Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane)

by Brux, Boone

  “Before we retire tonight, I wanted to say a few words.” He leaned a fist against the table and looked at the group. “I know I don’t have to tell you how perilous tomorrow’s journey will be. I think it’s evident in everybody’s expression.” His gaze tracked to each of them. “It is imperative that we stay together as much as possible once in the Shadow World.”

  Siban glanced at Rell, whose eyes were fixed on the king with an intensity that belied her anxiety. Despite their disagreement, he wished he was sitting next to her so he could ease her worries.

  “We don’t know what to expect once we enter the Bane’s domain.” The king made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “Though some of us have knowledge of the interior and the workings of the demons, it is wise to expect the unexpected.”

  The crowd remained silent, though Siban noticed that Jade shifted to lean against Luc. He wrapped his arm protectively around her. Once again Siban looked at Rell. She sat ramrod straight and unmoving. After dinner he would go to her, let her know he was there to protect her—to give his life for her, if it came to that.

  “As all of you know, one of the unexpected turns we’ve had already is Icarus,” Gregory said.

  At that Rell looked at Siban, staring at him for a second before looking away. There was no mistaking her message. She would do as she pleased—what she felt was right for the Bringers. He gritted his teeth, worrying about what drove her obsession to help Icarus. Was it merely her desire to right the wrongs of the Bane or did her feelings for the demon run much deeper? No matter what, protecting her was going to be more difficult than he’d expected. Trusting her even more so.

  “It appears he’s taken an interest in Rell’s transformation. We’ve got him locked in the cell we used for Rell now, but at some point we’re going to have to deal with him,” Gregory said. “Though I’m still unsure what decision will need to be made, after consultation with Rell and Meran, we believe Icarus might be of some use to us. His actions seem more personal than spurred on by Vile’s influence.”

  “Why do you say that?” Luc’s voice held a hint of malice, understandably so.

  After being lured into the Shadow World by Rell and Icarus, the demon had tried to force information from Luc by torturing him. Siban caught his eyes and gave him a nod of agreement.

  “We think there might be a chance he was once human and that until Rell was transformed, Icarus was unaware of the possibility.” Gregory shrugged. “This may mean nothing.”

  “It was my understanding that we’d finally rid ourselves of the demon once we garnered information.” Luc pulled the immortal dagger from its sheath at his belt and buried the tip in the wooden tabletop. “If you will not do it—then I will.”

  “You have every right, Luc, but I’m asking for patience in this matter.” Gregory paused. “From all of you. If Icarus was human, he’s been Bane for far longer. I’ve never had direct contact with the demon, so I am not in a position to offer my opinion until I speak with him further. I do however put great stock in Meran’s Tell abilities. And from what Rell has said, there are enough differences between Icarus and the other Bane to indicate several possibilities.”

  It would take more than the word of the two Tell women to ever convince Siban, and from Luc’s stoic expression, him as well.

  The decision to keep Icarus alive was foolish. He felt it clear to his bones. “Be done with him, Gregory, and spare us all a lot of trouble.”

  “So now you are judge and executioner?” Rell said.

  “If need be.” He didn’t look at her, not wanting to see the anger he felt emanating from her. “I will do what it takes to keep you safe.”

  She didn’t reply.

  Their leader held up his hands to stay the argument. “I’m not saying that we trust him or even interact with the demon. But we should not act rashly. A captured foe may be of more use than a dead one.” He lowered his arms and sighed. “We’ll be leaving at first light. Get some sleep. Meran and Rell, I’d like you to come with me when I speak with Icarus.”

  “I will come, too,” Siban said. “I want to hear his words for myself.”

  Gregory hesitated. “Only if you remain calm and silent.”

  That would be easier said than done, but he needed to assess the situation for his own peace of mind. “I will try.”

  After a few seconds Gregory relented. “Come then.”

