Viktor cleared his throat. “That doesn’t matter.” Even so, I could tell by the angry gleam in his eyes that it mattered quite a lot.
“So you say.”
Viktor lifted his chin. “It comes down to this. I plan to kill our parents and take their place. I want your help.”
“I’d rather you took my place in the gateways, honestly.”
“But you know that’s not an option. Setting me loose…Getting the Sword…And then, I’d have to deliver the right provocation at the previse moment for you to be justified in killing me. You’re too noble for your own good. That’s why I need you. I’ll protect you from yourself. Give up on this dream of using hybrid magick to heal the gateways.”
I rubbed my neck, thinking. “I don’t see how I’m necessary to your plans. You have an army. You control hybrid magick. You could kill the Sire and Lady and then heal the gateways yourself.”
“Consider it my brotherly love for you. I wish you and your Caster boy to take part in my ultimate success.”
I slowly eyed my brother. Every line of his body concealed tightly-held rage. He was furious with the very concept of demeaning himself to speak to me. There was no brotherly love here. If Viktor wanted my help, there could be only one reason why he sought it. Not love. Power.
“In other words,” I said slowly. “You aren’t strong enough to heal the gateways on your own. You need Rowan and me.”
“I need no one!” bellowed Viktor. “I’m offering you the chance of many lifetimes! If you don’t team with me, then our parents will sacrifice you and heal the gateways. I’ll still get the Sword and kill them.”
“But you won’t be able to rule everywhere, will you? If our parents heal the gateways with me, then they rule those worlds. But if you get me to be your sacrifice, then the empire falls to you, doesn’t it? Or am I too thick to understand what you want here?”
“I try to be a good brother, and this is what happens.”
“Oh, did my doltish mind figure out something on its own? How horrible of me. You don’t just want our parents dead. You want to rule all the known worlds.” I sniffed. “You’d think patricide and matricide would be satisfying enough.”
Viktor stepped closer, his body positively vibrating with fury. “Make no mistake. You need me. I know the spells our parents cast particular in order to stabilize the Meadow of Many Gateways. You won’t be able to succeed without me.”
“You know the spells? Prove it. Name one.”
Viktor looked away for the barest second. It was a quick glance, but it had liar written all over it. “I don’t have to prove myself to you.”
“Do you don’t know how to wield hybrid magick and heal the gateways. How disappointing.”
Viktor waved his arm dismissively. “You’re wrong about my requiring you and Rowan for power. I drained thousands of Necromancers and Casters, pulling their energy into my own body. I have plenty of magick to heal the gateways.”
“This sounds familiar. Great claims and no proof. Go on. Show me.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You want my help? Pull some hybrid magick into your palm. Prove to me that you’re not doing this because you need my power, but because you love me as a sister.”
Viktor kept glaring at me, his nostrils flaring with every breath. At length, he spat out one word. “Fine.” Pulling up his long sleeve, Viktor exposed his right arm. Within a few seconds, this palm began to glow with violet light.
“See?” said Viktor. “I can wield this power easily. We are done here.”
I raised my pointer finger. “Let’s give this one more minute.” I stepped in for a closer look. Sure enough, a puff of gray smoke engulfed his hand. More magick. Viktor’s skin quickly transformed from a pale sheet of flesh into a bubbling glob of tar-like ooze. I lowered my hand. “As I suspected. You need me.”
“I need nothing!” Viktor’s face flushed. “Do you know what will happen at the end of this Martyr’s Comet? You’ll die anyway.”
“That may be, but I’ll tell the Sire and Lady all about you first.”
“Really?” Viktor chuckled, and it was a chilling sound. “I’ll let you in on a secret. Those two got rather attached to me, raising me themselves and all. Right now, they see me as the reformed son. I’ve spent my days meditating here in this empty world. As a result, I’ve officially seen the error of my ways.”
“They can’t really think that.”
