Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Tiziano was a man to organize people. As a man who had wrangled seven sons over the years, it wasn’t surprising he had the commanding presence of a general.

Zarya found herself being kept busy in the kitchen, chopping ingredients and stirring sauces. She had a sneaking suspicion he was keeping her as busy as possible to stop her from spiraling, and she was grateful for it.

The house had been converted from an old monastery of vintner monks, and the stones of the building still held a faint aroma of incense and wine. Zarya tried not to flinch at every painting and sketch she saw of Arkon with his brothers. Under different circumstances, she would have loved the time to explore Arkon’s family home. She was too anxious and restless for that.

By the time Zahir returned at sundown, a long table had been set out in the garden and was covered with fresh pasta, salads, bread, fruit, and wine. Tiziano and Zahir hadn’t been kidding when they decided to call the cavalry. Not only had Zahir and Ashirah returned, but they brought Ezra, Stella, Dom, Nico, and Sophia. Zarya received hasty introductions, and Ashirah passed a bottle of something pale yellow to Tiziano, and he beamed at her. They were all people Zarya knew of but had never met.

Dom and Stella were the shedu and mage pairing that worried General Zaytsev. Everyone knew that this group with Arkon had wiped out Siderov and the new ships that he had been building to take Constantinople.

They were all warriors, and better yet, they were all friends of Arkon’s. Zarya couldn’t ask for a better team of people to help her find her sorcerer. Once he was safe, she was going to strangle him for making her worry so much about him.

"Eat something," Sophia said, putting a plate of pasta in front of Zarya. "Arkon wouldn’t want you to starve, and you’ll need the fuel if we go after him tonight."

Zarya picked up her fork, her stomach clenching. She ate a mouthful, and Sophia smiled.

"There you go. You never know, maybe Arkon had a few bombs up his sleeve, and he’s probably wiped the whole place out on his own and is just waiting for us to turn up to get him. It wouldn’t surprise me." Sophia made sure no one was listening before she leaned closer. "I have a few of his specially made bombs with me, just in case we need them."

Zarya managed a laugh at the twinkle of mayhem in Sophia’s green eyes.

"If Zahir can find a proper location for Arkon, you won’t need a bomb. I’m going to rip apart that place brick by brick to get to him," Zarya assured her.

"So, it’s true that you are crazy like he is. That’s good," Sophia replied with a nod of approval. "I feel like he needs someone who understands that about him. Scares the shit out of me, but fuck, who am I to judge?"

Zarya ate slowly and watched as they all talked and teased each other. It was strange to see how these people, the current leaders of Venice, actually got along with one another. She tried to imagine any of the Varangian ministers or nobles doing the same thing, and it didn’t fit at all. They were all too worried about their position with the emperor and the court to make true friends.

Zarya was alone amongst people, and she missed Arkon. She had gotten used to his presence too quickly, the security he provided by being that counterbalance to her. She stared up at the stars.

I’m coming to get you, sorcerer, and the world is going to tremble.

After the dishes were cleared away, a map appeared in Zahir’s hand, and he took some of Tiziano’s blood. Astrid was quick to mend the cut; the healer magic in her was strong, and she seemed to have taken a shine to Arkon’s father. Perhaps Arkon was right about them getting along because their power was both rooted in fertility.

Zahir performed the tracking magic, and they all leaned over the map, watching the drops of blood circle around and around and never settle.

"Fuck. It’s not working. Wherever he is, it’s so warded, not even the slightest signal is going to get through," Zahir grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Any other ideas?" Ezra asked.

Ashirah cleared her throat. "I have one, but it’s dangerous."

"More dangerous than me? Because if I can’t find him, I’m going to burn Varangia to the ground looking for him," Zarya snarled. She was done having fun time dinners while Arkon was getting tortured.

"Settle down. I’ll summon someone who will help us. He’s just not going to like it," Ashirah said with an irritated glare.

Zahir’s brows drew together. "You don’t mean..."

"He can track anything through the ether, no matter how warded or shielded it is." Ashirah let out a long breath and pulled a necklace out from inside of her dress. There was a dark purple stone hanging from it. Her face was unreadable as she brought the stone to her lips, whispered something too low for Zarya to hear, and kissed it.

Dark purple mist gathered in the air, and the largest djinn that Zarya had ever seen appeared.

"Ashirah," he said and bowed deeply. "I never thought..." He seemed to notice her company and stopped whatever he was about to say. "Is this a trap?"

"No, it’s us asking for your help," Ashirah said and cleared her voice. "It’s me, asking for your help, Karsudan. Please. It’s important."

