Magic Below Paris Complete Series Boxed Set (Books 1 - 8): Trading Into Shadow, Trading Into Darkness, Trading Close to Light, Trading By Firelight, Trading by Shroomlight, plus 3 more

by C. M. Simpson

  So, Master Envermet interrupted, what do we do?

  It was disturbing to see the shadow captain at a loss, but he hadn’t been there when they’d broken the raider mage’s connection with whatever mind lay beyond the mirror.

  We need someone to start separating the bug from the man, and the rest of us need to try to separate his mind at the same time. That way, when the bug dies, we might be able to keep Gerry alive.

  He didn’t say just how hard he thought this was going to be, and none of them asked. They didn’t want to know what the odds were, not for sure. What they expected was bad enough.

  Roeglin’s quiet voice interrupted her thoughts. Are we ready?

  Who will wield the knife? Master Envermet asked.

  Marsh opened her eyes. Henri and Izmay stood beside her.

  I brought them, Obasi explained.

  Marsh nodded. She pulled her dagger and carved a long slash in the back of Gerry’s leather armor. Izmay gasped as she cut it, but Henri laid a hand on her arm. He said nothing but watched as Marsh continued to cut, removing a diamond-shaped panel around the bug.

  As soon as they saw the lump, they dropped to their knees beside the guard.

  “What do we do?” Izmay asked.

  “We need you to cut that thing free, but slowly. It has tentacles buried in his skin. You’re going to need to remove them and stop them from hurting him further, and you’re going to need to listen to those of us working to free his mind.”

  “His mind?” Henri sounded alarmed. “Those things can get into your mind?”

  Marsh nodded. “Yeah, and you can’t kill it until we free enough of his mind for him to live through the bug’s death.”

  “They...” Henri gaped at her, then carefully cut the shirt away from around the lump. “Not on my watch,” he growled. “By the Deeps’ dark ass, I will not let this happen.”

  He reached for the bug, and Izmay laid a hand on his arm.

  “Carefully,” she advised, and he nodded.

  “How do you want to do this?”

  “Together.” Izmay looked at Marsh. “Can you bring us in, so we know if we need to stop or wait?”

  Marsh shook her head. “I can’t, but let me ask Obasi.”

  Moments later, Izmay and Henri were inside her head, along with everyone else. Henri looked around, trying to hide his awe behind a sarcastic veneer.

  So, he said in a surly tone, THIS is what it’s like in here?

  Izmay wasn’t fooled. Try not to look so impressed, dear.

  I’m not impressed, he grumbled, but no one listened.

  We need you to focus on the bug, Master Envermet told him. I don’t care what the pair of you do to get it off, just don’t kill Gerry while you do it. Okay?

  Got it, boss. Henri’s mental presence threw the shadow captain a quick salute and then faded.

  Obasi held onto it enough that it didn’t completely fade away. Can you hear me?

  Yeah, I can hear you. You’re as distracting as a mad bull in a whorehouse. Now, shut up and let me work.

  Izmay faded slightly, and Marsh got the sensation that the two of them were focusing on the bug, with Izmay sliding her slim fingers between the creature and Gerry’s back.

  “You good, Iz?”

  “Yup.” She grunted, “Why don’t you try to pull the tentacles out so we can cut them off?”

  Time to move, Roeglin announced. I can’t stay much longer.

  Marsh felt a spike of worry but followed him over to Gerry’s mind. The shadow guard’s head was still and quiet, but it felt “wrong.”

  She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was there.

  It’s dark in here, Master Envermet noted.

  I fix, came in a cherubic voice, and a soft golden glow radiated from her small form.

  Look out! Master Envermet’s warning came at the same time as the captain cast a shield over Aisha’s small form.

  The shadow from which it was created dimmed the light, but not enough that they couldn’t see the tendrils writhing toward them.

  Destroy the tendrils only, Roeglin commanded. Try not to hit anything else.

  Easy for you to say, Obasi retorted, stopping the pointed strike from one of the twisted red vines emerging from the walls and ceiling.

