"Obviously a failure," muttered George. "I don't think your truth potion works, Carlo."

  "My father burned up when he tried to use his powers for the first time. No one was more surprised than him. Well, maybe my mother was more surprised."

  George scribbled down the notes. "Next question. Who is Balthazar?"

  "An efrit who lives in the desert. My friend. The Klaereon guardian angel. No fun at all."

  "Fine," said George. He glanced at the questions, and turned the page over. "Can I ask what I want?"

  "As long as you write the answer down. For science!"

  "Let's try one I'm curious about. How did you learn magic?"

  Carlo stroked his beard, hoping he conveyed mystery. "I am still learning magic. It is not something you ever know completely."

  "Your magic is potions, right?"

  "And medicine. There are amazing things you can do just knowing the secrets of the body."

  "Like your wife's magic?"

  "Unlike. What Lucy can do requires a particular magic you acquire through your family. Not a tradition, but a talent." Carlo shook his head. "I try to keep an open mind," he said breezily, "but the kind of magic she does makes me uncomfortable sometimes."

  George scribbled down more notes. "I can believe that. How do you feel about Atreus Galt?"

  "He plays games, doesn't he? If he can't have his way, he plays games. He doesn't really understand how to play a game, so he will lose."

  "You know how to 'play games'?"

  "I learned from the best."

  "And because of your skill, Lady Klaereon is not going into exile?"

  "I think our chances are good. We'll break her out if it goes badly."

  "Maybe I won't write that answer down." George scratched his head. "Do you want some help if you don't win Lady Klaereon's case?"

  Carlo giggled a bit. "You mean, like stalwart moral support? I appreciate it, George."

  "No, Carlo. I mean help. I can help you break Lady Klaereon out of any jail, any magical place."

  "That's dangerous work, George. Your sentiment is noble, but magicians can be—"

  "Look, if it's rock, I can command it."

  "You mean like digging a tunnel?"

  "Yes. Like digging a tunnel." George placed a hand on the floor. The stone rippled like leaves during a storm, and then the tiles all settled back into their smooth position, clean, free of dust. "Been doing that since I was about ten. I practice every chance I get. Not a lot of call for it at the inn, I grant you."

  Carlo fell off his chair, laughing. "Your family is magic. You're not one of those council families?"

  "No. That's for gentlemen. Doesn't mean gentlemen are the only ones with magic."

  Carlo sniffed. "I certainly am no gentleman, so I concur. I am uncomfortable with the idea of being a gentleman. They have a code that restricts them too much."

  "That's right," said George. "In some ways, it doesn't give them enough guidance."

  "Are you not going to write this part down either?" said Carlo.

  "No," said George. "This is my way of testing to see if you really don't remember."

  "Oh. Well-reasoned, George. I would very much like your help. You are rational. I'm part Egyptian god and Drusus is at least half Egyptian god. We'd need someone with a cooler head."

  "Well. I will write that down."

  "I will be embarrassed I told you."

  "You don't seem to be embarrassed by much of anything at the moment."

  "I can assure you," said Carlo, "I will be mortified."

  "Let's finish the rest of these questions," said George. "Middle name?"

  "Arturo."

  "Do you like English beer?"

  "I loathe it."

  George looked at him, steely-eyed. "Do you love Mrs. Borgia?"

  "I do. But I am afraid for her."

  "That's a sensible answer," said George.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Around three o'clock on Sunday, McAllistair arrived in the receiving room to announce Lord Claudian had arrived in his carriage, the family crest of the Claudians, dragons of all things, on the side. Carlo was still using a cane, and was beginning to worry he would permanently need it. Drusus drummed his fingers, his jaw working as Vergilius was announced. "Are you ready to go, Signor Borgia?" asked Vergilius as he entered the room.

  "I've decided to go as well," said Drusus.

  "You will not," Vergilius' brow grew stormy. "We have had this conversation before. While I understand your feelings, you know the council has very good reasons for not allowing you or Lucy to see Octavia."

