The Channel (The Gifted Book 2)

by C. L. McCourt

  "Kalaub. Can you tell us anymore about this portal?" Daen had returned to examining the solid white surface as Taulin was leaving.

  "No, except to say Pelyn used it frequently, especially over the past month."

  "I saw him take something from the table when I came in," said Rhea. She stepped closer to the large stone slab resting on a pedestal in the middle of the cave.

  "Yes. He uses some kind of crystal I think. I've not seen them up close but some of the others might know more." Kalaub glanced towards the cave entrance.

  "Raisal, do you know how the portal works?" Randell asked.

  Raisal's lips pressed tight in a straight line as she stared at the solid white surface. "It's the only way on and off this dreadful place."

  "We came by ship." Randell bent to Raisal's line of sight. "We can get you off the island."

  Raisal took a shaky breath, her shoulders dropped slightly as she nodded.

  "Obviously, there is much to learn," said Gaibel, moving towards the cave entrance. "Come. Let's discuss this further after we tend to those we've just freed."

  Kalaub started to follow, extending his hand to Rhea, his expression hopeful.

  Rhea hesitated just long enough to glance around the cave at her friends. It was time to open her heart, she thought. Slipping her hand into his, they walked as a family for the first time.

  ~~~

  Pelyn's body trembled as he worked his way through the tunnel leading away from the portal cave he just used to escape. He'd grown up with Mani, married his sister. They'd shared the same gift, an extremely rare occurrence. Now he was gone. His grief battled with his anger, each emotion wanting to control his next move, his next thought.

  He stumbled out of the tunnel, onto the road that would lead him to the camp where his two generals waited. They would ask about Mani. How would he answer?

  As he walked, his fingers curled into fists of rage. He'd wanted to lash out when he'd seen her, but there was no way he could have taken on all of them.

  He swore he would have his revenge, soon. When he was in control of the realms, when he had the hidden powers that awaited him, he would take everything she ever loved. He would watch her suffer before taking her gift, taking her life.

  The distance between the tunnel and the entrance to the warrior camp provided the time he needed to think, to focus, to plan, and to calm his nerves.

  The ache in his heart was familiar, reminding him of when he’d lost Daunal, his wife, a lifetime ago. He couldn't help believing the island was a fitting place for Mani to die, so close to his sister’s final resting place.

  By the time he reached the entrance to the camp, Pelyn had captured his grief and tucked it away. In time, he would have his retribution. When the generals asked about Mani, he wouldn't give them any details. He would only say, "He's not with us anymore."

  3

  Memory

  When Rhea reached the end of the trail, she found the surviving captives talking excitedly amongst themselves.

  Sentran warriors from the ship stood watch over two of Pelyn's guards who were sitting on the ground. She was surprised there had been any surviving guards, given their resistance.

  Commander Nauylor, leader of Sentran's northern region and charged by Queen Jauline with Princess Terrwyn's security, stood in the middle of the garden, pointing and ordering. "You, start filling those tubs with water. And you two, take the enemy guards to the cells."

  "Where are the cells, sir?"

  "I'll show you," Rhea said as she approached. "Follow me."

  "Rhea! Wait." Daen ran towards her. "We need to ... clean up in there." He found Taulin watching. "I could use your help."

  Taulin raised a brow, but with one critical look at Daen, he simply nodded and headed towards the kitchen.

  Rhea shuddered and swallowed hard as she remembered what still lay in the stairwell.

  Taulin hesitated before following Daen. "Rhea?" His voice caught in his throat as if her pain had suddenly become his.

  She pulled her eyes away. "I'm fine. Thank you for helping Daen."

  Taulin glanced to where Daen and the prisoners had disappeared, not wanting to leave her.

  "Go Taulin." Her gaze pleaded.

  ~~~

  Taulin shook his head, trying to shake off his desire to hold her, to take her pain, and he didn't even know what had happened. She was starting to get under his skin.

  A cry of anguish echoed through the house. Taulin sprinted into the hall. Pushing past the Sentran warriors and the enemy guards, he came to an abrupt halt at the entrance of the stairwell. At first, he didn't know what he was looking at. His eyes met Daen's.

