Page 90 of Poisoned Empire

“I cannot say.”

Selene turned to Alexandra who demanded to know the answer once more.

“I cannot say,” the mage insisted, blood dribbling from his nose as his body shook.

“It’s the same as the others. The compulsion is stronger than mine. So, now what?” Alexandra asked.

Selene considered her options. Belisarius still didn’t know the identity of the mastermind behind the whole conspiracy. If she solved this problem for him, he would have to make her empress. It would silence the wagging tongues of the nobles and cement her place in the palace once and for all. There would be no more doubts, no more insecurity over whether or not she belonged. She’d be the hero who foiled the plot of the criminal magistri. She’d also have the chance to kill Magister Sapphire, a fate he richly deserved. Maybe she’d even get her poison into her father.

“If the stone is missing or broken, does the collar work?”

“No, of course not. The stone holds the enchantment.”

Selene pried the stone from the collar the shadow mage had brought. This one was coloured lavender. She could feel her grin widen. Removing her earrings, she pried one of the gems loose. It was about the right shape and size. She wedged it in the small depression. Just for added concealment she let down her hair.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to walk right into that trap, but with a broken collar. Order the shadow mage to do as he was ordered by his master, but not to do anything to give away that we know of the plan. Once we leave, run to the prince, and tell him to hurry. I’m only about half sure I’ll make it out of this alive.”

Alexandra gaped at her, gobsmacked. She struggled to find the words.

“Why would you do this? Why not just come with me?”

“Because I promised myself I’d kill Iliana’s father. What kind of friend would I be if I let him live?” Selene lied with her winning smile.

Playing hostage was the only way she’d get the information Belli needed, and her only way to be a heroic empress in truth. But Alexandra needed to see her as the one with all the power, else she’d never let her do it. Thankfully, she had the requisite bravado to pull it off. She only hoped it would be enough.

Chapter 31

Ifsheweren’tinmortal peril, Selene might have snickered. After Shadow had walked her through the unlocked door of their cell and deposited her, she’d observed the magistri grate on each other’s nerves. The magistri and their heirs stood around in a large, well-appointed cell in the dungeon, arguing like old women over the last good carrot at the market. Not a one had his collar on, though she wasn’t sure why she’d hoped they might. Obviously, they’d been helped by the shadow mage at the least. The only one not engaged in the argument was Dimitri, the little Amethyst pest. The creepy little creature stared at her in her corner like she was going to be a tasty treat for later. She didn’t want to tip them off too quickly, but the more she listened, the less certain she was that she would either meet the traitor behind the plan, or hear anything significant. The magistri had been forced to talk around their collective compulsion spell.

“How long must we wait?” whined Dominus Leo Sapphire.

“If we wait any longer, they’ll simply take us to the executioner’s block,” grumbled Magister Sapphire.

“Why doesthatneed to be here? It’s disgusting.” The Diamond Magister waved in Selene’s direction, revulsion evident.

“We wait until we don’t, gentlemen. Do try not to act like complete cowards,” Magister Amethyst replied, caustic. If even the unfeeling magister was beginning to lose his cool, it was time to act. She began releasing her poison into the cavernous room, worried it might be too late. It was several times larger than Alexandra’s small cell.

“Why even work with them, Amethyst? Can’t you just kill them and take whatever share of the profits they might have reaped?” Selene asked her father in her best exasperated tone.

“May I slap her, Father?” Dimitri asked, jumping at the chance.

“Shut up, you little weasel. We both know without this collar I’d turn you into worm food,” Selene said.

“Your progeny is vicious. I’m sure you’re proud,” the Diamond heir sniffed.

Magister Amethyst gave Selene a calculating glance. She raised her brow.

“She got closer to the prince than we ever could have. It’s only a shame she wasn’t one of us,” Amethyst replied.

“Truly, a tragedy,” Selene mocked.

“She serves no purpose, Grigori. She’s just extra baggage,” Magister Diamond complained.

“Light on brains as well as talent. Why do you put up with him?” Selene asked her father in earnest.

Diamond was exactly the kind of preening fool her father wouldn’t usually suffer for long. She could understand why he might put up with the powerful water mage; Sapphire was a cruel bastard and magister of a vast and wealthy province. Of all the magistri here, only Diamond seemed superfluous. His lands were small, and his influence insignificant as the emperor in truth ruled Diamond’s province. The light mage magister only held the title because he’d been the traitor to the previous princes who had sparked the Great War, opening the gates to Darius’ army at the eleventh hour.

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