by Jenn Vakey
Leeya reached into her bag that she'd dropped on the ground and pulled something out. Smelling salt. She bent down and held it under the noses of both men, waking them up. There was a greater risk of them fighting back this way, but I didn't want to deal with having to carry them back to Alkwin.
I didn't even attempt to put Linley down as we started back. She didn't talk. She just kept her head down on my shoulder.
“Thank you,” I said to Lamont half an hour later. And I meant it. He could have easily turned against us, but he hadn't. What he did earned a lot of respect from me. Probably more than anything else he could have done. Respect and trust.
“My first detail was in the palace,” he said calmly. “Your father was always very kind to me. My allegiance was to him and your family, and it always will be.”
I didn't bother putting Linley down when we made it back to Alkwin. It wasn't something people would question. I just carried her straight into the dorm, letting the others deal with the mess.
“Where are we going?” Linley asked, looking around when I took her into the room next to Leeya's. It was just like the others, nothing more than a bed, dresser, and a simple chair in the corner. Clean sheets on the bed, but nothing fancy. My sister might have been a princess, but she had never really needed the frills. Part of being raised by men, I guess.
It wasn't until I went to close the door that I realized Kip had followed us. I wasn't sure how much the creature understood. He must have been able to tell she was shaken, though. That she needed comfort.
“You're going to stay in here for now,” I told her. I walked to the bed, cradling her against me as I propped myself up. Her tiny fists clung to my shirt, her body trembling slightly. I didn't push her. We just sat there in silence until a soft knock sounded sometime later and the door opened.
Leeya gave me a sad smile when she walked in and closed the door again. She had two plates in her hands. Dinner time. Over her shoulder was Linley's bag.
Linley sat up and smiled wanly at her. She took the plate without a word and sat it down on her outstretched legs.
“Those men have been locked up in the jail,” Leeya told her. “They'll be staying there until their people leave, along with the only other person that helped them.”
Linley nodded and Leeya gave her a kiss on the side of the head, then she turned to me. “I've got some stuff to take care of. I'll be back a little later.”
Linley played with her food after Leeya left, barely eating any of it. Although she thought she was being sneaky, I kept catching her giving pieces to the dog that lay on the floor next to the bed.
I ate mine, then stood and started pulling things out of her bag. She watched, quietly taking it all in. Watching as I put her clothes in the dresser and placed the few toys on top of it.
When I was done, I joined her back on the bed.
“Are you okay?” I finally asked, knowing she was moving past her shock.
She looked me in the eye, trying to appear brave. “I knew you would come,” she said softly. “You and Leeya. They didn't hurt me.”
“I'm so sorry,” I said, putting my arm around her again. I wanted to tell her it would never happen again, but that would require locking her up. That was something I couldn't do to her. “Promise me you'll stay near people you know. People we trust. If anyone tries to get you to go anywhere with them, scream as loud as you can. Use your abilities to try to get away from them.”
Linley sighed and nodded. Even that was asking a lot of her. But she didn't argue. She just dropped her head onto the pillow and curled up.
“So I get to stay here now?”
“It was Leeya's idea. We thought you'd feel safer being close to us.”
She looked up and studied my face for a moment. Then she smiled. “You're happy again. The way you were before you were mad at Leeya.”
I couldn't keep from smiling myself.
“I am.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
LEEYA
I knew neither of them would want to come out to eat. I would have just taken my own food in there and stayed with them, but there were things I had to do. Things that couldn't wait.
I went back through the line and made myself a plate of food. Instead of sitting with my usual group, I crossed the hall and sat down with Orson. He looked up in surprise, but he didn't comment.
“With Stassa's people in the cell, we're without a place to lock up Lamont at night now,” he stated.
I smirked at his use of his name, then followed his gaze to where Lamont sat with Prestyn across the hall. They were talking, relaxed in the stories they were telling.
“I recommend putting him in the dorm,” I said, turning back to my food. “It wouldn’t be as easy for him to sneak out. Not that I think he would. He did really well today. He took initiative and actually tried to get Linley back.”
Orson thought about it for a moment then agreed. “With the info he gave us, we were able to narrow down the possible locations they're being held to one place.”
My heart started to race as my eyes shot back up toward him. Was he really saying what I thought he was?
We knew where she was. Where my Lillith was.
“We're going to go in in two days. Everyone in camp not going on the raid will be moved to the caves, just in case things go badly. I'll be staying in camp to maintain the wards. They’ll be instructed to depart for another camp if they haven't heard from us within three days.”
All of my thoughts had been on the people in Eden, not those staying behind. I knew there was a risk for all of those going, but I hadn’t stopped to think about what else could be in danger. If we failed, it would mean the end of Alkwin.
Having a set date made those nerves I'd been pushing back show themselves. This wasn't going to be a stealthy mission. I'd be lying to myself if I believed we weren't going to lose some people. I could lose friends. Or more.
“I think Rhydian should stay behind,” I said. Orson stopped mid bite and stared at me. “He's too important to risk losing.”
