by Lisa Shearin
“Guardian Cadet Rivalin is perfectly safe where he is,” came Mychael’s clear and sharp voice from the door. “Under Guardian protection. And Tamnais Nathrach is merely accused. Until proven guilty, he is innocent, and is due every consideration and due process of the law.”
A litany of curses ran through my mind; I’m sure Mychael heard every last one of them. He was wearing a long, dark gray cloak that covered him from his neck to the heels of his boots.
Mychael slowly walked toward Balmorlan and Carnades. “Though it seems you have forgotten the law—or have chosen to ignore it. Raine, get next to Tam’s cell. Neither the law nor I will allow you to take Tamnais Nathrach from this building. Do it, now!”
Mychael was talking to Carnades, but thinking at me. I slowly backed away in the direction of Tam’s cell. Conveniently a few of the watchers had taken a step back, too. No one wanted to be in Mychael and Carnades’s immediate vicinity, because even the best spellslingers could miss a shot if things suddenly got nasty.
Carnades was like a snake poised to strike. “Chief Watcher, lower the wards on the goblin’s cell.” I could hear the undertone of anticipation in his voice. His mage cronies with him shifted uneasily.
“I can’t do that, sir,” Sedge told him. “Not without the direct order of the archmage. Tamnais Nathrach is considered too dangerous a prisoner to risk it.”
“That wasn’t a request, Rinker. That was an order.”
“My hands are tied by the law, Magus Silvanus. Surely you wouldn’t want me to break the law and risk the safety of our people?”
I let out the breath I’d been holding. Like I’d said, Sedge Rinker was good people.
“You yourself declared Tamnais Nathrach a most dangerous prisoner,” Mychael noted. “The chief watcher cannot legally do what you ask, nor can I—or you.”
Carnades had brought his own rope, and Mychael was letting him hang himself with it. I also realized what else Mychael had done.
Tam was behind the wards; I was next to the wards; Mychael was completely out of the wards’ range. Carnades expected our combined magic to ring like a clarion; instead the wards kept Tam’s magic inside the cell, distorted mine, and left Mychael standing alone and seemingly not linked to either one of us.
The simplest plans were the most brilliant.
Nachtmagus Vidor Kalta strode into headquarters, took one look at Tam, and laughed, a short bark. Tall, thin, and black-robed—Kalta looked like Death with a newfound sense of humor. Creepy.
“That is your cha’nescu culprit?” he asked Carnades.
“What?”
“A cha’nescu, my dear, deluded Carnades. The ritual that turned General Aratus into the dearly departed and dried General Aratus.”
The elf was livid. “You will show respect—”
Kalta dismissed him with a wave of one pale hand. “No disrespect intended or implied; I merely call him what he is. The general is departed; he was probably dear to someone; and he is most definitely dried.”
A watcher behind me muffled a snicker.
Carnades sneered. “And being a nachtmagus, your expertise in such matters told you that General Aratus was murdered by some sort of vampiric—”
Kalta actually made tsking sounds. “Carnades, even a child knows that there is no such thing as a vampire.” He paused, a tiny smile flicking at one corner of his mouth. “It is, as you said, a fairy tale.” The smile vanished. “But specters are real, or as we refer to them, disenfranchised souls. And a cha’nescu ritual is not only real, but a very real danger. Only a fool would dismiss it.”
“I didn’t dismiss the danger; I locked it up. Tamnais Nathrach fed General Aratus’s soul to the Saghred through the body of this traitor to her people. Now she dares to further her desecration by claiming that Sarad Nukpana threatened the mages of this island by speaking through the general’s dead body.”
“It’s not a claim; it’s the truth,” I told him, though I knew I was wasting my breath.
“And I suppose you are the only one to have heard the words? Now, if there was someone else who had heard him . . .” The question was for me, but Carnades was staring in challenge at Mychael.
With our bond, if I had heard something, so did Mychael. If Carnades couldn’t get the wards lowered on Tam’s cell, an admission from Mychael would work just as well.
“Mychael, don’t.”