  Drusus was stoic, but Carlo could see how keenly he felt Vergilius' answer. He was becoming adept at reading the slightest change on Drusus' face. "You have no right to keep us apart like this!"

  "I refuse to repeat the same arguments. Even if I agreed with you, I must make sure you abide by the council's recommendations and decisions for your own good. Signor Borgia, I will wait for you in the coach." Vergilius walked out of the room.

  Carlo raised his eyebrows. "I used to think I wanted a brother," said Carlo, "or a sister. I see it is challenging."

  "He's being a pompous ass."

  "I can't argue. Think, Drusus. Octavia cannot help you now, not until we free her."

  "I cannot stand this."

  Carlo's voice softened. "Let Vergilius think we're giving him what he wants. I promise you we will win this."

  "Will we?" Drusus chewed his lip. "Tell Octavia I am thinking of her."

  "I will certainly convey that." Carlo limped into the entry hall where McAllistair stood with his hat and cloak. "Thank you," said Carlo. "You look, what was the phrase you used when I was poisoned? Peaky."

  "Please do not be concerned, Signor. I have a sniffle."

  "I am a doctor, you know. You should get some rest."

  "I will take it under consideration." McAllistair closed the door and Carlo climbed into the carriage onto a black velvet seat across from Vergilius. The carriage rattled less than a wagon, which suited Carlo's recovering body.

  "Drusus tells me your truth potion worked," said Vergilius. He consulted a pocket watch and closed it with a snap.

  "I look forward to using it on Atreus Galt."

  "I look forward to that as well." Vergilius smirked and Carlo was reminded of Drusus.

  "Drusus is right. Keeping him from his wife is cruel. Family members should be allowed to give comfort in instances like this."

  "You and I have to prove to the council there is no danger from any of the Klaereons. Drusus and Lucy are likely to do something rash, and Octavia bears the responsibility for them as head of the family. If something were to happen in which any of them were complicit, it would be disastrous."

  Carlo watched the countryside speed by. "Good to know I am not dangerous."

  "Do not feel slighted. You are very dangerous in a different way. Your family has a reputation. I suspect strongly you are moral, however, and have made a case for you. I have even convinced the council your truth serum test was valid, although Ngidi thinks you may have been lying. Remember, I am a champion of your cause. Please do not make me regret my recommendation."

  "You read the situation fairly well," said Carlo. “I thank you for your advocacy.” The carriage lurched. "Why are we leaving the road?"

  Vergilius cleared his throat. "Today, this is where we find Octavia."

  "The entrance moves?"

  Vergilius nodded. "We have given her over to the keeping of the LeClere family which specializes in light. In the case of a magician being imprisoned, adjustments must be made for each form of magic. We must do our best to make sure Octavia cannot see or manipulate shadows. She doesn't have her partner demon any longer—“

  "The family call them gods now. They are not demons."

  "Still," said Vergilius firmly, "Octavia could manipulate other shadows to escape."

  "Where could you find a place with no shadows?"

  "Ah. It would have to be very bright, wouldn't it? Even so, objects would make shadows. Light discourages shadow. Keeping Octavia from seeing shadows is the other dilemma."

  They stopped in the middle of the moor. The yellow sun warmed Carlo's skin, but not his heart. Vergilius stepped out of the carriage. "Here we are. What you will see today will look cruel, but it is necessary. When Octavia is alone, she is only blindfolded to protect her eyes from the light. Light constantly follows her to make her own shadow ineffectual. Today, the lights are dimmed to protect our eyes. She will keep her blindfold on because she could reach out and take our shadows, weave something out of them. Today we have bound her hands." Vergilius shifted uncomfortably. "Only for today."

  "I see." Carlo pursed his lips.

  "The council demands cautions must be exercised.”

  "Octavia has lived among you after her father's death for five years now. I should think her evil, untrustworthy inclinations would have evidenced themselves already."

  Vergilius bristled. "I do not enjoy this."

  "Then you should end this." Carlo breathed in deeply. "Maybe you will believe I have spent too much time in Prussia," said Carlo, "where they have begun to consider how past events affect future thoughts and disposition of the victim. Are you aware when Octavia was possessed by Ra, she was bathed in light?"

