He was limping slightly as if he’d been injured recently. But he looked determined as he made his way through the mists.
She was curious and moved forwards, careful to stay hidden. Her white fur made it easy; she’d always pitied her brother for having been born with black fur.
A hissing sound came from behind her and she whirled around just in time to evade a dark spear thrown at her. She growled loudly, warning whoever had attacked her that she was likely stronger than them. Cù sìth were not to be messed with.
A cry behind her made her turn around again. The blue-haired human was on the ground where he had thrown himself to not be pierced by the spear. Maybe it hadn’t been intended for her after all. As she watched, the weapon dissolved into black mist. She shivered. Only one being she knew could do such a thing. She was no match for him, and neither was the human. She should run away, but she was not a coward. She would stand her ground.
Another hissing sound warned her of another attack. She jumped through the air, out of the path of the spear and towards whoever had thrown in. She ran through the mists, hunting the assassin, but she didn’t smell or see anyone. When she got to the place where the assailant would have had to have been to throw the spear at that angle, all she could see was a black circle etched into the ground. Tiny tendrils of black fog swirled around it, but there was no person in sight.
She growled in frustration and ran back to the human. He was no longer alone.
A dark figure was standing over his prone form, pinning him to the ground. He was doing something to the human, something that made her shudder. The evilness of it filled the air and she could hear the Staran groan in protest. The Staran rarely made a sound, they rarely got involved. This was a bad sign.
She needed to do something. She opened her mouth widely, exposing her razor-sharp teeth. Most enemies fled at that sight. She bellowed and the dark figure turned around, looking straight at her. He was surrounded by a cloak of dark mist, wavering in the air, throwing shadows over the man’s face. All she could see were his piercing black eyes, shimmering like melanite.
They trapped her gaze, forced her to look at him. She couldn’t turn her head, frozen in that moment, frozen in time. He approached her but she couldn’t move, her eyes still fixed on his. The rumours were true, he could petrify with a single glance. How did she forget that? How could she be so stupid?
From the corner of her eyes, she could see the human get back up on his feet. At least it had been worth it. If he was clever, he would run and leave her to her fate. Human lives were so short, he deserved to live all of it.
A pain began to build behind her temples, quickly turning into a terrible headache. He was trying to break through her barriers, and he would soon reach his goal. She was physically strong, but not so much mentally. She tried to move her paws but her muscles didn’t respond. He had her trapped. Panic began to bubble up in her mind. This was bad, really bad.
With a piercing push, similar to the black spear he had thrown before, he broke into her mind. Pain like nothing she had ever felt before rushed through her body and she screamed at the same time as he began to laugh.
Then the first memory appeared. Her mother, being torn apart by hunters. Her flesh flying through the air. Her wails as she slowly bled to death. Sharara whimpered, trying to close her eyes in the hope that it would make the memory go away. It didn’t work.
More memories were thrown at her, more images of blood and terror. She had lived for centuries and there had been a lot of bad times in her life. Now, he was forcing her to look at it all.
While she was trapped in the memories, she could feel him build a prison around her. There was nothing she could do but watch as he locked her into her own mind.
Her last thought was that she had at least managed to save a life, even if it had cost her her own.
Chapter 17
A blinding pain tore through Macey’s head, not unlike the one that came before the Voice making an appearance. But she knew this one was different. Apparently, Sharara and Cat-Man had very different versions of something not hurting than she did.
Her vision cleared, and she could see the unmoving form of Sharara lying in front of her, barely moving. Cat-Man was watching over her, a drawn expression on his face. He clearly wasn’t happy with the way things had gone then.
“She shouldn’t have shown you that,” he muttered darkly, his voice losing some of the alluring tone it’d held before. Maybe it was some kind of sìth trick. If he was related to those sìth, then it would make sense, but Macey really didn’t know enough about either type of being to make that call.
