Thief of Lies (13 page)

Reading about charms, spells, and all the stuff wizards could do was fascinating and scary at the same time. Some wizards had the ability to weave their minds to another person’s or even two minds together that weren’t their own. They used it for spying, and in some cases, stealing identities.

I yawned. “Great. Now we need firewalls for our brains.”

I closed the book on charms, set it aside, and decided to read more about the Mystiks in
The Invisible Places
by Gian Bianchi, Professor of Wizardry. Someone had written a poem on the page before the first chapter. Black ink drops and a fingerprint smudged it. The title was in Italian, but the verse was in English, which struck me as strange.

Libero IL Tesoro

A religious man’s charm hangs from his ves
t;

A school of putti, one of which sees further than the res
t
;

Strong women flank the ceiling, the one in Sentinel dress holds an enchanted point small in size;

Behind Leopold she stands, one hand resting on a crown and the other

holding a rolled prize;

With numbers in her mind and knowledge in her hands, on her brow a crown does res
t
;

In front of the world, he wears his honor on his ches
t
;

Beneath destruction and rapine, he scribes the word, while time falls;

All these things are within the library walls.

Poetry was all rhyme and no reason sometimes. Afton loved this stuff, and I wished she were here to help me make sense of it. I flipped the pages to the first chapter. Reading always helped me fall asleep, and this book looked boring enough to put me out fast.

The chapter was about how mystical beings once lived openly with humans, without concern for who witnessed their powers or their unusual exteriors. The number of humans grew rapidly until they surpassed the Mystik races. Some of the Mystiks turned evil, killing humans for food or for rituals. Out of fear, humans hunted and killed Mystiks—even the innocent ones—wiping out entire covens.

The Mystiks feared the differences between their races and refused to band together against the humans, so many of the weaker Mystiks sought help from the wizards. That’s when the wizards cloaked their havens and built cities nearby for the gentler Mystiks to live protected. The gateway books were created by the fey to make travel between the havens faster. To keep rogue Mystiks from traveling through the gateway books and killing humans, the wizards commissioned the fey to create a force of magical knights—the Sentinels. With the help of their new force, the Wizard Council took control of the gateways and libraries. And because of the Sentinels, only eight percent of the nearly hundred attacks on humans each year by Mystiks ended up in loss of life.

I stretched my hands over my head and yawned. “Still, that’s like eight deaths a year.”

The next chapter was about Laniars. Mostly, it was the same stuff Faith had told me the night before.
Wait
. Where was Faith? I glanced around the room. She should have been there protecting me already. By the bed, her bag lay on its side, books, magazines, and a variety of small things strewn across the area carpet. Amber liquid dripped from an open can of an energy drink tipped over on the nightstand.

I could have kicked myself for not realizing earlier she wasn’t in my room. If I didn’t learn to be more aware of my surroundings—and quickly—we could be in serious danger.

Chapter Thirteen

I
barreled into Nana’s room. “Have you seen Faith? She told me she had to guard me at night.”

Nana—mummified in the covers of the bed with her hands barely poking out to hold the book she was reading—peeked over her reading glasses at me. “Perhaps Merl summoned her?” Nana reached over and picked up the beige handset to a landline on the bedside table.

“You have a
phone
?” I had tried my cell phone several times and couldn’t get reception.

“You can’t make calls outside of Asile with it. One moment, it’s ringing. Yes,” Nana answered whoever was on the other line. “Merl, please.” She placed her hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. “When did you see her last?”

“We saw her just before dinner, remember?”

Someone on the other line answered. “Why hello, Merl, dear. I’m so sorry to bother at such a late hour, but Gia is concerned for Faith—” He must have said something to cut her off. “No, she isn’t here, and we haven’t seen her since before dinner.” She paused. “All right, we’ll see you in a few.”

After Nana hung up the phone, she slipped on her robe and rushed into the bathroom. I followed. She started brushing her hair.

“How can you worry about your hair at a time like this?”

