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

by Valerie Zambito

  Beck’s heart soared at the news. This was his first solid—even if it was written in the clouds—clue to Kiernan’s whereabouts. Impulsively, he reached out and hugged the little Tribe Leader. “Thank you, Vinni! You don’t know how much you’ve just helped me, my friend!”

  Vinni cocked his head at the show of emotion from Beck and tentatively returned the hug. “You know, Savitar, this feels kind of pleasant. Does it always feel like this to…to show kindness?”

  “Yes, Vinni, it does.”

  “Hmmrf. Something to think about.” Vinni released him and headed for door. “Good-bye, Savitar.”

  Beck held out his hands in question. “What? No kick in the stomach or another stab in the back?”

  Vinni turned around slowly, his apple-cheeked face pensive. “Not this time, Savitar. Not this time.” The Halfie lowered his head with a shake and walked out the door.

  ***

  Rogan lay unmoving in the corner of his cell. He lost track of how many weeks he had been confined to King Rik Rojin’s cells. It really didn’t matter. He was never going to be freed. His friends would never know where to find him and, even if they came searching, the King would only mislead them with untruths.

  He wondered if Beck had found Kiernan. Were they in Sarphia now? With Airron? When he didn’t show up with his pendant, what would they do? Without a counter to Adrian Ravener’s magic, the Mage would have free rein to kill all who stood in opposition and enslave those who did not.

  It was hard not to feel guilty, as the reason for his current predicament fell squarely on his shoulders. He was the one who sauntered directly into Deepstone without any consideration of how the people would feel about having a shifter in their midst. For all they knew, he was a fugitive from exile. As a group with Beck, Kiernan and Airron, and along with King Maximus’s decree, they had a chance of succeeding. But, Rogan traveling alone, as it was now painfully clear, had been a huge lapse in judgment and it had been his idea to split up. With Kiernan missing, Beck was in no condition to see things reasonably. Rogan centered his argument conveniently on the need to find his pendent, but his real intent had been to find his family.

  A family that no longer existed in this world.

  That wasn’t entirely true. He still had an uncle, albeit one who wanted to secure a heavy weight around his neck and throw him into the Koda River.

  He sat up from the stone floor, leaned against the wall and let his gaze slide over the only items in the tiny cell with him—a bucket of his urine and a plate of bread and cheese that the guards had left earlier and still sat untouched near the door. He wasn’t hungry. He realized he was growing weak by not eating and moving about, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care.

  He flinched at a squeak coming from the shadowed corner of the cell that signified the arrival of one of the many rats that shared his dwelling and nipped at him while he slept. His fingers were raw and bloodied from their nighttime attacks, and he watched as the large rodent made its way over to his food.

  He can have it, he thought, lying down and turning his back to the rat and his meal.

  Sometime later, he jerked awake simultaneously by a rat chomping down harshly on this thumb and the sound of a key being inserted into the door of his cell. He batted the rat across the room and it smashed into the opposite wall with a horrible thud.

  Rogan peered at the two figures bent over the lock and squatted onto the balls of his feet. Because of the guards’ wariness of his magic, it was out of character for them to get this close to his cell. Usually, they just slid his plate of food under the iron bars with a long pole, well out of sight.

  The door came unlocked and two Dwarves slipped furtively inside.

  “What do you want?” he asked roughly.

  “It’s me, Dillon.”

  Rogan straightened from his crouch. “Dillon? What are you doing here?”

  A sarcastic feminine voice answered. “Saving your hide, obviously.”

  Dillon threw Rogan’s pack to him. “Come on, we have to leave before someone notices that the guard upstairs with his head on the table is not taking a nap.”

  Rogan stared at the duo questioningly. “Did you kill him?”

  “No,” replied Dillon, and then he asked with curiosity, “Would it matter?”

  “To me it would. The guard is not guilty of any crime, and I could never condone the harm of innocent people. Especially on my behalf.”

  The female snorted. “How noble. Can we discuss after we get out of here?” she asked, looking anxiously back toward the stairs. She wore her long, auburn hair down, hanging casually around her shoulders, and it seemed out of place with her austere soldier’s tunic.

