"Release Dale,” Raf told T'Mal.
"And if she does not wish to be released?” T'Mal asked.
Raf gave a low growl. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. The air crackled with tension.
Perched on Raf's shoulder, Ava spread her wings and gave a hissing cry.
T'Mal snarled back at the bird.
Like two dogs, with a bone neither really wanted, they challenged each other. Men!
She wiggled out from under T'Mal's arm. “If you two are done with your pissing contest, can we get going?” She stomped away from T'Mal.
As she passed, Raf snagged her arm and pulled her against him. Raf turned a triumphant glare on T'Mal. With a satisfied call, Ava took to the air.
T'Mal gave her a sad smile of acceptance and started toward the rise.
The sight of Dale nestled close to the Shakar had sent Raf into an unreasoned fury. Jealous rage had threatened to override his good sense. Even Ava had reacted to his strong emotions, ready to attack the Shakar.
Dale was his.
The thought made his heart ache. She wasn't his. She could never be his. She belonged to another world. And as soon as she was reunited with her daughter, they would leave this world and him.
Bringing his anger under control, Raf watched the Shakar disappear over the rise. He needed T'Mal's help to stop Devros.
"Let me loose."
Raf looked at the woman standing rigid in his hold. Anger turned her blue eyes indigo as she riveted him with her stare.
His arm dropped. She stepped free and planted her fists on her hips. The motion caused the over large shirt she wore to droop off one shoulder, emphasizing the rapid rise and fall of her breasts and exposing the fragile line of her collarbone. The sight distracted his attention from her tirade.
"That was about the stupidest display of male dominance I've ever had the displeasure of seeing. We need the Shakar to help us. What were you thinking? Or should I say, not thinking? Well?"
He took a step toward her. “You are beautiful."
"Wh-what?” she sputtered. Confusion took the place of anger in her eyes.
"You are beautiful and strong and mine. I let no other man—or Shakar—touch what is mine.” He stroked the back of his hand down her cheek. “If I asked you to stay, would you yet choose to return to your world?"
She rested her cheek against his palm. Love and hope filled her eyes. “Are you asking?"
Raf hesitated. Since the day his half-brother betrayed him, Raf had been a warrior sworn to revenge and retribution. That goal was within his reach, but the odds were good he would not survive the coming encounter with Devros. Could Raf ask her to risk her heart on him? And what of her daughter's needs? Could he bear to let her go?
"I...."
"Hurry!” T'Nar rushed up to them. “T'ea is in danger. We must hurry."
Dale went pale. She grabbed T'Nar's arm. “What's happened?"
T'Nar shook his head. “The bond between us is—different. I feel her fear, but I do not know what causes it."
"Can you lead us to her?” Raf asked.
"Yes, I think so."
"Then let us go,” Raf said.
T'Nar nodded and scrambled up the rise. Raf took Dale's arm. Her skin felt cold and clammy. Fear for her child made his courageous warrior woman tremble.
"Raf,” Dale breathed. “I can't lose her."
"You will not. I promise.” Whatever else happened, Raf vowed that he would return her daughter to Dale.
They crested the rise, and the castle—or what was left of the once mighty fortress—came into view.
Not a single wall remained standing. All that was left were mounds of crumbled stone blocks.
But it was not the castle's destruction that drew their attention. Having shaken off the lethargy of their drugging, the male captives took revenge against their captors. Dale gasped and shuddered as five captives chased down and cornered a slaver. He tried to use his sword to save himself, but drunk on freedom the former captives quickly overpowered him. The man's high-pitched screams echoed in the air as the captives used their fists, his own sword, as well as rocks and sticks to beat him to death. When they turned away and went hunting for their next victim, all that remained of the man was a bloody mass.
Hiding from the rampaging male captives on the far side of the fallen castle, a group of women and children huddled together. The Belanites were nowhere in sight. Like sheep abandoned by their shepherd, they cried in fear.
"Do not watch, T'Dal.” T'Mal touched her arm.
Dale swallowed heavily and turned into T'Mal's embrace. “Where is Thea?"
Raf forced himself not to react to the glimmer of satisfaction in the Shakar's eyes. Why did she turn to T'Mal rather than him? A movement on the mountainside across the valley caught his notice.
