40
Danger to All
It was dark when Citrine woke. She could tell because she thought she saw glimpses of starlight from the opening of the well far above her. The beast of shadows was gone, and a missing chunk of stone in the archway told her it had escaped. She uttered an oath as she rose, her body sore from the beating she’d taken. She lifted a hand to her head, surprised it came away bloodless. Although the blow had been hard, her body had taken it well. She scowled. The last thing she needed was more bruising but all the same her plan had failed. Rising to her feet, she crept out of the arch, retracing her steps out of the dungeon to the main floor of the castle. Her lips were dry and her throat parched, but she moved swiftly, wondering what had happened to Tor Lir and Hava.
As she approached the main floor, she heard low voices. Her fingers fell to her side, gripping one of her knives as she snuck in. The courtyard was lit up with torchlight, and in the center of the torches stood an amber-eyed male who must have been Lord Nodin. Zilpha stood beside him, her arms crossed and her eyes shifting back and forth in fear. She chewed her bottom lip. Her face was dirty, and her hair hung in limp knots around her face. Hava stood across from her, hands tied behind her back. There was a red bruise across her face and anger in her eyes. Her sword was gone. Tor Lir stood beside Hava, also with his hands tied behind his back. He spoke in low tones while Lord Nodin paced back and forth, shaking his head. Suddenly, his eyes landed on Citrine’s, and she paused, like a mouse caught in a trap. She could break his bones if she desired, but she was unsure, for her friends were in his clutches.
“Ah.” Lord Nodin motioned toward her. “I see you have finally decided to join us. Come. We are preparing to fight.”
Citrine walked toward them, aware four pairs of eyes examined her. “Why are my friends tied up?” she demanded.
“They tried to attack me.” Lord Nodin shrugged. “But I am not the enemy. I suppose you let my beast free and now it is beyond control.”
“Beasts are not meant to be controlled,” Citrine snarled. She locked her gaze on to Zilpha and pointed with her knife. “You! I should cut you for betraying me and leaving me for dead. I hope you have found nothing but hollowness in the embrace of the treasure.”
Zilpha dropped her head, eyes seeking the ground. “I am sorry for what I did. I was desperate, and I thought there was no other way. I see now I was wrong.”
Citrine paused, surprised at the apology, and then recalled the strange creature sucking at her insides. “I was left for dead, eaten alive, and taken by the Under Water World People.”
Lord Nodin lifted a hand. “Such violence. I must note I only threatened violence and never carried it out. But if that is all you respond to, you might tempt my hand. I called my winged companions to join us, but it will be some time. In the meantime, we are preparing to fight my beast of shadows, Chimera.”
“That’s the name of your beast?” Citrine asked, letting her hand with the knife fall to her side. “What did you do to it?”
“Before I explain, I need your word that you will not attack me and Zilpha again. We are not your enemies. I only requested you, Tor Lir, and you, Citrine, to come to this tower to hear of a quest. But you came armed to fight, and this is regrettable. Citrine, I will untie your friends if you all swear.”
“This is my fault,” Tor Lir spoke up, his voice low and even. “Your beast of shadows seemed a threat, and I suggested we all come armed. But I agree not to attack you or Zilpha, should you take a risk and untie us.”
Hava spoke up next. “I swear by the Creator, as long as you keep Zilpha away from me. Zilpha, I understand you are angry, and I realize we started off on the wrong foot. I don’t know your story, and you don’t know mine. I thought only of saving myself with the actions I took in the marketplace. My father blackmailed me, and I know excuses don’t make it right. I realize I could have come to you and chosen a different path, but I did not want to become a homeless peasant.”
Zilpha swiped at her face. “You let me take the fall,” she whispered, the accusation hanging in the air like a drop of poison on the edge of a dropper.
Hava lifted her head, eyes flashing. “I did.”
Citrine noted she did not apologize again. All the same, Lord Nodin lifted a blade and cut the rope from their hands. He stepped back, putting himself between them and Zilpha. “Zilpha is blameless in this. I knew her from years past and unfairly asked her to carry a token for me. The Clyear of Revelation that you, Citrine, helped her find.”
