by Linda Mooney
It explained so much. They came through the same tunnels she and Croat had escaped from. That was why the Lupan were able to cause such havoc in so little time. With the villagers distracting the guards at the walls, the Lupan had come from behind.
He leaned over and lightly licked the side of her face before stepping back. â��Now go,â�� he urged. â��We will be there when you need us.”
She didn’t need to ask how he would know when it was time to act, to attack. Not when she could feel his encouragement feeding her spirit. Grabbing his face, she kissed him at the end of his muzzle, directly on his canine lips. Croat’s shock was priceless.
“Toraâ��”
“Shhh. We’ll talk later.”
Ducking into the dark interior, Tora kept one hand gliding along the wall to her right. It kept her oriented in the nearly pitch-black corridor. She hoped it wouldn’t be a long hallway, and she wasn’t disappointed.
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Chapter 37
Turnabout
The grand hall was dark except for one lit torch in a wall sconce. Tora advanced toward it, not knowing where the other entrances and exits were. The single light cast shadows across the walls and furniture, until her eyes seemed to be playing tricks on her. She paused until her vision had adjusted itself, and she could faintly make out shapes in the gloom.
Somewhere above was the room where the baron had held her hostage. Where he now had Basil, and was using her brother as leverage to keep her in line.
She clenched her hands. Her powers were coming to the forefront now. She could feel them growing, coalescing. Forming into an almost solid, living entity, like a second heart.
In the back of her mind a stream of consciousness touched her. Croat was worried for her. Inquiring. She could hear him now, asking, â��What is happening to you?”
Smiling, she sent back a reassurance. Something that has only come about once in every three thousand years.
A cold wind brushed against her back. Tora stiffened, halting in her tracks. Not too far away a door had opened and closed. She strained to hear if any footsteps were coming her way, as the large, vaulted ceiling amplified every sound within it. But right now all she could hear was an almost deathly silence.
Another chilling breeze blew over her. Tora shivered, and she clutched her shredded blouse over her breasts with one hand. This time, however, the telltale scuffling of boots gradually grew louder as someone approached the room.
Presently the corridor to her right began to lighten. Carefully, she stepped back, treading lightly so as not to make a sound, until she encountered a high-backed chair. Quickly, Tora crouched behind it and peered through its ornate scrollwork at the doorway.
A guard appeared, carrying a torch. Directly behind him was the baron, who had a firm hold on Basil’s wrist, preventing the boy from getting away from him.
As if Basil would put up any kind of fight.
She waited for the men to come closer. The guard continued to lead, holding the light out in front of him to show him the way. There was a loud thunk, and the guard did a little skip to keep from falling.
“Watch where you’re going, you clumsy fool!â�� the baron hissed.
“Where are we going?â�� Basil’s voice rang like a bell inside the hall. Agrino gave his arm a shake and tried to shush him. The attempt made Tora smile. It was the wrong thing to do, as the baron would soon discover. Once Basil started questioning things, the only way he would stop asking would be when he got an answer he could understand.
“I want to know where we’re going!â�� Basil protested even louder.
“Hush!”
“It’s dark in here! I don’t like it dark in here!”
Tora prepared herself to step away from the chair when the sound of more boots came toward them. Almost immediately three more guards entered the hall, each of them brandishing a firearm.
How many more can there be? Am I strong enough to subdue all of them?
Before she could turn her self-doubt into a weakness, Croat tweaked her consciousness. His men were within the walls of the castle, and they had the hall and keep surrounded. It was her call now. The next step would be up to her.
Closing her eyes for a moment, she briefly prayed for her mother’s guidance. A calmness began to seep into her, as if her mother was reaching out to touch her and reassure her. The sense of calm continued to fill her until it began to overflow, slowly, steadily. The sense of safety pooled around her as certain as water. The circle widened, gradually creeping across the wood plank floors, toward the guards.