"There,” Raf called.
Dale twisted loose of T'Mal's possessive hold and looked to where Raf pointed. Beside the pass, in the shadow of the mountain, crouched a small figure. A banner of long blond hair blew wildly around Thea's body.
"Thea is safe up there. She's well away from the crazed captives and the slavers,” Dale breathed on a sigh of relief.
As if aware she was being watched, Thea lifted an arm to capture her hair. She looked up and across toward Dale.
Smiling and waving frantically, Dale started down toward the castle. Thea smiled back and flashed two thumbs up.
Raf wrapped his arm around Dale's waist to stop her.
She glared at him and tried to squirm away. “Let me go. I have to get to Thea."
"Wait.” He tightened his hold. “It is dangerous to cross through the valley. Thea is safe enough for now."
"No, she is not.” T'Nar stepped forward. “Look."
Devros moved rapidly up the trail toward the pass. Thea seemed unaware of the approaching danger. Devros would reach her soon.
"Oh, my God!” Dale cried. “We have to stop him!” She broke free of Raf's arms and rushed blindly into the valley.
Raf pulled his sword and followed. T'Mal and T'Nar were close on his heels, the other Shakar right behind them. They quickly caught up with the frantic Dale, surrounding her as they skirted the edge of the valley to avoid the enraged captives. Maddened by the sudden withdrawal of the drug they'd been fed since their capture, and filled with anger, the captives were slaughtering anyone who crossed their path. Devros had been wise to flee, but Raf would not let him escape.
Breathing hard, they reached the bottom of the trail to the pass and paused. From this angle neither Thea nor Devros were visible. By now the two had probably already met.
"T'ea is frightened,” T'Nar spoke.
"Has Devros hurt her?” Dale gripped the young Shakar's arm. Tears streamed unchecked down her reddened cheeks.
T'Nar cocked his head as if listening to a silent voice. His eyes grew wide. “She has set the black powder charges and will soon come back down the trail. She does not know Devros follows her."
"T'Nar, can you warn her? Tell her we're coming?” Dale asked.
"Our bonding is limited. Because I am truly Shakar, I can read T'ea's stronger thoughts and emotions, but I do not think she can read mine."
A woman's scream rang out.
Dale whirled around. The captives had discovered the cowering women and children. Lost in their rage, the men didn't realize what they were about to do. “We've got to stop them,” she said.
Dale's eyes reflected Raf's dilemma. If he went to help the women, Thea would be left to Devros’ mercy. If they escaped the explosions, Devros would go free and Thea would be forever lost to Dale. But could he turn his back on the savage murder of defenseless women and children?
T'Mal stepped forward and spoke in a sibilant tongue to the other Shakar. Like silent ghosts they slipped away. “My warriors and I will see to the captives.” He took Dale's hands in his and said, “Take T'Nar and rescue our saara."
"Thank you. Be careful.” Dale leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the Shakar's furry che
ek.
T'Mal turned to face Raf. “Live hard. Die well, human."
Raf pressed a clenched fist to his chest. “Live well. Die hard, my friend."
T'Mal nodded and without another word followed his warriors.
At his sharp whistle, Ava returned to Raf's outstretched arm. She cocked her head, as he whispered simple instructions into her ear, then she flew off down the mountainside.
"Time is short. Hurry.” T'Nar's voice quaked and broke in fear.
Raf took Dale's hand. Her fingers felt small and cold, but her tremulous smile was warm. She moved at his side without hesitation. T'Nar followed.
Raf vowed to save Dale's daughter.
He also vowed he would not let Devros escape, even if it cost him his life, which was the most likely outcome.
Chapter Seventeen
While Raf moved ahead, searching for the clearest path, T'Nar kept pace at Dale's side. For what seemed like the hundredth time, Dale's feet slipped on loose rock littering the ragged trail. She pushed on despite the persistent ache low in her back. Her lungs burned in the thin mountain air. They'd traveled steadily for twenty minutes, but they seemed no closer to Devros and Thea. As they rounded each bend Dale worried that Devros would have reached Thea. Fear pushed her on.