“But it is broken now,” Tor Lir spoke up.
Citrine’s head snapped around to his. “Broken?”
Lord Nodin waved a hand. “Nay, it is not broken. It dispersed when it hit the stone floor, but it will reform itself. In fact, as we speak, it likely lies in the tower, and there it will stay until we return. I am tempted to bury it or cast it into the Jaded Sea, like Zilpha had the foreknowledge to do. But it provides clarity, and without it I would not have known what to do. It has a bond with Tor Lir, I can see the shimmering within reaching out to him.”
Tor Lir shuddered, and Citrine saw a darkness in his eyes. She wondered if it was the knowledge he was running from and the reason he wanted to escape from the immortals and focus his mind on the shallow knowledge of the mortals. She watched him, but other than the shiver he gave off, there was no other expression of disgust.
“How are we all involved?” Citrine asked, her temper calming within. “I made a promise to the Udi I must keep.”
Lord Nodin raised an eyebrow. “Are they in trouble too? It seems chaos seeks us all out. If they can wait, the matter at hand will affect those in the mountains and beyond. I believe the consequences of not taking actions will unleash a dire evil on the cities beyond the Cascade Mountains. If I may be frank with you, the Therian are in trouble. I told Tor Lir something of it. I thought bringing the beast of shadows with me would provide more answers, but it has brought only death. What you don’t know is the beast of shadows used to be a Therian. She was my cousin, and although we were not close, I thought I could save her. We are linked by blood, which gave me some power over her and allowed me to send her commands and directives. But her mortal body was invaded by a parasite, and after a time her brain grew foggy and her transformations became increasingly alarming, until she became the beast of shadows. She would not change back and became more animalistic by the day. I knew there would come a time when she became beyond saving, and the Clyear of Revelation revealed this truth, also telling me the beast within would seek to multiply and destroy all. When I traveled back to the mountains, I discovered my cousin is not the only one with this disease. There are more, and I do not have the expertise to do something about it, but both of you do.” He included Tor Lir and Citrine in his gaze, and in that moment, Citrine understood. She felt his strong desire to protect his people and the helplessness he experienced at being able to do nothing. All thoughts of protest died on her lips, and she met his amber eyes with understanding.
“And do you feel it too? Is there wildness rising in you?” she asked, her voice gentle. She tucked the knife back into her belt, knowing she would not need it.
“Aye. There are hints of it. I do not know how long it will take. Months. Years. But if the Therian turn into wild beasts, many will be slain by their hand, and the line of mountain folk will end. According to tales, you saved paradise. Can you save the Therian?”
“I understand and I admire your honestly. But you shouldn’t threaten us. Tor Lir and I will help.” Citrine felt the eyes of Zilpha and Hava on her, a new respect growing in them. “First though, we must save Sanga Sang and give the beast of shadows relief from its wild life. I don’t know what, but at times I can sense what it senses and feel what it feels. Why is that?”
“We must consult the Clyear of Revelation when we return, but for now time is of the essence,” Lord Nodin said.
As if echoing his words, there was a crash, and screams came from outside.
“Each of you ta
ke a bow and quiver of arrows,” Lord Nodin ordered. “Zilpha”—he lay a hand on her shoulder—"stay here, guard the tower, protect the Clyear.” Citrine watched, feeling an ache in her throat as he leaned forward, his lips grazing her cheek. Turning away from the affection, Citrine reached for a quiver of arrows, her ears burning at words she’d once said. Perhaps arrows were not for cowards and she’d misjudged the weapons, as she’d misjudged many things in life. Cries came again, and, grabbing a torch in her other hand, she followed Tor Lir and Hava out into the night.
