Snakeroot

by Andrea Cremer

  “He can’t tell us,” Sabine said. “Because Logan’s got him muzzled.”

  Ren growled at the word, and she offered him an apologetic smile.

  “But Sarah was there too,” Sabine continued, watching as Ren nodded to confirm her words. “And Sarah knows what happened. She has the answers.”

  “Okay, fine,” Connor said, his head aching with the runaround of this interrogation. “Just tell me one thing: is Adne okay?”

  But there was no one to answer. Without warning, Ren had gone.

  SARAH WOKE TO a strange weight, solid, heavy, and emanating warmth, on her breastbone. She glanced down and saw a bloodred stone resting on her bare skin just above a sheet that was folded over to preserve her modesty.

  Sarah started to reach for the stone, but someone caught her hand. A woman in a cowled pale blue robe that marked her as an Elixir from Eydis smiled kindly.

  “The stone hasn’t drawn all of the curse from you yet. Give it more time.”

  “Sarah?” Tristan appeared beside the Elixir. “How are you feeling?”

  Feeling more confused than anything else, Sarah wasn’t certain how to answer. She glanced around, puzzled.

  “Where am I?”

  “I’ll give you some privacy,” the Elixir said to Tristan, and quietly left the room.

  “Ariadne’s room,” Tristan said quietly. “Do you remember how you got here?”

  Sarah shook her head. In her groggy state, she felt the echoes of fear and pain, but she wasn’t sure why.

  Taking her hand, Tristan asked carefully, “Do you remember what happened before you lost consciousness?”

  As sleep cleared away, memories took shape in Sarah’s mind. Horrible memories. Sarah closed her eyes, wishing that she’d just woken from an awful dream but knowing she had not.

  “Oh, Tristan,” Sarah whispered, gripping his fingers tight. “I’m so sorry.”

  Sarah opened her eyes and looked up at him, finding only love in his gaze. Love she didn’t deserve after what she’d done. From the day the wall separating Sarah from this world and from her son was shattered, she’d been blind to anything but the hope of bringing Shay back. But that single-minded focus had taken her down a path so wrong, she could hardly face the choices she’d made. And she hadn’t even begun to deal with their consequences.

  “Whatever happened, it’s over now,” Tristan said, brushing Sarah’s hair back from her forehead.

  It’s not over. It’s just begun.

  The door opened and Sarah recognized Anika’s voice.

  “I was told she’s awake.”

  Tristan answered, “She is.”

  Sarah wished she could sit up, but that would send the stone tumbling off her chest. As if reading her thoughts, Tristan put his hand on her shoulder to keep her still.

  “You’re meant to rest,” he said.

  Sarah nodded, though she hardly felt relaxed. Weary, yes, but mostly anxious. Things had been set in motion, things she was responsible for. Sarah couldn’t hide in a bed while others suffered because of her actions. She had to at least try to undo what had been done.

  “The healer tells me you’ll be fine.” Anika sat on the edge of the bed. “Whatever magic was affecting you had somehow been diluted. It was easy to counteract.”

  “That’s because he’s not truly here,” Sarah said. “Not yet.”

  “Who?” Anika’s eyes narrowed. “Who did this to you?”

  “Bosque Mar.” Sarah gave an involuntary shudder.

  Anika and Tristan exchanged a look.

  “That’s not possible, love,” Tristan said gently. “The Rift is closed. Bosque was expelled from this world when that happened.”

  “It was him,” Sarah insisted. “Tristan, you know I could never forget his voice. Or the feeling of his presence.”

  Tristan didn’t answer, and Sarah turned her gaze on Anika.

  “It was only when Bosque appeared that I realized what a fool I’ve been. I’ve acted a coward when I was trained to be a warrior.” Sarah lowered her voice. “And now I’ve opened the gate to the enemy.”

  “Sarah.” Anika sounded wary. “Are you certain you saw the Harbinger?”

  “Yes and no,” Sarah admitted. “What I saw was a shade, a projection. It didn’t have flesh, but it was the Harbinger. He’s trying to reach through the veil. He wants to return.”

  “Where were you that the Harbinger would be present?” Tristan asked through gritted teeth. “What were you thinking, Sarah?”

