Song of Shadow

by Natalya Capello

  I have allowed the price to be taken by the lives you claimed. And yes, I kept it from you. Telling you would have impeded on my goals. I am Sluagh after all.

  Lorelei drew in a breath and tried to quash rage growing in the pit of her stomach. She’d been warned that Slaugh were treacherous. This is what Amara had meant. Vandermere had made some sort of trade.

  Lorelei drew a deep breath and sat up with a soft groan. Amara leaned back with a frown.

  “What deal did he make?” Lorelei whispered to Amara fiercely.

  “A vision for her to release her claim on you.”

  “But that could drive him mad.”

  Lorelei glanced back to Abraxes and Vandermere, winching at the twinge in her stomach. Would she be crippled as Arryn had been? That was a bit of justice.

  “It most likely will…but you can help with that, can’t you?”

  Lorelei closed her eyes and began to sing a soft song. Abraxes’s eyes flashed to her and narrowed. Amara stood up, glowing white.

  “You specified a vision, nothing else,” Amara said. “Let the girl sing.”

  “Very well,” Abraxes muttered.

  Lorelei reached out with her song, willing it to surround Vandermere, to stave off any madness that would come to him. The tension in his shoulders relaxed and he inhaled. Minutes passed. Then, he shook his head and climbed to his feet. Without a word, he turned from Abraxes. His gaze fell on Lorelei, and the creases in his forehead smoothed. He rushed to her and, stooping, pulled her into a tight embrace.

  “I thought I lost you,” he murmured in her ear.

  She gave a weak chuckle. “I’m harder to kill than that.”

  “No joking,” Vandermere released her, but held onto her hand. “You almost died.”

  Lorelei pressed her lips together and nodded. Her gaze landed on the fallen body of the golem with the iron face. If it hadn’t had been for Murgleis, she would have succumbed to the iron poisoning long before defeating it. One of the two phookas who came with Beth lay a few feet away as did the second golem. There was no sign of the other assassin…or Beth…or Vaana.

  Abraxes cleared her throat. “I believe we have a bargain you need to fulfill.”

  Vandermere nodded and turned her direction. “We do.”

  “Well?”

  Vandermere’s chest rose and he closed his eyes. “There was a woman who opened a door of some sort. I believe she brought the Miasma long ago.”

  Abraxes crossed all four of her arms. “That’s old news, not a secret.”

  “It is to me,” Lorelei said.

  “Of course. You are an ignorant girl,” Abraxes said.

  Lorelei gritted her teeth and took a stand. Amara grabbed her arm, shaking her head. Abraxes crossed her arms, watching Lorelei for a moment, and then threw her head back and laughed.

  “My, aren’t you a bold one. I see why Murgleis likes you.” Abraxes turned her attention back to Vandermere. “Is that all you have? Say it is so, because I would like to claim this girl.”

  “No.” Vandermere’s voice took on a throaty edge. “There is more…A librarian and a book with a crescent moon. It has seven eyes that open. His eyes replace those on the book.”

  Abraxes’s eyebrow twitched. “That’s more interesting. Any idea where this book is?”

  “No, there was no location. Though I think it may have been thrown into some portal. White light.”

  “Pity,” Abraxes said.

  “There is one more thing.” Vandermere raised his gaze to her. “This felt like it has not happened yet. There is a ship burning with the green fire of the Sluagh as a battle rages on its decks. It sails into the horizon and explodes.”

  “Any idea of who the Sluagh was?” Abraxes asked.

  “No.” Vandermere pointed to the viridian jewel in her forehead. “But the explosion reminded me of your gem.”

  “Interesting.” Abraxes nodded, smile settling on her lips. “Consider this bargain complete. I release my claim upon Lorelei.” She held out her hand. “Come, Murgleis.”

  The sword shuddered on the ground where Lorelei had left it. Lorelei pressed her lips together. She should let Murgleis go with Abraxes. He’d saved her though, even with the cost. Also, she didn’t like the idea of Murgleis being used for whatever plans Abraxes had. With Murgleis with Lorelei, she could watch him.

