Chaos Broken (28 page)

‘Are you crying?' he asked, sounding shocked.

‘No, fuck you.' I swiped the tears from my eyes.

Seth's mouth worked soundlessly a few times, then he looked about, realising we had the room's attention. His hands curled by his side, eyes resting back on me.

‘I don't understand what you want from me, Lora,' he said.

Roman strode over to us, brows furrowed. ‘You alright?' he asked, glaring at Seth.

‘Of course.' I wiped the rest of my tears away. As quickly as it had appeared, all my anger and self-pity was gone, leaving me feel weak and defenceless. Seth stalked off, muttering under his breath.

‘What was that about?' Roman asked.

‘Nothing.'

He pulled me into his arms, stroking the small of my back. ‘I'm glad you're alright.'

My body relaxed against him and I closed my eyes. ‘Thank you for coming for me.'

‘Impressed?' Roman's tone was light, but I heard his pain and knew just how hard it had been for him to kill Fowler, even if it had been an act of mercy.

‘Very impressed.' Opening my eyes, I pulled back, placing my hands on his chest. ‘I'm so sorry about Fowler.'

Roman's smile was sad. ‘His death will not be in vain. He was well respected among the nephilim and the Grigori of Harken. His murder will be a galvanising point for this war.'

‘War?'

‘Laeonder himself has declared it. Killing Fowler was the first blow.'

My hands dropped from him as I scoped the room again with fresh eyes. ‘What are your plans?'

‘We're going to burn the Order to the ground,' he said. ‘Destroy them before they destroy us. We've heard that Laeonder has made arrangements for additional Thesma Regulators to come to Harken, so we need to act soon.'

‘Is fighting the only way?' I asked. ‘What about approaching the Council of Ten? I heard that Laeonder gave them little choice but to allow him to enforce the law. Surely they can rescind it.'

‘We tried,' Roman said shortly. ‘But Thesma Regulators guard the City Hall and it's impossible to get through to even request a meeting.'

‘What about Seth?' I resisted the urge to look for him. ‘He's supposed to be friendly with the Council. Couldn't he go himself?'

‘He said he was turned away.' Roman's voice turned sharp. ‘The Council chose their path when they passed the law. Now they will reap the consequences.'

It wasn't like I hadn't heard Roman angry before, nor that I thought he was completely wrong. I just wasn't convinced he was completely right. I scratched through my brain, trying to come up with a few other scenarios that I could pitch, but came up with nothing each time. Not for the first time, I began to doubt my wisdom in not sending for Gideon. I was so busy cursing my pride that I almost missed what Roman said next.

‘Sorry, what?' I asked.

He gestured for Casper, who strode over to join us. ‘I want you to go with Casper to the Outlands,' Roman said. ‘You both know how to smuggle things across the border, so I need you to bring back some supplies.' He hesitated, then said, ‘Lora, we need to use your talent of making Outland weaponry work in Harken. Casper will take you through a few options.'

Casper gave me a wink. ‘I have a very nice bazooka that would go great with your new hairstyle.'

I smiled weakly at the joke, but the idea of wielding weapons of mass destruction inside the Harken city walls made me feel sick.

‘We'll also have magical defences,' Roman said.

‘You have craftusers on your side?' I felt some relief. It meant they weren't completely alone, that others would stand with them. But Roman was shaking his head.

‘We cannot turn to those we persecuted as Regulators. How could we trust them? How could they trust us?'

‘Then, how?' I asked, confused.

‘We will teach some of the older nephilim to use blood magic.'

‘You can't.' My objection snapped out of mouth before I could stop it. Roman's eyes narrowed and I tried again. ‘You know that nephilim using blood magic can lead to madness. There was a reason the Grigori forbade it.'

‘There is a risk,' Roman admitted. ‘But we have to use everything in our power.' His eyes cut to me meaningfully. ‘I know you won't use blood magic, Lora. You've already explained why to me in the past. But just because you're afraid to wield it, doesn't mean others will be.'

Ouch
.

My lips pressed tight. ‘Well, don't let me keep you from making your brilliant plans. If you both will excuse me, I need a moment alone.'

