Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane) (23 page)

Siban opened the closest door and pulled Rell inside. She went willingly. The furnishings in the room were sparse and utilitarian, though after her time in the Shadow World, she would never turn her nose up at a comfortable bed.

“Lie down.”

Rell waved him away. “I’m fine, Siban. You don’t have to hover over me.”

He walked to her and gently grasped her shoulders. “I’m not hovering, I’m tending.”

She smirked. “Is there a difference?”

“Most definitely.” He eased her toward the bed. “Hovering implies unnecessary worry.” The back of her knees butted against the bed, setting her off-balance. She sat and Siban knelt in front of her. “Tending means that I am doing what needs to be done to make sure a member of my party stays healthy and unharmed.”

It was impossible not to laugh at his serious expression. “All right, comrade, I’ll let you
tend
to me.”

“That’s a good soldier.” His fingers glided down her arms and he laid his palms against hers. “After I finish, you may tend to me.”

She tipped her head toward him. “You’re very generous.”

“I know,” he said. “Now close your eyes.”

“But I want to watch you.”

He smiled. “All right.” Siban stood and picked up a pitcher. Tipping it, he let the water pour into the matching basin. He set the water beside the bed and dipped a linen cloth into the liquid, squeezing out the excess.

The rag was cool against her head. With gentle swipes, he cleaned the grime from her face. She couldn’t take her eyes from him. Thick black lashes rested against his cheeks and his skin had darkened from the sun. He was beautiful inside and out. What he had seen in her when she was a demon was still a mystery to her. But now she understood how the strength of one person’s love could save the other from near death. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. No risk she wouldn’t take. No foe she wouldn’t battle to keep him safe. When they practiced using their Tell, they had glided side by side, connected but still separate. Now they were one, their souls merged.

When he was finished, Siban tossed the rag into the basin and lifted her fingers to his lips. He gently kissed their tips. “I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

Several seconds passed before he spoke. He seemed to struggle for what he wanted to say. “I love you.”

“And I love you.” She smiled, certain there was more to come.

“Rell, I want to be with you always.”

Her throat tightened. “What are you saying?”

His hazel eyes locked with hers. “I want you to be my wife, Rell. Will you marry me?”

Stunned by his question, it took a few seconds for her to find her voice. She’d come too close to losing him in the Shadow World. There were so many things to consider, but the one thing she knew was that she didn’t want to be without him. She nodded. “Yes.”

A wide smile stretched across his mouth. White teeth gleamed and if possible, her love for him grew even more. She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him to her. Their mouths connected, sending a jolt of heat through her. Their tongues twined around each other and she shifted, attempting to drag him onto the bed with her.

Siban groaned and broke the kiss. “There are many other things I’d rather do right now, but we need to wash up and get ready for dinner.”

Rell gave him her most devilish grin. “Maybe we can feign illness.”

Siban sat back and shook his head. “Unless you’re lying in a pool of your own blood or have a hole the size of a boulder through you, illness is unbelievable.”

She scrunched up her face. “Damn.”

“Come.” He stood and pulled Rell to her feet. “Wash me so we can meet with the others.”

“If I wash you, we’ll never make it.”

“Good point.” He pulled his tunic over his head to reveal an expanse of golden skin. Rell smoothed her hand over his chest and trailed her fingers lower. He caught her hand. “You are being very uncooperative.” He kissed her hand again. “I promise after we find out what information the good Lady Tobin has for us, I will let you touch me all you want.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Not as much as I do,” he said.

Chapter Twenty-one

Lady Tobin’s private dining room was far more opulent than Rell’s room. It seemed nobility and rank had its privileges, even among the Bringers. From what she could see, Council members possessed far more material wealth than the others who lived and served at Illuma Grand.

“I hope your accommodations are adequate,” Lady Tobin asked.

Rell turned to see the older woman watching her. “Very nice, thank you.”

“My husband made his fortune as a merchant before he died.” She smiled, as if guessing Rell’s thoughts. “When I was widowed I moved to Illuma Grand to be with my daughter and grandson. Most of what I owned was given to the needy. The rest I brought here, hoping to reestablish myself.”

