Heir to the Throne (The Wardbreaker Book 4)

by Katerina Martinez

  Becket nodded. “Noted,” he simply said.

  “Settle down, Azalius,” Eliphas scolded. He paused. “Tribune Callista, how do you vote?”

  Callista paused, perhaps deeply contemplating the issue, perhaps soaking in the attention—likely both. “I can see the merit in putting a sick dog down,” she said, “At the same time, that dog isn’t so sick that it can’t bite your face off if pushed too hard. What you’re suggesting is incredibly dangerous.”

  “No more dangerous than some of the threats this Magistrate is asked to deal with from time to time,” Tribune Dexius said.

  “Perhaps, but this isn’t some external threat we’re being asked to interfere with. It is, at best, an interpersonal dispute.”

  “And the crown? I would call that an external threat.”

  “We don’t even know if the crown is truly real. All we know is, at some point a few days ago, we detected an energy surge. All we have now is their word that what they’re saying is true. If it isn’t, and we as the New York Magistrate descend on Asmodius, our leadership will be questioned. I, for one, don’t want to risk it. I vote no.”

  “Then you’re a coward,” Dexius said, folding his arms. “For Queens, and for all the good it will do, I vote yes.”

  Eliphas sighed. “In order for my motion to pass, the vote had to be unanimous,” he said, “I’m sorry, but the Magistrate cannot help you.”

  “This is bullshit!” RJ said, stepping forward.

  Azalius leapt to his feet. “You dare step toward the Magistrate?” he snapped.

  “Yeah, I dare. What the fuck are you gonna do about it?”

  The Tribune glared at Eliphas. “You would allow that man to address his betters like this?”

  “I—”

  --Danvers felt the pulse before anyone else did, and Axel felt it an instant later, the feeling rippling up and along his spine. He turned to look at her, his eyes wide. “Izzy?” he asked.

  Danvers nodded. “Yeah…” she said, “I think she’s just used it.”

  “Shit, we have to leave.”

  Karim shrugged. “It’s not like we’re getting any help from these pricks, is it?”

  “Do you know where she is?” Axel asked, “Can you trace the source?”

  “I think so, but we need to move fast,” Danvers said.

  “Then let’s get the hell out of here,” RJ said, already moving toward the door.

  “Excuse me,” Eliphas called out, “Where are you all going?”

  Axel stopped and turned around. “Did any of you feel that?” he asked.

  “I felt it,” Neeve, the woman in Asmodius’ old seat finally spoke. “Was that it? Was that the crown?”

  “Yeah… it was. Either she’s put it on, or my father has found a way to use it. Either way, we have to go and help—with or without you.”

  Neeve looked at the Magister. “I’ve felt that power before,” she said, “It’s real, and it’s bigger than all of us.” She pulled her hood back, revealing a young face—she must’ve been in her mid-twenties—with black hair and sharp, hazel eyes. “We have to help them, and if not as Tribunes, then as Mages.”

  “Who let this child speak?” Azalius barked. “You’ve sat on this Tribune for less than a heartbeat, and you think you can go against the wishes of this Magistrate without repercussions?”

  “She can,” Eliphas said, yanking his robe off entirely and tossing it aside. With his eyes fixed on his brother, Becket, he nodded emphatically. “The Magistrate will not move on Asmodius, but I, as a citizen of this great city, will. Tribunes Dexius and Neeve, gather all your Legionnaires who are willing to volunteer.”

  “This won’t stand,” Azalius said. “The three of you will not come back to find this Magistrate exactly the way you left it.”

  “Maybe not, but if this is real, I want to be on the right side of history.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “You again!” hissed a shrill voice.

  I spun around on my heel to find Oktos looming high above me, his black, feathery wings spread wide, his skeletal body on display. It was an intimidating sight, a thing of nightmares, and yet his presence comforted me; made me feel safe.

  “It’s me again,” I said, “Why do we keep meeting?”

