Chapter Twenty-Three

“W ait, so a new page just got added to you?” Loki asks.

“Yes, it can happen from time to time, and before you ask, no, I don’t know who put it there.”

“At least that’s taken care of one problem. Can we see it?” Rival asks.

Xerxes’s pages start to move rapidly until a page comes loose and floats on magic over to a nearby table. The page grows in size and is a lot larger than it was when it was in the book.

“I figured that it was safer to remove the page since you’re going to need to burn it for the spell.” Xerxes jokes, and I snort.

“Good call, dude.” Loki chuckles.

“I’ll get the spell started,” Mayhem announces as he pulls all the things he’ll need out of a bag that I didn’t even realise that he brought in with him.

“Wait, before you do that, we all need to take a look at the map. We need to know the best entry point for Farren and the others as well as escape routes for all of us, should something go wrong.” Kill interrupts.

We all gather around the table to look at the map, and I realise something, “My team are going to need to know where the object is before we can plan an escape and entry point.”

“Good point,” Reaper replies and then looks at Storm, “can you memorise it well enough that you’ll be able to guide them after we’ve burnt it?”

Storm nods, his face serious, “Yeah, I can do that. Team one will be the team with Grey, which will consist of me, Kill, Rival, Reaper and, of course, Grey. Team two will be Farren, Loki, Mayhem and Zev. Looking at the map of the stronghold, team two should be able to hide the horses in the surrounding forest; they’re fae horses, so at the sign of danger, they will escape and be safe. If that happens, we can call them back when we need them. Team one will approach the gate in the carriage as would be expected of a meeting like this. Unlike the first stronghold, Remiki seems to have all of his followers stationed on the other side of the forest, so the only thing within the walls is the castle, and its gardens, which will make it easier for team two to get in. From that point, each team is on their own. We will distract Remiki and his men for as long as possible in order to give you enough time to get the object and destroy it.”

“As soon as I’m pulling on the last couple of threads on the spell, I can let Kill know through the bond so that you guys know to get out.” I start and then add, “I will have to go into whatever room that object is in by myself in my partial Void form, just in case it’s like the mirror and the Princes can see into the room.”

“I don’t like that,” Zev frowns.

“Me neither,” Kill adds.

“As soon as I get eyes on the object and know that it’s safe for you to be in the room, then I will signal that you guys can come in. I don’t want to risk any of you being seen. We need to stay off their radar as much as possible.” I reason.

“Yeah, okay that makes sense, but they already know about you. Astaroth said they were looking for you, right?” Zev asks.

I sigh, “Yeah, he did, but I’m fairly certain that I killed him before he could inform them that he knew where I was or what I was doing.” I reply, and then changing the subject, I add, “When I broke the last spell, all hell broke loose. They were all disoriented and went straight into panicked attacked mode as they realised that they’d been used and what they’d done under that influence.”

“Remiki’s followers are known to be more violent as it is, so I imagine that they’re going to take this realisation worse,” Grey warns us.

Mayhem turns to look at Storm, “Have you got the map memorised?”

“Yes, I have. We need to get going. We’re running out of time.” Storm replies.

Mayhem simply nods and then starts the spell, having already set everything up while we were talking, and we all watch as the map shrinks in size, the spelled fire eating at the paper's edges until a single point is left. I then end up staring at Storm in awed fascination as he quickly explains the entry point that team two and I should take, as well as several exits that will work for most hypothetical scenarios as well. I can honestly say that I find him incredibly hot right now.

Grey

E veryone was quiet and focused on the way here, and although I know that it’s partly them preparing for the job, I also know that, like me, they’re worrying about Farren, the effect that Astaroth had on her was intense, and none of us wants her to experience it again. I don’t think any of us will take a full breath until we get through this and come out of the other side without any more incidents.

“What do we need to know about this guy? Why does he want to do business with you?” Storm asks, no doubt in an effort to distract himself.

“I’m very influential here, and I have a lot of pull over the more powerful supernaturals that reside here, supes that are powerful enough that they have no need for the protection of the factions. Remiki has grand ideas of changing the way that the Shadowlands are run, and of course wants to be the one that rules over it. He knows that there is no way that those of us not in a faction will allow him to do this, and that’s where I come in,” I start to explain.

“He wants you to convince your powerful friends and connections to join his faction or give him the support he needs in order to take over.” Killian interrupts.

