RE: Monarch

Chapter 67: Enclave XXXVII

In light of the recently revealed situation, I had asked Ralakos a number of questions and received a number of revealing answers, though what they all pointed to I could not yet be certain.

Folk with demon-blood were exceedingly rare and almost always barren. The infernals had spun off from demons so long ago that they were no longer biologically compatible, and even if they were, most infernals would not consider such a union due to the morality of such a thing. It was really only a half-step from bestiality in their eyes.

Persephones actual heritage was unknown, beyond the fact that she was half-asmodial. Whoever had abandoned her originally had never bothered to claim her.

The last answer was by far the most puzzling. There was no record of Persephone ever having a child. The bureaucracy of the Enclave wasnt overly strict in terms of census gatheringbut violet children were the exception. Because of the higher level of power, higher potential, and likewise possible higher threat, violet infernal children were tested at birth, and their possible elemental affinities logged.

Ralakos had tripled down on the security. Though he still presented the same steady, controlled manner as usual, I could tell the fact that I was brutally attacked so close to the Enclave bothered him.

The vivid pain in my hand lessened to a dull throb. I had no doubt it would return the moment I took it out of the ice, but for now, it was a welcome respite. I needed to push the memory from my mind. Every time I thought about it, my anger surged, and anger was the last thing I needed right now was to lose my temper. I needed to focus less on what had happened to me, and more on why it had happened at all.

But it was too personal.

What I needed was a change of perspective. So, much as I had before, I created a character for myself to inhabit. Only this time, it wasnt an elven manservant. It was me. A crueler, more vicious version of me who didnt care what Persephone had done, only that she had failed to do it, thus creating an opening.

I did my best to ignore the fact that the part I was playing was very close to the person father always wanted me to be.

With detached eyes, I watched through an illusory image Ralakos had summoned, as Ralakoss men marched Persephone into the interview room. Shed agreed to accompany them without struggle. She carried herself with an easy confidence that approached smug. Like she already knew what the end result would be.

Erdos entered the room and began to question her. It was civilized compared to the sort of interviews my father conducted, and much more civilized than everything Id recently endured.

And what were you doing this morning? Erdos asked. He sat straight upright, his posture stiff, his tone cold.

Inventory. We had a shortage of northern reds. The local lushes have really been digging into our stockpile. Persephone smiled at Erdos coyly. He didnt react, but there was the beginning of a flush around his neck.

And there people who Erdos paused. Persephone was tapping her fingers on the table in an indecipherable pattern, her nails clicking loudly. There are people who can corroborate this?

Of course. Why dont you tell me what this is about? Persephone pressed. She was trying to take control of the discussion away from Erdos. The loud tapping, the needling, the answering of questions with questions, all basic countermeasures to throw the interrogator off his game.

Erdos scowled at her. Im surprised you dont already know. You have a certain reputation for being informed.

Please, Captain. Let's not play coy. You hardly need a network to catch wind of a diplomatic guest limping bloody through the streets. What I cant possibly pin down, however, is how the events of this morning have anything to do with me?

Paranoia whispered to me. Surely Erdos wasnt this incompetent.

What Im saying is... He paused again, glaring as Persephone scratched lightly at the wood of the table, leaving faint white marks.

I leaned towards Ralakos. This is getting us nowhere.

Erdos is a professional, Ralakos said, But Persephone is experienced. It will not be a quick process.

I watched the proceedings quietly. Erdos deserved slightly more credit than I had given him. Even though Persephone appeared to be getting under his skin at points, he had this plodding manner of restating the same question, over and over.

But Persephone was carved from stone. During the negotiation at the mining site, shed been almost manic, almost pushing Mifral into Ephiras hands. I found myself pondering what would have happened if the demons hadnt attacked at all. How would the rest of the negotiation played out? Who would have ended up with the scepter? Why was Persephone so much more panicked then, in the negotiation for a material object, compared to now, when she was implicated in the assassination attempt on a prince.

Unless she wasnt actually panicked.

Why had Persephone tried to kill me?

A horrible theory began to form.

One by one, the pieces slid into place. It wasnt all there yet, but it was only a matter of time.

----

I demanded that everyone leave us. Ralakos argued, at first, but I think he picked up from my body language that I would not be swayed. I didnt even have to threaten him. His one condition was that Erdos was left behind to monitor the situation, which I agreed to, as long as he wasnt listening in.

Ralakos took my arm. His eyes were sad. Remember what we talked about.

I blinked, trying to parse the statement. At first, I thought he meant the conversation where he revealed what happened to his son, but of course, we hadnt had that conversation this life. Id been unconscious for it.

We must strive to be better than those that came before us. He said fervently. It was the sort of pass maxim Ralakos often repeated. Then released my arm and walked away.

Ralakoss meaning was clear. He thought I was going to hurt Persephone. I wasnt. Honestly, after everything that had happened to me, Im not convinced whether I had that in me.

But what I had planned was far worse.

Erdos glowered at me. He sat next to the silenced illusion, his leg crossed.

