Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) (34 page)

The Court approved of her actions immensely. They thought her move swift, pointed and necessary. News spread quickly across the loyalists on the island and they praised Juliska just as they had their previous Banon.

It was a strange thing. But it felt right, what she’d done.

Perhaps she’d be a better leader than she first thought.

Much later that night, after the initial chaos of the day had calmed and Juliska had a few spare minutes to catch her breath, she snuck away to check on her son. She was desperate to see him and know he was okay.

The orphanage was dark. Everyone was asleep. She used magic to unlock the door, slipped inside and searched for her son. It was not hard. Colin was wrapped in the same blanket she’d dropped him off in that morning. He was sleeping in a cradle, next to another infant. Juliska noticed an interesting locket pinned to the infant’s blanket. Two roses, one black and the other gold, entwining around each other with thorns nestled into the vines, sharp enough to actually pierce skin.

What an odd locket,
Juliska thought. She forgot about it in the next moment though, her son taking all her attention. She leaned in and kissed his tiny little forehead, and gently rocked the cradle, singing to him softly. She stayed as long as she dare, each minute that past making it that much harder to get up and leave.

“I will return soon.” She stood, slipping the hood off her head, revealing her face. “I love you so much,” she said with a pained voice. She left in a hurry before she changed her mind and just seized him and brought him home.

#

Tanzea had to calm Juliska. She was mid panic attack. Long gone was the calmness and clarity she’d gotten after the birth of her son. With all the chaos on the island she’d not been able to sneak away to see Colin in almost two days. It was killing her. Fazendiin had looked in on him for her, but being unable to put her own eyes on Colin was taking a toll on her already frayed nerves.

The morning after Juliska’s three day warning, six of Amelia’s followers changed their minds about joining her and endured many long hours of questioning, each. This led to all night meetings to discuss the situation after.

It was decided that they’d be allowed to return, but the Balaton would keep a spare eye on them… just in case they were still loyal to Amelia and were attempting to infiltrate the Svoda.

Juliska was surprised to see Balloch Flummer and his family made up this group. She had not realized the historian and storyteller had joined Amelia. But at least he had come to his senses.

The second night, Amelia agreed to peacefully leave the fortress as long as none of them were harmed. They were doing this in good faith, to show they did not wish to war on their own. Amelia did seek a personal meeting with the Banon.

Juliska imagined her
sister’s
pride was severely injured in doing this. She could not deny it gave her a smug satisfaction. But true to their word they vacated the fortress and allowed themselves to be herded into town, where they were held under group arrest until Amelia and Juliska had met and decided their futures.

With the fortress empty again, the Balaton took over. After satisfied the place was safe and ready to use again, their first order of business was to assist Kanda Macawi home since she’d been stuck on the island for much longer than she’d expected.

Arnon wasn’t so thrilled that she was leaving, and hoped with all going on, she’d be able to return soon. He had only time for a brief goodbye; his job as head officer of the Balaton was keeping him busy almost around the clock.

Juliska agreed to meet with Amelia the next morning. She decided to make her wait a night, and really stew in the fact that Juliska had control over her future.

That night, Juliska finally snuck away to see her son. It was an enormous relief and even more difficult to leave him than before. But he was safe. Even looked content sleeping in his cradle.

“Any day now,” she promised him. “After tomorrow, things will be safe again I’ll bring you home.”

She left him, with a terrible pit in her stomach. That night sleep evaded her. She got up and paced. And paced. And paced some more.

Meeting with Amelia was pointless. This is the conclusion she was firmly reaching.

Amelia would never fully relent, and even if she did, it would not last long before she was right back at it again. She sent a message to the Viancourt that she’d like a meeting at eight in the morning, sharp.

She didn’t care what time of night it was, or if they were awakened from slumber. This had to happen, fast. So she could get this over with and get Colin home. Just as soon as Amelia was dealt with, she’d give it twenty-four hours and then make the magical blip appear that would find her son as a lost one. And then they’d never be separated again.

Going back to sleep was pointless.

She got dressed and decided to head into the office. At least there, she could keep herself busy.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Arnon was putting in a late night. He was covering for many posts as much of the guard was watching Amelia and her followers, and keeping peace across the island. He was sitting in what used to be Cornell’s office. The poor man’s mind had never fully recovered and he was no longer in the hospital, but was unable to return to work and needed full time care. A nice couple by the name of Mochrie had offered to take him in, seeing as he had no family of his own left. It was a bright spot in all this darkness, there was still some kindness to be had.

There was a light knock at the door, which was open.

“Ian Crane,” greeted Arnon. “Come on in. You’re not still working are you?”

“Finished for the night. Curfews in effect but I stuck around just in case any of you needed to get somewhere. Saw your light on, thought I’d just check before leaving.” He was shuffling around nervously.

“Is everything okay?” Arnon asked him, thinking there was more to this visit.

