Page 90 of A Conduit of Light
“Iwill tell you, and then…and then, you will understand your wrath.”
PartSix
Chapter42
Karus
Anorbof light hung above the three of them, growing in size.Silver, blue, and green, it seemed to war with itself on which color would dominate its surface.
Karusclosed her eyes and pushed herself into it.
Well, first intoBaronHeimlen, then to the orb.Sheimagined her magic flowing through his body and out of his upturned, gloved hand where the light floated high above their heads.
Shepeeked out of her right eye and grinned to see that it was mostly green.Sheopened the other and caught the gaze ofRev, who then closed his own eyes and she laughed when she saw the orb change to blue.
“Weare working together, children.”
BaronHeimlen’sreproach came clear in the silence andRevich’sbody straightened, his eyes closed to focus as a proper successor to theBarontitle would do.
“Holdhere.”
Karussighed in a huff and closed her eyes again, letting the flow of her energy take on an even stream as she held ontoBaronHeimlen’sarm andRevheld onto hers.
Theyhad been practicing for weeks and weeks and she was losing her patience.Summerwas already at its climax and still they practiced, neitherBaronletting her near theBlightin that time.
Itwas difficult to keep her secret fromRev.
Therhyzolm was somewhere in the thick of it, and she had almost been discovered in her lies about the stone’s whereabouts.Buthe never seemed to catch on to her falsehoods and for that, she felt the deep pangs of guilt.
Onmore than one occasion, she had thought about telling him the truth, but, selfishly, she could not bear to think of the disappointment on his face.Andnow she was so far into her sham that she also feared what he would think of her treachery, potentially losing trust in her.
No, it was better to find it and pretend the whole thing had never happened.Shehad kept up her farce for this long, she could continue as long as it took to get it back.Surely, it would find its way back to her, just as it had always done forRevich.
Sunlightalmost blinded her behind closed eyes asBaronHeimlenused theCosensianMagicto enhance theSimulairSolumspell.
Heheld it longer than usual this time before she felt a sudden chill on her face as the clearing’s illumination vanished.
Hefell to his knees, breathing heavily andRevichmoved to his side, always a comfort to those in need of it—one of her favorite things about him.
Karuslet go ofBaronHeimlen’sarm, of their connection, and took a step back.Shehadn’t forgotten her theory, nor had she seen him yet without wearing those damn leather gloves.
Theyhad been civil to each other since that day in his rooms, but obviously avoided one another and it just bred more suspicions in her heart.Shelonged to enter his study, but, after several attempts on her own, she understood the power of havingtwolocks.
SheandRevichhad argued about it a few times and had always left the disagreement at the same place they started it.Herefused to see any merit in her theory, and she refused to let it go.Theyhung at an impasse, one she was determined to route her way.
“Karus, can you help me, please?”
Revichlifted theBaron’sweight, pulling his arm over his own shoulder.Shesilently slipped under the other, and together, the three of them hobbled back to theFortress.Thoughtsof yanking his glove off then and there traversed her mind, but she wasn’t sure she was so bold as that, especially in front ofRevich.
“Youcalled,Baron?”Pompeiiarrived to greet them through the doors.
“Yes, help me get theBaronto his rooms, please.”
“Andcall forSylva,”BaronHeimlenmuttered asKarusslipped away to allow forPompeiito bear his weight instead.
“I’llfind her,” she offered, withdrawing from the scene as the two able-bodied men lifted the other up the staircase.Theyhad a long way to go.
Shewandered into the kitchens askingLiawhereSylvamight be, who directed her to the servants’ quarters.