  Daen silently conveyed that he would explain later.

  "Rhea?" Taulin couldn't help himself. It was horrible. He had to know.

  "I'm not going near that!" One of Pelyn’s guards exclaimed, struggling against his bindings.

  "Help me." Daen bent to take the dry shriveled corpse under its arms.

  Taulin steeled his nerves and reached for the legs.

  The shell that used to be Mani was a lot heavier than either had expected, given it had shriveled to a fraction of its former size.

  "Behind you." Daen nodded towards the open door across the hall. "We'll wrap him in some of the bed linens."

  The Sentran warriors and Pelyn's guards moved back, allowing Taulin and Daen to pass.

  For the first time, Taulin considered the power Rhea truly possessed. How could she have done such a thing?

  "She saved us both." Daen eyed Taulin.

  Taulin looked up at Daen as he lowered the man's legs and nodded, erasing the worried look from his face.

  A struggle broke out in the hall as the Sentran warriors proceeded to escort the two men to the recently vacated cells below.

  Daen ignored the commotion behind him. "I taught her to do this."

  Taulin squared his shoulders. "I didn't say anything."

  "I saw the doubt on your face." Daen was clearly irritated. "She's not a killer at heart, you know that."

  Taulin looked down at the body and nodded. The need to run to Rhea, to comfort her, felt like hands pressing against his back.

  ~~~

  The windowless barn, where a copper tub was being filled with water, was dark and dusty. The only light source was the open doors. "Are we going home?" asked a frail old man as he gazed upon Commander Nauylor.

  Nauylor smiled and nodded. "We have a ship anchored close by."

  Rhea watched the scene unfold as she moved to stand by Gaibel, who appeared deep in thought. "What's on your mind?"

  "I don't think these people are strong enough to survive a sea voyage," said Gaibel. "Not right now, that is."

  Rhea took a long look at the eight men and women. The rags they wore for clothes hung loosely on their bony frames; their faces were gaunt. Unable to stand for more than a few minutes, most sat on the ground, including Kalaub, who had lowered himself to a grassy patch with the others, reassuring them that they were safe now.

  "If they were brought here through the portal," Gaibel continued, "maybe we should try to send them home the same way?"

  Rhea remained silent.

  Gaibel narrowed her eyes as she studied Rhea. "Are you all right?"

  "We have to go after him." Rhea glanced at Gaibel. "He can't be allowed to do this," she stated, waving her hand over the people before her.

  Kalaub looked up from the people who had become his substitute family and smiled at the sight of his wife and daughter.

  Gaibel met Kalaub’s eyes and returned his smile. "From what you saw and what Kalaub has observed, we need to find the crystals ... or whatever they are ... used to operate the portal."

  "I saw a room filled with books and journals in the house," said Rhea. "Maybe we can find what we need in there?" Her voice softened as she watched her parents.

  Gaibel’s eyes never left Kalaub’s. "Or, maybe the guards we took captive can
shed some light."

  Rhea stepped back as two Sentran warriors passed her carrying a copper tub, partially filled with water. There was a shuffling among the women as they rose and followed the warriors into the house, leaving the men to bathe in the barn.

  "Come." Gaibel turned to follow Lanne, who was helping Raisal walk to the house. "Let's help. Once everyone is settled, we might learn more."

  "I think I'm going to interrogate the guards locked in the cells." Rhea caught Randell's eye and motioned for him to join her.

  Gaibel hesitated, her gaze moving between Lanne and Rhea. "I'll join you in a moment. I want to make sure Lanne has what she needs."

  Rhea nodded and cast her attention to Randell. "I need information from our new prisoners."

  Randell fell in beside her as they headed to the lower level of the house.

  A moment later Rhea and Randell stood in front of the cells that held the enemy guards. Rhea thought back to when she had watched Gaibel interrogate a spy, threatening him with no food or water unless he cooperated.

  The two men were dressed casually. They didn’t look like warriors at all. They leaned against the bars, staring at her.