  Dillon nodded. “Rogan, this is Janin, a soldier in the Deepstone Army and, Highworld help me, my best friend. It’s the only reason she’s here breaking every Dwarven law in existence.”

  Janin turned and shook her head at Dillon playfully. “Not the only reason. I happen to think King Rik is being a blunderhead and that we need to get this shifter out of here. Unlike the King, who appears to harbor prejudice on this subject, I can see reason. Let me see. Either we free this Dwarf or we end up enslaved by a fanatical Mage.” She went to the cell door. “I always was a fan of logic.”

  Janin hurried out and led the way up the stairs with Rogan and Dillon close behind. At the top of the stairs, Rogan saw the guard with his head facedown on a wooden table. He did appear to be sleeping and, hopefully, that would buy them some time.

  Rogan stepped behind the desk to grab his belt and long knife hanging from a peg behind the guard, and they sprinted out of the room and down a stone passageway, moving fast. Whenever they heard voices, Janin directed them into a shadowed alcove until the way was clear. After several long moments of running, they exited through an exterior door.

  Rogan breathed in the fresh night air greedily. It smelled like sheer ecstasy after having been closeted underground for so long. His legs, unused to movement, trembled from the exertion and it was adrenaline alone that kept him upright and running after the others.

  Janin stopped and turned to him. “Do you have a cloak?”

  He opened his pack and was relieved to find his cloak still inside. He nodded.

  “Put it on.” She pointed. “We’re going to be walking through that stone passageway ahead in sight of the night guards who will be on top of the wall above us. Whatever you do, do not run. Walk steady. Our uniforms will be visible so we shouldn’t arouse any suspicion.”

  Rogan nodded and quickly donned his cloak.

  “Don’t put up the hood, it will look out of place. Follow closely.”

  Reluctantly, Rogan forced himself away from the safety of the shadows of the castle wall. Similar to the city of Deeport, the royal grounds were made up of a complex network of stone. As they neared the passageway, Dillon turned and waved up to the guards. Rogan didn’t dare look up to see if Dillon’s greeting was acknowledged. At least, he thought thankfully, he didn’t hear any alarm.

  It took every bit of willpower he possessed not to sprint for the streets and courtyard gate beyond. Imprisonment was not a fate he ever wished to revisit. He would burn this place to the ground—if only stone would burn—before he would allow the Dwarves to put him back into that cell.

  They rounded a corner and Janin guided them briskly to a door that led back into the castle.

  Rogan grabbed her arm. “Why are we going back in?” he hissed, unable to keep the fear from his voice.

  She stopped and looked at him and then at his hand on her arm. “Unless you are prepared to use magic, get your hand off me or I will slice it off.”

  Reluctantly, he released her.

  “In answer to your question, it is the safest and quickest route. There are tunnels in the castle that will take us underground and outside of the city wall.”

  He hesitated a moment, sweat beading his brow. “Fine, lead on.”

  They pushed back into the castle and into complete darkness.
r />   “Dillon, where is the torch?” Janin asked, and Rogan could hear her fumbling around.

  Dillon sounded panicked. “I left one right here and it’s gone!”

  With his eyes now adjusting to the gloom, Rogan could see the outline of the two Dwarves feeling around in the dark for the torch. He called forth a flame of light. “Does this help?”

  They both looked up at him with a gasp, a mixture of both surprise and anger on their faces. “Don’t do that!” snarled Janin.

  “We need light, do we not? This is light.”

  “It’s light created from magic which, in case you haven’t heard, is outlawed on this island,” Dillon retorted.

  “Yes, well, the world has changed, Dillon. The Magical Kingdom of Pyraan has been destroyed, we are under threat of slavery at best and annihilation at worse by a rogue Mage, and we are running for our lives from a King who wants to murder me. Against that, you are worried about a flame to light our way?”

  “Good point,” murmured Dillon with a shrug.

  Rogan turned away from them in frustration. “I just don’t understand this fear of magic. Please tell me so I understand!”

