The Wielder: Sworn Vengeance (The Wielder Series) (40 page)

I’ve spent a week in rehab.  Well less than that if you include the day I spent getting interrogated.  That sucked.

My interrogators consisted of the runtly little mage that is constantly following Alistair around and none other than Gunter himself. They were quite serious.  At least Runtly was. Gunter was well, Gunter. He was happy to tell me that news of our success was shared with Svea, the wife of the Paladin I killed. I could only imagine her stoic response – that’s one hard woman. She probably still wants me dead - I couldn't blame her.

They brought the
truth-stone and Runtly was relentless with leading questions designed for me to entrap myself. It really pissed me off.  But I answered honestly, though not always completely.  They asked me if I knew where Znuul was.  I don’t.  But I didn’t offer that he may be in his bunker in Oldham County, Kentucky or Dubai.

Everything was fine up
until the point when Runtly got in my face and asked me when I became a traitor to the human race.  I clocked him pretty good, then kicked him while he was down.  I grabbed that truth-stone and yelled at Gunter that I am not a traitor to the human race.

Blue is true and that’s all the stone showed.

Still, my reaction was poor.  I’ve never allowed words to inflame me so.  And I’ve never kicked someone when they were down except in World War II, but that was war.  Heck, Gunter had to step in and stop me. He even told me that my actions were without honor – except for the punch. I’m glad he did step in. That just wasn’t like me.  But then, Runtly had been pushing my buttons for at least five hours straight.  Wouldn’t anyone blow a gasket?

The rest of the week was routine.   Rehab is easy when you’re surrounded by healing clerics and you
r body heals itself fueled by six spirits attached to you.  Sil insisted on maintaining board game time. Somehow or another she put her hands on an UNO deck and talked Pffif, Vets and Shey to join.

That was fun.

Today, I get to go home. We’re all congregated in my room. I’ve been provided a fetching set of warm-ups to go home in. It sure as heck beats that damn gown I woke up in.  Christophe tells me they recovered my Suburban. I’m sure it’s totally GPS’d and bugged now.

I t
ell him as much and get a sound laugh along with a, “Who would do such a thing?”

A
nurse with a wheel chair joins us. “May I escort you to the parking garage,” Christophe asks with smile.

“Sure,
as long as I don’t have to ride in the damn chair,” I declare.

He dismisses the chair and we make our way down to the garage, where my Suburban awaits.  He pulls the keys from his pocket and looks over at Vets.  “Would you mind driving it back?  My student and I need to spend some time alone. I’ll drive him there.”

Vets looks back at him in her implacable way and says, “I would not mind, but I cannot drive.”

“Throw those keys over here
,” blurts out Sil.  “Houston to New Orleans is a hiccup.”

Christophe pitches her the keys and nods a thank you.

“Pile in everyone,” sings Sil “The big boys want their own space.”

Christophe pulls out his own keys and beeps his
rental car.  We get in and he looks at me with a grin. “Better sweep your car for devices, it’s been sitting here too long.”

He pulls out a trinket and sets it on the dash, after a stroke and key word he tells me, “safe to speak now.”

Got
to get me a fist full of those things…

We head out following Sil and crew.  Go figure,
Sil’s not much of a follower.

“Needless to say Arthur, there are things
we need to talk about,” my teacher tells me. “Not the least of which is the death curse that was set upon you.  He wasn’t just trying to kill you.  As best we can tell, the curse was trying to change you.  We thought you gotten past it a few times and it just kept coming back.  We believe you are clear now.  To survive such a thing alone is incredible. But best not to be arrogant. Understand?”

I do.  I tell him as much with a
, “Yes sir.”  The sir is earned, he’s still my teacher in the healing magics.

“So… I expect you to cleanse yourself spiritually everyday and call for healing upon yourself – everyday.”

“Yes sir.”

Sil loses us at the merge to I-10 in a daring move that cut across three lanes.  Christophe is muttering curses, not at her – but at the crazy American drivers.  He looks over at me briefly. “Is it not bad enough you cannot drive on the proper side of the road?  Do they have to drive like that too?”

