Viktoria's Shadow: Jael

by Ysobella Black

  Jael squinted at the image. She seemed familiar, though he hadn’t seen her dressed so casually. That woman had worked at the gallery showing and hesitantly approached Viktoria several times throughout the evening, like she wanted to talk but couldn’t muster the courage.

  Under the mystery woman, two videos from surveillance cameras ran on fast-forward. People shopped in a bakery and moved along the street in front of the huge plate-glass window at the front of the store. A pink and gold pastry box with purple lettering sat on the table next to Karov. The room smelled of chocolate, peppermint, cherries, and vanilla, although this vanilla didn’t have the rich depth of his Dragă’s scent.

  Why was Karov spying on this woman? And buying things he couldn’t eat. Another Dragă? He took another look at her on the video and blinked. Hadn’t her octopus tattoo been on her left shoulder before? Maybe she had two. “Who’s she?”

  Karov tapped a key, making the woman disappear. “No one. Just a woman who works at a bakery. It’s a project for Idris.”

  Right. Idris, who also couldn’t eat baked foods, and rarely left Musette’s side. No way he was interested in another woman. But the Ninja wouldn’t say more than he wanted. Jael let it go.

  Asking about her was a good excuse to see Viktoria. If she couldn’t accept his help, he could ask for hers. She couldn’t send him away for that. His swords trilled laughter. He ignored them and tipped his chin toward the first screen. “Looks like you’re still in need of a good kitchen knife.”

  Karov shifted his gaze to the first screen and glared daggers at the gigantic eye. “I’m tempted to go to the island and pry that creature off my gear one sucker at a time. I can’t see a fucking thing, or figure out what this beast wants. The cameras don’t put out heat. There’s no reason this octopus thing should be attracted to the electronics.”

  “Cheeky.”

  “Sushi,” Karov muttered. “Maybe it’s the eclipse coming up in a few days. Nothing good happens during an eclipse. All sorts of things go where they shouldn’t.”

  “Have you had any time to check out the apartment building in between staring contests?”

  “I have. Preliminary stuff, anyway.” Karov rolled his chair to a third screen and tapped the keyboard. “The property is owned by a series of companies, like we organize things, so ownership isn’t traced to a single individual. Humans wouldn’t think anything of the names, but they’re all past mages. The Spider Mages. And it’s a recent acquisition. Two years old.”

  That confirmed what he already knew, and didn’t interest him. Except for the timing. What drew the mage here two years ago? “What about the people living there?”

  “With so many residents, I’ve only been able to do basic checks so far. There aren’t any families. No kids. A hundred percent adult couples and single men and women only. Ninety percent of them don’t have family or a huge online social networks.”

  “So it’s not likely anyone will miss them quickly, or at all, if they disappear.”

  “Right. For a prime location downtown, the rents are about thirty percent cheaper than they should be, so that’s how he attracts tenants, then he chooses the ones he wants.”

  “Witches and minions?”

  Karov put up a diagram on the screen of several floors with names and driver’s license photos of tenants over apartments. All the women had light eyes and dark hair. Like Maescia.

  “Can’t be sure about witches or Other Worlders yet. Nothing obvious, but there’s definitely a type, and all the single women live on three floors in the northeast part of the building. Almost like they're sequestered from the rest.”

  “A harem?”

  “That’s a reasonable assumption. Maybe they’re incentive for the minions.”

  “Blueprints?”

  “Plenty of those for the building from major renovations over the years before the most recent purchase. From what I’ve been able to verify with outside cameras, things match up. Nothing for underground, which is likely where he is. Do you have a plan?”

  Jael shrugged. His plans were up in the air until he figured out what Viktoria was going to do. “Why mess with a good thing? I thought I’d start with Plan D.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

  VIKTORIA

  MEMORY AND DREAM WANDERED through Viktoria’s closet as she pulled on a grey pantsuit and sensible flat-heeled boots — her modern version of kidnap-chic — stylish, yet perfect for running or fighting. “You two could stay here.”

