The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles #5)(35)

“An answer for everything, huh? Paul told me he wasn’t a monster like the ones I’ve faced, but the Traitor’s worse. I never trusted the Lovers, the Hermit, or the Hierophant. I never depended on the Devil.”

“Ah, but I once did. Ogen was the only one who could refashion my armor with his demonic grip.” The metal was invulnerable to pressure and heat, unless wielded by the Devil Card. And now my suit would be forever compromised because I’d cut out a piece for her cilice. The Empress was responsible for the single chink in my armor. So too in life. “I regret killing Ogen to save you.” Was that a hitched breath? I’d shocked her.

Paul had broached the subject of retrieving the Empress alive, using the cilice on her. Though she was too evil to benefit from his clarity, she could fuel the sphere. Still, I wanted her dead for what she’d made me believe.

In the background, I heard the Tower mutter, “Ask him about Gabe.”

I told her, “The Archangel has joined our new alliance and looks forward to facing the Tower.”

She made a sound of frustration. “If you have a reason for hating me, then fine, I can almost see it. We were enemies longer than allies. But Gabe and Joules have always been best friends. So why would Gabe turn against Joules, if not for Paul?”

“The Archangel discovered that the Tower and his lover, Calanthe, had intended to electrocute him as soon as he’d outlived his usefulness. Three’s a crowd, is it not?”

“Lemme guess: Paul told you guys that? And you’re buying it? Joules loves Gabe like a brother.”

“And yet . . .”

She didn’t relay this to the Tower. What was she thinking? What new strategy would she employ?

Several moments passed before she said, “I’m about three months along now. I should be showing soon.”

“Still you continue with this pregnancy nonsense.” What was worse? Her conniving? Or the fact that even now I craved this family? I hated her the most for that.

“Aric, we’re going to have a kid together, but only if I survive for the next six months. Think what you will about me. Punish me, but don’t punish our child.”

I squeezed my eyes closed. When I opened them, light glittered from my gaze. “You want me to believe not only that I impregnated you, but also that your pregnancy continues?”

Fauna had landed at least one venomous bite. The Archangel had reported that the Empress and the Tower had been swept up in an avalanche and that she’d been bleeding profusely.

“Believe it. As of now, this is our reality.”

“You can sound convincing, I’ll give you that.” So godsdamned convincing. My gaze flickered toward Paul. Almost at once, a memory arose of when she’d first seduced me into bed. “Just as you did centuries ago. As if it were yesterday, I can recall the look in your eyes—right before you delivered your poisoned kiss to me. This is why I never call you by your given name. While it might change, you do not.”

“I told you I couldn’t feel guilty any longer for things I did as another incarnation. I told you that I wouldn’t keep paying for the past. You said you understood and that we’d start anew. But we didn’t, did we?”

“I was ready; you weren’t.”

Silence answered me. What trick would she try now? “We’ll talk about this after I take Paul down. Understand me, Reaper, I’m going to get you fixed.”

“Such bravado, poisoness. How will you defeat a player who’s invulnerable to harm?” Paul had demonstrated how a blade drawn over his flesh made no slice, his skin as protected as if he wore my armor. My hated bane. Alas, the Hanged Man possessed no offensive powers, was utterly dependent on me and our alliance.

Brimming with confidence, the Empress said, “If he’s invulnerable, why hasn’t he won every game? Somehow, someway, other cards have taken him out.”

“Good point. Paul must have a weakness, but if it’s unknown by the Arcana who remain, then he might as well not have one at all.” The Hanged Man smiled at me.

“Maybe your touch of Death can kill him.”

A glance at Paul. “Perhaps that’s true, but unlike you, I don’t betray my alliances.”

“Aric, you will return to normal one day. But I have to wonder if we can come back from this. The guilt will torture you.”

“Torture? I dream of delivering pain to you.” To equal my own. “Cross my path, and you will know more agony than any other living creature has ever suffered. I give you fair warning.”

“Save it, Reaper. I’m pretty sure there’s little worse than starving while pregnant. And to think, you’d gotten on my case about taking my vitamins.”

“My Empress is hungry. That gladdens me. Remember: exile equals execution.”

“There’s no reasoning with you,” she said with a long-suffering exhalation. “I’d like to speak to the Hanged Man.”

This should be good. “Of course.” I handed over the phone.

Paul grinned as he said, “Evie, it’s been too long.”

With my heightened senses, I could easily hear her side of the conversation: “What’s your plan for the future?”

“Ride out the apocalypse with my allies. Spread my influence until all Arcana are safe from you. Then we’ll hunt you down and pluck that pretty head of yours from your body.”