The Heart of Alchemy by James Wisher (i like reading books txt) 📗

“Ahmed?” a voice called from deeper in the villa. “What’s the trouble?”

“We have a visitor that didn’t make an appointment, my lord.”

A moment later a balding, middle-aged man dressed in a dark silk tunic and matching pants stopped behind the servant’s left shoulder. The baron looked his visitors over and asked, “And who might you be, sir?”

“Otto Shenk.”

The baron’s eyes widened a fraction. “Ah. I’ve been expecting you. It’s alright, Ahmed. This is the emperor’s chief advisor. He hardly needs to make an appointment to visit a backwater baron like me. Please, come in.”

With a final glare, Ahmed moved aside. The baron guided them to a sitting room furnished with the usual collection of overstuffed leather chairs and a coffee table. He motioned Otto and Sin towards two of the chairs then sat across from them.

Sin crossed her legs to draw his attention, just as she was supposed to. Being a man with a pulse, Baron St. Croy flicked a glance at her smooth calf before turning back to Otto who had used the distraction to prepare himself to watch for lies along with weaving a silence spell around them.

“I imagine you’re here to talk about Jade,” the baron said.

“Yes. It’s just a standard precaution whenever anyone gets close to the emperor. I’m sure you understand.”

“I do. As I said, I’ve been expecting your visit since the gala. They had their first night alone last night, so I assume things are getting more serious.” The baron drummed his thin fingers on his knee while his toe tapped at a rapid clip.

“That’s my assumption as well. Shall we start with what happened to her parents?”

“My sister and her husband died in a fire five years ago. A horrible accident involving an oil lamp. That’s why I prefer to use Lux crystals.”

“She came to stay with you after that?”

“Not immediately afterward. At the time, Jade was fourteen and adventurous. That’s why she wasn’t home when the fire happened.”

“And her intentions toward Emperor Wolfric?”

“I believe her intentions are genuine.”

So far he hadn’t lied, but he was also answering in such a way that made it difficult to tell. His tension and the vagueness put Otto on alert. Something was up, he just needed to figure out what.

Time for a more direct question. “Did you bring her to the gala specifically to meet the emperor in hopes of her seducing him?”

“Yes. His Majesty hasn’t taken a wife yet. Having the emperor as an in-law could only be good for my barony.”

All true. Otto considered his next question carefully. Maybe just a blunt yes or no would be best. Hard to talk your way around those. On the other hand, he didn’t want to do anything that might aggravate Wolfric. These things were so much easier when the emperor wasn’t directly involved.

Sin tugged on his sleeve and he spotted the servant entering from a different door. Ahmed bowed. “My lord, you have a meeting with Count Carne in five minutes.”

That was a dead lie. Probably an excuse to end the conversation before the baron said anything obviously incriminating.

Otto stood. “That’s okay. Thank you for speaking with me. Can’t be too careful where the emperor is concerned.”

“I understand completely. Stop again anytime.”

Otto and Sin saw themselves out. As soon as they were clear of the villa she asked, “What do you think?”

“They’re hiding something. Whether simple greed or something more nefarious, I’m not sure yet. What about you?”

“That servant isn’t an ordinary servant. The way he moves suggests some military training. He’s probably a bodyguard as well.”

“Interesting. I barely even looked at him. This is exactly why I brought you along.”

They made their way back to the warehouse. Otto’s mind raced with the possibilities. Unfortunately, the only way to find out for sure risked angering Wolfric and Otto needed him happy and going with the program.

Maybe when he met Jade in person, she’d reveal herself, one way or another.

Chapter 9

Two days passed quickly and Otto found himself on his way to the palace for a much-anticipated lunch with Wolfric and Jade. The air held the sharpest edge so far this winter and even with his magic, the chill reached Otto’s bones. Once again he was happy that Franken Manor sat only a short walk from the castle.

Despite their best efforts, neither Allen or Sin had come up with any more information about the baron and his niece. As usual, it fell to Otto to find the truth of the matter. Unlike a proper interrogation, he would have to approach Jade with kid gloves lest he anger Wolfric. It felt like he was wading into a trap-laden battlefield with no map or reinforcements.

The guards nodded as he passed and Otto made his way straight to the emperor’s private dining room. The palace guards on duty outside opened the door for him. Inside he found Wolfric pacing and wringing his hands. He wore his finest black and gold tunic and trousers and his boots had been polished to a mirror shine.

Jade, it seemed, had yet to arrive.

“I’ve seen men awaiting the gallows that looked less nervous than you,” Otto said. “Is all well?”

“Yes, no, I’m not sure.” Wolfric finally stopped and looked at him. “You and Jade are the most important people in my life now and I want you to get along. When I suggested this lunch, she looked terrified. Like you were going to turn her into the main course.”

Otto chuckled, but inside he went cold. If Wolfric already considered her that important, he would need to be even more careful.

“My friend, all I want—all I have ever wanted—was for you to be happy and the empire strong and peaceful. If this woman brings you the former without endangering the latter, I will love her like my own sister.”

“Really?”

“I swear by all the angels in Heaven and all the demons in Hell. But just so there are no surprises, I did pay her uncle a visit