Cursed (23 page)

Yuri let out a long breath, and even his sighs had a gravelly rumble inside them. “You are in no position to make demands. If you want our help, then it must be on our terms.”

My hands balled into fists, and I had the overwhelming desire to pummel them both. I held back, though. Yuri was right. My curse would strike me down tomorrow. The two of them were strange, but they were also very powerful. How did they get my scarab into the storehouse? If I were to live through this, then I needed their help.

That said, I wouldn't agree to any terms without understanding precisely what this made-up leveling spell could do. “Let's say I share power with Rowan. How would that work?”

“As a rule, the Tsar's hybrid weapons are unstoppable,” said Oni. “Normally, his knives could slice through any armor that you'd wear. But with our leveling spell, those weapons would return to being ordinary.”

“So if someone tried to strike me with a hybrid dagger, it wouldn't slice through my armor anymore.”

“Precisely,” said Oni. “But that would only be in effect with you and Rowan, and only for as long as the spell lasts.”

“From dawn until dusk on a single day,” added Yuri.

A spark of hope lit in my chest. “And what about Viktor's magick?” I asked. “Will it be neutralized, too?”

“Yes,” said Yuri. “Usually, any spell from Viktor is all-powerful. There's no way to block or counter his magick. But for one day with our spell, you and Rowan will have the ability to cast with Viktor on an even level, too.”

Another boulder-sized weight tumbled from my back.
This worked not only for weapons but for spells, too.
Next, I pictured all the guards and mages who follow Viktor, especially Marlene. “Will your spell make me as strong as Viktor against any other enemies?”

“Not at this time,” said Yuri slowly.

That was an interesting way to put it.
Maybe this this something Rowan and I could practice. “Is this a skill I could gain one day?”

“Perhaps,” said Oni. “But you must survive this encounter first.”

The way Oni said the word ‘survive,' it was as if she had already planned my funeral. “I'm well aware that my task won't be easy.” This time, I didn't bother to control the bitter edge in my voice. “But I hope to do more than survive. My plan is to rid the realm of a great evil, too. Viktor dies tomorrow.”

Oni and Yuri exchanged another long look. Something about my wanting to kill the Tsar alarmed them. “Don't forget,” said Oni. “We have conditions for our help.”

“Go on.”

“You must spare Viktor,” said Oni.

I looked her over from head to toe. Purple robes, curvy body, and golden sash… Oni certainly appeared the same as she did when I first saw her in the fair. So how had she transformed into a mad woman? “You can't be serious.”

“We forbid you from killing the Tsar,” said Oni. “You must not even begin to do so. We only wish for you to transport him into this tent.”

I staggered a step backward. “Transport him. To this tent.”

“So we may talk to him,” said Oni.

My head was spinning. This was ridiculous. “You want to talk. To Viktor. The man who killed thousands of Sisters in the Midnight Cloister alone? Who turns peaceful Casters into killers? You can't be serious.”

“These are our rules,” said Yuri. “No murdering Viktor. Not even an attempt. You must open a portal and push him through.”

“We exist on a magickal plane,” explained Oni. “Once he's here, we will contain him in safety.”

Sure, you can.
These two may be powerful, but I wasn't convinced they weren't semi insane. After everything Viktor had done, I doubted that anyone could hold him captive, even Oni and Yuri. “That doesn't help me. I'm under Viktor's curse. Come tomorrow, I'll start spending my eternity in flames. The only way I avoid that fate is to kill the man.”

“No,” said Yuri, and his voice took on its roughest note yet. “If you transport Viktor directly here, then your curse will be broken. We can do this for you. But if you should try to injure the Tsar in any way, then your curse will come to pass, no matter what befalls Viktor.”

Some of my excitement began to wane. What they were talking about flew in the face of all magickal logic. Kill the caster, kill the spell… It was the oldest rule around. How could sparing Viktor end my curse? Their ideas also made no sense in other ways, too. Some people deserved to be brought to justice. Viktor was one of them. I glanced around the darkness, wondering if there was an easy way out of this tent.

