Inkling of Destruction: Inked in Blood, #3

By Saffron Bryant

What if your darkest nightmares turned out to be true?

Skylar thought she was doing the right thing, but she might have caused the end of the world.

The sun has gone, plague sweeps the kingdom, and the people are starving. The only way out is to close the Seal, but the king refuses to help and now a legion of monsters marches on the city.

Putting things right requires the ultimate sacrifice, but who will pay the price?

Murder. Mystery. Fantasy. Join Skylar and solve the case today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saffron Bryant
• Release date: Jan 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215076484

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The rough cobblestones beneath the carriage's wheels made Skylar jolt and bounce as it raced down the main street. She braced one hand on the roof and another on Ramus in an effort to stop them both being hurled out onto the road. Ramus clutched the Crourgum plant to his chest. Speckles of red dirt had fallen out, coating his blood-stained hands. Each of his breaths seemed more pained than the last, the noise rasping and scraping so loud that Skylar couldn't ignore it. Ramus was dying. And yet somehow that wasn't the worst thing happening.

They'd waited a handful of minutes after the sun first went out. Skylar's heart had pounded in her chest, scanning the sky for any hint of light. But the darkness had stayed. So she'd slammed the carriage door shut and ordered the driver to get to the Chroniclers' headquarters as fast as he could. Surely if anyone knew what in the Pits was going on, it would be them.

The carriage rounded a corner then jerked to a stop. Inertia threw Skylar and Ramus forward. She managed to keep Ramus mostly in his seat so that the plant in his lap stayed safe, but she landed awkwardly on one knee. Pain shot through it.

She climbed back into her seat. An overturned wagon lay across the road in front of them. The panicked driver was hurling spilled potatoes back into their boxes. On any other day there would have been a half a dozen urchins snatching food from the road, but not today. Today the crowd stood, gaping at the dim sky, or huddled in their doorways, clutching each other.

Three sharp knocks sounded on the carriage door, making Skylar flinch.

She reached for her knife. Stupid. She hadn't expected to be robbed at a time like this, but a fancy carriage in this part of the city? She should have been better prepared.

A face appeared at the carriage window, unlike any other Skylar had ever seen. His skin was the color of midnight, made even darker by the strange, lightless sky. The whites of his wide eyes gleamed in the darkness, vibrant against his skin. He wore wide earrings that had stretched the lobes of his ears and his face was covered in intricate lines of ink. He lifted his hand again and knocked on the carriage door. A bracelet weaved with beads and feathers rattled at his wrist.

What have you done? he had a strange accent, making the words smooth and round.

He didn't look like a common thief. Besides, it would be too easy for the City Watch to identify him.

What have you done? he said again, banging his open palm against the side of the carriage.

Can't we move? Skylar said to the driver.

Ramus leaned out of the window on the other side. The road is still blocked. It will be another five minutes at least.

You must take it back, the stranger said.

Tendrils of ice surrounded Skylar's heart. He couldn't know about the Crourgum, could he?

The Seal is breaking, you must take it back.

He was just another crazy person, sent over the edge by the sudden darkness. That had to be it. But there was clarity in his dark eyes when they fell on the plant in Ramus' lap.

The stranger wrenched open the door.

Skylar brought her knife up. Tilly had died so they could get the plant. Skylar's parents had died for the plant. Rodrik and Lillian had died for the plant. There was no way in all the Pits that she'd let some stranger take it.

The stranger looked from the tip of the knife, just inches from his neck, to Skylar's face. We need to talk.

I don't know who you are, or who you think we are, but you should leave us alone.

The stranger moved too fast for Skylar to follow. One minute her knife was at his neck while he stood beside the carriage, the next minute the knife lay on the floor of the carriage and he sat in the bench opposite, a wooden staff laid across his lap and the door of the carriage closed.

Skylar gaped. There was no point even trying to reach for her knife. With the number of strength and grace Traits the man in front of her had, she might as well try to race the ocean.

Katombi save us, Ramus said.

The stranger's expression hadn't changed. We need to talk.

CHAPTER 2

Skylar's hands curled into fists, her nails biting into the flesh of her palm. What in the Pits were they supposed to do? Who was this man?

