Chapter 607: Murders (1/2)

Chapter 607 Murders

“Your copies all died,” Ilea said.

“An expected outcome,” Michael replied. “The question remains if they managed to document anything useful.”

“Do you care? As a copy I mean?” Ilea asked, genuinely intrigued. She knew they thought a little differently. And they were somewhat limited in their freedom.

“I am Michael as much as he is. I’m simply aware that I’m merely a construct, doomed to die. Soon. The news of your arrival in Baralia and subsequent travel to Yinnahall made me hope that my existence may be extended beyond this night. Which means that yes, I do care. Perhaps I may learn something more of value in this brief existence,” he explained.

“I’ll be honest, that spell sounds fucking awful,” Ilea said. “My condolences.”

“Magic is rarely achieved without reason. I pride myself knowing that this spell is ours. Perhaps not ours alone in the far reaches of this realm but certainly amongst our species. Were it not to exist, I would not be,” the copy explained.

Rational beyond self preservation, Ilea thought. “I did manage to find the research left behind,” she said and summoned the notebooks.

“Would you like payment in advance?” the man asked.

“I don’t think you’ll betray my trust,” Ilea said. “And I know it’ll be useful, which means it will be worth more after you checked it.”

“What was it about?” Felicia asked from the side.

“The events that transpired during and after the closure of the gate. The reason I know it’s important is because of how the remaining copy protected his notes,” Ilea said.

Michael happily received them. “The value might not be more than what I would’ve agreed on beforehand. I too would protect the documentation of such a colossal event with my life,” he said and made the books vanish. “Is there anything you would like as payment?”

“I’ll let my associates figure out the potential deals that could be made. There is someone I would like to ask you about however,” she said.

“I can’t say for sure that I’ll be able to give you any information outright,” Michael said.

“An assassin,” Ilea started, having thought about her approach in case it came up. “Not one with the Heavenly Sweets. She killed someone dear to me. I got close about two years back but lost her in Virilya. A master mind mage and illusionist above level two hundred. Very good at hiding. I believe she went after high profile targets both noble and otherwise. Coincidentally, one of her hideouts first made me aware of the existence of the Lily,” Ilea explained.

Most of it was close enough to the truth. Eve had indeed been dear to her and if she had been more open and trusting towards her team, she would likely still be alive today. She learned about the Lily from her, it was the reason she initially accepted Helena’s invitation after all.

“She targeted members of the Lily?” Michael asked.

“I believe so. Her last target was in Virilya itself. I did find the place. A mansion with an underground cavern. Overgrown with plants and grass. Plenty of blood, signs of a fight, but no bodies,” Ilea said. “I can point the mansion out on a map of the city. Maybe you can ask your contacts who her target was exactly. Or you could go to Helena directly, I’m sure she has information on this too.”

Michael looked at her for a moment before he spoke. “There is no need. I knew her last target,” he said.

What?

Ilea controlled her breathing. She had expected him to have contacts in the capital but this was more than she had hoped for. Helena was her real golden goose when it came to information on Eve’s killer. Claire just hadn’t managed to get anything substantial so far.

“A girl called Prim. Well,” he said and smiled. “I suppose she was an adult, though… she never really…,” he added and looked at her. “She killed poor folk in the capital, fed them to her plants or did rituals… nothing that had any purpose. I believe she was mad.”

“You were close to her?” Felicia asked him, either noticing that Ilea had tensed up or just curious herself.

“Her father. He was a dear friend for many decades. May he rest in peace. I tried what I could to help her heal, to give her a purpose but she never showed any interest. She even killed a healer who managed to talk to her a few times,” Michael explained. “I can see that this bothers you, but nobody of importance was killed by her. Low level humans, adults, nobody who would’ve achieved anything beyond their low stand.”

“This assassin killed her?” Felicia asked.

Michael smiled lightly. “She did. Perhaps… it was meant to be. And yet I hoped she would change in time. I learned of her death in the same hour, a flower she had left with me when she was merely a child. One that never wilted, until that night. I found the assassin, a young woman with short red hair. She was injured, the fight having taken much out of her. I would’ve not found the hideout if it hadn’t been for her blood.”

“You killed her?” Ilea asked in a surprisingly calm voice, her fists straining now. He’s just a copy.