I entered the room. Persephones head snapped up, and for the first time, the steadiness of her expression wilted.

You know, Id been hoping to make your acquaintance. Id heard so many good things about you, I flashed her a full-faced grin.

They said you were pretty, Persephone cocked her head at me. She began to tap on the table again.

No need for that. Standing, with one hand, I pulled the table up longways and flipped it aside. It slammed on its face with a resounding thump. That was all. Just a simple change of scenery to show that the situation had changed.

Is this the part where you rough me up? Throw your weight around. Bully a defenseless woman? Persephone cocked an eyebrow, but I noticed the slightest shiver of fear. How very human of you.

Defenseless? I asked. Please. And no. It was getting in the way. I dragged my chair closer to her. Im here to break down barriers between our people.

To return that which was stolen. Persephones lips turned upward slightly.

Ah, excellent. So, you have heard. Thing is, PercyCan I call you that? Percy? I asked.

Persephone is fine. Her mouth tightened.

But you let Shear call you Percy.

The expression of surprise was a flicker.

Ah, I continued. See, he called you that when he was talking to me, blabbing away after we removed the geis. I thought it was just because the two of you were friendly, but now Im getting the sense it was a different sort of name. The personal sort.

If this is your attempt to get under my skin, Prince Cairn, you will need to try harder. She said. But she did not fidget, or tap her foot.

Mmm. Let me show you what it takes to get under my skin. I held out my mangled hand in front of me, wiggling the swollen nubs.

Persephone cringed.

Right, so, back to the topic at handoops. See what I did there? I wiggled the fingers again, and she looked slightly nauseous. Im a little upset. Not because of the injuries, though they certainly dont help. Im upset because, despite having the best of intentions, everything seems to somehow work against me. Which wouldnt be so infuriating, if I wasnt a time traveler.

Her eyes glazed over, and I moved to the right side of her and snapped my fingers. She jumped, gaze focusing on me.

Are you okay there? I asked.

What just

Dont worry about it. The time travel thing. I moved to her left side. Her eyes focused much faster this time. Only glazing over for a second. As Id thought, the utility of the curse, was somewhat limited. As soon as the person was alert, as Tusk had been during that ambush so long ago, the effect was much less potent. But someone clever and well-versed in magic would notice the discrepancies.

Persephone was panicking. Her calmness had disappeared. She knew something was happening, but she didnt know what.

Why did you try to have me killed? I asked.

I didnt

Ive lived this life before. She blanked. I asked again. Why did you try to have me killed

I... I didnt Persephone stammered. She was looking around at the walls, studying the wards that limited magic, trying to ascertain how what was happening to her was even possible.

You tried to screw me in my last life as well. Why did you try to have me killed?

Persephone fell silent. I hammered at her for twenty minutes, playing with her perception of time. Eventually, a simple fact became evident. She would not break, no matter how disoriented she was. Persephone was too smart for that.

It was time to get mean.

How old is he, now? I asked.

She squinted at me. Who?

Your boy.

There was no visible reaction, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Hes gotta be getting up there. I continued. Almost too old for the sanctum. And, just curious, are you sure hes not Kilviuss son? Or did you just say that because you wanted him out of the picture? Since you threw him away once he was no longer useful to you.

You have no idea what youre talking about, Persephone spat.

Maybe not. I settled back into my chair. But I have all the time in the world for trial and error, and you really, really, dont.

Her mouth moved. There it was. The slightest twinkle of smugness. The slightest glimmer of self-satisfaction in how wrong I was. That I did not, in fact, have all the time in the world.

The self-satisfaction blossomed into a wide smile. For the record, this is all clearly fantasy born from a desperate mind. But even if I wasnt, youd really do something like that? Threaten a child to get to me? Cant imagine Ralakos would approve.

I hated myself for what I said next. But I was running out of time and options. So I fell into the cruel facsimile of myself. The one that didnt agonize over ethics or morals, of right or wrong.

I dont have to threaten anyone, I said. All I have to do is keep you here.

The blood drained from her face.

She knew.

And meanwhile, Ill have Guemons security look for your son. Itll take some time, but hes a high councillor with a lot of reach. Ill spin him some story about your son being abducted and that you're refusing to talk about our botched assassinationsyes, Ill be blaming that on you too, really shouldnt have used poison for bothuntil your son is here.

Wait.

But I wasnt done. We wont rest, until hes safe and sound within the Enclave before the end of the month.

It wasnt lost on me. The horror of what Id done. It didnt matter that I wasnt putting a sword to an innocents neck directly. I knew where the knife would fall, and I was almost glibly threatening to move an innocent in its path.

What would my mother have thought?

Persephone trembled. She opened her mouth, and for a moment, I was terrified she might spill everything right there. Instead, she asked me.

What do you want to know?

I leaned in to whisper in her ear.

When I pulled back, her expression had changed completely. It was cold and stoic. She nodded once, confirming my suspicions.

Then, in great excruciating detail, Persephone began to weave the tale of how Ralakos had betrayed me.

This was, of course, all inherently false.