Her foot twisted. She stumbled and cried out in pain. T'Nar caught her as she fell, saving her from scraped knees and palms.
Raf returned to her side. “Are you unwell? Can you continue?"
"I'm fine,” Dale insisted, struggling to stand.
"She is not well,” T'Nar said.
"Nonsense, just help me up.” A sharp pain ripped through her abdomen. With a whimper, she clutched her belly and doubled over.
"Dale!"
Raf's cry sounded far away.
She squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated on breathing through the spasm.
"No, please,” she moaned. She couldn't lose this baby.
When the pain eased to a dull band around her midriff, she opened her eyes to Raf and T'Nar's worried gazes. She tried to sit up, but Raf's palm against her shoulder held her to the ground where he'd laid her.
"Let me up. We can't stop. Raf, we have to get to Thea before Devros does."
Raf's hooded gaze locked with hers. He moved his hand from her shoulder to her still flat belly. “You would risk one child for the other?"
"Yes. No. I don't know.” She shook her head in confusion and gripped Raf's fingers. “I want this baby—your baby with every fiber of my being. But I can't abandon Thea."
"In this condition, you'll be no help to Thea. Rest here. I will go ahead."
"I will come with you,” T'Nar said. “Thea is my hapala. I must assist her."
"Take T'Nar with you. I'll be fine.” Ignoring the sticky warmth between her thighs, she sat up and leaned against a boulder. She placed a protective hand on her belly and said, “Bring my other baby back to me."
Raf looked from Dale to T'Nar. “T'Nar you go straight up the trail. I am going to circle around above Devros."
T'Nar nodded his understanding of Raf's plan and darted off, leaving Raf and Dale alone.
Dale dropped her gaze, afraid Raf would know that as soon as she could stand she'd follow them. Her motherly instincts tore her apart. Save Thea or protect her unborn son? She trusted Raf, but Thea was her daughter, her responsibility, one she couldn't abdicate to another.
"Do nothing foolish,” Raf said.
Dale lifted her head and met his frown without blinking. “I'll do what I have to do to protect my children."
"As will I.” He crouched next to her and stroked her cheek. “The blood of our son bonds me to you and through you to Thea. I will return her to your side or die trying."
Raf's vow made Dale shudder in fear. Raf was a powerful warrior, and Devros was a sneaky rat. But a cornered rat was the most dangerous. She pressed her lips to his fingers in a gentle kiss. “Be careful."
"Always."
"I love you, my Shadow Warrior."
"As I love you, my Sweet Gift of the Valley Dweller."
He bent his head and replaced his fingers with his lips.
Her eyes closed as he kissed her. The dull throb in her abdomen faded away. Renewed energy surged through her.
When she opened her eyes he was gone. Once again she'd given her heart to a warrior. She stood cautiously, waiting for the pain, but it didn't come. No matter the risk, she wouldn't lose Raf.
* * * *
Raf scrambled up the mountainside. It had been a long time since he'd scaled the mountain cliffs of Arete with his friend Prince Ash, but he hadn't lost the skills. By going straight up the steep rock walls, he hoped to beat Devros to Thea, which was possible. The recent ground shakes left the trail broken and nearly as treacherous as the path Raf took.
A low rumble of thunder broke the ominous silence over the mountain. Both rain and darkness would fall shortly. If Devros reached Thea and took her through the pass, Raf might never find them. He hurried his climb.
Lightning streaked across the sky as he reached the plateau. Crouching low to the ground he surveyed the area. A flash of gold caught his gaze. Thea knelt by a crevice in the rock wall next to the pass. She struck a spark and a small bluish flame danced to life in the crevice. Devros was nowhere to be seen. Raf breathed a small sigh of relief. He had beaten his brother up the mountain. He started to stand and call out to Thea, only to have his words lodge in his throat.
Devros crept out of a shadow behind the unaware Thea. From across the plateau Devros’ gaze locked with Raf's. With a smile of satisfaction, Devros rushed forward.
"Thea! Look out!” Raf ran toward them.
