Chaos Bound

by Rebekah Turner

  The only other occupant was Gideon, who had claimed the cot and was snoring off his hangover. This wasn’t the first time I'd been in a City Watch cell. Hellfires, it wasn’t even the first time I'd shared a cell with Gideon. It was, however, the first time I'd been locked up on suspicion of murder. Now, my hands were wrapped around the bars as I waited for Crowhurst to tell me if we had bail.

  ‘I'm not surprised you got arrested, really.’ Crowhurst’s eyes trailed over my outfit. ‘That dress is a crime against fashion.’

  ‘You’re a funny guy,’ I growled. I'd lost my hat somewhere during the night and counted it as the one good thing to come of the party.

  He gave me a smile with tired edges. ‘A lawyer is being organised, so you should be out soon.’

  Worry sat in my stomach like a rock. I hoped Roman had made it back to the Order and was resting. What had happened, what I had seen him do, I was sure it had been just a break of his control, a moment of blind anger. It hadn’t been a berserker rage. I wouldn’t allow it to be.

  I knuckled my gritty eyes, feeling close to curling up and taking a nap on the cold ground next to Gideon. My internal clock told me it was sunrise, and my brain was sending signals it was ready to shut down and take me with it.

  ‘The official line is that the man was insane,’ Crowhurst said. ‘He terrorised the party in a werewolf costume, before being killed by you, apparently in self-defence.’

  ‘He wasn’t in costume,’ I said quietly. ‘He was a griorwolf.’

  ‘Did you tell anyone that yet?’

  ‘Not yet.’

  Crowhurst shook his head. ‘As far as most citizens are concerned, griorwolves no longer exist. I think my kind would appreciate you keeping it that way.’

  ‘Who was it? Do we know his identity yet?’

  Crowhurst shoved his hands into his coat, hunching his shoulders. ‘It was Jonas Grundler.’

  I leant my forehead against the bars, the cold iron soothing my hot forehead. ‘You can’t be serious.’

  ‘What happened, Lora?’ Crowhurst asked softly. ‘Did he say anything to you?’

  ‘He attacked me. I had no choice but to kill him.’

  Scepticism rolled through Crowhurst’s eyes. ‘It’s just us, Lora. You don’t need to pretend.’

  I moved away from the bars with a sigh. ‘I hexed him. He died. It’s that simple.’

  ‘Takes a lot of magic to fuel a hex like that,’ Crowhurst said. ‘I didn’t think you had that kind of power, even with your special punchy salt mix.’

  ‘Guess I'm stronger than you thought. I mean, you remember the whole female nephilim thing, right? Potential wielder of the almighty chaos power?’

  ‘Thought you didn’t know how to use that style of magic. Thought you didn’t want to. Thought that chaos magic was a one way ticket to Lora-crazy-land.’

  I shrugged. ‘Somehow I had the strength to do what I did. He was going to kill me. I had no choice but to fight back with everything I had.’

  Crowhurst stepped close to the bars, looking more distressed than annoyed. ‘I believe Grundler was going to kill you. I just don’t believe you ripped a hole in his chest. Why are you lying? You’re going to be dragged before the Order of Guides and put on trial for the crime of darkcraft. Do you understand how serious that is?’

  ‘I know, I know.’ I flapped my hands about. ‘What can I do? I have to get a good lawyer. I’ll get him to explain it was self-defence, given I wasn’t the one with razor teeth and five-inch claws.’

  ‘You know what I think?’ Crowhurst asked. ‘Your friend, Hallow, mentioned that Regulator was there, Roman. I'll wager you he did this, and you’re covering for him.’

  ‘Seth’s here?’ My eyes flicked behind Crowhurst, as if expecting him to appear.

  Crowhurst rolled his eyes, as if I'd asked a stupid question. ‘Who do you think is pulling all the strings to get you bailed out? He doesn’t think you did it either. Be honest. Was it Roman? Was he there with you?’

  ‘I don’t recall seeing a Regulator at the party.’

  Crowhurst’s jaw worked a bit, before he said between clenched teeth, ‘These nephilim, when they go nuts, they go all nuts. If it was Roman, he needs to be dealt with.’

  ‘You’re giving me a headache,’ I complained. ‘Why don’t you take your doom and gloom somewhere else. Better yet, why don’t you get me a coffee?’

