Bloodfire (The Sojourns of Rebirth) by Matthew Medina Page A

sojourns ago, she had made a point to get to know
every one of the so-called “nobles” that commanded the favor of
the Emperor. Dane Eyrris was one such “nobleman”. He belonged
to a cult of deplorable individuals who dubbed themselves the
Sado Sexual Elite. Dane was not a name, but a title that each of the
members carried to set themselves apart from their inferiors. That
the Emperor allowed such a group to exist, and to claim a title,
spoke of their lofty place in Imperial society. As Pater the prior
continued, she imagined that she could almost hear his frustrated
gesticulations.
“But, be reasonable, Dane. What use have you for
such...trifles?” This last word, and the way in which it was said,
with such strange mystery and desire, sparked something which
whetted Catelyn’s appetite and she felt herself press closer to the
metal vent to ensure that she wouldn’t miss a single word.
“I have certain friends, you ball-less freak. And those
friends have certain tastes. I’m sure I could interest them and get
something that would please me in return,” Eyrris spat out
dismissively.
Catelyn could tell from the way that he spoke that Eyrris
was relishing the desperation in the eunuch Pater’s demands. The
men who called themselves the Sado Sexual Elite were not named
casually. Clearly this was a man who genuinely enjoyed his petty
cruelties.
“Eyrris, listen to reason. Such artifacts are property of the
Empire. They belong to Him,” Pater said, then lowered his voice to
a conspiratorial whisper.
“If the Emperor were to find out...”
Silence followed, as he let that thought linger, but it didn’t
last long, as a ringing slap rang its way up through the metal pipe
shortly thereafter. Catelyn winced at the sound; it had to have been
a brutal strike.
“Don’t you EVER threaten me, worm! Do you think having
your balls chopped off is the worst that can be done to you? Do
you?!” Dane Eyrris raged.
Catelyn heard a commotion, as of someone scrambling
away on hands and knees, and Pater whimpering in pain and fear.
“Eyrris, stop! Please! It wasn’t a threat. I would never turn
you in. You know that! I would be held just as culpable as you, just
for even speaking to someone like you. But you must understand.
This...this is of the Before, at the very latest. This is...it’s priceless.”
“Fool! Do you think I’m addled? Of course I know what it
is! And what the price is for possessing it. From your ridiculous
offer, it’s clear that you’re the one who’s not aware.”
“Eyrris, I beg you. The priory can...”
Eyrris interrupted the other man with another blow. It
sounded heavier, like a kick, but the echoing of the sound as it
traveled up from below made it hard to tell. Like the first blow, she
could tell Eyrris was not holding back.
“Pater, I want you to know something.”
Catelyn heard what sounded like choking gasps from the
prior, and Catelyn wasn’t sure whether Eyrris was choking the
man with his hands, or standing or kneeling on the eunuch’s
throat.
“I want you to know that your pathetic mewling and
begging is exactly why the priory will never get their hands
on...this.”
The pause seemed to indicate to Catelyn that whatever
they were talking about, Dane Eyrris had it on him right then.
“No, you woman, my friends from Aldus will be here in
two nights for the Eve celebrations. They will pay me anything I
ask, grant me anything I desire, for this relic. And I’ll finally be free
to set my own course, and get what I deserve.”
With that, the gasping stopped and she heard Pater begin
to sob, and Dane Eyrris simply laughed at the wretch and walked
away, the echoing footfalls growing fainter until she heard the door
slam again and then the plaintive sobbing of the fallen prior.
Catelyn stepped away from the metal vent and strode to
the edge of the priory roof, crouching down and focusing her
bubble to the street below. She picked out Dane Eyrris as he strode
away, and considered to