David Dalglish - A Dance of Ghosts

“Bribes,” she said. “For protection. Our deal between the Trifect and the guilds is over, and Muzien aims to replace it.”

“How much did he request?”

Alyssa shook her head.

“I didn’t ask. It doesn’t matter. Giving that elf more power than he already has is suicide.”

“Have you thought that refusing him is suicide, not the other way around?”

Alyssa sighed. Not that she was surprised by the question, just exhausted by it. Of course, her mother would doubt her. Of course, she’d act as if her decision were the wrong one.

“We’ve endured worse,” Alyssa said. “It’s time to rid ourselves of these miserable whoresons like I should have done years ago.”

Melody cleared her throat. It was the act of someone preparing to broach a subject they were clearly nervous about.

“I know you think you’re doing what is best for the family,” she began, “but perhaps it would be appropriate for you to let someone else handle matters while you recover?”

Whatever exhaustion Alyssa had felt quickly vanished.

“Recover?” she asked. “Recover from what?”

“Your … troubles,” Melody said. “Ever since you lost your eyes you’ve been sullen, quick to anger, and no longer caring for the future of the Gemcroft family line. Right now, we need a leader who may show patience and forethought, not someone who can only think of herself and her son.”

Alyssa’s dagger was still on the floor by the bed, and it was a good thing for Melody.

“A leader like you?” she asked. “That’s what you mean, isn’t it?”

There was a pause, and Alyssa had a feeling it was from her mother stupidly shaking her head as if she might see it.

“It’s not,” Melody insisted. “I will accept the burden if I must, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s still hope for you, my sweet little girl, but only if you remove the hardness about your heart.”

Zusa, thought Alyssa. Damn it, why didn’t I keep you with me? No doubt she was scouring the grounds, but inside was where she needed her. Inside was where the true threat lied.

“Don’t dance around this,” Alyssa said, her patience wearing thin and annoyed that it only seemed to affirm part of what Melody had accused her of. “Whatever it is you want, come out and say it.”

“Karak…”

“No,” she interrupted, anger burning in her breast the moment she heard the god’s name spoken. “No, anything but that. I will not hear it, Melody. Not a word about your damned god’s promises, his wisdom, or any help you think his followers can give us. I will not bend the knee to a corpse to avoid bending it to a thief.”

“No, little girl, you will listen,” said Melody, and a change had come about her. Her voice was authoritative, the very presence of her in the room far stronger. “Even if it takes years, you will listen. I won’t lose you, not like I’ve lost everyone else.”

The bed shifted as Melody stood from it and went to the door. When Alyssa heard it open, she reached down, searching for the dagger Muzien had thrown to the floor. Her fingers brushed wrapped leather, she grabbed the hilt, and then she sat back upon the bed, hiding the blade beneath her left thigh.

“Summon John Gandrem. I would have words with him,” she heard the muffled voice of her mother say to someone outside the door. A female voice gave an affirmative on the other side, and then followed soft footsteps on the carpet as Melody returned to the bed.

“John won’t help you,” Alyssa said, trying to believe it herself. “He’s always been loyal to our family line, and he won’t dare try overthrowing me for an imposter.”

“I’m no imposter,” Melody said. “I endured all those years married to your father, and then many more locked in Leon Connington’s cell, a plaything for him and his gentle touchers. Your trials are but a joke compared to mine, yet I have emerged stronger, while you wallow in bitterness. John sees it just as well as I. Given the choice, you or me, you know who he’ll choose.”

“Father disowned you,” Alyssa argued.

“No, he didn’t,” Melody said. “He never had to. I was dead, remember?”

It was true, of course. Alyssa knew her claim was stronger than her mother’s, especially since she was the one with a male heir … but if someone wanted to believe otherwise, if someone like John wanted to put the strength of his soldiers behind Maynard Gemcroft’s wife instead of his daughter …

“I’ll kill you,” she said. “You won’t take all I’ve built from me.”

“Only for safekeeping,” Melody said, and by the sound of her voice, she was coming around the bed, closer and closer. “For you and for Nathaniel. Someone needs to be strong. Someone needs to have conviction and make the decisions necessary to save our world from the coming storm. Don’t you understand? I care for your son’s legacy just as much as you, but unlike you, I won’t be blinded by fear. I won’t be lost to…”

Alyssa lunged with her dagger drawn, thrusting in the direction of Melody’s voice. The blade found resistance, followed by a scream, and it put a smile on Alyssa’s face.

“Alyssa, stop this!”

It was John’s firm voice. Alyssa ignored it, instead trying to thrust again. This time, she caught only air, and she slid off the bed, thrusting once more toward the sound of movement and crying. A hand caught her wrist, and another struck her across the face. The pressure tightened, and before she could fight it, the blade was yanked away.

“Enough,” John said. A thud at her feet told her he’d dropped the weapon, and now two strong hands held her wrists, keeping her trapped. She fought down the indignity of struggling and instead tilted her head so she could better listen to her mother’s tears.

“Is it fatal?” she asked, and by the way John sucked in a breath of air and tensed, she could tell he was stunned by the coldness of her voice.

“No,” Melody answered for her, and Alyssa’s heart sank. “Just a cut across my arm.”

“Damn,” she whispered.

“Alyssa, your wild behavior has gone on far enough,” John said. “I understand you have endured many trials, but I will not sit idly by while you let your depression and guilt bury the legacy of your father and endanger the future of your son.”

“Of course you won’t,” Alyssa said, and she laughed. “You’ll do exactly as Melody says, won’t you? Did she fuck you for it, John, or only offer promises?”

She couldn’t see him, but she hoped the older man’s face flushed a bright red.

“This will only be temporary,” John said, “until it’s clear to us you are in a right state of mind. Either that or Nathaniel is old enough, and mature enough, to handle the estate’s matters.”

“Send out a rider to look for Muzien, or a member of his guild,” Melody told John. “Tell them we’ll accept any reasonable terms he offers us. Do it quickly! As for Zusa…”

“My men are ready,” John said. “I do not trust her to take this well.”

Alyssa laughed, loud enough to ensure they turned her way.

“That is putting it lightly,” she said. “She’ll kill you both for this betrayal. There’ll be no stopping her.”

“We’ll see about that,” said John. “But until she acknowledges Melody’s right to rule, that woman is a danger to every single person in this home. Keeping her from you will be a challenge, but as much as it will pain me, I know of a place to keep you secure…”

The way he said it told her immediately where they would take her. She didn’t know if it made her want to scream or cry.

The wall of noise about her, of men grunting, armor creaking, convinced her at least ten men escorted her down the hall. Perhaps it was twenty, but their fear of Zusa was obvious. They took a turn, then another, and as she counted her steps, her fears were confirmed. They were taking her to the cells, the cold, drafty cells her father had thrown her into in an age past. Zusa had helped rescue her from them before … but could she do so again?