by Eden Ashley
“Yes, Ptolen, they saw.”
There was a weighted pause. Drums of the approaching army were very close now.
There isn’t much time. The younglings must die.
With a thought, wings of fire enfolded Kalista and the children. But the white wolf leapt through the blaze, jaws open and claws outstretched. A blur of movement shot from behind Kalista. It was Orrin. Silver dagger drawn from his boot, he charged at the wolf. She screamed for him to stop, but it was to no avail. Just when she thought the boy was lost to Ptolen’s fangs, Orrin feinted left. Tucking into a roll, he brought the dagger’s point across the wolf’s hide. A trail of red appeared in the snow-white fur. Ptolen turned. Snatching the boy up with a furious snarl, he shook his little body like a ragdoll. Kalista felt control slip away.
The earth began to quake. Darkness opened up a hole in forest. Her fire burned black and exploded, expanding like a dying star until it engulfed the entire valley. When it receded, the Prime lay still. His life blood seeped into the surrounding earth. His breath came in shallow gasps.
She stood over the wolf, watching Ptolen’s translucent blue eyes stare up at her harshly.
Regret welled inside of her. Kalista took no pleasure in what had to happen next. Closing her eyes, she stretched out her hands above the singed fur as if to touch it.
A final thought came from the Primes who had once been a source of guidance, of greatness and wisdom. He will not forgive you.
“I’m sorry.”
Fire erupted from her hands, burning so hot the flames became as white as the wolf that was consumed. And when Ptolen was no more, the fire returned to her.
Kalista looked up, her eyes inexplicably drawn to the tree line. Another figure in white sat at the edge of the forest. A Prime…and he had witnessed what she had done.
In the distance, the rumble of the army’s horses drew nearer. The crouching figure turned its head toward the sound and then back to Kalista. It was time to run.
Chapter 22
Over one shoulder and across the chest, Bellefuron was flipped and twirled between deft fingers. Sunlight glinted off the silver blade whenever an arcing slash crossed before the window. Few of the best swordsmen could have performed such maneuvers, much less do it while distracted with other things. But Rhane had been at it for the past half hour as he strode back and forth in the large room. A huge decision weighted his mind and body. There was pressure to anticipate, to be prepared for every outcome. For what they were about do, a lot of things could go wrong. People he cared about could get killed.
The other kin stood by, watching him silently. York’s attention was elsewhere. More familiar with Rhane’s mind than anyone else, he already knew the decision his warlord had made. Rhane was only sorting risks and didn’t need him right now.
Warren was a different story.
The young kin stood in a corner, as far away from the others as he could get and still be in the same room. His eyes were on the floor, head bowed low and face as red as his hair. War felt responsible. Worse than that, the kid was ashamed. He no doubt blamed himself for losing Kali yet again. Rhane hadn’t said or done anything to indicate he held anyone accountable for what happened. But in a guilty mind, silence could be the worst judgment.
The pacing stopped and Rhane finally looked at them. “We’re going. York, Orrin, and Rion, with me. War, you will remain here. Call if Bailen or Kalista returns.”
There it was. He was being sidelined. War’s breath left him. If anyone had to stay behind on a dangerous mission, it should’ve been Rion. He was the youngest, the smallest, and the least accomplished fighter. “But, Rhane—” he began but stopped when he saw York stiffen from the corner of his eye.
Rhane tilted his head to one side. Bellefuron’s sharp edge rested lightly on his shoulders. “I have given you your orders.”
“I know.” War felt his cheeks burning. Great. He probably looked as stupid as he felt. He dropped his eyes to the floor again. “I should apologize. I—”
“Warren, look at me.” He placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
Afraid to face what would be in Rhane’s eyes, War did as he was told.
“I know the burden that rests on your shoulders,” Rhane said with as much mildness as he could muster. “Learn from it.”
“Yes sir.”
“We are going into an extremely volatile situation. I have to know my orders will be followed without question. Stay behind. Show me you can follow orders.”