  “Because I’m your Psychopomp, obviously. I’m supposed to show up whenever you enter the Tempest, but you’re only supposed to have entered once. This is your third time, and you’ve still got that damn crown with you. Why are you here?”

  “I didn’t have a choice,” I said. “Trust me, I want to be here less than you want me.”

  “So, take the crown off and go away like you did last time.”

  “I can’t. Right now, another Mage is holding me hostage. If I take this off and go back to him empty handed, he’s going to go on a torture fest.”

  Oktos stared at me, his wings curling around his body. “I can see why that might be upsetting.” He paused. “But I can’t let you stay here without knowing first what you plan on doing with that crown.”

  “I made a promise to the man who threatened to kill my friends. I’ve got to go to that city and bring him the treasures inside.”

  “You’re kidding… right?”

  “No, I’m not.”

  The Psychopomp shook his head. “No, you’re lying. Tell me why you’re really here.”

  “You want to know if she plans on destroying you,” Ifrit said, his voice low and deep. He was huge, a Godling made of fire standing tall beside me.

  Oktos slowly nodded. “I am.”

  “Why would I destroy you?” I asked. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

  “That’s not true. The crown can do many things, even kill us, if that’s what you wanted. As for why? I don’t know why you would choose to destroy me, but I know enough about humans to understand just how dangerous you can be, given enough power. You aren’t the first Mage I have guided.”

  “Yeah, okay, most humans are assholes, but I’m not one of them.”

  Ifrit cocked a silent, fiery eyebrow at me.

  “Okay, sometimes I am,” I said, “But I’m not a murderer. Besides, I like you, Oktos. I never wanted to see you again, but if I have to be here, then I’m l relieved to be in your company.”

  “Is that true?” Oktos asked.

  “Of course. You helped me find the other half of my soul. I’m always gonna be grateful for that.”

  The Psychopomp paused, maybe to think about what I’d just said, maybe to consider whether I was really lying to him. The water around our rock was calm, now; or at least, mostly quiet. It was like an oasis in a desert, a spot of blissful perfection in an otherwise inhospitable environment.

  “Alright,” Oktos said, “I’ll accept that. But now you have to get serious with me. Are you really here to try and steal treasure from that place right there?”

  I turned my head and glimpsed Ashelor in the distance behind me, the city now standing triumphantly above the waves. “I am. I don’t know how, but I need to try.”

  “I don’t recommend that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because that is a dark and dangerous place. None of us go there. Not Guardians, not Psychopomps, not even Wardens or Oracles; and Oracles are meant to be everywhere at once. That place is a blight upon the Tempest. Nothing good can come of going there. Best to just let it sink again.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I haven’t seen the city standing like that in a very long time. When you first showed up with the crown, it was under the waves, where it belongs. Does it look sunken anymore?”

  “No… are you saying I caused that?”

  “Yes, I am. Ever since you showed up with the crown, things have been happening in that place. First it came out of the water, then it started reaching into the Tempest, expanding its influence and poisoning everything it touches. The last time that city stood above the waves, the Tempest itself fought back and sank it. The same thing will happen again.”

  “The
last time. Do you mean the first time?”

  “Exactly. The first and only other time that city stood above the waves.”

  “What else can you tell me about the city?”

  “I shouldn’t be telling you anything about it. The city has nothing to do with the search for your Guardian, but I can’t seem to be able to stop answering your questions.”

  “Do you think that crown is doing that?”

  “I really don’t know.”

  I turned my eyes up at the spire jutting into the sky from the heart of the city. I could see the dome beneath it, the four pillars at each corner of the temple. It was impressive, and dark, and sinister all at once. Lightning struck it several times, from all directions, but the spire didn’t crack, didn’t break.

  “What if I wanted to destroy it?” I asked.

  Oktos gave a hearty chuckle.

  I looked at Ifrit, then back at Oktos. “Why are you laughing?”

  “Because not even the Tempest itself could destroy that place. Its answer was to drown it and hold its corpse beneath the waves. You can’t destroy it.”

