SpellBreaker: First Ordinance, Book 4 (12 page)

"What is it?" Ilya didn't hide the growl in his voice. I let my forehead drop to Ilya's shoulder to hide my embarrassment.

"I merely wanted to see if Zaria had time for her appointment this afternoon."

"So I can run but I can't hide?" I pulled away from Ilya to face Kevis.

"I believe you can do both. I'd prefer you didn't."

"What's in it for me?" I asked. Kevis had a glint in his eye—he enjoyed verbal sparring.

"A comfortable spot on the sofa?"

"Come on, doctor boy, you can do better than that."

"Chocolate and a comfortable spot on the sofa?"

"Now you're talking my language," I said. "What kind of chocolate?"

"Strawberries covered in chocolate?"

"Hmmmm." Ilya cleared his throat.

"Strictly professional chocolate-covered strawberries," Kevis held up a hand. "I promise."

* * *

Quin

"I can barely see it," I said. Our compound had been supplied with a spy-screen in an upper-deck room facing Kend's mountain facility. Even with the far-sighted camera, the facility was so well-hidden by trees and outcroppings that I could only get a glimpse of the roof.

The roof, of course, was covered in sunlight-gathering squares filled with a special crystal.

"Those crystal beds on the roof are so effective, they power the entire facility that way," Sal explained as I squinted at the screen to get a better look. "Kend's great-great-great-grandfather developed those things and the family still holds the rights to their manufacture. That massive wealth funded this one's forays into research and development, and now they supply all weapons for the ASD."

"Are the crystals natural?" I turned away from the screen to look at Sal.

"They were in the beginning," he shrugged and offered a crooked grin. "They found a way to manufacture them and make them even more efficient, without flaws in the crystals. It brought down the price, too, so almost anyone can afford it. Most of the weapons requiring energy are powered by strips of those crystals."

"It's convenient," Bel Erland said. "The crystals hold a charge of sunlight for days, if it isn't expended."

"It takes many firings to deplete the charge, too," Sal explained. "That's why the ASD buys its weapons from Kend Industries."

"What sort of weapons will Kend have guarding his facility?" I asked, turning back to the screen.

"He could have anything that's available to the ASD, and possibly a few things the ASD doesn't know about. That's why we haven't sent drones or spy-bots—they'll likely be fried at the perimeter. Industrial espionage and design theft is a reality where Kend Industries is concerned," Sal said. "They've only ventured into weapon design when Ruther took over about twenty-five years ago. When he was fourteen."

"Does Ruther have any wizards or warlocks working for him?" I asked.

"We don't have that information yet and even if he did, it could be that they're being paid under the table, so to speak, and there may not be an official record of it. I've heard that many wealthy industrialists do this, to protect themselves and their company."

"I've attempted to scry, but with probable Sirenali involvement, there's really no way for me to get the information. If he's hired a witch or warlock, Dad doesn't have those records." Bel Erland frowned as he studied the screen beside me.

"So it could be a wizard, too." I shivered at the thought.

"We'll figure this out," Bel's arms went around me, holding me carefully.

* * *

Morid

They wanted me to suffer. Therefore, no obsession was laid. I imagine cost was involved, too, because the Sirenali who performs obsessions for Deris and Daris Arden charges per obsession.

The Arden twins do not argue about the cost because they are just as susceptible to obsession as any other. They tread carefully around V'ili, the Sirenali Prince.

I see it as an unholy alliance, as each one wants what they want, and aside from that desire, all else is expendable.

I do not have what they want to achieve their desire; therefore, they are happy to watch me squirm in my cage. The old enmity between wizard and warlock is strong within them.

I should have stayed on Grey Planet, as instructed.

The only brightness in my captivity was this; I was moved to Ruther Kend's private research facility on Jaledis, in the mountains above the small city of Turbak. Two housekeeping employees were assigned to bring me food and fresh water. They do more than that, when the Arden twins aren't looking.

