A Shaper's Birthright

by Karen MacRae

  Fifteen minutes later, the battered girl had told them what little she knew. Elona slit her throat. “Pyteor and I have to run an errand, boys. Tidy up then go get me the girlfriend.”

  Pyteor wondered what errand he and Elona had to do then realised it must be nearly sixteen o’clock. It was time for the Reader to give thanks to a certain slime ball of a professor.

  CHAPTER 38

  K ean wondered why a yellow-gowned woman and a violet-gowned man would be sneaking out of Ugly Ebdry’s house by the back door. The woman had her eyes on people loitering over the road rather than on the image the Concealer would be focusing on so the man was the Concealer. A fairly decent one too, although he needed some extra tuition on his leading edges: they were terrible. He decided to follow. He had nothing better to do.

  He’d hung around outside the house they’d gone into for quarter of an hour, but all was quiet. He’d just decided to head home when two indigo-gowned students arrived, smirking and holding up a very drunk lilac-robed girl between them. The door to the grubby house opened and closed quickly to swallow them up. Something was very wrong here. He gradually altered his appearance to a middle-aged woman and crossed the lane as if he had every right to be there. He looked in as he got to the small window, but years of grime blocked the view. He could hear the girl’s slurred pleading though. He pretended to tie a shoelace. All he could hear were muffled sounds but wasn’t sure what they were. His stomach lurched with nausea as he worked it out. They were hitting her. Hard.

  There was little point in trying to save her by himself. He’d always been rubbish at fighting and was seriously outnumbered. There was also no point trying to recruit locals round here; they were much too well-practised in turning a blind eye. He set off at a run. The nearest guard post was more than a mile away. He prayed they’d make it back in time to save her.

  Inside the tiny house, Elona passed a knife to the blonde. He grinned his thanks. His bleeding knuckles tightened on the handle before he ran the point of the blade down the girl’s cheek, slicing it nearly to the bone. “Tell us more or I do the same to your breasts,” he said gruffly, pressing the knife tip just below her right nipple. His partner let go of the girl’s battered mouth and she sobbed loudly.

  “I swear, I don’t know any more. Please, please stop. Please let me go. I won’t tell anyone. I swear. Not a word…”

  “We know you know more than you’re saying. Your friend over there told us Leo’s your boyfriend.”

  The girl’s eyes glanced at the two broken and bloodied bodies lying in the filthy corner. She drew breath to scream, but the dark-haired boy pressed his hand to her mouth again. “Don’t even think of it,” he growled in her ear.

  The woman in the tacky red dress stepped forward. She spoke to her softly, almost kindly, but her eyes were ice cold. “All we want to know is how to find Leo. We don’t want to kill him. We just want him to help us with a book in the restricted section. Tell us how to find him and we’ll let you go. So easy. Leo helps us with a book and you and he get to live happily ever after.”

  Elona saw confusion colour the fear in the girl’s eyes and aura. She squatted to the girl’s height and patted her hand. Her voice was still soft as she snapped the joint of the index finger, speaking over the girl’s muffled screams. “Isn’t it extraordinary how painful a broken finger is? I’m going to stop at three then you are going to tell me everything. If you don’t, I’m going to break the rest and then I’m going to start pulling out your fingernails. Then your teeth. That is such fun. For me, at least. Then the boys are going to have their fun with you. I do so enjoy watching that.”

  The girl couldn’t speak quickly enough when the hand left her mouth. “Leo can’t get anything out of the restricted section. No one can. Everything’s alarmed. I swear. He can’t.”

  “We don’t want a book. We want its contents.”

  “But Leo won’t know. He’s not High Quorum. Only HQ members are allowed to read the books in the restricted section. Even the librarians.”

  “Are you telling me Leo won’t be able to tell us the details?” Elona snarled.

  The girl shook her head, relief and hope that she might at least have saved Leo mixing with the pain and fear in her aura. “He only knows what’s in the Index. You know, the cards the library keeps that list the topics in restricted books? So the librarians can help HQ members find books on particular topics?”

  “Then who can tell us?” Elona spat.

  “Only an HQ member who’s read them.”

