Nolan didn’t know quite what to expect when re-entering the temple. He assumed the circles of light would be bigger. What he didn’t expect was how they fit with the darker stone circles embedded into the floor. Six dark circles circled the perimeter of the room; two were now filled with lighted Shay symbols.
He glanced up, looking at the two spots cradling each stone. They were fashioned, somehow, so they leaned ever so slightly to direct them to their prospective spots on the floor. There were four more Shay powers. Nolan ran his hand over his chin. But there were five spots left on the framework above. What significance was the centermost spot, where all the others branched from?
“Now what?” Hakan asked.
“Well, the text said to come to the light,” Nolan said.
“I would call this coming,” Hakan said.
“Not exactly.” Garrick looked at his hand, as if remembering touching the light.
“Are you sure?” Emery said, answering Garrick’s thoughts. “We have no idea what will happen.”
Garrick displayed his crooked smile. “Well, there’s one way to find out.”
Everyone held their breaths when Garrick stepped into the light.
“I don’t feel—” Garrick said. “Wait. There is something.”
A cluster of lights twinkled into existence. What looked to be white fireflies started on the ground and gently moved upward, winding in a shimmering cylinder around him.
“Garrick, you okay?” Hakan said anxiously.
Garrick didn’t answer. The lights increased, and in a few breaths of time, they enveloped him like a translucent blanket. Garrick gasped, his head jerked back, and his feet lifted off the ground as a band of blue light encased him. Nolan covered his eyes from the blinding radiance. It dimmed, and Garrick drifted slowly down, his feet touching the ground lightly. The pinpricks of light ended their dance as Garrick’s head rolled forward, the blue of his Shay fading from his eyes. He staggered, and Emery caught him.
“Are you okay?” Emery asked.
Garrick smiled wide. “Oh, yes.”
Chapter Twenty-One
AFTER GARRICK STEPPED from the light, both Hakan and Nolan took a turn. It was unlike anything Nolan had ever experienced. More intense than coming into his Shay power.
Standing in the beam of the Shay focused his power, making it stronger. He also didn’t feel trapped by the stone’s pull; the anxiousness was completely gone.
When they returned home that day, they realized finding the first two stones caused a series of problems. The illness spread to others in the village, those with different Shays from the ones they’d found. Somehow, finding Perception and Accuracy had awakened a longing they didn’t know they had, until now.
Over the next days, Nolan watched the progress of those taking the light. He found it interesting, and he jotted down differences, trying to note how each person acted when it was their turn. Alec had given him some parchment and ink. By the sly expression on his friend’s face, Nolan wasn’t about to ask Alec where he’d found them. The supplies did look suspiciously like the ones he’d left back in Alton.
Emery meandered through the temple silently. He would step into the different Shay lights, his hands outstretched as if sunning himself. At first, Nolan thought he simply liked the sunshine. Nolan had never seen it so bright; the dark clouds seemed to give way. But as hours passed, Emery’s mood got worse. Much worse.
Nolan left his work to fetch Garrick in the village. When they returned, several villagers lingered in the temple, taking turns as they stood in the light. Emery sat on the floor, leaning against the far wall. His hair hung in strings as he rested his face on his knees.
“How long has he been like this?” Garrick asked.
“Hours,” Nolan said.
“Emery?” Garrick squatted next to him.
Emery slowly raised his face, revealing dark circles under his brown eyes. “Ah, Garrick. Nice of you to drop in.”
“Why don’t you come home and get some rest?”
“I will. But not yet.”
Emery’s head dropped; apparently he was done talking. Nolan tapped Garrick on the shoulder and motioned him away.
“Maybe it’s the Empathy stone,” Nolan whispered.
“Of course it is,” Garrick said. “The Accuracy stone did a number on both of us. It was terrible for Hakan as well.”
“Yes, that’s true,” Nolan said. “But Hakan practically stood on top of the stone at his worst. You saw Flann this morning, didn’t you?”