  ‘You need to report Roman to the Grigori,’ Crowhurst continued, ignoring my order.

  My lips tightened, but I kept silent. A feeling of responsibility was winding tight around my chest. If I hadn’t been at the party, Roman wouldn’t have been there either. ‘Any ideas on why Grundler was at Grogan’s estate in the first place?’ I asked, changing the subject.

  ‘Nothing solid. The City Watch report says Grundler was bruised up, like someone had done a number on him. Grogan is claiming he doesn’t know who Jonas Grundler was, nor how he got onto his property.’

  ‘Maybe Grundler was working there,’ I mused. ‘Maybe he was hiding out. Grogan wouldn’t know everyone in his household. Doesn’t explain why he looked like he’d been worked over though, or why his beast was deformed.’

  I remembered Crowhurst’s cousin, Eli, back at the Gypsy Quarter, telling me about the effects of drugs on griorwolves. My eyes met Crowhurst’s and I saw he’d already reached that conclusion.

  ‘Rapture.’ He nodded. ‘Guess Jonas Grundler was loaded up with it.’

  ‘Why would a griorwolf use rapture? And why was he at the Grogan estate?’ I yawned, unable to help myself. ‘Where did he come from?’

  ‘I'm on my way to the morgue to inspect Grundler’s body for myself. Then I'll go to the Quarter to check on his mother.’ His head cocked to the side with a sharp movement. ‘Someone’s coming.’

  A man in a Regulator uniform entered the hallway and I immediately recognised the plaited beard and sea-blue eyes. ‘Regulator Kruger.’ I wondered if he was here to drag me to the Order. Kruger was a human and the last time I'd seen him, he’d been in Roman’s Witch Hunter unit. ‘Are you here on official business?’

  ‘Lady Blackgoat.’ Kruger looked at Crowhurst. ‘Would you give us a moment of privacy please?’

  Crowhurst looked at me questioningly. I nodded, letting him know I'd be fine and he left, shoulders slumped. Considering he was going to visit Grundler’s mother, he probably felt the weight of Jonas’s death just as heavily as I did.

  I forced myself to keep silent until Kruger revealed why he was here. The desire to ask about Roman was like a physical need. I needed to know where he was, wanted to know he’d made it back to the Order.

  Kruger’s expression grew grave. ‘Do you know where he is?’

  Panic rattled through my chest. So Roman hadn’t returned to the compound. Then, where was he?

  I put my poker face in play. ‘Who?’

  Kruger pulled at his plaited beard. ‘Regulator Roman has been leaving the compound a lot these last few weeks. His brothers have been covering for him, but the absences have been noted. This morning he didn’t show up for his classes. I've got a small window of time to deal with this. He needs to return to the Order before he gets in serious trouble.’

  I hesitated. When I'd first met Kruger, he’d shown loyalty to Roman, but how far did that loyalty stretch? The image of the glen flashed in my mind. If Roman wasn’t at the Order, I knew it was the one place he would have most likely gone. My mind whirled, trying to sort through what I could reveal, and what I had to keep hidden. Underpinning it all was the worry that something was very wrong with Roman and Kruger could help me somehow.

  ‘I don’t know where he is,’ I said finally.

  ‘Everyone was surprised when he stepped down from his role as Sergeant,’ Kruger said. ‘Did you ask him to do it?’

  My eyebrows snapped together. ‘Of course not.’

  Kruger tucked his hands behind his back and paced in front of the cell. ‘When I confronted Roman about quitting his unit, and his unexplained absen
ces, he confessed to me what you were.’ He paused mid-step, glancing at me for confirmation. When I said nothing, he continued to pace. ‘He told me you were nephilim. Is that true?’

  I arched an eyebrow. ‘Do I look like one?’

  ‘Looks can be deceiving. I thought he was making it up, or that somehow you had bewitched him.’ Kruger looked pointedly at my hair. I caught one of my hands before I could lift it, as if I could cover the black streaks and roots without him noticing. ‘Now I'm not so sure he was. There are a lot of rumours flying around about you, and they had to come from somewhere.’

  ‘What kind of rumours?’ I asked, curious as to who was starting them.

  Kruger dodged the question. ‘Do you know what it means to the nephilim to discover there is a female of their kind in existence?’

  ‘That they’ve gained a little sister?’ I flashed half a dimple.

