Deceived by Magic (The Baine Chronicles Book 6) Page 22

  “I believe he did,” Iannis said mildly. Before our eyes, the stones flew backward and neatly stacked themselves into an orderly heap. From underneath, Kazu emerged, looking completely unruffled. Not one hair out of place, or a single smudge on his clothing. He had to have been shielded.

  The Empress looked disappointed, though she quickly smoothed out her features.

  “He used the body shield technique, as I thought,” Iannis concluded. “A small but impenetrable shield about two inches from the skin,” he added to me. “We must practice it soon. It’s quick and efficient, appropriate for a soldier, but requires steady nerves.”

  “Good idea,” I said, doing my best to hide my disappointment at how fast the trials were going by. Indeed, the first two tests had ended so quickly, it hardly seemed worth coming all this way to witness the ceremonial testing. It was all over bar the shouting, I decided, since fighting off armed opponents, the last test, would be child’s play for a seasoned mage general.

  The ten fighters came into the arena from the same door where the bulls had entered, but instead of rushing the prince all at once, they separated and tried to encircle Kazu. Then three of them made a dash straight at him from the front, while the others approached more slowly from behind, brandishing their spears and swords.

  “Why doesn’t he immobilize them, like he did with the bulls?” I asked.

  “They were too far away at the entrance, and you can only immobilize enemies you see,” Iannis explained. “He can do it to the ones in front, but not simultaneously to all ten.”

  Huh. Perhaps it wasn’t that easy after all. I’d have to try it myself sometime, if I could arrange to have ten attackers practice with me at once.

  The general made a gesture and shouted a spell, but the attackers, all ten of them, kept coming, their movements only growing swifter as they tried to rush him.

  “They must be using alarain!” Director Chen exclaimed. Her scandalized words were drowned out by the crowd as they suddenly began shouting and yelling from the stands. Many of their faces were red, and they shook their fists in outrage. Others remained carefully blank but for the smug gleam in their eyes, and I noticed that Chari, the widowed Empress, was one of these. Was there some sort of foul play occurring?

  I opened my mouth to ask Director Chen what was going on, but pandemonium broke out in the arena, and I whipped my gaze toward it. Kazu had somehow managed to take away the sword from one of his attackers, and he’d erupted into a whirlwind, disarming and killing the men who now crowded and attacked him from all sides. I frowned, unable to discern whether or not he was using any magic. Why didn’t he just blast them with magical fire, as I had done to that rhino shifter so long ago on that fateful day?

  But Kazu didn’t incinerate his enemies, or attack them with anything but his fists and sword. He spun through his attackers like a tornado of death. As he cut down his enemies one by one, an awed silence descended onto the amphitheater. The smug glint in the Empress’s eyes faded, and every other face showed either shock, admiration, or horror at the display of unrestrained violence.

  The last man fell to the ground with a hoarse cry, and the crowd seemed to flinch collectively as Kazu stabbed him straight through the throat with his sword. His death scream echoed throughout the amphitheater, and everyone watched in utter silence as Kazu spun away from the dead man and stalked toward the dais. He’d defeated all the attackers with an incredible display of strength and skill, despite the wound in his arm that one of the more fervent attackers had dealt him.

  Blood stained the linen sleeve beneath his cuirass as he stood before the Empress and her courtiers, dripping to the ground from his fingertips as he silently stared them all down. His face was expressionless, but I had no doubt he was in a towering rage. I would have been calling for blood if they’d tried to sabotage me like that! I hoped he gave the Empress a taste of her own damned medicine, once this was all over.

  As Kazu met each of their gazes, the courtiers prostrated themselves before him, one by one. The eldest of them stood, then waved a hand to Kazu and shouted something to the audience. The crowd rippled as the spectators all lowered their heads in a respectful bow, and there was no need for Chen to translate when the meaning had been so clear.

  The Gods had spoken, and Kazu was Garai’s new Emperor.

  “Just what the hell happened?” I demanded as we were carried back to our quarters. “What is alarain, and why didn’t Prince Kazu use his magic?”

