“At any point did you repeat anything Michael said to you to anyone other than me?” Garren asked.
Micah shook his head. “No, my Lord. I would never have even considered it.”
Garren believed him. Somehow, Tadraem had to have overheard his discussion with Micah. He clenched his jaw and leaned toward Micah. “I want you to keep your distance from me until I come for you. I sense dark intents being set into motion and I don’t want you hurt in the crossfire.”
They’d been searching for Ariana for hours. Kaitlyn found Michael that morning and mentioned that she wasn’t in her room, which didn’t immediately alarm him; he was under the assumption that she was with Jareth, as they’d taken several early morning rides. It wasn’t until he ran into Jareth in the afternoon that he became alarmed. Jareth hadn’t heard from her all day.
They immediately set off looking for her in the caverns. Duncan sent his men to search for her over the cold terrain of the Adorian wilderness. When Michael, Duncan, Jareth, Bronach and Jenner met back at the castle at dusk in the council room, no one had found any trace of her. The only clue they had to go on was that wherever she was, she’d taken her horse.
“She kept her bow and quiver in a case attached to her saddle.” Michael said.
Jareth’s countenance displayed the same sick expression, though he was trying his best to deny it. “She isn’t that foolish, Michael, expel the very idea.”
Duncan stepped past Jenner. “What idea?”
Michael lowered his head, almost fearful to say the words aloud lest they come true just by being spoken. “She’s had concern over a friend of hers from Palingard. Yesterday’s discovery didn’t — ”
“She’s worried about Sara,” Duncan interrupted. “They were thicker than thieves. What was the last thing she said to you?”
Michael thought back. “She asked if I was still unwilling to help Sara.” As he said the words, remembered her whispered response, he knew. “She’s gone to Eidolon alone.”
“Then we’ve lost precious time looking here,” Jareth said. “Assuming that she left sometime in the night, she should be nearing Fool’s Marsh.” Jareth was right, but Michael’s body didn’t want to cooperate.
“She has been studying Eidolon’s history and customs for weeks,” Bronach said, “and I know she has at least one map of the city.”
What have I done? She would have been in danger just by being an Adorian, but he’d made it known to his mortal enemy that she was his sister. He lowered his head in his hands.
Duncan cleared his throat. “Then our decision has been made for us. The Braeden will suit up within the hour.”
“Ready your men, Michael,” Jenner said. “You have the council’s full blessing.”
Michael was grateful that Jenner had taken seriously their discussion from the night before concerning Ariana’s powers. But he hadn’t expected this response from the elder. It had been two thousand years or more since Adorians had been openly in Eidolon.
Jenner responded as if he’d read Michael’s mind. “We have no choice but to enter into open warfare. Bronach has shown me passages from the scrolls that lead me to believe that Ariana’s powers may be related to the strength that forged the divide. If Eidolon knows this, it could be the reason Garren spared her life and has been sending visions to lure her there. They need her in order to usher the human army into Adoria.”
The next two hours were a blur as Michael was suited in his armor and readied his weapons. Though typical Adorian armor was all silver, Michael, as Archorigen, wore a gold breastplate that was carved with ornate symbols from the scrolls of the ancients. He knew the symbols signified strength, honor, and power, but despite the carving’s archaic meaning and the lightness of the Adorian metals that made up his suit of arms, he’d never felt more burdened or unable to breathe under the weight of it. The main joint of his wings was protected by a series of small plates, made of the same special metal, that allowed him flight and served as moderate protection against Ereubinian arrows.
At last, he leaned against the outside wall of the stables to catch his breath before heading out. He was there only a brief moment before turning; as he did so, he caught a glimpse of Bronach in the distance, his features distorted by the dim light. Eyes, once gentle, looked fierce — his face chiseled with the hard lines of a much-younger man, yet when the historian stepped closer, the torchlight revealed again the soft, humble visage Michael had grown fond of.
Ariana followed in line with the others. They walked through the open areas beyond the wall and back into the temple. She didn’t want to admit that fear had crept into her thoughts but she had to force herself not to hesitate as they entered.
