Page 60 of Acolyte (Tempris #2)

“Is that when you sent her away?” Kato started at the question, looking to his brother. Skye just shrugged. “The rumor is that Mother gave you a choice—the heirship or your mistress. Since she’s not here now, I’m assuming you chose to send her away.”

Kato let out a low, joyless laugh. “I was never given a choice. Not really. When my ‘affair’ was discovered, I was dragged before the family elders. They told me that it was a disgrace that I would choose to debase myself with a human, and if I chose to keep her, I would be forfeiting my right to the heirship. They said that they wouldn’t stop me from living my life the way I saw fit, but that they would no longer support me or my choices if I decided to stay with Sarah. ”

Skye crouched, helping Kato lift an unwieldy length of metal meant to protect the spine. “That doesn’t sound so bad,” he said.

“Maybe on the surface,” Kato conceded. On the surface, it sounded like freedom.

“But think about it, Skye. The Genesis Council might be the highest ruling body in the Imperium, but our family isn’t too far below their jurisdiction.

If Mother and the rest of the elders decided they no longer wanted to support my lifestyle , as they so eloquently put it, where do you think that would’ve left Sarah and me? ”

Kato paused for a moment, letting the realization sink in.

“We would’ve been blacklisted. From restaurants, from stores, from inns and taverns, from entire cities.

I wouldn’t have been able to find work; we wouldn’t have even been able to find a healer if Sarah got sick, much less if she ever got pregnant.

The choice that Mother offered me wasn’t a choice at all.

It was a farce, little more than political theatre. ”

Skye’s jaw had gone slack, but when Kato’s eyes cut to his, he quickly shut his mouth, shaking his head. “I never knew.”

“No. I suppose you wouldn’t,” Kato muttered, his grip on the wrench in his hand tightening until he felt the metal start to bend. This was a side of their family, of society in general, that his brother hadn’t experienced yet, one the Castaros had shielded him from.

“Why are you telling me this?” Skye asked. Not suspicious, just… unsure.

“So you don’t make the same mistake that I did,” Kato said plainly. And because Sarah would have my balls if I didn’t, he added silently. That little spitfire had always had a very black-and-white sense of justice, and Shards he’d loved her for it.

“I’m not going to try to talk you out of going to find Taly,” Kato went on.

“If you believe she’s still out there, then I think you should go.

But whatever you do, don’t ever let our family find out about your feelings for her.

Or what you’re doing with those books. They’ll use it against you—I guarantee it. And neither of you deserve that. ”

Kato threw the twisted bit of metal that used to be a wrench on a nearby table before grabbing an old cloth and wiping his hands.

It was a long moment before Skye finally said, “I’m going to find her.”

Kato snorted. “You don’t say.”

“Ivain doesn’t know I took the books on bloodcraft.”

“I know.”

“And he doesn’t know that I still plan to leave the city—even after he denied my request to go.”

Kato sighed, then said, “I figured.” He threw the cloth on top of the wrench. “Bloodcraft is dangerous. And illegal. You’re taking a huge risk.”

Skye turned, slowly, letting his eyes drift across the lights of the Mechanica armor as they flickered to life. “I’m not sure I see the danger.”

“Then you’re na?ve.”

“Am I? What is bloodcraft other than learning how to master our own bodies? To use our ability to manipulate aether in order to alter our own biochemistry? Every shadow mage already uses bloodcraft to a certain extent. Every time we alter our perception, sharpen our senses, enhance our strength or speed. So what’s the difference between a basic aether augmentation spell and a spell that allows us to stop our heart or harden our skin or increase our cognitive efficiency? ”

“Or bolster your strength?” Skye went quiet, and Kato had his answer. “You’ve already started experimenting on yourself, haven’t you? That’s how you were able to lift that cannon. It’s how you’ve kept yourself awake to do all of this in so short a period…”

Shit. Shit . This was worse than he thought .

“Look…” Kato pinched the bridge of his nose.

How had they gotten here? “Bloodcrafters can alter their body chemistry—yes. Hell, they can even alter the body chemistry of anyone stupid or unlucky enough to ingest their blood. They can enact spells that can last for centuries given the right anchor; they can create undead minions; they can even invade the minds of their victims—but it’s still a risk.