Mychael’s smile was slow and actually amused. “I heard every word.”
“If Sarad Nukpana indeed communicated with this traitor through the general, then how did you hear the words?” Carnades murmured. “The only way Nukpana would have been able to speak to her is through her bond with the Saghred.” He paused as if the thought was just now occurring to him. “Unless you share a similar bond with her.” The air around him almost vibrated with anticipatory triumph.
Vidor Kalta laughed. “Carnades, stop being an ass and listen to yourself. First vampires, now a magical bond conspiracy . I heard Sarad Nukpana’s threats as well, and I share no bond with Miss Benares, Paladin Eiliesor, or a rock. Before I met Miss Benares in the examination room containing the general’s remains, I’d never met, seen, or spoken with her before. Yet I can quote word for word what Sarad Nukpana said. Would you like for me to tell you? I assure you it was quite memorable.”
Carnades stood utterly still. “That is impossible.”
Any sign of flippancy vanished. “I’m a nachtmagus, I deal with the impossible every day, and I assure you they aren’t fairy tales.”
“You heard nothing.”
Kalta stepped past Mychael and crossed the squad room at a stately pace until he was close enough to make Carnades uncomfortable. “The voice I heard through General Aratus was most definitely not that of Tamnais Nathrach. I have met Sarad Nukpana at some of the court functions that you yourself attended. You know his voice, as do I. The voice Paladin Eiliesor, Miss Benares, and I heard was Sarad Nukpana. Without question.” Kalta gave his last two words special emphasis, daring Carnades to challenge him.
“I question.” The elf mage’s voice was flat and ugly.
“Do you question my skill?” Kalta grinned with a slow baring of teeth, and his voice dropped to a precise whisper. “Or are you calling me a liar?”
The glitter in Kalta’s black eyes said that he would love for Carnades to openly say that he didn’t believe either one. I kind of wanted to see what would happen if he did.
In his own twisted way, Carnades considered himself a champion of all that was right and moral. I didn’t know what Kalta considered himself or stood for—but he was lying. He hadn’t heard a word Sarad Nukpana said. Though considering that Tam and Mychael’s lives were at stake, he could have claimed the world was flat for all I cared. Vidor Kalta was lying to Carnades’s face in a room full of Mid’s watchers and appeared to be enjoying himself immensely. I was all in favor of personal happiness. Kalta’s sharp black eyes bored into Carnades’s ice blue ones. He ignored Balmorlan completely. It had the potential to get ugly, but it wouldn’t, at least not here, not now. Mages like Carnades preferred a figurative knife in the back rather than a literal punch to the gut. If Carnades answered “yes” to Kalta’s accusation, I had no doubt that Kalta would politely ask him to step outside. I actually wanted Carnades to say that word. That was a fight I wanted to see and, better yet, enjoy the results of.
Carnades drew himself up and did his best to look down on Kalta even though they were the same height. “I have never personally heard you speak anything but the truth.”
That wasn’t good enough for Kalta. “What I have said to others in the past is not the issue here. What I just said to you is. Am I lying to you now before all these witnesses?”
The silence hung thick and heavy in the air. Everyone was holding his breath for the next volley.
“I cannot prove otherwise.” Carnades paused and if looks could kill, Kalta would have been one of his disenfranchised souls. “No, you are not lying.”
Kalta graciously inclined h
is head. “Thank you. Your trust honors me and my house.”
“This isn’t over,” Carnades hissed.
“Of course it’s not,” Kalta said mildly. “Sarad Nukpana is still at large.”
Chapter 9
“That does nothing to disprove that Tamnais Nathrach kidnapped General Aratus,” Carnades said. “If Sarad Nukpana is regenerating as you say, he would need an accomplice; and who better than a goblin dark mage and an elven traitor? Mistress Benares has been inside the Saghred on two occasions and has spoken with Sarad Nukpana.” He looked to me and his eyes narrowed in cold, reptilian fury. “Don’t think I have forgotten that he referred to you as a partner.”
