by Boone Brux
A sneer pulled at Luc’s top lip. “One that betrays the Bringers to the church.”
Nobody spoke as their retinue crept forward, each lost in their thoughts. The responsibilities of being a Bringer weighed on Jade. She and Ravyn’s search for information in the Council chamber and the looming expedition into the Shadow World made the current problem of Fromme Bagita seem less pressing.
She exhaled and tried to relax. The last time she’d been on the grounds of Illuma Grand, she had been seven. Never venturing onto the property, she’d played near the estate’s boundaries, usually when she was hiding from Rell. Something about the place had called to her. Now she understood that even then she had been a Bringer and this was part of her heritage.
“No matter the strife within the Council,” Ravyn said, “one can’t argue that Illuma Grand is magnificent.”
Jade nodded. Symmetrical trees lined the cobblestone roadway, spaced equal distance apart. Between their foliage she caught glimpses of carved statues in various poses. Flowers lined the walkways and marble columns towered over the heads of the approaching crowd. “It is truly beautiful.”
A group of women stepped aside to let them pass. Most appeared to be near her age and all wore drab gray gowns. A redheaded woman glided behind the group, following them as they passed. Something about the woman struck a familiar cord with Jade. She struggled to place the woman, searching her memories.
A smile spread like thick molasses across the woman’s mouth. She grabbed the arm of one of the women standing at the edge of the group and pulled her down the path, following them. When she moved level with Jade, the redhead stopped and held up her right hand, her palm facing away from Jade.
“Somebody you know?” Ravyn asked.
“I can’t believe it.” Jade stared at the familiar greeting and then returned the salute, smiling. “I played with her as a child.” She lowered her hand and looked at Ravyn. “That girl was my only friend—Beatrice.” She hadn’t spoken the name in years. “She would sneak me food and we would play for hours at the edge of the grounds. Until I found the chapel in the woods, Illuma had seemed like the only place safe from the Bane.”
As the line moved forward, she glanced over her shoulder. Beatrice and her friend had fallen behind, but still watched her.
“Perhaps you will have a chance to get reacquainted,” Ravyn said.
“I’d like that.”
The party stopped at the base of the wide marble steps. Stable hands waited to take their horses, each one dressed in gray tunics and britches.
Luc dismounted and moved around his horse to stand below her. He placed a hand on either side of her thigh. “May I help you down?”
Her first reaction was to say no and to attempt the dismount herself. But when she glanced around, she noticed that a large crowd had gathered. Several pointed at them or whispered behind their hands. The throbbing in her lower back spread up her spine when she twisted toward Luc. This confirmed it. She was not a horse person.
Misinterpreting her grimace, Luc smirked. “I promise I won’t kiss you?”
“And why is that?” She gritted her teeth and leaned slightly forward. “Do you think your kisses frighten me?”
He grabbed her by the waist and with what seemed like no effort at all, eased her from the mount. Jade’s body slid down his, gliding along hard muscle before alighting on the ground. Vibrations rippled through her legs, threatening to set her off balance. His hands lingered at her waist and his face hovered inches above hers. “I certainly hope not.”
It was impossible to look away from his fiery stare. Blue eyes peered into hers, stirring all the emotions she tried desperately to keep harnessed. With a slow downward stroke along his biceps, she lowered her hands and stepped back.
Tremors rippled along her legs, setting her off balance. She stumbled, knocking into the horse, but Luc caught her. The animal shifted. Jade placed her hand on its haunch to not only steady the horse, but her nerves as well. Luc’s hold loosened and he lowered his hands to his side.
“You do like to pox me, don’t you?”
He gave her an innocent smile. “I have done nothing.”
With all the calm she could muster, she straightened her aching spine, lifted her skirts and stepped around a pile of horse dung. She brushed past him, lowering her voice. “Perhaps that is your problem.”
Not waiting to hear his response, she moved to stand next to Ravyn. She saw Ravyn look behind them and then back at Jade. She cleared her throat but said nothing. A thin smile played on her mouth and she looped her arm through Jade’s in a show of amused support.