  The Reader could see the girl was holding back. She took up an unbroken finger and raised a brow at the girl.

  “And Professor Kirklund,” she admitted, beaten. “She’s read everything and never forgets, just like Leo.”

  “How do we get to Kirklund?” Elona asked.

  “She’s with the Inner Quorum for the entire festival. She even sleeps in the library apartment for the whole two weeks. You can’t get to her.”

  Elona looked closely at the girl’s aura. She wasn’t lying. She might be wrong, but she thought she was telling the truth. The Reader looked at the dark-haired student and flicked a finger across her throat.

  He smiled as he drew his dagger, his eyes alight with glee. He put his left hand over the girl’s mouth and pulled back her head to expose her throat. The blade slashed through the pale skin without hesitation, a lifetime of violent daydreams guiding his hand. Blood gurgled, spilling over her naked body.

  The blonde, not wanting his friend to have all the glory, rammed his knife into the girl’s heart. The pair stood over their first human conquest and sighed with pleasure. The blonde smeared his hand in the girl’s blood and daubed his partner’s lips. He pulled the other boy into a passionate kiss, his tongue licking off every hint of red.

  Well, that explained their disinterest when they’d seen her in the red dress, thought Elona. They were equally disinterested as she got Pyteor to undo its buttons and when she stood there in her skimpy underwear before pulling on the more demure, blue outfit and her black wig. In contrast, she knew Pyteor was trying desperately not to react to her body, but she also knew she’d get him in the end. It was becoming a bit of a personal challenge.

  By habit, she checked her daggers were hidden before donning her yellow gown and throwing the heavy rucksack over her shoulder. The students pulled away from each other when they heard her speak. “Make it look like they were raped then go find someone who knows the full festival timetable. We’ll dump the bodies when it’s dark. I need to check in with our other men. Pyteor, you’re in charge until I get back.”

  Three young men looked at her with determined eyes. “We’ll find someone at Arthur’s,” the blonde student said proudly. “You can depend on us.”

  When they’d finished with the girls, the students led Pyteor to a dingy inn not far from the safehouse. It was a strange place, full of smoke and dim light apart from the back wall where torches shone brightly. The boys gave Pyteor strict instructions to keep his hood up and stay put at the table they’d chosen.

  As soon as the scantily clad server brought their drinks, the boys pulled back their hoods to reveal their faces and went to lean against the wall with the other men and women who rested there. They leaned over occasionally to retrieve their drinks and take a sip. Otherwise they just stood there, waiting.

  It didn’t take long for the first approach. Echiba shook his head at the blue-robed, middle-aged man who moved off to find another pale-skinned boy with his hood down.

  It was half an hour before an elderly, lilac-gowned man approached Sandon. After a quick, whispered negotiation, the pair disappeared through a nearby door together. It didn’t take long. The older man left first, his hood firmly in place. Sandon slipped some silver to the woman on the door then resumed his position against the wall. He saw Pyteor’s sneer.

  “You can think of a better way to earn enough to pay the fees?” he hissed.

  Pyteor shrugged, pretending indifference. He’d rather not g
o to University at all if it meant prostituting himself out to old men. He grew increasingly bored as the boys worked their way through five more customers and had just decided to spend a bit of silver on a very cute and deliciously plump, blonde girl at the other end of the wall when one of the puppies struck gold.

  “The skinny bloke bought the story we’re trying to sneak into the Promotion ceremony for a bet. He says he’ll get us a copy of the timetable for a freebie with both of us. He goes on duty at one o’clock. They’re working overtime to get everything ready for the opening ceremony. We’ve to meet him round the back of Admin just after one.”

  Pyteor looked at the cute girl with a twinge of regret. It served him right for not having a go with Leo’s girlfriend. She might have been covered in blood, but she’d been free of vomit, she’d had an acceptable pair of breasts and she’d still been warm. Next time, he wouldn’t be so fussy.

  While the boys had been sourcing a timetable, Elona had deposited the bulk of the gold in a safe place then spent a pleasant hour or so with the Captain and a very obliging serving girl at the Damsel’s Arms to erase every memory of her encounter with Ebdry, the disgustingly flabby, wet fish.

