Page 120 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

“This will not avail us, Basilis.”

“The necromancy served Chrysanthos well,” Lio said. “We all witnessed the moment at the Firstblood Circle when he threw off the spell and revealed his true power. How can we forget how differently it went for Dalos when he did the same at the Equinox Summit?”

“Do you understand what happened that night?” Cassia asked Eudias.

The young mage sounded hoarse. “This has nothing to do with the hostages.”

“It could help,” Cassia said gently.

“We who dueled with Dalos sensed the turmoil in his aura,” Lio explained. “It took even my battle-tested elders by surprise. It was clear the necromancy had a strange and dangerous effect on his power. It is entirely possible the Gift Collector sabotaged Dalos.”

“But not Chrysanthos,” Cassia said. “Could he not have hired the necromancer to remove his rival for the office of Dexion? He was born a Pavo. It is family tradition.”

Eudias didn’t have a rebuttal this time.

Cassia gave him a questioning look. “Do you know anything that could confirm or deny this?”

Eudias sighed. “Dalos was born a Taurus.”

Surprise and satisfaction came together in Cassia’s aura. “What more need I say?”

“I am convinced,” Lio answered.

“Apprentice Eudias, you have said the leaders of the Aithourian Circle hold themselves above the rules. Would it trouble the Synthikos to learn his Dexion stole the position through conspiracy and assassination?”

His throat worked. “The Circle are your brothers. The Synthikos is Father. No matter who you were before you donned the robes, you leave all other loyalties on the steps of the Hagion. You stand together and betray the world, but not each other. That is the one rule you do not break.”

“The Dexion will beg for our silence,” Lio vowed.

“We will threaten to reveal his betrayal to the Aithourian Circle.” Cassia smiled. “Let us see how quickly he finds out from Skleros where the hostages are.”

THE CRUEL INQUISITOR AND THE KIND INQUISITOR

Lio gathered shadows aroundthe edges of the main hall. Gloom descended over the chamber, leaving their makeshift Summit table spotlighted in the beacon’s rays coming through the rose window.

Crimson light bathed the faces of the mortals seated there and caressed Cassia’s shoulders where she sat with her back to the window. Perita smoothed the white silk tablecloth, while Callen cut an ominous figure, sitting in the darkness behind Cassia.

Lord Gaius took the chair at her right hand. “We may consider this the first test of the Council’s new agreement with Orthros. If we carry this out with honor, we can send a strong message to Cordium and spare needless bloodshed.”

“I could not agree more.” Lio stood at the place to Cassia’s left.

Benedict sat down on Lord Gaius’s right. “Apprentice Eudias, you don’t have to appear among us before the Dexion. You could preserve the secret that you have changed sides.”

Eudias pulled out the chair beside Benedict and joined them at the table. “I have chosen my side. I will have everyone know it.”

Benedict and Lord Severin clapped him on the shoulders. A hesitant smile came to his face.

Cassia turned to Lio. “We thank you for your insight, which will aid us in the coming confrontation.”

“The Blood Union does convey a certain advantage during negotiations. Whenever I sense a strong emotional response in the Dexion, I will give you this signal.” Lio touched a hand to his medallion of office. “When he is most vulnerable, I will indicate his breaking point thus.” With a smile, Lio put his hands behind his back.

Cassia returned his smile. “We are ready.”

“I will retrieve the mage,” Lio said.

He stepped to the corridor outside Chrysanthos’s door.

“Nothing is amiss.” Xandra chuckled, teasing a flame under Skleros’s metal door handle.

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