“He’s feeling the stone’s call as well.”
“But not like this.”
“Maybe it’s because Emery’s power is stronger than Flann’s,” Garrick suggested. “I was much more foul-tempered than most of the other Accuracy users in the village.”
“But once again, that’s when I brought the stone into camp. Emery has been here the whole time. And unless someone is bringing that stone here—”
“No one is bringing the stone.” Emery stood in the light again, this time in Accuracy. Blue lines striped the pain-filled scowl on his face.
“What in Darkness is he doing?” Garrick said.
“He’s been at it all morning,” Nolan said. “Not sure why, though.”
“The more I stand here,” Emery said, “the more the Empathy stone calls to me.”
Nolan gawked. Why would he do such a thing? Feeling the call of the stone was horrible. It was one of the worst things Nolan had ever experienced.
“The fool,” Garrick muttered under his breath.
Emery smiled weakly.
“Why?” Garrick asked.
Emery stepped from the light, his shoulders slumped. “I have a reason.”
“Which is?”
“We must find the remaining stones.”
“Of course,” Garrick said. “It doesn’t mean you need to torture yourself.”
Emery’s eyes searched theirs. He looked older, more tired. “It’s helping me focus on its location. I’m leaving tonight.”
“Oh no, you’re not!” Garrick said. “Every time you leave, you get into trouble.”
Emery put a hand on Garrick’s shoulder. “It shouldn’t take too long. A few weeks. Maybe a month.”
“Very well,” Garrick said, “I’ll get my things together and—”
“No,” Emery said. “I’m going alone.”
“Over my rotting corpse, you are,” Garrick said. “You aren’t in any shape to be traveling anywhere, especially alone.”
“I’ll be fine. You need to watch the village.”
“They’ll survive without me,” Garrick said. “We’ll take Maska, Hakan, and Flann with us.” He snapped his fingers. “And Megan as well.”
Emery’s head whipped up. “Not Megan.”
“We’ll need a Healer.” Garrick glared at him in challenge.
Emery sighed. “Megan will be fine.”
“It’s settled then,” Garrick said. “And Vikas can come for Speed.”
“Who’s Vikas?” Nolan asked.
Garrick smiled. “A friend.”
A whoosh of air hit Nolan, parting his hair and sending a shiver down his spine. He didn’t need to turn around to know who arrived.
“Hey, Alec.” Nolan turned and Alec grinned.
Alec’s eyes darted to Emery. “What’s wrong with him?”
“It’s the stone.”
“Ah,” he said. “A lot of that going around.”
“How are you taking it?”
“Pretty good,” Alec said, still grinning far too much. “I can feel a little something … maybe. But it’s hard to tell if it’s just me getting used to this power, or if it’s the call from the Speed stone.” His smiled faded. “Now, Rylan … He’s grumpy.”
“Rylan?”
Alec nodded. “But at least he’s found a way to get it out of his system.”
“Such as?”
“Come. See for yourself.”
Nolan glanced at Garrick and Emery, who were deep in con
versation planning for their trip. He waved a brief farewell and left the temple, walking through the ruins. A group had gathered near a pile of rubble—where the city walls must’ve stood. They faced a tree-covered slope overlooking the distant mountain range.
As they approached, Rylan loaded a stone, bigger than his head, onto a thick, braided sling. He slipped his wrist through a loop and grabbed the other end of the strap. The onlookers backed away. He whipped twice and released, sending the stone rushing over the treetops. The sound of snapping and popping branches faded as it disappeared into the distant forest below.
Daren bounced on the balls of his feet. His good humor had intensified since he had stepped into the Perception stone’s light. And by the looks of it, he enjoyed testing the extent of his refortified powers.
“Fantastic!” Daren said, his eyes glowing orange. “You almost got it in the pond.”
Alec craned his neck. “There’s a pond down there?”
Rylan loaded his sling with an even bigger chunk of the ruined wall. “So, what do you think, Nolan? Would this be an example of a catapult?”
