by SF Mazhar
Machado lowered his head but not before giving Kyran another hateful glower. Kyran only smirked back.
“What is the situation with the mages?” Hadrian asked.
Machado dutifully proceeded to give him the update. Kyran went back to ignoring the meeting. He already knew what Machado was going to report – Neriah was on the move, Salvador was gathering Hunters, Lurkers had been dispatched all over the realm and Kyran was pretty certain Neriah was still dragging Aaron around in the hopes that he would claim the Blade of Adams and join the war.
Kyran forced out a breath. He had thought Aaron would be safe after he returned to Marwa. He had hoped Aaron had pulled out of the fight for good; that he wasn’t going to take part in the war. But seeing him with the rest of the Hunters the day before killed that hope. Aaron had come to protect the Blade of Avira. He was still involved and Kyran wasn’t sure what he could do to prevent that.
“...attack on Salvador.”
Kyran jerked his head up, catching the last of Machado’s words. “What?” he asked.
Machado and Hadrian turned to look at Kyran. Machado tiredly repeated, “We are ready for the attack on Salvador.”
“Wait.” Kyran sat up in his chair. “You want to lead an attack on Salvador?” he asked.
Machado looked to Hadrian before turning back. “Am I not saying it clearly enough?”
Kyran’s jaw tightened. “Forget it,” he stated. “There will be no attack.”
Machado frowned. “What?” he asked.
“We’re not taking Salvador,” Kyran said.
Hadrian turned in his chair, his narrowed hazel eyes on his son.
“And if I ask why not?” Machado enquired.
“I’ll tell you it’s because I’m saying so,” Kyran replied. “For you that should be enough.”
“What about me?” Hadrian asked. “Do I get more of an explanation?”
Kyran looked at Hadrian, but dropped his gaze quickly. “There’s no need to attack Salvador, not yet,” he said.
“Not yet?” Hadrian asked. “So, when do you suggest?”
“When the entire city isn’t filled with Hunters,” Kyran replied tersely.
“We have the advantage of numbers,” Hadrian said.
“Not necessarily – you have no idea how many Neriah has,” Kyran argued. “I spent a year with them and I don’t have a clue how many Hunters there are in total. We’d be going in blind.”
“I have ways to find out that information,” Hadrian said.
Kyran paused. “I know you do,” he said. “But Salvador’s not worth the risk.”
“Salvador is the city that holds what I want,” Hadrian said. “And on top of that, it’s Neriah’s city. It’s the sanctuary he built in response to me.” His eyes darkened but the gold in his eyes shimmered. “Naturally, I want it in ruins.”
Kyran’s expression gave away his unease.
“I think your son may have to sit this one out, sir,” Machado said with a sly grin. “It seems attacking the place he called home for almost a year is going to be difficult for him.”
Kyran glowered at Machado. “If it’s my father’s wish to have Salvador destroyed then I will tear the city to pieces myself.” He turned to meet Hadrian’s pleased eyes. “But if you want to hurt Neriah, then Salvador has to remain untouched, at least for now. Let Neriah have his little sanctuary. Once all the other cities are ours, we’ll take Salvador from him.” He smiled. “Keep the best for last, father.”
Hadrian took a moment to study his son. “We’ll leave Salvador for the time being,” he said. “But I like the idea of keeping the best for last. The City of Salvador, however, isn’t close to being the best in the realm.”
He turned to Machado to discuss the remaining points of their meeting, but Kyran couldn’t focus on anything that was being said. He had bought Salvador a little time, but he had to act fast, before his loyalty to his father made him do what he didn’t dare even imagine.
***
Sitting at their favourite spot in the City of Salvador – at the bank of the lake – Aaron and the twins got the chance to do what they hadn’t been able to do for a while: catch up.
“She said what?” Sam asked with a frown. “How many battles are the mages planning to fight?”
“Naina didn’t say anything about the rest of the mages,” Aaron explained. “She only said that I have another battle to fight.”
“Why is that?” Rose asked. “Why is it just you? I thought this war affects all of the mages?”
