by Gia Tsiknas
“I recognize those two. We will talk with them another day. We need to present our initiation to the Don. If we don’t…there’s no second chance.”
Machi scowled and bit back her snarl. Brizna was right. She could always search for leads later. They had one chance to enter the guild and gain rights to the knowledge and connections of Den’s underground. They desperately needed those connections, and funds to track down someone as elusive as the Grey Demon.
Machi sighed and turned away from the Tanners.
“Don’t get separated.” Machi growled, then waded into the messy crowd. Together she and Brizna shoved, cajoled, and threatened their way to the front. Machi tried to flag down the Crusader plucking out initiates.
A short man in Hunter’s garb stepped forward from the table. He spoke to the bald Crusader manning the line. After a few moments the Crusader turned his steel eyes on Machi. A look of recognition flickered in his face before stepping forward.
Machi frowned as the Crusader came closer. Had he recognized her? She didn’t know him.
“You.” Machi only came to the man’s shoulder. His physique was broad, built solid like a mountain. His voice so deep it rumbled in Machi’s ears. He wore the insignia of the captain, the head of the Crusaders, on his shoulder. “I’m surprised to find one of you here. I was told you were an initiate for the Hunters.”
One of you? Machi’s mouth dried.
“Yes, sir.” Brizna met the man’s gaze evenly. His tone light, almost mocking. “We’d not be here otherwise.”
The captain eyed Brizna, appraising him like a horse at market. “I doubt a Hunter would sponsor you, boy.”
“I am the Tracker initiate she is paired with.” Brizna’s voice stayed friendly despite the man’s hostility. “If you doubt me, why not ask Tracker Vera? She will vouch for me.”
The captain raised his eyebrow, appraising Brizna once again. Without a word he turned and walked to the Fingers. With a few curt words to a woman in a Tracker’s cloak he returned.
“Both of you may come.”
Machi released her held breath.
Get it together, she scolded herself.
“A word of advice. Find a way to cover your eyes.” The Crusader eyed Machi again, then turned and started walking. “There are some who wouldn’t think twice about selling you out.”
Her heart thudded in her chest. He knew. He knew she was a Drakian, that she and her people were hunted and killed, or sent to the North. She clenched her fists tight. She would be a slave to no one, especially not the witch who had stolen Drakia and killed her people.
Machi felt Brizna’s gaze on her. She forced a smile his way and strode out of the crowd, as at ease as she could manage with dragons rampaging in her stomach.
Stupid. She cursed under her breath. How foolish had she been? Anyone paying attention would notice her red eyes. She turned her face down, forcing her hand to stay by her side away from her dyed black hair.
If he could tell, had anyone else?
“Over here.” The man beckoned them to her left. She turned, eyeing her taskmaster, the Hunters’ leader, Beyran. He wore the layered cloak of his profession, his hood drawn just enough to shield his eyes from direct view. His strong Denarian jawline was the only visible part of him.
“Good day to you, initiates.” The female Tracker, Vera, came to stand beside Beyran. She was lithe, angular, and hauntingly stunning, if you didn’t look her in the eye. Her face had a trio of jagged scars raking across her right eye. She wore a patch.
“Good day, Tracker Vera.” Brizna bowed. “I trust you are well.”
“Ever the charmer.” Vera’s smile was thin.
“Let’s go.” Beyran rolled his eyes. “The Don awaits.”
Beyran turned and started out of the room, Vera on his heels. Brizna came up beside Machi.
“Calm down.” He pat her shoulder. “Whatever happens we’re together on this.”
Machi nodded and looked toward the door leading to the Don, the leader of the Black Guild, and the shadow ruler of Den. A Hunter stood there in the shadows. Machi frowned. He wore the garb, same as Beyran, but also wore a black and red mask. It almost looked like a panther.
Perhaps a mask could hide her eyes? Or a hood like Beyran? A spark flickered in her chest. Strength trickling through her limbs until she felt grounded; sure of herself.
“Come on.” Brizna pulled her from her trance. “We can’t fall behind.”
“Right.” Machi’s voice was short. She glanced around for the Hunter, but the corner was empty.
