Sword

by JC Andrijeski

  Leaving the rest of them behind the stage to do their military thing, he re-entered the main ballroom, letting himself disappear into a crowd that still mostly clustered around the bar and the buffet table covered with hors d’oeuvres.

  He saw a few of the reporters talking though, and it struck him that Allie’s absence had been noted in the hour plus since she’d walked off the dance floor with Revik. He wondered how long it would take someone to think to roll back the recordings, look for who she’d left with while they’d all been pushed by seers to look the other direction.

  He shoved it from his mind, feeling another pull to go find her.

  He wandered down the hallway where he’d last seen the two of them, the one that led into the main lobby of the hotel. He didn’t go that far, though.

  At the end of the marble passageway decorated with another Persian carpet-runner, he wasn’t particularly surprised to find a service elevator off to his right.

  Without thinking about it too much, Jon walked inside.

  Logic granted him the reasons in retrospect. Whatever else may have changed about Revik, he had his doubts certain things would have changed all that much. Revik harbored a near-inability to go through a front door when a back door might be available. While not a back door, precisely, the service elevator was neither too obvious for Revik, nor inconspicuous enough for the Adhipan to try first.

  Jon got on, and looked at the buttons.

  After a bare second’s hesitation, he hit the square marked “PH,” again on a hunch. Revik would want a way out. If it wasn’t a car waiting below, it would be a helicopter up top. That, coupled with the seer’s pathological dislike for underground, enclosed spaces, made the choice obvious.

  Jon knew what he was doing was likely useless.

  He also knew no one would notice his absence, so there was little harm in trying. One thing he’d noticed about being a human: when things got serious, seers tended to dismiss him out of hand. They didn’t do it out of malice; they simply forgot about him.

  Cass, being Cass, inserted herself anyway.

  Jon’s tendencies led him in the opposite direction.

  He let them sideline him.

  Truthfully, the advantages of operating under line of sight appealed to him more than the disadvantages of fighting to be heard. He tended to be privy to a lot, simply because they forgot he was there. It also left him free to follow his own predilections, if they didn’t happen to align with those of the larger group.

  The ride to the top of the luxury hotel felt long.

  Jon found his nerves inching higher the further he traveled up floors.

  He had a bad feeling about whatever Revik hoped to accomplish that night, beyond his more obvious fixation on Allie. Jon had seen too much of the uglier sides of his friend in the last few months to believe it was a coincidence he’d picked tonight, of all nights, to reunite with his wife.

  Even the thing with Allie wasn’t just about him getting laid.

  He wanted Allie with him. Permanently.

  He could be planning to use her to make some sort of statement to the human world––or worse, kidnap her to force the Seven and Adhipan to ally with his growing army of rebel seers. No matter who she was to him, no way would Revik be blind to the power she had, both in terms of who she was, and what she could do.

  Unlike Balidor though, Jon couldn’t discount his brother-in-law’s feelings entirely.

  He’d seen too much to believe Revik could be viewing Allie purely as an asset, no matter how much he’d changed.

  The elevator car slid to a halt, letting out a melodic tone. The heavy, cargo-type doors began to open. Jon had barely stepped out from between them when he heard footsteps and turned, aiming his eyes down the corridor.

  He found himself staring at Revik.

  He blinked, sure he was hallucinating.

  The smile on the tall seer’s face convinced him he wasn’t.

  He had a shiner––a red mark under one eye that would probably turn dark in a day’s time.

  It looked like someone had punched him in the face.

  Two seers flanked him, each of them as bulked up as Revik, though neither as tall. One of them laid a hand on his hip, undoubtedly reaching for a gun, but Revik didn’t seem to notice. His pale, nearly colorless eyes remained on Jon.

  “Hello, little brother.” He smiled wider as he tapped his temple. “You heard me.” He glanced at the other two seers. “This is my brother-in-law. Don’t be stupid.”

  Both seers glanced at Revik, then took their hands off weapons.

  Jon barely had time to look at the guns before Revik’s voice pulled his eyes back to his tanned face. He found himself staring at the mark under the seer’s eye.

