“We need a plan!” he hissed.
“I have one. I saw Daniel’s pistols on the left wall. If I can distract Madame Marineaux long enough, then you can get the Spirit-Hunters’ equipment and free them. The pistols will need reloading, so I will keep Madame Marineaux’s attention until I see that you’re ready to fight.” Then, before
Oliver could protest or point out the ten thousand holes in my plan, I ran toward Joseph, toward
Daniel. . . .
Toward Rakshasi.
I did not bother to stay quiet. Did not even pause to check my surroundings. Joseph and Daniel needed me—
When I finally skittered into the cavern, it was to find Joseph still bound to the stone table. But now Daniel was sprawled out on the floor beside him. His mouth was still gagged and his limbs still tied. Madame Marineaux, her back to me, hovered over him.
“Stop!” I said, my voice a low growl. “Let them go.”
With unnatural speed, Madame Marineaux twirled toward me, her dress billowing around her. A genuine smile spread over her lips. “You came!” She clapped with delight. “I am so glad.”
I looked past her, terrified that I’d find Daniel’s body mutilated. But he was fine, and at the sight of me, his eyes bulged and he burst into a fresh struggle. Joseph also saw me, and despite the blood oozing from his head, he also strained against his bonds. For whatever reason, it looked as if Madame
Marineaux had made no more wounds on his body.
“But,” Madame Marineaux continued, “how did you get in here from
I turned my attention back to Madame Marineaux; she bustled to me as if we were merely meeting on the dance floor. Her little steps covered surprising ground, and she stood before me in only seconds. “And,” she said, “where is your dress? Who removed it?”
“We did,” Joseph croaked. “And with that amulet off her, your spell ceased.”
So the dress was how she had compelled me tonight. She had turned it into an amulet.
Madame Marineaux rolled her eyes. “You are bothering me, Monsieur Boyer. First Monsieur
Sheridan will not be quiet while I am sacrificing you, and now
She whirled around, flying for the stone table.
“Wait!” I screamed. “Madame Mari—Rakshasi!”
She paused, her skirts swishing forward. “You know my true essence?” She looked back at me, her eyes glowing yellow. “How?”
“I . . . I made a good guess.”
Her lips curved up. “You
Joseph completely. “Are you here to join me, then? To help free me from my master? He is a false master. A
She was close now. Close enough for me to see the streaks of blood around her mouth, the bits of flesh stuck in her claws.
I needed to draw her away so Oliver could sneak in. I retreated, strolling for the wall and aiming for the tunnel in the far right corner.
“A false master?” I asked, still moving as casually as I could.
“He
Claire’s bond and trapped me in an agreement.”
My mind raced to understand what she had just shared. She was an unbound demon, yet she still had some sort of master. So how?
“What sort of agreement?” I asked, continuing to walk.
“I must do as he wishes for as long as he wishes, and perhaps one day he will let me go home. . . .
Where are you going,
I froze. The altar was forty paces away. That would have to be enough space. . . .
Oliver must have thought the same thing, for barely a breath passed before he crept into the cavern and darted for the stone table.
Madame Marineaux tensed as if hearing Oliver, but before she could turn around, I blurted, “Will he free you? Will your false master keep his promise?”
Her posture drooped. “I do not know. He is
I gulped, trying not to breathe. She
She did not seem to notice my reaction. “Think,” she purred, “what we could do with your strength and my experience. Just
And the venom overwhelmed me.