Blood Chained (Dark Siren Book 3)

by Eden Ashley

  Greg took over again. “The one who brought you to us, we thought he was a man. But over time, his actions proved he wasn’t. He has remained close. No matter where we moved, he checked in on you from time to time.” Greg swallowed. “He still keeps watch over you.”

  “Who? Who is he?”

  “Wesley David.”

  Chapter 4

  Rhane toed the edge, calmly holding Warren’s terrified gaze, feigning strength he no longer possessed. The boy was the only reason he submitted. He could have become Banewolf and ended them all. But doing so would forfeit War’s life, so he kneeled on the ice and didn’t resist as his head was shoved between the razor-edges of a guillotine. Only the uncertain grip of a dealer’s hand held back the blade’s descent.

  Rhane surrendered to their cruelty. Submitted to the agony. He yielded as they jerked him back to his feet and dragged him into the chamber. Each moment there demolished virtually every brick and stone he had ever built to keep him sane. The chamber tore down those defenses, left craters of fresh damage from which he might never recover. Before then, he’d spent several hours with the dealers. Thin rods composed of blood silver were inserted in his body to skewer flesh, puncture bone and vital organs. Finally losing consciousness, the torment had ended. But on awakening, Rhane was led to the next horror.

  Ten feet in circumference, twelve feet deep, and filled with frigid waters, the chamber was essentially a pit dug into the floor of the mountain. Darkness and cool temperatures made it an ideal habitat for river kings, the rarest of warm-blooded serpents. The aquatic underground was also the perfect environment to destroy Rhane’s psyche. His oldest and deepest fears started with water and being trapped beneath the earth’s surface. Even centuries of healing couldn’t entirely extinguish the traumas he’d endured as a child. They were forever imprinted on his very existence.

  Drawn by the smell of blood, a river king attacked as soon as he hit the water. Thickly roped muscles, as solid and strong as cords of steel, coiled the serpent’s body around Rhane’s sinking form in an unbreakable hold. It dragged him under, squeezing the last molecule of air from his lungs. The pain was maddening. Deeper and deeper, it pulled. Tighter and tighter became its grip until he was no longer suspended in the depths, but constrained against the chamber bottom. His ribs buckled, surrendered to the stress. Overwhelming pressure built in his head. The cold robbed all feeling from his extremities. It wasn’t long before everything ceased and the pain was gone.

  #

  One more name was erased from the list of souls Rhane had to atone for. He lay on the floor of the dungeon strategizing how he could possibly endure another session with dealers. He wasn’t sure if he could. Yesterday had left his body weak, his mind damaged. The wolf was relentless, constantly lashing out, demanding its release. It wanted to finish what was started four centuries ago. It wanted revenge. It wanted blood.

  Rhane thought of Warren and Jehsi. He focused on their faces and refused to sacrifice them to that bloodlust. There was another way. There had to be. He needed to talk to Jehsi.

  Each visit to the chamber gave him a view of his father, sitting regally atop one of three thrones of the ruling Primes. Rhane saw his father almost every day. But not once in the past seven months had they spoken.

  Jehsi held a front row view to his son’s penance. He saw anguish hidden behind the stoic emptiness in Rhane’s eyes. He saw hatred…and he saw his son breaking. His body was being crushed. His mind slowly buckling. And Jehsi was forced to watch. Forced to do nothing. All while showing no emotion, no weakness. If he was going to help his son, he could not be weak.

  Rhane had turned himself in on the heels of the boy’s capture and the promise of forgiveness. But his ruling brothers had betrayed that oath. Instead of granting mercy, they’d sentenced his son to a judgment entailing the harshest regime of torment reserved for the foulest of war criminals. Silas and Cale had deceived Jehsi and betrayed his trust. Now Jehsi needed to find out why.

  For seven months he had worked tirelessly behind the scenes, lobbying for both Rhane and Warren’s freedom. Suspecting his brothers of corruption, the only place to receive that pardon was from the Mothers.

  Mothers were dormant matriarchs of Warekin society. They represented the wisest and purest of bloodlines with reason and diplomacy rampant in their veins. Mothers were called upon only when the triumvirate of Primes could not reach unanimity in decisions determining the fate of their race.

  Jehsi’s argument touched on issues deeper than Rhane’s imprisonment. Silas and Cale’s betrayal was caused by more than a desire for revenge. Something else was amiss in this realm. Jehsi had sensed it for some time now.

  He presented the solid evidence he had—Warren’s survival and subsequent lapse of memory irretrievable even by force. The boy endured repeated interrogations concerning the day of the massacre and Ptolen’s death. He was even questioned about the siren and her current whereabouts. But the boy was not forthcoming with information even under extreme duress.

  Jehsi also appealed to emotion. Instinct sensed an ally in the inscrutable Seppina, mother of Silas, a powerful healer, and the oldest and wisest of the Mothers. Jethra, Rhane’s grandmother, had loved Rhane as much as Jehsi, accepting the young pariah with open arms. She had loved and accepted Kalista. The third Mother was Coren, a cold and unbalanced wench. Indifferent to Jehsi’s appeals, he hoped she could be swayed by her ruling sisters.

