Salamaine's Curse (27 page)

“You have the Black Book of Pernicus?” Zaputo demanded.

Tom nodded.

“Give it here.”

He hesitated. It had almost cost them their lives to get it, so naturally he was reluctant to simply hand it over. On the other hand, even if he resisted, Zaputo's men would have no trouble taking it from him. With that in mind, Tom retrieved it from Willa's satchel and passed it over.

Zaputo studied the book for a moment, weighing it in his hands. Then he looked at Tom. “This will rid our lands of the scavengers?”

“That's what I've been told.”

Zaputo attempted to open the book, but no matter how much he tugged at the pages, he couldn't pry it open.

Tom shook his head. “Keegan and Mudge must open it together. It won't work for anyone else.”

Zaputo transferred his gaze to Mudge. “Is this true?” he demanded.

Anyone else might have trembled under the weight of Zaputo's dark stare. Mudge merely nodded. “Yes.”

“Then I will keep it safe until we arrive.”

“Very good,” Mudge said. “You may.” With that, he gave a regal nod of dismissal.

Zaputo stood motionless for a long moment, scowling down at Mudge. Watching him, Tom couldn't help but wonder if Zaputo saw the same chameleon-like quality in Mudge that he had noticed. And if so, he wondered what his thoughts were about Mudge's uncanny ability to slip so effortlessly between young boy and dignified ruler.

But whatever they were, Zaputo kept them to himself. Turning to his crew, he bellowed, “Divino!” and strode toward the quarterdeck.

Willa and Porter watched him walk away. Then they sank down beside Tom on the pile of sailcloth. Mudge collapsed next to them. Exhausted, Tom leaned back and stared up at the sky, gazing at the early evening stars. Actually, exhausted wasn't even a strong enough word for what he felt. He was so tired his bones ached.

Zaputo's crew adjusted the sails and the
Crimson Belle
veered about, heading back out into the agitated waters of the Cursed Souls Sea. One of the former captives brought them water, another brought food, and still another brought blankets. Their gestures were kind, but they did nothing to shake the bleak sense of worry that settled over Tom.

The Black Book of Pernicus.

They'd finally retrieved it, so he should have relaxed. Instead, the opposite was true. Tension churned through him, setting his nerves on edge. The book was evil. He'd felt that in the brief moments he'd held it in his hands. That was the problem. They had to open it if they wanted to find a way to rid the kingdom of scavengers. But opening it would only subject them to more evil.

His thoughts spun around and around in fruitless circles, just as they'd physically circled the tower at Arx. The key, the sword, the book. There must be a solution, but it remained outside his mental grasp. Their efforts to gain the book had taken a toll. His brain was simply too foggy for him to think properly, and the rough seas through which they traveled didn't help him focus.

His gaze fell on Mudge, who'd fallen sound asleep the moment he'd finished eating. Tom shook his head, amazed at the boy's ability to sleep when so much was still at stake.

Finally they reached the Coral Canyon. It had been nearly impossible to cross in the bright light of day. Tom had no idea how Zaputo hoped to repeat the feat in the dead of night. Surely they would be ripped to shreds. As it turned out, however, he needn't have worried.

Umbrey waited for them on the other side of the canyon, the
Purgatory
lit up like a Christmas tree. Brightly blazing lanterns hung from the masts, the beams, the crow's nest, the stern, the port, the ship's rail. Every inch of the vessel was aglow. The ship burned brighter than a lighthouse. A shining beacon meant to lead them safely through the Coral Canyon and back to Divino.

That was the last thing Tom saw before the exhaustion he'd been battling got the best of him. Sleep dragged him under. But it wasn't a restful sleep. In his dreams, the image of the Zaputo's hungry bird flashed before his eyes. Only this time
he
was the one being pecked apart, not some flopping fish. As he fought to escape, the howling laughter of Pernicus echoed in his ears.

Ten minutes before midnight, the
Crimson Belle
and the
Purgatory
sailed through the walled gates of Divino—the very gates Tom had leapt from only days ago, though it seemed much longer ago than that—and docked in the warehouse district. As they disembarked, Keegan's army was there to greet them. The Watch lined the streets, dressed in their signature black capes with the glowing red eye fixed at the shoulder clasp.

Three of Keegan's men stepped before Umbrey and Zaputo. “You will come with us,” said the largest of the group, raising his sword and holding it before his chest.

Umbrey arched a single brow. He glanced over his shoulder. “Such a pretty invitation, lads. What do you think, should we accept?”

“Yes,” replied Zaputo, his face stony.

“Yes,” said Mudge.

