by Meg Anne
Swallowing, Effie focused on the dark red wall behind him, but it did little to ease her unrest while she waited for him to speak.
The sanctum was painted the same deep scarlet as the Triumvirate’s robes. In contrast, the bone-white skin of his gaunt face practically shone against the vibrant color. Effie couldn’t shake the image of a skull bobbing in a sea of blood. The similarity to her visions was more than enough to distress her.
Lucian chose that moment to stand next to her. He did not touch her in any way, but the sheer force of his presence commanded Effie to look up and acknowledge him. Her Guardian gave her a long searching look, a deep crease forming between his brows as he frowned.
A side door Effie hadn’t noticed creaked open, interrupting whatever she might have said to him.
Kael stepped across the threshold, two men in blue robes trailing behind him. It took less than a heartbeat for Effie to recognize the delegates from Sylverlands. They both had long, pale blond hair and silver eyes, trademark features of the Sylvanese people. One was slightly taller than the other, although neither of the men came close to Ronan or Lucian’s towering size. That did not diminish the aura of quiet confidence they exuded. These were men that were used to others obeying them without question.
“Zane Sylver, heir to the Sylvanese throne, and his consort, Xander,” Kael intoned.
Effie’s brows lifted slightly. She hadn’t realized Zane was the Sylvanese heir. They must be worried about the Shadow attacks if he came personally.
The men bowed their heads a fraction of an inch.
“We appreciate you replying to us so quickly,” Ronan said as they straightened. “And being willing to meet with us here while the Kiri is away.”
“It is a privilege to be welcomed to the citadel, despite the unfortunate circumstances. I have long wondered about the Keepers and the information contained within these walls,” Zane said.
“When we have dealt with the matter at hand, you are more than welcome to return.”
Zane and Xander flinched, not accustomed to the Triumvirate’s ability to mind speak. Not that Effie blamed them. It was uncomfortably personal, especially when coming from a being that looked like a walking nightmare.
Pressing her lips together, she dipped her chin to hide her smile. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lucian do the same.
“You honor me. Thank you,” the heir said with another bow.
“Please relay to the others what you disclosed in your missive.”
“A little less than a fortnight ago, three of our raiders discovered one of the lakes was covered in unfamiliar algae. It is rare for any of our lakes to become polluted, and algae of any kind is always investigated to ensure that no harm comes to the fish and other wildlife that live in our waters. We didn’t need extensive testing to tell that this was no natural growth. It was foul smelling and a gray color peppered with black. Not a day later, fish began to float to the surface. At first, we thought they had died, but when our fishermen cast their nets . . .” Zane paused to clear his throat, as if he was unsure how to verbalize what came next.
Xander’s hand snaked out to squeeze Zane’s.
The Sylvanese heir nodded as if acknowledging some silent exchange, and continued. “They were not dead. It was a trap. As soon as the nets landed in the boats, the fish began to snap, their teeth razor sharp and dripping with some kind of venom the same color as the algae. We lost seven of our men that day. Those not killed outright died later, succumbing to whatever poison was transmitted from the bites.”
Effie sucked in a breath. Not surprised by the news so much as stunned that the corruption spread so quickly.
“The lake has been dammed to stop the spread of corruption, but whatever the algae comes into contact with rots and decays. We have started to drain the nearby lakes so that they cannot be tainted, although there’s no telling how long such a solution will work if the rest of the land becomes infected as well,” Zane finished, his golden skin flushed with emotion.
The Sylverlands had been named for the metallic hue of their water, which was so pristine it was rumored to be infused with liquid silver. For one of their lakes to become corrupted must feel like the worst kind of attack. Not just on their land, but on the very essence of who they were as a people.
“Have there been any Shadow sightings, either prior to the discovery at the lake, or after?” Ronan asked.
“A few days prior,” Zane said, shifting to face the red-haired warrior. “A hunting party thought they saw someone spying on them, but when they went to investigate, there was nothing to be found. They did not realize what they had seen. It wasn’t until they reported the odd shape of its limbs and fingers that Xander and I put the rest together. Until we received your message, we didn’t realize the two events might be connected.” Zane shrugged. “The sighting was just before the announcement of Rowena’s death. We assumed, perhaps naïvely, that her abominations would die with her, so we focused instead on mitigating the spread of the algae.”
“Do not be too hard on yourself. No one thought that the creatures would survive her death,” Ronan said.
Zane dipped his head in thanks.
“You will go to Sylverlands. See what you can learn about the nature of the corruption. Check the lakes as well as the area where the Shadow was spotted. Report back with your findings.”
“All of us?” Effie asked, her eyes darting to Kieran before shooting back to the dais.
“Is that a problem, Daughter?”
Blushing, Effie shook her head.
The Guardians made sense; they were trained for such tasks and had centuries of experience to back them. Plus, they were the Triumvirate’s eyes, going where they could not and sharing what they found. Ronan and Reyna were also highly skilled fighters and diplomats in their own right. As for her, Effie was the one whose visions had pointed them down this path in the first place. Perhaps any new discovery would trigger additional insights. But what purpose did Kieran’s presence serve?
