She could see the change in his demeanor immediately by how his facial muscles relaxed and by the goofy grin that followed. He moved closer and leaned sideways so he could pull her to him and give her a sloppy kiss. Gary and Ianox made gagging sounds, and by the heat spreading through Samiah’s cheeks, she knew her face must have turned a deep shade of red. Their rides became agitated; maybe they didn’t like to be so close to each other, or maybe Ianox’s control was slipping. Malachiax finally pulled away, but his heated stare never left her face. She would have enjoyed the moment if she weren’t so terrified about what possibly lay ahead. She chanced a glance at Ianox, but he was already on his way down with Gary by his side. Samiah’s ride calmed again, and she steered it toward their unknown future.
The moment they entered the town, she felt oppressed by the houses lining the streets. Their cheery colors clashed with the tomblike silence that greeted them. An irrational urge to spur her ride to a steady and fast gallop overcame Samiah, the crawling pace too difficult to bear. But the noise their hooves would make against the hard brick was something they were trying to avoid at any cost. Stealth above speed.
They reached the main town square and finally uncovered the source of the smoke. In front of a peculiar water fountain with statues depicting men and women with wings stood the biggest building they had seen so far. The flames had died, leaving behind a big piece of charcoal that barely resembled a town hall. The two-story structure seemed on the verge of collapsing.
Once they circled the fountain, they saw a lonely figure standing right in front of it. Covered in soot and with clothes torn in several places, a youngster had his back to them. He didn’t appear to be older than ten. He was so oblivious to everything he didn’t even hear their approach. Samiah’s heart broke at the sight.
Malachiax climbed off his ride and took a couple of tentative steps toward the child.
“What are you doing?” Ianox whispered as he tried to catch hold of Mal’s shirt. He was too intoxicated and missed, almost falling off his mount. He threw his body forward and hugged the beast, trying to keep his balance. “He might be one of them.”
“He’s just a child, Ianox.” Malachiax turned to the boy again. “Hello.”
The boy snapped his head in the direction of Mal’s voice, his prism-colored eyes widening in fear. He was an aura-reader like Samiah.
“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” Malachiax took small steps in the youngster’s direction, raising his hand in a peaceful gesture as if to give his words more meaning.
“They killed everyone. They took Mother and Father, and they burned them.” He pointed at the still-smoldering building with a trembling finger.
Malachiax knelt in front of the boy so they were at the same eye level. “What’s your name?”
“Sonni.” He eyed Malachiax with suspicion. “You have a strange accent. Where are you from?”
“I’m from Argor.”
Sonni tilted his head to the side, a new glint appearing on his innocent face. “Where is that? Is it far from here?”
The child’s question threw Samiah off. He was old enough. He should have known where Argor was. She looked at him more closely, focusing on her gift so she could see his aura. She was baffled when she couldn’t.
“Not that far, but we’ll get there and send help.”
There was a long pause before Sonni spoke with complete calmness. “I can’t let you do that.”
The aura that wasn’t there suddenly appeared. All black. But before Samiah could utter any warning, Sonni slashed his arm in front of him. She stared in utter horror, paralyzed, as Malachiax collapsed to the ground, clutching his throat. She thought she screamed, or maybe they all did.
Everything turned into chaos. Bedraggled children poured into the town square out of nowhere, all with soulless eyes and blackened auras. Ianox tried to calm their animals as Gary kept Samiah from running to Malachiax, who was wasting away before her eyes. His face turned paler with every pump of his heart that spilled his blood away. When her ride veered suddenly to the opposite direction of the frenzied children, she yanked at the horns, trying to steer it toward Mal. She couldn’t leave him there. It was irrational. She could already feel the invisible thread that linked their souls stretch to an impossible length, ready to snap. Mal’s essence was vanishing. He was dying. She had to save him.
