TF Johnson

ONE

Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was blood. Blood, and the flashing dagger, and Lore’s expression as he drove it home. Abby’s wide eyes, blood sliding over her lips. The Shiv’ek smirking at her, and the mage and Saxe taking the prince away where she couldn’t find him again.

Early morning sunslight filtered into the room through the single window, sliding over the furniture and turning the room gold and pink. Piper, huddled into the corner of the couch, held the sheath of her stiletto blade hard between her fingers. Bile rose in her throat, and Piper choked it down. She didn’t dare make a sound.

She didn’t want to wake them.

There was a soft rap on the door. Piper jumped, then stumbled to her feet, the floorboards cool under her toes. She hurried to the door, swinging it open before whoever it was could knock again; noise was too risky.

Rose, the proprietor’s daughter, stood there, her hands clasped around a silvered tray, her black hair tied in a neat ponytail. There were shadows under her dark eyes. She’d been up late watching Caleb and Madelyn, Piper remembered. While Piper had been out, trying to find their mother.

Piper’s hands shook.

“Morning,” Rose said softly. “You look like you haven’t slept.”

“I didn’t,” Piper admitted. She stepped into the hall and pulled the door shut behind her, leaving it slightly ajar. Her eyes fell on Rose’s tray. On it were three mugs: one, a rich, warm brown with a lightly foamed top, smelled like coffee; the other two, a cooler brown, smelled like chocolate.

It took a moment for Piper’s exhausted mind to catch up. Coffee. Hot chocolate. Three of them.

Rose shuffled her feet, and Piper dragged her gaze back up to the younger woman’s face.

“Dad said …” Rose hesitated for a moment, uncertain. “Dad thought you must have had a rough night.”

A humourless laugh slid out of Piper before she could stop it. She felt hysterics building and pressed a hand, only recently scrubbed free of blood, to her mouth, blinking hard to stop tears from sliding down her cheeks. The chasm in her chest yawned.

“You could say that,” Piper forced out after a moment. “Abby … she’s …”

Piper couldn’t say it.

With the dexterity of a woman who waited tables for a living, Rose shifted the tray to one hand, then reached out and squeezed Piper’s shoulder. “Do you want to talk about it?” she offered, voice soft.

Piper took a shaking breath. “We found out who took her,” she said. “We tracked him down.” That had been Alec, his magic dampened by a little water to stop it from overpowering the tracking spell. “But when we got there, we found …”

Abby, tied in the corner. The prince, Alec’s student and Beka’s brother, furious and defiant next to her. Saxe had been there, and Lore, and a mage Piper didn’t know.

And the Chaos Demon. The Shiv’ek.

The scene played in front of her eyes: the Shiv’ek hauling Abby to her feet, holding her arms so she couldn’t struggle. Lore, plunging the dagger into her stomach.

Rose squeezed her shoulder again, dragging Piper back to the present. Her breathing sounded loud in the quiet corridor.

“I’m sorry,” Rose said gently.

Piper nodded, her throat tight. It took a moment before she trusted herself to speak again. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Rose hesitated. “If you need anything …” she started.

Piper offered a smile she doubted was convincing. “Thanks,” she croaked. “But I’m fine.”

There was no greater lie in the world. There was nothing fine about her, or about the situation. But Rose accepted the lie, her gaze sympathetic, and stepped back. “I understand,” she whispered. She handed Piper the tray of drinks, then melted back down the corridor, her shoes tapping softly on the floorboards.

Piper pushed back inside the room, closing the door with her heel. Slowly, her movements wooden, she made her way to the coffee table and placed down the tray.

Across the room, a door creaked.

Piper’s heart leaped into her mouth. It was too soon. She didn’t know what to say.

She wasn’t ready. How was she supposed to tell them Abby was gone?

“Piper?” Madelyn’s sleepy voice reached Piper. “Is it time to get up?”

Piper forced herself to smile and look up. “It is if you want it to be, baby girl,” she said.

Madelyn stood in the doorway, her toy rabbit clutched under one arm. Her cheeks were rosy, her white-blonde ringlets tousled and her hazel eyes bleary with sleep. She yawned, then staggered across the room.

