by Boone Brux
Voices wafted in from the outer foyer. Beatrice gasped and jumped to her feet.
“Don’t worry, I’ll see who it is.” Without a second thought, Jade jogged across the room, passing directly through the tiled circle.
Sparks snapped against her skin. She stumbled and slowed, biting back a loud curse. With each step she took closer to the sphere in the center, the more intense the flash of pain grew. She wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard Ravyn speaking to her.
The edge of the circle seemed to yawn backward, growing away from her. Her foot brushed the edge of the black sphere, sending a bolt of what felt like lightning through her body. The sharp edge of her teeth bit into her tongue with each convulsion that rocked her. She couldn’t move.
Arms grabbed her from behind and hauled her out of the circle. The pain faded and a loud hum in her ears continued to buzz like a hive of angry bees. Thankfully, Beatrice still held Jade upright, otherwise she’d be face down on the floor. Bone-deep tremors traveled through her body, lessening by degrees with each pass. She looked at her friends moving, but nothing made sense.
Ravyn moved up beside her and placed her hands on Jade’s arms and sent healing heat into her. The buzzing cleared and a modicum of strength returned to her legs, though her fingers continued to tingle.
“What the shaggin’ saints was that?” Jade said.
Ravyn lowered her hands. “I warned you not to step in the center.”
Beatrice released Jade and stepped away, her eyes as round as liats. “There was lightning.”
Jade took a deep breath and released it. “Was there?”
She opened her mouth to say more, but a male voice cut her off.
“Lady Ravyn. What a surprise.”
Jade schooled her features and concentrated on turning without falling.
“Sir Gregory.” Ravyn’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Likewise,” he said.
“I was giving them a tour of Illuma Grand,” Beatrice said. “Explaining some of its history.”
“Wonderful.” His eyes remained on Ravyn. “I hope it’s been informative.”
“Very,” Ravyn said with a genuine smile.
Jade scrutinized the man’s handsome face and turned to scan the portraits. His likeness claimed the last position on the right. Besides the painting, he was completely unfamiliar to Jade and she was certain she wouldn’t have forgotten him. His close-cut goatee highlighted sculpted cheekbones, and thick black lashes framed eyes the color of nickel. His hair was so black it seemed to absorb the light from the flickering braziers. He emanated power and danger, a combination she’d always prided herself on staying away from—until recently.
“You have changed much since we last met.” His eyes glided along the tattoo on Ravyn’s chin, and then turned to look at Jade. “And you are?”
Unsure whether she should answer, she glanced at Ravyn, who gave her a single nod. “Jade Kendal.”
“A beautiful name.” He reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips.
The kiss he placed was chaste and she thought nothing of it until he flipped over her hand to reveal her palm. Ravyn gasped and Jade snatched her hand away but it was too late. He’d seen the sun tattoo.
A knowing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and suddenly Jade wanted to be anywhere but with Sir Gregory. Beatrice eyed them both, a slightly confused expression playing across her face.
“I believe your uncle is looking for you, Beatrice.” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Something about serving at the head table tonight.”
“Damn.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Beg your pardon, Lord James.”
He gave her a truly dazzling smile. “Quite all right.”
The dichotomy of this man was not lost on Jade. His presence gave her a sense of warning, but he seemed genuinely amused by Beatrice’s lack of etiquette. Another strike against him. She never trusted people she couldn’t read.
“Jade…” Beatrice placed a hand on her upper arm. “Will I see you before you go?”
“I don’t know, but if we don’t get another chance to catch up, I’ll come back when…” She paused. “Things are less hectic.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” She gave Jade a hug and then bustled out of the chamber and up the stairs.
Gregory turned his attention back to Ravyn. “Are you staying at Illuma Grand again, my lady?”
“No.” Ravyn hesitated. “Lord Le Daun has been kind enough to put us up while Lord Blackwell’s ship is being repaired.”
“A lovely estate.” He gifted them with another brilliant smile. “I should visit sometime—soon.”
