Cursed (13 page)

The young Novices looked crestfallen by her insult, and Marlene seemed to like that even more.

“Thursday night, I will give you all the Tsar's mark. You'll then become full Sisters. The Tsar himself will arrive soon afterwards for the Examination ceremony. If he examines you and finds you strong enough, then you may join his entourage.” She clapped her hands with glee. “The Tsar graces us on every equinox, but this next visit is very special.”

Interesting.
Novices always practiced spells on the equinox because that's when their powers would be strongest. I wondered if the Tsar wanted a performance of some kind.

“I have important news,” continued Marlene. “For the Tsar's next visit, the Vicomte will be joining us in person, as will Genesis Rex himself.”

I forced myself not to smile.
Rowan's missives had worked.
He'd be here on Sunday. And I wasn't the only one who was pleased with Marlene's news. At the mention of the Vicomte, Veronique visibly brightened.

Marlene's nose flared with disdain. “That is all I have to say. You may all sup now. Don't be gluttons.” She sashayed out the door with Sophia following closely behind. I was sorry to see Sophia trapped with that kind of evil.

Once we were alone again, Veronique rose to speak. “Ah, I can only imagine how worried the Vicomte is right now.” She fluttered her hands by her throat. “Imagine. Me, his beloved ward, torn away from him!” She exhaled a dramatic sigh. “I wouldn't wish to be Mother Superior when he learns what's happened to me.”

“Be quiet.” A Novice leaned in closer to Veronique. “We don't speak ill of Mother Superior.”

“She's giving us a chance to join the Tsar's entourage,” added another. “Once we're Sisters and have his mark, he may choose us.”

I shook my head in disbelief. Their faith in Mother Superior and the Tsar seemed absolute. This could only cause more problems. It would be harder to murder someone with loyal subjects nearby.

I tapped my spoon against the wooden tabletop. Things were becoming trickier by the second. I needed more information and fast. “Ada, you know how to get places, don't you?”

“Oh, sure.”

I lowered my voice. “If I wanted to get into the library or the storehouse, how would I do it?”

“Forget the library, you're too big to climb in.”

“What about the storehouse?”

“Oh, Sophia might assign you to work there.”

Nan looked up from her bowl of pudding. “They make us work?”

Ada nodded. “The storehouse is one of the places you can go. I'll talk to Sophia. Maybe the three of us can work there together. It will be so fun!”

“The storehouse,” Nan said slowly. “That's by the back gate, right?”

“And the back wall.” I didn't need to add that the back wall was the same as the front, complete with guards.

“I like the storehouse,” said Nan.

I knew what she was thinking.
Escape.
My thoughts were elsewhere, though. I needed some Creation Caster magick so I could break these enchanted manacles.

Ada grinned. “I'll ask Sophia. She'll get us all assigned there in the morning. You'll see.”

“I hope so.” Because right now, my many years of planning all came down to whether a six-year-old girl can get me into a storehouse.

Chapter Ten

I lay on my back and stared up at the ceiling of the Novice's dormitory. Everyone else was asleep, based on all the soft snores and creaking bedframes. I closed my eyes, whispered Tristan's name, and quickly drifted off.

My dreams took me back to the kitchen in my old farmhouse. Tristan stood before the fireplace, his face looking more pale and haggard than ever.

“Tristan, I'm here.”

My friend only stared blankly ahead, not seeming to notice anything. I rushed over and brushed the back of my fingers against his cheek. “Tristan.”

His bloodshot eyes locked with mine. “Elea, it's you.” The fires of the hearth leapt higher.

“We don't have long. I want you to know that I'm at the Midnight Cloister. When the Tsar arrives, I'll kill him.”

“Good.” His mouth trembled with anguish. “Remember, the Tsar favors skull seeker spells. They have razor-sharp teeth and even a small bite is poisonous. It's what Viktor used against Dmitri, and he may have taught that to his followers as well.”

“I'll be fine.” I offered him what I hoped was an encouraging smile. “Petra used to grill me on the Tsar and his tactics constantly.”

Tristan scrubbed his hands over his face. “If only you weren't alone in this.”

