Like Fire Through Bone (24 page)

Brother Stavros uncoiled and slithered across the short distance to the table. He put his teacup down and folded his hands as if in prayer. “Are there any abandoned graveyards in or close to the city?” he finally asked.

“A graveyard? Hallowed ground, really?” Theofilos asked, sounding surprised.

“According to what little I have read about the demon, Gyllou delights in corrupting things that were once held sacred,” Brother Stavros said.

“Like the abandoned church,” Vasilios said, putting down his own tea and eyeing the sesame seed sweets.

“Interesting,” Theofilos said, his expression thoughtful.

“I can’t think of any graveyards that are not still in use,” Vasilios said, and Theofilos nodded.

“Neither can I.”

“What about the traitors’ graveyard?” Ilkay asked, and they turned to him.

“I don’t think I’ve heard of that one.” Vasilios frowned.

“It’s not really a graveyard as much as a bone pit outside the city,” Ilkay said, seeming tired for the first time.

“You’re talking about the burial spot after the Doukas’s attempted coup,” Markos said.

“What?” Vasilios glanced between the two of them.

“Most of you probably already know this, but the previous Emperor, Iulianus, was not the eldest son of his father the Emperor Lucius IV. And when he came to power and took the throne, it was… messy,” Ilkay said. “Soon afterward, many of the generals and highest-placed families in the Empire plotted against him. One general in particular, Mikalos Doukas, orchestrated the attempted coup.”

“But of course they didn’t succeed,” Markos said, folding his arms over his chest and looking down at the table. “And most of the highest echelons of the army were publicly executed for treason.” He was silent but then shook his head. “Including my commander at the time.”

“Were you…?” Vasilios didn’t know how to ask, or if he should.

“Suspected?” Markos asked and then laughed without humor. “Oh yes. I was a general’s aide, after all, and my general was neck-deep in it. I was imprisoned for months and watched by all sorts of spies. I had no idea what was going on at the time, but in the end I survived, and the Emperor saw fit to give me my general’s position, once it became vacant.”

He shook his head. “The traitors’ graveyard isn’t a real graveyard, Ilkay. I don’t know if it’s what we are searching for.”

“But it’s not regularly used, and no one goes near the place,” Ilkay pointed out. “It’s not in the city, but not that far from it. If I were a demon, that’s where I would hide.”

“Well, we can look,” Markos said and rubbed one hand over his face. “Any other ideas?”

“Can’t we have the other graveyards watched? See how often they’re used, or if there is anything unusual going on?” Theofilos asked.

“I’ll talk to Xêgodis Aetia about it,” Markos said and then stood. “If you all would excuse me, I need to speak with Patros.”

Aritê rose from the table. “Brother Stavros.” She turned to him. “A word, please.” She walked over to the far side of the tree, out of earshot, and Brother Stavros followed her.

“I’m happy to see you and Markos seem to be getting along so well.” Ilkay turned to Vasilios. “I was worried when I first met you that he was just going to pine for you forever.”

Vasilios willed himself not to blush. “I… we… I care for him very much,” he said. “But I am not free, and there will be nothing between us until I am.”

“Hmm.” Ilkay stared at him as if considering. “I’m glad he’s happy,” he finally said. “Markos, he has not truly cared for someone like this in a long time, not since his first marriage, I think.”

“That long?” Vasilios had a vague idea that Markos’s first marriage had been when he was young and had ended with the tragic death of his first wife after they’d been married a short time. “But surely, he has had lovers?”

“Not many, especially for a man of his rank.” Ilkay shook his head.

“He said he did not, once, to Panagiotis.” Vasilios felt guilty as Markos pushed open the gate.

He was followed by a tall man Vasilios didn’t recognize. He was gray haired, with a face that was all long, thin angles, dominated by a rather long pointed nose. He wore a long ankle-length tunic in gray and dark blue. He carried himself with the air of someone who was used to being obeyed instantly and without question, and Vasilios would have guessed him to be the head of a high family or a general in the army, if not for the silver that glinted in each ear. Vasilios was not aware of any high-placed eunuchs, aside from Ilkay.