  “He promised to bring Shay back,” Sarah answered. “It was what I wanted to hear and so I did what he asked.”

  “Bosque told you he would bring Shay back?” Tristan sounded both alarmed and brokenhearted.

  Sarah shook her head. “Not Bosque. Logan. It was Logan who offered Shay. He proposed an exchange.”

  “What did Logan want from you?” Anika asked.

  “A box,” Sarah told her. “A wooden box that had been kept at Rowan Estate but was then taken.”

  “What box?” Anika frowned. She stood up, pacing beside the bed.

  “Carved ebony,” Sarah recited, having memorized the instructions Ren gave her for identifying the box. “Containing wedding rings, a pendant, and a bone.”

  “Does that sound familiar?” Tristan asked the Arrow.

  “No,” Anika replied. “But that doesn’t mean much coming from me. The Tordis Scribes have been cataloging the contents of Rowan Estate.”

  “The box wasn’t cataloged,” Sarah interjected. “It was kept apart. I was told where to find it.”

  The door banged open and Connor stormed into the room.

  “I know you asked for time, Anika,” he said to the Arrow. “But I can’t wait. I have to know what happened to Adne.”

  Anika grasped Connor’s upper arms, trying both to calm him and to keep him away from the bed.

  “Soon, Connor. But we need more information.”

  “Anika, wait!” Sarah sat up, wrapping the sheet around her and not worrying about the stone rolling away to the foot of the bed. She could finish healing later. “Ariadne is a friend of yours?” Sarah asked Connor.

  “She’s my . . .” Connor hesitated, then said, “She’s everything.”

  Tristan sat behind Sarah so she could lean against him. Folded in Tristan’s arms, Sarah was overwhelmed by his acceptance and forgiveness. Despite her mistakes, Tristan loved her; looking at the fear and earnestness in Connor’s face, Sarah hoped he would offer the same faithfulness to Ariadne. Sarah had yanked herself back just before darkness descended. Adne had not.

  Sarah looked from Connor to Anika. “Ariadne is the one who had the box.”

  “But why—” Anika began.

  “Box?” Connor butted in. “What box? You don’t mean that damn thing full of weird Keeper trinkets?”

  Anika raised her eyebrows. “Trinkets like wedding rings, a pendant, and a bone.”

  Connor’s indignation faded. “Uh . . . yeah. That sounds right. Adne found the box right after the robbery.”

  “And she kept it?” Anika pressed him.

  “She did.” Connor scratched the back of his neck, uneasy. “She seemed attached to it, though I never could figure out why.” With a frown, he asked, “What does the box have to do with what happened to Adne?”

  “Logan wanted it back,” Sarah told him. “And I was the one who accepted that task.”

  Drawing a long breath, Sarah continued, “But Adne caught me searching her room for the pendant. I found the box right away, but the pendant wasn’t inside. I would never have found it . . . Adne kept it separate from the other things. She had it in a drawer. She told me she’d taken to wearing it sometimes.”

  “She wears the pendant?” Connor sounded surprised. “Eira’s pendant?”

  Silence gripped the room, choking off their conversation.

  Finally, Tristan said, “Ariadne feels compelled to wear a pendant that belonged to my grandmother?”

  “Your grandmother?” Connor looked a
t Tristan in surprise.

  “The line of the Keepers began with Eira,” Tristan answered. “I’m her direct descendant.”

  “It’s just a necklace, though,” Connor said. “How could Adne wearing a necklace matter? I admit, it’s a little creepy that this particular piece of jewelry belonged to the first Keeper, but . . .” Connor’s voice trailed off.

  “I wish I could agree,” Sarah told Connor. “But from what I saw, Adne wears the pendant because she feels some affinity to Eira.”

  “Why would you say that?” Connor whispered. “That’s insane.”

  “Logan wanted the box,” Sarah said. “But when Adne found me, she insisted on coming along. She had questions for Logan, or so she said. I thought Logan would be furious that I hadn’t come alone, but he was just the opposite. Logan wanted Adne there.”

  “What does he want with her?” Connor’s skin had taken on a gray pallor.

  “It’s not Logan who wants her,” Tristan said slowly. “Is it, Sarah?”

  “Logan is simply doing his master’s bidding,” Sarah answered. “It’s Bosque who seeks Ariadne.”