“I'm not anymore. I've found a mage to help me.”

“But you're in the Cloister. How will you plan?”

“The next time you and I speak in a dream, he'll tag onto our magickal connection.”

“What?” The back of Tristan's coat caught fire, but he barely flinched. He only stared at me, wide-eyed and alert. “You gave a mage my betrothal ring?”

“It had your joy spell on it. It's the only way to communicate with my new allies while I'm inside the Cloister. The Tsar's magick is blocking out every Cloister and Monastery, but those spells won't hinder his own curse. It's the only way for me to plan with my ally outside.”

The flames around Tristan burned hotter. My throat tightened. Tristan was about to burn again and he didn't seem to care anymore. How had it come to this? I couldn't stand by and do nothing. I scanned the kitchen. Sometimes, if I grabbed a blanket and snuffed at the flames, it could slow the fire. I turned to the side chest of drawers, ready to pull out a quilt. Before I got close, Tristan gripped my upper arm. “This Necromancer who will be tapping into this magick… What level is he?”

“Master level, supposedly. But he was trained in a Sanctuary Fair, so who knows what he can really do?”

“That's good.” Suddenly, the fire engulfed Tristan whole, blocking him from my view behind a wall of flame and smoke. Heat slammed into my body, sending me tumbling backwards. My thoughts were reeling, too.

Tristan was acting so strangely. What was good about Jakob being an untrained Necromancer? And the way Tristan was acting, he seemed more concerned about someone casting spells on his ring than my getting help. Could he be hiding something?

Nonsense, Elea. If there's one truth about Tristan, it's that he's a loyal friend. Whatever way he's acting, it's because of his years of pain.

Now, I need to finish the job and kill the Tsar. It's time to free us both.

Chapter Eleven

The next morning I spent pacing the dormitory floor. All us Novices had been awakened, fed, and dressed. Now, we were only waiting for Sophia to come by and assign our jobs for the day. Most of the younger girls wanted the kitchens. Although the only official meal here was marrow pudding, the cook would let you make whatever you wanted once your chores were done. The draw was obvious.

For my part, I wanted to get into that storehouse and find some way to practice Caster magick. I was good as dead if I didn't get these gods-damned manacles off my wrists.

Ada padded up to my side and pulled on the skirts of my Novice robes. “Sophia will be here soon, Elea. You don't have to worry if we'll play together today.” She waved me in closer so she could whisper in my ear. “I told her everything at breakfast.”

I leaned back to look at her. “You did? I didn't see the two of you talking.”

Ada folded her arms over her chest. “I can't tell you how we talk. It's a secret.”

“You don't have to say a word. I understand.” I just wish Sophia would get here. It's Wednesday now. Only four days to go and I have no way to kill the Tsar.

At last, the door swung open and Sophia stepped inside the dormitory. Everyone fell silent. “Greetings, Novices. I'm here to round up volunteers for daily chores. Who's for the kitchens?” A dozen girls raised their hands. Sophia looked them over and pointed to certain Novices. “You can go.” The girls almost skipped out of the dormitory.

“Now, the laundry?” asked Sophia. More Novices volunteered.

I twisted the skirts of my robes with my fingertips. I'd grilled Ada all about the storehouse during breakfast. It was closed and guarded except for whoever Sophia chose to work there. I needed her to assign me.

“We also have cleaning duties in the storehouse.” She turned to me. “How about you, Elea?”

Thank the Sire.

“Yes, Sister.”

Nan stood at my side. “Sign me up.”

Ada raised her hand. “I'm going too, right?”

Sophia pursed her lips. “Yes, the three of you may go, but that's all.” She scanned the room. “Everyone's accounted for. You're all dismissed.” She looked between Nan, Ada, and me. “Not you three.”

My shoulders slumped with relief, followed by a pang of worry. Now that I was going to the storehouse, how would I find what I needed?

Once we were alone again, Ada slipped up to Sophia's side. “Can I hold your hand now?”

Sophia's face warmed. “Yes, Ada.”

I glanced between the two of them. They both had the same shade of skin and matching almond-shaped eyes. Sophia's kindness started to make more sense. “Are you two related?”

