Page 50 of Chasing the Night

I reached out and snatched her ankle, taking my time to peel her slipper from her foot. The hysterics started so quickly I didn’t have time to reach the second one, the door shot open and violently banged against the wall. Chalice, spooked by the noise, scrambled to the shadows in the corner of her cell.

Uncle Icarus bent his head to pass the doorway. He flashed me a pleasant, genuine smile before turning to give Father the floor.

Atticus marched past Icarus and his mound of tan hides. He took one look at the woman in the restraints and all but spat on me. I moved my shoe aside and it landed on the woman’s discarded slipper.

From my peripheral, I saw Chalice hunker down a bit behind the cot. Uncle Icarus saw it, too, his pale blue eyes snapped to the shadows with a hawk-like quickness. He was quite skilled at what he did. No one else noticed, and thankfully he wasn’t of a mind to call her out.

“Why hasn’t she taken a flea bath, already?” Atticus barked, shoving his finger into Tamara’s chest. He was too busy glaring at me to notice anything, or anyone else.

“What the fuck are you waiting for? You know the drill? Strip them, walk their shame away, and toss em from the damn cliff…” He put his wide-eyed face next to mine and opened his mouth in disbelief. Those were the moments I wanted to forget that he was my adopted father. I wanted to forget what power he belonged to.

“I am the authority here,” I reminded him. All signs of humanity left his eyes. They were nothing but black murderous slits. Despite Icarus pulling him toward the door, his presence lingered in the dingy jailhouse long after he had left.

“I don’t want to die. I… Please help me,” Tamara begged.

I nodded without looking toward her. It was the simplest of requests, and I would, as I always did, give the simplest of answers. But I already knew she wouldn’t accept. They never did. I’m not sure I blamed them. I’d think it a trick too, if I were in their spot.

“I can help you. You don’t have to die.” I looked at Chalice for a moment, before forcing my attention back to the matter at hand.

Chalice

How long had I watched him while wishing I could be at his side? Fuck. Here we were, only I wasn’t at his side… I was next on his list. I was certain of it, his every backward glance continued to remind me of it.

I wanted him to leave her alone. Nothing made sense. What had she done? What treason? Was helping me to the Sip House treason? That had nothing to do with her. A thump brought me from my thoughts.

“Right then…” Messiah softly said to the woman. “You were about to help me. So that I don’t have to kill you.”

The lady shrunk from him, whimpering over the sound of her chains.

“Messiah, stop!” I called, hoping that thump had been the door closing.

“Hush, now,” Messiah sang like I was a child. “Lady Tamara, come out with it. The time is now. You stand accused of treason. Of seducing and plotting with Lazarus of the Iron Inlet to overthrow Lady Nayana and assassinate her only living heir, your husband.”

That pitiful whimpering and crying began again. Why wasn’t she defending herself?

“Who the fuck is Lazarus of the Iron Inlet?” I screeched over the sound of her distress. It wasn’t like I would know him, but it seemed to me, if the woman stood accused there should at least be someone bringing the charges!

“Lazarus… of the Iron Inlet. Our once intended brother-in-law,” Messiah explained. When I didn’t catch on, he sighed and shook his head. “Ah, Chalice. Lazarus of the Iron Inlet is who Reverie was off to marry when her accident happened…”

“Fuck you! I won’t hush. Leave her be!” I screamed, thumping the heel of my hand against the bar. It was useless, it wouldn’t budge, but I was irate, and it felt good on some hopeless level.

Who was this asshole that was intended to Reverie but publicly declared himself to be laying with another? The humiliation of it burned through me. I didn’t care if she wasn’t around to feel it, I felt it for her.

“Bring this accuser. You bring him to me, Messiah!” I demanded, thumping my palm in time with the words. He looked at me like he was lost. I twirled around, paranoid that someone had seen me through the window. Who was I kidding? Atticus. I was terrified Atticus would see me and figure out the mess I had caused.

How terrible… there was a woman preparing to be executed, and I was worried about facing Atticus Krypt?

“You see, Lady Tamara… We,” Messiah waved between he and I, “have history with Sir Lazarus. All you have to do… is tell me that you laid with him, not for ill intent, but because you were in lo..”

“I didn’t lay with anybody. I swear by the Fated Few,” Tamara frantically wailed. “By all that is sacred! I swear it! No! It is all lies. I’ve never been to the Iron Inlet, I’ve never even been off the mountain.”

Messiah

“Lady Tamara.” Her voice ate mine every time I attempted to begin. “Tam… Tamara. Lady! Have a shred of dignity.”

There was no talking her down. It had happened. Just as I knew it would. They were too terrified of being tricked.

“I gave my word, and I shall give it again. You will not die… if you allow me to help you. I need you to confess.” I needed her to confess to being in love. It was imperative she say it. Chalice was a perfect witness. It would dismiss the treason charges. I would find a way…