by Lynette Noni
Even with her tortured body swiftly knitting back together thanks to the laendra, Alex could recall few times in her life when she’d felt more wretched. The knowledge that Aven was now off somewhere with a city’s worth of Claimed Meyarins at his side made her want to grab everyone she cared about and run back to Freya, never to return to Medora again. But she knew she couldn’t do that. She knew she wouldn’t do that. And that left her with only one choice.
“Where is he, Niyx?” she asked quietly as they swept out of the Silverwood and flew over the countryside bathed in the early morning light. “Where’s Aven?”
Blowing out a shaky breath, he answered, “Graevale—He’s gone to Graevale. He knows the Shadow Walkers aren’t prepared for an attack, so while humans are still his end game, he’s taking advantage of the elders’ refusal to take your warnings seriously.”
Alex nodded, having figured as much, the prophecy repeating loudly across her mind. ‘When Day and Night combine and fight…’
“We have to go there.”
Niyx’s response was as quick and firm as she knew it would be. “No chance.”
“We have to,” Alex repeated just as firmly, before she finally recited the prophecy for him. She hadn’t kept it from him deliberately, it had just never come up—mostly because she’d been in denial about it. “Don’t you see? I know it doesn’t make any sense, but this might be a way to stop him before he even gets started.”
“What exactly would you do if we went there?” Niyx asked, his tone borderline sarcastic. “Kindly ask Aven to stop? Even if you were capable of winning a fight against him right now—which you’re not—what would you do?”
Alex opened her mouth to respond, but he continued before she could.
“You said yourself you won’t kill him, and while I’m not sworn to the same level of morality, even I wouldn’t attempt anything that would risk so many lives,” Niyx said, frustrated. “Until everyone he’s Claimed has been Released, the only outcome either of us would face if we went up against Aven is death. Is that what you want, Aeylia?”
“I—”
“Because that’s what we’ll get. If we face Aven today, there’s no good ending for us.”
“We—”
“‘Dark and Light, meet mid-strike’,” he recited mockingly. “If you think that’s you and him, you can forget it. I haven’t expended this much effort trying to keep you alive just to let you throw yourself into the arms of your enemy on a sacrificial whim. Has that been your plan all along?”
“Of course n—”
“Then what is your plan, Aeylia?” Niyx all but yelled. “What reason can you have for such a foolish idea where you, a human, go up against the most powerful Meyarin in existence to help a city full of mortals, half of whom hate you? Do you want to kill us both?”
“Don’t say—”
He leaned in and roared into her face, “What’s your plan, Aeylia?”
Losing it completely, Alex shouted back, “I don’t know, Niyx!” Then, barely audibly, she repeated, “I don’t know.”
Tears of fear and despair clogged her throat, and no matter how hard she swallowed, they wouldn’t disappear.
“I don’t have a plan,” she said in a whisper as they rushed past forests and lakes, heading towards the safety of Akarnae. “I’m not stupid—I know I can’t face Aven and win, especially not like this.” She indicated to her still-healing body that was covered by slashed, bloodstained clothes. “But I also can’t sit back and leave Graevale to its fate. I promised them that if the time came when they needed help, we’d be there.”
“You’re leaning against me half dead, and I’m not feeling all that wonderful myself,” Niyx said with clear exasperation. “What good do you think we can offer against an army of immortals and gifted humans?”
“It won’t just be us,” Alex said, lifting her hand for him to see the Beacon tattoo on her wrist as a very slim hope started forming.
“An army of human reinforcements won’t stand long against the forces of Meya,” Niyx pointed out.
“But coupled with the Shadow Walkers and Dayriders, they’ll help add strength in numbers,” Alex said. “And don’t forget, some of them will be gifted, too.”
“Kitten—”
“We have to do something, Niyx,” Alex said, desperate. “I’ll never be able to forgive myself if we don’t at least try.”
“Aven’s too powerful for you to fight,” Niyx said, straight up. “Despite how competent you’ve become, you’re still thousands of years behind him when it comes to training and experience. And that’s not even factoring in his additional power from harvesting the strength of other Meyarins.”