In an act of desperation, Samiah jumped off her ride, not caring when her elbows and knees were scratched raw. She grabbed her metal rod and swung away, hitting anyone who crossed her path. She felt like a deranged woman with tunnel vision, only seeing Mal’s sprawled form ahead of her. Sonni, the boy who had attacked Malachiax, stood next to him. He didn’t look crazy at all. His calm and calculating demeanor was much more chilling than the wild behavior of his companions. That was a fact Samiah should have taken into consideration, should have remembered, for she knew Sonni wasn’t like the others. He was a much more cunning and powerful enemy than his counterparts. Maybe he was their leader. But she only cared about Mal.
She fell before she could reach him. A burning sensation flared on her back and spread throughout her body. Someone landed on top of her and pulled her hair back so hard she thought it would peel off her scalp. She thrashed on the ground, her arms twisting at impossible angles, trying to pull her attacker off, but all her efforts were in vain. Her face was brought down hard against the stony ground, the impact reverberating through her entire skull. She couldn't focus, couldn't move. Then she heard a battle cry, and the pressure on her back vanished. She didn’t look back, didn’t care to see what had scared her attacker off. She crawled in Mal’s direction instead, ignoring the fight that still raged around them.
When she finally reached him, she rolled him over and saw the gash in his throat. Blood still poured freely from the wound. She placed her hand over it, trying to stop the flow. Malachiax stared at her wide-eyed. She’d never seen so much fear in his gaze. The little flecks of silver in his irises had dulled, turning his eyes almost the color of midnight, starless.
“It will be okay, my love. Stay with me.”
He opened his mouth but before he could say anything, his eyes rolled back, hiding behind their sockets.
“Mal! Wake up! Don’t leave me.”
Caught up in her despair, she didn’t notice something was coming in their direction until she heard the sound of a spear ring awfully close to her ear. She was splashed with blood in the next moment, the slick fluid hot on her back. She turned to see a youngster impaled by the weapon, the expression on his face still frozen in an animalistic manner. His body gradually turned black until it vanished into ashes. Just like the Morian girl.
Samiah whipped her face in the opposite direction when she sensed someone approach. Her eyes widened when she took in the tall warrior who stopped a few paces from her and Malachiax. His skin was aquamarine green and partially covered by translucent scales. Eyes the color of gold peered at her with curiosity. His hair was long on top but shaved on one side. Silver fringe covered part of his face when he cocked his head to examine her further.
“Who are you?”
“Your childhood’s nightmare.” He flashed a wicked grin right before she felt a prickle on her neck. Then the world turned black.
Chapter 16
Slowly, Samiah regained consciousness. At first, it felt like she was wading through mud, her limbs heavy. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids wouldn’t cooperate, so she strained her other senses instead. Her ears heard nothing but her breathing. The exposed skin on her arms was caressed by something soft and warm. Her head lay on a pillow of sorts. Whoever had taken her did not wish her immediate harm.
Memories began to slowly trickle down inside her brain, and Mal’s face came to the forefront of her mind. He had been injured. Badly. Her eyes flew open, breaking through the lethargy as if her worry for Malachiax had fired up every single cell in her body. She pushed herself to a sitting position and her muscles protested. She was sore everywhere, bu
t the worst pain came from her forehead and scalp. Touching the tender spot, she felt a bandage there.
The sound of water dripping echoed around her, and she finally took stock of her room. Rough, red stone walls surrounded her, and besides the bed she occupied, there was only one small table with a ceramic pitcher on top. Little light orbs buried deep inside indentations along the wall gave the room a warm glow. The chamber was chilly, though.
Where am I?
The sound of footsteps approaching made her heart lurch in her chest as a spike of adrenaline shot through her body. She stared in the direction of the dark opening that gave away nothing but an impenetrable void. She jumped out of bed and scanned the room. There was nothing there to serve as a weapon besides the pitcher. She made a grab for it just as she felt a presence looming by the entrance. Pivoting on the spot, she raised the pitcher high above her head. Lochiana stood there, holding a tray in her hands.