They walked through a long corridor and down a narrow flight of steps. She gasped as they entered a large, black-paved room with rows of benches. An altar was at the front, lined with candles. They filed into their seats, mindless drones, keeping their heads down and eyes averted. She braved a glance at her surroundings and had to keep from yelling out. Sara sat at the very far end of the pew from her.
Ariana swallowed hard as tears began to form in her eyes. It took all of her strength not to weep with joy. She looked over again and noticed Sara’s cheek was bruised and her hand was wrapped in cloth. Her attention was pulled away as she heard a familiar voice.
“Nech ordai neroman,” Garren’s voice echoed through the sanctuary and she jumped to her feet as everyone around her rose at his entrance. “We are here for worship. But tonight is a night apart from all others.” He turned to the robed Ereubinian who stood closest to the altar. “His Holiness and I are here to dedicate the death of many to our Goddess. Thousands of humans have been sacrificed at Adoria’s borders in her honor and in revenge for the loss of our brethren. No longer can Adoria question the hand of the Laionai or the will of the Goddess.”
Ariana’s blood ran cold.
Garren walked around the sanctuary and for a time spoke in the same tongue that he’d used with her in the woods, what she’d come to learn was Ereubinian. Occasionally, he would pause, and everyone would repeat the last part of what he’d said.
“Norde latresk Ciara mordat.” She would have felt the heat of his breath on her neck had it not been for the hood of her cloak. “It has come to my attention that there are some among us who have mixed loyalties — who have agendas of their own to abide by instead of that which the Laionai have set before us.”
As he walked away, she turned her head enough to see him saunter to the end of the pew and place his hand possessively on Sara’s shoulder.
She’s his wife!
She heard many of the Ereubinians shift in discomfort in their seats as Garren continued. “Come, speak, you who’ve led them astray! Show them — show us — your strength!” The vile tone of his voice bit into the air. No one answered him. Whatever he’d just done, it had elevated the level of tension in the room significantly.
Suddenly, Garren laughed. “See, my brothers, you have nothing to gain from following such cowardice. Why would you listen to such a craven, powerless creature?” He released his hold on Sara and made his way back up to the altar.
Ariana tuned out the remainder of the service. Her bitterness clouded her focus, and she had a difficult time following the others. Several times throughout the service, she had failed to rise at the same time or kneel with them. She caught herself within an instant each time, but it wasn’t without fear of having been noticed. The service finally drew to a close. After the Ereubinians left, the humans started to file out of the doorway. Ariana watched as an Ereubinian grabbed Sara by the arm and pulled her from the group. She was about to yell out when a hand clamped over her mouth and pulled her into a darkened corner.
“That wouldn’t be wise.” It was a young teenager. He lowered his hand from her mouth. “You are Michael’s sister, are you not?”
She nodded, shocked that he knew her brother. She wanted to ask but didn’t have time — Sara was getting away from her.
�
��It’s not safe for you to be here.” He said. “Dark things are afoot. I’ll take you as far as I can, but you must leave.”
“I’m not leaving without Sara,” she whispered.
He looked at her sternly. “Don’t approach her. Believe me, Adorian, you have no choice but to leave. Doing anything else will get you killed and then what chance will she have?”
Ariana couldn’t argue with him. She’d been naïve in her assumptions of Garren. It would take the help of trained Braeden to free Sara from these walls. But how could she return to Adoria empty-handed? Her pride and her love for her friend wouldn’t let her acknowledge failure.
“I’m sorry,” she dodged his hand as he reached out to stop her and slid unseen across several of the pews, following Sara and her captor from the room.
She was careful to stay as far back as she could as they walked out into the open, shedding the white cloak as they reached the outer walls. She followed until she came right up beside Sara and as soon as the Ereubinian was distracted, she clamped a hand over Sara’s mouth and pulled her into an alley.
“Sara, it’s me,” she said urgently.
Sara had no expression on her face. As Ariana dropped her hand, tears formed in her eyes. “Aiden!” Sara cried out.