He didn’t answer right away and was looking around as if worried he would be overheard. “I um…” he stopped and looked like he’d rather run away.

It was clear he had something important to say, but was afraid to.

Arnon flicked his wrist and closed the door gently.

“This room is secure, Ian. Please… whatever it is… you’re safe to speak here.”

Ian didn’t know how to start. He took a seat but that didn’t help so he got back up.

After a tense minute, he blurted out, “Amelia Cobb did not murder PanSofia.”

He had Arnon’s attention now. “Do you know who did?”

“Y-yes,” he stuttered.

“You’re afraid to tell me?” Arnon guessed in a hushed tone.

Ian didn’t answer but the look on his face was obvious. He was scared to death.

“I don’t think you have to,” whispered Arnon.

Ian shot him a questioning look.

“Just answer yes or no. The person who killed PanSofia, was it Juliska Blackwell?”

Ian knew from the tone in Arnon’s voice that he’d already suspected this. And believed it. He’d come to the right person.

He nodded, confirming Arnon’s question.

Arnon let out an anguished sigh and lifted his hands to his face. His suspicions were true.

Ian had no reason to lie and every reason to keep this to himself. Too many people close to Juliska were turning up dead or severely injured. And finally, he wasn’t the only one to notice.

“Ian. Thank you. I can’t imagine how difficult this was for you.” He didn’t even want to question him about the how’s and why’s. He had confirmation and for now, that was all he needed. “Go home, Ian. Do not speak of this to anyone. I will personally handle this, but please know it may take some time.”

“I understand.” Ian nodded gratefully. He’d let the professionals handle this.

He let out a shaky breath and turned to leave.

He’d done it. The right thing. And with the right person. He opened the door and froze.

Eyes locked on eyes.

He nodded in greeting, gathering himself as quickly as possible, but it felt a step too late.

“Hello,” he called out to Juliska. His voice wasn’t as firm as he hoped it would be.

She was just entering the building. In the middle of the night.

He heard a caught breath behind him. Arnon realized who he was greeting. He needed to act fast or their cover would be blown. He sidled up alongside Ian.

“Oh, hello there, Banon Blackwell. Another of us that cannot sleep I see.”

She cast a quick gaze between them before smiling weakly. “And I see I’m not the only putting in another late night.”

“With the island in peril, there’s too much work and not enough of… me,” said Arnon with a short chuckle. “Ian here was just checking in before leaving for the day. Or night… or is it morning already?”

“Just going on one in the morning now,” Ian informed him.

“Guess I lost track of the time,” said Arnon.

“Oh, poor Ian,” said Juliska. “Do you ever get any sleep? Really, I think we’re both fine here.”

“Are you sure, Ma’am? You should have called me,” he said with a hint of guilt. “I’d have been happy to give you a ride, no matter the time. Especially with all going on at the moment. It might not be safe for our leader to walk around the streets at night alone.”

Good one…
Arnon sighed to himself. Ian was playing it right, even if it did catch him off guard  for a second.

“That is very considerate of you, Ian,” Juliska returned softly. “But the walk actually helped me clear my head a little and I needed that. And I think the Balaton,” she aimed at Arnon, “have security handled at the moment. I’m not overly worried.”

“All right then. But anytime, day or night… you just holler.”

She nodded gratefully.

“Oh and Arnon, since you’re still here, I’ve called another meeting for eight in the morning. I’ve made some decisions regarding Amelia and I’d like to inform everyone.”

“I see. Very well.” Arnon noted it was decided. No more debate. He wondered what she was up to but did not question. “I’ll be there and have the Balaton ready for whatever you need.”

“Thank you. Hopefully it will not come to that.”

“I do very much hope you’re right.”

“Me too. Excuse me,” she nodded to both of them and disappeared into her office. She closed the door but then gently opened it up just a crack. She saw Arnon pat Ian on the shoulder and they parted ways, silently.

“It’s nothing,” she told herself. “Not everyone can be out to get you.” She closed the door and paced her office. This wasn’t any better than pacing at home.

She had Amelia to deal with, she didn’t need to be worried that someone else had figured out her secret. And she had no reason to believe Ian or Arnon had.

“Just let it go. Just let it go.” She exhaled in a long controlled breath.

She’d be so much less tense once Colin was back in her arms.

Juliska hated this. She thought once her son was born and she’d dealt with Amelia, things would be safe. Would it ever be that way again? Would she always be looking over her shoulder, wondering who was going to find out next? How would they live like this?

Anger circled around her heart. Eddy wasn’t here to help her. He’d given her a precious gift but didn’t stick around to help protect it.

“It will all be okay,” she assured herself. “I’ll get Colin home. Everything will go back to normal.” She said this a few times, but did not believe it once.

#

He opened

Arnon sat down behind Cornell’s desk, leaning back in the chair.

He’d been right. Juliska killed her mentor. She’d probably injured Cornell, and possibly even poisoned the Banon. The real question… why? And was this of her own volition?