  “A very rare and extremely expensive potion that protects humans against all kinds of magic,” Iannis explained. “It only exists in Garai, and is strictly controlled. Whoever gave it to the team of attackers was trying to ensure that Kazu would be unable to stop them with magic and that he would be killed. The chief suspect is obvious. A political problem for the new Emperor to solve.”

  Would he order the execution of his stepmother, or merely exile her? It must be horrible to have such deadly enemies in your own family.

  But then again, it seemed I was in a similar position. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach, and I suddenly wasn’t sure if I wanted to run into my father again.

  27

  “Minister Graning,” a cool voice said. “The Mage-Emperor would like to see you in his chambers.”

  I turned to see a Garaian man dressed in ornate robes standing at the Minister’s elbow. I’d seen him at the Mage-Emperor’s side before—Director Chen had told me that he was the late Mage-Emperor’s most trusted aide. We were in the Hall of Dragons once again, suffering through one of many interminable receptions after yesterday’s very opulent coronation ceremony. There were several going on in different halls, being hosted by different political leaders, and I had a feeling that my father was in one of those other ones. I’d been craning my neck since we’d walked in here, hoping and dreading to catch a glimpse of him, but so far, I’d been sorely disappointed.

  “Certainly,” the Minister said. “May I ask what this is about?”

  “His Majesty will explain,” the aide said. He paused, then added, “Bring the rest of your delegation as well.”

  Iannis and I exchanged looks, then fell into step behind the Minister as the aide began to lead us to the Emperor. “Do you think he’s suspicious of us?” I asked Iannis in mindspeak as we walked through the halls. Our surroundings became increasingly ornate as we approached the imperial family’s chambers. I couldn’t help but stare as we passed priceless artifacts, statues, and a collection of historic armor and weapons. I wished we had time to stop so I could admire them properly.

  “It’s possible,” Iannis replied. My stomach tightened at the implications, and my toes and fingers tingled with worry. “We were rather exposed in that airship. Someone could have noticed it hovering over the Imperial Palace grounds.”

  “And assume that it had something to do with us?” I resisted the urge to bite my bottom lip and kept my expression calm—the guards we passed were watching. “Wouldn’t the Minister have mentioned if the Mage-Emperor or his family inquired after us?”

  “He should have,” Iannis agreed, sounding annoyed. “But it is possible that someone else brought our absence to his attention. He has many eyes and ears, and we did ask the Imperial Guard to investigate the attempt on your life.”

  “Oh, right.” I narrowed my gaze on the Minister’s back. Had the guards come to interview me after the funeral, to check if I had any enemies among the other guests? If I were them, I would have done so. What did our fellow delegates say to them? I wished I’d thought to discuss this beforehand, but it was too late now.

  The private audience chamber to which we were led was relatively small, and decorated in imperial gold. A pair of Lion Guards in human form stood at each of the four doors. Another one of them, in beast form, lounged on the floor next to his master, watching us out of unblinking amber eyes.

  The Mage-Emperor regarded us lazily from the raised dais on which he sat on his throne. If he were a jaguar, his tail would be swishing back a
nd forth. His expression was relaxed, but my senses told me he was waiting for an opportunity to strike. After his display in the arena, I had no doubt any strike this man made would be swift and deadly.

  After we had bowed respectfully—the Minister merely inclining his head, as one head of state to another—Kazu moved over to a set of gold-colored sofas and motioned for us to sit, facing him, while his guards and various courtiers hovered in the background. I tensed, and I guessed Iannis was not fooled by the show of hospitality either. Enemies tended to be most dangerous when pretending to be affable.

  The Emperor spoke to us in Garaian. “His Majesty wishes to know how you are enjoying your stay in Garai, Minister Graning,” the translator standing to the Emperor’s left said.

  “Very well. Please thank His Majesty for his lavish hospitality,” the Minister replied. “Our every need has been seen to, and we have appreciated this rare opportunity to visit the Imperial Palace.”