  ‘Nephilim are possessive, violent males who’ve been raised in a life of servitude. They are taught to forsake all earthly possessions for the cause they were born for. They are taught that nothing matters but to serve the Grigori.’

  ‘What’s your point?’

  Kruger stopped pacing and came up to the bars, eyes cold. ‘My point is, your existence could make the nephilim start to think outside of the world of violence and obedience the Grigori whipped into them. You’re an unknown factor. A variable. The Grigori might still think you are a Witch Hunter, but sooner or later, they will believe the rumours.’

  ‘How? My disguise is a pretty damned good one. Fooled me for nearly thirty years.’ I realised I was touching the charm around my neck, and dropped my hand.

  Kruger gave a tired sigh. ‘So it’s true.’

  ‘So? What do you care?’ I felt like stamping a foot and throwing a tantrum. ‘This isn’t the issue. You said Roman’s missing. We need to find him.’

  ‘Was he with you?’ Kruger shot back. ‘Was he involved with what happened at that society event last night? I heard there was a murder.’

  My pause was a split second too long. ‘He wasn’t there.’

  Kruger cursed bitterly. ‘Where is he?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ I rubbed my eyes. ‘But if he came to me for help, why would I tell you? Sounds like you’d just turn him in.’

  Kruger’s lips thinned. ‘You think this doesn’t kill me? Roman is my brother-in-arms. I need to find him before this situation gets out of hand. I've even had a man stationed near that cave of his, in case he turns up there.’

  His words punched through my thoughts and I felt suddenly breathless. ‘How do know —’

  The words spilled from my lips before I could stop them. Kruger made a small, weary gesture. ‘You don’t think the Grigori knew about his little retreat? That it wasn’t a red mark against him?’

  ‘How is it you knew about the cave?’ I pressed.

  Kruger’s eyes flickered. ‘He told me once.’

  ‘You’re lying. Roman said no-one knew of it. You know what I think? The only way you know about that place is because you’ve been following him. Because maybe that’s your job, right? Keeping an eye on him? What a real friend you are.’

  Kruger caught my bitter tone, and his forehead creased. ‘I am his friend. You need to contact me if he comes to you.’

  ‘I'll think about it.’ The lie slipped smooth off my tongue. When I found Roman, I wasn’t thinking about turning him over. I was going to help him get as far away from the Grigori as possible.

  Chapter 15

  I sat in Seth’s kitchen, listening to the lawyer talk. Apparently there were terms for my release, which Seth had arranged. I was still allowed to work and travel, but I had to stay in Seth’s custody. With those kind of terms on my freedom, I was left wondering if I'd rather stay in the City Watch jail.

  Seth’s home was on Gilsen Street. It was a polite neighbourhood, where the hedges were trimmed weekly, women wore expensive shoes and men tipped their hats when you passed them on the street.

  Seth’s kitchen was a full house. I nursed a black coffee at the kitchen table while Gideon sat next to me, drooping under his hangover. Seth lounged across the table, picking at the plate of the sweet pastries Orella had bought with her. The elf-witch stood by the stove, casting dark looks at Seth, as if she blamed him for everything. The hired lawyer sat beside Seth, looking tiny in a suit two sizes too big. His glasses swallowed half his face, and he chewed his nails as if he had a nervous disposition. I'd signed the forms he’d passed me, and they sat neatly stacked in front of him.

  Sipping my coffee, I asked him to repeat what he’d just said, my mind distracted with concern for Roman. I wanted to start searching for him, but knew it would be difficult to get away, now I was under scrutiny for Grundler’s murder.

  The lawyer adjusted his glasses. ‘I said, you will be charged with manslaughter by the Order. That’s standard procedure in a death where darkcraft is suspected. The trial is set up for three days from now, at noon. I will meet you here and we’ll go over some last minute notes before travelling to the Order together.’ He looked across the table and at my ripped and bloody dress. ‘I suggest you wear something conservative.’

  ‘You have a good case that it was self-defence,’ Seth told me. ‘There were enough witnesses in the ballroom.’

  ‘The real problem is that there were no witnesses to the attack in the maze.’ The lawyer gathered up the forms and tucked them into a leather satchel. ‘It all hinges on her say-so.’

  ‘Do you think the Order will believe her?’ Gideon rasped.

