by Lisa Cassidy
“How do you know?”
“I might have been chatting to one of the servant girls earlier today.”
Alyx fought not to roll her eyes. “I don’t suppose this servant girl told you where the servant stairs are, did she?”
“Follow me.” His grin flashed at her as he moved off, eventually stopping by a small door and turning to raise his eyebrows at Alyx. A touch of magic assured her nobody was on the stairs, so she nodded and they slipped through into the narrow stairwell.
Plush carpet lining the hall on the top floor forced them to walk carefully along the edges, hoping the water dripping off them wouldn’t be immediately noticeable to anyone coming upstairs. No lamps had been lit, but moonlight shone through a couple of open doorways where curtains inside hadn’t been drawn closed.
“Dawn, we’re on the top floor. Anything to worry about?”
“We can’t see any lights on up there,” Dawn responded instantly. “I can’t sense any minds either.”
“The twins don’t think anyone is up here,” Alyx said softly.
“According to the servant I spoke to, Casovar’s study is down the end of this main hall. How about you take that and I’ll go through his bedroom?” Dashan asked.
“Sure. Be quick as you can. I want to get out of here before he returns.”
Alyx used another touch of telepathic magic as she opened the door to Casovar’s study and slipped inside. She didn’t pick up any thoughts and relaxed slightly, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim interior.
A large desk sat over by the window, covered in papers and books. A tall bookcase covered most of the wall to her right, and a fireplace the wall to her left. Moonlight shone through the arched windows, pooling on the desk and giving just enough light to see by. A glance out the window showed all was quiet along the riverbank, so Alyx sat and began going through the papers.
It was a tedious job. She scanned through summaries of mining agreements, farming in the south and personnel reports on Casovar’s staff. She got through to the bottom of the first pile without finding anything of relevance to Shakar.
The second and third piles were more interesting, dealing with Rionn’s military deployment along the border and into the disputed area. She read these more carefully, but there was nothing untoward about them that she could tell. Most of the reports were written by army commanders detailing their unit’s activities. A few had been written by Dashan’s father, protesting the number of Bluecoats Casovar wanted sent north.
The more time that passed, the more the kernel of anxiousness in her chest—there since they’d entered the house—began to grow. By the time she’d finished searching through everything on the desk, it was beating at her like a drum. They’d been inside too long, and Casovar would surely be back soon. He never stayed much later than this at the palace.
From the desk she moved to the bookcase, scanning the shelves for anything out of place. Nothing jumped out at her, and she concluded that there was nothing to be found in Casovar’s office.
“Alyx, his carriage is coming down the street. He’ll be there in minutes.”
Dawn’s calm voice was a sharp counterpoint to the panic that leaped through Alyx. Opening the study door, she glanced about to make sure the hall was empty, then left in search of Dashan.
“Two Mage Guard heading for the stairs!” Dawn was far less calm now.
At the same moment, the door down the end of the hall clicked, and Dashan appeared. He mimed to Alyx that he was coming, and started moving towards her.
“Hey! Who are you?”
Alyx froze. Two red-cloaked soldiers appeared at the top of the main stairs at the end of the hall. At the sight of the two strangers in the dim hallway they reached instantly for their swords.
Dashan—much closer than Alyx—spun to face them, drawing his sword at the same time. Moonlight falling through a nearby window danced on the blade as the guards rushed him without further challenge.
By the time Alyx reached him, Dashan had killed both soldiers. She skidded to a halt, wincing as more shouts sounded below and the alarm spread through the house—someone had heard the dead guard’s challenge.
A moment later, the tell-tale whine of a crossbow bolt sounded from the shadows at the top of the stairs.
There was no time to think. No time to wonder whether she could do it.
Shouting incoherently, she slammed the end of her staff into the ground and summoned a flood of magic. A green-edged mage shield sprung into existence around her and Dashan. Less than a second later, two crossbow bolts slammed into the shield with a static hiss and dropped to the ground. More bolts followed, all crashing harmlessly into the shield.
Jayn’s magic. She had it. Her heart thudded in belated relief. They’d almost both died standing there in the hallway.
“He’s seen our faces.” Dashan spoke before she could think, running forward and straight through her shield. She stared at him—the first evidence she’d ever seen of Taliath invulnerability shocking her into stillness. She barely processed as he reached the top of the stairs before the crossbowmen could reload, sword slashing down quickly.
“Alyx!” he snapped.
He was running back towards her, heedless of what he’d done, sword dripping blood. Shaking herself in an attempt to regain focus, she urged Dashan back towards Casovar’s office.
“There’s no way out this way,” he shouted, glancing back. The sounds of bootsteps on the stairs were growing louder.
Ignoring him, she pulled Dashan into Casovar’s office and slammed the door behind them.
“What now?” Dashan demanded.
Alyx swung her staff and sent a tightly controlled ball of energy at the study windows. It smashed the lock and sent the windows swinging outwards.
“Come on!” She grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the window.
“Alyx, we’re four floors up!” he protested.
“Trust me!”