  “You talk about the Tempest like it can think.”

  “It can think, and feel, and want. I’m sorry if you can’t wrap your mind around that, but the Tempest isn’t merely a place, nor is it a thing, or a vessel through which humans can wield the incredible powers they do. The Tempest is everything. It’s the universe. It’s God. To suggest you can do something the Tempest can’t isn’t just hubris, it’s blasphemy to my ears.”

  “Okay, well, I’ve never considered any of that. What you’re saying is probably true, but I have to find treasure in there to bring to the man who is going to kill my friends and their families. I also have to destroy that place. I don’t know how I’m going to do any of that, but I have you, I have Ifrit, and I have the crown. We have to be able to find a solution to both problems.”

  Oktos’ entire body shook, causing his feathers to ruffle. “Wait, we? What do you mean by we? I can’t be involved in any of this.”

  “And why not?”

  “Because my purpose is to guide you to your Guardian. Nothing more. I shouldn’t have told you half of the things I’ve already said.”

  “And yet, you’ve said them. You’ve already broken the rules that bind you, but you haven’t stopped existing.” I grinned. “Maybe your brain can’t wrap itself around that.”

  The Psychopomp stared at me. If it had eyes, I had a feeling they would be glaring. “Alright, maybe we both have smaller brains than we’d like to think. That doesn’t mean pursuing this course of action isn’t going to end up meaning oblivion for all of us.”

  “I’ll give you that. Now, are you gonna help me or not?”

  “I’m not sure. Where would we even start?”

  I turned to look at Ifrit. His attention was fixed on the city itself, his massive fiery body shifting with the breeze. “What do you think?” I asked, “I don’t know how any of this works. For all I know, we could all be marching into the end of our existences.”

  “I don’t register the passing of time the way you do,” he said, “For me, I have always existed, and will always exist. Or I have never existed, and I won’t. Oblivion does not frighten me.” He turned his head to look at me. “But it’s my duty to protect one of the most precious things in the universe. Your soul. Putting that in danger goes against everything I have ever known.”

  “I know, but this is bigger than my soul. If we don’t destroy the city, and someone else finds a way to use the crown, then more people than we can imagine would be put in danger. Not just people, either, but the Tempest, too. I can do this with or without your help.”

  “I’m bound to your service, Izzy. I’ll go where you take me, and I’ll fight to protect you and your soul until the bitter end.”

  Oktos approached. “Not that I agree with any of this,” he said, “But what’s your plan? Are you just going to march in there and tear the place down brick by brick?”

  “If that’s what it takes. Maybe there’s a quicker way, but I’ll need your help, and I’m only going to ask one more time. Will you help me?”

  The Psychopomp squared himself up, ruffling his feathers. “If I don’t, you’re going to get yourself and possibly your Guardian killed. I don’t think I can stand by and do nothing.”

  I nodded. “Good. Thank you, Oktos. Now, more than ever, I need a guide.”

  Oktos bowed. “I’m yours. I’ll answer your questions as best I can, but you’ll need to ask them.”

  “Ifrit… will the crown take me to the city?”

  “Yes,” Ifrit said, “Command it to, and it will take us there.”

  I turned my gaze toward the city and took a deep breath of salty, ocean water. I found it strange I couldn’t hear the Queen’s voice, that I couldn’t feel her presence drawing nearer. Maybe it was because she’d already won one of her battles—getting me here—but I couldn’t tell with any certainty.

  I took a step toward the city, picking my way across the rocks that made up the little island we’d been standing on. The water frothed and broke around us, but the spray didn’t seem to touch my hair or dampen it at all. As I reached the waterline, the water receded, like magic, pulling away from the rocks to reveal solid, walkable land underneath.

  The Tempest itself parted for me, creating a path between where I was, and the base of the shining city itself. I glanced at Ifrit and Oktos, then I started on my long walk to Ashelor. I could only imagine what some Mages would have given to be in my position, the Tempest itself bowing to their will in a way they could never have dreamed.