“It does,” Aaron replied. “But I got the impression from Naina that this fight was more...personal. She said I had to focus on fighting this other battle or I would lose more than I can bear.”
Rose looked worried.
“She sounds like a regular ray of sunshine,” Sam said.
“She wasn’t exactly helpful,” Aaron said. “In fact, she was a little annoying.”
Sam snorted. “I’ll say. What did she call you again?”
“A web,” Aaron replied. “Whatever that means.”
“I’d have said you were more of a thorn in the backside.” Sam shrugged. “But whatever.”
Aaron punched him on the shoulder and Sam chuckled.
Rose shook her head, deep in thought. “I don’t get why Neriah would send you to get advice from a little girl,” she said to Aaron.
“She was young but she knew what she was talking about,” Aaron admitted. “She knew I didn’t have the legacy. She knew that my parents didn’t want me involved in the war.” He shifted uncomfortably, thinking about what Naina had said about Kyran.
He’s not your friend, Aaron.
His heart clenched tightly. She was warning him. By her own admission, she knew everything, so she would know if Kyran was a friend or if he was the enemy. Aaron tried. He tried with every fibre of his being to believe Naina, to take her words as nothing but the honest truth, but he couldn’t. Every time Aaron had found himself in trouble, Kyran had come and helped him. He had always been a friend, even when he was supposed to be an enemy.
“Hello?”
Aaron snapped out of his daze to find Sam waving a hand in front of his face.
“That was some heavy thinking,” Sam said with a half-smile. “What else did the little girl say?”
Aaron shook his head. “Nothing,” he said. “That was about it.”
Aaron had told Sam and Rose everything about his meeting with Naina, from where it took place to every word she said, except for the bit about Kyran. Aaron didn’t want to share that with anyone, not even his best friends. So he told his friends the same thing he had said to his dad and Neriah: he didn’t have the legacy. It was still with Chris.
Keeping his word to Neriah, Aaron also didn’t repeat what Neriah had revealed about Aric splitting the powers on purpose.
“So your legacy is still with your dad, right?” Sam asked, after a few silent moments.
“Yeah,” Aaron said.
“Does that mean you will get it when you turn nineteen?” Sam asked.
Aaron shifted again. According to Naina, he would get the legacy when he showed where his loyalty lied. He felt a stab of anger at the thought. He was with the mages, he wanted to fight against Hadrian. Why was his loyalty called into question? Just because he’d instinctively tried to help an outnumbered Kyran?
“I don’t know,” Aaron said, “I don’t think so. I think Dad’s still got the legacy ’cause he’s got a stronger core than me. If I can get my core stronger, then maybe the legacy will pass on to me. If not then I’ll only get it if...” He trailed off, not able to say the words.
Sam didn’t need him to. He understood Aaron would get the legacy if his dad died. Legacies strived to survive, so no matter how weak Aaron’s core was, if he was the only surviving Adams, he would get the legacy after Chris died.
“I hope you never get it, mate,” Sam said.
Aaron looked up at him and smiled. “Thanks, Sammy.”
“Your mum and dad seem
happier,” Rose said. “Now that your dad is the legacy holder, does that mean he’s going to use the Blade of Adams?”
Aaron nodded. “I heard Dad and Neriah making plans. I think Dad’s leaving in a few hours.”
“So you’re not going to be fighting?” Sam asked.
Aaron let out a sigh and leant back. The air was getting cooler now. The beginning of May had brought colder days. The sun still warmed Aaron’s face, though. He closed his eyes and took a moment to gather his thoughts.
“After I explained to Neriah and Dad that I wasn’t the legacy holder, I told them I was still going to fight, Blade or no Blade.” He paused. “But Neriah said if I can’t use the Blade of Adams, then he won’t let me join the fight. He said I didn’t have the necessary training to take part in the war, and it seems no one has the time to teach me.”
Rose watched Aaron for a moment before saying, “Maybe it’s for the best.”