I could see the questions there. Wondering why I was requesting such a thing. As hard as it was, I held his eye. Hoping it didn't look like an emotional request. Not that that wasn’t exactly what it was.
“Having him in the city would help our people if you're caught,” he said levelly. “His cousin has been crowned, but he is the rightful king. People will listen to him. Especially if he tells them that Adler tried to assassinate him.”
I couldn’t argue with his reasoning, but it still terrified me. I'd come so close to losing him before. None of those situations would be as dangerous as this one. I couldn't lose him.
“I was informed that you stayed behind in Denver despite night falling to rescue him,” he stated. There was almost a note of accusation in his tone, like he was daring me to deny it. “That worries me.”
“It worries you that I would want to make sure he was safe?” I balked. “Because he wouldn't have been. His injuries were too substantial for him to have survived until dawn. He’s lucky he lasted until I could get to him at all.”
He dropped his fork down and leaned toward me. “It worries me that you show so little regard for your own safety when it comes to him.”
“He's more important than I am,” I snapped back. I was getting angry. It wasn't just being called out by Orson. It was because I knew it was the truth. I also knew he could see right through my argument.
“But that's not why you did it.”
And there it was. I held his gaze, trying not to give anything away. But he knew. This wasn’t about Rhydian being important to the cause. It was about him being important to me. It was a selfish request.
“I will be putting you on separate teams when we move,” he said, turning his attention back to his food. “I need you both to be focused on the mission. Not on each other. And before you ask, you will be on the team going after your sister. Your connection with her requires it.”
I shook my head. How did he think I would be able to
focus if I had no idea what was going on with him? If I couldn’t be there for him if he needed me. “Keeping him alive is also an important part of the mission.”
He raised an eyebrow like I was being a stubborn child. That’s probably exactly how he saw me. He was the leader, while I was nothing more than a girl who had a tendency of getting myself into trouble. “You don’t think he would sacrifice himself for you just as much as you would for him?”
His question stunned me. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer. I knew what he’d been saying about us, but I didn’t know if he would. He was a leader where I wasn’t, which meant that he was obligated to put the needs of everyone first. He was strong enough to make that call, when I didn’t think I could.
“Then you should send Lamont on the team with Rhydian,” I said, knowing any argument I made would only strengthen his conviction. When he gave that same look he had when Lamont asked to join the rescue for Linley, I continued. “He will keep him safe. I trust him to do that.”
Orson agreed, but I knew the reasoning was nothing more than to shut me up on the subject. Keeping me from really pushing. While I still wasn’t happy, I did trust that he would do everything he could to protect Rhydian.
“You should know that Lamont has requested permission to remain in Alkwin with Stazie after we finish this. I didn't give him an answer, because it’s not my place to do so, but if I actually get a vote on it, it’s to allow it. Not just because I don’t think he’d betray us. He’s a solid fighter, Sentry trained. He would be an asset.”
Orson considered my argument in silence for a few moments, then nodded. “He can stay.”
After I finished eating, I informed Lamont where he’d be staying now. Prestyn promised to get him settled in, so I took my leave and went back to the dorm. Rhydian hadn’t told me which room he’d be putting Linley in, but it hadn’t been hard to guess. It was either going to be the room next to his or the one by mine.
She was still curled up by his side when I walked back in. Her plate, which was sitting on the foot of the bed, had barely been touched. I was actually surprised when I saw her green eyes look up to meet mine to find her still awake. When I thought about it, I realized just how long of a day it had been. Rhydian and I had started it with our trip back from Denver.
Rhydian kissed Linley on the head, then stood. After the day she’d had, I knew I was the only person right now he’d trust with her.
“I’ll be back,” he said to Linley, then reached for the plates off the bed. Before he walked to the door, he stopped in front of me. I thought he was going to tell me something about Linley, but he didn’t. His free hand reached up, his fingers touching just under my chin. His eyes were on mine as he tilted my head back and placed a chased kiss on my lips.
My heart pounded violently in my chest. It was so casual, nothing more than a goodbye before he left. More than that, he had done it in front of Linley.
She was grinning when the door closed and I turned to face her. She had a look that said Rhydian and I had finally realized something she’d known the whole time.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, sitting down next to her.
Linley scooted closer, tucking herself into my arms. “I’m okay. Rhydian already talked to me about those people.”
“They won’t be here much longer,” I assured her. “We know where they’re keeping the Tainted in Eden now. Their whole group should be going home within a week.”
She nodded, but I felt her tense. “You’re going back to Eden. You and Rhydian. What if something happens? What if someone tries to take me again?”
“Everything’s going to be okay,” I assured her. “You’re going to be going to a secret place while we’re gone. You’ll be safe there. Noella and Faida will be with you the entire time. And Kip.”
“Promise you’ll be okay too. You and Rhydian.”
My heart clenched. That wasn’t something I could know. She would hate me if something happened. But she was just a child. Scared and uncertain. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure we both come back to you.”
