Adam coughed, but Helix’s gaze remained on Jinaari. “Thia’s not evil,” he began to say.
Helix’s hand flew up, silencing the warlock. “I wasn’t talking to you. I will hear the request from the one who makes it, not his mouthpiece.”
Jinaari said, “She’s not evil.”
“Are you so certain? You should’ve killed her when she told you to. Instead, you bring that creature into my home. Sit,” the mage commanded, “and tell me why I shouldn’t make sure she never wakes up.”
Walking to a chair near the desk, Jinaari sat. Leaning back, he said, “You’re the one who convinced the farmer near Solace to raise the spider. Why?”
“I was trying to prevent the very thing you let happen.” The words came out as a hiss. “You gave her the scepter. That sealed her fate. She has to die or we’re doomed. Every single one of us.”
“I don’t believe that,” Jinaari said.
Adam cleared his throat. “We didn’t give her the scepter, Helix. A delegation from Byd Cudd brought it to the surface, gave it to her in Almair. Jinaari and I were in Helmshouse at the time.”
Helix leaned back, looking at Adam. “What happened when she touched it the first time? Do you know?”
“Caelynn told me it was covered in grime and filth but that it fell away at Thia’s touch. If it didn’t want her to wield it, it wouldn’t have done that.”
He turned back to Jinaari. “When did the symptoms start?”
“A month or two later. She had a cough, wasn’t sleeping or eating much. She got injured during a fight in Tanisal and couldn’t heal herself. Said a few things that didn’t sound like her. I talked to Garret about it—”
“Let me guess? He did nothing but tell you to keep a close eye on her.” Helix snarled. “Keep going.”
“The nightmare was the next event. Someone overtook her mind when she slept. She set fire to a tent, bolted out of it like Lolc Aon herself was chasing her. I caught up to her, convinced her it was a dream. Once she was herself again, she told me someone named Val—”
“Stop,” Helix said, “don’t say it.” He rose and walked to one of the bookshelves.
“You know the name?” Jinaari asked.
“Yes,” he replied, his hand running across the spines of several leather-bound books. “Names have power, Shield. In this case, this person learned how to pick up on those who spoke her name. So much so that even writing it down could draw her attention.” He pulled a tome free and came back to the desk.
“The person is Lolc Aon’s first Daughter,” Helix said as he sat. Opening the book, he began to thumb through the pages. “The Goddess gave her so much power that she felt she was invincible. Damn near was, too. Ah, here’s the page,” he turned the book around and tapped one of the pages. “Read this, but not out loud. Does this sound like the person from your friend’s dream?”
Leaning forward, Jinaari read the page:
And the host of men, along with six of the Gods, descended on the plain. Their goal was to recover that which Lolc Aon had stolen: the Scepter of Avoch. They faced not an army of her followers, but a single woman. Her blonde hair framed blood-red eyes that made grown men shiver as if ice ran through their bones. Lightning poured from her fingertips. As the armies charged, she smiled. With a loud voice, she said, “I am their doom. A reckoning for the path they chose.” Electricity flew from her hands, snaking through the advancing army. The Gods, seeing this, surrounded V-------. Only through their efforts was she subdued. When they were done, the woman still bore the Mark of Lolc Aon but had no stores of magic. The Gods had stripped her of the ability.
She ran into the hills, diving into the tunnels to escape. The Gods let her go, believing her to be a threat no longer. They buried their dead, healed the wounded, and began to lead them back home. She did not die right away. Stumbling in the dark, she was found by Lolc Aon. The Scorpion Queen saw what her family had done to her Daughter and vowed revenge. Grabbing the Scepter of Avoch, she cast the soul of V------- into it. “In here shall my beloved remain, until one of my blood can take it up. Sleep, and find your strength again. For when you awaken, you shall tear their children apart as they have torn mine.”
His head snapped up, and he stared at Helix. “You mean the soul of Lolc Aon’s Daughter is in the scepter?”
