His Fairy Share
Page 18
“Dragons have a significantly better sense of smell than humans.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Somebody didn’t want others to know that witches were losing their magic, too. “Do you know who did it?”
She swallowed. “I can’t be sure. I’d like to think no one on the Council would do something like that. I know that some witches are much more resistant to change than others. As you saw.” She gave me a look from under her lashes. “Helena has asked that I monitor the next five years’ worth of testing. She thinks I should be able to use those numbers to prove my case then.”
“You sound skeptical.” Vosen’s cat twined between my ankles before meowing for Vosen to pick her up again.
“I am. In terms of numbers, we’re talking a decline of a couple per year. Doesn’t look significant. When compared with a thousand years ago, it’s obvious. But such a small number of years won’t convince anyone.”
“And so you want to test me.”
“Yes. I’m hoping that you hold the key. Not only to men’s magic. But to women’s as well.”
Before I could answer, Vosen stiffened. She scooped her familiar into her arms and waved a hand in the air. Outside noise came rushing back. Rei Le Torneau came around the corner, scowled when she saw us.
Rei Vosen gave us a weak smile, then hurried to intercept Le Torneau, leaving us to make our escape. Which we did.
As we cut through the public areas, Twig’s fangs dropped and smoke poured from his nostrils, warning any overeager witches away. Neither of us spoke. We strode through the citadel’s main exit, then continued through the courtyard, past the fountains, and through the gates. Only after we cleared the kiosks and were on the road to the Lower Isle did Twig mutter, “The plot thickens.”
Yeah, no kidding.
25
We stood in the portal chamber, facing each other, the wall sconces bouncing light off the gedodrite and making the room bright even in the late evening. We’d spent the remaining day traipsing through town looking for Zak, to no avail. We’d run by the Rusty Horn Inn again. According to Two-Toes, the City Patrol hadn’t locked him up. He assured us the street kids’ network worked overtime and someone, somewhere noticed something. Just a matter of time. Everyone kept saying that. But time was the one thing we were running out of.
My heart hurt. Twig’s emotions through our link mirrored mine. One of us had to be strong.
“Don’t worry, Twig, I’ll be fine. Just hurry back.” I stretched up as my dragon bent down for a kiss. As usual, electricity raced along my nerve endings at the contact. I reluctantly broke away, while Twig’s arms tightened around me.
“I don’t like this, wizard. It doesn’t feel right.” He grudgingly loosened his grip. “If what Vosen told us is true, there’s a lot more at play than we’d considered.”
“You have to go. Lighthelm needs you. You can’t let those Alphae bastards win.” I stepped back.
Twig grumbled yet didn’t disagree. We needed to remember our real lives remained in the Elder and this unpleasant interlude would pass.
“Promise you’ll be careful. You possess a soft heart, and we don’t know what the situation is with Zak. Or who your friends are.”
“You don’t believe he killed my parents and brother any more than I do.” I lifted my chin, daring him to contradict me.
“I don’t. Doesn’t mean he didn’t. We’re not infallible. And we don’t really know what’s happening.”
“Once we find him, we’re going home.” I looked longingly at the portal. “We’ll figure out the mating stuff another way. With Pie and Beckett in the wind, I don’t think I’ll learn anything else here, anyway.”
“Come with me.” Twig leaned forward until we were almost touching. “We’ll hurry back. It’s . . . unnatural to be apart.”
I shook my head. What he said was true, but didn’t apply to us in the same way as everyone else. We weren’t a typical bonded pair. We could be apart. At least in theory.
“You know your dad will hound you to stay, City Council will arrange busywork for you to look over and sign, and Bill will drive everyone crazy. You can’t guarantee we can return anytime soon, and what if Zak turns up in that time? Does he even know our parents are dead? Did he see it? What if he’s on the run and I’m not here when he needs me?”
“Quinn, have you considered—”
“No, don’t say it. He’s not dead.” I couldn’t let my thoughts run in that direction or I wouldn’t be able to help him. Zak was alive. He had to be.