“But she did,” Macey pointed out. “And there’s no changing that. All you can do is respect her wishes.” She stood up tall and squared off against him. No way was he going to intimidate her into not respecting what Sharara wanted. Plus, this should lead her to Ice, and where she needed to be. It’d be good to actually have a name and face for the man she was referring to simply by his element. Same was true of Lightning and Air. Maybe Cat-Man was right. Names really did have power.
“But he...”
“It was your sister’s choice to save him,” she said, carefully avoiding the use of Sharara’s name so as not to upset him further. He clearly hadn’t liked that she knew it, so it seemed wise not to abuse that. “And as such, we should continue to protect him. For her sake. In her memory.” She almost stamped her foot, but decided better of it. That probably wasn’t the best way to gain his respect, which she wanted badly. She was royalty after all, and she needed to act that way.
“But...”
Brother...Sharara’s weak voice resonated through Macey’s mind and she grasped onto it. Heed her, go with her. Your destiny lies that way.
Sister...
Listen. I’m slipping more by each moment. Listen in the time I have left, don’t argue.
Sharara sounded a little stronger to Macey, though that was probably just the case of sheer determination. Sharara was clearly desperate to get through to her brother. If only Macey could help, but it almost seemed like Cat-Man was adamant he’d dislike her.
Very well, sister. But only as it is frowned upon to deny the wishes of the fading.
She could hear Cat-Man sigh in her mind, and a following chuckle from Sharara. Despite the solemn occasion, Macey found herself smiling softly. She bet the two of them were at each other’s throats when they were younger. She was also certain that Sharara was the one who’d won most of those battles.
Destiny, with the kelpie.
Yes, I got that bit, he responded, surprisingly dryly and Macey threw him a disapproving look. It didn’t matter if he was talking to family, he shouldn’t be taking that tone.
The one she seeks, she’s not in a good way. She’s worse than I am. Has been with him longer as a lure for the man I saved.
Cat-Man growled. Instead of flinching away, Macey calmly placed a hand on his arm, offering him the silent support she figured he needed. He calmed almost instantly, which was unexpected, but also a relief. The last thing she wanted was Sharara more upset, or for one of her men to intervene. Their version of that would likely end in pain. As it was, she imagined they were only staying as passive as they were because they trusted her and because she didn’t seem to be in any danger. Hopefully, things would stay that way.
What’s happened to Lightning? Macey asked when neither of the sìth beings said anything.
She’s been locked up. But not just in her mind. Physically too. I dread to think what he’s done to her. Sharara sounded sad, and Macey longed to pull her into her arms and hug her, offer the emotional support the other woman needed. Except that wasn’t really a possibility right at that moment. It probably wouldn’t ever be, given how fast she was fading.
That sounds...Macey started, unsure how to continue. It sounded horrific. She’d discovered first hand what the Voice was like when he was inside someone’s head. And now she’d seen what more prolonged exposure could do. In fact, seeing Sharara added a new concern i
n her mind. Was this looking into the future for her? It was certainly looking into the past for Lightning if what the dog-woman said was true.
Horrifying?
Dangerous. What happens if Lightning is...She couldn’t finish the thought. If Lightning was gone, and it was looking at least a little likely that she could be, then they could face some big problems. Like how to fulfil a prophecy she didn’t even understand if they were missing a Warden. She erased the thought from her mind. She’d deal with that if and when it happened.
I don’t know. There are rumours that a Warden can pass on their position, but only if they’re at death’s door. But they’re only rumours.
How do you know about the Wardens? Macey asked. They’d made no mention of it before, and yet now it was a big thing, which was odd, to say the least.
Following Ibzan wasn’t a complete waste. I learned plenty from watching the Ice Warden. Ma...the Voice isn’t all that subtle in his demands. He knows who you are, Macey.