The mage nodded slowly. “She’s had centuries to nurse her wounds, her hatred. And now she’s gaining her strength. Thia’s a direct descendant of Lolc Aon. She’s her blood. And she’s Marked, giving her access to as much magic as Lolc Aon’s Daughter had.” The cold gaze that Helix wore chilled Jinaari’s soul. “Over time, Thia will shrink away under the onslaught of mental anguish she’ll be put through. When she’s weak enough, that’s when the other will make their move. Your companion will be cast aside, become a prisoner in their own body. A spectator to the vengeance that will engulf Avoch by her own hand. I know you care for her, Shield. But this cannot come to pass. Your blade is touched by two Gods. If used to kill Thia, the other will die as well.”
He shook his head. “There’s got to be a way to sever the connection, get Thia free of her.”
Helix leaned back, fingers drumming on the desk. “There’s two that come to mind. One’s impossible.”
“Why?”
“You killed Lolc Aon, then Thia sent her soul to Nannan. You’re never going to get a Goddess who no longer exists to reverse the spell.”
Adam said, “What’s the second way?”
Helix rose again, heading back to the bookcase. “The other six Gods banded together to cut her off from her power. You’d have to get all of them together, in one place, and agree to finish her off. They didn’t, out of respect for their sister. Lolc Aon was misguided, but she was still family to them. The problem with that,” he said as he pulled another book from the shelf, “is getting them all to answer your summons. And convincing them to do it.” He flipped through the pages. “Ah, here it is.” He handed the book to Jinaari. “You can read this aloud, if you like.”
Glancing at Adam, he cleared his throat. “And deep within the mountain the seven went, bent on finding the monster the villagers spoke of. Coming into the grotto, they stared in awe. Lightning bounced around the crystal walls, bathing the area in light. Steps led down into a pool of water so clear they couldn’t tell how deep it was. In the center, a single stone altar surrounded by seven pedestals. On the altar sat a woman. Her opalescent skin shimmered in the light. Brilliant blue eyes sat beneath the short, white hair. ‘I am no monster,’ she said, though her lips did not move. ‘I am the last of my kind. If you spare my life, I can give to you the power necessary to guide your tribes, unite them into a people who will no longer fear each other’.” He paused, looking at Helix. “You’re talking about where the Gods were born?”
The mage nodded. “Yes. It’s the only place you can go where they’ll have to answer. They’re bound to those pillars. If you get Thia onto that bier, all six will come.” He sighed. “Whether or not they agree to your petition is another matter. As is getting her there without her guest preventing it. That blindfold was a good short-term solution. While she’s here, it’s not necessary. My wards will prevent her guest from understanding what we say, or what Thia sees. However, she’s adapting, learning quickly. I doubt you’d be able to get close enough to Mathaireil to find the right path, let alone go into the mountain itself, without backlash.”
“Thia’s asleep now. I’m sure we can work something out,” Jinaari said confidently.
“That arrogant belief that you can single-handedly save the world isn’t going to keep her alive. Or her guest from doing whatever she can to take Thia over. The reason she’s sleeping is I spiked the water Ashynn served you. I needed her to sleep so we could talk and not draw the attention of the other.”
Leaping to his feet, he ignored Adam’s effort to hold him back. “You drugged us?”
“Not all of you. It was specifically targeted at her. None of the rest of you would be affected, or you wouldn’t be here now. It’s not going to hurt her. She needed the rest, we had to talk without the chance of her passenger realizing it.” Helix stared at him; his eyes narrowed in thought. “If I could kill her myself, I would. Your blade is the only thing that can. So, coddle her a few more days if you must but put your emotions aside and think about the rest of the world. Avoch would become a memory if Thia’s overtaken. I’m not above sacrificing one soul to save thousands.”
Adam stood, his arms coming between Jinaari and Helix. “I don’t think any of us want to see that,” he said, his voice even and calm. “How far is it from here to the grotto?”
Helix sat back down. “A week, maybe ten days. It depends on how long you take finding the right entrance. It’s not exactly out in the open.”
“Is there any way you know of to keep this spirit from controlling Thia while we’re on the way there? I know you taught alchemy back at Helmshouse. Your textbooks are still referenced.” Adam glanced at Jinaari, motioning for him to sit back down.
