Of Silver and Beasts (4 page)

After a few moments, I watch as Empress Iana’s holographic eyes stare into the crowd, large and resolute. The marquee reads: “We will not bow before their tyranny.”

A beep startles me and I look down at my belt. I’d forgotten about the transmitter Carina gave me yesterday. Anxiously, I unclip the small, flat device from my belt and press the blue blinking button. A holographic dome springs from its center, and an image of a woman’s face appears within the electric blue web. “Protector Kaliope,” she says, her voice crackling, robotic. “Report to the commission hall.”

I nod, then remember that I need to press the button for her to see me. “Yes, ma’am.” I release the button. I have no idea if that’s the proper way to respond. I haven’t learned all the procedures yet.

Now I want the maid to leave more than ever. I’d like to check that my skin remains clear, but she’s steadily putting away my clothes and gear. I sigh, committing myself to this new life.

She bows to me as I pass through my chamber door, but I pause in the doorway. “Silvia . . . ?”

Her eyes widen in understanding before I finish my question. “Take the lift to the main level, then follow the second corridor to the last hall on the left.” She beams, then returns to her task.

My lips twitch on the verge of a smile. “Thank you,” I say to her, mentally thanking the goddesses for placing us together.

Scones dot the top of the stone walls along the hallway, illuminating the long stretch with amber and warmth. The glow disguises the chill in the air and softens the sound of my steps along the marble floor. Glancing at my wrist, I spot a swirl of silver. I shake out my hands.

Lilly is the only person here, in the palace, who knows of the contraption surrounding my heart. It wouldn’t be a deal breaker for the Nactue Guard. Not at all. But the metal and gears themselves isn’t what embarrasses me.

Well, it’s not what fully embarrasses me. I don’t relish the thought of explaining
why
I need the clamp—how I came to have poison coursing through my veins. If it wasn’t for the mercy of Alyah, my mother and the nun who prayed over me, and the surgeon who filtered the mercury, I would probably be dead. It’s simply too much for others to comprehend what my father did, and I’d rather not divulge my personal life—as that is the true embarrassment.

The corridor splits into two pathways and I head down the left. Once I approach the large oaken door, I pause, unsure of how to enter. Should I knock? Before my hand meets the wood, the door swings wide, and I see the Cavan Council seated around a long, oval table. Footsteps echo from behind. Lilly, Willa, and the other two girls of the newly promoted Nactue come up behind me.

I meet their eyes—Lilly’s bright and ready for our next undertaking—the other’s waiting for me. I nod once and pull my shoulders back, and march into the room. We line up before the table.

“Just a moment more, then we’ll begin,” Councilor Herna says.

No one responds, and the air is thick with uncertain tension. If I don’t find out what’s happening soon, I fear I’ll scream. I plant my feet where I stand, preventing my foot from tapping. Glancing over to Lilly, I cock an eyebrow, asking her if she’s okay in an unspoken gesture.

She lifts her chin, indicting she is. I can’t wait for all these formalities to be over so we can finally talk about all that’s happened.

When I think I can’t take the silence a moment longer, the doors open and the former Nactue Guard enter, Carina leading them into the room. “Your Excellencies,” she says, bowing her head to the councilors. Her dark, low ponytail falls over one shoulder.

Damn. Why didn’t I think to do that? My head is too clouded with my nerves for logic. I refrain from rolling my eyes. If I’m really to become the new leader, I should have addressed the council, too.

Councilor Herna pushes her chair back and stands. “Protector Carina. Thank you for joining us.” Her brow furrows, and something unsaid passes between them. I glance back and forth, then study Carina’s pursed lips.

“We still have the matter of your retirement papers to process,” Councilor Herna continues. “I trust you’ve filled them out?”

Carina nods. “I have them.”

“Good.” The councilor looks down and presses her palms to the table before she walks around it to stand in front of us. “Then let’s get your successor ready for her duties.” She looks at me, and I hold her intense gaze. “Protector Kaliope, you’ve been promoted head of the Nactue, and will be trained by the retired, former leader herself over the next two weeks.”

“Yes, ma’am.” My eyes shift to Carina. She’s leaning against the wall, her hands propped on the pommel of her sword.

“Of course,” Carina says. “I’ll have her ready to take over soon enough.”

They stare at each other for another, awkward moment. The room presses in on me, and I look back to Councilor Herna. “Thank you for your confidence in my abilities, councilor,” I say. “I’ll not fail the empress.”

Her gaze travels to me and her eyebrows arch. “Of that, protector, I am certain.” Her lips quirk into a puckered smile, then she turns and walks to her seat. My eyes follow after her, and I quickly scan the faces of the other four councilors. All stoic, fixed, and intimidating. I’ve never been this close to them or before them for this long. I can almost feel the mercury rising, surfacing along my skin under their scrutiny.

“Welcome to the most prestigious faction, ladies,” Councilor Herna says, her eyes looking over us one by one. “Each of you has been chosen for this duty, this immense honor, because the empress and deities deemed you worthy. It was by Empress Iana’s hand you were chosen, and it is to her that you vow your life.” She pauses, and the weight of the room—the gazes of the Council; the humid, stifling air—intensifies. “I know you’ll all do you utmost to serve and protect during these hectic times. Until further notice, you’re dismissed.” Councilor Herna sweeps her hand toward the entryway. “Protector Carina will lead you to your training facility and guide you from here.”

We bow, then exit the room. As soon as I enter the hallway, relief floods me. I didn’t know what to expect from the empress’s council, but that wasn’t quite it.

I lean toward Lilly. “What the hell was that?” I whisper.

She shrugs. “I was hoping our welcoming would be by the empress herself, but maybe we have to get through procedures first.”