  For seven months, Jehsi had implored them for a sequestered hearing. Only now had they at last agreed to recess the sentence and hear Rhane speak. In two days’ time, the great Banewolf was to kneel before the Mothers and give voice to his actions four centuries ago and the time elapsed since then.

  But when Jehsi turned the key to the cell door and stepped inside, he truly questioned whether his son would be ready.

  Sleeping or unconscious, Rhane’s form was too still, too quiet. He barely breathed. His heart throbbed with only the faintest sign of life. Up close, the damage was far worse than Jehsi had surmised. He almost didn’t recognize the atrophied form of the most formidable warrior known to the Warekin. Cuts, bruises, open wounds, and deformities caused by unhealed bones covered every inch of Rhane’s body. He didn’t move as Jehsi entered, didn’t stir when Jehsi crouched beside him.

  But when he whispered his son’s name, Rhane started like a frightened colt. Recognition filled his lovely eyes, and he relaxed. Neither of them said a word. He allowed Rhane to study him, reacquaint himself with the sight of a man not beheld intimately for centuries.

  Waiting so long for this moment, Rhane could hardly believe it had arrived. His father was the elder image of River. A spitting image. The same white, shoulder length hair and frosty blue eyes. But in Jehsi’s eyes there was a kindly light not seen in his brother’s. Stern lines creased his father’s face, a sign of his many years and the responsibility borne with them. But those lines were tempered by compassion. Rhane stared without blinking. Drinking in the sight, remembering with a sudden ache how much he had missed the gentleness in those eyes.

  Burning the Silver Bud from his wrists, Jehsi freed Rhane’s hands. Pulling his son upright, he brought their foreheads together, touching him as lightly as he could manage. “Welcome home.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “I am sorry it has taken so long.”

  “I knew you would come.”

  “Your faith in me is undeserved, Rhanelin. I no longer hold the influence I used to. And I believe this triumvirate has failed our people in the worst way.”

  Rhane rested his head against the mountain rock of the freezing cell wall and closed his eyes. “You haven’t called me that since I was a boy.”

  “Forgive me. One should not address Banewolf with such familiar terms.”

  “It’s okay.” His green eyes came alive behind a mocking smile. “I’ve been called worse.”

  Though he tried to return the lighthearted gesture, Jehsi’s smile withered before reaching full bloom. “These
are trying times, Rhane. Our Mothers have temporarily suspended your sentence and agreed to hear your circumstance.”

  “When?”

  “In two days.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  But Jehsi saw the way his son was barely holding himself upright even with rigid support. He shook his head. “No you won’t. Not without help.” Turning back to the cell door, he summoned his most trusted guide. “Gareth, bring the receptacle.”

  Rhane heard footsteps and the chink of metal. A fragrant aroma assailed his nostrils, making him find the strength to take stock of the basin of steaming water now positioned at his side. “Is that dragon bane?”

  Jehsi nodded and filled a smaller clay vessel with liquid from the basin.

  “Where the hell did you get that?”

  “Seppina.”

  Rhane shifted away, suddenly mistrusting his father, that urn, and the direction things were headed. “Why would she have dragon bane?”

  “She’s a powerful healer. And I think she wants to help us…At least, she wants to know the truth.”

  “Please don’t.” Rhane struggled to move, but found himself restrained by a gentle hand.

  “We only have two days. You must be ready.”

  “I’ll be fine. I don’t need that.”

  “It will eliminate all silver in your bloodstream. It will allow your body to heal.”

  “Dragon bane ignites silver and then consumes it.”

  Jehsi held his gaze with both sympathy and a resolve that would not waver. “Yes.” A small gesture and Gareth kneeled beside them, taking Rhane’s shoulders to lower him to the floor. “The infusion has to be boiling.”

  Rhane protested again, weakly. “Don’t.”

  “It must be so.” A glance from Jehsi and Gareth’s hands tightened. “You mustn’t scream. The others cannot know our plan.” Resistance was futile, so Rhane channeled his strength into the fortitude of silence. He twitched and moaned as the hot liquid cascaded onto his skin and into his wounds. The guide gently rolled him onto his belly so Jehsi could repeat the process. Gritting his teeth, Rhane bore the second application with resigned silence. And when it was done, Gareth left him and his father alone.

  “Now follows the tough measure,” Jehsi whispered and gathered Rhane into his arms.

  A second later, the most unbearable, unbelievable, unforgiving pain wreaked havoc through his system. It was worse than he could have ever imagined, more excruciating than anything done to him by the dealers. Every appendage, nerve, and cell felt as if it were on fire. Rhane was burning from the inside out.

  But Jehsi held him through it all. Even after Rhane’s mind succumbed to the agony and his body collapsed limply in Jehsi’s arms, his father didn’t let go.

  Chapter 5

  Feeling stronger than since before he could remember, Rhane pulled himself to the fringes of the fur bedding and sat up. The room rounded in and out of focus before settling into sharp resolution. Rhane flexed his hands, massaged his neck, and slid to his feet.

  “Be careful.”

