Lost Vegas Series

by Lizzy Ford

  “Tiana,” he whispered.

  Where in the city was she? Was she safe?

  “Look.” His uncle joined him and pointed.

  The fog had lifted from each direction but one. In the center of a dome, the pyramid rose ominously, surrounded by white clouds and gray ash.

  A figure crossed the window. Arthur looked once and then back.

  Aveline. Her stride was sure while her gaze was on the pyramid. She appeared grim, if not angry.

  Arthur rushed to the door it. He waved his uncle’s guards off and opened it.

  “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

  Aveline faced him. “Looking for you.”

  “Tiana?”

  Aveline shook her head. “I want to say safe, but I’m pretty sure she sent me here so she could distract me.” She entered, gazing warily at the men working with Arthur’s uncle. “Are you a prisoner?” The question was accompanied by the expansion of her bear claw into a bear arm.

  “No. He broke me out of prison. I am somewhat satisfied with his explanation for abandoning me to my father’s men,” Arthur replied ruefully. “I will explain, but first, are you well?”

  Aveline gazed at him quizzically, as if no one had asked her this question before. “Don’t I look well?” she retorted.

  Arthur suppressed a smile. “You do. Where is Tiana?”

  “If I had to guess, with your father,” Aveline said. “She gave me a message and sent me to find you.”

  Arthur frowned.

  “She said the Diné are planning to attack the city tomorrow morning at dawn. She thinks you and your uncle, assuming he’s not a traitor, might benefit from working with the Diné to counter your father.”

  “Hmm. It is not out of the question,” Arthur said with a glance over his shoulder at his uncle, who was listening closely. “But what is Tiana’s plan?”

  “I am certain she just challenged your father,” his uncle replied. “The Diné were the only allies I could not sway to my cause. If this is true, then we need to find them before they attack. I’ve waited too long to have my plan foiled by that particular tribe of Natives.”

  “Diving Eagle?” Arthur asked Aveline.

  She nodded.

  “They will not wait, uncle. They will attack as planned. If you wish to join them, they will probably not object, but do not expect them to listen to reason,” Arthur advised.

  “Are you volunteering to take me to them?” his uncle asked, gaze sharp.

  “Diving Eagle and I know each other well enough he may listen before caging me,” Arthur replied, amused. He returned his focus to Aveline. “What of the skinwalkers?”

  “They’re set on vengeance.”

  “Find Tiana. Stay with her.”

  Aveline nodded. “That was my plan after delivering the message. I don’t think the skinwalkers have any intention of letting a single Hanover survive. You’re forewarned.” She glanced past him to settle a glare on his uncle. She turned to leave.

  “Aveline,” Arthur called. His failure as a brother to the half-sister he had never known left him wishing he could do or say something more. As much as he did not want to send Aveline into danger, he also believed Tiana and Aveline had a better chance of surviving if they were together. “Be careful.”

  She nodded and trotted off towards the fog-filled dome over the pyramid.

  Arthur turned to his uncle. “We need to leave now, if you are serious about intercepting Diving Eagle.”

  His uncle was quiet, considering, before he nodded. He glanced towards one of the men awaiting his command, who dashed off, out of the building.

  Five minutes later, Simon and Arthur, flanked by a guard of four, were on horseback and headed towards the north side of the city. Unable to guess what Tiana was planning, and hoping Aveline’s street sense prevailed, Arthur could not take his eyes off the dome until they turned their backs to it. Doom was heavy in his stomach, along with the uncertainty of how Diving Eagle was going to react to any mention of postponing his plans.

  *

  Several hours later, he had confirmation his instinct had been correct.

  The size of Diving Eagle’s army was impossible to gauge. His men, and those of his allies, hid in the grasses around the city. Only one fire was created, and Arthur stood in front of it, listening to his uncle’s useless attempts to convince Diving Eagle not to attack at dawn.

