Chapter 21
“Iapologize about the misunderstanding,” Loku said with a thin smile as a servant poured more tea for all of us.
I was getting sick of drinking the stuff, but figured it would be impolite to bitch about it, so I took my hot cup and sipped gently.
At least I was acclimating to the temperature.
“Your demeanor and plain clothing confused me into thinking that you were of a lower stature than I realized.”
“We introduced ourselves by name and title,” Garrett said stiffly. “How could you possibly misunderstand our status? We are high officials in our own country.”
“I do not know much about ranks or titles outside of Garai,” Loku said, and I wrinkled my nose as I smelled the lie.
“You mean you don’t recognize any ranks or titles outside of Garai,” I sneered.
“What I do recognize is power, and you have demonstrated that you have it in abundance,” Loku said coldly. He turned back to Iannis with a smile. “I’m going to assume that the reason you unfroze me is because you want the information I gathered for you tonight?”
“Did you?” Iannis asked, arching a dark red brow. “Or did you go out and conspire against us with your human partner?”
“Of course not,” Loku said dismissively.
“I took your accusation seriously and did some investigating, just as I promised. And even now, though I doubt it will help, my wife and her sister are visiting with Ma-San’s wife.
It would seem that you are correct—Ma-San’s lab is not actually in my warehouse, but it is right next door in another building I own that he said he’s been using for storage.
” A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I am most displeased to find out that my partner is manufacturing diseases meant to kill mages, and on my own property, no less. I passed by that place just the other day with my older son. He could have been harmed if any of those diseases had gotten out.” His eyes flashed at that.
“He clearly underestimates you,” Iannis said, then took a sip of his tea. “Much like Loku underestimates us, not that he would recognize the irony,” he said privately to me in mindspeak, amusement in his voice. I nearly choked on my tea, and lifted the cup a little higher to cover my grin.
“That is the last mistake he will ever make,” Loku said. “I will have him killed for endangering my children.”
“If that’s how you feel, then why the hell did you drug us?” I demanded.
“Because if it turned out that you were lying, and secretly trying to destroy my business, then I was going to kill you.” Loku smiled, then lifted his tea cup as if to toast us. “It is just as well for all of us that this was not the case.”
The four of us exchanged looks of incredulity. “How do you suggest we go about destroying the lab?” Iannis asked Loku. “We need to ensure that no human or animal escapes, that could spread diseases into the general population.”
“I suppose we could do the Suffocation spell,” Garrett suggested before Loku could answer.
“Suffocation spell?” I asked.
“It is a powerful spell that blankets an area with a deadly fog that will choke and kill every living thing, from tiny insects to humans,” Iannis explained.
“I would be fine with that,” Loku said. “From what I understand, the victims die slowly and painfully.” His lips curved in a reptilian smile, and a chill ran down my spine. Were we really going to do this? I hated the Resistance as much as anybody, but this was tantamount to torture.
“That spell requires a special herb called loqualis, which I do not believe is native to Garai,” Iannis said. “You do not have any on hand, do you?”
“Unfortunately not,” Loku said with a sigh. “What about this—we have a magical bell in Leniang City that, if struck with a special rod, produces a sound so horrible that it will scramble the minds of anyone listening for a good hour. That will immobilize the lab staff very effectively.”
“No way,” I snapped. “My ears are way too sensitive for that.”
“We would use a spell to protect ourselves, Miss Baine,” Garrett said, a thoughtful look in his hazel eyes. “And wax in our ears, for added safety. I rather think this is a good idea. There is minimal chance of innocent bystanders losing their lives.”
“What are the chances of obtaining this bell?” Iannis asked.
“Not very good,” Loku admitted. “The owner owes me a favor, but she is a collector and very possessive of her artifacts. It would take time to persuade her to give it up.” His expression twisted, as if in disgust over the idea that he would have to bargain with a woman.
But then his eyes lit up, and his face cleared.
“I have it! There is a special gas my master used to make long ago that causes extreme nausea and will make enemies too sick to fight back. It causes no actual illness and wears off in a few hours.”
“Is there an antidote?” Garrett demanded. “One that we can ingest beforehand, that will actually work? We will not be tricked by the likes of you again.”
“Of course,” Loku said smoothly. “I will head to town and gather the necessary materials tomorrow morning. You all will be well protected. Tomorrow night, we will go to the lab and destroy these vile weapons.”
With that settled, Loku bid us goodnight and retired to his rooms. Since Asu and Chen had not returned, the rest of us decided to remain in the sitting room and wait for them. Henning in particular was anxious to know if they had any news about his missing comrades.
“Did you sense Loku was telling the truth, about giving us the antidote?” Iannis asked.
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I didn’t smell a lie when he said those words… but there was still something malicious about his intent. I can feel it.”
“We can’t trust him,” Garrett said, glaring at the opening into the hallway as if expecting Loku to come charging back through to attack us once more.
“We should just go to the lab tonight without him and destroy it, Lord Iannis. We have little time left, and we don’t need ‘help’ from this treacherous snake. ”
The front door opened, and I sighed in relief as I scented Asu and Chen. Their footsteps clattered on the wooden floorboards as they rushed down the hall, and I hurried to the entryway so that they wouldn’t miss us.
“Miss Baine!” Chen’s eyes widened in surprise, and then she let out the most brilliant smile I’d ever seen from her. “I am so glad you are all awake. We bring good news!”
“What good news?” Henning cried, practically elbowing me out of the way as he made his way into the hallway. “Have you found out what’s happened to my colleagues?”
“Yes,” Asu said, though her expression was not nearly as happy as Chen’s. “The agents are still alive, and we know where to find them.”