“No way, numbnuts. We’re already here. No sense in turning around.” She didn’t look at him, knowing even that would give him a chance to slow down.
About five minutes later, they got to the square.
Both stopped and stared.
The place was packed. Hundreds of people were here, and none of them were shopping. The merchants had ceased trying to sell their goods and were standing with the rest of the crowd.
At the center of the square, guards stood in a box formation, shoulder to shoulder looking out.
A pole had been erected in the middle of their box, jutting up twenty feet into the air. A cage had been installed around the top of it, with the pole going through the middle and connecting with the top.
A man sat in the corner of that cage.
Wires or tubes were hooked to the man; Kris couldn’t be sure which. Each tube was inserted into his skin; the tubes were black, so Kris couldn’t see whether blood was being drained or some substance was flowing into the man.
A small box sat in the cage, and all the tubes connected to it. The box had a green amphorald on top, which was shining brightly. That box was doing something, although Kris didn’t have the first clue as to what.
“I told you,” Brighten whispered. “I told you we had no business leavin’ the house.”
“Hush. Let’s get closer.” Kris didn’t wait for him to respond but started working her way through the crowd of people. Brighten followed quickly, their old habits taking over. No one noticed the two kids moving among them, and no one looked down. They almost didn’t exist—and six weeks ago, if a crowd like this had gathered, Kris and Brighten would have made off with a lot of money.
Kris wasn’t concerned with wealth right now, though.
The man in the cage. He held her attention.
“You think it’s him?” she asked Brighten as they passed a huge blacksmith.
“I don’t know. I hope not, for everyone’s sake. Riley will unleash holy hell on these people,” Brighten answered.
The “him” Kris was referring to was New Perth’s Assistant Prefect. Kris and Brighten had both been briefed on him since he was the main reason these New Perthians had come here: to retrieve him.
“No farther,” Brighten cautioned, grabbing Kris’s arm.
She listened to him and stopped. They could see everything they needed from here.
The man was sweating, and he looked to be in a lot of pain. Whatever was happening with those wires wasn’t a good time, Kris felt sure of that.
“Who is that?” Kris asked a woman to her left. She put on her “kid” voice, one that adults took to mean she was lost and needed guidance. It usually worked well with marks when she needed to direct their attention elsewhere.
“One of the spies,” the woman spoke gruffly. She was clearly angry; she didn’t look away from the cage. “They threw him up there this morning. Supposedly he’s some royalty from New Perth. They found him in one of the raids they been doin’ on the houses.”
“What are all those tubes on him?” Kris asked.
The woman shook her head. “I ain’t sure. Rumor says it’s truth serum; something to make him tell where the rest of his kind are. I’m ready to get this war goin’. Show these New Perth assholes they can’t do whatever they want.”
Someone chucked what looked to be a rotten head of lettuce at the cage. It hit one of the bars and broke apart, and some of the leaves flew through and hit the man.
Another person slung an apple, and this one shot through the bars, hitting the Assistant Prefect squarely in the chest. He grimaced but made no noise.
Kris looked at Brighten. His face was nearly white as he stared up at the caged man.
“We need to go back,” she told him. “We have to tell Riley.”
“Now you want to go back? I didn’t want to come here in the first place.”
“Yeah, well, we’re lucky I’m brave instead of a scared-ass like you or no one would know,” Kris shot back. “Come on, let’s get the hell out of here.”
The two wound their way out of the crowd, heading back the way they’d come.
Kris couldn’t help herself as she left. Or rather, her hands couldn’t. They dipped into a few pockets, pulling out wallets and coins.
It was okay; no one noticed. Plus, all those jackasses were believing the bullshit in front of them: that the man up there was a spy instead of a victim. Nah, Kris was glad she’d made herself richer off those morons.
Truth be told, a few missing coins shouldn’t worry them. If that man up there was indeed the Assistant Prefect, they should be concerned about Riley’s wrath.
Chapter Eight
Riley listened to the kids talking, anger growing inside her like some savage animal.
Their words were mere background noise now.
The important things had already been said.
Mason was in a cage, captive in the kingdom square, with people watching him like some common criminal. Being laughed at, jeered at.
“What were those tubes?” Erin asked.
“Rendal is draining him,” Lucie answered. Her voice was grave.
Riley stopped pacing. “Draining him?”
Lucie nodded. “Yes. It’s why Rendal is so powerful. It’s what Pat originally told us about. He’s draining the parts of Mason that allow you and me to practice magic. Mason can’t practice it, but he still has the underlying ability. Rendal is taking it from him.”
“What happens if he finishes? If he takes all of it out of Mason?”
Lucie shrugged. “I’m not sure. Pat lived, and he’d been in Rendal’s clutches a long time, but when Rendal had me, I saw people die from it. I think it depends on how much is taken. Perhaps the body depends on it now, or maybe they just drain too much blood. I can’t say for certain.”
Riley closed her eyes and gripped her sword’s handle.
“I’m going to the square right now and freeing him.”
