Born Of Fire And Darkness (Book 2) (21 page)

She muttered under her breath, and Betram chuckled in response. “I understand how you feel,” he said. “Once I cut too deeply in a seeking ritual and I fainted in front of one of my community members.”

When she tried to stand again, he motioned for her to stop. “You should sit for a while. Lying down would be even better.”

“I’ve been lying down for days,” she snapped, then quickly added, “I’m sorry. I’m frustrated with myself.”

“Your anchor didn’t hold,” Betram said, not looking at Octavia.

“We went too far,” she said, feeling defensive. Any trainee knew the principles of how to separate mind and body, though not all of them could attain it. When the skill was taught, students were drilled incessantly not to go too far and to use a stable anchor. Korbin had served as such an anchor before with good success, so she’d never dreamed they would have a problem if they tried again.

Something had been different this time. She cast him a sideways glance, noting his worried expression. She wondered if he knew or suspected what had gone wrong.

“How far?” Betram asked.

Octavia was grateful for his help, but wary of the pointed question. She didn’t want him to assert himself as her superior, even though he was technically within his rights to do so, nor did she want to deal with a power struggle should she resist his claim.

Korbin sat in reflective silence. Seeing his mother must have been a shock. To avoid Betram’s question, she asked, “Are you all right?”

He nodded. “Cold.”

Betram went to the bed and pulled off a thick blanket. “That’s to be expected when travelling. The return can be jarring and it takes a while to adjust to the physical body.” He put the blanket around Korbin’s shoulders. Meeting her eyes, Betram added, “The further the journey, the more difficult the transition.”

“My mother…” Korbin’s voice trailed off. “It seemed so real.”

“You viewed your mother?” Betram asked, his eyes sharp.

“I spoke with her, yes.”

“The anchor mustn’t seek,” he said. “Senne Octavia should have taught you this.”

“I didn’t seek her. She was just
there
.” Korbin looked muddled and confused.

“Where was she?”

“I don’t know that place. It was strange. Everything kept changing.”

Not wanting Betram to know what they’d been doing, Octavia interjected, “We should get word to your father. He will have been worried.”

“Is that what the afterlife is like?” Korbin asked in a dazed tone.

Betram’s mouth snapped closed. “Your mother is dead?”

“Yes. For a long time.”

Octavia pressed her eyelids shut. Why did he have to be so chatty, now of all times?

“You know better,” Betram hissed at Octavia. “To seek the dead is an abomination. What is your purpose in these unorthodox methods?”

Octavia bristled. Her instinct was to tell him it was none of his concern, but hadn’t she been wishing for his help and advice? She couldn’t afford to alienate him, but neither did she want him interfering. “I went too far,” she repeated.

“You’re saying it was an accident? I thought Sen Rhikar’s best pupil would have more sense than that.”

Hearing her former mentor’s name made her stomach twist. “I made a mistake.”

She hated letting him believe she’d been careless, but she didn’t want to reveal everything about the Talmoran gods. Not yet. Kilovian conduits had some patience for the false religion of Talmor, but to learn they were parasitic alien beings was not a fire she wanted to light. Not today. Someday, they’d know the truth. She needed to think.

“Is he your only pupil?” Betram asked.

She started to say he wasn’t her pupil, but what she’d just seen from him gave her pause. He had taken control of her seeking.
He shouldn’t have been able to do that
, she repeated to herself.

“I’m not a pupil,” Korbin said, dazed. “I love her.”

Octavia felt her face warm. “Dul Korbin is my friend. He has acted as an anchor for me in the past. I’m not sure what went wrong today, but I will look into it.”

“You’re saying—”

Octavia cut him off. “I’ll look into it.” She shrugged off the inquiry and managed to get to her feet without wobbling. “Thank you for your help.”

Betram seemed to stiffen at the implied dismissal. “All conduit activity in Durjin is my responsibility. Of course I came the moment I heard I was needed. In fact, I think I should be more involved in whatever it is you’re doing here. The Sennestelle is pleased that the emperor wants to include our people in his advisory council; however, I cannot say I think choosing a young woman of so little experience was the wisest option. I will have to think on how to best approach this.”

