Entrapped (Cursed Magic Series

by Casey Odell

  He nodded his head solemnly.

  “And the boy? What happened to him?” She knew Lin would be lost and terrified. She’d been in his shoes not too long ago, after all. Everything he’d ever known had just been torn away from him, in the worst way possible.

  “The new Council dog took him back to the palace already.” Anger seeped into his words and sparked in his eyes.

  Claire couldn’t blame him. The palace wasn’t an ideal place for him. Not that the Syndicate was any better. The Council and king would surely start to fight over him, even if he was too young to truly understand what they asked of him. She could only hope that Lianna would take him under her wing as she had with her.

  “They’ll send him back for you soon, I’m sure,” Farron said.

  “What about the centaurs?” she asked, though she was a little afraid of the answer. If whether her memory was true or not. “Are they all…?”

  Farron’s hesitance only confirmed her fears. “Claire,” he said, softly, as if trying to ease them.

  She took a deep breath to keep calm. “All of them?”

  He sat up, looking down at her.

  “Even the mulnas? And the elves?”

  His mouth opened to say something, but he stopped, and instead nodded his head.

  Claire didn’t know what scared her more, the fact that she had killed every single one of them, or that she was able to do such a thing at all. The power that consumed her was much more terrifying than she’d thought. Just what else was she capable of? Was that the reason that madman haunted her? But for what end? In any case, he now knew the key to her out of control state and that meant that those close to her weren’t safe.

  “Scouts from that vulture army came through two days ago,” Farron said after a few moments of silence. “But as soon as they saw what had happened, they left and haven’t come back.” He looked at her again, worry returning to his face. “But I don’t think that will stop Lendon from searching for you. It may even encourage them more. As well as the elves, now that they know what you are truly capable of.”

  “Do you know where they were from? Those elves? Did you recognize them?”

  “No, but does it matter?” He shrugged. “Just because they weren’t Ryaenon’s, doesn’t mean he has given up either. I have no doubt that Aeron returned to the forest with news of what you are. Ryaenon may have even reached out and formed an alliance with one of the other enclaves to increase the search. Despite the Syndicate’s efforts, the secret of the Star Children is out, and now everyone is scrambling to get their hands on you. You and the others are powerful. Whoever holds the most will come out on top. The Council knows this, and so does my brother.” He sighed, his eyes far away. “That’s why they resorted to such means in the first place…”

  Claire let the weight of it all settle onto her. “So, what do we do now?”

  Farron shrugged again, and for a rare moment, looked truly lost. “Given the circumstances— and I hate actually thinking it— the palace would be the safest place for you. Even if we ran now, there is no way to hide from Bahkar or even Razi or Lianna.” He gave a short snort of laughter. “You’d be more wanted than I ever was.”

  She sat up, the thought striking her hard. Her breath escaped her in a sort of laugh. “Now there’s a sobering thought.”

  He raised an eyebrow, but he wasn’t as amused by the prospect as her.

  “But, there is a way, to hide from the other Star Children,” she told him. “Didn’t you find it odd that Lianna wasn’t able to sense me before? Or any of the other Star Children that the Syndicate had?”

  Farron’s eyebrows twisted together in thought. “How did they do it?”

  “There was a contraption, a sort of bracelet, a couple of them in fact, with silver chains, from the old days,” she sat on her knees next to him. “It suppresses magic. They had one on the boy as well. That was how they were able to hide us so effectively. And to keep us from using our powers to try to escape. It was only minutes before you found me that I was able to convince Deliah, the woman who was in charge at the fortress, to take it off. It was only after then that Razi was able to find me.”

  He looked at her intently, sadness creeping onto his face. “Even if I were to find it, is that the kind of life you want, on the run? Constantly hiding? Hunted?”

  Irritation flared inside of her. What was with his change in attitude? “Wasn’t it you that wanted to run away in the first place? That didn’t want me in the palace?”

  “I did,” he said, defensive. “I do. But… that was before.”

  “Before what?”

  “Before I knew I couldn’t protect you.” He sighed, turning away from her. His shoulders slumped as he leaned forward on his knees. “As skilled as I am, not even I could defend you from that madman. I couldn’t fight a whole army. I couldn’t keep you safe from the centaurs, or the elves. I can’t even protect you from yourself. From that…” He looked back at her, at the mark climbing up her shoulder.

  “Are—” she started, but the words caught in her throat, her annoyance giving way to sadness. “Are you giving up on me?”

  “Of course not,” he said rather sharply. “I never said that I wouldn’t face an army for you.” He smiled slightly, apologetically. “I think I have proven that already, no?”

  Claire relaxed a little. What he spoke of was true. He would be in more danger than ever if they were to run away together. It had been the precise reason she had tried to drive him away. But despite it all, he had stayed. He’d been the stubborn one all this time. But she knew what it meant to want to protect the ones she loved. He only wanted what was best for her.

  “And I’m not saying that I wouldn’t run off and take you with me. I just want you to know what’s at risk. I know what it’s like to be on the run. To hide. Living day to day.” He sighed again, a heavy one that contained all his grief and confusion. “If it came down to it, I would rather see you in the palace than in the hands of that damned General. Or those beasts. Or that madman.”