  The Bringers rose, their low conversations about the quest and the revelation about Icarus swirling around Siban. He stood and made his way to where Gregory waited. Rell approached. Words seemed awkward. It would be best to let the situation unfold instead of trying to defend his opinion that Icarus should die.

  The day’s heat had abated when the sun dipped below the horizon. Besides the whir of night hoppers the evening was quiet. Their footsteps swished in the grass. No one in the small group spoke, perhaps each lost in their own thoughts about how to deal with the Demon King’s son Icarus. As they drew closer to where the demon was housed, the burn of the Bane intensified. Siban noticed Meran lightly brushing her hand back and forth against her arm, but Rell appeared unfazed.

  Gregory stopped at the door of the same hut where Rell had been kept. His hand hovered on the handle. “I will speak first. If you have questions, keep them simple so that he is unable to weave lies within his answers.”

  The three of them nodded. More than hearing Icarus’s explanations, Siban wanted to use his Tell to ferret out the Bane’s lies. For most definitely there would be many.

  The demon stood in the middle of the cage. Perhaps he’d been expecting them. Maybe he had heard them coming. Siban was struck with how little he’d asked Rell about her time as a Bane. It was a situation he would remedy tonight.

  “Good evening, Icarus.” Gregory led the way into the room.

  “Perhaps good for you, Bringer. Not for me.” The Bane didn’t move except for his eyes, which followed them as they moved closer to the cage. “Are you here to interrogate me or dispatch me?”

  Rell stepped forward and Siban had to restrain himself from grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the demon’s reach. “We’d like to ask you a few questions. We think we might be able to help you.”

  Icarus inched forward but stopped when Siban moved to stand beside Rell. She glared at Siban. He was headstrong with obviously no intent to stand down. But he wasn’t willing to risk her safety. If Icarus got hold of her, they would be at his mercy. Siban didn’t want to have to make the choice of her life or the demon’s freedom.

  “You needn’t worry, dark one.” The statement sounded too suggestive and was directed at Siban. “I wouldn’t hurt Rell.”

  Jealousy tore at him. Even if what Icarus said was true, he knew the demon was goading him. His weakness for her was a weapon the Bane could now exploit. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

  “No, I’m sure you don’t.” Icarus glided to the stone wall and then turned back to face him. “I’m sure you’d like nothing more than to rid yourself of me—permanently.”

  A humorless smile curved Siban’s lips. “Then we understand each other well, demon.”

  Rell scowled at him again and then turned her attention back to Icarus. “Will you answer some questions for us?”

  He was silent for a few seconds. Certainly the demon would not willingly help them. The entire inquiry was foolish in Siban’s opinion. To his surprise and suspicion, Icarus inhaled deeply and said. “Ask. Whether I answer or not is yet to be seen.”

  “Thank you.” Rell turned to Gregory. “What do you wish to know?”

  A grunt escaped Siban. Would the other three Bringers truly believe what the demon said? One comforting thought was that if keeping Icarus became too perilous, there was no doubt Luc would help Siban vanquish the Bane. Secure with that knowledge, he backed away from the cage, allowing Gregory to take his place.

  “What is your relationship with Vile?” their leader asked.

  “He is my father.” The answer was curt. “And my king.�
�

  “From your tone, I surmise you’ve had a falling out.” Gregory paced a few steps along the front of the cell. “Where do you stand now?”

  The demon’s eyes cut to Rell. “As I’m sure you know, I’ve been banished from the Shadow World.”

  Siban let his Tell creep forward, attempting to get a genuine sense of the demon. The biting against his skin increased. The closer his awareness inched, the more suffocating the demon’s darkness became. The truth of Icarus’s words emanated through the thick taint, giving Siban pause. At least that part of his story rang true.

  “And does that order still stand?” Gregory stopped and gripped the iron bars of the prison. “Are you and Vile still at odds?”

  “Why do you want to know how my father and I fare?” Icarus turned his back to them. “What difference does this make? I am still a Bane and you are my sworn enemy.”