Since I was placed in their care, I have clean clothing and the opportunity to bathe myself every other day. Before that, I was forced to wear what I'd worn when I left Grey Planet behind. At least I still have my ability to disguise what I wear—so far the twins haven't seen through that.

I wished I were powerful enough to escape the cage they'd placed me in, but I am not. Father always told clients we were more powerful than we were, in order to command greater amounts for our spells.

I learned humility on Grey Planet, after watching their Master Wizards perform spells I could never attempt.

If it weren't for the two who care for me here, I would wish myself dead. Norn and Gale give me hope, in addition to food and smuggled comforts.

* * *

Ilya

"This is the list of employees we think are at the mountain facility," Caylon handed a comp-vid to me. "This includes cooks and housekeeping staff. They get food and supply deliveries once per eight-day. Everything is inspected before it enters the gate."

He and Sal had found me inside my suite, where I'd unpacked nearly all of Zaria's things. It would be more difficult for her not to stay with me if her clothing and shoes were already here.

"Then what about this?" I asked. "Let Zaria and me take over for the delivery crew. She can see in the employees doing inspections whether it is safe to approach them or not."

"That's a decent idea," Sal said. "It beats whatever we had, which included folding into the facility. It's likely that the moment we become corporeal, an alarm would sound."

"That was my thought as well," I agreed. "Plus, if Deris has placed a disturbance spell, it could explode in our faces—quite literally."

"Disturbance spell?" Sal asked.

"It's a complicated spell, which detects anyone who doesn't belong in the designated area," I explained. "Only a Fourth or Fifth-level is capable of casting it."

"You can do it?"

"Yes. I believe Zaria is also capable."

"Let me coordinate with Kooper, and we'll work on getting you and Zaria on the delivery crew." Caylon strode out of my suite. Sal grinned and shrugged before following Caylon out the door.

I laid the comp-vid on my dresser and went back to settling Zaria's boots in my closet.

* * *

Zaria

"How is it going with Valegar?" Kevis asked.

"It'll take a while for the guilt to go away," I said. "I still feel bad about how I treated him."

"What about Kalenegar?" he asked.

"I haven't brought him up yet," I pointed out. "Where did your information come from?"

"From Kalenegar."

"Of course it did. That's sarcasm, in case you didn't know."

"I recognize all forms of sarcasm. I'm related to several deft practitioners."

I slapped a hand over my mouth to stop my snicker from becoming a full-blown laugh. Kevis didn't try to conceal his grin. "So, what about Kalenegar," he continued.

"Him." My shoulders drooped. "He was ready to wipe my atoms from existence. I think that statement says it all."

"You don't see a reconciliation?"

"I can't answer that."

"Because you don't want to or because you don't know?"

"Right now, it's both. My worry is this—if he were willing to kill me once for making a misstep, what's to keep him from doing it again? How can I trust that?"

"Nobody's asking you to."

"Then why did you bring it up? Were you trying to upset me?"

"No," he held up a hand. "You were reluctant to tell me about your marriage to Ilya centuries ago, therefore, I asked about Kal."

"I made it so Ilya died a horrible, painful death in prison, rather than being consumed by a terrible obsession and killing his friends." I wiped tears away at the thought of Ilya, suffering and dying of cancer in a Russian prison.

"What do you think his choice would have been?"

"I don't know," I flung out a hand. "I didn't give him a choice. It was my choice. All of it."

"And this is something for which you can never make amends, because he is a different person and has no recollection of it."

"Yes."

"Why do you not let it go, then?"

"Because I can't forgive myself. I believe that has to happen first, doesn't it?"

"It's generally a good idea."

"So you see my conundrum?"

"Yes, but it will only take your acceptance that things are different now and you have a fresh start."

"Except I have all these memories, and for me, they're still fresh. For you, centuries have passed and you weren't alive at the time, anyway."

"True. I'm merely a listener, not a firsthand witness," he reminded me.

"You're not sympathetic? You've just shattered my hopes and dreams," I quipped.

