Con & Conjure

Chapter 7

The face looking back at me out of Mychael’s bedroom mirror wasn’t mine.

I glamoured as soon as I got up, just for practice. I couldn’t leave the citadel looking like Symon Wiggs, but I didn’t want to change into him for the first time just before my meeting with Taltek Balmorlan.

One of the more useful enhancements the Saghred had done on my previously meager magical skill set was the ability to do an anatomically correct glamour, to make myself look and sound like someone else. The mechanics of doing a glamour weren’t all that difficult, but I’d seen someone get stuck halfway through a transformation a couple of years back, and I knew that failure now would hurt a lot more than my ego.

I’d studied the banker’s portrait in the scrying crystal. There was no room for a screwup or even a wrong step. Even though Balmorlan had never met Wiggs in person before, he could have seen his image in a scrying crystal just like I did. Balmorlan had to believe without any doubt that I was Symon Wiggs. Failure wasn’t an option; there was too much at stake. Literally everything I had or would ever have was on the line.

I focused on Symon’s image, committing it to memory little by little, internalizing the smallest detail. When I had it firmly in my mind’s eye, I released the slightest touch of my power into the image in my mind, projecting it outward, feeling the glamour solidify around me.

I saw Mychael standing behind me, reflected in the mirror. He checked me out from head to toe, started to say something, then stopped.

“Well, what do you think?” Even my voice was Symon’s. Mago’s spy crystal had sound as well as images, and I’d taken full advantage.

Mychael made a face. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I still love you, but I just can’t touch you right now.”

I grinned, and on Symon Wiggs it came out as a smirk. Oh yeah, definitely the kind of guy who would act as a front man for a cartel. “No offense taken. Believe me I won’t be staying in this skin one second longer than I have to.”

“I just got a message for you from Prince Chigaru requesting a meeting early this afternoon.”

I meticulously straightened my frilly cuffs. “Inform His Highness that I have a previous engagement.” I smiled Symon’s oily little smile. “Disappointment builds character, something the prince seems to be lacking. Being told no a few times will be good for him.”

I glanced back in the mirror and straightened the fussy black doublet Mago assured me would look similar enough to the one that Symon wore. I felt his/my chest and grimaced. Then I quickly unbuttoned the front enough to take a look. The man had a bird chest. I flexed my right thigh against my left and then my left against my right.

“Ah, hell with it.” I pulled my trousers out from my waist and looked down.

I snorted. Symon Wiggs’s chest wasn’t the only thing that was bird-sized.

Mychael chuckled from behind me. “That bad?”

“Well . . . everything’s there, but let’s just say that walking isn’t going to be much different than when I’m myself.”

“Ouch.”

I grinned at him. “Wanna see?”

“I’ll pass.”

“You’re sure?”

“Raine, that’s just not done.”

I put Symon’s trousers back where they belonged, and there was no need to adjust anything when I did. “To have to live with this would just be embarrassing. No wonder Symon’s such a jerk.”

Noon at the Swan Song gave a whole new meaning to the term “power lunch.”

The place was wall-to-wall mages packing enough magic to light the entire island.

Taltek Balmorlan’s elven mages weren’t willing to bond with me and the Saghred out of the goodness of their hearts or any kind of racial loyalty—they wanted money and lots of it. Part of the Saghred’s legend was that it made its bond servants insane. Balmorlan’s mages would be facing the same fate, but for enough money, they’d risk it.

I was about to find out what Balmorlan was selling to get the money he needed.

Mago and I were at our table and had already ordered drinks.

Mine was untouched.

One, I don’t drink before noon. Okay, you got me there, but I don’t make it a habit, especially when glamoured as a banker about to con an inquisitor who wanted me worse than dead.

I lowered my voice. “Okay, Mago, let’s hear the high points one last time.”

My cousin sighed theatrically and rolled his eyes. I knew what the plan was. He knew what the plan was. But I wanted to make sure that what I knew was what Mago was still going to do. My cousin had a tendency to get creative once a scam was underway. I had no problem with spontaneity; I just wanted to know about it first.

Mychael was right; I definitely had control issues. But I was still alive, so it was a good thing.

Mago’s voice was loud enough to reach my ears, but no one else’s. “Symon Wiggs told Balmorlan—”

“Actually, you’ve told Balmorlan.”

Mago waved a dismissive hand. “Yes, yes, whatever. That I’m here because a transfer of any substantial amount must be authorized by another senior bank officer. And to expedite the process—”

“And as far as Balmorlan knows, you’re not Mago Peronne, you’re Magar Benick.”