It makes sense, though I thought they’d at least provide details as to what’s happening across our border, of the attack by the Otherworlders. Maybe I was foolish to think we’d be entered into their circle of trust so quickly, and that we’d take over official watch of Empress Iana immediately.

“You’re right, Lills. I’m just nervous and ready to be settled already.”

“Me, too.” She smiles.

As we follow Carina through the corridors, I note the statues and art along the walls, trying to memorize my way. The Goddess Farrah appears most throughout the palace. She is the eldest of her deity sisters, and the goddess of wisdom, creation, and order. We look to her above all to guide and protect Cavan.

The Goddess Monique is depicted in a painting with swirling purples and reds, suggestive of the colors of passion. She’s the goddess of love, beauty, desire. Though I respect her as much as the other deities, I’ve yet to have a reason to pray to her.

We turn a corner and enter into a large, open hall. Burgundy and gold tapestries cover the walls, and a statue of the Goddess Rae—the goddess of war—holding a crossbow with a long cloak pooling around her bare feet towers in one corner. Swords, battleaxes, spears, and other weapons decorate one wall from floor-to-ceiling. Earth-toned mats scatter the floor.

Lilly stands beside me and crosses her arms. “I thought we were done with training,” she whispers. “That our promotion meant we were
ready
.”

“True, but I don’t want to take on the leadership role until I understand all my duties.”

Her forehead creases. “You’re not excited? It’s the greatest honor of the protectors to be head of the Nactue.” She studies my face. “You will be the closest to the empress.”

And with that, I feel even more overwhelmed.

“Ladies.” Carina interrupts our chatter and crosses her arms over her chest. “As the Nactue, you’re expected above all protectors to keep the empress safe. I know you feel you’ve trained for this already, but”—her gray eyes settle on me—“you’re only partially prepared for this honor.”

My chest constricts.
Did she overhear us
?

I’d heard rumors that Carina was rushed into early retirement. Normally the Nactue serves a ten-year term of service. From the age of twenty to thirty; the years of a woman’s youth, when she’s at her strongest. Then she’s promoted to the Signaught, when her years of wisdom begin. The Signaught help strategize for war and oversee tasks with the Cavan Council. Yet Carina is only twenty-five. Although it’s also speculated the drop in age for recruits has disrupted the normal order, as Carina’s whole Nactue unit is advancing to the Signaught early. Though Carina is not.

As though she’s reading my mind, Carina says, “I know you’re curious as to why I’m retiring.” She unlaces her arms, places them behind her back, and paces the room. “I was found wanting in my leadership role. I won’t bore you with the details. Only be warned that even though you, Protector Kaliope”—she looks dead at me—“have been advanced to a leader, you will still take orders from the Council. You are not, under any circumstances, to act without gaining permission from them first.”

The air freezes around me, and I struggle to keep from glancing around at the other Nactue. I feel the weight of their eyes on me as I hold Carina’s glare. “Yes, ma’am. That’s understood.”

Her face relaxes and she laughs. “Please. Don’t call me that. I’m simply Carina. There are no formalities between sisters.”

“Then it’s understood, Carina.” I lift my chin, attempting to show her that even though I’m young, she’s not but six years my elder. I won’t be intimidated by her.

She acknowledges me with a simple nod, then continues to walk the room. “Many new things have transpired over the past few days, and I feel it’s my duty to prepare you as quickly as possible. You could be called into full service at any time.”

I glance over to Lilly and Willa, and we share a worried look. We’ve heard horror stories about the Otherworld. Of people with skin as pale as death dressed like barbarians—a people who tortured their prisoners with sadistic rituals. That alone should move me to wield my sword against them and seek vengeance. But our place is here, protecting Empress Iana. If the country must wage a war, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a battlefield. I’m somewhat embarrassed that I’m relieved. I’m not a coward. I wouldn’t have been promoted to the most prestigious faction if that were so. But I can’t deny that I’m frightened by the possibility of war.

The other newly promoted members of the Nactue must share my concern, because all four wear worry lines creased between their eyes.

Carina stops pacing and faces us, her back straight. “There are things your protector training has misled you to belie—” a throat is cleared loudly, and Carina glances over her shoulder before continuing “—has not fully
prepared
you for.

“The Otherworlders worship a dark goddess.” Carina pulls at her ponytail, tightening it against the crown of her head. “It was once believed that the goddesses banished this evil deity, and that the Otherworlders followed her beneath the earth to be near her.”

Willa raises her hand, and Carina arches an eyebrow. “Yes, protector?”

“This goddess . . . is it the moon goddess?” Willa asks.

Carina snorts, but quickly nods her head, her features quitting their amused expression. “That would be the one. Though she’s just a myth, the Otherworlders’ manic worship of Bale has imprisoned their minds. Truly, because no sane people would attack the Three Realms.”

I wince, and Lilly’s hand lightly brushes mine, though she keeps her eyes on the former Nactue leader. I appreciate the comfort she offers, but I need to get over my issues. I’ll need to lead the Nactue and protect the empress against these creatures, and I can’t freeze up every time someone utters a sensitive word or insinuates
madness
.

A former Nactue steps forward—the one who cautioned Carina’s words. She has long black hair and a slash of red makeup across her eyelids. “It’s very possible with these new developments that you will be up close to the fighting, but that will be in pursuit to see the empress to safety, away from here.”

I step up. “So the attack on Perinya, you believe, was only the first.” I swallow down my apprehension and press on. “That they have plans to attack us, as well?”

Carina crooks a smile. “I believe they have plans to assassinate every ruler and ruler’s heir of the Three Realms before the next full moon.”

My eyebrows pull together. “But why?”

“Other than the fact they’re mad?” Carina eyes me. “For the very thing all wars are fought over, protector. Mercury.”