Show of Wonders by Cela Day

Author:Cela Day [Day, Cela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cela Day
Published: 2018-11-30T05:00:00+00:00

“WHAT DO YOU SEE?”

The hag’s eyes opened. She glared at Anasophia.

“Why should I tell you? You’ll only abuse me, although I speak nothing but truth.”

“I’ll be the judge of what is and is not truth. Do as I command!”

The hag’s eyes closed. In a low, even voice she said: “Your rival grows in power, but she does not know—”

“She? You see my rival is a woman?”

The hag’s eyes opened. “Not yet.”

“Not yet? Do you mean you do not see, or—no! You cannot mean my rival is a girl?”

The corners of the hag’s withered mouth curled.

“Never! No half-formed chit could compare to me! To my beauty!”

“You mean my beauty,” the hag breathed.

But Anasophia was too upset to hear.

“Tell me who she is,” she demanded.

The hag’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“What is that to you? Answer my question!”

A shudder passed through the hag. For one moment she said nothing, but then her lips flew apart as if forced open by some power she could not control. “It is your husband’s child. Your step-daughter.”

“Bianca?” Anasophia’s eyes widened; then she burst into scornful laughter. “She is nothing. Impossible!”

“Very well.” The hag closed her eyes. “It is impossible. And now that I have answered your questions, perhaps you will leave me in peace.”

Anasophia grew still, eyes fixed on her prisoner. “You are serious.”

The hag made no answer.

“You are serious! You see her, growing on the horizon!”

Still, the hag said nothing.

“Well then.” Anasophia fingered the blanket on her lap. “If the girl truly is a threat to me, there’s only one thing to be done.”

She called over her shoulder. “Hunter!”

At this, the hag opened her eyes again. She stretched out one wrinkled hand, fingers pressing against the inside of the glass.

“Cousin, if you will be advised by me—”

“I’ve never, in all my life, sought to be advised by you,” Anasophia hissed as she tossed the blanket over the mirror.

The man called Hunter entered the tent. Dark-haired, heavy-shouldered, and dressed in roustabout’s clothes, he stood before her, head bowed.

“I’ve found my enemy,” Anasophia said. “You must ensure this threat is ended.”

Hunter didn’t look at her. “As you wish, my lady.”

“And it must be done immediately. Before the morrow. I cannot abide her presence even one more day!”

At this Hunter did look up, a frown creasing his haggard features. “You speak of a woman, my lady?”

In a low voice she told him what the hag had seen.

Hunter stared at her. His right hand moved, the barest hint of a half-formed gesture of supplication.

Seeing this, Anasophia hissed through her teeth.

“Don’t tell me that after all you’ve done you think to sketch a character of soft-heartedness.”

He shook his head, then added: “No, my lady. But—”

“Stop! Not one more word!”

Fists clenched white, she rose from her chair. He stood taller, yet appeared to cower before her.

“If living in this world has stolen your manhood, Hunter, tell me now and I’ll release you from my service. Once and for all.”

Her fingers touched the belt at her waist where the pouch rested that Hunter knew contained a vial of poison she’d carefully crafted before they’d fled their own world.

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