Chapter 2 #2
I pushed the needle into my victim’s flesh, releasing the toxin into his bloodstream.
The pungent scent of henbane and atropa spread in the air.
His pupils dilated when the potent poison took hold of his mind.
He shook his head once, twice, and if not for the chains, he would have collapsed onto the floor when his legs buckled.
Slowly, trailing a finger under the man’s chin, I moved behind him and then bent to his ear, whispering a compulsion. ‘So hot… It burns – it burns so much. There’s no escape from the flames.’
My voice was barely audible, but the man’s back arched, and an inhuman howl tore from his throat.
Boyan flinched in his chair, his brows furrowing as he observed the trader writhing in agony, trying to escape the imaginary fire.
I let him experience the flames scorching his skin before I called on my aether, extracting the poison from his body.
He’d betrayed the Brotherhood and endangered us all by working with Jagon.
This is justice. He deserves this punishment.
I repeated the mantra in my mind, but my disgust at my actions refused to abate.
I shook my head, swallowing the bile that filled my throat.
‘I can do it again and again. I promise I’ll break you. ’
The tortured man howled like a cornered animal, scraping his wrists raw to get away from me.
Sweat pooled under my collar when the metallic scent of blood assaulted my senses.
I wished we’d had an inquisitor mage, but Boyan wouldn’t allow anyone outside his trusted circle to learn of Jagon’s betrayal… or his secrets.
You’re in it alone for the Brotherhood and this broken kingdom, Sana.
Everyone in the Brotherhood had long since made peace with death, but an endless cycle of pain would break even the toughest soul.
Jagon had taught me well, and I recognised the change in the trader’s expression, telling me I’d won.
He was more afraid of me than of death. I knew it because I had seen the same terror in the mirror too many times to count.
‘You’re a monster.’ My victim panted, echoing my inner thoughts, flinching when I reached out again.
I shrugged. ‘Aren’t we all, in a way?’
He jerked against his restraints, sweat beading his hairline, eyes following my every movement with hawk-like focus.
‘Let’s try something new.’ I pulled out another needle, one coated in hemlock. This time, there would be no illusion; his lungs would actually fill with fluid. ‘After so much fire, you need water. How about a little light drowning…’
‘You can’t– You bitch…’ he said, but as I drew closer, he broke, sagging in defeat, even as his eyes radiated pure hatred. ‘I told you, I know nothing. The srebrec was used to build those fucking pillars, but I saw the maps and drawings.’
‘Where?’ I asked.
‘In Tivala’s castle, and only once. If you want what’s left of the cursed ore, there’s some in storage in Piran’s Swamp. I can take you there.’
Removing Tivala’s access to more srebrec might help, but the place was vast and full of creatures straight from legend and nightmare.
The swamp was unpredictable, changing almost daily, and it was impossible to draw a map.
Risking men to retrieve it was a decision I couldn’t make alone.
Worse, I would have to trust this bastard to guide us safely.
I didn’t doubt his skills – he was a former hunter and tracker for the dark fae, perfect for the job – but I doubted his intentions.
‘You’ll live and even remain in the Brotherhood if you take me there,’ I said, and he nodded, sagging in his restraints.
‘That’s not your decision to make, Nightshade,’ Visla said.
I turned to Boyan. ‘It makes sense. We need to retrieve the srebrec for our own safety.’ Boyan frowned, and I quickly added: ‘I’m not foolish. I’ll go there myself to ensure this man fulfils his part of the bargain.’
‘I’ll go,’ Visla said. His jaw was clenched when he turned to Boyan. ‘I’ll go. I’m still your shadow, aren’t I?’
‘Sana, you’re needed here, not carting unstable ore through the swamp,’ Boyan said, placating Visla.
I gritted my teeth, but if I pushed it, how long would it take before the Brotherhood’s rumour mill started whispering about me being favoured again?
Because I was being favoured, there was no denying it.
I still hadn’t found the courage to confront Boyan with my revelation from the Geas Ceremony. As long as I remained silent, I could pretend the man I’d grown to cherish was my father. If he denied it…
My chest tightened. Wrong time, wrong place to think about this. Deep down, I knew that, sooner or later, we’d have to talk, and the longer I postponed it, the harder it would be.
‘If that’s what you want,’ I said, and the official shadow only smirked.
‘It’s not like I have much else to do since you arrived, Nightshade.’
Boyan nodded, standing up slowly. ‘Then it’s agreed.
Visla will retrieve the ore, and you’ll stay here to help clean up the rest of this mess,’ he said, turning towards the trader.
‘As Roksana said, you have a choice. Cooperate and be welcomed back into the fold, or be an obstinate fool, and the mark will be cut from your broken corpse.’
The chained rogue swallowed hard, his eyes shifting between Boyan and me. His expression hardened. He would’ve sounded sincere if not for the fleeting smirk that tilted his lips before he answered.
‘I made a mistake, I admit, but I want to stay. This is my home,’ he finally said, and I had to stifle a groan when Visla nodded, patting his shoulder.
‘Let me know what happens with the ore,’ I said, walking to the table.
They didn’t need to see the grimace I couldn’t hide.
Visla was a competent man and loyal to Boyan, but my closeness to the Grand Master threatened his position.
And threatened men were more likely to make foolish decisions and fatal mistakes.
‘You’re leaving?’ Boyan asked after I’d picked up my cloak and bag.
‘Yes. It’s already late, and I still need to talk to Lilliana,’ I said, while he tried to hold back a cough. ‘If you need me to stay, I will. Should I meet you by your chambers?’
Since I’d started learning how to use my powers and performing minor healing with Ciesko, I’d been helping Boyan with his graveyard cough. It wasn’t much, but I’d slowed the progression of his illness. Still, it required frequent sessions, and the time between them had been getting shorter lately.
‘No, go and see your friend. I’d be grateful if you returned tomorrow. We have plenty of things to discuss.’ The warm undertone in his voice made Visla frown, but he didn’t comment on it.
I nodded, but as I passed, Boyan’s weathered hand gently patted my shoulder. ‘Thank you for today. I know it cost you a lot,’ he said quietly. I still didn’t know whether I should ask him if he was my real father, but I knew I wanted him to be.