“Well, Merl and I did go for a romantic walk after dinner, and I think he was pretty darned close to kissing me.”

Ew. Find a happy place.
“Did you use a love spell on him?”

She twisted the bottom of a lipstick until a well-used red nub extended from the case, then swiped her finger across the red stick and patted the cream lightly onto her lips. “No, I didn’t use a
love spell on him
. I don’t use charms for my own benefit. I love the mess of life. I hate when things come too easy.”

“Hand me the brush. You have a rat’s nest on the back of your head.” I took the brush and smoothed out the knot in her hair. Afterward, I paced until someone knocked on the door.

Nana opened the door. Merl wasn’t alone. The Sentinels flanked him, wearing their battle gear.

“Has she returned?” Merl asked.

“No, but do come in,” Nana urged.

Merl shook his head. “I haven’t much time. Searchers and surveillance eyes are hunting the grounds for Faith as we speak. I gave her strict orders to stay with Gia and she’d never go against them.” Worry weighed on his face, deepening the hint of wrinkles at his eyes.

Arik leaned against the doorframe, his heavy-lidded brown eyes studying me through the eyeholes of his helmet, arms folded, head cocked.

“Kale will stay here with you,” Merl said. “Keep your doors locked and do not open them until I return.”

I’d go nuts waiting to hear whether Faith was okay or not. I might not trust her totally yet, but I’d feel horrible if something happened to her because of me. “I want to help search for her.”

“I’d prefer you stay here where it’s safe,” Merl said.

“She can tag along with me,” Arik said. “I’ll make certain she doesn’t get into trouble.”

“I’ll get changed,” I said, without waiting for a reply from Merl. Though I didn’t want to be alone with Arik and have my feelings go all berserk over him again, he was my only way out of this room.

Our footsteps echoed across the wide corridors and high, arched ceilings as Arik and I searched the classroom and dorm halls without saying a word, which was completely uncomfortable.

Arik finally broke the silence. “You okay?”

“I’m good.”

“I like your hair curly like that.”

I brushed my fingers through my hair. The curl was from the bun I had in it earlier. “Thanks.” The flutter in my stomach returned. I told myself he didn’t mean anything by it, not with him having the hottest girl on the planet as a girlfriend.

“Are you feeling better? You were homesick…”

“Oh that, yes, thanks.” We rounded a corner. “But now I’m worried about Faith.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” he said.

“Then why all the fuss? You know, why the search party and all?”

“You got me there. I was trying to ease your concerns.” He searched the corridor. “Merl
is
worried. Faith would never leave her duty. With the current uprising in the Mystik world and a compelled at large in Asile, we’re on heightened alert. Anything abnormal must be investigated.”

I glanced at him sharply. “You guys haven’t found the compelled, yet?”

“No. There wasn’t any data recorded by the surveillance eyes during yours and Veronique’s encounter with the unfortunate soul. Not in the Sentinel hall or in the hall to your room. Whoever it was knows how to avoid our security.”

I couldn’t speak, fear muting my voice, the dim corridors suddenly feeling more sinister. Could someone have done something bad to Faith? Why? Was it because she was protecting me? My thoughts went to that feeling I had in the hallway. Maybe I led whoever it was straight to Faith.

When we came into the Sentinels’ section of the castle, Veronique stepped out of her room wearing tight yoga pants and an even tighter t-shirt. She spotted Arik and me together and gave me the death stare again.

Fantastic.
My shoulders straightened. The girl really was hot.

“What’s ‘appening?” she asked, her French accent lacing her words. “Zere’s been much agitation in zee hall.”

“We’re searching for Faith. Have you seen her?”

“No. Shall I ‘elp?”

“If you care to,” Arik said.

I forced a smile. “It’s probably nothing. Faith might just be out doing whatever Faith does.” I wished she wouldn’t come with us.

“No, no, I want to ‘elp. Just a moment,” she said and went back into her room. I hoped she was putting on a bra. When she came back out, she had a breastplate on and her sword strapped to her side.

