CHAPTER 26
On the eve of castration I watched the moon, dreaming of scrolls and tablets, of magic at my fingertips instead of a sword in my hand. I feared not the sacrifice. I feared not reaching for impossible dreams.
—Jaquith, Son of Malphic and High Eunuch
Not only was Chase gone, but so were his pants and weapons. And there was only one place he could have gone—out through the only carpet that hung in the bedchamber.
We all rushed for that same carpet, Dad helping Jaquith stumble along, Mother and me bringing up the rear. But before I stepped into it, I swooped down and grabbed my dagger and Lotli’s talisman bag off the floor. Considering how her music had incapacitated Jaquith, I had the suspicion she’d manage to escape from the guards. That said, no way was I leaving the bag where she could return and reclaim it.
I stepped into the carpet. A waterfall of static shocks prickled my skin. Air pressure built in my ears, popping when I came out the other side and walked into a wave of whirling sand.
The wind pushed me back against the fortress’s outer wall. I shielded my eyes with my hands, blinking against the half-light and haze, hoping to catch a glimpse of Chase. If the world inside the fortress was eerie, nighttime beyond the protection of Malphic’s walls and wards was a hundred times freakier. Sand snaked along the ground and rose up in twisting waves, shifting from pitch-black to red where the aurora illuminated it. It curled around the outline of battered palms and all but wiped out the glow of the waning moon. Behind me, the snap-crack of the fortress’s wind-blown banners echoed down from the parapet high above. But there was no trace of Chase. Nothing I could hear or see.
I glanced around and found everyone else about a yard away. Dad had an arm around Jaquith’s waist, both of their faces hidden in the depths of their hoods. Mother was winding her veils around her silk-masked face. I followed her lead, looping any loose fabric around my mouth and nose; then I scrunched in closer to them.
“Where do you think Chase went?” I said, my voice barely carrying above the wind. “He can’t have gotten far.” I left it at that. What I really wanted to know was why he’d left the cell without waiting for us. Because he’d been afraid of being cornered by the guards? Or had he fled to protect us from what he was changing into?
“We can’t stay here,” Dad shouted.
Mother raised her voice. “The storms usually calm at sunrise.”
My stomach tensed. Sunrise. I’d almost forgotten about that. How long did we have until the oil wore off? Maybe three or four hours tops. Once we turned ethereal, would Malphic need to find us, or could his magic command our bodies even from a distance? And what about Mother? Had she already turned ethereal? Her ability to stay solid was limited, and it was impossible to tell what state she was in through her robe.
Jaquith pointed away from the wall. “There’s a shelter. Not far. Chase might be there.”
Leaning on Dad’s shoulder for support, Jaquith forged away from the wall and into the blowing sand. Mother and I stayed as close as we could to them. Even with my face protected by the head mask and veils, the sand and salty air battered my eyelids and clogged my nostrils. But it was only a few minutes before Jaquith and Dad disappeared into what looked like a dark cranny in a drift of sand and brush. Mother and I hunched and wormed our way into the gap.
The place was dark, except for where the aurora’s light sifted in through holes in the broken boards that formed the roof and walls. Jaquith’s head brushed the ceiling. It was more like a windbreak or a child’s fort than anything else. But those things weren’t unbearable, especially compared to the one thing that was painfully lacking. Chase.
Dad pushed his hood back and I swallowed hard, once again startled by how foreign he looked with his shaven head and tribal paint. He rubbed his neck. “Any suggestions about how we can make this place berserker-proof? They’re out there, right?”
Shit. I’d been so focused on Chase, I’d forgotten about them. I folded my arms across my chest, a shudder running through me.
Jaquith slumped down onto the ground. “If Malphic suspects Chase is out here, he’ll call the berserkers inside to hunt for Lotli. He’ll want Chase left alone until . . . until it’s over.”
Mother nodded. “I agree. We’re safe for now. But we need to make plans right away.”
As the rest of us settled down on the floor, a cold sense of wariness seeped into my bones. I glanced at Mother and Jaquith from under lowered lids. I wanted to feel hopeful about Chase, that he hadn’t changed and that we’d get to him in time. But I had the sinking feeling they were going to suggest we leave him here.
