House of Curses, page 26
“A fascinating piece. What did you read about it?”
“There’s not much known, except that it can recognize all those who have touched it.”
“Indeed. It was a sort of magical roster. Lost to the Great War, I’m afraid.”
Kerrigan chewed on her lip. “Sir, I don’t think it’s lost.”
Bastian raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”
“I went to a Red Masks rally and saw them using something that looks just like it.” She flipped the book open to the page with the disc in it. “They had everyone who entered put their hand on it.”
Bastian went still for a moment. “You went to a rally? Kerrigan, that is very dangerous. We spoke many times about your recklessness. I support your nomination, but I don’t want you to be killed.”
“It was a long time ago,” she lied. “I … I didn’t mention it until I read this.”
“And did you touch the Collector?”
Kerrigan froze at those words. Not the question itself, but the way it had been asked. She had never heard Bastian speak like that. The cadence of his voice was different and yet familiar. And there was almost … eagerness in his voice, which made no sense. Did he want the Collector for himself?
“I didn’t,” she assured him. “I’m not that reckless.”
The look in his eyes vanished. “Good. That’s good. And do you know where this Collector is? It belongs in the vault, away from the hands of those undeserving of its power.”
“No,” she said, glad she could tell the truth here. “I’ve no idea, and I don’t think it’s safe for me to go to another rally.”
Bastian put a hand on her shoulder. “I agree. I’ll have the Guard on high alert. Don’t worry about it anymore.”
Kerrigan nodded even though she had no intention of doing so. That Collector was the key to finding out who was the leader of the Red Masks. She would stop at nothing to get it. And she trusted the Guard even less to be on her side.
“Have you seen or heard of any other magical artifacts in the city?” Bastian asked.
She hesitated for a moment. The Ring of Endings dangled between her breasts. She could tell him about it, but something kept her from doing so. She slowly shook her head.
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. But there are so many still unaccounted for,” she said, gesturing to the book in her bag. “How do we know what our enemies will use against us when the time comes?”
“We prepare as best that we can. The rest we leave to our training. It is not as if someone is going to locate the Stone of Fire, the Jackal, or Ring of Endings anytime soon, Kerrigan. The worst we’ve seen is the Deafener, and we collected that after the Battle of Lethbridge.”
Kerrigan flinched at the name of the Ring of Endings but hoped that it looked as if she feared the Deafener. It was an amber orb that, when activated by an ancient Fae, would incapacitate everyone in the vicinity. Basem Nix had used it against her, and they had seen it again at Lethbridge. She was glad it was out of enemy hands.
“What if someone did find the Ring of Endings?” she asked softly.
Bastian’s eyes lit up at the name. A covetous look. “Then, we would all be in much more trouble than any of us ever knew.”
She swallowed and nodded. Yeah, best not to tell him she had found it.
She said her good-byes and then headed back up through the mountain to her rooms. She was stopped no less than a dozen times as she made her way. By the time she was inside, she put her back to the door and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Gods,” she groaned.
“Busy day?” a voice asked.
She jumped in shock and then whirled to find Prescott stepping out of her study. He was as handsome as ever, wearing House of Shadows black-and-silver silk. Dressed so like his cousin, almost a matching set. Though she could see all the differences.
“What in the gods’ names are you doing here?” she demanded.
“My apologies. I didn’t intend to frighten you. Benton allowed me inside earlier when I refused to leave this letter with her.” He produced a cream envelope from his pocket.
Arbor and Prescott had been making overtures since her return to get back into her good graces. She hadn’t lied when she told them both that she was too busy. It was above and beyond for Prescott to be sent here like this.
“There have been a great many people attempting to get into my living quarters,” she told him. “Few I like as much as you.”
He shot her a charming smile. She could see how he and Arbor had kept their places at court so easily. Attractive, affable, and charming should be enough for anyone. It was too bad that he was not his cousin at all.
“I like to hear that,” he said, stepping toward her and offering her the letter. “I like less the news that I bring you.”
She opened the letter and read the short note in Fordham’s quick, efficient hand rather than his calligraphic scrawl she knew all too well. Her heart fluttered at the words to his cousins, as if he were standing beside her, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.
“He’s … not returning,” she said uncertainly.
Of course she knew that the letter was a fabrication, but she didn’t let that show in her face.
“Apparently, he has decided to forgo his return, as he couldn’t break his curse,” Prescott said regretfully. He tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear, drawing in closer. “I’m so sorry, Kerrigan.”
She shook her head. “I don’t accept this. I won’t let him leave.”
Prescott had clearly planned for this, and he pulled her into his arms. “I know. I know.”
She couldn’t muster a tear, but she did a good enough job of letting him think that she believed him.
“We’ll figure it out,” he said, releasing her and gazing down into her green eyes.
She hiccupped and pulled backward. She was no fool, but he certainly thought she was.
“We should go out and forget that this all happened for a night.”
“Thank you. That’s so kind. But I have so much to do. The election is only a week away. I’ll have to figure out what to do about Fordham after.”
