The Homunculus Knight

Chapter 24: The Tongue!

“Gold, warm and fair, mark our devotion and seal our prayer.

Silver, cold and pure, bind the dark and reveal the obscure

Iron, stout and strong, protect us and stop any wrong.

Amber, soft and bright, cast your light over what is right.

Metal, common and rare, keep us safe and help us prepare.” - A hymn commonly sung during Metallurgic Ritual Work.

Natalie held a deformed gold coin in her gloved hand. Examining the ancient coinage in the setting sunlight she turned to her partner. “Is the tracking spell still active?”

Nodding, Cole took the coin back from her. “It was when Mina handed it to me. So hopefully, it still is.”

Looking at the gold piece, Cole sighed. He needed to practice with his Aethersight. Where Mina could tell much about the spells cast upon the coin, he only got a sense of it being enchanted. It was a small comfort that other Priests they’d consulted had issues doing more than Mina. Their efforts to invert or alter the tracking spell had been for naught, so using it as bait was the next option. Leaving Cole and Natalie to wander the city with coins in hand.

Glancing around the seedy alley they walked, Natalie said. “Today was fun, thank you.”

A slight smile creased Cole’s lips. “It was, and it was my pleasure.”

They’d spent the day bouncing between Shows and Shopping. Natalie replaced some of her worn clothes and got other needed comforts. Cole restocked and expanded his equipment. Buying more glowpaste and getting himself a brace of throwing knives. Recent encounters had made him consider the need for a way to maim at a distance. He’d always been good with thrown weapons but never found much use for them in his profession. A knife in the leg did little to stop the Undead. Cole would need to see how the Heartstealer would handle that.

Looking up at the dimming sky, Natalie asked, “Which show was your favorite?”

Cole paused to consider. They’d gone to four plays, and he’d enjoyed them all. Mainly because Natalie was having fun. Still, the third play they’d seen had struck a chord. “I liked The Fox and the Wolf.”

A little surprised by that, Natalie said, “Really? I thought it was sad.”

Cole just shrugged. “It’s hopeful in its own melancholic way. They both die, but out of their deaths comes hope for peace.”

Natalie huffed at that. “I guess. But the whole war between the two tribes seemed so stupid. They drive Vix and Lupo to their deaths over what? Some argument their ancestors had? Just doesn’t sit right with me.”

Accepting her words, Cole mused. “It made you feel something, didn't it?

Frowning, Natalie said, “It did, but I could do without another reminder that I can’t cry properly anymore.”

Putting a comforting hand around her shoulders, Cole asked. “That’s what Arts supposed to do, right? Make you feel something. Preferably what the Artist wants you to feel.”

“I guess. But there is so much sadness in the world. So much darkness. Why spend your time trying to make more of it? Even if it is beautiful.” she answerd.

They left the alley and kept following the route Antony had provided. They were mimicking his schedule for the most part. Taking a few detours to check for followers. So far, nothing unusual had happened, and the couple enjoyed their walk.

Thinking about what she’d said, Cole mused. “The purpose is to remind people.”

Natalie scoffed at that. The idea of anyone needing a reminder of the world’s ugliness was ridiculous to her.

Seeing her reaction, Cole gently added. “Here in Vindbon, tragedy isn’t so common. Especially when compared to the Duchies.”

That made her pause for a second. Natalie sometimes forgot her former life in Glockmire wasn’t ‘normal’ by much of the World's standards. The Free Peoples ruled the World now. The ages of enslavement and predation were supposed to be over. For better or worse, Humans and their kindred peoples guided their destinies. Places like the Duchies, where darkness ruled, were the exception, not the rule.

Letting out a sigh, She reassessed her thoughts on the play. “I guess telling people to not be so petty and terrible is a good thing..”

Cole nodded in agreement, and Natalie found herself lost in her thoughts. She felt something like… resentment for the people of Vindabon. The feeling wasn’t quite strong enough to call it anger. But there was something there, a sense of jealousy for their comparatively easy lives. Tugging on that emotional thread, Natalie pursed her lips in thought. She wouldn’t wish the constant fear of her hometown upon these people. It wasn’t like she wanted them to suffer like she had. There was just an element of… contempt she felt for them.

Dusk's arrival pushed those thoughts from the forefront of her mind. A pulse of new energy invigorated her. Free of the Sun’s shackles Natalie was untrammeled. Humming softly in enjoyment, Natalie felt her senses sharpen and her body quicken. While she was by no means weak during the day, the Alukah is a creature of the night. Her power waxed with the coming dark.