41
To Kill a Beast
Smoke covered the city, and hungry torch light flared across the hillside. Lord Nodin led the way to the temple with Tor Lir, Hava, and Citrine following in his wake. Questions streamed through Citrine’s mind as they sped up into a run, the rhythmic thumping of their booted feet moving in pace with her heartbeat. Where was the city warden? Why had the beast of shadows laid eggs? Would it attack her beasts, and if so would they recognize what had once been a mortal and become a beast?
Mistress. Grift’s thoughts sounded in her head. Are you safe? Something terrible is happening in the city.
Grift! The beast of shadows is loose. It and its offspring are attacking everything. I am going to stop it. She paused just short of using the term: kill. She did not think Grift would appreciate knowing she was going to kill a beast, a beast she’d once thought to add to her collection. Again, she recalled the matted fur and long claws. It could have been a beautiful creature.
Do you need help?
Nay, the beast is dangerous, but I could not forgive myself if you were hurt.
Mistress, that is not the way. I will come to your aid should you ask.
I cannot ask you to do this for the mortals are hunting it with arrows of fire. What if they accidentally pierce your side?
I will keep watch, lest the creature comes to this side.
If you see it first, contain it. Will you pass my message on to the others, Ava in particular? I will reach out to Morag.
Aye Mistress.
Grift’s voice faded just as a building collapsed. Citrine slid to a stop as the rubble blocked their path. Hava leaped up on it, holding her hands out to steady herself as she climbed over the rubble. Tor Lir followed her, and Lord Nodin reached out to point Citrine onward. She nodded, her boots sinking at her first step. She bent low and then she felt it.
Her wings were outstretched in the breeze, and her mind was muddled with nothingness. There was something she was supposed to remember, but it was gone, lost when she’d taken to the skies. There was nothing but a roaring anger and determination to wipe out each of the structures. She shook her long tail, letting it drag across a rooftop and yank it off. Shouts echoed around her and high-pitched screams. It interrupted her thoughts, and she growled, hatred rising in her. She lashed out and heat scorched her throat as a fireball rolled out, setting fire to the building. The screams increased until they became smothered under the rubble. A belch came out of her throat. And the roof of her mouth blistered with pain, but she did not care. Her hatred was firm. They deserved death for what they had done to her children. Then she heard a twang, and a fireball roared out of the darkness, hissing and sparkling as it arched toward her. Stretching out her neck, she dived, but she was too late. As she swung her tail around, the fireball smacked into her chest. She lashed out, a screech tearing from her raw throat. Another fireball warmed in her belly, and she flew faster, letting out one, two, and then three until her throat felt like melted wax and she wanted to dive into the sea for relief. But the shining body of water had its own dangers. An eel-like shape hung near the shore, lemon-yellow eyes glaring at her and pointed white horns daring her to approach the waters. She wheeled. Unwilling to fight that battle, she turned inland and headed back toward the tower.
Citrine snapped out of it, her eyes watering. Tor Lir’s hand landed on her back, warm and gentle. He pulled her to her feet, his green eyes filled with concern. “Citrine?”
“It is down by the sea, but it’s headed back this way. The arrows of fire hurt it.” She trailed off, wrapping both fingers around her throat as if she could still feel the blistered burning.
“Is there anything left?” Lord Nodin’s voice halted, filled with emotion for once. “Is there anything mortal left of it?”
Citrine dropped her head, wishing to be paired with the beast no more. She opened her mouth and whispered the words. “There’s only hate and anger, payback for killing its offspring.”
Lord Nodin’s mouth set in a thin line. His long strides moved him over the pile of rubble and then he ran again. “We take our stance at the temple. They have an open roof we can shoot from.”
Citrine swallowed hard. The temple was where the Disciples of Ithar were staying, but would they know her and Tor Lir? Was it a risk she should take? She tried to catch Tor Lir’s eye as they ran, but at that moment, the heavens opened up and rain poured from the sky. It came as both a relief and a curse. The fires burned out around the town and people fled for cover. Yet it also made it difficult to see the beast of shadows as it soundlessly glided overhead. Citrine’s fingers twitched, and then they were there. The doors to the temple were open, and friars stood on either side, hustling people into the hall, guiding them down into the passageways beneath the temple to help them stay hidden.
