“Good. And make sure your spy network spreads the word that Rayna Myana, the Wolf Witch, is to blame. I want our people screaming for her and her allies' heads.” Terayan drained his wine. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll pay our white wolf a visit. I've a few ideas on how I might keep his ire burning.”
Terayan left through his hidden exit in his bedchamber. Aronak's cell was in Krymammer's west wing. Terayan knew the secret network of tunnels connecting Tenavar Palace to strategic locations throughout the city by heart. It took him over an hour of navigating the dank passages, but eventually he arrived at Krymammer's concealed back entrance. Using his master key, he slipped into a nondescript storage room.
He exited into the main corridor and turned the corner leading to the western cell block. The eight guards he hand-picked to protect Aronak's wing greeted him with bows. They knew to expect his visits at any time.
“How is our favorite arena performer today?” Terayan asked Lieutenant Harker, the commander.
“Hoarse.” Harker laughed. “He's been shouting like a lunatic most of the day. He hurt himself punching the bars, but it's nothing to worry over.”
Terayan nodded. “Understood. Open the door.”
Once inside the shadowy cell block, the stink of blood and filth stung his eyes. He blinked and made his way to the only occupied cell.
Aronak crouched with his back to the bars. “How's your hand?” he asked without turning to see Terayan.
“You knew it was me? I'm honored.”
Aronak spat. “What can I say? Even without my wolf senses, you stink up a room.”
Aronak, covered in blood and muck, was in no position to complain of “stink,” but Terayan liked the boy's cheek. “My hand is good as new, but don't think your little nip will be forgotten.”
“I won't forget, either. Isaac was a good man.”
“Yes,” Terayan agreed. “A stubborn one, too. Does it please you to know it took him hours to die? He looked fragile, I know, but it's amazing what the human body can endure.”
Kado peered over his shoulder. In the near-darkness, the un-shed tears in the boy's brown eyes seemed to glow.“Why are you here?”
“I wanted to ensure our champion was ready. The arena awaits its most deadly son.”
Kado leaped to his feet, rattling the bars of his cell. “Don't use that word!”
Terayan put his hand to his chest in affected embarrassment. “I forgot. Bastard orphans don't like to be reminded of what they are. Don't blame me, son, blame your whoring mother.”
Kado bellowed like the caged animal he was. “Shut up! Shut up! I hate you!”
Terayan turned and walked out, as Kado's mad shouting dissolved into sobs.
Silver folded her response to Seperun and exited her den. The Maenoren falcon still waited on the branch where it had first arrived. She fastened the message to its talon, and the raptor took flight. She watched it soar over the trees, disappearing into the dusk sky. She silently thanked the gods for her good fortune. According to Seperun's message, Rayna, Katrine, and Mina had arrived at Halmstead. He would keep them there until Roxen, Channon, and the Trues could bring them home.
An urgent yelp brought Silver’s eyes back to ground level. Lichen, the temporary True Wolf leader, and his mate, Sorrel, bounded up to her.
Alphena! Lichen barked. There’s a young Alvornian making his way to the site. Obviously we could not speak to him, but I would expect he has something to discuss with you. Our yearling pup, Moth is leading him here now.
Thank you, Lichen, Sorrel. I only hope the news he brings is good. As soon as Silver had finished speaking, a long-legged True appeared. A wide-eyed, fair-haired Alvornian ran at Moth's heels.
“Alphena,” the young man said breathlessly, “my name is Winiam, and I have a request from the Priestess.”
Silver motioned for him to sit beside her on a log. “Winiam? I believe I’ve heard your name from my niece?”
“From Rayna, yes. I met her during the war this past winter,” Winiam supplied.
Can you retrieve a water skin for our guest please? Silver communicated to the Trues.
“I’ll never grow accustomed to that, amazing.” Winiam smiled as the wolves responded to Silver’s bark and body language cues.
“Alvornians are quite amazing yourselves. Now what can I do for the Priestess, Winiam?”
“She would like to visit,” Winiam said.
“Of course. When?”