  "I was not. What does that have to do with anything?"

  "Only this: what I see today will not merely look cruel, it will be cruel. Well done, Lord Claudian."

  Vergilius' face was rigid. "She cries quite frequently, which is to be expected under the conditions."

  Carlo's darker nature bubbled to the top. He relaxed, and coaxed it back inside of him. "How much longer will Octavia have to endure this?"

  "A week."

  "I see no reason to wait a week," said Carlo. "The potion is proven, and we have our witnesses."

  "That is the soonest convenient time for all the council members. If I could speed it, I would. I am sorry."

  "You should be. Let me see her."

  Vergilius produced a crystal key from an inside vest pocket and inserted it into a keyhole he managed to find dangling in mid-air. With a click, a dimension opened. A woman waited for them. She had one long blond braid twisted around her head, in defiance of the dance of ringlets that constituted the modern style. Her white dress, while tasteful, opted for comfort, rather than extravagance. She was gray-eyed, thin, perhaps all of sixteen.

  "Lady LeClere," said Vergilius, nodding in her direction.

  "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Signor Borgia," said Lady LeClere. She curtsied. "I regret the circumstances under which we meet."

  "As do I." Carlo bowed half way. "How has Octavia been?"

  Lady LeClere didn't meet Carlo's eyes. "I stay with her as much as I can."

  "That is something."

  Lady LeClere stepped aside, and Vergilius and Carlo entered the dimension. It was lined with white stone walls which glowed with light, showing every stark detail of the room.

  "She has been waiting for you anxiously. Let me finish preparations, and then I will call you in." Lady LeClere disappeared through another locked door.

  Carlo touched the stone, expecting it to be warm in the light. It was not. In a few minutes, Lady LeClere emerged.

  "I have done as you asked." Lady LeClere's voice was flat, all business, as she addressed Vergilius. She turned her attention to Carlo. "She is so excited to see anyone, she agreed to it all."

  "Thank you, Lady LeClere," said Carlo.

  Carlo squinted against the brightness. Octavia sat in a cushioned chair, looking every bit like she was in her parlor at home, except that a blindfold covered her eyes and her hands, which rested in her lap, were drawn together in a crystal sphere which covered them up to her wrists. The blindfold shifted colors as Octavia moved her head.

  "Carlo?" Octavia said. "Carlo? Please speak to me."

  Carlo placed a hand on her shoulder and she started. "All this fuss," he said.

  "I am dangerous," said Octavia. "I am a killer." She stopped, her voice shaky. "It is so good to hear you. Lady LeClere has been excellent, but—"

  "She is your jailer," said Vergilius.

  "Vergilius." Octavia's voice was cold. "I understand someone else must be here with Carlo and me, but I would prefer it be Lady LeClere."

  "I will not stand in the way of your wishes," said Vergilius. "Once again, I wish to convey my sincerest regrets regarding this treatment."

  A good man making difficult decisions, uncomfortable with them. No, Carlo thought, a good man would not be any part of this. He would have found a better way to approach this. Vergilius bowed stiffly and retreated through the door.

  Lady LeClere stepped into the room immediately. "I am here, as you asked," she said.

  "Thank you." Octavia shifted.

  "I won't ask you how you're feeling," said Carlo. "That might be insulting."

  "As I was saying, I have a good caretaker," said Octavia. "I have been promised I will not be here much longer."

  "They meet next week."

  "That long," said Octavia. "That long."

  "You are strong," said Carlo. "You will endure."

  "I am angry!" said Octavia. "I cannot promise to keep that at bay." She shook her head. The blindfold moved from blue to purple and back. "No doubt you are here because you have some clever way to fix things. Please say you do."

  "I hope it is so. I am your self-appointed representative. There is a potion that encourages the truth, and I have made it and tested it. Drusus and I will use it to validate our testimony. We should have a strong case."

  "I killed my father," said Octavia. "Have you forgotten that detail?”

  "Ra gave you the power. Ra killed your father."