The reminder that Chris isn’t used to driving on these roads doesn’t give me the greatest confidence.  But then if something bad does happen, at least I am close to one of the world’s more talented clerical healers.

Assuming of course he survives
the wreck…

After we settle into I-10 and Christophe’s nerves return t
o normal, I break the ice.

“Any idea what the curse was trying to change me into?”

I get a serious glancing look. “Not really, I am sure it would be something less than desirable though.  Your body was producing Dzemondic fluids – but that could be anything. I have heard of such things where the victim of the curse is turned into a creature that seeks out that which the host loved.  It is a torture for the spirit of the cursed to watch what was once its flesh destroy those it loved.”

Great.  He tried to turn me into an undead demon beast that would go after my family. That thought takes my breath away.

“We do not know that for sure Arthur,” he continues. “It is best we never know for sure, if you follow my thinking.”

I
nod back, muttering, “uh-huh.”  I follow that thinking.

“Now Arthur, since we have privacy there is something else you need to know.  Monsieur Znuul did not kill Grandmaster Hiro – our Mademoiselle Karen did.”

That I didn’t expect.  He glances over at me and smiles at my obvious surprise.

“Yes, it was Ahtsag’s idea to take the blame. He did not wish for her to become seen as an enemy of the
Protectorate.  Let me tell you Arthur, I have never seen such a sudden response from a spell-caster.  When Hiro struck at Ahtsag, she responded without incantation, without shaping and with frightening power.  I have never seen such a thing from a human mage and I have assisted some very talented ones.”

I let that sink in.
Hiro attacked Znuul?  He was there?  Why didn’t he try to help us? Karen killed him? “For Christ’s sake Chris,” I mutter “What else did I miss?”

“That was about it
,” he says in a nonchalant way. “But, I cannot emphasize enough,” he continues “what Karen did was… frightening. Hiro stood no chance.  His life ended before he could even think of defending himself. And it ended terribly – first by lightning, then by fire.”

I try to fathom that
event. While she is quite the general in the field, I’ve always thought of her as the woman I’ve seen with the children at Grey’s Manor – teacher, friend, playmate – that is the real Karen I know.

“I
have no words Master Christophe."

“The bond is strong,
between her and the beast. What else is to say?” Christophe replies with a shrug as if it just is what it is. “I just hope the bond is the same for the beast to her.”

There is that. I’ve always felt that Znuul had a soft spot for Karen, if anyone other than Grey. I nod back to Chris
, “Me too.”

We spent a f
air amount of the ride after that revelation catching up. I asked Chris of family which I found out he flew into Houston. For me that made this time together all that more special. After all, he was taking even more time away from them on my behalf.

But there’s a question.  One I need help with.  And
this question, I would trust Christophe’s input on implicitly. I try to think how to tactfully ask it, there is no way.  I squirm for a bit and then just finally blurt it out.

“What if I gave Silithes what she want
s?”

That
question totally takes him off guard. The car veers slightly.  Then he looks at me with an expression that screams “what did you just say?”

“I cannot believe what I just heard – you are actually considering such a thing?”

I take a deep breath, because I really don’t know if I am. The thought has been circulating strongly for the last week, sure, but this is the first time it’s taken shape and now, voice. “I don’t know Chris, maybe.”

“Well Arthur, if you are asking my opinion, I would think it akin to
bestiality.  Humans were meant to be with humans in the natural order.”

That brings some perspective.  It also makes me think about Sheyliene.  She’s not quite human either.

“Arthur, I have had many talks with our large dark friend.  The subject of the Cubati came up a few times as apparently he was very proud of a little harem of them he kept. He had a taste for them, you see” he says with a smile. “Did you know that many of them don’t even enjoy the act itself other than the feeding, except amongst themselves?  Your creature, she may just seek control of you and little else.  They are, after all consummate actors.”

I nod in agreement, then share with him about me being and endless buffet and the whole reflectivity that occurs when my summonlings cause me physical pleasure or pain. 
That and I share the fact that for years Sil has been quite the slutty, pleasure seeking creature.