I nod, “Exactly. In this meeting, I'm going to make him think that I’m considering it. There will be a lot of showing off, posturing and all of that shit. We are not safe there, and you will need to be on guard and be prepared for this to go tits up.”

“Got it,” Rival nods.

None of them seems worried despite my warning, and I’m beginning to understand that they like the fight and the danger as much as I do. It's refreshing. Although I do wonder if they will feel the same if they ever find out what I am.

“From what you’ve said, I’m guessing that their reaction to realising that they’ve been controlled is going to be fairly negative?” Reaper asks me, although it seems like he’s asking for confirmation more than asking because he doesn’t know the answer.

I nod.

“And what about your high profile and powerful connections? Is it going to cause problems for you if they find out about this meeting?” Rival asks, the wheels in his brain turning.

“I don’t think that it will cause any issues. They all know me reasonably well and are more likely to be curious about my ulterior motives rather than thinking that I’m going to try and recruit them or that I’m personally getting involved with Remiki.” I try to explain it as best I can. The truth is that some of these people have known me for a lot longer than even they believe, its yet again another side effect of the silencing spell cast over me.

There’s no time for any more talking as Remiki’s stronghold comes into sight. Whereas Temperance’s stronghold is a mixture of strength, safety and comfort, Remiki treats his as a boot camp and training ground of sorts and even though the sun has already dipped behind the horizon, you can still see arcs of magic beyond the walls and dark shapes darting through the air as shifters practice their attack moves and dives.

He's a manipulative arsehole, there’s no denying that, but he does have one of the highest trained followings, and I’d be impressed if it wasn’t because they were forced to join his army mostly out of fear. Personally, I have found that an army fights better for you and is more loyal if they are there because they want to be and not because they’re forced to be. As soon as one of Remiki’s soldiers are offered a genuine chance of escape with no repercussions, I can guarantee that they will take it.

The worst thing is he actually thinks that they would stay loyal to him no matter what. His own pride and arrogance so blind to him that he can’t even conceive the thought that his own soldiers would betray him, and that is one of the many reasons why I will never be on his side. That and he has absolutely no care or regard for the people that come to him for protection, and even after the people realise that he’s not going to live up to his side of the deal, it’s too late for them, they will be tortured and killed along with their families if they try to leave, or seek protection elsewhere.

He is a vile man, very nearly the worst faction leader in the Shadowlands. He’s only beaten by the incomprehensibly maniacal demon shifter that runs the last faction that we have to infiltrate. He’s the most dangerous because he has the brains and intelligence to back it up; he’s sneaky, unbelievably clever but surprisingly, he holds a strong set of values. The most terrifying thing about him though, is that he’s bored, and all that he’s currently doing is just a game to him. He’s unhinged, but once you have his loyalty, it is unwavering. He's the most dangerous because he used to be my best friend and closest confidant before the abduction and the silencing spell. If anyone could see through this glamour that’s been forced on me, it would be him. I have avoided him like the fucking plague up until now simply because it terrifies me to think that he won’t be able to see through it.

The crazy fucker was like my brother, and having official confirmation that I’ve lost him because he no longer recognises me would destroy a part of me.

Of course, I am also worried about infiltrating his faction because his temper is legendary; very few people can withstand it when he loses his shit, and if he finds out that those fucking weasels have been controlling him, he’s going to lose his shit in a big way, I’m not sure I can protect the others from his temper in this form and that scares me.

I pull myself out of my thoughts as the carriage jolts when it lands just outside the gates of Remiki’s stronghold, as the guards hold them open for us, granting us access through the wards. I turn to the guys and mutter almost under my breath, “No matter how badly provoked, do not utter a word, even if you are asked a direct question. Remiki believes that all soldiers should be silent and not to speak unless, under certain circumstances, he will do it to try and get a rise out of you so he can order his men to attack in the hopes that they will take you down and he will be able to show off how superior he is.” I warn them and then add with a smirk, “Although it would be highly entertaining to see you all wipe the floor with his men with minimal effort, we need to keep a civil distraction for as long as possible to give Farren and the others time to get to the cursed object. Women are viewed as nothing more than slaves and broad mares here, and it would be incredibly bad if they found Farren in the main stronghold where only the men are allowed.”

“That’s fucked up,” Storm replies angrily, although he manages to keep his voice at a level where only we can hear him.

Rival’s face is dark, but he says, “Fortunately, Farren will be able to decapitate anyone who comes at her and will most likely enjoy it too.”

