Divined (23 page)

He caught her hand, but she pushed against him, urging the bone closer.

“Clio, if you kill me then you won’t be able to stop the deaths of everyone about whom you care.”

“I won’t fall for another of your lies, Vazuil.” His hands were shaking under her strength. It wouldn’t take long.

“Before the moon sets, your Emperor’s life will be snuffed out by the hands of one who serves your father.”

“What did he say?” Clio hadn’t noticed Riece. He stood behind her.

“Don’t listen to him,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Commander, as we speak, the plan is being put into motion.” Vazuil’s voice was strangled as he fought to resist her.

“Enough.” Riece pulled Clio’s hands back, giving Vazuil a chance to slip out of her grasp.

“Riece!” Clio raged, straining against him.

“I want to hear what he says.” Riece pinned her arms to her side and faced Vazuil. “You make any move to run, and I’ll let her go, understand?”

Vazuil straightened. “I didn’t have to come here, Commander. I’m mortal. Clio could easily kill me. Don’t you think I wouldn’t be here if I had any alternative?”

“Then talk,” Riece commanded.
 

“There’s been a coup among the Deities.”

Clio ceased her struggling.

“When I lost control of the Oracle, your father took the opportunity to cast me down.” Vazuil looked at the red blood dripping from the palm of his hand. “He stripped me of my powers.”

“How is that even possible?” Clio whispered.

“It shouldn’t be. But he’s found a way. He has a mortal helping him and together… I found out some of their plan, but your father caught me.”

“If that’s true then why didn’t he kill you? Why send you here and give you a chance to work against him?”

Vazuil’s lips stretched into a bitter sneer. “He told me he had seen the depths of his daughter’s hatred for me. He expects you to kill me. That way none of our brothers will see what he’s doing until it’s too late. He doesn’t want them knowing his plans.”

“Why should we care if he steals power from the Deities?” Riece stepped in to Vazuil. “Tell me about the Emperor or this is over and Clio finishes what she started.”

“I’m getting there.” Vazuil looked to Clio, his eyes wide and nervous. “A Deity cannot steal powers from another Deity, not on his own. The Bloodied One has a mortal ally helping him. This mortal will help your father make the sacrifices needed to make him all-powerful.”

“Sacrifices?” Clio glanced at Riece.

Vazuil nodded. “What he has planned will require more blood than the world has yet seen.”

“It’s the Vision. My father’s the one behind it all.”

“But why would a mortal help him?” Riece asked.

“They’ve made a deal,” Vazuil answered. “In exchange for helping your father rise to power over the Deities, the Bloodied One will grant his servant power over the mortal realm.”

“He’ll make this mortal the Emperor.” Riece’s hand fell to his dagger. “Who is it?”

“I was cast down before I could find out.”

Riece raised the blade to Vazuil’s neck.

“I swear I don’t know who it is. I don’t have the Sight anymore, and I’m no longer connected to the Oracle. I’m powerless. All I know is it’s happening tonight. The Bloodied One has arranged for his servant to enter the palace.”

“If this is a lie…” Riece’s voice shook.

“Clio!” a woman hissed from the receiving room.

“Atzi?” Clio walked to the door as the Oracle darted into the room.

Atzi was dressed in full armor, blades strapped to her arms, her legs, her back.

“I’ve had a Vision. The Emperor’s life is in danger.” She was out of breath.

Clio and Riece exchanged a look. “Did you see who’s behind it?”

Atzi shook her head. “But whoever it is is being helped by the Order.”

“Of course.” Riece lowered his blade and released Vazuil. “After tonight, the Order only stands to benefit from a change in power.”

“So you believe me?” Vazuil asked, rubbing his neck.

“I believe her.” Riece gestured to Atzi. “We need to go now if we’re to prevent this.”

“And what do we do with Vazuil?” Clio asked, not willing to allow him a chance to escape.

“Commander, I saw more in the Vision.” Atzi’s voice softened. “Your sister sleeps in the palace tonight.”

Riece stilled, and Clio saw fear creep into his eyes.

“If we go after the Emperor then the Order kidnaps her. She will be held hostage and tortured until you turn yourself over to them. Then they’ll kill you and her both.”

Clio grabbed Riece’s wrist. “You have to go after her, then you both need to get out of here.”

“I can’t leave the Emperor.” Riece’s face had gone pale. “I’ll get Tirza out, and then I’ll come back and help you save him.”