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “Of course.” It released with a wide smile. “If you need anything at all, someone to talk about everything that’s happened, I’m here. It must be hard to have all of this on your shoulders and no one to talk to. Especially after you brought the barrier down.”
Kerrigan startled at those words. She hadn’t spoken them to hardly anyone. Few knew, even in the most inner circle of the Society and her friends.
“What?” she whispered.
“We heard about your breach when you were in the House of Shadows. I assumed that you had brought it down.”
What was his play? How would this help them get ahead? She couldn’t see the thread of it, but it made her uneasy.
“I was nowhere near the House of Shadows when it came down. Wynter claimed to take it down.”
“Wynter was mad. She never could have done it. But you have powers like we’ve never seen. You’re fascinating.”
Kerrigan didn’t like this at all. “Maybe it just came down. Maybe it had nothing to do with me.”
“Maybe,” he reasoned. “But I doubt it.”
He winked at her again and then was gone.
She slumped against the door again. Great. Now, she had secrets with Arbor and Prescott. She didn’t know how they knew, but it wasn’t good.
Kerrigan dropped her bag off in her room. The door to Ben and Bay’s rooms opened then, and her friends came out, wringing their hands and looking nervous.
“What is it?” she asked. “I don’t know if I can handle more bad news. Are you leaving?”
“What?” Benton asked with wide eyes. “Of course not.”
“We … we wanted to talk to you.” Bayton looked half-ready to bolt.
“You can talk to me about anything,” she said, gesturing for them all to sit in the living space. “What is it?”
They shared a look laced with fear.
Finally, Benton swallowed and leaned forward. “We’d have been killed for even suggesting this in the House of Shadows. I don’t think you’re that type, but you understand our fear.”
“Of course. You have nothing to worry about from me.”
“We hope so,” Bayton whispered.
“Arbor and Prescott are bad,” Benton said in a rush.
“What do you know?”
“You shouldn’t be meeting with him,” Bayton said in a rush. “Either of them.”
“Did they hurt you?”
“No,” Benton said. “They didn’t do anything like that. They have actually been favorable to humans and half-Fae, but they have their own ambitions.”
“Speak plainly. What did they do?”
“Arbor was behind Wynter’s cult machinations,” Bayton blurted out.
“She was the one who got everyone together. It was her idea to force your hand to get you to try to break the barrier. She was the one who convinced Wynter to attack Lethbridge. It was all her. And Prescott only eggs her on.”
Kerrigan leaned back with a sigh. “Thank you.”
“You’re not mad?” Bayton whispered.
“No, but I think I’m going to need your help,” Kerrigan said.
Then, she leaned forward and told the twins her plans.
38
The Nominees
Kerrigan had never seen so many dragons all in one place as they flew away from Draco Mountain.
Her heart ached, as she knew that Tieran would be unreachable for the next couple of days. The Society dragons were convening at the Holy Mountain. Tieran had been shaking with terror about returning, but Kerrigan had assured him that he had nothing to worry about. No one could tell the difference in the bonds. She hoped that she had told him the truth.
Meanwhile, it was the first night of the campaign, which meant it was the official kickoff of the election parties. Kerrigan was dolled up in a glittering Parris original that hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair had been curled and pulled back into an intricate design. All she had to do was face the entire Dragon Society. No pressure.
Helly squeezed her hand. “Chin up.”
Then, she moved forward and into position beside Bastian. She looked as lovely as ever in a stiff Bryonican dress. Diminutive next to Bastian’s incredible height. He wore a dark suit with a more traditional white cravat. Just a sliver of Elsiande pink showed in his pocket square. The scars on his face were on full display for what was to come.
Kerrigan had arrived early, for once in her life, well before the rest of her fellow nominees. And so she got to watch them trickle in one at a time.
The first was Mistress Hydie of Concha tribe, dressed in a fashionable teal dress with a matching headscarf. She had the same tanned skin as Kerrigan’s friend Noda, and in one interaction, Hydie had confessed to knowing Noda. They’d agreed that her dropping out of the tournament had been a huge disservice to the Society, but Noda was happy, sailing up and down the Strait of Ursi and to the Gardic Sea beyond.
The other member was Master Selwyn, also of tribe Elsiande. Unlike Bastian, he had gone full out in a pink dressing jacket and cravat with dark trousers and undershirt. He looked a bit like a pink pumpkin, and Kerrigan couldn’t quite figure out how he had gotten ahead. There seemed to be little in his head other than horticulture, which was valuable but he spoke of nothing else.
Master Durban showed up next in a glittering gold suit jacket to match the warring tribe Galanthea. He was a blustering bigot, and Kerrigan avoided his presence at every opportunity. Not that he let her get away. He apparently wanted to use her as a springboard for his own campaign. He’d had parties, fundraisers, and events all summer. She had to guess that he was viewed more favorable by the people who distrusted Kerrigan.