“I’m fully aware of that,” Alex said softly. Then she reached towards him and squeezed his arm. “I’m also fully aware that I won’t be fighting on my own.”
Niyx didn’t offer confirmation, but they both knew there was no way he would leave her side. Instead, he tipped his head down to look intently at her. “Your training with Athora—are you anywhere near ready to try and share your gift?”
Alex hesitated, knowing that the mysterious man’s odd tasks hadn’t magically taught her how to free those Claimed by Aven. Athora had told her it would take time, but time was a commodity she didn’t have anymore.
It was an effort, but she forced herself to admit the truth. “No.”
Niyx sighed loudly. “At least you’re honest.”
Alex waited, feeling her strength start to return as her body continued healing, but slowly, too slowly. Just when she was about to keep arguing her case, the Valispath did a U-turn so sharp that she would have slammed against the transparent barrier if Niyx hadn’t still been supporting her.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “Where are we going?”
“If we do this, you will do exactly what I say,” Niyx said, his voice unyielding.
Alex felt her hopes tentatively begin to rise, along with the nerves now fluttering in her stomach.
“We’ll go to Graevale, call in your human troops and lend our support,” Niyx said, “but you will not go anywhere near Aven. If he so much as looks in your direction, you’ll take off without hesitation and get as far away from him as you can. You will not, under any circumstances, engage him in battle. Is that understood?”
Despite Niyx’s earlier accusations, Alex didn’t have a death wish. “I understand.”
“Swear it to me,” Niyx demanded.
“I promise, Niyx, I’ll do everything I can to avoid being anywhere near Aven.”
Jaw clenched, he looked like he was already regretting his decision to take her to Graevale. But she didn’t give him the chance to renege, and instead drew out her ComTCD—amazed by the arrogance of Aven that he hadn’t had anyone check her pockets. Then again, it wasn’t like she could have called anyone, trussed up as she’d been.
Alex opened a secure connection using the details Jeera had given her in Tryllin and waited impatiently for the call to connect. She angled the Device so that only she was in the frame, not Niyx, just in time for a holograph of the sleep-rumpled Warden to appear.
“S’early, Alex,” Jeera said around a yawn, rubbing her eyes. “Ev’rything ’kay?”
It was then that Jeera focused enough to notice Alex’s pale, tattered and bloody self, which prompted her to become instantly alert. Concern flooded her features and she opened her mouth, but Alex jumped in first.
“I’m okay,” she said quickly. “But I need to warn you.”
Alex went on to explain what was about to happen—or perhaps already happening—in Graevale, saying that she was on her way there to confirm that the attack was indeed occurring.
“I’ll notify the commander and generals and make sure everyone is ready for deployment,” Jeera promised, all business now. She was moving with purpose, the edges of the holograph blurring around her. “Graevale is heavily warded so we can’t Bubbledoor in until you’ve activated your Beacon tattoo—that will give us the coordinates to your exa
ct location, so make sure you’re right where the action is happening.” Her eyes hardened. “If it’s a battle Aven wants, then it’s a battle he’ll get.”
Nauseous, Alex somehow managed a nod.
Jeera paused long enough for her tone to gentle as she said, “No heroics today, Alex. If Graevale is under attack, activate the Beacon and then get yourself to safety.”
This time, Alex shook her head. “I can’t promise that.”
“I didn’t think so.” Jeera sighed. “Then just be careful, okay?”
Swallowing, Alex said, hoarsely, “You too, Jeera.”
And with that, she disconnected their call.
Tucking her Device away again, Alex glanced around and wondered how long it would take the Valispath to reach Graevale, but her body turned rigid as she noticed that they were again soaring over the Silverwood, not heading towards where Aven was.
“Settle, kitten,” Niyx said when he felt her stiffen against him. “We need to go in as prepared as we can. Taking a moment now could save our lives later.”