  ‘Helloooo.’ I waved a hand. ‘Sitting right here?’

  ‘If she doesn’t go around killing anyone else in the next few days, I should be able to side-step the issue about how she knew the darkcraft spell in the first place.’ The lawyer frowned at me. ‘Do you think that’s possible? Not killing anyone?’

  I touched fingertips to my chest. ‘What do you take me for?’

  He sniffed. ‘I've heard some very bleak stories about you.’

  ‘Don’t believe every bleak story you hear.’

  ‘I heard your nickname was White Death.’

  I buried my head in my hands and gave a soft groan.

  The lawyer cleared his throat. ‘Though your terms say you can still work, I would suggest you cancel any jobs you have until this has been cleared up. If anything else questionable happens, it will muddy the waters.’

  I lowered my hands and raised my head. ‘How am I going to pay my bills?’

  His face grew concerned. ‘I hope you don’t mean: how are you going to pay my bill?’

  ‘Don’t worry about that.’ Seth got to his feet to escort the small bespectacled man out. ‘I'll tap some contacts and make sure Lora has someone else on her side at the trial. I guarantee she’ll walk out of this thing with just a slap on the wrist.’

  Gideon watched Seth depart the kitchen with the lawyer, then stood with a long-suffering sigh. ‘I will take my leave also.’ He wrinkled his nose. ‘I need a very long bath.’

  ‘I don’t trust Hallow,’ Orella said to me. ‘You shouldn’t either.’

  ‘Lora will be fine, mother hen.’ Gideon walked over to her, placing his hands on her small shoulders. ‘There is not much that can be done at this point.’

  Orella squinted up at him with her good eye. ‘I don’t trust him.’ Her eye shifted to me. ‘You know you can’t trust him either. Everything he does is self-serving. He can’t help it, it’s in his nature.’

  ‘He’s never done anything wrong by me.’ I instantly regretted my words. Why was I standing up for him?

  Seth returned to the kitchen, hesitating when he saw the vein pulsing in Orella’s forehead. ‘Lora will be safe here, I give you my word.’

  ‘Your word is no good to me,’ Orella growled. ‘Once a hellspawn, always a hellspawn.’

  Seth threw his hands up. ‘Must I wear my past like a yoke around my neck? Don’t you believe in people changing? From what I've heard, your past wasn’t full of saintly acts either.’


  ‘Don’t you compare our pasts.’ Orella’s voice rose. ‘Anything I did when I was young was out of necessity to survive.’

  ‘You don’t think maybe that’s how I lived as well?’ Seth shot back.

  ‘I'm in his debt,’ I reminded Orella. ‘He bailed Gideon and myself out of jail.’

  ‘Haven’t you wondered what it takes for a hellspawn to be cast out of The Pit?’ Orella snapped at me.

  Seth shot a hand through his hair.’ I won’t deny I was attracted to the idea of power, but I am Lora’s friend, whether she wants me or not. If I seek her company, it’s because I care for her.’

  ‘Gods above.’ Gideon pinched the bridge of his stubby nose. ‘It’s too early for this kind of soap opera.’

  I tried to remind myself Seth was a bastard who’d concealed his identity from me. He was a fallen demon, who’d no doubt committed all sorts of horrible crimes in his past life. An inner voice piped up, reminding that Seth had never done anything wrong by me. If anything, he’d always gone out of his way to show me he cared, at least, in his own way.

  Seth moved to the table, and lifted a hand to smooth down my hair and my tired thoughts began to tumble over each other. His familiar touch was comforting, and I let my grievance with his deceit fall away. I took his hand and squeezed it, feeling any anger I had with him subside for now. Whatever his motivation for concealing his past, all I knew was: I needed him now and he was here for me.

  Chapter 16

  After Orella and Gideon had left, Seth noticed my drooping eyelids and sent me to his spare room to lie down. Despite my concern for Roman’s whereabouts, I was too tired to resist a few hours sleep. Stumbling into the appointed spare bedroom, I stripped out of my dress and leg-brace before flopping onto the bed in my underwear. I was still thinking of Roman when I fell into the welcome abyss of sleep.

  The city clock bell rang out at noon, waking me from a restless nightmare I couldn’t remember. I sat up and wiped the drool around my mouth. Re-strapping my leg, and reluctantly struggling back into the dress, I went to the kitchen in search of coffee.