  But they didn’t really know the whole truth, did they?

  I doubted if they’d like having the fate of the Tempest itself on their shoulders. They’d probably only want the treasure that was supposed to be in here, somewhere. But that’s not how things work. Nothing comes for free.

  We walked in humble silence, watching the walls of water churn and rush around us. As we walked, the Tempest fell in behind us to close the path we’d used to get to where we were going; a clear signal that from here, there was no going back.

  From here, I could only go forward, closer to the heart of this place; closer to the throne room, and to the drowned Queen.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  On a normal day, even the Magistrate would’ve had trouble locating Asmodius’ safehouse—but today wasn’t a normal day. Not even Asmodius could’ve predicted just how powerful an energy spike using the drowned Queen’s crown would create. It had lit his lair up like a Christmas tree, and with Becket’s intricate knowledge of portal magic, Magister Eliphas, Tribunes Dexius and Neeve, six Legionnaires, and one pissed off gang of low-key criminals were falling on it like a hammer.

  Still, Asmodius had erected wards around his second compound to prevent portals from opening, or Mages from teleporting, directly inside. By Becket’s own estimates, he’d been forced to anchor the portal’s end point about a half-mile away from the property itself, but even from where they were standing now, Axel could see lights.

  According to Becket, they’d landed somewhere upstate; somewhere far enough away from the city itself that even the orange-hued clouds hanging above New York itself were only a suggestion in the distance. Out here, there were only trees, and grass, and moonlight

  As soon as they stepped out of the portal and Becket confirmed their location, Eliphas went to work on summoning some cars for the ride back. He didn’t like the idea of cramming Asmodius and any of his captured cronies single file through a portal that could be tampered with. Magic-proof cars, however, would work nicely as prisoner transportation.

  “Have you ever been here before?” Becket asked Axel.

  “No,” Axel said, “I’ve never been here. I didn’t even know this place existed.”

  “Are there more compounds your father keeps in his back pocket?”

  “Probably. If I didn’t know about this one, then there are others I don’t know about. If you want to make sure he
doesn’t go back into hiding again, we need to catch him for good this time.”

  RJ clasped Axel on the shoulder. “I know this is probably gonna be tough for you,” he said, “I just want you to know, I’ve got your back. We all do. Even that sarcastic sonofabitch.”

  Karim rolled his eyes. “Is this the part where you expect me to make some profound speech about friendship and camaraderie?” he asked, “Because if so, you can stick it up your arse.”

  “The friendship or the camaraderie?” Danvers asked.

  Karim flipped his middle finger at her. “How about this?”

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Becket interrupted in a scolding tone, “This is no way to behave in front of the Magistrate. Show some dignity.”

  Axel had almost forgotten they weren’t the only ones who’d followed them and the Magister through the portal. Neeve, the Brooklyn Tribune, and Dexius, who watched over Queens, had joined them in their fight against Asmodius. They’d also brought six Legionnaires wearing black tactical armor and black, hooded cloaks that looked sinister as all hell.

  “You ever miss wearing a cloak?” Axel asked RJ.

  “Pft,” RJ scoffed. “Hated the fucking thing. They couldn’t get me to keep it on.”

  “Do you still have it?” Karim asked, “And if you do, could I have it? It would be a perfect addition to my casual Friday attire.”

  “I’d pay to see you wear something like that,” Danvers said.

  Karim scoffed. “Fool, I’d wear it for free.”

  Neeve approached the group while Becket, Dexius, and Eliphas discussed their battle plan. Axel still couldn’t get over how young she was. Tribunes needed experience, wisdom, and maybe a few battles under their belts. They needed to understand politics, war, and the occult all equally in order to effectively maintain order within a city.

  How in the hell had she been picked to take on such a huge responsibility?

  “Mind if I join you over here?” she asked, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I kind of feel like they don’t really need me right now.”