Piper’s breath caught in her chest as Madelyn almost fell into her arms. She scooped her up, pulling the little girl into her lap.

“I’m still sleepy,” Madelyn complained. She hooked one arm around Piper’s back, the other clutching her ragged bunny to her chest, and she rested her forehead against Piper’s neck.

Piper’s eyes stung, a lump rising in her throat. She pressed her face into Madelyn’s curls, breathing in the smell of lavender soap and little girl and laundry detergent. “You can go back to sleep if you want, Maddy,” she whispered, wrapping both arms tight around her.

Madelyn didn’t seem to mind the squeeze. She burrowed in closer, seeking the warmth of another body, and brought her knees up to curl within the circle of Piper’s arms. Her soft breathing was the only sound in the quiet room.

Piper felt tears sliding down her cheeks and tried to wipe them away without the girl noticing.

“Maddy?” came another voice. Caleb.

Piper froze. Her arms locked around Madelyn, prompting the girl to mutter in complaint as she tried to look up.

Caleb had been so angry with her the night before. How angry would he be now, when she told him his mother was gone?

He stood in the doorway, a frown on his face. His brown skin, so different to Madelyn’s pale features, turned golden in the sunslight that played in his dark hair.

Piper swallowed. “Good morning, Caleb.” Her voice sounded as rough as if she had been gargling gravel.

Caleb edged forward. “I didn’t know you were home,” he said, glancing between her and Madelyn. “Rose stayed with us last night.”

“I know,” Piper said. “She brought us some drinks this morning. Would you like a hot chocolate?”

She was stalling. Piper knew that. But she couldn’t make herself say what needed to be said. Couldn’t figure out how. She opened her mouth. To say what, she wasn’t certain. But she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Just a moment,” she told the children, relief crashing over her again like waves on the seashore. Maybe five minutes reprieve? Ten? However long it was, it was better than nothing. Maybe she could figure out how to say those words on her walk to the door.

I’m sorry. She’s gone.

Madelyn stretched and slid out of Piper’s lap. Caleb glanced at his half-sister, then glared at Piper suspiciously. She could feel his eyes boring into her back as she approached the door and turned the handle.

The Deputy Commissioner of Silversdale stood there, his navy-blue coat perfectly uncreased. The golden ranking bands around one bicep winked in the hallway lights; the blue band of his home station in the Ilian encircled his other arm. His mouth was twisted in a sneer.

“Belladonna,” he said.

Cold rushed over Piper. She tore her gaze off him to the hall, where six – six – other police officers waited. All of them had the yellow band of The Market District on their biceps. One was a superintendent, extra stripes on his arm.

They couldn’t be here for her. The High Lady had postponed her arrest until the prince was found. It had all been settled.

Piper squeezed the door handle, hard, then forced herself to look up at the man in her doorway. “Deputy commissioner,” she said, putting steel in her voice. “I don’t think you understand what you’re interrupting, but–”

“I don’t care what I’m interrupting, Belladonna.” Piper flinched at the use of her alias. “Let us in.”

Piper’s grip tightened. “No.”

The deputy commissioner put his shoulder against the door and shoved.

Piper was a skilled fighter, but he outweighed her by about half again. She stumbled back. Somewhere behind her, Madelyn gasped.

Piper regained her footing. “You need to leave!” she snapped at the police officers.

The deputy commissioner’s gaze flickered over Piper and across the room, before landing on Caleb and Madelyn.

“There they are,” he said.

A red-haired officer stepped past the deputy commissioner, heading for Madelyn.

“Leave them alone!” Piper darted in front of the children, holding her arms out defensively.

The deputy commissioner didn’t even look at her. His gaze stayed fixed on Madelyn, half-hidden behind Piper, and his smirk widened.

“Tell me, Belladonna,” he said, and again Piper flinched. Malice sparked in the deputy commissioner’s eyes. “Are you related to these children? They need a safe, reputable relative to stay with, now their mother is dead.”