  “Have you forgotten that you were exiled in Pyraan for a reason, shifter?” Janin asked. “Did they not teach you anything about the legacy of magic use?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes, and the legacy of magic before three evil Mages decided to destroy the world was inspiring. Magic was used to heal the dying, to create cures for the sick, to defend the weak. Does having magic automatically make you an evil person? If a Dwarf kills another, does it make all Dwarves murderers? If a dog bites a child, does it mean all dogs bite people?” He shook his head in annoyance. “You simply can’t confine the legacy of magic to the Mage War.”

  Janin took a deep breath. “No, and I will admit that there are valuable uses to magic. But, there is also the ability to cause great harm on a very large scale. If one Dwarf kills another, it is one person. If a dog bites a child, it is one child. If an evil Mage decides to use magic for sinister purpose, he can destroy the world. That, my friend, is why we are afraid.”

  Rogan shook his head. “The blood oath prevents shifters from ever using magic to harm others and if we are fortunate enough to defeat Ravener, he will be the last of the Mages. So,” he continued impatiently, “should I plunge us back into darkness so you can continue to stumble around looking for a torch and flint or should we be on our way?”

  Dillon grinned and Janin snorted.

  “Your help is appreciated and welcome,” Dillon said magnanimously and gestured for Rogan to lead.

  Rogan nodded curtly and sprinted ahead in the stone tunnel, the flame in his hand held out before him. As soon as they came to an intersection, he asked Dillon to point the way to his old home.

  “I thought you might want to go there first. We better hurry, though, because the King will be thinking the same thing.”

  As Dillon started to move in front, Rogan grabbed his arm. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “Thank you and Janin both for getting me out of that cell. I honestly don’t know how much longer I could have lasted.”

  Dillon held out his hand, and Rogan took it. “I know you don’t remember me, but I have thought of you often over the years. For what it’s worth, I think it’s foolish to banish magic users.” Dillon didn’t let go of Rogan’s arm, but held it tighter and looked him in the eye. “I am your friend, on that you can depend. I am in this with you to the end.”

  Rogan swallowed past a sudden burn in his throat. “Glad to have you on my side then, friend.” He looked over at Janin who was anxiously looking down both sides of the tunnel. “You as well, Janin.”

  She smiled for the first time. “As much as I would like to stand around and chatter, a little more running would suit me just fine. We have demons to fight.”

  “Demons?” questioned Rogan sharply.

  Dillon shrugged. “Did I forget to mention that?”

  Just then, the alarm Rogan feared finally sounded.

  Chapter 30

  Sisterly Love

  Earthshine was less than a week away, but that fact no longer concerned Kiernan. Her relentless training left little room for any cognitive awareness of current or past events. She accepted the fact that she would always have a void in her heart and mind by her separation from Beck and Bajan, but it was slowly filling in with new purpose and activity.

  Humming softly, she casually made her way to Gemini’s chambers with the intention of discussing this evening’s ceremony. Tonight the Gems were hosting a formal affair in her honor, proclaiming her a Friend of the Coven, the first of a three-step process to becoming a sorceress. The second step would be yearlong academic instruction in the use of all gems and their magical properties, and the third, practical training in the gem of choice. This last step usually took two years and at the end, Kiernan would be a sorceress.

  She almost laughed out loud at the thought. Kiernan Grace Everard, mindshifter and Princess of Iserlohn, would be a witch.

  She deliberately left out the most recent title bestowed on her. She was no longer that person. No longer on that path.

  As she rounded the fountain in the center of the foyer, she came upon two of the Sect Leaders. Ruby directed the study of runes and deciphering the obfuscated language of ancient times, and Amethyst led the study of alchemy and the development of magical potions for both healing and spell casting. The two women often worked together in their crafts as many of the early instructions for potions were written in languages and symbols that only the sorceresses of Ruby’s sect could interpret.

  Ruby smiled at Kiernan and grasped her hands. “Kiernan, I’m so excited for the ceremony this evening. We’re both very happy that you’re on your way to becoming one of us.”