  Henri’s grunt was accompanied by a groan from Gerry. Obasi tracked the origin of the vine and lashed out with a precisely timed cut. As the severed tentacle dropped to the floor, he snatched it out the air.

  “Now, Henri.”

  “I’ve got it. Izmay?”

  “And done! We should have grabbed a bowl for these things.”

  “I’ve got it,” Brigitte cut in. “Tamlin?”

  “We’re still clear, but I’m shutting the door just in case.”

  In case of what? Marsh wondered, but didn’t say. She was too busy dealing with another tentacle.

  Aisha stayed curled beneath the dome Master Envermet had cast, but she kept the light steady. Seeing her charge was safe, Mordan turned her attention to the tendrils. She leapt, pinning them to wall or floor and biting through them.

  When the remnants tried to wriggle away, she slashed them with her claws and they faded to shadow.

  What in all the deeps is that? Marsh wondered and then forgot the question as she focused on her own battle with the writhing red menaces.

  She was glad when she realized there weren’t as many of them as there had been in the mage’s mind. Maybe Gerry stood a chance, after all.

  “Got it.” Henri’s exclamation was full of satisfaction. “Can I kill it now?”

  Hold on. Roeglin sounded tired, but his eyes were alert as he looked around the space they were in.

  Nothing moved. No more tentacles erupted from the walls. Nothing speared down from the ceiling. Everything remained still.

  Let me out. Aisha sounded more annoyed than afraid.

  To Marsh’s surprise, Master Envermet complied, and the shield faded from around the child. Aisha straightened, and Mordan bounded to her side.

  The little girl laid a hand on the kat’s back and looked around at the walls. Her small brow furrowed and she pursed her lips, inspecting the area. Finally, she said the two words Marsh was starting to dread.

  I fix.

  Fix what? Marsh mused as green light limned in silver haloed the child’s hands.

  The “what” became obvious as the child approached the wall. A raw red patch marked where one of the tentacles had emerged. It was oozing a pale-yellow fluid streaked with blood.

  Before Marsh could stop her, Aisha hovered her palms above the “wound.”

  The light spread from her hands, covering the injured area and then flowing into it. After a couple of minutes, Aisha levitated off the floor. Green and white light radiated from her hands and body, and Obasi shouted in alarm.

  Mordan laid her ears back and leapt for the girl, but she missed, twisting in the air as she came back to the ground.

  “Kill it, Henri,” Master Envermet commanded when Obasi started to glow.

  A shudder passed through the mind around them as the Grotto warrior lifted from the floor.

  Well, I’ll be shroom-blown and shredded, he cursed, sending tendrils of light over the surfaces of the room. So that’s how you do it.

  Where it touched a tear in the wall, the light paused, flickering over the injured area and vanishing into it as though it traced the path the tendrils had taken. Together the warrior and the child floated above the room’s floor, healing the damage done to Gerry’s mind.

  They stood and watched the pair, Marsh with growing anxiety and the kat calculating the distance for her next attempt at retrieval. Master Envermet cursed when Aisha tumbled out of the air. He dived for the child, but the kat got there first.

  Wrapping her forepaws around the little girl, Mordan snatched her out of the air and hit the ground on her back. Master Envermet reached the kat after she’d hit the floor.

  Thank you, he told her, scooping Aisha into his arms and starting to fade.r />
  She’ll sleep for a while, he told her. Overnight if you need to.

  Obasi touched down behind him. We don’t want to be here if he comes back.

  What was in the garden? Master Envermet asked.

  Six gravestones, the warrior replied. All without names.

  And graves? Master Envermet looked concerned.

  Obasi shook his head. No. I don’t know if it’s a warning, or if he’s preparing to bury his kin.

  The latter made sense, but Master Envermet frowned. I’ll send the mules. Silvermoth can guide Tegene to you.

  Who? Marsh asked.

  One of my strike leaders. He’ll bring his team.

  We’ll rest until they arrive, Marsh confirmed.

  Let me know when they have returned to the caravan, Roeglin asked, and Master Envermet nodded.

  I’ll let you know once they are with the rest of us.

  Thank you. Roeglin turned to Marsh, sending the brief sensation of his lips brushing hers. She reached for him, but he was gone.