Karsudan didn’t take his eyes off her. Everyone in the garden was holding their breath. He had more power than Zarya had felt coming from any other being.

And Ashirah could summon him whenever she wanted. There had to be a story there, but not one Zarya had time for. Karsudan tucked a long lock of dark hair behind his pointed ear while he considered her request.

"I don’t think I’ve heard you say please in a millennium," he said finally.

Ashirah smiled. "Don’t get used to it. Help me find a wayward sorcerer?"

"And what will I get in return?" he asked, onyx eyes glittering.

"Tea. Your island. The next full moon."

Kasurdan stroked his goatee. "Tea. My island. Every full moon for a year."

Ashirah made an exasperated sound. "Agreed. Now, help us find Arkon before the Wolf Mage here blows us all to hell."

Karsudan turned to study Zarya for a moment and let out a small laugh. "Creator, preserve us. I haven’t seen two seventh children in the same place for a long, long time. You have my interest. I will find the sorcerer for you, Ashirah." He bowed low to her before disappearing, and everyone took a collective breath.

"Arkon thinks you don’t like him, and yet you bargain with the old king for him," Zahir said before bursting out laughing.

"I don’t like him," Ashirah grumbled unconvincingly. She nodded at Zarya. "I like her. And she’s going to pout until he’s returned to her. Better to get the sorcerer back so everyone is happy."

"Ash, you big softie," Ezra teased lightly.

"Fuck off, brat."

It only made Ezra hug her. "You love me."

"No, I don’t. You are all disturbers of my peace."

Zarya squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Ashirah. I won’t forget this kindness."

"Please do."

"Do we have a plan once Karsudan returns?" Dom asked from the other end of the table. Stella was perched on his lap and looked comfortable being there.

"Depends on where Arkon is located. I believe Strahil would have taken him to the biggest camp. It will be his base," Zarya said and began to pace. "He is the strongest of the bone mages, which is why his warding is better than the last place we raided."

"Do you think his wards are just around the camp?" Stella asked.

Zahir shrugged. "They were only around last time."

"Why is that relevant?" Zarya asked.

"It’s relevant because it means we can get in from above if we have to," Dom replied, grinning at his mate. "Clever, mi amore."

"You can carry Zarya and drop her inside. She can throw some of Arkon’s bombs about and clear some holes in Strahil’s defenses," Nico said and cast a look in Sophia’s direction. "Don’t try to deny that you stole some of Arkon’s bombs."

"He gave them to me!" Sophia argued. "Well, most of them anyway."

Zahir crossed his arms. "You’re only allowed to use bombs if there’re no prisoners in the way."

"Why do you always have to kill my fun?"

They were all still arguing about how they would assault whatever building Arkon was in when Karsudan appeared once more.

"He’s in a forest not far from Zatoka on the Black Sea," he said, brushing glittering sand from his robes.

"The emperor wouldn’t want Strahil too far away," Zarya said, her hands clenching into fists. "His palace is there. He likes to winter at the Zatoka Palace because it’s milder weather. Can we go now?"

They had come ready to fight after all. She had seen the weapons and kits of armor that they had brought with them. The meal where they talked of other things was their last supper in case anyone got killed. She wished she felt she was a part of it, but without Arkon, she was still an outsider looking in.

Karsudan told Zahir where Arkon’s location was so he could convert it into co-ordinates that non-djinn could understand.

"I look forward to our tea. Don’t be late," Karsudan told Ashirah before he disappeared once more.

"Well, it looks like you two might finally have the opportunity to work out your differences," Zahir said cheerfully.

"Fuck off, Zahir. Go and rescue the sorcerer. I’ll look after Ezra," Ashirah grumbled.

"You’re not coming?" Zarya asked.

"Someone has to watch over Venice while Zahir and Arkon are absent," Ashirah said before gesturing towards Ezra. "She’s a lover, not a fighter."

"Don’t worry, Wolfie. I’ve got your back," Sophia said, tossing a small globe in the air before catching it again. Zarya grinned. She liked Sophia.

"Try not to go too far into your power that you risk not coming out again," her mother said, squeezing Zarya’s hand.

"No such thing in this circumstance. I dedicate all the murder I’m about to commit to Odin All-Father and Freya War Goddess," Zarya said with a wild, crazy smile.

Astrid nodded and placed a hand on her head. "Go my daughter, and may the gods show you favor."

Zarya tasted blood and ash on her tongue, the wolf restless inside of her. She didn’t need the gods’ favor for this. She only needed to be pointed in the right direction.