He hesitated, met her eyes, then nodded. She continued their momentum and they leaped up into the window ledge, and then out into the night.
Alyx summoned every inch of Mika’s ability she could muster and used it to halt their fall. The effort required almost beat her; Dashan was heavy, and she was barely able to stop them both plummeting to their deaths. Right at the end, her strength ran out and they dropped the last few metres into the river.
River water ran into her mouth and nose as she plunged deep. Kicking upwards, she broke the surface, spluttering and rubbing water from her eyes. Weariness pulled at her, making her limbs lethargic and slow. She pushed through, forced her will on her body to keep moving. Her magic had faded to a dull flicker. The shield and subsequent use of flying magic had utterly drained her.
“We have to swim across to the other side,” Dashan called. “They’ll be after us any minute.”
She nodded, trying to regain her breath. He swam over, wrapping a solid arm around her and helping her swim. They managed to make it to the shore as shouts and footsteps sounded on the Casovar dock, along with several bobbing lanterns. Alyx staggered out of the water, still supported by Dashan’s arm.
“The Mage Guard will be searching the streets any moment, not to mention Casovar,” Dashan said. “We need to hole up somewhere. My father’s house is only a couple of streets away.”
“Won’t he protest if we show up there?” Her teeth chattered, the drain of her magic use leaving her defenceless against the cold water soaking her clothes, even though it was a warm night. “Not to mention ask a lot of questions.”
“As far as I know, my room is still empty.” Dashan gave her a quick smile. “And we both know I’m a master of sneaking in and out of my room without him knowing.”
Alyx chuckled wearily. “Fair enough, let’s go.”
“Can you let Dawn know what’s happening? It would be good to know where Tarrick is. And she and Finn should get clear of that warehouse as quickly as they can.”
She shook her head. “Need a minute befo
re I can use magic again.”
His arm around her shoulders tightened, and she ignored the worry that flickered over his face. Instead she focused on forcing her legs to stay upright as they moved away.
They made it the short distance through the streets without encountering any of the Mage Guard. Dashan led her along the back wall of his father’s home, and in through a tiny side gate. Fortunately, his room was on the ground floor, and the spare key he’d always kept hidden in a bush beneath the window was still there. He opened the window and helped her into the dark room.
“Safe,” she said in relief, closing the window behind him and sagging against the wall.
“And soaking wet,” he noted. “I’ll go find us some towels.”
He ducked out the door, and Alyx slumped into one of the chairs by the window, her mind going back over the events of the evening. They’d been caught, but the only two guards who’d clearly seen Dashan’s face were dead. Unfortunately, she’d found nothing at all to prove Shakar’s existence.
Dashan eventually reappeared with one arm full of towels, the other carrying two mugs of steaming liquid. “Found some soup heating in the kitchen,” he explained. “It should help restore your energy.”
“Thanks.” She took the mug and sipped at the soup. It was delicious, filling her body with warmth. As she drank, Dashan wrapped a towel around her to soak up some of the river water, then busied himself lighting the lamp sitting by his bed. The soup restored enough energy that she could coax the tiny reserves of her power into life.
“Dawn?”
“Alyx, are you all right?” Relief and worry mixed in her friend’s mental voice. “Casovar’s home is lit up like a beacon and the streets are crawling with Mage Guard and City Guard officers.”
Alyx closed her eyes, fighting through her weariness. “We were seen inside the house, but got away. Dashan got us to his father’s house and we’re holed up there. Let Tarrick know we’re safe, and all of you need to get out of the area.”
“Will do. Did you find anything?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. Is there anything else we can do?”
“Go home and keep safe for now. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Dawn?” Dashan asked when she opened her eyes. He’d taken the other chair, his soup already finished.
“Yes. You were right—the streets are crawling with soldiers. Good idea to come here.”
“Did you find anything back there?” he asked.
“Nothing at all, and I had a pretty good look through everything in his study.”
“Me neither. There was nothing in his room but closets full of expensive clothing.” Dashan stood again, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Damn, we obviously looked in the wrong place!”
“I have no idea what we’re going to do next.” Alyx sighed, bitter disappointment filling her.
“We’ll think of something,” he said, then paused, looking at her. “Or maybe Brynn will find something. If Shakar really is out there, then there is evidence of it. There has to be.”
“I suppose.”
Silence fell for a while as Alyx finished her soup then placed it on a small table nearby. By then her headache was throbbing again and she sank further into the chair, one hand lifting to rub uselessly at her temples.
“I want you to tell me what’s wrong.” Dashan’s voice had that determined quality that she hated. Frowning, she met his dark gaze.
“Isn’t it obvious? We got caught breaking into Casovar’s home, and killed two of his guards, all for nothing.”
“No, there’s something else. You forget how well I know you.” His eyes searched her face. “I’ve been away weeks, and the change in you is obvious.”
“I’m fine. I’m just tired.”
“Dammit, Alyx!” He shot to his feet, eyes snapping with anger. “I let you go because I thought he would make you happy, I thought it was what you wanted. I can’t sit here and see your misery and not try and help.”
