We were finally going to meet the emperor.
Twenty-Three
Several flights of dull stairs later, we reached the main floor. Wide open with an enormous circular light in the center of the common area, it reminded me of the grand body of an octopus with its dimly lit tentacles going in every direction. Male and female gargoyles, mostly with some shade of brown or dark red wings, bustled around, busy with their jobs. Troy looked at Professor Pops. He winked.
In an instant, Troy shuddered into his dragon form.
The gargoyle holding him jumped back in fear as Troy’s body suddenly became very big and scaly. The gargoyles scrambled, looking to Vyne for instructions.
“Get after them,” he shouted, taking hold of Laeddin and me before we could escape. Cole and Rayne fought against the gargoyle holding them, but they couldn’t break free.
Faster than I believed possible, Professor Pops climbed on Troy’s back and with one giant swoop of his wings, Troy launched himself toward the ceiling. It was probably a hundred feet up but he continued to beat his wings, knocking into rocks and scraping his clawed feet on walls until he reached the top.
“Yes,” I cheered, as Troy broke through the glass ceiling, sending fragments reigning down on all of us. Several pieces cut my cheek, but I felt the wounds heal almost immediately.
I watched as a guard took off in a desperate attempt to chase Troy, but it was apparent the gargoyle wasn’t used to flying indoors—bouncing into walls and spinning nearly out of control before recovering and continuing until he was out in the open air.
Once he was gone, Vyne shouted, “Get this mess cleaned up.”
Several servants immediately dropped what they had in their hands and got to work.
The gargoyle we’d called Edge burst through opening to the statue room. “What the goddess is going on?”
Vyne growled. “Two of the prisoners escaped. I’ve sent Bayne after them.” Vyne spoke with authority, but I sensed his nervousness.
Edge snorted. “He’s useless.” Edge looked around in astonishment. “How did they escape?”
Vyne pointed up sheepishly.
“Impossible. I thought you said they weren’t gargoyles and none of them had wings.”
“They aren’t gargoyles. One of them,” Vyne paused, looking down at his feet. “It seems one of the prisoners is at least part dragon.”
Edge sputtered. “A dragon? How? What?” He leaned in. “All of the dragons are dead. Our emperor, Jagg the Dragon Slayer killed all of the dragons personally.” He yanked Laeddin and me from Vyne’s grasp. “Go after him. Kill them both. Jagg must never know. Understand?”
“Yes, Liege.” Vyne spread his wings and jumped into the air. He flew with a lot more grace than the first gargoyle and was out through the ceiling in no time.
“Great. Just great,” Edge mumbled, leading us into the room of statues. Upon entering, my forehead began to burn like someone had placed a lit match against it. I reached up to touch the area, feeling for the diamond residing there.
Laeddin noticed and gave me a questioning look, but didn’t speak.
I blinked against the pain. “Are you getting any vibes, because my head is throbbing?”
“I think so,” he said softly, but didn’t elaborate. The others glanced over at us, curious about why we dared to speak.
Against the far wall sat a large emerald throne flanked on either side by a pair of emerald dragons. It was the most color I’d seen in a room since I arrived, and it staggered me. Skye stood to the right of the throne, her arms clasped tightly behind her.
“Anything wrong, Edge?” the imposing gargoyle on the throne asked. His brooding features were the same as the others, but he appeared even bigger. His wings were green, the same color as the throne and the dragons. Atop his head lay an emerald crown. He was shirtless, just like the other males, but his pants were green instead of black. He had a ring on each of his fingers, all emerald as well. I got the feeling it might be the emperor’s favorite color.
“Nothing of note, Sire.”
“Very good.” Dark eyes studied us a moment and suddenly I felt like a rat in a maze. “Bring the mutts forward,” he bellowed.
The guard pushed Rayne and Cole forward. Edge held us steady, but shifted his feet uncomfortably. I kept my gaze on the emperor. “Is your magic working now?” I asked Laeddin barely above a whisper.
He didn’t speak but snapped his fingers and abruptly my face didn’t feel grimy any longer. He smiled and nodded.
