Death's Key by Beth Overmyer

Author:Beth Overmyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy fiction; flame tree press; magic; epic fantasy; dragons; wizards; Game of Thrones
Publisher: Flame Tree Publishing
Published: 2022-10-12T14:19:04+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Jinn

The time was late, and Jinn couldn’t sleep. For the last four hours she’d tossed and turned, trying to make sense of her vision and how she’d come to have it in the first place. Something had broken the taboo the wizard had put on those wishing to see his future. But what? Nothing out of the ordinary had happened in that moment by the hidden garden. Lying in the canopy bed, she went over the details in her mind for what felt like the hundredth time, but nothing revealed itself. I’m missing something important. Maybe something that Hex did not wish me to see.

With a groan, Jinn threw off her bed coverings and slipped on the boots lying in wait. Maybe some good old-fashioned walking – well, pacing – would clear her mind.

There had been no visions since the incident, though she had looked further and harder for them than usual, resulting in a headache and a nosebleed. She had almost told Quick about what she had seen, but was afraid he might try to look ahead himself, something that was particularly dangerous for him to attempt. There was a reason that male Sightfuls and seers were nigh unheard of, as the ability took a greater toll on that gender. And, to make matters worse, Quick had absorbed her part of the curse, a curse that belonged to and yet differed with every Blest – in his case, a childlike mind.

As if in answer to her silent worrying, Quick let out a great sigh and turned over. “Sister can’t sleep either?” he asked as his eyes blinked open. He yawned and sat up. “Something on Jinn’s mind?”

Jinn tied her cloak around her and shook her head. “It’s nothing important, Quick. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

Quick chuckled. “Quick has slept enough.” Again he yawned. “Magic here makes Quick sleepy. Does Jinn—” He sat up abruptly, his hand to his ear.

“What? What’s wrong?” But now she heard it too, a woman’s voice calling to someone.

Help me. The words echoed again and again in Jinn’s mind.

“Jinn hears it too?” Quick asked, getting out of bed and reaching for his boots. “Could be trap, no?”

She hushed him.

Down below. Hurry, the voice was saying. Don’t let the wizard discover you.

Jinn hurried to the door with Quick at her heels. She expected to find the lock in place and a ward up, especially after that moment she’d experienced in the garden, but the door opened soundlessly on its hinges and she passed a hand through without scorching herself.

Hurry.

“It very well could be a trap,” said Jinn, hesitating.

To her surprise, Quick gave her a gentle push and moved around her. “It’s the she-wizard,” he said. “Summoner is in danger.”

“What?” Jinn asked, trying to keep up with his long, sure strides. “What makes you say that?”

Quick did not answer at first, but led her through a series of turns that she had never taken before. The house was still and silent. All was bathed in moonlight, as the clouds obscuring the night’s eye had parted.

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