The driver peered in at them from the front of the carriage. Should I get someone… He worked for the Chroniclers but he was no fighter. And even if he were, Skylar doubted he'd be much help. Not against someone who moved as fast and was as strong as this dark-skinned stranger.

No, she said, trying to sound confident.

What are you doing with that? the stranger said, pointing at the plant in Ramus' lap.

None of your business.

The stranger drew a deep breath, then blew out slowly. He eased his hold on his wooden staff. I apologize. I should have introduced myself and explained. My name is Azizi.

Skylar didn't relax. Doesn't explain you barging into our carriage.

You've been in a fight.

Azizi's sudden appearance had made Skylar forget her injuries, but now she felt the warm blood sticking her shirt to the chair. Ramus was even worse, his skin pale and clammy.

All the more reason we need to get to where we're going rather than talk to you, Skylar said.

I have traveled a long way to make sure the Seal stays closed.

Skylar's original opinion that the man was crazy crept back. The Seal is just a myth.

And what about this? he gestured out of the window at the blue-black darkness that lay over the city.

Skylar shrugged. Nothing good, I'm sure. But nothing to do with us, and not as important as getting my friend to a medic.

In front of them the spilled cart had finally been cleared out of the way.

Ride on! Skylar said. The stranger didn't appear to be leaving any time soon and they needed to get Ramus to the Chroniclers and their healers.

The carriage jerked into motion, creaking over the cobblestones.

The Seal is no myth. The histories of my people tell of it.

And who would your people be?

The stranger sat up straighter, chest puffing out. We are the Quamqua and I am from First Island. I came to Big Land to stop you barbarians from allowing the Seal to open. He sagged some. But I'm too late.

Skylar had been called many things, but never barbarian.

Our stories say that only your royal family has Crourgum. They're the ones charged with keeping the Seal closed. Why have you stolen it?

Skylar's jaw clenched. "They were the only ones with Crourgum. But the Seal is just a story."

You must return it.

No.

The carriage rumbled down another street and turned right. They weren't far from the Chroniclers' headquarters now. What in the Pits was Skylar supposed to do? She couldn't very well reveal the headquarters of the secret organization to some deranged stranger who wanted to undo all their hard work. But on the other hand she had to get Ramus to a medic before he spilled all his blood over the floor of the carriage.

This is all wrong, Azizi said. I was meant to arrive before it started breaking. His eyes took on a faraway look.

It's not been a good day for us either. So if you don't mind…

Azizi's gaze refocused and he leaned forward. Look, I was sent here to protect the Seal. I must complete my mission. You are not working alone.

What of it?

The Seal has been breaking for some time. Your king should have stopped it.

Skylar snorted. The king wouldn't lift a finger to save a hundred people.

Azizi's brows drew together. It is as we feared. The royal family was given the responsibility to protect the Seal but they've abandoned their duty.

Sure, Skylar said. She could see the gate to the headquarters now. She had to get rid of Azizi.

Perhaps it is best that you took the Crourgum. When I saw you sneaking out of the palace with it, I feared the worst.

The worst?

That you had killed the king.

I wish, Skylar muttered.

What is your plan now?

Skylar's head ached. Ramus needed a medic, but she could do with a few stitches as well. She didn't have the mental or physical energy to be talking with this man. Look, I don't mean to be rude, but I need you to get out now. I'm sorry we can't help you with your mission.

Azizi studied her and it felt as if his eyes could pierce her skin, see into her very soul. If our knowledge of Big Land is right, there aren't many that could or would stand up to the royal family. You're working with the Chroniclers.

Skylar's heart clenched. Who was this stranger? He appeared to come from far away, but he knew about the Chroniclers and Crourgum—both of which Skylar had only recently heard of, despite living in the capital city her whole life.

I must meet with them, Azizi said. If the king really has lost his way as you say, then we must take action. If the darkness has come then we don't have long before more cracks appear.

How do you know about the Chroniclers?

Our histories are detailed.

The carriage rattled to a stop in front of the Chroniclers' building. The pen and parchment sigil gleamed in the orange glow of a torch set before the door.

You have to leave now, Skylar said.