“I will.”
Rhane squeezed his shoulder and then inclined War’s forehead to meet his. Their heads touched in the symbol of trust and friendship shared only between those of close bloodlines. “We’ll find her.”
Orrin and Rion left to go downstairs. York lingered. Rhane paused at the door and looked back. The other man met his eyes. “I’ll catch up.”
After a moment, Rhane nodded and closed the door.
York didn’t waste time. He marched across the room, grabbed War by the shoulders and put the boy against the wall. With his face less than an inch away, he spoke. “You were really about to question your warlord’s order.”
War swallowed, keeping his eyes carefully averted. It probably wasn’t the best idea to answer a rhetorical question, so he preserved his silence.
“Rhane let you off easy. The shit you pulled last night is for children. When I give an order, you follow it. Period. You had Kali. You were supposed to take her to safety. You didn’t. Now she’s gone, and we’re about to make a deal with the devil because Rhane doesn’t think he has the resources to get the job done. Why didn’t you stay with her? What were you thinking?”
“I thought you needed my help. Gabriel—”
“Kali needed your help!”
“I know.”
York took a calming breath and stepped away. He didn’t get worked up very often, maybe twice in a decade. He was the level-headed, crack-jokes-to-ease-the-pressure kind of guy. But when smart kids like War made stupid decisions that got people killed, York’s fuse got a lot shorter.
“You were raised to think. You were also raised to be a soldier. What happens when a soldier in the Warekin army disobeys orders?”
“He and the commander fight until one cannot stand. The victor leads.”
“Remember that,” York said and walked away.
Outside, the others had piled into the pickup. York eyed the driver’s seat longingly. “We’re going to see Ian.”
Rhane answered though it wasn’t really a question. “Yeah.”
“How do you plan on finding him?”
“We’re going to go to where I found Kalista the last time.”
“Why? Do you think she’s killed more kindred?”
“I think we need Ian’s help.”
York sighed. Deal with the devil.
Chapter 23
Rhane crouched low and took in his surroundings. Mostly untouched by man, the preserve was beautiful in every sense. His senses missed nothing. Dividing the area into quarters, he had commissioned Orrin and Rion to work their sections together. The two were not to allow more than three hundred yards between them. York had his own area, as did Rhane. But with the advantage of four legs, the kin would cover ground faster and were responsible for a larger part of the grid.
Glancing at his watch, Rhane got a little nervous. Over two hours had passed. He was close to being done. The others had almost certainly finished. And yet, there were no results. A Plan B existed if Ian couldn’t be found this way. But it wasn’t pretty. A frustrated growl slid from his throat.
It feels like I’ve been running in circles.
He scanned his environment warily. Everything had started to look and feel the same, especially the huge pine that stood to the east of his current position. A recent lightning strike left the old trunk marred by an ugly, black scar. Either there were two just like it or Rhane had passed the tree twice.
“I’m losing it.” He shook his head. “Or missing something,” he muttered.
Walking to the tree, Rhane stood at its base. He stared at his hand, channeling his concentration to imagine talons of the bane wolf extending from his fingers. It took only a second before his nails gained four inches of length and darkened in color. Smiling, Rhane dug the claws into the bark and began to climb.
About ten feet from the top was a bough large enough to support his weight. The perch made a good vantage point to see things from a different angle, but nothing stood out at first. All appeared exactly the same from above as it had from below. Then he noticed something. His eyes wouldn’t leave the spot. And Rhane wondered how he had missed it before. He descended the tree twice as fast as he’d climbed and dead dropped the last thirty feet. Lowering his head to the ground, Rhane whistled. The earth helped carry the sound, even vibrating it through the trees with urgency. Come to me.
A moment passed before someone answered. This whistle was deep and raspy. York. I’m almost done here.
Rhane whistled again. I’ve found them.
An excited trill sounded back, already headed in Rhane’s direction. I’m on my way.
Gather Rion and Orrin.