  “The Emperor is glad to hear that,” the translator said as Kazu spoke again. “But he is concerned that all may not be well with some of your delegates. He has heard about the attempt on Miss Baine’s life, and her resulting sickness as well. The Imperial Guard heard that she was indisposed, and were denied the opportunity to speak with her, as well as Director Toring, when they tried to interview them last week. Yet the offer to send one of our healers was also declined.”

  I forced myself to meet the Mage-Emperor’s gaze steadily, even as trepidation sent warning tingles down my spine. Those black eyes took my measure, and in them, I saw the truth. He knew where we’d been, and maybe even what we’d done.

  “We were grateful for the offer of a healer, but it was not needed,” the Minister said blithely, as if he were not aware of the growing tension in the room. “Thankfully, Miss Baine is fully recovered now, and she was able to attend the trials and coronation with the rest of us. We were most impressed by your performance in the testing, Your Majesty, especially the last part. You are more than worthy of your ancestors’ crown.”

  “His Imperial Majesty thanks you,” the translator said. I kept my eyes on the Emperor. His expression was reserved, but I could scent the anger coming off him, and I knew we were in deep shit. “He would like to know what sort of illness Miss Baine had, that could not be cured for an entire week by one of the most talented healers in all of Recca.” The Mage-Emperor gestured to Iannis, who inclined his head, acknowledging the compliment.

  “Your Majesty is most gracious to say so,” Iannis said. “But I am not all powerful, and Miss Baine did indeed need several days of rest to recuperate.”

  “Oh, stop it,” I snapped before the Mage-Emperor could speak again. Iannis and Chen shot me warning looks, and the Minister’s eyes snapped fire, but I ignored them all. “The Mage-Emperor knows I was not that sick. We’re just making ourselves look like idiots by engaging in this stupid charade. We should just tell him what happened.” I met that black gaze head-on. “You deserve to know what is going on in your own country.”

  Director Chen gasped in shock and jumped up to step in front of me. I caught the look of fury in her eyes right before she bowed very low and began speaking very quickly to the Mage-Emperor in Garaian, her tone conciliatory. She was probably telling him I was a crazy half-shifter, and not to believe a word I said.

  “No,” Kazu said in Northian, surprising us all. He held up a hand, stopping Chen mid-speech. “There is no need to apologize, though I appreciate your bravery in trying to protect your fellow delegate. Please, Miss Baine, tell me what it is going on in my own country—that you feel I do not know about. Perhaps you can start with telling me where you, Lord Iannis, Director Chen, and Director Toring all returned from via airship, when you should have been within the Imperial City this entire time.” His tone turned dangerous, though his placid expression did not change.

  “It’s a long story,” I said, refusing to show fear even though the Mage-Emperor looked like he could strike me down at any moment, and though I could feel daggers slicing through my back from the Minister and Director Chen’s stares. Straightening my spine, I told Kazu everything, except for the existence of the three missing agents, that we had received help from Chen’s sister, and of her husband’s involvement. A bead of sweat trickled down my back, and I hoped that my gamble would pay off. If not, the Minister would skin me alive. If we made it out of here in one piece.

  “That is quite a tale,” the Mage-Emperor said slowly, after I finished. He looked at the closest Lion Guard, the one in animal form, who gave a tiny nod, and I knew Kazu had used his guard’s shifter senses to confirm my story. “I shall have to look into the matter personally. I cannot allow mere humans to put our mages at risk.”

  “I would appreciate that very much, Your Highness,” the Minister said. “And yes, what Miss Baine has revealed is true. We felt we had to act quickly, and regret, in hindsight, not involving the Garaian authorities from the outset.” I hid my smirk at the half-assed apology, which I could tell did not come easily. I doubted the Minister was accustomed to groveling in front of anyone.

  “Since your mission has not harmed me or my realm, I am willing to overlook that you conducted a clandestine operation in my country, this one time,” Kazu said calmly. “But do not think to do so again, Minister. I have a much lower tolerance for such things than my father before me.”

  “I understand,” the Minister said, though I noticed that he hadn’t agreed. Then again, the guards would be able to detect the lie, so it was probably best for him to be as ambiguous with his words as he could.

