Chapter 11

DIGGING UP LIES

 

 

 

"Ace is brilliant. He's also lazy, or so he says."

—Fenris Vane

 

"I think it's time for you to visit your friends back home," Fen says during breakfast.

When I woke this morning, he had already left to hunt with Baron. I was half way through my meal when they joined me.

I feel a pang of shame at his words. It's been too long since I even thought of home, so immersed have I been in this new life. But the thought of seeing Es and Pete again raises my spirits and makes the aches and pains I have from being beat up last night more bearable. And when I fantasize about proper coffee, and internet, and all the trapping of modernity that I miss, I actually smile. Then I groan because my lip is split and my jaw is bright purple from a nasty bruise.

"You should ice that," Fen says.

"I have."

"I'm sorry that happened to you," he says. "I should have known it wasn't going to end well. I will kill Levi for this."

"As much as I'd love to cheer you on in that desire, wouldn't that cause some problems? Like internal war?"

"I am the Prince of War. They will not win against me. And not all the brothers will join Levi."

I sigh. "Let's just get through the war with the Fae first. Then we can deal with your brother. But Fen… "

He raises a scarred eyebrow at me, waiting.

"I'm not spending a month with that man. I won't." I shudder at the thought, but then I think of my mother, of her soul, of the suffering she would endure. "You have to help me. You have to help me keep my mother safe."

"You have my word," he says.

My head throbs with pain, and I sip at my juice, wishing it were something stronger. "I don't suppose you have aspirin or something in this world?"

"No. But I'll have the healer mix you something for the pain. And there is always alcohol."

I nod my thanks and drain my cup, then stand. "When do we leave?"

"I have some things I must see to, but we can leave at sunset."

"Right. We can't go by day, can we?"

"Not easily," he says.

I'm so used to seeing him, all of them, out during the day here. It's easy to forget my own world isn't as hospitable.

After breakfast I head back to my quarters to take a bath and dress for the day. There's a hot cup of… something by my bed when I exit my bath, with a note from Fen. "Drink. Be well. Stay safe."

I sip it, wrinkle my nose, then drink as fast as the hot liquid will allow. It's vile, but it makes me feel better almost instantly. "Bless you, Fen," I whisper as my headache and body aches disappear. I might be imagining it, but even my bruises and cuts seem to be healing faster. This is way better than Tylenol!

I walk to the forge, and Kayla helps me with my sword.  We spend the entire day on it, making good progress. I should have my very first blade soon. She asks about what happened last night, and I give her the grim details.

She hugs me. "Levi will pay for this," she says. "I swear it."

I laugh, but inside I'm shaking. I fear my new friends will risk their lives and the lives of their people against another prince of hell. But I'm not sure what the answer is, because Levi is a threat to me. I cannot be left in his care. I'm not sure I would make it out alive.

 

***

 

My excitement at going home is growing, and when I return to the castle, I'm ready. There's a knock at my bedroom door, and I open it expecting Fen, but instead it's a man I do not recognize. He's handsome, with a sculpted face, dark hair that's a bit wayward, though short enough not to be too messy, and a dark shadow of hair on his jawline.

He bows. "It's an honor to officially meet you." A giant watch-like contraption wraps around his wrist. Sturdy bags and tools hang from his belt.

"You're Ace," I say.

He smiles. "How did you—"

"I was told you're quite the inventor."

"Ah, yes." He checks his watch gizmo. "I've come to fetch you. Well, actually, I came to fetch Fen, but he insists he cannot leave without you. Apparently, last night raised his hackles. Let me assure you, I voted against the whole debacle."

"Having someone under your protection physically assaulted and sexually violated does annoy some," I say coldly.

Ace laughs. "You are as saucy as Asher said." He holds up his hands in surrender. "I'm no threat to you, Arianna. I'm here to help. Fen is finishing up something, and he asked me to look after you until we can leave."