The men had no inkling that they were standing in a mental pool, but she could sense how their fear was slipping away. Once she was sure they would not raise their guns when she appeared, Tora slowly stood up from where she’d been hiding.
As she had hoped, the guards raised their rifles, but she was in no danger of them pulling the triggers. To them she was a thin wisp of a woman, unarmed and therefore defenseless. They were ignorant of the fact that she was controlling their emotions.
Or that they were about to receive the shock of their lives.
“Foolish girl.â�� Agrino chuckled. â��I don’t know what to believe. Did you get lost and end up back here? Or did you actually come this way, thinking you were going to be able to save your brother?”
Basil gave his arm a jerk, trying to free himself from the baron’s grip. Basil hated being restricted. Tora watched her brother give Agrino a scornful look, but the baron kept a firm hold on the young man’s arm.
She continued to fill the room with overconfidence. She wanted these men, especially the baron, to believe they were all mighty. That no one, least of all her, posed any kind of threat to them. It was a mistake they would soon regret.
“The castle has been overtaken by the Lupan and the villagers,â�� she calmly informed the baron. â��They’re surrounding this building even as we speak.”
As she expected, everyone paused to listen. Agrino grinned. â��I don’t hear anything.”
“Why would you, when all your men are either dead or wounded?”
The man growled softly. �Go outside and check the area,� he ordered one of the guards.
The man nodded, and left the hall through another exit. Tora kept the bubble of self-assuredness surrounding the guard until he was out of her sight. Once she let him go, it would take a minute for reality to kick in, but by that time it would be too late. Croat and his men would have him.
Rather than wait for the baron to realize his guard was not coming back, Tora took the initiative. She threw out a mental net to make them believe she was harmless, and took a step toward the baron.
“I just want my brother back,â�� she said. She held out her hand to make it appear as if she was begging for Basil’s release. â��Please. He’s no good to you. You’ve seen what he’s like.”
“He’s more valuable to me than you know. In him are the seeds to generations of Sensitives,â�� the baron hissed. â��With him, I will harvest my own little family of Sensitives.”
I will harvest my own little family of Sensitives.
The cold, awful truth suddenly came forth as Baron Agrino gave her another sick smile. He didn’t intend to hold her hostage when he had Basil. Although her brother was not a Sensitive, Basil’s seed harbored an untold number of female offspring, all of whom would be Sensitives. If she wouldn’t obey or do his bidding, the baron had figured out a way to get what he wanted anyway, and with less trouble.
The baron had finally realized he had no use for her after all.
In that split-second, Tora knew her life was worthless. She reacted instinctively when she bolted for the rear door. Behind her, Agrino motioned at another guard.
“Kill her.”
The bullet barely missed her, striking the chair she passed instead. Wooden splinters sprayed in every direction. Tora felt a stinging in her hip. She stumbled and almost fell.
Croat’s silent roar of fury filled her, giving her the extra burst of energy she needed to keep running. Another shot echoed in the huge hall, and this time searing pain grazed her neck.
Tora shrieked as she collapsed face-first on the hard floor. At the last second she managed to throw her hands out in front of her to help break her fall. Bright, hot roses bloomed in her head as warmth trickled across her shoulder and down her chest.
Vaguely, she was aware of Agrino and his men running up to where she lay. She tried to scramble on hands and knees over the rough stone, but someone grabbed her hair and jerked her head back, painfully twisting her neck. The baron bent over, nearly bumping noses with her when he shoved his face at her. His voice was taunting. Spiteful.
“I’m going to love watching you sufâ��”
Tora blinked in surprise as the baron suddenly bounced. He literally hit the floor and bounced. His eyes rolled up into his head, and he slumped to the floor directly in front of her. The grip on her hair loosened.
Slowly, she managed to look upward at the figure standing over her with a heavy iron candlestick in his hands. Basil stared down at the baron with nostrils flaring.
“Nobody hurts my sister!â�� he declared. â��That’s my sister! You don’t hurt her!”
