Page 115 of Conspirators' Kingdom

Vasilisa gripped Mereruka’s arm and gave him a crooked smile. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine.

“When Inkaef leaves his quarters, I’ll bring us out of the void. Until then, try not to flail while we wait. It’ll attract the hungry things.”

Mereruka didn’t trust himself to answer in any dignified manner to that statement. He swallowed convulsively and nodded. Without another word, Vasilisa dragged him into profound and total darkness.

Mereruka had not been exaggerating when he’d pronounced his sister’s unnatural ability to consume alcohol. Much to her dismay, Taisiya learned this over the course of a liquor-soaked evening.

Taisiya knew she was in trouble when the spirits stopped burning her throat as she swallowed. Still, she soldiered on, pouring more into Itet’s and Inkaef’s cups. Thank the gods for Mereruka’s spell, otherwise she had no doubt she would be passed out on the floor. Inkaef was already halfway asleep, but Itet was gamely chugging, her lime green hand clutching her tankard. The only good sign was that she was swaying unsteadily in her seat.

“These must be the waters of your Cursed Continent’s Hapi.” Itet swigged from her cup. “Gods, does that burn. So good.”

Inkaef laughed merrily until he was snorting. He fell from his seat.

“Oh, hello kitty.”

Inkaef had found Bas, seated beneath Taisiya’s chair.

“Shit! No!”She heard his cries in her mind.

Bas hissed. Taisiya soon found out why. Inkaef pulled himself up off the floor with Bas in hand, stroking the shifter’s fur and mumbling sweet nothings into his twitching ear. Inkaef’s long black hair was a mess, tangled in his horns, though he seemed not to notice. Bas looked miserable in the way only a cat can.

“Pretty kitty,” Itet cooed as she played with his tail.

“Help,”Bas pleaded with Taisiya.

Only she could hear his mind-speak.

“I miss my cat,” Inkaef sobbed. “She was so sweet.”

“Inky…” Itet cooed as she patted her sobbing brother’s shoulders. “You know, I still have all those outfits you made for her… before she got fat.”

Inkaef wailed louder.

Damn, he might end this impromptu drinking party in his current state. Mereruka had yet to come to her rescue, which meant he needed more time. Taisiya looked at Bas and mentally apologised. Someone would have to be sacrificed for this plan to work.

“Why don’t we dress this cat in those outfits? It would be fun,” Taisiya said with a smile.

“Perfect! Inky, wait here.” Itet launched out of her seat and fell to the floor with a guffaw. She weaved to and fro, bumping into furniture as she rummaged about in her grand apartment. Inkaef had finally regained a modicum of dignity, though he was still sniffling loudly.

When Itet returned with a haphazard assortment of clothes, Inkaef’s face brightened as Bas’ took on a murderous quality. Itet rummaged through the clothes and pulled out a studded, black leather harness that appeared much too large for a cat.

“Oops. That one’s mine.” Itet winked her sparkling blue eyes at Taisiya before tossing it aside.

Inkaef seemed entirely unfazed, his amber eyes content.

When Itet pulled out a particularly garish outfit, Inkaef gasped with delight. It was made of clashing puce and bright red fabric, decorated with too many bells to count. Even in her inebriated state, Taisiya knew the thing needed to be burned.

“I love that one!” Inkaef smiled.

“Taisiya, if you let them put that on me, I won’t forgive you,”Bas warned as he wriggled in Inkaef's hands.

“Awwwww,” Taisiya cooed, shooting a look of censure at Bas and looking very pointedly at the goblet in her hand. If she could sacrifice her liver for the evening, Bas could sacrifice his dignity.

Bas stopped struggling and mewled pitifully.

Chapter 44

WhenMererukawasfinallybrought out of the void, it took him a moment to remember he had limbs of his own. If he never entered that hellish place again, it would be too soon. Alas, the night was young and he was not so lucky. As he got used to the feeling of having hands, Vasilisa slapped him.

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