The DarkWorld SoulTracker Series Box Set Vol II by T G Ayer

Author:T G Ayer [Ayer, T G]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Infinite Ink Publishing
Published: 2019-06-16T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

I rested only a few minutes before I headed off to visit Saleem’s mother, the trip to her prison having become so familiar that I arrived faster than usual and was grateful for the low-stress transition.

“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” asked Queen Aisha, a strange edge to her tone as she spoke using her astral voice. She sat in front of a large easel, a paintbrush held within slim fingers, the bristles heavy with a deep ochre, as she paused.

I rolled my eyes as I hovered within the room, remaining on the astral plane where the djinn queen was quite able to see me. “Sorry, it’s been a while. Things have been a little crazy in the outside world.”

“I’d say pull up a chair and give me the details but…well…hover and give me the details.” Aisha remained facing her painting, a landscape in blues and reds, depicting a mountain range of shimmering black stone.

I lifted a brow, keenly aware that she’d actually expressed an interest in my life. But I shook my head. “That’s all a bit irrelevant. I just spoke to Saleem, and things are not looking good for him.”

Aisha took a deep breath and dabbed the brush on a palette set on a small table beside her. “What’s that supposed to mean, child,” she asked as she drew the brush in short fluid strokes, quickly forming a short line of trees. “I will need you to be a little more specific.”

“Your son. He went back to Mithras.”

She didn’t even blink at my revelation. “That’s a good thing I believe.” More trees formed at the tip of her brush, soon covered with leaves of deep copper and gold.

“You believe wrong,” I said, coldly. “As soon as he arrived, he was taken prisoner. Actually, you have it rather soft compared to what he’s going through right this minute.” The pain of what I’d seen Saleem endure filtered into my voice, transformed into bitter anger.

Aisha got to her feet, her green-and-gold floor-length gown glistening in the lights of the lanterns that were scattered around the room. She rested her brush on the palette and reached for a rag to wipe off her fingers.

“What do you mean?” she asked softly, a ripple of fear making her voice quiver.

“He’s being tortured, both physically and mentally,” I said. When she frowned I elaborated. “While the soles of his feet are being whipped with a cat ‘o nine-tails, his mind is slowly being rewritten so he can be a more compliant ruler.”

Aisha’s face went white as she sucked in a gasp, the paint-stained rag now twisted within her fingers. “The silly boy.”

My eyes narrowed. “The silly boy? Is that all you can say? Saleem returned to Mithras to make sure his brother was okay. To make sure your kingdom and your people were not in danger. Does that make him a silly boy?” I asked coldly.

“No. It doesn’t. It’s just he got himself caught. He should have known better.” She hadn’t moved a muscle.

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