Island Shifters: Book 03 - An Oath of the Children

by Valerie Zambito

  A low snarl developed low in his throat. One way or another, he would be Sovereign of Callyn-Rhe. If he had to shed the blood of his brothers and sisters to achieve that goal, so be it.

  Next to his side, he felt his mate clench her muscles in readiness. She, too, was prepared to do what was necessary for him to succeed.

  He snapped at her in soft warning. Rehka!

  The female cat let out a faint whimper and obediently relaxed her stance.

  Nazar waited until the clearing was full before walking forward to greet the assembled group. Brothers and sisters, you have honored me by your presence.

  A young, large male stepped forward. We come to hear what you have to say, Nazar, but no decisions have been made.

  You speak for all, Muuki?

  The youngster realized his mistake and yowled. If Nazar considered his words a challenge, he would have a fight to the death. A fight that Muuki must know he would lose to Nazar’s strength and experience.

  Muuki cowered to the ground. No, Nazar, I do not speak for all. Forgive me for speaking out of turn. The young cat quickly backed away into the crowd with his head lowered in submission.

  Nazar did not take his narrowed gaze off the male cat until he completely disappeared behind the wall of Dracas.

  Very well. Nazar paced along the line of cats. You know why I have called you here. The time for change is now. Moombai, with his old ways would have us remain hidden to the world, but I say let us walk free. Let us walk among the inferior races so that all in Massa can witness our strength and fear our wrath. The shifters came out of their exile many years ago, yet Moombai would still have the Draca Cats lie dormant. I say no more! I say now is the time of the Draca Cat!

  Howls of agreement shattered the silent forest. Many, but not all.

  A female Draca stepped forward and bent her foreleg in respect. What you say is true, Nazar, but why? We have everything we need in Callyn-Rhe. Why should the other races concern us?

  Nazar expected this question and was ready for it. Why, you ask? The answer is simple, sister. Evolution. As a species, we need to shed the stagnation of our self-imposed exile. We need to grow and learn and…, he paused until every eye in the forest was upon him, …and, yes, dominate.

  The female blinked large, amber eyes. Dominate the humans?

  A savage growl tore from his throat. Yes, rule all who live on the island of Massa! We were born to lead and born to battle! As the oldest race in existence, we have the magic, the intelligence, and the strength to rule. So, why do we hide, brothers and sisters? A Draca Cat in hiding? It is blasphemy! It is—

  Nazar stopped when a nervous keening sounded from several of the cats. A regal Draca strode through a widening gap in the crowd with her head held high and her eyes on Nazar.

  Again, Rehka tensed beside him.

  Felice, he greeted with a shallow bow of his head.

  Nazar. She did not bow.

  What brings you out to the woods at this late hour, sister?

  You, Nazar. Whispers have reached my ears, and I have come to see if they are true.

  What whispers would that be?

  That you wish to begin a revolution. That you wish to overthrow the rightful Sovereign of Callyn-Rhe.

  Agitated howls and yips lit up the night. The loudest of which was his. Yes! And, it will be so, Felice! The Draca Cats shall become the dominate species and rule the island of Massa through our Kenley bond!

  Cries of distress rippled through the cats. Even Nazar grimaced at the painful effect of his own words.

  The Dracas have an unbreakable oath of protection to the Kenleys! How dare you suggest them harm!

  I do not suggest them harm, sister. As soon as he thought the words, the pain subsided. They will be our voice of rule. We will use them to our advantage.

  Felice looked around at the other cats and bared her teeth. I cannot believe what I am hearing! Do all here agree with this madness?

  Nazar noticed with satisfaction that most of the cats nodded their agreement. Some remained infuriatingly silent, but he was no longer concerned with them. He now knew he had the majority with him.

  We begin now, Felice! The Sovereign must step aside.

  He will never consent to this! He will fight you to the death, Nazar.

  Nazar stood to his full height. It is a challenge I will accept.

