Wynter Reign

by Emmy R Bennett

  “Here, here,” all say, raising their drinks with Ian and taking a sip.

  Ian nods. “Please be seated.” The guests wait for Ian to take his seat first before following suit.

  “Shall we get started?” Ian comments.

  My grandfather looks to me. “We have it on good authority that the mole among us hides well and isn’t easily detected. The underworld knows you’re here.”

  “But how?” I grab my necklace. “We had the locket infused. Dr. Brekker assured us it would be repaired and not to worry about being followed.”

  “Ah, yes. I suppose that is, indeed, true; however, once a tracker catches your scent, it’s nearly impossible to lose them, unless they’re killed, of course.”

  “You’re saying they followed me here, and yet you still bring me to this fortress, risking everyone else?”

  “Not entirely,” Dad cuts in. “We did lose the trackers off Dragonscale Island, though."

  “We should be fighting you know…” It angers me that I’m kept here as their precious prize.

  “We are, Wynter,” Eleena adds. “We have magical forces surrounding the Island and Storm Castle. You must complete your trials before it will all end.”

  “So, for all anyone knows, a wraith could be hiding out here, among us?” I look around the massive table. The other guests avoid eye contact, looking down at the plates in front of them. “Tell me, Grandfather…can you see them?”

  He smiles, giving me my answer. “The mole is another dragon shifter. A Trek ally.”

  “That means—”

  “They know she’s here,” a man says bursting through the doors that had closed a moment ago.

  There are whispers and voices from the people around the room.

  “How did they find her?” Ian asks, appearing stunned. “We are hidden by the Elementals’ magic.”

  “Dark dragons are circling above our invisible island headquarters as we speak.”

  I’m startled by this news, and I’m beginning to feel a little fatigued with all the running. Will it ever stop?

  “Why are they still chasing me? It should be over by now. I’ve shifted. Not to mention, I’m eighteen, so I have gained my power already, so they can’t steal that from me.”

  “You’re not at full charge," Dad reminds. "Remember what Dragonscale told you? You can’t leave Ashengale until you’re at a hundred percent. Prematurely leaving will result in either your gifts being stripped forever or not functioning to their complete capacity."

  “You’re kidding, right? So, I’m a cell phone battery, is that it?”

  Some of the people around the table chuckle at my remark.

  “It’s not funny!” My anger begins to boil. I try to force the tension down and begin to develop a headache.

  “Never thought of it that way, but sure. Like a cell phone,” Dad says. “You need to be at full charge for an optimum result.”

  I hear Ian clear his throat. “Let’s not rile everyone up. We need to think this through rationally. We put the soldiers on double duty. Keep her hidden and safe until her charge is complete. Then tomorrow, she begins the journey to her ascension.”

  “I thought nobody could get past the outer Island?”

  “Aye, that is true, yes,” Ian confirms, “but as you can clearly see, we are under attack.”

  “Well, that would leave only one other way in.” I look at Geneviève across from me, sitting next to Dad.

  “Wrong again, my child, while that, too, is true, Geneviève hasn’t left this palace since yesterday,” Ian says.

  “But yesterday is when it started.”

  “It’s not Geneviève.”

  “And how can you be sure?” I pause and realize he can see all. “Right.”

  “Tell me if you can see all, then why not stop it?”

  “How quickly you forget, my student. Free will, will always take precedent. I cannot interfere with that; I can only guide one into making the right decision.”

  “I’m never going to understand any of this.”

  “You will in time,” Ian says. “The most likely option: this mole is a dragon of the dark with a Trek rider. He has markings of Ashengale and can easily slip through. As a shifter, he, too, can withstand the heat of the surface. I know what your next question is going to be, my friends.” He smiles. “Why are we not being bombarded with an army of dark dragons, right now?”

  We all take note.