Effie wished she knew if Smoke was the one standing before her. Then she might risk asking. She would also dare to ask had she been alone with any member of the Triumvirate, but not in front of the others.
“When do we leave?” Reyna asked.
“As soon as possible,” Lucian responded. “Go grab what you need for an overnight visit and report back to the main archive. Once we’re all gathered, we’ll travel by Kaelpas stone to avoid delays.”
Kael gestured for the Sylvanese men to follow him back through the side door. Zane paused after a few steps and turned back toward the dais. “Thank you.”
At the Keeper’s inquisitive head tilt, the Sylvanese heir elaborated.
“For offering aid. It is rare for any of the Keepers to involve themselves in such matters. We appreciate your guidance at such a trying time.”
“The Keepers do not hold themselves apart because they do not care. Oftentimes to intervene in any way risks interfering with what must come to pass.”
“So what has changed?” Xander asked.
Zane shot his consort a look filled with censure, as if his impudence might make the Keeper reconsider.
Effie wasn’t sure who was more surprised when he actually answered.
“We find ourselves on the verge of something so horrific that to not be involved only guarantees our destruction.”
Goosebumps raced down her arms. She’d known as much from their discussion the day before, but to hear it stated so bluntly, especially from a man who rarely offered up anything less than vague half-truths . . . it was sobering.
The color drained from the faces of the Sylvanese men as they processed his words.
“But you can help us stop it?” Xander asked, voice hoarse.
“That remains to be Seen.” With a slight bow, he turned and left the sanctum, effectively putting an end to the conversation and any further questions.
Chapter 4
Sylverlands’ beauty would have been enough to take Effie�
�s breath away, if she’d recovered enough of it to have any to lose. Travel by Kaelpas stone was notoriously disorienting. She considered it a sign of progress that she’d remained upright with the contents of her stomach intact, even though she was covered in cold sweat and her knees felt wobbly.
Ronan grinned at her. “Timmins damn near shit himself the last time we made him travel by stone.”
Effie gasped in shock before snorting with laughter. Timmins was the Kiri’s Advisor. He was a master of protocol and all-around know-it-all, at least when it came to propriety. The thought of him losing control in any fashion was enough to bring some color back into her cheeks.
“Poor guy,” Effie murmured fondly. Timmins had a grandfatherly air she’d always found endearing. She hoped he hadn’t suffered too badly.
Squeezing her shoulder, Ronan stepped around her and moved to stand beside Reyna, who was positioned further down the hill. As always, the Night Stalker looked completely unruffled.
Effie turned away from her friends and back to the incredible view before her. They’d arrived on top of a small hill overlooking a massive lake. The water was so pure the reflection of the sky gave the impression that the world had tilted upside down. If not for the random ripple in the otherwise smooth surface of the water, one might imagine they were walking amongst the clouds themselves.
A stone castle was nestled behind a couple of hills along the horizon. Deep navy blue flags with silver waves emblazoned in the center blew gently in the breeze. The climate was cooler here, lacking the oppressive humidity of Bael’s jungle. Effie wrapped her cloak more tightly around her shoulders, thankful for the extra layer of warmth.
It was a serene picture; one that made it easy to forget why they were here. Death lurked in the shadows, and it was coming for them all.
Effie gave a start when a voice began speaking just behind her.
“I thought the benefit of the Kaelpas stones was that we didn’t have to travel further upon arrival.”
“Don’t,” Effie snapped, not bothering to face the intruder.
“Don’t what?” Kieran asked.
“Act like nothing happened,” she hissed, incensed that he’d try and pretend otherwise.
“You’re the one who slapped me.”
Eyes flying wide with incredulity, Effie spun toward him.
“At least you’re looking at me,” he said lightly, a self-mocking smile ghosting across his mouth.
Scowling at him, Effie crossed her arms. “And what is it exactly that you want me to see?”
“I’m not your enemy, Effie.”
Insults built inside her mind, ready for her to unleash them. Instead, she bit the inside of her cheek and stared at him in silence. Kieran had always shown a knack for manipulating her responses. He knew what would shock her into laughter, or force her temper to rise. She was tired of being his puppet, even if she’d always been an unwilling one.
When the silence stretched, his eyes hardened, looking like two foggy pieces of green glass. A vein pulsed in his temple. Leaning closer, he dropped his voice. “Why are you so determined to believe the worst of me?”
“For one who insists they care for me, you certainly have an odd way of showing it.”
“How can you say that? I’ve done nothing but come to your defense and support your decisions since you got here.”
Effie would have laughed if it wasn’t so obvious he believed what he was saying. “I must have missed that between the times you were busy sulking when you didn’t get your way or besmirching my name in front of others,” she said dryly.
“I already apologized for that,” he insisted, taking a step closer to her.
Effie took a hurried step back. “Did you?”
Kieran nodded, golden strands of his hair lifting in the wind. “This morning.”
“Funny, I don’t remember that part.”
“I told you it wasn’t my finest moment—”
“You consider that an apology?”
Kieran’s mouth snapped shut. Hurt and frustration were at war in his eyes. He looked away from her. “Effie . . .”
