The Vessel of Ra

Chapter 9: The Sinners

The nursery was dark. Nanny had pulled the drapes over the windows. Gray light peeked through like an inverted cross. Octavia turned on her stomach and buried her head in her pillow. Across the room, Lucy's breath was soft and rhythmic. Khun growled in the dark, but not so much as to wake up Lucy. On his perch, Ra badgered Octavia with promises.

Did you ever tell your father why you tried to kill your sister? Ra whispered to Octavia.

"Go away. I already told you, I won't do it."

Your father agrees with me. Look at her. Your family wants her dead. Aren't you a good daughter? You are beautiful, a worthy vessel for me. You must do this. It will bring happiness to so many, including yourself.

"I don't need you." Her whisper was harsh. "Leave me alone."

You need me. If you were bound to me, you would be the most powerful Binder in your family's history. We would do whatever we wanted. Your father left you here tonight so you could kill her. Night after night, opportunity slips away. Do it, Octavia. Kill her. When your mother comes back, this chance will be gone.

"Lucy is my sister. I will not kill her."

You will someday. If I win against Lucy, and I will, you will have to kill her. You could save her by taking me.

"I can't take you. One demon for one Binder. One Trial."

If my Binder dies?

"You return to the Abyss."

Someone returns to the Abyss. Why not Khun? He's useless. He only wants one thing from you.

"Khun is my friend."

You don't listen to the shadows, do you? What they say to you? Khun is weak, like Lucy, weak and deformed. Someone as powerful as you deserves better.

Octavia threw the pillow at Ra. He fluttered, dodging. "Stop! I'm not like you!"

You are. I can see the ink inside you. You pretend, but what you want is what I have to give. If I took care of you, I would ease your burden. I would make your life all you desire. Kill Lucy and take the most important step in making your life your own.

Octavia kicked covers off and slid out of the nursery, Khun padding after her. She locked the door to the lessons room. Since Lucy was not here, Ra could not follow. She hit her legs with her fists and anger burned down her cheeks as tears. They all wanted her to do it, to kill Lucy. The voices would not stop telling her to do it.

Khun climbed into her lap and licked her face. She sniffed, needing a handkerchief. After her own Trial, when she was bound to Khun, she would dispose of Ra. She would find a way to Banish him and save her sister. She would fix everything.

***

Khun laid Carlo on the couch as though he were on display at a funeral. He crossed Carlo's hands over his chest. Octavia sat in the window seat, gazing over the canal's shimmering waters. "We can no longer make use of him," said Octavia. "He is a small portion demon, which means he asserts his human will. I am impressed he managed to gain control this soon."

"Shall I drown him?"

"No." She crossed her arms, shaking. The effort to control Carlo after summoning Khun had depleted her magic. She needed a rest, but there was urgent business to attend to. She needed to find Lucy. Khun could lead her like a bloodhound. "We should find where she is."

Then the room spun and she fell. Swooning. Weakness. Too much magic. The shadows in the corners laughed at her.

Khun swept her up in strong arms and carried her into the bedroom. "Octavia," he said.