Blood Double (God Wars #1)(57)

"We are, Grampa," Shadow assured Glendes.

"How soon can we get her, then? I'll contact the Prime Minister and ask for a preliminary meeting," Glendes agreed.

*

Breanne's Journal

"This is Shadow Grey, of Grey House." Gavin made grumbling introductions. "And his father, Raffian."

Although I already knew who they were, it always paid to be polite. Gavin's politeness was forced, however. Shadow and Raffian Grey looked very much alike, with dark hair and striking features. Raffian's eyes were dark, whereas Shadow's were a clear, blue-gray.

"They require your assistance with a private matter, and I order you to never speak of this with anyone." Gavin's compulsion would have given anyone else a headache. I already had a headache and his compulsion was worthless with me. Just as always, I pretended that wasn't so. I'd been hoping for a day of relative quiet in the Queen's study so I could process comesuli requests and attempt to rid myself of the headache I still bore from Kalenegar's visit. That wasn't to be—Shadow and Raffian Grey had seen to that.

"Come with us; we'll fold you to Grey House first and then elsewhere as needed," Raffian spoke for the first time. I had my shields up again, otherwise I likely could have read what he and his son wanted from me. My head hurt so badly, however, I retained the shield in self-defense after lowering it briefly to see who they were. That had been a mistake and I'd slammed the shield up again quickly.

It was a good thing I was already showered and dressed, too, because Gavin just wanted to see me leaving as quickly as possible. Raffian folded us to Grey House.

*

"Can't you see how much pain she's in?" A furious woman waited for us inside an opulent study at Grey House. I'd dropped to my knees the moment we'd arrived—somehow, I realized we'd passed through a power barrier to get where we were and it brought my headache to an unbearable level. If I hadn't been shuddering in pain, I might have contemplated how to make Kalenegar die.

"Cleo, we're not healers," Shadow muttered.

"Mostly you're clueless men," Cleo grumbled in response before kneeling before me and taking my head in her hands.

I think I will be forever grateful to Cleo for the healing, and I blinked into her gold eyes when the pain miraculously disappeared.

"Thank you," I whispered my gratitude as I worked to hold back tears of relief.

"You're welcome." She patted my shoulder and helped me stand. I discovered I was barely an inch or two taller than she. Help Daddy if you can, she whispered mindspeech into my mind. He thinks Kyler and I don't know. We do. We just can't interfere.

I'll do what I can—for you, I nodded slightly. I had my reasons, and some of them she might never know.

Thank you. Cleo inclined her head before stepping away. Lowering my shield, I got my first reading of Glendes Grey, Eldest of Grey House. He and the rest of the Grey House Wizards were being bled dry by blackmail, and the reputation of Grey House was on the line. I squared my shoulders—this was going to be difficult, perhaps—until I saw the blackmailer in person, I had no way of knowing if there were any way out of it. Grey House—and its reputation—stood to be destroyed.





Chapter 12


Prime Minister Vyris paced before the throne he'd taken for himself. He had no right to it, having no royal blood. He'd claimed the ornate chair, however, after he'd convinced the population that the only remaining heir—a distant cousin to the last monarch—wasn't fit to rule.

"Prime Minister, it is nearly time," his assistant suggested softly.

"They're going to stop payment," Vyris whined.

"We can destroy their reputation," Vyris' assistant pointed out.

"What if they no longer care?" Vyris muttered angrily. "We destroy their reputation; they retaliate by letting everyone know we blackmailed them. We have no exports—we've survived on Grey House money for years. Bexari will become destitute and isolated; you know what happened to Cloudsong."

"But what if there's something new to blackmail them with?" Vyris' assistant lifted an eyebrow.

"What are you suggesting?" Vyris was interested immediately.

"We'll need a sacrifice," the assistant smiled. "Someone we don't like, of course."

"Of course someone we don't like. Tell me your plan. Quickly."

*

"Yes, she is the Vhanaraszh, and a more inept and disappointing specimen I cannot imagine," Kalenegar muttered angrily.

"Strange, I've often thought the same of you," Hiragar eyed Kal speculatively. As eldest of the Wise Ones, Hiragar was much older than Kalenegar. "And you showed such promise when you were born. It has come to my notice that you continue to give punishment to the Vhanaraszh, for perceived infractions."

"Are you questioning my judgment?"

"Yes. I am. I would prefer that the Wise Ones take over the task of teaching her."

"You will not," Kalenegar snarled. "It is my duty to see that she understands her place."

"What is that place, then?" Hiragar seldom displayed emotion—it was unnecessary in most cases. The raised eyebrow, however slight, informed Kalenegar that Hiragar was very displeased. "The Vhanaraszh is not beneath you, Vhirilaszh. I ask that you remember that."