“You’re awake. I’m glad.” Her eyes focused on the pitcher and the corners of her lips twitched upward. “That wouldn’t have done much damage to our hosts.”
Samiah lowered the makeshift weapon, glad to see that Lochiana was alive and well, but she felt far from relaxed.
“Where are we? Who took us?”
“Old myths of Arcadia who were long forgotten and wish to remain so.” She walked to the table next to the bed and placed the tray on top of it. There was a ceramic bowl with some kind of brew in it, but eating was the last thing on Samiah’s list of priorities.
She shook her head. “Please don’t speak in riddles.”
Lochiana sighed out loud and sat on the edge of Samiah’s bed. “I don’t know the truth of their story. Their king wasn’t very forthcoming with information. All I have to go on are the tales we were told as youngsters when we behaved badly. ‘If you are naughty, the lizard beasts will take you away and tear you apart, limb by limb.’” Lochiana changed her tone of voice to sound like a grouchy old lady.
“Are you talking about the lizard monsters? Ianox mentioned them during our journey. I didn’t think they were real.”
“Me neither. The good news is that they don’t seem to want to hurt us right now. The bad news is that they don’t seem inclined to help us either.”
“Where’s Mal?” Samiah went straight to what was important to her.
“He’s in the chamber next to yours.”
“I want to see him.” Samiah took a step toward the exit.
“You will once the healers are done with him. They shouldn’t be interrupted.”
“He’s my mate! I need to be by his side. How do I know the healers aren’t harming him?” Samiah made a start for the opening, but Lochiana jumped off the bed faster than Samiah could blink and blocked her path.
“They won’t harm him. If you burst into that room with accusation in your eyes, they will take it as an insult. I’ve read their auras, Samiah. They are a proud race and are easily offended. The best thing you can do right now is eat and regain your strength.”
Her irises began to swirl and Samiah raised her hand, blocking Lochiana’s gaze from hers. “Don’t you dare compel me again.”
“You remember?” She sounded surprised.
“Yes, of course I remember.” She took a few steps back just to be safe.
“That’s fascinating.”
Samiah peered at her, not understanding what she found so fascinating.
“I apologize for using my powers on you. It’s something I’m still learning to control. I didn’t mean to do it again now.”
“Do you make it a habit of compelling people?” Samiah replied sharply. It seemed to her that Lochiana was sorrier to have been caught than anything else.
“No, of course not. You are the second person I’ve done it to. The first time was when I came into possession of my full powers. I’ve been trying to mask it ever since.”
“How many people know about the truth of your gift?”
“Only you. If anyone knew, they wouldn’t trust me, or they would try to exploit me in some perverse way.”
Her words gave Samiah pause. The power to compel Arcadians in the wrong hands could be tragic. “I won’t tell a soul, but only if you promise to never use your powers against me or Mal.”
Lochiana nodded, seemingly relieved by Samiah’s vow.
“I promise. Now eat your food. The Draki king wishes to speak with you.”
“The Draki?”
“That’s what they are called. Please, don’t ever say ‘lizard beast’ in front of them. They don’t like that name very much.”
Lochiana shuddered, and Samiah wondered if she had experienced firsthand their displeasure at that moniker. Samiah walked to the table and picked up the bowl. She smelled the brew first and didn’t recognize any of the fragrance.
“What is this?”
“I’m not sure. I just ate mine without question. I knew it wasn’t poisoned, so….” She shrugged and laced her hands behind her back.
Samiah took a bite of the cold brew, trying her best to ignore the grainy texture and the bitter aftertaste it left on her tongue. It didn’t make her sick so she considered that a win. She ate it all. Her belly now full, her strength began to return little by little.
“Ready?” Lochiana asked.
“Are we going to meet the king now?” Samiah swallowed hard as the drop of apprehension dripped down her back.
“Yes.”
“Then I guess I’m ready.”
