Shadowborn

by Katie MacAlister

  “We have a plan,” Deo said, handing me the broken moonstone. “I will use the boon. Together, we will banish Nezu. It’s simple.”

  “It’s not even remotely simple, but I agree the boon is going to be part of the solution.” Hallow protested, but got to his feet when I more or less pulled him out of the chair. “Very well, my heart, I will go to bed. I can rest even if we haven’t worked out quite everything. But I agree with Deo that what we must do can only be accomplished at the altar. We will ride there in the morning, and goddesses willing, be there before Nezu has summoned his father.”

  I gave him gentle pushes toward the door to the room that I’d rented from Red Eva. He stumbled twice, but made it into the room without falling. I turned back at the door and glanced at Ella. “I’m sorry, I didn’t make accommodations for a sleeping chamber for you tonight. Do you have coin? Red Eva appears to be most obliging, although don’t let her give you the room with the discount. It has a most unsavory feature.”

  “I’m fine,” she said, her cheeks growing pink. She steadfastly avoided looking at Quinn, who, I couldn’t help but notice, looked interested.

  “What sort of unsavory?” Idril asked before he could do so. “Unsavory as in the sort of shocking that would make your mother raise her eyebrows and murmur things about no gentlewoman performing such acts, or the sort of unsavory that includes body parts used in a manner out of the norm?”

  “There are depths to you that surprise me even now,” I told her. “Red Eva offers a discount because there are hidden panels that allow others to view the occupants of the room in action.”

  “Oh,” she said, looking disappointed.

  Quinn made a dismissive noise, also apparently losing interest.

  “Also, there are restraining thongs attached to the bed, the wall, and, apparently, the ceiling, although how one is supposed to get up to the ceiling to perform the sorts of acts that Eva mentioned is beyond me. She said something about people who are very limber being given a bigger discount than those who simply confine their sport to the bed.”

  “Oooh,” Idril said softly, eyeing Deo, who looked mildly startled in return.

  Quinn beat her to the front door, clearly on a mission to find Red Eva before Idril could do the same.

  Idril called loudly while she hurried after him, “Captain! I must insist that you stop thinking selfishly of your own base needs, and instead think of mine!” I entered our room and found Hallow asleep face down on the bed, fully clothed, and snoring softly.

  Chapter 13

  The voice pierced my awareness before I was half-awake.

  —and I nearly wore my new wings to nothing before I realized that he was, indeed, making for the Old Coast Road. You can tell the lad that Lyl is slinking away like a cur with his tail between his legs, and won’t be returning here anytime soon. Not after we dealt him such a drubbing. Where are you? You aren’t out here having porridge with the vanth and your large friend.

  “Hrn?” I asked, pushing my hair off my face to squint at Hallow. “What was that?”

  He made an inarticulate noise of comfort, and one of his legs moved a little over mine, but other than that, he didn’t wake. I scooted out from under him, pulling back the shutter that covered the window next to the bed, using the light to examine Hallow’s back.

  There was an oddly light tapping sound at the door that I ignored for a few minutes while I peeled back the linen bandages and examined the wounds. “I’ll say this for Red Eva: she is almost as good a healer as Sandor. There’s no sign of redness, no swelling, and no foul smell. In fact—” I gently pressed the flesh next to one of the deeper slashes. Hallow didn’t even flinch. His back felt cool to the touch, without any of the red streaks that Sandor had always said were a sign of infection. “In fact, I’d say that you are further along in healing than you should be. I’ll have to leave Eva more than I planned as a thank you. What?”

  The last word was spoken when a proper rap sounded at the door. I snatched up the bedclothes to cover both myself and Hallow’s bare behind, but the door only opened wide enough for a hand to wave at me. “Someone wants you,” Ella’s voice said, followed by Thorn swooping into the room.