“Of course, the Sennestelle must act as it sees fit, but do be aware that the situation is fragile. The emperor asked me here because he trusts me. Personally, I would rather be back in Vol, tending to our community there. But he invited me, and I felt it was my duty to comply.”

“No, no, of course.” Betram looked thoughtful. “Don’t worry about Vol. I sent my own protégé Reffa to take the situation in hand, and the Sennestelle has also provided two more from nearby cities. Assuming Pendra recovers fully, she will join the others in doing her duty. No, Vol is well cared for.”

Octavia froze. “Pendra?”

“Yes. I’ve heard she’s doing well, all things considered, although she hasn’t returned to working, of course. It’s only been six days, mind you. Soon, perhaps, with the power of the One guiding her.”

“Pendra is alive,” Octavia whispered. Slowly turning to face Korbin, she saw from his expression that this was the thing he couldn’t tell her, the thing that Jorek had forbidden him to speak of, the thing that the emperor feared would drive her back to Vol.

“Certainly she is,” Betram said. “We were told you were the one who negotiated her release. It’s one of the reasons your position here hasn’t been challenged. Are you saying that isn’t the case?”

“Of course it is,” Korbin interrupted, looking somewhat clearer than he had a few moments before. “We just hadn’t heard if her condition had improved since her release.”

Octavia cast him a grateful look. “I’m glad she’s doing well. I hope to be able to visit her soon.”

“Naturally you wish to be with your friend, but don’t forget your duties, Octavia. Remember that our fragile relationship with the Talmorans must be preserved.”

“I know that,
Betram
,” she said, annoyed that he’d left off her title and determined not to let him assert himself as her superior. “I more than anyone understand what I have to do.”

“Very well,” Betram said, looking pensive. “I should be on my way, then. I would like to meet again, once you have had time to look into the situation with…”

“Dul Korbin,” she finished for him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t introduce you.”

Korbin stood and extended his hand. “My apologies.” He still looked a touch shaky, but the color had returned to his face.

“No worries,” Betram replied, seeming more jovial than before. “A Dul. Interesting. I don’t suppose you’re related to Seba, are you?”

Korbin stiffened. “No.” Forcing a polite smile on his face, he said, “Not all Dul are related.”

A soft rapping at the door interrupted the awkward moment, and a wave of relief washed over Octavia. “Come in,” she called.

A guardsman entered. “Ultim Qardone Graiphen to see Dul Korbin.”

“Of course,” Korbin said. He gave a polite bow to Betram. “If you’ll excuse me. It was a pleasure to meet you, Sen Betram. Thank you for your help over the past few days. May the power of the One ever guide you.”

“Long may your fires burn,” Betram replied, returning the bow.

Korbin went to the door, telling the steward that he would receive his father in his own room. He moved with confidence, but knowing him so well, Octavia recognized his steadiness was feigned.

She missed his presence the moment the door closed. She had to get out of here, but mostly, she wanted answers. “I will add my thanks to that of Dul Korbin. I must go, however. The emperor will want to hear from me.” She still felt light-headed herself, but she didn’t want to submit to interrogation by Sen Betram, no matter how much he’d done for her. “We will meet again soon.”

“Yes,” he said, his eyes narrowed. “Soon.”

The moment she had seen Betram to a steward who would show him out of the palace and to the gate, she headed to Korbin’s room. It was time to face Graiphen and find out whose side he was on.

∞

Korbin offered his father a drink, not even certain if it was a time of day for the gesture to be considered appropriate. He didn’t care.

Graiphen accepted without comment, and Korbin poured them both one from a decanter on a side table. Handing one glass to his father, he took the other and downed the amber liquid, letting the warmth infuse his body.

They sat on two long divans that faced each other in front of a tall window covered with heavy tapestry drapes, and Korbin placed his glass on the wooden table between them.

“I’m relieved to hear you awakened,” Graiphen said. He wore the red robes of the Ultim Qardone of Braetin, but they hung on his frame as though he had recently lost weight. Korbin thought back to their last encounter in the prayer alcove. He hadn’t even noticed the way Graiphen looked then. He’d been too preoccupied with other things.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been more than two days,” Korbin said. “It felt like minutes.” He thought back to his mother’s words. She’d surprised him with her plea for patience with his father. He’d always believed Graiphen mistreated Risa, and yet, still, even after death, she defended him.