"Where are we going?" I close the door behind me and walk with Ace down the winding staircase to the parlor. A fireplace blazes in the center, and we each take seats in front. Julian brings us both wine and a platter of cheese, bread and fruit.

Ace takes a bite of strawberry, then licks his fingers. "We are going to High Castle to dig up my father's remains."

"So the Council agreed then?" I ask, sipping at the sweet wine.

Ace smirks. "Nope, that's why it's just me and Fen. And you, apparently," he says as an afterthought. "The High Council can't know. But even Zeb agrees we must determine what killed King Lucian, for it was not the poison."

"Do you have any suspects?" I ask.

"Levi certainly hasn't done himself any favors. But we have no proof of anything yet," he says.

"Fen was going to take me home tonight," I say. "It was part of my contract, that I could go home once a month to check on my mother and friends."

Ace leans back in his chair and pops a grape in his mouth. "That will have to wait. Sorry about that. And I do feel your pain. Your world is extraordinary. I used to go there often. Not just for feeding, but to surround myself with such wonderful inventions."

"You don't go anymore?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "It's too painful."

"The sun?"

"No, the promise of things that cannot be." He looks at me, a bittersweet expression on his handsome face. "Has Fen told you much about our curse?"

"He doesn't like talking about it," I say. "I know only that you are each cursed with what we would call one of the seven deadly sins. That you are powerful and immortal, but also mortally wounded by my sun. You're vampires."

He nods. "There's more though. Have you noticed how we seem to live in a medieval time trap?"

"Really?" I ask sarcastically.

"And perhaps you also noticed that some of my brothers seem… eternally stuck in adolescent angst and lack maturity?"

I laugh darkly. "I've wondered. With so much time, so much life, how could any of you stay stuck in your miserable patterns?"

"It's part of the curse," he says. "Perhaps the worst part. We are stuck in time, trapped in all ways. We can't really grow, learn or mature past the points we are now. When I'm in your world, I can comprehend the technological innovations that led to such greatness. I know how I could replicate that here, and bring us into a new age. But the moment I step through the mirror, that knowledge disappears like mist in the sun. I grasp at it, remembering the promise of it, but I can never hold on to the details long enough to do anything about it. My inventions are crude attempts to capture even a phantom replica of what I once knew. I was driving myself mad each time I went to your world, so I stopped going."

"Has it helped? To stay here?"

"Some," he says, staring at the fire. "Some. But those dream-like memories are still there, taunting me. It is better to not know something than to know it but not remember."

Fen walks in with Baron, and we both stand.

"Has Ace explained what's to happen tonight?"

I nod. "We're digging up your father."

"Ace and I are digging. You are watching and staying close to me," Fen says. "I'm sorry about your trip home. We'll go soon, I promise."

I nod and walk with them to the boat. The nights are getting colder, and I hug my cloak around my body and watch my breath turn white as I exhale. At least it will be warmer near High Castle.

"Where's his body?" I ask as Ace guides the boat to dock near the castle.

"In a mausoleum behind the castle," Fen says.

We hike around the fortress in the dead of night with no moonlight to guide us. Princes of hell might have great eyesight in the dark, but I'm having a hard time seeing.

Baron seems to be the only one concerned about my ability to hike in the darkness, and he stands by my side to help guide me. I give him a pat on the head for his attention.

Blue light shines in the distance. As we near, I realize they are blue orbs hovering around the mausoleum. It is a giant structure of gray stone, decorated with carvings of battles and parties and a man resembling the one I had seen in a painting. Tall, broad shouldered, his face hard, his presence regal. Lucian.

Ace glances at the picture of his father. Fen does not. The door is shut, and he pulls the stone slab open, his muscles bulging under his dark leather coat.

Stale air escapes, filling my lungs with the dust of the dead. I choke on it, then take a few deep breaths of clean air before joining Ace and Fen inside.

