Page 68 of Take No Prisoners
"She's not answering me anymore," Niall said.
"We could try removing the restraints," Vadim said. "The silver might be too strong."
"I can hold her with water," Efren agreed. He wrapped her in a containment weave much like the one he'd used to get her to the room. Niall worked with him to ensure she had enough air. Then, Vadim worked the restraints loose.
Beatrice's eyes snapped open, and she gazed upon him. "Efren." She turned her head to look lovingly upon Niall. "Grandson." Then, she met Vadim's gaze, and all resemblance to Elder Beatrice was gone, replaced only with cold calculation. "Hand of Death."
"Why are you here, Coryn?"
"Why are you fighting against me?" She stared intently at Vadim. "We both want the same thing, you and I. Martiz and the other elders dead. Beatrice captured. I laid this trap for you and gave it a signature your seeker would recognize. I'd worried you had become too cowardly to finish the job. You weren't even aboard when I made my catch."
"Someone had to keep Martiz company." Vadim sounded nonchalant, but behind his back, his fingers traced the hem of his glove.
"Martiz. How is the old bastard? Still denying he touched me?" Coryn's smile looked out of place on Beatrice's lips. "I have access to Beatrice's memories, you know. She knew. They all knew what he did to us, and still ... it doesn't matter, though. I'll deal with him soon enough. I'm coming for you, Vadim. Don't think this is over."
Beatrice's head drooped again as Coryn left her.
Vadim dropped his trembling hands to his sides. He'd removed his left glove, but he hastily pulled it back on. "Gods. That was creepy."
"Martiz lied." Efren wasn't surprised.
"I asked Coryn if it would be enough," Vadim said. Even his voice was shaking. "'If I brought you his head on a spike, would that end this madness?' She said no. She wants to see every weaver in the world burn."
"Why?" Efren had never cared about Coryn's motivation, but it felt important now that she had set her sights on Aquarion.
"She claims our magic is unnatural, and she's furious that we affect everything we touch. Martiz has denied the effects of magic on non-magical people for as long as I've known him, but I've seen it too many times. Healers create seekers and suppressors, enchanters, and even siphons. We think we make the world a better place by healing people, but no one ever talks about the aftereffects. Coryn didn't ask to have power. It was forced upon her, just as Martiz forced himself on her. She consented to his healing, not to his dick, and definitely not to becoming a siphon."
"How many other siphons has he created?" Efren asked.
"Hard telling." Vadim shrugged. "Coryn claims she's the only one."
Beatrice's eyes fluttered open.
"She's awake," Niall said. "Can you hear me?"
"Niall." Beatrice gripped both of his hands in hers. "It's so good to see you."
"Has Coryn released the trap?" Efren asked Vadim.
"No. This is a reprieve. She might be watching, Niall. Be careful what you say."
"We're going to get you out of here," Niall said. Something passed between Niall and Vadim, and then they both stepped inside the water barrier with Beatrice.
Efren had never felt as useless or alone.
∞∞∞
Niall
"Can she hear us?"Niall asked Vadim using the telepathy that came with life and death magic.
"Coryn? Not unless she's tapped into another death weaver or she's dying."
"What about last night? Was she already in Grandmother's mind?"
Vadim frowned."I highly doubt it. Beatrice can still hear us. Let's ask her."
"Because she's dying?"Niall needed to hear Vadim say it to make it real.