  "You're a scary one, aren't you?" The prisoner shoved his faded red shirt sleeves up above his elbows and laughed. "Hey Jonus. I'm trembling. What about you?"

  Jonus snorted and rolled his eyes. He folded his thick arms over his chest.

  Rhea took a deep breath and raised her chin slightly. "What can you tell me about the portal? How does it work?" Her voice was flat, cold, with no emotion. She wondered if this calm demeanor would work.

  Jonus turned away from the bars and lowered himself to the rickety cot pressed against the wall.

  Rhea's cheeks warmed and she cringed inwardly. Neither prisoner was a sniveling, spineless spy, like the simpering fool Gaibel had interviewed. No. This needed to be a real interrogation. She needed to be more threatening. But how?

  The prisoner in the faded red shirt leaned his narrow shoulder between two cell door bars and folded his arms casually over his chest. "What's in it for me if I tell you?"

  Rhea studied the man as her mind searched for just the right thing to say. Steeling her nerves, she purposefully cocked her head to the side and shrugged nonchalantly. "I suppose I don't have to kill you." She glanced at her fingernails.

  The man snorted then pressed his lips tightly together before bursting into laughter.

  "Oh come now," he said finally, gasping for air. "You can do better than that?"

  Rhea glanced at Randell, her eyes pleading for help.

  Randell put his back to the cells and mouthed, "Channel." He shrugged and raised both brows.

  Rhea blinked a couple of times. Could she use her gift to make them think she was capable of hurting them? Then it came to her. "Are you familiar with Mani's gift?"

  The faded red shirt disappeared into the shadows of the cell but the man’s face shone like a white beacon. "What about it?"

  "Do you know what I did to Mani?" She raised a brow, daring him to imagine. "No. Of course you don't. Well, you see, Mani thought he could take my energy." She paused to watch as the man's lips parted, then pressed together. "Unfortunately, Mani wasn't strong enough to defeat me." She leaned closer to the cell and whispered, "I won, playing his game."

  On her right, Jonus scrambled to the back of his cell. She stared at him casually. "I see you understand what I'm saying. Jonus, is it?"

  "Nonsense," growled the other prisoner as he wrapped his bony fingers around the cell bars. "Pelyn and Mani escaped. They were in the portal cave when you arrived."

  Rhea extended her hand towards the prisoner with the attitude and called to his energy. She didn't pull hard, just enough to prove she, too, was like the men that they feared.

  The prisoner gasped. His mouth formed a perfect O as he stumbled back. When he tripped over the corner of his cot, Rhea stopped.

  Dropping her hand to her side, she tried to shake away the stinging sensation that had crept up her fingers towards her arm. "Now that you understand I'm serious, tell me. How does the portal work? And, while you are at it, tell me where Pelyn went."

  "Vaunn?" Jonus lunged for the cell door, pressing his face close to the bars, trying to see around the corner. "Is it true?"

  Vaunn regained his footing, brushing away the dirt from his canvas britches. "Yeah, Jonus." His voice shook in a whisper. "It's true."

  Jonus moved away from the bars, his eyes wide.

  Rhea hated herself for having delivered an empty threat, for using her gift to ... torture. She bit back the need to apologize.

  She remembered Gaibel’s cruel threats, the viciousness in her voice, her forceful presence when she interviewed the spy. Gaibel did not intend to starve the man, even though she gave orders to do just that. But, she hadn’t used her gift.

  Rhea took a deep breath, shaking off her feelings of guilt. "Now. Where were we? Yes. You were about to tell me how to use the portal."

  "I don't know how the portal works. I was brought to a cave." Jonus’ voice was no more than a rough whisper. "It looked like it was divided into two rooms, but when I entered the other room I was actually stepping onto this island. I don't know how it happened."

  Rhea peeked at Randell, knowing he would be watching for lies. He was good at that, a human lie detector. She wished she could connect with that part of her gift. Someday she would have time to ask him for lessons.

  Randell nodded, confirming Jonus spoke the truth.

