by Missy Jane
“There’s something else,” she whispered. As usual, she glanced over her shoulder before continuing. “One of the Twenty is here also, but he is no friend of yours. He knows of your captivity.”
He growled low in his throat and she moved away. “Sorry. But to be betrayed by one of them doesn’t bode well for me or my brothers. They are supposed to be our most stalwart supporters.”
“Yes, I know. They created you, didn’t they?”
“Yes.”
“Well, the one I spied today was a young one. He certainly thinks himself superior even to Iva. But she allowed his verbal abuse and even kissed him.”
He thought that over for a moment. “Black hair? Blue eyes?”
Her thin brows shot up and she nodded. “Yes. You know which he is?”
“I suspect it is Albain. He isn’t always a friend to me and my brothers. Though I couldn’t say why exactly. I know he tried to speak against our creation but was easily outvoted.”
“Hmm. Well, he is also here somewhere. Iva has left to see your brothers, I presume. I don’t know where Kalypso has gone.”
He looked up at his restraints and, despite her presence, pulled the chains taut. The wood creaked and a loud crack shot through the room. She gasped and stumbled back while he continued to pull with all his strength. Another loud crack echoed through the room and she ran to the door. He thought she would flee but she peered out the door then shut and locked it. That would buy them little time if Iva and Kalypso returned but he was grateful for it.
He continued to pull as he felt the wood slowly releasing him. Then to his utter shock, Phaidra ran back to his side and gripped his hand. She began pulling with him as if her feeble strength would make the difference. He nearly laughed but was so touched by her effort all he could do was try harder. Within seconds, his right arm was free. He used that hand to pull on the left and then it was child’s play to free both ankles.
Phaidra jumped back when he stood from the bed, still naked and with chains hanging from him. He stretched and nothing had ever felt better than his newfound freedom. He looked at the trembling woman before him.
“Thank you. I will protect you with even my last breath.”
She said nothing, only continued to stare with widened eyes and trembling lips. He wrapped the chains around his wrists and ankles so they didn’t dangle and ripped the sheet from the bed to wrap around his waist. Then he closed his eyes in anticipation of morphing into his Gargoyle form. Nothing happened.
“Master Nel? Are you all right?” Phaidra asked quietly.
His eyes shot open and he concentrated harder than ever before. Still nothing.
“What is this metal again? I fear it’s affecting my ability to shift.”
She seemed surprised and closed the distance. She placed a small hand on his wrist where the cuff covered his skin. “Thellomonite, from our mountains. I don’t know what magical properties it may have but perhaps the wizard prepared it?”
“Perhaps. I attempted shifting while tied to the bed and thought the drug they used to capture me prevented it, but I now see it was something else. Perhaps this thellomonite.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“This is not your fault. Come. We must leave this house quickly.”
He grabbed her hand without thought and pulled her to the door. A peek out showed no one in the hallway.
“The house may still be empty,” she whispered.
He nodded and they left the room hand in hand. Despite the circumstances, he couldn’t help but appreciate the feel of her small palm against his.
Orestes and his brothers followed Albain through the gate and into Keva. As soon as he was within the walls, he felt an almost indiscernible shift. A glance at his brothers’ faces told him they felt the same.
“The Council of Firsts is in session at the moment but you may join me for supper,” Albain called over his shoulder.
He strutted forward as if they were in his realm and he king of all they surveyed. Orestes didn’t trust him one bit and remained on his guard.
“Why has there been a change in the magic of the barrier?” Steinn asked.
Albain kept walking but Orestes thought his step might have faltered slightly.
“I wouldn’t know, Master Steinn. Perhaps they are simply reinforcing the wards.”
“Have there been attacks here? Is there a reason for them to do so?” Goran asked.
Albain shrugged but this time said nothing.
He turned off the main road into the realm-sized city and down a darker path. Orestes remained a few paces behind him and took in every nuance of their surroundings. The usually lively and bustling city was quiet here. Not even a stray animal showed its head when they passed.
“It’s quiet,” Steinn whispered.
“Too quiet,” Goran agreed.
“We’re almost there,” Albain called out. “Just a little bit farther down this road and then a turn.”
Orestes recognized this part of the city as a more industrialized area. The buildings around them were filled with workers during the day for everything from cloth making to corn husking. There were no houses here.
“In which House are we dining?” he asked.
Rather than answer, Albain quickened his steps and disappeared around a corner. Orestes abruptly stopped and held up a hand to halt his brothers.
“Where did he go?” Goran asked.
“Who cares?” Steinn said.
“He was leading us. Most likely into an ambush,” Orestes replied.
The three looked at each other with grim certainty. Then with a shrug, Orestes pulled a sword from the scabbard strapped to his back while his brothers did the same.
“I’d hate to disappoint him,” he said.
The others chuckled and they all continued down the path. As soon as they turned the dark corner, their suspicions were confirmed.
“Fucking minotaur,” Steinn growled.
A shout rang out into the empty street and the brothers spread to cover the width of the alley. Soon the ringing of swords filled the air.