  “No way.” Memory slammed a drawer shut and poked her head up above the racks of clothing. “If you leave us behind, we’ll follow you. I saw the address on your phone.”

  And Memory never forgot anything. Better to have her sisters where she could see them than off causing trouble on heir own. Mother would blame that on Viktoria for sure. “Fine. But promise you’ll do what I say.”

  “We promise,” Memory and Dream chorused, far too easily to sit well with Viktoria.

  “How about this?” Dream pointed to a mannequin wearing a hoop-skirt dress with a corseted bodice. “This looks like a good kidnapping outfit.”

  Viktoria sighed. Her sisters were still naïve in so many ways about how the human world worked. Or a world in which they didn’t have the inherent protection of the Goddess of Witchcraft and Death. “If there’s going to be any kidnapping done today, we’ll be the ones doing it. Maybe something less frilly.”

  “Yeah.” Memory tied off her thick braid, tossed it over her shoulder, and held up black shorts and tank top. “We have to be tough. Like the woman we watched in that movie last night. I just need some guns.”

  It was a little worrying how much Memory wanted to be like Lara Croft.

  Dream rolled her eyes. “You can’t walk around with guns strapped to your thighs where humans can see you. Even I know that.” She slid a long black dress with random triangle cutouts over her head and found some ballet flats to match.

  Viktoria supposed that was better. She led the way down the stairs to the coat closet.

  “Can I drive?” Memory made a swipe for the keys.

  Viktoria swung her hand out of reach. “Absolutely not. You’re channeling your new heroine a little too much at the moment, and unlike her, you can’t afford to buy me a new car if you wreck this one.”

  Memory slid into the car. “Fine. I’ll be the backseat driver then.”

  “I don’t think that means what you think it means.”

  VIKTORIA PARKED IN front of a beige stucco sprawling ranch-style house with a three-car garage set apart from its neighbors. It seemed innocuous enough until she caught sight of the black metal bars on windows. Rather than a nice suburban house, it had the air of a prison.

  Or maybe she was letting the fact that Thomax worked for a mage affect her judgement of the place. If he brought kidnapped witches here, this could be the place Musette had been tortured.

  That thought twisted her stomach into knots. It was one thing to go into a situation knowing she was using herself as bait, but with Memory and Dream along, she had to be extra careful.

  “Viktoria! I’m so glad you could meet me on short notice.” Thomax stepped onto the porch. He wore a shirt with shorter sleeves than he’d been wearing at the gallery, and the claw-tipped spider legs on his arms were more in evidence. His gaze flicked from her sisters to her, back to her sisters.

  Obviously, like every other man planning to kidnap one of them, he couldn’t tell the difference between them.

  Viktoria stepped forward, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “Hi, Thomax.”

  “You brought some assistants! All of you, come in.”

  Memory leaned close to Viktoria’s ear. “I bet this house has a creepy basement.”

  She bit back a laugh. “No bet.”

  Thomax led them through the living room into a dining room and gestured to the table. “I wasn’t expecting extra guests, but have a seat, all of you. We can have a drink while I tell you about the project I need your help on, and I’ll show you aro
und afterwards, so you can pick which room works best.” He turned to go into the kitchen. “Coffee? Beer? Water? Wine?”

  Dream slipped her coat off and draped it over a chair. “Oh, I’d like some wi —”

  “Beer!” Viktoria gripped her sister’s arm and pulled her into a seat, cutting off her words. “We’ll all have beer.”

  He paused at the swinging kitchen door, pushing it partway open, and glanced back over his shoulder at Dream. “You sure?”

  Viktoria pinched Dream.

  “Yes!” Dream glared at her sister. “Beer is fine.”

  Memory gasped.

  “Are you all right?” Thomax turned back around.

  “Sorry.” She faked a sneeze and flapped a hand at him. “Allergies.”

  His mouth quirked, and he narrowed his eyes at her, but he went into the kitchen and the door swung shut behind him.

  “One of those spider legs on his arm moved. I saw it,” Memory whispered.

  “Why did you pinch me?” Dream rubbed her arm. “I don’t like beer.”