Cole watched as Natalie stretched and basked in her power. The new dress she’d gotten was a bit more form-fitting than her Glockmire wear and Cole forced himself to look away. He’d need his wits about him, something Natalie’s body habitually snatched from him. Seeing his awkwardness, Natalie leaned against him with a fangy smile on her face.

“You really are cute when you’re flustered. So what’s next?”

Glancing down the road they traveled, Cole grimaced. “We’ll do a bit more here and then head towards Rabenhof, the Nineteenth district. It’s a little rougher than Weinstadt. Especially at night. So keep sharp.”

Lip curling in amusement at that, Natalie ran a hand along Cole’s side. “I’ve got the senses of a Cat. You’re the one who needs to focus.”

Squeezing her close, Cole laughed. “True enough.”

They walked down one of Weinstadt’s main streets and watched as the Street Lamps came to life. Pale yellow light bloomed from the top of each poll. The Glowstone reacted to the encroaching dark. Stepping close to one of the Lamps, Natalie watched as the caged stone steadily increased in brightness. Glowstones had been a relatively rare resource in Glockmire. Seeing them used for something mundane like street lighting was another reminder of what she’d escaped.

“I know this is a dumb question, but what are Glowstones?” she asked Cole. Knowing it was probably common knowledge to anyone with a proper education.

“Amber,” he answered. “Magically treated Amber. Gemstones and precious Metals react to magic in weird ways. Amber is especially good at trapping or producing light. I don’t know why exactly.”

“Huh” was Natalie’s answer. “How’d you know that?”

Waiting until they were a little away from fellow pedestrians Cole answered. “Isabelle implanted a sizable amount of ‘Common knowledge’ into me. I was born an Adult and she made sure I have the mind of one.”

Frowning, Natalie asked. “What’s it like?”

Cole shrugged. “Strange. I just know certain things. I don’t remember learning them, and I have little context for the knowledge. It’s just there in my mind. Reading, Writing, Mathematics, a shocking amount of magical trivia. Whatever she thought would be useful.”

Cole’s words made Natalie consider something she’d never really thought about. “How old are you?”

That actually made Cole stop and frown. “It’s 1450, right?”

Natalie let out a snort of amusement. Here she’d been worried about not knowing things and Cole was questioning what year it was. “Yep, at least till the Winter Solstice. It’ll be a new year at Midnight then.”

Nodding, Cole said. “I’m Eighteen, maybe nineteen. I don’t exactly know.”

A flat “What?” escaped Natalie. “Wait, wait, wait! I’m older than you?!”

Frowning, Cole said. “I guess? You’re what twenty, twenty-one?”

Shaking her head in surprise, Natalie confirmed, “Yeah, I’m twenty. My birthday is the Second of Firstbloom.” then, more to herself said. “You’re really Eighteen?”

A little sheepishly, Cole said. “Probably? I don’t exactly have a birthday.”

“Why not?” asked Natalie. For her, birthdays have always been important. Some of her best memories were celebrating her’s or a family member's Birthday.

Scrunching up his face at some vague and unpleasant memories, Cole tried to describe his ‘birth.’ “I was decanted over nearly a month. Then I spent another month or so having my mind… assembled. So there isn’t exactly a specific date for my… creation?” he hesitated on that last word, uncertain if it was the best word for it.

They walked in silence for a little bit as Natalie tried to wrap her mind around this. “Okay then. Pick a Birthday”

Confused, Cole asked, “Why?”

“Because I want to be able to celebrate it with you.” was her answer. “Birthdays are when we get to celebrate a person. If you don’t have a proper Birthday, then pick one. There are three hundred and sixty days in the year. Choose one.”

After a moment's consideration, Cole said, “Thirtieth of Stormthaw. That will be my Birthday.”

Curious, Natalie said, “The Spring Equinox? Any reason why?”

Shrugging, Cole said, “It’s the day I became a Paladin. I also generally just like the symbolism. The Equinox is a day of balance but also optimism. Winter has faded, and Summer is within sight.”

“Poetic” was Natalie’s response. “I’ll be certain to remember that.”

It was only then that Natalie noticed the feel of the city around them had changed. Cole had guided them off the main streets and down a few seedy avenues into a more ‘colorful’ part of Vindabon.