“Well, she already is. I left with her. She had me run ahead because she did not want to appear… rude. She wanted me to apologize for the late notice. She says she had no other choice.” Winiam blushed.
“Well, Marielana is always welcome here. General Pheros is accompanying her, I presume? Can you tell me what was so urgent?”
“She wishes to speak with Rayna. About what I do not know.”
“Oh.”
“Is something wrong, Alphena?”
“Well, my niece is away at present. You'd think the Priestess would have foreseen that.”
Winiam shrugged. “Even she doesn’t know everything, I guess. She did seem somewhat distressed.”
Moth, returned carrying a full water skin in his mouth. He dropped it at Winiam’s feet with an excited yip. Here you go!
Winiam jumped at the sound.
Silver chuckled. He can't understand you, Moth.
Oh right, sorry! Moth barked in the Alvornian’s face.
Winiam tumbled back off the log.
Sorry! Moth barked again as he licked Winiam’s wrist.
“He wants you to know he’s sorry for startling you,” Silver said as she helped Winiam to his feet.
Winiam brushed dirt from his cotton breeches. “It's fine,” he squeaked.
“Shall we go meet your countrymen?”
Winiam offered his arm.
Silver faltered. Alvornian men followed strange customs regarding their treatment of women. Though she hardly needed an escort for her own home, Silver placed her palm on the young man's elbow.
They strolled east through the Site. Sunshine warmed her face and a gentle breeze carried the scent of lilacs. It was a lovely morning. Silver only hoped whatever urgent business brought the Alvornians would not sour it.
Silver sniffed the currents. “Pheros and Marielana are close. There’s someone else, too.”
“My sister, Lurenia. She always wanted to visit Fenear.”
“I hope we meet her expectations, then.”
“Oh it does, Alphena Silverine!” A young woman raced toward them, narrowly avoiding a Fenearen carrying firewood.
Several passersby halted at the sight of the Alvornian. With her flowy purple gown, artfully arranged black hair, and delicate looks, Lurenia could not have been more out-of-place.
Winiam blushed. “My sister, Alphena.”
Lurenia curtsied when she reached them. “Lurenia, Maiden of the Waters. It is an honor, Alphena Silverine.”
Two more Alvornians followed Lurenia, at a markedly more stoic pace.
“She prefers Silver, Lurenia,” Marielana chastised gently.
Silver had met the Priestess years earlier. To the Alphena's astonishment, Marielana looked the exact same—at least from what could be glimpsed through the semi-transparent veil covering Marielana's face. Sharply arched brows and full lips framed the woman's face. She was beautiful, but not in the usual, comforting way. Marielana's deep blue gaze and high-planed cheeks were striking, but disconcerting in their intensity. If a rainstorm were a person, they would be the Priestess.
The man standing next to Marielana was equally eye-catching. General Pheros was as tall as Roxen. Like the Beta, Pheros had red-tinged hair, but his was pulled back in a sleek ponytail.
Silver inclined her head to the Priestess and the General.
“Alphena, you look—” Pheros paused, taking in the fresh scratches, bruises, and bandages that covered Silver’s body and face. “Well.”
Silver pursed her lips, “There has been some poli
tical unrest, post-war.”
“Yes, that irritating Haerian. Don’t worry, Silver. You were always going to win that fight.” Marielana winked.
“Uh, er—thank you.”
“I do hope you can excuse the sudden intrusion,” Marielana continued. “I’m afraid I have urgent business. As thanks, I'm having fifty barrels of pickled herring sent to each densite.”
Silver had to keep her nose from wrinkling. Pickled herring did not appeal to her, but it would certainly ease their recent shortages. “Thank you, Priestess. Now how can I help you?”
“Silver, dear. I am sure Winiam told you that I wished to speak with Rayna?”
“He did.” Silver chose her next words carefully, conscious of the many pack members within earshot. “But I’m afraid my niece is not here at present.”
Marielana’s eyebrows shot up behind the veil. “I see. May I speak privately with you?”
“My den is right this way.”
Pheros eyed the Priestess warily, but stepped aside to let her pass. “I’ll guard the entrance.”