Casper went to say something, but a shake from Roman's head stopped him. I whirled and stalked off. I wasn't going to help Roman the way he wanted me to. What Roman was planning would put everyone at risk – those who followed him and the people in the city. I couldn't stand aside and watch it happen, let alone help strike the match. There had to be another way and I was going to find it.

I woke before dawn from a restless sleep. Rising from my makeshift bed inside a small room, I stretched out my stiff limbs and winced as pain shot through my hips. I had vague recollections of Roman coming in and lying with me at one point, but I couldn't see him now. I made my way quietly around slumbering bodies in the warehouse, climbing a metal staircase that led to the roof. Until someone showed me where the coffee was, the next best thing would be fresh air.

The warehouse rooftop was interspaced by thick brass piping, jutting up beside whirring air ducts and the occasional lock-shed. The sky was beginning to grow light, though the moon's white outline was still visible overhead. My skin dimpled in the freezing air and I rubbed my arms, wishing I was still asleep. All around me was an eerie silence, and it took me a moment to figure out what was wrong: no sentries.

I inched back until my foot hit a section of piping, then I crouched, sinking into shadow. My ears strained for any indication I wasn't alone, and at first all I could hear was the distant call of a night bird and the faint crowing of a rooster. Just when I thought I was being paranoid, I heard voices to my left. Inching around the pipes, I spied a small ball of light bouncing in the air, casting a dim light on Kalin. Seth stood opposite him, looking very unhappy.

Swearing silently, I tossed up my options. Walk out and confront them both? Sneak back inside and sound the alarm? After all, Kalin was no friend of anyone, let alone the nephilim. I crept forward, stopping when my foot met something soft. Dropping my eyes, I saw the body of a nephilim. I checked his pulse and found it beating slow and steady, no trace of injuries. Pulling two of the daggers from the spine of my corset, I moved forward until I was close enough to hear what they were saying.

Up close, I realised Kalin, the kid with the strange yellow eyes, had almost vanished. In his place now stood something withered and old, with a face transformed into a mask of wrinkles and bruised flesh. There was a translucency about the hand that grasped his ever-present sword, and I could make out the veins underneath the skin.

‘Who has done this to you?' Seth was asking. ‘What manner of magic is this?'

Heaving back an arm, I threw my daggers in quick succession. Both missed Kalin and I winced when one clipped Seth on the arm, ripping his sleeve.

‘Shit!' Seth swore, rubbing his arm. ‘Is that you, Lora? You're the only person I know with aim that bad.'

‘Sorry.' I walked over, pulling a third dagger and flipping it in my hand. ‘I was aiming for someone else.'

‘So I gathered.' Seth glanced at Kalin. ‘This isn't what it looks like.'

‘Sure it is, Seth.'

‘Have you come to witness the birthing of my true father?' Kalin asked me, voice a dry rasp. Up close, I saw most of his hair had fallen out, leaving wisps that dangled around his face, and when he opened his mouth to speak, I saw only jagged fragments of black teeth. ‘Have you come to beg for mercy, Dreadwitch?'

‘Kid, I personally have no idea why I'm here.' I flipped the blade again, almost dropping it. ‘It's too early in the damned day for anyone to be walking around without coffee or gin.' I pointed the blade at Seth. ‘I've got a good idea why you're here, though.'

‘I told you,' Seth said. ‘This isn't what it looks like.'

I shrugged. ‘Sure. You just came up here for a walk. All innocent like.'

‘It is the time of the great offering,' Kalin said.

‘Shut up,' Seth snapped at him. ‘Just shut up.'

‘Why don't you let him talk, Seth?' I asked. ‘Why don't you let him talk about all the murders he's committed in your name?'

‘Keep out of this.' Seth glared at me.

‘But I'm involved, Seth. Right up my pretty little eyeballs.' I flashed my dimples at him. ‘I read an interesting play yesterday. Called
King of Wolves
. Ever hear of it?'

Seth's shoulders sagged. ‘Not now, Lora. Please.'

‘Oh, yes, now. Because that's what this —' I waved a hand around, ‘— is what it's all about. You see, this play said the name of the father of griorwolves was
Sarquious
.' I flipped the blade again. ‘That was your name in the Pit, wasn't it? When you commanded your armies of hellspawn? I remember you telling me about it. How your supposed friends betrayed you and you were cast from the Pit, doomed to be human.'

