Cursed (30 page)

Twenty feet…

Ten feet…

Five…

I leapt off the stage and scooped up Ada into my arms. Rowan and his people sprang into action as well. They picked up prayer benches and slammed the wooden frames into the nearby guards, clearing our path. Even Nan grabbed a prayer bench and jumped into the battle. A fighting light was back in her eyes. It was beautiful.

With Ada in my arms, I raced to the back of the stage. Guards were everywhere but I only focused on the exit door. Ada was in my arms and Rowan ran at my side. We had to make it.

The three of us sped across the stage. Ada's little hands gripped me tightly around the neck as she buried her head in my shoulder. Rowan pulled daggers from his leathers and whipped them at the guards. His accuracy was deadly despite the manacles weighing down his wrists. Blade after blade embedded directly in the guard's helms. They all fell over dead.

We were almost at the door. Nan tore a dagger from a dead guard's helm and jumped back into the fight. Rowan gripped the handle and whipped the door open.

Almost there.

Something slammed into the base of my spine, heavy as a boulder. I fell forward and landed on my side. Agony seared up my rib cage. All the air was knocked from my lungs as the armed guards grabbed Ada and pinned me to the floor. I heard a small voice crying for me. “Elea!”

“I'm coming for you, Ada!” My voice was a rough wheeze as I struggled to pull any air into my lungs. That vise in my chest pulled in so tight, I thought my heart would burst with sorrow. I had to get her. With all my strength, I tried to wriggle free from the guards, but it was no use. The most I could do was twist my head and watch Ada be dragged away.

Of all people, Veronique walked over to Ada and calmly plucked the child from the guard's arms. The man seemed to stunned to fight back. With gentle words, Veronique comforted Ada, hoisting the child onto her hip. After that, Veronique then turned to me.

I had no illusions about this girl.
What game was she playing?

Cold determination shone in Veronique's eyes. “Amelia,” she said clearly. With that, Veronique and Ada walked away, along with all the other Sisters.

Amelia.
It was one word, but held a world of meaning. Veronique believed that I could get out of this alive and would return to save Ada. Of course, Veronique wants me to save her favorite person as well… and that would be Veronique. Watching over Ada was the best way to ensure her own safety. It was an odd mixture of Veronique showing confidence in me, while still trying to save her own hide. Still, if it helped Ada, then I'd track whoever this Amelia person down. That is, if I lived to see the morning.

The guards dragged me to the right side of the stage. Rowan and his people were set back on the left. They all looked worse for the wear. Fresh lines of blood dripped down the side of Rowan's handsome face. Nan was in pain as well. She clutched her shoulder and looked away. So many brave souls, and we'd tried to do the right thing. It simply hadn't worked. Sadness wrapped around me like a shroud.

Viktor rounded on me. “What an amusing display, my little assassin. Do that again and I'll bring the little imp back. You can watch as I slice off her fingers.” He stepped closer. “Am I clear?”

How I hated saying this.
“Clear.”

Next, Viktor turned to Nan. “The same goes for you. No acts of defiance or I'll disembowel both of your friends for my own amusement.”

I couldn't believe what he was saying. I knew Viktor to be evil, but pulling out fingers and disemboweling children? Where did this fiend come from?

Nan kept her gaze steady. I was so proud of her right now, I could burst. “Clear.”

“Then, we come to the most important part of the ceremony,” said Viktor. “Sister Nan shall join my entourage.”

Nan lifted her chin. “Get on with it, then.” Even though our escape plan failed, I was happy to see the old spark had returned to my friend.

Viktor stepped up to Nan and grasped her throat in his meaty hand. His grip was so tight, her head flipped back in pain. On reflex, I stepped forward to help. A guard slammed his sword hilt into my tender ribs. A riot of pain broke out over my torso.

“Stand back, little assassin. No more trouble from you.”

I barely heard his words. All I could do was focus on how Nan gasped for air while the bone crawler slowly twisted up under the skin of her neck. Once the creature was parallel with her throat, it flared a violet hue under her flesh.

“Stop it!” I cried. “What do you want? I'll do anything.”