“Correct.”

“Doesn’t all that ever get confusing?”

Mago just stared at me like I’d asked the most ridiculous question ever.

“Right,” I said. “Of course, it doesn’t.”

“Do you want to go over this or not? Because he’ll be here any minute.”

“No more interruptions,” I promised.

“I’ll believe that miracle when I see it.”

There was a muffled guffaw from the next table. I turned and saw a red-haired, bearded mage whose robes looked like they’d once been covering one of the restaurant’s windows. The man was big, brocaded, and belligerent. He sat ramrod straight, his bright eyes scanning the room in challenge. I’d seen his type many times before. He liked the way he was dressed, didn’t give a damn what anyone else thought, but wanted nothing more than for someone to insult him and give him an excuse to pick a fight.

He saw me looking at him and winked.

I knew that wink, even if it was from another man’s eye.

It was Mychael.

Not only was it a perfect disguise, the entertainment potential was virtually limitless.

I told myself that I could smack him for that guffaw later. A banker turning and hitting a mage in the height of the lunch hour at the most exclusive restaurant on the island would raise a few highbred brows, to say the least. And I had a feeling I’d be raising more than eyebrows before I left; no need to start the show early.

Mago had ignored the exchange and lowered his voice even further. “I have all the information I need to empty Balmorlan’s account—the one he holds jointly with several partners. The account and access numbers were child’s play to obtain.”

“Child’s play for you.”

Mago’s lips twitched in a crooked smile. “That goes without saying. But last month Balmorlan set up a private account, and the naughty boy has transferred more of that money than is probably his into this new account.”

“His partners would love to hear that he’s stealing from them.”

Mago meticulously realigned his silverware. “All in good time. Since Balmorlan has no problem with taking their money, I don’t, either. So anything he offers to sell you today, you’ll be eager to buy—but not too eager. Symon Wiggs is known for driving a hard bargain. And to pay for the purchase, I’ll siphon the money directly from Balmorlan’s partners’ account.”

“We’ll be buying what he’s selling with his cronies’ money. Screwed by his own greed. I love it.”

Mago nodded once. “The more money he demands, the more he and his partners will lose.”

“Okay, we’re paying him with his own money. He’ll want it deposited into this new account of his.”

“Correct.”

“So . . . how does all this gold end up in your affluent client’s account?”

“Balmorlan’s new account is private. That means it’s only identified by numbers; there’s no name attached. I don’t know which one is his. I could find out, but it would take too much time. Balmorlan will give you the account transit number to transfer the money. With that I can get everything else I need to empty the contents of his new account into the prince’s.”

“A goblin prince who wants peace with the elves, not war.”

Mago took a sip of his drink to hide a small smile. “No doubt his elven partners will be very disappointed in him. And if elven intelligence somehow discovers that he’s funding the enemy, or if his war-monger partners find out he’s donated all of their money to a peace-loving goblin prince . . .”

I cracked my knuckles meaningfully. “Taltek Balmorlan will be taking a long swim with a rock and rope.”

“You’re as barbaric as Phaelan.”

“Thank you.” I toyed with the cutlery, too, most notably the knife which had an acceptably sharp edge. “So instead of merely draining the old account Balmorlan has with his partners as previously planned, we’ll be draining his partners’ account into his new account—”

“Then emptying the lot of them. Thanks to my colleagues back in D’Mai, there will be an abundant and obvious paper trail, so Balmorlan’s partners will have no trouble discovering exactly where their money went—and to whom that account belongs.”

I grinned. “His partners will come after him with a vengeance.”

“No doubt they’ll be extremely upset with him.”

“And after he gives us the account transit numbers, your banking friends will be able to tell you exactly which bloated account is his—”

“And will empty every last coin Inquisitor Balmorlan has into a poor, exiled goblin prince’s account.” Mago raised his glass. “Here’s to a generous elven benefactor whose largesse will soon be the talk of the seven kingdoms.”

I clinked my glass to his.

Mago took and savored a sip. “Now do you understand everything?”

“I always did.”

That earned me an annoyed look. “Then why did you make me say it again?”

“To make sure it hadn’t suddenly sprouted a new twist. Symon doesn’t strike me as the type who would like surprises. I know I don’t. I’ve had enough surprises since this whole crapfest started to last me a lifetime.” Then I remembered something we hadn’t actually covered. “Are we eating lunch?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Lunch. Are we eating?”