“Yeah, it still gives me the creeps, too.”
Mychael turned away from Carnades, dismissing him entirely. “Sedge, I want to see the statements of all witnesses who said they saw Tamnais Nathrach abduct the general.”
“You won’t have to go far for two of them; they’re right over there,” I said, indicating a pair of elves who clearly wished that they were elsewhere right now.
“They just finished giving their statements,” Sedge told us. “There were four others who have come over the course of the afternoon.”
Six lying witnesses. Carnades had been busy. He wasn’t taking any chances that Tam was going to get away.
“I want copies of their statements, and their addresses sent to my office within the hour,” Mychael said. “I’ll be conducting my own investigation—beginning with interviewing the witnesses.”
Carnades sneered. “So you think our chief watcher is incapable of properly—”
“Chief Watcher Rinker is more than capable in every capacity of his job.” Mychael’s voice was level and professional—and cold enough to give Carnades frostbite. “The continued safety of the Conclave’s mages is my responsibility. And I will do everything in my power to bring those responsible to justice.” He paused meaningfully. “And that includes any false witnesses. If Tamnais Nathach has been falsely accused with malicious intent, I will see those responsible prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Valuable hours have been lost here tonight, hours that may have cost the life of another citizen of this island—a life I was sworn to protect.”
Carnades was livid with outrage. “You will not roust our good citizens out of their beds in the middle of the night.”
“Watch me. And speaking of the middle of the night, Sarad Nukpana is out there. I can’t allow you out in the streets alone.”
“I have two bodyguards who—”
“Insufficient,” Mychael told him. “You are the senior mage on the Seat of Twelve and it is my duty to see you safely home.”
Taltek Balmorlan stepped forward. “It is not Magus Silvanus’s intention to go home yet, nor is it mine.”
“Then my men will escort the two of you wherever you need to go, and then see you both safely home.”
If Carnades or Balmorlan wanted to report back to Markus, Mychael had just thrown a big crimp in their plans. His Guardians would report every stop they made to their commander. Another flash of brilliance on Mychael’s part. Best of all, he was just doing his job.
I had a sudden feeling of cold dread. I hadn’t heard Talon come up behind me—the kid was too light on his feet for that—but he was there. And Carnades and Balmorlan were still there.
Taltek Balmorlan looked like he’d just been handed a present with his name on it. Carnades looked like he’d just seen one of those ghosts that he didn’t believe in.
I sighed. “Talon, you were supposed to stay put.”
“You know I only do as told if there’s something in it for me.” His voice slipped smoothly into a lower register and his magic flowed around us all, warm and silvery. I don’t think he was aware that he was doing it.
Balmorlan was aware and delighted.
Damn.
“Young Master Nathrach.” The elven inquisitor’s lips curved into a jackal’s smile. “I have seen you perform at Sirens on more than one occasion. You have a most impressive talent.”
“Let me guess,” Talon shot back smoothly. “You’re the type who enjoyed my dancing much more than my singing.”
A few watchers did a fine job covering their snorts or guffaws with spontaneous coughing fits. Vegard sounded like he’d swallowed a bug.
Taltek Balmorlan’s look was murder.
Talon flashed him a dazzling smile, but his aquamarine eyes were pale fire. He knew exactly who and what he was playing with, and he was doing it anyway, cheerfully even. These were the bastards who had put his father in a cell, and the kid was out here to show them that Nathrach men didn’t intimidate and they sure as hell didn’t hide in conference rooms.
Vidor Kalta leaned toward the elven inquisitor. “The boy has your number, Taltek,” he murmured, laughter running under his words. “I’ve always said you need to find another hobby.”
Carnades hadn’t found any words. His stare was fixed on Talon’s pale eyes; eyes only a shade darker than Carnades’s own. “Abomination,” he whispered hoarsely, whether to himself or Talon, I didn’t know.
“Your mother was a pure-blooded high elf,” Vidor Kalta said gently to Talon. “And was no doubt very beautiful.” His black eyes were daggers on Carnades. “And his father is a good, noble, and innocent man.” He looked back at Talon. “You should be proud of them both.”