  "I wanted to kill him, Carlo. For what he had done to Lucy and what had happened to me, to our family. Underneath Ra, I wanted to kill him."

  "Wanting to do something and executing the deed are two very different things. Would you have killed him if you hadn't been possessed by Ra?"

  "I…no. No. Even then, that's not who I was." She smiled. "I was weak. Someone else always made my decisions for me."

  "You see?"

  "This is the first time in my life that I have made decisions for myself. Not Father, not Khun, not Ra. Myself. This is also the first time in my life I have accepted responsibility for myself, and my actions."

  "That doesn't mean you have to accept responsibility for this. You were influenced. This was not your decision. We can show you are no longer able to be influenced by any demon. Ra is imprisoned. Your father's death was beyond your ability to control."

  "Will they believe it? I'm not certain I do."

  "I believe it," said Carlo. "Drusus and Lord Claudian tell me there is another piece to this. The responsibility for family magic. You are responsible for Lucy and Drusus, for Khun and Ra."

  "The council knows about Lucy and Ra. Vergilius suspects about Drusus, but has not made it public."

  Carlo sighed. "And now Lady LeClere knows."

  "I will not say anything," said Lady LeClere. She glowed slightly brighter and Carlo had to avert his eyes.

  Carlo solidified his inclination to like her. "No. You wouldn't. I'm going to trust you with a few things, then."

  "Carlo," said Octavia, "is that wise? To involve…"

  "There are things you need to know," said Carlo. "Lady LeClere, I trust your discretion."

  "Yes," she said. "I owe Lady Klaereon that much."

  Octavia hung her head. "I thank you."

  Carlo wobbled and made his way to a chair. "You might wonder why none of us have been to see you. You know they won't let Drusus and Lucy because of the Egyptians. Surely you must have wondered why I hadn't come."

  "I thought you were not allowed. I was amazed when they told me you were visiting."

  "I've been healing for months. My trip to Isis was a disaster. There was no ba for me to find. Binder personalities are unformed until after your Trials. You remember what you were like until you settled things with Khun?"

  Octavia's head shook. "I try to not remember."

  "You were mad, Octavia. Khun was mad. Klaereons and gods since the time of Erasmus who do not have Trials have been mad. That's probably why your family has this rule about disposing of what you called Demon Bound Binders. You're all Demon Bound until the god admits humility and learns to serve you."

  "Isis told you all of this?"

  "Isis? She ripped my heart out and sent me to Osiris. He told me all of this."

  Octavia startled. "Oh no. Carlo, are you—?"

  "I'm fine," said Carlo. Curt, but his health was not what she needed to be thinking about right now. "The implications of this? Lucy is mad. Ra is mad. I have no idea what Lucy might be planning, but I know she is planning something. How convenient and coincidental you are here, so you cannot stop her."

  "You don't believe she is responsible for my imprisonment?"

  "Lucy has always said the Egyptians need to be kept from harming your family, you in particular. Here you are, insulated and protected from anything she might do, because Drusus said something he can't remember. Lucy's plan is obvious. She marries me to make Galt keen on revenge, and Galt uses what Drusus says against you, to remove you from interfering with anything she might do. How better to make sure you are safe than by putting you here? How better to prove you capable of safeguarding your family's magic by ridding you of that obligation?"

  "I…" Octavia paused. "I find your assertions hard to fathom."

  "I cannot guarantee I am right, but believe me, I have had countless hours to think this through since I have regained my consciousness."

  "What do you think she will do?"

  "I don't know. Drusus cannot tell me."

  "He came home?"

  "Yes, and Lucy is using Khun to control his actions."

  "I know how to save him, Carlo. They took me away before I had a chance to do it. You believe he is Lucy's accomplice?"

  "Whether he wishes to be or not, he is."

  Octavia shuddered with an angry sigh. "For god's sake! I could have at least spared him that. I have to get out of here."

  "We will get you out. We are going to reveal you do not have your house in order, which you are technically guilty of, but we will endeavor to make sure you receive a chance to set things right. The Borgia family will vouch for you. Since I will bring this truth to light, it can be done under my request and auspices."

 

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