Silence rushed through the room, loud as a gunshot. Their mother. Dead. Piper swayed on her feet. Fate, she wished she’d told them already. She wished she hadn’t stalled. To find out like that …

There was a small thud behind her. Piper spun around.

Madelyn had knocked over one of the hot chocolates. It spread over the wooden coffee table, brown liquid dripping down the side onto the rug. The girl shrank back.

Caleb didn’t shrink. He clenched both fists, turning to Piper, his jaw clenched. “What?”

“Caleb,” Piper said, stepping forward. He stepped back, away from her, his dark eyes blazing with emotion.

“He’s lying,” Madelyn said. Her gaze darted between them, hazel eyes too wide.

Piper dropped to her knees in front of Madelyn and took her hand.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “He’s not lying.”

Three heartbeats passed. Then Madelyn’s face crumpled. “Mummy!”

Piper pulled her into her arms and looked up at Caleb. “Caleb,” she started, holding out her hand.

Caleb slapped her arm away. “No!” he shouted. “It’s all your fault!”

Piper rocked back, her heart aching. In her arms, Madelyn stiffened.

“Caleb,” Piper tried again, “I–”

“I don’t care!” Caleb screamed. “It’s all your fault! You didn’t find Mum! It’s your fault she’s dead!”

In Piper’s peripheral vision she could see one of the police officers looking around awkwardly. Madelyn wailed and Piper stroked her hair, desperately swallowing the lump in her throat.

“Caleb, I tried–”

“You didn’t try hard enough!” Caleb yelled, his fists clenched at his sides. “You as good as killed her! I hate you!”

Piper choked. She couldn’t draw in enough air. Spots danced across her vision. Madelyn’s arms around her neck choked her. Maybe it was her fault. She hadn’t been fast enough, or smart enough …

Caleb stepped back.

“I–is it true?” Madelyn whimpered.

Piper looked down. “Is what true?”

“Did you kill Mummy?” Madelyn’s voice was so quiet.

“Oh, baby girl.” Piper held her close. “It’s not true. I swear, it’s not.”

Madelyn buried her face in Piper’s shirt and sobbed.

Piper looked up, even as her arms curled protectively around Madelyn. “Caleb,” she said, her eyes skipping over his face. “Please. Listen to me.” She could explain. She had to.

Caleb shook his head. Tears slid down Piper’s cheeks, wetting Madelyn’s hair.

Boots sounded on the floor behind her.

“Well, Belladonna?” the deputy commissioner asked. “Are you related to them?”

Piper’s heart froze in her mouth. “I …” she croaked, not certain what to say.

Caleb looked up at the police officer, his fists clenched at his sides, his jaw set.

“No,” he said, “she’s not.”

The deputy commissioner’s lips curved upwards.

“Wait,” Piper said, her arms tightening around Madelyn. Caleb met her gaze, his eyes hard. “Please w–wait.” Her voice broke on the word.

“That is the law,” he said. “Unless you’re family, they can’t stay with you.” He spat the last word at Piper, making his scorn clear.

“No.” Piper wrapped her arms tighter around Madelyn. “You can’t take them. Please don’t take them.”

The deputy commissioner ignored her plea. He crossed the distance between them and plucked Madelyn from Piper’s arms.

“No!” Piper leaped to her feet, stumbling.

Madelyn writhed, reaching for her. “Piper!” she screamed. She kicked the deputy commissioner in the stomach. He dropped her with a stout curse, and she threw herself back across the room and into Piper’s arms. “Don’t let them take us!”

Piper wrapped her arms around Madelyn, hugging her tight. “I love you,” she whispered.

“Don’t let them take me,” Madelyn whimpered.

The deputy commissioner pulled her away. Madelyn struggled. “Stop fighting you silly little girl,” he snapped. “Just do as you’re told!”

“Don’t speak to her like that!” Piper lunged at the deputy commissioner.

A police officer stepped forward. He caught Piper’s arm, pushing her back.

“Sorry, ma’am,” he said, not sounding sorry at all. Piper writhed under his hand, but he held on tight.

Another police officer cleared her throat delicately. The deputy commissioner glanced at her, and she flicked her brown eyes towards Piper, struggling in the grip of her colleague.