  12

  Briar’s Ridge Arrival

  Henri’s dagger pinned the bug to the bottom of a wooden bowl. It looked to Marsh like the creature had gone to sleep in a bed of red vines. It feebly waved its legs at her, and she slammed the pommel of a shadow sword through its head.

  “Hey!” Henri didn’t seem to understand why she’d done it.

  “Burn it all.” Marsh didn’t care what the man thought.

  Tamlin looked up from where he was tucking his bedroll around his sister’s shoulders. “Are you okay, Marsh?”

  Marsh wanted to scream that she wasn’t okay, that she’d never be okay while monstrosities like the thing in the bowl existed. Instead, she shook her head.

  “No, but I will be. I just need to sleep.” She glanced at Izmay and Henri. “How is he?”

  “Apart from his armor being totally trashed, he’s fine,” Henri told her.

  He indicated the bowl beside Brigitte.

  “How did you find it?”

  “He’s been acting oddly,” Marsh explained. “I asked how he was, and he started backing away from me.”

  Henri snorted. “Smart man.”

  Marsh cocked her head and glared at him. “And how are you, Henri?”

  The big man half-raised his hand and took a step back. “I’m just fine and dandy. No bugs on me.”

  “Mind if I scan you?”

  He shrugged. “Nope. Go ahead.”

  Marsh obliged and was surprised when Izmay stepped up.

  “Me, too, please?”

  Marsh blinked, then nodded. “Sure,” she managed and took a deep breath.

  Izmay was clear as well. Marsh looked around the room, and the world swayed. Stretching out a hand, she caught the back of a chair and used it to steady herself.

  Tamlin opened her pack and shook out her bedroll. “You need to sleep, too.”

  Marsh opened her mouth to argue, and Henri interrupted her.

  “You either lie down, or I’ll put you down.”

  Marsh lifted her head. She was about to ask him to go ahead and try when the world spun again.

  “Sure,” she managed. “You can cook lunch.”

  Izmay gave a bark of startled laughter and slapped Henri on the shoulder. The big man shook his head. “I’d tell you you owe me another dinner, but Brigitte’s already got that under control.”

  Tilting her head so she could see the shadow mistress crouched beside the fire, Marsh saw the big man was right.

  “Fine,” she acknowledged and pushed to her feet.

  Henri was beside her in an instant. He slipped a hand under her elbow. “Don’t want you falling over on the way there,” he told her. “Couldn’t have my favorite cook out of action, now, could I?”

  Marsh managed a tired smile. “Deeps’ britches!”

  He smirked, going along with the joke. “There, see? Got you on that one.”

  They reached the sleeping roll, and Henri steadied her as she knelt down. As Marsh laid down, Henri stepped back, and Tamlin pulled the covers over her.

  “Sleep,” the boy told her sternly. He glanced at Gerry’s still form. “I’ll wake you if anything changes.”

  Marsh nodded, her eyes closing even as Tamlin turned to Obasi.

  “You, too,” she heard the boy command.

  It made her wonder where he got his attitude.

  The attitude was still apparent when he shook her awake. Aisha was already up and nibbling on a bread roll, Scruffknuckle watching every bite from her feet.

  “Honestly,” Henri complained, “you need to feed that dog better.”

  “Noted.” Marsh wriggled out of her bedroll and got up.

  Tamlin handed her a bread roll before she could ask. It had some kind of cheese inside it.

  “From Claire’s Corner,” he assured her. “We’ve taken nothing from here.”

  “And nothing’s taken us,” Henri added.

  Across the room, Tamlin nudged Obasi awake and handed him a roll. Marsh looked for Gerry and was surprised to find him sitting on a chair in front of the fire. He raised his bread roll in her direction.

  “You all good?” Marsh asked, and he nodded.

  The front door opened and Marsh pivoted toward it, pulling a sword from the shadow when she didn’t recognize the man stepping inside.

  He raised his eyebrows and gave her a smile. “Master Envermet sends his greetings and bids you not to tarry.”

  Surveying the room, his eyes flashed briefly green, and he added, “The mules are waiting.”

