Page 104 of Master of Storms
Ishtar squeezed his hand back. Once. Twice. Thrice.
They’d worked out a hidden code for when she felt a little overwhelmed, and three squeezes meant she loved him. He returned the favor.
“What about the old woman?” Solveig asked slowly. “Klara? She’s the oldest Chaos-worker here in theZilittulands. If anyone would know about the key and thekunuk la’atzu, then it would be her.”
“She thinks I’m the vile spawn of an evil bitch.”
Solveig linked with him. “I’ve been thinking about Scorpius and how his soul is trapped in that dagger.Someone separated his spirit from his body. Someone knows that spell.And it can’t have been Draco, because he has no magic of his own.”
“True. But Elin’s right. We need to focus on the key.”
“Do we?”There was something in her dark eyes.“I was just thinking about what Malin said about the emerald in the hilt of the dagger in Scorpius’s chest. Do you remember when you told me that the emerald necklace your mother was wearing when she died was found shattered in your court?”
Marduk froze.
“I asked Andromeda if a practitioner could store their own soul in one of these kunuk la’atzu, and she didn’t think anyone would do it because they’d be trapped forever. But…. I can’t help thinking that your mother’s necklace was shattered. What if… she did put her soul in the necklace? What if she somehow escaped? And what if there’s a reason Chaos-wielders are now being sucked dry of their magic?”
It was one thing to suspect his mother’s magic still infiltrated the court, but to see it all laid out like that….
“Fuck,” he breathed.
“Keep your suspicions quiet. We don’t want to alarm anyone just yet. But if your mother’s spirit is somehow haunting this party, then I think Klara might be able to help us find her. She knows a great deal about Chaos, and she would want to stop Amadea. I think this is more important than the key, Marduk.”
Out loud she said, “True, but Klara may talk tome.”
He stared at her. “It’s… worth a visit.”
Árdís swept to her feet. “If the pair of you want to visit Klara, then we can see if we can find a way to smuggle Ishtar inside the tunnels beneath the keep. Perhaps a small group…. Sirius? Could you escort her?”
“They’re watching all of us,” Elin pointed out, “but you and Sirius, most of all. Would it not be wiser to send someone who doesn’t draw attention? I could go.” She lifted one of her father’s books. “I’ve been reading about the key. There’s some mention of it inThe Origins of Chaos, and I’m not quite sure if what I’m reading suggests it can only be touched by someone who can work Chaos. I’d like a better look at it. And perhaps Andri could escort us? For protection.” She turned to Haakon. “Or your husband? He’s human. They won’t be watching him.”
Árdís tapped her finger against her lips. “We’ll wait until night falls.”
Marduk offered Solveig a hand to draw her to her feet. “We should be back by then. Coming, my love?”
The room devolved into a mishmash of conversation.
Andri pushed to his feet, grabbing Marduk’s wrist. “Do you think I could talk to you at some point? Alone?”
It was clearly intended to be said quietly, but a sudden lull in the conversation meant that everyone in the room heard it.
Marduk glanced around. His younger cousin had become remarkably quiet of late, but he’d always had time for Andri. “Of course. When we get back?”
Andri opened his mouth, then hesitated. He gave Marduk a weak smile. “When you get back.”
18
Solveig kept watch as Marduk rapped on the door to Klara’s home.
“Who is it?” called the older woman.
“I am Solveig of theSadu,” she replied, pushing the door open. “And this is Marduk. Of theZini.”
“May we… speak to you?” Marduk asked.
The older woman froze by her sink. “You.”
“Please,” he said. “I’m not here to hurt you. I just want answers.”