Not yet. You've come this far. Hear them out.

No matter how insane these two might seem, they were still powerful mages. I did believe that their spell might help defeat Viktor. “Do you have any more conditions?”

“The leveling spell is an extraordinary amount of power,” said Yuri. “You must also pass a test so we can ensure you will use it wisely.”

“A test.” This bargain was looking worse by the second. I couldn't kill Viktor and I still had to pass a test? Perhaps there was a way to bypass all this nonsense. “So you two can break my curse. Can you end it now?”

“We operate on a different plane of magick,” explained Oni. “The rules for us are… Strange.”

“Strange.”
Like the pair of you.

“Ending your curse now is simply not possible,” said Yuri. “Even our power has limits.”

I laced my fingers behind my neck, stared up into the darkness, and tried to think things though. There were simply too many questions marks about this pair. “I'm sorry to have wasted your time. I'll go find my friend now.” Maybe Rowan and I could load up some more totem rings. The surprise attack idea still had merit, and Rowan had said something before about tracking down detailed maps of the Cloister. We'd figure out a new approach. “If you'll excuse me—”

“We know this appears suspicious,” said Oni.

“You must believe us,” added Yuri.

I raised my arms to shoulder level, palms forward. “All I want to do is leave.”

“I see we'll have to show her,” said Oni.

“Agreed,” said Yuri.

The two of them slowly lowered their hoods. I froze in shock. I'd seen Oni before. It was back in the cave when Rowan was helping me imagine the Lady of Creation. Oni didn't just look like the Lady, she
was
the Lady.

And Yuri… there was no mistaking the elegant lines of his pale face. He was none other than the Sire of Souls. Now that they were both uncloaked, the pair radiated a singular power and presence. Light and energy danced across their skin.

I just sassed off to a god and goddess. What have I done?

I grasped my hands together in supplication, just like I'd learned at the Zelle. “Forgive me. I had no idea who you were. It's an honor that you wish to help me.” Petra would lose her mind if she knew how I'd acted.

“So, you won't kill Viktor?” asked Oni.

“I won't. You have my word.” Who refuses a god and goddess? They must have their reasons.

“And you'll take our test?” asked Yuri.

“Of course.”

The Sire and Lady raised their arms. Although they didn't speak any incantations, the air around me became thick with magick. White clouds appeared, obscuring my view. When the mists settled again, Oni and Yuri were gone.

Tristan stood before me in the pool of light. As shocked as I'd been to see the Sire and Lady, I was almost as surprised to see him. Here was the man that I'd thought was my best friend, and he'd actually sold me out for Quinn. Tristan looked whole and healthy in his Captain's uniform. For the first time, I missed the fire. “Hello, Elea.” He shifted his weight and gave me an awkward smile. “I'm your test.”

“You!” I got so angry, I couldn't see straight. “You tricked me into taking on this curse to spare your blood brother Quinn. What could I possibly have to say to you? This test is ridiculous.” I craned my neck to yell into the darkness above. “Do you hear me?”

Tristan stepped closer. “You have to listen, Elea. Everything I've done, it was only to protect and help you. If there were any other way, I'd have chosen that path. I meant it when I said that I loved you.” His expression turned haunted. “I have burned, day and night, these last five years, and all of it for you.”

That tactic wasn't going to work with me. I wouldn't feel guilty over his poor decisions.

“Don't lay that pain on my doorstep. You refused the Tsar. That was your choice.”

“I did it for you, Elea. Think. You've learned things at the Midnight Cloister, I bet. Do you know what those marks really are? I saw Viktor give out the first ones and… I simply can't speak of them.”

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. “Can't or won't?”

“Can't. I'm under a magickal aegis. So is anyone else who learns what the mark really is. How do you think Viktor's kept the truth a secret all these years?” Tristan's voice turned pleading. “Tell me you know what the mark truly does.”

“Yes. I know. Viktor uses it to drain Necromancers and kill them.”

“And that would have happened to you, if you hadn't gone to the Zelle.”

