Gene of Isis

‘Then there is no point in loitering here any longer.’ Devere was not unhappy at our failure.

You don’t seem to understand. Albray decided to enlighten our unwilling accomplice. If we can steal the Fire vial then Molier loses his power… he is entirely dependent on its subtance!

‘Well, how are we expected to steal it if we cannot unlock the door?’ Devere retorted. ‘You’re being unreasonable and placing my wife in unnecessary danger.’

There is another way we might gain entry. Albray gave me a knowing look, implying I should recognise the means to which he referred. Remember your escape from the library? he hinted further, not wanting to give too much away before we were agreed.

‘How did you manage that?’ My husband’s curiosity made me uneasy.

Albray was suggesting that I use the substance contained in the Star vial hidden on my person, in order to penetrate the wall. The only problem was that I had not yet disclosed to my husband that I had this treasure, and given the enmity between my knight and Mr Devere, producing the vial at this moment was bound to cause more trouble.

I wouldn’t suggest it unless there was no other way. Albray attempted to assuage my suspicions that he might be trying to rile my husband.

‘Is it dangerous?’ Devere was immediately concerned for my welfare.

‘Not physically dangerous, no.’ I skirted around the question, knowing my husband was going to be very disappointed in me.

Devere backed up a step, sensing that Albray and I were again keeping secrets from him. ‘What then?’ His voice had an underlying sense of betrayal.

I figured the best way to break the news was to produce the item, so, putting my hand down the front of my garments, I drew out the vial.

My husband may have been awed by the presence of the vial, but he was emotionally confused at the same time. ‘You’ve had it all along?’

‘Hereford entrusted it to me,’ I confirmed and Devere’s hurt was obvious.

‘You do realise I have the ability to read your mind?’ He directed the question at me and I nodded. I was aware that his psychic powers had strengthened. ‘At any time I could have read your mind and discovered your secret, but I did not! And do you know why?’

‘Because you trust me?’ I said timorously.

‘More the fool me!’ Devere barked, and turned away to contain his anger.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I had to be sure you no longer served your brotherhood, who would probably do anything to obtain possession of this substance.’ I referred to Hereford’s death.

When Devere turned his eyes back on me, his expression was very dark indeed. ‘After what Chavi Choron told you, you still doubt my loyalty? Tell me, how long until you forgive me my one misstep?’

And he wonders why we never tell him anything. Albray was fed up with the delay, but his comment made me fume.

‘Dismissed.’ I turned my ire on him.

No, don’t, he appealed rather desperately.

‘Dismissed…’

I’m sorry I spoke…but we are—

‘Dismissed.’ As Albray vanished, I looked at Devere.

‘Thank you.’ He seemed mildly pacified by the development.

‘If I didn’t trust you, I would not have produced the vial now,’ I informed him, removing the stopper and placing a few of the tiny sparkling particles on my tongue.

‘I don’t see that you had much choice in this case.’ Devere was unconvinced.

‘If I had desired you to be absent I could have arranged that, believe me.’ The substance caused my body to shiver with awareness. It was only then that I recalled my pregnancy and I was immediately concerned at the effect the Highward Fire-Stone might have on my developing baby. A bit late to consider the consequences now…I scolded myself for not considering the child first. I replaced the Star’s stopper and returned my treasure to its hiding place. When I looked up, Devere was smiling.

‘I have not proven easy to shake off in the past, if memory serves,’ he said, moving closer to become more intimate with me.

‘I have been lenient on you.’ I placed both my hands on the surface of the door.

‘Is that right?’ My challenge amused him.

I nodded. ‘I shan’t be long.’ I focused my will on the object beyond my fingertips and, as I felt its solidity give way, I pushed myself on through to the other side.

‘That was amazing.’ My husband spoke through the door to commend me.

‘Trouble is, it’s pitch dark in here,’ making my next feat a wee bit difficult. Then it occurred to me: ‘The Star vial.’ Producing the item, I was surprised at the amount of light it awarded in a pitch dark room. Now where is this safe?

It seemed I had dismissed Albray too soon, but rather than call him for help, I had another idea. I walked over to Molier’s desk, to probe it for its owner’s psychic imprints. Laying a palm upon it I perceived a cold, apprehensive premonition that compelled me to desist in my inquiry. I continued nonetheless and my attention was directed to a painting of the Black Madonna on the wall.