Chapter 27 #2
I stared through the partially open wall, at what I could still see of the dead. “I wonder how many of the arguments we’ve endured these past months were orchestrated by the Order?”
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn they’ve been influencing some of the leaders who have opposed and questioned you,” my brother said.
“A unified and revived Noctaris poses a greater threat, after all; the stronger you get, and the more allies you have, the more difficult it will be for them to destroy you.”
“So, that’s a third reason for them to show their ugly faces here.” Zayn clasped his hands behind his head and sighed. “Honestly kind of surprised they haven’t already descended on us in force.”
“That might be imminent,” said Thalia.
“It’s regrettable that these two ended up dead before we had a chance to force information out of them,” Voss said. “I’ve spoken to the ones who battled with them, as well as some of my more trusted soldiers; orders have been given to try and capture any other suspicious individuals alive.”
“All well and good,” said Eamon, “but we could also get at least some information from the dead, could we not?” He gave me an expectant look.
I nodded, even as a cold sweat washed over me. “Let me see what I can divine.”
I nudged the wall open farther, bracing myself against the renewed assault of death’s stench. Everyone stood back except for Phantom, who insisted on staying close to my side, his form tense and protective as we both crept over and crouched by the corpses.
My hand shook only slightly as I moved it over the decaying men, focusing on the one adorned in finer clothing; he struck me as a higher-ranked member who would likely have more useful secrets.
Shadows dripped from my fingertips, pooling in the air above the corpse. I pressed those shadows down into the man’s chest, closing my eyes.
An explosion of images followed in rapid succession; it took me a minute to calm my racing pulse and the magic surging through me, to be able to clearly parse through the chaotic visions and find what I was looking for.
I saw the memory I needed through the eyes of the dead man himself—a meeting in a darkened room, where he seemed to be receiving orders. He wasn’t alone, either; at least a dozen others were circled around him, all of their eyes fixed on the hooded figure who stood at the back of the room.
The air was tense, rippling with a combination of suppressed fear and fanatical fervor.
“More are descending into this forsaken realm as we speak,” said the hooded man. “They’ll join the numbers we already have stationed in the shadows. It’s only a matter of time before we’ll be ready to move in earnest, and we’ll be expecting you all to be prepared…”
His voice sounded vaguely familiar.
Then he leaned into the light of the single candle burning on the table between them, partially revealing his features, and my chest tightened as I recognized him.
Cold, greyish-blue eyes. Dark hair streaked with silver. That man…he was the one who had led the attack on us in the Above.
Severin Thane.
Memories of the night we’d met crashed over me with painful clarity. Of the way he’d taunted Aleks, leaving that tormented expression on his face. Of Orin’s body crumpling against the ground. Thalia’s scream. And all the questions, the unanswered mysteries surrounding that entire ambush…
I opened my eyes, trying to keep the memories from overwhelming me. But it was useless. It wasn’t just grief and confusion that distracted me, but fury.
As rage coursed through me, my shadows responded violently, coiling and striking out.
Grimnor rattled at my hip, eager for me to use it.
I wanted to use it. I wanted to resurrect this corpse beneath me, only so that I could kill him again—feel his life drain away just as I’d felt Orin’s life draining away.
An instant after I had this morbid thought, the man’s eyes…opened. His body twitched. His pallid, cracked lips parted, a low moan escaping them.
I jerked my hand away, falling back against Phantom.
The man went still again, but his eyes remained open, staring lifelessly at the ceiling.
My allies were all silent behind me, but I could sense their astonishment, along with a hint of fear, even with my back to them.
“…Remarkable,” Eamon whispered.
“It’s the same thing that happened with the sentier,” I said quietly, clenching my fists into Phantom’s fur, leaning against him until the last wisps of shadow settled back beneath my skin. “An accident. I wasn’t actually trying to reanimate him.”
“But you could,” said Eamon.
I swiped a slightly shaky hand over the man’s eyes, closing them once more. Then I got to my feet, turning and slowly making my way back to the group.
“You could revive him,” Eamon repeated. “And in time, I think you will. The most powerful of your persuasion have demonstrated that ability in the ancient texts. You could ask anything of the dead. Anything at all, and then force them back to life so that they can give it to you. Calista herself—”
“We’re short on time, unfortunately,” Thalia said, coming to my rescue, “so let’s focus on what she can already comfortably do. It’s not like she doesn’t have enough to worry about.”
“Agreed,” my brother said, pulling the wall partially shut once more. “So, what were you able to see?”
I told them about the meeting—what little I’d been able to see before my emotions had gotten the better of me.
“I should have stay focused,” I said. “I’m sorry. Maybe I could try again…” I glanced toward the annex, but Bastian put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed.
“You’ve confirmed our suspicions that they’re planning something; that’s enough for us to concern ourselves with at the moment.”
“We’re a relatively easy target, admittedly,” Thalia added. “They likely saw the chaos of the reviving realm and decided they needed to move against us before we managed to better organize and consolidate our power.”
“Before I officially become queen?” I wondered.
Voss shifted uncomfortably. “Do you think they intend to attack during the coronation itself?”
My brother considered this carefully. “As I said before, if the kingdoms of Noctaris are in chaos and fighting amongst themselves, drawing her attention toward them, Nova can’t focus on her Vaeloran destiny.
More time for the Order to work toward their ultimate goal of destroying the cycle and remaking the world in their image. ”
“Maybe we should cancel the ceremony?” Voss suggested. “It might be safer.”
“No,” I said quickly. “That will only make them think I’m afraid of them. If they’re trying to interfere with my rise to power and influence, canceling is exactly what they would want me to do.”
The fury was back in my bones, suddenly, hardening into cold determination.
“Let them continue to creep through the shadows and try to scheme against me. I don’t care.”
Thalia studied me for a moment, then her lips curved into a slightly savage smile. “And let them be reminded that we control the shadows here. We don’t fear them.”
I mirrored her savage expression. “They’re afraid of what I’m becoming—that’s all the proof I need that I’m on the right path. Wait until they see me in a crown.”
I felt the mood of the circle shift with my words, determination and resolve slowly replacing fear.
“All the same, I want every soldier on high alert and ready for anything,” my brother said.
He closed the annex door, his hand resting against the false wall for a heavy moment before he turned and regarded us all with a grave look.
“Because if they decide to step into the light and face us, then we need to be ready for that, too.”