Jaquith removed his hood. In the low light, sweat glistened against his dark skin, gathering along the crease of his scarred cheek and mouth. He pressed his fingers first against an enormous goose egg bruise on his forehead, then to a gash up close to his hairline. The bleeding had subsided, but I suspected he had at least a mild concussion, considering how he’d needed help walking and sat down as soon as he could. He probably had a wicked headache, too.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked.
He straightened his shoulders. “I’m fine. It was just a glancing blow.”
I wriggled my willow bracelet off and held it out to him. “Bite off a piece and chew. It’ll help with the pain. Seriously.”
He squinted at me skeptically, then took it and nipped off a piece of bark. The first time Selena had forced me into using the willow, I’d been just as hesitant.
“Keep it. You might want more later,” I said. “Just don’t chew a lot at once. It can cause hallucinations.”
His scar bent his lips into a sneer instead of a smile, but his voice sounded stronger. “Thanks. I think it’s helping already.”
“All righty, then.” Dad sanded his hands together. “As I see it, there’s one way out of this mess. We’re going to have to lie low until sunrise. Once the oil wears off and Annie and I are ethereal, we can get through any weak point.” His voice hesitated. “Unfortunately, without Lotli and her flute, we’ll need a weak point that isn’t warded. Our best bet is Malphic’s inner sanctum. We broke that ward when we entered. He may not realize that yet.”
Jaquith nodded. “That’s possible. I was with his magi earlier and they didn’t mention it. But now that the guards are aware of the hexad—” His voice dropped off. It went without saying that the chance of the broken ward being discovered and fixed was rising with each passing second, especially if someone noticed the missing inner sanctum guard.
I glanced at Jaquith. “What exactly is a hexad?”
He hesitated, scrubbing his hands down his legs as if deciding where to start. Finally he said with full sincerity, “They’re nomadic parasites stranded on the earth by their kind, long before King Solomon’s time.” His voice deepened. “There are lots of djinn myths about them. They’re capable of draining energy from anything around them, stones, plants, animals . . . However, they prefer to live in symbiosis with a magic-rich entity like a genie or half genie, a sort of mate. When that happens, they mark their mate with six marks in the shape of the constellation that they once called home.”
Dad chuckled. “Tell a story in the right tone of voice and no one would believe you. Right, Annie?”
I scowled at him. This wasn’t funny. All my life, Dad’s tone of voice was what fooled me into thinking the wild stories about his family were made up, when in fact they were true. Still, Jaquith’s mention of the six marks in the shape of a constellation—Ophiuchus no doubt—had reminded me of something very important. Some of Dad’s craziest home-brewed stories were about Samuel Freemont, an ancestor who was an explorer. Dad had mentioned a specific story about him in a phone conversation when we’d first discovered Lotli and were discussing her magic.
Excitement fluttered in my stomach. I took out Lotli’s tiny talisman bag from a pocket in the folds of my sarong. “Remember what you told me about Samuel and the cursed fur coat?” I said, showing him the bag.
His eyes widened. “You’re talking about the Native American he met who kept a living nature spirit inside his medicine pouch.”
“Exactly. What if that Native American was in reality a hexad? Then what do you suppose it kept imprisoned in the bag? Its mate?”
“Sounds plausible,” Jaquith said.
“Sounds horrible,” Mother corrected. She shuddered and snugged her veils close around her shoulders.
My mind flashed back to the last time I was in the realm, to when I’d turned ethereal at sunrise and Malphic had trapped me in the decanter. Tears had slid down my cheeks as I’d stared through the decanter’s glass at Chase fighting two bloodthirsty warriors. I’d heard Mother’s glacial-cold voice choose my freedom over Chase’s. So many emotions had overwhelmed me: sadness, anger, guilt, but above all else I’d felt utterly helpless.
I looked at the talisman bag. Luckily, right now, I was anything but helpless. I took a deep breath and let my eyes go back to Dad’s. “Before Lotli escaped, she told me that I could try and save Chase and keep the other as well. I had no idea what she meant by the other. In fact, I didn’t even really think about it until now. But if your story about Samuel is right, then this bag might not be full of crystals and dried leaves.” I took out my knife, cut away the string that held the bag shut, and let it fall open. “No matter who or what was in it, they deserve their freedom.”