Viktor ignored me. All his focus was on Nan's writhing throat. “Come out, my pretty.” The insect punched a hole through her neck, its body glowing purple as it wrapped itself around Viktor's wrist. A horrible gurgling sound came from the wound.

I screamed. “No!”

The skin on Viktor's arm shone violet-bright as he drained Nan's energy into his body. In this moment, I would give anything to spare my friend this horror. Nan's flesh withered while her hair turned white. Her healthy young body wasted away into an empty cadaver before my eyes.

“You bastard! I'll make you pay!” This was
my
Nan, who'd chased Ada around the storehouse. Who'd told happy tales of avoiding the hangman's noose. Who approached any tragedy like an adventure. Her withered form lay on stage. That light that was only Nan had now been taken from the world. We all lived in a darker place.

The Tsar tossed Nan's limp body to the floor like trash. I hated him even more for that. Nan's skeletal frame lay on her side with her arms arched over her face. A defensive pose, even in death. Her whitened braids fanned out behind her like a halo. That bastard had taken all her energy and life.

Viktor stepped up to me. “Your turn.” Bands of icy fear tightened around my chest. “But first, I must prepare you.” Viktor clenched and unclenched his fingers, making his totem rings glisten in the dying light. “Bonding Animal,” he said. One of his totem rings flared blue. A moment later, a bone crawler squirmed on his palm. The slimy beast was just as disgusting as I remembered. My heart pounded so hard, I could hear the blood whoosh in my ears.

Viktor held the wriggling insect right by my face. It smelled of rotting flesh. “Any final words, little assassin?”

The bone crawler's long antennae flicked down my neck. It took all my Necromancer training not to scream. “Elea. My name's Elea.”

“Such a proud little thing,” said Viktor. “I'd like to see you howl again, but this time in fear. Will you do that for me?”

“No.” My voice came out level and even. Petra would be proud.

“Everyone screams when I do this.” He jammed the creature against my shoulder. But it didn't burrow into my skin. Instead, a shock of magick slammed into me, solid as a wall. Violet light flashed across my collarbone.

Viktor's eyes narrowed. “What was that? What tricks are you playing?”

In that moment, I knew the truth. I could wield hybrid magick. When I'd touched Rowan's dagger at the oasis… The day Sophia first set a hybrid snake onto my palm… and now, with the bone crawler. For whatever reason, touching an animal with hybrid magick brings out that power in me.

Excitement bubbled up in my soul. I glanced at the stained glass windows lining the Basilica's walls. A few sunbeams still shone across the floor. The day hadn't ended yet. There was still time, and there was only one thing to do.

Send Viktor into exile.

I grabbed the bone crawler in my fist and began the words of a transport spell. The insect writhed in my hand, its husky shell glowing with purple light. I welcomed its power and movement. Violet colored bands of energy whipped off my arms and wrapped around Viktor like a mummy. He stared at the spell in utter disbelief.

“What are you playing at?”

“This is no game. You are being sent into exile.”

“Exile?” Marlene stepped forward. “Who are you to say such a thing?”

I looked to Rowan and began an incantation of freedom. The enchanted manacles fell away from his wrists. His face was bruised and bloody, but he still gave me his crooked smile. “I was hoping you'd do that.”

“You're welcome. Can you get us a little privacy?”

Rowan began another spell. His hand flared brightly as a thousand red doves appeared. They flew around Viktor, Rowan, and me, creating a magickal shield from the rest of the Basilica… And Marlene. My thoughts ran to Rowan's people. “Are the Casters—”

I was about to ask if the Casters were protected. I didn't finish my words before Rowan folded his arms over his chest and said “yes.”

We were finishing each other's thoughts again, but there was no time to worry about it now. I returned my attention to Viktor. He writhed under the purple coils of power, unable to escape.

“This isn't possible.” Viktor eyed me carefully. “Who are you?”

I took in a long breath and held onto th moment.

This is for you, Petra.

“I am Elea de Braddock, a Grand Mistress Necromancer trained by Petra. You know the name?”

Viktor gave me a simpering smile. “Release my bonds and I'll cast a memory spell.”

That would never happen.

“Petra was a Novice that you kidnapped and experimented on many years ago.” I remembered the scars that wound about her ribs. “You used bone hooks on her.”

