The Daath Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Eliza Tilton

  A magical barrier covered the sound of oars moving in the water. Not even the breaking waves made noise as we approached.

  Torches dotted further on the island. With no large trees to cover our movement, we would have to be swift. The boats skidded onto the shore and we leapt out, creeping along the sands. Moonlight and stars sprinkled the night skies. Sweeping yellow grass brushed against my legs and salty air filled my nose, a serene moment that would quickly end in bloodshed.

  Three rows of warriors led the silent charge with the synergists in the back. Our front-runners ran in first, entering the nearby ramshackle huts and taking out any Kuuni found inside.

  My muscles tensed as I waited. While I enjoyed the symphony of battle, this would not be a fight, but a slaughter, and one that would end a race. Trepidation dotted my neck in a cold sweat, and our line moved over the sand dune where the beginning carnage spilled onto the ground. Bodies, young and old, slaughtered within the wood huts and scattered across the sand. Screams silenced before their deaths. I stepped over a broken body. Red spilling over the white form. I cringed at death at my feet, knowing my blade would be forced to do the same.

  Gripping my shorts swords, I thought on the countless raids they did on our shores. Slaughtering our own people. It was the only thought I could conjure in order to do what needed to be done. Reminding myself we were fighting savages who would not think twice about killing me or anyone I cared for. If they ever attacked the Royal City, Jeslyn would be in danger, and that I would not allow.

  A horn blew in the distance, drawing confused looks from my men. How could the Kuuni have known we were here already?

  I slid my helmet into place, locking the band around my chin.

  Kuuni came from the north, assembling on the hard ground, with their large tridents and swords aimed at us. There were more warriors on the island than I expected. Already, I counted at least thirty spreading out from the thicker brush.

  Still no match for our numbers.

  With my jagged, short swords in hand, I dove into the fray, slashing at the nearest target. My fellow warriors surrounded me, keeping me in a protective arc, but far enough that I could fight on my own. A Kuuni changed into its shifter form: white, fearsome bears that were twice our size with wild, mangy fur. I dodged the charging Kuuni and swirled around at its back, driving my swords in. It roared and snapped back at me, almost catching my arm with its massive teeth. Using my swords for balance, I vaulted on top of it, ripped the swords out and planted them into its head, sending the beast into the cold embrace of oblivion.

  We swarmed the village, slaying the fleeing shifters and burning their homes. Smoke hazed the air, followed by the nauseating aroma of burning flesh. The scent so acrid and rich, I could taste it. The synergists’ gloves glowed vibrant blue and their eyes matched the color of the storm they unleashed. Electricity sizzled in the air as balls of lighting flew past me and slammed into oncoming Kuuni, sending the broken bodies through the air.

  Roars echoed through the air, mingling with the loud horns sounding off from the northern shores. There shouldn’t have been any warriors on the island, and if there were, only a small contingent. Their main force should have been engaged with our fleet, not back here. Fear pricked my skin. If we failed to annihilate the Kuuni on the island, we would never be able to flank them on both sides. Our entire plan would fail.

  “Prince Lucino!” A guard ran toward me, his arm broken and hanging at an odd angle.

  “What is it?”

  “Kuuni boats have been spotted on the north shore.”

  “How many?”

  “Twelve. Each holding fifty, maybe more.”

  “How long before they reach us?”

  “They’ll be here by dawn.”

  Not enough time. We would have to fight them. Three hundred against six hundred, and that wasn’t counting the shifters already on the island.

  “We don’t leave this island until they’re all dead,” I said. “We must hold the island. Tell the others.”

  He nodded and ran off.

  “Synergists!” I pulled my helmet back, shouting to the surrounding men. “Save your power. More will be here by morning. Melee attacks only!”

  Kuuni and Reptilian continued to fight around me. “Burn every hut to the ground. No one escapes!”