Jacob led the procession through manicured grounds and into the Grand Entrance. It was everything Jade had dreamed it to be. Polished stone walls soared to unimaginable heights. Archways branched off into what looked like endless lines and disappeared down murky corridors. Sunlight cast tall domes of light through each of the arched windows, creating brilliant white pools on the marble floors.
The upper class and merchants claimed most of the attention in the hall, while the common folk crowded against the walls, seemingly happy to just be near the promised pageantry.
Somewhere beyond her sight, a choir sang. The magical music lilted around them, blending with the ever-growing din. Twenty-foot-tall tapestries hung on the towering walls, each representing a different hunting scene. Jade examined the hangings. The works, though beautiful, could have been hanging in any castle in the kingdom and seemed inconsequential to the Bringers’ history.
Her gaze tracked down the wall and stopped on an ornate tile set to the right of one of the hangings. She squinted and stepped toward it, trying to get a better look.
“What is it?” Ravyn said, moving up beside her.
“Do you see that tile?” She motioned with her head, not wanting to point in case somebody watched them. “The one beside the tapestry of the boar hunt?”
“Yes.”
“I recognize that symbol from the book I sold to the curiosity shop.”
Ravyn scrutinized the square. “I’ve seen that before too. On my tome from the abbey.”
As Jade glanced around to make sure they weren’t drawing attention to themselves, her eyes landed on the next tapestry. She flicked her head toward the hanging. “Look.”
Another square with a different symbol peeked from behind the curtain. “It means something.” Ravyn’s eyebrows arched upward. “It can’t be a coincidence.”
“I agree.” Jade dipped her head, indicating the hangings further down the wall. “Each tapestry has a symbol.”
“What are you looking at?” Rhys wrapped his arm around Ravyn’s waist.
She leaned into him. “Those tiles beside the tapestries.”
Before he could answer, Luc and Jacob joined them.
“What are we looking at?” Luc asked.
Rhys pointed and Ravyn slapped his hand down. “Don’t point.”
“See the tiles beside the hangings?” Jade said.
The men examined the square, each nodding.
“Those are Bringer symbols.” Rhys glanced at Jacob. “Have you ever noticed them before?”
“Walked by these old hangings a thousand times and never noticed those once,” he said.
“Probably because we didn’t know what they were until we had the books.” Luc nodded. “I bet nobody else has noticed, either.”
“Jacob.” A male voice boomed behind them. They all turned in unison to face the man. “And Lord Blackwell.”
The approaching man had to be Fromme Bagita. A sumptuous scarlet brocade and fur robe framed a wide chest laden with heavy gold chains and a large jewel-encrusted medallion.
“Fromme, just the man I wanted to see.” Jacob clasped his hands behind his back in a show of displeasure. “As I recall, the Council voted down the proposal to open the doors of Illuma Grand. And yet when I arrived, the entire county was streaming through the gates.”
“Jacob.” The man’s tone held no hint of an apology. “If you
had remained at Illuma Grand, you would have known about the secondary assemblage I called.”
“Why?”
Fromme looked perplexed. “Why what?”
“Why did you call a secondary assemblage? We voted and the answer was no.”
“Yes, well, Lady Whitefeld hinted to me that she’d had a change of heart about her vote.” He shrugged. “Poor dear, what did you expect me to do? It was her dying wish.”
“Lady Whitefeld is dead?” Luc asked.
Even though Jade knew nothing about the workings within Illuma Grand, Fromme Bagita’s story seemed laced with lies.
“Died in her sleep last week.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “She’ll be sorely missed.”
Probably so, but Jade imagined not by Lord Bagita. The hair on the back of her neck bristled. She didn’t like this man. His arrogance and oily speech fueled her distrust.
“You’ll be looking for a new Council member, then?” Luc asked.
“Yes, yes.” Fromme’s head bobbled up and down, his chins flattening against his chest with each nod. “There are several fabulous candidates. Any of which would make a fine member.”
“Excellent.” A brilliant smile spread across Luc’s mouth. “Add me to the list.”