“Yes, sir. I am.” The kid’s voice was steady as a rock.
Vidor Kalta might be creepy, but I liked him.
Mychael moved smoothly between Talon and Carnades, forcing the elf to break eye contact with the young goblin. “My men are ready to escort you to your next destination.” Mychael’s words were polite; his voice said that both Carnades and Balmorlan were leaving. Now.
They left with Carnades’s two bodyguards in tow, and through the windows, I saw a whole bunch of mounted Guardians who looked only too glad to escort all of them around town. Carnades’s mage cronies dispersed. I guess it was no fun being on the losing side. They’d go home and lick their wounds; Carnades and Balmorlan were no doubt hatching another plan before they were in their coach.
I wanted to run directly to Tam’s cell, but knew that wouldn’t look good for either of us.
I draped an arm over Talon’s shoulders. I knew I’d probably get groped for my trouble, but a show of guts like that shouldn’t go unrewarded.
“Phaelan has a saying for what you just did,” I told him.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. He’d tell you not to trip over those things.”
“What things?”
“Your balls that are dragging on the ground.”
Talon’s grin was slow and lascivious. “Not literally, but they are impressive. Would you like to see?”
“I’ll pass, kid. It’s a thrill I’ll have to live without.”
“Anytime you want the thrill, just let me know.”
Mychael appeared at my side. “Talon, why don’t you go see your father.” He glanced over my shoulder. “Sedge?”
“I’ll lower the sound barrier on the ward so they can talk.”
“Thank you,” I told him.
The chief watcher sighed. “I really didn’t want to do this, Raine.”
“I know. We all have our jobs to do.”
“And sometimes they suck.”
“That they do.”
While Talon was reunited with Tam, I stepped up to Vidor Kalta.
“Well played,” I murmured. “You didn’t hear Nukpana say one word in that examination room.”
Kalta’s response was a brief upward twitch of his thin lips.
“And you knew exactly what he was going to do,” I said to Mychael in mindspeak.
“And approved.”
“The paladin and I—how do you say—got our story straight before we came in.” Kalta spoke while barely moving his lips, and his words didn’t carry past my ears. Nifty trick. “It simplifies so much. My conscience is quite clear. I merely countered one fabrication with another. Carnades cann
ot prove his claim; and he knows that I cannot prove mine.” His eyes were the flat black of a shark’s. “I know what is at stake if Sarad Nukpana succeeds. I will do whatever is necessary to prevent that from happening. And to prevent more innocent people from being infested by those who escaped with him.”
I glanced over my shoulder. It looked like Tam was giving his son a serious talking-to, and for once it looked like Talon might actually be listening. I wasn’t about to interrupt that. Besides, there was a question I wanted an answer to. That answer was probably going to creep me the hell out, but I wanted to know.
“Uh, Nachtmagus Kalta—”
“Vidor, please.”
“Okay.” I drew that word out. “Vidor. May I ask you a probably tasteless and possibly offensive question?”
His lips curled in a knowing smile. “About my calling?”
“That would be the topic.”
“Miss Benares, I have never been offended by sharing knowledge with those who sincerely want to know.” He paused meaningfully. “Nor by having the opportunity to dispel an unfortunate misconception.”
Just ask it, Raine. “Do you resurrect the dead?”
“No, I do not,” he replied simply. “However, there have been instances when I have prevented a soul from leaving its body.”
“But they were dead.”
“Their bodies, yes. But as long as the soul remains, true death is a technicality.” He gave me a quizzical glance. “You seem surprised that I do not resurrect the dead.”
“I thought that was what a nachtmagus did.”
“Once the soul leaves the body, it may linger for as long as a day, but usually it is only for a few minutes. After that the soul moves on. Attempting to summon a soul back to its original body is dangerous for precisely the same reasons you have experienced during the past few weeks.”
I had an unwanted image of Banan Ryce and Alastair Kratos. “Bad souls looking for any body they can get.”