“No you’re not, skinny,” William finally spoke up. He’d listened to the entire conversation, keeping quiet as everyone else talked. “Why do you think he’s got Mason up there, Riley? He could have drained him in private. You’re supposed to be smart, but you don’t sound like it now.”
“I don’t care why he has him up there. He’s got him in a cage, and people are pelting him with fucking fruit!”
William nodded. “I know. I heard the same things as you. Nothing else Rendal tried is working, so this is his last attempt. He’s desperate; that’s why he’s using Mason. He wants you badly now, probably because you’re using magic. Going to him is stupid.”
Lucie raised her eyebrows. “Did someone kidnap William and put a person with a lick of intelligence in his place?”
“Ask Riley there what I can do with this mace,” William responded. “Keep yappin’, and I’ll show you myself.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Lucie said. “But he’s right, Riley. You go out there to get Mason and you’re gone, simple as that. He might not let you back out this time. He hasn’t thrown one of those necklaces on you, but if he does, you won’t be usin’ none of your magic against him. I promise you that.”
“Then what the fuck do we do?” Riley asked. She was beyond frustrated.
“We stay the course.” Verith stepped forward. “This doesn’t change anything besides our timeline. If he’s being drained in public, we need to get things moving faster. We’ve got to lay the groundwork for bringing the castle down. This may actually make things easier.”
“How’s that?” William asked.
“Mason isn’t in the castle, so we don’t have to worry about getting him out. Rendal did that for us.”
“How close are we to having the castle laced with explosives?” Riley still gripped her sword, her anger not dissipating.
“I have the explosives.” Erin grinned.
William turned to her. “How did you get them?”
“Oh, I’ve got my ways.” Erin winked. “Not everyone in the army buys the shit Rend
al is selling. I’ve met some people who are on our side, even if they don’t know exactly who we are.”
“So what’s next?” Riley asked.
Verith looked at Lucie. “How long does it take to drain someone?”
“I can’t say for certain,” Lucie pondered. “I’d imagine it depends on a lot of factors: the individual’s strength, and how fast they’re draining him. I mean, I can’t even guess.”
Riley was done with the conversation. It was time to take control. Time to get Mason back.
“Then we’ll go off the assumption that he has a few days at most before we’ll be looking at a skeleton in that damned cage.” She turned to Verith. “Can you do it? Can you bring the castle down?”
He nodded. “It won’t be easy, and I’ll need everyone’s help, but it should be possible.”
Brighten swallowed. Riley could tell he wanted to offer some kind of protest, but he managed to keep it inside.
“All right, then,” Riley told the group. “Our Assistant Prefect is in danger, and we’ve got fucking work to do. Verith, you’re in charge. And everyone in here, you’re going to listen to him. He tells you to jump, you ask ‘how high?’”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Excuse me,” Riley whispered and left the room.
She wanted to be alone, even though she knew she would be needed shortly. She had to get herself under control. She’d kept her rage from overflowing in front of them, but that didn’t mean she could keep it at bay forever.
Riley headed downstairs, going to the basement where she and Eric practiced their sword work.
She reached the bottom of the stairs and felt her hands shaking.
A few moments later, William’s loud footfalls filled the basement.
Riley turned around and saw him coming down the stairs.
“What?” she asked angrily.
William smiled but didn’t stop. “Always so mean to me, and I’m nothin’ but sweet to you all the time.”
Riley turned back around, anger filling her eyes with tears.
“What’s botherin’ ya, skinny?” William asked as he reached the basement.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Riley couldn’t believe the question. “Mason is being drained in public. What do you think is wrong with me?”
“You’re forgettin’ who ya are, Riley. You’re letting Rendal control your emotions, and that’s exactly what he wants.”
“Well, then he’s getting it, because all I want to do is bring that damned castle down by myself.” Riley’s hands were balled into fists.
“I ain’t been right this whole time.” William remained near the bottom step, not getting closer to Riley. “I probably wasn’t right about goin’ to the ship back on that island. I’ve probably been too aggressive about a lot of this, but I can afford to be. Rendal just wants to kill me. He wants to use you, so you’ve gotta be smarter than that.”
She whipped around. “You don’t think I’ve been smart?”
He shrugged, grinning. “You brought your violence with you, that’s for sure, but you might have left some of your brains back in New Perth. I mean, for goodness’s sake, Riley! You left the damn kingdom thinking that would keep Rendal from attacking. Does that appear smart, looking back now?”
Riley let her hands relax. It seemed ridiculous that she’d done that, and if she were honest, that was what had caused Mason’s kidnapping.
“And Worth told you to stay out in the desert, but here you are,” William continued. “I’m not going to judge that too harshly one way or the other, but it seems like maybe he was right. Because now you’re here, and Rendal knows it. What did he do? He threw Mason in a cage and started draining him, whatever the fuck that means.”
“So what are you saying?” Riley asked. “That I should just not go after this damned mage who is bent on killing everyone?”
William chuckled. “I really do fear for him when you finally have the power to kill him. That sonofabitch is in for a terror he isn’t expecting.” He shook his head. “No, I’m not saying you should let him kill everyone and not try to stop him. That’s not what we do as Right Hands. What I’m saying is that you and I have been wrong about much of this; that going in headfirst isn’t working.”
