Family of Lies: Sebastian

by Sam Argent

  “Sebastian, get out already!” Pratchett shouted. “I’ll tell Diana to open the door if you don’t!”

  Sebastian ignored his brother and stared at the handprints. “I’m going to kill him.”

  SEBASTIAN HAD to wear his cloak out of the bathroom because the shirt he wore was sleeveless and too low in the front. Five steps from his door, his elbow was tugged into a strong grip. “I’m not in the mo—” Sebastian was crushed against a strong body. He looked up and James grinned down at him.

  “Wrong brother, but he told me to collect you. Come on,” James said and dragged Sebastian to Ophelia’s room.

  “I haven’t done anything,” Sebastian said as he was dragged through the door.

  Kevin snorted. “I’ve never heard an honest man say those words.”

  “He is a tad defensive, isn’t he?” Diana asked.

  “So, what have you done?” James asked as he plopped Sebastian on the bed next to Ophelia.

  “There is nothing to confess. Did Ellie come along?”

  “No, traveling makes her too tired.” James gently swatted Sebastian’s head. “Don’t change the subject, imp.”

  “Pratchett probably created mischief,” Sebastian said.

  James rolled his eyes. “That’s an everyday occurrence. Now confess your crimes.”

  “It’s been a long day. Knock off this nonsense,” Sebastian said.

  “Don’t be coy, Sebastian.” Ophelia scratched down the front of her shirt, and Kevin frowned.

  “Why are you still wearing your cloak?” he asked.

  “Because I’m cold.”

  “After you spent all that time in the bath?” Diana eyed James and Kevin, and both brothers moved at once. Sebastian jumped off the bed, but they caught him.

  “Let’s see what you’re hiding,” James said. They worked Sebastian’s cloak off and stared at the handprint sticking out of his shirt. “What is that?”

  Kevin pulled the shirt up and jerked Sebastian’s pants down at the side.

  “Hey!” Sebastian cried out. “Let go of me!”

  “I think there’s more, but I’m not that curious,” Kevin said.

  Diana stepped forward and examined the colored patches. She rubbed Sebastian’s chest and flicked at it with her nail. “Lovers’ berries that stain the body for days.” She smiled. “Sebastian is all grown up and playing adult games. Prince Turren?” she asked. “Or have you found another paramour so quickly?”

  Sebastian shoved his brothers away and adjusted his shirt. “It’s not any of your damn business.”

  “It is if the prince is marking you for all to see without bothering to offer courtship,” Kevin said.

  “When were you ever courted?” Sebastian demanded to know since his siblings were throwing ridiculous standards at him.

  “The prince is treating him honorably,” Ophelia spoke up.

  Sebastian cringed, hoping she wouldn’t reveal the ring that he had tucked in his cloak pocket. “That is mine to have and not for you to share.”

  “I won’t tell the others about that thing, but I’m more interested in the other fact that led to your branding.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sebastian said.

  “You’re going to lie to me?” Ophelia asked softly, her voice darkening.

  “What’s this about?” Diana looked at their sister, who was rarely cross with anyone.

  “Why don’t you tell them what made Turren decide to mark you in a way that would make you think of him for days instead of ignoring him for important decisions? That’s why you’ve stayed away from home, correct? So I can’t sense what you’re up to.” Ophelia stood. “I am not a fool.”

  James poked Sebastian’s shoulder. “Now you’ve gone and made her mad. Out with it before you make matters worse.”

  “Frederick told you?” Sebastian asked.

  “He thought I should be told, unlike you.”

  Sebastian crossed his arms. “And that means Harold told him.”

  Kevin grabbed Sebastian by the collar. “You heard James.”

  Sebastian glared at all of them. “I’m meeting with Harold during the next market trip to scry for Trenton’s whereabouts.”

  Diana sighed. “I guess someone had to be dumb enough to follow in Richard’s path.”

  “I am not,” Sebastian said.

  Ophelia cleared her throat. “You forgot about that other thing.”

  “Tell us everything, or we go to Father,” James promised.

