Cross Keys: Revelation

by Ally Shields

  Kam heard the distant wail of police sirens. Hopefully, Seth and Rhyden had gotten safely away. If the police spotted them, they’d have to do some fast-talking to keep themselves out of trouble.

  She and Bria skidded to a halt at the entrance to the Lormarc Guild. Kam released her hold on the amulet and retrieved the magic ring from Bria. As soon as they were visible, Kam nodded at the astonished guards. Stepping inside, she sought out the guild master. “There’s been trouble. We may have brought it with us, and the portal could be at risk. Seth and Rhyden should be right behind us.”

  Saul Henre absorbed her urgency and didn’t waste time on extra words. “What kind of trouble? Authorities or otherwise?”

  “Bad guys.”

  “Bowmen, to the doors,” he shouted. He ran to lock the portal to Elvenrude and returned to escort Kam and Bria to his office. He didn’t even give the Cyrilian woman a second look.

  Seth and Rhyden arrived five minutes later. Both men looked like she’d expect after a fight…rumpled clothes, disheveled hair, faces smudged with grime. But they were mostly in one piece. Seth had a cut above his eye; Rhyden favored his right leg.

  Kam hurried toward them. “Are you guys OK? Here. Let me see your eye.”

  “You raised a hell of a ruckus with that gun,” Seth said, as she inspected the cut. “The police might have hauled us all to jail.”

  Kam drew back in surprise until she saw his lips twitch. “It was either that or see you two beaten to death.”

  “It wasn’t that bad,” Rhyden protested. “But there were a lot of them. I never realized how hard it would be to fight someone you couldn’t see.”

  “Why didn’t you sprinkle them with citerin dust?” Bria asked.

  Kam swung her head to stare at her. “What’s that?”

  “It negates invisibility.”

  “Now you tell us. Damn. We could use some of that. Where do we get it?” Rhyden asked.

  “I don’t know. I guess you make it,” Bria said uncertainly. “It’s one of those things we kept around to prevent invasions of privacy.”

  “Well, we don’t have any tonight,” Seth said. “We need reinforcements. Once we’ve done what we can to protect both portals, we have to bring Captain Brunic and the king into this. We can no longer wait for morning. Based on what’s happened, I’d say Elvenrude and Cyrilia are on the verge of war.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  King Seliwyn paced back and forth. A deep scowl marred his normally jovial face, and those who knew him best were waiting for the explosion. Their monarch was slow to anger but once aroused, all reason temporarily fled. It didn’t help they’d gotten him out of bed well before daybreak. His silver-gray eyes locked onto Captain Brunic.

  “Why am I just hearing about this?” His voice was suspiciously soft. “You’ve had the Cyrilian in custody for hours…here…inside Elvenrude. And now you’ve brought another?” His volume was rising. “Explain this to me, Captain.”

  “Sire, we intended to inform you about the prisoner as soon as we had a better understanding of just who he was. Events sort of got ahead of us.”

  “Your Majesty, if I may?” Kam stepped forward. The king had a soft heart, especially for women, and she hoped to use that to head off a display of temper that would leave them all frazzled and accomplish little. “We intend to explain everything, but I believe it would be useful for you to meet Brianya. Without her I would not have escaped from Cyrilia, and she can help us understand her people.”

  Seliwyn gave Kam a long look, as if he suspected she was trying to divert him, but he eventually waved his hand. “All right. Bring her to me.”

  Kam motioned to the guards, and they opened the chamber doors. Bria stepped in, attired in a simple white gown they’d hastily borrowed from Esty on their way to the palace. Actually, from Esty’s closet. The household had still been asleep.

  Bria gave them a shy smile and came gracefully forward, inclining her head to the king as she’d been instructed. She looked innocent and pretty, an enchanting, exotic picture with her pale curls and multihued eyes.

  “I am Brianya,” she said softly.

  Kam stole a look at Seliwyn. His mouth wasn’t hanging open, but it might as well have been. He beamed in delight. Kam dropped her gaze to hide her amusement.