  Then, you are a fool. She turned her back on him. I go now to tell him of your plans.

  Nazar lifted his lips in a snarl. The best chance he had against the Sovereign was the element of surprise. If he allowed Felice to walk away from this clearing and warn Moombai, all would be lost. All along, he knew it would come to this, and he was prepared. He had to prove to the Dracas the strength of his power and commitment. Taking advantage of the retreating Draca, he pounced.

  Felice roared in pain when he landed on her back and bit deep into her neck. She twisted and rolled, snapping at him with her powerful jaws.

  The Dracan crowd moved back as he took her to the ground in a hissing, spitting tangle. Felice used her hind legs to run her talons across his underbelly, and he let go of her throat with a distressed screech.

  Felice wobbled to her feet and tried to escape, but he charged her again and they crashed into one of the centuries old trees of the rainforest, bark and fur flying.

  Weak from the blood leaking from her throat, she did not move when he pinned her to the ground and held her there.

  You will not get away with this, Nazar, she warned softly.

  I already have, sister.

  Lifting his head, he howled his victory into the night and then sank his canines into the open wound on Felice’s neck.

  She cried in mortal agony as he ripped her throat out.

  * * * * *

  No!

  The shout in Kenley’s mind startled her and she dropped the saddlebag in her hands. She rushed to Baya’s side. Baya! What is it?

  The white Draca Cat paced anxiously just outside of the stables where Kirby and the royal groomsmen readied their horses for the journey to Northfort.

  Something is wrong.

  With Maks or Jain?

  No, at home in Callyn-Rhe. Baya lifted her head to call to the younger cats. Maks! Jain! Come to the stables at once!

  Baya continued to pace, and Kenley was unsure how to help her. Did someone speak to you from home?

  No, the distance is too far, but I felt violence happen.

  Within seconds, her brothers’ male Draca Cats skidded around the low wall surrounding the stables.

  We are here.

  Baya shook her head as if trying to rid her mind of a disturbing image. I think Felice, my mother, has been injured.

  Injured? How? asked Maks.

  I do not think it was a chance injury. It felt like she was fighting for her life when it happened.

  A Moshie? They all knew that the Moshies were the sworn enemies of the Draca Cats. They knew not the why of it—only that it was.

  I do not know, but I have to go there.

  Of course, you do, Kenley assured her friend. You must find out what is wrong, and I will go with you.

  Baya nodded her snowy head gratefully.

  Kenley turned to Kirby with a sad smile. “I am afraid I have to leave you.”

  He grabbed her arm. “Kenley…”

  She held her hand up. “I have to go with Baya to Callyn-Rhe, and since you are not able to travel through Aquataine, I must go without you.”

  “What has happened in Callyn-Rhe?”

  “I am not sure yet, but Baya feels there is something very wrong and I trust her instincts. You know I cannot leave her in her time of need. She may need my assistance.”

  He let out a heavy breath. “Kenley, I have taken an oath to your protection. I promised your parents to stay by your side at all times, and I will remind you of your promise to try and make my life easier.”

  She smiled and reached up to cup his cheek. “Kirby, my parents could not possibly have known there would be
an urgent situation in Callyn-Rhe. It is unfortunate that you cannot travel the waterways, but it is a fact we cannot get around.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  “I will be back soon, I promise.”

  He pulled her close and kissed the top of her forehead. “If anything ever happened to you…”

  “Nothing will happen.” She lowered her voice. “You must know that I don’t want to be away from you any more than you wish to be parted from me.” She leaned in close to his ear. “Especially, after last night.”

  She never understood how his ears could turn so red, but he did seem reassured by her words. He directed a meaningful glance at Baya.

  The Draca Cat snorted. Assure him what he already knows. I will protect you with my life.

  Before Kenley could translate, Kirby said, “Tell Baya I am grateful.”

  Kenley opened surprised green eyes. “How did…?

