Assassin of Truths(52)

"Back up," he warned before pushing the door out. It hit the floor like thunder. When he was out, I hugged him tight.

"Come on," Pia said. "Where are we going?"

"This way." I bolted up the corridor in the direction Odran had taken Nick, Deidre, Toad, and me when we'd come to get a Chiave from Toad. At the end, I found the narrow door Odran had brought us to and tugged it open. With every step up the tight, winding stairwell, my head felt as if it would fall off.

Suddenly the door below us flew open.





Chapter Twenty-Three


Uncle Philip struggled up the spiraling steps behind me. I hadn't realized he was hurt, and when I stretched my hand back to him, he grasped it.

"We're almost there," I said. "Keep going."

We reached the top and another lean door, and pushed it open. On the other side, Arik stood with his fire globe balancing on his hand. I stumbled, practically falling back on Uncle Philip.

Emily darted around Arik and caught my wrist. "Hurry up. Get inside." She dragged me up the final steps into the Vatican Library. The familiar scent of dusty books and pine cleaner filled my nose.

Uncle Philip, then Pia, darted inside. Arik tossed his globe and slammed the door.

A deep yelp and then a series of thumps, like someone falling down the stairs, came from behind the door.

I threw up my hand, created a white globe, and slammed it against the panels. Ice shot across the door and onto the wall, sealing the opening. After creating another one, I turned to Arik.

It was ironic to see him framed by the murals of saints and bible scenes painted on the walls, pillars, and arches, since I was pretty sure he was the devil incarnate.

"Gia, put it down," he said, his hands up in surrender.

Emily leaped between Arik and me. "Stop. Because of him you're out."

I glared over her shoulder at him. "Because of him, I was in there in the first place. Move out of the way." The wound in my lip split as I spoke, blood seeping onto my tongue.

Uncle Philip hobbled over, still breathing heavily, and placed a shaky hand on my forearm. "Drop it. This can wait. We must get out of here."

With anger firing through my veins, I spat, "I hate you," at Arik and dropped the globe. It hit the floor, ice spreading across the tiles.

Arik pulled his eyes from me, opened the gateway book to a page, and placed it on the floor. "You jump first," he said to me.

"No. Uncle Philip and Pia will go, then me."

I didn't trust Arik enough to leave them behind with him. And he knew that's how I felt, because it showed on his face like the bruises on mine.

The guards were banging on the door, trying to get it open.

After Uncle Philip and Pia made it through the book, Arik jumped into the page, and I flew after him, landing with a thud on the floorboards. Every beaten part of my body screamed in pain. Going from the bright gold of the Vatican Library to the high bookcases and dark wood in the Chetham's Library in Manchester was like going from day to night.

I was surrounded by familiar faces-Lei, Jaran, Demos, and a few guards with Tearmann uniforms. I stumbled on my feet and cried out with the memory of every blow to my face and rib cage catching up to me.

Pia supported Uncle Philip. He looked about as bad as I felt.

A feral growl came from Lei, and she turned an angry stare on Arik. "See what all your loyalty has gotten us."

Jaran caught me as I swayed on my feet. "Easy there. I've got you." His eyes took in my condition. Anger flashed on his face, and he glared at Arik. "You let them do this to her?"

"I never thought they'd-"

"What did you think?" Jaran cut him off. "That they'd nicely interrogate her?"

Arik's stare was on me. "I only wanted to protect her. She was being reckless, and I thought she'd be safe in the gallows. She hasn't had a trial. They aren't allowed to do anything but-"         

     



 

"Torture her," Pia interjected.

"Interrogate her until she's been sentenced," Arik finished, ignoring her comment.

"You were with us in Asile," Jaran continued to press him. "You saw all the messed-up stuff going on. Have you not witnessed the corruption of the Wizard Council? It was evident to Lei and me the moment we arrived there."

"Did you not know it when I was arrested?" Uncle Philip added.

Arik lowered his head. "They gave good reason for your detainment. And when Veronique attacked Gia in New York, and you were the only one who knew she'd be there, I thought you were behind it." He lifted his eyes to Uncle Philip. "I believed you were with Conemar."

