Page 78 of Insolence (Eisha’s Hidden Codices #1)

Most of the room’s occupants are Vampires. Succubuses are rarer, but I’m sure there are one or two here somewhere. Well. Besides Tiss.

There might be other demun types. I’m not aware of them, if so.

They must feed on life-force from time to time.

A lack of it will starve them, even with sedatives and Altered objects keeping the craving at bay.

And seeing as demuns possess far more life-force than mages or natural humans, the various holidays are convenient opportunities to let them go to town on each other.

So long as the guardsmen stay on top of watching them, the whole thing usually goes off with relative subtlety.

I’ve got to hand it to Deirdre. Objectively, she’s a deranged bitch. Objectively, she’s also clever as hell. Unfortunately.

Viv makes a turn. Leads us down a shadowy hallway. We pass several rooms, but only one bed is occupied at this hour.

The girl cries out fitfully in her sleep as we pass, hands clutching the sheets.

I can’t stifle a shudder. I know these poor creatures wound up here because they killed. But they can’t help what they are. They didn’t ask to be born. And this…

This is extreme beyond extreme.

“Are you coming , priestess? I’m not waiting all day.” Viv stands in the doorway of the prioress’s chambers.

I cast one last glance at the eerie menagerie before stepping inside.

“It’s about time!” Deirdre’s voice slices the air. “Come in, Elodie, and shut the door. Thank you, Vivienne. You are dismissed.”

Viv turns to leave, smoothing her veil over tidy, golden-blonde hair with jerky motions.

“Sit.” Deirdre gestures to a pair of chairs in front of her fireplace. Turns back to her work.

I settle in.

Bunches of dried herbs and flowers hang from the low ceiling over the sitting area. Between the chairs, a narrow table holds a cigarette case, matches, and a crystal ashtray. A fire crackles in the stone hearth.

The alcove behind me is twice as tall as every other area on this floor. Glass-fronted cabinets take up an entire corner of the room. They stretch to the ceiling, easily spanning the height of this floor and the one above it. Rolling ladders are affixed to the cabinets’ upper reaches.

Pots, bottles, and vials crowd the shelves. Crates and boxes are stacked close to toppling behind bubbled glass. I can’t imagine what they all hold.

A wooden prep table divides the alcove and sitting area. Piles of books, multiple mortar and pestle sets, and an intricate alembic occupy its surface.

Deirdre is barely visible beyond the clutter, doing goddess knows what. The click of cabinet doors sounds. Gazing into the fire, I try not to think of the medicines I could mix if I had such a collection at my disposal.

“It’s been a long while since you last ventured into my domain,” she observes mildly. As if I can waltz in here any time I please.

I say nothing. She takes the empty chair.

“Maida came to see me before class this morning. She mentioned you’ve been receiving an omen. Recurrently . For quite some time now.” Deirdre plucks a cigarette from the silver case. Offers the case to me.

They reek of clove in a way that makes me nauseous. “No, thank you.”

“She also mentioned that you’ve failed to interpret it thus far.” She strikes a match and lights up, lifting an eyebrow.

“That’s correct, Mother Prioress,” I say, deciding to wait and see what she’ll say about the Red Mage before disclosing my feathered friends didn’t show up today.

“How long have you been at the temple now?” She waves out the flame.

“This is my fourth winter.”

“Four years. My, how time flies. And you’re still struggling to interpret your omens.

” She exhales a plume of pungent smoke and clicks her tongue, tsking like I’m an unruly child.

Like my ineptitude is deliberate. “It’s time to consider the possibility that you might never come into your Second Sight, Elodie.

The courts and high houses might be beyond your reach, but you are a gifted forager.

I’m sure I could think of some way you could be of use. ”

“What did you have in mind?” But I know what she’s getting at. I already hate this entire conversation.

“You know, I never received my Second Sight either. I found a way to put my other skills to advantage. If you put your mind to it, I’m almost certain you could do the same.

” She issues a forlorn sigh. “I’ve hinted at it before, but for your benefit, I’ll say plainly: I could take you under my tutelage.

