The Passing Of Time: Chapter 16...
Ooooh I love this story so much! Writing it is so fun! I already can't wait to start the next chapter. Anyway here's number sixteen, enjoy!
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"I still don't understand why we're driving there," Valkyrie complained. "We could have teleported in with Ghastly and Art."
"I've missed driving," Skulduggery shrugged. "Beautiful cars need to be driven and the Bentley is a beautiful car. Besides, I thought it might be nice for Eyren to see some of the outside world."
"I'm not complaining," Eyren said. His eyes were glued to the window, watching the scenery roll by. Most buildings had been repaired since the Reckoning. Those that couldn't be repaired had been bulldozed and all that remained of them was the flat concrete foundation. The cracked roads were a little uneven where gouges in the tarmac had been hastily filled in and some of the uninhabited buildings had vegetation growing wildly around them. These buildings were regularly interspersed with open shops and well maintained houses. Cars rolled by like there had never been a worldwide disaster. Eyren was fascinated with how easily people had resumed their lives. He wondered idly how the mortals would have coped with the existence of magic if any of them had survived.
"Are we absolutely sure that Evadne is going to give us a full statement?" Valkyrie asked.
"Yes," Eyren replied, tearing his eyes away from the scenery. "If we can help her seal her true name."
"And if we can't?"
"Then we'll have to get the Sensitive to search my mind and hope they find enough evidence to exonerate her," Eyren shrugged.
"It's doubtful that they'll accept evidence from anyone other than her," Skulduggery mused. "Using a Sensitive to verify a case is a fairly new technique employed by the Sanctuary and they're cautious about using it. If the Sensitive examines anyone but her it'll most likely be dismissed."
"The Arbiters did it for years before the Reckoning," Aster said from beside Eyren.
"That's true, but the Arbiter Corps were decimated by Grimm and his army and as a result the organisation was disbanded. Before then the Sanctuaries and the Arbiters were reluctant to work with one another." Skulduggery paused, his head cocking to the side. "The only reason the Sanctuary agreed to begin using Sensitives is because they're hugely lacking in numbers when it comes to law enforcement. They have very few detectives and the rest of those qualified in law enforcement are a part of the Guard. Using the Sensitives helps to alleviate some of the pressure, but that doesn't mean the Sanctuary trusts the method."
"So if she doesn't agree to help us and be searched by a Sensitive she'll still go to the Gaol?" Aster asked, frowning.
"Essentially, yes. Once she confessed it became our job to prove that she didn't do it. No evidence doesn't mean she didn't do it, it just means there isn't any evidence either way. It's a lot more difficult to prove someone innocent after they've confessed than it is to prove somebody is guilty when they won't confess," Valkyrie explained. "The Sanctuary will happily take a confession as the truth even if we don't believe it is unless we can prove the innocence of the confessor."
"Sounds like a flawed system," Eyren answered absently.
"It is, but it's the only one we have right now," Skulduggery replied. "We barely have the manpower to restore the cities since the population has been drastically reduced. It's not feasible to completely restructure the Sanctuary's rules and laws and it won't be possible for many years."
"Grimm really did a number on the planet," Aster said quietly.
"He did. Even after the mortals were wiped out the magical population was relatively big. And then Grimm enslaved the Daevas which gave him control of the Vampires. Sorcerer numbers were slashed almost in half because they were either killed by the Vampires or worked to death as slaves." Skulduggery's words were solemn. "But however bad the situation is for sorcerers, it's far worse for the Daevas."
"How much worse?" Eyren asked. Aster dipped his head and sighed.
"Nobody knows exactly how many of us are left, but when Grimm was destroyed the Vampires turned on us for enslaving them." His violet eyes dimmed as he spoke. "Thousands of us were killed in the first few months. We don't shuck our skin so we had no means to fight the Vampires off when they were in their beast forms. It was a massacre." Eyren reached out and touched Aster's hand sympathetically. "In the years after that the hunters started showing up. It was an initiative created by Sanctuaries all over the world to destroy the Daevas. The only reason Ireland didn't join in was because of Art." His brow furrowed. "Lots of us tried to make it here in the hope that we'd be safe. Most of us died before we ever reached this country."