I wriggled my nose gratefully. “Thank you,” I mouthed.
Edge shook us. “Quiet,” he hissed in our ears.
But I wasn’t finished speaking to Laeddin. “Can you send Cole some magic so that he can understand the gargoyles?”
Edge bent my arm back at the elbow until I thought he would pop my shoulder out of joint.
I fought against the pain, knowing it would heal soon anyway. Laeddin nodded slightly and snapped his fingers again.
“Tell me what you’ve learned, Rayne, half-breed daughter of Graves,” the emperor growled.
I hadn’t seen Laeddin’s wrists light up, but I had a feeling the magic had worked because Cole’s head suddenly shot up like he was listening more intently.
Rayne rolled her shoulders back and stood up straight. “As I’ve explained to the guards many times, Cole was sent here by mistake. He knows nothing about our realm. The only parents he remembers are the ones he had as a child. When he was older he was adopted by a man named Adam Henry.” She paused a moment. “He isn’t a spy from the other kingdoms nor is he here to claim the crown.” She bowed. “I have answered all of your questions as my father commanded.” She stayed bowed and waited.
It seemed that the emperor’s face grew more lines. “I see.” He studied her for a long moment. “Can you tell me anything of the others?”
“Only that they came seeking Cole. I don’t believe they have a desire to harm you or our realm.” She continued to hold her position, her dark eyes staring at the floor. It shimmered with dozens of different colored gems.
“You have done well.”
She lifted her head. “Thank you, Liege.”
“Amber, take her to the wizard’s chamber. Let her wait there for Graves. I believe he has some items he’d like to discuss with her.”
The gargoyle bowed. Cole, who’d been quiet until that point, began to fight. “No, wait!”
The emperor raised an eyebrow. “You can speak our language?” He gave Rayne a diminutive look, one that said she’d be in trouble for failing to mention that fact. But she looked as surprised as everyone else.
“Yes, Liege.” Cole tried to bow, though it was awkward as Amber held his arms in a vice-like grip. The emperor seemed unimpressed by the gesture.
Cole seemed unsure what to say next. “I need to make sure Rayne is safe.”
The emperor laughed heartily, clapping his hands together. “Rayne, I believe the boy’s in love with you. It seems Graves underestimated your talents.”
Rayne shifted uncomfortably.
The emperor’s gaze suddenly turned hard. “Explain yourself!” As he spoke, his voice grew louder, until it shook the circular lights hanging from the ceiling.
Rayne’s face paled. “I-I didn’t teach him.”
Jagg leaned back, staring at her. “Is that so? And how do you think he learned?” His voice was dangerously low now.
She cleared her throat, visibly shaking under the scrutiny. “I believe that one possesses magic.” She gestured timidly toward Laeddin.
“I see.” Jagg sat up at that and studied Laeddin. Then returned his focus to Cole. “I can appreciate your desire to keep your woman safe, but I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Graves has requested to speak to her, and it’s unwise to anger our wizard without cause.”
The emperor stood, waving them away. Cole was still protesting loudly as Amber escorted a silent Rayne from the throne room. Eventually another guard was able to wrestle Cole to the ground,
threatening to rip out his throat if he didn’t shut up.
In the commotion, Laeddin touched my finger with one of his and I knew he’d done more magic.
“Now that’s settled, let’s talk.” Jagg paused in front of Laeddin and me before returning to his throne. He was the tallest gargoyle I’d seen, a giant. I shuddered to think what his wingspan would be. We’d never be able to escape if he came after us.
The emperor returned to his seat and went back to brooding. “Bring them closer.” He waved his hands. “Who are you and why are you here?” His question was directed at Laeddin.
The genie cleared his throat. “We have come to your realm with the hope of locating a lost piece of a crown created thousands of years ago by the fairies.”
The emperor seemed truly surprised he could understand Laeddin. He stood, crossing his arms. “Is it magic that allows you to understand and speak my language?”
Laeddin didn’t meet the emperor’s gaze. “As a humble genie, I have the ability to speak any language.”
In that moment I realized he could’ve talked to the gargoyles at any time. He’d regained the use of his magic as soon as we entered the throne room, but hadn’t used it.
