The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles #5)(104)

To evade detection, I’d been waiting leagues from the sphere—but I could still hear Fauna’s scream echo down the mountain.

No need for me to remain concealed any longer. I began to sprint from where I’d paced a hole into the ground.

Could my wife and Deveaux fend off Fauna’s creatures and the Archangel long enough to kill Paul?

Would that noose even work? So many risks.

As I ran, I replayed this morning. Had my plot been a colossal misjudgment?





I waited until she’d awakened and dressed, then said, “I have an idea, sievā, but you will not like it.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Let’s hear it.”

“It involves the mortal,” I said.

Jack cast me a quizzical look. “Am I finally goan to hear what you refused to tell me on the dish last night?”

I’d needed time to analyze my idea. “You mentioned that you wanted to walk in my shoes. Why stop there? You and I are nearly the same size. You can borrow my armor and swords, then stroll directly into the castle. They will think you’re me. Paul’s ego is his weakness; he’ll assume I came crawling back.”

Jack’s eyes began to glimmer with anticipation.

But Evie shook her head vehemently. “Even if Jack has a disguise, I won’t send him in to face Arcana. Why should he alone have to take such a risk?”

“Because if he succeeds, I will give him the castle.”

“WHAT?” she and Jack said at once.

Brows drawn, she asked, “And by extension, you’ll give him me?”

I clenched my fists to keep from reaching for her, striving not to reveal how much this prospect gutted me. “I want him particularly motivated to secure the castle. As in olden times, if he wins it; he keeps it.”

“You’re talking about abandoning your home? You’re a freaking homebody. You’d never leave behind all the belongings that you’ve safeguarded for millennia.”

“None of that matters now. I would sacrifice anything to have you and our son safe in that stronghold.”

“Including me and Tee?” Her hand went to her rounding belly.

Never to see her? Never to meet my son? My gaze bored into hers as I murmured, “Anything.”

“Oh, I’m in,” Jack quickly said.

She pointed out, “You’d be going up against three powerful killers.”

“I’ve faced worse odds for a ton less upside. You were worried about me shooting your friends. I woan take a gun, will only be carrying swords and a noose. With that disguise, I can walk in and strangle the Hanged Man. Then Gabe and Lark woan be threats.”

She cast a glare from Jack to me. “The plan won’t work. If Lark’s awake, she’ll scent the difference. Gabriel could too.”

I said, “Not if they don’t get too close, and Jack is wearing my clothing underneath.”

“He would have to sound like you. And, Aric, you’ve already commented on—how should I put this?—his license with the English language.”

I’d said he slaughtered the English language anytime he attempted it.

Jack’s lips curled. “Now, how hard will it be to sound like an arrogant prick from Russia?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Latvia.”

“Come on, peek?n.” I loathed it when Deveaux called her that—because she clearly loved it. “I can learn a few short phrases to use and imitate his accent.”

She turned to me. “You sweetened the pot too much. He’s not going to be thinking straight. I’d rather take the risk myself. I want to reclaim the castle, then think about the future . . . .”

Jack and I both pressed our case to her, and half an hour of arguing ensued.

At length, she said, “Fine! I’ll agree to this—if I go as Jack’s prisoner. We’ll wrap the noose around my wrists, and he’ll lead me inside with it.”

“Bonne idée,” Jack said. I thought he was making a valiant effort not to crow with victory.

“Are you two happy?” A flash of something cunning crossed her blue eyes.

I suspected she had agreed to the battle strategy, but not my terms. No matter; if Jack succeeded, I would keep my word and forfeit my home.

Which meant that regardless of the day’s outcome, somehow I would be losing my wife for good.

“No time to waste.” Jack started unbuttoning his shirt. “Let’s do this.”

Though she’d seen both of us unclothed, she turned her back while we traded clothes.

But I hesitated to hand him the first piece of armor. “I have never—in two millennia—allowed another to wear this.”

“First time for everything. Come on!” He could barely contain his excitement. And why not? He’d be getting what he wanted most. The castle was icing on the cake.

Wearing Jack’s gloves, I helped him strap on the pieces.

“Damn, this metal’s light.” He pounded his gauntleted fists against his chest. “Are we pissing off some death deity with this stunt?” Jack knew I’d been divinely led to this suit by my god sponsor.

“Probably.”

When he dropped the visor down, I did a double take. I hadn’t gazed at my armored self in a mirror in ages. Was this what I looked like to others? No wonder everyone was terrified of me. Add in red-eyed Thanatos . . .