Aaron looked at her. “I thought we’d all agreed that we were fighting against Hadrian, against the vamages?”
“Not all fights have to be on the battlefield,” Rose said.
The sound of soft footsteps made all three turn around. They saw Armana making her way over towards them, both hands held out before her as she judged her steps. All three quickly stood up and hurried over to the Empath.
“Armana?” Aaron called, getting close enough to hold on to her hand. “Are you okay?” he asked, seeing her usually pleasant expression was replaced with anxious concern.
“Does anyone know where Skyler is?” she asked.
Aaron felt sorry for her. The worry looked too heavy on Armana’s delicate features.
“I’m sorry, Armana,” he said.
Armana looked crestfallen. “He’s hurting, I can feel it,” she said. “I just wish he would come back. I’m scared he’ll do something stupid.”
Aaron could easily see it too. Skyler needed very little provocation on most days to pick a fight, but when he was already raging he would need almost next to no excuse to get into it with anyone. If he went looking for something to vent his fury on, he could very easily get hurt. But Aaron wasn’t going to tell Armana that. She looked worried enough.
“I’m sure he’s just sitting in a pub somewhere, getting as much alcohol into him as possible,” he said.
Armana paled. “That’s just going to make him even more ready for a fight,” she said and her eyes brimmed with frightened tears.
Aaron shared a panicked look with Sam.
“Here.” Sam wrapped an arm around Armana. “Why don’t we go and see Mother Mary? I’m sure she’ll know what to do.” He looked at Aaron and whispered under his breath, “And say.”
Aaron kept hold of Armana’s hand, and both he and Sam led her towards the Stove. Sam turned to see his sister standing where he left her.
“You coming Rose?” he asked.
Rose shook her head. “You go, take care of Armana,” she said. “I’m going to stay here for a bit.”
Sam gave her a look but then nodded. Rose watched as Sam and Aaron guided Armana down the street. She turned to the calm water of the lake. She stood staring at it for a few minutes before walking in the opposite direction to where the boys had gone. She wasn’t going anywhere in particular. She just wanted a walk to clear her head.
Her feet seemed to have a mind of their own because before she knew it, Rose was walking into the orchard, past the trees full with ready-to-eat fruit. She saw very few workers picking fruit and filling baskets. It was that time of the day when most of the work was done and the mages had retired to their cottages for a little rest before dinner.
The telltale sound of a gun going off broke the tranquillity. Rose panicked and turned, but she couldn’t see anyone. The mages continued working, ignoring the shots that were being fired at regular intervals. Giving in to her curiosity, Rose hesitantly walked forward, trying to see what was going on. She had to walk deeper into the orchard before she spotted Alan and a few other young mages, hurling fruit into the air and then shooting it. Target practice. Rose let out a breath and smiled.
Standing next to them, encouraging them, was Ryan. He held up a hand and Alan lowered his gun. The rest did the same. Ryan said something, grinning the whole time. The Hunters-in-training shared proud looks. Ryan turned and led the team away. They all went, dropping their guns into one of the baskets on their way out.
Rose waited until they were almost out of sight, before making her way over and peering into the basket. The assortment of black and silver guns made her feel queasy. She stepped back. She turned to look in the direction Ryan had led the young mages, but they had already disappeared out of sight.
Something caught her eye and Rose paused. She stared at the tree, the very same one she had once sat under and talked so casually to Kyran. She walked towards it, breathing in the scent of fresh mangos. She looked up at the dangling fruit – beautiful sun-kissed mangos hanging ready for the picking. She smiled sadly, remembering the time Kyran had fast-tracked their growth and lowered the branches, before picking one out for her. She lifted a hand, trying to get to them but they were out of her reach. She dropped her hand and just stood there, staring at the fruit.
Slowly, very gently, the branch began to dip. Rose felt like her blood had turned to ice. She couldn’t move. She stared in shock as the branch lowered, bit by bit, until it was almost touching the top of her head. The mangos swung before her, now at eye level. She could easily take one, but Rose kept her hands firmly by her side. Gathering every nerve she had, Rose turned around, her heart beating erratically in her chest.