Rhane didn’t wait. The others would catch up easily enough. He plunged into the forest and was nearly outside the search area when he finally reached the point he’d seen from above the horizon. It started as a trickle, barely discernible through nearby brush and overgrowth. The waters gradually thickened until Rhane’s boots were splashing in a narrow stream that moved surprisingly fast for its size. Where the stream abruptly ended above ground, he stopped.
It was quite an unexpected change in landscape. Here, the tiny river surrendered completely to gravity, pounding a downpour into a gaping hole within the limestone. With the sound of rushing water thundering in his ears, Rhane edged closer to the opening and peered down. Another underground source joined with the stream, feeding into a huge pool at the bottom of the pit. It was maybe a hundred feet below.
Perfect.
Rhane stood up. Two figures were approaching from behind. Orrin in a larger than average skin. Rion was a smaller black wolf. A third figure came from the left—a huge, black mountain that stood as tall as Rhane’s shoulders. York.
“Lose the skins. We didn’t come for a fight.”
Rhane drew Bellefuron from the scabbard lashed between his shoulders but kept the blade lowered in a relaxed guard with both hands resting lightly on the hilt. The manner was ready but nonthreatening. The other kin, fully human now, flanked his sides.
They didn’t have to wait long.
Down below, shadows scurried about in the pit. They were phantoms moving silently within the water’s intrinsic light. Rhane backed away from the mouth of the cave. York, Orrin, and Rion followed his lead.
Four very human looking creatures emerged from the cavern. Water drained from their bodies as they passed through the falls and came topside. Not one of them wore a single scrap of clothing. Wild, reddish irises glimmered in the fading light as their gazes darted in all directions, resting nowhere for more than a second.
Two of the kindred were huge, nearly as tall as York. And these guys had muscles carved from granite and outlined in steel. They were moving, breathing rocks. Three of them Rhane did not recognize. The fourth was Ian.
“I will never be cozy with the nudity,” York muttered.
The alpha stepped forward. “Banewolf.”
“Ian.”
“I must confess wonder at seeing you so soon. The time has not arrived for you to repay your debt. What brings you to my doorstep?”
No point in beating around the bush. “I am a warlord in exile. My army is small and mostly untried in battle. But we face an enemy with resources whose limits are unknown and motives are unclear. I need more manpower for this fight.”
“Indeed.” Ian’s eyes flitted right and then left. “The situation must be dire for you to ask for my help...a request that would further indebt Banewolf to me.” The alpha took a step closer. York tensed.
“Yes. The situation is dire.”
“Why should I help you? Your kind once hunted and killed my brothers until we neared extinction. Sparing the siren has already guaranteed what I require of you.”
“Do you simply want a favor, Ian? Or would you prefer to have an ally?”
In a distorted blur, Ian moved like a striking serpent and suddenly stood behind them. York whirled in the same instant. A warning growl ripped from his throat.
Another growl slid from Rhane. But it was one meant to soothe. Relax.
Ian smiled with dark satisfaction at the exchange. “But as you have said, your army is small and…untested. Of what use is it to me?”
“I meant the bane wolf.”
Ian’s eyes widened and then narrowed suspiciously. “You would be my ally?”
“We have common enemies.”
“Gabriel?”
Rhane nodded.
“Rogues?”
“Yes.”
Ian’s smile returned. “Very well then, Banewolf.” He gestured to the granite pair. “Mykelti and Darwin are two of my strongest soldiers. Take them. They will follow your orders as if I myself had commanded them.”
Though the offer was quite generous, Rhane shook his head. “I need men capable of blending into a very specific environment.”
“Oh?”
“High school.”
“Ah.” Ian nodded. His countenance was unreadable. He waved a hand at Darwin. “Send for Matthias and Ander.” His red eyes settled on Rhane again. “I believe you will find them well suited for your tasks.”
“Do I have to worry about seven foot tall trolls appearing at night? Or can they remain mimics in moonlight as you have?”
