I went around the columns, over to the wall, and went over the sequence when I felt the familiar energy signature.
Monty.
I turned to see him sitting on the far side of the floor in a lotus position, eyes closed, and back to the wall.
“Monty?” I said under my breath. “What the hell?”
“Look again,” TK said, still gesturing. “This time, really look.”
I focused on the unmoving figure of Monty and saw the energy racing around his body, interlaced and intertwined with symbols. It was and wasn’t Monty at the same time.
“It’s him, but it isn’t him,” I said, pointing at the illusion. “Won’t Evers see through that?”
“I’m almost finished. When the cast is complete, it will appear to be him with the flaw of the schism,” TK said. “You, on the other hand, need to be under a veil. Explain why.”
“If she walks in and sees me and Monty just hanging out, it will seem off,” I said, giving it thought. “If he’s in a schism, he would be attacking me, not meditating in here.”
“Precisely,” TK said and gestured one last time. “It’s done.”
The simulacrum of Monty was incredible. If I had not known TK was creating an illusion of Monty, I would have been fooled. Even with the knowledge that it wasn’t him, it was convincing.
“Is Dex a creative mage like you?”
“Dex is…an anomaly,” TK said. “Most mages master one discipline and work to perfect it over the course of their lives. Dex has mastered several disciplines. This makes him powerful, and deadly.”
“No kidding,” I said, remembering my recent sparring session with him. “He created a simulacrum that had me fooled.”
“That sounds like him,” TK said, moving to the corner next to the entrance. “He was instrumental in making most of Nana’s ‘deaths’ seem authentic. Over here, please.”
She pointed to the corner.
“What do I do when she arrives?” I asked. “It’s not like I can invite her to a duel.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” TK answered. “She will sense you once the veil drops.”
TK gestured, and the world became hazy. I looked down at my hands and they appeared transparent. I drew Grim Whisper and switched out for entropy rounds before holstering it again.
“Am I invisible?”
“Only if you keep absolutely still,” TK said, stepping back and narrowing her eyes in my direction. “That will work. Once the seal closes off the exit, the veil drops.”
“How’s this for the duel invitation?” I asked. “Hallo, my name is Simon Strong. You tried to kill Monty. Prepare…”
“Finish that sentence and I will blast you myself,” TK said, pointing at the simulacrum. “That gets her attention. Then, you keep her attention. She will be homicidally livid when she uncovers the ruse. Be ready.”
“I’m really looking forward to an enraged, unhinged chronomancer—thank you.”
“Use your wits, abilities, and your strengths,” TK said, heading to the exit. “This is one of the few times I would actually suggest speaking. It will unbalance her. You have an uncanny ability to anger everyone when you do.”
“Thank you,” I said. “It’s a gift.”
“Don’t make it a curse.”
I felt the energy shift a second later, and TK nodded.
“She’s here, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” TK said, stopping at the exit and looking out into the distance over the complex. “I will draw out Talin. Are you ready?”
“Nothing in my life has ever prepared me for something like this.”
“You only believe that because you’re scared. It will pass.”
“The fear?”
“The belief. The fear is a constant companion. The sooner you embrace it, the easier it is to overcome.”
“You feel fear?”
“Yes, fear for what I could become if I ever lose myself…again.”
“Again?”
“Prepare. She’s close.”
TK vanished from my sight.
A few seconds later, another figure entered the temple.
Evers.
THIRTY-THREE
She was dressed the way I remembered, from the time she tried to melt me on the skywalk at Haven: black Armani power suit, white shirt with a silver pocket kerchief, a silver triquetra pin rested in her short black hair.
The only difference was that this time, she made no effort to hide her energy signature. She radiated power as she stepped into the room. A few steps behind her stood Talin, looking much better than the last time I saw him.
“He’s here,” Talin said. “I can sense him. He’s still in the schism.”
“And he will die in it,” Evers said. “After I destroy him, we kill the uncle.”
“That’s…not going to be easy,” Talin answered, peering into the dim interior of the temple. “Dex is powerful and dangerous.”
“Are you scared of him, Talin?”
“Yes, and you should be too,” Talin answered. “Killing Tristan is one thing. Dex will not be an easy matter.”
“Where would the pleasure be, if it were easy?” Evers answered, stepping forward. “It will only be satisfying if it’s difficult.”
“Difficult, yes; suicidal, no,” Talin said. “We will need reinforcements, many of them.”
“That is being handled,” Evers answered. “In time, we will have all the help we need.”
“You contacted them, didn’t you?” Talin asked, fear evident in his voice. “There’s no stopping them once they begin.”
“I never mentioned anything about stopping,” Evers answered. “They will help me eradicate magic.”
“They will eradicate…everything,” Talin said, stepping around one of the columns. “Think hard upon this. Once unleashed, they will not be easily contained.”
“Are you questioning me?” Evers answered. Her voice was soft, but held a dangerous edge. “Do you question my judgment, my motives?”
“Never,” Talin answered with a slight hesitation. “I just don’t think dragons are the solution, nor a good idea in any scenario.”
“They are the only ones strong enough to deal with Dexter Montague…unless you would like to face him?”
Talin shook his head at the invitation.
“No,” he said. “You’re right. They will accomplish what we can’t.”
“More importantly, he will never expect it,” Evers answered. “By the time he realizes what is happening, it will be too late.”
“With him gone, we can begin.”
Evers gave him a smile that only confirmed that she was near the top of the psycho-batshit mage scale.
The muffled