She started to say something when the guard standing behind Basil lifted his rifle and fired point-blank at her brother. A chunk of flesh exploded outward from the middle of Basil’s chest. The white silken tunic burst into a scarlet patch. Beads and jewels, ripped from his necklace, flew through the air and made rattling noises where they landed and rolled.
Numb and horrified, Tora stared as Basil slowly stared down at the bloody fist-sized hole in his chest. As his legs gave way and he started to fall, her brother turned his head to look at her. His eyes were filled with confusion.
He was dead before he hit the floor.
“Noooo!”
Very faintly Tora was aware of Croat’s similar shock at the killing before she locked him out. A rigid gate of solid ice erected itself inside her psyche. Pure rage filled her veins, sending unexpected heat and strength throughout her body. The air wavered above her head, and as the guard who’d shot her brother reloaded his weapon, Tora narrowed her eyes at him and sent…
Terror.
The guard’s face suddenly went stark white. His hand slipped, his body jerked, and the rifle clattered when it struck the floor.
Lifting her face, Tora sought out the other guards in the hall. She clenched her fists, steeled herself, and threw her mental spears as hard as she could.
The men screamed in pain. Throwing their weapons away, they tried to run out of the room when a wall of growling Lupan appeared to block their way.
With the guards in the grip of Croat’s men, Tora turned her attention to where the baron lay nearby, groaning as he regained consciousness.
Hefting himself up on his elbows, the baron paused when he saw the pale, hard expression on her face. Agrino started to smile when the pain in his skull made him wince. Gasping, he said, â��Nice try, Sensitive, but you’re going to have to try a lot harderâ��”
“Basil is dead,â�� Tora coldly told him. She was fighting herself and fighting her abilities in a nearly impossible attempt not to drive the man out of his mind like she had done with the guards. But if she let herself go, the Lupan would be susceptible, and she would affect them the same way she affected the baron’s men.
Somewhere inside her, Croat’s presence was the only thing keeping her from going berserk. From taking her power and literally pulverizing the soul of every enemy within reach of her abilities.
She swallowed, took a deep breath, and grabbed her grief with mental hands.
“He’s…â�� The baron swiveled his head, finally spotting Basil’s body lying a few feet away. The gaping hole in the middle of the young man’s chest adequately explained the reason for his death. Agrino started to say more when his jaw dropped open. Tora followed his gaze.
Croat approached the scene with long strides. He was still Lupan. Large red patches of blood matted his body. The clawed hands held out from his sides were also coated in gore up to his elbows. In an almost detached way, Tora also noticed the blood smeared around his muzzle.
Croat grabbed the baron and jerked him to his feet. Agrino fought to release himself, but he was no match for the Lupan’s superior strength. Knowing this, the baron ceased struggling.
“Go ahead and kill me, Lupan,â�� the man gasped. â��Go ahead. You may get rid of me, but in another year or two, someone else will come along and take up what I started.”
“You’re wrong,â�� Croat told him, giving him a little shake like he was a recalcitrant child needing to be punished. â��Your reign is ending. Today. And no one else will ever take your place. I’ll personally see to that.”
Agrino giggled, high-pitched like a woman. â��How are you going to stop it?”
Croat gave him another little shake as he gave Tora a smile behind the baron’s back. â��Guess you’re going to have to take my word on it.â�� He tossed the baron back where the other Lupan were gathered. â��See that he enjoys the same accommodations he gave me.”
Wordlessly, Gesset grabbed the baron with both hands and lifted the man off his feet as if he weighed nothing. The Lupan and their prisoner quickly vacated the hall, leaving Croat and Tora alone.
Silence once more surrounded them as Croat stared at her. Watching her. Waiting. Tiny fingers of trepidation touched her heart, but the fear he was feeling was not because of her. It was because he feared for her.
He had been within her range, which meant he had tasted the full extent of her abilities, and the shock had left him worried for her sanity.
