Riley said nothing, just went to the wall where weapons hung. She grabbed a long knife and shoved it through her belt. There was a pair of handcuffs, too; she assumed they were used when a pirate needed to be subdued. She looped them around her belt as well.
“We’re goin’, Lucie.” William grabbed a shield from the wall, testing its weight in his left hand. He looked at Riley and grinned. “Want to try somethin’ with this.”
“Just kill his people, and we should be all right.”
“That ain’t gonna be a problem, skinny. I’ll easily send twice as many to the Mother and Father as you. Don’t worry about that at all.”
“Riley, please,” Lucie pleaded. “You going to him—it’s what he wants.”
Riley turned from the wall and stared at the old woman.
“He wants you,” Lucie continued. “All this is about you. About your magic. You want to face him on your playing field, not his. If you go to him, you’ll be on his. That’s what he wants you to do. It’s why he’s still on that damned ship. He’s waiting for you.”
“Then I won’t keep him waiting any longer. You know I won’t stand here and let others die for me. I came on this voyage to get Mason back, and that’s exactly what I plan to do. I love you, and more, I respect you…but I’m going out there.” Riley’s voice was as cold as the steel at her side.
Lucie stared for a second longer. She saw the determination and knew the Right Hand would not be persuaded to do anything else. “Good luck, Riley. It was an honor.”
“Oh, hush, you old biddy.” William pulled the broadsword from his back. “We’re going to go get your old lover, cut his nuts off, and put ‘em in a jar for you. You can hold onto ‘em for the rest of your life if you like. Hell, put ‘em on the bar at your restaurant and let the rest of the world see ‘em.” He looked at Riley. “She worries too much. Let’s go.”
The two Right Hands left the safety of their building and went out into the world to do battle.
“She’s coming, sir.” Harold stood in front of Rendal. He’d been terrified for the past couple of hours. He and Belarus had created a plan to lead the woman directly to them, but then the bitch hadn’t left the damned building. She’d simply remained there.
It was going to be hard to get her on this ship if she didn’t leave that building.
Literally, Harold had been sweating. To come back to Rendal and tell him the bitch wasn’t exiting and that Harold didn’t know what to do?
Well, Harold might as well go ahead and try to join one of the pirate ships around here, because he would be as good as dead to Rendal.
And then a runner had given him word.
She’s out of the building and moving north.
You’re sure it’s her? Harold had asked.
Yeah. She’s with the big man. He’s got fire on his sword and shield.
That was all Harold needed to hear; he went to Rendal.
“I knew you wouldn’t fail me, Harold.” The mage sat alone in his chambers. His eyes were closed when Harold entered, but he opened then now. Red blazed across them. “The mages are making it hard for me to see her. Do you know how long before she gets to us?”
“Thirty minutes.” Harold was sure about that. “We’re giving ground across her path, and she’s…well, deadly, sir.”
“Ah, yes, she is. I’ll see her in thirty minutes, Harold. You did good work.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Duck!”
Riley heard William’s yell and reacted; she dropped to a knee as fire flashed over her head. She turned around and saw a man standing with a hand-axe stuck in his head, fire blazing across it.
“That’s number one!” William called.
“One what?” Riley asked, standing.
“One time I’ve saved your life, skinny. I’m keepin’ track, and when this is over, everyone’s gonna know about it!”
He turned, catching an attacker with his shield. Fire burned brightly across the metal, and the attacker was soon in flames and shrieking.
“You ready? Tired of waitin’ for you.” William was grinning. Sweat dripped from his forehead, but he showed no signs of tiring.
Riley quickly scanned the area around them. They’d been heading north, but veered slightly east and ran into a group of Rendal’s people. They all lay dead around the Right Hands’ feet now.
“Try to keep up, chubby,” she told William and took off. She moved through the night like the wind, silent and unseen.
They came across another small group of soldiers and, Riley leading, dispatched them easily. Most of them didn’t even have time to scream.
