Chapter 38
Another Failure
“ W hat happened?” Aunt Azar growls as Ferg and I return to the apartment we’ve been staying at the last few days.
We’re constantly moving to stay off the radar of Bradan and his dogs. I hate it, but I’ve been healing, and for now, it’s for the best. Someone or something has been poking holes in Aunt Azar’s force fields that should be keeping us hidden, which would keep us from having to move.
It’s like someone has been trying to reveal us so that Bradan can find me. He’s come close so many times. Thank the gods Aunt Azar has been a step ahead each time. However, she’s been nervous and on edge because she can’t figure out where the glitch or interference is coming from.
I’m not that concerned. I’m almost healed and ready to find that bitch Bradan is bedding. He won’t need to find me. I will find him.
I know what my goals are. Although I question my aunt and her motives. I know what she has told me, but she’s been sneaking out once or twice a week to go somewhere and won’t tell me where she’s going.
I can’t help but wonder if her trips are the reason for the holes in her shields. I’m starting not to trust her. Especially after she sent me out with that genie and this puppet of hers.
This guy gives me the creeps. There are times when he seems completely vacant, and then others, like when he pulled me out of that apartment when he seems to be on point, like a guard dog. I’m still pissed he didn’t let me finish what I started with Bradan.
“Bradan showed up and the genie took off. We didn’t find his stupid lamp. He thought the roommate had it, but when we confronted her, she made me kill her,” I reply to Aunt Azar.
“What?” she hisses as she pinches the bridge of her nose.
“Your genie?—”
“Not you. Ferg, tell me everything that happened,” she cuts me off.
“We arrived at the apartment to retrieve the lamp. The djinn said he sensed it within the apartment. Not with the mate as you had planned. The mate hasn’t been there in a while from what I could sense.
“Your original intel was faulty. I don’t believe she was there when the package arrived. The djinn was right to want to go to retrieve it,” Ferg rattles off like a robot.
“Yes, these are all things I know. Move on,” Azar snarls.
Ferg continues. “There was only one roommate home. The djinn felt the presence of the lamp in her room. We entered her room to find the lamp, but she and Seraphina started to argue. Names were called and tempers rose. Seraphina lost her temper and killed her with an orb of fire.”
“I did not lose my temper,” I snap.
“Yes, right,” he says over me and keeps going. “Bradan appeared as we searched the room for the lamp. The djinn ran—he abandoned us. I cloaked Seraphina and myself, but Seraphina stepped out of my reach, revealing herself. He was about to kill her when one of the other roommates distracted him as she arrived. I was able to get us away, but not with the lamp or the genie,” Ferg finishes.
“He was not about to kill me. I had him,” I pout.
“Yes, of course you did,” Ferg says dryly.
Aunt Azar gasps. “He is calling. We must go before he comes to us,” she says in a panic.
“You stay here and stay hidden until I return. If anyone should appear looking for me, you remain hidden. Reveal yourself under no circumstances. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“Your time is coming soon. You will get the revenge you seek. Trust me and do as I say,” she demands.
I roll my eyes and sigh. “I will stay here and remain hidden. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Before I can finish my words, the two vanish. I blow out a breath and go to the room I’ve been calling my own while here. Flopping on the bed, I begin to plan my next move.
I don’t need your help, Auntie. I can kill Bradan and his bitch on my own. Maybe it’s time we part ways.
The Bishop
It might be time for me to make another example around here. When Azar asked me for the use of Ferg, I granted her wish in hopes she’d finally produce the results I desired. I’m beginning to think Azar means to make a fool out of me.
I believe she has confused our connection for something more important than my mission. Nothing is more important than my mission. I close my eyes and try to rein in my temper. I still need her skills for the final battle; it’s one of the reasons I’ve spared her life thus far.
“Your Grace, you called?”
“Why exactly did I have to call for you? I have waited long enough for you to bring the girl to me. You asked to take Ferg with you.
“It was my belief that you intended to use him to get me what I asked for. So far, I have nothing. Why is this?” I ask and tilt my head.
“The djinn failed me. He sent the lamp to the girl, but she never received it.”