“When I didn’t see you, at first I thought you’d taken my advice and left the city. Of course, with this incident, you could easily plead illness and leave without causing offence. It’s the perfect excuse.”

Korbin opened his mouth to answer, but a rapping at the door stopped him. Excusing himself, he went to the door and swung it open. Octavia stood on the other side. She too looked a bit wan, but she seemed to be coping with their awakening better than he did. Possibly he was suffering from the shock of seeing his mother so unexpectedly.

“We need to talk.” She swept into the room.

“My father is here,” he said, but of course she’d already seen him.

“I know.” She went and sat opposite Graiphen on the divan Korbin had just vacated. “I think it’s time we talk frankly.”

“I agree,” Graiphen said, watching Octavia closely.

Korbin followed her and sat beside her. A few weeks before, she’d shivered at the mention of Graiphen’s name. Now she seemed strong and confident. It was good to see her more herself.

“Korbin told me of your last conversation.”

“Then you know Zain is plotting to kill you.” Graiphen leaned forward. “This is nothing to be dismissed lightly. He is powerful, and he is gaining ever more influential friends. If you hadn’t been guarded so heavily in the past days while you were unconscious, you would be dead already.”

She waved her hand, dismissing the idea. “His power doesn’t concern me at the moment. I need you to tell me everything you know about the Spirits.”

Graiphen furrowed his greying brow. “Everything? I wouldn’t know where to start.”

A little snort of impatience escaped Octavia’s lips. “What do you know of the place they come from? How did they get here? How were they banished from this realm the last time? Korbin tells me that four of them are dead. Did that happen in this realm or their own?”

Graiphen sat back. “You do realize that if I tell you what I know, I will forfeit my own life. You would ask this of me? You would
expect
this of me?”

Octavia’s expression darkened. “Yes. I would and I do. You give warnings and vague hints while still trying to protect your own position. Meanwhile, our world is in danger of being claimed by these parasites.”

“Octavia,” Korbin said by way of warning. She might have some protection because of her relationship with the emperor, but Korbin didn’t yet trust that his father wouldn’t find a way to use her words against her.

She continued as though he hadn’t said anything. “In centuries past, people could be forgiven for seeing the tricks of these beings and extolling them as gods. Even today, the people would welcome them with open arms. Power is intoxicating.”

Graiphen pressed his lips together but made no comment.

“But shall we welcome them, knowing what they are? Interlopers? Frauds? And yes, parasites? Shall we give up our souls and our freedom in exchange for a fleeting chance at power, when that power is only an illusion? What power do you truly have? You may have authority over some men, but in the face of these two beings, you are as helpless and lowly as any of us. They will protect you only so long as it suits them. They are changeable and amoral.”

“You want me to actively work against them. To give up everything in the hope that you, a foreign woman with little influence, can stop them? How do you intend to send them back? Do you even know how to close the portal? I do not.”

Octavia’s eyes lit up. “Tell me about this portal.”

Graiphen hesitated.

“Father, your choice was forfeit the moment Seba targeted you. He sent you into the arms of Braetin, and now there is no turning back. Either you work with us to stop these creatures or you work with them to stop us. You must choose a side.”

“It all comes back to Seba, doesn’t it?” A dark look passed over Graiphen’s expression.

“The portal, Graiphen,” Octavia pushed.

He considered, his face taking on a faraway look. When he spoke, his tone was quiet. “It’s a passage between worlds. It’s situated in the lowest part of Braetin’s temple.”

“You saw it with your own eyes?” Octavia asked, though Korbin had told her the story already.

“Yes. I was present when my mistress brought Pang through.”

“How did she do it?” Korbin watched his father, suspecting that he was holding something back.

Graiphen looked away for a moment, then met Octavia’s eyes. “I called her. Braetin used my throat to force me to speak in a language I didn’t know. It opened a portal.” He described the mirror-like surface and the tall, disjointed, and spindly creatures with razor-like claws.