“Save some for me!” William called from ten feet behind her.
“Run faster!”
She was grinning, having fun killing the wicked. They were making progress, and the path wasn’t that hard. War raged around her, but in this part of the jungle, they moved quickly.
Heading directly to Rendal’s ship.
Minutes passed, and the fire on William’s weapon and shield died. They moved quietly, quickly, a virus heading directly to the heart of the beast.
They left the jungle at the docks.
The ship floated in front of them, and a flag flew high above—a green ring on a black background.
The docks were empty, and despite the background noise of war, Riley heard nothing but the wind and sloshing water.
“Where is everyone?” William asked.
“Fighting,” Riley answered.
“Onward, then.” William’s face was grim with determination.
Riley grabbed his arm. “Hold on. This makes no sense.”
“The hell you talkin’ ‘bout? ‘Course it makes sense. He sent his armies out there, and that’s why no one is here.” William tried to move forward, but Riley’s iron grip held him in place.
“Look!” she whispered harshly. “Look at that ship. What do you see?”
William was quiet as they stared at it.
The answer was obvious, now that they weren’t gung-ho about going aboard and murdering everyone until they found Mason.
A single light was on inside. A single one.
The rest of the ship was dark.
The light was near the ship’s bow, a porthole showing candles burning inside.
“He’s in there.” William pointed with his sword. “That’s him.”
Riley knew it was true. “But why? Why is he alone?”
“Does it fuckin’ matter? If he’s alone, we go kill him. That’s why we came up here, ain’t it?” William was growing angry, not wanting to remain standing at the docks any longer.
“Look at the door. It’s wide open, William. It’s asking for people to come in.” Riley didn’t like this at all. The run here had been far too easy. They’d been attacked once—but only when they veered slightly off course. As long as they headed directly north, there’d been almost no problems. “Lucie was right. This is a trap.”
William whipped around, his full height and weight apparent as he looked down at Riley.
“I don’t give a fuck if it’s a trap,” he growled. “I don’t give a fuck if Rendal has five hundred flying fairies in there, each of them shooting electricity out of their ass and having bloodlust on their mind. The Assistant Prefect is in there, so we’re goin’ in. Trap, no trap, Lucie, no Lucie—we’re goin’ in.”
“I know Mason is in there. You don’t have to tell me. What I’m saying is, are we going to save him by marching in or are we going to get ourselves killed?” Riley didn’t fear walking onto that ship.
She feared walking into a trap and not saving the man she’d pledged her life to.
“I’m goin’ in. You can come or stay here.” With that, William started toward the docks.
Riley didn’t hesitate. She went forward as well.
Something loud crashed behind her, but she didn’t turn to look. Everything that mattered was in front of her, so her focus had to be there.
They went aboard the ship, then climbed down a l
adder inside and stopped. It was darker there, and they let their eyes adjust.
“The only danger on this thing is trippin’ and breakin’ an ankle. I don’t know why you’re so scared, skinny. Ain’t no one even here.” William grinned, and the two started moving again.
Riley listened with both her mind and ears. She wondered if Rendal would reach out to her as he had before, filling her head with his voice.
All she heard were the ship’s creaks and their footsteps as they moved toward the hatch the light emerged from.
“Hey.” William was walking in front. “I ain’t mean nothin’ bout Mason being on here. I know you’re dedicated. I just also knew it would getcha on the ship, and I’m lookin’ to kick some ass.”
“Yeah, yeah. You got me on. The problem is, I’m not sure you can kick much ass,” Riley shot back.
“Don’t make me turn around, Riley. I’ll bend you over my knee like you’re my daughter.”
“More like granddaughter, old man. Surprised your knees were able to get you through that jungle. Thought they were gonna break, from the way they were poppin’.”
The two let the joking subside and went down the ladder silently, then kept going forward, Riley sure they were on the right level.