At least in my opinion…

“So you want this,” he asks me. “I know kings, queens, and the like have paid fortunes in cash and with the lives of others just to experience one safe night a Cubati, from just a brief summoning. I can understand the curiosity, somewhat. But you know, these kind of things – they always come at a price.”

That’s true.  There’s always something.

I thank Chris for his opinion on the matter and then change the subject, not being sure why I shared it to begin with.  “So, where is Karen?”

Christophe’s face becomes serious. “
We do not know.  She disappeared with Ahtsag.  I presume they are together. As I said, their bond is strong.  Too strong maybe.  Few know of this, but at one time Grey had to separate them.  He did for over a year, by taking her on a tour of the world. I never asked of the details. It was… not of my business.”

Crap sticks. 
If Karen became Kitten number two, Znuul would have one potent weapon at his fingertips.

“You don’t think…”

Chris looks at me briefly, not wanting to take his eyes from the wrong side of the road. “The Dzemond, they do not see the world as we do.  They have much different perspective of right and wrong and of what is acceptable. I have come to know this from our friend Ahtsag, both directly and from just being in his presence for over 25 years.”

Silence follows.  The reality is there. No matter how much
we think we know of them, there’s always something we didn’t figure.

“You know, if anyone was to stand against the will of Ahtsag Znuul it would be none other
than Mademoiselle Karen Redditch,” Christophe says with a smile.

That ma
kes me smile too. But still, what if?

We made it to New Orleans in good time.  Christophe refused to spend the night, instead opting to turn around and join family.  A good choice in my book.

He drops me off at the front of my building, as requested.  We say our goodbyes and I head into my hybrid shop/restaurant/entertainment area.  At least that’s what it’s supposed to be since I re-imagined it.  There’s no telling what happened since it’s left my watchful eye.

I step inside and am pleased to see that all is good.  We’re still doing live entertainment.  I see by the sign that we are cross promoting other attractions now – the voodoo museum particularly. 

I approve.

I look around and see that things are going well.  Tables have customers. 
There’s a reader doing readings.  Activity. Sales.  This is good.

My reverie is broken by the sound of Robert, one of my managers.  “Well look what the cat dragged in
,” he says beckoning me to follow him with a nod of his head.  We walk back behind the counter to the tiny manager’s office.

Once inside he closes the door and looks at me with all seriousness.  “I have to k
now something, cause it’s been bothering me something bad.  You’ve seen all that devil shit, Rome burning, that preacher, that YouTube video thing – all that stuff?”

I look him dead in the eyes as seriously as I can
, “Of course.”

He looks away from me, then back. “Are you one of those things?  Dammit you look like some snot nosed kid, but you sure as hell don’t act your age.
You’re walking around in daylight – so you ain’t no vampire.”

Well
doodle me diddled.

Robert is a smart one and I would
prefer to have a smart manager over a stupid one.  So, knowing I can’t lie to save myself I just tell him the truth.  “No Robert, I’m not one of those things.”

He scrutinizes me and my answer. “You sure as hell ain’t no kid.”

“Never said I was Robert. But I’m no devil, demon, vampire or evil thing. If you have an issue managing my business, feel free to do what’s best for you. Personally, I’ve been dragged through some bad crap the last few years, not to mention just recently.” I sit down on the corner of the manager’s desk. “I’m tired, man. I don’t need more drama in my life now.”

“So what are you then” he asks me.

“Robert,” I say fixing to his eyes. “Let’s just say this… I’m human and I am not too bad a guy.  Just a pathetic Joe cursed to outlive everyone he loves.”

“How old are you, if you don’t mind me aski
ng?”  Robert’s tone and posture change; I think he’s feeling some sympathy for me. I hope so.

“I’m
98 years old Robert. And if you tell anyone that, I will piss in your wheaties, trust me.”

He nods at me. “Won’t say a thing, Mr. MacInerny.  Just good to know that my people skills aren’t off. And that I’m not working for the devil.”