  Sebastian looked at his brother, and James’s jaw was set. “After we find Trenton, we’re going to steal a powerful artifact from him called the Heart of Light.”

  “I recall Father saying this wizard travels with an army,” Kevin said.

  “That’s why we’re not confronting him and using stealth,” Sebastian said.

  “From within an army?” James shook his head. “He has to be prepared for anyone making a move on it, so it’s not as easy as you’re trying to make it out to be. This is a bad idea, and you should stop while you still have your life.”

  “This is why I’m stealing it with a few friends I thought I could trust,” Sebastian said.

  “Don’t be a brat,” Ophelia said. “This is kingdom business, and Harold had to tell Frederick. Besides, another powerful wizard isn’t a bad thing.”

  “It is when he opens his mouth to the king and queen, and Trenton finds out.”

  “Frederick is also cautious about Trenton’s spies, so he’s keeping the knowledge to himself. He even brought up a few ways to prevent Trenton from tracking you during the spell.”

  “Who is going to use this Heart of Light if you get it?” Diana asked.

  “Prince Turren might be able to use it. Maybe,” Sebastian muttered.

  “A grand plan,” Kevin said. “I’ll make sure your headstone is as pretty as Richard’s.”

  “Father knows how it works, so we’ll force him to tell us,” Ophelia said.

  “Father will not want to play hero,” James said.

  “He might not have a choice,” Diana said. “Sebastian might succeed, but the odds are high that Trenton will know the Heart of Light is gone quickly and send his army after it. An army at our doorstep might be a strong incentive for Father’s participation.”

  Kevin grunted. “This could be the only time I don’t want to see how angry Father can get.”

  Diana smiled at Sebastian. “That’s what younger siblings are for.”

  “You bastards want to barge in, but you’re still making me take all the blame,” Sebastian said.

  Kevin shrugged. “After all these years, I’m surprised you thought it would be any other way.”

  CHAPTER 30

  HAROLD SLAPPED Sebastian’s hand. “Stop stress eating, we’re about to start.”

  Sebastian swallowed the candied orange slice and reached for another piece. “I am not stress eating.”

  Margaret snorted as she put the final crystal on the floor. “You ate six cinnamon rolls.”

  “I paid for them,” Sebastian said as he scooted out of the way so Margaret could place one in the center of the large map spread across the floor.

  “You act as if we’re going to screw up, and I take that as an insult to my abilities,” Harold said.

  “If Father finds out, he might be angry enough to dose me with a memory spell.”

  “Always a pleasant man,” Margaret said as she plopped down next to Sebastian and they formed a triangle. She held out her hands, and the others grabbed them. Closing her eyes, she sent her magic to Harold’s connection, and both their magics flowed into Sebastian.

  Sebastian concentrated on the crystal and the assassin’s blade lying next to it. The two items glowed, and Sebastian thought of Trenton’s voice. He closed his eyes, and he felt as if his body were whisked away through the crystal. He opened them and the map appeared in his mind, much bigger and stretching under his feet as far as he could see. Mountains and ridges stood out like imprints on a globe. A r
ed line flashed from Anerith to the ocean. Sebastian waded through water that should have drowned him, and then he was whisked back on land. He didn’t recognize the terrain, but he didn’t have long to stare at the tall buildings and statues because everything moved again and didn’t stop, as if Trenton and his army never stopped, either. All the moving nauseated Sebastian, and he took deep breaths to calm his stomach. Suddenly everything stopped, and the red line cut off violently.

  Out now! Harold shouted in his head. Power from beyond the red line snaked toward Sebastian, but he didn’t know how to avoid being ensnared in it. Entwined vines of orange and white power snagged around Sebastian’s waist, and he was pulled from the other power’s reach.

  Sebastian gasped and Harold’s clean bedroom returned. “Shit.” He held his throbbing head, and Margaret rubbed his back.

  “We have to inform Frederick that we have proof Trenton circled back and he’s somewhere in Larnlyon.”

  “Too bad we couldn’t find out if he still has the army with him,” Margaret said.

