Chapter seventy-three: Cassius POV
The tension between Kyla and Tyrine was thick enough to cut. I had only caught the end of the conversation between them, however it was enough to piss me off. If that ignorant prick wasn’t a blood relation, I would have taken him outside and cut him down. I may yet do so.
“I apologize for being late.” I directed my attention to Kyla, ignoring Tyrine. The weasel was trying to slink into the furniture, sending me quick glances. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“Would it matter if I was?” She muttered, low enough that I assumed she thought I couldn’t hear. “I don’t have a lot of time to spare, so what did you find?”
“Mage,” I flickered my eyes toward Tyrine, making him tense up. “Explain in detail what you told me.”
“She won’t understand it even if I did.” Tyrine grumbled, flinching for the hundredth time when I narrowed my eyes.
I should have brought my sword and stabbed him. Had I not been caught up with paperwork and rushing, I would have it on my person.
“Do not make me repeat myself, Tyrine.” I said slowly, tapping my finger on the arm of my chair.
“A-alright, fine.” He took a deep breath, pulling out the vial from his pocket. “This has several layers of magic imbued within it. One to control the mind through suggestion, but it’s weak,” he tilted the liquid, sloshing it against the side of the glass. “Either the contents have weakened or it was a bad batch, but it can’t completely control someone.”
“What’s the other layer then?” Kyla asked, a puzzled look on her face. “I can confirm that those who are exposed to it turn into basically the undead.”
“That’s what’s strange about it.” Tyrine set it down on the table, frowning. “It shouldn’t have that much power. The second layer is to amplify the effects, but again that’s weak. From what I can tell, this would be highly effective if it was mixed properly by a high level mage. But without a catalyst, it would only make someone ill.”
“I see.” Kyla leaned back, looking as though she was thinking deeply.
Her brow knitted together and her eyes turned inward. What would she do if I leaned forward and tapped her brow? The thought was ridiculous and unneeded in the situation – yet my hand twitched.
“What if there was a catalyst?” She asked suddenly, looking between us. “Something like a bloomshun?”
“A bloomshun?” Tyrine mused, rubbing his chin. “Well, I’m not an herbalist, but I do know the plant is toxic. It’s possible that it could, under the right circumstances, induce hallucinations that could potentially stimulate the dark magic effect of the potion. But why do you know about that?”
“Tyrine,” I warned. “Do you want to be stripped naked and flogged?”
“N-no.” Tyrine yelped, sinking back into his seat. “I’m just asking because normal people who are not involved in the magical community or medicine, don’t know about it. Besides, a bloomshun alone wouldn’t be enough to-”
“What if it was mixed with Casa Blanca lilies?” Kyla interrupted, looking over at me. “Where I found the potion, there were Casa Blanca Lilies that appeared to be grafted with the bloomshun.”
“Why would…” Tyrine trailed off, staring down at the vial. “That…could actually create a potent potion. I’ve never heard of grafting them together before, nor have I seen this outside of history books. Where did you see it? Did you notice anything unusual? Was the scent different? Was the-”
“One question at a time.” She held up a hand. “I found it in a greenhouse at House Blaine. The lilies were glowing unnaturally, similar to the bloomshun.”
“So,” I shifted forward, resting my arms on my legs, dangling my hands. “Not only is that Blaine bastard involved in seedy affairs, he’s also importing illegal substances.”
“But why does he need to create a brainwashing potion?” Tyrine asked, talking mostly to himself. “This level of brainwashing, should Lady Kyla be correct, is something you’d use on captured prisoners of war. A normal noble household would have no need for it.”
“Well.” Kyla began, shifting uncomfortably. She looked between us, clearly uncomfortable.
“Speak freely,” I nodded my head toward the mage. “Tyrine may be the empire's largest idiot, but he’s a loyal idiot. To me at least.”
“I’m not an idiot.” Tyrine snapped. When I shot him a level look, he glanced away. “I am loyal to Cassius.”
Had the man not been, he wouldn’t have been included in the conversation. Annoyingly enough, Tyrine was the only mage I knew of who wasn’t the magic towers lackey nor tied to Lovine. I looked over at Kyla, watching her roll over whatever she was thinking. Her caution wasn’t unfounded. Had I been in her situation, I wouldn’t openly divulge information easily.
“I don’t know if Justin Blaine is the one behind the brainwashing or if it’s his mother.” She spoke at last, eyes on the vial. “I noticed when I first arrived there was an overpowering scent of Casa Blanca lilies. The butler said Matilda Blaine likes the scent, but the staff inside the building were off. I confirmed it when my maid arrived and she turned into a pod person.”
