Page 21 of The Malevolent Eight

What Ididrecall was the fact that Tenebris had seated us around an eight-sided table. Coincidences are rare when dealing with diabolics.

‘So, you’re a fugitive from the Glorian Justiciars looking for revenge who joined up with a bunch of second-rate wonderists to sell their services to the Infernals?’ I asked.

‘I prefer to work alone,’ the Spellslinger replied, playing with one of her dark, glistening curls in a way that sent a pleasant tingle through me. She dipped a finger in the remains of the ceramic bowl. ‘And I hate paella.’

‘Heathen,’ Corrigan muttered.

‘You’re telling me the Aurorals hired an ex-con?’

She shook her head. Those damned curls jiggled enticingly as she leaned in close. ‘Let’s just say, I represent a third party with a vested interest in preserving the natural order of affairs currently unfolding across the Mortal realm.’

‘Natural?’ Galass asked angrily. ‘There’s nothing “natural” about war.’

The Spellslinger laughed. ‘Darling, war is the most natural force in existence. It’s the means by which the past gives way to the future.’ Her eyes twinkled as she held my gaze and added, ‘It’s how we settle scores.’

With most wonderists, that sort of idle, companionably delivered comment quickly leads to explosions, aethereal fires and screams of agonising death. The Spellslinger just shook her head in wry amusement as if she couldn’t believe I still wasn’t getting the joke.

‘You know, Cade,’ she began, her tone unexpectedly intimate, ‘despite everything, I’ve developed a soft spot for you. I mean, this whole “seven lunatics saving the world” thing you’ve got going on? It’s adorable.’ She reached out a hand and pinched my cheek. ‘And you’re cute as hell.’ She rose from her chair and tugged her waistcoat, straightening it. ‘That’s why I’m giving you a second chance. Stop interfering with the recruitment efforts of the Infernals and the Aurorals. Back away from the edge of this cliff you’ve run to; it’s one wrong move away from collapsing under your feet. Let the Great Crusade unfold, just like fate intended.’

I decided to stay silent. I hate when people make you ask, ‘Or else?’ The answer’s never pleasant.

‘Or else?’ Shame asked.

Backing towards the door, the Spellslinger spread her arms wide. ‘Right now, I’m just the messenger. Once my bosses tire of your meddling– then, sweetheart, my next visit will have a more. . . explosive outcome.’

‘Is she talking about sex?’ Corrigan asked, turning to me. ‘Listen, Brother, you know I rarely interfere in your lack of a love life, but let me find you a nice, plump hooker instead.’ He put up his hands. ‘Disease-free this time, I promise.’

For the record, there was never a first time. He’s thinking about himself.

I followed the Spellslinger’s steps to the door, my gaze drawn to her every move. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I’d been mesmerised by her. Just like I also knew it hadn’t involved magic or even beauty. She knew something about me– something aboutus– and that gave her a power over me I couldn’t explain.

Just before she stepped out into the street, she turned and flashed me that smile of hers one last time. ‘The Malevolent Seven,’ she said. ‘Most darling thing I’ve ever heard.’

As her footsteps faded, Corrigan said, ‘I’ll give her this much: that girl knows how to make an entranceandan exit.’

‘The lady does indeed possess an unmistakable flair about her, does she not?’ Aradeus observed.

Galass and Shame were staring thoughtfully at the empty doorway. Even Temper was caught up in the kangaroo equivalent of confounded awe.

Fortunately, one of us proved immune to her charms.

‘Are you demented fools going to sit there like rotting vegetables after a wonderist who just declared herself our enemy saunters unharmed out the door?’ Alice demanded. Her ire was entirely directed at me. ‘What purpose did Hazidan Rosh have for training me as a Justiciar, only to saddle me with cowards who care nothing for justice?’ Her whip-sword came crashing down on the table. The azure stone surface shattered, sending plates, cutlery and what was left of the paella scattering all over the floor. ‘Tell me, oh great and terrible war mages, is it the Spellslinger’s smile or her arse that so ensorcels you?’

‘Arse,’ Corrigan said before I could stop him.

I rose from my chair. ‘Alice is right.’

‘Since when?’ Corrigan asked. ‘I always assumed you’d recruited her because you figured we needed a sulky, ill-tempered mascot.’

Enigmatic warnings and veiled threats are routine in this business. Wonderists on opposite sides of a conflict regularly put on these little performances to put each other off their game. Some might argue the practice saves lives, avoiding catastrophic showdowns by making the enemy reconsider their life choices.

Me? I’d already left behind my old life, twice, in fact, and I didn’t anticipate the third attempt was going to end well. So I was done playing by the usual rules.

‘Where are you going?’ Galass jumped up to stop me.

I shrugged off her grip and stepped out onto the street. ‘I’m going to kick that so-called Spellslinger’s arse and make her tell me who her bosses are so I can go and kick theirs next.’

I swear, I’m not usually the impulsive one in our group. Three guesses who’s usually the one going off half-cocked. Actually, don’t bother, because it turned out my sudden reckless streak was far more predictable than I’d expected.

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