Premier slowly opened up his dark eyes. “If you disturb my meditation again, Baal, I will hang you on the wall and let your comrades eat your entrails out of your live, twitching body.” His voice was calm and pleasant, as if he discussed the weather.
The ogre stopped chewing and turned a slightly lighter gray. “Yes, Master.”
Premier rose from the floor and sat down on the only chair in the room. He put his hand on the chair arm, and then lifted it again. There was black blood on his fingertips. “And if you must have your… distractions…please confine the mess to the workbench.” He glanced toward the disembowelment in the corner of the room, then pulled out a snow-white handkerchief and wiped his fingers. He held it out and waited for Baal, who rushed over and took it from him.
Baal bowed. “It won’t happen again, Master.”
“I wouldn’t expect any less. There will be plenty of time for you and your kind to have your fun. In the meantime, this should be the last time I see you until you bring the army to Alexandria.”
The ogre perked up. “Is now the right time to attack, Master?”
“Yes. I've invested enough time in this city. Alexandria lies weakened. You had no trouble getting in here?”
“The city's defenses are nonexistent. There was no trouble.”
“Excellent. The sooner we take over this wretched city and begin the next phase of our project, the better.” Premier sighed. “I'm tired of dealing with the people. And I want to move quickly. That boy that came with Sharald’s elves may pose a problem.”
“Because he’s a wizard?”
“Quiet,” Premier said, turning his cold eyes on Baal. “Hellsfire is only an apprenticed wizard.”
“Then how can he be any threat?”
Premier drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “I never said the boy was a threat. But where did he get his training? His presence means that other wizards might be in this part of Northern Shala, and they might be able to thwart my plans.”
“But Master,” Baal said. “Even if they do exist, they can’t stop you from taking Alexandria.”
“Fool!” Premier said. “I have bigger plans than Alexandria. Far bigger plans. Alexandria is a means to an end, no more.” He fell silent. The ogre fished an eyeball out of the bucket and ate it. Premier went on, “I wish I had more time to interrogate Hellsfire and learn who and where his master is. Unfortunately, I will have to have him killed before he alerts anyone to my true nature. Especially that annoying little princess.”
I tensed. I had to leave. But first, Krystal had to be warned. She was in far greater danger than she realized.
“The question is, how to do it?” Premier mused. “The princess is constantly hovering around him. She’s been trying to block my every move for months. If I kill Hellsfire, her suspicions of me will be confirmed. She could take drastic measures to stop me.” He sighed. “I'm going to have to make it look like an accident. Maybe I can—”
“Master?”
Premier narrowed his eyes at the ogre. “Another interruption. Do not let there be a third, Baal.” His voice was still pleasant, but the ogre went pale again.
Baal bowed lower, his head nearly touching the floor. “Of course, Master, but I think I smell something.” He sniffed, moving toward the door. “We might not be alone.”
According to the stories, ogres could see like cats in the dark. Now it seemed they could scent like dogs. I slid back against the wall, feeling like my collar choked me.
Premier’s chuckle echoed through my ears. “Baal, don’t be a fool. The only smell is you and that mess over there. I placed two webs in the tower.”
“Master, what about the one you were talking about?”
“He's just a boy. He hasn’t the knowledge or power to undo the webs.” Premier paused. “However, in case you're right…” He flicked his hand, sending Baal off to investigate.
I scurried from my hiding place, trying to make it back up the stairs before the ogre saw me. I had to pray that the ogre wouldn’t track my scent or pursue me any further. Just in case, instead of going back up to the door that had held the crimson web, I went to the door I had been about to explore earlier, which I had left ajar. I closed it just as I heard the ogre get to the top of the stairs.
I didn't summon my magic, in case Premier sensed it, but I was ready to use it if the ogre or Premier came through the door. I felt the massive ogre walking around on the other side. He sounded like an earthquake. He came closer and stopped outside the door. I clenched my fists. I saw his shadow through the crack between the door and floor, and I stopped breathing.