  A Kuuni charged at me with a broadsword, screaming. Adrenaline coursed through me, pumping me with strength and rage. I dashed to the side, turned, and drove both blades into his side. The jagged blades ripped the white flesh from his body, and I was on to the next beast.

  An untouched hut sat off to the side, far from the fight. One we must have missed. I broke away from the group, knowing we had to kill every last Kuuni, and ran inside while the rest of my men advanced over the next dune.

  A female huddled with three younglings; two clutched onto the mother, crying, while the youngest, a baby, slept silently in the mother’s arms, unaware of the chaos churning outside.

  “Kochi ine tees,” she whispered to her children and pulled them closer.

  The younglings closed their eyes and buried their faces into their mother’s chest. Her blood red eyes met mine.

  “I promise it will be swift.” I raised my swords, ready to strike.

  The mother closed her eyes, a single tear falling onto her pale cheek, then the baby opened its eyes. Crystal blue irises, the same shade as Jeslyn’s. The youngling smiled and tugged at the ragged hair of its mother.

  I swallowed hard, Jeslyn’s face flitting through my mind, reminding me of the words she whispered that night on the island when I revealed my true form to her.

  You are no monster.

  The memory froze my hands, blades in the air.

  The baby cooed and nuzzled its mother who shed tear after tear.

  In all my years, my blades had never faltered. Seeing these younglings, helpless, innocent to the hate they would grow into, steadied my hand. If I slaughtered such life, I would become a monster.

  “Go.” I lowered my weapons, my mind confused, my hands and heart shaking.

  I peeked outside, checking the area. Only dead covered the sand. “Now,” I whispered, still unsure what I was doing. My heart raced with uncertainty. Letting them flee was against everything I stood for, yet I couldn’t kill them. It was as if Jeslyn stood beside me, steadying my blades.

  The mother crept past me, creeping into the darkness with her babies; this mistake could cost me everything.

  “You let them go?” A guard stood in front of me holding a torch. I shoved my swords swiftly through his chest and threw him into the hut. Picking up the torch, I tossed it, igniting my own kin on fire.

  He screamed and flailed his arms as the fire took him.

  Confusion and fear ran through me. What have I done?

  I sprinted away from the fire and over the hill where the rest of the army gathered—a black death waiting for the moment to strike.

  “Prince Lucino’s back,” a soldier called out.

  A nearby synergist nodded. “My Prince. We sent a scout to look for you.”

  “There was a hut we missed. I made sure to burn it before going any further. Our backs are safe. What’s the status here?”

  He handed over a looking glass. “We’ve counted at least sixty Kuuni coming from the woods.”

  “Sixty?”

  “Another fleet will hit the shores soon.”

  Through the looking glass, Kuuni marched with torches, tridents and large greatswords. About fifteen had already shifted into large white bears. Massive beasts with sharp, deadly claws longer than any Reptilian’s finger. Fangs even sharper. The largest of their kind reached seventeen hundred stones.

  “We have to take out the beasts. Use the synergists.”

  “Yes, my Prince.”

  We had only lost a few soldiers, including the one I killed. It wo
uld be a bloody battle, and one that shouldn’t be happening. Someone told the Kuuni we’d be here. A traitor among our midst. I scanned through possible scenarios, accomplices, anyone who fit that motive.

  Only a madman would betray this night.

  The thought of us failing here, and Jeslyn being left alone in the palace sent a dagger of anger through my chest.

  “Where is the messenger?” I asked, scanning the nearby faces.

  “Here!” A young Reptilian ran forward.

  “I need to contact Romulus.”

  He handed me a communicator, and I placed the metal circlet on my head.

  Romulus. Romulus answer.

  Here. Here.

  Someone has leaked our plan to the Kuuni.

  Impossible.

  Whether you think it’s impossible is irrelevant. The Kuuni are amassing and preparing to attack us. We’re outnumbered. How long before the simulacrum is ready?

  Sunrise.

  They’ll be here by then. Port it as soon as the spell is complete.