“Well, there you have it!” Umbrey brought his hands together in a sharp clap and rubbed them briskly. “Excellent, gentlemen. We're all in agreement. Lead on. It's time to finish this thing.”

They walked though the streets in pairs. Umbrey and Zaputo (with Zaputo's crimson bird riding on his shoulder), Willa and Mudge, Tom and Porter. A few of Umbrey's crew, along with a few of Zaputo's men, trailed behind them.

Tom noted that while they had been away, Keegan had managed to barricade the city. A blazing ring of fire surrounded them, pushing the scavengers out of the inner district. Though he couldn't see the creatures, there was no doubt they were there. Their distinct moans echoed through the streets and their rancid scent hung in the air.

Keegan's men led them to the courthouse, opened the door, and ushered them inside. Keegan waited for them on the elevated stage that had once been the judge's box. But that juror's compartment had been removed. In its place he had installed his throne.

“My, my, my,” he purred as they entered, leaning back in his velvet seat. “You do like a dramatic entrance, don't you?” He cocked his head and put a hand to his ear, listening as the clock in the market tower struck midnight. “Right as the bell tolls. How
very
stirring.”

His gaze slowly traveled over Tom, Porter, Willa, and Mudge.

“I trust you had an enjoyable journey,” he said. “How wonderful it is for young people to have the opportunity to travel. Broaden their horizons and all that. And a cruise, no less. Exciting.”

Umbrey sighed. “God, man. You do like to prattle on, don't you?”

Moving with panther-like grace, Keegan slid from his throne and slowly circled Umbrey. “Umbrey. Delighted to see you back in one piece.” He paused, staring pointedly at Umbrey's peg leg. “Oh. Forgive me. I meant to say,
almost
one piece.”

“You are wasting my time,” Zaputo announced.

Keegan turned. “Ah, Zaputo. My burly friend. Welcome. What brings you to our little party?”

“The Black Book of Pernicus.”

Keegan's gaze sharpened. “You have it?”

Zaputo reached inside his vest and removed the slim black volume. He held it up. Keegan reached for it, but Zaputo drew back before he could touch it.

“My ship and crew were used to retrieve this book. Therefore you will hear my terms before you have it.”

Tom cut a questioning glance at Porter and Willa. Their expressions mirrored the same confusion and apprehension he felt. Mudge, however, merely looked curious—or rather, intently interested in hearing Zaputo's terms.

A slow smile broke across Keegan's face. “Ah. Well done. Exactly what I would do in your position, Zaputo. Let that be a lesson, children. Power is only effective if you aren't afraid to use it.”

“Open this book,” Zaputo said, “and there will be no further contact between the people of Aquat and the people of Divino. Ever. We will not come to your land, you will not come to ours.”

The statement hung in the air between them. “Dictating terms, are we?” asked Keegan.

“Yes.”

“Very well.” Keegan gave a cool nod and rapped his nails together. “Here are
my
terms: I will take the book, and use the people of Aquat in any way that pleases me.”

“No,” countered a low, female voice, “I will take the book.” Zaputo's fiery bird dove from its perch on his shoulder and snatched the book away. The bird soared over their heads, then allowed the volume to slip through its talons, dropping it into the hands of a dark-haired woman who had stepped quietly into the room.

Vivienne.

Beautiful, deadly, cold, and calculating. The woman who'd guarded the Lost Lake and the Sword of Five Kingdoms—and had threatened to drown them all if they failed to retrieve it.

Beside him, Umbrey drew in a sharp, horrified gasp, as Tom finally put the pieces together. The crimson bird. He
knew
it was familiar. But the last time he'd seen the creature it had been part of a pair. One gleaming white bird and one deep ruby. Both of which had led them to Vivienne.

Once again, the bird had acted on behalf of its master, drawing them toward the ruthless Vivienne.

“Excellent,” she breathed. “The Black Book of Pernicus. I hold it at last.” She ran her hands over the worn leather cover. “Marrick is gone. Pernicus is gone. Yet I remain. And now the book is mine. All good things come to those who wait.”

Umbrey pivoted furiously glaring at Keegan. “Do you have any idea what you've done?”

“I've made an alliance,” Keegan replied curtly. “An alliance that will bring the Five Kingdoms back under my control. Permanently.”

“No,” Umbrey countered. “You have given the book to the one person who will take that power and use it to destroy us all.”

“How you flatter me.” Vivienne's lips curved upward in a smile of icy contempt. She turned toward the window and looked outside. A second later, the din of crashing wood echoed through the street, followed by the shouts and screams of voices raised in panic. Vivienne looked at the group and gave an elegant shrug.