Smoke And Mirrors: Cast In Shadow, #3

Smoke And Mirrors

Cast In Shadow, Book Three

Phaedra Weldon

Caldwell Press

For my father

Summary

Never make a deal with a Faerie. You won't make it out alive.

Of all the races in this world, the most treacherous is the Faerie. They claim to never lie, and yet when it comes to deceit and trickery, they are at the top of their game. An old proverb says never make a deal with a dragon. I have never met a dragon, but I would trust its word more than I would trust that of a Fae.

And yet I foolishly signed a contract with one. Silly me.

One

It wasn't really like an interrogation. I wasn't tied to a chair with a single light shining in my face as some guy named Gunter removed fingernails. But that's exactly what it felt like. Sitting beneath the fluorescent lights of Anand's office, I stared out over the view of the Space Needle in Seattle, pinned to my chair by the intense and rather painful stare of a Goddess asking me questions—and yay for me, if I got the answer wrong—

I will ask you again, Mr. Grainger, Anand's proper British accent only added to the surreal look of her form as young Queen Elizabeth. Is the allegation I have levied against Mitchell Greybeard true?

My first answer had been no, even though it was true. Why did I lie? Because I really didn't want to be involved in the politics between Faerie and Night Walker. I really, really didn't. And for my untrue answer, which she already seemed to know was untrue, I'd received some kind of blindingly painful shock that set my spine on fire. That explained why I was half-seated in the chair, panting heavily and blinking to get my eyesight back.

I wanted to fall out of the chair, but I couldn't. My ass was stuck it. Had been since the moment I sat down. I closed my eyes and answered, Yes.

Very good, Mr. Grainger. I see my choice of motivation is working. Now, she placed her elbows on the sparsely decorated desk and laced her fingers together. It think it wise to continue being truthful while we have this meeting.

I just— That was as far as I got before that jolt hit me again. I swear I thought I was gonna wreck my pants as every muscle in my body locked in place and my back arched. My arms spread to my sides in that instant as I lost all conscious thought.

The world returned when the pain subsided (well, it really didn't go away…it just dulled) and I was leaned over to my right, staring down at a pair of what I was sure was an expensive pair of ladies’ pumps. Every muscle in my body burned as if on fire. It was like the second day after a hard workout in the gym, where I hurt in places I didn't know I had. Only, it was my entire body, from my head to my burning toes. It hurt to move, but I managed to right myself, albeit slowly, and tilt my head to look up into Anand's face. At some point, she'd moved from her chair and came to stand beside me. We only speak when we are spoken to, Mr. Grainger. Do you understand?

Shit. Now I was paranoid. Do I answer out loud or do I just nod? I had a fifty-fifty chance of getting my ass handed to me again. So I just nodded, figuring that was the safe bet.

She smiled. I didn't like that smile one fucking bit. It was cold and detached and the woman I'd brokered a deal with a month earlier, the Anand phase of The Mórrígan, became public enemy number one to me. A lot of good that thought would do me, seeing as how a Ghoul like myself had no real chance to fight a Goddess. Very good, Mr. Grainger. Now… She moved back around to her chair and sat again. This time she kept her hands in her lap. Please explain how Mr. Greybeard kept Ginny Greenteeth prisoner.

I was sweating now. And I was pretty sure if I hadn't had an Ancient's blood a day or so ago, what she was doing to me would have hurt even more. I licked my lips and went into what Ginny had told me. When Anand frowned, I also added in what I saw in Greybeard's home, including the cages, syringes, everything I could empty out of my memory.

Cold iron. I see. I give my dear daughter praise for her escape, and I give you thanks for freeing her from the iron. Yes, she has told me what happened, and how you saved her. For that, I am grateful. But there is more information to be had, Mr. Grainger. She put her hands palm down on her desk. What is the name of the Vampire who orchestrated this endeavor?

Oh no. I had to give answer to this. I didn't have a choice. I wasn't sure exactly how much power The Mórrígan had. All I knew was…I was in pain. The fire in my muscles had quieted…a little. But it was still there. Aubrey. That was a name I didn't mind giving because I really didn't give a crap about the bastard. I wasn't really sure where he was. Or if he were alive.

Last name?

I don't know it. If I heard it, I blocked it out.

I thought she was going to whammy me again because I didn't have a full answer. Instead, she simply nodded. I know of him. He is a Talmadge. Please continue.

Now I hesitated. So I threw another name out. Snow…and I don't know her last name. But she's dead.

Oh?

I…uh, killed her.

I thought I saw a flicker of a smile on that perfectly poised face. You were in touch with your own inner demon. I see it.

This was true. It still bothered me that Julie had seen exactly what I was capable of. Knowing that I was…could become…am…a Hellhound.

There is more.

The only other name I had was Jedediah's. And though I knew the truth of what he'd done with the Cup of Alemont, and that he'd turned a blind eye to what Aubrey had been doing, not only draining a Faerie but an Ancient as well, he was still the Prince of this city. The closest we had to royalty. And I was still, deep in my soul, a Chevalier. Maybe not Jedediah's exactly, but I was still animated by Night Walker blood.