  The fine mood the Captain’s surprise visit had generated dissipated as soon as she spotted a guard watching the safehouse. She ducked down a side alley and worked her way through the narrow lanes to get to the rear. Another guard stood watch, his eyes fixed on the back door. She put a hand on her dagger, tempted to use it, but decided it was better not to enrage the King’s Guard by killing one of their own. She stood in the shadows and took off her yellow gown, turning it inside out so only the nondescript lining showed. She stuffed the black wig into the middle of the gown to make a parcel then pulled down the front of her dress and unbound her long, blonde hair until it was flowing around her shoulders. It, and her cleavage, would dominate any description. Prepared, she walked forward, her heels striking the ground firmly to alert the guard to approaching footsteps.

  “Good evening, guard. Is everything all right?” she asked.

  “Nothing to concern you, miss. Best find another route tonight.”

  “Oh, sir!” she exclaimed, stepping forward so the moonlight reflected in her hair. She pressed a hand to her bosom in pretend fear. “Is it safe?” she asked, her voice wavering.

  His desire to warn the owner of this wonderful pair of… this innocent female overwhelmed the guard’s order to keep his mouth shut. “Terrible doings, miss. Violence and murder!” he confided in a low voice. “But don’t you worry, there are guards all over, miss. We’ll catch him,” he told her confidently.

  “Oh, thank you, sir. I think I’ll head straight home. I could do with a night off.” Elona rushed back the way she’d come as if she were terrified of being the next victim. She was confident the guard wouldn’t remember her face.

  She found Arthur’s without much difficulty. Her timing was perfect: the boys were just leaving. “The safehouse is compromised,” she whispered to the Concealer as she took his arm to weave through the busy traffic together. The students tagged along behind.

  “How?” Pyteor asked, horrified.

  “No idea, but there’s a guard on the front and the back and more in the area. You raped the girls like I told you to?”

  “The lads used a bottle on them and cut and beat them up some more. They… encouraged each other into leaving some… substances too.”

  Elona laughed. “I can’t believe you are such a prude. Still, it sounds good enough. They won’t think it’s to do with the colour of their gowns. Have the puppies come through with a new victim yet?”

  “Better. They’re getting a copy of an Inner Quorum timetable from a man in Admin.”

  Elona nodded her approval. “I have one more thing to do tonight. Come with me in case I need to disappear. We’ll see the boys back at theirs.”

  Pyteor found himself somewhere to watch the Reader in action. Much as he admired how easily she got most men to eat out of her hand, he felt ashamed of his sex. They were so gullible. He watched her swoon into the arms of one of the Quorum Guards and sneered at the man’s predictable reaction. He wondered if she also had a minor gift in seduction. It would certainly explain a lot. He watched on as three guards abandoned their posts and half carried the beauty inside the office. Pathetic.

  The three men helped Elona to a chair and crouched by her, patting her hand and shoulder, assuring her they would do all they could to help her while admiring the way her gown had fallen away from her shoulders to reveal two exceptionally fine assets stretching the blue fabric to near ripping. Only the Major’s bellow got them running back to their post.

  The woman’s distress was evident. She muttered repeatedly about the awful truth she’d discovered, her chest heaving with each breath. The Major was finding it impossible to take his eyes off it, so concerned he was for her… health.

  “I don’t know who I should talk to! Can you help me?” she cried, her huge blue eyes brimming with tears.

  “Of course, young lady, of course! You can trust me,” the Major said reassuringly, his heart melting for this delicate female.

  “Is there somewhere private we can talk?” she asked, her voice breathless, hope and trust shining through her tears.

  The Major ushered the beauty into his office, his nostrils flaring at the nearness of her heady perfume as she passed him at the door. He took a moment to admire the superb creature as she threw off her Humanity yellow gown and began pacing before him. Clothed in soft, blue velvet and matching silk, her glowing blonde hair piled up in an intricate braid, she looked every inch a rich, elegant member of the Quorum. She was probably completely unaware that the cut of her dress was very… disturbing to the male mind. Just then, the beauty turned abruptly and the skirt swung around her, revealing a long split in the side seam and a slim, toned leg that seemed to go on forever. He felt his groin twitch in appreciation and forced his eyes back up to her glorious, blue eyes.

