Island Shifters - An Oath of the Blood (Book One)

by Valerie Zambito

  Adrian unfurled the note and read its contents.

  “What is it?” asked Avalon.

  Adrian took his time reading and then said, “It seems we will have a vacancy in the cabin next to ours on this journey.”

  When she looked at him in question, he said, “By her own hand, our seer has decided that she would rather visit the Highworld than the old world.”

  Adrian gestured toward the ship with an outstretched arm. “After you, my dear.”

  ***

  After the confrontation with the Halfies, the uneasy legion spent the evening at the mouth of the pass. At sunrise, they proceeded cautiously into the narrow split in the mountain and despite a vigilant scrutiny of the passage walls and road ahead, they did not catch sight of a single Halfie along the way.

  Luck had been with Kiernan up to this point, but she knew she couldn’t afford to let her guard down only to be discovered before the time was right. She’d already had one unnerving incident when Airron caught her with her face turned directly toward him and he shouted to Beck, “Hey, I can’t believe it! There’s—”

  She slammed him hard with her mindshifting and once she had him in her magical grasp, he was hers. Airron might as well have had a metal vise holding him and his thoughts in place as Kiernan deftly inserted one of her own. Had Beck been paying more attention, he would have recognized the blank look that suddenly stole over his friend’s face.

  “What?” asked Beck distractedly as he was talking to the little fireshifter, Rory, who had not left Beck’s side since leaving Parsis.

  “Hey, I can’t believe it!” he repeated. “There’s…an apple tree over there!”

  “Yes, that is an apple tree, Airron. Thank you for pointing it out.” Beck looked sideways at the Elf. “Are you okay?”

  “Sure,” Airron said, rubbing his head and looking anything but.

  Kiernan couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped and hurried away from her friends before they heard.

  Dismore called a halt soon after, and as soon as the legion was settled into their routine and eating their mid-day meal, Kiernan slipped silently away. She wanted to wash some of the grime off her body in a small lake she spotted through the trees. It had hardly been easy for her to bathe on this trip surrounded by thirty-six men.

  Discovering a path that she was certain would lead her to the lake, she took it, but paused just inside the tree line.

  She closed her eyes knowing that when she opened them again, they would be black, the telltale sign that she was connected with her precious companion.

  Bajan!

  She waited.

  I am alone, Bajan, you may come!

  Greetings, Princess.

  She looked up and beamed at sight of the Draca Cat bounding onto the leaf-strewn path ahead of her.

  Oh, Bajan, you can’t possibly know how good it is to see you. She rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck.

  Bajan made a susurrant noise of satisfaction in response to her touch. Another Draca would never let a human stroke their head in this way. As a primordial race, they were very proud creatures and considered themselves quite superior to others. Physically large and imposing, a Draca Cat had the body of a cat, sleek and muscular, but with the long, sharp talons and spiked tail of a dragon. Both were extremely deadly weapons to an adversary.

  He nudged her affectionately. Now, now. I have been in contact with you every day of this journey.

  It’s not the same and you know it.

  The Draca Cat pulled away and began to pace.

  What’s wrong, Bajan?

  His tail swished restlessly in the darkened light of the forest. Although I’m not entirely sure of the reason, there is unrest at home. The pride leader of the Draca Cats, Sovereign Moombai, has asked me to be more diligent than usual in my protection of you.

  Protection of me? But, I am no longer involved as Princess of Iserlohn. Why would I need protection? And you have not heard from Moombai in years! Is he here in Pyraan?

  Bajan gave Kiernan his form of an exasperated smile. One question at a time, Princess.

  She crossed her arms and tapped her foot, her form of exasperation.

  The Sovereign sent a messenger by the name of Felice.

  A female? Kiernan interrupted.

  Yes.

  Was she pretty?

  Yes. Now, keep quiet or I will not continue. Frustratingly, he waited a full moment before doing so. Moombai sent Felice to warn me that there may be trouble. Since I have never lived with the Draca Cats, at least within memory, I do not share their superstitious nature. I do not hold sway with their legends and prophecy. I only know that I was allowed to remain with you at the blessings of my race. My duty is to you and your protection. I will guard you no matter what the Draca Cats have to say about it. Bajan’s eyes met hers. Although, I must admit, it can be a very trying duty at times.