  There you are! By my shiny pink spleen, what happened to the lad? Are those wounds from the arcane explosion? He looks like he’s been mauled by a pack of behemoths. Feral ones. Is he insensible? Can you wake him and tell him I chased that traitorous arcanist almost to the coast? He’ll want to know that, and of course, all the other news I have, which is that there’s a rumor the queen is being held prisoner in the land of the water talkers, and also that Lord Israel has set sail for Aryia, leaving Genora to Nezu’s mercy, although why he’d do that is a mystery. For one, he’d never leave the queen a prisoner, and for another, once Nezu wiped Genora clean of Starborn, he’d simply turn his eyes to the Fireborn, and although I have many things to say about Lord Israel—he came to power just as I was preparing to diminish into the spirit realm, so I only met him a few times—he’s never been what I’d call outright stupid. Stubborn, yes, and single-minded when it came to doing what he thought was right and proper, but not stupid.

  “Kiriah’s blessed toes, Thorn!” I made an exasperated noise while the bird flew around the room, his non-stop chattering leaving me mentally reeling. “Can’t you stop for a breath?”

  I’m dead. I don’t have need for breath, he pointed out, alighting on Hallow’s behind, tipping his head first one way, then the other to examine his back. That looks like it’s healing very well. Should leave no scars. Whoever made that green salve knew what they were about. I didn’t realize the lad had been damaged quite that much, else I wouldn’t have spent the whole night chasing after Lyl.

  “The head of the harlots is responsible for the healing, and I agree that she is very talented, for which we will be most grateful. What’s all that noise?” I asked, aware, now that the shutters were open, of pounding noises that drifted in through the window. Men’s voices rumbled in as well, their words unintelligible, but I didn’t hear any notes of panic or fear.

  I wonder what the harlot put in the salve, Thorn said, bending close to Hallow’s back. Hmm? Oh, the villagers are putting the men we captured last night to work, rebuilding the part of the wooden wall that was destroyed, as well as two homes that also were damaged. What did I miss while I was gone? Did Hallow tell everyone about all the work we did, and how that arcanist he trusted betrayed him?

  “What arcanist? Aarav, you mean? He’s in a room upstairs. We carried him there after we found him next to the wall. He said something about helping Hallow summon you, but if he’s betrayed us—”

  Not him, the other one. The one who looked so innocent. Take a word of advice from one who has seen two ages pass, priestling, and never trust anyone who looks innocent. They’ll always sell their loyalty for a few coppers if it pleases them.

  “I’ll keep that in mind…Kiriah’s blessings, my love.” Hallow rolled over onto his side, his lovely blue eyes blinking sleepily at me, his cheek creased with wrinkles from the pillow. “How do you feel?”

  “Tired,” he said, rubbing his face. “And yet stiff like I’ve lain in one position for too long. Why do you have that look on your face?”

  Tell him I chased Lyl to the Coast Road, Thorn demanded, having been dislodged when Hallow rolled onto his side. He flew to the headboard and squawked a few times, bobbing his head as he did so.

  “Ah,” Hallow said, giving me a wry half-smile. “I see why now. Good morn to you, Thorn. I assume you are still bound to that bastard Lyl?”

  Unfortunately, I am until we can get my staff away from him. I’d have you make a new one, and bind me to it, but it took me almost eighty years to spell that staff, and I don’t have the time to do that again. Tell him, priest!

  “Are you always this pushy?” I asked Thorn, twirling my finger in the air. “Because if you are, I feel for Hallow, having to p
ut up with it.”

  Put up with it? No one puts up with me, Thorn said indignantly, but obligingly turned around, giving us his back. I used the opportunity to hurry into my clothes, watching with one eye while Hallow swung his legs over the edge of the bed, flexing his shoulders and back experimentally.

  “I can only imagine how he’s chattering away at you, and yes, assuming he is, he’s always that way. What does he want you to do?”

  “Tell you that he chased Lyl to the Old Coast Road.” I duly repeated the tidbits of information that Thorn had told me, ignoring his interruptions while I did so.

  “I had no idea the staff took so long to spell, but I agree that it would be a waste of time to remake what has been done already. We’ll simply have to get it—and Kelos—away from Lyl once we’ve dealt with Nezu. What’s that?” Hallow frowned at the cup of wine I held before him.

  Nezu? What’s this about Nezu? Why would you have to deal with him? I thought he was in the spirit world. He went into the spirit world. We saw him go into the spirit world.