Jinaari did, forcing the anger down. “There has to be a way to suppress it.”
“There is, but you won’t like it,” Helix snapped.
“There’s nothing about this that I like, Helix. I’m her protector. I’m honor bound to do what I must to try and save her.”
“Then take your sword and slit her throat before she wakes up.”
“Not unless it’s absolutely necessary. What else can we do?” Jinaari stared at Helix, trying to keep his anger in check. I’m not killing her. She withstood Lolc Aon, defeated Drogon and Samil. She can withstand this one.
Helix narrowed his eyes. “Fine. There’s an elixir I can make. It’ll suppress the other consciousness, keep it from influencing Thia. I’ll know in the morning if it worked, then I’ll send vials of it with you. You’ll have to make sure she takes it daily, or it’ll wear off. There’s a risk, though.”
“I’ll make sure she takes it. That’s not a problem.”
Helix stared at him. “It could be. It’s going to take a toll on her physically. You’ll have to move fast if you expect to get to the grotto before Thia becomes too weak to walk. She won’t be able to cast, either. All her stores will go toward keeping her body alive.”
Adam’s voice was low. “That sounds a lot like a poison, Helix.”
The mage turned to him. “It is. One you have to give her every day, knowing it’s killing her. It’s slow acting at first. But it’s the only way to keep her guest so numb to what’s going on that she can’t do anything. The more Thia takes, the faster the effect.” Helix looked back at Jinaari. The stern expression softened into one more sympathetic. “If you do this, you must push hard. If she dies before reaching the grotto, or if you can’t get the Gods to agree, the only option left will be putting your sword through her chest.”
“How do you plan to give it to her? Or do you think poisoning all of us is an option?”
“I’m not going to tell you, Shield. I don’t need you watching her, and me, so closely that she clues into what’s happening. It will happen. She’s the only one that’ll get it. You need to stay alive in case this doesn’t work. Because, if it doesn’t, you’re the only one that can stop her. Now,” Helix continued, “I recommend you go back to your companions, Shield. I need to speak with Adam alone.”
Jinaari glanced at his friend, catching the barely noticeable nod. He’ll tell me later. And I’ve got to decide what I should tell Thia. He rose, looking back at their host. “If you think she should die, why share a meal with her?”
“I’m a realist, Shield. Not a barbarian. Her death serves a greater purpose; saving all Avoch. I hold no ill will toward her personally. It’s only proper that I dine with those who take shelter under my roof.” The mage pointed at the wall behind him. “She’s waking up. I have no doubt she’s got questions to ask you.”
Bowing stiffly, he turned around. The staircase had reappeared. Taking the steps two at a time, he glanced back when he reached the landing. The entry hall was behind him. Shaking his head, he shoved aside his doubt. Thia needs me to be certain, confident. The arrogant prick, he thought. I don’t like the solution Helix gave me, but it’s the only one we have right now. His chest tightened at the thought of killing her. She’d tell me to do it, wouldn’t blame me. But I can’t believe that’s the best, and only, way to save her. I’ve got to find another way.
Walking down the hallway, he stopped at the door. Pushing the worry aside, he raised his hand and knocked once. “It’s me,” he said.
The door swung open and Caelynn moved aside, giving him room to enter. Thia sat in a chair; the blindfold around her eyes. Gnat sat on a rug, cradling Nyfe like an infant.
“Where’s Adam?” Caelynn asked as she closed the door.
“Our host needed to speak to him privately,” Jinaari replied.
“You mean he stayed behind to negotiate a price for healing me,” Thia said. “I don’t need anyone dying because of me, Jinaari.”
He closed the gap, grabbed a chair, and pulled it in front of her. As he sat, he reached for the blindfold. “Helix can’t heal you, Thia. But he gave us a destination,” he began to untie the knot.
Thia raised her hands, pulling his aside. “Leave it on,” she said. The resignation in her voice tore at his heart. “I’d rather be led everywhere than give her anything she can use against you.”