“It is what I wanted.”
“Then what’s wrong?” he demanded.
“I can’t… ” She took a breath. “I can’t talk to you about this.”
The anger faded from his face, to be replaced by hurt. “As much as I try, I can’t regret what happened between us, but sometimes I wish I hadn’t been so stupid.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re far out of my reach. You always have been and always will be. I should never have allowed myself to love you, I should have known better. I could never compare to what you have with Cayr,” he said wretchedly. “And now you won’t even talk to me anymore.”
“Love me?” Her voice came out strangled, her chest flooded with emotion.
He cocked his head, gaze softer than she’d ever seen it. “Oh, Alyx, wasn’t it obvious?”
She couldn’t say anything. She wanted to tell him everything, that he was the only one she wanted to talk to, that hiding everything inside was killing her, that she missed him and wanted him.
But she held back. She couldn’t tell him any of those things.
He nodded sadly when she didn’t respond. “I think we should stay here for the night. Take the bed, I’m going to go and find another spare room.”
She nodded, her throat still too full to speak. She wanted him to stay, was confused and dismayed at how much she wanted him to share the bed with her, but all the words stayed clogged inside her, unable to be expressed.
“I’ll come wake you before dawn,” he said, then left.
The tears came once the door was closed, silent and streaming down her face until she thought they’d never stop.
Chapter 27
Alyx crept home in the half hour before dawn, stripped off her clothing and fell into her soft bed. By the time she woke again, morning sunlight was streaming through her window. Her magic reserves were back, not quite at full strength, but enough to use. The headache had gone too, though weariness still tugged at her.
Her father and Cayr were both in the dining room when she walked in, finishing up their breakfast. Ladan was nowhere to be seen. Belatedly, she remembered that she’d promised to have breakfast with Cayr. Guilt joined the tangle of emotions bottled up inside her chest.
“It’s unlike you to be up so long after dawn these days, Alyx.” Her father greeted her with a smile.
“I must have been tired.” She smiled and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “Good morning, both of you.”
“Ladan is up and out already.” Garan answered her unasked question. “I have no idea where. The same applies to your friend Cario—Safia told me he packed his things and left yesterday.”
“He’s gone from Alistriem. It’s a long story.” After serving herself some porridge from the side table, Alyx took the seat beside Cayr. She was ravenous after the previous night’s activities, and dived straight into her breakfast.
“Orange juice?” Cayr passed her a glass.
“Thanks.”
“Do you feel better this morning?” he asked. “You still look pale.”
“I’m fine.” She found a smile for him. “I’m sorry I was late for breakfast.”
Their comfortable silence was interrupted soon after by the front bell ringing through the house. Shortly after, Safia appeared with Lord-Mage Casovar in tow. Alyx tensed. Cayr glanced at her, then discreetly reached out to touch her hand.
Garan rose to his feet. “Lord-Mage, this is a surprise.”
“I apologise for calling on you so early, Lord Egalion,” Casovar said, bowing his head when he caught sight of Cayr. “Your Highness.”
“Lord-Mage,” Cayr said pleasantly.
“No need to apologise.” Garan resumed his seat. “Prince Cayr was just sharing breakfast with my daughter and me. Can I have the servants get you anything?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Casovar glanced at Alyx, grey eyes as cold as always. She stared back as calmly as she could, inwardly shoring up her mental shield.
“What can I do for you this morning?” her father asked, drawing Casovar’s gaze away. Her shoulders relaxed a little. Cayr’s hand on hers tightened momentarily, and she squeezed back.
“I have some disturbing news.” Casovar’s gaze flickered between all three of them. “My home was broken into last night. Two Mage Guard soldiers were killed in the process, and as you can imagine, I’m quite upset about the whole affair.”
Garan looked genuinely startled. “Do you know who was behind it?”
“Not yet,” Casovar said. “But there were two intruders; one was a Taliath, the other a mage.”
A cold fist of dread closed around Alyx’s heart, and she was more grateful than she could say for Cayr’s quick and casual response.
“A mage and a Taliath?” The prince allowed a touch of incredulity to fill his voice. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Alyx fought to maintain a calm expression. Where had Casovar gotten the impression that one of the intruders was Taliath? He hadn’t been there. Only the two dead guards had seen Dashan.
“Surely you must be mistaken.” Garan frowned. “I know you’re aware of my past, Lord-Mage, but I can assure you I didn’t break into your house last night. There are few, if any, other Taliath living—certainly none in Rionn.”
Alyx was impressed by her father’s ability to lie so well, although she supposed it gave him confidence knowing Casovar couldn’t read his thoughts.
“I am certain, Lord Egalion,” Casovar said. “More, I believe the Taliath is Shiven.”
Garan cocked his head, giving a perfect impression of genuine puzzlement. “Why do you think that?”
“I’m a mage of the higher order. That gives me many... specialist abilities.”
It wasn’t an answer, but Garan let it go with a little shrug. Alyx tried to keep her expression interested and slightly puzzled. She didn’t dare say anything, terrified the guilty knowledge would be written all over her face.