Veil of Shadows

Chapter 34. Magician's Secrets

The unknown figure lounged on his throne, one leg draped over the arm, nonchalantly fiddling with a dagger. It was easier to think while he was doing something, no matter how small, even if it was just twirling a dagger.

"Are you going to stand there all day, or are you actually going to say something?"

Wraith stepped out from behind a shadowed alcove and grinned. Moving to stand closer to the throne, she said in an overdramatic voice "And here I was, thinking I was being stealthy."

The unknown figure could almost feel the suspicion in her voice. "Go ahead and ask my identity. I already know you were about to anyway." He said, slipping the dagger into a pocket.

"Who are you?" Wraith asked simply. The unknown figure shrugged. "If I had wanted you to know my identity, would I have worn a mask, or gone to such great lengths to conceal it?"

"I would prefer to see the face of my employer." Wraith said, her tone implying that it was not a preference, but a demand. The unknown figure stood from the throne and gave her a wicked grin.

"Then you'll be greatly disappointed. I have no intention of taking off the mask." He said, slowly stepping towards her. Wraith didn't back down; she met his gaze evenly.

"You realize that, if I had really wanted you dead, I could kill you right now?" The unknown figure said, his voice laced with a threat of violence. Wraith merely grinned at him.

"If I had really wanted you dead, you'd be buried in the ground right now." Wraith said cheerfully.

The unknown figure glowered at her. "Are always this arrogant?" He muttered, turning his back to her as he walked back to his throne. He knew it was a dangerous move to lose eye contact with Wraith.

"You never learned humility, so why should I?" Wraith replied, raising an eyebrow.

The unknown figure's eye twitched slightly. "Are you always this infuriating?" He growled, whirling around to face her. Still, there was no sign of fear in the wither hybrid's eyes.

"One of my many redeeming qualities." Wraith said, sketching a bow.

The unknown figure paused, then simply watched Wraith, as if trying to decide whether it was worth it or not to kill her. Wraith met his gaze and smiled innocently.

"If the archer by the alcove doesn't stop pointing that arrow at my head, I'm going to throw him out the nearest window." Wraith said, not even looking over her shoulder.

A muffled cough was heard, then muted footsteps as the archer quickly exited the throne room.

The unknown figure looked almost surprised. "How did you know he was there?" He asked, trying to find a logical answer. Wraith smirked and twirled one dagger, not breaking eye contact with the unknown figure.

"A magician never reveals her secrets."

Wraith vanished into a cloud of dark mist.

The unknown figure glared at empty air, since there was nothing else to glare at. He turned back to the throne and muttered "When I no longer have need of her, she will die, mark my words."

He began to wonder how, exactly, his plan would end. For a long while, the unknown figure sat on his throne, staring off into space, deep in thought. Then, suddenly, he had an idea.

A slow smile spread across his face. "You there." He barked, and a knight turned. "Yes, my Lord?" He asked, inclining his head respectfully. The unknown figure gave the knight a feral grin.

"I think it's high time I paid Shadow a visit." He said.

The knight nodded, understanding, and hurried from the throne room. The unknown figure began pacing faster and faster at the thought of meeting the rebel leader face to face.

He smirked. This will probably go down in history as the worst negotiation ever, he thought to himself. The unknown figure left the throne room, closing the enormous double doors behind him with barely a click.