A sigh, and Josiri stared down at the brooch’s tangle of silver thread-work. His eyes brimmed with suspicion and yearning. His desire for the brooch, and all it represented, was an almost physical force, matched only by the reluctance of pride. Viktor willed the former to win out. It would have been easy enough to order the enchantment quelled and the gates opened, but this? This was more than a symbol – it was freedom to be held in one’s hand.

Fingers reached for the brooch, and then withdrew.

“No,” said Josiri. “I cannot give you what you want.”

Fury gorged on disappointment, goading forth a dangerous, brittle reply. “Reconsider.”

“Or else what?” Bleak laughter swelled beneath the words. “You’ll cage me? Divide my people and ship them overseas? You’ve no threats left to make, and your promises are worth less than nothing. I will never be your ally, Lord Akadra. Not in this, nor anything else. If I link arms with my mother’s slayer, how would I face her in the mists of Otherworld?”

A chill overcame Viktor as his shadow roused. It sang in dark melody, urged him to smother Josiri’s objections and bind him to the challenges to come, willing or no.

Viktor drowned in temptation. With so much at stake, would it be such a sin? One act of selfishness to smother another? He didn’t question whether his shadow could be pressed to that purpose. Nor did he wonder why the certainty that it could had arisen. All that held him back was equal certainty that to act thus would be at odds with the atonement he desired.

“Then you are not your mother’s son,” he growled. “I will fight without your blessing, and without your help.”

His throat tight with defeat, Viktor left the brooch where it lay and stalked from the hall.

Nineteen

Nineteen

This time, the lady came to the ruined chapel while the sun still graced Tressia’s time-worn stones and the marketplace bustled with evening trade. A bold choice, even cloaked and veiled. It spoke to urgency. Even desperation.

Apara had mixed feelings about desperation. It brought profit, but danger too often lurked in its shadow. It brought excitement, but there was much to be said for a quiet life.

“My condolences for your son, lady,” she said. “I can only guess your burdens.”

The interplay of light and shadow shifted as the woman took up position beyond the wooden screen. “I shall live with my regrets. And my disappointments.”

Apara winced. “Disappointments, lady?”

“I made special mention of a ring. It remains lost, where my son does not.”

“I can only apologise, lady. Many things go unnoticed in the wilds.” Yes, many things went unnoticed, but Kasamor Kiradin’s ring had not been among them. Nikros had kept it, confident the client wouldn’t make trouble. “If we can make amends . . .”