  “Jon here is a practically an honorary seer, anyway,” Revik said to the two guards. “I swear he’s less of a worm than some of the dregs of the Seven… isn’t that right, Jon?” The smile grew into a grin, even as he gestured, one-handed. “Look at this! I call him, and here he is! I couldn’t ask more from one of my own blood family.”

  Jon found himself tensing when Revik walked right up to him.

  He tensed more when Revik enveloped him in a hug.

  Jon stood there, stunned, accepting the embrace without knowing what else to do. He found himself patting the seer’s back in return, fighting shock as Revik released him.

  He stared up at the seer’s face.

  Revik looked so genuinely happy to see him, it threw him entirely.

  The larger of the two bodyguards, a Chinese-looking seer sporting a dark braid and two thick arms covered in tattoos, grunted a few words in what sounded like Mandarin, seemingly aiming those words at Revik. Jon found himself staring at the broad face, recognizing him––first from Salinse’s cave after the attack in Seertown, and then from Washington D.C.

  The muscular seer looked less than impressed with Jon’s “honorary status.” Even so, his face remained neutral as he sized Jon up with obsidian-black eyes.

  “That’s him?” he said in accented English. “The brother-in-law?” He grunted, meeting Jon’s gaze. “We’ve met. Remember me, cousin?”

  Jon nodded, holding that light-filled gaze with an effort. “I remember.”

  “You were good in that op,” Wreg said, as if remembering.

  He gave Jon a perfunctory nod, one Jon couldn’t quite interpret, but that seemed broadly approving. Wreg glanced at Revik next.

  “Di'lanlente a' guete. You should have told me that was your brother-in-law. I seem to remember giving him endless shit during that op. Of course, it didn’t help that the unwilling we used to disguise your light was completely infatuated with him.”

  Revik smiled wider, his eyes still studying Jon’s. “Jon can take it.” He glanced at the other seer, gesturing towards Jon in a flowing motion of one hand. “You see it, right? In his light? I theorize it’s my wife’s doing, of course… but even so. Remarkable.”

  The other seer grunted again, noncommittal, but Jon felt his stare a second time.

  Revik reached for Jon again, clapping him on the shoulder.

  “I’d like a word with you,” he said.

  He waved at the other two to continue without him.

  The one who wasn’t covered in tattoos hesitated, but Revik’s sharp look got him moving in the direction of the elevator.

  Jon found himself in the utterly surreal position of being steered by Revik’s hand, led back down the corridor from which the three of them had just come. He couldn’t stop staring at the Elaerian’s face, trying to come to grips with the utterly foreign personality he saw behind those clear eyes.

  He found himself understanding Allie better suddenly.

  More than he’d really wanted, at least in relation to this.

  “I want to ask you a favor, Jon,” Revik said, once they’d reached the bend in the hall. He still rested his arm on Jon’s shoulder. “Allie’s in there…” He motioned with his head towards a door at the end of the corridor.

&nbs
p; When Jon began to speak, the seer raised a hand, warding off his concern.

  Jon couldn’t help but notice that he still wore their father’s ring. He followed it with his eyes.

  “…She’s fine,” Revik added. “I’m having clothes sent up.” A smile touched his narrow mouth. When Jon didn’t return the smile, Revik’s voice turned matter of fact. “I’m not taking her with me, Jon. Her choice.”

  Jon’s jaw hardened. “So? You got your answer. What do you want with me?”

  Revik hesitated, removing his hand. The crystal-like eyes grew serious, almost thoughtful, but still held only glimmers of the Revik Jon recognized.

  “Jon,” he said. “I want to ask you something. I’d really like to not have to read you for it.”

  Jon shoved his hands in his pockets, nodding. “Fine. Ask.”

  Revik hesitated again, his pale eyes looking between Jon’s. “Is she still angry about D.C.? About the op there? You know… with Kat?” His face grew uncomfortable. “…and the others. Is that still an issue with her? A serious one, I mean?”

  Jon stared up at him, incredulous.

  “I know it’s a personal question,” Revik said. “And likely inappropriate, since I’m essentially asking you to break her confidence. But I need to know.”