  Kiernan smiled, flattered. “Thank you, Ruby. I’m glad to be here, too, I truly am. You have all made me feel very welcome.” She nodded politely and moved to step around the women to continue on her way, but they stepped in front of her.

  “Why don’t you join us for lunch?” Amethyst asked, taking Kiernan’s arm and turning her around.

  Kiernan shrugged away as politely as she could. “Thank you for the offer, Amethyst, but I really must be on my way. I have to speak to Gemini.”

  Amethyst barked out a laugh. “Gemini is extremely busy, Kiernan, and she doesn’t have time to spare for every silly girl who feels the need to interrupt.” She turned to Ruby. “Can you imagine? The woman would never get any work done!”

  Kiernan felt her face heat. “I…I didn’t realize.”

  “Yes, well, now you know. Gemini is enmeshed in the multitude of details required to administrate this coven and must not be disturbed. If you can’t join us for lunch, then run along,” she said, shooing Kiernan away from the stairs with two hands.

  Kiernan noticed a calculating look pass between the two Sect Leaders. Her intuition told her something was amiss, but she allowed herself to be ushered away. “Thank you. I will just return to my room then to rest before the ceremony.”

  Ruby nodded victoriously. “Very good.”

  Kiernan started back toward her room and watched as the two women continued on their way to the dining hall. As soon as she felt it was safe, she picked up the sides of her dress and sprinted up the staircase to Gemini’s office. Halfway down the corridor, she paused with her back to the wall. Are the Sect Leaders really trying to keep me from Gemini?

  Determined to find out, she pushed off the wall and walked the rest of the way to Gemini’s chambers. Light spilled into the hallway from the door left ajar. She didn’t dare look in, but as it turned out, she didn’t have to. She could hear clearly the voices inside.

  “It’s none of our affair.” Gemini.

  A hand slapped down on a desk. “It most certainly is, Gemini!” Diamond. “You’ve always had faith in my craft before. Why do you wish to discount it now? There is great destruction in store for Massa, destruction on the scale of the Mage War! I have foreseen that Ki
ernan is one of the Savitars! She must fight!”

  Another voice. “Gemini, I trust in Diamond’s visions and agree with her that we must get involved. As Kiernan is training to be a member of my sect, I will personally accompany her into battle as will all of my Gems. Harm will not get a peek at the Princess, I promise you that.”

  “No, Citrine.” The reply came so softly that Kiernan almost didn’t hear it.

  But she did hear the frustrated sighs of Diamond and Citrine. “Why Gemini? Why are you doing this?”

  A chair scraped back. Gemini must have risen. “She was my best friend, Diamond. I promised Grace I would protect her daughter—with my life if necessary.”

  Diamond snorted. “Her life will be forfeit anyway if she doesn’t fight.”

  “Not so. There are three other Savitars. Nowhere in your visions or in prophecy does it say that all four have to be there at the battle. Let the three other Savitars fight! Kiernan will stay here where she will be safe. It is what her mother wanted and what I swore to do.”

  Diamond launched into another argument, but Kiernan had heard enough. She walked down the passageway and back toward the stairs, tears welling in her eyes.

  It amazed her at the lengths her mother had gone through to protect her. First by concealing her shifting abilities from her father, and then by attempting to shelter her from exile within the Gem coven, and finally by extracting a vow of protection from her sorceress friend. Unlike her father, who banished her from his life and lied about finding Bajan, her mother had done everything in her power to care for her and keep her safe.

  I will honor my mother’s wishes. It is the least I can do for all of her sacrifice. If she wished for me to live in Elloree, then I will make it so. I will stay here with the Gems and become one of them. Become a witch.

  Maximus Everard, Adrian Ravener and Beck Atlan be damned.

  ***

  Kiernan shivered as she waited alone outside of the ceremonial hall. Whether due to her jittery nerves or the fact that she was totally naked under her black robe, she was unsure. Probably a little of both. Tonight was a new beginning for her.

  She paused at a sudden errant thought. Will this really be any different from exile? The Gems were as cloistered as the shifters had been. How long before she railed against the invisible walls of this new confinement? No! There was no turning back now. The Gems had accepted her and she must accept them in return.