“I assume we're in the Nineteenth district?” she whispered. As a grimy-looking man puked his guts out in an alley they passed.

Cole nodded. “We’ll get close to a few unpleasant establishments and loop back around. See if we can pick up a tail.”

Here in Rabenhof, the streets were tighter and less well-maintained. Giving Natalie the sense they were navigating some urban canyon. The tall tenement houses and their plain brick walls did little to alter that impression. Clotheslines dripped with icicles and clothes. Hanging between buildings like ragged banners. While worn-looking Vindabonites went about their business.

There was none of the leisurely pace of other districts. The people here moved fast and efficiently. Going from task to task without any wasted time. Something about that tickled Natalie’s mind and she kept finding herself watching people with strange intensity. After a little bit, she realized why. These people moved like prey. They moved like they were afraid. Something her new instincts were eager to notice.

Frowning, Natalie was thankful she’d fed before leaving. She was getting better at combating the intrusive thoughts of a Vampire, but a recent meal helped. Whispering to Cole, she relayed her observation. “These people are afraid.”

Cole made a noise of agreement. “Yes, they are. I’m trying to determine if it’s general anxiety or something more specific.”

Natalie gave Cole a questioning look, and he elaborated. “I’d imagine many of the Rioters were from neighborhoods like this. This could be smoke from that fire or something more.”

Now that he mentioned it, Natalie saw more than one passing citizen with red, flaky skin. A God’s displeasure marking them out. Passing into a larger street, Cole suddenly stopped. Natalie looked at him and saw a flicker of concern coupled with what might be embarrassment.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Cole swallowed nervously. “I realized where Antony’s route is taking us.”

Raising an eyebrow, Natalie looked to Cole, expecting him to elaborate. When he didn’t she poked him. “Well? Where are we headed?”

Cole pointed down the road they’d entered. Down in the distance was another street branching off this one. Unlike every other part of Rabenhof, this new street was properly illuminated. Lamps with tinted Glowstone shed red light all over the street.

Frowning, Natalie looked at Cole. “Red light? What does that mean? Danger?”

Cole’s lips quirked in a momentary smile. “Of a sort, yes. Red Light is a sort of universal sign in the Holy League. Advertising… Night Companions.”

Natalie went through a whole series of emotions in about five seconds. Confusion, understanding, shock, revulsion, reassessment, embarrassment, and finally, amusement. “You’re pulling my leg.”

Cole shook his head. “Nope, Antony apparently walks through the Red Light Street every night.”

Wrinkling her nose, Natalie said, “How is this legal? People selling themselves like that?”

Scratching a scarred chin, Cole carefully selected his words. “It’s not like in Glockmire where people are pressed into being Bloodslaves. It's… well… I’ve had it… I’ve had it described to be like any other sort of labor. A carpenter sells their time and skills, and so do these people.”

A slightly scandalized Natalie asked, “And how would you know this?”

Blushing, Cole tried to find his words. Seeing Natalie jump to some unfavorable conclusions, he broke his silence. “I’ve spent time among the Night Companions.” Cole saw Natalie’s eyebrow raise, and he almost shouted. “Not like that!”

Trying to recover some dignity, he elaborated. “I’d… I’d rather not say, but I can tell you I’ve never purchased a Night Companion’s…labor.”

Natalie’s eyebrow just went higher, and Cole let out a sigh. “It’s not a pleasant story.”

Natalie just kept looking at him. A deeper sigh escaped Cole. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. A few years ago, there was an incident among the Companions. Morri asked me to look into it because I’m not a Priest. Having members of any Temple hanging around the Red Lights isn’t a good look. So it fell to me.”

Seeing that he was stalling, Natalie just kept up her accusatory look. Grinding his teeth, Cole got to the point. “An expelled student of the Ivory Tower was using Necromancy to fill a… niche market.”

Confused, Natalie was about to ask him to elaborate when it dawned on her. A violent retching noise escaped her as she doubled over in disgust. “Oh gods! You can’t be serious!”

Cole just shrugged, a little happy to see Natalie regretting her prodding. “You’d be surprised how often stuff like that happens. It’s one of the lesser talked about duties of the Tenth Temple for obvious reasons.”

Glancing down towards the Red Lights, Cole added. “Thankfully, the Companions I talked with were eager to shut down the… competition. They were extraordinarily helpful, and I had some interesting conversations with them.”