“Thank you, General.” Marielana patted his arm. “Would it be acceptable for Winiam and Lurenia to look around the densite, Silver?”
“Of course. Kiera!” She called over a hunter Rayna's age from where she dressed a rabbit beneath an alder tree.
The young woman jumped to her feet. “I wasn't eavesdropping, Alphena!”
Silver raised an eyebrow. “I was going to ask if you wouldn't mind giving Winiam and Lurenia a tour.”
“I—er, yes.” She wiped her hands on her leggings. “I'd be happy to.”
“Thank you.” That settled, she led the older Alvornians to her den.
As soon as the women were inside, Silver gestured for Marielana to sit by the hearth.
The Priestess sat cross-legged on the dirt floor, ignoring the available stools. “Alphena, where is Rayna?”
Silver knelt beside her. “Forgive me Priestess, but can you not tell for yourself?”
Marielana waved her hand. “No apology needed. Normally, with the right Amne Vena, I could locate anyone. But in the case of your niece, there are complicating variables.”
“What variables?” Silver suspected she knew, but wanted to be certain. She’d been aware of Rayna’s abilities for months, ever since Thera had told her and Bayne before the war started.
“Silver, have you heard of the twice-blessed seers?”
“I have, and I know that Rayna is one.”
Marielana nodded. “Good. That will make this all much easier to explain. Now Silver, please, where is Rayna?”
For the second time in a week, Silver decided to divulge her secret. The intensity in Marielana’s stare convinced her it would be best for Rayna if she told the truth. “She’s in Maenor.”
“Ah.” Marielana sighed in relief.
“She was apprehended en route to the Kyrean Republic,” Silver finished.
Marielana’s features lost their serenity. Her fine eyebrows scrunched over her blue eyes. “That is not good.”
“I don’t intend to let her reach that destination,” added Silver.
“And you’re confident that whatever you’ve put into motion to prevent her will succeed?”
Silver shrugged. “As confident as I can be where my niece is concerned. She's stubborn, and clever. But Seperun assures me he will do everything he can to keep her in his sight until my men arrive to bring her home.”
“Yes, Rayna's drive is one of her many positive qualities—but one easily manipulated, I'm afraid.”
“You think someone is manipulating Rayna?”
“Given what you have told me, Alphena, I am certain someone is.”
Silver leaned forward. “Please, speak plainly. What kind of danger is my niece in?”
“I believe that Councilor Terayan is altering Rayna’s dreams to lead her into a trap.”
“What?” Silver stood. “How is that possible? Rayna told me that after her Awakening at the Eye of Heaven, she’d become immune to dark magic. It’s what allowed her to defeat Rhael.”
“Yes, Rayna is immune to Demonic and Blood magic, but there are two other kinds. As Rayna's abilities stem from the Divine, Divine magic—and its diluted form, Word magic—can affect her. Any magic can be dark, with the right motivation—or rather, the wrong.”
“But how do you know this is happening?” Silver asked.
“I didn’t until recently. My own powers were clouded. I thought it was due to the increase in free dark energy following the Sionic Hex, but eventually, I discovered the truth. Terayan was using Word magic—though I know of no spells so powerful—to confuse my visions. I performed a purification ritual to expel his influence. I’d hoped to do the same for Rayna, but it appears I'm too late.” Frustration laced her voice. “I should have figured this out sooner.”
“Priestess, Rayna will be returned soon.” Silver took her hand. Their shared concern for Rayna endeared Marielana to the Alphena. “I’ll send word to Seperun. Now that we know she is being manipulated, it might help my men convince her to return.”
Marielana nodded. “Let us hope. But in case it does not, I’m afraid I need to take my leave.”
“You’re leaving already? Forgive me, Priestess, but Rayna is already leagues away. What can you do?”
“I’m not certain, but if Rayna does escape to the Republic, we must have a way to help her. I’ve no time to waste. Pheros and I will take our ship to Maenor. We will either stop her, or find a way to rescue her from Halmstead. With our amne vena we should arrive inside two days' time. Thank you for your hospitality and information, Alphena.”