She followed Lochiana into the darkness, wondering why they weren’t using a light orb. As soon as she entered the pitch-black hallway, she realized there was no need for it. She could see everything clearly, from the uneven stone ground beneath her feet to the swirly symbols painted on the rugged walls.
There were many twists, and along the way, they passed other tunnels that led up or down. Lochiana never seemed unsure of where to go despite the labyrinth nature of the cave. Samiah would file away that observation to ask her later.
The further they moved from her chamber, the more her heart constricted with worry for Malachiax. She should have insisted to check on him first. Samiah turned her sense of awareness inward and felt the link that connect Mal’s core to hers intact. He was alive. She would have to take solace in that for the time being.
She lost track of time. They seemed to have been walking for hours before the tunnel they were in opened to a vast chamber bathed in silver moonlight. Samiah would have looked up to see where the light was coming from if not for the sight—or more exactly, the assembly—that awaited them. Close to a hundred Draki peered at her and Lochiana, some with open curiosity, others with suspicion. They stayed close to the walls, leaving the middle of the round chamber empty, thus providing them an unobstructed view of the dais. A single throne stood there and a male Draki Samiah could only assume was their king sat on it, looking at them with an air of superiority. He was accompanied by a younger male and female, one on each side of his throne. Samiah immediately recognized the male warrior and her spine went rigid. He was the one who had saved her. Upon noticing Samiah’s reaction to him, he nodded in her direction and smirked. Next to her, Lochiana made a small sound in the back of her throat.
“I see the other soul gazer is awake,” the Draki king said, his booming voice reverberating through the walls.
Soul gazer? Samiah glanced at Lochiana, but her gaze remained fixed on the Draki warrior. Samiah returned her attention to the king.
“Approach the dais so I can have a better look at you,” the king commanded.
She hesitated. Lochiana touched her arm to get her attention, and then she nodded. She walked with Samiah, even though she hadn’t been ordered to do so. Her action didn’t seem to bother the king, and Samiah was glad she hadn’t let her face him alone.
As she drew nearer, she noticed the king’s skin was wrinkled and the scales covering part of his face were not as pearly as those of the young warrior. His hair was as white as the Morian desert plains, his eyes a deep shade of red. She co
uldn’t hold his scrutinizing gaze for too long, so she glanced at the female to his right. Samiah was struck by the devastating nature of her foreign beauty. Her skin was flawless and a light blue color, almost gray. She didn’t possess any scales where Samiah could see, and her lovely face was framed by long, strawberry-blonde hair. Her eyes were what gave her pause. She had prism-colored eyes like she and Lochiana.
“Yes, my daughter Chrysa is also a soul gazer, just like her Arcadian mother was,” the king said, drawing Samiah’s attention back to him.
She didn’t know what to say to that revelation, especially considering the first thought that popped into her head was So you can breed with us. She wished Mal were there. He was much better at diplomacy than she was.
“Thank you for saving us,” she said instead.
The king seemed surprised by her reply. Perhaps he had been testing her. The emotion was fleeting, though, soon replaced by a glower.
“That wasn’t on my command. Femror made that decision on his own.” The king looked at the warrior next to him. The young Draki clenched his jaw but said nothing.
“If I were a merciless king, I would cut your throats as punishment for what you brought upon us again.”
The king’s open threat felt like a sucker punch to Samiah’s stomach, and she took a step back. Maybe Ianox had been right to fear the Draki. Then it occurred to her that she didn’t know about his fate or Gary’s.
“You had all the chance in the world to warn us about the portal, and yet you chose to stay hidden in your cave and do nothing,” Lochiana said without a hint of fear in her voice.
The king leveled her with a glare, but Lochiana seemed unperturbed by it. She lifted her chin and stood tall and proud. The king merely made a tsking sound and leaned back on his throne, rubbing his chin. Samiah slid her gaze to Femror when he shifted his position. She caught a slight change on his face. It seemed to her that the corner of his lips had curved upward as he stared intently in Lochiana’s direction.
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