Recovering slightly, Natalie hissed. “I really wish I could throw up.”

“You asked,” remarked Cole, false innocence dripping from his voice.

Swatting his leg and pulling herself up, Natalie grumbled. “Honestly, I don’t know why I’m surprised. I love you Cole but I don’t think we’ve ever walked and talked without you sharing something utterly horrible.”

Shrugging in agreement, Cole said, “So, we’ll take a detour?”

Narrowing her eyes, Natalie adopted an evil grin under her scarf. “Oh no. I’m getting my revenge. Let’s see how flustered you can get. To the Red Light Street, we go!”

She set off then, a woman on a mission, and Cole trailed behind her. Stepping into the Red Light, Natalie blinked in shock. It was a chilly Darksol day, and there was an awful lot of skin on display. While no prude by any stretch, the sight of Night Companions advertising themselves under maroon awnings was a little more than the former Village Girl could handle.

As her eyes slid off some very lovely women in revealing dresses, Natalie felt Cole’s presence behind her. “I’ll get flustered, huh?” he said.

Refusing to acknowledge him, Natalie pushed forward. A voice from a nearby pavilion called out, “Hey there, cutie! Looking for someone to dance with you and Mr. Tall?”

Glancing over at the voice’s origin, a lovely woman with short blond hair and the type of lean physique dancers favor. Natalie tried to formulate a response. “I…I…Ur…No, no, Thanks?”

The Companion just smiled, ruby-red lips practically glowing in the light. “Well, if you change your mind, come find me. I always like to play with couples, especially cute ones.”

Cole took Natalie’s hand and helped guide her forward. They received more than a few more offers as they continued down the road. Natalie became sincerely glad she wasn’t projecting life outside her eyes. Turning red from blushing would not help. The shoe was truly on the other foot, with Cole calm and confident and Natalie nervous and flustered.

Eventually, they passed through the valley of lust intact. Following Antony’s route the best they could. Dipping into an alley, the Sheetmover used as a shortcut. Natalie asked something that had been bothering her. “Why aren’t we asking about the Coins? Surely other people might know more?”

Cole glanced back at the Red Light Street and answered. “I fear tipping our hand. That option remains open, but Cat-eyes and I both think we should try something a bit more subtle first.”

They took another turn and stepped over a pile of half-frozen vomit. Heading towards a rowdy Bar. Laughter, curses, and shouts echoed out from the dingy building and Natalie noticed the hulking doorman leaning against the Bar’s entrance. Nearly as tall as Cole, the doorman had green-gray skin and a pronounced underbite. A Half-Orc or something close to it.

Beady eyes peered out from behind a heavy brow, and the Doorman growled, “If you’re bringing a Companion inside, you best be ready to pay for her drinks.”

Natalie let out an indignant squawk at that and surged forward to correct the Doorman. Cole caught her and said, “We’re just passing by, and she’s not a Companion.”

The Doorman grunted. “Huh, pretty enough to be. Well, never mind.”

Taking another turn away from the Bar, Natalie huffed, “I don’t know if I should be insulted or complimented.”

Cole just smiled at her indignation and guided them down a dark alley. They passed by a wall covered in crude graffiti and dodged piles of unidentifiable refuse. Holding her dress’s hem up, Natalie sighed. “You take me to the loveliest places.”

The alley exited into a crowded street. A rogue market of cramped stalls and shouting peddlers took up much of the road. Creating a congested river of people and commerce. Leaning down, Cole whispered, “Keep a hand on your coin purse,” as they entered the stream.

This market was a jagged twin to the others Natalie had seen in the city. Similar in many ways but meaner and harder in every way that counted. One merchant sold vicious-looking Gryps in cages barely large enough for the Avian-Feline hybrids. Another hawked bottles of questionable Alchemy. Nearby a blind Hedge Mage offered talismans that glowed and buzzed with cheap magic. Natalie idly noticed one peddler selling a cure for Sunburns and making good silver.

Hand tight on her coin purse, Natalie followed after Cole. A fish trailing in a whale's wake. The crowd shied away from Cole, smooshing themselves together rather than touch the scarred man. Looking up at his broad shoulders, Natalie wondered why. Was it his appearance or something more? Some part of Natalie was amused at how Cole was the one who scared the crowd. She, by contrast, got more than a few crude looks and lewd remarks from passersby. These people shied away from the Paladin but eagerly baited the Vampire.