“I—of course.”
Marielana stood. “I am sorry to have not protected your niece as I should have.”
“This isn’t your fault. I never should have let her slip away.”
Marielana shook her head. “Rayna is your kin, but as a seer, she is my responsibility. I have already failed one of my sisters. I cannot make that mistake again.”
With that enigmatic statement, Marielana exited the den. Soon after, the Alvornians left the site.
Chapter Fourteen
Rayna paced their suite’s marble floors. She'd changed into her leggings, doeskin shirt, and jerkin. Mina and Katrine had donned their traveling clothes as well, but it seemed a pointlessly hopeful action. They'd already examined their balcony as a possible escape route. But if they did manage to repel down somehow, several guards patrolled the courtyard beneath them.
They had their weapons and packs—nothing had been taken. They could attempt to fight their way out, but they could not risk harming the Maenorens.
Rayna growled under her breath. It was one thing to escape enemies, but an altogether different problem to escape friends. Their best hope was to await Roxen, Channon, Gar and Pike’s arrival. Once they'd been released to Fenearen custody, getting away seemed more feasible—and more painful.
Rayna pictured the hurt on Channon’s face if she left him not once, but twice, in the space of a week. As tears beaded her lashes, she remembered Mina’s suggestion that she write a letter to Channon. Perhaps she could do so and ensure he received it before they sneaked away again? It was a flimsy hope. Knowing Channon’s recent irritability, he would likely burn it.
“Wolfie?” Mina lay on the chaise. “It’s clear our plans have to be put on hold. Besides, once the others arrive, maybe they'll be more open to discussion than we think. You should get some rest while you can. If we're to escape, or convince Rox, Channon, and the wolves to let us go, we’re going to need our strength.” She pointed to where Katrine slept on the massive four-poster bed. “Little Wolf has the right idea.”
“You’re right.” Rayna unlaced her boots and crawled onto the bed’s other side. Katrine’s soft breathing relaxed Rayna as much as was possible given their circumstances. Although the bed was too soft, it was warm, and Rayna soon found herself drifting to sleep.
The world rocked beneath Rayna’s feet. She fell, catching herself on
wet wooden boards. She was aboard a ship. Mist clouded her vision. She could not see much, but she felt the pitch and yaw, and smelled the salt. She struggled to find her balance.
A strong hand closed around her wrist, hauling her up. Brilliant blue eyes greeted her. For a moment, her thoughts fled to Channon, but where his eyes were the mixed violet and cerulean of cornflowers, this man’s eyes were a raging ocean of deepest blue. He was Alvo, Alvorn’s demigod founder. He opened his mouth, but a roar drowned out his words. As quickly as he’d appeared, the mist had swallowed Alvo up again.
“No! Wait!” Rayna called, but it was no use. Her balance shifted. She plunged over the ship’s side. Instead of hitting water, she fell and fell. All around her scattered images punched through the fog: A white wolf, Terayan, and Kellan behind bars. The gold-limned fog overtook each scene almost the moment they appeared. Still, Rayna fell, pressure building behind her temples until she screamed in pain.
“Rayna!” Katrine leaned over her. “What’s going on?”
Rayna squeezed her eyes shut. The candlelight seared her head worse than ever before. She bit her lip to stop screaming.
Mina’s voice came from her other side. She must have knelt by the bed. “Your eyes, Rayna. They did it again.”
“That’s happened before?” Katrine’s yelling grated Rayna’s ear drums.
She sat up, squinting through the pain. She tumbled off the bed, knocking Mina over in the process.
“Rayna!” Fear strained Mina’s voice.
Katrine leaped down to help, and together they leaned Rayna against the bed frame.
Rayna gulped down breaths. The pain subsided enough for her to regain focus. “I’m all right.”
“No, you aren’t. They're getting worse.” Mina wiped Rayna's forehead. “What did you see?”
Katrine ran to the table, pouring Rayna a glass of water.
Rayna shook her head. “Barely anything. A ship? Alvo for a moment, then the usual jumble, ending with—”
Twice Blessed Page 15