  “If he managed to sneak them in, how is he hiding them?” Sebastian asked when the pain eased.

  “I have no idea,” Harold said. “But now I understand why your father fears him so much. Gods, I wish Uvel had listened to his peers. They warned him about Trenton, and he still taught him.”

  “We need to strengthen our plans if that’s a taste of what will be guarding the Heart of Light,” Margaret said. “I think it’s wise to contact my City Watch friends for help.”

  Sebastian shivered. “I don’t know why he even wants to use it. He’s powerful without it.”

  “It depends on your aspirations,” Harold said. “The bigger they are, the more power you need.”

  “Wonderful,” Sebastian said.

  Harold scratched his head. “There’s still one thing I don’t understand. If this Heart of Light is the core of the world’s magic, how can anyone use it without going insane?”

  “I don’t think Trenton is thinking beyond the logistics of turning the damn thing on. I still think that amulet having an intimate meeting with a hammer will solve all our problems,” Sebastian said.

  Harold shook his head. “Depending on how the thing was formed, the magical reverberation from its destruction might be catastrophic.”

  Sebastian glared at his friend. “I sincerely hope there’s a special hell for idiots who make objects like this.”

  “I CAN’T believe I paid that much money for stupid spices,” Lord Orwell said as he watched his children preparing food for Solstice. “It’s one day of the year. What are we going to use them for on other days?”

  “Food that doesn’t taste like shit,” Rebecca said. “Out of the kitchen or peel.”

  “It’s my house!”

  Rebecca turned and pointed her sharp knife at Sebastian. “Remove a portion from the ingredients!”

  Clearly afraid that Rebecca would follow through, Lord Orwell hurriedly left the kitchen.

  “I don’t care what your real reason was for sending James and Luke for the spices, but I do appreciate it,” Rebecca said.

  “I care,” Demetrius said while searing pork loins. “What are you and the geezer siblings up to?”

  “I have a vested interest that food going in my stomach tastes good,” Sebastian said.

  “Investigate on your own time, Demetrius.” Rebecca went to the kitchen opening and shouted, “Kraven, Pratchett! How’s the bread dough?”

  “We’re still kneading. Shut up!” Pratchett shouted back at his twin.

  “Lazy bastard,” Rebecca muttered as she returned to her spot.

  SEBASTIAN STARED at the empty place setting next to their mother’s side. Alice sat there during holidays and rarely missed an opportunity to foist her kids on the Orwell House while enjoying free room and board. She hadn’t missed festivities this year, either, which was why it was strange that her accustomed spot was empty of chair and plate. Alice frowned as if she was mentally counting the other places. She probably came to the same number as Sebastian and saw that everyone was accounted for except for her. Mocking Alice were four smaller plates next to her empty space with an adult plate in Mernon’s spot. Sebastian and Kraven had made the table earlier, and they hadn’t skipped anyone. Someone had obviously taken away Alice’s place. Pratchett glanced at the kitchen, where Rebecca and Demetrius were putting finishing touches on their food.

  Mernon looked at his wife, then the kitchen, and sighed heavily. He sat their little ones down and shushed them when they asked where Mama’s chair was.

  “And so it begins,” Pratchett whispered into Sebastian’s ear.

  Alice stalked to the kitchen, but Lady Orwell caught her arm. “Sebastian, set another place.”

  Sebastian sighed and did as ordered, hoping nothing else was sabotaged. To think, I’ll have to endure them for centuries.

  Rebecca came out of the kitchen with a large roasted bird on a platter and put it in the middle of the table. “Alice, don’t look sour. You’ll ruin everyone’s appetite.”

  “You shouldn’t blame us if your food unsettles our stomachs,” Alice said.

  “I never blame you for having an immature palate,” Rebecca said graciously. “Kraven, bring out the rolls before they cool. Sebastian, your dove work on the napkins needs practice, and help Demetrius with his dishes.”

  Sebastian saluted his sister and joined Demetrius in the kitchen.