Linley let out a satisfied sigh and sank in closer. Only a few minutes passed before her body relaxed and she was asleep.
My mind raced over the events of the days to come as I sat there holding her. I knew we weren’t going in unprepared. We had the element of surprise. If all went well, I would have Lillith back in just a few days. Lillith and Dallin.
I was still thinking about it all when the room disappeared around me. It was a strange sensation. I had always been the one to initiate the connection. I was excited to have Lillith reaching out to me this time.
That is, until I realized why.
I had just turned my head so she couldn’t see Linley when the sound of her screaming filled my mind. Her head was thrashing from side to side as she was dragged by two Sentry down a long hallway that was lined with doors. There were windows on them, but she was moving too desperately for me to make out any faces.
“Please don’t!” she cried, struggling in vein to pull free. “I don’t want any more tests. Please stop. Please!”
My stomach turned, my blood running cold. I didn’t want to see this, but I knew I couldn’t break the connection. We needed all of the information we could get. More than that, she needed me.
“Would you rather us do it to your sister?” one of the Sentry asked viciously. “We have her here. Keep fighting and we’ll do so much more to her.”
“Don’t listen to them,” I thought to her. “They’re lying, Lil. They don’t have me. But you can’t let them know you know.”
The Sentry pulled her to the end of the hall and pushed her through a door. Then another. Lillith stumbled forward a step when they released her. She couldn’t see where she was. She just stood there, clinging to herself as her frantic breaths filled the air around her.
“Fight,” the Sentry said, then shoved her forward.
“What?” she asked, but the answer was standing there not ten feet in front of her. The young guy who looked feral. His skin dirty, hair matted. There were abrasions on his arms that were scabbed, which looked to have been caused by him trying to claw his own skin off.
“There’s a guy, Lillith,” I said, trying to sooth my tone to calm her. Something I wasn’t feeling at all myself. I felt helpless, frightened like I had that night we left Eden. I’d been working so hard to train myself to fight so I’d never be like that again. It didn’t help at all here. All I could do was watch. “They want you to fight him.”
“I can’t,” she whimpered, this time only for me to hear. “I can’t fight, Leeya.”
I knew she was right. Lillith had always been gentle. Looking at this guy, though, I knew this wasn’t simply a fight to see who would come out on top. He was too wild. He could kill her, and I didn’t hold my breath that the Sentry would stop it from happening.
“You can,” I said firmly. “Just stay with me and do exactly what I say. We’ll get through this. Together.”
She didn’t have time to argue. The guy had lost his patience and lunged for her, his fist swinging out in a clumsy strike.
“Duck!” I yelled, and she did. His fist flew over her head, but that only infuriated him more. He kicked out sideways and hit her on the hip. It should have hurt, maybe caused her to lose balance. What it shouldn’t have done was send her flying six feet into the wall.
“Shit,” I said, the same time Lillith cried out and asked what was happening. Her head turned just right and I saw the look in his eyes as he started walking toward her again. He wasn’t just trying to put her down. Just as I had feared, he was fighting to kill. “When I tell you to, you have to reach out and grab him,” I said firmly. “As soon as you do, use your abilities. You have to drain him, Lil.”
“What?” she gasped. “I can’t, Leeya. I don’t want to hurt him.”
“He wants to kill you, Lillith,” I yelled back. “I’ve been against a Tainted with werewolf strength. He can break bones with no effort.”
“Let me do it, Lil,” I pleaded. “Stay with me and don’t think. Just do what I say until it’s over. Please, Lil. We’re so close. Please.”
She hadn’t answered before he started running right toward her. Tears were rolling down my cheeks, fearing I was about to watch my sister die. Then he grabbed her, yanking her to her feet. His other arm pulled back to deliver a blow.
“Now, Lil. Do it now!”
And she did. She grabbed the wrist holding her, and I watched as his energy started to fail. Lillith was sobbing, but she didn’t let go. She just held on, falling to her knees when he hit the ground.
Then it was over.
“Let go, Lillith,” I said softly. “But don’t leave me. Not yet. Just stay with me, Lillith.”
She didn’t fight when the Sentry pulled her up and led her from the room. Her tears had stopped. Now she just seemed numb. Going with the motions as they moved her calmly down the hallway.
People were looking through many of the windows on the doors. I looked over several of the faces, most of which I had seen the last time I’d been with her. One caught my eye, though. A young man standing there staring at Lillith as she passed. So much anger and sorrow in his eyes.
The face of someone I knew.
“Be strong, Lil,” I said, fighting through the new emotions coursing through me. “I’m going to get you out of there.”
I just wish I could tell her how soon it would really be.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
RHYDIAN
Linley was sound asleep when I pushed the door to her room open. Leeya looked up at me, so many things going on in her eyes. I motioned for her to come out and watched as she carefully extracted herself from Linley.
“You okay?” I whispered when she approached the door.
Leeya looked up at me and nodded, slipping out past me so I could close the door. We went into hers, walking in and shutting the door behind us.
“I was just talking to Orson,” I said, too excited to wait any longer.