“I’m sure Jacob would like that very much.”
His left eyebrow lifted ever so slightly, his smile settling into an amused grin.
Ravyn gave him a single, slow nod. “As would we, of course.”
“But of course, my lady.”
She looked at Jade. “We’ll, we really should be getting back.”
He stepped aside to let them pass. “Yes, I heard you’re to have dinner with Ascendant Meran.”
Ravyn took a step but stopped. “You heard that already?”
“It’s quite unprecedented, Lady Ravyn.” His gaze was steady. “But I’m sure you know that, having grown up in an abbey.”
His statements seemed clear and unmasked with innuendo, but Jade couldn’t shake the impression that Sir Gregory’s words were not so simple.
“Yes, I do know that.” Ravyn said nothing more about the dinner. “It was a pleasure to see you, Sir Gregory.”
“As it was to be seen, Lady Ravyn.” He didn’t move, obviously expecting them to take the lead. “Lady Jade.”
She gave him a tight smile and tipped her head in reply. Resisting the urge to glance back at him, she followed Ravyn out of the room. Neither spoke until they reached the next level, but made sure to keep their voices low.
“He’s a member of the Council,” Ravyn said. “And was with the woman I was telling you about—the one who looked like me.”
“Well, one thing is certain. Sir Gregory knows exactly what these tattoos mean.” Jade held up her palms. “Somehow he knew they were there.”
“I think you’re right.”
A group of richly dressed men glided down the stairwell, speaking loudly and gesturing with their hands.
She and Ravyn moved to the side of the stairs and waited for the men to pass. Several appreciative looks drifted over her, but she ignored them. Too many ideas were churning through her head. Though they’d discovered nothing of significance inside the chamber, hopefully Beatrice’s thoughts would give them a new direction to follow in finding the missing Bringers.
“Let’s find the men.” Ravyn gathered her skirts. “We’ve got a lot to tell them.”
Jade glanced down the stairwell to see Sir Gregory staring up at her. The man was a mystery, one she had no desire to try and figure out.
Yanking up the yards of fabric, she jogged up the steps after Ravyn.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A hand slipped over Jade’s mouth. Her eyes popped open, but darkness blanketed the room. All she could make out was the large outline of a man. With her legs trapped under the blankets and the stranger, she fisted her hand and punched in the general direction of the attacker’s neck.
Her hand hit solid muscle and rebounded. Curses followed the loud grunt and the stranger fell sideways to lie on the bed.
He gasped a few times, and then said, “Why do you keep doing that?”
“Luc?” Jade pushed the covers off and crawled to her hands and knees, feeling her way toward him. “Why can’t you just gently shake me awake instead of hovering over me like a nefarious attacker?”
“I was trying to be quiet. I didn’t want you to scream.”
“And you thought covering my mouth would achieve that?”
“Obviously I didn’t think this through.” She could see the dim movements of Luc rubbing his
neck.
“Obviously. Why are you here?” She sat back on her heels. “Couldn’t this have waited until morning? I didn’t get to sleep until late and am tired.”
“No.” He rolled to a sitting position. “We need to leave before the others rise.”
“Leave for where?”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “The Shadow World.”
Cold reality washed over her. “Now? What about Rhys and Ravyn? Are they coming?”
“No.” He slid to the edge of the bed. “It’s better if we depart now before they wake up.”
“But—”
“Listen Jade, Rhys and Ravyn mean well, but if we wait to—” He paused. “Deal with Rell, we might lose the opportunity. I know Rhys. He’ll plan things out to the last detail in order to protect us.”
Jade wrapped her arms around her knees. “That’s not such a bad thing.”
“No, but in doing so we’ll lose the element of surprise.” He released a long sigh. “I owe Rhys everything, but I need to do this. Esmeralda deserves peace.”
She didn’t speak, contemplating his words, understanding everything he said and a lot of what he hadn’t. Esmeralda deserved peace, but so did they. The thought of Luc going into the Shadow World alone made her heart race and cold dread pump through her veins. “All right. Let’s do this.”
