Rise of the Faire-Amanti (The Ascendant Series Book 3)

by Raine Thomas

  He winked and started to shout something back, but Ty leaped from the ship before she heard anything. If her breath hadn’t been stolen from her by her outrageous fear, she might have scolded him for being rude. As it was, she considered herself lucky she survived.

  Owyn soon joined them on a second rope. Kyr wished she had enough upper body strength to climb the rope herself, but had to settle with clinging to Ty’s back with her arms and legs as he pulled them both to safety. She refused to look down, though a very twisted part of herself wanted to. Just the crushing sound of the waves as they smashed into the rocks beneath them was enough for her. She was relieved when she picked up from Owyn’s thoughts that Yori and the ship had made it clear of the rocks and was already fading from sight.

  They made their way along the rocks until they reached an opening just large enough for a person to stand in. Owyn climbed into it first, then helped Kyr inside so Ty could pull himself up. Kyr sank to the hard floor a few steps into the tunnel. Her legs wouldn’t hold her up any longer than that.

  Owyn removed all of the satchels and the canister holding the Gift that he had carried for Ty, then sank down beside Kyr. Ty joined them, reaching for the canteen and offering it to Kyr.

  She sipped slowly, not wanting her stomach to complain again. Fortunately, it behaved. She drank enough to satisfy her and handed it back to Ty. Her teeth wanted to chatter as the cold seeped into her, but she forced them not to.

  “We have to get to Sem and Caelys,” she said. Her voice sounded leaden in the compact tunnel.

  “We don’t exactly have a plan from this point,” Owyn said. “We can’t just rush into the palace without expecting to raise an alarm.”

  Knowing he was right, Kyr took a chance and opened her mind, seeking either of the two people she sought. When she was unsuccessful, she slumped in disappointment. Caelys must be under the influence of the V’larian drug, too.

  “I can’t reach Sem or Caelys,” she said for Owyn’s benefit. “Ty, let’s scan for thoughts about them. Maybe one of their guards will let something slip.”

  He nodded. They tried until Kyr felt a headache starting at the base of her skull. Eventually, they had to admit defeat.

  “It seems Vycor has wisely sealed the minds of their guards, and we’re too far from them to possibly break those seals,” she said at last. Seeing Owyn’s expression fall, she leaned over and touched his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ve thought of someone who will know where Sem and Caelys are. Someone who isn’t under Vycor’s influence.

  “I just have to follow the right thoughts and ask for help.”

  Chapter 34

  Kyr was talking about ZashaWrym. Ty picked it up in her thoughts. Of all of the people in the palace, he couldn’t say that Kyr’s Wrym caregiver would have ever entered his mind as the person to approach for help.

  That’s just the point, Kyr thought. Vycor and Shaya think of the Wrym as inconsequential. They’d never expect us to turn to them for help.

  Ty shook his head at himself. Hadn’t he had the same thought while they were in the Wrym megai? He’d known that Vycor would overlook the more “common” Alametrians as insignificant because he considered them powerless. But Ty also knew power was relative. And there was power in the numbers of commoners.

  Absolutely, he agreed, helping her to her feet and reaching for their satchels. “These tunnels lead out to the edge of the palace courtyard,” he said to Owyn. “When we reach the courtyard, Kyr and I will use our abilities to influence everyone we pass so they don’t see us.”

  “But if we pass people under Vycor’s influence, your influence won’t work,” Owyn pointed out.

  “Yes, it will,” Ty and Kyr said at the same time.

  He met Kyr’s gaze. She smiled and took his hand, clearly pleased that he was as confident in their growing abilities as she was. They knew if they were close enough to people and pushed with their combined efforts, they could counteract Vycor’s influence.

  Owyn didn’t bother arguing any further.

  They didn’t have a light to ease their passage. Fortunately, Ty and Kyr both had excellent night vision. Ty took the lead with Kyr and Owyn close on his heels. All of them were soaked and cold, but none of them felt it as their determination to get to Sem and Caelys propelled their steps.

  At long last, they reached the end of the tunnel. It opened up into an old passage that no one used because it had been declared dangerously unstable. Ty, of course, knew otherwise.