  “Get the sauces out,” Demetrius ordered without greeting. “And go smack Pratchett. I know that little shit snuck in here and made himself a plate. My gravy is off.”

  Sebastian grabbed the silver tray topped with various gravies and reductions, shaking his head that anyone would miss a dollop out of all those bowls. When he arrived in the dining room, Kevin and Emily were arguing over the weight of a butter knife, and Pratchett was cooing over James’s shoulder as he used Diana’s mirror to call Ellie.

  “Is Lord Ausher drunk as a pixie yet?” James asked his wife.

  Ellie’s laughter filled the room. “The cooked hog is talking and telling jokes, so that would be a yes.”

  James smiled. “I wish I was there.”

  “Of course you do, because the big, giant ox can’t live a day without his wife,” Pratchett whispered behind him.

  “Is the babe behaving?” James asked, ignoring him.

  “Gods no, but with these kicking feet, she’ll be quite the athlete when she grows up,” Ellie said.

  “And she’ll squirm her widdle way into James’s widdle heart.” Pratchett pretended to be shot in the heart with an arrow. Still laughing at his own jokes, Pratchett choked when James snatched his collar and slammed him face-first onto the table.

  Without breaking conversation, James leaned his elbow into Pratchett’s back so he couldn’t move. “Maybe we can paint Valkyries in her room when I get back.”

  Ellie laughed again. “Maybe, but I have to go. I’m being kidnapped to be the fertility goddess during the Phoenix Walk. Don’t eat too much, and let Pratchett breathe!”

  “Save me leftovers!” James shouted into the mirror as celebration drowned out his wife. There was sudden silence, and the mirror went dark. James pouted and gave the mirror back to Diana. “They always have the best fun during Winter Solstice.”

  “Don’t worry, next year we’ll stay at your inn,” Lord Orwell said.

  James blinked. “What?”

  “This house is becoming too small for so many people during the holidays. Next year, your place will be perfect.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Father. If I’m not here, then you’ll have a free room.”

  Lord Orwell frowned. “Are you saying that you don’t want us to come?”

  “He’s saying that you guys are embarrassing during normal days and even worse during holidays,” Demetrius said. “Honestly, if I had a getaway, I would do it too.”

  “That’s not what he’s saying,” Lady Orwell broke in. “James loves our company. In fact, we should visit him more if
he feels like his presence is such a burden to us.” She stretched her hand out to her oldest son. “We have to get rid of such foolish beliefs somehow.”

  James sighed heavily. “Of course that’s what I meant.”

  “Demetrius, slice the meat if you have nothing better to do than ramble,” Lady Orwell ordered.

  “Which part of the chicken—I mean turkey—do you want, James?” Demetrius asked.

  “A leg is fine,” James said.

  “Ow, don’t take it out on my spine!” Pratchett cried out.

  “Let him go so we can eat,” Lord Orwell said.

  James lifted his elbow, and Pratchett groaned loudly, clutching his back as he sat down.

  “All right,” Lady Orwell said. “Gather hands and bless the meal for the beginning of a fruitful year.”

  SEBASTIAN ROLLED his eyes while Kraven drank deeply from his goblet just as it had been refilled. Once it was emptied, Kraven held it up again.

  “You can pour again.”

  “Stop being a greedy lush,” Diana said.

  “Pratchett finished half of the bottle. If I don’t get a second glass now, I never will,” Kraven said.

  “Rebecca, Alice, that is not cheap whiskey, and we are not at a drinking contest.” Lady Orwell glared at her two daughters going through expensive liquor faster than their brothers were devouring the wine.

  “I’ll stop when she stops,” Rebecca said just as Alice filled another tumbler.

  Luke smiled and shook his glass in Mernon’s direction.

  Mernon crossed his arms and said, “The day I’m dumb enough to try out-drinking an incubus is the day I walk to a cemetery and ask to be buried right then and there.”

  Luke turned to his husband, but Kevin snorted and beckoned Sebastian forward with the wine. “You idiots can wake up with a hangover while I sleep like a bear.”