  “Why the hell didn’t you ask her that?” Jon said.

  “I did. She didn’t answer. Well…” He made a seer’s shrug. “Not exactly.”

  Jon continued to stare at him. He contemplated making a crack about the mark on Revik’s face, but didn’t. Finally, he shook his head.

  “Jesus, man. I don’t think that’s the issue, honestly.”

  “Is she seeing anyone?”

  Jon felt his jaw harden. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Answer the question, Jon.”

  He shook his head. “No. I absolutely will not answer that question. You’re going to have to read me for that, Revik. Or, better yet… piss off. I hope she told you the same.”

  Revik’s expression didn’t move at first.

  For an instant, Jon thought he’d angered him.

  Then the Elaerian tilted a palm, a gesture of dismissal.

  “I guess I deserve that. And if it makes you feel better, she did,” he added. “…Tell me to piss off.” He paused, still studying Jon’s eyes. “You know I’d give her anything, Jon. Anything she asked. I want things to be good with us.”

  “Then stop killing people,” Jon retorted.

  Revik just looked at him for a moment. His friendly expression grew taut.

  “Anything but that.” When Jon opened his mouth, Revik cut him off. “Don’t even pretend you understand my motives on this, Jon. You don’t. Whatever I may feel for you, don’t pretend we’re similar in this.”

  “Jesus, Revik. Would you listen to yourself? You need help, man. Why don’t you go to Vash, talk to him and the others about—”

  “Vash? I need Vash’s help?” For the first time, the seer looked actually angry. “What would I need his help with exactly, Jon? Cracking my mind in half again? Lying to me? Killing another of my mates? No. I don’t think so.”

  His mouth hardened as he met Jon’s eyes.

  Jon flinched a little at what he saw there.

  As if noticing his reaction, Revik looked away, placing his hands on his hips. He clicked softly, his gaze unfocused as he looked out the long window that made up the top part of the corridor.

  “I want things to be right again with me and Allie,” he said, softer. “More than anything, I want that, Jon. I know she’s angry about what I did in D.C., and I don’t blame her. I really don’t. I understand more than I told her in there.” He gestured towards the door at the end of the hall, right before his eyes swiveled back to Jon.

  “But I’m not willing to play tit for tat.” His jaw hardened again. “Not about this. I love her. I’ll give her all the evidence she wants of that. But I won’t play games with this. Not with her. She needs to understand that, Jon. You need to help her understand.”

  “Tit for tat?” Jon frowned. “What does that even mean?”

  “I’m willing to meet her halfway,” Revik went on, his voice openly warning. “But I don’t trust those pious fucks to keep her safe… and you shouldn’t, either. You want to help your sister, Jon? Tell her to come back to me. Convince her I’ll keep her a hell of a lot safer than they will. You know me, Jon. You know that much is true.”

  Jon shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets.

  “It’s not about the Seven, Revik. Or about the two of you compromising on china patterns or where to buy a house—”

  “She gets all of me, Jon. That’s the deal.”

  For the first time, though, Jon saw doubt in his eyes, an anger that sifted someplace deeper, illuminating the fragments. As if feeling Jon’s reaction, he looked away, staring down the empty hallway. Jon saw the long fingers tighten on his hips.

  “No matter how much that might piss her off right now,” he said, quieter. “In the end, she’ll realize she wants me this way, too.” He met Jon’s gaze, his voice carrying a faint steel. “Seers aren’t like humans, Jon. She married me… not half of me. On some level, she knew that. When she’s more aware of herself, of who she really is, she’ll realize I’m right.”

  Seeing the doubtful look in Jon’s eyes, Revik clenched his jaw.

  “Our marriage isn’t just going to go away.”

  “It is if you get yourself killed,” Jon retorted.

  Revik stared at him.

  Then he surprised Jon by smiling.

  He shook his head humorously, clicking in a softer tone. “I always did admire your courage, Jon. I hope you know I mean that. You’re exceptional, for a human. You really are.”

  Jon folded his arms. “Wow. I’m just… overwhelmed, Revik.”

