The Book of Kaels Bundle (Books 2 - 4): The Wood Kael, The Metal Kael, The Fire Kael

by Wendy Wang

  If that’s what the old woman wanted — to be entombed inside this tower — then that’s what he would give her. “Come on,” Egan said. “We’re done here.”

  “We don’t have the Queen’s body,” Hargett said.

  “D’Raq says she’s dead, so she’s dead,” Egan said making his way up the steps.

  “What about the others?” Hargett said, trying to keep up.

  “What about them? They’ve chosen to brick themselves up inside that room.”

  D’Raq caught up with them. “Won’t your mother-in-law, just bring down the walls when she thinks it’s safe?”

  Egan stopped and looked D’Raq straight in the face. “Not if your niece commands those gargoyles to kill whoever comes out of that tower. She called them off so we could pass, right? It only stands to reason that she can command them to kill any breach of the tower, whether it’s from outside or from within.”

  D’Raq’s lips twisted into a grimace. “Yes. I believe she can.”

  “Good,” Egan said and continued up the stairs.

  ******

  The frigid night air slapped them in the face, and Egan led them to the port-stone closest to the palace as fast as he could. He carried Tom, and Cilla carried Danny. Hargett stayed close behind, covering them should they come under attack.

  Once they were out of the palace walls he dared to look back at the city, which glowed with burning fires and rocked with the explosions of the Emperor’s forces. It wouldn’t be long before the great city of Tamarik fell. Especially with no queen to lead them.

  Hargett dispatched the two wardens guarding the stone with his found star and dragged the men’s bodies away from the round, flat granite.

  Egan put Tom on his feet and the boy grabbed onto his mother, clinging to her for safety and comfort.

  Y’Ana struggled in D’Raq’s arms and he put her down too. She ran to Tom and threw her arms around his neck.

  “She’ll come around,” Egan said, holding out his hand, waiting for D’Raq to take it.

  D’Raq sighed and his gaze shifted from his niece to Egan’s offering, scrutinizing it warily. He cocked his head. “You know I have no love for your Emperor.”

  “I know,” Egan said. “And the next time we meet it may be under different circumstances.”

  D’Raq nodded. “Indeed, it may be.”

  “I won’t to be able to hide that you took the girl,” Egan said. “I’m not that skilled.”

  “I understand.”

  “But for today I’m indebted to you.” Egan glanced at his family standing nearby, waiting.

  D’Raq took Egan’s hand and shook it. “I believe we are even my friend. You have what you want and I have what I wanted. It was a good day.”

  Egan smiled and nodded. “It was.”

  D’Raq’s fingers tightened around Egan’s and he pulled him close. D’Raq’s ice blue eyes settled on him and his soft voice shivered down Egan’s back. “Keep your anger in check my friend and you will keep her. Don’t make her afraid, and don’t make her doubt. She will be forever loyal to you if you follow these tenets.”

  Egan scowled. D’Raq had seen inside of his wife’s heart — places that he would never be able to access. He gave one quick nod and met the man’s gaze with steady determination. “I’ll do my best.”

  ******

  The first thing she heard was a woman’s voice. It called to her from the warm darkness.

  “Honey, can you hear me?” the woman said. “Can you tell me your name?”

  Neala’s eyes fluttered open to get a better look at the woman and her surroundings. A tall woman with long dark hair knelt down next to her, holding her hand. She had an angular face and such striking features — large pale blue eyes, full lips and a long straight nose — Neala had never seen anyone in the realms quite so beautiful.

  “Hi,” the woman said softly. “Don’t try to move. I’ve called an ambulance. They’re on their way now.”

  “What happened?” Neala finally croaked.

  “You fell from the sky,” the woman said quietly.

  “I did?” Neala glanced up and all she saw were the wide thick branches of trees curving over them and silvery beards of moss clinging to their leaves, swaying.

  “Yes,” the woman said, talking very fast. “There was a boom and an explosion and then you hit the ground. I almost hit you with my car.”

  Icy cold fear sliced through Neala and she reached for her baby. “My baby, is my baby all right?”

  “I’m not sure, sweetie. We’ll find out as soon as the ambulance comes. You just lie still for now.” The woman held her hand, stroking the back of it softly.

  A sense of warm comfort spread through her body, calming her. What was this woman doing to her? Neala blinked several times, unsure if what she was seeing was real or not. “Is this Nescien?”

  The woman’s eyes widened as if she was surprised by the question and didn’t know how to answer. Her mouth opened and closed and opened again. “What’s your name?”

  “Neala.”

  The woman stared at the gold pendant hanging around Neala’s neck. “I’m Patty. Patty Rush.”

  “Patty—” Neala repeated. “You’re glowing. Did you know that? Sort of silvery blue.”

  Patty swallowed hard and looked around before finally leaning in close and whispering, “So are you... you’re a Kael aren’t you?”

  Neala’s breath stuttered in her throat and her eyes widened. “Jerugia’s Crown. So are you.”

  To be continued in The Land of Nescien – coming March 2016

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  About the Author

  Wendy Wang lives in Northern California with her husband, her chocolate lab mix Molly and two tortie cats Sophie and Arya. She has been writing stories since she was a child. Once she grew up and found a sensible job, she put all that aside but even during her 20-year career in customer and technical support she always had a story in her head. The characters just would not shut up, insisting she write down their stories and share them with the world. For the longest time she tried to ignore them but they persisted. Finally, she relented and now there is a book. In a few months there will be another book so stay tuned.