Overtaken 6

by K. F. Breene

  “What’s got into him?” She turned and started jogging, Cayan at her side immediately. “I have a very bad feeling about that horse.”

  “Not as bad as I have about that void. Do you think Xandre would send out his secret weapon so soon after we captured him?”

  “Why not? Xandre had no trouble taking him back.” They ran down the lane, dodging the drunks who were making their way home.

  “Come to Daddy,” someone called in a messy slur of southern dialect. A man stepped out from the wall with his hands out, reaching for Shanti.

  She veered quickly, right into him. She punched him in the gut before head-butting his face, cracking his nose. She hooked her toe around his ankle and kicked out, pulling his leg out from under him. As he fell, she hammered a foot into his side. “Don’t speak to women like that. It isn’t nice.”

  With a burst of speed, she was back with Cayan, who had barely slowed. They turned a corner and were dunked into darkness.

  “It’s probably a good thing I didn’t understand what he said.” Cayan’s voice had turned rough.

  “Definitely a good thing. You would’ve spoiled my fun.”

  Boas, who had been as immobile as Leilius, though some distance away, suddenly started moving. Slowly, he made his way closer to the younger man.

  “Boas is moving in position to protect,” Cayan said quietly, increasing his speed.

  “At this moment, I hate that your legs are longer.” Shanti sucked in breath, not liking the energy it was taking to keep up. If the Inner Circle prowled these streets, she’d need all her energy to face them.

  A shock of alarm colored Leilius as anxiety pooled around Boas. Boas surged forward before both of their minds blinked out, consumed by the void.

  7

  Shanti put on a burst of speed. Anything could be happening with that bubble of nothingness. If it was the Inner Circle, Boas would be hard-pressed to take one down, and Leilius not able to at all. Any more and their graves would be the hard cobblestone of the street.

  They rounded a corner and both flattened themselves against the wall, slowing despite the mad desire to hurry. They were close now. If they made a noise and gave themselves away, the Inner Circle would kill quickly and escape. Otherwise, their enemy might toy with their prizes for a time, giving Shanti and Cayan a chance to intercede.

  It could still just be Burson. She hated this not knowing—not being able to plan—when the lives of her people were in the balance. Cayan held out his hand to stop her. He glanced up at the rooftops before scanning to the sides. Shanti did the same, seeing no movement. Feeling nothing.

  “Split up,” Shanti whispered softly in his ear.

  He looked at her, his face hard. Tendrils of fear wormed through him, his thoughts of losing her warring with logic.

  A moment later he nodded and leaned toward her, his mouth glancing her ear. “We’ll come at it from both sides. You go around the block that way.” He motioned toward the right and hooked his hand around. “I’ll wait here until you’re in position. We’ll box that void in.”

  Without complaining that he was trying to keep her safe by sending her the long way, where she could keep control of her power until the very end, she peeled off to the side before grabbing a drainpipe and scaling the wall. Without much effort, and feeling Cayan’s shock, she pulled herself up and onto the mostly flat roof. Going all the way around would be a waste of time. He should’ve known she wouldn’t go for that.

  Quick and light-footed, she moved toward the void, hopping from one roof to the other. Nothing hindered her. No movement caught her eye. At the edge of the nearest roof, she looked down, hearing the soft hum of male voices. Shadows cut across the deserted street. The words on the night breeze offered no shape that she could discern, an unfamiliar language, or perhaps just too far away.

  Another voice took up the conversation. A little louder, but not enough for her to catch its meaning, only enough to reveal the speakers’ position.

  At least that was something.

  Careful not to make a sound, she moved in that direction, staying low. She’d bet Leilius had heard the conversation and moved closer, dragging Boas in his wake. That meant he’d be in their vicinity somewhere.

  She felt Cayan rounding the corner as she worked toward the speakers, neither of them yet in the void. She crouched again, right above the speakers, but still the words remained a mystery, the murmurs too low. A blast of awareness came from Cayan, a sudden sense of urgency. He was ready to move.