  “Wait,” Lorelei said. She pulled away from Vandermere and scooped up Murgleis. “I made him a bargain. And it isn’t complete.”

  Abraxes raised an eyebrow. “My, you are a glutton for punishment.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Vandermere burst out. “After everything that just happened?”

  “You nearly lost your soul to Abraxes,” Amara added. “You can’t possibly be considering carry that thing any longer.”

  Lorelei stared down at the pommel of the sword. Do you wish to go with her or do you still want to return to Kurnach?

  There was a moment of silence before Murgleis’s voice filled the air. “I will remain with Lorelei ap Moura until she has brought me to Kurnach.”

  Vandermere jumped, jerking around to look at the sword. Amara shook her head and, throwing her hands out, turned to stride into the tower. A scowl fell over Abraxes’ face.

  “You can’t be serious,” she muttered. “Still mourning that boy from so long ago. I liked you better as my Harvester of the Fallen.”

  “I have changed, as we all do,” Murgleis said. “And a bargain had been struck. Until our terms have been satisfied, I will remain with Lorelei.”

  Abraxes let out a breath in a short huff and stood up straight. Her gaze narrowed on Lorelei and the smile returned.

  “Very well, you may keep my Murgleis,” she said. “Who knows, you may be mine yet.”

  With that she vanished in a burst of viridian light, leaving behind the smell of hot metal.

  Lorelei turned to Vandermere. “I will be more careful next time.”

  Vandermere shook his head. “I don’t understand this. Why keep that thing when your soul is in danger? All I just did will be for nothing.”

  Lorelei bowed her head. “It’s hard to explain…his loss is something I can relate to…”

  Vandermere gripped her shoulders and pulled her to face him. “I don’t understand it and I don’t agree with it. You are worth a thousand of him, and I don’t want to lose you.”

  Lorelei’s heart pounded at being so close to him. “Please trust me on this. He can be a valuable ally, and compared to the Order, we are very lacking in those.”

  For several moments, Vandermere stood there, staring at her with an intensity she had never seen before—on anyone. She could hear the blood rushing through her ears. Was he going to kiss her? Was she even ready for such a thing? He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, releasing his grip on her. He took a step back and rubbed his face with his hand.

  “All right,” he said. “I do trust you. Just don’t make any more bargains with him.”

  “I’ll try not to,” Lorelei said.

  Wes rushed outside from the tower and threw his arms around Lorelei. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

  She laughed and hugged him back. Amara stepped out of the tower and leaned against it with her arms crossed. Her eyes narrowed on Murgleis and her jaw stiffened.

  She punched her arm. “Don’t do something crazy like that again.”

  “I’ll try to remember not to get caught by a large attack on the place I’m living,” Lorelei said.

  “What happened, anyway?” Vandermere asked. “And where is Vaana?”

  Lorelei took a deep breath. “Let’s go inside. It’s a long story.”

  Lorelei finished retelling them the events of the battle and leaned back in the chair of the sitting room.

  Even though Amara had healed her, she still ached. She ran her fingers along her abdomen. A long thin scar stretched across her stomach that she would keep until the end of her days, though Amara assured her that it shouldn’t impede on her ability to move once she�
�d recovered.

  Vandermere sat across from her with his fingers steepled and his elbows resting on the arms of the chair. Wes slouched in another chair next to her and Amara hovered near the window, staring out through the trees.

  “How did they even know to come out here?” Vandermere mused out loud.

  Lorelei bit the inside of her cheek and stared down at her hands. “I’ve been thinking on that. A few days before it happened, I was contacted by my sister. I think she used the contact to learn my location.”

  “And she gave it to the Order?” Wes snorted. “What a bitch.”

  “Freya has always had a problem with me. I never thought she would go this far.” Lorelei closed her eyes with a sigh. “She probably convinced herself she was doing the right thing.”

  Lorelei gulped down the rising ache in her chest that threatened to steal her breath. Why did her sister’s actions always hurt her so much?

  “So, are you sure this Beth took Vaana?” Wes was quick to change the subject.