Nolan laughed. “Not bad. Although, it might be closer to a trebuchet.”
Rylan’s head whipped toward him, his eyes blazing red. “Trebuchet?”
“A catapult has more of a basket, where a trebuchet uses …” Nolan’s voice drifted away; Rylan wasn’t listening anymore.
Rylan growled as he launched another rock into the forest. He was crabby.
“Ha!” Daren cheered. “Bull’s-eye. In the water.”
Nolan listened, unable to hear the splash. He shivered. A whole battalion of sling-yielding Strength users would be a dangerous thing.
Nolan pulled his own sling out and stood next to Rylan. He aimed for tree trunks and then specific knots on the trees. After a while, Alec added to the game by tossing stones into the air. With a loud crack, Nolan hit those too.
Rylan smiled for the first time. “Crows, Nolan. Did you miss any?”
“Of course not.” Nolan rubbed his throbbing arm, trying to make his muscle stop twitching. “I’m done.”
Rylan tossed another boulder. “So soon?”
“My muscles aren’t made of iron, like yours,” Nolan said. “Besides, I’ve embarrassed you long enough. You can’t hit the side of a tree.”
Rylan forced a laugh. He was trying to be in a good mood. He flung another rock, this time following its progress with a glare. At least he was taking it out on the rock.
“It’s getting late,” Nolan said. “We should get to the village before it gets too dark. Takes at least two hours to get there.”
Alec grinned. “What? It only takes a few seconds.”
Rylan punched him on the arm, and Alec grabbed it, grimacing. “Easy man, you’re going to break something.”
“And would that be so bad?” Daren said. “You could go visit Taryn for some healing.”
Alec’s face flushed. He glanced around, as if checking to see who’d heard. He glared at Daren, a sly smile spreading across his face as his eyes flared golden-yellow. “Now … where is that pond?”
In mid-laugh, Daren disappeared, his scream marking his progress down the hill.
Rylan jumped down the rocky ledge to follow. He paused and looked back to Nolan. “You coming?”
“Nah,” Nolan answered. “Best to get away while I can. Besides, I need to go talk to Emery.”
“All right,” he said. “See you at the village!”
Nolan waved and headed back to the temple. The other villagers had cleared, probably wanting to get home in good time. The sun lowered enough so the Shay lights disappeared from the floor. A few torches flickered in the dimming light, illuminating two people in the room. Emery lay covered with a blanket, his eyes closed as if sleeping. Megan stroked his dark hair.
Nolan stopped mid-stride, jealousy spiking. But why be jealous? Emery is way older than her. Like a father, isn’t he?
Megan stood and stretched as Nolan walked closer to the pair. “He’s refused to go back,” she whispered, her voice echoing in the empty room. “He wants to sleep here.”
“Here? Is it dangerous?”
She motioned toward the torches. “Not any more than when we camped.”
“Are you staying?”
“I suppose so,” she said, her eyelids drooping.
“You should get some sleep. Aren’t you traveling with Garrick and Emery tomorrow morning?”
“I am,” she said. “Crows, I feel like I just got home.”
“I can stay with him,” Nolan offered. He had nothing better to do.
Her face lightened. “Really, Nolan? That would be great. I still have to pack.”
“Are you going to be okay … tomorrow, that is?”
“I’ll be safe.” She glanced at Emery. “I have no idea how long we’ll be gone. I don’t mind helping, but I had hoped …” She stole a quick glance at Nolan. “It would’ve been nice to spend more time here.”
Megan met Nolan’s eyes and held them. “You’ll see us off in the morning?”
He shifted, suddenly awkward. “Of course.”
“Thanks again, Nolan.” She hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, before turning and stepping out the doorway.
After she left, Nolan stared at the entrance where she’d disappeared. He wished he could read her emotions. His experience with girls was pathetic, to say the very least. Most of his interactions had been with his aunt and his cousin, and all his free time had been on the fishing boat at sea. The only time he had the opportunity with any girl was when Duke Ragnall’s wife threw herself at him. And as pretty as Mikayla was, Nolan wasn’t stupid.
