatural creature, no matter how powerful.

  Sariel looked at me, his violet eyes thoughtful. “Your reasoning is sound,” he said, and I felt my heart sink.