Phaidra’s heart was beating so fast she feared it might burst right out of her chest. She had never been to this part of the city but Master Nel seemed to know where he was going. Night had fallen and many were already within their homes. But still, it was unnaturally quiet on the streets. They stayed to the alleys and darker roads rather than the main thoroughfare through the city. Soon she realized he was leading her to the northern gate.
“Master…the gate…how will…we get through?”
She was barely able to keep up with his longer stride and only managed because he pulled her along. A stitch had already formed in her side but she didn’t dare complain.
Nel paused at the end of one alley and peered around the corner. Then he finally turned to look down at her. Sweat stung her eyes and beaded on her forehead and upper lip. She panted out much-needed breath while he looked her over.
“I’m sorry, Phaidra, I forgot myself. Are you all right?”
“Yes…”
He released her hand but grasped her shoulders and moved her farther down the alley. Then he pointed to the step in front of a small doorway.
“Sit and rest a moment.”
She needed no other prompting and all but fell onto the concrete step. He set his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Again I apologize. You should have told me you needed to rest.”
“I don’t…want to…get caught.”
“I will protect you. No person here would dare attack me. Even with these restraints, I promise I am able to defend us both.”
She simply nodded, fully trusting in his abilities. “Now what?”
He glanced toward the end of the alley. “We should try to get out of Keva, but the barrier is well guarded as ever.” He cocked his head and seemed to listen for a moment, but she heard nothing. “In fact, I’d swear there is a new rhythm to the magic of the barrier itself. It may very well repel my attempts to pass through it.”
“That’s possible? To change the magic, I mean?”
He nodded gravely. “If Albain is in league with Iva and whoever else would hold me here, then it’s most definitely possible. The Twenty are very powerful even individually.”
“Is there no other way out?”
His brows went up and he crouched before her, bringing the full weight of his formidable gaze right to her. She fought the urge to back away.
“I would think you’d know that better than I, being a child of Keva. Have you never heard of another way? An underground passage perhaps?”
She chewed on her bottom lip and considered his question. Had she ever heard of another way past the northern gate? It didn’t take long to remember she had.
“Well yes, but it’s a rumor really. Just a tale I heard once. I’m not certain there’s any truth to it at all.”
He shrugged his massive shoulders, momentarily distracting her.
“No matter. If it’s all we have to go on I’m willing to explore a rumor.”
“Hmm? Oh, right.”
He grinned as if he knew her thoughts, and her face burned. She looked away and wiped an arm over her brow.
“Are you ready to go on?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
She stood and he followed suit. “You don’t have to call me sir or master. Please just call me Nel.”
“Okay…” She wasn’t sure she could actually do that but nodded anyway.
He seemed satisfied with that and took her hand again. “All right, pretty one, where does this rumor say we go?”
She considered the alley and looked back over her shoulder to the other end. “This way first,” she said, pulling him along behind her.
They had traveled nearly an hour and Phaidra’s frustration was palpable. Nel wished he could reassure her somehow but knew she was frightened for them both. He felt confident he could keep her out of danger so long as they didn’t run into Albain or Iva.
They had just reached the end of yet another alley when the familiar sounds of battle reached his ears.
“Wait. Hear that?” he asked her.
She stopped and cocked her head to listen but then shook it slowly. “I hear nothing.”
He knew his senses were more acute than most species’s, but the Kevan warriors were usually very perceptive. A glance at Phaidra would tell anyone she was no warrior. He wondered at the mystery of her.
“I hear a battle,” he said. “I want to see who would be fighting on the city streets but I need you to promise you’ll run without hesitation if I tell you to.”
Fear crossed her face but she nodded vigorously. “I will.”
“Good. If we get separated, go find the exit. If it exists, leave this city and head for Angor. Tel them Master Nel has sent you and you’re under my protection.”
“And if I don’t find it?”
“Run back to Iva and tell her I kidnapped you. If you can hit your arm or acquire a bruise or scratches that might help.”
Her eyes widened. “They’d never believe you would hurt me. I certainly wouldn’t.”
That made him smile and he had to touch her again. He cupped one cheek and marveled at the softness. “I’m glad to know that, pretty one. I would never intentionally hurt you. However, they do not know what a captured Master might do. We’ll have to pray for their ignorance.”
She nodded again and her cheek warmed his palm. Her innocence was like a fine wine, heady and addictive. He finally gave in to the urge to kiss her again, though he knew this wasn’t the time or place for such things. When he pulled away, it took a moment for her eyes to reopen.
“You’re going back to Halstrid with me,” he said. As of this moment, there was simply no other option he would willingly tolerate. She nodded again and his mind eased. “Good. Let’s go.”
They made another turn and the sounds of battle grew louder. He was amazed there weren’t women warriors in the streets. Keva was known for their warriors. Why were they remaining in their houses?