Trusting he had valid reasons for returning to Meya, Alex soon realised that wasn’t their destination. She tensed further and opened her mouth to object, but Niyx silenced her with a grave look. He didn’t need to hear her warnings; he already knew them for himself—as he had done for millennia.
Sailing high above the city and up, up, up to Draekora, all Alex could do was reach out and grip Niyx’s hand, offering her support in the only way she could.
Over there, she silently told him, guiding him towards Roka’s tent.
Being barely dawn, it was early enough that there were no Meyarins out to witness their arrival, but still Alex ushered him quickly inside as soon as the Valispath came to a halt.
Within seconds of their entry, Soraya appeared in a flash of furious lightning surrounded by a cloud of thunderous shadows. The wolf was growling and whimpering and beyond distressed that she hadn’t been able to reach Alex at Taevarg. But there was no time to comfort her with more than a steadying hand on her head, because their arrival woke Kyia and Zain, both of whom were stretched out on makeshift beds.
Given Alex’s bloodied appearance, her unannounced visit and, more importantly, her unwelcome companion, Alex wasn’t surprised when both Meyarins took one look at her and rushed at Niyx, weapons drawn.
“Stop!” Alex cried, launching herself in front of him with her hands held out to ward them off. Soraya jumped in front of Alex with a ferocious growl, offering a second layer of protection—a much more intimidating one, given the wolf’s size.
“Step aside, and call off your beast,” Zain ordered Alex. “I don’t know what you’re doing with this filthy Garseth, but—”
“Enough, Zain,” Alex said firmly. “We don’t have time for explanations right now, so you’re just going to have to trust me when I say Niyx is innocent of everything you think he’s guilty of, including killing the king,” she urged. “He’s been spying on Aven for me. He’s not Claimed and he’s not a Garseth. Everything else will have to wait for later, because Meya is moving on Graevale as we speak.”
Kyia’s eyes widened, but Zain’s just narrowed further in distrust.
“Listen to me!” Alex yelled, needing to get through to him. “Everything will make sense later, but until then, you have to believe me.”
“What do you need, Alex?”
It was Kyia who asked the question. Kyia who was in her right mind enough to see how serious Alex was. And at her words, Zain turned incredulous eyes to her before flicking a hateful but also considering glance towards Niyx. Slowly, he lowered his sword.
Alex, processing Kyia’s question, realised she didn’t have an answer. But Niyx didn’t hesitate.
“Alex was abducted by Gaiel last night and delivered to Aven. She spent the night hanging from Moxyreel in Taevarg, bleeding from multiple stab wounds after Aven had her tortured.”
Niyx at least had the presence of mind not to mention those wounds were from his hands, since both Zain and Kyia looked ready to murder someone after his blatant overshare.
“I’ve given her laendra and she’s healing, but she’s lost a lot of blood. Since she’s adamant about joining the fight in Graevale, if you have any haesondel, it might help keep her alive. She’ll also need clean clothes—Myrox-lined armour, preferably—as well as something light to eat.”
Alex spoke up to say, “I’ll be sick if I eat anything.”
Niyx’s eyes, which had been locked on Kyia and Zain the whole time he’d spoken, moved to Alex. “I’m not arguing about this with you, kitten. You need to get your strength back, as quickly as possible. That means food.”
That was all he said, and his tone didn’t allow for her to do anything but grumble, “Don’t blame me when I throw up all over you.”
Kyia and Zain watched their short interplay with incredulous expressions, before Niyx turned back to them and said, “We’ll also need weapons. Lots of them.”
Alex raised her eyebrows at that, since she had A’enara and Niyx never went anywhere without a cache of blades strapped to his person. But if he thought more arms were needed, then she wasn’t about to argue.
When Kyia and Zain remained unmoving, Niyx drawled, “We’re not in a rush or anything. Please, take all the time in the world.”
They jerked as if physically prodded and hurried into motion.
“You know, you could at least try to not be such a sarcastic ass,” Alex told him quietly as Kyia pulled clothing and weapons from a chest and Zain hunted through a collection of vials on the bench.