  Oh, Bajan. Do you ever wish that you weren’t placed in my care? Do you long for the normal life of a Draca Cat in your homeland of Callyn-Rhe?

  Bajan made a distressed mewing sound and nudged her. You know very well that the answer to both questions is no. In addition to being an irksome and stubborn girl, you are also my beloved friend. Our bond is something I would never give up.

  She leaned her head into his shoulder gratefully. It had been very difficult traveling in secret. There were many times when she just wanted to shout out to Beck or Rogan or Airron about one of the sights she had seen along the way or to talk about the upcoming training. Her only succor had been her bond with Bajan—a constant, comforting presence in the back of her mind.

  Bajan had been just a cub and Kiernan six years old when her father, out on a hunting expedition, found the baby cat snuggled up to his dead mother in the woods, barely clinging to life. Having just lost her own mother the year before, Kiernan was overjoyed when her father presented the baby Draca to her to care for, and a strong attachment developed as she nursed him back to health.

  She had already discovered her magical abilities by that time and, because she dared not tell her father or any of the royal staff, she was feeling extremely lonely and in need of companionship. The orphaned Draca filled the void perfectly.

  Finding out that she could communicate with Bajan had been quite unexpected. Experimenting with her mindshifting, she decided to extend a single wave of thought to the cat to see if it would hold. As soon as the connection had been made, both of their eyes turned black and the force of the link pitched her and Bajan hurtling backwards through the air. The results of that experiment were a few bruises, identical-colored eyes and a bond that would last a lifetime.

  Theoretically, though, the linkage she shared with Bajan could not be referred to as the traditional form of mindshifting that occurred when thoughts were conveyed by a shifter along a one-way, magically-induced pathway. With Bajan, there was a dual connection and Kiernan could actually read his thoughts and Bajan hers.

  To this day, she still didn’t know what had happened that fateful night twelve years ago to cause this unique bond to form between them, but she was eternally grateful for the union.

  Needless to say, Bajan continued, it does not hurt to be on guard. I am going to scout ahead to the Crown Bluffs to ensure that the way is clear. Will you be able to stay out of trouble while I am gone?

  Of course. I will be fine. Don’t worry about me.

  Then, I must hurry. I can travel very swiftly, but have a long way to go

  Kiernan embraced him once again and bid him farewell. She closed her eyes to sever the link and when she opened them again, her eyes were green and her friend was gone.

  She sighed and continued her excursion to the little blue lake vowing not to worry about Bajan. Whatever the problem with the Draca Cats, he could handle it. It was useless to dwell on the situation.

  Instead, she turned her thoughts to Beck. She desperately missed talking to him and resuming their easy companionship. The exact moment when that companionship had turned into s
omething more, she couldn’t be sure, but it had.

  She loved Beck Atlan.

  There, I’ve said it.

  She loved his smile, his dimples and the way he ran his fingers through his hair when he was nervous. She loved his strength. Not just his physical strength as an earthshifter, but his strength as a person. As a leader. He was kind and compassionate, yet firm and decisive. And, she knew that he felt the same way about her, although it was taking him much longer to figure it out.

  At least she was out of the city of Parsis for the first time in years. That in itself was worth all of the secrecy and loneliness.

  When the lake came into view, she happily ran to the water’s edge and stripped off her legion-issue sword belt. She had been forced to leave her own sword and scabbard in her dormitory in Parsis since she couldn’t very well travel with the sigil of Iserlohn peeking up over her shoulder.

  Keeping her cloak in place over her head in case any of the legionnaires should unexpectedly wander close, she kicked off her boots and sat down to roll up her uniform trousers. Just as she was about to dip her toes into the water to test the temperature, she froze.

  Out in the middle of the lake and slithering toward her at an alarming rate was a snake with a head the size of a boar. Two large fangs dripping with venom poked down from the open maw.