Thin blue threads of flame spiraled out from the bag. They rose upward to the ceiling, before coiling downward into the misty blue shape of a small person. Their faded blue glow looked like the shadow-genie I’d forced into the bottle.
In a second, the misty shape solidified into a shriveled old man in a loincloth with six black marks just below his sternum.
“Zea?” I said, shocked. I don’t know what I expected, but he wasn’t it.
His thin legs wobbled. I leapt to my feet, catching his arm before he fell. He didn’t look good. In fact, I expected him to just drop dead, like a firefly released too late from a child’s net.
Jaquith lumbered to his feet. He lifted Zea’s chin, studying his features. He touched Zea’s ear. Part of the lobe was missing. “This is Megast-el Zea. He’s been missing—since before I came here. He’s one of the most brilliant genie magi. We can’t let him die.” He held Zea by both shoulders, staring into his eyes. “Is it you?”
Zea dipped his head, put his thumb and forefinger in his mouth, and whistled. It was a series of faint sounds that followed the pattern of human speech. When I’d met Zea at the campsite, Lotli had claimed he only communicated with whistles. Apparently that was one of the few things she hadn’t lied about.
“Looks to me like there was a good reason Lotli went after Chase,” Dad said. “She was almost done with this one.”
Jaquith wrung his hands. He paced toward the slit we’d entered through, then turned back. He looked steadily into Zea’s eyes and whistled an aria of warbling notes.
Zea whistled back, a soft argument.
In return, Jaquith’s warbles grew staccato, insistent.
Mother raised her voice. “Do you mind translating? Some of us would appreciate knowing what’s going on.”
Jaquith stopped whistling. He waved at his crotch, indicating his absent manhood. “I never wanted to be a warrior. But I wanted to be more than this. I’ve dreamed of studying magic. But even if I was allowed access to the magi library every day for the rest of my life, I’d never learn a fragment of what Megast-el Zea knows. He is an enlightened master. I’ve offered to be his vessel.”
The air went out of my lungs. He couldn’t be suggesting . . . “You mean—you’re going to let him possess you? You can’t do that. It’s a horrible idea.” I turned to Dad. When Culus had possessed him, Dad’s personality had remained intact at first, but over time it had disappeared as Culus took over control. I looked back at Jaquith, determined to change his mind. “You won’t simply gain knowledge. Everything about you will be gone, except your body.”
Dad raised his hand as if solemnly swearing. “She’s right. Trust me, I’ve been there. It isn’t good.”
Zea whistled softly. I’d been so focused on Jaquith I’d almost forgotten he was listening, and he did understand English. He went on, his notes liquid and gentle, a beautiful trill that reminded me of a wood thrush’s evening chorus.
“He isn’t like Culus,” Jaquith insisted. “Megast-el Zea will allow my voice and spirit to remain intact. I am not the first to be his vessel. I’ve read about the others. This is a blessing.” Without giving anyone time to argue, Jaquith’s voice rose loud and confident. “I offer myself to you, a humble vessel for your spirit. Welcome, Megast-el Zea. Take my body. Make my home yours.”
Zea reached up, resting his shaky hands on Jaquith’s broad shoulders. Blue light emanated from his fingertips. The air vibrated as if a million invisible moths whirled around us. And the pungent scent of sulfur hit my nose as Zea’s body shimmered and transformed into fiery blue plume.
“Welcome. May my breath be your breath. May your thoughts be mine.” Jaquith closed his eyes. And the fiery plume became a red veil. It settled over Jaquith, sinking and vanishing into his body.
Jaquith dropped to his knees, holding his hands over his face. He groaned and trembled. Then he drew a deep breath and smiled.
“Are you all right?” Mother asked.
Dad peered at his eyes. “Maybe you should have another bite of that willow Annie gave you.”
“No, I’ll be fine,” he said. “Just give me a moment.”
Dad chuckled. “Zea doesn’t happen to know how to get through a warded weak point, does he?” He let out a loud breath. “Just kidding. I know being possessed doesn’t mean you instantly gained access to his thoughts and abilities. It was weeks before Culus started to communicate with me at that sort of level. You—or should I say both of you—still want to leave the realm with us, right?”