  “What a pretty name. I understand you assisted Kameo’s escape,” Seliwyn said, coming toward the young woman. “We owe you a debt of gratitude. I hope you will accept our hospitality.”

  “Thank you,” Bria said demurely. “It was my pleasure, but I already demanded a favor in return. I insisted she bring me with her. I do hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. Not at all.”

  Kam heaved a sigh. Temper tantrum averted. Or at least delayed.

  For nearly an hour, they laid out the events of the last day and a half, tying it into the preceding attack on the Lormarc guard and Kam’s abduction. By the time Seliwyn was satisfied he had the facts, the group from New Orleans was flagging. Seth and Rhyden, who’d already been exhausted prior to the latest event, looked dead on their feet. Kam could barely concentrate on anything except the idea of bathing and falling into bed. Brunic finally intervened.

  “Sire, can we delay further discussion until everyone has had a chance to rest and refresh themselves? It has been a long four days for these people.”

  The king looked up from the large ornate chair where he’d been lounging in weighty silence for three or four minutes. “Oh yes, of course. I need to confer with my advisors. There will be much more to discuss, but for now, by all means seek your beds. Thank you, Brunic,” he added absently. His chin sank forward, and he lapsed into thought again.

  Kam and her friends quickly exited before Seliwyn changed his mind or thought of one more question. Almost too weary to talk, they separated outside the palace to find lodgings for the night. Kam took Bria to her parents. She woke her mother and explained they’d had to leave New Orleans because of trouble and were exhausted. Meotta Ryndel wisely saved the questions for tomorrow. The young women bathed and were in bed thirty minutes later.

  * * *

  Seth woke from a deep sleep to find sun streaking across his bedroom. The intensity indicated it was almost noon. He groaned and sat up. Another twenty-four hours of sleep would be good. He scrubbed his face with one hand. What had woken him?

  A loud knock on the bedroom door brought him to his feet, and he opened it to find his grandfather’s retainer. “Master Seth, I hate to wake you, but the king has requested your presence with all possible speed.”

  “Oh hell.” He frowned at the very proper manservant. “Tell the messenger I need to shower and… Never mind. Just tell them I’ll be there as soon as I can. I need coffee, Beesom.”

  “Very good, sir. Your breakfast will be waiting.”

  Seth had spent the night at his grandfather Harad’s because it was only a short distance from the palace. His parents lived much farther away, and Seth no longer kept lodgings of his own in Elvenrude. When he visited, this was often where he stayed, and Beesom always had the room prepared.

  Since Seth kept several changes of clothes there, it wasn’t long before he’d showered and dressed in fresh jeans and a gray shirt. He added a blue jacket for a touch of formality. After all, it was the king. He downed a cup of coffee in the breakfast room, devoured half the eggs on his plate, and grabbed a biscuit in each hand on his way out. Despite his late start, he was on the path to the palace within twenty minutes of waking. He spotted Rhyden just ahead and hurried to catch him.

  “Morning,” he called. “Or is it afternoon now?”

  Rhyden turned and waited. “It’s too early. That’s all I know. I suppose we’ve all been summoned.”

  Seth tossed him one of the biscuits. “Seems likely. What do you think Seliwyn’s going to do about all this? I’d bet his advisors have already drawn the lines—bloodthirsty on one side, peacemakers on the other.”

  Five minutes later they discovered Seth hadn’t been too fa
r off. The palace’s meeting chamber vibrated with angry voices. Seliwyn stood to one side, apparently ignoring them all, and stared out the window. Seth didn’t see Kam or Bria, but he spotted his father and Sawyer Ryndel talking privately in one corner. He nudged Rhyden, and they joined the two older men.

  “How’s the discussion going?” Seth asked. “The normal maneuvering?”

  “A little more extreme than usual, wouldn’t you say, Sean?” Sawyer Ryndel appealed to the other man, an older version of Seth. The touch of silver in his hair gave him a more distinguished look.

  Sean Lormarc nodded. “War versus isolation. The history of the moon elves is ingrained in our bones. They were formidable foes and might have wiped out our elven branch if the coming of humanity hadn’t separated us. We’re stronger now, and from what you’ve reported, they’re not. But the fear is still there.”