  He had been the one to declare it.

  The truth was, the passage had been made off-limits because Ty had discovered the tunnel entrance and he had wanted to secure the palace. He didn’t tell anyone of his discovery, not wanting to plant ideas into anyone’s head. But he had sealed the tunnel entrance and kept a guard outside the door leading into the unused passage just in case. He knew most guards questioned him for making them protect an abandoned passage. He hoped that Vycor had decided to put the guards to use in places he considered more productive.

  “Here’s the exit,” Ty said as they approached a narrow expanse of stacked stones. “We’ve got to break through this seal. Uncle Owyn, I’ll have to hand these stones to you to set them aside.”

  “Great,” Owyn grumbled, rolling his shoulders. “Sure would be nice if I could see.”

  “We’ll make it work. Kyr, why don’t you seek out Zasha’s mental signature while we do this,” Ty suggested. “We’re close enough to the palace now that it shouldn’t be too hard.”

  She nodded. He turned and concentrated on removing the heavy stones and carefully passing them off to his uncle. They were both relieved when the opening widened enough for them to get through. His muscles burned in protest.

  “Did you find her?” he asked Kyr in a low voice as Owyn started through the opening.

  “Yes.”

  Owyn helped her through. “You know, if you share her signature with me, I can focus on her while you two focus on keeping our asses invisible.”

  Kyr shrugged in agreement as Ty eased himself out of the tunnel. She took Owyn’s hand and closed her eyes, sharing Zasha’s thought signature with him. After a moment, Owyn nodded to let them know he had it.

  The passage was nearly as dark as the tunnel had been. The single door at the end of it admitted faint light under its bottom edge. They all instinctively headed towards it.

  Ty didn’t detect any noise or thoughts from the other side of the door. Still, he exercised caution when he opened it. Much as he had suspected, Vycor had pulled the guard from this location.

  There wasn’t time to celebrate the small victory. They were standing within the narrowest of alcoves. Not more than ten feet away, people milled around the palace courtyard. The soft sound of wet drops on the cobblestones alerted them that it was raining. Between that and the fact that night was falling, Ty realized that he and Kyr might not have to extend their abilities, after all.

  Put your cloak on, he thought to Owyn.

  He followed his own order, pulling the cloak his mother had given him out of one of their satchels. They all pulled the hoods of their cloaks over their heads before leaving the shadows of the alcove. Nearly everyone around them wore similarly protective clothing, allowing them to blend in. Ty hunched his shoulders and walked with a slightly different gait, hoping it further disguised them.

  At first, Ty thought their plan was working. Then a few females stopped what they were doing and glanced in their direction. As soon as Ty saw them shield their eyes, he realized his serious error.

  Owyn yanked him and Kyr behind a wide pillar. “Put your guards up,” he hissed.

  They did. Ty and Kyr sent out the thought that anyone who looked in their direction didn’t see them. Ty silently cursed the oversight, especially because he knew the thoughts from the curious female Mynders would have been picked up by the Mynder guards who were trained to listen for such anomalies. Those guards would now be on alert and hunting for trouble.

  “Move,” Owyn said.


  They hurried away from the pillar just as a couple of the females walked around seeking them out. Fortunately, the females looked around in confusion when they no longer saw them, so Ty knew the mental shield was working.

  It didn’t take long to reach the palace proper. Owyn led them towards Zasha, weaving through other foot traffic and taking care not to touch anyone. Their wet footprints blended in with those of the people walking around them until they reached the more restricted part of the palace. At that point, Ty just had to hope no one spotted their footprints and decided to investigate.

  They found Zasha as she emerged from a bedchamber carrying a tray of empty dishes. Ty noticed that she was still dressed in red, the color of mourning. Her thoughts were depressed and fearful. He knew that Kyr was touched by the Wrym’s continued respect.

  Seeing no one else in the hallway, Ty and Kyr eased up on the illusion. Zasha gasped sharply, backing up a full step when she saw them. Owyn was wise enough to anticipate her shock and reached her before the tray of dishes clattered to the floor and drew the attention of the bedchamber’s occupant.