Mago’s expression came perilously close to appalled. “Of course. Inquisitor Balmorlan made the reservations—and he is paying.”

I grinned. “Then what’s the most expensive thing on the menu?”

Mago flashed his teeth in a predatory smile. “I have no idea, but whatever it is, I’ll have what you’re having.”

Three men came in. One was Taltek Balmorlan; the other two were protective muscle. These boys looked like they were good at being big, but that was about it. Speed, either in thought or action, didn’t appear to be a burden that either one carried. However, there were others outside: lean, armed, and alert. The muscle-bound bookends were merely decorative. Balmorlan didn’t expect trouble in here. His elven guards were outside to keep the trouble from coming inside.

I had news for Taltek Balmorlan—the worst trouble he’d ever had in his life would be sitting right next to him. I felt myself smile. I’d make the bastard curse the day he’d ever heard the name Raine Benares.

“Symon doesn’t gut business acquaintances with a spoon,” Mago whispered in a singsong voice.

I looked down in surprise at my clenched hand. A spoon. I knew how to do all sorts of unpleasant things to a man with a spoon. I calmly set it down, reluctantly forced the homicidal grin off my face, and stood to greet the man I was about to ruin.

Once introductions were complete, we all sat down. Time for small talk. As a result of my newfound vindictive confidence, it was amazing how relaxed and talkative I was.

After a few minutes I sensed someone standing at my left shoulder, patiently waiting for me to finish what I’d been saying. I turned to look and damned near lost it.

Vegard was a vision of servile propriety in black tunic, poofy black knee breeches, black hose, and . . . did my eyes deceive me? Nope, they knew what they were seeing—black shoes with darling black silk rosettes on top. The big Guardian’s blond hair was pulled back and tightly braided, his beard was closely trimmed in dandy fashion, and a pair of delicate gold-rimmed spectacles were perched on what was definitely not Vegard’s real nose.

“Hello, I’m Marc, and I’ll be your server today.”

As I looked up at him, I had to bite my bottom lip as tears welled up in my eyes. Fortunately, my back was to Balmorlan so he couldn’t witness my facial contortions.

Vegard, the consummate professional, didn’t bat an eye—which were now green, by the way.

“Would you like to hear our chef’s specials?” he asked.

“Of course,” Mago told him, knowing that I was well past the power of speech.

I got myself under control as Vegard—excuse me, Marc—prattled on about the sauce for this fish or the glaze for that steak, and even went so far as to make wine recommendations for each. Impressive.

Mago ordered the best cut of beef in the largest portion the restaurant had. Mid was an island and a rocky one at that. Fish were plentiful, but beef would most definitely be an import—a pricey one.

I handed my menu back to Marc with a bright smile. “I’ll have what he’s having.”

Balmorlan ordered the fish.

I proposed that we not talk business until after we’d eaten. Balmorlan didn’t like it, but then Balmorlan wasn’t going to like much about our meeting, though he wouldn’t know it until the results jumped up and bit him on the ass.

As we chatted and ate what was quite possibly the best meal I’d ever had, I became painfully aware that Taltek Balmorlan wasn’t what one would call a scintillating conversationalist. Mago, on the other hand, was well educated, well traveled, well-heeled, and well . . . interesting. Everything Balmorlan obviously was not.

I knew there had to be an accepted way to discuss buying something of questionable legality with money that was not your own. Since I had no clue what that was, I went with the direct approach. It seemed to be the way Symon would handle it. And since Balmorlan apparently accepted me as the genuine article, I just cut to the chase.

“You didn’t ask me all the way here from D’Mai for lunch.”

“I would have preferred a more private meeting location.”

“Such as your embassy, which is considered elven soil and is subject to elven law.” I dabbed my lips with my napkin and laid it carefully on the table. “I’m not an elf and the people whose interests I represent aren’t elves. So you can understand my suspicion of your elven privacy.”

“Symon, Symon, you misjudge me. Have I ever gone back on my word or not delivered what I’d promised?”

I had no idea what Balmorlan had promised or delivered, so I went with a stony silence. It seemed like the right response.

Balmorlan pursed his lips in annoyance and lowered his voice. “You can’t still blame me for your operation in Tamir.”

“Can’t I?”

“Your associates got what they paid for. However, it was beyond my control that the intelligence I was given reported that the garrison was empty. There was no way I could have known that your partners’ men had been set up for an ambush.”

“Your intelligence was obviously lacking.”

Balmorlan shrugged. “The loss of life was regrettable, but unavoidable given the circumstances.”