‘Lora —'

I tapped the flat of my dagger against my chin. ‘Being the father of griorwolves is some distinction, Seth. You should embrace it.' My gaze trailed up and down his body. ‘You must have looked pretty darn different in your original form.'

‘I had my reasons for not sharing that information with you,' Seth said, sounding tired.

‘I know. You wanted to keep your options open, right? In case you couldn't gain the power you wanted here, you wanted me close. It was all about options.' My eyes flicked to Kalin. ‘Only you didn't realise someone else would find out about your secret. A monk who believed in the prophecy of the Howling King. A monk who discovered your forgotten bloodline and taught your son high-magic. Taught him a way to bring the prophecy to pass. A way to gain the attention of the father who had abandoned him.'

‘She speaks the truth, father,' Kalin whispered, wiping a sheen of fresh sweat off his face. ‘I was taught by a great man, Father Ambrose. He explained to me how I could achieve greatness through you. How you would allow me to be reborn in your image and rule by your side.' He held a wrist out to Seth, blue veins standing out under his skin. ‘After all, your blood runs through me, father. The blood of the Howling King himself.'

With great difficulty, he bent to one knee and struggled to lift his sword. I saw it was now bright and shiny, the hilt a gleaming gold. He offered it up to Seth, arms trembling with the effort.

‘I offer this to you,' Kalin gasped. ‘So the god inside of you may rise up and reclaim his former glory.'

‘What have you done?' Seth recoiled in disgust from the sword. ‘Has that sword turned you into this?'

‘The sword is infused with thaumaturgy magic,' I told him. ‘That's what's wrong with your son. That's why he's been killing people. To gather enough power into that sword, so his father could become a god among men.'

‘To use that magic is to condemn your very soul.' Seth wiped a shaking hand across his mouth. ‘I never wanted this for you.'

‘It was worth it,' Kalin said. ‘It was worth the price.'

‘You've taken lives,' I said. ‘And you'll have to pay for that.'

Kalin's wasted eyes fixed on me and he sneered. ‘Your time has come, Dreadwitch. You will be instrumental in my father reclaiming his former glory. And all within The Weald will tremble at the mention of his name.'

‘Son.' Seth's voice broke and I wondered if it was because he finally saw what I had: that there was no saving Kalin. ‘Not only do you offer a gift tainted with corrupt and evil magic, but you are also asking me to strike down someone I care for.' He withdrew a step. ‘I will not accept what you offer.'

Kalin lowered the sword, disbelief filling his ruined face. ‘You refuse your destiny?' He used the sword to help him stand up.

Seth voice was anguished. ‘You're sick, Kalin. The magic you've been using has made you like this. Let me help you. I know of the finest doctors, they might be able to reverse what has happened to you.'

‘I do not want to
reverse
what I have become,' Kalin spat. ‘I want to rule by your side.' His face twisted and he stabbed a finger at me. ‘It's her, isn't it? Your love for her has blinded you.'

Seth heaved in a breath. ‘Kalin, please try to understand. Despite all that has happened between Lora and myself, she is dear to me and will always be so. She was right. In the beginning, it was about keeping her close. I didn't expect to grow so fond of her. Didn't expect to care.'

‘Liar!' Kalin's knuckles tightened around the hilt of his sword. ‘I have offered you your destiny and you throw it back in my face.'

‘I didn't ask you to do this,' Seth roared back. ‘You're nothing but a child, who has no comprehension of the horror he's committed.'

Kalin's eyes turned desperate. ‘If you will not take this sword, then there are others who would give anything for this chance.'

I flipped my dagger a few more times, trying to keep my nerves steady. ‘If you're talking about Gorath, you should probably strike him from your list as well.'

‘I have heard he was bred for this cause,' Kalin sneered. ‘He will come to me on his hands and knees for this offer.'

‘He will reject you,' I said. I wasn't completely sure about that, but I had to believe it. ‘Gorath will reject you, just as your father has done here. Gorath broke the bindings our father, Sariel, chained him with. He has the support of powerful peers, a pregnant wife and a newly-found half-sister.' I gave him a small, arrogant smile. ‘He will not move against me, any more than Seth will. Your hopes of reviving this prophecy are dead, Kalin. Just as you will be, soon enough.'