  Exasperated, his uncle threw his hands up and walked away. Arthur hid a smile. He was not the first man to try to sway the obstinate Diné warrior off his position. The young chief stood with two warriors behind him and Marshall, whose presence reminded Arthur of every wrong his family had committed.

  “I was sorry to hear of your father’s passing,” Arthur said, replacing his uncle in front of the agitated Diné chief. “He was good to my sister, for which I am grateful.”

  Diving Eagle’s gaze shifted from Simon to Arthur.

  “I am certain your council did not hesitate to choose you as his successor.”

  Diving Eagle studied him before replying. “I come from a long line of Diné chiefs. My family has the support of our people.”

  “I imagine that could change if you do not succeed,” Arthur pointed out gently, not wanting to add fuel to the Native’s resistance. “Believe me when I say, none of us can afford to fail in removing my father from power. We are in this together.”

  Diving Eagle drew a deep breath. “What do you want of me, Hanover?”

  “Tiana is operating independently of us all. I have a feeling we are her backup plan, if she fails to stop my father,” Arthur continued with a glance towards the city.

  All smoke and ash had cleared, leaving the city exposed, vulnerable. The exception: a hazy cloud encased in the dome around the pyramid.

  “Is she alive?” Diving Eagles tone was quieter, and far less harsh, than it had been discussing their next moves with Arthur’s uncle.

  “She is,” Arthur confirmed. He gazed at Diving Eagle, whose focus had shifted towards the dome as well. The new tension visible in the young chief was of a different kind. He showed signs of impatience with Arthur’s uncle, but his irritation became more apparent. He paced now, a caged animal waiting to be unleashed against his greatest enemy.

  For a long moment, Arthur studied the Native, assessing the instincts whispering there was more to this war for Diving Eagle than long-awaited vengeance.

  “You knew her plan, did you not?” Arthur asked softly.

  “I suspected.”

  “And you let her go anyway?”

  Diving Eagle’s pacing stopped, and he pinned Arthur with a glare.

  Arthur’s uncle turned to listen, hands on hips.

  “Duty first. I understand,” Arthur continued. “It is what I told myself every time I saw the new scars on her body and overheard my father discussing his desire to burn her. I assumed, when I had the power, I would save her.”

  “She does not need saving,” Diving Eagle replied.

  “No, she does not. Not now anyway. But she will need help. If I have one regret, it is not understanding how much power I had to help her when I chose to look away instead.”

  “I will not delay my attack tomorrow.”

  “I am not asking you to. I am asking you to compromise with my uncle. Tiana is giving us a window, at the cost of her own safety and possibly, life. We ought to use it. Work with a Hanover. It is all I am asking. If you will not bend on your schedule, then bend on your allies and the tactics of your plan. Accept my uncle’s assistance. He knows every hiding place, every way to move stealthily, and every inch of the city. What better to surprise my father and his Shield than with an insurgency?”

  Diving Eagle did not flatly refuse, as he had with Arthur’s uncle.

  Arthur shifted to the side and motioned his uncle forward.

  “The attack will occur at dawn,” he said firmly to his uncle. “But how it is carried out must incorporate both plans.” This was directed to Diving Eagle. “Failure to agree on thi
s puts all our efforts, and the lives of everyone in the city, at risk.”

  Diving Eagle and his uncle stared long and hard at one another.

  “I will agree to the timing,” his uncle stated.

  “Very well,” Diving Eagle replied.

  Arthur released the breath he was holding. “Good. Now, you two talk.” He stepped out of the ring of light and warmth and approached Marshall. “May I have a moment of your time?”

  Marshall nodded and led him away.

  When they were far enough away from the fire not to disturb the two untrusting allies, Marshall faced him.

  Arthur studied him briefly. “By now you must know about your family.”

  “I do,” was the cold response. “Did you know when we were traveling with the skinwalker?”

  “Yes.”

  Marshall hissed a curse and strode a few feet away, back to Arthur, and rested his interlaced hands on his head.

  “My family is the source of much pain in this world.” Arthur trailed him. “Apologizing will not make a difference to you, I fear, and neither will the favor I must ask you.”