I hated to admit this, but he was right. With my level of power, I'd have been drained, too.
“You should have told me.”

“I couldn't. The aegis wouldn't let me. Even now, I can't speak the words about what really happens.” He moved closer until he only stood an arm's breadth away. “I won't lie. When Viktor took power, I was tempted to take his mark. I'd have been accepted into Viktor's entourage. Do you know what that means?”

A sick feeling crept into my stomach. “Power.”

“I may have been able to join the entourage, but Viktor never would have taken you in. You weren't trained. He'd have simply drained you, body and soul. I couldn't let that happen, so I chose the curse. I meant what I said. I've burned for you, and I'd do it again to give you a chance to live.”

His words were so sincere, I felt myself faltering. Besides, this was my Tristan. He could be a fool sometimes, but he always had good intentions. “You shouldn't have done that. I might have gotten trained without the curse.”

“Even if I could have told you the truth about the mark, would you ever have left Braddock Farm? Be honest with me. Be honest with yourself. Nothing but that curse would have gotten you trained. And now, you have a chance to live. More than that, you have a chance to give every other Necromancer in the realm a life, too.” He raked his hands though his long black hair. “You're the last one left, Elea. Only you have the power to stand up to him.”

His words inspired and frightened me in equal measure. “It can't come down to me. No one else has the magick to face Viktor? That doesn't make any sense.”

Tristan shook his head. “My sweet Elea. There's still so much you don't understand… So much I can't tell you. You need to trust me. I did what I had to do, and now, you need to play your part as well. Listen to the Sire and Lady. Remove Viktor from the land. Can you do that? Can you trust us?” He stepped up and gently cupped my face in his hands. It was one of the most intimate touches we'd shared. “Trust me one last time. Please?”

Part of me wanted to believe him, but more of me couldn't get past the fact that I was cursed to burn for eternity. “You lied to me, Tristan. You were my only friend and you cursed me.”

Tristan kept up his gentle touch. “I know, sweet Elea.”

I gripped his wrists and held them hard. “And now, you ask me to trust you on blind faith? That's not who I am. I take things in my own two hands and get them done.”

“You're right. That's always been you.” He gave me a sad smile. “Welcome to the heart of the test.”

Which is what this is all about. Trust and teamwork.
Rowan had talked about this as well, back when we first spoke at the oasis. I gave Tristan's wrists a gentle squeeze. At some point, I had to choose my allies. “All right.” I lifted my chin and spoke in a steady voice. “I'll trust you, Tristan. I can't say that I'll ever forgive you for putting me under a curse without my consent, but I do believe that you had my best interests at heart.”

“Good.” Tristan stepped back, breaking our connection. “You passed the test.”

A haunted look returned to his eyes, and I knew that my friend was headed back to the flames. “I'll find a way to free you, Tristan.”

“And I'll be waiting.”

White smoke rolled in between us, covering up the sight of my friend. My heart sickened to think of the pain he was now going through. When the mists disappeared, the Sire and Lady were standing before me once more.

“You brought Tristan here from the fires, didn't you?” They nodded. “You wanted to see if I'd trust your judgment and follow your edicts. You want me to spare Viktor.”

“Yes,” said the Lady. “Will you?”

These were the god and goddess of our universe.
“I already gave you my word.” I couldn't imagine why they'd want to save Viktor, but they lived on a different plane from mine. Perhaps it all made sense to them.

The Sire and Lady shared a long look, and then stepped away into the darkness. In their place, there appeared a small container covered in amber lacquer. A spell-box. These often held the ingredients for a potion, but with the Sire and Lady, who knew what was really inside?

I rushed forward, scooped the box from the floor, and sped out of the tent.

Chapter Twenty-Two

I found myself in a thin alley between two tall lines of tents. Based on the long shadows around me, I must have been with the Sire and Lady for hours. It was late afternoon now. Bodies pressed in all around me as they rushed through the fair. My thoughts were rushed, too. For someone who lived my last five years in a quiet Cloister, today had been a lot to process.