He was silent for a second and when he spoke, his words rasped with emotion. “All right.” The bed dipped beneath him as he pushed up to stand. “After the Order leaves, the roads will be clogged with travelers. Hopefully it will slow Rhys down if he decides to follow.”
“But I only have gowns.” She scooted to the side of the bed. “I’ll be killed trying to maneuver through the caverns. I can barely walk down the hallway without tripping.”
“I’ve thought of that.” Three footsteps sounded before a small pack hit Jade in the chest, dropping into her lap. “Here.”
“Ouch.” She groped for the bag, recognizing it as hers by the frayed leather strap. He must have gone into her room at the manor to get it. Had he pawed through her meager belongings, touched her private items? The idea thrilled and irritated her. She bit back a retort, thankful for the change of clothes, but if they lived through this, she’d have a few things to say about privacy. “Can we at least light a candle? That’s not going to wake anybody.”
“Fine.” Footsteps shuffled across the stones and were punctuated by several loud thunks and even more muffled curses. “Damn.”
Since he couldn’t see her in the dark, Jade smiled. Any injury he received served him right. The stupid man had scared the daylights out of her when he woke her up. Even though her survival skills seemed to have slowed since leaving the streets, Jade doubted she’d ever be rid of the instinct to react before thinking.
More thumps and profanity issued from his direction. The sound of a metal poker being dragged across the stone pinged near the hearth, followed by the swish of Luc stirring the nearly dead coals in the fireplace. The sound of blowing preceded the small flicker of light. His silhouette glowed briefly when the coals flared.
She smiled and crawled to the end of the bed. Despite his grumbles, he’d done as she asked. The hollow thump of a log hitting the dying ashes sounded to the right of her.
She waited for the logs to catch fire, blinking into the darkness. Her thoughts turned to Rell. Rationally, Jade knew it would be better to get their dealings with Rell over with. Her sister would no longer live in darkness and Icarus would have no chance to use her. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if her mother would forgive her. That was, however, if Jade made it out of the Shadow World alive and not as a demon. Her doubts intensified. Maybe it was better this way. No tears. No regrets. No connection before she faced death.
The fire crackled to life with enough light to allow her to see.
Luc stood. “I brought you clothes.”
She glanced at the forgotten pack and reached for it. Inside was a complete set of leggings, tunic, an undershirt, and boots. The feel of them calmed her. They were familiar and in them she knew who she was.
“Rhys is planning on returning to the manor tomorrow. We’ve gathered what information we could, which turned out to be nothing.” Luc walked to the bed and sat. “We should be able to gain a few hours of riding time by leaving tonight. Otherwise, we’ll be backtracking.”
It was sound reasoning. “But…I can’t help but worry about the group. Won’t they worry when they realize we’re missing?”
The orange glow from the fire framed the tight line of his mouth. “Probably, but they know of our plan.” He paused. “And they know me.”
She nodded. “But, wouldn’t it be better to explain our intentions and ask them not to follow?”
“No.” He stood and gave her a pointed stare in the dim light. “They would follow us. Rhys and Ravyn are leading a new generation of Bringers and this war needs them. I won’t endanger my friends.” He stopped at the end of the bed, towering over her. “And if I thought for one second you would stay put, I’d leave you behind. But I promised I would never betray you again and that means not lying about my intentions.” Orange light danced in the reflection of his black pupils, intensifying his next words. “I’m still going to the Shadow World. Stay here, I beg you. I dare you.”
She bristled at his words. They were equal parts bitter and sweet. Did he care about her more than he let on or did he believe her incapable of committing to the task? With or without her, he would try to kill Rell. In the end, going with him and sending her sister through the Veil was the right thing to do.
“Sorry, but I’m coming.” She gathered the clothes. “Wait in the hall while I get dressed.”
