The Crow King's Wife (The Elder Blood Chronicles #5)(8)
“He serves me.” A soft voice answered from behind him and Finn turned at the sound of it. The woman was small, barely coming to his chest in height. She was dressed in dark blue silks that seemed to cling to her delicate form with matching streaks of the color lacing her short dark hair. Rings glittered from every finger and tiny silver hoops adorned her ears, but other than that she seemed to carry no other metal. There was no sign of sword or daggers and by her appearance she looked even less dangerous than the man that served her. She smiled at Finn impishly and bowed slightly in his direction with a flourish that belonged in a noble’s court. Standing once more she locked her blue eyes on him before slowly trailing past him to the waiting crowd. “I rarely come to these gatherings. I do hope you all remember who I am.” She began in a voice that seemed almost musical to Finn’s ears.
“What do you want?” Lutheron demanded and there was a trace of unease in his voice. It wasn’t fear, but there was definite uncertainty in his expression and tone.
“Ahh I see you remember me at least.” The woman chuckled and shrugged her slender shoulders. “I want to intervene before you do something stupid Lutheron. Your plots and schemes are so important to you that sometimes you fail to look at the grander picture. For example if you happen to kill sweet Finn here, do you have someone to take his place as the Keeper of souls? Is there someone waiting on the sidelines to take up the mantle of Death that I’m not seeing?” She cocked her head in question and slowly turned a full circle as if searching the crowd for her answer. Clicking her tongue quietly in thought she slowly shook her head and turned her attention back to Lutheron. “It’s an important role you know, especially now with everyone in the sunlit world killing as quickly as they can.” She added with a sad little smile.
“Death can easily be replaced and no doubt with someone more competent than Finn Sovaesh.” Lutheron replied coldly.
“Really?” The woman asked in sheer astonishment. “I doubt that.” She added and waved a hand lightly to her right. The air shimmered for a moment and then cleared revealing Seth’s dark clad form. The demon’s eyes narrowed as he took in his current surroundings and he looked to Finn with questioning eyes. “Seth Avanti you have served Death for longer than most of us have held power. Tell me in your honest words does Finn Sovaesh do his duties well? We all know you for the creature you are, and we all know you will speak bluntly, especially now that you have lost your gift with Charm magic.”
Seth hesitated and it was obvious from the expression on his face that he had thought Finn had turned him over for his crimes. His posture slowly relaxed as he regarded the woman who had summoned him and he nodded slowly. “At first he was confused by his new role as anyone would be, but since he has mastered his powers he has done more to help the fallen than his predecessor ever did, and Finn is not showing favoritism in his judgments as she did.” Seth began and sighed heavily with a glance of apology at Finn before he continued. “With the exception of Jala Merrodin that is, aside from that however Finn has done his duty well. More souls have been returned to the lifestream under his watch than I have seen return in the past three hundred years, and they are from all countries not simply the ones he favors. While Finn Sovaesh may personally hate the Rivasans he does not allow his feelings for them to mar his judgment of their souls. Penance is delivered fairly and is not abused as it has been in the past.” Seth finished and bowed his head to Finn.
“Do you believe the Domain of Death would do better with another master?” The woman asked with a smile.
“Place another in Finn’s place and I will kill them and take the mantle myself. I will only serve Finn Sovaesh. I will not accept another master. Make your peace with him, or deal with me, your choice.” Seth answered coldly.
“Thank you Seth.” The woman murmured happily and waved her hand once more. The demon vanished from the pit almost instantly and her eyes rose to Lutheron once more. “Seth would be much more complicated to deal with I think. He knows you personally Lutheron and he doesn’t like you much as I recall.”
“I can’t say that I blame him.” Finn muttered sourly. Things had definitely taken a turn in an unexpected direction and he wasn’t sure what to think of his ally. She had seemed charming right up until she had summoned Seth. That action in itself had annoyed him far more than Finn cared to admit. She was helping him of course, but he hadn’t asked for the help, and she had no right to summon his people.
“You have heard my case and the valid points I have to make. Now let me tell you the outcome of this.” The woman turned in her circle once more smiling at the assembled Aspects. “Regardless of what you decide you will not kill Finn Sovaesh today. He has my protection and there is nothing any of you can do against my powers. I am taking him home now, and you can all piss and fume till you turn blue for all I care. This is done and the verdict is not guilty.”
The sand beneath Finn’s feet rocked as her voice fell silent and the entire room faded from his vision as vertigo washed over him. He was standing in his own throne room when his vision cleared. His benefactor was seated comfortably in his throne while her servant reclined comfortably on the steps before her. She smiled at him and winked.
“You owe me, Finn.” She said sweetly.
“I didn’t ask for your help, and I’m not even sure that was truly helpful. I think you may have pissed them off even more than I did.” Finn snapped as he searched the room quickly for Fiona. The last thing he wanted was one of his own left behind at that assembly.