Page 78 of Seducing Jenny
Once that was done, Longshot turned back to me. “So, I believe an explanation was coming forthwith?”
Gratefully, Tiger stepped in. “I’ll start from the beginning, so you don’t miss anything.”
He launched into the story, all the way back to when Deacon Ladrang had sent Jacaranda Cozz to Earth for Sarah, and why. He told them everything. After that, Mal added his side of the tale, including his time on Credo’s island, and finally, I shared my part in all of it.
When we finished, there were no more secrets. They knew it all—my family history and who my father was, what happened on Halla and Credo’s condition, the ghosts in Illiapol. Every unvarnished detail.
“No wonder I had my reservations about you,” Discord said. “Fucking Bateens.”
Mal smacked her transfusion wound.
She slugged his shoulder in response, then grabbed a new bandage since his smack had caused her to bleed more. “Mal, she’s one of us now. I was teasing her. Like we all do.”
Mal inclined his head at his friends. “So, what do you all think?”
“I could use a drink,” Longshot muttered.
“Same here,” Surge added.
But Longshot raised a hand. “Not for you. No alcohol for three days. You lost too much blood.”
“Bully,” the little man groused.
After everyone stopped laughing, Mal addressed Surge. “Do you think, if you can cure Credo of The Long Death, that you can cure Aphonic?”
“It’s a big if,” Surge said honestly. “But if I can, then yes, I’ll try for her, too.”
“I think you’re all missing the bigger picture here,” Discord cut in. “If this is a magician’s curse, then Justice is the one behind it.”
Mal frowned. “You think so?”
She arched a brow. “Who benefitted when Justice’s fathertook ill? Who has been having dozens of affairs since his wifetook ill? I’m only shocked he didn’t do it to Volatile, too.”
“Actually, I think I figured that part out,” Tiger said thoughtfully. “If Volatile or Thunder alsotake ill, then the people will worry that Justice is next. He’s been propping himself up as a god to replace the old religion, so if he looks vulnerable—”
“It makes him look weak and no longer divine,” Discord said with an agreeable nod. “Yes, that theory fits his narcissist thought process perfectly.”
“Why such an excruciating death, though?” I asked the room. “Who would wish that on anyone, let alone two of the gentlest people I’ve ever heard of on this planet?”
“That’spreciselywhy he would do it,” Mal said through gritted teeth. “He has never understood kindness or goodness. Never respected it. He thinks it’s a weakness that should be punished. This…gods, I never wanted to think this of him, but this is exactly something he would do to Credo and Aphonic. Fuck.” He leaned both hands on the work island. “I hate him. I want him dead.”
“Same,” Discord said, patting his back.
Everyone either nodded or muttered a grim, “Yes.”
“Before we plan for regicide,” Surge said dryly, “let’s all agree that we need to try to help Credo first. If he dies as a result of my work trying to fix him, no one will notice because he’s old. If I were to try to fix Aphonic, and she died from it, there would be an investigation. And if we were to try to kill Justicebeforewe fix them, there is a significant chance not all of us will make it through that battle, and we might not get the chance to save them. So, Credo, then Aphonic, then Justice.”
“When do we help the Illiapol ghosts?” I asked.
“Perhaps after Aphonic,” Surge replied. “I’d like to know how to manipulate a ghost back into its body before I try to help you with them. Practicing with Credo and Aphonic seems like the best way. Low risk, high reward.”
I nodded, and it was then that I realized my leg had stopped throbbing. It still hurt from where Discord had shoved a scalpel into me, but the pain of the venom was gone. I turned my head to nuzzle against Rhonda, which strangely felt natural to do.
“Longshot, I’ve been wanting to ask why you named her Rhonda.”
A rare, full smile lit his face. Even his eyes brightened. “The very first Earth film I ever saw was something from your 1980s.Tremors, have you seen it?”
“No.” But I’d heard of it. “It’s a creature feature, right?”
