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It remains a bit of an unknown whether or not Nesanth can read our minds or if she’s stuck eavesdropping on what we say.
True, Quentin would know everything that goes on within the heads of his characters. However, we are not his characters. This might mean that our thoughts remain private. On that theory, we plan to avoid saying anything we wouldn’t want her to know once we’re away from Demetria’s manor.
The tomb containing the crystal is quite a distance off to the west, closer to the border of Stonnebrin and near Castle Ceomar. Thankfully, I got a good look at the surrounding area while flying Damon back home, so I can teleport us reasonably close to it. After we appear in the fields near Castle Ceomar, Anthony takes the lead. I’m expecting a two-hour walk at least, yet somehow, we arrive at the tomb in about five minutes.
Crazier still, the castle and the border to Stonnebrin are nowhere in sight. It’s as if we’ve gone several miles much faster than possible. Interesting. Wonder where that’s coming from.
We soon come across a section of forest covered in a black substance. Cooled lava? It spreads over the forest floor twenty or thirty feet in a roughly circular shape. In the center of the darkness are stairs leading down. Kingsley descends the earthen stairs into the underground chamber first. The rest of us follow.
My warning bells sound the instant my foot touches the first step. It’s not an alert of an imminent threat to my life, more like my instincts are saying ‘keep your guard up.’ The best way I can think of to describe the feeling is like being near a land mine sitting out in plain sight. Technically, my life is in danger, though nothing will happen unless I touch the bomb.
The doorway at the bottom of the stairs gives off a powerful sense of darkness. I’m absolutely feeling the presence of a dark master here, or at least their aftermath hanging in the air… kind of like going into the bathroom too soon after Anthony when he’s had Taco Bell.
Quentin Arnbury’s shade floats trapped within a massive crystal embedded in the wall on the other side of the chamber from the entrance.
“Careful,” says Anthony. “Last time we were here, those wraith things attacked us.”
Better safe than sorry, right? I open my canteen and use the water in it to summon my ice blade.
Tammy rests her hands on her belt, likely deciding if she should transform into something like a bear or panther now, or try to use magic while in her human form first.
Anthony remains by the door, fists clenched, appearing ready to guard the rest of us from anything coming from the outside.
Kingsley looks casual, though I’ve been around him long enough to know he’s on high alert, mostly using his ears and nose.
Allison and Lindsey approach the crystal.
While Allison presses a hand to the indigo-violet surface and stares into it, Lindsey whispers nonsense words and makes a series of complicated finger gestures. Bright fizzles of gold and blue appear around her like fireworks sparklers. Going by her facial expression, whatever she tried to do didn’t work the way she wanted it to.
“Got something,” says Allison in a dreamy, distant voice. “He says he did add Meritha as a new character for the book he’s working on.”
“Hmm.” Kingsley sidles up beside her. “Was it really his idea or Nesanth’s influence?”
Allison stares into the depths of the crystal, seemingly in a trance. When she speaks, she doesn’t move anything other than her lips. “He can’t tell. Quentin doesn’t know who Nesanth is impersonating.”
“Ooh.” Lindsey looks at Allison. “Ask him if Anvar Londuin killed Thae’s parents.”
“Didn’t he love them both?” I ask.
“That doesn’t mean he couldn’t kill them,” says Kingsley. “In the past, I’ve defended quite a few guys in court who once truly loved the wives they killed.”
Tammy scoffs. “Why do you defend scum like that?”
“Did.” Kingsley holds up a finger. “I don’t take those clients anymore. Now, it depends. If I think the person really is innocent or the crime was justified, I’ll do whatever I can to minimize the punishment. Like a self-defense killing the prosecutor is pushing for murder charges on. I don’t represent serious dirtbags.” He glances at me and gives me a small nod. I smile back, knowing he promised me years ago he would be more selective with his clients. “Well, not anymore.”
“He doesn’t want to say,” replies Allison, still in her semi-trance.
“Real lives are at stake here.” Lindsey stomps once. “We don’t care about spoilers.”
Allison’s quiet for a moment. “No. Anvar did not arrange the killing of the king and queen. That would have been out of character. No, the noble artist is plotting to destroy the other houses.”
I sigh. “We knew that already. He really doesn’t know what form Nesanth took? She’s clouding his mind. Tell him to fight her.”
Allie keeps staring into the dark crystal.
Lindsey frowns. “Crap. I can’t break him out of there, either. My magic isn’t powerful enough. Unlike Nesanth, I’m not a demigod.”
“It’s okay.” I pat her on the shoulder. “We can forgive you for not being divine.”