Fromme’s confident expression tightened. “Really, I hadn’t pegged you as the political type.”
Not missing a beat, Jacob chimed in. “Oh yes, he’s been talking about it for years. Said it was time for him to take his rightful place among his peers.”
Jacob slapped Luc on the back. Since she and Luc were planning a mission that could possibly end in their deaths, she presumed he was simply calling Fromme’s bluff.
“And you, Lord Blackwell?” Bagita’s eyes narrowed, the forced smile spreading no further than his mouth. “Do you plan on running as well?”
Jade glanced at Rhys. His expression was unreadable and his voice flat. “I don’t play well with others.”
“Luc will definitely have our support, but we have more important matters to deal with, Lord Bagita,” Ravyn said. “Matters that take us outside Illuma Grand.”
“Still on about the Bane, are you?” He shook his head. “Well, best of luck with that.”
The man’s haughtiness prodded Jade like an angry bee. “Ignoring the Bane won’t make them go away.”
For the first time Bagita turned his attention on her. “I know everybody else, but you I’ve not met before.”
“Fromme,” Jacob cut in. “This is Jade Kendal.”
Large, bushy brows drew together and he pursed his plump lips. “Kendal? Why does that name sound familiar?”
A note of pride and a thread of menace laced Luc’s answer. “She is Bowen Kendal’s daughter.”
Fromme’s face went slack, his mouth opened and closed once. “But I thought his family was killed.”
Jade held her arms out to the side. “Obviously not.”
“Her mother lives as well,” Luc added. “Incidentally, she’s on her way to Faela as we speak.”
“Alive, why that’s imp…incredible.” His face transformed into a mask of unconvincing excitement. “Is it possible that your father lived as well?”
There was nothing hopeful in his question. “Unfortunately, no,” Jade said.
“And there was an older sister.” He turned his gaze to Luc. “You were courting her, were you not?”
“Gone as well,” Jade cut in, not liking the way the man took every opportunity to throw a verbal barb.
Luc glanced at her, giving her a wink. The simple action reinforced the fact that these were her friends and he’d do anything to protect them—especially from somebody like Lord Bagita.
“Jade?” a woman said behind her.
She turned to see her old friend, Beatrice, standing behind her. A tentative smile played on her mouth and her hands were clasped at her chest, as if she were afraid Jade wouldn’t recognize her. Even though Beatrice had transformed from a tomboy into a beauty, her freckled nose and coppery locks gave her away. Her tan skin glowed with health and her huge brown eyes sparkled like a cup of weak tea.
“Beatrice.” Jade smiled and opened her arms and hugged her. “I’m so happy to see you.”
She hugged Jade back. “I wasn’t sure it was you, but when you waved, I knew.” She released her and slid a hand along Jade’s braid. “Besides, who else has hair like this?”
“Beatrice.” Fromme’s voice broke into their reunion. “I’m glad you’re here.”
She let go of Jade’s hair and folded her hands in front of her. “Yes, my lord.”
“Fetch his lordships’ and the ladies’ refreshments. We’ll be at the Superiors’ table in the Great Hall. Deliver them there.”
“Yes, my lord.” Her gaze cut to Jade. “Perhaps we can catch up later.”
“I’d like that very much.”
With a quick curtsy to the group, she turned and wove her way through the crowd.
“Come.” Fromme held his arm out, presumably in the direction of the hall. “There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”
Instead of waiting for their consent, he pivoted and bullied his way through the crowd. Luc moved up behind Jade and placed his hand on her waist. At first she thought he was being forward, but once amid the jostling mass, his hand steadied and guided her.
The air thickened, becoming warmer the deeper into the crush they progressed. The din of the crowd rumbled in her ears, making it impossible to hear anything distinctly. A thousand different odors clogged her nostrils, none of them good. She coughed and covered her nose with her sleeve. Too short to see over most of the heads, Jade gave up trying to get a glimpse of where they were going and let the flow take her.
