Faith & Fire by James Swallow

Author:James Swallow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Library
Published: 2011-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The words pressed into Ignis’s brain like burning darts. Now’s the time, lad. We’re casting off. Get to the roof pad, fast.

The youth clutched at his head and staggered, a thin trickle of blood leaking out of his nose. He bumped into the chart table that dominated the centre of the baron’s chambers, setting the confusion of markers and tiny flags upon it tumbling.

‘What are you doing?’ snapped Sherring, pushing past one of his soldiers. ‘Answer me. What is going on?’ His expression was taut with anxiety.

Ignis waved a vague hand at the nobleman. ‘I… I have to go…’ He shook his head to rid it of the after-effect of Vaun’s telepathic touch. Bile rose in his throat and he coughed.

Sherring grabbed his arm as the youth tried to make for the door. ‘Stop where you are!’ He pulled Ignis around to face him, pinched and furious. ‘Where is Vaun? He’s abandoned me. Tell me where he is!’

‘I’ll go look for him–’

Quick! came the mind-speech, and a fresh wash of nausea washed over Ignis. The Sororitas are here! We can’t tarry!

‘Can’t tarry…’ Ignis echoed the words under his breath.

The baron saw the moment of glazing in the young man’s eyes and understood what was unfolding. ‘You hear him, don’t you? Damned witchkin can know each other’s thoughts, eh? Where is he? What is he doing?’ He shook Ignis violently. ‘Tell me now, you worthless gutter rat.’

‘Get off me,’ Ignis retorted, fighting to free himself from Sherring’s frantic grip. ‘I’ll bring him to you–’

‘Liar,’ roared the baron. ‘He used me. You did this to me, made me ruin my beautiful city!’ Sherring’s free hand came up with an ornamental dagger in it. ‘I’ll kill you!’

‘No!’ Ignis shouted, and the word hammered at the air in the room. In the echo of his cry, every photon candle and view-tube spat sparks and burst into flames.

Sherring shrank backwards in shock, still brandishing the gold blade. ‘You… You can’t defy me. I am your better!’

‘Shut up, you pathetic lackwit,’ Ignis spat back at him. ‘All the money in the galaxy isn’t going to save you now. You were played. You’re just a mark!’ With each word, the sputtering electrical fires pulsed with flashes of heat.

The baron shot imploring looks at his men. ‘Slay the witch. Destroy him. I order you.’

The cavalrymen had their guns in their hands, but they were pointed at the floor. The officers exchanged glances: all of them had seen Sherring’s rapid deterioration over the past hours, and none had the desire to cross the psyker on the baron’s word. Outside, beyond the tall glass windows, Metis was hidden beneath a curtain of smoke, and through the walls came the sounds of gunfire and men dying. The soldiers watched in silence, waiting for the battle to end. In their eyes was the mute knowledge that they had already lost.

‘We are leaving, baron,’ sneered Ignis, ‘and there’s nothing you can do to stop us.’ The youth turned and strode towards the doors.

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