The more time I spent in Laeddin’s presence the more I became aware of his blatant unwillingness to use his powers.
Twenty-Four
“A genie?” The emperor climbed down the steps, too excited to stay seated. “Fascinating! I’ve heard of your kind, but believed you all dead. You must grant me three wishes.”
Laeddin cleared his throat again. “Indeed, I am the last of my kind. My brothers have all passed on.” My irritation at Laeddin momentarily fled at the mention of his brothers. Laeddin had told me their deaths not that long ago.
“And the wishes?” The emperor towered over Laeddin now, but Laeddin didn’t balk.
“I am Laeddin, genie of the lamp, and I can only serve one master at a time.”
“So, someone else controls you.” Disappointment softened the gargoyle’s features. Well,” he returned to his seat. “I am Jagg, high ruler of Garoth.” He lifted his arms in the air as he spoke. “And I demand you accommodate me.”
Unfazed as ever, Laeddin bowed deeply.
“Well, genie of the lamp, tell me who your master is,” Jagg said, resting his elbows on the armrests.
I shuddered at the tone in his words. If Jagg knew I was Laeddin’s master, he would kill me. There was no doubt about it.
“No, Sire.” Laeddin bowed again in an attempt to show respect. “That is not why I’m here.”
Jagg roared ferociously. In that moment, he was truly terrifying. “My warriors have captured you, which makes you my property. You will do as I command!”
Laeddin seemed to choose his next words. “Before you detained us, I already had a master and I’ve not yet granted all three wishes to that person. You are not my master and you never will be.”
“We shall see about that. Any creature dumb enough to let you out of its sight doesn’t deserve you.”
I thought now was the time to step up and see if Laeddin had, in fact, given me the power to speak the gargoyle language. “Emperor Jagg.” I paused, my fingers stroking the bear charm at my wrist, even as I recognized my words sounded different inside my mouth. “My name is Jasmine. I am the princess of Sharra, home to many creatures of the seven magics. As the genie said, we are in desperate need of your help.” I bowed.
The emperor leaned back, focusing on me for the first time. “Desperate need.” He studied me intently for a moment. “I see. And how do you know the genie? Are you his master?”
The question was calculated. I could see the gleam in his eyes, hoping for enough evidence to justify my murder.
Laeddin interrupted before I could respond. “Liege, I would propose a bargain. I will perform a task for you, similar to a wish, and in return you will help us locate the item we’re looking for.”
Jagg’s eyes sparked with greed. “Interesting. I might consider it if you agree to three tasks instead of one.”
Laeddin’s wrists lit up. “We have an agreement.” He bowed. “What would you have me do?”
Jagg rubbed his hands together. “Getting right to it. Very good.” He tapped a finger against his chin. “First, you must give me untold wishes.”
“As you wish.”
Laeddin wrists glowed bright as he turned his palms up. All along the edges of the room, piles and piles of gold pieces appeared. They tinkled as they slipped and fell from their stacks. Interspersed between the gold pieces were rubies, emeralds, pearl necklaces, other jewelry, and so much more. “Untold riches.” Laeddin was breathing heavily, like he’d just run a marathon.
Surprised, Edge released Laeddin and me.
“What’s the matter,” I asked Laeddin under my breath.
“Nothing. Wait and stay quiet.” He answered out of the corner of his mouth, trying not to draw attention to our conversation.
Jagg jumped up and flew over to the nearest mound, picking up handfuls of gems and letting them rain through his hands. “This is incredible! Stupendous! Astounding!” He laughed heartily.
“Now, make me the most powerful gargoyle in all of Garoth.” He removed his emerald crown and replaced it with one made purely of diamonds.
Laeddin snapped his fingers. “Done.”
“This is too easy.” Jagg laughed. “Now I want—,” but Laeddin interrupted.
“No more. Not until you help Jasmine and me.”
Jagg growled. “How dare you?” He landed, causing the stone floor to rumble, and stomped over, grabbing Laeddin by his shirt collar. “You will do what I say!”