  “Favor?” Marshall demanded, whirling. “You dare ask me to do anything for you after everything we have been through?”

  Arthur listened to the angry outburst with patience born from understanding. “I have determined, and my uncle agrees, that no Hanover should remain in the city after we have freed it from my father. Assuming any of us survive, we will embrace exile with open arms.”

  Marshall appeared ready to speak then stopped himself and crossed his arms.

  “The favor I wish to ask of you is that you take my place,” Arthur said.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The city was founded by Cruises and stolen by my ancestors. It is time we make this right,” Arthur continued. “Reclaim your place, your family’s legacy.”

  Marshall faced him once more. Surprise crossed his features. “You would do that? Walk away?”

  “For the sake of everyone my family has hurt? Yes. You may hate me, but I count you among the very few genuine friends I have,” Arthur said, throat tight. “I could never right the wrongs of my ancestors, but I can ensure no Hanover interferes with Lost Vegas, or anyone else, ever again. I believe there will never be peace with the Natives or anyone else, if a Hanover remains in charge of the city.”

  Marshall did not respond. Anger burned in his eyes.

  Arthur took a step back. He had hoped … what he had hoped was foolish, given his own wrongs against the Cruise heir. He turned away, wishing Marshall would say something.

  When the Cruise heir did not, Arthur returned to the bonfire. To his satisfaction, Diving Eagle and his uncle were deep in discussion, while their lieutenants listened closely.

  A smile touched his lips. Arthur glanced towards the city once more. The dread hovering around him warned him it was not likely for any Hanover to leave the city alive. Perhaps this was how he was meant to save the city. Not to rule as a better Hanover, but to ensure no Hanover ever ruled again.

  “Lost Vegas is your home. I would not throw you out,” Marshall said from behind him.

  “No Hanover will remain in the city,” Arthur said firmly.

  Marshall drew abreast of him. “If so, this is your choice, not mine.”

  Arthur glanced at him, not expecting the graciousness from a man who owed him nothing.

  “I know you are not your father, and neither is your sister. I know your father is the one who massacred my family, and I suspect part of the reason is that he knew my father had sided with your uncle against him,” Marshall said. “All that aside … why did you not tell me the truth?”

  “Because I thought you would abandon me when I needed your help,” Arthur responded.

  “I could have abandoned you at any point the past few weeks. I chose to stay, in spite of everything.”

  Arthur glanced at him. “I know. It was wrong of me to hide the truth.”

  “It was wrong of you to believe my friendship so shallow.”

  “I learned not to trust anyone at a young age. It is not an excuse, but I do not think I know how to trust someone. Not my sister. Not Warner. Not you.” Arthur shook his head.

  “Where will you go?”

  “The Freelands, with Tiana.”

  “And if she is mad?”

  Arthur had been dwelling on this same dilemma. His father was beyond saving. “I have to believe she is different for a reason. She will not become like our father and his fathers. She is stronger.”

  “For all our sakes, I hope you are right,” Marshall said.

  At the dark note in his voice, Arthur looked at his friend. “We both know a Hanover is never wrong,” he teased.

  Marshall snorted.

  “Will you ensure Warner makes it home, if I do not survive?” Arthur’s voice was hushed. “He is being cared for now by Chases Deer’s people. But he deserves to return home.”

  “I will see to it,” Marshall promised.

  A wave of energy rolled outward from the city, and the ground beneath them rumbled in response.

  Arthur’s breath caught in his throat. The eyes of those near the fire went to the dome.

  Arthur started towards his horse. The energy wave ignited his worry once more, and he was no longer satisfied waiting until dawn to help his sisters. His place was with them.

  “Arthur!” Simone called after him.

  Arthur ignored him. He had spent his entire life waiting – and he was done. It was the eve of his father’s downfall and possibly, the last night of his own life. With the various visions of grim futures replaying in his head, Arthur had the sudden urge to be in the city once more. He would not spend this night, like so many others, wishing he had done more for his sisters. They would do this together. All of them.