I must meet with the Chroniclers.

They don't accept visitors.

Can you really deny that something is happening? Azizi said, gesturing at the window. I might be the only one in Big Land with the knowledge to stop it.

Skylar hesitated. She'd been trying to tell herself that the sudden darkness was just an especially thick cloud, but that delusion was wearing thin. Meanwhile, a sense of panic grew thicker in the city streets. What if the sun never came back?

I don't mean to inconvenience anyone, Ramus rasped. But if I don't see someone soon, I don't think I'll live long enough to see this Seal crack anyway.

Azizi opened the door beside Ramus, stepped out, balanced his staff under his arm and then lifted the bigger man in his arms. He's right. If nothing else, let me help get your friend inside.

Skylar wanted to argue. What if she was putting the Chroniclers at risk? But she couldn't deny Ramus' need, and there was something about the stranger. Perhaps he had charisma Traits, but she trusted him, or at least wanted to trust him. What if the Seal really was breaking? They would need all the help they could get.

CHAPTER 3

The Truth Bringer guard at the gate to the Chroniclers' compound wrenched open the door as soon as he saw Skylar. Destroyer, you've returned! What's happening? The sun has died and I heard a rumor that High Councilor Absolom has been arrested. I wanted to help him, but I was told not to leave my post. I don't—

Skylar held up her hand. You were right not to leave your post. Where are the High Councilors now?

Last I heard, in their meeting chamber.

Send the lead surgeon there right now. Tell him Ramus is injured.

The guard's eyes fell to Ramus lying in Azizi's arms. Blood poured from the deep gouges across his torso. The guard ran to the nearest door and roused his companions. A second later, three runners fled from the guardhouse to join the pandemonium breaking in the outer courtyard.

Dozens of people stood gaping up at the sky while others huddled in tight bunches near the walls. A half dozen Notetakers stood at the edge of the compound, scribbling in their books. One of them locked eyes with Skylar and ran over. Skylar groaned. Mag, her Notetaker, and found her already. It would only be a short time until Ramus' Notetaker joined them as well.

Not that I am complaining, Azizi said. But your friend is heavy.

This way. Skylar ignored her Notetaker and the people standing mute in the courtyard as she strode to the main entrance door. She led the way through the twisting passages until they got to the corridor with the Council chambers. A half dozen guards stood outside, all of them gripping spears and sharing worried looks. They stood, ready to block Skylar and her companions, until they recognized who she was.

You're back! one said. Thank Katombi.

What's going on? Skylar said.

His eyes slid to the door. We don't know. There's been a lot of yelling. But we were told not to open the door for anything.

Except me, Skylar said, staring him down.

He cleared his throat. Yes, of course. I'm sure that's what they meant.

The guards stepped aside, creating a passage to the wooden door. Skylar braced herself. She hadn't exactly left the Chroniclers in a good place; she'd just had Absolom arrested for the High Truth-sayer's murder, but she hadn't had time to sort through the details. Now the world was ending.

Skylar barged through the door to find Absolom hunched in his usual chair, two guards behind him. His Notetaker stood in the corner, her head down. Clem sprawled at the opposite end of the table, his face drenched with sweat. Kais stood over Absolom, his fingers splayed on the table. Kais' and Clem's Notetakers stood together at the other wall.

All of them flinched as Skylar strode in, their eyes snapping to her.

You did it, Absolom said, voice husky.

Azizi followed Skylar into the room with Ramus in his arms. Ramus still clutched the Crourgum plant to his chest.

Is that it? Kais said.

Yes. Skylar paused before closing the door to tell the guards to let the surgeon in as soon as he arrived.

Azizi eased Ramus onto the table. Crimson blood stained his hands.

Who is this? Clem said.

Azizi, Skylar said, as if that explained anything.

I come from the islands, Azizi said. You have failed in your duty to protect the Seal.

You let a madman into our sanctum? Clem said.

He didn't give me much choice.

You've seen the sky, Azizi said. Can you deny the Seal is breaking?

I don't know what in the Pits is happening, Kais said. But we can only deal with one problem at a time.

All of them except Azizi glared at Absolom.

What is going on? Azizi said.