He turned to Jaran. "As far as the corruption and unethical incidents going on in Asile, I'd just returned to the haven from the Fey realm after being detained in Greyhill, then I was immediately sent on a mission. There wasn't time to notice any corruption."

"I've known you since you were a boy," Uncle Philip said, disappointment or sadness in his eyes. "How could you ever assume I would have turned against Gia?"

"I am sorry," Arik said, looking at him.

"I can see you're absolutely gutted," Demos said. "Why did you stop Gia from delivering the cure? She saved so many with it."

Arik lowered his head again. "There were reports broadcasted in the havens showing the drug to be dangerous to those who took it. Images of children suffering after having the cure. I was fooled by the propaganda, but I see now they were lies. That the council only wanted to let the disease to run its course through the covens. My eyes are open now, and I'm truly ashamed of my actions."

Someone came through the book, and we all turned at once to see who it was.

"Bastien." My voice sounded rough and dry.

He hurried to me and grasped my arms. "I was so worried."

"I see what clouded your judgment," Uncle Philip said, his gaze going from Arik to Bastien and me. "It's because you lost her."

Bastien glanced down at me, and his face twisted with concern. "Who did this to you?"

"I'm fine," I said, but my gaze instinctually went to Arik.

Bastien noticed-his eyes narrow and sharp as they followed mine. He let me go and charged at Arik, tackling him to the ground, fist after fist pummeling into his side and face. "How does it feel? What were you thinking arresting her? You're as evil as the council … as Conemar."

"Leave him alone," Emily shouted. "You're hurting him!" She caught one of Bastien's arms, and he yanked it away from her. "Someone stop him."

Arik didn't fight back. He just lay there, letting Bastien's anger punish him. The expression on his face said it all-he was ashamed.

I stumbled away from Jaran, grabbed Bastien's arm before it fell on Arik's face again. "Please stop. He's not fighting you back."

Fist readied to strike, Bastien paused, his eyes going to mine.

"He's had enough," I said softly.

Bastien dropped his hand, stood, and brushed his palms across his pant legs.

His anger scared me. It was a brutal attack. I'd never seen Bastien lose control like that.

"How are you here?" Jaran asked.

"Arik sent a message through the Couve guards loyal to me," Bastien said.

Emily dropped down beside Arik, her hands going to his face, but he grasped them, stopping her. A cry escaped her lips.

"I'm all right," Arik mumbled, blood trickling from his right nostril. "I've been worse."

She guided him to his feet. "I was in Asile," she said. "The people there have been brainwashed by what's being fed to them. I almost started to believe their lies. Lei and Jaran, you've seen it, too. You just weren't there long enough to feel the pull of it."

"We're finished here," Lei said in a commanding voice. "Arik and I will discuss his role in our group once we're back in Barmhilde."

Lei's new role as our leader fit her. She was firm, but there was empathy toward Arik written all over her face.

I kept my head down, my feelings and thoughts all over the place. Everything was processing slowly. My injuries were sharp, and it was hard to concentrate. I just wanted to lie down, and I couldn't wait to get back to camp.

 …

The lake water felt cool on my feet as I walked in the shallows watching the Mystik children from Barmhilde dart in and out of the water. Their mothers gathered stringy plant life that resembled seaweed from under the water and around the rocks. One of the children called it bimcord and said they used it for ropes because it was nearly indestructible.         

     



 

The sun heated my skin, and I raised my face toward the sky to take in the warmth. Strangely shaped birds with long wings and thick bodies flew in synchronized patterns in the purplish-blue sky.

Royston came down the hill, heading in my direction, looking like a god with his powerful muscles. He had a bad habit-or good depending on how you saw it-of going without his shirt on warm days. The sun lit up the golden highlights in his light brown hair.

I hadn't seen much of Deidre since Jaran and Lei brought her back from Asile. She spent most of her time with Carrig, helping him recover. She'd taken Sinead's death hard, wouldn't eat anything for days. Royston pulled her through it, forcing her to finish the plates of food he'd brought her.

Overhead, Cadby darted between the flocks of birds, guarding Royston. He resembled a yellow, human bat soaring back and forth in the sky.