His gaze caressed her, his expression changing as if he’d just noticed she wore nothing but a thin shift. “It’s better if I wait in here while you change. There are people sleeping in the halls. I’m sure to be noticed lurking by the door.”
“I’m not changing with you gawking at me.” She clutched the tunic to her chest in sudden modesty.
Luc walked to the hearth and peered into the fire. “I won’t look. Now hurry.”
She didn’t move for a few seconds, wondering if he could be trusted not to peek. Would that be so bad? A hot flush crept over her body and she chided herself for the rogue thought.
He harrumphed. “Are you getting dressed?”
“Yes.” She scrambled from the bed and crept to where the light from the fire didn’t reach. “Don’t turn around.”
He gave an impatient sigh. “Hurry.”
Cold air nipped at her skin and numbed her toes. She bounced from foot to foot, keeping an eye on Luc while trying to maneuver into her clothes. A pair of woolen stockings lay folded between the shirt and leggings. Jade gave a sigh of relief. Wet, cold feet could be the death of a person. These would keep her feet warm under the worst conditions.
She jammed her foot into one of the legs of the pants, hopped twice while she yanked, and then donned the other side. After tying them at the waist, she gathered the shift around her hips and sat at the edge of the bed to pull on the stockings. They hit her at the knee and instantly warmed her feet. Next came her boots. Within a minute, she was dressed from the waist down.
She stood and yanked the thin nightdress over her head. Shivers raced up her spine when the cold air brushed her naked torso. Not wanting to leave the shift behind, she folded it and walked to the pack at the end of the bed. Luc turned, his eyes staring at her half-dressed state.
“Luc!” She hugged the inadequate square of material to her chest. “You promised.”
“I heard your boots and thought you were…” His mouth sagged open and he stared at her, making no pretense to turn around.
She gritted her teeth and glared.
The way his eyes lingered much longer than necessary transformed her irritation into response. He took a step toward her but stopped. Awareness sizzled between them. Her forbidden attraction to him expanded, spreading a flush across her chest and up her neck l
ike warmed honey. Her cheeks heated and she swallowed hard. The fact that she was a woman and he was a man hung between them.
The words grated from her throat, sounding far too breathless. “Turn around—please.”
With one last appraisal, he pivoted to the fire and braced his hands on the mantel.
Had he been as affected as she had been?
Mentally shaking herself, she grabbed the pack and pulled it to the head of the bed. With another glance at Luc to make sure he still faced away from her, she shoved the shift into the bag and snatched the undershirt off the bed. The extra-large garment slipped easily over her head, giving her a false sense of protection. After adding her leather tunic, she was fully dressed. “I’m ready.”
A lock of hair fell forward, brushing just below Luc’s chin when he glanced over his shoulder.
Jade cocked her head and squinted. “You cut your hair.”
He turned, self-consciously ran a hand through his now short, blonde mane. “Yes, long hair has proven to be a liability. I figured shorter would be better.”
There had been many times when she’d yanked his braid—usually when she was ass-end-up over his shoulder. The new cut made him look less feminine, more formidable. “I like it.”
She couldn’t be sure, but she thought a smile briefly touched his lips.
“Your approval means everything,” he said in a dry tone.
“Fine.” She tipped her chin up. “I hate it.”
He turned and sauntered away from her. “Too late. You can’t take it back.”
Her gaze bore into his back and she willed herself to have powers of fire. If she could just blast him a little bit, maybe to just set his leather vest on fire, he wouldn’t be so arrogant. It didn’t happen, and for her hesitancy she received another disgruntled look.
“I need to leave Ravyn a note. I can’t stand the thought of her worrying.” She held up her hand to cut off the objection forming on his lips. “I will only tell her not to worry.”
His lips pressed together in a tight line but he didn’t argue with her. She hurried to the desk and scribbled out a note before he could change his mind. Waving the paper in the air to dry the ink, she contemplated where to leave it. When she didn’t show up for breakfast, or at the latest, noon repast, Ravyn would check her room.