  “Because if a dragon of the dark tries to penetrate our barrier and gets caught, it’s immediate death. Should they get caught with this hide and go seek, their skin is forever marked as a trespasser, with a price on their head, and they will be hunted until death comes calling. So, you see, once a dragon has chosen a side, they are to remain with their faction for eternity. This mole, whoever they are, is branded under the skin much like when a druid receives a rune. When they fly through our cave, their branding lights up like a Christmas tree.”

  “Then how did they get inside Ashengale?” I ask.

  “A possible distraction, like the attack we had?” one guest remarks.

  “Folks, calm yourselves. We will find them. Most of the dark shifters are either captured or dead.”

  “Except the mole,” I add.

  “We will find the intruder.” He smiles and takes his mug, lifting it in the air. “To victory!”

  The rest of the party raise their mugs except me. “Are you saying I’m not safe…yet? I’m still having to run from the madness?”

  “Not yet. It is part of your process. You’re not branded if you choose good, but should you choose the dark path, you will be. Your trials are the steps to the light. The mole is an added bonus, so to speak.”

  The silence around the table speaks loud and clear. “I see.”

  “Now, it’s more important than ever to wear that necklace,” Dad says. “Namari will be by your side twenty-four seven. He’s going to take up residence in your room, until it’s safe again.”

  I sink my head down, looking at the table. My headache increases. “Does anyone have a muscle relaxer to kill this head pain?”

  Ian waves his hand up to one of the servants. “Find something for my granddaughter, will you please, Margaret?”

  “Yes, Sire,” she says.

  “Wynter, love. I’m sorry you have been put through so much. It will be over soon. I promise you.”

  I huff. “Promises.” I look up and give my grandfather a side grin. “I’ve been filled with so much promises, but nobody keeps their word anymore. Everywhere I turn, it seems something ends up standing in the way.”

  “We could bounce her back to Earth,” Geneviève remarks. “To Jeff’s cabin in the mountains. Is it still safe?”

  “No, she can’t leave the Island, remember? Her power must be complete, as said before,” Ian says. “However, that’s not a bad idea, after she’s ready.”

  “So, wait. Are you saying I’m stuck here?” I ask.

  “Not for long, dear,” Eleena assures me. “Like Ian said, the Trek can’t get in here, only the bloodline of a Dragon can, unless they have a Druid. And the only one left is Geneviève.”

  “Unless the Trek come riding in on a dragon, as you said before.” Rory comes to mind, with the memory of her getting hit with the poisoned arrow, but she isn’t here, and as far as I know, her porting ability isn’t back yet. “One big happy family,” I mutter.

  “Look, it won’t be so bad,” Geneviève counters. “There is so much to learn while you’re here. Besides, Dragonscale has your schedule packed with tasks to accomplish.” She gives a brief glance to Ian.

  “I was under the impression that I wasn’t going to be here that long. I mean, don’t we have a villain to kill? Several actually,” I say.

  Light laughter flits around the table. “Precisely why you must remain here until you have gained your full power.”

  “You make it sound so simple, Grandfather. Like this will take days rather than months. We don’t have months to waste. The first full mo
on has arrived, and we have already been under attack.”

  “Yes, well, that’s why we have Aoes to turn back time.”

  “Right. It’s going to take me a little time to wrap my head around that.”

  “Think of it this way,” he says, first taking a sip of his ale and setting it in front of him, “you know those déjà vu episodes?”

  “Yes, I seem to have them frequently.”

  Ian smiles. “Well, look at that as Aoes tampering with time. And when he performs a time jump, no one is the wiser. It’s simply brushed off as a déjà vu to most people. Try not to think about it too much, or your head will hurt more working out the logistics.”

  One of the servants comes back with something on a silver tray with a glass of water. “Speaking of a headache, here. Take this for your pain.” He gives a nod to the servant, gesturing for them to set the items in front of my plate.

  The pill looks exactly like the headache medicine I had back home. Home. Now, that seems to alter my definition a bit, since I know the truth.

  As soon as I take the pill, I feel suddenly nauseous. “What’s going on?”

