The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4)(36)

“You never know the guards may have a very good opinion on the topic,” Shade offered with a shrug.

Fighting back a snort of laughter Jala shook her head at Shade and flipped her hand casually towards her hair. The magic that bound it in place fell away and her wine red hair cascaded down over her shoulders. “I love you all so much,” she whispered as she took her staff in hand once more and squared her shoulders. Pausing, she cleared her throat and wiped the last remains of a smile from her face as she regarded the doors.

Wind rose behind her as she lifted one hand and pulled on her magic to open the locks that held them in place.

“Really? You are summoning wind for this?” Neph scoffed, looking at Valor who was motioning lightly with one hand toward Jala while carefully balancing Legacy on his hip.

Valor glanced at him and shrugged one shoulder. “It adds to her entrance, Neph,” he explained with a smirk.

Startled oaths rose from within the room as Jala stepped through the door. Moving up behind her, Neph paused in the doorway for a better view. All of the High Lords were assembled around a massive table in the center of the room, and each and every one of them bore an expression of pure shock on their face at the sight of her. Aside from the Lord of Oblivion, Neph noticed with interest. Zachary Dark simply sat in his chair watching her with what almost looked like amusement on his normally expressionless face.

“Did you forget to invite a few people, boys?” Jala asked casually, the wind still stirring her hair as she stopped just beyond the table. She stood with her legs slightly parted and her staff held in front of her as if she was prepared to battle all before her.

“Jala Merrodin is dead and this is a closed meeting. Whoever you are, you have made a wretched mistake with this display,” Lord Faydwer snarled as he started to rise from his chair. Lord Blackwolf and Arjuna were rising as well with matching looks of fury on their faces.

“I figured someone would say something like that,” Jala sighed, her tone far from concerned. “Allow me to set your fears at ease,” she purred and the room darkened as she drew on her magic. Shadows writhed across the floor in front of her and Neph turned to raise an eyebrow at Vaze who was silently wiggling a finger in Jala’s direction. The wind rose once more, stirring her hair as she pointed a slender finger to the floor in front of her. A faint purple glow began to show in the cracks of the marble below her and half of the High Lords lurched from their chairs looking more than ready to fight. “Seth, King of Crows, Herald of Death I summon thee!” Jala’s voice cracked through the room. Even from where he stood Neph could feel the power emanating from her. He had to admit it was an impressive display, awe inspiring sorceress indeed.

The ground before her trembled and the shadows danced wildly as a flock of spectral ravens burst through the marble at her feet. The birds swirled, darkening the air before her as they spiraled upward toward the ceiling. When the air before her cleared, Seth was crouched on the floor, his raven feathered cloak pulled tightly around him. He stood slowly, moving with the grace of a natural hunter and the expression on his face was grim.

Delighted laughter and clapping filled the room and all eyes turned to stare stupidly at Legacy who was grinning from ear to ear. “Yay!” he exclaimed loudly, looking up at Valor and then back to his mother with an expression of utter joy on his small face as he clapped once more. “Hi!” he called loudly, his childish voice almost comical as he waved at Seth with enthusiasm.

Neph stared in disbelief at the child and then looked to Jala who had turned back to stare at her son with wide eyes. Her expression was still serious, but Neph could tell by the light in her eyes it was taking all of her willpower to keep from bursting into laughter.

Seth settled back where he stood and rubbed the back of his neck for a moment. “Well, that moment is gone,” he muttered with a heavy sigh as his posture relaxed. He raised an eyebrow at Jala and smiled faintly. “You called?” he prompted with a faint smile as he waved back at Legacy.

“Oh, by the Divine, that was classic!” Shade exclaimed as he burst out laughing loudly. “Oh kid, I love you. You are my favorite person in the world right now!” he continued as he leaned forward and ruffled Legacy’s hair.

Jala sighed dramatically and slowly turned back to look at the assembled High Lords. She shrugged and smiled sheepishly. “Well, so much for a grand entrance,” she said and waved a hand toward Seth. “He is the servant of Death, directly. No one in Sanctuary knows better than Seth who is dead and who isn’t.”