She knew he was there, even before she saw him. The branch coming down like that, just like it had once before at his command, was enough to warn her. But more than that, Rose could actually feel his presence. It prickled her senses, making her breath catch in her throat.
She found his vivid green eyes waiting to meet hers the moment she turned. Rose forced in a breath. Standing across from her was Kyran Aedus.
24
Desperate Pleads
Rose didn’t move. She stared at Kyran. He looked surreal standing under a tree, dressed in a plain white shirt and dark jeans. His expression was unreadable. Rose would have convinced herself she was imagining him if moments before the branches of the tree hadn’t bowed down to her, offering her its fruit.
Kyran lifted his head and it was just that smallest of movements that cemented his presence for Rose. She stepped back, her heart pounding. Kyran’s gaze moved to the dangling fruit behind her. He looked back at her and smiled. Rose felt her heart leap and break at the same time.
“Aren’t you going to take one?” he asked, gesturing to the mangos.
Rose took in a slow breath, and then darted to the basket Alan and his friends had dumped their firearms in. She pulled out the first pistol she touched and turned to aim at Kyran with shaky hands.
“I’d rather take one of these,” she said, her voice trembling as much as her hands.
Kyran didn’t move. He gave the black pistol in her hands a small glance before looking at her.
“Rose–”
“How did you get in here?” she asked.
Kyran didn’t say anything but gave a pointed look to the ground. Rose saw the white robe, crumpled in a heap at the foot of the tree Kyran was standing under.
“Lurkers have a design flaw,” Kyran said quietly. “It’s hard to make out who is under the hood.”
“Why are you here?” Rose asked, fearing an entire army of vamages had come with him.
“I came for you,” Kyran replied.
Rose had to force herself to keep the gun steady.
Kyran took a step towards her. “Rose–”
“Stop,” she instructed. “Stop right there.”
Kyran paused. “Just hear me out.”
Rose shook her head. “I don’t want to hear any more of your lies.”
“I never lied to you.”
A choked breath left Rose, full of hurt and disbel
ief. “You never lied?” she asked. “I lost my parents when I was very young. I miss everything about them – my dad’s strong arms, my mum’s laugh–” She stopped, fighting back the sob that was clawing up inside her, desperate to get out. “You didn’t lie?” she asked again, with tears stinging her eyes.
Kyran didn’t say anything.
“You lied to my face about losing your family,” Rose said. “How could you, Kyran? How could you sit there and listen to me talk about my parents?” Anger had replaced the shock and fear, giving Rose the strength to say everything that had been eating away at her ever since she learnt Kyran’s truth. “How could you face me, talk to me about my parents, when you’re the one who...? You...” She had to stop; she couldn’t go on.
“Rose.” Kyran stepped towards her.
“You took me to their graves,” Rose cried, angry tears glistened in her eyes. “How sick are you? You took me to my parents’ graves when you’re the reason they’re in there!”
“I didn’t do anything to your parents,” Kyran said.
“That’s the problem,” Rose said, and her voice broke. “You didn’t do anything, Kyran. You could have saved them but you didn’t. You could have stopped the vamages attacking my house.” Tears streaked down her cheeks and the pistol was shaking in her hands, but it was still aimed at Kyran. “You were there and you didn’t do anything. You stood back and let the vamages murder my parents!”
Kyran’s expression hardened. He strode towards her. Rose gripped the gun tighter in her hands, trying to hold the thing steady, but Kyran was already right in front of her. His hand came up and Rose knew he was going to knock the gun clean out of her grip. But instead, his fingers rested on top of the pistol and he guided the gun forward, resting the barrel against his chest.
“If you really believe that,” he said in a quiet voice, “then go ahead. Pull the trigger.”
Rose stared at him, too shocked to react. His eyes were on her too, waiting, holding the weapon against his heart.
“Go on, Rose,” he prompted. “Kill me, if you really believe I would stand back and let your parents die.”