“No.” Clio’s voice was firm. She took the blade from Riece’s hand. “If we fail and the Emperor dies, then nothing is more important than your life. You need to stay alive if we’re going to be able to reclaim this throne.”

“I can’t leave, not while—”

Clio cupped his face in her hand. “You know I’m right.”

He swallowed, the muscles under his scar rigid.

“You’re going to take Vazuil. Deliver him to Ixie and Ashira and tell them to bring him to Nox at the Temple.”

“The Temple? But we already know the Order is involved,” Atzi pointed out.

“They’re involved,” Clio agreed. “Which means the last place they will look for the Commander is inside their own temple.” She turned back to Riece. “Give Vazuil to Ixie and Ashira, then save Tirza and go to the Temple before the Order realizes you’re missing.”

“And what will you do?” Riece laid a hand over hers.

“Atzi and I will go after the Emperor.”

“There are too many priests,” Riece protested.

Clio looked to Atzi, who nodded once. “It’s a Calling, Riece. Only this time I won’t be alone.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

“The palace is already crawling with priests,” Atzi said after Riece and Vazuil had departed.

Clio walked around her chamber, sliding on pieces of armor and sheathing her blades. “We only need to get to the Emperor. His chambers aren’t far from here.”

“He’s not in his chambers.”

“
What
?” Clio spun to face Atzi. “Then where is he?”

“I’m not certain. I saw pools outside the window.”

“The grounds are covered in pools. How are you certain he’s not in his chambers?”

“Because I walked right past the royal chambers when I came to find your room. These aren’t the corridors from the Vision.”

“And you’re sure?”

“Of course I’m sure.” Atzi shot Clio a glare.

“All right. Well, we’ll need to find him first, I suppose. You said the palace is crawling with priests?”

Atzi nodded, her eyes still cool.

“So we find a priest and force the information out of him.” Clio moved to the door.

“This is a bad plan.”

“Do you have any better ideas? We need to move quickly.”

When Atzi didn’t respond, Clio ducked out of the room.

The corridor was empty, but Clio heard approaching voices. Grabbing Atzi, Clio slipped behind a golden idol. Two priests entered the hallway.

“Easy,” Clio mouthed to Atzi.

The priests wore the usual amber robes, but each carried a spear and shield. When one went in to check Clio’s chambers, she slipped from her hiding spot and grabbed the priest standing guard outside. His scream was muffled by Clio’s hand over his mouth. Keeping low, Atzi snuck into the room. Clio heard a thud, then Atzi emerged once more.

“Where’s the Emperor?” Clio hissed in the priest’s ear.

He jabbed an elbow into her gut, but Clio didn’t release him. “You’re the Oracle whore, aren’t you? Don’t worry, there will be plenty of men to please after your Emperor and commander are killed.”

Atzi struck him quickly and silently. “Where’s the Emperor?”

“Open your robes and maybe I’ll tell you.”

Atzi took the man’s hand, and Clio felt the man relax. Then Atzi lifted his finger and twisted it back. “Tell me now, and you’ll keep your hand.”

“He’s with the High Priest,” the priest squealed.

“
Where
?” Atzi growled, pulling his finger back farther.

“There are a hundred priests between here and there, you’ll never make it.” The man spat into Atzi’s face, and Clio tightened her grip around his neck.

Footsteps sounded down the hall.

“Clio.” Atzi looked behind her. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Where is he?” Clio squeezed, choking the air from his lungs as the footsteps grew louder. When she released him, he collapsed to all fours, laughing.

“We have to go.” Clio picked up the man’s spear and turned as a dozen priests filed into the corridor.

“I told you this was a bad plan,” Atzi mumbled, raising her blade.

The priests flew at them, and for a moment, all Clio could see was amber.

A spear struck her in the side, and she fell, rolling to catch the spear’s end as it descended. Beside her, Atzi had disarmed one priest and was fending off four men with a blade and a shield.

Flipping to her feet, Clio dove into the fight. More priests ran into the corridor, drawn by the sounds of battle, and Clio swung a spear while slipping under an attacker. She reached Atzi, and they stood back to back, spinning in a circle as more and more priests surrounded them.

“We’re running out of time,” Atzi said out of the side of her mouth as she slammed a spear into an attacker’s chest.

