Shattered Circle

Having used her ability to read a few people of this time period who were savvy with technology, she knew what these items were and how to use them, but . . .

“Why?” she asked.

“Mero and Menessos are both intelligent. While they may have imprisoned your sisters, I doubt that would be all they have done to secure them.”

Liyliy was angrily resistant at first—she’d break them out if she had to—but as seconds ticked by, she realized he was right. Her enemies were not to be underestimated.

“Even if they are not contained,” he added, “perhaps having spies within might be to our tactical advantage.”

“Spies?” Liyliy questioned.

With a sordid grin, Giovanni nodded.

“You said we cannot do this alone, and yet you ask me to make my sisters stay within that vile haven?”

“Increasing our numbers is the priority, but the opportunity to have eyes and ears in the home of our foe could be an invaluable asset. Surely you comprehend this?”

“You want me to let my sisters remain where they may be tortured or worse even if I can bring them out?”

“You have suffered greatly, Liyliy. I do not think your sisters will be treated as you have been, but I do think that while they may suffer somewhat, leaving them within this haven could make the difference that lets us win the day.”

She stared at him coldly. “They are not as strong as I am. They need me. We are stronger together.” That was, after all, her whole motive for getting them out.

“Consider it for a moment. We must all sacrifice for this war. Even your sisters.”

Without them to help her heal from this hideous disfigurement, she would be trapped as an ugly monster. I have given enough already. But Liyliy thought through the possibility of her sisters staying in the vampire’s homestead as spies while also being able to contact her with news. Giovanni was right. She could obtain information and guide them, control them, use them to their advantage.

Concentrating, she tapped into her quicksilver magic and caused a portion of her skirting to shrink and liquefy, sliding over her body until it had changed into a hidden pocket that would hold the phones. After she dropped them inside, she again reached for the door and exited the van. It quickly drove away.

Missing an eye affected her two ways: her field of vision was decreased, and judging distances was difficult. Darkness only intensified the impairment.

The evening was young. As she turned her head back and forth in a few quick sweeps to gauge her surroundings, she noted individuals and small groups milling around, some traversing the sidewalks. Seeing her, several people on the sidewalk gasped and their steps stalled until she had passed. Then they hurried on, whispering. She hobbled toward the haven, the contents of the hidden pocket bouncing against her hip, emphasizing her labored movement.

She smugly judged the doors she had smashed through when she’d left this horrid place. They were boarded up, unsightly. The destructive impact she’d had was wonderful. She would make everything ugly if she could.

Then she would not be so repulsive.

•  •  •

Goliath had summoned Mero to his office as soon as Menessos left. As the Excelsior’s advisor entered, he spoke a greeting and lowered himself into one of the comfortable seats across from the Haven Master’s large desk. “I assume the Erus Veneficus is on her way?”

It galled Goliath that his first direct order to his haven had been met with failure. Worse was having to admit as much to this high-ranking vampire. But it was Persephone Alcmedi that had gotten away. Goliath mentally kicked himself. I should have known better.

“The witch is not in the haven.”

Mero rose to his feet. “Where is she?”

Goliath wasn’t about to tell him they didn’t know, not yet. So he kept his expression one of poise and authority. “Please sit down, Meroveus.”

A moment passed, then the advisor sank stiffly onto the chair again. The questions he could have asked and the accusations he could have made all went unspoken, but his rigid mannerisms screamed of anger.

Goliath considered how he might stall for time, hoping that Menessos would bring the witch back. If he was able to achieve such a sham, he would avoid being seen as incapable by the Excelsior’s advisor. If caught, however, he would be doubly discredited. He haggled with himself, only to decide that—being a new Haven Master—in this instance guile would not serve him as well as directness and honesty.

“I am not certain where she is at this time, but I am prepared to ask those involved and aware of her departure today to meet us here immediately if you are interested in being present for the inquiry as to why my commands were not followed—”

The pager on the desk phone buzzed. Goliath pressed it. “Yes?”

“The missing shabbubitum just came through the front entrance,” the voice on the other end of the line said quickly.

Both Goliath and Mero were instantly on their feet. They headed for the door.

“I must create a binding for her,” Mero said. “Please do not allow her to leave.”

“I’ll do my best,” Goliath snapped.

“I was not rebuking you.” Mero stopped with his palms out toward Goliath. “Both females, I’m sure, are equally difficult to contain.”

Goliath acquiesced with a single nod. “How much time do you need?”

“This will have to be powerful . . . as much as you can give me.”

•  •  •

From the darkness inside the haven, a voice that Liyliy recognized as Goliath’s addressed her. “You’ve returned.”

It was a simple statement. The slimmest possible acknowledgment. It asked nothing, yet it was full of inquiry. “Was I not supposed to?” She laughed. “Did the witch tell you I was dead?”

“No.”

Which question was he answering? she wondered snidely and started forward, not bothering to disguise her limp. “I must see my sisters.”

She searched the darkness, and forced her one remaining eye to make the owlish transformation. Like this, the depth perception remained inferior, but the larger pupil could open wide and allow her to function better in the dark. They were clustered in small groups, fifteen vampires in all, scattered across the entry.

For an instant, she felt sick. She felt like crumbling, succumbing to the fear that had been eating at her ever since she glimpsed her new, hideous face. Attack. Give them cause to slaughter me and end this disgusting existence.

But that notion passed.

She wanted to see her sisters and repair this damage. She wanted to extract a gruesome revenge upon the witch. She wanted to see all that Menessos had built and cherished burnt to ash.

“I am injured.” She clung to a thread of hope that perhaps, with her sisters, the three of them together could reverse some of the damage.

Still Goliath did not answer. By his thoughtful pose it seemed he was considering her request, but the fact that he did not answer gnawed at her impatience.

“I have come back. My actions must speak for themselves. Let me see my sisters, that we might try to heal my disfigurement.” She held her breath. It was a risk coming here, but she was betting that they had not anticipated the action, and therefore had not created an alternate means of restraining her. She needed to not linger and give them time to do so. She needed to get to her sisters, heal herself, deliver the phones in secret, and get back out.

She ground her teeth slightly, then she added, “Please. I beg you. I’ve lost an eye, my arm will not completely change, my leg is twisted—”

“Very well,” Goliath said. “I will allow you to see your sisters and endeavor a healing. Then we have to discuss the terms of your remaining here. Am I clear?”