The Vessel of Ra

Chapter 23: The Sisters

Gray sky dominated tan peaks. Carlo shivered in the Mistraldol garden, overlooking the rugged rocks and thick gorse of the English countryside below. Too much land. He had never been lost in Venice's maze of buildings. In England he needed a compass. The sea wasn't close enough. Homesickness washed over him. So much to do at home, so much family business to take care of. Carlo had made a promise to Drusus, however. For the moment, he remained in England

Octavia visited the garden every day during her confinement, pacing like a caged tiger. Carlo avoided her at first, until she invited him to stay and talk. "You are a member of our family," she told him.

"How are you today, signora?" He moved to the right side of the stone bench.

Octavia eased down to sit by him. When Carlo called her signora, she smiled a little. In October, years ago it seemed, he had never noticed how she and Lucy shared the same shy smile. After the angel, Octavia reminded him so much of the Lucy he had first met. That Lucy was gone. Carlo knew they both wanted her back.

"We are well, doctor." Octavia talked about her son as if he were a certainty, already involved in Klaereon affairs.

"Have you seen Lucy today?"

"Briefly, at breakfast. You see her more than I do."

So he did. Every day, Lucy devoured books about the Binder magic withheld from her, and new information on Julii magic. Also studies in medicine, biology, and anatomy. Carlo poured over books himself partly to keep her company, partly to guard her. His own studies to become a magician and a doctor progressed.

Carlo shivered in the cold.

Octavia tilted her head, and her curls fell out of her bonnet. "We make an odd little household," she said. "Lucy and you, her watcher. The merged man, formerly my husband and my demon, trying to figure out who or what he has become. Me, alternating between shame and anger." Her laugh was harsh.

"Time," said Carlo. "We all need time."

Octavia couldn't bring herself to call Lucy's merging of Drusus and Khun a name, although the merged man had decided on Drusus. After all, although his face had some of Khun's characteristics—the eye folds, unusual cheek bones, and a raised forehead, with just a hint where horns could begin—he still had Drusus' dark eyes and chiseled chin. In public, Octavia and Drusus' son had a father who looked enough like Drusus that the world would notice no difference.

Trouble brewed elsewhere. Could Octavia forgive Khun or herself for all the damage done? Did Octavia blame herself for their deaths—Drusus, Khun, and Lucy's? Even though Octavia had been liberated from her curse, because she hadn't followed the rules of the Solomon Scroll, she carried responsibility on her shoulders like a yoke. Carlo learned from Octavia that not having a Trial paved a path which could be worse than being Bound to a demon.

Lucy had been right to save Drusus and Khun, hadn't she? "Octavia loves them both," Lucy said, after. "It seemed the logical thing to do."

"Time will improve us all," said Carlo. "You'll see."

"I want people in this house," said Octavia. "I want this house open, as it was when our mother was alive. I want my son to be part of the world."

Carlo nodded. "Let the world in. A good idea." Hathersage might fear the Klaereons, but fear might be overcome, should goodwill be extended.

"I know you want to go home, Carlo." Octavia fiddled with the tassels on her cloak. You have my word Lucy will be safe. I owe Lucy everything. She will never need to fear Ra again."

Carlo played with a blade of dead grass. His grandfather was at fault, after all, and Octavia might be too grateful to Lucy to watch for the right signs. "I can't leave Lucy."

"You have to," said Octavia. "If you don't trust me, you can trust... Drusus." Octavia swallowed. "You made him a promise, but he can fulfill it himself. Besides, you have to go on a quest."

Carlo shook his head. "I don't know where to begin searching for my mother. My grandfather will not be found until he is ready."

"I know they are important to you, Carlo, but I meant something else. I can't go anywhere right now, and I need you to quest in my stead. I want my Lucy back. Could you find the piece of her that is missing?"

***

Carlo entered the library. Lucy did not notice. She was curled in a large leather chair, a child playing adult. "How was your walk?" she asked, still scanning the book.

"Revealing. What are you reading?"

As she held up a book, Carlo settled in the leather chair across from her, elbows on his knees, and squinted at the words. "A Guide to the Formation of Homunculi?" he read.

"I'm not sure spirits and flesh can be combined like this."

"Except you've already done it."

Lucy closed the book. "I'm certain the author has it wrong. His argument is theoretical, not applied."

Carlo cleared his throat. "Lucy, I'm going to leave. I have to go home."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Would you come with me?"

Lucy faced Carlo. Her feet dangled over the floor. "Why?"

"Because I want you to. Because you'd love to see more books in my family's library."

"I would," said Lucy, "but I don't want Octavia to be alone."

"She won't be. There's Drusus. She wants to open the house up."

Lucy shifted in her chair. "She wants me to go? I should have expected this. I unsettle everyone. Even you."

"Not me," said Carlo.

"Don't lie." Lucy slid off the chair and placed the book on a table by a high stack. "It doesn't matter. I will keep Ra contained. I can't convince you to trust me until some time has passed. I accept that."

"What if I need you? To help me find my family? Would you come?"

"I'll consider it. After the baby is born. When Octavia is safe and she's warmed up to Drusus. Then, yes. I also have unfinished business in Venice."

He could not allow Lucy to kill his grandfather. Borgias might have killed for generations, but not this Borgia. "Fine. After the baby is born."

Carlo picked up the book he'd been reading, turned to the page on transforming lead into gold, and started again. He read the same sentence over and over.

"Carlo?"

He blinked as he looked up. Lucy watched him, her eyes penetrating like Ra's.

"Yes?"

"Why do you bother with me? Wouldn't it be more logical to take for granted I'm dangerous and do something about me? It's what I'd do."

"I'm not you." Carlo marked his page with a finger. Or, more like you were. "I am foolish and illogical. Lucky for you, right?"

"Maybe not lucky for everyone else. I can trust you to do what needs doing? If Ra should become a problem, I want you to promise me you'll—"

"You can trust me to serve your best interests," said Carlo.

They returned to their companionable silence as they delved back into books. There was unfinished business in Venice—his family and the library, but there was unfinished business in the Abyss as well. Carlo didn't know what Isis knew about Lucy's ba, but he was going to find out.

Carlo allowed himself the luxury of not worrying about the future. He would think about it when it arrived, and not a moment sooner.