But it was Alura who arrived last and who truly had the favor of the Society. Her black skin had been dusted with the silver of tribe Venatrix. Her stunning black hair was braided back into ropes going past her waist. Her dress was a swirling silver that mirrored the linked silver chains Venatrix tribe wore into battle. Her wooden cane had been replaced with an all silver one, complete with a dragon in flight. She was a vision … and she looked miserable.
“Stop staring,” Alura spat at Kerrigan as she took her spot next to her.
“You’re stunning,” Kerrigan confessed.
Alura shot her a look. “With this?” She stamped the cane down hard once.
Kerrigan nodded. “It doesn’t change anything about you.”
“Ha,” Alura said with no humor. “Liar. It changes everything.”
“I don’t think so. You might move slower, but you can still ride a dragon into battle. You are still fearsome. And even if you never do any of that again, you’re stepping into a position just as important if you win this election.”
Alura frowned at the assessment. “I tried to drop out. They wouldn’t let me.”
“Good,” Kerrigan said.
Alura glared at her. “You want the competition?”
“I followed you into battle, Alura. I trained with you for a year. You can hate me, and I understand why you do, but you are skilled, competent, and fair. You have dated a human woman, even when everyone called you insane for it. The Council could do much worse.”
Alura sighed and dropped her gaze. “You know what, Kerrigan?”
“What?”
“You make it hard to hate you.”
“Oh, I doubt that very much.”
Alura laughed softly, as if she hadn’t had cause to do so in a long time. “The Council could do worse than you too.”
“Thank you,” Kerrigan said with earnest.
And then they were silenced as Ephriam Plympton, the renowned master of ceremonies, projected his voice across the entire arena. “Males and females, ladies and gentlemen, welcome one and all to the opening night of the Society council festivities. I am here with Presiding Officer Zoh and the rest of the current Society Council. We’re happy to announce to you the nominees for the most coveted positions within our government.”
Kerrigan took a deep breath and released it. They were congregated at the entrance to the arena. She had never walked into the arena for an event like this. She had only flown in on Tieran when she won the tournament. This would be a whole new experience.
The master of ceremonies called out the name of each of the nominees, leaving Kerrigan for last. Her hands shook as she waited. Would he leave her off? Slight her because she was half-Fae and that was a crime in this city in its own way.
“Mistress Kerrigan Argon of Bryonica,” Ephriam called across the arena.
Kerrigan’s anxiety dissipated. They weren’t going to leave her off. She was going to get to walk the arena as she had never done before.
She stepped through the archway. The audience roared with delight. Society members in black robes filled the stands, but it seemed the rest of Kinkadia had come to see the spectacle. And that was the reason the volume had doubled at her entrance. The people of Kinkadia, of all of Alandria, were making it clear who they favored. Humans and half-Fae outnumbered the Fae by a long shot, but they had no voice. With Kerrigan as their champion, they would finally have a say in the government.
Tears came to her eyes as she waved at the assembled crowd. She walked around the arena for all to see her and assess her. Though not everyone here approved of her, in that moment, it hardly even mattered.
Kerrigan reached the stage assembled on the opposite side of the arena and took the few steps to stand beside Alura, who nodded at her once.
Each of the nominees stepped forward to make a speech. Helly’s was brief but informative. Bastian’s was stern and evocative. Durban went on too long. Hydie barely said anything. Selwyn blustered. Alura said exactly as much as needed to be said and not a word more, and the crowd loved her for it.
Kerrigan went blank as soon as it was her turn. She stepped forward, staring into the sea of faces. All the many Society members who were here to hear her explain why they should vote her for. While the people behind them, the many thousands of people behind them, had nothing to say about it. Her speech flew out of her head.
“I know that I’m supposed to address the Society members, to thank them for being here and for all of their hard work in running this wonderful world we live in. That is what everyone else has already done. So, I will save you the effort and speak to those of you not wearing a black robe,” she said, gesturing to the crowd, who exploded with applause. “People of Kinkadia and all of Alandria. Those from near and far. Those who didn’t ride in on a dragon, but came to this place on horse, cart, and your own two feet, thank you for assembling today.”
Another cheer rose up from the crowd. Ten times as loud as before.
“The Society council is the most esteemed seat in our world. It has never been held by a half-Fae or a human. And why should it when the Fae rule our world, right?”
Boos came from the crowd. She smiled radiantly up at them.
“You know all the reasons I shouldn’t be standing here. All the reasons you find me unqualified. I am half-Fae. I just passed my eighteenth name day. I look young, reckless, and inexperienced. Whatever your reason, you’re wrong.” She held her hand up to silence the thundering crowd. “You’re wrong because I am precisely what we need. I am the First of the House of Cruse and now the head of household. I am a Society member and dragon rider. I am nobility, and, yes, damn it, I am half-Fae!”
The cheers this time weren’t just the crowd. Society members were applauding now. Some leaning forward at her speech. Her acceptance of who she was and the limitations they had placed on her. They saw them as weaknesses, and she wore them as strengths.
“I might not be what you think you want, but I am what you need. If I can achieve all of this at eighteen, imagine what I will do, going forward. Imagine what I can do on the council. The tides are turning. Which side of history do you want to be on?”
