“Come on up,” Sienna hissed.
Emily glanced at Caleb, who shrugged and started to climb the ladder. Emily followed him, trying to keep her mouth firmly closed. The blood splashed over her fingers and stained her clothes, making the ladder slippery as she inched her way upwards. Caleb helped her out when she reached the top, allowing her to look around. The floor was awash in blood, slowly flowing to the hatch and pouring down into the sewer. She looked up and stared in disgusted horror. Bodies, countless bodies, hung from meathooks, blood dripping to the floor. They had suffered the death of a thousand cuts.
They must have used something to keep the blood from clotting, she thought, numbly. She felt as though she’d gone beyond horror, beyond feeling anything. Then they hung them up here to die.
“Fuck,” Frieda muttered.
Emily glanced at her. Frieda was covered in blood. They were all covered in blood, their clothes clinging to their bodies as blood pooled in their boots. Emily wanted a bath, but she knew she didn’t have time. They had to find Marian and destroy Justice. There was no other choice.
“It beats falling in the sewage,” Croce said.
Frieda smiled. Emily glanced from one to the other, then dismissed the thought. She’d been taught not to treat blood lightly, to do everything in her power to make sure none of her blood ever fell into enemy hands. And even a dead man’s blood could be used in a potion or turned against his relatives…she looked up at the bodies again and shivered. This wasn’t part of a dark rite or a ritual, not as far as she could tell. It was savagery, plain and simple.
“This way,” Sienna said.
Emily had a flicker of déjà vu as they made their slow way out of the chamber and up the steps. The temple was as dark and silent as the grave, yet she could feel Justice’s presence all around her. There were no guards, no one trying to block their way…she wondered, darkly, what it meant. Had General Pollack drawn off everyone? Or did Janus feel his god could protect itself? She wouldn’t have bet against it. Janus truly believed he’d summoned a god.
That might work against him, she mused. They reached the top of the stairs and headed down the corridor. Perhaps we can break his faith.
She tested the staff, carefully. The spell should work…she thought. But if it didn’t…
“We’re on the ground floor.” Sienna touched her hand to her heart, then moved it around until she was pointing at a pair of stone doors. “She’s in the hall.”
Croce moved forward, staff at the ready. “On three?”
“On three,” Sienna confirmed. “Get ready.”
Emily braced herself as Sienna counted down to zero, then cast a powerful blasting spell at the doors. They shattered, pieces of rock flying in all directions as Croce and Caleb ran forward. Sienna, Emily and Frieda followed them into the room…and stopped. Justice stood in front of the altar, his presence so overwhelming that it was like running into a brick wall. Behind him, Emily barely made out Marian lying on the altar. She was wrapped in powerful magic…
“Welcome,” a mocking voice said. Emily glanced around. Janus stood by the wall, leaning on his staff. A thin smile played over his face. “You will be judged.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
SHIT, EMILY THOUGHT.
She forced herself to think as Justice’s presence beat against her wards. She’d reworked them over the last few hours, using everything she’d learned to block the entity’s influence, but it was still wearing them down. The rune on her chest burned, as if the entire room was supercharged with subtle magic. It felt like overkill. Anyone who spent more than a few minutes in Justice’s presence would be drawn to him, subtle magic or not.
“You’re mad.” Sienna’s voice sounded faint, as though she were a very long way away. “This…this thing is not a god.”
“And yet, he will pass judgement on you.” Janus didn’t sound angry. He didn’t sound as though he had anything to defend. He sounded…as though he was so absolutely sure of himself that he didn’t need to crush dissent. “He is a god!”
Emily looked at Justice, trying to see through the haze. The entity had definitely grown stronger, its presence more substantial…it was hard, so hard, to make out a face, but she was sure there was intelligence looking back at her. It wasn’t a Mimic, she reminded herself, sharply. The sole Mimic she’d encountered had been driven by hunger and malevolence, but Justice was different. He – it, perhaps – felt like a stern father, peering down at her from on high. She wasn’t sure she wanted to look any closer. The entity’s sheer presence might infect her mind.
It’s an idea, she thought, numbly. And ideas spread from mind to mind.
She looked past the entity, trying to see Marian. Caleb’s sister was wrapped in magic, yet…she was clearly being prepared for sacrifice. It was hard to tell if Marian was awake and aware or not, but…she’d clearly bitten off a bit more than she could chew. Emily wanted to walk around the entity and check Marian personally, yet her legs refused to move. The entity had them in its clutches.
“Let my daughter go,” Sienna snapped. “She’s an innocent!”
“No one is innocent,” Janus informed her. “All must be judged.”
Emily felt a hot flash of envy. Marian had betrayed them, willingly or not. And yet, Sienna was still prepared to fight for her daughter, even if the fight seemed hopeless. Marian didn’t know how lucky she was…
Sienna raised her staff. “Name me one person who is completely without sin,” she challenged. “Your monster will destroy everyone!”