Show you how to get the most out of the quaint, rustic knowledge you’ve managed to amass thus far. ”

This is a game we sometimes play, where she acts like a condescending twat and I pretend not to notice.

“Your reverence—”

“There’s no need to thank me.” Her grin is as disingenuous as the rest of her. “It’s the least I can do.”

Over my dead and mangled body, Mother Bitch.

The fire pops. She takes another drag. The smoke is cloying. It’s resurrecting my headache. Briefly, I fantasize about snatching the cigarette and putting it out in her eye.

“Mother Prioress, while I am deeply flattered, I'm not prepared to give up so soon. Maida believes the Red Mage might be able to help. At the very least, she thinks it’s worth trying. Frankly, so do I.”

The corners of Deirdre’s mouth pull into a frown. She puffs thoughtfully away. Her gaze travels over my clothing—a sweater layered over a button-down and a pair of wool jersey trousers. My sleeves are rolled to the elbow.

“So she mentioned,” she says at last, her top lip curling back from her teeth. “You’re looking quite… casual today. Perhaps a bit scruffy .”

I shift, uncomfortably aware of the bite mark throbbing beneath where my shirt is buttoned to my neck.

“Scruffy” and “casual” are Deirdre’s way of saying my clothes are too masculine without actually saying it. She enjoys antagonizing me about my wardrobe choices from time to time, although she doesn’t bother to establish a dress code when the temple isn’t open.

I cock my head. Produce my smoothest smile. “Had I advance notice of our meeting, I would’ve put on a dress for you.”

She waves the hand holding her cigarette dismissively. Pungent smoke coils between us. “As far as traveling to Nehel, I’m afraid that would be quite the undertaking.”

“It’s a day by train. We’d be back well in advance of Fire Festival.”

She chuckles, fussing with her pristine white robes.

“And I suppose you’ll try to convince me the issue is urgent enough to warrant crossing the barrier dome?

Not to mention the ‘essential learning opportunity’ for your charges, according to Maida.

In the event that I temporarily lose my mind and consent to this little escapade, that is. ”

I snort. “With all due respect—” A door slams, cutting me off.

We both crane our necks.

A betrothed girl with sleek, dark hair steps into the alcove from the adjoining room, a stack of boxes filling her hands. Her bare head is bowed, her long hair spilling down her back.

Deirdre ashes her cigarette. Grumbles something about “thankless people.”

Meanwhile, I can’t lift my eyes from the girl. There’s something familiar about her. Too familiar.

It isn’t until she sets her boxes on the prep table that her face comes into view.

Thick, black thread sews her lips together gruesomely. A beauty mark stands out on her cheekbone, contrasting sharply with her creamy complexion. But it’s her lucid brown eyes that have me trying not to choke.

Lydia’s the Screamer? My Lydia? With everyone wearing masks, I didn’t recognize her at last night’s feast. Maida distinctly told me the Screamer girl had her mouth sewn closed, though. Once she confirmed with Tiss who, exactly, she’d been talking to.

I can’t stop staring. But she’s a natural human. Isn’t she?

It’s only the second time in four years I’ve encountered someone from my life before. What are the odds they both crop up in the same year?

“Don’t pay her any mind,” Deirdre’s saying. “She’s a troublemaker and not worth a second thought, really. At any rate, you were saying?”

I tear my eyes away, casting about inside my head. “Uh…”

A clatter comes from the alcove before I can answer.

Whether by accident or on purpose, Lydia’s dropped one of the box lids. It bounces off the table, landing on the floor with a bang . She hustles to retrieve it, her intense gaze fastened on me.

Bursts of color suffuse her aura. Fearful alarm and something resembling excitement. Hope maybe? Realization strikes me like a bolt of lightning: she recognizes me too.

Did the ritual not work on her either? Is that why they’re punishing her?

A shiver wracks my spine.

“Did you have anything to say on your own behalf?” Deirdre spins the cigarette case on the table, looking bored. “Or are you going to hide behind Maida’s advocacy?”

“Right…” Heart hammering, I refocus. “Until Maida mentioned it, I wasn’t aware crossing the dome was something you’d permit, your reverence.