"The estimate is that less than three percent of the Daevas population remains," Skulduggery said softly as Aster fell silent. "The hunters continue to destroy any Daevas they come across with the goal of driving them to extinction."
"There has to be something we can do," Valkyrie said, clenching her fists. "Can't we look for the rest and bring them here? We could keep them safe, help them repopulate."
"It's certainly something to look into," Skulduggery nodded. "Perhaps if we can exonerate Evadne first we can put the idea to the Elders and see what they think."
"Can Eva visit the Daevas in their dreams like she does with you and tell them to come here?" Aster asked hopefully, turning to Eyren. Valkyrie's eyebrows rose as she turned in her seat to look back at her son.
"No. She was altered to possess magical capabilities by the American Sanctuary, but Cray was very specific in ensuring she couldn't reach out to other members of your species. He was afraid she'd rally them against him," Eyren replied, and then he smiled. "But that's not to say I can't do it. Up to now I've blocked out most of what she can do. Whenever we come into contact she has so much information to share that my head feels like it might explode, but I can learn."
"Will it harm you?" Skulduggery asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I don't know," Eyren answered honestly. "She's been synthetically altered and I think that has a lot to do with the headaches. Forced magic is something I've never come across. I'm willing to try if it means saving a population from extinction."
"Thank you," Aster said softly, squeezing his hand. Eyren shot him a beautiful grin.
"We're here," Skulduggery said as he pulled into the small car park behind the block of flats hiding the Sanctuary entrance.
"Why did they build the Sanctuary under flats if we don't have to hide it from the mortals anymore?" Eyren asked as he climbed out of the car.
"In case there's ever another uprising from a creature like Grimm," Valkyrie replied as she led them into the building. "You can't destroy something you can't find." They entered into a foyer with a tall, winding staircase. There were multiple post boxes along one wall, all with numbers on except one. Skulduggery walked to the blank one and tapped the door with one gloved finger. A symbol glowed bright for a second and then it swung open. Inside it was a key, which he took out. They followed him up the stairs to the top floor, where the last door at the end of the hall was also blank. He slipped the key into the lock and left it there, turning it so the door swung open.
"Is it normal to leave your key behind?" Aster asked as they stepped into the room beyond.
"When the door swings shut the key will appear back in the post box," Valkyrie explained. Aster raised his eyebrows and turned to look around the room. It was completely empty and perfectly square, broken up only by a square pillar in the very centre of the room, wide enough for one person to comfortably hide behind. Valkyrie walked up to the pillar and laid her hand flat against it before stepping back. For a moment nothing happened, and then the side if the pillar became translucent, showing the vague shape of space inside. She stepped through, followed by Skulduggery. Eyren grinned broadly and followed, dragging Aster through by the hand before he could protest.
"Cool!" he gasped, looking around at the lift they were now standing in. It was much bigger than the pillar had been and the wall they'd stepped through was now smooth metal. It began to descend without the need for buttons to be pressed.
"Why put a lift on the top floor just to take us down again?" Aster asked.
"The entrance to the Sanctuary is all designed to throw off unauthorised visitors," Skulduggery said. "I could get the key from the post box to open the door, but Valkyrie had to be the one to call the lift."
"The lift was put on the top floor to make it harder to find for anyone that didn't really know what they were looking for. We also need two authorised personnel at a time to enter the Sanctuary this way because one has to get the key and the other has to call the lift. If your name isn't on the list the entry doesn't work," Valkyrie explained. The wall behind them became translucent and they stepped through into the Sanctuary foyer.
"But can't unauthorised people teleport in?" Eyren asked.
"No. There are very few teleporters left. The only ones we know of in Ireland are Fletcher, Never and you. Your names are on the list of authorised personnel. If they weren't you'd be incapacitated as soon as you appeared inside the Sanctuary walls without two authorised escorts, and then you'd be arrested," Skulduggery answered.
"Why is my name on the authorised list?" Eyren frowned.
"Because you're the son of the Sanctuary's Prime Detectives," Valkyrie chuckled. "Also you're friends with the Elders."
"State your business," the red haired Administrator demanded as he strode over to them, interrupting their conversation.