This omission wasn't going to go very well.

For me.

Mr. Grainger, per our contract, you have an obligation to be truthful to me.

This was in our contract?! I read that piece of paper and I didn't remember there being anything in there about snitching and torture!

I didn't answer. I figured if I didn't know my choices, silence was better.

"I see. Your Chevalier training is ingrained within you and not something I alone can breech." She reached over and pressed a button on her phone.

Yes, ma'am, came a male's voice.

Please escort Mr. Grainger to interview room one hundred.

Yes, ma'am.

Panic!

I heard the door open behind me but I couldn't turn to see who…or what…stepped in. I could only watch Anand's face as she looked past me. Mr. Grainger requires further assessment.

What the hell did that mean?!

Abruptly I could move from the chair and was instantly on the floor. Powerful arms lifted me under my shoulders and then pulled my arm over their shoulders. I looked over and up to see who…

He was tall. Long blond hair that gleamed under the lights. And sticking out through that hair was a long, pointed ear. When he looked down at me I saw cat-like eyes with oval pupils. And when he smiled, his teeth were sharp and pointed.

I will see you in a few days, Mr. Grainger. Where I will ask you again for another name.

I tried to push away from this…whatever this guy was. An Elf? A Faerie? I didn't know. It didn't matter. I heard Occam crying out in my head, demanding to be released. I was already in pain, and I had no fucking clue what further assessment meant.

But I was about to find out.

There we go, came a strikingly familiar Cockney accent in the darkness. "Not sure how to make you more comfortable. I'm thinking, though, once you do wake up, if you do, you might be listening to my proposal."

I swallowed. The voice sounded like Casper Tungsten…but that wouldn't be right. I left him in the cave to continue his sleep, undisturbed. He couldn't have been in The Mórrígan's interview room.

Right?

Was I still in the interview room? I couldn't remember much of anything. Just a weightless darkness. Maybe an echo of pain. But at that moment, I couldn't feel…anything.

Ren? There was movement, somewhere. Are ye wif me?

I opened my eyes slowly, afraid that Casper's voice would just be another trick. Another non-reality. Another dream. Another…horror. But as the dim light brightened, I was able to focus in on the features of the Ancient. His worried expression relaxed a bit and he blew air between his lips. You gave me a bugger of a scare.

I— But that was as far as I could go with speaking. Because I couldn't get air.

I gasped for it and tried to sit up, but I couldn't feel anything. I didn't have a body…where were my arms…or my legs? I had a memory of burning pain, of the smell of my own vomit, of the sound of cracking of bones—

Stop, Casper's voice drowned it all out with that single word. I looked up at him, gasping for air. Each intake of it felt harder than the next. "You've got to listen to me, Chevalier. There's a lot to say, but not a lot of time. For you. What I can tell you is you're broken. I haven't been able to find a part of you, besides your head, that hasn't been shattered. And I'm afraid that includes your rib cage, right into your lungs."

All I could do was rhythmically gasp for each small breath I could manage.

I think the only reason you're still living is because that bitch wants you alive, and you had the blood of my kind in you. Balor's a harsh punisher. I dun think I've ever seen anyone survive him as you did.

I tried to process what Casper was telling me…but I couldn't seem to get past the idea that I was going to choke to death, unable to catch my breath, my blood seeping into my lungs from my crushed ribs. The image in my head was beyond garish.

Ren, there is a way to rectify this. And I could've just done it. But I don't like toying with people's lives, and it would mean doing something I don't think you really want to do.

My vision was dimming. I wasn't even sure why I was still living. I had been unconscious, and then came back. Or had I been dead and then came back? There was no way for me to know. Either thought gave me little comfort that I hadn't had trouble breathing until I was aware again. Consciousness just in time to know I was dying?

How fucking cruel was that?

Casper put his hands on my face, directing me to look at him. I need your answer. Do you want to live?

I tried to pull in enough air to answer, but instead I tasted blood as it came up from my throat and I choked on it.

Feck it all.

I didn't expect him to press his lips to mine in a kiss, nor did I expect him to drink the blood that came from me. He sucked hard and fast and I coughed and wretched with his lips on mine until there was no more blood in my throat. He pulled back and I could see the crimson on his lips, running down his chin. And then he was at my throat and I braced myself for pain—

But there wasn't…anything.

I could feel his teeth. I knew he was feeding. And then slowly, as I thought I was slipping into unconsciousness again, I realized what he intended to do! I wanted to protest—even opened my mouth to try and form the word, No. And then I stopped myself. No would mean the true end. An end I didn't want. It would mean never seeing Julie again. Never having the chance to be…human again.

Casper pulled back, his lips red as he licked them. Then he pushed back his sleeve and bit into his wrist. I expected to see him pour the blood into a cup. A bowl. Anything!

Too late I realized he meant for me to drink directly from him.

Open your mouth, Ren. This is the only way to heal you. He sighed. Mate, didya not listen to a bloody word I said about Leo? I've never been one to own another. It's not right. And I'll not be changing my heart for anyone else. I dun care how powerful they think they are. I promise…I won't take you.

But even