After the final turn, he quickly discerned why. There were no houses nearby. Three of his brothers were deep in battle with all manner of creatures. The street was littered with bloody bodies and the Masters were finishing off the last few. Phaidra gasped and quickly jumped behind him. He felt her trembling at his back.
“What are those?”
“The minotaur? Or the cyclops? The big ones are trolls.”
Her small fists gripped his arms but she remained hidden behind his back. He decided to leave her there while he watched his brothers finish the job before them. They were on a cobblestone street lined with small concrete buildings. The buildings each had torches set along the walls facing the street, lighting the space as if it were day.
Orestes swung his sword and beheaded the final troll while Steinn and Goran killed the cyclops together. The three looked to each other a moment before surveying the damage.
“Well, you three certainly made a mess,” Nel called out.
Orestes spun and the others tensed. All three raised their swords before realizing who they faced. Then they closed the distance and yanked him off his feet.
“Brother! Where have you been?”
“Are you well? What the hell, man?”
“Are you wearing a sheet?”
Nel couldn’t help but laugh in sheer relief with the familiarity of his kin surrounding him. They all continued questioning him until he held up his hands.
“Are those cuffs? You were chained!” Orestes’s roar echoed through the street and a dog barked in answer.
“Yes. I was chained to Iva’s bed and kept prisoner these past days.”
“No wonder we couldn’t find you,” Steinn said.
Goran stepped to the side and looked past him with an amused expression. “And is that your captive or your guide?”
Nel turned to see Phaidra cowering against a building, looking as if she would gladly blend into the wall behind her.
“Captive? Most certainly not.” He went to her and gently took her hand between both of his. Then he pulled her over to his brothers.
“Brothers, this is Phaidra of the House of Iva. My savior.”
Chapter Ten
It took a few minutes for everyone to share stories, but soon they were on their way back to the north gate. There was no sign of Albain and Orestes had already decided to name him a traitor to the realm.
“Phaidra spied Albain in the House of Iva,” Nel said. “I’d like to know how he plays into this whole mess.”
Orestes spared his brother a glance, noting Nel still held the little Kevan’s hand. He smirked and shook his head at the sight. Seemed he wasn’t the only one to have fallen under a woman’s spell. What was it about these particular females anyway?
“Whatever his part, he will have a lot of explaining to do to the rest of the Twenty and to the King.”
“Indeed.”
They continued in silence until they were a few paces from the gate. Now that they were together, there was no need for subterfuge. Iva wouldn’t dare challenge four Masters from leaving, even with one of her Fifths in tow. They reached the gate and all eyes were on them, but not a single Kevan lifted a sword to stop their exit.
“The gate is closed,” Phaidra said quietly.
Orestes heard the fear in her voice but left reassurances up to Nel. He kept his full concentration on the gate before them and the many women guarding it.
“Master of the Gate,” he called out. “I would speak with you before we take our leave.”
Most of the women remained still and at full attention. Half faced the Masters—the other half faced the barrier and everything beyond. Less than a minute later, a lone figure descended the stairs leading from the top of the wall. Orestes recognized the strawberry-blonde, a woman he had bedded many years ago. She was still beautiful and still deadly. But he knew her to be a levelheaded and fair-minded woman. They were in luck.
“Master Orestes,” she said as she neared. “I’m sorry
to see you are leaving our fair realm so soon.”
He offered a slight bow of his head. “Lady Anabella, I wish we were here for leisure only. Unfortunately, I must warn you of a contingent of minotaur and trolls farther into the city. We fought them along with a cyclops or two.”
She laughed and shook her head with disbelief clear on her face. “That is quite impossible. I’ve been guarding this gate for the past three days. I can attest no such creatures passed this way and this is the only gate into Keva.”
“But there are other ways in,” Steinn added. “You know this as well as I.”
She glanced at him and then quickly away, neither admitting nor denying his claim.
“Be that as it may, my lady, we did fight those creatures. The wizard Albain led us right to them and then disappeared. He should be questioned.”
Nel stepped forward then but Orestes noticed he kept Phaidra hidden behind him. Of course, Anabella would surely have already seen her.
“You must also question your Lady Iva,” Nel said. He held up his wrists to reveal the metal cuffs. “She kept me prisoner in her house for the past four days.”
True shock crossed Anabella’s face before she looked over her shoulder and called to one of her guards. Another woman ran from the gate with a large ring of keys dangling from her hip.
“Release him at once and keep those cuffs. We will be able to discern who made them and how,” Anabella said.
The woman yanked the keys from her hip and seemed to pull one at random but it worked on both the wrist and ankle cuffs.
“Please forgive this transgression, Masters,” Anabella said with a low bow. “I assure you, Iva did not act with the will of the Council, and the full Council will be alerted immediately.”
Nel gave a small bow before gently pulling Phaidra from behind his back. She followed his lead but was visibly trembling. Orestes tensed as the young woman stepped in front of Nel to face Anabella. She kept her head lowered and looked ready to run away at the slightest provocation.
“This one from the House of Iva will accompany us to Halstrid. Of her own free will,” Nel said.