A horn sounded somewhere outside the castle and we took off down the hall. We flew around several corners until we reached a door and barged through it.

The sky was purple with the threat of dawn. I dashed across the slippery, wet grass after the shadows of Arik’s compact body and Veronique’s svelte frame. The other Sentinels and some people I didn’t recognize had gathered on the pasture down the hill from the castle. A pale figure was shackled to one of the thick maple trees.

I stopped beside Arik and Veronique. My stomach dropped. It couldn’t be.

Arik turned and grabbed my shoulders. “Let’s go back to your room.”

“No.”

I pulled away from Arik and ran toward the tree. Jaran tried to head me off, but I darted around him. And froze. It was her. “Faith!”

She was kneeling in the mud, her stone-white arms shackled across the tree. Head limp. Chin against her chest.

Arik trapped me in his strong arms. “You don’t want to see this,” he said.

“No. No.
No!
” I clung tight to him. Salty rivers ran down my cheeks. “It’s all my fault,” I whispered against his chest.

“It’s no one’s fault,” Arik said, holding me up. His tenderness surprised me.

“It is too. It’s because of me she’s—” I stopped when I spotted Merl crossing the field.

“Everyone except for the Sentinels, go back to your rooms.” Merl shooed the crowd and rushed to the tree. “Go on. Do as I say.” He dropped to his knees in front of Faith and lifted her chin. “She’s still alive,” he called out. “Someone, fetch me the cutters.”

I struggled to get loose from Arik’s arms, but he tightened his grip. “Stay here. There’s nothing you can do. You’ll only be in the way.”

Jaran returned with the chain cutters. While Merl held up a section of links, Jaran chopped at them. Sparks flew out from the impact.

“It won’t budge.” Jaran dropped the tool to the ground. “It’s charmed.”

Faith moaned and shook her head. “Leave me!” she howled like an injured animal.

Veronique pulled her sword from its scabbard and swung it at the chain. The blade connected with the links, chiming as loud as a church bell, but still it held tight. She stumbled against the force. “What ‘as you?”

Merl glanced at the horizon. The purple sky had turned a dark pink, announcing the arrival of the sun. “Who did this to you?” he asked.

“I did this to me.”

“Why?”

“Leave me. He’s compelling me. I’m to kill you and Gia. I can’t. I refuse to hurt you, Merl. And it’s my duty to protect Gia.
Let me die
.”

“Someone wants to kill Merl and Gia?” Veronique asked. “Why?”

I pulled from Arik’s grasp and ran to Merl’s side. “Who’s compelling you?” I choked out.

“I didn’t see…he was cloaked.” Faith lifted her gaze to me. “I’m so sorry about scaring you in the corridor.”

“That was you?” The memory of Faith hiding in the drapes in my room flashed in my mind.

“These are my charmed shackles.” Merl turned to the Sentinels. “Demos, go and retrieve the keys from my office.”

“He won’t find them,” Faith said weakly as Demos bolted back to the castle. “They’re hidden.” A fierce look passed over her face, and she bared her teeth.

I stumbled back. “What’s happening to her?”

“She’s lost her will against the compulsion,” Arik said.

“Someone take Gia to her room,” Merl said. “Veronique, give me your sword.”

“I’ll take ‘er.” Veronique gave him her sword and grabbed me.

“No. Wait.” She yanked my arm, but I didn’t budge. “What are you going to do?”

“It’s an act of mercy.” Merl’s voice cracked, and he cleared his throat before continuing. “I cannot reverse the charm on the shackles without the key. We can’t chop the tree down. It’s too thick. If we use magic…fire or lightning…we’d certainly kill her.” Merl glanced at me. “Faith is like a daughter to me. I don’t want her to suffer. Dying by sunlight is very painful.”

“You have to wait for Demos,” I begged. “He’s getting the keys.”

“You heard Faith, she hid them.” Merl’s eyes were glossy, his jaw tight.

I ran to Faith. “No! I won’t let you kill her.”

