Chapter 8 #3
“Our contacts have had to vacate their posts as this thing spreads,” Wilhelm continued. “They reported hearing a voice call out to them from within. Beckoning them inside.”
“A voice?” Kaine repeated. “Someone trapped inside?”
Wilhelm shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“What of those already within the Cradle? Have there been any messages relayed?”
“Nothing,” Wilhelm replied. “It’s dead silent.”
“Cirian…” His name crossed my lips, even before I could conjure it.
“What’s more, our contacts witnessed Bastien Gallant enter the Cradle last night, before this thing appeared. So, now we know there’s a Reviled more than likely caught up in whatever befouled magic has taken hold of that place.”
My pulse spiked, the ache in my chest spreading outward like the pulsating darkness on the screen.
Kaine let out a heavy sigh beside me.
“You’re going to ask us to check it out, aren’t you?”
Wilhelm chuckled. “Always so direct, Kaine. That’s why you’re my favorite.”
“You can keep your flattery,” he replied, nudging his shoulder into mine. “Are you alright, Azzy? You look like you’re going to be sick.”
“What are you proposing?” I asked Wilhelm, ignoring Kaine’s jibes.
“Kaine wasn’t far off. I would ask your Urchins to go and investigate this event. I would send my own team, but you have to imagine the optics of a full-on Reviled invasion may cause more harm than good if we were to be discovered.”
“And I reckon you’ll want us to swipe an artifact or two while we’re there?” Kaine added.
Wilhelm’s smile turned sly. “Should you happen across one in particular, yes. I’d also ask that you extract Bastian as well, if possible.”
“Tell me what it is that you seek.”
“An abacus,” Wilhelm replied, shifting her sights back to me.
“An ancient artifact from the time of the Magi-King. Rumor has it that it’s still being held in the Church’s vaults.
If you should happen to stumble across it while you’re there, I would be eternally grateful to see it return to the possession of my people. ”
Her words carried the expectation of someone to whom I owed a great deal. Wilhelm knew that I would not refuse her if she asked directly. Which I assumed was why she came in person.
“Me and a few of the lads ought to be able to handle this,” Kaine muttered, already reaching for his communication artifact.
“No,” I said, loud enough that Wilhelm’s smile faded.
“No?”
“You’ve asked that my Urchins go, but I cannot allow this.”
Her lips pressed together into a hard line.
“I see.”
“Azzy,” Kaine’s voice came from beside me. “It’ll be a quick thing, I promise—”
I held up my hand to silence him, my attention still directed to Wilhelm.
“I will go to the Cradle myself.”
Kaine sucked in a breath, and Wilhelm’s brow furrowed.
“Azrael, you can’t be serious—”
“This event brings ill omen, Wilhelm. I wish for the Urchins to remain in Paradise while I am gone, to ensure the safety of our people.”
The woman studied me for a moment before nodding. “If that is what you wish, Azrael. I have no objections.”
“It is. I will set out for the Magi-City within the hour.”
Wilhelm nodded, turning to the man accompanying her. He bowed and walked quickly toward the exit.
“There is another matter that I wish to discuss with you before your departure. One of… a sensitive nature.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Kaine said with a grunt, shuffling off in the same direction. “Don’t skip town just yet, Azzy. You deserve another chewing.”
Once the room had been vacated, Wilhelm and I took seats at the table across from one another. She seemed nervous. I could smell the stench of it on her skin.
“What is it?” I asked when the silence had stretched to its limits.
“There’s something more I wanted to discuss with you, even before the reports started coming in from the Magi City. It’s about those residing in Bastien’s flat.”
“What about them?”
“I’m aware that Tobias’s sister has been brought without my knowledge.
Word has spread through Paradise of her arrival, and some of the elders have shared their concerns over their presence here.
They believe that it’s only a matter of time before the Magi Council will come looking for her, and the Greenes’ presence here puts Paradise at great risk. ”
“Do you agree with that sentiment?”
Wilhelm hesitated, something shifting behind her golden eyes, like a shadow passing across the moon.
“My feelings are complicated, Azrael. But the elders’ concern is not unwarranted. I cannot allow anything that threatens this place, Azrael. I do hope you understand.”
“All too well,” I replied. “Heavy is the mantle that you wear, Wilhelm. I do not wish to add to the weight any more than I already have.”
“We can discuss it further when you return. I’m sure Bastien will give me more than an earful on the matter.”
“There’s something to look forward to.”
“Do be careful out there, Azrael. The world is a strange place as of late, and I fear it only grows stranger by the hour.”
I manage the most convincing smile I can muster.
“I will do my best.”