I’d guessed that much. The words slipped out, and Sharara laughed into her mind, the sound swiftly turning into a cough. Macey smoothed her hand down Sharara’s back and the dog-woman seeming to relax slightly as she did. That was good, at least. Anything to make her more comfortable, especially since her breathing had become particularly ragged.
But he also knows what you are. He knows you’re the one who can stop him, and he wants your power for himself, Sharara warned.
Can he really take my power?
You’d be surprised what he can do with a name, Cat-Man interrupted. They hold power for a man like the Voice.
And he knows mine. Dread washed through Macey. Wait, is he....?
I think so, but I don’t know for sure. It was hard to get a good read on him through the blackness. She shivered under Macey’s palm.
How do we find him? The question had been burning on the tip of her tongue since they’d arrived. Mostly because she’d been hoping this was the place they were meant to be. The place where Lightning was, and Ice would soon be. She really should know by now that even the best-laid plans went awry. Especially with the Staran involved. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought the Staran were run by pixies looking for mischief.
I suspect he’ll find you, Sharara responded instantly. Though in case he doesn’t, my brother will help guide you.
What?! Both Macey and Cat-Man responded at the same time.
It is my dying request to you, brother. Guide her. Protect her. Aid her.
Aye, Cat-Man replied, seeming more than a little reluctant. Macey wasn’t sure she blamed him. She was even starting to get the impression he wasn’t her biggest fan, but that was probably more to do with the way his sister was being with her than anything else.
Can you leave us a second, brother?
Cat-Man frowned, clearly not a massive fan of the idea. But he also nodded, and Macey felt his mind pull away from the two of theirs.
He’s gone, she said needlessly.
Thanks, Sharara replied. I have a gift for you.
That’s really not necessary, Macey said, feeling a little flustered.
You can’t say no to a dying cù sìth, Macey. That’d just be rude.
Sorry, Macey murmured.
What I’m about to do can never be revealed to anyone but those you’d trust with your eternal life. We both know there are six of them. But no one else, understood?
Macey nodded, slightly confused. Sharara sucked in a deep breath, her body weakening beneath Macey’s touch.
For my last act upon this earth,
Before I head to my rebirth,
I bequeath upon to thee,
A name which comes in three.
Macey must be the first,
Reveal the second and be cursed,
The third you shall obtain,
When Seven Wardens shall reign.
With her final words, Sharara took a deep shuddering breath and stilled. A tear slipped down Macey’s face as the death, and the knowledge Sharara was imparting, overtook her. The rush of information through her mind, coupled with the intense emotions, was enough to send Macey reeling. Not quite sure what she was doing, she stumbled away from the still body of the dog-woman, and back towards her men. She hadn’t taken more than three steps when blackness overtook, and she crumbled to the floor.
“Ibzan, his name is Ibzan.” Her voice was all weird and croaky, but it was important for them to know. They finally had a name.
“Whose name?” Cam asked, his hand cool on her forehead. All three men were looking down at her and her head appeared to be lying on Cam’s lap.
“How long was I out?” She ignored his question, asking her own instead. They would figure it out.
“Only a few minutes. Are you alright?” Flint looked worried and she smiled to show that she was fine. And if she ignored the headache she was still feeling behind her eyes, she was perfectly fine.
“Yes, everything’s alright. I got hit with a few memories, that’s all. How is cat-man?”
Jared chuckled. “Did you just call him cat-man?”
Macey frowned. “What do you call him in your heads?”
The three men looked at each other. “Cat-man.”
“See?” Macey smiled, before remembering what just happened. Sadness overcame her. “She’s dead?”
Cam nodded, stroking her hair. “He’s not said anything since he awoke a few minutes before you did. He’s sitting with her and we’ve been waiting for you to wake up and tell us what’s happened.”
Macey sat up and shuffled back until she could lean against Cam’s broad chest. “Ice. His name is Izban. The Voice was after him and Sharara - that’s the dog woman - protected him. He’s got blue hair and piercings, he looks like a punk. A very pretty punk, though.”