“And now you ask me here to attempt to sell those I represent yet another disaster in the making.”

“Ah, but you came. And I can I assure you that your employers will be delighted with their purchase.”

“Their delight has yet to be seen, and I came only because I was ordered. This meeting was not my choice.” I gave Balmorlan what I hoped was an oily smile. “Though it is my choice whether or not I reject your offer.” I sat back in my chair. “What do you want? And don’t waste any more of my time. The quicker I can get off of this cursed rock, the better.”

“I’m offering them power.”

“Pardon me?”

Balmorlan leaned forward. “Power. I’m offering you and your associates a chance to eliminate those who oppose you once and for all. No more risks, just profits and unquestioned power.”

I gave him a scoffing laugh. “For once and for all and on your word. An amusing proposition, but not one I’m inclined to accept.” My humor vanished. “I require proof. Tangible proof.”

Balmorlan smiled the smile of a man with a secret. “I can provide it. Proof of how with one strike, your associates will be in unopposed possession of all southern Nebia.”

One strike. I forced my breathing to remain even. He couldn’t mean—

“I can provide this for you and your associates,” Balmorlan was saying.

“Now?”

“By this time tomorrow.”

“For a price.” I forced the words out.

“Naturally.”

The son of a bitch was selling the Saghred’s power. Power he didn’t have.

Yet.

Unless he got his hands on me, and he was giving himself one whole day to get the job done. Cocky bastard. Simply killing me wouldn’t get him the Saghred’s power. The rock was locked and guarded in the citadel. The only thing my death would do would be to let the Saghred latch on to the first mage it could lure within touching distance. Taltek Balmorlan couldn’t steal the Saghred, but he seemed confident that he could steal me.

Within one day.

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t trust myself to say anything. However, I did trust myself to put the steak knife that had found its way into my hand to good use. I toyed with the handle.

Mago cleared his throat. “Considering the history of my colleague’s dealings with you, his associates can hardly be expected to accept any claims at face value.”

Balmorlan bristled. “You’re saying that I’m a liar?”

“Not yet,” I said smoothly. “My associates now find it prudent to proceed with caution to any offer you make.” I paused. “They will only tolerate being burned once,” I said with quiet menace. “They will not allow it to happen again.”

Mago spoke. “You seem confident that you can deliver the promised results, Inquisitor Balmorlan. But you understand that we cannot share your confidence, let alone assign monetary worth to it based on a few words—”

“Meaning we want to know precisely what you’re selling,” I broke in. I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear the son of a bitch say it.

“Very well,” Balmorlan said. “By this time tomorrow, the Saghred’s power will be mine.”

I didn’t move. “From what I’ve been told, the Saghred’s bond servant is an elven seeker by the name of Raine Benares. This Benares woman is a magic user; you are not, so I fail to see how you could not only claim to possess and wield such power, but offer it to others.”

“By possessing Raine Benares,” Balmorlan replied smoothly. “My own mages will be able to wield the stone’s power through her. And best of all, my claim to the woman will be perfectly legal.”

I leaned forward, hopefully the very picture of a skeptical negotiator, not a banker about to dive across a table with a steak knife. “To claim is one thing, to gain cooperation is quite another.”

“Her cooperation is not needed,” Balmorlan said. “Once she’s in custody, I have a specially constructed cell waiting with magic-neutralizing restraints. I’ve retained the services of mages eager to taste the Saghred’s power for themselves.”

Mago’s eyes were the flat black of a shark, his voice cold. “If the woman is chained and can’t access the stone’s power, how can these mages—”

“The Saghred is hungry,” Balmorlan told him point-blank. “It’ll bond with my mages like a starving demon being offered fresh meat.” He paused and smiled. “Except in the Saghred’s case it will be fresh souls. The stone will have to be well fed before it can be properly used. We’ll feed it through the elf woman, and once the Saghred is satisfied, my mages can put the stone’s power to good use.” He tossed back the remainder of his drink. “Raine Benares is merely a conduit for souls and power. She’ll be used as long as she remains useful. You’re aware of what the Saghred can do?”

I knew the answer to that one. “I am.”

“Then you know that my offer is genuine. I’ve arranged a demonstration of the Saghred’s power that will more than prove the validity of my offer.”

Demonstration? That would be some trick since I was sitting right here.

“Where and how?” I asked.

Taltek Balmorlan grinned. “Let’s just say I’ve taken the liberty of moving your luggage from the Greyhound Hotel to a safer location.”