Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Jessie Eaker (best reads txt) 📖

dress from our earlier lunch. But she did not turn as I entered. There was no smiling welcome, no asking how I was, no reaching of her hand to take mine. Not the slightest hint of recognition. It tore my heart apart.

Fumiko was talking to her quietly, reporting to her everything we had learned. At first this seemed odd, but then as I thought about it, it made perfect sense. We didn’t know if Zofie’s mind had been removed or if it was being suppressed. She could be listening to us and just not able to respond. Giving her updates would surely provide some comfort to her.

Spraggel was already in the room, sitting in another chair by the fire. He looked grim. Rourke stood by the window with his back to us, rocking nervously back and forth on the balls of his feet.

When Fumiko had finished her report, I knelt beside Zofie’s chair and took her hand. I kissed it gently. “I’m sorry, Zofie. It doesn’t look like this will be fixed quickly. I don’t have much to add. Our captive is not going to tell us anything useful.” I sighed. “I think our best option is to search for someone that can safely remove the charm.”

I bowed my head over her hand. “If Abe still worked, I could modify your curse. We might be able to hit on something that would work around the charm. Or better yet, be able to see how to remove it.” While I fought so hard not to, I felt a tear come to my eyes. “I’ve failed you,” I said softly.

Fumiko put a hand on my shoulder.

Unexpectedly, a strange voice interjected: “Forgive me, may I have an audience?” The accent was familiar.

I immediately leaped to my feet and reached for my sword. Master Rourke gathered his myst, and Fumiko whirled to face the newcomer—only no one was there.

“Down here,” said the voice.

I looked closely and then finally spotted it: A lone, earth-colored cricket sitting on the carpet. And I also recognized the voice. It was Imperial Advisor Tusita Yonge. Which meant he was using a cricket for his avatar this time.

Fumiko moved between us and the insect. “Leave!” she shouted. “The princess gave you your answer.” She moved to squash it.

“I can remove the charms,” it said calmly. Fumiko’s descending foot froze in mid-air.

I grasped Fumiko’s arm. She looked up at me, conflict clearly on her face. But at a gentle shake of my head, she reluctantly stepped back.

I put away my sword. “How did you find out? Fumiko is no longer your eyes and ears.”

The antenna on the cricket moved excitedly, and it hopped forward. “Although the view of the toilet is quite striking, surely you don’t believe the great Kuiojia Empire has only one set of eyes and ears at its disposal.”

The insect paused while we considered each other. I finally spoke. “Aside from the issue of spies, how can you help Zofie?”

“Charms are my specialty. There is no one in the empire, maybe even the entire world, that is better. I felt it my duty to offer my assistance. At the least, it might offer a challenge to analyze a charm created by the Dark Avenyts. But from what I’ve heard so far, it is a simple mind capture charm with a death removal sequence. It should be simple to take off... if you know how.”

“Are you sure?” Rourke asked. “These are very complex charms. Plus, the removal sequence has a lot of protections built-in. If not removed exactly the right way, it will kill them.”

“Ah, you must be Master Rourke. It is a pleasure to meet you. While I cannot confirm or deny what you say, I can assure you. I am quite the expert in charms. This avatar before you is proof.”

I looked to Zofie who sat passively in her chair. What question would she ask? What would she instinctively know to do? I turned back to the cricket. “And what would be the price of your assistance?”

He didn’t hesitate. “In compensation, we would like to borrow the Griffin’s Key. And you would need to bring the princess and the bearer of the other charm so I can examine them and determine the best path of removal.”

Spraggel leaned forward. “Since you want this key so badly, why don’t you come and retrieve it?”

“Alas, such is not possible. I am unable to leave the palace. My physical condition does not allow it. Not to mention, I have to be close to my emperor at all times. Ask Fumiko. She can explain.”

I glanced to her for confirmation. She looked away and nodded.

I put a finger to my lips. “So, you want us to travel to the empire. Can you have...”

But I trailed off as Spraggel began to shake his head emphatically. Fumiko jumped to my side and pulled me urgently toward the window. She leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Don’t ask him to open a portal for us,” she breathed. “It’s not only a breach of protocol, but it’s dangerous. You could be transported directly into his dungeon, or even the bottom of the sea. Besides, it makes us look weak. We have to provide our own way to at least the empire’s borders. We have no choice.”

Despite my puzzlement, I gave her a quick nod. I wanted to ask her how we would get there with all our myst users gone, but I’d leave that for later.

Spraggel and Rourke stepped over to join us. We huddled close.

I looked at each of them. “I say we take a visit to the empire and give the key to Yonge. Anyone disagree?”

Rourke shook his head.

Spraggel looked thoughtful but also shook his head.

Fumiko frowned and crossed her arms. “I do not like this. It has the smell of a trap.”