  “Why?” Connor demanded. “Why the hell would Bosque go after Adne?”

  Anika said to Connor, “If the Harbinger is trying to find a way back into this world, he must think that Ariadne can help him.”

  “But she wouldn’t.” Connor’s fists clenched. “She wouldn’t.”

  “I don’t think she’s acting completely of her own free will.” Sarah struggled for comforting words. “When the Harbinger spoke to her, she was obviously trying to fight him, but—” Sarah stopped. She didn’t want to finish the thought, knowing it would only cause Connor more pain.

  “But what?” Connor asked, unable to keep the panic from his voice.

  “I don’t know if she’ll be strong enough to resist,” Sarah said reluctantly. “His power is corrupting and absolute. If she’s already under his sway, it might be too late.”

  Connor went very still. Then, in a quiet voice, he said, “Never say that to me again.”

  Sarah started to apologize, but Connor turned his back on them and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

  Guilt gnawed at Sarah. She cast a pleading look at Anika. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s time to stop apologizing,” Anika replied in a stern voice. “Regret helps no one.”

  Sarah nodded and Tristan kissed the crown of her head. “You’ve brought us vital information, Sarah.”

  With a flat smile, Anika said, “He’s right. If the Harbinger is seeking a way to return, we must prevent it at all costs. The power plays and bickering that have overtaken the Academy mean nothing compared to this.”

  Anika went to Adne’s desk and picked up a pen and notepad. She handed them to Sarah and said, “Write down everything you remember about your encounter with Logan and the Harbinger. Every detail, no matter how insignificant it seems. We need to determine what Logan’s next move is. He’s already set a plan in motion. We’re going to have to catch up if we want to stop him.”

  “Thank you,” Sarah said.

  “For what?” Anika asked.

  “For letting me help,” Sarah replied. “I want to help however I can.”

  “I’m not letting you do anything,” Anika told her. “You’re one of us, Sarah. A Searcher and a Striker. I haven’t forgotten that. Neither should you.”

  THOUGH THE FIRST-CLASS cabin of the aircraft was spacious, Logan couldn’t imagine why anyone thought the gaudy colors were a good decorating choice. It made Logan feel like he’d been dropped into a gumball machine.

  “I can’t believe we’re taking a commercial flight.” Chase signaled the flight attendant to bring him another cocktail.

  “We’re in first class,” Logan said. “It’s not that bad.”

  “Please.” Chase gave him a hard look. “It’s a commercial flight.”

  Across the aisle, Adne murmured, “I’ve never been on a plane.”

  “No?” Logan’s gaze slid over to her. “I suppose planes wouldn’t be much use to a Weaver.”

  Adne gave Logan a startled glance, making it clear that she hadn’t intended to be overheard. “Don’t talk to me,” she said, turning her face away from the pair of Keepers.

  “This is going to be the best vacation ever.” Chase finished his vodka and donned a sleep mask. “Wake me up when we’re across the Atlantic.”

  “What a wonderful traveling companion you are,” Logan said.

  Chase gave him the finger. A few minutes later he was snoring elegantly. Logan hadn’t realized that snores could have elegance, but Chase somehow managed it as only a Montauk Keeper could.

  Logan glanced at Adne. She was in the window seat, and the aisle seat beside her was empty. Logan got up and moved to the vacant seat.

  Adne shot him a poisoned look. “I told you to leave me alone.”

  “And I’m not comfortable with you thinking I take your orders,” Logan answered. “So this is your first time on a plane? Are you frightened?”

  “That question is so lame, I’m not bothering with it,” Adne said, keeping her face turned toward the window.

  Logan smiled. Prickly as Adne might be, Logan sensed how restless the girl was. She wanted to talk, needed to. And Logan was feeling the same way. So he waited.

  After what he supposed Adne considered a sufficient snub, she asked, “Do you think he’s in pain?”

  “Chase?” Logan laughed. “No. He just gets whiny when he’s tired.”

  “I meant Ren,” Adne said. “Do you think Ren is in pain?”

  “Why would he be in pain?”

  Adne turned to face Logan. “Because he’s trapped, isn’t he? He died, which means he isn’t supposed to be here, but he is.”