“What would be the fun in that?” Niyx returned, but despite his teasing response, his body was tense as he watched the two Meyarins hurry back to them.
“Drink this, little human,” Zain said, approaching warily due to Soraya being in a protective mood and not at all happy that her mistress wasn’t safely back in her dormitory.
“Settle,” Alex murmured to the wolf, with a comforting rub along her now chest-high head and along the sleek line of her neck. Instantly, Soraya relaxed, plonking her hindquarters on the ground but still monitoring the room with watchful alertness.
More relaxed now that the wolf was in check, Zain moved closer and handed over a vial of what could only be described as gravelly sludge.
“If that tastes half as good as it looks, I think I’ll pass,” Alex said, eyeing the dubious-looking liquid.
“Just drink it, Aeylia.”
Both Zain and Kyia froze, realising from the name Niyx had used that he must also know about Alex’s trip to the past. Unlike them, however, he remembered—not that they would ever guess as much, nor the reason why.
To keep them moving, Alex pushed aside her disgust and threw back the contents of the vial without further complaints… at least until she had to swallow the grainy muck.
Gasping against the sensation of lightning bolts zapping through her nerve endings, Alex doubled over and wheezed out, “What the hell did I just drink?”
Zain and Kyia were still frozen from Niyx’s revelation, so he was the one who answered, while prying the weapons from Kyia’s unmoving hands.
“Haesondel,” he said, adding the deadly arsenal to the rest of his collection. “Think of it like an instant shot of adrenaline. Only stronger.”
Holy heck, she was dying. Her body was zinging with electricity, enough that she was certain she was about to explode.
“Give it a second, kitten,” Niyx said, laying a comforting hand on her back. “You’ll thank us then.”
It took more than his promised second, but also less than a minute before Alex normalised enough to realise that she now felt incredible. Her energy levels were through the roof, not at all like she’d spent the night unconscious and bleeding out in a torture chamber.
“Whoa, that’s good stuff,” Alex said, doing her best to ignore the musty aftertaste.
“Yeah, but it comes with a nightmare of a hangover later,” Niyx warned. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”
He looked
meaningfully at the still frozen Kyia and said, “Alex could use a hand with those clothes now.”
He’d used her real name this time—deliberately, Alex was sure.
“Soraya, stay,” Alex told her wolf, not quite trusting that Zain wouldn’t attack Niyx while Kyia helped her get changed. “Behave,” she ordered both Meyarins as she moved behind the curtain and began undressing.
It was strange getting changed with the sleeping Roka right there, but Alex felt the urgency of the situation pressing her to hurry, so she put aside her discomfort and accepted Kyia’s help to swiftly don her new outfit. Other than the light undershirt, the Myrox-lined, fighting-appropriate gear was worthy of any fully armed Zeltora, with the leather-like material unbelievably supple yet firm enough to offer an impressive level of protection.
Stepping back out from the curtain, Alex was relieved to find both males still alive, and she quickly returned to Niyx’s side.
“Ready,” she told him, rolling her eyes when he shoved a slice of seeded bread into her hand and indicated for her to eat it. She did so without further complaint—if only to get rid of the lingering taste of haesondel in her mouth.
“We’ll meet you at Graevale,” Zain said, the first words he’d spoken since Niyx dropped the bomb of her name.
Alex shook her head as she quickly swallowed her mouthful. “You can’t come with us. If this is a trap and Aven’s real plan is to lure you away so he can finish off Roka, then you need to be here.”
Zain gritted his teeth, knowing she was right.
“We can’t let you go alone,” Kyia said. “The risk—”
“I’m not alone,” Alex said, motioning to both her wolf and to Niyx. “And I’ll be calling for backup as soon as we arrive.”
“But—”
“I’m sorry, Kyia, but we don’t have time to argue about this,” Alex interrupted. “I want you fighting at my side, I can’t tell you how much, but right now it’s more important for you to remain here, watching over Roka—just in case. You know that.”
Alex saw the moment her friend accepted her decision, albeit reluctantly.