The darkness in her whispered how easy it would be to lure one of these lechers somewhere quiet and feed. She ignored the impulse and let Cole lead her into a side street. While less crowded, the road was still busy with clumps of people moving to and fro. It was just before dinner time, and the whole Nineteenth district seemed to be on the move. More than once, Natalie swore she felt a tug on her coin purse, but her solid grip kept it in hand. Checking to make sure it hadn’t been cut, Natalie almost didn’t notice Cole had turned again until he gently grabbed her hand and pulled her to their next destination.

This alley was empty except for the couple. Glancing around it, Cole nodded to himself. “We’re being followed.”

Quickly tucking away her coin purse Natalie asked, “Are you sure?”

Shaking his head, Cole answered, “Not completely, but I’ve seen the same face three times since we left the Red Lights.”

Looking up, Cole noticed a slight overhang on one of the nearby buildings. Pointing up at it, Cole asked, “Can you climb up there?”

In response, Natalie leaped into the air and pulled herself up onto the ledge. It was little more than a groove separating the structure's first and second floor, but Natalie could stand on it no problem.

Nodding in appreciation, Cole laid out his plan. “We’re going to wait and see if our tail is real. If someone comes, I’ll try to grab them. You’re faster than me, so if they slip away, you pounce.”

Natalie jerked her head in acknowledgment and watched Cole prepare. Taking out his axe Requiem, Cole nicked a finger and smeared blood on his forehead. Creating a simple sigil while he muttered an incantation. “Marked brow, hidden now.”

A tiny trickle of magic covered Cole. A crude concealment spell meant to provide him a little stealth. It wouldn’t stand up to any proper inspection, but it should make careless eyes slide off him. Which was all he’d need.

They waited then, Natalie deathly (literally) still on her perch. Cole leaned against the alley wall, cloaked by his mantle and the shadows. It didn’t take long for footsteps to reach Natalie’s sensitive ears as the pursuer entered the alley. The steps stopped for a second as if their source was unsure. Then sped up, clearly thinking their quarry had slipped away. As the pursuer approached, Natalie saw him clearly, even in the dark. A weary-looking man straddling adulthood and middle age, with lank brown hair and plain, if well-kept, clothes. He glanced around the alley, looking for something. Natalie didn’t know what he was looking for, but he certainly found Cole’s fist.

The Pursuer doubled over as Cole stepped out of the shadows and introduced his hand to the man’s stomach. Crumpling to his knees the Pursuer wheezed and spluttered, trying to gulp down the wind knocked from him. Gripping his collar, Cole yanked the man up and pinned him against the alley wall. The Pursuer tried weekly to resist, thrashing slightly, but Cole’s other hand pressed against his chest. A firm unmovable weight that promised broken ribs if tested.

In a polite tone, Cole asked, “Would you explain why you’re following us?”

The Pursuer struggled to regain his breath, finally rasping out, “I…I wasn’t!”

Cole’s eyes skimmed the Aether and saw the truth. Puffs of fear and hope swirled around the man. Taking his hand from the Pursuer’s collar, Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out the gold coin. “Really? Then would you happen to know anything about this coin?”

Recognition, confusion, worry, and fear soiled the Aether, and Cole nodded in confirmation. “So you were following us. Tracing the spell and watching the coin bearer, I assume?” more fear and shock from the Pursuer.

Cole watched as the captive man tried to muster his courage. Trapped in a dark alley by a scarred giant had shaken him. His exposure and the coin’s presence had opened up cracks of fear he was desperately trying to plaster shut. “Give me the coin, and let me go. If you don't, bad things will happen.”

Natalie jumped down, landing in a puff of snow and swirling fabric. The coin follower’s eyes flicked to her, but a little pressure on his chest from Cole stole his attention back. Putting a little iron into his voice, Cole growled, “Like what? You’ll drug me and rip my heart out? Add a twelfth victim to your tally?”

The Pursuer blanched and squeaked, “No! No! No! That’s not what I meant.”

Frowning, Natalie stepped closer and asked, “Then what did you mean.”

Glancing between them the Pursuer hissed. “I can’t tell you. Please just give me the coin and forget about all this.”

Cole put a little pressure on the man’s chest and got a gasp of pain from him. Struggling to suck in a breath, he squealed. “I CAN'T TELL YOU!”

Natalie put a hand on Cole’s arm and said, “Something’s wrong.”