  “What happens next?”

  “He wants to introduce Brianya. I imagine you’re here to answer the council’s questions.”

  Seth glanced at Kam’s father. “What did you think of her?”

  “Haven’t met her yet. The girls were still asleep when I left this morning. The king sent for them an hour ago, but you know women.”

  “I believe you spoke too soon.” Seth’s father gestured toward the door. “They’re here now. Caleb brought them.”

  Seth swung his head to look. Why Caleb?

  He waved at Kam. She started in his direction but was intercepted by Seliwyn, who announced Brianya’s arrival to the rest of the room. The king’s advisors had so many questions, Seth didn’t have an opportunity to talk with Kam until a recess in the proceedings almost two hours later.

  “Can you believe this?” he asked. “I don’t like the position of either side, and I don’t think they’re going to reach a decision anytime soon. If the king wants a consensus, we could be waiting for days.”

  Brunic came up during Seth’s comments. “It’s true, and we’ve had an incident at the Lormarc Guild that won’t make it any easier. An attempted intrusion. The door was battered…by an unseen foe.”

  “The Cyrilians,” Kam said sharply. “They’re getting bold. Was anyone hurt?”

  “Did they get inside?” Seth asked.

  “No injuries. I don’t think they actually breached the door, but I haven’t heard the details yet.”

  “Why wasn’t I notified immediately?” Seth demanded.

  “I’m telling you now. It just happened.”

  “And our guild?” Kam asked.

  “No problems reported so far, but Barrott was notified of the attempt on Lormarc.”

  “That’s good, but I’m going to check on both guilds for myself.”

  “I’m going too. As soon as we pass this information to our families.” Seth gestured to Rhyden across the room, and then waved at Sean Lormarc and Sawyer Ryndel. When the three men joined them, Brunic repeated what he knew about the incident.

  “Kam and I are going to New Orleans,” Seth said. “It’s senseless to cool my heels round here while the guild’s in trouble.”

  Sean Lormarc nodded. “Then go before Brunic tells the king.”

  “I agree,” Kam’s father said. “You’re needed Cityside, except for Brianya. She’s safer here, and the king may wish to speak with her again.” He looked at Kam. “But be careful.”

  “I promise. I already asked Caleb to watch out for Bria and show her around. I’ll let him know we’re leaving.”

  “This news will raise calls for isolation, but Seliwyn knows closing the portals as he did a few months ago will be a serious setback to business,” Seth’s father said. “He won’t do it unless he believes there’s no other way to safeguard Elvenrude. Try not to give him an excuse.”

  Seth lifted a shoulder. “We’ll do our best. Then are we ready?”

  “Count me in,” Rhyden said.

  “I’m coming long enough to get the full story.” Brunic frowned and glanced at the king. “But go ahead. I’ll meet you at the portal. I’ve got to tell him first.”

  “Don’t wait for me,” Kam said. “After I explain everything to Caleb and Bria, I’ll transport directly to the Ryndel Guild then meet you at yours in an hour.”

  * * *

  Seth arrived in New Orleans with Brunic and Rhyden to find everything at his guild under control. They’d made a wise choice in the new guild master. He was a little older than his predecessor and set in his ways, but Saul Henre was confident and unruffled under stress. The warehouse was running smoothly as usual, and the guards—although hypervigilant—showed no sign of uncertainty or panic. Brunic went to talk with his men and to check the film from the outside cameras.

  Seth and Rhyden tracked down the guild master. “What happened, Henre?” Rhyden demanded. “Is it true no one was hurt?”

  “That’s right. Everyone’s OK, but I can’t explain the rest.”

  “Just tell us what happened,” Seth said.

  Henre nodded. “Portal alerts started going off late this morning. We looked outside, saw nothing, but kept watching the cameras. It was quite a while before a guard thought he spotted a movement. He went to check it out at the side door. Something—or someone—he couldn’t see tried to push past him. He shouted for help. It took three more guards to get the door closed and locked. Then a loud banging started, as if someone had a club or a battering ram. It stopped a few minutes later, and the cameras haven’t recorded anything suspicious since.”