  “Fare…” Claire reached out to him and put a hand on his shoulder. He was fighting an inner conflict she had fought before. Was still fighting. Lose her to keep her safe, or stay and risk everything.

  Farron withdrew from her touch and stood. He took another deep breath to collect himself. “You should get some more rest.” His hand was on the doorknob when he paused and glanced back over his shoulder at her. “In the end, it’s your decision, Claire. What you want to do. Just know, that I will support you no matter what you decide.” And with that, he slipped out the door.

  Claire sank back onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. He was distancing himself from her. Preparing himself for her eventual departure. Her going back to the palace would be the logical, safe thing to do. But it was full of hungry wolves, and it was the last place she wanted to go to.

  She needed to walk. To get some fresh air. It would help clear her mind and help loosen up her stiff and aching body. She’d laid in bed for a while after Farron had left, ruminating on his words. He was worried about her safety and his eventual inability to keep her so. And he was right. Her enemies were stacking up and they weren’t exactly run-of-the-mill thieves. If she were any sort of reasonable, sane person, she would cower under her bed in the palace. But that was no way to live life either.

  After regaining her balance and the feel of standing again, she slipped on a robe that was slumped over the end of the bed. It was too long by almost a foot, the sleeves swallowing up her hands, but it was warm and soft. And it was the only option she had at the moment besides stepping out in the almost sheer shirt. She wondered briefly where her clothes had gone. Had the elf washed them? She smiled as her mind mused at the image of Farron slaving away at such a menial task. Just imagine, the Sin de Reine, killer of men, skilled warrior, and washer of clothes. She snickered, but she supposed he’d had to at some point in his life. Still, the thought amused her to no end.

  She was relieved to discover her boots pr
opped up by the door. They were beaten, worn, and dirty, but they had been through everything with her. And now this. They were an old comfort and a welcome one. She slipped them on and tied the laces, once considered a chore, but now it was almost ritualistic. When she was done, she almost felt silly, in only a man’s shirt and an oversized robe, with her battle-worn boots underneath. She was a sight to behold, no doubt. In a vain attempt to try and pull herself together at least a little bit, she ran her fingers through her knotted hair and tied a quick braid in it. It would have to do.

  She opened the door and slipped into the dim hallway. The going was slow as she hobbled down the short corridor, then paused at the top of a set of stairs. Of course, he would stick her up on the second floor. The elf had a sense of humor at least. She sighed and started to descend, taking it one step at a time. The rest of the house was as simple as the room. The only splash of color was the woven rope rug at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Fare?” she called out when she reached the bottom. But only silence greeted her. Where had he run off to?

  Curious, Claire explored, her stride improving with each step. While not necessarily a mess, the rooms were in disarray, items fallen or misplaced, drawers and cupboards emptied, furniture slightly askew. It was eerie and sad. What was once a home, was now just an empty building. The only sign of life was the embers burning in the kitchen hearth, most likely started by Farron. Claire made her way to the front door and stepped out onto a shaded wraparound porch. The house stood on the very edge of town, surrounded by fields of tall swaying grass, burning gold in the late afternoon sun. It was almost tranquil until the smell of rotting corpses wafted in on the breeze.

  Claire clamped a hand over her mouth and nose, feeling nauseous. No, this place wasn’t tranquil at all. There was only death in this town now. And it was all her doing. She whirled and as fast as her feet could carry her, she rounded the house, climbing up the sloping field, away from her nightmare. She needed some distance from it. To be able to breathe.

  She was exhausted by the time she stumbled to a stop on a small rocky ridge. From there she could see the whole town below. The air was fresh and cool and very welcome. Claire collapsed to the ground. Tears threatened to fall, the lump in her throat suffocating, but they never actually came. She felt more numb than anything at this point. Tragedy seemed to be the norm, following her like a shadow.

  Claire spotted the ruined fortress across the valley. What once was a proud structure was now just a jumbled mound of wood and stone. A thin line of gray smoke trailed up into the sky from the middle of it all. Wetness streamed down her cheeks as a few tears finally broke free. The captain, Chet, and Zeriod, her mother… They’d all lost their lives for something so trivial. If only she could have… what, she wasn’t sure. No matter how much she wracked her brain for a solution, none of it mattered anyway. She couldn’t go back in time and change what had happened, no matter how much she wanted to.

  She didn’t know how long she just sat and stared out into the valley. Her eyes lost focus as she ruminated on her choices. Even though she hated even the thought of it, would she really be better off back in the palace? She had protection there, no matter how thin it may be. The madman would keep his distance as long as Lianna and Razi were there. But at what cost? What would she have to pay for that protection? Farron’s life? Her own? But if she left, ran away, Farron’s life would be forfeit as well. Unless she did it without him, but she didn’t think she could do that either. It was selfish of her, but she wanted him. Needed him.

  In the end, he had left it up to her, what she wanted to do, and even though one path was much more perilous than the other, the choice was a clear one. She couldn’t stay in the palace. Not after what they had done. They had betrayed what little trust she had in them.