Frowning she leaned in towards the man and gripped his jaw. Cole saw fear pulse in the Aether as Natalie pulled the man’s jaw open and looked into his mouth. Her sensitive eyes had caught something every time the Pursuer spoke. Something she now confirmed.

“Cole! His Tongue! Something’s on his tongue?”

Without hesitation, Cole pocketed the coin and gripped the man’s tongue. Pulling it into the open and revealing the sigil marking it. A large black tattoo of a Dragon and Lion entwined together. The circular mark was bordered by fell runes that made Cole’s eyes itch. His Aether sight seeing the power bound into the mark and how it effected the man.

Letting go of the marked tongue, Cole wiped his hand on the man’s shirt and said, “You meant that literally, didn’t you? You can’t tell us even if you wanted to.”

The marked man nodded jerkily. Sighing, Cole asked, “What’s your name? Can you at least tell me that?”

Another jerky nod, no. “Can’t reveal anything important.” the marked man spat.

Sighing, Cole struck the marked man. Knocking him out with a single clean blow. Natalie watched as he crumpled to the ground. “Why’d you do that?”

Reaching into a pocket, Cole grabbed a length of rope he’d collected from his gear when they’d deposited their purchases back at the Temple earlier. “So I can get him back to the Guards without issue. That mark on his tongue is a Geas. A magical compulsion he needs to obey. If the compulsion said to kill himself rather than be captured, he would.”

Repulsed, Natalie said, “That’s horrible!”

Hoisting his bound prisoner onto his back, Cole grunted in agreement. “It is. Geases are illegal in all but the rarest situations. Having one bound into your flesh like that? That’s an act of enslavement.”

Disgusted, Natalie asked, “So I guess Black-tongue here isn’t the killer?”

Nodding, Cole checked the alley and started out, “Probably their servant. Sent to watch or collect the coin. Which isn’t good. The killer’s probably suspicious and will definitely be when ‘Black-tongue’ doesn’t report back.”

Letting out a sigh, he added, “We’d best get him to the Guards and hope someone can break the Geas.”

They slipped out of the alley and cut through side streets with haste. The sight of Cole and his prisoner caught more than a few looks, but no one stopped them. Which, while convenient, spoke poorly of the district. Passing by the Bar from earlier, Natalie heard a panicked scream from behind them. Whirling around as Cole reached for his axe, Natalie found the scream’s source. Standing in the Bar’s doorway, finger pointed at her, was Thick-brows. The sole survivor of her massacre on the night of the riot.

Leaning against the doorframe, shaking hand out, Thick-brows was trying to find a word. Natalie knew what word it was, and couldn’t afford for it to be spoken. She might be under the Temples's protection, but being exposed here in the middle of the city would not be good. Panic surged in Natalie, and she felt alien instincts answer it. Following them out of desperation, she met Thick-brow’s eyes. Focusing her will and mind into the gesture. An immaterial bridge snapped into being, connecting them. An instant flood of information assaulted Natalie. Thick-brows was intoxicated and distressed. His mind was a fragile thing trying desperately to grasp the word Vampire. With an effort, Natalie slammed her mind against his and stole away the word.

Thick-brows stumbled back like he’d been hit and fell unconscious. The bridge snapped, and Natalie blinked away jumbled thoughts not her own. Turning back to Cole, she saw his brow was furrowed. He leaned down, blocking her with his body. “Your eyes are red.”

Wincing, Natalie shut them and took a few useless breaths. Forcing her heart to beat and her mind to calm. Opening her eyes, she whispered, “Better?”

Cole nodded, and “Yes, what happened?”

Glancing around at the looks they were getting Natalie answered “Not here, let's get back to the Guards.”

They pushed forward, leaving the knocked-out Thick-brows and slight crowd his outburst had created. It didn’t take them long to leave the dingy streets of Rabenhof. Only then did someone stop them.

“Hey! Hey you! What are you doing with that man?” a concerned-looking Guard trotted up, spear held tight in his hands.

Cole grabbed his Amulet and held it up; as he explained, blue light issued from it. “This man is under a dangerous magical compulsion. I’m a Paladin of the Tenth Temple. We’re taking him to the Thirteenth District Guard Tower.”

The Guard blanched and made a warding gesture. “Fire and iron! You’re the Paladin?”