  Rhyden frowned. “I’m surprised they didn’t destroy the cameras.”

  “They might not know what they are,” Seth said. “Kam said Cyrilia doesn’t use any human technology.”

  “But they’ve been in and out of New Orleans for several months. They recognized our guns,” Rhyden reminded him.

  “Yes, that’s true.” Seth nodded thoughtfully. “It’s going to be difficult to assess what they do and don’t know.”

  “Should our guards have firearms?” Henre pursed his lips. “There’s a good reason their use is forbidden in Elvenrude, but this is a different world, different rules. And if the Cyrilians are afraid of them…”

  Seth hid his surprise. Henre was from his father’s generation. He’d assumed guns would be a taboo subject. The suggestion was further proof of Henre’s suitability for Cityside management.

  “An excellent idea. I’ll speak with Captain Brunic and see what he thinks. We’d have to guarantee the guns wouldn’t cross the portal. We don’t want to fight that battle again.”

  When Seth and Rhyden found Brunic, he was reviewing the camera film on a computer in the second floor invoice office. “Does this look like something you’ve seen before?” he asked, pointing at brief blurs on the screen.

  “It does.” Seth sighed. “But let’s see it again.”

  They went through the tapes of all the cameras around the building, spotting nothing else. The assailants had been focused on the door. They played the film twice, the second time frame by frame. Not a glimpse of a single arm or leg.

  “They’re clearly using invisibility magic. It gives them a big advantage. I can’t even tell how many there were.” Seth shrugged and looked at Brunic. “We discussed with Henre the possibility of providing our guards with firearms.”

  Brunic shook his head. “You know I hate guns. Surely Henre didn’t approve.”

  “Actually he suggested it.”

  Brunic jerked his head up. But instead of protesting, he looked thoughtful.

  Seth pressed the slight advantage. “We can’t force the Cyrilians to materialize, but guns might encourage them to keep their distance a little longer.”

  “A little time might be all we need.” Kam’s voice brought his attention to the doorway. She’d changed into her black duty clothes, and she looked sexy. She also had a determined expression on her face. “I asked Mother about citerin dust. She took me to a woman named Murielle who’d been a friend of my godmother.”

  “Wasn’t she the spiritualist who bequeathed you her magic items?” Seth ask
ed.

  “Yes, a very wise woman…with gifted friends. According to Murielle, citerin was a mixture of roots used in old world earth magic. She suggested we talk with the voodoo practitioners in New Orleans. She’d heard that remnants of early root magic had become part of their rituals.”

  Silence. Even Rhyden looked askance at the mention of voodoo.

  “Come on, guys. Do you really believe there aren’t other forms of magic?”

  Seth shrugged. “I guess it’s worth a try. How do we find such a person?”

  “Voodoo shops. Local voodoo queens. Sooner or later we should run into someone who’s a true practitioner rather than a tourist attraction. It’ll be time-consuming, so I should go alone while the rest of you protect the portals.”

  “Not you.” Seth clenched his jaw. “They’re already looking for you. If we do this, it’ll have to be someone the Cyrilians don’t recognize.”

  Kam’s eyes asked him for understanding. “Let’s not fight about this. You can’t stop me.”

  “But I can,” Brunic interjected. “I still outrank you.” His look was serious, almost stern. “I agree with Seth. They’ll be watching for you. Anyone else would be less conspicuous.”

  “Who else knows about herb and plant magic? My godmother taught me the basics. I at least know a root from a seed.”

  Brunic brushed off her objections. “That won’t matter. Anyone can ask about citerin or root powders. You’re needed here. I put you in charge of the portal guards, and I can’t stay here and do your job. I should be in Elvenrude. Choose someone else and get them on their way.”

  Kam gave in with a long-suffering sigh, and Brunic left for Elvenrude a few minutes later to talk with Seliwyn about the guns. Seth watched her as she crossed the room to the guard station near the portal. He wasn’t so sure she’d accepted Brunic’s decision.