Heir of Fury

Chapter Three

Chapter ThreeMy private chamber was located on the second level, on the west side of Remo's lair, far from the living quarters on the east side. Far from his corrupted agents and lieutenants, far from everyone's sick games. It was just a small empty stone pocket, a far cry from the chamber Mwara had occupied when she was Remo's familiar. But here, far from everyone and everything, I at least had some semblance of–not peace, but isolation, a place where I was left alone. For the most part anyway.

It was easier to protect my space when no one else had any business on this side of the lair. I'd learned the hard way not to slack up, and the moment I reached the bend leading to my chamber, I put in a faint, weak ward anyone coming could break. It was just a drop from my energy, and still, my knees buckled. Remo's energy-force had yet to bond and settle to replenish mine. With a hand braced on the cold stone passage wall, I dragged myself the few dozen paces into my chamber.

The moment I entered the enclosed space, Frizz blinked into view and brought up a dim glow, illuminating my small, sparse chamber.

I sat on the corner, and, despite my fatigue, pulled him closer and smiled.

We were going home. Finally, after all this time, Remo was sending us home.

Frizz snuggled on my lap with a contented sigh. I leaned my back against the wall and closed my eyes, dying to open the bond with Zantry, knowing I didn't dare–not yet. The connection had been blocked ever since I'd entered the summoning room, to keep Zantry from sensing my agony, my weakness and my pain. Not because I was afraid he'd come rushing to save me from my torment, but to save him the knowledge there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Yes, the ordeal of summoning a sphere was over, and the nauseating pain in my stomach, chest and head was almost gone, replaced by bone-deep fatigue, a result of the exertion of my body as it tried to fight the invasion of Remo's energy. But I couldn't risk letting the bond flow, because I didn't have enough strength to shadow our connection. Oh, Remo was aware there was a bond, he just didn't know how deep and strong it was. I was always careful to keep it shadowed, like closing the door to an unused room inside a castle.

Seated on the only piece of furniture I owned - a thin, stuffed mattress I'd dragged from the living quarters, I contemplated why Remo was sending me back. Because there was a reason. There was always a reason behind Remo's actions. Always a test–of loyalty, of endurance, of power.

Yes, he was short on vessels, but he was nowhere about to run out either.

And he had other servants to do his biddings on Earth. Master vampires who brought him fledglings, like Angelina Hawthorn. Alpha weres who brought him members of the pack, like Danny the Wolf and The King. All three were top tier lieutenants, all nuances and opinionated show-offs who coveted my position and tried to outdo the other. There were others too–some weaker, though no less formidable, others who'd rather stay away from the lair, coming only whenever strictly necessary, to deliver vessels and to be 'rewarded' with an implant or two.

Witches, mages, shifters, willing and unwilling. Remo didn't discriminate–black, white, old, young, human, preternatural, he took them all, or they came to him. I'd never been introduced to his agents and lieutenants, but I knew who his most valued were. Greedy bastards, competitive and clamming for his favor.

So why was he sending me?

Frizz pressed against me, a soothing presence, my only companion, my friend. I scratched his head, sensing his excitement and anticipation. He wanted to laze on Vicky's lap and be pampered.

Vicky.

Excitement came back with vengeance, both mine and his, and smothered my unease.

I hugged Frizz tighter and laid down. Whatever Remo's motive, I was going home.

I closed my eyes, wanting to recover faster, wanting to hasten the bonding of the foreign energy inside me. For the first time since I'd arrived, I wished the energy transfusion to work faster, if only enough so I could travel the leeway back home.

Halfway down the list of things to do before leaving, I drifted off, jolting when the faint ward at the bend snapped. Someone was coming.

I sat up, alarmed, more so because I knew who it was. The power preceding him was a dead giveaway. No matter his silence, his stealth, Remo had never been able to sneak up on me. A belated touch of fear built at his presence. He could have summoned me and I'd have gone, no matter in which hole he was.

I stood just as he appeared, dressed in his customary pastel suit, this one beige. I lowered my head. “Master.”

Remo took a step inside, and my shoulders stiffened. Here it comes, I thought. The other shoe. He took in my sparse chamber with the sponge mattress, a box with my things, skipped over the chamber pot and focused on the drawings on the wall across from me. My alarm sparked, lit, became a small fire.

He moved closer, studied the lines and angles, hands laced behind his back, head upturned, eyes tracing the carvings I'd done with a dagger and countless hours of labor.

“What do you think is in here?” He pointed to a blank part almost in the middle of the wall. His voice was flat, his casual, usual tone, and his expression hadn't changed a bit. I had never been able to read him the way Frizz could read me.

I studied the map of Remo's underground lair, not having looked at it for a long time. The maze of tunnels and small chambers were all there, from the entrance of the cavern atop the Mandolia mountain; to the gap on the very top I used sometimes; to the living quarters and warded chambers, as well as all the levels and the water pools far deep inside the mountain. At the middle was a fairly large oval circle, empty of any markings.

“I think the permanent portal, along with your private lair is there.”

Remo hmmmed but didn't turn or say anything else. He traced his finger over some of the mazes that ended just before the empty circle, then tried again from other locations, as if he was trying to envision the passageways in his mind's eye.

“Why don't you check out and make sure?” he asked, and the command, the compulsion to answer truthfully overtook me. My stomach rebelled at the feeling, but my face stayed composed as the words were forced through my lips. “I have yet to find the entrance, master.”

He nodded once and turned to face me again. Frizz stayed crouched beside me, hands clasped together in front of him.

“You will let the Hunters know about my army,” Remo began.

I started and met his eyes for a second before looking down at his chin. “Master?”

“You will talk about the rift,” he continued. “How I can open a portal at will.”

Brows furrowing, I nodded. “Yes, master.”

“You will tell them the truth about the main portal, everything you know and can explain. And you will let them know why you are back.”

A chill crept up my veins, tracked to my heart. They would never accept that.

“You will speak freely about anything and everything, answer all the questions you have the answers for, until you no longer have the breath to speak.” The order bound me to his words, suffocated my will, beat it into submission.

“Master,” I choked, head lowered in acquiescence.

“And, you will tell them I gave you no restrictions, that I left you to talk as you wish about my plans.”

“Yes, master.”

“Do your best to convince them. If they show any doubt,” he waved a small hand, “have them hire a truth-seeker. Do not lie. Talk until you no longer feel well to do so.” Remo waited for me to nod again–my mouth was too dry for words–before he dropped his last command: “You will not tell them I gave you this order to speak.”

Oh, God. What was he planning? “Of course, master,” I whispered when my nod didn't seem enough.

Satisfied, Remo turned to leave, paused by the entrance. “Make sure the vessels you mark are no one you interact with. I do not want the Hunters knowing them before they're implanted.” With that final order, he left, his signature vibe lingering behind, as if I needed a reminder this was no bad dream.