“I was told it was safe while we’re here. He’s got wards up that’ll prevent your guest from being a problem.” He watched her face as he spoke. The muscles relaxed, and she moved her hands from his. He started to work the blindfold free. Once it was away from her face, he tossed it aside. “You look better. How are you feeling?”
She shrugged. “Numb, I think. I’m so tired of dealing with Val—”
He put a finger to her lips, silencing her. “Don’t say the name. Your guest has the ability to focus on things when her name is said. From now on, we don’t say it. Got it?”
“Got it,” she said with a sigh. “Did he know who they are?”
“You’re not going to like it.”
A small smile crept across her face. “What of this whole situation do you think I like, Jinaari? Who are they?”
“The spirit of Lolc Aon’s first Daughter,” he said, keeping his voice even. As he spoke, he watched her eyes closely.
Thia closed her eyes, swallowing hard. “That explains a lot,” she said as she opened them again. Falling back in the chair, her hands rubbed at her face.
“Like what?”
Her head moved back and she stared at the ceiling. Jinaari could see the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. “Like why she looked so much like me, said we were sisters. Family. Though the bit about Herasta being her mother was likely a lie.” Her hands worked through her hair.
He kept silent, waiting for her to regain control over herself. He’d seen her do that motion so many times, usually when she needed to focus on something other than a problem she couldn’t solve. When she dropped her hands, he said, “There’s a place about a week or so from here. We’ll take you there, appeal to the Gods to separate you from your guest. This is going to work, Thia.”
She sat up straight and looked at him. “The grotto? Do you really believe it exists?”
Caelynn sat next to Thia. “I thought it was a myth. Some of the oldest songs and stories reference it, but never say where it was. The way is lost. The Gods made sure of that so they wouldn’t have angry mobs of people summoning them all at the same time.”
“I’ve been given directions.”
Jinaari stood quickly at the sound of Adam’s voice. The warlock was closing the door behind them. “Caelynn, did you lock the door?”
“I was given a second key,” Adam held it up. “Our host thought it would be easier if there were two.” Walking over, he put it in Jinaari’s hand. “Either you or Caelynn will be with Thia at all times anyway. This way, there’s always someone who can keep her safe until we leave.” He sat in a chair.
“How far is it?” Jinaari asked.
“It’ll be close to a week of riding to get to the base of the mountain. We can’t go too fast because of the forest. We’re looking for a specific rock formation, with a large amount of thornstalk nearby. That’s the entrance. From there, it’s about a two day walk to the grotto itself.”
“We can’t ride?” Caelynn asked.
Adam shook his head. “Not unless you can convince the horses to enter a cave.” He glanced over at Gnat, then lowered his voice. “The biggest issue is Gnat. His village is in the opposite direction.”
Damn it, Jinaari thought. Thia doesn’t have that much time to waste. “I’ll talk to him later, explain the delay. He wants Thia to get better, same as the rest of us. I don’t think he’ll be upset if it waits until after that’s done.”
He felt Thia’s gaze on him and met it. “Why the rush? I feel fine. There’s no reason we can’t take him home first, like we promised. What aren’t you telling me?”
Taking a deep breath, he chose his words carefully. “There’s a good chance your guest is going to try and prevent us from reaching the grotto, Thia. The faster we move, the less painful it’ll be for you.” Believe me, he thought. I’ll tell you the rest later. Give you the choice to say no. But not until I know it actually works.
Someone knocked on the door, and Jinaari’s head snapped around at the sound. “I’ve got it,” Adam said as he rose.
Jinaari stood, holding out his hand to help Thia up, as the warlock crossed the room. The door opened and Adam stepped aside so they could see Ashynn. “Helix requests your presence at dinner. Please, follow me.”
“Gnat hungry!” The cobalus bolted past them.
Looking at Thia, Jinaari waited for her to react. “I’ve never met a death mage before,” she whispered.
He threaded her arm through his. “He’s blunt, to the point. Utterly convinced he’s right about everything and everyone,” he replied as they walked toward the door.
“In other words, he’s an arrogant prick,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Something tells me you don’t get along with him.”