“Sara, no ...” Ariana moaned, backing away from her.
A single tear made its way down Sara’s cheek as she yelled for him again. “Aiden!”
Ariana contemplated forcing Sara to come with her, but the thought vanished as the Ereubinian came around the corner.
“What have we here?” Even his voice was vile.
She started to run but three Ereubinians intercepted her. Changing directions again, she yelled out in frustration. Suddenly, she felt something thrust into her hands. She paused to look down and she saw that she was holding reins. The boy had caught up with her.
“Go to the east entrance, it’s your only chance!” He hoisted her onto the Dragee and hit the beast hard in the side.
The city was congested, but breezing past the humans was easy. However, when they made it beyond the gates, things got complicated. She felt several crossbow arrows whizz past her head.
Oh, you’re about to lose this game — you sick bastards.
The first time she tried to turn around, she nearly fell off and it took a moment to regain her balance. She tried once more and found success by keeping her body lower to the beast. She pulled the bow from the case attached to the Dragee’s saddle and shot arrows out of the quiver.
She mortally wounded seven of the Ereubinian soldiers before the rest disappeared. Then she remembered Garren’s power to go unseen in Palingard and realized she’d been wrong in assuming he alone had the ability.
Unseen, but not totally unheard. She closed her eyes, ignoring more arrows as they missed her, and focused. Drawing back the bow, she listened to the sound of hooves pounding into the ground. She let the arrow fly from her hands and yelled in triumph as she saw one of them reappear and hit the ground with her arrow lodged squarely in his chest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
I WILL COME BACK
FOR YOU
G
arren didn’t take the time to see who’d grabbed his shoulders before throwing the offender to the ground. He spun and saw the look in Micah’s eyes, and it brought immediate dread to his gut. “Goddess, Micah, what is it?”
“She was in the service tonight, Michael’s sister, dressed as one of the humans. She was caught. I caught up with her and gave her my Dragee, but I don’t know how far she’ll make it, my Lord. Aiden’s right behind her.”
Garren didn’t wait to hear anymore, he grabbed the reins of the Dragee nearest him, his heart caught in his throat. He’d been so close to her, how could he not have known? And she’d heard every word that he’d said. Even if he were able to get close enough to help her, she’d have every reason not to trust him.
He paid little attention to what he was destroying as they tore through the city. If Aiden reached her first — no, he couldn’t think of that. She’d outrun him pretty well in Palingard, but she’d have little chance against as many men as Aiden would bring with him. Garren tore through the gates of the city into the barren landscape beyond.
He passed several who’d fallen, mortally wounded. Perhaps she hadn’t come alone. He could only hope. He came upon several more before reaching the edges of the forest — nine in all. Aiden was yet unaccounted for. Just then, Garren realized he wasn’t alone. Riders were approaching from the south.
“Don’t harm her,” Garren struggled with what to tell them. “I have unfinished business with this one.”
The riders seemed to heed his command, but, glancing at their faces, Garren realized he didn’t recognize any of them. Yet, they were clearly Ereubinian and wore the cloaks of his elite. He didn’t have time to contemplate it further as Aiden came into view.
Aiden raised his sword and it fell too quickly for Garren to act. He heard Ariana cry out as it caught her heels. Aiden pulled her from the Dragee and she fell to the ground. He looked directly at Garren and raised the sword. “Aiden, drop your sword!” Garren’s voice echoed through the forest. He watched in horror as Aiden plunged the sword into her chest.
Garren jumped from the Dragee before it had come to a full stop and scrambled to her side. The men who’d ridden with him seized Aiden.
The sword had entered just below her collarbone on her left side. His aim had been for her heart, but he’d missed.
She met his gaze, her face wild with fear as she gasped for breath. He wanted so desperately to tell her that he wasn’t going to harm her, but it would prove fatal for them both, considering their audience.
“Have I not done as you’ve requested, my Lord?” Aiden hissed. “Is it not your will for this Adorian to die? Or do you perhaps wish for her to live?”