  She peered over the edge of the roof. The brim of a hat moved and a boot scraped the ground. Across the street, tucked away behind a barrel, something lurked, she could feel it, deep in the shadow. Its focus was on the street, not her.

  Glancing to the side, she saw another drainpipe a short distance from the speakers’ location. It would have to do. She had to get down somehow.

  Perhaps going around would’ve been the better idea.

  Impatience rang out from Cayan. Why, she had no idea. There was no fighting. Why rush things?

  Doing another quick scan and seeing nothing, she crawled along the edge of the rooftop and swung herself over, tensing when her knife hit the metal of the pipe. She froze.

  The sound of voices dried up. Silence dripped onto the street as the moonlight glowed along the cobblestone. Fabric rustled and a thrill ran up Shanti’s spine, anxiety and danger arresting her. She didn’t know who those men were, but they were trouble. She’d bet her life on it.

  But were they trouble for her?

  More fabric rustled. Her arms burned from holding herself on the pipe. The itch of eyes on her fizzled between her shoulder blades.

  As if the night released its breath, the words began to flow again. Shanti let out a soft exhale and started to lower herself down. The itch still bothered her, though. She’d been seen. She had no idea by who.

  Cayan’s Gift disappeared. Like someone stealing her breath, her Gift blinked out a moment later. The words continued. Those two men weren’t involved in this silent battle. They had no idea that predators lurked in their midst.

  Anxiety poured through Cayan and Shanti’s shared plane of awareness, something made possible by their Joining. She took a deep breath, willing calm and adjusting to the lack of power. Not long after, Cayan did the same.

  Her feet touched the ground with a gentle scrape. When the talking continued, she eased out her sword and a knife, preparing to throw the knife as she stalked forward. The itch between her shoulder blades grew more intense. The subtle movement of the speaker drew her eye, but she quickly dismissed it.

  “I don’t like the feel of things,” she heard, the words still low but finally taking shape.

  “I need to get moving,” the other said, shifting.

  The first man stood tense, looking around him. Even to someone without training, the number of deadly people in the very small area had to give a person pause.

  “What’s the matter?” the second asked, looking Cayan’s direction.

  “Nothing. Let’s go.” The man pulled a knife. The blade glinted as he turned toward Shanti.

  Moving quickly, she backed away along the wall, putting some distance between herself and the trash cans. It was a suspicious area. They’d look hard at those shadows, which wouldn’t be enough to cover her. Instead, she chose a more open place, pressing herself into a small corner between two houses. Her arm and shoulder stuck out, as did most of her foot, but if they didn’t eyeball it too closely, they’d pass right by.

  “Did I mention, someone got in after dark last night,” the second man said, slowing with the first as they passed the cans. As Shanti expected, they peered through the gloom. Beyond them, across the street, a movement flickered. “Two guys.”

  “I know. They are staying at Budo’s place.”

  “He say anything about them?”

  “No. He never does.”

  “I don’t trust that one. His time might be up.”

  The two men passed Shanti slowly,
their eyes roaming the street. One of them glanced at her small nook, and even paused for a moment, but almost as if his brain couldn’t process the abstract shape, he kept going, muttering to the other one.

  Movement flickered along the way, a different location to the one she’d seen a moment ago. A shape broke away from the wall, running.

  Cayan’s large frame darted across the street, fast as lightning. He’d grab that one, and Shanti would wait for the other.

  A moment later, she was rewarded with another flicker of movement, and the glint of moonlight briefly flashing on metal. The lurker didn’t leave the shadows. He must have known she was there, and that his movements would’ve been seen, as obvious as they were in the stillness. Was she being baited?

  Someone screamed. Leilius?

  Heart thumping, Shanti still didn’t move. Someone babbled, a high-pitched, terrified sound. It echoed off the walls. Slapping feet hit the street. People were coming to help. If there was a move to be made, it was now.

  Shanti stayed where she was. That was her move—to wait and see. People didn’t bait fighters and stay in the shadows. That person was trying to force her to act, or hiding someone else needing to get away.

  “Who’s there?” someone shouted.