  “We might be able to help you.” Meran’s soft voice seemed to snare the demon. He pivoted and leveled a look at her that hinted of hope and desperation. Like a moth drawn to a deadly flame, she approached. “We helped Rell.”

  “How?”

  The group was silent. Coaxing information from Icarus with the suggestion of helping him was one thing. Divulging the process was quite another. Siban snorted. “You must think us fools if you believe we would tell you how we transformed her.”

  A genuine smile stretched across Icarus’s mouth. “Yes, I would have.” He crossed his arms over his chest. Muscles bulged at his shoulders and biceps. “Still, you can’t expect me to give and not receive something for my cooperation.”

  “I suppose it’s your freedom you want?” Siban said.

  Icarus lifted his brows in acknowledgment.

  “That’s something we can’t offer right now.” Gregory’s fingers slid from the bars. “I had hoped we could come to an understanding. What we need to know is what Vile is planning. Is he attempting to open the Abyss and for what purpose.”

  The smile evaporated from the Bane’s face. “Yes.”

  His direct answer surprised Siban. The truth of it punched his awareness.

  “Vile wants nothing more than to command those imprisoned within.” Icarus hesitated. “An undefeatable army.”

  “But the Abyss is merely a prison for those Bane whom the Bringers have vanquished, correct?” Meran asked.

  “You would know more of this than I, my lady.” The demon’s tone softened each time he spoke to her. Siban glanced at Rell, gauging her reaction to Icarus’s obvious interest in Meran. “Other than my father’s threats, I have never been privy to where the Abyss is hidden or what it houses.”

  Gregory’s shoulders sagged. “Then we know nothing more than we did a few hours ago.”

  “I find it hard to believe the son of the Demon King wouldn’t know about the Abyss,” Siban said.

  “Then you do not know my father. He reveals only what he wants, gives only when it serves him.”

  “Like father, like son, eh?” The retort gave Siban a small measure of victory. At this point it seemed insults were the only punishment he’d be allowed to inflict on the demon.

  “Less than you would think,” the demon replied.

  “If that is the case, then help us defeat him.” Meran said, approaching. Rell stepped away from the prison. “We can try to heal you. We helped Rell and she says you are like she was.”

  A tightness formed in Siban’s chest. What Meran promised would only bode trouble for them. The demon couldn’t be trusted. Unable to listen to the ridiculous promises the three would probably offer, Siban turned and stormed out the door.

  Chilled air buffeted his skin, cooling some of the gnawing itch that the Bane’s presence caused. The fact that the other three couldn’t see that Icarus was dangerous and not to be trusted sent a wave of panic through Siban.

  He needed an ally, somebody who believed as he did.

  Luc.

  …

  She should have followed Siban when he left. His frustration had nearly swamped her, but trying to convince Icarus to help them, and in return help him, had been too important to abandon. More than anything, she wanted Siban to understand why she needed to help Icarus. The thought of living with the utter desolation that infused a Bane’s soul was unthinkable to her.

  And it wasn’t only Icarus she was thinking about. If the Bringers could figure out how to return other demons to their human bodies, they might be able to gain an upper hand over Vile. Her gratitude for being transformed was something she couldn’t put into words. Wouldn’t the other Bane be just as grateful to escape the darkness?

  Maybe it was too much to expect Siban to understand. He’d been held prisoner in the Shadow World, even tortured, but he’d never lived with the growing malice that consumed a Bane’s soul. The slow loss of her humanity and compassion had eaten away at her, day in and day out—suffocating her attempts to feel the things that gave life purpose.

  Rell pressed her hand against her chest. Her heart beat rapidly under her touch. The memories of those dark days could still grip her, stealing her breath and rational thought. She swallowed hard and exhaled silently.

  The door clicked behind Meran and Gregory, leaving her alone with Icarus. Siban would have never allowed it, but with the warded bars and ground, Gregory seemed confident that Icarus could not escape.

  “Do you trust me, Icarus?” she said.

  He wasted no time with pretending. “No, I do not trust you.”