He killed the High Truth-sayer, Skylar said.

Absolom hung his head.

Your Truth-sayer is dead? Azizi said, taking a half step back. But this comes at the worst possible time!

You're telling us, Clem said.

That's why we had to take the Crourgum, Skylar said.

But why would a member of the High Council kill their own Truth-sayer? Azizi said.

Because he had an affair, Skylar said. For the moment she put aside her confusion over how Azizi could know so much about the secret organization when allegedly he'd lived on some distant island his whole life.

No! Absolom slapped his palm onto the table. The age spots stood out stark against his pale flesh and his hunched form made him look a decade older than when Skylar had last seen him. He told a lie. That is why he had to die.

A harmless lie, Skylar said.

Who are you to judge such things?

There are proper channels, Ramus said, clutching his bleeding wounds. You should have reported it. Not killed the man.

Absolom hung his head. I see that now.

No one believes this act, Skylar said. I might believe that you killed the Truth-sayer in a fit of madness. But that doesn't explain what you did to Elgar. Or what you did to Remi. You've crippled him for life, taken everything from him.

Absolom's lips thinned and he said nothing.

Skylar took a step closer to him. She'd spent some time getting to know Absolom during their trip to the Monastery. And one thing was certain; he didn't lie. Not even to spare someone's feelings. The fact that he'd chosen not to speak right now meant something. Who has Remi's Traits?

Absolom shook his head so that his beard brushed the front of his shirt but said nothing.

Who is Remi? Azizi said.

My friend, Skylar said. And this monster took his sight and his hearing.

Azizi flinched. Forced extraction?

Yes.

But that is monstrous.

Exactly.

On First Island you would be skinned alive for such a crime.

Seems fair to me, Skylar said.

Absolom's eyes widened.

Skylar strode forward and leaned on the table in front of Absolom so that their faces were only inches apart. She'd had a lot of experience extracting information from unwilling witnesses but they rarely made it easy by committing themselves to never telling a lie. You killed the High Truth-sayer for a lie of omission.

Absolom nodded.

By not telling us who took Remi's Traits, aren't you also committing a lie of omission?

Absolom's face twisted, a battle raging across his features. Finally his watery eyes slid to the side, to his Notetaker.

The Notetaker's pencil froze midway through a word. She took a step back but was pinned in the corner of the room.

Skylar closed the distance between them with two quick steps. The Notetaker had Traits to help with observation, but she was no match physically for Skylar. Skylar grabbed the woman's arms so hard that she was forced to drop her book of notes. The pencil fell from her other hand, left to dangle from the chain that encircled her wrist.

Did you take Remi's Traits?

The woman struggled against Skylar's hold but could barely move.

Did you? Skylar shook the woman.

The Notetaker's expression changed, spite filling her eyes. Her voice had been taken—like all the Notetakers—but she didn't have to speak for Skylar to know the truth.

Rage seethed inside Skylar. He's just a boy!

He was going to tell you what he'd seen. It would have put everything at risk, Absolom whispered.

Skylar rounded on him but didn't release the Notetaker.

So you took everything from him?

It's for the greater good, Absolom said. The others in the room leaned away from him, as if he might have a contagious disease.

Skylar tore the collar of the woman's dress aside. Two raw tattoos gleamed just beneath her collarbone. They were crude, the patterns uneven with spots of ink leaking into the surrounding skin. The position and the design made them weak; she'd be lucky to get even a quarter of Remi's sight or hearing through them, and yet it left him helpless.

Skylar squeezed the woman's arm tighter. I noticed you didn't write any of this in your little Notebook either.

It was a fake, Absolom said.

What? Skylar glared between Absolom and his Notetaker.

The book we gave you for your investigation was a fake. But we've recorded everything in the real one. For the sake of the truth.

You had her write about your own crimes?

Everything must be recorded.

Skylar glanced over her shoulder at Azizi. You said she'd be skinned alive in your homeland?

Yes. And then more.

Skylar returned her gaze to the Notetaker. Then consider this a mercy. Skylar released the Notetaker's right arm, snatched her knife from her belt, and buried it into the woman's throat.