The man smiled lightly. “You knew her, did you not?” he asked and looked at her for a long moment. “I’m the one you’re looking for. I see,” he said calmly.

“Did you kill her?” Ilea asked again, her deviant aura fanning out, only the two people close to her affected by it.

Michael’s smile grew wider. “I’m glad I got to see this. You are a monster like few others. Yes, Lilith, I killed her with my own two hands, her life for that of one I held dear.”

Ilea’s hand rushed out to grab his throat, the man not reacting in any way as she lifted him up slightly.

“My death… will… change… nothing,” he said. “He… will… know.”

She felt a soft touch on her arm, the wind picking up yet again. She found Felicia looking at her, her teeth gritted as she slowly shook her head. Ilea deactivated her aura but kept her hand around the gold mage’s neck. His copy that was.

“Hundreds will die if you go after him,” the woman said.

It didn’t matter. He killed Eve.

She squeezed, her eyes narrowing before Felicia pushed harder, wind magic moving around her.

“He saved my life,” Felicia said.

He did, didn’t he? Ilea thought, her hand slowly pushed down by the wind mage. She found only intrigue in the gold mage’s eyes, the copy more interested in the circumstances than being afraid. She let go. This wasn’t Michael after all. She had to think.

If she let him go, the original would learn of everything. He would hide or strike against those she cared about, kidnap them or worse. Onlookers had gathered by now, looking at the trio with varied expressions.

“I will remain at the ball, no matter your choice,” Michael said and bowed deeply, returning inside without saying another word.

Felicia grabbed Ilea’s hand an pulled her aside, finding a more secluded spot in the luscious garden. She made Ilea sit on a stone bench and sat down next to her, not letting go of her hand.

“I can’t tell if you’re about to explode or cry. Can you talk to me?” Felicia asked.

“I’m okay,” Ilea said.

Felicia brushed the hair out of Ilea’s face. “Good. Then listen to me. I know a thing or two about revenge. It’s hollow. Cold. Perhaps satisfying in a way but I’m still not sure if that’s true. I killed my own father. Fighting this copy would bring you nothing but problems. You’ve seen the man, fought alongside him. If you attack here, he will have to act.

“Killing him won’t be easy, let alone finding him in the first place if he knows someone like you is coming. He would have no difficulties hiding away for a century, his copies doing his bidding. And he’s not powerless. I doubt he could kill you, but he could aim at everything you’ve built, everyone you care about.”

“I know, Felicia. I know. But that doesn’t change how I feel,” Ilea said, focusing on her Meditation.

“Then I want you to think about it. The copy is still here, ready to negotiate. If he flees we can hunt him down. And if you choose to go after Michael, I will support you however I can. I know a few people who are very good at that kind of work,” she said. “But I also want you to remember that he helped us take down the Order of Truth, and that he saved my life. Perhaps all out of self interest but it doesn’t change the results. I don’t think he lied either.”

He could be protecting his original self. But he never struck me as an actor or politician. Eve did go after that woman then, killed her and nearly died herself. If she had been in a better condition, Michael would’ve never even found her.

She’s right. If I attack the copy, Michael would have to act. Maybe even the Lily itself. I doubt my outburst from before would warrant much. If I let him go, he will know about the whole deal but he would also know that I chose not to start hostilities. Would he strike at me or Ravenhall? I doubt it. He knows how it would end for him, no matter how much he would manage to destroy.

She looked at Felicia, the woman’s face stricken with worry. The same Felicia who had followed her brother for years, to strike back at their father. Ilea breathed in deeply before she hugged the woman. She pulled her close, quietly sitting there with her eyes closed. She didn’t find any tears. You’re gone, aren’t you? You’ve been gone for years, resting after your life of hunting and killing, she thought, opening her eyes and looking towards the night sky. I found out who killed you, and why.

“A life for a life,” Ilea whispered, still holding on to her friend. Would you be angry? Why didn’t you ask us to help. You didn’t explain what you wanted to do, why you joined the Shadows. I have to protect those I care about. I know you would understand that much.

“Thank you,” Ilea said, trying to let go but Felicia pulled her back.

“It’s alright,” the woman said.

They remained on the bench for a while, quietly contemplating.

He will prepare in case I come after him but he won’t act if I don’t. He’s not that stupid.