That being behind us, I pepper him with questions about the business and find that we are actually pulling
a profit – for the first time in whenever.  We leave each other with smiles and I make my way to the garage to take the lift up.

Pffif is in the garage, apparently sweeping the Suburban for devices.

“Master Arthur, they’re trying to be sneaky on us, but they didn’t count on Mr. Pffiferil and his bag
O’ tricks.” He’s wanding the vehicle with some electronic device and has his suitcase of bug-tracing devices out. I know our fine vehicle will be clean in no time.

I head to the lift and go up to our living area. Upon entering,
I look at the common area that is our living space and wonder if I’m really considering what I’m considering. Then Sil comes barreling out the hall almost bypassing me, except to state her intentions.

“I’ll be out on the hunt tonight, if you don’
t mind. Usual rules, no one gets hurt, blah, blah”

She almost made it
into the lift before I said something.

“Rather you didn’t.”

That of course stops her in her tracks.  She turns and looks at me with curiosity. “We’ve been through this before… No one gets hurt… permanently. Everyone ends up happy.”

I take in her gaze and nod.

She cocks her head to the side.  She’s asking me what’s up. Realizing that, I respond accordingly.

“I was thinking maybe you and I would do something this evening, but I can’t be sure it’s going to happen.  Can you at least keep your evening open?”

That changes things totally – her posture softens.  “I’m always willing to make time for you, you know that.”

“Good
,” I respond.  “There are things I have to check into”

She tells me to let her know and heads downstairs, no doubt to screw around with
Robert and the customers at the Hidden Eye.

Am I going to do this?
I look around the living room.  The easy thing would be to say no. I stand there in paralysis. Is she worth it?

Then another thought
percolates – Aren’t I worth it?  Aren’t I worth receiving what kings have paid fortunes for? They, my group, are all mine, I can do as I damn well please.  I shake that thought off.

This is about keeping my word and giving someone their due.  At least that’s what I tell myself.

I break from my paralysis, walk down to Sheyliene’s room and knock on the door.  A sing-song, “come in,” follows so I do, clenching my teeth.

I’m greeted by the obligatory running hug, which is
always nice.

“Shey sit down please, there’s something we need to talk about
,” I say in as calm a voice as I can.

While Sheyliene may be a little emotionally unbalanced, she is not in any ways
unperceptive.  She fixes on my eyes and asks, “What’s wrong?”

“Just sit down
,” I tell her. “And please don’t interrupt me.  Let me get this out.”

She sits down and looks up at me. “Did I do something bad?”

I hold out my hands and take a breath. “No.  Let me explain.” This requires another deep breath. “It wasn’t Sil’s place to let me out of my promise. It was my promise made and only mine to break.”

Shey gets it immediately
and starts to come out of her seat.  I hold out my finger quickly to try to silence her. “I asked you not to interrupt.”  She sits back down.

“Sil’s come a long way. Even you have to see that. She wants one thing and as best I can tell it’s more as some kind of affirmation or proof of worth thing. So I’m going to make good on
my promise to her.  It’s not fair she goes unhappy.”

There’s a long silent pause.  I think Shey
wants to make sure I was done. Then, once determining I was done, she lets me know her thoughts.

“You are
a fucking idiot if you buy into that whole ‘I just want to prove myself to you’ crap. Don’t you see she just wants to control you? That’s what they do. That’s what she did – to Maldgorath. Even General Znuul said she’s bad news. She’s a soul eater Arthur, a fucking demon soul eater and you’re going to just go serve yourself right up.”

Her eyes are burning holes through me.
  I return the gaze without the attitude.

“Shey, she’s my summonling.  She can’t hurt me.  There’s no soul eating.”

“You know what I mean,” she shouts back at me. “You’re going to end up addicted and under her control. Yea – addicted.  Then she’ll be the boss of all of us again.  Do you want that? I don’t! I am not sucking that bitch’s toes – not ever again!”

I am totally stupefied after that bit of
over sharing. I think my expression gives it away.

“It wasn’t me! You know that Arthur!”