“The latter. Matthias and Ander are young but have been disciplined well.”
“Thank you, Ian.”
The kindred moved away, slipping soundlessly back into the shadowy pit until only their leader remained above ground. Just as he too was about to disappear, York cleared his throat. “Um…these guys you’re sending, they’ll be wearing clothes right?”
A snort of laughter started and ended abruptly from behind him. Rhane knew it was Rion but aimed the glare solely at York. The big kin shrugged his shoulders innocently. “What? It’s a fair question.”
Ian lifted his chin. “Kindred were born from the earth and choose remain one with it. Manmade things disrupt our unity. But if the norms of human society require it, of course we will conform to fulfill Banewolf’s wishes.”
Rhane looked at York. “Are you satisfied?” York opened his mouth to answer and Rhane narrowed his eyes. “Just nod.”
Ian’s head disappeared into the cave but popped back up. “Were we almost friends once?”
He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about the alpha’s expression made Rhane nervous. He answered honestly. “Almost…until you proved I couldn’t trust you.”
Ian dropped his eyes to the ground. After a beat of thought, he raised them. His gaze was piercing. “Fifty miles northeast of here there have been a succession of unexplained fires. A scout spotted the last one nearly four hours ago. Good providence finding your siren,” he said. And then Ian was gone.
Chapter 24
When Kalista awoke from a restless sleep, Rhaven was still snuggled close. The young child insisted on being bundled within in his mother’s furs whenever his father was absent. But Kalista did not mind. It was a comfort to both of them.
She kissed Rhaven’s hair. Their precious boy—he was so much like his father. She couldn’t tell who she loved more. Her love for them was so strong, sometimes it made her insides hurt. Whenever that happened, it was then Kalista became afraid.
Hearing the door to their outer chamber open, her hand tightened around the dagger she slept with whenever her husband was gone. She never felt safe, even inside the strong walls of Golden Mountain. Marriage into a royal bloodline—especially one as pure and as powerful as Whytetree—had only deepened her fears.
Rhane had
spent his entire life as an outsider until his father’s blessing brought him to the fringes of acceptance. And when he mastered the bane wolf, his status was significantly elevated. He was the son of Jehsi, the vessel of the immortal bane wolf, and the strongest warlord of the Warekin army. His men loved him. He had a wife and son—all he wanted. Rhane was happy. The cold blue stares and whispers that followed them everywhere inside the mountain did not seem to affect him. Kalista wished she could feel the same. She wished she could be happy and unafraid. Instead, she felt her time with Rhane slipping away. If he knew the truth…he would have felt the distance as well.
Footsteps moved faintly in the other room. As she listened to the stealthy visitor, Kalista eased away from the child so he would not feel her body tense. The footsteps stopped. She slid off the bed. Her heart beat a little faster.
They have come ahead of schedule, but Rhaven will be spared. That is the deal. Summoning heat to her fingertips, she fed it into the dagger until the blade glowed like a blacksmith’s iron. She closed her eyes. I will bring this mountain down to protect my son.
The almost soundless intruder stepped into the interior corridor that separated the bedroom from the outer quarters. Kalista did the same, but led with a dagger. The smell of horses and sweat reached her nose just as she plunged the weapon toward the intruder’s flesh, and then she knew everything—at least for now—would be all right. Only one man dwelled in the royal fortress and carried such a humble scent.
A hand wrapped around her wrist and easily disarmed her without inflicting the slightest amount of pain. Then two hands grabbed the rest of her and hungrily pressed her body against him. Kalista didn’t need sight to find his mouth or to loosen the cords that tied the leathers about his waist. The simple sheath she wore within their chambers slid to the floor. His weathered hands went to work, exploring every inch the material left uncovered. Thick but gentle fingers slid between her legs to caress repeated moans from her lips. He stole her moans with kisses, hotly capturing each one with teeth and tongue. When his tongue teased her breasts, Kalista cried out softly.