Crowned (Beholder #4)(52)

“You want my help? Pull some hybrid magick into your palm. Prove to me that you’re not doing this because you need my power, but because you love me as a sister.”

Viktor kept glaring at me, his nostrils flaring with every breath. At length, he spat out one word. “Fine.” Pulling up his long sleeve, Viktor exposed his right arm. Within a few seconds, this palm began to glow with violet light.

“See?” said Viktor. “I can wield this power easily. We are done here.”

I raised my pointer finger. “Let’s give this one more minute.” I stepped in for a closer look. Sure enough, a puff of gray smoke engulfed his hand. More magick. Viktor’s skin quickly transformed from a pale sheet of flesh into a bubbling glob of tar-like ooze. I lowered my hand. “As I suspected. You need me.”

“I need nothing!” Viktor’s face flushed. “Do you know what will happen at the end of this Martyr’s Comet? You’ll die anyway.”

“That may be, but I’ll tell the Sire and Lady all about you first.”

“Really?” Viktor chuckled, and it was a chilling sound. “I’ll let you in on a secret. Those two got rather attached to me, raising me themselves and all. Right now, they see me as the reformed son. I’ve spent my days meditating here in this empty world. As a result, I’ve officially seen the error of my ways.”

“They can’t really think that.”

“They’re like anyone else. They believe what they want to believe. Besides, my transgressions are nothing compared to yours. I tried to harness a bit of hybrid power. I stored a scintilla on some in insects that I left lying around. I channeled a little more into some Changed Ones. But yes, I’ll admit it. You are right. My abilities are nothing compared to the power you and Rowan could wield. Hybrid magick with a human mage. It’s quite a trick. I tried it, you know. A mate bond with a mortal.”

“Tristan told me that you had a mate.”

“It was a failed experiment, I’ll admit that too. My connection with Hannah wasn’t like anything like what you have with Rowan. We could barely share a whit of power. When our parents found out, they determined that my so-called mate had to die. Those two are terrified of the kind of mate bond you’ve already forged. In the end, I put up a good show of weeping and carrying on at Hannah’s execution. Despite their shortcomings, our parents are still rather protective of our feelings while we’re alive.”

“You watched Hannah die?”

Viktor lifted one shoulder. “It was for the best. I needed to give up on my mate bond tests and consolidate my power in other ways. Hannah’s death led to my experimentation with Bone Crawlers and ultimately, to success.”

Bile crawled up my throat. “You have a strange definition of success.”

“Do I? Once you recharge the gateways, I’ll grab the Sword of Theodora, kill our parents, and rule this realm. True, it’s not as exciting as ruling every world with sentient life. Still, as consolation prizes go, it isn’t terrible.” Viktor’s eyes lit up with pure rage. “And I’ll have the extra joy of watching you die.”

Images flashed in my mind. The Meadow of Many gateways. Me on my knees with the bronze-robed figure above me. Viktor watching on with delight, ready to kill our parents. Did I really think I’d learn enough about hybrid magick to heal the gateways on my own? Wasn’t I better off teaming with Viktor? That way, at least I’d be sure that Rowan and I survived.

“I can see that you’re considering it.” Some of the tightness and rage seeped out of Viktor’s face.

I sighed. “There’s still a half day before the Martyr’s Comet disappears.”

“Meaning you’ll figure out something else, since you have so much time.”

“Wouldn’t you in my case?”

“Obviously.” A flash of energy pressed through the air. A totem ring on Viktor’s hand had come to life. My brother had just cast a spell.

“What did you do?”

“Awarding out my birthday gift for you, dear sister.” The way he said the dear sister part, the words dripped with malice. I had the overwhelming desire to run for cover. “Consider my offer carefully. It’s the only way for you and your Caster pet to get out of this catastrophe alive. In fact, as a sign of good faith, I’ll do you a favor now. When you leave here, I’ll make one of the gateways light up and show you a vision of your physical, non-ghostly Rowan. You can merely gaze upon his manly beauty under the arch or step through to see him. Your choice.”

Some small part of me was tempted to say thank you. After all, I would enjoy seeing Rowan in a gateway even if I didn’t step through it. Still, I doubted that whatever Viktor was doing would truly be a favor to me. My brother was evil to the core. “Goodbye, brother.”

“Remember my offer, dear sister.”

As I stepped back out of gateway, I realized that Viktor had pulled me in order to convince me to follow him, but instead he gave me critical information. Viktor confirmed that Rowan and I wielded enough hybrid power to heal the gateway, and that it’s also possible to do so.

Mlinzi and Walinzi’s promise echoed in my thoughts. Once I had the Sword in my hands, Rowan and I would get our memories back. And then, if the tricksters’ promises held true, that would be the moment when I’d also know exactly how to wield hybrid magick to heal the gateways.