Riley saw the door. Light shone from inside, flooding out through its sides.
Both Right Hands stopped.
“You ready?” William asked.
“Born ready, chubby. Let’s go kill the sonofabitch.”
“I’ll go first. I’ve got the shield,” William whispered.
“And the bigger belly.” Riley smiled. “You’ll be able to block anything he throws with multiple defenses.”
William grinned. “When I’m done with him, you and I are gonna tango.”
“Go on, big man. Let’s finish this.”
William looked down at his feet, gathering himself. He took a deep breath and then started forward, gaining speed as he went.
His footsteps pounded on the floor and Riley followed right behind, her sword ready and her mind focused like a hawk searching for prey.
William brought his shield up and hit the door full force. It burst open, splinters flying everywhere. He brought his sword down in a deadly arc to kill whoever stood in front of him, sight unseen.
Riley spilled to the right.
And then they stopped.
The mage was in front of them.
He sat in a chair, his arms resting lazily at his sides. His eyes were closed despite the door’s explosion. He hadn’t moved an inch.
“Where is Mason?” Riley said, stepping past William.
Rendal opened his eyes. “Hello, Riley.”
“Fuck this,” William growled. He lifted his sword to swing, ready to take the mage’s head off.
“No.” Riley’s voice slashed through the room. “Not until we know where Mason is.”
William stayed his sword.
“Tell me.” Riley’s own sword was loose in her hand. The mage’s eyes were red, but she felt no fear—only determination.
“He’s downstairs with the rest.”
“Take us to him. Now.” Riley stood about five feet from the mage.
“I’d rather talk to you for a minute.” Rendal smiled. “How about we do that?”
“If he’s downstairs, we’ll find him. Let’s kill this bastard.” Fire rolled from William’s hands to his sword.
Rendal’s red eyes didn’t move from Riley as he spoke. “Hush, child.”
Riley heard William’s sword and shield hit the ground. She simultaneously stepped back from the mage and looked at William, not understanding.
William’s hands were at his throat, and his mouth was wide open.
Riley’s gaze flashed to Rendal. She didn’t think, only moved. She crossed the room in rapid steps and put her sword to the mage’s throat. “Whatever the fuck you’re doing to him, stop.”
Rendal didn’t move, only grinned. “Of course, Right Hand.”
Riley heard William drop. She turned her head, not moving the sword from Rendal’s neck.
William lay on the floor, his eyes closed. She saw his chest moving, so he was still breathing.
“He’s asleep. It’s quite okay. No harm has come to your partner.”
Riley looked at the mage, who made no movement. “Mason. Where is he?”
“Do you see what I’m doing yet, Riley?” the mage asked, completely ignoring her question.
“I don’t give a fuck what you’re doing. I want to know where Mason is, and then I’m hauling you to New Perth for trial. Where is he?”
“Everything you love is going to fall apart.” Rendal nodded, still grinning. “I want you to understand that right now. I want it to be crystal clear. I’m going to take and take and take from you until there is nothing left. I’m going to steal it all, and you’re going to watch…or you’re going to join me.”
“Never. I’ll never join you, Rendal. I’m considering forsaking the trial and simply executing you right now.”
Rendal chuckled. “So strong, yet so naive. You’re here because I want you to be. You’re in this room holding this sword because I wanted it to happen. You will no more execute me than your friend over there would.”
She pressed the sword’s blade deeper into his throat, and Rendal kept smiling.
“Take my hand, and this can stop. Bow before me, and I’ll give you Mason back. I’ll even give you New Perth if you want it. You can rule it however you prefer, Riley. It’ll be yours; all you have to do is take a knee and kiss my hand.”
“You can kiss my ass, Rendal. Where is the Assistant Prefect?”
Rendal nodded. “You’re having trouble with magic, aren’t you? You’re unable to use it properly. Only when under horrible stress, otherwise, it’s dormant. Am I right?”
Blood dripped from Rendal’s neck.