Ada gasped while Sophia kept her features carefully even.

That's a confirmation.

“Follow me.” The way Sophia said the words, it was clear that the conversation was over.

The two of them were definitely related.
It explained why Sophia was so protective of Ada. I wonder how far Sophia would go to keep Ada safe from the mark? If I promised to set Ada free, would Sophia get the manacles off my wrists? It was worth a try. I only needed the right moment to ask her.

Sophia led us through a maze of hallways until we reached a simple low structure that was shaped like a great rectangle. “This is the Cloister storehouse,” said Sophia.

We followed her inside to find a massive mess. Boxes, barrels, and casks were all crammed into every inch of space. Ada began climbing up a wall of chests. Nan and I looked at Sophia, who shrugged. “It makes her happy. That's what matters.” She seemed very frail and human as she spoke.

Ada ran off to scale another pile of boxes. Nan followed to watch that she didn't fall. I smiled. Nan was quickly becoming more attached to Ada than I was.

One Nan and Ada were out of earshot, Sophia turned to me. “There are important matters we need to discuss.” She winced in pain and scratched at her shoulder. She was breaking a rule now, somehow, and it was hurting her. “I'm not supposed to speak with you this way. I can only say things once.”

“I learned about those marks.” I looked warily at the door to the storehouse. “But if you're connected to the Tsar, will he know that we're talking?”

“No, only that I'm in pain, not not the particular rule.” She sighed. “And I'm connected to Marlene. She knows I suffer when I break rules for Ada's sake, and I do that all the time.” A world-weary look dampened Sophia's lined face. “She enjoys it.”

“I'm sorry.”

“I'm not here for your pity. Why do you really want to work the storehouse? Do you want to escape? Ada was so excited to play with you two, but I won't have you putting her in danger.”

My Necromancer training came back with a vengeance. I kept my features schooled and calm. “I like unpacking things. Any deliveries this week?”

“None until tomorrow. And don't plan on smuggling anything past either gate. The Tsar himself cast dozens of wards there. Anything that can be used to help you escape won't make it in or out.”

It took an effort not to pound the wall in fury.
My totem rings will never make it through.
“I understand.”

“You've still got some kind of plan in your head.” She tapped her knobby finger against her cheek. “Well, if you're looking to escape, then it's true that the back gate is a short walk from here. I'd tell you not to try, but you won't listen anyway. All I ask is that whatever you're thinking of, you leave Ada out of it. She likes you and Nan.” Ada's giggled echoed through the air. “I haven't seen my girl smile in months.”

“She's a sweet child.”

“And I've precious little to make her happy. Which is why I'll let you kill yourself any way you choose… So long as you make Ada smile before you're gone. Do we understand each other?”

“We do.”

Sophia turned to go, and I remembered the ceremony after I got off the wagon. “Wait. When you pulled my magick into that ring, the power flashed purple. You said you'd seen it before. Where?”

Sophia paused. “That's one question I'll never answer.” She looked at me over her shoulder. “Whatever you're up to, good luck. This conversation is over.”

“But, I was wondering—”

“I can't push it too far with Marlene.” Sophia gripped her shoulder. “Too much pain will be suspicious.”

“I understand. Thank you.” Sophia nodded and stepped away.

Once she was gone, I scanned the massive space crammed with boxes. Where would I find something with Caster magick in all this confusion?

It's a good thing she wished me luck. I'll certainly need it.

Chapter Twelve

I crawled toward the top of a high stack of wooden boxes. I'd kicked off my slippers hours ago—it made climbing easier. My stomach growled. How many meals had I missed? One? Two? It was hard to keep track. Another splinter dug into my ankle and I ignored it. I had far worse pain coming to me if I didn't get these manacles off soon.

I stood up on tiptoe so I could see the tiny containers that had been stacked up top. Did they have red swirls? I strained my neck enough and I could see at last.

No swirls. Damn.

I'd been at this all day and I'd yet to cover a fraction of what had been stored in this place. And I'd yet to see one red Creation Caster swirl on anything. Frustration tightened up my neck and shoulders. By now, I'd hoped to find something I could at least read or test out.