It's a small room, lit with blue light. An ornate bust of Lucian rests on a marble pillar in the center. "Where's the coffin?" I ask, looking around.

Fen points to the bust. "Below."

Ace sighs and opens the large bag he's been carrying. He pulls out two wickedly sharp pick axes. "That's why I brought these." He tosses one to Fen who grabs if from the air effortlessly. "Get to digging, brother."

Baron and I are chased from the room by dust and the sound of marble shattering, as Ace and Fen destroy the bust and platform to get to the coffin.

I sit where Fen can see me, at his insistence, just outside the mausoleum, my back leaning against the cool stone. Baron lays his head on my lap, and we both try to ignore the noise.

It seems to take hours. Fen and Ace are both sweaty and dirty by the time they are done.

I stand and stretch, dusting plaster off my body in vain.  I look down the hole they created. "How will you get it out?" I ask.

They dug a space around the casket. Both men jump into the hole and grab the lid.

"Together?" asks Ace.

"Together."

They push open the casket, and the lid clatters to the ground.

"Shit," Fen says, looking inside.

I move closer to see and then gag and pull away. "What happened to him?" His body is a blackened shriveled up lump. Nothing resembling a man remains.

"Someone has defiled his body," Ace says, frowning. "We'll never get any answers from him now."

Fen slams his fist on the side of the casket. "Whoever did this knew we were coming."

Ace's eyes go wide. "Wait. You think it was me?"

"No." Fen grabs the lid and covers the casket once again. "But it was someone on the High Council."

Realization dawns on Ace's face. "You think the vote tipped them off. They knew we'd come here even without permission. At least, they suspected."

Fen clasps his brother's shoulder. "Arianna cannot stay with each prince. It is not safe."

"But the contract… no. You're right. We'll find a way."

"What does this mean?" I ask.

"It means you are in more danger than we realized," says Fen. "Tomorrow night we'll head back to your world. In the meantime, keep your guards and Baron close. I need to have a chat with my brothers privately."

"Don't do anything stupid," I say.

He smiles, but it's a smile full of menace. "They are the ones who should be worried."

 

***

 

I spend the next day working on my sword, which is nearly done thanks to Kayla's help. And that night, Fen keeps his promise and takes me home.

It doesn't take long for the boat to arrive at the magic mirror that will whisk us back to the mansion. I'm excited to see my friends, but the worry that weighs on Fen also affects me. There are too many unknowns, too many dangers: the Fae who tried to kidnap me, a killer amongst the princes. All of it is tied to my mother's fate. Still, I try to let it all go for a few hours so I can enjoy my time in my world. "How will I explain who you are to my friends?"

"A business acquaintance?" he suggests.

"Who insists on being with me every single moment of my very personal visit to see my dying mother and visit my best friends?"

He frowns. "What do you suggest?"

"You'll have to pretend to be my boyfriend," I say.

He doesn't reply, but I know I have him.

Baron isn't happy we are leaving without him, but how could we possibly explain a giant white wolf with us? He is much too wolfy to pass as a Husky or mix. So we leave him at Stonehill and promise to be back soon. I only get half a day—or a night rather, but I'm going to make the most of it.

As we step out of the mansion and the limo pulls up to greet us, I realize I haven't had to worry about cars for a few weeks, and I actually forgot I'd need one when in Portland.

I tremble as I climb into the back. Fen sits next to me, though there were other seats, and he holds my hand. "We can overcome our fears," he says quietly, as we pull away from the mansion.

I squeeze his hand, pulling it closer to my body, enjoying the weight of his arm over my legs. I want more of this closeness, but he only offers it for comfort, not for pleasure or true intimacy.

It has the intended result. I'm no longer scared of being in a car. Perhaps everything I've gone through in hell has changed me. I breathe deeply and smile, enjoying a car ride for the first time in my life.

"I assume you'll want to see your mother first?"