Brizna’s gaze snapped to her, but Machi ignored him and stalked after Beyran and Vera.
Today marks the first day of my Hunt.
Brizna watched her go, frowning. He fingered the bell in his pocket as he followed Machi from the room.
CHAPTER ONE
VENGEANCE
The flames rose high, reaching for the sky with the same insatiable hunger that had consumed the house Machi called home. A man stepped from a doorway of shadows, a horned dog at his heels. She screamed as the barking laugh of the man pierced the roar of the fire. At her feet corpses piled: her mother, father, her many victims. They lay in the center of a funeral pyre burning, consuming Machi as laughter filled her ears.
Machi bolted upright, fumbling for the dagger always within arms’ reach. Her breath came fast and labored. Her eyes scanned the room: a dresser, a mirror, her bed, a table, one chair. There should be two. Machi noticed the rustle of cloth and lashed out, swiping her dagger before she even turned.
“Wait!” Brizna cried out. He tried to push himself backward away from the danger but hit the second chair and fell. “Wait, Machi, it’s me!”
Machi’s dagger tore through the trail of his cloak. She halted her attack within a handsbreadth of his skin.
“What are you doing?” She snapped. “Why are you standing over me?”
Brizna tried to smile and stand but his arms buckled and he landed on his elbow with a cry. “Your nightmares are getting worse. You need to see--”
“I am fine.” Machi stood, took his arm, and jerked Brizna to his feet. She noticed his pale face, but said nothing.
“Let me help you.”
“Enough,” Machi stalked to the dresser and snatched her dark-steel sword. Brizna watched as she pulled out the blackened, slender blade and examined its edge. Satisfied, she sheathed it, strapped it to the leather belt on her waist, and stowed several knives away in the many pockets of her Hunter garb. Her silhouette was shapeless and unassuming, covered in layers of mottled gray and black fabric. When she pulled her hood up, she looked like a wraith from Shadow’s chasm.
The room held the neglected air of an inn. Crumpled bedsheets lay on the floor, a last testament to Machi’s nightmare. The window along the far wall shuttered against the red light of twilight. Machi glanced up into the mirror and saw Brizna turn away.
“The Gray Demon is in our grasp.” Machi’s eyes glowed with a feral light. Her mind turned to the day she and Brizna entered the Guild. Soon these nightmares will end. Soon we will be free. “Do you not understand how close we are to finishing our revenge?”
“Your revenge!” Brizna spat. “I thought bringing you here, to the Guild would bring you closure. But it’s not. Your obsession over the Gray Demon is tearing you apart, Machi.”
“That demon slaughtered my family.” Machi glared into Brizna’s hazel eyes, trying to make him understand.
“You need not kill him to move on.” Brizna’s eyes held hers. “You have another way.”
The silence was deafening. Machi tried to pull her eyes away from Brizna’s piercing gaze, but something drew them back. She could lose him; lose his support and his help. What had changed? Machi had known of Brizna’s aversion to blood years ago during their initiation into the Guild, but that was no problem. He tracked targets and gathered information and she would deal the final blow alone.
But ever since he used the bell…
Machi gazed at the f
loor. She did not want to face this stranger. “We’re so close, Brizna. Just one more month. It will only take one more month to finish our revenge. Then I promise we can step back from the Guild.”
“You told me that three months ago, Machi. How many more lives will you take?”
“Is this why you want to stop?” Machi’s voice was icy as she brought her gaze up from the floor. Her red eyes drilled into his. “We swore to find the man who killed my family. Need I remind you why we chose this path?”
Machi stalked to the dresser and wrenched a drawer open. Brizna clenched his jaw and ran his hand through his short brown hair. He glanced at Machi’s rigid back before turning away.
“Take me with you tonight.”
“No.”
“I swear I won’t stop you. I just need to go tonight.”
Machi took two steps to Brizna, snapped a kick behind his knee, and let him fall to the floor. She brought her sword to his throat before he could say anything more.
Brizna flushed.
