Through a Mirror, Darkly by R F Hurteau

Author:R F Hurteau [Hurteau, R F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781951027049
Published: 2019-09-23T22:00:00+00:00

Nine

The Sea Rose Up to Meet Them

“LOOK, I know we look alike and all, but I don’t think that’s going to work,” protested Felix. “I don’t know anything about him. I don’t know anything about this place, or your Council, or Imradia. Just because I might pass for Laevus, doesn’t mean I’m going to be able to fake it all.”

“You don’t need to fake everything,” Onyx assured him. “Laevus gave us the perfect opportunity. He said himself that he was coming to get me. So, that means that I can be right by your side the whole time. I’ll guide you through. You don’t have to be perfect, Felix. You just have to get in, sabotage the talks, and get out.”

“Without dying,” Gavin added, as if survival were an afterthought.

Felix was still shaking his head. “I may be a little impulsive, but this plan sounds like a special kind of crazy. No one with half a brain is going to believe I’m Laevus.”

“But no one is going to be looking for an imposter.” His mother was speaking in a quick, excited voice. “So, no one will be scrutinizing your every move. You played the part pretty convincingly back in Solara.”

Felix glanced at Gavin, who nodded his agreement without smiling. “You had me fooled.”

“I was just trying to act like the Elves in Sanctuary!” Felix moaned, “You know, pompous, arrogant—that sort of thing. It was luck. Just luck!”

“Well, then, let’s hope it holds out. Gavin, get those Envicti out of their cloaks. We’re going to need them.”

Laevus watched in silent fascination as they stripped the dead guards. Gavin wore the hooded cloak well, standing straight and tall. Tobias also put one on, though the effect was somewhat lacking.

“A little short for an Envicti, aren’t you?” quipped Laevus.

“It’s not great,” said Onyx with a frown, “but it will have to do. Besides, your job is simple—stay with the Floater.”

“What about the third one?” Ambrose asked, nervousness evident in his expression. “Shouldn’t you be returning with the same number of guards he showed up with?”

Onyx sized up the remaining options. “Penelope will have to do it. She fits the profile better than you do.” She looked at him apologetically. “No offense.”

Laevus was chuckling now. They continued to ignore him.

“Does it matter that I’m a woman? Won’t they notice?”

“There are just as many women in the Envicti ranks as men. No one will give it a second thought. And you don’t have to speak,” Gavin told her. “In fact, I’d advise against it. The Envicti speak only to acknowledge a direct order. If someone’s giving you a direct order, you’re already too close.”

No one, except perhaps Onyx, seemed happy with the way events were unfolding. But she seemed so confident, so determined. Felix found her manner both inspiring and unsettling, but he didn’t have time to ponder the source of her enthusiasm. Soon, he was wearing Laevus’ tunic and pants and his brother was once again tied to the tree, this time in only his undergarments.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.