  “I didn’t see it happen,” Lorelei said. “But they are not here, so Beth has most likely taken her back to the Order. We need to get her.”

  “Why?” Wes turned to Vandermere. “I mean…you don’t owe her anything, except vengeance for your Lord of Fate.”

  Vandermere rubbed the medallion hanging from his neck, lost in thought. He sighed heavily. “From what we learned on our trip to the church, well, underneath it, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Vaana to remain in her hands.”

  “Despite what she’s done, Vaana was with us for a long time,” Lorelei said. “She aided us and fought by our side in Ebonshire. She saved your life, Vandermere, and she didn’t have to.”

  Vandermere bowed his head. “So…how do we save her?”

  “If the Order took here, wouldn’t they return to Kirkwall?” Lorelei said.

  “Kirkwall is dangerous for you,” Amara said. “If they returned there, they may be expecting a retaliation.”

  “They probably think I’m dead,” Lorelei shrugged.

  Amara pointed outside. “Not if their projects don’t return.”

  “Golems,” Lorelei closed her eyes as a shudder ran through her. “I believe they’re called golems.”

  Amara smirked at her. “I’m aware.”

  “You know about them?” Wes asked. “Well, you could have saved us a trip under that damn church.”

  “I came across one when I was in school… Well, when I was out on an unauthorized outing.” Lorelei tapped her fingers against the arm of the chair. “She had been part of a group known as the Black Herons. I didn’t know they were connected to the Order, though. And Vaana’s not one of them. What did you learn?”

  “Someone at the church in Kirkwall is creating them,” Wes kicked one leg over the arm of his chair.

  “Or experimenting with them,” Vandermere leaned forward and rested his hands on his steepled fingers. “Same with Vaana.”

  “But Vaana isn’t a golem,” Lorelei said. “She’s sidhe.”

  “I don’t know,” Vandermere said. “It looks like they took her as a child and performed some sort of methods that made her capable of housing the essence of gods.”

  “Why, though?” Lorelei asked.

  “That’s something we weren’t able to find out,” Vandermere said.

  “We need to,” Lorelei adjusted in her seat and winced at the tightness in her stomach. “And we need to get Vaana back.”

  “How are we going to do that?” Wes asked. “And what do you plan to do with her once you do get her back?”

  “We’ll figure the second out when we get to it,” Lorelei said. “As for the first, how did you find out about the experiments?”

  Wes cleared his throat and sat up. “Someone led us into a secret area under the church.

  “Can you find your way back? Or can this person help again?”

  Vandermere shuddered, and Wes paled slightly.

  Vandermere cleared his throat. “The lady unfortunately was injured. I don’t think she’ll be able to help. And the way is guarded by a creature…a drake.”

  “Drakes aren’t that much of an issue,” Amara said. “There are probably some things here that can put it to sleep. What type?”

  “A fire drake.” Vandermere stared down at the medallion in his hand for several moments and then added, “Verdain says there should be supplies to create a sleep dust for it.”

  “Good. Can he guide you through concocting it?” Amara asked.

  Vandermere raised an eyebrow at the medallion, and then nodded.

  Amara straightened in her seat. “Next, we’re going to need a distraction for the guards of the city.”

  “We?” Lorelei asked with a scowl.

  “You said the golem you met was part of the Black Herons? Zaos was too, correct?”

  Lorelei nodded.

  “Then, I’m coming with you. This is my best chance to get into the church to find him, and besides, I’m not letting you run into danger so soon after nearly dying.”

  “You seem very worried about me,” Lorelei said. “This goes beyond freeing me. I mean, you saved my life. We should be even.”

  Amara gave her a long sad smile. “One day, I will tell you why. For now, let’s worry about getting into Kirkwall and rescuing your friend.”

  “Not our friend,” Vandermere’s hand sliced through the air horizontally in a swift motion. “A tool we don’t wish to see in the hands of the Order.”

  Lorelei pursed her lips at him. “My friend.”

  Vandermere shook his head and stood up. “You shouldn’t waste such words on her. I’ll see to working on the sleeping dust.”