Killian’s chuckle is dark, “Too fucking right she will.”

“She’s also got Meri and Poca with her, not to mention the guys. She is extremely well protected,” I add, for my own peace of mind but also noticing that they relax slightly as well.

Everyone falls silent as the carriage comes to a stop at the base of the vast stone steps leading inside. I have a split second of panic where I realise that I didn’t fill them in on any of the protocols that guards are expected to have, but I needn’t have worried. They seem to have been trained in this kind of thing because, without any prompting from me, Rival and Kill stand up, moving toward the door and stepping out. Kill holds the door open as Rival stands opposite him, both of them staring straight ahead as Reaper is the next one to exit and walks a few feet away from the carriage before pausing and waiting for me to exit.

I can’t help but glance at Storm, impressed, and he just inclines his head and smirks knowingly as he gestures for me to go ahead and step out. I smile briefly before I drop all emotion from my face as it becomes a blank and cold mask.

As soon as I’ve cleared the carriage, Killian and Rival flank me as Storm takes up the position behind me, protecting my back. There have been very few people over my many years of life that I have trusted to walk behind me and it comes as a shock that I trust him to protect me. Reaper remains ahead of us so that I am protected on all sides, as would be expected, and we all walk in silence as two of Remiki’s soldiers lead us up the steps and into the opulent foyer. His followers are starving and living in conditions barely suitable for animals, and yet he can afford to have a gold fountain in the shape of himself in the middle of his entranceway.

Fortunately for me, I have become very well-practised in the art of ensuring my expression remains blank and doesn’t show the absolute disgust I feel. We all remain silent as we’re led through massive interictally carved doors into a lavish dining room. The table is big enough to seat forty and laid out with all manner of foods that would satisfy all the various dietary needs of the majority of the supernaturals that reside here. It’s a show of wealth and power and one that doesn’t impress me in the slightest. This is another reason why Remiki will ultimately fail in his goal. He doesn’t know how to change up his approach according to his audience. Whereas the show of wealth would work with someone else, for me, I’d take him a lot more seriously if he showed me the training grounds and showed his skills there.

That’s where Khaos, the ruler of the last faction, will always succeed; he puts in the time and research to know his target, knows what would win them over, and knows their weaknesses. The difference is that Khaos is playing with them all, he’s bored, and that’s more dangerous than Remiki could ever hope to be.

In a show of power, Remiki doesn’t stand when I approach the end of the table where he’s sitting, which instantly rubs me the wrong way, purely because of the lack of respect he shows, he may be in charge here, but he needs something from me and should be doing everything in his power to convince me to do what he wants. This guy is fucking ridiculous, and I’m actually confused about how he’s managed to gain this power.

“Grey,” Remiki greets me as I take a seat, Storm and Killian standing guard behind my chair as Rival and Reaper stand further back, keeping their eyes on the room and the other guards in the room.

Instead of replying, I simply nod, a power play of my own that has the desired effect when Remiki frowns with disapproval. I wouldn’t put it past him to try to drug me. He knows that I'm going to be a hard sell and would instead take the easy route rather than put the hard work in to convince me that I should work with him and convince the others to do so as well. With this in mind, I pick up the wine goblet that has been placed in front of me, and I subtly send out a small thread of my magic to test the drink for any kinds of poisons or sedatives, when it comes back clear of both I take a small sip.

Remiki swirls his own drink around in his goblet before he takes a sip himself and then raises his eyebrow, “I must say I’m quite curious as to why you have decided to meet with me now?”

Pausing because I know that not answering him as soon as he asks a question will wind him up, I then reply, “Well, Remiki, you have been trying to get a meeting with me for over a year now. I feel that kind of dedication deserves to at least be heard. So here I am.”

His eyes tighten slightly as my words subtly hint at the fact that he’s been desperate in his pursuit of getting a meeting with me, he nods curtly and replies, “It is very much appreciated.”

“Indeed. What is it that you want from me?”

Remiki straightens out the cuffs of his shirt before he replies, “It’s more about what we can do for each other.”

“I’m listening,” I reply, pretending to sound intrigued but, in all honesty, I’m just downright bored. I miss being in these kinds of meetings and being challenged, having to think on my feet and unsure whether the outcome of the meeting will turn in my favour. This little meeting is reminding me of the time before, and I hadn’t realised how much I missed it.