  “Years of observation.” He turned toward Baya. “And, friendship. Thank you, my friend.”

  “Now, that the two of you have had your conversation, I must ask for a favor. Please take the children and go to Northfort to find out why the Ellvinians have returned. I will take Reilly with me as he can help Digby watershift our craft to Haventhal.”

  Kirby nodded. “All shall be as you command, my Princess.”

  “Thank you. Come, Baya. It is time Callyn-Rhe had a long overdue visit from a Kenley.”

  CHAPTER 5

  BLOOD THIRST

  “So, what do we know about the Ellvinians, Beck?” Rogan asked and handed his empty dinner plate to the young crewman assisting their meal.

  The cook peeked out of the galley. “Would you like anything else this evening, Your Graces?”

  Beck shook his head. “No, thank you, but if you would, please have Captain Wilden join us when he has a moment.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Beck leaned back from the large wooden table bolted into the floor of the ship’s hull. “To answer your question, Rogan, very little. I know that the island of Ellvin, roughly twice the size of Massa, lies due west of here. Lars Kingsley, the mayor of Northfort, mentioned that the ambassador who visited last week as well as his crew all appeared to be of Elven descent.”

  Airron spoke up. “They are Elves.” When all eyes turned incredulously his way, he quickly continued. “At least I think they are. I have been researching Elven history in King Thorn’s private library and found tomes that very few know survived the Mage War. The Ellvinians are mentioned in writings that date back hundreds and hundreds of years.”

  Melania’s flabbergasted look was not missed on Airron.

  “What?” he asked. “I can read, you know.”

  “I know you can read. I’m just surprised you did.”

  The friends laughed, but Airron tossed his long white hair over his shoulder and forged on. “As I was saying, if they are the same people, I think these Ellvinians once lived on Massa. According to Elven lore well before shifters were exiled in the Mage War, the Elves fought bitterly over magic with the majority wishing to ban its use completely. When a compromise could not be reached, hundreds of Massan Elves left the island to start anew elsewhere where magic could be practiced out in the open. No one ever knew what happened to them after that, but there is a record that Ellvinian was the name they chose for themselves before leaving.”

  “What makes you think they are of Elven descent, Beck?” Kiernan asked.

  “According to Lars, the ambassador had the pointed ears characteristic of the Elf, but unlike the silver hair and purple eyes of Massan Elves, both his hair and his eyes were black.”

  Airron shrugged. “The books never mentioned them having black hair. Maybe they are not the same people after all.”

  “So, why are we bringing them all of the wormwood stashed below?” Rogan inquired.

  “According to the Ellvin ambassador, whose name was Chandal by the way, his people are in dire need of the plant for medicinal purposes. He has traveled far in his explorations for the plants and when he sailed to Nordik and discovered that Massa had opened its borders to travelers, Chandal immediately changed course for a visit.”

  Janin shook her head. “I never heard of using wormwood plants as a curative.”

  “Actually, some of the Elves in northern Haventhal call wormwood the blood plant and swear that it produces plasma instead of nectar.”

  “That can’t be true, is it?” Kiernan asked.

  Beck leaned forward and interlaced his hands together on the table. “I have no way to analyze it, but the flowers on the plants do secrete a thick red fluid. I cannot imagine that it is actually blood, but I have seen stranger things in my life. And, it doesn’t taste like blood. It has a sugary, sweet flavor.”

  Kiernan scrunched her nose in distaste. “You tried it?”

  “Yes. I was curious.” A knock on the door cut their conversation short. “Come in.”

  It was Rafe Wilden. All wiry, corded muscle throughout his chest and arms from working all of his life on ships, his hips and legs looked abnormally thin and narrow in contrast. Beck nodded at the Captain he first met many years ago when he was a ferryman in Iserport and transported Beck to Elloree when he was searching for Kiernan. The world was in chaos at the time with the treacherous scheming of Adrian Ravener, and Rafe ended up abandoning Beck in Elloree, but Beck understood why Rafe made the choice he did. The world was in turmoil and he had been worried for his family. It was hard to hold that against a man.