  He was in the inner chambers of a sizable living quarter. It wasn’t Jehsi’s. It didn’t smell strongly enough of him. A fire burned in the pit, warming the stone walls and floor. The cozy atmosphere was a welcome change from the prison. Taking his arm, Jehsi led Rhane to a chair beside the fire. “You sway like a young sapling in a wind storm,” he said and passed him a bronzed chalice. “Drink all of it.”

  Rhane smelled it first. Abruptly, he wished he hadn’t. “I don’t think so.” He set the chalice on the table.

  Jehsi picked it up, pressing it firmly back into his hands. “Drink.”

  The tea was both bitter and sweet. A grimy residue clung to his tongue as he drank. And something frothy stuck thickly in his throat when he swallowed. But he drained the cup obediently, fought, and won a brief battle to keep it down.

  “How long was I out?”

  “A day and a half.”

  Cringing inwardly, Rhane ruffled his hair. It had been cleaned, and so had the rest of him. “There isn’t much time, then.”

  “No.” Jehsi stood and walked to the hearth. “When was the last time you took nourishment?”

  Rhane shook his head. “I don’t remember.”

  “You need to eat.”

  “Sounds good.” His stomach growled grudgingly at the mention of food. “I’m starving.”

  “And we must prepare.” Jehsi returned with a bowl of stewed meat and winter vegetables, placing it in front of Rhane.

  Masking a scowl, he dug in and almost laughed in pleasure at the medley of flavors that danced on his tongue. “Must I endure a purification ceremony? You said this hearing was sequestered.”

  “The Mothers hold fast to tradition.”

  “Of course.” He suppressed a sigh. Purification wasn’t painful, only annoying. It mandated nearly a full day of bathing, losing considerable amounts of hair, and lots and lots of incense. In the grand scheme of things, the rituals were a small nuisance and an irresistible alternative to another session with dealers.

  “There’s something you should know.” His father’s voice was heavy as he filled Rhane’s bowl with a second portion of stew.

  Rhane watched him warily. “What is it?”

  “Did you not wonder how the chamber was so perfectly designed to target your gravest terrors? To destroy your mind and will as our dealers ravaged your body?”

  For a brief second, Rhane felt as he was back under water with serpents writhing around him. He closed his eyes, clenched both fists as he willed away the vivid memory. When it was gone, he could once again enjoy the heat of the warm fire. Jehsi watched him quietly while wearing an unsearchable expression. Rhane cleared his throat. “I considered it. But after a time…my single-minded focus became only to survive it.”

  “You did well.” His father didn’t smile, but his eyes crinkled in approval. “They couldn’t break you.”

  “Almost.” Rhane spoke so softly, Jehsi nearly didn’t hear. He lifted his voice again. “It was her, wasn’t it?”

  Jehsi nodded. “She worked closely with our science men to have the chamber ready for your return. The Primes deemed your penance should bear the heaviest weight. Roma was there to ensure that occurred. She gave them your weaknesses.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because your mother has no love for you, Rhane. No kind word. No forgiveness. She regrets your birth, resents me for allowing you to live, and harbors deep anger for her banishment from this mountain. Even after recovering her position, the rage and bitterness only festered. Be it her will, she would have them keep you here forever, thrown into a pit of serpents day after day. And if she knew of my plan, she would do anything to stop it. I love your mother.” Despite his words, all warmth fled from Jehsi’s eyes. “But I am prepared to do whatever is required in order to secure your release. I suspect a great darkness has enshrouded Golden Mountain, and I am taking those suspicions to our Mothers. Roma is a schemer. Always has been. If she is involved in any way, she will not be spared.”

  “I understand.” Rhane slid the half emptied bowl away. He couldn’t stomach any more. “My love for her died during childhood. I will do what needs to be done.”

  Tension visibly bled from Jehsi’s shoulders as he relaxed. “So may it be.”

  Shifting forward, Rhane placed both hands on the cool slate of the table’s surface. His eyes glittered in the firelight as he held Jehsi’s gaze. “Will you share the seed of your doubts?”

  “It started before you were born. Rhane, you must forget everything you learned of our history. Gabriel may not be the monster all have claimed he is.”

  #

  Greg and Lisa watched from the front porch as Kali left. Worry mingled with hope on both their faces. With a final wave goodbye, they went inside.

  Kali didn’t know what she was feeling. Conflicting emotions brewed in deep pools of turmoil as she stalked down the driveway with single-minded direction. She was go
ing to see Wesley.

  Waiting by the car, Rion hurried into the driver’s seat when she closed her door. He seemed on the verge of panic. “Just hold on a second. Maybe we should go to York before we do anything too reckless.”

  “I’m trying very hard not to be angry with you and everyone else. But it’s not easy. So just shut up and drive.” Confusion tempered the anxiety in his eyes. “Me? Why would you be mad at me?”

  “Because you knew about Wesley.”

  “I don’t recall confessing to that.”

  “Yeah, but when I told you what my dad said, your reply was, ‘he told you?’”

  “Okay. I might have said that.” Rion looked contrite. “Rhane said we couldn’t tell you.”