She pushed against the chains, gnashing her teeth and swiping the air as she tried to reach me. Arik jumped between us, pushing me back. “You want to get bit?” he said.

“There has to be something we can do,” I said, dropping to the ground on my knees, just out of Faith’s grasp. I covered my mouth with my hand to stop my sobs. But nothing could stop them. I shut my eyes tight.
This can’t be happening.
She can’t die.

The tears tumbling from my cheeks and nose landed on my hand. My palms pulsed and tiny tingles pricked my skin. I opened my hands and stared at my palms. They burned, but they weren’t on fire. A pink glow swathed my eyes. For a long moment, I believed it was the pink light of sunrise and expected Faith to crumble before my eyes, but she didn’t. Instead, the charmed shackles fell to the ground, releasing her. I stumbled to my feet.

Veronique stood gaping at us. “What just ‘appened?”

“Get back.” Arik pointed his sword at Faith. Veronique snatched hers from the ground where Merl must have dropped it and aimed it toward Faith as well.

“Get Gia away,” Merl ordered, a ball of electricity swirling between his hands. “It’s not safe.”

“Don’t hurt her!” I rushed toward the tree. Arik grabbed me around my waist, lifting my feet off the ground.

“Let me go!” I kicked his shin. He flinched, but kept his hold on me.

Merl threw the ball at Faith. The charge sparked across her skin, and she collapsed to the ground, bound by electric cords of light. He kneeled beside her, placed his fingertips around her face, and closed his eyes.

Faith’s eyes rolled back, exposing the whites of her eyes. Her body shook violently.

I twisted in Arik’s arms. “He’s killing her!”

“Hush,” he said. “He’s only searching to see if she’s still being compelled.”

Merl removed his hand and the pulsing cords binding Faith disappeared. “Do you desire to kill me?” asked Merl.

“No.”

“And Gia. Do you wish to kill her?”

“No.” Faith shot me a smile. “Am I free?”

“Yes, but I want you to come with me. I must run a few tests to make sure you’re completely released.” Merl stretched his hand to her and helped her up. “Hurry. The sun is almost up.”

Veronique turned to the others. “Did you see zat bubble?”

Merl released Faith’s hand. “I think it was a rather large globe.”

“Did it remove ze charm?” Veronique pressed.

“I’m not certain. I will have to look into it further.” Merl headed up the hill. “We must hurry and get Faith to safety.” Lei threw a black cloak around Faith’s head and hurried along with them.

“You can let me go now,” I snapped at Arik.

He released me. “Can you wait here with me? I want to talk to you alone.”

“Why? What do you want?” I wasn’t in the mood for a tongue-lashing, and only stayed because I was curious to hear what he had to say. The crowd broke up, and most moseyed up the path back to their rooms.

Veronique hovered behind. “Shall I wait for you?”

Arik removed his helmet. “No, there’s no need.”

She pouted and stormed after the last of the gawkers, leaving Arik and me alone.

I kept my gaze on the sun rising over the hills. I didn’t want to play nice, I had a throbbing headache and my body was weak. “What do you want?”

“You were inside a bubble. It expanded beyond you and engulfed Faith. Then the shackles unlocked.”

His revelation scattered my anger and I teetered off balance. I looked around, like some of the pink light might still be swirling about, and shook my head. How I’d done…whatever…was a mystery. “So, what was it?”

“I don’t know. Are you all right?”

My legs were rubbery, and I was dizzy. And a little shocked. No, really shocked. A few days ago I couldn’t conjure a spark of light without help and now I was flinging pink globes. “Um…maybe…I think so.”

He dropped his helmet and cupped my shoulders, rotating me to face him. “This all has to be frightening for you.”

His tenderness blew away the last of my irritation and my head drooped. “I’m—”

“And don’t say you’re fine. You don’t have to be strong around me.” He leaned closer with a serious look on his face.

I held my breath. He was too close. I took a shaky step back from him, but stopped when he stared at me with a frustrated look.