  So the question became where to go. Marion was the first thing that popped into her head. What she would have given to see her mother at that moment. But no, she couldn’t see her. Not yet. It was too dangerous. Not with Bahkar still out there.

  Another possibility arose just then. Uru Baya. She still had yet to unravel the mystery of the mark. Perhaps there she could finally find some answers and a way to keep it from devouring her.

  “Here you are,” Farron’s voice broke her reverie.

  Claire jumped. When did he…? And here she thought she was growing used to that, him sneaking up on her. Perhaps she never really would.

  “Feeling better, I see,” he said, eyeing her.

  Claire looked up at him. He was just itching to reprimand her for not staying in bed and resting. But thankfully, he held his tongue. “I couldn’t stay there,” she said quietly, returning her gaze to the valley.

  Without saying anything else, he sat next to her, dangling his legs over the small ledge, and took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. They sat there silently for several minutes as they watched the sun near the horizon.

  “I met her,” Claire said, finally breaking the silence.

  Farron didn’t ask who, just waited for her to continue.

  “My mother.” She took a deep breath to push past the sudden sting in her eyes. “My birth mother. My whole life, I tried not to think about her. My real mom. I was angry, for a long time. I always wondered, what sort of person could give up their own child. But then I just sort of forgot, you know? I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would actually meet her.” She smiled, but it was more a product of sadness. “When I found out it was her, I wanted to be angry. To blame her for everything that had happened to me. But deep down, I think I was just happy.”

  Farron squeezed her hand.

  She looked over at him. “She never wanted to give me up. She only did what was best for me. Sound familiar?”

  He raised an amused eyebrow at her.

  Claire leaned her head against his shoulder. “She was blind and my father had passed away. The Syndicate stepped in and offered to raise me. But, even after all these years, she and Marion kept in touch. She may not have been there, but she got to see me grow up in a sense. I can’t believe Marion did that all this time. I never knew…”

  “Despite being in the Syndicate, she is a good woman, Claire.”

  “Yes,” she said, nodding. “If a bit scary at times.”

  He chuckled softly.

  “What was it like, meeting your father for the first time?”

  Farron let out a deep breath. “Well,” he said, dragging out the word. “Not as smooth as your meeting, I assure you. I was young, so I didn’t know what was really going on at the time. To me, he was just an old elf. I think I may have even made fun of his robes. I had no idea he was the king. My mother would have strangled me if no one else was around, I’m sure of it.” He nudged her playfully with his shoulder. “Which would have saved you a bunch a grief now, no?”

  The corners of her mouth tugged into a smile.

  “But my father never loved me.” His voice fell, losing its amusement. “I was only a tool for him. He only kept tabs on me to see how well I improved.”

  “Fare, I—”

  “It’s fine.” He gave her hand another squeeze. “I came to terms with it long ago.”

  Claire fell silent, letting the matter go. There was no sense in trying to dig up a painful memory now. Not after all they’d been through the past couple days. Weeks. Months, even. If he wanted to talk to her about it, he would eventually. “Fare,” she began again, her tone lighter, “I know I ask a lot of you, but there is something very important I need you to do for me.”

  He looked at her, eyebrow raised curiously, waiting for her to continue. She was almost shocked that he hadn’t said something smart then.

  “Bahkar, that madman,” she said. “He was the one that found a way to make me lose control by attacking someone I cared about. I need you to hide Marion from me. I can’t know where she is. If I lost her, I don’t know what I would do.”

  “Of course, Claire.”

  “And you,” she said, stretching his hand out so his
palm showed. She traced along his fingers, her eyes following, memorizing the lines and callouses. “You should know he’ll likely target you as well.”

  “He’s already tried to kill me, remember?” He tried to make the comment sound light, but the matter was just too heavy for either of them to laugh about it. They both knew that if Bahkar really wanted to kill Farron, he would succeed. “What is it that he wants from you anyway? Did he say?”

  Claire shrugged. “I’m not too sure myself. He said something about gaining freedom. How he wants to use me to do it.” She looked up at him. “He also mentioned your father and how he had tried to use Bahkar and his powers, but then he said he made sure that the king couldn’t. I don’t know what he meant by that. Do you think Bahkar killed your father?”

  Farron’s face twisted in thought. “I don’t know. It’s possible, I suppose. He hadn’t died of old age, that was certain. My brother seems convinced the Council had a hand in his demise. But in the end, I guess it doesn’t really matter who killed him. The Council or the madman. Finding out wouldn’t change anything. Besides, would you really trust his crazy ramblings?”

  “No, I suppose not. But I wouldn’t entirely dismiss them either. It seems he wants to dispose of those in power. If that’s true, it would mean your brother is in danger as well. But at this point, I think the question is, who isn’t in danger because of me?”

  A light snort of laughter was his answer and she jabbed him in the ribs for it.

  “I’m serious,” she said. “I’m a magnet for disaster.” She looked down at their hands again, her heart falling. “Are you afraid of me now? After seeing what I can do?”

  “No,” he replied, a little too quickly and assuredly, as if the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. And although it relieved her, there was a small spark of annoyance in the back of her mind. Just what did it take to scare him? “But I will take care of what I say around you from now on. Just to be safe.”