  He didn’t wait for a reply, but went back outside.

  Marsh shrugged and then turned to find that Tamlin had already stowed her bedding. He handed her her pack. Mordan passed them, stalking by with all the dignity she could muster, given she had Aisha riding on her back.

  Marsh looked past the kat and caught Obasi’s eye. The warrior raised a finger to his lips and shook his head. Marsh had to agree. The kat did not need to be teased.

  Henri followed their gaze, but even he thought better of commenting. Mordan was waiting beside Marsh’s mule when they emerged. Brigitte was the last out, taking the time to put the fire out and close the door.

  “It would be better to leave it as close to how we found it as we can,” she explained, climbing into the saddle.

  Marsh nodded, but the new warrior turned in his saddle. “The wolves say those watching the trail have withdrawn to shelter. They do not know why. The night is clear.”

  “Maybe we should ask them?” Henri suggested, but Marsh shook her head.

  “They aren’t a threat to us?” she asked.

  “No. They have closed the entry to their den.”

  “Then they aren’t a problem,” Marsh told Henri, “and Master Envermet is waiting.”

  She slid a glance at where Gerry slumped in his saddle. “And we need to get back to Master Envermet.”

  She didn’t add that they needed to get back to the healers and see if there was anything they could do. The warrior seemed to pick that thought from her mind, anyway.

  “The healers are waiting.” He hesitated.

  “What is it?” Marsh demanded.

  “The wolves say something else walks the dark, but they do not know what it is.”

  “Is it going to attack?”

  The man shook his head. “No, but it has crossed our path twice.”

  “Where is it now?”

  “South,” he pointed. “It is looking at the stars.”

  “How far off the trail is it?”

  He fell silent, his eyes taking on a distant look and a faint green glow.

  “It is several meters from the nearest path, and that is not one we need to take.”

  “Then we should go,” Marsh told him.

  He nodded, his eyes flaring green once more. The wolfpack glided silently into the dark, and he tapped his heels against the mule’s side.

  Marsh breathed a sigh of relief. It was good to be on the move again. Glancing back at the cot
tage, she felt a frisson of unease. They hadn’t discovered much about the remaining assassin, only that he’d been there and passed through.

  She wondered if Liam had made it to the Grotto safely, or if he’d been delayed—and what the reprisals might have been. These questions occupied her mind for most of the return journey when she wasn’t checking to see where Mordan and Aisha were or if Gerry was about to fall off his mule.

  While the mules made the journey shorter, it was still a long trip back, and the sun had well and truly set by the time they arrived. Marsh breathed a sigh of relief when the warm glow of lanterns reached out through the dark.

  A group of men and women were waiting at the entrance to the main street, Master Envermet among them. Some of the tension left his face when he saw them, and he hurried forward.

  “Thank the Deeps,” he greeted them. “I was starting to worry.”

  Lioma, shook her head. “The wolves told us they were safe.”

  “The wolves also said they were not alone in the night,” Master Envermet reminded her, and the woman smiled.

  “They were safe, and you know it.”

  He managed a faint smile in return. “My head knew it,” he agreed, scooping Aisha from Mordan’s back, “but my heart was not convinced.”

  “Then you must teach your heart not to worry,” Lioma advised as the kat rumbled in mock-complaint, “or it will know no rest.”

  Master Envermet’s smile faded. “I’m afraid rest is not my destiny.”

  Lioma frowned at that but didn’t press him. The shadow captain reached Gerry’s mule as Aisha wound her arms around his neck and he patted the little girl’s back as she laid her head on his shoulder. Marsh almost envied him as Aisha gave a contented sigh and closed her eyes.

  Riding in his wake, Marsh no longer tried to fight her fatigue. It had been a long day, and the fight to free Gerry’s mind from the bug had taken its toll.

  Remembering that reminded her of Roeglin. She kicked her mule forward until she rode alongside Master Envermet.

  He lifted his head and smiled. “Roeglin sends his love,” he told her. “He also wants you to get a good night’s sleep.”

  Marsh rolled her eyes. While she was glad Roeglin cared enough to nag, she was disappointed that she hadn’t been included in the conference.