  “You’re surrounded!” another claimed.

  They ran through the street, cutting out her vision of the person for a brief moment. That was all it took.

  The shape was running by the time the clueless do-gooders had passed. Putting on a burst of speed, she crossed the street and followed the lithe shape around a corner. She saw an elbow disappear around another corner.

  Taking it wide in case the enemy lay in wait, she barely avoided the hands reaching for her. She turned and slashed, catching a limb that couldn’t get out of the way in time. The man moved to give himself room. His sword swung up and out, slashing. She tapped it aside almost lazily and lunged. The dark shape moved. Her sword cut air. She yanked it up and blocked a downward strike she knew would be coming. The man’s shape lowered, nothing more than dark patches against a murky background. A sliding noise made her jump, avoiding the foot trying to take out her feet.

  She swiveled and turned, angling so he would be against the better-lit backdrop of the street, giving her the benefit of stronger sight. Tall and lean, he moved like a dancer, stepping in with a sword strike. She blocked and brought her sword back, pulling back at the last moment so she barely caught skin. He flinched, giving her just a moment to surge forward and crash into him. She took him to the ground, bringing the knife to his throat and digging it into his flesh.

  “Please tell me you didn’t turn traitor and I need to kill you,” she said, recognizing his lax limbs. He’d stopped fighting.

  “I didn’t turn traitor and you don’t need to kill me,” Boas said. “I think you’ve gotten better, if that were possible. Apart from climbing off roofs. A blind man would’ve seen you.”

  “Who is covering our Gifts, or doesn’t that concern you?”

  “Burson. He was creeping up on the same person Leilius was listening to.”

  Shanti’s mouth dropped open, but her knife didn’t move. “Burson?”

  As if in answer to her question, the veil on their Gifts dropped away. Leilius’ brain image popped back on her map. The kid was calming down after being terrified. Cayan’s was there, too, amused.

  Amused was good.

  She sat back, releasing Boas. “Obviously I’ll kill you if you’re lying.”

  “It wasn’t so obvious before this little skirmish.” He sat up stiffly before rubbing his elbow. “Now I know better.”

  “No. Unlike the Shadow Lands, when you tried to sneak up on me first, you don’t have the advantage of knowing the terrain you’re attacking in here.”

  “It’s just streets and houses. I know how streets and houses work. We’ll agree to disagree that you know how to get off roofs as well as I do, though. That is a glaring hole in your prowess.”

  Shanti stood and dusted herself off. “Elders help me, you’re annoying.”

  “Yes.”

  “What happened here?” Cayan asked over his shoulder. Leilius peeked out from behind the wall as Boas heaved himself to his feet, moving slowly.

  “Boas was having a little fun. This was his second chance to take me down by stealth. He failed.” Shanti stowed her weapons.

  “Here’s some salt, dear wound.” Boas brought his elbow up to look closer.

  Shanti flicked it.

  “Ow, woman!” he said in his language, backing away.

  “Is that Burson?” Shanti pointed at the draped figure.

  “Yes. He’s heavy, so let’s go.” Cayan turned away toward the inn. When Shanti was beside him, she noticed two men holding small knives heading back the way they’d come. Their eyes were wide as they stared at Cayan. It seemed as if they were considering helping the unconscious man who was being carried away, but couldn’t get their limbs moving.

  “They meant well,” she said. “That’s the main thing.”

  “Burson kept trying to get away,” Cayan said. “And while I realize I should’ve let him because of his Seer abilities, Leilius was screaming and carrying on, and I had no idea what was happening with you. I figured a light punch would stun Burson and I could sort everything out. Unfortunately, the punch was a bit harder than I’d intended.”

  “I didn’t realize it was the captain when he ran after me. Then he caught me from behind.” Leilius clutched his chest. “My life flashed before my eyes.”

  “He is prone to exaggeration, this one,” Boas said. “It is fun teasing him.”

  Shanti rolled her eyes. “Yes, but you’ll give him nightmares.”

  Boas laughed heartily. Apparently that was a bonus.