“I’m not sure this is the time or place for you to finish that sentence, Kieran. Just give me some space.”
Kieran’s hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.
“Let’s get a move on,” Lucian called, waving them over.
Letting out a breath she wasn’t aware she’d been holding, Effie brushed past Kieran and quickly walked back to the others.
There was no missing the banked anger in her Guardian’s eyes as she approached. Lucian had clearly witnessed her and Kieran’s exchange. Idly she wondered why he hadn’t interjected sooner. Especially after the threat he’d issued that morning.
Maybe he wanted to give you a chance to fight your own battle.
Effie peeked up at her Guardian, startled to find him returning her stare. Tentatively, she stretched out her fingers, letting the back of them rub against the side of his arm. His muscles jumped in response to her light touch.
“I’m fine,” she whispered.
Lucian grunted, stepping past her to speak with their Sylvanese guides.
Effie’s shoulders started to droop, thinking perhaps she’d misread the reason he’d been staring at her so intently, when Lucian discretely brushed his fingers along her arm. He didn’t look at her, didn’t acknowledge the action in any way, but the fact that he echoed her own brief touch must have meant something. Effie just wasn’t sure what it was.
“Is he the one keeping you up at night?” Reyna asked in her low husky voice.
Effie groaned. That was the last thing she needed. People speculating about her relationship with Lucian.
“Or maybe it’s that one?” Reyna asked, her eyes landing purposefully on Kieran, who had walked down the hill to speak with Kael.
Cheeks burning, Effie shook her head. “It’s not what it looks like.”
Reyna’s eyes were glittering with merriment. “Of course it is. Once we’re finished with today’s hunt, you and I have lots of catching up to do.”
“I don’t think it’s fair how much you’re enjoying my misery,” Effie muttered.
“Oh, sweetheart. That’s not misery. What you’re feeling is the thrill of the chase.” Leaning closer, she whispered, “The real question is which one are you chasing?”
“Neither!” Effie sputtered.
Reyna’s grin grew, and she leaned over to bump Effie with her shoulder. “The only person you’re fooling with those lies is yourself.”
Effie shook her head, which only caused Reyna to laugh.
Even in a moment of unguarded glee, the Night Stalker looked formidable. She’d found time to paint black whorls on her face before they’d left the citadel. Her people always used such markings when they were about to step into battle. The bold stripes and curls around her already intense green eyes only made them look fiercer, reminding Effie of a large jungle cat peering out at its prey just before pouncing. Reyna may be beautiful, but she was also deadly.
Thank the Mother she was fighting on their side.
“Come on,” Reyna said, linking her arm through Effie’s. “The sooner we finish up here, the sooner you can fill me in.”
Effie sighed, knowing nothing she could say would save her now.
Kieran watched the two women stride toward the small copse of trees at the bottom of their landing site. Anger simmered within, causing his eye to twitch.
The morning had not gone according to plan. Not at all.
Somehow they’d ended up fighting when all he’d meant to do was smooth things over between them with a few soft words. The next thing he knew, Lucian had him dangling by the neck like he was some sort of naughty puppy.
Eyes narrowing to slits, he glared at the Guardian. Let the smug bastard think he’d won for now. By the time Kieran was finished with him, he’d be begging for help with his mortality problem. Help Kieran would more than willingly provide.
Teeth clenched, Kieran tur
ned once more to the problem at hand.
Never had he thought things would end with the girl from his dreams fleeing from him. It was rare for a woman to look at him with anything less than adoration in her eyes, but the last few times Effie’s wide, cornflower blues were aimed at him, they were filled with mistrust and perhaps even a bit of disdain.
How did I manage to fuck things up so royally?
Kieran had yet to meet a woman he couldn’t turn to putty with a flirtatious wink or a few seductive words. Effie was proving a harder conquest than anticipated. He couldn’t rely on just his charm to win her over. Not that she was completely immune to him; the way she’d melted into his body when he’d kissed her had proven that. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem likely he’d get close enough for her to willingly submit to more of his kisses anytime soon.
He needed to change her perception of him, and fast. One heroic act was all he needed for her to see him in a new light. A single moment to prove that he was a man of worth and upstanding moral character.
Kieran smirked. He had just the opportunity in mind. So what if he was going to create the chaos she needed rescuing from? No one ever said he had to fight fair. A smart man knew that the odds always needed to be stacked in his favor if he was playing for keeps.
Just a few more pieces needed to fall into place, and then he could repair the damage between them. His Effie was a sweet girl with a kind heart. She would forgive him, and then she would come to him willingly. For good.
Lips curling in a dark smile, Kieran watched Effie nod in response to whatever the Night Stalker said. Soon, little one.
Let the games begin.
“They spotted him just over here,” Xander said, pointing between two trees with silvery bark and leaves so dark they almost looked blue.
Ducking her head, Effie stepped under a low-hanging branch and scanned the leaf-strewn path for a sign of anything that didn’t seem to belong. Hard to know what that could be when it was the first time she’d been there. I guess you don’t need to be overly familiar with something to sense a general wrongness about it.