I nod, and we head to the hospital. It's a bit of a culture shock, being back in Portland. The city is too loud, too bright, too different. I'm wearing my old clothes, and Fen's trench coat, and I have my cell phone. I changed once we got to the mansion. So did Fen, who still looks wild and untamed. I feel more like myself than I've felt in the last few weeks, but less at home. It makes no sense to me.

I text Es on the way to the hospital.

 

Hey girl. I have a layover here for a few hours. Am checking on my mom and hoped we could meet for coffee?

 

Her reply is nearly instant.

 

Omgomgomgomg I've missed the hell out of you! Where are they keeping you locked up? No phone? No internet? No love?

 

Fen is reading over my shoulder and frowns. "You cannot tell her the truth."

I roll my eyes at him. "No kidding."

 

Not locked up. Just super busy. We are doing international meetings, lots of no-internet zones, but mostly just buried in books and research. Omg so much research. My head might explode from it all.

 

Not totally a lie, either. Reading by candlelight until all hours of the night isn't great for the head.

 

Can't wait to see you. Come by Roxy after seeing mom. I'll take a break. Everyone else would love to see you 2.

 

I smile.

 

Will do. Have someone for you to meet too. <3

 

I put my phone away as we park, knowing Es will be dying from suspense. I don't even bother checking the bajillion messages, texts and phone calls she and Pete have been leaving. My Facebook has blown up with too many tags and comments to check. Who knew I was so popular until I disappeared, literally, from the face of the earth.

My mom has been moved to a private room in the long term care wing, as promised by Asher, and I confirm with the nurse on duty that she is getting the best care available. When we enter her room, it is filled with fresh flowers and the curtains are open to let in some light. "I wonder who sent the flowers."

I check for a card, but there isn't one. Fen clears his throat, like he's guilty of something. "I asked Asher to have them sent regularly, so she'd have something fresh and pretty in her room."

I suck in a breath and try to keep the tears from welling in my eyes at his thoughtfulness. I surprise him with a hug, resting my head on his chest. His arms wrap around me somewhat reluctantly as I thank him.

His reply is gruff and self-conscious, and I pull away to see my mom.

She looks well enough, all things considered. Her color is good and all her machines seem to be clicking along as they are meant to. I take her hand, and she feels colder than I imagined. My fingers trace the outline of her demon mark that matches mine. "Hi, Mom. It's me, Ari. Are you doing okay?"

I know she won't respond, but I talk to her anyways, telling her things I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but she's unconscious and can't hear, and even if she could, she made a deal with a demon, so she obviously knows about this stuff. Fen doesn't stop me, so I just talk and talk until I can't think of anything else to say. We've been there for hours when Fen checks his watch. "We should be going if you want to see your friends."

It's hard to say goodbye, knowing it will be another month before I can see her again. Knowing it will be seven months before she will be free of this curse. But I kiss her head and walk out with Fen by my side.

He takes my hand again. To comfort, of course, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

We take the limo to The Roxy, and though it's the busiest time of night, everyone on duty makes time to say hi. Es is most excited as she hangs up her black apron and shouts that she's leaving for a bit.

She keeps hugging me and grabbing my hands, while simultaneously trying to wipe tears away without messing up her makeup as we walk along the dark streets of Portland. "Girl, I have missed you. You can't even know how much."

I sniffle back my own tears and smile. "I've missed you too. Es, I'd like you to meet Fen. Fen this is Es, my best friend."

Es studies the man next to me, her eyebrow raised high. She holds out her hand for a kiss, and he obliges. She giggles and claps. "Oh Fen, it's such a pleasure to meet you. Tell me, do you work with Ari?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes."

"You know the guy who was here offering me the job?" I ask, speaking of Asher.

"How could I ever forget that tall drink of water?"

"He and Fen are brothers."

I swear Es is about to faint. "You know if I wasn't spoken for, I'd be asking if there are more where you boys came from."

I laugh. There are indeed five more, and I have to marry one.