  “If he didn’t want to be in our presence, how could Burson not realize we’d be here?” Shanti wondered.

  “Maybe he did, but he needed to be here, too.” Cayan turned onto the street with the collection of inns, bathed in light. “That’s the problem. We don’t know. He’s been off on his own, sending us instructions, but we have no idea what he’s been doing. I’d like to find out.”

  “I think first we need to find out why he wanted you to leave him alone. He was always annoying, but just as often right.”

  “I had that thought too. That’s why I tried to stun him.”

  “And failed.” Boas grinned.

  “Let’s hope the damage can be undone,” Shanti said, uncertainty unfurling within her.

  8

  Shanti walked into the common room with fatigue dragging at her. Her crew all looked up as she entered, dirty and disheveled. Their eyes were serious, but their plates nearly emptied. They might’ve been concerned, but it certainly wasn’t holding up their suppers.

  “What’s the story?” Sanders asked as she sat down. He shoveled a potato into his mouth, the piece so big it filled his cheek.

  Leilius scurried to the barman, in charge of finding a place to put Burson until he regained consciousness.

  “It was Burson. He’s in the city.” Shanti grabbed Sanders’ mug of ale and took a gulp, nodding in hello to Pahona and Rohnan, who shared his table. Rohnan didn’t nod back. He must’ve been sulking because she hadn’t taken him to find the void.

  “Careful. That ale isn’t the best. Makes you lose an eye,” Sanders said around his full mouth.

  Shanti coughed as the bitter brew scratched at her tongue. She passed it back. “What do you mean, makes you lose an eye?”

  Sanders grimaced, with his mouth puckered, his face scrunched, and one eye squeezed shut. He pointed at the closed eye. “It’s that bad.”

  Shanti laughed as she glanced at Leilius, now gesturing toward her and holding up fingers. He was probably ordering food, and hopefully baths.

  “Who is this Burson?” Pahona asked. Her plate and Rohnan’s were clear, leaving nothing but tiny scraps.

  “Since when are you a slow eater, Sanders?” she asked, eyeing what was left on his plate and feeling
her stomach pinch in hunger.

  “That’s his second helping,” Rohnan said, shaking his head. “He was done with the first before we were halfway through ours.”

  “I’m hungry.” Sanders speared another potato and shoved it into his mouth.

  “You’re a glutton.” Rohnan’s lips turned downward.

  Sanders shrugged. He’d never minded name calling.

  “Burson is a potent Seer, but more importantly, he has the ability to cut out the Gift.” Shanti reached for a carrot on Sanders’ plate. He slapped her hand away.

  “What do you mean, he cuts it away?” Pahona leaned her elbows on the table, studying Shanti.

  “That’s rude.” Sanders pointed at her elbows with the tip of his knife. “Elbows, elbows, strong and able, get your elbows off the table. This is not a horse’s stable,” he half sang.

  “What a lovely little tune.” Pahona turned her attention back to Shanti.

  “Figures.” Sanders huffed. “You people were born in a barn.”

  “He can create a void of power, if he chooses to.” Shanti stole another sip of the horrible ale. It was better than nothing. “He can block off an enemy while allowing an ally to use the Gift, if he wants.”

  Pahona’s face lit up. “What a remarkable Gift. That will greatly help us. The Inkna will be utterly useless.”

  “They have one too.” Shanti watched as Leilius worked through the tables to her. A man reached back and grabbed Leilius’ shirt. Before Leilius could react, the man frowned at him and let go, going back to his card game without an apology or explanation. “Their guy is more willing to help, however. Burson didn’t want to come back with Cayan.”

  “The captain persuaded him, huh?” Sanders nodded to himself.

  “He accidentally knocked him out, actually.”

  “Same thing.”

  Shanti raised her eyebrows in a silent question when Leilius stopped at the table.

  “He’s fixing your supper, S’am,” Leilius said. “And the captain’s. After that he’ll have baths ready for you. He knows who you are and is in the network…” Leilius straightened and looked around. “Remind me later to tell you the code word.”