Twig placed a large hand on my shoulder. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“Hope is all I’m holding onto at the moment, so I’d appreciate your support.” I squeezed his wrist and released it.
Twig grimaced. “One day, wizard. That’s all I’m giving the Elder. I don’t care what else happens, I’ll be back in one day.”
I yearned for that, but I knew how these things went. I simply nodded. He’d try his best. That was enough.
Twig released his grip, took one hesitant step back and then another. He didn’t turn away until he’d backed to the portal. “Stay out of trouble, wizard. I don’t want to torch this realm to the ground.”
I waved, offered him a cocky grin. “No promises.”
And then he stepped through and disappeared in the blink of an eye. The discomfort of his departure squeezed my heart like a mighty fist. I took a shaky breath, waiting for the ache to settle. My magic prickled along my nerves, over tendons and bones, feeling sluggish and nearly painful. We’d never tested it, though surely Twig’s absence would affect my ability to draw on magic.
One deep breath, then another. We could do this. I could do this. I forced myself to step back from the portal. A bolt of something whizzed by where I stood only a second before. It slammed into the magical gateway. Sparks erupted as the portal’s magic collapsed upon itself, throwing crystal shards in every direction. One shard sliced into my side as I stumbled back.
“What in hella—” I dove for the floor and rolled as another bolt came my way. My shield surrounded me as a third bolt struck dead center. My defenses shuddered and winked out. I barely called it forth again before another bolt crashed into it. I screamed and pushed to my knees. Crystal shards sliced into my knees and shins. I ignored the pain, focusing every last scrap on defending myself.
Rei Le Torneau stood in the entrance to the chamber surrounded by several personal guards, a malevolent grin lighting her skeletal face as she raised her hands for another strike. “Lower your shield and surrender, and I might allow you to live.”
Yeah, not happening. Nothing in the room to hide behind, and without Twig present, I discovered firsthand the extent of my magic’s diminishment. I focused my will on hastily reconstructing my defenses. I refused to lower my guard for anything. “Why are you doing this?”
Keep the crazy lady talking. My time with Brandsome proved that villains loved to monologue. Le Torneau definitely struck me as cut from the same cloth.
Or not.
Another surge of magic knocked me back onto my ass, my shield disintegrating. She and her guards advanced. Not enough magic to repel another attack.
“You’ll never get away with this.” I panted, preparing to go on the offensive. It was my only chance.
“I already have. You were right. Change is good.” She raised her hands, and magic snapped in the air. I called up a fireball.
“Eliphas! What in the Goddesses’ name are you doing?” Rei Vosen demanded, charging into the room with two of her own security in tow.
Le Torneau swung around on Vosen just as her magic unleashed. It struck the other rei in the chest and caused an explosion of blood and bones. Vosen’s guards shouted in horror. Before they could think to sound the alarm, Le Torneau’s own guards converged on them, swords slashing.
I didn’t wait around for them to remember me. Summoning everything left, I pushed my magic toward the ceiling above Le Torneau and her guards. Since I didn’t possess enou
gh strength now to seriously harm them, I shattered the crystal above. The ceiling collapsed onto them. Screams of pain echoed through the chamber.
I sprang up and ran.
Le Torneau shrieked from beneath the fragments and threw another bolt as I darted out the door. From under the rubble, she didn’t have the right trajectory and it went wide.
I dashed down the hallway, taking the first side corridor I found. I continued running, darting down one corridor then another. I glanced behind me, a trail of blood droplets giving away my direction. Damn it! I sped up.
I soon became lost but kept running. My muscles shook, my lungs burned from my flight, and my magic made my skin ache. I needed Twig.
Without the portal to the Elder, I was on my own.
Cora! I’d find her. She’d help. I changed direction and worked my way back toward the interior. Why weren’t there any people around? Could Le Torneau have sent them away so she could carry out her plan?