“Are you placing blame on someone else?”
“No, I am answering the question as to why I do not have her. You asked me to work with the genies to retrieve this girl. I did that, but he failed.”
“What of that fire fairy and Seraphina? Did he help you to release her? Can we use her now?”
Panic fills her eyes for a brief moment before she covers it. I know once she opens her mouth, she’s about to lie to me.
“No, he was killed before he could set her free. I haven’t had an opening since. That plan is lost to me. However, I have learned how to draw the fire wielder to me. I can guarantee you access to him whenever you want,” she says too quickly.
I think this over. Do I allow her to lie to me and take this offering, or do I address the blatant lie? Insolence is unacceptable.
I backhand her for her treachery. “You are lying to me. Where is our daughter?” I roar.
“Your Grace, please.”
I go to strike her again, but Ferg grabs my arm midstrike. I turn my head slowly to glare at him. He looks me in my eyes as if to challenge me.
“Kneel,” I growl with enough force to buckle his knees. It seems everyone has forgotten their place. I have no problem reminding them.
Ferg has no choice but to release me as he falls to his knees. I conjure a sword to my palm. Fear fills his eyes as I stand before him.
Good .
“Hizmetkar, no. You need him for the mission. I am the one who has earned your ire,” Azar cries out.
I freeze. Why is she pleading for this insignificant imbecile? I turn my glare on her and narrow my eyes as my anger begins to heighten.
Ferg
Our daughter?
What is the bishop talking about? He has been a man of the cloth for as long as I have known him. The beliefs of the church are those he has ingrained in us as his followers. Our mission has been cloaked in the religion of this man’s servitude. How could he have a daughter with this woman?
I have a million questions. Is this why she has asked me to look after that obnoxious, reckless, delusional fire fairy? Our kind can only reproduce with our fated mates. Does that mean … I was right, Azar has the powers of a queen. This is why she was able to subdue me. She shares the bishop’s powers.
She has called him by his first name. I’ve only heard the name once—centuries ago. However, she says it with such familiarity.
A sinister smile comes to the bishop’s lips. He then lifts the tip of his blade toward my eye—a mere hairbreadth away. I scowl but don’t move an inch otherwise.
“How is it you were able to attack me?” he seethes.
“He’s been fighting against my magic all this time. I didn’t want to worry you with my failed skills. I was embarrassed,” Azar says.
“So I’m fucking stupid to you now. I’m going to ask you one more time, Azar. Where is our daughter? I know you have freed her. Answer me, or he will lose an eye.
“And believe me, that will just be the start. I have time today to make life painful for you both.”
“I have told you the truth. Cole was killed. I have been using Ferg to help me find another way.
“As I said, I know how to call the fire wielder to me. I had planned for Ferg to follow him after I lured him to where he could tail him back to the others. I have also been working to strengthen the bind I placed on Ferg before you were able to take notice of my failure,” she lies.
“ I still don’t believe you are telling me the whole truth.”
“Allow me to prove it. We will get you the location of their headquarters. I promise you.”
The bishop goes to reply, but Arlo comes rushing into the room. He skids to a stop, the excited look on his face fades as he takes a look at my position. Taking a step back, he bows.
“Your Grace, my apologies. You told me to come right to you when I had a working prototype to test,” he says.
A twisted smile comes to the bishop’s face. “Finally, some news I wish to hear. Azar, you say you can draw out that fire breathing abomination. You and Ferg will take the weapon and test it on him.
“If you can get me a location, do so, but your main objective is to test the weapon on him and report back to Arlo. Arlo, begin to mobilize our allies. The time is coming.
“Everyone should be ready for my word. You are all dismissed,” the bishop orders.
Arlo is the first to rush from the room. The bishop drops his sword to his side and backs away from me. I glance to see Azar has released a relieved breath.
“Ferg?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” I say as I rise to my feet.
“If I hear a word from anyone about my child, I will know it came from you. If you don’t take this information to your grave, you will be resting in your grave much sooner than you anticipate. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” I bite out.
“I want him under control, Azar. Remember, you have lost my leniency. All bonds can be severed.”