  I broke the mental connection and handed the circlet back to the messenger. Who would gain from this betrayal? Soon the second sun would implode and Mirth would be no more. Why ally with the enemy now? Not even The Council would chance losing soldiers. They needed every warrior to cross into Tarrtainya. The humans outnumbered us by the thousands, and if it came to war, it would be long, and both sides would feel the losses.

  Our people needed a chance to survive. Once I returned to the palace, I would let my father know of this treachery. He would know what to do next. For now, we would hold this line.

  “Prepare for battle,” I said, watching dim clouds cover the gray sky. “We attack now.”

  Chapter Eight

  Avikar

  After five long days of riding, Raven and I reached the border of Lakewood. My mind conjured a multitude of questions in our heavy silence? What would it be like to see my family again? Would they be upset with me for staying away so long? What would my father say? What would I say to him after everything I learned? How could I find the courage to ask him about the lies he’d told me? Would they love Raven as much as I do?

  Was I losing her?

  I gripped the reins tighter.

  “Avikar?”

  “Sorry.” I shook my head. “It’s just …”

  “Just what?”

  Raven searched my eyes, urging me to open up about the past. We had barely talked during our voyage, and I didn’t want to share every nervous thought with her.

  “I’ve been away from home a long time. That’s all.” I hit the reins, wishing Brushfire was cantering back home with me. I knew I couldn’t take her through Nod Mountains, and I was sure Jericho kept her safe, still … I missed her.

  “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.” Raven smiled. It was the first time she smiled since we left the castle, but by the strain on her face, I wondered if she forced it.

  As we road past the outskirts of town, travelers and soldiers entered and exited the main road. The onslaught of traffic reminded me of the war brewing and suddenly the desire to see my Mother, Calli, Father, even Jeslyn, burst through every worry. I didn’t care what my family would say; I had to get to them. I kicked my heels, urging my mount faster. Raven’s horse kept pace. It wasn’t until I saw the old brown fence of our farm that I slowed.

  “Whoa.” I pulled the horse to a slow walk, absorbing the image before me. Home.

  “It’s Avi! Avi’s home!” Calli shouted from the porch, pointing at me and bouncing on the balls of her feet. She broke into a sprint, taking the steps two at a time. Her blonde curls were longer than I remembered, swaying as she ran, and her chubby cheeks had slimmed in the months I’d been away.

  I jumped off the horse and opened my arms to hug my little sister.

  “You’re back!” She jumped into my arms, smiling.

  “Missed you too.” I closed my eyes and savored this moment. My baby sister wasn’t a baby anymore, and feeling the strength in her tiny hug made me remember how much I truly missed her.

  “Avikar … it really is you.” My mother stood before us, hands trembling as she brought them to her mouth. Tears fell from her eyes.

  “Hello, Mother.”

  She walked over to me, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you’re really here. I knew you would come back to us.”

  Seeing my mother cry tugged at every emotion I tried to ignore: the quickness of my heart, and the happiness that overwhelmed me so much tears fought to fall. When her arms wrapped around me, I wanted to break in half. “Of course I would.”

  She clung to me, and that’s when I glanced back to the house. My father walked off the porch steps. Patches of gray spotted his dark beard, which weren’t there when I left, and his face had a few more wrinkles around his eyes.

  I pulled away from Mother to face him, fear chasing happiness away. Would he yell? Scream at me for not returning with Jeslyn? I couldn’t muster the courage to keep his intense gaze; instead, I focused on the deep red patchwork of his shirt. “I know it’s been a long time, Father, and I’m sorry I didn’t send word sooner, but—”

  He grabbed me in a giant hug, lifting me off the ground and holding me as if I was a little boy.

  He hadn’t hugged me since Jimri died. Since I had failed him as a son.

  I gripped his thick shirt and tried to hide the tears inside it. My body shook as he hugged me tighter, squeezing and holding me so close, the touch rippled through me and a sob loud and aching ripped from my chest. I buried my face into him, and his hands shook as he gripped me tighter.