Had Fazendiin put her up to it? Had she knowingly betrayed the Svoda?

There were still so many unanswered questions he needed answers to, and some kind of hard proof before he could claim or charge her with anything.

Juliska was more cunning than he believed. How perfect, to kill PanSofia and then call an emergency meeting claiming to have had a vision showing Amelia did it. The woman was guilty of many things, but murder, was not one of them. But she was an easy and believable scapegoat.

Arnon owed it to the seer, and his friend, and the deceased Banon… to all Svoda including Amelia… to find out and prove the truth.

He heard a strange sound, like beeping, coming from somewhere in the office.

“What is that?” He rifled through Cornell’s things until he’d found the source of it. A magic tracker. He strode over to a wall at the back of the office and pulled down a map of the world. It was a magically modified map though. Magical traces picked up on Cornell’s tracker, would show up on the map in a red glow. Oddly, it was not picking up a local trace, but rather just on the mainland. In the non-magical world.

“How strange. I wonder what it can be.” He also wondered if he should investigate the cause. With everything going on, it might not be a good idea to leave the island.

But on the other hand, what if by some off chance this had something to do with Amelia? Or even Juliska. He could not see a clear path to either of those being possible but he didn’t want to regret not looking into it. He stared at the map, unsure.

#

Juliska could not get the paranoia out of her head.

Ian knew. He’d seen more than she realized… he knew she’d killed her mentor.

And now he’d told Arnon. Head of the Balaton.

“And your friend…” she reminded herself. “What are you going to do? Kill everyone you
think
might know? But they can’t live if they do,” she argued with herself. Her son’s life would be in jeopardy.

She needed to find out the truth.

It might all just be in her head. Coincidence.

The pit expanding in her belly didn’t hold the same hope.

Ian knew. And he’d told Arnon…

She could find out, if she was careful.

Catch Arnon in a lie, or an attempt to lie. She’d be able to tell…

Juliska raced out of her office and over to Arnon’s door. She didn’t knock just barged in, hoping to catch him in the act of something that might prove whether he was privy to her secret.

The office was empty.

She stepped in, calling out his name.

No answer. There was no one here. He’d left.

“Don’t panic,” she whispered. “There’s still Ian. I can find out if he…” she let out a frustrated cry. She couldn’t do this anymore. Ian was a kind man, a father with a young son who’d already lost a mother! There had to be a way out of this.

Ian wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize his son’s life, any more than she would.

She could handle this situation. Smooth it over. Somehow.

But not until after she’d dealt with Amelia and gotten Colin home.

He was still safer here with her, than alone in that orphanage.

#

With everyone else busy, Arnon decided it was his duty to check out the magical blip. He would not be doing his job if he did not. Being head officer of the Balaton he was permitted to pop off the island if necessary. It wasn’t something he’d done before, but it was no more different than popping anywhere else.

When he arrived on the mainland, he checked the tracker. The magic was not far away. So he walked. Keeping to the shadows to remain unseen. But it was the middle of the night and the streets deserted.

He stepped onto a sidewalk and followed the signal on the tracker. He stopped half way down the block and turned to look across the street. An orphanage.

Arnon sucked in and held his breath, slowly stepping back into the shadow of the building behind him.

Someone in a cloak was approaching the building. He’d been told this was not common in the human world. Which meant this figure must be from the world of magic. The figure was tall and walked with an authoritative gait.

A hand reached out toward the door. Arnon looked closely. It was a man’s hand, he thought. He watched him use magic to unlock the door and go inside, only to come out just a few minutes later. After peeking from side to side, he took off down the sidewalk.

Arnon watched. And followed cautiously from a distance on the opposite side of the street. He kept to the shadows against the buildings.

Up ahead, the figure strode purposely, grinning to himself.

Jurekai Fazendiin sensed someone following. Just as he’d hoped. He had laid out the breadcrumbs, now he would let them do the rest.

Arnon gasped, almost giving himself away when the cloaked man hit the edge of the woods and dematerialized like smoke.

“Grosvenor…” he muttered under his breath. He hurriedly made his way back to the orphanage.

Dare ho go inside?

He felt he must. He needed to see just what the Grosvenor was tracking.

Just what or who was powerful enough to set off the tracker.

He used magic to unlock the door and stepped inside. He turned off the volume to the magic tracker and moved quietly so as not to rouse anyone from slumber. The magic tracker took him to a cradle with two infants sleeping inside.

“This can’t be right,” he mumbled. “Infants…”

Infants didn’t have enough magical power to cause this kind of magical blip. Even an older toddler would be extremely rare. A child much more likely.

Maybe the tracker was not working properly. Arnon wished Cornell was here. He’d be able to sense the magic on his own, double check the tracker’s results.

He turned and turned, each time landing on the cradle with the sleeping infants.

It made no sense and yet as he thought about it, it made perfect sense.

Frighteningly perfect sense.