  “We’re not going to really drink what he serves us. I think he’s one of the men who hurt Musette, so we can’t trust him. We just have to find out what he knows.” Viktoria draped her jacket over the back of her chair. “And beer makes it easier to use my flask. Distract him when he comes back in so I can pour a drop into his drink.”

  Thomax pushed through the door, four bottles of beer clasped by their necks in his fingers. He handed one to each of the women and took a swig of his. “Okay, so —”

  “Kippis!” Memory whacked her beer bottle into Dream’s, sending up a geyser of liquid that splashed on the table.

  “I can’t take these two anywhere.” Viktoria sighed.

  His smile looked forced as he set his bottle down on the table and went back into the kitchen. “It’s fine. I’ll just get a towel.”

  As soon as he disappeared through the door, Viktoria dug the flask out of her pocket.unscrewed the cap, and tipped a drop into Thomax’s drink. It bubbled, and the amber color turned a little darker.

  “Is that going to be enough Beer of Oblivion?” Dream whispered.

  “Yes. If he drinks too much, he’ll forget he ever existed. He only needs to take a sip of that to muddle his thoughts.” Viktoria capped the flask and tucked it back into her coat pocket as Thomax came back with a handful of paper towels. She took them from him and mopped up the spill.

  His jaw clenched and his eyes were cold as he took his seat.

  “Tell me more about the project.” Viktoria tipped her bottle, pretending to drink. And drink your beer.

  Thomax spun his bottle between his hands as he watched them. “I want to commission you to paint a picture of my sister for our mother. My sister died though, so you’d need to paint her from a photo. My mother loves this house, and I thought one of the rooms, or the house itself, would work for the background.”

  “Aww. That’s a nice thing to do,” Dream said.

  “I’d do anything for my mom.” Thomax picked up his bottle and took three large swallows. “She means the world to me.” He blinked as he set the beer back on the table. “I... what was I saying?”

  “I think that’s enough beer for now.” Viktoria leaned across the table and plucked the bottle from his hand. Even with only a drop, too much at once and he’d go unconscious. “You were telling us why you wanted me to come here today.”

  “I was?” He frowned. “I think that’s supposed to be a secret.”

  “Did someone tell you not to tell me?” Viktoria asked.

  His brow furrowed, and he scratched his jaw. “No. I don’t think so...”

  “So it’s okay. You can tell us. Why am I here?”

  “Asim wants me to bring you to him. Don’t drink the beer. I drugged it.” Thomax giggled and listed sideways in his chair. He caught the table with one hand and pushed himself back up. “I think I drank the wrong one!”

  Memory laughed. “I want to give this to all the humans.”

  “And all our kidnappers,” Dream added.

  “Shhh!” Viktoria hissed and turned back to Thomax. “Where are you supposed to take us?” Better to get that out of the way in case she’d misjudged the dose.

  Thomax frowned. “To the warren. Under the apartments.” He listed an address too fast for Viktoria to catch it, his words slurred.

  “Got it,” Memory whispered.

  But Viktoria couldn’t let Memory help. She rose and smacked Thomax on the cheek, harder than a tap, softer than an outright slap. “What’s the address?”

  His eyes focused for a second and he repeated the address, clearly this time. She knew the area.

  Viktoria picked up his beer and waved it under his nose. He inhaled and his head followed the bottle as she moved it. She let him take another swallow.

  “How many witches are in the warren?”

  He held up his hands like he needed his fingers to count, then shrugged. “Lots. We took lots. Asim needs witches.”

  Tabitha’s witches? “Who’s Asim?”

  “He’s a mage. He likes spiders, but not the Scourge!” His eyes widened, and he clapped both hands over his mouth.

  She took her seat. “I don’t think I would like the Scourge either. That’s a terrible name.”

  “But the Scourge likes you!” Thomax tittered and pointed at Viktoria. “I saw him at your house.”

  Only one man had been to her house since the spider took up residence on her wall. Lurky was the Scourge? She’d worry about that later. “What about our friend, Musette? Does Asim like her?”