Tora walked over and wrapped her arms around him. As Croat’s embrace sealed her against his body, she allowed herself to mourn.
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Chapter 38
Aftermath
It was dark when everyone eventually gathered in the castle’s courtyard. Villagers and Lupan alike were exhausted and covered in grime and blood. The sharp smell of death was everywhere. What few guards were still alive had been taken down into the dungeons. The unlucky souls who had been kidnapped and forced into servitude had fled the grounds as soon as they had seen a way open to them.
Tora was totally drained, both emotionally and physically. There was very little left inside her. Clasping her arms over her chest, she waited.
Tremond sought out Croat. â��We’ve secured this place. Agrino and his officers are below. What next?”
“We go back to Neabush,â�� Croat informed him and everyone.
“Tonight?â�� Meesom gave him a dubious look. â��We won’t get there until morning.”
“Then we don’t get back until morning,â�� Tora declared. She clutched the remains of her blouse around her breasts. â��I can’t stay here tonight. Not with death hanging over this place like a pall.”
“She’s right,â�� Worton said. â��I say we leave this place as it is. Let the vultures and crows fight over the spoils.”
“What about the prisoners?â�� a villager from the back called out.
Croat gave the group a hard stare. â��They would have no compunction about leaving us behind if the circumstances were reversed.”
Gesset sniffed the air. â��We had best leave now. There’s a storm heading this way.”
Nodding, Croat drew an arm around Tora’s waist, and they made their way out the gates, into the forest.
They walked in groups of twos and threes, too overwhelmed by the events of the past few hours to do much more than keep a straggling line. At the front, Croat motioned for Worton and Burgari to go ahead and watch for any possible problems. After what everyone had been through, to come across something that could destroy them because they had not remained diligent would be disastrous.
Walking was not easy. Her side and hip pained her, and she could fee
l the ticklish sensation of blood sliding down her leg. Tora could also sense Croat trying to feed her what little strength he still commanded. She gave him a warm smile, knowing he would see it.
She had no idea how long Croat had let her cry over Basil’s body. All she remembered was that he never pressured her, never tried to rush her. And he never left her side until she was ready. Once everything inside her turned gray and empty, she wiped her face on her brother’s tunic and got to her feet.
There would be no burial. His body would have to remain on the floor in the hall like the rest. â��Everyone who comes here must think the same thing,â�� Croat whispered. â��All must believe this place was attacked by wild beasts. Most of all, no one can know he was the brother of a Sensitive, or else they might come looking for you. For the rest of his family.”
She nodded. Strangely, deep down, she’d known Basil would never live a long life. Least of all find a wife and produce a family. Oh, maybe he might have had a progeny or two if the baron had managed to get a woman to seduce him.
Sadly, that was no longer a possibility.
“You feel puzzled to me,â�� a deep voice murmured above her shoulder. His arm continued to support her and keep her close.
Tora glanced up into pumpkin-colored eyes. â��There were some people left alive back there. People who were forced to work for the baron.”
“We knew which ones were victims just like you had been. They were allowed to leave and return to their homes.”
“What if they tell their villages that the baron was attacked by Lupan?”
“They won’t,â�� Croat assured her, giving her arm an affectionate squeeze. â��They understand it took the combined effort of Lupan and villagers to defeat Agrino. They know that because of us, they no longer have anything to fear.â�� There was another gentle squeeze. â��They will protect us in return as payment for their freedom.”
“What will become of the castle?”
He thought for a moment as they tramped through the woods, keeping a slow but steady pace. â��Legend and folklore are powerful deterrents. We’re going to spread the word that the baron’s misuse of the dark magicks summoned demons, who then turned on him and slaughtered everyone within the castle’s walls. Once that story gets out, there will be very few who will want to take up residence there. No, in a few centuries the walls of that tainted place will come down, and the story of the baron’s defeat will become more elaborate with each retelling.”