  “Now, come now, miss, you’re quite safe. Take a seat and tell me what disturbs you so.”

  “I can scarce believe it. You swear you will tell no one except your superiors?”

  “I swear, miss. You can trust me,” he repeated, trying to keep his mind on her complaint and not what might be hiding under that soft, blue cloth.

  “I was having a quiet drink and overheard a conversation I was not supposed to, sir. The men… Oh! I cannot believe it, sir. The men were discussing an assassination!”

  “Surely just a prank. There are many students who would like to tease such a beautiful young woman.”

  “Oh! Thank you, sir! But, no, these were not students and I don’t think they even noticed me there. I was around the corner with my nose in a book, you see, and my hood up. It sounded serious. Like they were making plans.”

  The young woman resumed pacing, wringing her hands in dismay.

  “Come now, miss. You must calm yourself. Everything will be all right. You mustn’t worry. The Quorum Guard will help.”

  She lurched forward and grabbed his hands. “Oh, thank you, Major.” She clutched his hands to her and he felt the room spin a little as her scent flooded his senses and her breasts rubbed against his skin with each heaving breath. He hadn’t felt so aroused in years. He immediately felt horribly guilty. This poor innocent had no idea of her effect.

  “I swear,” she continued, those soft mounds rubbing his hands and turning his mind to jelly. “Oh sir! I swear I overheard them talking about the Chancellor. They mean to kill him, sir. They do! They said something about it being for the good of The Kingdom. They must be traitors though. How can such an act be for the good of The Kingdom?”

  The Major knew just how well it would suit King Rybis if the Chancellor were removed. This wonderful woman had uncovered a vile plot; there was no doubt in his mind. “I must know more, miss, if I am to do anything about this. Please, take a seat and I will take some details.”

  Elona allowed herself to be manoeuvred to the chair and bega
n to cry quietly while the Major gathered up some paper and a pen.

  “Now, let’s start with a description.”

  “There were three of them. One is very large. A giant of a man. His head is shaven and his brows fair. Blue eyes. I didn’t get a name, but he had a deep voice with a faint accent. I would estimate late twenties. The other was smaller and slightly younger with very dark, curly hair, dark brown eyes and brows and a dark complexion. The third man was in his early thirties and very handsome. He had red hair.”

  CHAPTER 39

  L ady Kuri looked at Finn with undisguised relief. “Thank the light I caught you! Where are Spider and Sy?”

  “Spider’s up at the Hub with his sister and Sy’s sound asleep back in my cabin, as I was until a few minutes ago.”

  “Sorry, but this couldn’t wait.” The Councillor passed a piece of paper to the King’s man. His eyes widened as he read the arrest warrant.

  “On what evidence?”

  “Eyewitness testimony of a well-spoken, young woman. I couldn’t get a name. I don’t have the same pull with the Quorum Guard.”

  “Elona.”

  “No doubt.”

  “What time is it?”

  “An hour before dawn.”

  “Bear with me a moment, Isabella. I must warn Spider.”

  Beitris was charging through the Rim on her dappled grey within minutes.

  Lady Kuri was checking through some paperwork when Finn returned. She put it down and looked at him with serious eyes.

  “There’s more, Finn. Young Kean Laracy discovered the murders of three young women yesterday.”

  “Captain Laracy’s nephew?”

  “Yes, he’s a first year Elements’ student. A damn good Concealer. He spotted a couple using a Concealment to duck out of Edbry’s yesterday and decided to follow them. He ran for help when he heard what was going on inside the house they went into, but the guards were too late. They discovered three bodies inside. I’ve had a full report from the investigating officer. One was a Science student. She’d been killed in a frenzy with a single knife. The other two were Hub staff. One worked in Book Restoration, the other was a librarian. They’d been tortured and had their throats slashed. The details are in the report, but the important things for us to know are that their lilac gowns were discovered along with the bodies and, according to Professor Kirklund, the librarian is good friends with Leo Tithe, the librarian she assigned to Professor Sifry when he visited the other week.”