“Xêgodis.” Ilkay waved at the other man from where he sat beside Vasilios.

“Ilkay.” Xêgodis did not seem at all pleased to see him. Vasilios also noticed that Xêgodis was forcing his voice down as he spoke and suspected that Xêgodis like Ilkay was an ex-jewel. “I trust you are well, and Theofilos.” He nodded to Theofilos, who nodded in a distracted manner before going back to his book.

“Oh yes, we’re both very well.” Ilkay smiled showing too many teeth, and Xêgodis seemed even less pleased, if that was possible. “And how is your wife?”

“Fine.” Xêgodis crossed his arms over his chest. “Her health, thankfully, remains as it always has and does not decline any further. God be praised.”

“I pray for her often.” Ilkay inclined his head a little, and Vasilios wondered what on earth was going on.

“Xêgodis Aetia and Patros were speaking together outside,” Markos said. “I thought this would be as good an opportunity as any to ask if he could help us with our graveyard dilemma.” He turned to Xêgodis. “We have reason to believe that the demon might be hiding in one of the cemeteries, but we believe not a well-used one. I would ask if there were people you could send out among the cemeteries to see which within or around the city are the least used.”

“I can look into it,” Xêgodis said. “I was wondering if you’ve come to a decision regarding the matter we spoke of last week.”

“I have thought on it.” Markos rubbed the bridge of his nose. “But cannot make a decision until after this business with the demon is over. Do I have the time?”

“I believe you do.” Xêgodis nodded. “But we will have to move quickly if you put it off much longer, no matter what decision you make.”

“Understood.” Markos nodded, and Xêgodis bowed to him.

“Then I will go. I was just stopping by on my way to another appointment and will speak with you later about the cemetery, among other things.”

“All right.” Markos bowed back to him. “God’s blessings on your house.”

“And yours.” Xêgodis turned back to Ilkay. “And yours as well, Ilkay Zoe. I pray for your good health and long life.”

“As I do you,” Ilkay said, smiling again, but this time with more amusement than anything else. “Take care, Xêgodis, and give my regards to your wife.”

“And mine as well,” Theofilos said, without looking up from his book.

Xêgodis nodded to Vasilios and then turned and left the way he had come.

“I don’t know your business with Xêgodis,” Ilkay said to Markos, “but know that my advice will always be to strike your enemies swiftly and without flinching. You do them a kindness in the long run that way.”

“Leave it,” Theofilos said without looking up, but Markos shook his head.

“No, it’s all right. I always welcome Ilkay’s council.” He rubbed both hands across his face before shaking his head with a wry smile. “Even if I almost never follow it.”

He shook his head, then turned toward where Brother Stavros and Aritê still stood in conversation, and crossed over to them. All three held a brief conference before Markos turned and came back to the table with Aritê and Brother Stavros trailing behind him.

“We were trying to decide if it would be fruitful to stake out the traitors’ graveyard,” Markos said.

“If we did so, we might be able to identify something amiss there if the demon is in fact hiding in that graveyard,” Brother Stavros said. “Especially if it was Holy Woman Aritê or myself.”

“Or it might alert Gyllou to your presence,” Aritê added. “It might be a good course of action for us to simply go there, act as if that is where the demon is, and begin the process of casting it out. If it is there, so much the better, if not, then no harm done.”

“It would be direct,” Brother Stavros said. “But worth doing, I think.”

“All right, then.” Markos nodded. “When would be the best time for you to perform this?”

“Tonight, “Aritê said. “Midnight is when the gate we will need to open will be at its weakest.”

“I want to come.”

Everyone at the table turned to Vasilios, who kept himself from looking down at the table.

“I want to come,” he said again. “I need to know this creature won’t harm anyone else.”