Not her...  Best to just let that go. “I don’t think I’ll be addicted from a one-nighter Shey.  And I don’t think she wants to be the boss of us either.”

“It won’t stop at one night
,” she says back in a low tone. “And Dorothy hated her.  No, hates her! And she’ll hate you too if you feed yourself to that succu-bitch.”

She went there – she played the Dorothy card.  And truth is, she makes a point. Dorothy had no kind words or feelings for Silithes. I close my eyes and try to process all this.
Would I be forever out of my love’s favor for this? 

“It’s
okay Arthur.” I feel Shey’s hand lightly on my arm “You don’t have to. Sil’s not expecting it of you. And it’s not like you really want to.”

Not like I really want to…  I open my eyes and look at Shey. Her face goes pale and she takes two haltered steps backwards. 

Damn my poker face.

Shey’s face is one of horror.  “You want that
,” she says in almost a whisper.

“I don’
t know,” I say thinking aloud. "Maybe. I am curious and…”

“Oh god” she
blurts out and turns around from me.  She reaches up to her hair and in a cascade of yellow dust transforms to her true Pixie form.  She turns slightly and walks to the open patio door off her living room.

“Sheyliene,
I don’t know why I’m…”

“She’s going to hurt you Arthur
,” she says turning around to me. “She’s going to hurt us all.”

A current of anger runs through me and I close my eyes again. Who is this pixie to be questioning me – her wielder
?  They are my servants – beholden to me!  Anger starts to turn to rage. Then I choke it back.  What the Sam-Hill was that about? I open my eyes to see Shey looking at me.

“
Oh,” she says quietly having obviously felt my anger. “If she doesn’t hurt us, there is one thing for certain.”

“What Shey?”

“You won’t want me anymore. All you’ll want is her. I won’t be good enough. No one will.”

There it is.
  “Shey that’s not true.”

Before I can say a
nother word she shakes her head and in a cascade of silver glittering dust turns very tiny and buzzes out the patio door.

My head races. What did I just do?  What was that anger? That wasn’t like me
...  I don’t think that way - but I sure did for that moment. I bury my face in my hands.  Do I want Sil?  I must, I just basically broke Sheyliene’s heart – for what?

God bless, maybe I should have let her destroy all the dishes – life would be simpler.

I pull my hands from my face, take a deep breath and try to center myself.  It’s time for calm rational thinking. No self-deceptions, just truth.  I search myself and ask the question – am I doing this out of a sense of honor or is it because I want to experience what she has to offer?

The honest answer is both.  I can’t deny my
curiosity.  I can’t deny that making her happy would make me happy too. I take another deep breath.

This is going to happen.

I leave Shey’s room and quietly close the door.  I walk down the hall to Sil’s apartment and knock on the door.  A short while later she answers the door.

“Yeessss?”

“We have a date tonight.”

That perk
s her up. “Ooo…  A show?  A restaurant? Another walking tour?”

I smile at her -
she has no idea. “We’re making good on my promise to you tonight. You have me from sundown to sun-up as agreed.”

Rather than the squeals of delight I expected, I instead get Sil’s very serious
look. “That’s very nice Arthur,” she says in a neutral tone. “But I don’t need a pity screwing. I mean, thank you. Your sense of obligation is very admirable.” Her face lightens to a half smile. “I do want you hun, but it would be so much better if you really wanted me too. I can wait.”

Knock me over with a feather.

“Okay,” I say almost stammering on the one syllable word, hoping to collect my thoughts. “I’ve had to consider this, honestly, and Sil I do want this night with you too.  I can’t promise you that it will turn into anything or for that matter that it will ever happen again. But tonight I do want to be with you. Not just to be freaky, but to share some intimacy. You alright with that?”

Knock her over with a feather
…  She’s stunned.

“Yes...” she says with a smile forming. “
I am quite alright with that.”

“Good” I tell her
, my own smile renewed. “Then it’s a date.  Step over to my apartment at dark.  Wear something nice that comes off real easy.”

“No problem
,” she purrs back to me hanging on the door - the temptress returning to her eyes.  “I have a whole closet of that.”