At the sound of Raf's voice, Thea looked up with a smile of welcome on her young face. Before Raf could reach them or Thea could stand, Devros struck the girl across the face with the hilt of his sword. Blood gushed from a gash on her forehead, and she crumpled into Devros’ arms.
He swung her in front of him, his sword blade against her neck. “Stay back or I'll slit the she-hound's throat."
Two sword lengths away, Raf skidded to a halt. He held out his arms. “Let the girl go free."
Devros laughed. “Why should I? She has the look of your woman. Is she your child?"
Thea moaned and her eyes fluttered open.
"The child is not mine. She means nothing to me,” Raf lied.
"Raf?” Thea asked in a slurred voice, her gaze unfocused.
"Silence, she-hound.” Devros tightened his grip and she sagged. “This one will bring an excellent price across the pass. Nearly as much as the rest of those sorry captives put together, without the trouble. The Dark Men of Blagden have a taste for blond-haired women, the younger the better."
"Is it profit you truly seek? Or vengeance against me?"
"Why vengeance, of course, my dear brother."
"Then let her go free, and I will give you your chance for vengeance."
"Ever did I beat you in any contest of strength or skill. But I'm not adverse to profit as well."
"You cannot have both. Take the girl and I will follow."
"And that should make me tremble in fear? Once across the pass, you will be in my world."
"I am no longer a child easily defeated by a sneaky, stronger opponent, Stefan. I am a man. A warrior. Now that I am your equal, are you afraid to meet my blade in honest battle?” Raf pulled his sword.
Anger and a touch of apprehension darkened Devros’ eyes. He started to back away. Thea stirred again in his hold. Her eyes opened and met Raf's. Though dazed she seemed aware of what was happening.
Raf matched Devros step for step. Lightning lit the sky, followed by a deep growl of thunder that shook the ground. Devros staggered. The shaking continued and Raf realized it was not thunder. He braced himself against the roll of the ground. Rocks tumbled from the surrounding cliffs. One struck the ground near Devros. A mere man's length from them, a portion of the plateau gave way. With a grinding groan it slid down the mountainside, leaving a sheer drop. The gro
und settled to a tenuous stillness. The clouds opened up and rain poured down, soaking them in moments.
Panic, then an odd look of triumph flashed across Devros’ face as the ground heaved beneath him. “This ground shake will soon close the pass. Once that happens none will be able to reach me. I'll be safe. If you want the girl so badly, she's yours."
With that Devros shoved Thea toward the raw cliff and bolted toward the pass.
Raf started after him. Thea's scream made him stop and turn.
She screamed again and thrashed on the ground, her fingers clawing uselessly at the rain-slicked mud as she slid slowly over the edge.
Devros’ laughter taunted Raf as he went after her. The ground beneath him groaned in protest of his weight. A crack appeared beneath his feet, the rush of rain widening it with every step he took. He threw himself down and crawled across the ground on his belly.
"Raf!” Thea screamed. “Help me!” She stretched out a mud-covered arm. Blood, rain and tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
Raf reached for her, but their fingers missed by a hand's width. Her feet hung over the edge. With a flip of his wrist, Raf turned the sword in his hand so he gripped the blade and held out the hilt to Thea. She grabbed onto the hilt. Her slow slide halted.
The sharp edge of the crystal blade bit into Raf's palm. He bit his lip against the pain and tugged. Thea inched closer to him. The ground tilted beneath them and Raf started to slip. He dug his toes into the muddy rock. Rain beat down on him.
"Hold on,” he shouted over the boom of thunder and the rumble of the crumbling ground.
Thea nodded, her pain-filled gaze filled with trust.
Carefully Raf tried to work one foot back. They slipped closer to the edge. From the waist down Thea's body now dangled over the abyss. By himself, he could crawl back, but Thea's weight pulled him ever forward. She kicked trying to find footing. The movement dug the blade deeper into his flesh. Blood slicked his grip on the sword. It started to slip away. He tightened his hold. Pain sliced through him.
"You can't save me. Let go. Save yourself,” Thea said.
"No. I will not abandon you."
"If you don't let me go, we'll both die. Don't leave my mother alone. Please,” she begged. “Tell her I love her. Tell T'Nar I'm sorry."
Shadow Moon Page 20