A horn blaring in the citadel caused me to stumble. What in the bloody blue moons? Shouts went up outside. I stopped, huffing and puffing, and peeked out a tall, narrow window. Companies of citadel defenders took up formation with a witch or two at the head of each. Le Torneau stood at the front of one such group, cradling her arm and yelling orders. Blood ran from several wounds but didn’t seem to slow her down. The gates defending the citadel clanged shut.
Burn me! No escape that way. What a mess. I couldn’t be sure what Le Torneau relayed, yet I could imagine. Would I get the High Rei to listen? Doubtful. Even with Cora on my side.
My heart pounded, the added adrenaline making my stomach churn and my body shake. Where could I go? They only needed to block the exits. I’d never get out.
The secret passage! Thank the Goddesses for Cora and her love of mischief. If it didn’t lead out of the citadel, perhaps I could hole up until I could figure out a better plan. I retreated back the way I came. A stupid thing to do, so hopefully they wouldn’t expect it. I doubted I could call up a finger of flame at the moment. My magic felt smothered, like a snuffed candle.
Peering around every corner, moving away from the sounds of voices and marching feet, I continued farther inward. I dodged one company by hiding behind a huge gedodrite statue of a chimera. It squatted at the feet of the Goddess of the Hunt that stood in an alcove. Irony, much?
There was enough room behind the statue for me to hide. Blood dripped onto the floor forming a tiny pool. Not good.
I took a much-needed minute to catch my breath and to check my injured side after the guards passed by. I tore a long strip from the bottom of my tunic and then another one. I staunched the blood by wadding up one strip against my side, wrapping the other around my waist, then pulling it as tight as possible. I gritted my teeth. Fought the darkness at the corner of my vision. Not going down this way.
Taking deep breaths, I forced myself to tighten the cloth into a makeshift bandage. Another group of pursuers passed. I’d never make it back to the solarium. Unless . . . I fumbled in my pouch and pulled out the serpentine ruby, slipped it on my finger. Activios, I whispered. I looked down yet couldn’t see myself. Excellent. I might survive this yet. I stood on wobbly legs, steadied myself, then darted from the alcove’s relative safety. I hurried toward the High Rei’s solarium.
I dodged more guards, in one case creeping by a company that took up most of the hallway. One guard brushed against my sleeve as I plastered myself to the wall. He looked around before his superior snapped at him and he rejoined the ranks. I stayed stock-still until they moved on. Then I ran on the balls of my feet, keeping my footfalls as light as possible so I wouldn’t give myself away.
As I entered the corridor to the solarium, the ancient magic once again caused my bracer to flare and tighten on my forearm. The wards sparked in reaction, an acrid smell oozing from the runes. No time to ponder that or what it might mean. My goal now in sight.
I thought back. Opposite wall from the solarium. Between two former reis’ portraits. But which ones? I recognized Maple Pickerin. Near there. Okay, had Cora indicated the left side of Pickerin’s portrait? Or right? Spells and curses, why hadn’t I paid more attention? Left side. She definitely pointed to the left side. Okay, I could do this. I ran my hands over the wall. The smooth crystal showed no cracks. Had I misunderstood? No, she’d said here.
It must be here. Noises from adjacent passageways alerted me that guards neared. The ring only had a small charge left, the stone turning from a deep red to a faded pink, my outline becoming sharper by the moment. No time. I felt around frantically. Nothing.
Dropping to my badly torn knees, I ran my hands over the smooth crystal. I nearly missed it. An almost imperceptible indent. Placing my palm against it, I pushed.
Again, nothing. I wanted to shout. Time was running out.
I pushed harder, with both hands.
A door that shouldn’t have been there swung open. I crawled inside the passageway. I used my feet to centaur-kick the entry closed. I collapsed, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My heart pounded. Not even a minute later, boots—lots of them—clomped past.
I prayed they didn’t know about this passageway. I needed to move. Even so, I didn’t budge. I just . . . couldn’t.
Pulling off the soaked bandages, I winced at the open wound. I’d lost too much blood already. No way I’d make it out of here, even though I was sure I hadn’t damaged any organs. What I wouldn’t give to have Cookie and her healing powers with me now. I had only the most basic tinctures in my pouch. Nothing to stop this much bleeding. If I couldn’t stop it, I’d die. Simple, really.