"We're here to interrogate Evadne Sun and to meet with the Council of Elders," Valkyrie said. The Administrator nodded and tapped on his tablet.
"Detectives, I can see your interrogation is indeed booked in for room two within the hour. Who are your guests?"
"Eyren Pleasant and Yliaster Sun. Their presence was requested," Skulduggery explained.
"Very well. The Elders are ready for you now, follow me." They fell into step behind him, following him through the maze of curving corridors to the very centre of the egg shaped structure, where the Repository and the Council Chamber sat side by side. The Repository doors were firmly closed with two Cleavers stationed outside. Eyren knew Lord Vile's armour was in there, locked in a box that was sealed inside another box, guarded by highly dangerous sigils and then encased in a specially designed stasis chamber that would slice the hand off of anyone who tried to access it without permission. Nye had been particularly proud of that creation, according to Skulduggery.
"I hate coming here," Valkyrie muttered, flexing the fingers of her metal-covered hand. Eyren knew that right now it had dropped through several degrees as it reacted to the death magic contained in the armour. "What was wrong with the normal meeting rooms on the east side?"
"The Elders requested that your Council be held in the Council Chamber," the Administrator replied. "You may enter." They stepped inside, glancing at two other Cleavers stationed on the inside of the Chamber doors as they passed through. They were greeted with a raised dais of polished white marble, upon which sat three equally opulent chairs. The middle chair had the highest back and a large opal set in the stone above its occupant's head.
"I hate this room," Erskine was grumbling. "I hate the stupid platform and I hate the stupid chairs. I hate the stupid robes we have to wear and I especially hate this." He jerked his thumb at the pearlescent gem above him. "I mean really, is it necessary? What purpose does it serve? And don't even get me started on the light." Eyren looked up to see a huge structure floating high above his head, comprised entirely of pearly spikes. It was in the shape of a ball and it throbbed with energy, illuminating the deep black floor tiles and the black walls and throwing the white dais and chairs into sharp relief.
"Do you ever stop complaining?" Ghastly asked. The Elders had traded their usual dark robes for light grey, and the Grand Mage wore startling white.
"I have a point though," Ravel retorted. "We're the Elders. We were the Elders when this Sanctuary was built. Why didn't we get a say in the decoration? Why can't we choose our own clothes?"
"Nice to see you never change," Valkyrie grinned, drawing Erskine's attention. "Nice chair."
"Do you like it? I don't." Ravel stood and walked down the stairs, followed by Art and Ghastly.
"We heard," Skulduggery replied.
"The Administrator oversaw the remodelling of this place and chose new robes for us," Art said, smiling in amusement. The pale grey of his robes brought out the startling green hue of eyes.
"He made me wear white. White. When you're as pale as me the last thing you want to wear is white." Erskine frowned unhappily.
"At least he let me design the robes even if he didn't let me choose the colours," Ghastly shrugged. "You knew you'd hate this job when you signed up for it."
"I didn't know I'd hate it this much," Ravel muttered. Ghastly chuckled.
"Maybe we should get to the reason we're here," Art said. "You have an official request for us, is that right?"
"Yes," Valkyrie said. "Actually it's Eyren that has the request but Skulduggery and I second it. We think it would be a great help to our case with Evadne." The Elders retook their seats and their four guests moved closer to the dais.
"Present your case, Eyren," Ravel instructed.
"Evadne Sun is innocent. I believe she was forced to confess to a crime she didn't commit because somebody found out her true name." The Elders leaned forwards in their seats as Eyren spoke, his voice smooth and clear in the dark chamber. "That person is Remulus Cray. I know this because I learned it from her when I touched her. Up to now I've been unable to tell anyone what I know because of a magically binding promise I made to her."
"Isn't it dangerous to promise a potential criminal things in such a serious manner?" Ravel asked, but there was a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Yes, but I don't believe she's a criminal. I broke the bond placed on her by learning her true name and binding her to myself instead. For now, if I ask her to, she will do as I say." He cocked his head. "Though if I can avoid it I won't be commanding her to do anything. She's suffered enough."
"What is it you need from us?" Ghastly asked.