  Ty and Kyr removed their hoods, sending out reassuring thoughts as they did. Zasha’s complexion drained of color. She stumbled against the closest wall, her eyes wide.

  “Is it—is it really you?” she asked.

  Ty was grateful that her voice was barely audible. Yes, he thought towards her. And we don’t have much time.

  Zasha finally seemed to sense their urgency. Although her color had yet to return, she pushed herself away from the wall and nodded. With a wave of her hand to direct them after her, she headed back the way they had come, detouring down a side passage devoid of any people. She opened a door and hurried inside. Ty followed her, scanning the room for potential danger as he entered. It was another bedchamber, he realized. An empty one, he was happy to discover.

  We have to communicate by thought, Ty sent out to all of them as he finished his search. This bedchamber might be monitored for sound.

  Zasha threw her arms around Kyr in a move that surprised Ty. None of the Wrym had ever touched Kyr out of a sense of affection. He hadn’t realized how close the two females had gotten since Kyr’s return to Alametria.

  I knew it wasn’t a dream when I saw you in the viewing chamber, Zasha thought as tears seeped from her dark blue eyes.

  A flash of the memory in Zasha’s mind struck Ty like a hammer. He saw her standing beside Kyr’s open coffin and then Kyr emerging from behind a column. She looked like a pale specter.

  Don’t think of it, Kyr pleaded with Zasha, knowing how it was impacting Ty. She returned Zasha’s hug and continued, I’m sorry I had to influence you that way. I promise to make it up to you. But right now, we need your help.

  Zasha pulled away from the hug and wiped at her cheeks. Of course, Ma’jah. Anything.

  We need to find SemDane and CaelysLuja.

  For the second time, Zasha’s eye flew wide. I’ve wondered who they’ve been keeping up in the tower. I’ve seen several of Advisor Vycor’s Mynders going up and down the stairs, but everyone else is forbidden to go up there.

  Ty exchanged a glance with Kyr. They had no way of knowing whether Sem and Caelys were being held in the same place, but it seemed likely that at least one of them was in the tower.

  The Mynders guarding the tower must be under Vycor’s influence, he thought, looking at his uncle.

  Owyn frowned. You’re sure you can get by them with your influence?

  Yes…but there’s no guarantee they won’t transmit something to Vycor if they realize something is wrong.

  Is there another way into the tower room? Owyn asked.

  No. There aren’t even any windows. Just a single stairway up and down. It was meant for private consorts before the Sanctuary was created.

  There was a pause as everyone considered what to do. They all noticed Zasha stand straighter as an idea struck.

  There’s the dumbwaiter, she suggested.

  Ty frowned as he remembered the system used by the Wrym to get food and drink up and down the long path to the tower. The dumbwaiter had assured that the room’s occupants remained in absolute privacy.

  There’s no way a grown male can fit in that, he thought.

  Maybe not, Kyr responded. But I can.

  Chapter 35

  Inside the dumbwaiter, Kyr soon realized that the idea of squeezing into the thing was much simpler than the reality. She was so cramped that she could barely breathe. Every hitch in the dumbwaiter’s ascent made her fear she’d be stuck without any way out.

  I’ll never let that happen, love. Stay calm.

  Ty’s words did help her relax. A little.

  It sure didn’t help her nerves that this was the easiest part of what she had signed on to do. She was armed only with a couple of syringes full of fast-acting sleeping serum, a skeleton key in case Sem and/or Caelys was chained, and a small dagger in case they were bound. In light of how long it had taken Zasha to collect even that much, Kyr considered herself blessed.

  That still didn’t ease the hard thump of her heart as the dumbwaiter lifted higher and higher. Her breath sounded shaky as it filled the dark space. A line of sweat trailed along her spine. Between that and the briny scent of the dried sea water coating her body and clothing, she repelled even herself.

  At least the sharp odor and adrenaline coursing through her served to keep her alert. Otherwise, she’d probably have collapsed from exhaustion by now. It was hours past the typical bedtime hour. She knew she had to be in top form to pull this off.

