Chapter 227: Killer Queen

Chapter 227: Killer Queen

Nyx was almost a different person. He strolled confidently into the next chamber, spinning around and beckoning us to follow quicker.

Biadet took her time, not one to be hurried by anyone. I kept close to her pace and walked behind her, which made it look like I was using her as a human shield, which I wasnt. You couldnt really call her human, for a start.

Laney, on the other hand, was dawdling for an entirely different reason. She strolled to the open door and then stopped to inspect the guardians, looking them up and down with her sword resting on her shoulder.

Think youre pretty tough, huh? Ooh, is that your death stare?

The cloths covering their faces had no eyeholes so I had no idea what she was seeing. Neither of the ratmen moved, their gigantic muscles at full bulge, their halberds a flick of the wrist away from slicing Laneys head off.

To her, they looked like normal-sized men, which meant she would see them as taller than herself, but didnt explain why she had her neck craned all the way back to look up at their heads, which were way above average height. Magic made no sense if you thought about it too much.

I grabbed her by the elbow as I passed. Better to have her where I could keep an eye on her rather than leave her out here to start trouble.

This isnt over, short stuff, she said as I dragged her away.

There were stairs directly through the door, broad, from wall to wall. At the top, there was a square platform with a throne on it. Sitting on the throne was a woman in a white gown and a cloth covering her face similar to the guardians at the door, only with a jewel-encrusted tiara holding it in place.

Her body looked feminine enough, curves in the right places, only two breasts rather than six. No tail that I could see.

Nyx ran to the throne and knelt in front of it. Mama, I bring guests.

Nyx, her voice sounded tired, why do you never do as I command, you impossible boy?

But they were coming here anyway. No need to delay the inevitable, Mama.

The Queen reached her hand out like she was offering it to him to kiss, but Nyx fell on his side, curled up and shook like hed been electrocuted. Having been electrocuted myself, I sympathised. Having been electrocuted myself, I stayed well out of the way.

She flicked her fingers and Nyx stopped shaking, but remained sprawled where he was.

Princess, a pleasure as always.

Laney bowed. Maam. You are as beautiful as ever. She was talking to a hankie, but I assumed she was seeing something else.

Thank you, Princess. I hope to see your father free and ruling Fengarad again.

As do I, said Laney. They spoke to each other in a strange, formal manner.

Biadet, said the Queen, how is your Master?

She is well, Your Majesty.

She? What the fuck? Who was her master?

Before I had a chance to question the midget ninja, the Queen had turned her attention to me. So, youre Colin. You arent at all what I expected.

I get that a lot, I said.

It seems Peter was right about you. Surprisingly persistent and hard to kill. Like a cockroach.

Nice. At least she didnt pretend to be friendly and then turn on you, which was sort of a plus, I guess. You work for Peter, then?

It was kind of an odd demand since she wasnt talking, I was. It was also pretty stupid. She was up here alone with no guards, which probably meant she was more than capable of dealing with us on her own. Id already seen what shed done to her own son. I doubted shed be any more lenient with me.

It didnt bother me in the least. I felt no fear. People think to overcome fear you need to be brave. You dont. You need to stop caring about yourself. Either through delusion or despair or anger. If youre mad enough, it really doesnt matter what the consequences might be, youll punch a grizzly on the nose and hurl abuse at it as it tears you open and eats your liver.

Laney turned to her nemesis. Hes upset.

Yes, said Biadet. Its like that when youre in love.

How would you know? said Laney. I bet that boy never even diddled you. Not even with his little finger. She held up her pinkie and wiggled it. He didnt, did he?

Biadets left eyebrow twitched, ever so slightly. You are, and always have been, a filthy slut, Your Royal Highness.

I could tell they were about to kick off again. I wasnt in the mood. Both of you, shut the fuck up. the good thing about being too ambivalent to get mad at people is that when you do blow your stack, it stuns them into silence. Laney and Biadet glanced at each other but said nothing. I held out my hand towards the Queen. Give.

The Queen just sat there, probably considering various painful deaths for me.

I know you could kill me where I stand, but then Peter would win, wouldnt he? You cant beat him yourself, but I can. I put my hand out again. Give.

She rose from the throne. I couldnt see her face, but I assumed she wasnt pleased by my attitude. I could give a fuck.

Either you want my help or you dont, it doesnt really matter to me.

She took out a gem, similar to the one Primus Lenda had used outside, and handed it to Nyx. He scurried over to me and put it in my hand. Well done, he whispered, like we were on the same team.

I turned and walked away. Biadet and Laney followed, as did Nyx.

Where do you think youre going? I said to Nyx, stopping to confront him.

I can still be useful to you, I

I dont need spies. Stay here. If I catch you following me, Ill have the dragon eat you.

Nyx backed away from me. He could tell I meant it, because I did.

I was being an arse, obviously. I wasnt just angry, I was livid. Clearly, I could use someone like Nyx, both as a spy and as a source of information, not least about his mother, who I would probably have to deal with once I had taken care of Peter.

It might also be worth pointing out that I had complete confidence that I would be able to overcome Peter, even though I didnt even have the first idea how to go about it. I hadnt even bothered to ask how the gem worked.

Anger doesnt just make you fearless, it also makes you incredibly dumb. The two are not unrelated.

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs, took a breath, and walked back up, past Laney and Biadet who just watched me with blank faces, waiting to see what I would do next.

I changed my mind, I said to Nyx who was standing by his mother looking crestfallen. His face lit up and he came running. He neednt look so happy. I planned to squeeze every last drop of information out of him by means more terrible than any man deserved. I was going to set Claire on him.

But before that, there was another matter to take care of. Someone I needed to have a very frank talk with.

You two, I said to Laney and Biadet as I walked back down the steps again. Whatever issues you have, I dont want them fucking things up. Save it until after we retake Fengarad. If you want to act like children, fuck off now. I stormed towards the elevator.

I stepped inside and turned to watch Biadet and Laney walk calmly towards me, no sign of animosity between them.

Hes kind of cute when hes mad, said Laney.

Slut, said Biadet.