Page 15 of A Blightress of Wrath
“It’simportant that you do not ask me further questions.Icannot answer them.Youwill understand why in just a moment.”
“Themystery is intriguing,Baron.”
Ibit my lip. “Iam going to say this once, and then you andIwill not speak of it again untilIcan speak toRevich.Doyou understand?”
Henodded. “Ofcourse.”
Iglanced to his chest whereIknew a dark bruise remained from the disease that had almost killed him just weeks ago.Wecalled it theBlackLung—a disease that had spread from theBlightwhichIhad grown from theBlightress’sBlightinViridis.
“Iwant you to search your mind and tell me if you can feel something that does not belong.Then,Iwant you to try to speak to it, but only in your own thoughts.”
Hefrowned.Theblack kohl across the lids of his honey golden eyes puckered in the movement.I’dnever seen him this unnerved.
Hetook a deep breath, nodding in acceptance of his task.
Iwatched him carefully as he closed his eyes, his back straight in the chair, his golden complexion warm in the beams of sunlight filtering through the window behind me.Hisneat graying hair had been pulled into a tight bun at the back of his head as usual, and his beard and flicked mustache were trimmed as neatly as ever.Pompeiihad been a well put together man every dayI’dknown him, except for the few weeks he’d been slowly dying to theBlackLungdisease.
Iwaited in bated breath as the seconds ticked by.
Andthen, there it was.Thejolt of realization.
Hiseyes flashed open, his frown deepening as his eyes flickered across my face and then across the room.Heswallowed and nodded to me slightly.
Igave him a nod of encouragement and he took a deep breath, closing his eyes again.Afew moments later, he shot up from his seat with his mouth agape as if he was about to speak.
Ishook my head.
Heclamped his mouth shut, a tick rippling in his jaw.
“Thankyou,Pompeii.Youmay return to your duties.”
Hecleared his throat. “Youare welcome,BaronKarus.I—”Hestopped, pulling on the hem of his emerald green jacket embroidered in threads of gold. “Iwill wait for your call.”
Iwatched him turn and leave in haste, closing the door behind him.
“Sucha cleverLittleSprout.”
Iknew she’d be there, reaching out to me in my mind onceIhad figured out the truth.
Igulped. “Canyou speak into the minds of every magic wielder or just the ones diseased by theBlight?”Iresponded in my own thoughts.
“Doesit matter whatIanswer?” she crooned. “Iknow you well enough to guess that you’ll investigate further.”
“Andwhat willIfind?”
“Ihave a special…connection to those who’ve had theBlightliving inside them.Thinkof it as a…parasite of sorts.”
Myheart raced. “Howdareyou.”
Iheard her laugh as if she stood in front of me. “Moirais such a funny little thing, isn’t she?”
“I’velocked you away in my head.Iknow you cannot read my thoughts.”
“Ionce read your thoughts,Karus.Beforeyou cleverly shut me out from them.It’showIknow you so well.”
“Butyou are in the minds of the fae?”
“Ican enter the mind of any creatureI’vemade.”