  Someone caught his arm, and Arthur whirled, yanking away.

  Diving Eagle lifted his hands to show he was not there to attack.

  “Plan your war,” Arthur said. “I am going after my sisters.”

  “Do not go alone,” Diving Eagle said.

  “Your place is here. Mine is there,” Arthur said. “If Tiana fails to defeat my father, I might be able to distract him long enough for you to act. My uncle has a plan of how to steal my father’s power.”

  There was a pause, and he could almost see Diving Eagle’s mind working. The strange sense there was more to this than revenge returned. Arthur was not about to remain long enough to ask why mentioning Tiana’s name altered Diving Eagle’s expression.

  Before Arthur could mount, and Diving Eagle could speak, a loud curse sounded from behind them. They both turned to see Chases Deer standing where no one had been seconds before. She looked around wildly before whirling to face him.

  Diving Eagle muttered words in his tongue Arthur guessed were curses.

  “What have you done?” Chases Deer demanded, marching towards him. “How did you bring me here?”

  “I did not,” Diving Eagle snapped.

  “It was sorcery, and your kind are known to hold such magic!”

  “It was not him,” Marshall said, joining them. He pointed to the place where she had been standing. “Your guide brought you.”

  “My … guide.” Chases Deer returned to the spot and knelt. When she rose, she held a wolf pup in her hands.

  Arthur smiled. “Did you think it was a normal wolf?”

  She shot him a dirty look.

  “Your family carries some level of sorcery as well,” Diving Eagle snapped. “I always knew your speed to be unnatural.”

  For once, the warrior woman did not respond.

  Diving Eagle shook his head and faced Arthur. “I believe she is meant to accompany you, for she has no use to me.”

  “No use?” Chases Deer retorted. “I am worth five of your warriors!”

  “I do not think I need a companion,” Arthur replied, uncertain he could manage anyone as stubborn as Chases Eagle.

  “She goes with you, or you do not go
,” Diving Eagle told him in a growl before facing Chases Eagle. “And you, if you wish me to marry you as your father intends, then stay here. We can have the ceremony tonight.”

  At her offended look, Arthur covered his surprised laugh with a cough. The Diné chief could be brutal in word and deed, but he showed the signs of being an effective leader.

  Chases Deer strode towards the horse waiting beside Arthur’s. “I would never disrespect my own people by mixing our blood with that of you barbarians,” she said to the Diné chief.

  Diving Eagle ignored her with effort great enough to amuse Arthur, despite his circumstances.

  “You,” Diving Eagle pointed at Marshall. “I am finished with men from the city disrupting my plans. The city or the cage. Your choice.”

  Even Marshall knew better than to challenge the dangerous note in the Native’s voice. Arthur sensed Diving Eagle was at his end with the more diplomatic approach required of a chief and close to resorting to his former methods of ensuring compliance.

  As if suspecting the same, Marshall moved faster than Arthur had ever seen a Cruise move and mounted a third horse brought to them by one of Diving Eagle’s warriors.

  “As I ordered. You will not go alone,” Diving Eagle said to Arthur.

  Arthur mounted. Another wave of energy pierced him, and he shuddered.

  “You may want to move your plans up,” he advised Diving Eagle. “If anything happens to Tiana, I do not know that you will have a chance to act at all.”

  The eyes of the Native and Simon were on the city.

  Arthur wheeled his horse and urged it onward. The stallion bolted, carrying him towards his destiny.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Black Wolf had never met someone more driven to violence than he was. Walks With A Limp was not just violent, she was twice his age. Her energy was agitated, unstable. He had never met another skinwalker, aside from the mother he barely remembered, and an ancient man on his deathbed, but he began to think there was more wrong with Walks With A Limp than he would ever know.

  “The little bitch has trapped us here,” the female skinwalker said. She threw herself against the invisible shield that kept them – and the Hanover leader – close to the pyramid. The world outside the dome was clear, quiet, while smoke swirled angrily inside.