“They’re like anyone else. They believe what they want to believe. Besides, my transgressions are nothing compared to yours. I tried to harness a bit of hybrid power. I stored a scintilla on some in insects that I left lying around. I channeled a little more into some Changed Ones. But yes, I’ll admit it. You are right. My abilities are nothing compared to the power you and Rowan could wield. Hybrid magick with a human mage. It’s quite a trick. I tried it, you know. A mate bond with a mortal.”
“Tristan told me that you had a mate.”
“It was a failed experiment, I’ll admit that too. My connection with Hannah wasn’t like anything like what you have with Rowan. We could barely share a whit of power. When our parents found out, they determined that my so-called mate had to die. Those two are terrified of the kind of mate bond you’ve already forged. In the end, I put up a good show of weeping and carrying on at Hannah’s execution. Despite their shortcomings, our parents are still rather protective of our feelings while we’re alive.”
“You watched Hannah die?”
Viktor lifted one shoulder. “It was for the best. I needed to give up on my mate bond tests and consolidate my power in other ways. Hannah’s death led to my experimentation with Bone Crawlers and ultimately, to success.”
Bile crawled up my throat. “You have a strange definition of success.”
“Do I? Once you recharge the gateways, I’ll grab the Sword of Theodora, kill our parents, and rule this realm. True, it’s not as exciting as ruling every world with sentient life. Still, as consolation prizes go, it isn’t terrible.” Viktor’s eyes lit up with pure rage. “And I’ll have the extra joy of watching you die.”
Images flashed in my mind. The Meadow of Many gateways. Me on my knees with the bronze-robed figure above me. Viktor watching on with delight, ready to kill our parents. Did I really think I’d learn enough about hybrid magick to heal the gateways on my own? Wasn’t I better off teaming with Viktor? That way, at least I’d be sure that Rowan and I survived.
“I can see that you’re considering it.” Some of the tightness and rage seeped out of Viktor’s face.
I sighed. “There’s still a half day before the Martyr’s Comet disappears.”
“Meaning you’ll figure out something else, since you have so much time.”
“Wouldn’t you in my case?”
“Obviously.” A flash of energy pressed through the air. A totem ring on Viktor’s hand had come to life. My brother had just cast a spell.
“What did you do?”
“Awarding out my birthday gift for you, dear sister.” The way he said the dear sister part, the words dripped with malice. I had the overwhelming desire to run for cover. “Consider my offer carefully. It’s the only way for you and your Caster pet to get out of this catastrophe alive. In fact, as a sign of good faith, I’ll do you a favor now. When you leave here, I’ll make one of the gateways light up and show you a vision of your physical, non-ghostly Rowan. You can merely gaze upon his manly beauty under the arch or step through to see him. Your choice.”
Some small part of me was tempted to say thank you. After all, I would enjoy seeing Rowan in a gateway even if I didn’t step through it. Still, I doubted that whatever Viktor was doing would truly be a favor to me. My brother was evil to the core. “Goodbye, brother.”
“Remember my offer, dear sister.”
As I stepped back out of gateway, I realized that Viktor had pulled me in order to convince me to follow him, but instead he gave me critical information. Viktor confirmed that Rowan and I wielded
enough hybrid power to heal the gateway, and that it’s also possible to do so.
Mlinzi and Walinzi’s promise echoed in my thoughts. Once I had the Sword in my hands, Rowan and I would get our memories back. And then, if the tricksters’ promises held true, that would be the moment when I’d also know exactly how to wield hybrid magick to heal the gateways.
I simply had to trust in that. Plus, the Sword was so close now. All I needed to do was figure out some way to pry it out of that damned wall.
Turning about, I marched through the gateway that led back to the temple, determined to do exactly that.
Chapter Twenty-Five
With fast steps, I walked through the gateway and back into the temple. Glancing about, I noticed some things here have remained the same. Smaller arches still lined the walls. None of them were lit up, though. I cursed under my breath. Viktor promised to activate one of the gateways that would lead to Rowan. Not that seeing Rowan would help me right now, but the spell was supposed to be cast as a sign of good faith.
Viktor lied.