  “Sorry,” my grandfather says, “I forgot to mention, it will also knock you out for a while.”

  “But why?”

  “Your second lesson, dear. Don’t trust anyone. Did Jeoffrey teach you nothing?”

  It’s the last thing I remember before my eyes shut.

  Chapter 37

  Rory Fernshadow

  Present Day:

  Storm River Manor

  My mind feels clogged, and I’m confused as to where I am. When I open my eyes, it’s blurry at first, and the smell of death reminds me of the basement where we rescued the kids, Chad, and Blair.

  Whatever I’m lying on is hard and cold. It’s quiet, except for the howling of wolves. How long have I been out? The only light is from oil lamps that hang on stone walls.

  I find my legs and hands are bound in cuffs: valiancium steel, I bet. I laugh on the inside at the irony. Little does Moyer know it won’t weaken me. I’m Elvin, and we have built a resistance to the metal. She didn’t foresee the key Cory gave me either, after he released his mother from such bindings, in the Hall of Secrets.

  It’s still tucked into my kangaroo pocket, and I begin to work it out when I hear, “Welcome to hell.”

  I turn to see another woman in a cell next to me. “Who are you?”

  “A maid.”

  “I can see that. What’s your name?”

  “Does it matter what my name is? We’re both going to die. It’s slim pickings for the Shadow Walkers since Moyer went on her rampage. She’s allowed them to go outside the grounds to feed wherever and whatever they desire.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Haven’t you heard? Don’t you know? She burned the library down.” The woman laughs, and I’m not sure if she’s happy about it, relieved, or angry.

  I hear dogs outside the cellblock growl, but I can’t see them. “Sabretail prowlers.”

  “Yes. You’re familiar with them, huh?” the maid asks.

  Now, I huff at the irony. “You can say that. Do you know how long I have been out?”

  “A day or so, I think. I thought you were already dead, seeing how long you have been unconscious.”

  “Well, I’m not sticking around any longer than I have to.” I continue to work on wriggling the key out of the palm of my hand.

  She laughs again. “I don’t think you quite understand. Sabretail prowlers guard our cells, and Moyer has gone mad, killing everyone in sight that doesn’t cave to her will. I bet she’s preparing our burn piles as we speak.” The woman smirks, turning her head to look me in the eyes. “Placing us for all to see.”

  “What? It can’t be.” History is about to repeat itself. I’ve clearly been out more than a couple hours. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not sticking around to find out.” I pull the key out and insert it into the lock of my cuffs, freeing both my wrists and ankles. I check to see if my chain that holds the curing antidote for Redmae is still on, and thankfully it’s still tucked away safe.

  “How did you get out of those cuffs?” the maid asks, stunned.

  “I told you. I’m not sticking around.”

  “Who are you?”

  I smile. “A woman on a mission. Care to join me?”

  She huffs and rolls her eyes. “That’s a no brainer. What’s your plan?”

  “With this…” I pull my jumping stone out, holding it so it can work its magic. It’s time to save myself and figure out how to get my ability back.

  My prisoner friend’s eyes light up, asking, “You’re a druid?”

  I grin.

  “Man, if Moyer knew that, you would be dead right now.”

  “So, I guess we shouldn’t tell her, huh?” I come close to my neighbor’s bars. “Can you grab hold of my hand? We must touch, because the iron bars that separates us will disrupt the porting spell.”

  “Sure can. Do you think you can really port us out? Magic doesn’t work the same here as Ladorielle. You are from Ladorielle, right?”

  “Yes, Pine Willow Valley.” I grab her hand with my left and hold the rune in my right, focusing on my jump. The stone begins to glow bright blue. “Get ready. Don’t let go, whatever you do.”

  My new friend and I land outside the tunnel in a meadow. “I did it,” I say under my breath, but my companion heard me.

  “Did you have doubts?” She asks, raising one brow.

  I smile. “A little.” I gauge our surroundings, not seeing anything that looks familiar. I turn to spot an underground tunnel carved into a small hill. “Do you know where we are?”