Riley hadn’t realized she’d pressed harder at his question.
The mage only smiled.
“I can show you how to use it, Riley. I can show you better than that bald man or Lucie. I can give you the power you’ve never understood.”
“You can give me nothing.” She spat on him as she spoke. “You’re nothing like me. You’re no mentor. You’re no fucking father figure. You’re evil, and I’m going to end you so you never harm anyone else.”
Riley took a deep breath and then pulled back, releasing him. There was a red line on Rendal’s neck, but he paid it no mind.
Riley reached to the back of her belt and removed the cuffs she’d taken off the wall.
“Rendal Hemmons, you’re under arrest for kidnapping Assistant Prefect Mason Ire, conspiracy against New Perth, and...Well, and a whole bunch of other fucking crimes I’m not going to list. Stand up, turn around, and put your hands behind your back.”
Rendal sighed. “You still don’t understand, but okay. I will show you.”
He stood up slowly and did as she commanded. The mage placed his hands behind his back.
Riley stepped forward. She glanced at William; he was still breathing, apparently asleep.
She grabbed Rendal’s left hand hard and brought the cuffs down.
Riley felt it a moment before it happened—nanoseconds. She saw the green bracelet light up on Rendal’s right wrist, and then everything in the room rose into the air.
She flew backward, rising and then floating in the middle of the room. Riley couldn’t move. Couldn’t swing her sword, couldn’t even open her mouth.
Everything else floated too. The chair Rendal had sat on. Lanterns. Rugs. Pencils and paper.
Even William.
Yet none of it moved. It all held perfectly still.
Rendal slowly turned around.
“You can bow to me now, Riley, or I will take more. I will take it slowly, like a tick drawing blood. But unlike a tick, the amount of blood I can hold is immeasurable. I’ll take everything from you until there is literally nothing left. Is that what you want? Or will you join me?’
Riley felt her ja
w relax. She could move it, enough to answer him at least.
“I’ll die first.”
“No, but everyone you love will. I’ll tell you where I’m going first. To Sidnie. I’ll conquer them, and I won’t treat them nearly as kindly as I have Mason. They will suffer because of your choice. After Sidnie, I’ll come for New Perth. The longer you hold out, the more people will hurt. Him over there? William? I’ll leave him for you now, but only because his pain will be worse later. You can stop it all by simply pledging your allegiance, Riley.”
Riley felt a storm rising in her, the magic she’d sought for so long. It was coming up, and nothing could stop it.
“Good,” he said. “Bring it forth and feel your rightful power.”
Her eyes turned completely red and flames flowed from her fingers—the only things moving in this room. Still, Rendal’s power held her suspended.
“Yes. Hate. Feel it. Embrace it,” the mage whispered. “That was what I felt when they turned me from New Perth. It’s what I feel now. Take it as your mantle too. I’ll let Mason live, Riley. Take the hate and bow.”
Riley closed her eyes, feeling this power inside her. It was still building, growing stronger as her rage increased.
“Yes. There it is. Bring it forth, child. Be my heir.”
Riley’s eyes flashed open, her powers cracking through his.
She dropped to the floor, her left hand and entire sword blazing red. She swept across the floor, her sword a dazzling array of flames and smoke.
Riley brought it down, trying to slice straight through Rendal’s collarbone. The mage’s hand met it, mere inches separating the steel from his flesh. She pressed down, staring into the man’s red eyes, but he pushed up with the edge of his hand, an inch of air between it and the blade.
Neither made a sound, but Riley felt his strength.
Unbelievable, she thought.
Yet, she saw him straining too. Struggling to hold her off.
Riley broke the stalemate, sweeping her sword around as she danced behind him. She brought it at his head, but her feet slipped out from under her.
She hit the floor hard, her face slamming into the wood. Her body was ripped backward and into the air so that she was flying again.
Chasing Magic (Hand Of Justice Book 2) Page 10