My head swam, and I blinked my eyes to keep the darkness at bay. No more time. Only one thing to do. Did I have enough magic left to do it? Placing my hand against my wounded side, I summoned what little magic could. Even that effort almost made me pass out.
No! Focus. I brought my will to bear, the magic tearing along my nerves until fire laced my hand. I continued to hold it pressed against the wound. I bit my lip to keep my scream from alerting anyone. The smell of sizzling flesh filled the air. I cried out, unable to muffle the sound. My teeth sank into my lip and blood filled my mouth. Then my magic fizzled out like a dying ember.
When unconsciousness came, I didn’t fight it.
26
I came to still in the passageway. How much time had passed Was it night? The next morning? I didn’t know. I gingerly sat up. Grunted. Agony raced along my side and black spots danced before my eyes. Sucking in a harsh breath, I waited for the pain to become bearable. I pulled up the remains of my tunic and grimaced. I’d done a number on myself. No more bleeding, but an ugly burn that made every movement extremely painful. Cauterization wasn’t for the faint of heart.
Now what? Where to go? How to get back to Twig? He’d lose it when he realized he couldn’t return. He’d know something went wrong. Would he find me in time? No, I couldn’t rely on him. I always bitched that I could take care of myself, so that’s what I’d have to do. I’d find another way back to the Elder. Other legal portals existed—and some illegal ones, too. I’d find a way. I had to.
Pushing to my feet, I shuffled along the passage, keeping one hand on the wall. Surprisingly, not made of gedodrite like the rest of the citadel. Hewn from rock, the tunnel seemed to go straight into the mountain.
A few steps in and the temperature dropped sharply. I didn’t dare use my magic again, so I rummaged in my pouch for tinder and a fire stick. I struck them together and a small flame appeared. Not a ton of light, but enough so I wouldn’t step off a cliff by accident.
A single step, then another. I staggered more than walked. Still, better than lying down to die. No idea where the passage led. Didn’t matter at the moment as long as it was away from the citadel and the pursuing witches.
Occasionally, the passage split off and I’d choose a branch. I intended to come out as far from the citadel as possible, so I followed the routes that appeared to either descend or where the air smelled less stale.
So I did. Against all odds.
A guy could get lost down here and never find his way out. I hoped that wouldn’t be my fate.
I trudged on. Not sure how long. Over time the smells of dead fish, rotting vegetation, and saltwater hit my nose. A good sign, right?
The passage I followed widened. I pushed myself onward, each step an effort. Eventually the way opened into an old chamber that must have been a pirate’s cave in days of yore. Rotting casks stood stacked on one side and scores of human skulls lined another. I did my best to ignore them, glancing around to make sure the cavern wasn’t in use—I didn’t need to run into pirates right now. There, across the cave. A sliver of moonlight. I staggered toward it.
My spirits soared. I did it. Alone. Hardly using my magic. I stumbled forward, the floor slippery from algae and things I didn’t want to examine too closely. I made it to the mouth of the cave and my heart sank.
A large iron gate with a heavy lock blocked the entrance. Fuck. My. Life.
Before I gave into a full-blown panic attack, I tested the gate. It didn’t so much as budge. Even if I got the lock off, I might not be able to move it. Twig would’ve rammed it until it gave way under his dragon strength. I didn’t have that. With the exception of magic, I was just your average guy.
A regular guy living an irregular life.
I reached for the gate handle, and when I touched it the tingles made me laugh out loud. Not a regular lock. A magical one. I sighed in relief.
I could do this. I grabbed my pouch and squatted as I emptied it. Slick Dick’s lube (always good to have on hand), a pouch of Sir Blaive the Quick’s grave dust (because you never know when you’ll have to kill the undead), meadowmint bark (fights the effects of a unicorn’s seductive magic), various other useful items, and finally my angelius bindweed powder. Score!