"I am sympathetic. In a detached way," he grinned. "Imagine what a basket case I'd be if I became emotionally involved in all my patients' troubles."

"You have a valid point, sir. Shrink on," I nodded while echoing his grin.

"Shrink on, shrink off," he laughed while waving each hand in a circular motion.

* * *

Karathia

King Rylend Morphis

"I never considered Wellend's book," Dad pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wylend and I—we always assumed that he'd held the kingship for such a short time that there'd never been one, or that it was empty and disappeared when he died. Warlend's was destroyed with him—it was never found either."

"So the only person who may have known where Wellend's was—aside from him, could have been his mother, and Helsa's dead, too."

"Son, I think we both know where it is—we've looked everywhere else," Dad sighed and took a seat on the sofa inside my study. "We merely don't know what it contains, although our guesses may be eerily accurate."

"But I have a book," I began.

"Yes, that can be presented as an argument for our side," he agreed. "It could effectively split the planet, however, and that cannot be allowed to happen. What if our fears are true and Deris also has a book?"

"He's the eldest, so it would make sense that if either twin had a book, it would be him," I said, taking a seat next to my father. He placed an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a hug.

"What are we going to do, Dad?" I whispered.

"Hope," he replied. "Hope that Zaria, Quin and Ilya can bring them down while keeping us out of it. You know what will happen if we challenge and there are two valid claims to the throne."

"Yeah. I do. The first and eldest claim wins."

"Exactly."

* * *

Jaledis

Quin

"Ildevar Wyyld thinks it better to have me here, in case an ambassador is needed in a delicate situation," Edden Charkisul smiled and pulled me into a hug. I wasn't surprised that Berel had arrived with him; either could act as a liaison with the Jaledi government.

I received a hug and kiss from Berel, who lingered on both.

"Bekzi, Zaria and Ilya are cooking tonight," I pulled Berel toward the combined kitchen and dining area. "If we beg, we may get a drink while we're waiting."

* * *

Ilya

My experience in cooking anything consisted mostly of grilling a catch or a kill over an outdoor flame. It fascinated me to watch Zaria make dumplings to drop into the chicken and broth Bekzi prepared.

"This good—you like," Bekzi grinned at me.

I didn't care what it tasted like—it was a pleasure to watch Zaria's graceful fingers work the dough before rolling it carefully with a pin and cutting it into evenly shaped, bite-sized squares.

She enjoyed cooking—that was easy enough to see.

"Chicken and dumplings, one of my favorites," Kevis Halivar said as he walked into the kitchen followed by Quin, Ambassador Charkisul and Berel.

"Ilya, will you get drinks for them?" Zaria asked.

If you'll give me a kiss
, I replied. She leaned her head back; I took her lips. It should have been a chaste kiss. It was anything but. Forcing myself away after several seconds, I set about putting drinks for the new arrivals together, my mind on Zaria the entire time.

* * *

Zaria

That was more than a casual kiss
, Kevis teased when I went back to making dumplings, my cheeks heating at the promise in Ilya's kiss.

I guess you'd know, Mr. Casual Observer
, I huffed mentally.

Oh, I like sex just as much as anybody
, he said.
More than some, maybe
, he added.

Tell me again why I'm making dumplings for you?

Now, that's something I hadn't considered
, he responded.

You sound like my brother
, I snapped.

You had a brother?

No. I was abandoned and adopted when I was a baby.

Ah. Why didn't you tell me that earlier?

It didn't come up, Doctor Boy
.

I'll remind you in our next session.

Joy
.

Zaria?

What, bro?

Let Ilya pamper you
.

I closed my eyes as tears threatened.

"There. Done," Valegar appeared and made dumplings disappear into the pot in less than a blink. "Come, my love, we will go."

* * *

Quin

I couldn't say what happened, but Kevis Halivar wore a frown after Valegar disappeared with Zaria and Ilya. Our drinks plunked onto the table in front of us, almost as an afterthought, just as they disappeared.