“It’s very lovely.” To hide her guilty reaction, Rell locked her hands behind her back. “I’m sorry about your husband.”

Warmth seeped into Lady Tobin’s smile. “Thank you, my dear. That’s very kind of you to say.” She indicated a chair at the table. “We’re not all like Lord Bagita. Most of us on the Council truly want what is best for the Bringers.” With a flowing grace, she sat in the chair next to the one she’d motioned to. “I will admit though, that it seems we’ve been remiss in our duties.”

Rell took the seat next to Lady Tobin. Siban joined them, sitting on the other side of Rell.

“My lady, I am not one to judge the actions of others,” Rell said. “I am realizing more and more that most people do the best they can with what they believe to be true.”

“Wise words.” A look of contemplation crossed Lady Tobin’s face. “You remind me of somebody.”

“She is Bowen Kendal’s daughter,” Gregory said, taking his place at the table.

The woman’s eyes widened. “But I thought Bowen only had two daughters.” Her gaze slid from Jade, who had just entered, back to Rell. “It was my understanding the oldest had been killed along with her father.”

“Not dead, my lady.” Siban covered Rell’s hand with his, folding his fingers around hers. “But nearly as good as.”

Lady Tobin’s eyebrows lifted. “I would very much like to hear the story.”

The remaining members of their party took their places at the table.

“I am afraid there is much to tell.” Gregory glanced at the gray-clad women and men who had begun delivering dishes of food to the table. “But perhaps we should enjoy this delicious meal first.”

“Perhaps that is best.” She looked toward the door, drawing Rell’s eyes as well. “Beatrice.” A wide smile spread across Lady Tobin’s thin lips. “I hope you don’t mind, but I invited her to join us. She and my grandson are betrothed and I have taken her into my confidence.”

Jade waved the redhead toward the chair placed next to her and then glanced at the older woman. “As have we.”

Again Rell was struck that Jade’s friendship with Beatrice was not something new. This time the idea made her smile. It was good that she and her sister were finding their places in the world.

Two more trips brought an abundance of food Rell didn’t believe their party could consume. One of the men set a bowl of roasted potatoes next to her. His arm briefly brushed her hand and instantly the feeling of mistrust invaded her. She glanced at the man. His gaze leveled on her for a second, but then he turned and quickly left the room. Unsure what the vague feeling meant, she kept the experience to herself. Too many other things needed to be discussed right now. She would talk to Siban about it later. It would come as no surprise if Fromme had spies working within Illuma Grand. They’d already found a Splinter within the walls, so why not spies?

The meal was like nothing Rell had ever eaten, even before being turned Bane. Delphina and her mother were excellent cooks, but the sheer elegance of the meal they dined on made her feel like royalty.

“Oh, sweet Sainted ones.” Ravyn reached across the table and grabbed two figs off a large platter of fruit. “I adore these.” She bit and chewed slowly, her eyes sliding shut.

“I never get tired of watching you eat figs,” Rhys said to Ravyn.

She opened her eyes and winked at him, continuing to chew.

“Nor do I.” Luc plucked a fig off the plate and held it out to Jade. “Your turn.”

Jade leaned toward him, taking the fruit from him. “You first.”

Magnus snorted and shoved a large chunk of pork into his mouth. “Please, not here,” he said around his mouthful of food. “I’m trying to eat.”

Lady Tobin stood and ushered the servers from the room. “That will be all for now. I’ll ring when we’ve finished.” She followed them to the door. The man who had given Rell an uneasy feeling glanced toward the table, his departure slower than the rest. “Run along, Edgar.” With a gentle but steady push against his shoulder, she herded him out the door. “You wouldn’t want to keep Lord Bagita waiting.”

Edgar’s gaze jerked to Lady Tobin for a second before he pulled himself taller, lifted his chin, and marched down the hallway.

She clicked the door shut and turned to them, shaking her head. “I’m certain we’ll be getting a visit from Fromme very soon. Edgar is his snitch and I’m sure he’s off to report to him about our dinner.” Disregarding etiquette, she settled back on her chair and rested her elbows on the table. “We can speak freely. Tell me what you’ve discovered.”