But Eisha has sent me consistent omens, so I can only assume there’s urgency to them.

It’d be blasphemy to walk away from her gift without first doing everything possible to understand her message.

Besides, I’m worth far more to you with my Second Sight awakened. ”

“How do you figure?” Deirdre studies me through the reeking haze.

“Come now, Mother.” I fold my hands in my lap.

Lydia looks up from the prep table. She’s removed a heap of leafy plants with blue flowers from a box, her hands working through them. An odor like sulfur creeps across the room, mingling with the spicy stench of Deirdre’s cigarette.

“With my Second Sight awakened,” I force my eyes back to the prioress, “you have the option of selling me off as a seer, don’t you?

You don’t have to. I can stay and teach like Maida, if that’s what you wish.

I can still benefit under your tutelage.

” That bit I add purely for the sake of persuasion.

“It’s your choice, of course, but you’d have options. ”

Lips twitching, she plucks a piece of lint from her robes. Watches it drift to the floor. I’d appreciate being able to read her aura right about now, but she shrouds it with Signet Silver.

“I agree with Maida that the acolytes should accompany us. What better way for them to see what awaits them if they apply themselves? Well, and hopefully come into strong Second Sight themselves. More seers means more money for you. Makes the temple look good.”

Finished with her cigarette, she stabs it out.

“This talk of blasphemy and the sordid business of money , Elodie.” She flings a scornful look my way.

“Naturally I’m going to part the barrier and let you go.

As if I could do anything else! And all right, fine.

Bring your charges too, since you and Maida see value in it.

I’m not sure I do, but I merely run the temple.

What do I know?” She huffs. “I have to admit, I was curious whether you’d try to convince me or cower behind Maida’s authority and let her call the shots. ”

You manipulative cunt. I sit up a little straighter. Muster my brightest tone. “Your generosity and wisdom know no bounds, Mother Prioress.”

“Well, now you’re laying it on a bit thick. Ugh !” She slaps the small wooden table so hard the ashtray jumps.

So do I.

She stands, whirling around. “Damn it, Lydia. Those thistle lilies are foul . They smell like rotten eggs. I told you to make sure they were dry before bringing them in here, didn’t I? Not damp, not moist, but bone dry. ”

Lydia nods, her hands hurriedly working the flowers.

“Somehow you couldn’t follow one simple instruction. Wonderful . I am amazed.” Deirdre throws her hands up. “That really is impressive, you stupid girl.”

Lydia flinches, her eyes flicking to me. She’s stripping and stuffing flower petals into a ceramic pot like her life depends on it. The hot sulfur stench thickens in the air.

“Take the waste directly to the compost when you’re done, if you think you can follow that direction.” Deirdre shakes her head. “It’ll take a week for the blasted stench to go away.”

How she can smell anything after that abomination of a cigarette is beyond me.

Then again, the thistle lily odor is bordering on suffocating. I gag and glance at Lydia again, who’s wincing while processing the flowers. I can only imagine the reek of it where she’s standing.

Deirdre turns to me, gaze sharpening. “I said you can have your important little trip, Elodie. Seeing as it’s so essential, you’ll leave in ten days, if that is acceptable to your holinesses. I sent a missive to Heliotrope House as soon as Maida left for class this morning.”

“Thank you, Mother Prioress,” I stammer, taken aback.

“ Thank me by keeping your girls in line. I’m holding you and Maida personally accountable for safeguarding the temple’s reputation.”

Safeguarding the temple’s reputation. It’s an effort not to laugh in her face. “Of course.”

We both know she’ll send us with an impressive retinue of Temple Guardsmen equipped with rifles and dirks in addition to their precious little daggers.

“The caveat is Vivienne will accompany you as a sister chaperone. I know you two don’t get along. To be frank with you, Elodie, I don’t care if you rip each other’s throats out. Don’t cause a scene, and leave me out of it. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“Good. Now”—her sly smile sends a queasy feeling through me—“ get out before I change my mind.”

Lydia’s gaze on me is palpable as I turn and leave.