  “I don’t know if a spirit feels pain,” Logan said. “But to be honest, I’m sure he isn’t happy. He hates taking orders from me.”

  “Why is it that he has to obey you?” Adne frowned.

  “I couldn’t get into specifics,” Logan said with a shrug, “but it has something to do with Bosque. Ren serves as a conduit, letting Bosque exert a fraction of his power on this plane.”

  At the mention of Bosque’s name, Adne shrank into her seat.

  “Are you afraid of him?” Logan asked. From what he’d witnessed of Ariadne, she was steely and cowed by little. But in Bosque’s presence, the Weaver had quailed as if her will was being sapped and she could do nothing other than submit.

  Logan thought it had been rather glorious.

  Adne said quietly, “Aren’t you?”

  “Not really,” Logan replied.

  Adne’s mouth quirked in a mocking smile. “I find that hard to believe. Bosque can’t have forgotten that you summoned him and forced him to reveal his true form. You’re the reason Shay was able to close the Rift.”

  Logan maintained his nonchalant tone. “We all make mistakes.”

  “Is that what you told Bosque?” Adne asked, incredulous. “That you just made a mistake?”

  “I didn’t understand who Bosque was,” Logan said stiffly. “I do now. And he knows that I’ve changed.”

  “You mean you know he’s your grandfather,” Adne supplied.

  Logan sucked in a sharp breath. Trying not to show his alarm, he asked, “How do you know that?”

  “I found a family tree,” Adne said. “Eira and Bosque had children. You’re a part of that line. So is Shay.”

  Logan nodded. “That’s why he could close the Rift.”

  “And why you can open it.” Adne finished the thought.

  Logan searched Adne’s face for signs of deception. Is that what she thought? That he was the one who could open the Rift? She had no idea of the part she had to play in all of this. She’d been cast in the leading role and she thought she’d just be in the audience.

  “Yes,” Logan answered simply. Better to let this scene play out than give away the plot twist now.

  “Does Bosque really trust you to pull off something this big?” Adn
e didn’t bother to hide her smirk.

  “I’ve demonstrated my skill.” Slightly ruffled, both by the new knowledge of Adne’s misconceptions and her insult, Logan shot back, “And I’ve proven my loyalty.”

  “How?”

  “I got you here, didn’t I?” Logan smirked.

  “That was a fluke and you know it,” Adne replied. “I came here on my own. Not because of you.”

  “Why are you here?” Logan countered.

  The direct question took Adne by surprise. “I—I don’t know.”

  “You must, though,” Logan said. “Throwing yourself into the belly of the beast. If you’ve gone mad, you hide it well.”

  “I’m not crazy,” Adne said, though her voice was quiet.

  “I don’t think you are,” Logan said. “But that means there’s reason behind your choices.”

  “Never mind.” Adne fidgeted in her seat. “Let’s just say I am crazy.”

  “I know why I decided to summon Bosque.” Logan ignored her attempt to dodge the issue. “After the war, I learned very quickly that wealth means little without power, and we Keepers had Bosque to thank for the power we wielded. I didn’t understand that until he was gone.”

  “Good for you,” Adne muttered.

  “Is that what you’re after?” Logan continued. “True power?” He leaned close to Adne and murmured, “I remember what he said to you in the library. About your power. He wouldn’t be seeking you now if you weren’t extraordinary. That’s the key, isn’t it? Bosque knows who you really are, but you don’t, and you want to.”

  “I think you should go back to your side of the plane now.” Adne returned her gaze to the window.

  Satisfied, Logan went back to his original seat. Though Adne’s unexpected arrival had been something of a boon, Logan had been worried he’d have to constantly contend with her for control of the situation. But now he saw things differently. For reasons she didn’t want to or wasn’t ready to admit, Adne was no longer Logan’s enemy. And Logan was beginning to think she might turn into a surprising ally.

  AFTER CONSIDERABLE discussion, it was decided that four of their number would go to meet Holt: Anika, Tristan, Ethan, and Sabine.

  Anika, as the Arrow, was an obvious choice, and Tristan was deemed a good counterpart to Anika because he would be able to emphasize the threat that the Harbinger posed. Ethan was to play the “common man,” a warrior of the Searchers. And Sabine, as Anika put it, represented their future.