  “Fever draught.” I stood before Hallow until he—with a grimace—swigged it down as quickly as possible, coughing hoarsely once he’d done so. “I know you don’t have a fever, but I’ll feel easier knowing you’ve taken the medicine Eva left for you. I take it you’re not in pain?”

  You are here, in the mortal realm, where it is right and proper you stay. There is no dealing with Nezu to be done. Tell Hallow that he is in no sort of shape to take on someone as tricky as Nezu.

  “I am, but not nearly as much as last night.” He rose and accepted the clothes I handed him. “I hope I haven’t held us up by sleeping too long. We have much to do today.”

  I can’t help you with Nezu, Thorn stated abruptly, flapping his wings in agitation before patrolling the mantel over a small fireplace. Rather, I could, but I won’t. Tell Hallow that, priestling. Tell him that I will lend him no aid should he be so foolish as to think Nezu will not destroy him with the tiniest flick of his fingers.

  “It’s barely past the seventh hour,” I answered, glancing out the open window, where I spied two familiar figures. Evidently feeling they were hidden from sight, Quinn had Ella pinned against the wall of a small cottage that sat next to Eva’s house of harlotry. I was about to yell at Quinn, warning him to leave Ella alone, but to my surprise, she grasped him by the shoulders, pulling him closer. A scant second before I could turn away, Quinn’s breeches hit the ground, and Ella’s legs wrapped around his waist. I spun around, swearing under my breath, “Kiriah’s blessings above and below!”

  “What’s wrong?” Hallow asked, pulling on a boot with a little grunt of pain before he stood up and turned toward the window.

  Hello? Can you hear me? Why are you not responding? Don’t you understand how important this is? Allegria Hopebringer! Hear me!

  “Nothing other than the fact that I badly underestimated Quinn’s persuasive powers.” I thought for a few seconds, then allowed, “And Ella is not as young as I first thought. She has seen nineteen summers, and that is older than I was when I lost my maidenhead. Still, I’d thought she had more sense, and they always seem to be arguing…Thorn, I do hear you. I can’t possibly help but hear you—you fill my head with your words!”

  “Ah,” Hallow said, looking out of the window, his eyebrows going up. “That’s almost as good as the position we used the day we arrived at Kelos, although Quinn appears to be using his hands on her breasts. And did he just rock her hips forward? How is that even possible at that angle?”

  Well that, at least, eases my mind. Thorn sounded distinctly disgruntled, still flapping his wings in an annoying manner.

  He followed me as I collected my weapons, slipping on my scabbard and swords, and grabbing my bow and quiver. “I’m sure we can try hip rocking if it looks like something we’d both enjoy. Have you any silver?”

  “Now he’s bending her over backward…while he’s still inside her. She must be exceptionally limber. Hmm. You’re quite limber. I wonder if we could—what?”

  I peeked around his shoulder to see what it was that had Hallow hmming, my eyes widening when Quinn swung Ella down into some sort of a scissors position. “The blood must run down to her head. I’m not sure I’d like that, but perhaps we could do a modified version of it if we had some large pillows, a pile of furs, and a handful of silk scarves,” I commented before closing the shutters. “I asked you if you had any silver. I spent all of mine to get this room and board.”

  Hallow stared at me, his eyes smoky with passion, sexual interest, and calculation. No doubt he was working out a way to achieve that scissor position without discomfort to either of us. “Er…yes, I have silver.”

  Ask him what he meant about Nezu, Thorn insisted.

  “I don’t have to ask him. I know what he’s referring to,” I told the bird, then helped Hallow gather up his belongings before we departed from the room. “And I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we can’t leave Nezu where he is in the spirit realm. He can come out of it at any time to launch an attack.”

  “Is that what Thorn’s bothering you about?” Hallow frowned at the bird as he held the door open for him to fly out. “Thorn, this is of vital importance. Nezu is free because of us. Naturally, we will not rest until we have ensured Alba will be safe from his retribution.”

  Tell him! Thorn all but yelled at me.