Riley just looked at William, unsure what to say.
“Mason isn’t weak. We both know that. He’s endured Rendal for weeks, so he’s not going to keel over and die because they’re draining blood from him or whatever the hell they’re doing. He can last a couple of days, I’m sure of that. Let Verith do his thing. Let him bring down the castle.”
William stopped talking for a second and smiled widely.
“Plus, I think there’s some stuff we can do in the meantime that might make you a bit happier.”
Riley’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”
“Just trust me.” With that, William winked and started back up the stairs.
They waited until nightfall, and they brought Thomas with them.
“I’d rather bring Worth,” William said.
“Hey, this is your idea,” Riley told him. “Between the two of them, Thomas has a better mastery of Psychic magic. If we want this to work, we need him.”
“See?” William grumbled. “You should have stayed out in the desert. Then you could have learned what ya needed to and not have saddled me with this asshat.”
“My Savior, is it necessary that he continue existing?” Thomas asked. “I could kill him easily if you’re okay with it.”
Riley laughed. “Yes, his existence is necessary.”
“I wish he would try to kill me,” William retorted. “It’d be the last thing he ever tried, I guarantee that.”
“Okay, you two hush it,” Riley commanded. “All this nonsense is going to get us caught.”
The streets were mostly empty as the three moved through them. It was a risk for William to be out here, but he had decided to take it.
The streets were empty because no one wanted to be seen by a guard. The citizenry was terrified of anyone even possibly thinking they might have something to do with the New Perthian spies.
Hiding inside, especially at night, helped ensure their safety.
Brighten and Kris had explained to Riley where to go. They knew the kingdom square like the back of their hands, so it was easy for them to draw out a relatively detailed map.
Riley knew that Verith needed them for other things tonight, so bringing them on this mission hadn’t been feasible.
They found the building easily, the kids’ directions flawless.
“You first,” William said.
They were at the back of the building and a ladder was attached to the wall, allowing the proprietor to get to the roof whenever he wanted.
“Thomas the Asshat is going last,” William continued. “If I fall, I want to land on him.”
“If you fall,” Thomas said, “we won’t have to worry about blowing up the castle. You’ll bring the whole city down with your fat ass.”
Riley chuckled.
“That’s funny, huh?” William asked.
“Yeah, he wins that round.” She started up the ladder before William could say anything else.
The three of them climbed to the roof.
Riley could see Mason with no trouble. Four large fires burned around the cage and those standing guard. They lit everything up perfectly so that the entire city could see.
Just like Rendal wanted.
“He doesn’t look good,” Riley whispered.
“Hell, we probably don’t look good either,” William responded. “Or you don’t look good. I do, of course. But my point is, it’s been a trying time for everybody. It might not have anything to do with that cage and the draining.”
Riley knew William was trying to make her feel better. Mason was clearly feeling the draining. His skin was pale, and sweat slicked his face.
There looked to be a jug of water in the cage’s corner, so at least they were giving him liquids.
“Try to throw me off the building. My Savior, are you ready?”
Riley shook her head at the title. “Yeah, go ahead, Thomas. And just call me Riley.”
Thomas’s eyes lit red as he reached out to Mason.
Riley really needed to learn Psychic Magic. She thought that in some ways, it was the most powerful of all the forms.
“What are you saying?” she asked.
But she hadn’t needed to.
Mason’s eyes focused on their building almost immediately. He started to stand, but quickly froze, then sat back down. His eyes never left them, though.
“He sees us,” she whispered.
“Yes. I told him we’re here.”
“You can read his mind?” Riley asked Thomas.
“Yes. We can converse.”
“What’s he saying?” She could barely contain her excitement.
Thomas gave a slight smirk. “He said William looks like he’s put on fifty pounds since the last time he saw the Right Hand.”
William’s head snapped to Thomas. “No, he didn’t!”
Thomas nodded. “Sure did.”
“Tell him we’re going to save him,” Riley instructed. “Tell him he just has to hold on for a few more days.”
Thomas was quiet for a second as he passed on the information, then he said, “The Assistant Prefect told you to take your time. He’s enjoying the view as well while having his blood drained.”
Now Riley turned to Thomas. “Tell him to quit being a smartass.”
Thomas nodded. “Mason says if that’s the case, you two need to get off your asses and come save him, because if you hadn’t noticed, he’s dying.”
William chuckled and shook his head. “At least his spirits are up.”
“Tell him we’re working on it,” Riley commanded. “Tell him if he doesn’t quit being a jackass, we may just leave him in there and save the rest of the kingdom.”
“Yes, my Savior.”
A few more seconds passed, and then Thomas looked at Riley, his eyes still red. “He says you have to be careful. Both of you, although I would be okay if William wasn’t so careful. He says Rendal’s power is growing, and not just his magic. He’s controlling everyone and everything. He has everything planned out.”
Hand of Justice Boxed Set (Books 1 - 4): The Dark Mage, Chasing Magic, Magic Rising, Magic Unchained Page 51