“Hey, he’s off limits,” Flint warned, his tone only half joking.
“Don’t worry, I’ll admire him from a distance. If we ever find him. When the Voice attacked Sharara, Izban got away, but he was wounded. The cù sìth probably distracted the Voice long enough to give Ice a chance for escape, but if we’re right, he’ll run right back into his reach. He’s on his way to Lightning, just as we thought. And she’s in bad shape.”
“How do you know that?” Cam asked, pulling her closer.
“The Voice told Sharara to taunt her, to show her that her sacrifice was for naught. That he’ll have Ice soon anyway, and that he’ll suffer together with his partner. I’m scared we may be too late for Lightning.”
“But the prophecy says that Ice will free her,” Flint protested. “Lightning is trapped, Ice will break the chains.”
“Let’s hope so,” Macey said darkly. “I’ve felt the Voice in my head. I can’t even imagine how it would be like to be under his influence for days, weeks, or longer. I’d go mad within hours. The pain... it was bad.”
She shivered and Cam wrapped his arms around her, his lips leaving a trail of gentle kisses on her shoulders. Right now, her men were there for her, all three of them. But if the Voice came back, she’d be alone. She was weak, so she better not give him another chance. They needed to be the ones on the offensive.
“Sharara said that her brother might be able to help us find Izban,” she said and almost smiled as she saw hope light up the guys’ eyes.
“Do you think he’ll do it?” Jared asked, casting a sceptical glance at the cat sìth who was cradling his sister’s body.
“It was her last wish, so yes, I think he will do it. Doesn’t mean that he won’t complain every single step of the way. He was not happy that she shared her memories with me, nor that she put herself between Ice and the Voice. But I believe he’ll come with us, even if only to honour his sister.”
“Then we better hurry up before Lightning is hurt even more,” Cam said with determination and the others nodded their approval. There was no question that they needed to hurry. Only, how to find them? And even if they knew where the Voice was keeping Lightning and therefore where Ice was headed, it didn’t mea
n they knew how to free them and get out of there alive.
Macey huffed. There were too many unanswered questions. She didn’t like it.
“I think it should be you to ask him to leave,” Flint said quietly and pointed towards the cat sìth. “You’re the one he’s talked to the most.”
“Yeah, and the one he’s growled at,” she sighed, but she knew he was right. It had to be her.
She slowly approached the cat-man and kneeled down by his side. His ears twitched, but he didn’t acknowledge her.
“Your sister said you’d be able to help us,” Macey said softly, watching as the man’s chest heaved and deflated. He was breathing hard, probably trying to hide his sobs. “There are lives in danger and you are the one to save them.”
“I don’t want to save a human,” he whispered, “it’s not worth it. They’ve hurt our kind so much, and now I’m supposed to help one of them? How can she ask that of me? How can you ask that?”
“I don’t think he’s a normal human,” she said carefully. “He’s one of the Seven Wardens, which means he has magic. We think that ice is his element and that he’s on the way to save his partner, who commands lightning. We need them to heal the Staran, to...”
“You can heal the Staran?” he asked incredulously. “Nobody can do that. It’s been foretold that it will die.”
She shook her head, not even remotely taking that into consideration. “No, it won’t die. There’s a prophecy speaking of the Seven Wardens. Well, we are four of them. Your sister knew about us, and she knew that we needed to find the other three. Please, help us. If not for the Staran, then for your sister.”
“I don’t believe in prophecies,” he grumbled. “But if he is indeed a mage... she must have known that.” He sighed and got up, sadly looking down at Sharara’s prone body. “I will help you find that boy. But that’s all you can ask of me, I will not stay after.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to,” Macey said softly. “We only need you to help us track him.”
Squaring his shoulders, he turned around, finally offering her a look at his face. His glowing eyes were dim and red-rimmed from crying. She wanted to give him a hug, but knowing cats, he probably wouldn’t like it.
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