  No words were spoken; everything I needed to know was in that embrace, and I didn’t want to let go.

  “Who are you?” Calli said.

  “I’m Raven.”

  I quickly wiped my eyes, as Father let go, patting my back one more time. I’d forgotten Raven was there.

  “Sorry, Raven’s … she’s …” What was I going to say? We didn’t have a title for our relationship, though I was courting her, in a battle sort of way.

  “I’m the girl that keeps him alive.” Raven winked, and this time the smile was real.

  “Well, then,” Mother said. “You two come in and I am going to make a wonderful feast.”

  “Time to slaughter that pig,” my father added, and when I looked over, his eyes glistened.

  Mother wrapped her arm around my waist. “Come inside, you must be starving.”

  “Very.”

  Calli grabbed Raven’s hand and pulled her into the house, laughing and getting Raven to laugh with her.

  “Where’s Jeslyn?” I asked. “Did I already miss the wedding?”

  “She’s not here.”

  “What? Where is she?”

  “We’ll talk more later.” Mother squeezed my waist. “For now, tell me where you have been. I’ve missed you dearly.”

  I glanced into my mother’s eyes, the same pale green as mine. Her hair didn’t have the same auburn hue as my messy mop, but under the sunlight, soft hues of warm red weaved within the brown strands. When I left, she was in a state of shock, rocking and mumbling. Jimri’s death had affected all of us differently, and we had just begun to heal when Jeslyn was kidnapped.

  Mother bumped her head against mine, kissed my cheek too many times, then ushered me inside. It was good to be home.

  Calli’s bubbly voice echoed from her room. I tore myself away from Mother to join them.

  “You’re smaller than Jeslyn”—Calli held one of our sister’s dresses up to Raven—“but this will look so pretty. You have to wear it to dinner!”

  Raven glanced at me, her eyes wide at the horror of wearing a dress.

  I shrugged—I wanted to see her in that dress. “What are you two doing?”

  “We’re going to dress our best, Avi. Which one do you like?” Call
i put a hand on her hip and pointed at two dresses laid across her cot, one of them cream, the other a light green.

  “Green?” I suggested.

  She nodded. “Yup. Green is so pretty!” She picked up the dress and twirled with it. “Oh, Raven, I can braid your hair!”

  “You don’t have to.” Raven ran a finger through her knotted locks.

  Calli pursed her little lips. “Your hair is really messy. You should probably take a bath.”

  Raven’s face flushed red.

  “Calli,” I sighed. “You can’t just tell people to take a bath. It’s rude.”

  “It’s not rude,” she said, scrunching her nose. “I’m going to make her look even prettier.”

  Calli had our father’s blue eyes, our grandfather’s stubbornness, and our grandmother’s golden curls. It was hard to be mad at such a cute face. I grabbed her nose, pretending to steal it.

  “Ugh.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m six now. That doesn’t work anymore.”

  “No, then why is there a black spot on your face?”

  She ran to the little vanity table and picked up a hand mirror. “Where? I don’t see any?”

  While Calli was busy checking her face, I grabbed Raven and dashed out of the room with her.

  “Hey!” Calli yelled. “Where are you two going?”

  “We’ll be back later!”

  “Where are we going?” Raven asked as we walked outside.

  I grinned. “A place I haven’t visited in a long time.”

  Raven and I stood in front of the lake. This single body of water held so much pain and a ton of happy memories. Derrick and I would spar here, Jimri pretending to fight with us with his wooden sword. In the past, I had avoided it. When Derrick brought me here the day Jeslyn was kidnapped, well, before we knew she was kidnapped, that day I had finally come to a place in my life when the pain of Jimri’s loss didn’t destroy me.

  I squeezed Raven’s hand, beyond happy that I could show her my home and the lake. She glanced over, smiling. The wind picked up her hair, blocking her face until she weaved it back with her hand.