The deputy commissioner gritted his teeth. He cast Piper a look that was equal parts scathing and repulsed. “I’m required by law to tell you that you can apply for their fostership in seven days time.” He sounded like the words were being torn from him. Hope soared in Piper’s chest, until he went on. “However, I’m also going to tell you that, given your history, there is no court in the land that will hand them over to you.”

The hope crashed and burned, a hole opening where it had been. Piper bit her lip. She didn’t know what to do.

“Come, boy,” the deputy commissioner said to Caleb. Without even looking at Piper, Caleb turned and took his hand. The commissioner handed Madelyn off to the female police officer, and Madelyn gripped her shoulder, watching Piper with huge hazel eyes, tears streaming down her face.

Piper’s knees went weak. She gripped the couch to stay upright.

They vanished through the door.

TWO

Piper charged out of her room, feeling weak and shaky. Her heart beat rapidly in her throat. She felt like she might throw up.

She tripped on the hall runner in her haste and landed palms-first on the timber of the closed door across the hall, her hands making a dull smacking sound. Piper rapped repeatedly, but there was no answer.

Piper rapped again, panic climbing her throat. “Alexander?” she called.

Down the hall, someone’s door burst open. “For fate’s sake, keep it down!” A man with a coat pulled on hastily over his pinstriped pyjamas glowered at Piper. “Some of us are trying to sleep!”

Piper shrank back. The man glowered at her, then spun on his heel and marched back into his room.

Piper pressed a shaking hand to her mouth. She didn’t even know where the deputy commissioner would have taken them. She didn’t know what to do. But Alec was a mage, and in the employ of Silvaein’s rulers. Surely he would.

Piper turned and raced down the stairs, heedless of the door she’d left open behind her.

This early, there was no one in the dining room yet. The smell of baking bread wafted from the kitchen. Patrik, the owner of The Lily, looked up as Piper hurtled down the stairs. “Fate, Piper,” he cursed as she staggered around a table and came to a stop at his bar counter, slapping her hands down on the wood. His dark eyes were wide, startled.

Piper struggled to draw in a full breath. “Do you know where Alec is?” she demanded.

Patrik frowned. “Rylan?” he asked. “Left just after dawn. Muttered something about the Lord General when Rose made him a coffee.” His expression twisted in sympathy. “Piper, I saw–”

“That doesn’t matter.” Piper cut him off, not certain if she could hold herself together if he said it. “Where did he go?”

“I don’t know,” Patrik said. “I’m sorry, Piper. He didn’t say.”

Piper stopped. Spots danced in front of her eyes, and her chest felt tight. She dragged in a breath, but that only helped a little. Her knees went weak, and Piper sank onto one of the barstools. She didn’t know what to do next.

“Oh,” she whispered. It was all she could think to say.

Patrik’s eyes traced over her. He said nothing.

She didn’t know where the deputy commissioner had taken Caleb and Madelyn. Alec might. But Alec wasn’t here, and she didn’t know where he was, either. Silversdale was a huge city. And even if she could find him, even if the mage knew where her children were, what were the chances that someone would hand them back to her? She was an assassin. She’d admitted as much to the High Lady herself just hours ago.

Tears pricked the back of Piper’s eyes. She pressed her hands to her mouth. They smelled like coffee and hot chocolate. The usually comforting smells made her want to heave.

“I don’t …” Her voice came out rough. Piper swallowed. “I don’t think I’ll be needing that suite any more, Patrik,” she whispered.

The crease between Patrik’s eyes deepened as he frowned. He leaned across the table, squeezing Piper’s arm. “Piper,” he said calmly. “You can keep the room. I’ll talk to Lily. We’ll try and think of something.”

Piper shook her head. “There’s no point,” she said. “The deputy commissioner … He said they won’t let me foster them. They won’t even consider my application.”

Patrik pressed his lips together. He didn’t argue.

Piper pushed herself up, her legs shaking. “I’m just going to go,” she said. “I’ll clear my things out.” It wasn’t fair to leave Patrik and his wife Lily out of pocket because her things were still scattered around one of their more expensive rooms.