Even if you were able to achieve a complete mastery of your aether and your blood—what happens if you mess up?

The margin for error is microscopic when it comes to that sort of magic, and what happens if you stop your heart or your breathing or your brain and then can’t start it back up? ”

Skye’s face paled. “If I can find Taly, it’s worth it.”

“Find Taly, find Taly, it’s all about Taly. How do you even plan to find her?” Kato leveled him with a look. “Do you have a plan, or are you just grasping at straws?”

Skye’s eyes cut to the door. “I figured out how to use a blood simulacrum. It’s more accurate than an earth mage’s locator spell, and it will work even if she’s been turned into a shade.

I’ve also been able to glean a few memories from the blood samples I lifted from her necklace.

They’re patchy, but… she was alive when she went through the palace gates.

And if she’s—” Skye stopped, seeming to think better of what he was about to say.

“If she’s what?” Kato prompted, already knowing the answer. Dead .

But Skye shook his head. “Nothing. Just… she’s alive. Taly’s alive, and I’m going to find her. I won’t leave her out there to die. ”

“If you leave the protection of the city walls,” Kato said, not bothering to mince words, “you’ll probably die.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Skye said just a little too quietly. His fists clenched at his side. “Do we have a problem?”

“No.” Kato smiled, not in the mood to start a brawl. “I just figured if I didn’t at least try to convince you to stay, Mother would kill me too. Likely throw my body into a grave alongside yours, and believe me, I don’t plan to spend eternity next to you.”

Skye’s lips twitched, and he almost smiled.

“She’d probably also kill me,” Kato went on, “if I didn’t at least try to offer you some help.

Lord Kalahad Brenin—I met him when we were camped in Della, and I’ve spoken with him a few more times since we’ve been back in Ryme.

He seems honorable, despite his reputation, and he might have some resources at his disposal.

Give me a day to talk to him, and I might be able to get you a contingent of men to guard your ass while you go rescue your damsel. ”

Skye gave Kato a long look, considering the offer, turning it over in his head. After a moment, he merely snorted and said, “Taly would kill you if she ever heard you call her a damsel.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it.” From the few days he’d known her, Kato had quickly learned that the little human was a hellion. “And if you manage to bring her back, I might even let her. After the way I confronted her, I think she’s allowed to give me a good kick in the balls.”

Setting himself down at a nearby table, Kato reached for a discarded helmet, frowning at the large dent that caved in one side.

“In return,” he said, sensing Skye come up behind him.

“I want you to get out of this damned workshop. Take a shower, shave, comb your hair, maybe grab that earth mage I always see moping around here and go get a drink. You look so pitiful right now, I can’t help but be nice to you, and that’s not something I’m comfortable with.

I’ll fix the armor, even give you credit when the Marquess inevitably asks, if you just leave and don’t come back. ”

“Why are you doing this?” Skye asked, a slight frown creasing his brow. “I mean really doing this?”

“Do I need a reason?”

A nod. “Most definitely. You’re the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.”

Kato laughed at that. He couldn’t deny it. “I don’t know,” he said, shrugging. “Maybe I just know what it’s like to send the woman you love away to die.”

The words surprised even him, and he hunched, pretending he couldn’t feel the pitying look boring into the back of his neck.

“You’ve changed,” Skye murmured, and Kato paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Thank you. For this and… for not saying that she’s dead.”

“I hope you find her,” Kato said and meant it.

He pushed himself to his feet, grabbing the helmet and moving back to the armored suit still on the lift.

“And if you want my help, then do what I say. Go out on the town, get a drink… enjoy yourself before you inevitably get yourself killed chasing after this woman that’s definitely not your mate. ”

Skye turned to go, but Kato called after him, “And if you do manage to bring her back, don’t be surprised when I take a pass at her.

I have a weakness for beautiful women that know how to handle a dagger, and Taly did manage to stab me the first time we met.

Given my history, that means I’m obligated to fall in love with her now. ”

Skye’s answering growl had him laughing so hard he almost fell off the ladder.