  “You wanted to see me, Your Grace.”

  “We did not get much of a chance to speak earlier, Captain. How long do you think before we reach Ellvin?”

  The Captain stuck a finger in his short, white hair and scratched. “By my estimation of the map that the Ellvinian Captain provided, we should arrive in a week’s time.”

  Beck nodded, wishing it could be sooner. Although Kiernan felt relaxed and carefree on these goodwill voyages, he was always anxious to return home. He enjoyed the time with his dear friends, but intangible ties pulled him back toward Massa. The children first and foremost, but also his concern over the Oracle’s foretelling all those years ago. A fight was coming to Massa at some point in his future, of that he was certain.

  “Thank you, Captain. That will be all.”

  Rafe bowed his head and went back through the galley door.

  Beck turned back to his friends. “Before I forget, if I ever use the word gooseberry on this trip, I want you to repeat it back to me instantly without question, without hesitation.”

  Rogan blinked. “Gooseberry? What is a gooseberry?”

  “It is a small green berry, but what it is, is not important. However, if I ever use this term, repeat it back to me.”

  “Oh, I get it, fireball,” Airron said and wiggled his fingers in the air. “Beck is doing the whole enigmatic Mage thing right now.”

  Beck smiled. “Humor me.”

  “Gooseberry?”

  “Yes, gooseberry.”

  When he extracted promises from all of his friends, Beck leaned back on the wooden bench. “Now, let’s get to a more pleasant topic. How do you think the children are doing?”

  “The better question is,” Kiernan mumbled, “how do you think the protectors are doing?”

  * * * * *

  Hendrix Bane hated this walk. Fortunately, he rarely had to make the effort. For the most part, the medical technicians tended to the creature and that was fine with him. He would rather forget the thing was even alive. But, he could never do that now. After hundreds of years of tending to the Vypir, it had suddenly become relevant.

  As always, his Battlearm Second, Emile, walked by his side. After this visit, they would go before the other Seconds and inform them of the imminent arrival of the wormwood plants. Before the news was shared with the populace, however, the solicitation of new bribes would commence and new lists would be devised.

  Hendrix laughed to himself. Let them fight over the draught. According to Samara, he would soon
have the blood.

  Emile interrupted his thoughts. “When are the Massans due to arrive, Your Eminence?”

  “Oh, we should not see them for a while yet.”

  “But, it should only take—”

  “The map that Chandal provided,” Hendrix interrupted, “will take them off course and at sea longer than necessary.” He glanced over at his confidante. “You would not have them catch sight of our Shiprunners making their way to Massa now, would you?”

  Emile bowed his head. “No, Your Eminence.”

  A white-robed technician rushed along the white corridor to intercept them. “This way, Your Eminence, Second Emile.”

  The technician directed them into an unfurnished white walled room. The only disruption to all of the white was the large observation window across from the door.

  Hesitantly, Hendrix walked to the glass window and gasped aloud. The emaciated white-haired Vypir looked nothing like it did the last time he saw it. Lying on its back on a narrow table, the protracted chest heaved as the creature struggled to breathe, its rib cage clearly visible under dry, translucent skin. The knuckles of its long arms rested motionlessly on the floor on both sides of its body, and its long legs, muscle and sinew bulging, were bent at the knee and perched on the tips of its clawed feet. But, it was the face that had shown the most change. The skin was pulled so tight over its skeletal features that the narrow lips were unable to cover the sharp teeth protruding from its mouth.

  It was hard to believe that this creature was once one of the most powerful Magi to ever have lived.

  “What is wrong with it?” he asked the technician.

  “It requires blood, Your Eminence. The Vypir is engineered to seek out and consume magic-laced blood. We do not have any here on the island to give it.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” Hendrix snapped. “Is it still eating food?”