  She focused on calming her breathing as the dumbwaiter hitched and lifted. Hitched and lifted. Then, at last, it lurched to a final halt.

  Listen first, Ty thought.

  She already knew that, but she appreciated him walking through this with her. There was a very real possibility that she would lose her cool and totally forget the plan they had reviewed before she got into the dumbwaiter.

  After a couple of minutes, including one where she held her breath, she determined that there was no noise coming from the other side of the small door containing her inside the dumbwaiter. She fumbled with the latch holding the door closed and slid it open as slowly and quietly as she could. It was quite the feat with her instincts wanting her to throw the door open and flee the tight compartment.

  The room beyond the dumbwaiter was dark. With her enhanced vision, she spotted a figure lying on a bed. Judging by the steady rise and fall of the person’s chest, he or she was either asleep or sedated. She decided on sedated, since she couldn’t pick up any of the person’s thoughts.

  She also noted a couple of shadows blocking part of the dim light shining in from under the room’s door. Ignoring those for the moment, she focused on getting out of the dumbwaiter without making any noise. Her fingers grasped the small lip at the top of the dumbwaiter’s encasement, aiding her in shoehorning herself free. By the time she eased first one leg and then the other to the ground, her arms shook from the effort of holding her weight for so long. Despite the circumstances, she found herself marveling over the fact that Ty had climbed a freaking cliff with both of their weights and hadn’t even broken a sweat.

  That stray thought had come and gone by the time she got some feeling back in her arms. She walked on her tiptoes over to the bed. As she got closer, she identified the person as a male and realized it must be Sem.

  She started to smile as she stopped beside the low bed. Then she saw the figure’s face. It wasn’t Sem.

  It was her birth father, Guardian Brunyr.

  Confusion and surprise held her rooted in place for a long moment. What was going on? Was her father being held prisoner because he’d done something wrong? Had he stood against Vycor?

  She supposed it didn’t matter. She couldn’t leave her father like this…chained to a soiled mattress in a dark room, drugged into oblivion. With Ty’s silent agreement encouraging her, she reached into a pocket and pulled out the skeleton key. She quickly used it to unlock the chains a
round her father’s wrists and ankles, taking care to ease them to the floor so they didn’t rattle.

  Next came the hard part.

  Scooting silently over to the door, she found the closest chemical sconces and deactivated them. She sensed Ty and Owyn preparing for the next step. She and Ty figured it was inevitable that a stray thought about this rescue attempt would get through to Vycor or at least other Mynder guards, but she put up what walls she could. Now she just had to give Ty enough time to get to her.

  Taking a deep breath, she eased back to the bed and lifted a chain, making it rattle. The noise jarred her even though she expected it. Her heartbeat careened into overdrive.

  The shadows beneath the door moved. The sound of a key turning in the lock had Kyr rushing to position herself behind the door. It swung open as soon as she was in place.

  A guard strode into the room, walking directly to the bed. His counterpart attempted to light one of the deactivated sconces. Kyr surged forward, shoving the door closed with a resounding slam. The room once again fell into darkness.

  She started with the guard by the light, jamming the first syringe against his neck and depressing it. He hadn’t even hit the floor before she turned to the second guard.

  “What the bloody—?” the second guard began.

  Kyr depressed the second syringe against his neck before he finished. He collapsed, nearly taking her down with him. She barely stepped out of the way in time.

  Less than a minute later, Ty shoved his way into the door. He grabbed her father and lifted him as though he weighed nothing.

  Stick close, he sent out.

  She charged down the stairs after him. They spiraled down for so long that she started to feel woozy. Finally, Ty came to a stop. They were still around the bend from the exit out of the tower.

  A shout followed by running footsteps told Kyr that their next part of the plan had succeeded. Owyn had pretended to emerge from the stairway with a dagger in his hand, drawing the attention of the Mynder guards who were coming to check on the two guards manning the tower door. One lone Mynder was cautious enough to continue up the stairs. Ty kicked him in the face the moment he came into sight, sending him careening into the wall and falling back down the stairs.