“You are ill and distracted. A hinderance.” Her eyes softened, and she lowered her voice to a whisper. “Please, stay and rest. I am only meeting a Broker tonight.”
“A Broker both Eri and I have never seen!” Brizna snapped. “You’re a fool if you trust Beyran’s sources over my own.”
“He’s my brother. Hunters don’t betray Hunters.”
“Right.” Brizna scoffed. “Like a band of blood-stained assassins will have your back when you need it?”
“Enough.” Machi’s voice dipped low, almost into a growl. “I will not have a Tracker questioning my brother and sisters.”
Silence filled the room. Machi and Brizna glared at each other. Anger and guilt warred in Machi, but she shoved it aside. How could he treat her like this? How did he not understand that this was their last chance? Her last chance.
Information had been dry for weeks about the Gray Demon. All their leads over the years shriveled up and died. How could he not care?
“If you leave without me, I will follow you.” Brizna stood, turned, and left the room. Machi mumbled an obscenity but did not stop him. Continuing the argument was a waste of energy.
She peered into the mirror which stood on the dresser and glared into the blood-red eyes of her reflection. Her fingers combed her shoulder length black locks. Machi cursed as the telltale gleam of white shone at the roots. She would need to get more dye from Eri. She could trust no one else to keep their mouth shut.
Soon.
A shadow flickered at Machi’s side as she stared at her blackened dagger.
***
Brizna clicked the door closed and shuffled to his room. His body felt like lead. Pull it together. You have to be there tonight. This may be your last chance.
He entered his room, a mirror of Machi’s, and closed the door. The barrenness bothered him. It was an eerie mirror of his current life. Brizna grabbed his twin swords and covered the gemstone pommels with a dark cloth. He lifted the edge of his cloak and viewed the tattered edge with a sigh.
I can do this. Brizna took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He concentrated on the image of his undamaged cloak. Slowly the broken strands wove back together. Minutes passed as he worked his gift. He tried to keep his lessons in mind, focusing his will into shape. He had only been practicing magic for a few scant months, but already he was able to alter small objects as talismans or fix broken items as new. Once done, Brizna opened his eyes and smiled. Perhaps one day he could walk through a doorway of magic to lands faraway like legends claimed the mages of old could do.
He shook his head at his presumption, only mind of the strongest iron would be able to hold that kind of image without shattering.
Brizna moved to the bed, crisp sheets a mockery of his unkept state. He had not slept there since he learned of Machi’s nightmares. Brizna transferred a few tools from his traveler’s pack into the pocket of his cloak. He pulled out a wrinkled parchment crushed and smoothed out several times by nervous fingers.
“Is this the time?” He questioned the air. Brizna clenched his fist, crushing the parchment anew. A gentle breeze caressed his cheek, and he glanced toward the closed window. He sighed. “I understand.”
With careful attentiveness Brizna flattened the parchment into its original shape. He folded the edges together. “Maybe it can wait….”
The breeze ruffled his hair. With a deep breath Brizna finished folding the parchment and pulled out a small pouch from one of the inner pockets of his cloak. It was small and worn, fitting in the palm of his hand. He glanced at the parchment, folded it one more time, and slipped it into the bag. Then knotted it with a leather cord. With great deliberateness Brizna moved to his dresser and placed the parcel on its empty surface.
THUD, THUD, THUD.
Brizna’s head whipped to the door.
“Open up, boy. You promised las’ month’s ren’ and I mean ta have it.” The innkeeper roared.
“Machi has the rent.” Brizna glanced to a bag near his pack. It was large with unsold trinkets, mocking his attempts at an honorable job. Living in an inn was far from ideal, but all their money was spent in digging for the Gray Demon. They didn’t have enough for something else, and they couldn’t stay with Eri forever.
“I ain’a looby, boy. That fox ain’ nowhere an’ I will ‘ave what I’m due.”
Brizna ripped open the door, bowled past the innkeeper as the man shouted, and barreled into Machi’s room. It was empty.