  “Good,” he said, still smiling a little. “In that case, I’d like to ask you to deliver a message to her for me, Jon.”

  “Weren’t you just with her?”

  Revik’s eyes flattened. “Give it to her anyway, Jon,” he said.

  After a pause, Jon waved him on. “Fine.”

  The seer’s voice grew flatter still. “Remind my wife that I warned her it was a one-way ticket with us,” he said. “I don’t care how angry she is at me… or how justified she feels in getting revenge. If she tries to yank my chain with this, I guarantee she won’t like the results. Tell her that after today, anyone she sleeps with… anyone besides me, of course… I’ll kill. No exceptions.” His eyes hardened. “Even you, Jon. So don’t get any ideas about trying to ease things for her in this.”

  Jon felt his face flush hot. “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Revik,” He stared at him. “This is Jon. Her brother… remember?”

  “Don’t give me that crap,” Revik growled. “You’re no blood relation of hers. She thinks of you that way, so I do, too, but don’t push it—”

  “—Her brother who likes guys,” Jon said, ignoring his words. “Why in god’s name would you think that I, of all people, would—”

  “I know what you did,” Revik cut in.

  When Jon looked up, the pale eyes turned the color of ice.

  “In high school,” Revik said. “The first time she experienced real separation pain. She asked you, and you did it, because you were afraid she’d get hurt.” The narrow mouth hardened. “I understand why you did it, Jon… I do. I know you love her. I also know you’d do anything to see her not in pain. But if you do it again, now, while she’s married to me, I’ll kill you.”

  He paused, his face devoid of expression. “Even if you tell yourself you’re doing it to keep her from being raped. Even if she begs you, little brother. I’ll still kill you if you put your cock in her. Or anything else of yours, for that matter.”

  Jon gaped up at him.

  For a long moment, he couldn’t comprehend what the seer had said.

  He’d never told anyone that. Ever. No one. It was one of those memories he buried so f
ar deep in his mind he barely remembered it himself.

  Allie couldn’t have told him about that, could she?

  They’d never talked specifically about it being a secret, not in so many words, but Jon never doubted it was a secret, or that such a thing needed to be spelled out. He’d done it for the reasons Revik said, but neither of them ever really wanted to talk about it again.

  It had been a mistake, one they’d moved past. Years ago, they’d moved past it.

  Why in God’s name would Allie tell him about that?

  “You understanding me, Jon?” Revik said. “Are we going to have a problem, you and I? Or can you let my wife and I sort this out on our own?”

  “What the hell happened to you?” Jon said. The words burst out of him. “Seriously, man. Just how fucking crazy are you now?”

  Revik’s expression grew flatter, even as he gave Jon another smile. His eyes held nothing, no glimmer of anything Jon could get a read on.

  “I think we do understand each other, Jon.” He reached into his jacket, pulling out a wallet. “Make sure our friend, Balidor, gets the message too.”

  Extracting a stack of bills from the leather folder, he handed them to Jon.

  “For the dress,” he said, lifting an eyebrow with a wry smile. He tucked the wallet back in his tuxedo jacket, smiling more genuinely as Jon stared at the bills. “I’d like to give her another message, too, Jon, about how much I enjoyed our short time together, but I’m afraid common decency won’t allow it. Suffice it to say, it wasn’t nearly long enough.” His eyes hardened slightly above the smile. “I want her home, little brother. You can tell her that, too.”

  Still smiling faintly, he gave the human a short bow.

  “Be seeing you, Jon.”

  As he turned to go, Jon found himself grabbing the seer’s long arm.

  Revik tensed, eyes narrowing, but he let himself be stopped.

  “What, Jon?”

  Looking up at him, Jon felt his throat close.

  “Revik, man.” He swallowed. “Seriously. You can’t be okay. You can’t be. Not like this. If not Vash, maybe someone else…”

  Revik’s eyes grew colder.

  After a pause, he extracted his arm from Jon’s fingers.

  “Give her the message, Jon,” he said. “And do me a last favor. Stay with her until the valet brings up her clothes.” He gestured vaguely at the corridor. “I don’t want her wandering around like that… even armed.”