All eyes turned to Gregory.

“I’m afraid the situation is grave, my lady.” He pushed away his plate and leaned forward in his chair. “The time for discretion and secrets is at an end. We found the Abyss.”

Lady Tobin gasped. “Here on Inness?”

“I’m afraid so. It gets worse,” he continued. “Vile tricked Juna, Ravyn, and Meran into opening it or at least weakening it.”

She collapsed against the back of her chair. “But how did he accomplish such a feat.”

“By casting an illusion so the Abyss appeared to contain the missing Bringers,” Juna said. “We thought we were freeing them, when in reality we were opening the Summoners’ prison.”

“An illusion?” The older woman shook her head. “I thought only the Summoners possessed such power?”

“That is true.” Gregory’s gaze leveled on her.

“What are you saying—that the Summoners still exist?” She looked down the table for confirmation and then back to Gregory.

“That is exactly what I am saying, Lady Tobin. I won’t sweeten the situation. The reality is that Vile controls a large clan of Summoners.”

Beatrice’s voice came from the other end of the table. “But why would the Summoners agree to work with the Bane.”

“They didn’t agree to work with the Bane,” Jade said. “They
are
the Bane.”

“Saint’s help us.” Lady Tobin pressed her hand against her chest. “Please tell me this isn’t true.”

Inhaling deeply, Gregory straightened in his chair and then slowly exhaled. “Vile, the Demon King, was once Ander, King Harlin’s brother. The story is long and convoluted, but suffice it to say that Ander, along with many other Summoners, escaped imprisonment and fled to Inness, where they have been plotting for more than a thousand years.”

“And what of the Abyss now? Has it been opened?” Beatrice asked.

“We don’t know.” Ravyn toyed with her linen napkin. “We tried to reverse what we had started, but I don’t know how successful we were.”

“I believe, at the very least, we weakened the wards.” Juna took a drink of her wine and swallowed. “I fear we may be looking at a Summoner invasion soon.”

“What can be done?” A note of panic laced Beatrice’s voice. “We need to prepare.”

“Agreed,” Gregory said. “There are many other issues we need to take into consideration though. Things best not discussed here. First and foremost, we must begin to build our forces.”

“But how?” Lady Tobin asked. “The residents of Illuma Grand have no powers.”

“They will,” Luc said.

“I have always thought you different than the rest of us, Sir Gregory. As I look at each one of you, I see the marks of full power.” She narrowed her gaze. “When I first met Ravyn, she had no Tell mark.”

Her unasked question hung in the air.

“I am to be first,” Beatrice said into the silence. She pointed at Juna. “She promised if I rallied those who wished to fight, I would be brought to full power.”

“It seems there has been much going on under my nose, even with those I love.” Lady Tobin turned her piercing stare back on Gregory. “So is that it? Have I heard all the important issues so that I might decide my course of action?”

“Nearly,” Gregory said.

She leaned back in her chair as if expecting more grave news. “What is it then? I doubt you can shock me any further.”

“I am King Arron’s youngest son.” He straightened in his chair. “And we have found my brother, the heir to the Bringer throne.”

Her eyes widened to the size of silver ducats. “I stand corrected; you have shocked me.”

“Well hold on to your bodice, Lady Tobin, because he isn’t finished,” Luc said.

She heaved a heavy sigh. “Where is our reigning king now?”

“I should think he’s flying over some sleeping village,” Luc mumbled.

Jade elbowed him in the arm.

Lady Tobin squinted. “I don’t understand. Please don’t tell me he was taken by the Bane as well?”

“Of a sort, my lady. It turns out the heir is Icarus, Vile’s second-in-command,” Gregory said. “And my half brother.”

Before she could reply, the doors burst open and Fromme Bagita, along with two other people stormed in. “What is the purpose of this clandestine meeting?”

Lady Tobin covered her shock at Gregory’s announcement by plastering on a benign smile. “The purpose was to eat food, Fromme. I’ve offered our guests lodging and refreshments, as is my right.”

Deceit and anger swamped Rell, the emotions rolling from the man and woman standing behind Lord Bagita. Too tired to deal with their reactions, she strengthened her mental shields.