  “How is the situation with the Federation rebels evolving?” the Mage-Emperor asked. “I heard that the Resistance attempted to take Solantha while you were missing, Lord Iannis.”

  “Yes, but we were able to beat them back,” Iannis said. “Miss Baine has been instrumental in helping to locate these dangerous Resistance camps and shutting them down. And Director Chen has been invaluable as well by holding down the fort while I was gone.”

  “I’m sure she has been,” the Mage-Emperor said, and I arched a brow at the way he looked Chen up and down. The gleam of interest in his eyes was unmistakable—he definitely wanted a piece of her.

  “Your Majesty,” Chen said, putting on a gracious smile for him. “It would be extremely helpful in our fight against those unscrupulous rebels if you could put a stop to the gun-running as well. We managed to destroy some guns and ammunition, but illegal firearms dealers are rampant in Garaian ports, and I fear the Resistance will simply find a new supplier.”

  “Hmm.” The Mage-Emperor tapped his chin, appearing to give the matter some thought. But the gleam in his eyes had not gone away, and I got a bad feeling as he looked Director Chen up and down again. “You would not need to bother your pretty head about such matters if you had remained here in Garai, Miss Chen. Why don’t you come back home? I am looking to enlarge the Imperial court, and there are never enough lady mages in one’s household.” He added something in Garaian, in a low, intimate voice, and the hairs on my arms rose. Had he just asked her to become one of his concubines?

  “Oh!” Director Chen’s cheeks colored as she lowered her gaze. “What a very flattering offer, Your Imperial Majesty.” Her voice sounded slightly giddy, but I knew it was just an act—I could smell the panic coming off her in waves.

  “It is,” the Mage-Emperor agreed. “Do you accept?”

  “I’m afraid that you’ve stunned Director Chen speechless,” I said with a laugh, drawing Kazu’s attention back to me. Patting Chen on the arm, I added, “Of course she could not refuse such an offer, as it would be a great honor. But I’m afraid it would break her fiancé’s heart, and he is waiting for her back in Solantha.”

  “I see,” the Mage-Emperor agreed. To my relief, he did not glance at his Lion Guard for confirmation about the truth of my claim. The gleam in his eyes faded away, replaced by disappointment. “I would not want to come between two hearts already entwined. Please, go and enjoy the rest of the festivities.
You have told me all I need to know, and I would not keep you here any longer.”

  We thanked the Mage-Emperor, then left the room and headed back to the Hall of Dragons. Chen walked at a sedate pace, her face expressionless, but the fear continued to come off her in waves. It did not abate until we were nearly back at the hall.

  “Thank you for doing that,” she said quietly to me.

  “You’re welcome,” I said. “I figured that refusing him yourself would have put you in an awkward position.”

  “Very much so,” she said with feeling. “The Garaian government considers anyone born in Garai to be a citizen for life, even those like me who have renounced their nationality and made a career in a different country. To refuse his offer directly would have been an unforgivable insult. Such a slight would have severe repercussions against the family I have still living here, never mind international relations.”

  “Indeed,” the Minister said, frowning. “We are very lucky that he took the rejection so well—amongst other things.” He gave me a pointed look. “That was a very risky gamble you took.”

  “Yes, and it paid off quite nicely, didn’t it?” I said, smiling sweetly. “I could tell that he wasn’t buying our excuses, and that he was growing angrier by the minute. Magorah only knows what would have happened if we’d kept lying to his face.”

  “But that is the essence of international relations,” Garrett said with a quirk of his lips. “You lie, and they know you lie, and yet have to pretend to accept it. Most of the time.”

  I could only shake my head at that. If politics were conducted by shifters, matters would be a lot more straightforward. There would be much less lying and subterfuge, and disputes would be settled quickly, by tooth and claw if necessary. My lips twitched as I imagined the Minister’s reaction to such a suggestion—he’d probably find it barbaric.

  “I’m sure it helped that he was in a mellow mood, no doubt from securing the throne at long last,” Iannis said, placing his hand on my waist and steering me toward the crowds and chatter. “Now let’s do as the Mage-Emperor bid us and get back to the festivities, before we find ourselves in any more trouble.”