"Eva has agreed to tell the truth and be verified by a Sensitive. The truth she wants to tell would incriminate Remulus Cray enough that he'd be sentenced to several lifetimes in the Gaol. She will only give this confession if we allow Doctor Nye to seal her true name. She's afraid that a search by Sensitives will reveal her true name to more than just myself and Cray, which would leave her vulnerable again unless it's sealed beforehand." Eyren fell silent, waiting for the Elders to deliberate.
"What do you think of this?" Ravel asked the detectives.
"I trust my son," Valkyrie said immediately.
"I agree. The evidence at the crime scene places Evadne nowhere near when the shooting took place. The only reason she's still under arrest is because of the confession," Skulduggery added.
"Alright," Ravel nodded. "We'll take a few minutes to discuss it. Wait outside and we'll call you back in." Skulduggery turned and led them back out into the corridor.
"Do you think they'll agree?" Aster asked.
"It's anyone's guess right now," Valkyrie said. "They're our friends and they trust us, but they're bound by Sanctuary law. If they allow us to help Evadne seal her name and it somehow turns out that she is guilty of shooting at you then the Elders could face serious backlash. We could also be stripped of our detective status for allowing someone outside of an investigation to get involved."
"You could lose your jobs?" Eyren asked, his brow creasing with worry.
"It's unlikely," Skulduggery replied. "Our role states we must do whatever we think is necessary to make sure justice is reached. We genuinely believe this is necessary so we aren't breaking any rules. There's a possibility that we might be fired but I'm okay with it. I've been fired before."
"Oh yeah," Valkyrie snorted. "I forgot about that." The skeleton's head swivelled to her slowly.
"You forgot that Remus Crux replaced me as Prime Detective? You hated him."
"I lead a busy life," she shrugged.
"He tried to kill you."
"Lots of people have tried to kill me."
"Your parents are really weird," Aster said to Eyren.
"You're only just noticing?" he replied, arching an eyebrow. Aster grinned. They were interrupted by the door swinging open behind them as a Cleaver stepped aside to let them in.
"That was quick," Valkyrie muttered. They entered and lined up in front of the dais again, facing the Elders. Eyren suppressed a grin at the sullen look on Ravel's face as he glanced repeatedly at the ridiculous gem above his head.
"We've made a decision," Art said. "In light of the seriousness of the accusations made against the American Grand Mage, we feel it necessary to do whatever it takes to get the truth. The position of trust and power he holds is one that would present great danger to the rest of the world and in particular to Ireland due to its status as a Cradle of Magic."
"We can't risk the possibility that our counterpart in one of the most powerful Sanctuaries in the world is corrupt. Therefore we grant permission for Evadne Sun to seal her true name as soon as she is ready. Before she can seal her true name we expect her to give a full statement in writing," Ghastly added.
"Once her statement is taken she may report to Doctor Nye to have her name sealed," Ravel said, sitting up straighter as he spoke. "The Dullahan will be called and the surgical suite will be magically sealed to allow for the procedure. The surgery must be performed in the Sanctuary Infirmary, and I expect both Prime Detectives to be present throughout, alongside Eyren as he can command her using her true name if she tries anything untoward. Evadne is to remain shackled during the procedure. Once it is complete our Sensitives will search her mind to verify the truth." He leaned forward in his seat. "I must stress that the Sensitives will be searching her mind as soon as Doctor Nye advises it is safe, and Evadne will have no choice in this matter. If she struggles the Sensitives will search by force. Is that clear?" The group nodded. "Once the search is complete the Sensitives will report back to us and Evadne will stay in the Infirmary until she is fully recovered from the surgery. Her shackles will remain on and she will be under a strict guard until we find her innocent." Ravel's gaze turned to Eyren. "Eyren, I expect you to utilise your power over her if she tries to escape. Do you understand?"
"I do," Eyren answered. "I don't believe I'll need to force her to do anything."
"Alright. We trust your judgement. You may visit Evadne whenever you're ready," Ravel said.
"Am I allowed to be present?" Aster asked quietly. "She's my sister."
"Of course. As long as you don't interfere with the investigation I see no problem in you staying."
"Thank you," Aster breathed, his shoulders sagging with relief.
"Right," Skulduggery said cheerfully. "I think it's time to go prove somebody's innocence, don't you?"
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