After what seemed like an eternity, people’s attire transformed from threadbare to sumptuous and the smell of unwashed bodies lessened. She lowered her arm and was struck with the savory tang of roasted meat. Two more arches passed overhead and with each one the crowd thinned.
They entered the Great Hall and Jade’s breath caught in her throat. Her eyes followed the soaring dome-shaped ceiling upward to an expansive mural of the sky. Planets and celestial bodies she couldn’t name stretched overhead, giving her the feeling of being outside. Never had she seen anything so spectacular.
Though hundreds of people milled about the hall, it was obvious that only the richest, highest ranking, and the most elite were allowed near the Superiors.
Lord Bagita led them through the center of the room to a long table stretching across the length of the hall. Men and women cloaked in black robes hovered around the dozen or so people dressed in white. They approached a white-clad figure. From her size, Jade deduced it was probably a woman.
“Ascendant Meran?” Fromme stopped behind her.
The woman turned and Jade was immediately struck by the color of her pale blue eyes, which was all that could be seen beneath the white layers of the veil covering her face.
“Lord Bagita?” The woman’s voice was soft and surprisingly low for her size.
“There are some people I’d like you to meet, Ascendant.” He stepped to the side, giving Jade a clearer view of the woman. “You’ve met Jacob Le Daun, I believe.”
Jacob tipped his head in greeting. “Lovely to see you again.”
“You as well, Lord Le Daun.” Her gaze traveled over the group and stopped on Luc. “And this must be your son. The resemblance is quite remarkable.”
“Luc, my lady, and yes, he is all mine.”
The veil over the Ascendant’s mouth shifted and lines around her eyes crinkled into what Jade assumed was a smile. She looked no older than twenty, but Jade knew that most Ascendants were in their thirties or older. The Ascendant position within the Order of the Saints was given only to those Sisters who possessed the gift of prophecy. Jade had to wonder how powerful Ascendant Meran’s gift was to have garnered such a high position at such a young age.
“One of our less frequent visitors,” Fromme said, drawing the attention back to himself. “Rh
ys Blackwell, and his companion, Lady Ravyn Mayfield.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Lord Blackwell.” The Ascendant’s words held a hint of amusement.
Rhys cleared his throat. “All good, I hope, my lady.”
“But of course.” Her pale blue gaze leveled on Ravyn. She took a step forward and reached for Ravyn’s hand. Gasps and whispers rippled around the hall. “Lady Ravyn, I had hoped to meet you.”
Jade watched the unprecedented exchange. It was death to touch an Ascendant. To have one initiate the contact had never been heard of, as far as she knew. Ravyn stiffened at first touch, obviously aware of the law and just as surprised. All traces of humor had vanished from Rhys’s expression and now he wore his unreadable mask. Luc slid Jade a glance, silently warning her to be ready if somebody tried to enforce the law.
“There are so many questions I wish to ask you about your life in the abbey and how you came to be with this wonderful group.”
“I would like that very much, Ascendant.” Ravyn gave her a genuine smile and the tension within the group seemed to melt. “I’m at your call.”
The Sister released her grip and slid her hands into the voluminous sleeves of her gown. “Would you and Lord Blackwell join me for a private dinner before the festivities begin?”
“But my lady, dinner is being served in the south dining room within the hour.” Fromme held his hands out as if her plans were set in stone and gave her a pleading smile. “You are to be honored during the feast.”
“You can honor me afterward, Fromme. I rarely get the opportunity for girl talk and I won’t miss the chance.” Her tone brooked no argument.
“Of course, Ascendant.” He executed a half bow, which bordered on groveling.
“We would be honored,” Ravyn said.
By the look on her friend’s face, Jade knew that Ravyn enjoyed putting Lord Bagita in his place. She had shared with Jade on the ride to Illuma Grand that there was no love lost between her and Bagita ever since the Council had interrogated her. That had been the day she’d erupted in flames and she and Rhys had nearly ended their relationship. There were many bad memories, and most revolved around Fromme’s condescension and unwillingness to believe in their cause—that the Bane were on the rise. Jade understood Ravyn’s dislike.