  Then, Kiernan, who hated snakes more than anything else in the world, did something very out of character for a warrior princess.

  She screamed.

  ***

  The snake peered at the figure paralyzed in fright on the shore of the lake, its eyes moving furiously where the body—it seemed—could not. Sliding up the bank, the snake probed the air around its prey with a serpent tongue. Above all else, it tasted fear, unbridled fear.

  Moving slowly over the inert body, the snake coiled around the small waist and squeezed lightly. Gliding its face close to the prey, it opened its jaws wide in intimidation hoping to get the confirmation it had come to this lake to obtain.

  As soon as the high-pitched scream pierced the air, the snake had it.

  I knew it.

  As soon as the snake released the girl, she regained her mobility and scrambled backwards. Rolling quickly once to get momentum, she brought her foot around and landed a bone crunching kick to the snake’s head. Saliva and blood flew from its mouth in a long string as its head whipped violently to the side.

  The snake hissed loudly in pain.

  The girl gasped in shock as the serpent’s open mouth transformed into Airron Falewir’s grimace as he bodyshifted back into his Elven form.

  “Bloody hell, Kiernan, that hurt!”

  Kiernan’s whole body collapsed in relief at the sight of him. “I hate you,” she managed to spew before falling back to lie on the ground.

  “What?” he questioned through a mouth stained red with blood. “You’re the only one who can wander around here in disguise?”

  He held his hand out to her.

  She grabbed it forcefully and stood. “You know I hate snakes, Airron.”

  “Well known fact, Kiernan, that’s why I used it. Now, tell me, why are you here? Is something wrong at home?”

  “What? No, nothing like that,” she responded and walked over to her sword belt, picked it up and cinched it around her waist. “I’m actually surprised you have to ask, Airron. Did you really think I would stay in Parsis and miss all the excitement?”

  Airron sighed. “Kiernan, as we’ve told you many times, it’s not going to be exciting! We’re going to be training, sleeping, and eating with the same thirty-six people day in and day out for two years. I promise you that not one of them has the requisite body parts necessary to make this anywhere near exciting for me.”

  Her face blushed adorably.

  “At least we’ll be together,” she retorted and turned away. “I’ll let the commander know I’m here as soon as Troop 157 departs and not a minute before! Now, get dressed so you can return before someone discovers you’re gone and comes to investigate.”

  “Don’t look!” he said with a chuckle and walked into the woods to retrieve his uniform hanging from a tree branch.

  She laughed. “I’ve already seen you naked more times than is healthy.”

  When he emerged fully dressed, they started back down the path toward camp. After a moment of silence, Kiernan glanced sideways at him and asked, “So, are you the only one who knows I’m here?”

  Airron shrugged. “If Beck or Rogan suspect, they have said nothing to me.”

  “Idiot.”

  “Who?” Airron asked, amused.

  “No one,” she muttered dismissively. “But, don’t tell anyone I’m here, Airron, all right? I’ll just get sent home if I’m found out too soon.”

  “Your secret is safe with me,” he promised.

  “Thank you,” she said and unexpectedly reached up to kiss him on the cheek.

  “Uh, requisite body parts touching my arm.”

  “Oh, hush.”

  He laughed and grabbed her shoulders to pull her close as they walked. They found the legion packing up from their short respite when they returned, anxious now to complete the last leg of the journey to the Crown Bluffs.

  Airron turned to warn Kiernan to be careful, but his friend had already melted unseen into the crowd of legionnaires. He shrugged and walked over to Beck and Rogan. Rory was with them, trying to help Beck pack up his gear.

  “I’ve got it, Rory,” Beck said, not unkindly. “Why don’t you see to your own things?”

  “All done, sir!” the fireshifter said proudly. Much to Beck’s dismay, Rory had taken to using the honorific after the Halfie encounter.

  “Just Beck, Rory, just call me Beck.”

  Beck rolled his eyes when Rory was looking elsewhere and happened to notice Airron. “Where have you been?” he asked urgently. “Dismore has been looking for you. He was just about to send out a search party.”