Garren wanted nothing more than to end Aiden’s existence right then. “It’s not my will that’s important, but that of the Laionai. This Adorian has knowledge that we may use.”
The girl didn’t have enough energy to say anything, but managed to grip his sleeve with one hand. He could feel Aiden’s men’s eyes on him and he brushed her hand away with coldness that made his insides shudder.
Aiden had nothing more to say on the matter, though Garren suspected it had more to do with his being restrained. Garren motioned for the men to take Aiden back to the city. “Keep him in his chambers until I say otherwise.”
Garren removed his cloak and pulled off the long-sleeved shirt he wore. He held it ready as he pulled the sword free. Her eyes, hurt and angry, met his one last time before she lost consciousness due to the pain. He tied the shirt around her chest and over her shoulder to stop the bleeding. He clenched his teeth as he saw the reason for Aiden’s first blow to her ankles. If she recovered from her more serious wounds, she’d never be able to walk again.
He pulled her into his arms and stood, numb and unsure of his next move. When he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see that a few of the men had stayed.
“I’ll hand her to you once you’re mounted.”
Garren put his cloak back on and then hoisted himself up onto his Dragee and steadied himself in the saddle. Once he was ready, he leaned over as the soldier handed her to him.
He held her with her legs across the saddle, her head against his chest. He could feel her heart beating against him, though it was weak. Her eyes were still closed, but she’d regained an ounce of awareness and struggled against him as they made their way back to Eidolon.
He felt his face heat up as they neared the city gates. He hadn’t the slightest idea what to do. Anything he could think of would get them both killed. As they came to the castle, the same unfamiliar soldier who’d helped him before again approached him.
“My Lord, I assume you’re taking her to the dungeons below the keep?”
Garren nodded. He’d almost forgotten those particular cells were in existence. They were the least used in Eidolon and the last place any
one would think to look for them. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“Malachai, my Lord. It’s as good a name as any other.” The soldier smiled as he turned his Dragee and disappeared into the crowd.
It took him a moment to realize what had just occurred. He knew his men were loyal, but to the point of disobeying the Laionai? And why hadn’t he recognized those particular few? He looked down at her again. Her face, once blushed with color, had paled to a lifeless pallor. Fear clutched at his heart as he felt for a pulse. He breathed a little easier as he found it, but it was weak and unsteady.
There were already several others in the cell halls as he came down the stairwell with her. One of the larger guards reached over to take her from him.
He held her firm in his arms, refusing to loosen his grip. “You should be off to more important things. This one poses little threat of escaping.”
The guard laughed, his voice coming out rough and coarse from years of pipe and ale. “I suppose she wouldn’t be, my Lord. Much of a threat, I mean. Kind to the eyes though, this one is. I haven’t seen one quite this young down here in a while.”
“The Laionai wish to have an audience with her at dawn, if she’s awake. I expect her to be left alone to regain whatever strength she may still have. I need her at her wits if she’s to answer our questions.”
“Certainly, my Lord. I’ll come back at first light to make sure she is still here.” He laughed. “Don’t believe she’ll be running off though — just like you said, my Lord.”
Garren walked into the cell the guard had opened for him. It was cold and wet. There was nothing to lay her down on and he cringed as she sank into the layer of mud that covered the ground. He left her there and appeared to walk around the corner, but had concealed himself instead and returned to stand in front of the cell. It was a useful ability, though he’d come to find it didn’t last very long. It was a little like holding one’s breath. He watched as the guard hung his keys and walked through the hall to his chambers.
As soon as the guard was gone, Garren picked up the keys and reentered the cell. Picking her up, he sat with his back against the cold stone. He tore two strips of cloth from his cloak and tied them around her ankles to stay the bleeding, then wrapped what was left of it around her, his own body shivering as the draft hit his bare skin, his chest covered in her blood. Once daylight came, he would be unable to hide his allegiances. The Moriors would hear of it, as Aiden would no doubt get free and summon them, and justice would come swiftly for them both. He sat, weighing the outcome of the path that he was about to take, when Tadraem’s words from so long ago rang loud and clear in his ears.
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