  I sighed, moving over to a small round table where Deo, Idril, and Dexia were all finishing up breakfast. “Fine, but if you could go steal your staff from Lyl so Hallow can go back to being Master, I’d be very grateful. Good morning, everyone. Please excuse us for the next few minutes.” I accepted some bread, cheese, fruit, and a mug of weak ale from one of Eva’s workers, seeing the woman herself in the far corner of the room, a box of coins in front of her that she counted and tallied on a stick. In between bites, I hurriedly told Hallow of the protests that Thorn had made.

  “You said you wouldn’t help us?” Hallow asked the bird, his golden brows pulling together as he studied Thorn, now perched on top of the ale barrel.

  “Do we need him?” Idril asked us when Deo went off to use the privy. “I know he helps the Master of Kelos, but if Hallow no longer holds that position, then is he even effective?”

  Of course I’m effective! Thorn sputtered with outrage. I’m incredibly effective! I’m the most effective being in existence! Tell her that I have more power than she can conceive of!

  I repeated his comments, adding to him, “I don’t doubt that you have much power, but really, Thorn, you aren’t the most powerful being in existence. You couldn’t even get yourself out of the spirit realm, and had to have Hallow summon you.”

  That was different! he said with an injured sniff, turning his head to groom his shoulder just as if he was a real bird. I am a translocated spirit, one bound to a suitably spelled physical object in this realm, and thus, I have no presence unless that object exists. Which it didn’t until the lad and his traitorous friend created the new form.

  “He’s a translocated spirit. He’s bound to the staff,” Hallow said at the same time, slicing an apple and offering me a piece, popping it into his mouth when I shook my head. “But that does bring back the question of what we will do to draw Nezu out of the spirit realm and into ours. Thorn, if you—”

  No! Thorn shouted into my head, then flew in a tight circle over Hallow’s head four times before going out the window. I will not stain my soul with your death and destruction! What you plan is foolish and unworthy of the Master of Kelos. If you insist on pursuing this path, then you will do it without me!

  I stared out the window, then cast a worried glance at Hallow. “Erm…Thorn’s angry.”

  “So I gathered. That was his “shite upon your head four times” maneuver, wasn’t it? I take it his disapproval of our plan has sent him off in a snit?”

  “You could say so.” I repeated what Thorn had said
, giving voice to the worry that had gnawed in my belly. “Hallow, perhaps we should rethink this plan. Maybe Thorn is right to urge caution. After all, Nezu is a god, and even with Deo’s boon, it took both goddesses to banish Nezu the first time. Will Bellias have the strength to do so on her own if she only has us to help her?”

  “You are favored in Kiriah’s eyes. You have channeled her, and joined with us—it will be just like having Kiriah Sunbringer there, herself,” Deo answered when he returned, holding up a pair of maroon pink scarves. “Idril, did you wish to bring these with you as well as the cerise ones? And what of the rope swing you insisted I purchase from the courtesan? I have no room in my bags for it.”

  Idril, with a slight lift of her chin that accompanied a cool look my way, rose and took the scarves from Deo, disappearing into a short hall that led to the back of the house.

  “A rope swing?” Hallow looked interested. “Was it worth the coin?”

  Deo smiled a wolfish grin. “Definitely. You’ll want one, possibly two if Allegria is particularly enthusiastic, which she is from what I can recall of the many times she’s kissed me.”

  “Twice,” I said with dignity and a warning look to Hallow. “I kissed you twice, that’s all, and Hallow, don’t you dare make a comment about Deo having been my boyfriend, because if you do, then I won’t want to use this rope swing that you seem to covet. Also, please see if Red Eva has two available.”

  Hallow gave me a lascivious look. “We shall definitely set it up once we get home. We could put one in the tower, and perhaps hang one from a tree for a little outdoor enjoyment.”

  “Home.” I repeated the word, consumed by sadness. “Assuming Kelos is still our home.”

  “My home is anywhere you are, my heart,” he said with gallantry that was heightened by the love shining so brightly in his face. He kissed my knuckles before popping the last piece of apple into his mouth. “Will you be ready to leave shortly?”