Hemlock nodded and followed her silently into the palace. He gazed around at the room noting the cobwebs and dust that lined the corners then let his eyes settle on her. “I have a problem, Yasny, and after much consideration I’ve decided that we could help each other.”
“Do you have any idea what kind of bloody fit Seth would throw if he knew you were in the palace?” Yasny asked, ignoring his words completely. She shook her head at him in annoyance and leaned against the dusty wall. “I have no idea how soon he will be back, either, so you might want to spit out whatever you came here for before he returns.”
“You never were the sort for flattery,” Hemlock lied with a smile. In truth, Yasny had been one of the most vain and arrogant women he had ever known. She had reason to be, though. While she lived, Yasny was considered the most beautiful of the Elder Blood women, and she had known it. “Seth is why I’m here. You, of course, understand that Seth and I don’t get along, and, well, it has gotten to a point that I can no longer ignore.”
Yasny chuckled coldly. “Oh, you poor thing. And I should care about this, why?”
“You are correct, of course. After the countless years that Seth has spent weaving his charm magic over you, you shouldn’t care. I knew you when you lived, though, Yasny. I know you are no one’s lap dog and he has taken advantage of you.” Hemlock paused and smiled at her obvious anger. “Please allow me to finish before you speak. Her lips had tightened and he could tell she wanted to speak, but she nodded for him to continue. “Seth has been too active in the Sunlit world recently. Finn allows him more freedom than he does any other soul in his domain. I’m sure you have noticed the favoritism. His activity has got to stop.”
“It won’t. Finn has given him full leave to do whatever he must to help the girl,” Yasny broke in with annoyance clear in her voice.
Hemlock frowned and forced a look of confusion onto his face. He, of course, knew about Zoelyn, but this would go easier if Yasny thought she had the upper hand. “Is that what it is? He is helping a girl?”
Yasny smirked and nodded. “An Undrae, actually. Her name is Zoelyn,” she informed him with a grin.
He no longer had to force the look of confusion. According to the information he had, Zoelyn was a siphon. There had been whispers about Undrae in Glis, of course, but the word Undrae had become so bastardized there that they used it for anything they didn’t like. A true Undrae was a much larger problem than a siphon could ever be. “Whatever the case is, I need him to fade away like a good little dead thing, and I think you can help me with that. In return I, of course, would help you. I know the name, Zoelyn, but I had no idea she was the reason Seth was so active lately.”
“How would you help me?” Yasny demanded. He could tell she was growing tired of the game, but he still had enough of her curiosity to keep her talking.
“I could help you live again, Yasny. As far as I’m concerned you have served your penance here and I don’t think Finn is going to give you the chance that I am willing to. If he does send you on, it will be into the life stream where you will forget everything. I, however, will bring you back as you are now with all of your memories and powers.” Hemlock spoke softly, as if he was afraid the words would carry beyond their small room. He had her now and he knew it. No creature in the Darklands would sacrifice the chance to live again. It was the guaranteed way to achieve exactly what he wanted.
“How?” Yasny whispered. There was a hunger in her eyes that couldn’t be faked. For the chance to live again, she would do whatever he asked.
“Kali,” Hemlock said with a shrug. “She can create a body for you that would be a perfect duplicate of what you had in life, or she could make you different in appearance if you prefer to remain unknown. Then it would be as simple as my taking your soul from here. Once we have performed the spells in the Sunlit world to bond your soul with your new body, there is nothing Finn can do about it. Unless, of course, Seth still has his full freedom. Finn could send the Crow King to retrieve you, I suppose…” He let the words trail off and remained silent as she considered his offer.
“I won’t attempt to destroy Seth. He is more powerful than I am here,” Yasny said with obvious hesitation. It wasn’t easy for a creature such as Yasny to admit something was more powerful.
“I wouldn’t ask you to. It is no secret that Seth is often in Merro and it is also widely known that Zoelyn is Jala’s ward and that Jala thinks highly of her. So, if what you say is true about Seth helping the girl, it should be an easy matter to resolve. We separate him from the girl and he no longer has a purpose in the world above.” Hemlock paused and tapped his chin as he seemed to consider the matter. It wouldn’t do if he appeared to have this all planned out. Yasny would grow suspicious.
“The girl adores him and he is so disgustingly sweet when dealing with her that I can’t blame her. Seth can be so charming when he wants to be,” Yasny grumbled and there was a hint of jealousy in her tone.
“Ahh, but you and I both know the real Seth. So all you have to do is show her a glimpse of what he really is. If she could see the evil he hides behind his smiles, she would run. Who wouldn’t run from that?” Hemlock said softly.
Yasny frowned and her expression grew thoughtful. “If he has any idea I’m involved, he will be furious,” she mused. Her lips pursed as she considered the matter and she nodded slowly. “I believe I know how to go about this, but it will take time. The girl is here now, but I need time to cozy up to her before I act. I have to hold a fraction of her trust for this to work. It shouldn’t be hard, though. She is rather na?ve.”