CHAPTER 4

Skylar stepped away as blood sprayed in a hot arc from the Notetaker's neck. The woman crumpled to the floor before anyone else in the room could react.

Absolom drew a rasping breath while Clem clutched a silk handkerchief to his face and turned away. Kais grimaced, but didn't look away. The stranger—Azizi—clutched the vial he wore around his neck and muttered something Skylar couldn't understand, although it sounded like a prayer.

What have you done? Absolom said.

What was necessary. In any other circumstance, Skylar wouldn't have killed in cold blood. She would have confronted the woman in fair combat, or turned her over to the proper authorities. But that wouldn't get Remi's Traits back. Death is the only way to return what was stolen. Skylar could imagine Remi—somewhere in the Chroniclers' building—screaming with happiness. Emili would be with him. She'd make sure he didn't do anything stupid.

But you're a murderer, Absolom said.

So are you.

He floundered.

Can we discuss the real threat now? Azizi said. The Seal is breaking.

Even if that were true, Clem said. Which it's not; the Seal is a lie made up by the royal family to keep them in power. Then we still wouldn't be talking about it right now. Not while we have no Truth-sayer and a traitor on the Council.

Skylar hated to agree with Clem, but he was right. They had to sort out the Chroniclers before they could work out what in the Pits was happening to the rest of the world. She strode from the dead Notetaker, leaving her body in the corner, and placed the bloody knife on the table beside Absolom. Here's how this is going to work. I or the others will ask you questions. You answer quickly and truthfully. The sooner this is over, the sooner we can move on to the problem of the sun disappearing. Even you have to admit that's more important.

A knock sounded on the door and the surgeon stepped through. He gasped as he spotted the Notetaker's body and made to run to her. Skylar planted her hand on his chest. She's dead. It's him you have to fix. She turned the surgeon so that he faced Ramus, whose face had gone pale and who hadn't said anything since before Skylar killed the Notetaker.

The surgeon hesitated.

Please, Skylar said. Or there will be two dead bodies in here. She'd meant the second body would be Ramus' but something in her face—or maybe her reputation—made the surgeon flinch and lose all color, as if she'd meant that he would also wind up dead. Oh well, as long as it got the job done.

She ignored the surgeon as he got to work. As much as she cared about Ramus, there was nothing she could do to help him. Absolom, did you kill the High Truth-sayer?

Absolom's throat bobbed. Yes, he said in a hoarse whisper.

And his Notetaker?

Yes.

Why?

They committed a lie of omission. The Chroniclers, and the High Truth-sayer especially, rely on a foundation of truth. That he would allow… Absolom shook his head, looking on the verge of tears.

And your Notetaker?

Was just as outraged.

And Elgar, the kitchen boy?

Absolom's head drooped lower. I just wanted to send him away until this all blew over. But she… didn't want to risk getting caught.

And Remi?

The same.

Skylar had spent enough time with Absolom to know that he was incapable of telling a lie. He might have been responsible for the Truthsayer's death, but his Notetaker had done the rest.

And the ink? Kais said. How does that fit into your plan?

Absolom's white eyebrows drew together. I didn't break the vial.

Skylar hesitated. Why would Absolom tell the truth about killing the Truth-sayer, but then lie about a bottle of ink? Unless he didn't do it…

Your own urchin friend told you he saw Ramus breaking that vial.

Skylar faltered. Remi had said that. They'd assumed it was the reason his Traits had been taken. Then why did you take his Traits?

I didn't. She did. She thought he'd spoken to the kitchen boy, knew that he snooped about the passages.

She took his Traits on a hunch?

Absolom nodded.

Skylar's hands clenched into fists. I've got no other questions for him. Ramus on the other hand… she should have asked him why he'd broken the ink when she first let him out of the cell. But they'd been so busy, and everything had happened so fast.

He's confessed, Kais said. We all heard it. Absolom, you're stripped of your place on the Council and you'll be thrown in prison for the rest of your life.

Please, no, Absolom said. I can still help the Chroniclers. I believe in our mission, and if the Seal really is breaking…

It is, Azizi said.

Let me donate my Traits, Absolom said, voice husky. "If I can't use them to help, then the least I can do is give