***
The cool mists from the sea coated the early morning harbor. The eerie silence of the night had Machi flinching at every noise, expecting Brizna to appear and drag her back to the inn. Her steps were soft on the solid mesh of stone and ash that made up the streets of Den’s Black District. Machi grinned as the mists parted enough for her to make out an abandoned warehouse. She ducked into an alley and re-checked her equipment.
The walls were wooden planks, swollen from the sea air. The roof, slanted and smooth, made access difficult. Machi dug into a pouch on her belt and pulled out a pair of brass knuckles, four lethal claws curled from the base of each digit. She threaded her fingers through the proper holes and balled her hands into a fist. Swinging high up the wall Machi slammed the claws into the wood. With an experimental tug to determine if the claws could bear her weight she climbed. Several minutes later Machi pulled her body onto the slanted roof. She opened and closed her hands a few times to regain full use before placing the weapon back in its place on her belt. Machi got to her feet, the slanted roof was flat enough to her to stand if she was careful, and padded up the roof to the peak of the building. One quick leap to the neighboring warehouse, and Machi slipped into an unlocked window. It was the perfect place to interrogate the informant.
The warehouse was dark, but Machi had no trouble distinguishing the layout of the interior. Large hooks with chains draped over a trench slanted toward dark water designed to hold shipping vessels during repair. The western wall was a wooden door opening to the bay. The bottom third of the wood had rotted away. Machi ducked behind a table as she heard the scrape of a door opening, the only entrance accessible from the street. She slipped a thin painted dagger into her hand. A large, feral dog trotted inside the building, sniffing the floor for its next meal. The slap of running boots broke the silence. The dog turned and growled. Brizna gasped for air as he dove into the building.
“Machi, where are you?” Brizna caught sight of the mutt and froze as the dog’s growl echoed through the empty building. “Nice dog. Good dog.”
Brizna slowly backed toward the door, avoiding any sudden movement that might lead the mongrel to attack.
Machi sighed and stood from her hiding place. Leave it to Brizna to be cornered by a stray. She raised her arm and took aim as Brizna continued to back towards the door. With a yelp he fell, smashing into a white-haired homeless man who stepped into the doorway. The ragged layers of his clothes hung on his scarecrow frame. He caught and steadied Brizna, a crazed giggle escaping
his lips. “Just a boy, just a boy, Ulokhu.”
The dog edged closer, continuing to growl. “Ah, but he smells like the one, you say? Oh dear, oh dear it may be a disguise. And he’s first. The first to come.”
Machi froze. That laugh, that dog. He can’t be.
“Better take him anyway. Oh yes, oh yes. Orders. Orders. Come, Hunter.” The man pulled Brizna towards a doorway made of shadows. Machi’s heart sank. He giggled and Machi heard a brief scuffle as Brizna fought the old man.
“No!” Machi threw her knife, but they stepped through the shadows, and vanished. With a snarl the dog leapt toward her. Machi cursed, forgetting the sword at her waist and leapt forward. Red ethereal claws coated her arms, and she tore at the dog. It shrieked and leapt away.
Not again, not again.
Machi whirled toward the door, but the street was empty. Anger coursed through her and filled her body with a faint glow. Her vision flashed, and she was staring at another black doorway, one from her memories.
A series of harsh barks pulled her back to the present, and she looked to the dog. The harsh rasping bark sounded hauntingly like laughter. The beast’s shadow flickered and hissed. Short horns stabbed through its ragged fur. A whisper filled with raging delusions and obsessive impulses tickled her mind. Whispers demanding more, never satisfied, always yearning.
“Shut up!” Machi roared and charged but the beast melted into the shadows, leaving her alone with her anger.
She spun.
“Face me! Coward! Return Brizna and face me!” Machi bellowed her rage to the barren night, and she ran. The darkness met her there, stepping forward into the world of the humans, and it purred.
CHAPTER TWO
TAKEN
The sun peeked through the ragged skyline of Den, illuminating the single and double-tier houses of the Black district. Its first rays peeked through the towering structures of the Silver, then Gold, and Pewter districts spanning the northwestern shore of the river. A thread of heavy rain clouds threatened a wet night yet again. Machi leaned against the wall of a warehouse as she tried to call strength into her leaden limbs.