I scanned the chamber and gasped. There was no sign here of Nan, Mrefu, and Jicho. Viktor said that would be safe and protected. Rage tightened up my spine.
More lies.
Turning around, I inspected the large gateway behind me. This was the same archway I just passed through to meet Viktor. The light was gone and the gateway sealed shut.
If only that meant I had truly gotten rid of Viktor so easily.
No time to fret over my evil brother. I inspected the walls, searching for the Sword of Theodora. If I had enough hybrid magick to heal all the gateways, surely I could come up with some spell to pry one Sword off a wall.
But the Sword of Theodora was gone. An empty indentation sat in the wall now, the only sign that the blade had recently been there.
Damn.
Perhaps Nan, Jicho, and Mrefu had woken up and gotten the Sword free somehow. My Necromancer mind said that was the most logical explanation. I began the long trek back to the temple’s entrance.
“Stop. You are forbidden to leave this temple,” called a woman. I’d know that voice anywhere.
Amelia was here.
Spinning around, I saw dozens of figures step out from behind the many statues that lined the temple floor. More Caster warriors had arrived. Kade was here was well, and he carried a sleeping Jicho in his arms. Amelia now wore a long bronze cloak.
My breath caught. I’d seen that cloak before. All the statues in this room were a trio of figures. All of a sudden, I recognized them for what they were: a Not-Elea and Not-Viktor on their knees with a third figure standing behind them, holding the Sword of Theodora. It all added up to one horrible conclusion.
The descendant of Theodora was supposed to execute the Eleas and Viktors.
My dear friend Amelia was destined to kill me.
Even worse, my friend had a light blue glow under her skin. She was trapped in the power of a possession spell. I’d always felt some magick in the Sword hilt. It must be loaded with spells like any other totem. In my vision with Kila Kitu, the Sire and Lady has discussed loading some magick onto the blade. It seems they’d done just that.
And now, one of those spells was taking away Amelia’s mind.
And this place? It could be nothing other than the Temple of Theodora. I lifted my hands, palms forward. “Don’t do this, Amelia.”
“Do what?” Amelia raised her arms. The Sword of Theodora was gripped in her fists. The light of possession danced across her skin.
I rounded on Kade. “Don’t you see this? She’s possessed!”
Kade glared in my direction. “She seems in her right mind to me.” In other words, Kade wasn’t going to stop this.
The glow on Amelia’s skin was barely enough to register. If I hadn’t been a trained Necromancer, I might not even have seen it. That means the spell was weakened, possibly because the Sword had been broken in half when the totem was created. I needed to get Amelia talking. Sometimes that broke people out of their possession. I gestured to the Sword. “How did you get that free?”
“It fell to the ground at my feet, because I am the rightful heir, not a fiend who kidnaps children and casts sleeping spells on them.”
“They’re still asleep? Viktor said he’d keep them safe. How can they be safe when they aren’t even awake?”
“I knew it!” Kade roared. “What spell did you cast on Jicho and his friends? Take it away now.”
“I had nothing to do with casting that spell. Believe me.”
“Yet I don’t believe you,” said Amelia. “You’re a kidnapper and liar. You deserve to die. The Sword of Theodora feels as good a way to kill you as any.”
At those words, all the statues came to life again. The Eleas and Viktors raised her heads, opened their glassy eyes, and stared right at me. The executioners behind them lifted their arms. With a series of clicks, the metal hoods covering their faces fell away, revealing men and women who had a clear resemblance to Amelia. All were ready to wield their version of the Sword.
“Do you see this?” I pointed to the statues. “All these statues look like you. They were also placed under a spell by the magick of the sword. You’re being manipulated into killing me and you don’t even know why.”
Amelia eyed the temple. For a moment, her features crumpled with confusion before firming up into a look of stony resolve. “Grandfather told me the truth before he died. Justinian protected me from any knowledge of this temple for a reason. When the time comes, I would receive the Sword and know exactly how to use it. And that is precisely what is happening now. The Sword literally fell at my feet and here you are, casting evil spells on innocent children.”