Viktor looked annoyed. “I am the Tsar. I experiment on many people.”

“Well, Petra has a message for you.” I stepped closer and grinned. “Rot in hell.”

I finished the rest of the transport incantation. The cords of violet power that encircled Viktor now flared more brightly that ever before. A flash of brilliant violet light appeared. The color reflected in beautiful shadows off Rowan's living dome of birds. When the brightness disappeared again, Viktor was gone. I looked at the bone crawler in my hand. It was dead.

Rowan stepped closer. “Is he gone?”

“Not sure.” I waited for a long minute. The birds encircled us in flight. There was no sign of Viktor. Last time, he had returned within seconds. I focused my attention on Rowan. “Yes, I think he's gone.” Excitement prickled over my skin. “Do you think the sun has set?”

The question was unspoken but clear. Is my curse over?

“Let's find out.” Rowan snapped his fingers and the crimson doves broke formation to fly away. I stared around the Basilica again. The guards were gone, as were most of the Casters. Only Laurel waited, her face was bruised and a tooth had been knocked out, but her smile still shone bright.

“Hail and well met!”

“Where did everyone go?” I asked.

Rowan gave me a sly look. “I cast more tarantulas. Poisonous this time.”

I couldn't stop my smile. “I like that about you.”

He set his hand on my shoulder and turned me to face the Basilica windows. “And look, the sun has set.”

I stared at the colored glass, unable to form words.
The sun has set.
All those years of hard work and fear. Tristan's suffering and sacrifice. Finding the Sire and Lady. It was all worth it. “I'm no longer cursed.” Joy bubbled through me. It was as if I could sprout wings and fly along with the doves. “Thank you.” I leapt up and wrapped my arms around Rowan's neck. “We did it.”

He slid his hand up my spine, leaving a trail of heat behind. “Yes. We did.”

Laurel let out a low whistle. “I'm just going to see what Orion is doing.” She walked quickly away.

Let go of him, Elea. Walk away. You're a Necromancer. Take control.

I didn't move a muscle. Neither did Rowan.

“There you are!” Marlene stalked onto the stage. We instantly broke apart to face her.

“You.” Marlene pointed directly to me. “You ruined everything. You're an assassin that I took into my home. A viper that I nurtured. And you stole my Tsar away. What am I without him?” She raised her hand and began an incantation.

“I'll say this once, Marlene. I'm a Grand Mistress Necromancer who just took down the Tsar. Do you really want to start a mage's war with me?”

Blue mist swirled around her hand. “You stole everything!”

“No, you took from me.” My voice broke. “You robbed me of Nan.”

A low hum filled the air, followed by a thwack.
What was that?
Marlene looked down at her chest and I followed her gaze. Rowan's dagger was embedded in her heart. She turned to Rowan. “Why?”

He stepped up to my side. “If you go after Elea, you pick a fight with me. Tell everyone in hell that when you get there.”

Marlene stared at both of us, her mouth open in shock. For a long moment, she wobbled on her feet. “This isn't over.” Her knees crumpled under her and as she fell over dead. I sighed with relief and sadness.

That was for you, Nan.

The other Casters crowded up on the stage around us.

“I told you they were here,” said Laurel.

“How are you feeling?” asked Orion.

“Good.”
I was exhausted.

Laurel bobbed on the balls of her feet. “You cast with hybrid magick. Can you do it again?”

I shrugged. “I don't know.” I certainly wasn't about to carry around another bone crawler and find out.

“You look exhausted,” said Rowan.

And my head was feeling fuzzy, too. But we couldn't stop now.

“There's more work to do. Someone needs to track down Gaspard's carriages. The Tsar may have some allies still in the Cloister. The elder Sisters need someone to take care of them. And Linden must be set free.”

And that was just what I could think of off the top of my head.
If I weren't feeling so woozy, I could probably come up with a dozen more.

“Which is why it's the perfect time to call in my Uncle,” said Rowan. “He loves saving the day once the danger is really over.” He gave me one of his crooked smiles, which only made me feel more unsteady. “Honestly, the man is very good, even if he is a King. And you do need to rest.”