  With that, he strode out of the room. Lorelei stared after him, biting the inside of her cheek. She needed to find a way to reconcile Vaana and Vandermere. Even in the beginning, he had said they would be together on this journey for a while. He was letting his anger blind him from the truth he should have been able to see the most. They needed each other.

  Amara touched her arm. “Worry about it later. We need to plan.”

  With a nod, Lorelei pushed those concerns away. She needed to worry about getting in and out of Kirkwall with Vaana.

  They had a city full of elemental-wielding priests to contend with.

  34

  They moored the Winddancer in an inlet near Kirkwall and snuck through the gates when the moon was high in the sky. Wes led the way to an entrance to the sewers.

  Lorelei wrinkled her nose at the stench that rose from beneath the ground. She sucked in a deep breath and held it as she climbed down behind Vandermere. They followed Wes through a series of tunnels until he stopped at a large hole in the sewer wall.

  The roughhewn walls and ground held a slight dampness, but nothing compared to the refuse of the sewers. She climbed through, strode several feet away from the sewers, and drew in a deep breath. The air still held a faint stench, but it didn’t permeate everything.

  Vandermere came up behind her. “You shouldn’t wander too far. This place is like a maze.”

  She turned to him. “But you know the way?”

  “I remember.” Wes approached with Amara in tow.

  “I hope you remember the way to this room with the tables and golems as well,” Amara said. “I wish to see it.”

  “We’re going to have to pass it to get to the stairs. It shouldn’t be a problem.” Wes pulled out a torn and bloodied map. “Besides, I borrowed this from Tanila.”

  “Tanila?” Lorelei asked. “Is that the person who helped you?”

  “Yes.” Vandermere peered into the gloom of the tunnels ahead of them. “I hope she’s recovered.”

  “My people are doing what we can.” Wes opened the map and inspected it. “We’re going to have to pass through the room with the drake to get to the other tunnels. From there we make our way to the double doors.”

  “This place really is like a maze.” Lorelei turned to Vandermere. “I know it may be a bit much, but will you be able to see wher
e they are holding Vaana?”

  Vandermere let out a sigh. “When I tried before, I got a sense of darkness and movement. I believe they were still on the move.”

  Lorelei bit the inside of her cheek. “That was days ago, right? You can try again now that we’re here?”

  “I might be able to make a stronger connection at the table. I had a vision of her there.”

  Lorelei unsheathed Murgleis and nodded. “Great. Let’s deal with this drake first.”

  Vandermere pulled out a small glass bottle with a pink dust inside and held it out to Wes. “I think your aim is the best. Stand back and toss it at the drake when it unleashes its fiery breath. The ingredients should react with the fire and cause an effect to put the drake to sleep.”

  Wes cut his eyes at Amara. “Can’t you just put the thing to sleep?”

  Amara let out a sigh. “If I use too much of my power, I fear it will draw the priests’ attention. Then we’d have the whole church after us.”

  “Why are you here then?” Wes asked.

  In a blur of movement, Amara dashed to Wes and snatched the bottle from his hand. He teetered back, caught off balance.

  She held out the bottle in front of him. “I’m still quick and I’m still capable of fighting, if needed. Besides, I can shift into anything, including a bright-eyed priest.”

  Wes’s shoulders slumped as he took the bottle from her. “Now, I’m wondering why I’m needed.”

  She patted him on the shoulder. “You’re the bottle thrower and more importantly, the map bearer. So, lead the way.”

  With a sigh, he pointed to the hall behind them and then started toward it. Vandermere followed after him, with Lorelei in the middle and Amara bringing up the rear. Lorelei slowed until she was walking side by side with Amara.

  “You probably shouldn’t tease him,” Lorelei whispered to Amara. “I think he feels like he’s out of his depth.”

  “But it’s fun,” Amara murmured. “And besides, he is out of his depth with the lot of you. It’s actually admirable that he chooses to stay, considering the trouble you get yourselves into.”

  “He wants vengeance on Zaos,” Lorelei said. “For Ebonshire.”