Page 386 of Alchemised
Helena glanced at Kaine, but there was nothing to be done.
The journey to the main wing was simultaneously longer and shorter than Helena remembered. As they reached the large foyer, Helena’s chest tightened. She fought to keep breathing slowly as she was pulled into the large room where she’d first seen Kaine at Spirefell.
Stroud’s fingers dug into her arm. “Don’t say a word.”
Everyone turned as Stroud entered with Helena, and she felt lurid and obvious, her hair loose, made visibly pregnant, a condition which no respectable Northern woman would be seen in.
Her appearance was met with silence. Helena’s eyes darted around the room. She recognised few faces; Aurelia was present, standing sulkily beside Crowther.
Atreus, Helena reminded herself. His skin was grey with faint mottling along his temples, and he wore ignition rings now.
“This is the secret project?” said one man in angry disbelief. Helena recognised his voice. He had long sideburns and a receding hairline. “The project the entire country read about in the papers?”
“Of course not,” Stroud said, a note of defensiveness in her voice. “Do you think the High Necromancer publishes his true plans in the newspapers? She was brought here for another purpose, and you are the privileged few who will know of it. As I’m sure you all recall, this is the foreign student that the Holdfasts went to such great expense to bring here.”
Several faces darkened at this reminder.
“The High Necromancer has discovered that she possesses a rare form of resonance which he has a great interest in cultivating. Once the process is complete, the High Necromancer will achieve heights of power never seen before.”
“So you admit there is something wrong with him?” This was from a lich on the far side of the room. Helena’s heart stilled at the sight of Sebastian Bayard, his pale hair and eyes, but grey-skinned now.
Stroud’s lips pursed. “What I admit is that the High Necromancer has defeated mortality in ways never dreamed of by any other soul on this earth, and when he succeeds in this, as I know he shall, it will be to the benefit of us all. Some of you may recall that during the war, Bennet pursued a method of placing talismans into new living bodies. It was a goal of much importance.”
Several of the liches nodded.
“Those initial attempts were unsuccessful, and due to the constraints of the war, it was necessary to focus our efforts elsewhere. However, since then, a new method has been discovered, which the High Reeve and I have closely collaborated in perfecting. The High Necromancer’s physical form is in—decay, but no one dares deny his power. He will transfer his soul into a new body and thereby ascend to heights of power unimaginable. And when he has done so, he will allow you to do likewise.”
“What new body?” It was the first man who spoke.
Stroud smiled, pushing Helena forward so that she was more visible. “The one our prisoner is producing for us.”
Everyone stared at Helena. Her heart was pounding, and she couldn’t hear what was being said because she was focused on trying to remain calm. She could feel Kaine’s rage simmering beneath his skin.
There was jeering laughter.
The room blurred.
“Don’t think of it as a baby,” Stroud said sharply, loud enough that Helena could hear over her pounding heart. “It is simply human materials with the right resonance.” Stroud’s face was flushed red. She had clearly expected admiration instead of the mockery she was receiving. She dragged Helena roughly back.
“I worked with Bennet on the chimaera project; I’m well versed in the methods of growth acceleration. A few more months and the foetus will be viable, and I will have the materials with the necessary resonance to craft a new body for our leader. Once he has ascended to his new form, he will allow those who served him faithfully to follow and receive new bodies as well.”
Several of the liches straightened, their longing visible.
“So this is what your program was for?”
Helena shivered at the sound of Crowther’s voice, emerging from the back of the room, where Atreus was still standing beside Aurelia. He seemed to like the new Mrs. Ferron much more than his son did.
“The economic benefit of the process is legitimate,” Stroud said with a prim look. “But I admit to ulterior motives.”
“Wait.” Aurelia’s voice cracked through the room like shattering glass. “Who is the father?”
“The High Necromancer obv—” one of the Undying said but then paused, staring at Helena and seeming to reconsider.
Another one, a man with an oil-bright face and a thick moustache, gave a barking laugh. “I knew you were having your fun with her, Ferron.”
Aurelia’s cheeks flushed scarlet.
“The parentage was determined on the basis of resonance. The High Necromancer deemed your husband the most suitable,” Stroud said in a conciliatory voice. “I assure you, Mrs. Ferron, your husband’s cooperation was in no way a reflection upon you—”