“I doubt that is all that goes on here,” the rat-faced man said.

“You’re right, Deputy Master Byrnes.” Gregory pushed away from the table and stood. “We are discussing how best to deal with the Bane threat.”

“Not you, too,” the woman standing next to Byrnes scoffed. “Haven’t we had enough of that nonsense from Lord Blackwell?”

Rhys slowly stood, his expression darkening. Despite having seen him as a dragon and having trained with him at the manor, this was the first time Rell had ever seen him appear truly menacing. “I grow tired of your poisonous words, Lady Grimes.” His gaze shifted to Fromme. “While you three plot for power over the Bringers, the Bane lay siege to Inness.”

“So you would have us believe.” Fromme puffed out his chest. “But we are not sheep who will blindly follow you on your crusade against an imaginary foe.”

“There is not an ounce of my being that cares whether you believe me or not, Lord Bagita.” Rhys stepped away from his chair and paced around the table. “But I will not allow any more Bringers to be taken by the Bane while you plot and deceive your way to a throne that does not exist.” He stopped a foot from the three intruders. “And I will not stand by while you sell immortal weapons to the highest bidder so you can line your pockets with gold.”

“How dare you accuse me of thievery,” Fromme blustered. “Do you know who I am? My brother is a Superior in the Order of the Saints. For your false accusations I could have you thrown in prison for the rest of your life.”

With a quick flourish of his hand, Rhys pulled his sword from his sheath and pressed it against Bagita’s neck, grabbing the man by his fur collar to hold him in place. Fromme screamed, his eyes and mouth rounding in fear. All those at the table jumped to their feet, but didn’t intervene. Lady Grimes squealed and jumped back, knocking into Deputy Master Byrnes.

“I have watched you bleed our people dry,” Rhys gritted out. “I have endeavored to guard our people while you turned a blind eye to those who have gone missing. I allowed you to question Ravyn as if she was some kind of criminal.” He leaned in, bringing his nose close to Fromme’s. “But that ends now.”

“Rhys.” Ravyn’s voice cut through the tension. “He’s not worth it.”

Tension stretched through the room while everybody waited to see what Rhys would do. Rell glanced at Siban, but his gaze was fixed on the scene near the door, as if concentrating more than would be natural on Lord Bagita. She opened herself up to Siban, trying to sense what his Tell sent him. The impression ran deep, layer upon layer of deception. Her instinct urged her forward, away from the table.

Rhys lowered his sword and backed away. Fromme huffed and repositioned his weighty robe on his shoulders, scowling at the group. Rell walked four more steps and stopped, staring at the man, not knowing why she needed him to see her, but trusting her Tell that there was a purpose.

“What are you staring at, girl?” Fromme asked.

“Lord Bagita?” Meran said, drifting away from her chair to stand next to Rell. “Have you been introduced to the newest member of the Bringers?”

First he looked at Meran, his expression tightening. He stared at her for several long seconds. “Ascendant?”

She smiled. “Well, I used to be. But I have given up that title so that I might join in the battle against the Bane.”

Shock registered on the three intruders faces. “But you were of the highest order. Most beloved by your followers,” Fromme said. “Why would you give up such an esteemed position to join—” He waved a meaty hand toward the group. “Them?”

“I like to think the impending war is a higher calling, my lord.” Though spoken softly, her answer left no doubt of where her loyalties lay. “But I didn’t mean me. Have you met Esmeralda Kendal?”

Bagita looked at Jade and then back to Rell. He searched her face. “But you were killed.”

“Not killed, just turned Bane,” she said in a flat tone.

“Preposterous,” Lady Grimes said, inching up behind Fromme.

Brita moved to stand on the other side of Rell and took her hand. “Perhaps you should show him.”

Confused, Rell looked at Brita. “Show him?”

“Like Magnus showed you,” was the woman’s explanation.

Could she project her experiences to somebody else? She’d never tried, but Magnus had told her it was a Tell trait. The need to show Lord Bagita everything she’d gone through swamped Rell. She reached and gripped his wrist. He tried to jerk away from her, but she held tight and closed her eyes, concentrating on the night her father had been killed.