“I didn’t do this. I can’t cast any spells right now.”
“That gateway wall is smashed,” said Kade. “How did it get that way?”
“Yes, I can pull power into my body, but I can’t recall how any incantations.” I shook my head. “What I’m about to say may sound insane, but if you’ll just let me hold the Sword for a moment, I swear, you’ll remember exactly who I am and why we’re really here. It’s this spell from Mlinzi and Walinzi. It affects not only Rowan, but all the Casters except Jicho.”
“You’re right,” said Amelia. “I don’t believe you.”
Amelia had been my friend through many adventures. Her mind was analytical and sharp. I needed to keep appealing to her logic.
“Will you answer me one question, Amelia?” She didn’t reply, so I took that for agreement. “How did you know where to find me?”
Kade stepped forward. “That doesn’t matter.”
“No, I think it matters quite a lot. If I’m right, some Necromancer spell led you here. Perhaps you even knew it was cast by Viktor himself.”
Amelia tilted her head. “What difference does that make?”
“Don’t listen to her,” warned Kade.
“Think, Amelia. You’ve the greatest mind I’ve ever known. If Viktor wants me dead or captured, doesn’t that make me your ally? Isn’t it worth a test just to let me hold the Sword for a moment?”
“And again, it all comes down to getting the damned Sword,” said Kade. “Release my brother from your magick!”
“I told you. It’s not my casting. It’s Viktor’s. You must recognize the spell signature, especially if you saw it in whatever casting led you to me.”
Amelia eyed me up and down. I knew that look; she was considering my every word carefully. “You’re a kidnapper and a thief. You deserve to die.” Her words lacked the bite of just a few moments ago, however. The light barely shone on her skin. I took that as progress.
“Shouldn’t Rowan decide my fate?” I asked. “He is your king, after all. Only he can decide executions.”
“Rowan isn’t here,” stated Kade. Even so, his words lacked the bite they had a moment ago. Kade could lose his temper when he felt his loved ones were threatened, but his anger was quick to cool. Hopefully, that was taking place right now.
�
�But one of these gateways could very well lead to Rowan. We can all approach him together.”
Amelia smiled, but it was a look laced with despair. “I don’t know…”
Kade moved to stand beside Amelia. “Maybe we should wait. She isn’t attacking and it’s against our code to kill in code blood. Let’s find Rowan. My brother will know how to help Jicho and his friends.” Kade nodded to the warriors in the back of the chamber. They had strapped Nan and Mrefu onto stretchers.
“Yes, we should wait.” Amelia tried to drop the Sword, but the item flashed with blue brightness, just like nay other totem enacting a spell. Blue mist poured off the Sword, encasing Amelia in a sheen of azure brightness. Instead of dropping the weapon, Amelia raised the Sword high. Blue light poured from the blade. The weight of magick filled the air, enveloping me in its power.
I tried to move. I couldn’t. Back in the Cloister, I’d read about layered magic totems like this one. If the right person touched the correct item, a spell became cast on both themselves and whoever they targeted. In this case, that would be Amelia and me. The only consolation in this spell was that although I couldn’t move, I could still speak.
“This isn’t right, Amelia. Don’t you see that magick? It’s making your decisions for you.”
A magickal blue light now gleamed in Amelia’s eyes. “I detect no spells.”
“That’s because the spell doesn’t want you to.” How many of Amelia’s forebears had been compelled to kill? “You must stop this.”
When Amelia spoke again, her voice was a low monotone. “No, you must give your magick back to the world. I will kill you and place your body on the gateway.” The light from the blade glowed more brightly as she closed the space between us. My legs buckled on their own. Before I knew it, I was kneeling on the stone floor with my neck exposed, ready for her to strike. Cool waves of panic moved over my skin.
Amelia paused before me and raised the Sword high above her head. “This is for the good of all.”
Suddenly, a voice rang through the temple. “Stop. She is not to be harmed yet.” It was Rowan and his casting arm was bright with power as he spoke a quick incantation.
Crowned Page 16