  Gaibel entered the corridor. She still wore her armored vest and cloak. Rhea heard the two men gasp and stifled the temptation to chuckle. Having a Taulomi commander on the scene really raised the ante.

  Rhea leaned toward Jonus, and spoke very slowly. "Now, Jonus, where was this cave you mentioned?"

  Gaibel stepped up next to her daughter, her gaze steady and fierce.

  Jonus quickly glanced between the two women; unsure who was the true threat. "I ... I ... In the mountains."

  "What mountains?" Gaibel growled.

  "The Gangus Mountain range, between Caunis and Equin."

  Gaibel slowly rotated away from Jonus, her eyes darted to Rhea, then over Rhea’s shoulder, into the darkness of the hall.

  Rhea watched as Gaibel’s gaze grew distant. "Vaunn? Do you have anything to add?" she asked, covering her mother’s distraction. Her voice was light, but the churning in her stomach over what she'd done to him was taking its toll.

  Vaunn cowered silently in the dark corner of his cell.

  Rhea took a deep breath and sighed. "Vaunn. Vaunn. Don't make me finish what I started."

  "No. No. Not that!" he whined. "I was with Jonus. They told us to report, to serve Lord Pelyn. We've been here for many years."

  Gaibel spun around, seeking the man who just spoke.

  Rhea waited to see if Gaibel would jump in but she didn't. "Where would Pelyn be right now?"

  "Lord Pelyn could be anywhere. He can appear out of nowhere."

  Rhea didn't need Randell to tell her that was true. Rhea had seen him appear and then disappear in the middle of the woods in Sentran several days ago. "And what about the portal? How does it work?"

  "All I know is you need special stones. They're white but clear. I've never seen others like it."

  Rhea looked a Randell and received confirmation.

  Not knowing what else to ask, Rhea glanced to Gaibel to see if she wanted to continue.

  Gaibel shook her head and motioned for Rhea to go first.

  Rhea slowly ascended the steps up to the main floor, her mind racing to predict what would happen next. She wanted to finish what she had started. She wanted to be the one to capture Pelyn. Something deep inside told her she was the only who could.

  On the other hand, her failure to learn anything of value from the enemy guards clearly pointed to her inability to lead. She glanced back at Gaibel, wondering what she was thinking, wondering if she would take over, or
maybe Kalaub would. He was the ranking royal and her father.

  When she got to the top of the stairs, her nose led her to the kitchen where the aroma of grilled meat filled the air. Her thoughts drifted to the question that had been haunting her from the start. Why did the Libraim make her its channel?

  She wondered if Pelyn was the reason or if something else was still coming. She didn't see how Pelyn’s actions justified her existence. Not since channels hadn’t existed for several generations. Nevertheless, what did?

  She entered the kitchen, followed by Randell and Gaibel. The ship's cook and some of the crew were busy preparing a meal.

  Not wanting to be in the way, Rhea slipped out the door and into the garden. She held the door for Gaibel and Randell as they followed her.

  "Caunis and Equin are in Terranees, aren't they?" Rhea asked.

  Gaibel nodded.

  "Those two men came here from Terranees by using that ... that portal." Rhea pointed towards the path that led to the portal cave, her voice strained. "How is that possible?"

  "How is it possible that we can step from the world of shadows into Luxatra?" Randell asked.

  Rhea nodded. "I see your point."

  "Did they tell you anything else, before I arrived?" Gaibel asked

  Rhea shook her head. "Gaibel, at one point you looked distracted. Did they say something important?"

  Gaibel didn’t answer.

  Rhea fixed her gaze on her mother.

  "His comment reminded me of a story I’d heard as a child. It was a tale of how all the lands were once connected. I always assumed the story was about how Terranees and Libritas were once one land and something happened, causing them to break apart, drift away from each other. Now I wonder. Maybe there is more to it than that."

  "Do you remember how the story went?" Randell asked.

  Gaibel shook her head and changed the subject. "I must say. I was impressed to see how they were cooperating. I would have assumed they would be reluctant to talk." Gaibel watched Rhea from the corner of her eye, then glanced at Randell with a brow raised.