Cole nodded and kept moving. The Guard spluttered and weakly said, “Thank you. Some of my friends were injured during the Riot. Thank you for ending it.”

Cole glanced at the Guard and said, “The Gods ended it; I just helped them.”

Natalie wanted to roll her eyes, Cole just couldn’t take praise at all. The Guard found himself trotting up after them. “Let me escort you!”

Considering it, Cole decided having someone to ward off more concerns was a good idea. “Alright, I’d appreciate it.”

They made quick time back to Weinstadt and the Guard Tower. Once it was in sight, Cole nodded to the Guard. “We’ll be okay from here. Thank you.”

The Guard nodded and trotted off. Leaving Cole and Natalie alone on an empty street. Checking to make sure the prisoner was still unconscious, Cole asked. “What happened with that man?”

Natalie nervously said, “Uh, you remember how I met with the Werehawk and stopped Rioters from killing him?”

Narrowing his eyes, Cole answered, “Yes?”

“Well… things got messy. I’d been injured and lost my amulet in the fall. The thugs who tried to hurt him also tried to take me for… foul reasons. I killed them all except the one we just saw. I got control back and let him run. He must have recognized me.”

Shutting his eyes in grim resignation, Cole asked, “Did you devour any of them? Feed on them till they died?”

Natalie shook her head. “No. I… I remembered the last time I did that, and the memory stopped me.”

Letting out a relieved breath, Cole spoke softly. “When a Vampire devours someone, they don’t just kill them; they rip off a piece of their soul and absorb it. It makes the Vampire stronger, and it’s incredibly addictive. I… don’t want to see you suffer that, Natalie.”

Licking her fangs, Natalie shifted uncomfortably. “You’re not mad I didn’t tell you?”

Cole sighed. “I’m a little disappointed. I can understand your reluctance but remember what we promised each other. No secrets.”

Shrinking slightly, Natalie muttered. “I’m sorry. When I lost control… It was ugly, and I… I didn’t want you to know.”

Holding out a hand, Cole took Natalie’s and whispered, “Love, I’ve seen ugliness and horror I hope you never learn of. You acted in self-defense, and you managed to reclaim your sanity before things went too far. It’s not a great situation, but it could be worse.”

“Alright.” Natalie’s free hand went to her own amulet, and she squeezed it. Letting the Aetheric cold consume her fingers.

Before they set out, Cole added one last thing. “That power you used. Mental domination is one of the crueler skills Vampires possess. Be careful with it.”

He didn’t meet her eyes and Natalie sensed the pain in those words. “I’ll only use if I’ve no other options.”

Cole hesitated but accepted that.

They entered the Guard Tower using a key Cat-eyes had provided. Heading up the stairs and to the investigation floor, Cole and Natalie entered the war-room. To find Cat-eyes and Mina sitting close together. Very close together. Both Priestess and Warden leaped back from each other with remarkable speed. Upon seeing who’d entered, Mina looked mortified and Alia annoyed.

Those expressions turned to shock when they realized what Cole had slung over his shoulder. “Bloody bits!” hissed Alia. “Did you catch him!”

Shaking his head, Cole set the prisoner on the ground, leaning him up against the chamber wall. “Unfortunately, no. But we did catch the man sent to find the coin. So hopefully, he can tell us more once the Geas is removed.”

“Geas?” asked Mina as she came forward to the unconscious man. Setting a hand on his head, she murmured something and turned to Cole. “Mild concussion. Was knocking him out strictly necessary?”

Kneeling down, Cole opened up Black-tongues mouth and showed him her tongue. “I feared there was a suicide command buried in the Geas.”

Alia and Mina both squatted down to look at the mark while Natalie leaned against a nearby wall. “Fuck me!” spat Alia; turning to Mina, she said, “Is that-”

“Yes, a House Mark,” answered Mina.

Rubbing her face in sudden exhaustion, Mina turned to Cole. “In the past, the Noble Houses used to put Geases on their most important servants. Binding them to the utmost secrecy. But these marks have been horrifically illegal for centuries. I can’t believe someone’s actually used one!”

Narrowing his eyes, Cole asked, “Can you tell which house he ‘belongs’ to?”

Looking closer, Mina squinted at the mark. “No, it’s not any sigil I recognize. But that make’s sense. How dumb would you have to be to tattoo a Geas victim with your family sigil?

Sighing, Cole rubbed his face. “Fair enough. I guess we just need to figure out how to break it then.”