I started toward them, but Laeddin held out a hand, telling me to stop. “What makes you think you are in any position to tell me what to do?” Laeddin’s eyes began to glow as did the tattoos on his wrists. I’d never seen him do that before. In the past, he’d always allowed me to rescue him. “I’ve just given you untold riches, made you the most powerful gargoyle on the planet with barely the wave of my hand.” He pulled from the gargoyle’s grasp and lifted off the ground so that they were at eye level. “If I wanted, I could turn you and all of your people to powder and then simply take what I’m after.” To prove his point, Laeddin seized the emperor around the neck and lifted him off the ground.
“Take him,” Jagg choked out, flapping his wings and working to kick at Laeddin.
Laeddin flung Jagg against the wall above the throne and pinned him there. The emperor still made choking noises. His diamond crown fell from his head and hit the floor with a loud clang. Skye and Amber rushed at Laeddin as did the others, but the genie swept out his other hand, restraining all the gargoyles against the same wall as their emperor. Each grabbed at their necks. I couldn’t decide whether to cheer or back away slowly. I’d known Laeddin had untold power but had never seen him use it on such a grand and aggressive scale.
“Wait! Stop,” Jagg choked. “You can’t kill me.”
“I don’t want to kill you. I don’t want to kill anyone. But I do require some help.” Laeddin’s voice was level, completely free of strain despite the fact that he was choking a dozen gargoyles simultaneously.
“Fine,” Jagg choked, pulling at the invisible hands around his neck.
Laeddin shifted slightly and all the gargoyles began to breathe easier, though they still remained stuck high against the wall. “You’ll help us?”
Jagg coughed. “Of course.”
The gargoyle emperor said the words, but every fiber in my being told me not to trust him. It was apparent Laeddin didn’t believe him either.
“Let me down and we’ll discuss everything.” Jagg continued.
“Give me your word as emperor, that you will help us.”
“You have it,” he said closing his eyes for the briefest moment.
Alarm shot through me. Laeddin had just made of fool of Jagg in front of his subjects. If someone had done that to my mother she would’ve been livid. Somehow I doubted Jagg would be sa
tisfied with anything short of murdering the pair of us as pay-back for the insult.
Laeddin released the gargoyles. He appeared to be thinking the same thoughts I had. “And as an apology for my incredible rudeness, I will still grant you a final favor.”
Jagg picked up his diamond crown and went back over to his throne. “Excellent.” He pondered a moment, his eyes closed, and his face tilted upward like he was asking the heavens to give him answers. Finally, he opened his eyes. “While you were choking me and had me trapped against the wall of my castle I had some time to think. And I’ve decided I want you to make me the most powerful being in the universe.”
Laeddin sighed. “Very well.”
“No!” I shouted seizing Laeddin’s arm in an effort to prevent him from granting Jagg’s request. Laeddin’s expression was completely blank as he looked at me.
“I cannot go back on my promise, Jasmine.” His tattoos sparked to life.
Jagg leaned forward, laughing eagerly.
I didn’t know what to do. It was already bad enough we had Maleficent to contend with. She’d taken over Sharra, or become her, or stolen her powers—I wasn’t sure exactly what had happened. But her power had become so strong that my only hope of stopping her was the fairy crown. If Laeddin fulfilled his promise, Jagg would become more powerful than Maleficent. Then what would we do? I couldn’t let it happen.
Without thought, I ran at the emperor, desperate to tear him to shreds. Surprised, Jagg stepped forward and backhanded me across the face. I sailed through the air and smashed into one of the statues. My back broke, along with several dozen other bones in my body. I fell into a heap, unable to move. “Anyone else?” As he spoke his voice grew deeper and he grew larger. His now-golden wings sparkled as the room shook, causing large chunks of the ceiling to fall.
One nearly landed on me, but Cole appeared and pulled me out of the way at the last minute. “Stay in here.” He’d found an opening at the base of one of the statues and tucked me inside. When he was gone, I had a full view of the roof disappearing. The other gargoyles had shifted to the entranceway, watching the scene in careful awe. A large crowd had gathered outside.
Vampire Nights (Vampire Wishes Book 3) Page 10