“A pod person?” I arched my brow, trying not to laugh. What the hell is a pod person?
“Ah, right. Well, it’s what I’ve been choosing to call them.” She scratched her arm, shifting slightly. “She arrived and disappeared for a while then came back…wrong. It’s gotten to the point that the staff inside get dazed, confused, and make little sense. The location I found that substance in was in an off-limits greenhouse that the grounds keeper claimed was Matilda Blaine’s.”
“Did they catch you?” I asked suddenly. Had she been caught she wouldn’t have been here.
The question was pointless. Why did I feel the urge to even ask? Kyla was more than capable of taking care of herself, yet a nagging in the back of my mind was curious. Lack of sleep from assination attempts courtesy of Lovine had to be the cause.
“No. If they had caught me, do you think I’d be here?” She asked, voice monotone.
“Valid point.” I rotated my shoulder, sitting back “I had assumed the mother and son were involved in something larger, but without more details an investigation of their estate can’t happen yet.”
“I’m not asking for an investigation.” Kyla sighed, fidgeting. “I just want an antidote, at least for my maid.”
“You care about your maid?” Tyrine laughed, crossing his arms. “You of all people-”
“Yes, you ignorant ass.” Kyla snapped, face turning icy. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”
“I don’t see why I-”
“Tyrine, you will make a cure.” I cut him off, irritated. After he makes it, I’ll give him a new hole to breathe out of. Did he think my threats were empty?
“What?” He whipped his head over, mouth hanging open. “Why do I have to? Do you have any idea how-”
“How soon would you need it?” I turned back to Kyla, once again ignoring the man.
“As soon as possible.”
“Will two days be sufficient?”
Kyla nodded, opening her mouth, but Tyrine sprang up, stopping whatever she had planned to say.
“Two days?” Tyrine gaped, face red. “I would need at least a month to acquire the materials alone. I haven’t studied the properties enough yet to-”
“You have two days.” I pointed toward the door. “I will acquire them myself and send them to you. Now leave.”
“But-”
“You’re testing my patience, cousin.” I said, voice cold. “Leave before I make you.”
Tyrine opened and closed his mouth a few times, sputtering. He grimaced moving his lips silent and bent down, pocketing the vial. He looked between us one last time before he turned and fled from the room – slamming the door behind him.
“Will he actually make it?” Kyla asked, standing. “I don’t trust him.”
“He will.” I climbed to my feet and took a step toward her. “He’s usually not this much of a fool. Is there anything I should be aware of?”
“No,” She cocked her head, looking up at me. “I’m not sure why he’s acting the way he is.”
Liar. I smirked. They barely even know each other, so why is he acting that way? Normally, I would have been irritated at her disregard for the truth. It must be something she doesn’t want to speak of and I had no intention to pry – not yet at least.
“I’ll contact you again when the antidote is made.” I glanced toward the door. The sound of Jean’s floundering footsteps slapped against the tiles. “It appears the tea-time with Nadine has ended. Be wise in that manor, Kyla.” I tossed over my shoulder, walking toward the door. “If you find out anything else, let me know.”
“Why are you helping me?” She asked, words pausing me. “Not that I’m complaining, but you’re not exactly forthcoming with information.”
“I have my reasons.” I pulled open the door, as Jean reached for the knob. He jumped a foot in the air, hand over his heart. “The next letter I send you will come from the same person. Our meeting will take place at another location.”
I stepped into the hall, forcing Jean to scramble backwards. “See her out, Jean.” I slapped him hard on the shoulder before walking away.
“Of course,” he grumbled, then turned to her. “Please follow me, Lady Kyla,”
I turned, walking down the corridor. I would need to reach out to my contacts to acquire the materials, finish the paperwork before Jean had a stroke, and other inane tasks. The meeting had put me behind, but it wasn’t without its merits.
By helping Kyla, I would be gaining an advantage that would spark the plan I had been working on for several years. Soon enough, everything would align and the time to strike would be at hand.
I turned another corner while considering burning the palace down. The woman who designed Rose castle hundreds of years ago had to have been mad. The floor plan was an intricate maze. I quickened my steps, pausing when I saw Jean and Kyla outside the window.
He was trying to strike a conversation with her, but the woman looked more antsy than she had during the meeting. Is she worried something may happen before the antidote is made?
A flicker of anger and worry mixed into my chest. I shoved the feeling down, turning away from the window.
There was no reason to worry or be concerned. She served a useful purpose for my plan.
Nothing more and nothing less.