“Very much,” Jaquith said. His voice quieted. “I’m sorry. I should have asked him about the weak point before I took on his spirit. I was just so afraid he was going to die.”
As he closed his eyes, we all fell silent, retreating into our thoughts. Chase and how much time had already passed went through my mind first. I was glad for Zea and in a strange way happy for Jaquith. I was relieved. But we needed to get back out into the desert and find Chase. After that, we could make a mad dash for Malphic’s inner sanctum. Hopefully, we’d get there right at sunrise and be able to cross. But if the weak point’s ward had been restored, then we’d be screwed.
I scrubbed my hand over my silk-covered face. It seemed like there had to be another answer to our situation, a way to ensure that we’d be able to get through the veil no matter what. In fact, it felt like I already knew one.
“Magic is . . . remembering . . .” Selena’s voice whispered in my head.
I concentrated harder, sifting through my memories. My pulse quickened, a ringing sound hummed in my ears, just like it had in the harem. I closed my eyes. Hecate, show me the way. Let me find the answer I already know.
A memory burst into my head. I was five years old in Moonhill’s gallery.
* * *
My mother. Her hands over her eyes. “Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred.”
Her hands part. “Ready or not, here I come.”
The room is hot now. My mother’s tanned face is white, pale as the wide scarf wrapped around the man’s waist. Pale as the moonstone in his dagger.
He walks toward her. Broad-shouldered. Shaved head. Bare chest. I’ve seen him before. Kissing Mama in my moonlit bedroom. They thought I was asleep. Dad wasn’t home.
My heart is racing now. Racing and I cannot breathe. This isn’t the game we were playing.
He holds out his hand. “No,” she says, backing away. There are broad-shouldered men all around her. Dark men, like black paper cutouts. Black like shadows. “Stay away!” she screams.
“Mama!” I shout, running toward them. The glint of moonstone and a knife’s blade flashes in my face as he wraps himself around her. A heartbeat later, he vanishes, turning into smoke, a whirling tornado of shadows. I can’t see Mama anymore. Just darkness, as thick and real as congealing blood. So real it burns my nose and eyes. “Mama!” I scream.
* * *
My eyes flashed open.
“Malphic’s knife,” I blurted out.
Everyone stared at me expectantly.
“What are you talking about?” Dad asked.
“He uses it to slice the veil open. It’s at least as powerful as Lotli’s flute. We could use it to open any weak point we want.”
Mother nodded. “I hadn’t thought of that before, but you’re right.” Her shoulders slumped. “But there’s one huge problem with that idea. Aside from when he’s undressed, Malphic keeps the knife on his person all the time.”
I grinned. “But Malphic isn’t the only one with a knife like that. Chase has its twin.” My voice lifted, strong and confident. “I’m positive he has it with him. I saw it beside the mattress in the cell with his other weapons. He took everything.”
“Annie,” Mother said, her tone gentle. “I know how you feel about Chase. But it would be even harder to get something away from him than Malphic. He’s not the same man he was. He’ll lash out at anyone who goes near him.”
My face went hot. Chase loved her like a mother and it took so little for her to abandon him. . . .
I bit my tongue. As much as I wanted to let my resentments toward her resurface and lash out, it was wrong. I knew she didn’t want to abandon him. She was upset about Chase. But she wanted to protect me more. And I appreciated that, but I couldn’t go along with it.
I swiveled to Dad. “I’m not going to leave him out there to die in the desert. The knife just gives me another reason to find him.”
Dad’s eyes lingered on my face for a second. “I know. I’ll go with you.”
“You can’t,” I said. “I know you want to. But he’ll feel less threatened if it’s just me. I can find him easily.”
Jaquith gave a heavy sigh. “You do realize he could be dead. He had some severe wounds and he’s not immortal.”
I rubbed my chest, the weight of what he and Mother were saying aching inside me. I pulled the egg pendulum out from under my neckline. “If that’s the case, then he won’t be a danger to me. Seriously, with my pendulum it’ll only take a minute to locate him. I’ll get a general direction in here, then go outside and do it again.” I faked a smile. “Promise, I won’t even approach him. I’ll just find him, then come back and get help.”