  His statement hurt. For whatever reason, she’d wanted to believe they’d built a connection, no matter how tenuous.

  “You look troubled.” He smiled, amusement dancing in his yellow stare. It was a little startling to see genuine emotion on the demon’s face. “Did you think we were friends?”

  “Maybe not friends.” She rubbed her arms, trying to erase some of the sting his presence caused. “But I thought there was more between us than just enemies.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “I believe that is true. We have a—bond. I don’t trust you because I don’t trust anybody.” He locked his hands behind his back and slowly paced a path along the front of the cell. “To live between two worlds, neither accepted by the Bane any longer and yet loathed by the Bringers is an unsettling predicament.” He stopped and looked at her. “I don’t need to tell you this.”

  “No, you don’t. That is why I wish to help you.”

  “And you think I should readily believe that the Bringers will welcome me with open arms?” He paused. “Have they welcomed you, Rell? Is there no doubt in your mind that all of them trust you?”

  She didn’t reply because she didn’t like the answer. Jade still tiptoed around her, acting as if at any minute she would shatter. And Siban had made it clear that her view on the situation with Icarus was skewed. The other Bringers didn’t know her well enough to trust her. How could they when their first encounter with her had been as a Bane?

  “I can see the answer on your face.” His voice softened. “Rell—” She looked at him. “It is far easier to do and believe what I have for a thousand years than it is to change.”

  Propelled by his confession, she walked the few steps to the cell and wrapped her hands around the bars. “You would never say that if you were finally free of the darkness.” Tears tingled behind her eyes and her voice dropped to a whisper. “It is glorious.”

  When he moved toward her she didn’t retreat. He stopped a few inches away. Slowly, he lifted his talon and caressed her cheek. Though it took great effort, she stayed the urge to pull away. “Why do you care so much?”

  “Because…” She covered his hand with hers. “If Vile has tricked you all these centuries, you deserve to know—and be free.”

  He dragged his hand away from her. “I cannot be redeemed. The stain on my soul is too black.”

  “And if you are returned to your human form, that stain will crumble to ash and blow away along with everything else that is Bane.”

  She didn’t tell him that the taint of the
Bane was never fully gone, but she wanted to give him hope.

  Turning his back on her, Icarus walked to the center of the cell. “I will think about what you have said.”

  When he didn’t continue, she released the bar and walked to the door. Before leaving, she said, “I do care about you, Icarus. Not what you can do for us, but for you.”

  With that she pushed open the door and quietly closed it behind her. She released her pent-up breath and leaned against the uneven wood of the door, trying to gain her composure. Tomorrow morning, before they left on their journey to the Shadow World, she would speak with Gregory again and tell him about their conversation. It might be enough to guarantee Icarus’s safety until they returned. If they returned.

  A light breeze ruffled her hair and she pushed away from the door. An owl hooted in a tree to her right. Rell extended her awareness, making sure no dangers lurked between her and the manor. Bugs whirred their songs, calling to each other, but there were no other sounds. Stars twinkled above her, giving her hope. From all she’d suffered at the hands of the Bane, maybe her suffering could be used to help those who had been captured as she had.

  Her mind drifted back to Icarus. There was no guarantee that he had ever been human. Only her gut instinct and Tell hinted at the difference between him and the other Bane. She prayed that what she felt was true. The tide against the Bane would most certainly change if Icarus rallied with the Bringers.

  Low voices floated from the opposite side of the manor wall. Rell stopped to listen, recognizing the two men. Siban and Luc. Their words were difficult to understand. She crept a few feet closer and pressed her body against the stone wall of the outbuilding.

  “I don’t trust Icarus. It’s as if he has a hold over Rell.”

  “That bloody demon should be nowhere near the women,” Luc said. “And it wouldn’t surprise me if he had used his evil to bewitch her. Their relationship goes beyond my understanding.”

  “I thought once she was no longer demon, her loyalty would shift completely.” Siban was silent for a second. “But the touch of the Bane is insidious.”