Chapter 22 #3
Anger sizzled in my veins at the thought of such carelessness.
Were human lives really so meaningless to these people?
Weren’t they humans themselves? I forced my features into a neutral expression—there were still people walking by, and we were drawing attention as it was.
Some of the Garaians we passed sent us curious looks, but nobody challenged us.
We were close enough to the harbor that foreigners would not look too out of place.
After all, we could have been Northian merchants looking for a lucrative cargo.
“It’s a pity we can’t just destroy the place now,” Garrett said as we walked back to the main part of the city so we could hire a carriage to take us back to Asu’s. “I don’t trust that Loku fellow to keep his end of the bargain.”
“I agree,” Iannis said, “but we are not prepared, and it is broad daylight, with too many bystanders around. Best to wait until nightfall, and if it turns out Loku really is going to help us, so much the better. But one way or another, this place will be destroyed by tomorrow.”
After riding on the steam ferry again, we caught a cab to Asu’s home.
As we sat in silence on the bumpy ride back, I couldn’t help but worry about the lab.
This small warehouse, with its thin wooden walls, was hardly like the airtight, secure bunker we’d destroyed in Osero.
While that would make our task much easier, it was very likely that the rat cages were equally flimsy.
What if the rats managed to escape through holes in the walls, and infect passersby?
If this problem wasn’t handled soon, Garai could very well end up with an epidemic of their own… .
We arrived back just in time for lunch, and had another delicious meal with Loku, Asu, and the children. There was a bit of tension at the beginning of the meal when Iannis insisted on checking the dishes with his ring, but once he determined that the meal was safe, everyone relaxed.
“I have started mixing the materials for the gas and the antidote,” Loku said after a nanny had taken the children away. “I spent the entire morning gathering all the supplies, which were quite expensive.”
“I am more than happy to reimburse you for your expenses, Mr. Bai,” Iannis replied. “We appreciate your assistance and expertise.”
“It is nothing,” Loku assured us with a wave of his hand. “I have just as much of a stake in this as you do, at this point. This gas does take time to mix, though, so please excuse me while I get back to work.”
“Do you need any help?” Garrett asked as Loku rose from his chair. “I have been told I’m fairly handy with potions.”
“Oh no, please don’t trouble yourself,” Loku insisted, bowing. “You are honored guests, and I would not have you do work while you are here. Please enjoy your afternoon, and rest. We will be up very late tonight, after all.”
“Is he telling the truth?” Iannis asked me as we watched Loku leave the room.
“He is, but I still don’t like this,” I said. “Something isn’t right.”
As we rose to leave the room, Asu leaned in and whispered something in Chen’s ear.
She spoke in Garaian, so I couldn’t hear what she said, but her voice was full of warning, and my stomach sank as Chen nodded.
We walked in silence back to our suite, and I waited until the footsteps outside in the hall had faded, and I couldn’t scent anyone else nearby.
“Okay, what did she tell you?” I demanded as we sat down on the couches. “Your sister was obviously warning you about something.”
“Asu told me that, under no circumstances, are we to fall asleep tonight,” Chen said, her dark eyes diamond hard. “The confusion spell that the slavers used on the agents we just rescued is best applied when the subject is asleep, and Asu strongly suspects her husband is planning to use it on us.”
“I knew it!” Garrett said, his green eyes blazing with fury. “That bastard was planning on double-crossing us this entire time!”
“But why?” Iannis said, frowning. “As Loku said earlier, our goals happen to be the same. Why does he feel the need to eliminate us still?”
“Loku is a member of a powerful secret society that despises all foreigners,” Chen said, deep disapproval in her voice.
“They do not consider foreign mages worthy of the same rights as Garaian citizens. Therefore, in Loku’s eyes, any promise made to you is not binding and does not need to be honored. ”
“This is crazy,” I said, letting out a disgusted huff. “The sooner we get back to Solantha, the better. I’m tired of all this backstabbing bullshit.”
“That makes two of us,” Garrett agreed heartily. “So what do you suggest we do about Loku? Do we ambush him again, as we did last time while you were out with your sister?”
“I think that it’s time to give my brother-in-law a taste of his own medicine,” Chen said with a feline smile.
“Asu cannot use the confusion spell on her husband without breaking her marriage vows. My sister believes that without this binding oath, Loku would use magic to control her whenever they have a dispute. But we are not bound by any vow, so we shall use it on him when he comes to us tonight.”
“Damn.” I let out a low whistle. “Are you gonna undo it before we leave?”
“Perhaps,” Chen said lightly. “Or perhaps I will leave the timing of his release to my sister. She has had enough of her husband’s bullying and womanizing ways, and I have a feeling she will enjoy holding the reins for once.”