  Thomax nodded. “He made it special, but we lost it.”

  It? Viktoria shuddered. “How did he make Musette special?”

  “He...” Thomax shook his head and blinked.

  “Have another sip.” Viktoria slid the bottle to him.

  He squinted at her, but obeyed.

  “Tell us about how Musette is special.”

  “Mage Asim put poison in its magic. Now when another mage tries to use it, he’ll die, and the witch will come back to Asim. He’s the only one who can use it now.”

  “Memory, take my phone and call Ember.” Viktoria kept her voice calm and low. “Tell her what our friend Thomax just told us.”

  Memory slipped the phone from Viktoria’s coat and left the room.

  This was more complicated than she’d thought. She was going to have to go to the source to find a solution for Musette. “Thomax, will you take us to see Asim?”

  Thomax nodded, head flopping back and forth on his neck. “Yes! He wants you to go to his house.” He lowered his voice. “Then the Scourge will come and we can catch him!”

  Memory returned, handed Viktoria her phone, and crossed her arms over her chest. “No answer. I left her a message.”

  “Damn. They said they were flying to Ashana. I don’t have anyone else’s number. We’ll have to go to the house and tell Selene what happened to Musette. Ember could be hours away even if she gets the message.”

  “No, you... you have to... come with me... see Mage Asim.” Thomax slurred his words, tipping sideways in his chair again.

  Viktoria patted his hand and stood. “Come on, Thomax. We’ll go to see Asim, we need to make one stop first.”

  “It’s not your turn to be kidnapped, Shadow.” Dream pouted.

  “Shadow cannot be kidnapped right now. Just, no. That would ruin everything.”

  Dream stuck her tongue out at Memory. “Well, it’s not your turn. I want to be kidnapped! I just need to go back to the house and change clothes first. I didn’t know kidnapping was an option today, and this is a nice outfit.” She turned to the mystified Thomax and shrugged. “Sorry. I thought it was just going to be an interrogation. You don’t mind, do you? I just want to change into some jeans. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

  “Maybe we can all be kidnapped,” Memory said, turning to Thomax. “You can take all of us, can’t you?” She scrunched up her face. “You’re not the kind of kidnapper that was going
to put Viktoria in a car trunk, are you? Three of us will never fit. I miss the days when men showed up on horseback and swept me off my feet.” She sighed. “We’ll have to take Viktoria’s car. Do you use blindfolds? Hoods just mess up our hair, and blindfolds can be fun later on. What about our hands? Can you just tie them in front? It’s so much more comfortable than having our arms behind us.”

  Thomax squinted his eyes and cocked his head.

  “Have another sip of your drink, Thomax.”

  He lifted his bottle and drank. His eyes half closed, and he slumped forward onto the table.

  Viktoria sighed and faced her sisters. “You two understand this isn’t a real kidnapping, right? We’re going to make him take us where we want to go and let him think it’s his idea. If you can’t get your misconstrued, romantic ideas out of your heads, you can’t come with me. You saw what this guy and his friend Asim did to Musette. This is serious and dangerous.” No wonder Mother never lets them out of Pohjola. Was I like that, too?

  She felt bad for her irritation when she saw the crestfallen looks on her sisters’ faces.

  “Sorry, Shadow,” Dream murmured. “We don’t have to go home so I can change.”

  Viktoria snorted. “Those are my clothes, anyway.”

  “Well, you have half a house full of them!” Memory grinned. “We’ll be serious now and follow your lead.”

  “I just don’t want you two to get hurt. Mother would kill me. Repeatedly.” She grasped Thomax’s elbow and levered him to his feet. “Come on, let’s get him in the car so we can go.” She grinned. “But we can’t have him see where the vampires live, so we’ll put him in the trunk.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

  ASIM

  ASIM WATCHED THOMAX move through the house via the spider in his eye. The wards were destroyed and two men killed. They weren’t acolytes, and didn’t wear spiders, or he would have known sooner. He should have felt the wards break. The fact that he hadn’t was concerning. He’d been too involved with his experiment on the gold witch. He would exercise more caution in the future.