An Empathy Shay touched Nolan. He whirled, finding Emery’s glowing eyes resting on him.
Nolan flushed. “She was tired. I told her to go home.”
Emery propped up on his elbow and ran a hand through his dirty hair. “Very thoughtful of you.”
Nolan joined him, and they sat in silence.
“I must admit,” Emery said, breaking the stillness, “I’m surprised someone has finally won her over.”
Won her over? Nolan straightened.
“She is a beautiful and wonderful girl.” Emery released a long sigh. “One of the most caring minds I’ve ever seen—and I’ve sensed a lot of minds.”
Emery kept rambling about Megan. About when they met. About how pretty her hair was—which Nolan agreed. After a while, a revelation came to Nolan. Crows! Does Emery like Megan?
“Emery, if I’m getting in the way—”
“With what?” Emery’s brows rose. “Megan and I? You do realize I’m old enough to be her father.”
“Yeah, I know, but—”
He laughed. “Don’t worry. Any chance between us is nonexistent. I wouldn’t inflict my burdens on her.” His eyes dropped to the floor. “Or any other woman, for that matter.”
What in Brim’s light was he talking about? Certainly he had a lot of responsibilities, but not enough to keep him from having a wife.
Emery studied Nolan. “I can sense your confusion, friend. I should explain. It’s just … well, everyone has different ways to deal with hardships. Some turn to depression. Others withdraw, as I have. And some direct their pain to violence, such as your brother.”
“Kael?” Nolan’s stomach tightened. “What does Kael have to do with this?”
He met Nolan’s eyes. “I’ve wanted to speak to you on this subject for some time now.”
Nolan stared at Emery, confused.
“If you give me a moment to explain.” Emery inhaled and released it slowly. “I’m sure you’re aware of the king’s ability to control emotions.”
Nolan paused before answering. “Like how you controlled me in the tower?”
“Oh, no,” Emery said. “I can only push feelings that are already there. King Alcandor is much more powerful. He can alter someone’s wishes completely, such as change your desire from Megan to Hakan.”
Nolan laughed, but he stopped when he saw E
mery’s serious expression.
“Very early in my service, I was chosen. My power of Empathy is strong, and Alcandor could sense it immediately. Alcandor favors those with Empathy above all other Shay users. He claims they are the most…” He scowled. “They are the most talented of lovers.”
Blood left Nolan’s face.
Emery looked Nolan in the eye. “King Alcandor would call me regularly to his bed chamber.”
“You mean …” Nolan paused. “He would … force you?”
“He never forced me,” Emery said. “As I said, he has the talent to bend one’s will. Unfortunately, he favored me more than any of the others. Day after day, he summoned me, and I would pleasure him, as he commanded me to.
“Only after I’d left his presence did my true will return.” He lowered his face and drew undefined shapes in the dirt on the floor.
Nolan turned, unable to look at him as mental pictures flooded his mind. He took deep breaths, trying to calm the knot twisting his insides.
“You have no idea what it’s like to be so out of control,” Emery continued. “And then, when the forced emotions fade, memories remain. You recall everything but can change nothing. To this day, I can’t dislodge those images from my mind. So you see, I’m damaged. I will never subject a woman to my past. I will never marry.”
Nolan’s throat went dry. Emery had served in the Rol’dan for how long? He did a quick calculation, and his stomach turned. Emery had been under Alcandor for nearly seventeen years—as long as Nolan had been alive! The king held special powers, but he hadn’t expected this. Did the king do this to all his Rol’dan?
Nolan sucked in a breath and his body tensed. Kael.
“Your brother was well into the king’s ways when I left Faylinn,” Emery said. “The king chose him early, like me. His Shay is very strong. Those with the most powerful Shays attract Alcandor the most. After I escaped the Rol’dan, the king probably focused more attention on him. He’d been made general, after all.”
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