Aritê nodded at that, and if Brother Stavros had any concerns, he did not voice them.

“No,” Markos said. “Absolutely not.”

Vasilios folded his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrows. “Why?”

“It’s dangerous.” Markos also crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t want anyone who doesn’t need to be there put in harm’s way.”

“Does that mean I can’t come as well?” Theofilos looked up from his book. “I would love to see what happens.”

“No.” Markos held out his hands. “Brother Stavros and Aritê have to be there to cast out the demon. I must be there because the Emperor wills it. I will have some soldiers there in case something unforeseen happens. I know up until now force hasn’t helped but I’m not letting either of you into a dangerous situation without some sort of reinforcements.”

“But this would be the perfect opportunity to personally witness the exorcism of a high-level demon,” Theofilos said. “I could write a book on it.”

“And I would like to witness this as well,” Vasilios said, trying to gentle his tone. “I don’t think you should worry for me, Markos. I have training. I can protect myself if need be.” He wished he was in better shape, however. If he did end up needing to fight, the mess his back was still in would definitely impact his ability to defend himself.

“Theofilos, no,” Markos said. “And especially no to you, Vasilios. I realize that you have given much to see this happen, but I am not knowingly putting you in harm’s way.”

“Perhaps Vasilios should be there,” Brother Stavros said, and Markos did not quite glare at him when he turned. “God has clearly chosen him to play a role in this, and who are we to say he was not chosen to be there when we do this thing?”

Markos rubbed one hand across his forehead. “That might be true,” he said finally, “but if Vasilios is there, it will distract me. Protecting him will become my first priority.”

“But it shouldn’t be.” Vasilios folded his hands in front of him on the table. “You need to be able to do your job even if I am there. My presence or not should not affect that. Also, I can take care of myself. Please believe me in that.”

“You were just injured,” Markos said. “Normally maybe, I would be able to trust you to look after yourself, but I’m not convinced in your condition you truly can. Even if you were less dear to me personally, I would still be concerned.”

Vasilios lowered his head at that. “There is no real reason for me to be there,” he acknowledged.

“I should pray.” Aritê stood from the table.

“I should as well.” Brother Stavros uncurled himself, reaching for his prayer beads.

“Phyllis will show you to your room,” Markos told him.

“My thanks.” Brother Stavros nodded.

“We should go as well.” Ilkay stood. “All of you who will be up tonight need to rest, and I believe you have a student who wanted to talk to you about that article,” he said to Theofilos, who nodded.

“I’ll do what I can to stall his Holiness the Bishop if it comes to you.” Ilkay placed one hand on Theofilos’s arm, expression becoming serious as they both stood and headed for the door. “Oh, and Theo do remind me, I need to speak with the Emperor at some point after all this is taken care of.” He looked back at Markos and Vasilios, a small smile curving the corners of his mouth. “I believe we will have some business to attend to.”

“As you like.” Theofilos seemed vaguely distracted as he let himself be led.

“I’ll walk you out.” Markos stood as well, disappearing back into the house.

Vasilios sat alone at the table. He finished his cup of tea and the sesame seed sweets on his plate. He didn’t know what he was going to do now. Should he stay here in Markos’s house, or go back to Eudoxia’s? It would be good to see Nereida and make sure she was all right. Damianos no doubt had heard of his mother’s refusal to allow Anthimos’s access to him or Nereida. Despite Eudoxia standing firm so far, Vasilios feared Damianos would have the power to order him back to Anthimos’s house.

Vasilios stood, feeling tired, and he couldn’t stop his hands from beginning to shake at the thought of going back to Anthimos’s house. His back ached and stung, and he was aware of the crisscrossing bruises and welts that still covered it. He bowed his head, trying to decide what to do.

P
HYLLIS
pushed open the iron gate leading into the house, walked over to the table, and started to clear away the food.

“Will you be staying another night?” she asked briskly without smiling, and Vasilios wondered if she was always like this or if she didn’t like him for some reason.