  “That’s the catacomb entrance,” my companion says, “where the Shadow Walkers reside.”

  “Come again? Never mind, which way is the river?”

  The young woman points. “That way.”

  “Take my hand.” Before the girl can react, I have her jumping with me a football-field distance farther ahead of us.

  “A little warning next time?” she protests.

  “Sorry, we need to keep moving. The faster we get to the river the safer we’ll be.” I see smoke up ahead, and it’s not a little amount, either. “What’s that?”

  “The library, remember? I told you Moyer burned it down.”

  “Right. That must mean the river is this way. Take my hand, we’re jumping again.” I grab her palm and leap a second time, landing inside a garden.

  “Geez, can you at least let me catch my breath?” the maid scolds.

  I turn to her. “Noted. I don’t suppose you’ll tell me your name now that we’re out, and I saved your life?”

  She seems to hesitate, “My name is Nora.”

  This must be Zak’s sister.

  She must have noticed my surprised look. “Is there something wrong?” she asks.

  I smile. “No.” I huff on the inside, thinking what are the odds? What was she doing caged like an animal? Is it a ploy to see what I would do? A trap? Maybe it’s a set up, and Moyer stands in the distance observing where I’ll go?

  “Then what is it? You act as though my name offends you or something.”

  I give a slight chuckle. “No, it’s nothing like that. I know someone who is looking for you. More like my whole team.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your brother, Zak.”

  “What? He’s here?”

  “Yes, among others.” I begin to step towards the sound of the howling wolves. My gut tells me it’s the echoes of war. I sense something not quite right.

  “Wait, we can’t go yet.” Nora stops.

  “Why not? You have Moyer following us?”

  I watch her recoil. “So, you know who—rather what—I really am, don’t you?”

  “Of course, I do. You think I can’t smell an Iknes Shaw? I had my suspicions about who you were back in the catacombs.”

  “Yet, you saved me anyway?”

  “Like I said, Zak has been looking for yo
u.” I tilt my head to the side. “Although I have to admit, it’s kind of convenient that you happen to be in the cell next to me.

  The howling of wolves in the distance breaks our candid moment and I notice the light of the sun creeps downward through the trees. “Dusk is approaching, and the full moon will ascend soon. We need to get out of here.” I see Nora’s mouth curve up. I know that grin. It’s a grin that says this is a trap. I don’t like this one single bit.

  “I need to find my mother. I won’t leave her here,” Nora pleads.

  “Your mother is safe,” I say.

  “How do you know?”

  “You will have to trust me.”

  I’m not going to let her manipulate me, if that’s her ploy. “Why do I have this feeling you’re hiding something?”

  Nora shrugs. I notice the cuff on her wrist still holds. She has more power than she’s leading on. If this is indeed Zak’s sister, she can’t be fully trusted. I begin to walk towards the trees.

  Nora appears worried. “Why are you not porting us to the woods? We shouldn’t walk across the field.”

  I can see the sabretail prowlers sniffing the ground in the distance. It didn’t occur to me until now what Aoes meant by the necklace; that it would protect me, but I get it now. They can’t see me, but I can see them. I wonder if it has something to do with the full moons magic. I figured it out when I noticed them paying more attention to Nora back in the basement cellblocks, than with me. To test my theory, I stuck my hand out without Nora noticing, while still in the catacombs. No, those dogs cannot see me, but they can see Nora, and with that cuff around her wrist, she’s vulnerable.

  “Tell me something, Nora,” I say. “Why did Moyer have you caged?” I’m not going to fall for any of her tricks.

  “I—I don’t know what you mean?”

  We keep walking closer to the woods, out in the open. I can see more beings approach near the horizon, and it isn’t only dogs this time but wolves, as well as Shadow Walkers. One large beast sticks out bigger than the rest, and I realize it’s Red. I try my best to keep my cool, not letting on that I want more than anything to confront my sister.