“Not helpful,” Clio grunted. Two men charged her, and Clio threw a blade to block the attacks, earning a deep slice down her forearm. Blood sprayed out, and Clio slashed blindly.

A man fell, and Clio felt blood hot under her feet.

More amber cloaks were arriving. There was no way to defeat all of them. Not in time.

Clio threw down her blade and dropped to her knees.

“I surrender,” she cried, holding a hand up and pulling Atzi down beside her.

A priest grabbed her, lifting her up, while another took her remaining blades.

“Will you take us to your temple?” Clio asked.

“Clio!” Atzi hissed behind her.

But Clio ignored the Oracle to face the priest before her.

“There’s no need to waste time at the temple.” The priest grinned. “The High Priest wishes to kill you himself.”

“If he kills me, then the Deities will strike back at the Order. You will pay for this.” Clio called fear into her voice.

“We’re not afraid of your petty tricks, Oracle-witch.”

Pushing Clio and Atzi ahead, four priests walked them through the palace hallways. Atzi had been right. The place was covered with Order members. They never would have been able to fight their way to the Emperor.

“How did you know what they’d do with us?” Atzi asked in a low whisper.

“I didn’t.”

“They could have killed us on the spot.”

“High Priests like to do their own killing. It was a good guess.”

“A
guess
?” Atzi shook her head.

“I’m not the Oracle anymore. Guesses are all I have left.”

They turned a corner, and Clio caught a glimpse of one of the larger palace pools outside the window. Their guards closed in, each grabbing one of Clio and Atzi’s arms.

Clio looked to the Oracle, who nodded. They were in the right place.

The priests pushed them into a small entryway and bowed to the High Priest, who grinned down at Clio.

“You were so close to seizing power.” His eyes sparkled victoriously.

Clio was forced to her knees. “You won’t get away with this,” she spat.

“Get away with what?” The High Priest turned and called into the adjoining room. “Your Highness, I have the assassin in possession.”

Mannix emerged from the other room, his expression drawn and white. When his gazed landed on Clio, he turned to the High Priest as if confused. “You think she was behind this?”

“Who else, Your Highness?” the High Priest asked with a bow.

“Mannix.” Clio struggled against her restraints. “Is he still alive? Are we too late?”

Mannix’s brow creased, and Clio realized he was struggling as much as they to determine who was responsible for this.

“Mannix, why would I try to kill the Emperor? The Order is the one with motive—”

Her captor struck her across the face, silencing her words.

“Don’t listen to her lies.” The High Priest pulled out his golden dagger. “We should execute the Oracle immediately, before she has time to speak with the nobles.”

Mannix hesitated. “This can wait until the Emperor is out of danger.”

Clio let her captor bring her forward, too stunned to speak. Mannix could kill her this moment, and yet he hesitated. She looked into her brother’s eyes and saw only panic. He was worried, Clio realized. Worried about his father. Mannix cared for the Emperor.

“What happened to him?” Clio asked, her eyes pleading with Mannix.

“I should get back to him. He’s suffered a blow. I don’t—I don’t know how long he has left.”

“Is he in the other room?” Atzi asked, her voice suddenly hollow.

Mannix’s gaze drifted to the High Priest before settling on Atzi. “I don’t know who you are.”

“Two priests are trying to finish him off as we speak,” Atzi continued. She looked past Mannix.
A Vision
, Clio realized.

Doubt flashed in Mannix’s eyes.

“Listen to her!” Clio screamed. “She’s Seen it, Mannix. Where is he?”

“Don’t tell her, Your Highness. She only wishes to finish him off.” Rage burned across the High Priest’s face, but Mannix’s gaze flickered to the curtained archway. It was all Clio needed.

Throwing her head back, she heard the crack of her captor’s jaw under her skull. When his grip slackened, Clio leapt free and sprinted into the other room.

The Emperor was laid out on a stone slab. Bright red blood stood out against his pale flesh. He was delirious, but still he struggled against the priest holding down his arms while another shoved cloth down the Emperor’s throat. The sound of his wet choking filled the room.

Clio didn’t stop. She barreled into the priest with the cloth while Atzi grabbed the man restraining the Emperor.

There was no halting Clio’s rage. The priest’s head collided with stone, and he dropped instantly. Rushing to the Emperor’s side, she pulled out the cloth and laid an ear to his chest. His breathing was uneven, and his flesh was hot to the touch.