  Rogan snorted. “He was probably out looking for another form while we’re all here waiting on him.”

  “Don’t worry, Firefly, I’m back safe and sound,” Airron said, hugging the Dwarf close.

  “Get off me!” Rogan yelled, shrugging out of his embrace.

  “Did you hear a scream?” Beck suddenly asked. “I thought I heard someone or something scream while you were gone.”

  Airron didn’t hesitate. “Nope, didn’t hear a thing.” Oh, bloody, no. He wouldn’t miss the look on Beck’s face when he saw Kiernan for all of the forms in the world.

  Beck ran his hand through his hair and hissed, “Here comes Dismore.”

  “FALEWIR!”

  Chapter 8

  When the Laughter Stops

  Standing concealed in the shadows of the crate-laden deck with the grunts of hundreds of men permeating the background, Titus leaned over the rail of the Cyman-built ship and tilted his head up to the sun. He couldn’t help himself from moaning in delight as the wind whipped through his shoulder-length hair, and for the first time in his nineteen years of life, the air did not carry the smell of rancid decay to his nose. After a lifetime of darkness, this new encounter with light and warmth was almost more than he could comprehend.

  He wondered if his father had been right and the skies east of Nordik were like this, untouched by the Mage’s foul arts.

  “Three days at sea has done nothing to improve my brother’s temperament,” came a woman’s voice from behind him. “He has already thrown close to thirty soldiers overboard.”

  Titus stiffened but did not comment. He knew better.

  Her pungent musky scent obliterated the clean ocean breeze as she walked over and stood next to him. They remained silent for long moments gazing out at the calm, open sea before she asked, “Were you aware that your father has been bargaining with my brother for the release of your people when the war is over?”

  “Yes, ‘e ‘as told me, Mistress.”

  She turned to face him and put a hand on his arm. “Titus, what will you do if Adria
n holds true to his word? Is your desire really to go back to Nordik?”

  Surprisingly, the question caused him to hesitate. Beholding blue skies for the first time, he was suddenly unsure. Breathing in fresh air and feeling the sun’s warm rays on his face revived his spirit in a way he never thought possible. But, what was Avalon Ravener really asking him? Because no matter how beautiful the woman standing next to him, she was the embodiment of darkness.

  “Despite my Da’s ‘ope, I find it doubtful that the Master will set us free,” he replied carefully.

  Her big brown eyes lowered and she sighed dramatically. “I am afraid you are probably right, Titus. Although, I cannot say that I would be disappointed. Curiously, I find I am not yet ready to give you up.”

  Titus swallowed. “You will find a man in Massa, Mistress.”

  “I do not want a man, Titus, I want you,” she said, reaching down between his legs to rub her hand possessively over him. “And, I will have you.”

  To his shame, he felt his body respond. The witch was skilled at exploiting his carnal urges to humiliate him.

  “Look, Titus!” she shouted suddenly, pointing.

  He jerked his head up and peered over the rail at the barely visible, yet unmistakable, outline of land. Hope and optimism flooded through his body, and he began to tremble. What if the Mage kept his word and the Cyman people really were standing at freedom’s doorstep at this very moment? All they had to do was win the war by convincing the Massans to lay down their arms against Adrian Ravener.

  Can it be that simple?

  Avalon gasped, digging her nails into his arm, “Oh, Titus, we’re almost home! I have dreamt of this for more years than I care to remember!”

  “I must tell the others,” he said, pushing off the rail and out of her grip.

  “Titus, wait!” she said, her eyes suddenly hard. “Do not forget what I said. You are mine and you always will be.”

  And, just like that, the cold and dark slammed back into his world.

  ***

  At dusk, sight of the twin Crown Bluffs came into sight. Two magnificent waterfalls fell in a torrent down each side of the cliffs, their roar tremendous as they thundered down and pooled into a small lake fed by the Arounda Ocean through the narrow chasm that separated the bluffs.

  The spray from the falls was heavy in the air and Rogan felt the pleasant pinpricks of mist on his face as he sat his horse, overlooking the scene.