“We need access to the roof,” Lord Nodin bellowed. “If any of you are archers, come with me, and we will kill the beast once and for all.”
Torches flickered, and silence met his command as the people groups turned to face the newcomers. Citrine saw dirty faces, blood-stained clothes, and hopelessness. They had been ready to celebrate a great harvest only to be met by death and destruction. Something struck a raw nerve within, and she wanted to help them and tell them it would be all right. But this was only the first, and if the Therian were slowly turning into beasts, there would be many more cities like this one. She’d seen the damage and destruction. She had to do something.
Suddenly a male moved out of the shadows, a fist raised high. Mixed feelings rushed through Citrine at the sight of her old friend. Triften. “We fight!” he shouted, bloodlust ringing in his words. “Are you with us?”
There was a roar, and Citrine became swept up in the fever of battle as they rushed up a spiraling staircase and came out on the top of the temple. It was unfinished with stones piled in a corner, collecting pools of water as the rain poured down. An alcove hung over the arched entrance to the staircase, and Lord Nodin called out instructions to the multitude of archers. “Keep the torches under the alcove, light your arrows and then wait for my command. The beast responds to fire.”
Tor Lir held a torch high, and the archers lined up. There were about twenty archers—a combination of male and female, young and old. Some had smudged faces, sodden hair clung to their scalps, and a wet sheen glittered on their cloaks. As Citrine watched, she saw each of them glance at Triften and nod, and she realized she was in the thick of the Disciples of Ithar. She glanced at Tor Lir, but he did not seem to notice the danger, or if he did, he ignored it.
The wind howled in the sky, and Citrine’s teeth chattered. Suddenly Hava was there, handing her a glowing arrow. Citrine took it and carefully nocked it into her bow. The fire hummed and flickered with a life of its own like some small beast coming out to play. Citrine saw the color of her eyes mirrored in the flame, and like an omnipotent vision, she saw Morag stretched out in the waters near the shore. Ava flew out of the cave with a shriek, leaving Zaul to guard it. Grift flew alongside Ava, circling back and forth. They were there, waiting for her. If she could protect them a little longer, until she saved the Therian, and until she completed her deal with the Udi, they would be safe from mortals and immortals alike.
A bulky shadow hovered above them, gliding close to the castle.
“Take aim,” Lord Nodin shouted, running to the edge. He propped a foot up on the battlement and took aim himself, his gloved hands brushing his mouth. The archers lifted thei
r glowing flames, and one by one pointed them at the beast. Citrine’s heart sank as she watched them, and her hand came down, the glowing ember pointed at the stone wall. “On my command,” Lord Nodin bellowed. “Three. Two. One. Fire!”
The arrows crested through the air in an arc, the hissing of the fire and rain like a symphony of music, rising up. Fifteen of the arrows struck home, and a terrible cry rent the air. The beast moaned as it dropped like a stone into the streets.
Citrine fell to her knees like she’d been punched in her gut. She heard the scream of a mother attempting to rescue its offspring and avenge their deaths. She heard the cry of a mortal, allowed to rest at last, as the wild thoughts of hate went out of it. She felt the pain and fear melt away into the embrace of death, and just as strangely as it had come, the odd connection to the beast faded away, leaving her bereft and hollow.
An arm came around her, and Tor Lir knelt by her side, rain drops running down his angular face. He looked at her, his green eyes full of compassion. Their faces were inches apart as they stared at each other, and with a start, Citrine realized Tor Lir felt exactly what she had felt. Her fingers reached out, and she took his hand and squeezed it, nodding at the unspoken words. Now she understood why Novor Tur-Woodberry wanted them to be together. They had a similar power. She was aware of hers, but Tor Lir was only now wakening to his, and he needed her help. They held hands, staring at each other as a cheer rose from the archers, and soon it rang from each balcony and throughout the streets. The beast was dead.
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