"How are you, Es? What's been going on?" I don't have a lot of time left, so I have to cram as much BFF bonding in as I can.

"We miss you," she says. "A lot. But things are going well. Living at your place has been an absolute godsend. Thank you for that."

I smile, glad it's helping her.

Then she stops walking and clasps my hands. "And the best news of all… I have enough for my surgery. It's scheduled for next month. I'm hoping you can come back for it."

I hug her and squeal. "That's amazing news. I'm so happy for you." Then I frown and pull away. "Es, I don't know if I can be there. I'll try though, I swear."

Es glances to Fen then back to me. "You know, I keep up the smiles and banter because I love you. But I'm not a fool, Ari. I know when I'm being lied to. What's really going on?"

I suck in a breath and kick myself for being such a fool. Of course I couldn't pull this off without Es knowing something was up. Fen glares at me as if I need further warning not to spill the secret beans. "I'm okay, Es, I swear. It's… complicated, but what I'm doing is helping my mom."

I'm wearing a coat that covers my wrists, but as Es holds my hands her fingers slide over my raised mark. She pulls my sleeve up and stares. "What is this? This is like your mom's!"

I yank my hand back and cover the mark with Fen's coat. "It's nothing. Nothing you should worry about."

Es steps back, her expression one of betrayal and hurt. She walks over to Fen and points at his chest. "Is this your doing? Are you hurting her?"

"Es, he's not hurting me, he's helping me," I say, trying to push between the two of them. I give Fen a warning glare and he nods, seeming to understand my best friend is off limits.

Es looks to me again. "You've changed," she says. "It's like you're a stranger." She turns away, toward a bar with a glowing red open sign. She puts her hand on the door. "I'm going to use the ladies' room to regain my composure. Excuse me."

I stand, stunned, as she enters the bar, leaving us alone on the sidewalk.

"If she figures out the truth, she will be in danger," Fen says.

I swipe at a tear. "No one is to know she suspects something, and I won't tell her a thing. She's to be left alone, Fen. She's the only other family I have besides my mother."

Fen nods. "I will not tell. But be careful with her, Ari."

"I will."

We wait a while longer, but something isn't right. She's taking too long. Fen follows me into the crowded bar, and I navigate to the back alley where the bathrooms are. The air smells of cigarettes and booze.

Three beefy men surround Es. Their words are slurred and their steps wobbly. The biggest pushes against her. "Hey tranny, let's see your pecker!"

"I don't think you have the right parts for this bathroom, sheman," another says.

"Back off," I shout at them.

They don't see Fen yet. He's hidden by the shadows. So they laugh.

Big mistake.

Fen steps out of the darkness. They step back.

"What's going on here?" Fen growls.

The biggest, who seems to be the leader, smirks. "Can't you see for yourself? This freak's trying to get into the girl's room. Probably to molest and rape someone."

Fen steps forward. "What I see is a lady trying to use the bathroom. And pathetic excuses for men trying to stop her." He looks at Es. "Go ahead and use the bathroom. I'll have a chat with our new friends here."

Es looks at me, and I nod and join her in the bathroom.

There are thuds outside. Screams and yells. I don't know what Fen does to those guys, but they are gone when we come back out. Es walks over to Fen, and I hold my breath waiting.

She holds out her hand. "Thank you."

They shake. "You're welcome. You deserve to be treated like the lady you are."

I think Es is going to cry. I know I am.

Is it any wonder I'm falling for this man?

We walk Es back to The Roxy, and as we are about to leave she pulls me into a hug. "I won't say a word to anyone. Not even Pete. I don't know what's going on, but that man is in love with you, so I know he'll keep you safe."

I choke back a sob. "I love you, Es. I'm sorry."

She wipes a tear from my eye. "Love you too, girl. Be safe."

When we return to the limo, I feel more homesick than ever. But the home I'm missing is Stonehill, not Portland.