The Quickening

by Antonia Tiranth

  "It is not your fault."

  I glanced at him but didn't stop trying to wear a rut in the grass. “Are you reading my mind?"

  He shook his head. “It is written on your face. Josephine is an adult and capable of making her own decisions. She could have just as easily thrown you out on the street."

  The words didn't make me feel better. “But I knew she wouldn't."

  "How could you know that?"

  I couldn't help but grin. “She never could say no to me."

  Shirak scoffed. “I am certain it is your charm that makes that possible."

  I laughed. “Hardly. I'm just persistent."

  The humor left as quickly as it had come and I continued my pacing, waiting for Maedhros. I still had no idea what I was going to do. I hoped that he would have Phi with him. Then I could just try brute force. If he was hiding her somewhere I was at a loss.

  "Shirak?"

  "Yes?"

  "I know you don't like to do it, but if he doesn't have Phi with him...” I knew his dislike of invading others’ minds and I hated to ask him to do it. I hoped he would know what I was trying to ask without me actually having to say it.

  His blue eyes gazed into mine for a long moment and then he nodded. “I will do all in my power to find out where he is keeping her."

  "Thank you,” I said, with a sigh of relief.

  Shirak just nodded again, then he frowned, looking at a point over my shoulder. “He is here."

  I turned and saw Maedhros, his inky black wings folded behind him, standing across the clearing. At his side stood the silver female, confirming what I already knew. The child had infiltrated our sanctuary. Shirak and I crossed the clearing to meet him, standing only a few feet from him.

  "Where is Josephine?” I fisted my hands at my sides, wanting to strangle the Rikashi across from me.

  "Where is the egg?” His voice was calm.

  I shook my head. “Not until you show me Josephine is safe."

  "I assure you, the girl is being well cared for.” His confident, condescending tone was really beginning to grate on my nerves. “Give me the egg and I will tell you how to find the girl."

  I glanced at Shirak out of the corner of my eye. He was concentrating. I guess he was trying to read Maedhros without the Tasartir at his side knowing. “Tell me where she is, you son of a bitch."

  Maedhros sighed. “You are not well-versed in negotiations, are you, hatchling?"

  Hatchling? I growled, flaring my wings. I had to keep his attention on me so Shirak could do his job. “Keep talking like that and you will—"

  "I will what?” he interrupted. “I will regret it? I assure you, I will not. As I have told your friend, do not toy with me. Now give me the egg."

  I floundered. He was right, I wasn't good at negotiating and diplomacy. My father often joked that I was switched at birth, that I should have been a Carnesir.

  Maedhros suddenly frowned, cocking his head to the side. He threw back his head and laughed. “Did you think to ambush me, hatchling?"

  "What?"

  He shook his head. “You should study your prey more before trying to set a trap."

  I heard something behind me and saw my father leading a group of about ten other Rikashi across the clearing. “Damn it,” I cursed. Silver streaked by me. “Leena, you idiot, no!"

  The dragon circled the four of us, letting out an angry cry. Maedhros followed the dragon's path, a look I could not read on his face. Leena landed between us, rearing up on her back legs, spreading her wings and calling again. The call was full of reproach and disapproval.

  The look on Maedhros's face contorted into one of rage, and he shifted to his draconic form. He was older than I'd thought, his draconic form was at least twice the size of mine.

  "Get back here, you coward!” I cried as he took off into the night, the Tasartir clinging to his back.

  Shirak's hand on my arm stopped me. “I know where he is going."

  I couldn't help it. I grabbed Shirak in a bear-hug. “Shirak, I love you man."

  "Let go, you great fool,” he grumbled, though only half-heartedly.

  I released him and turned to face the others. Leena flew to my shoulders, then rubbed her head on my cheek.

  "No, you don't, Leena.” I wished my voice had sounded sterner—like Dad's the many times he'd called me on the carpet. “You didn't stay at the mansion like I told you to.” She ducked her head and trilled an apology. “It's all right. Your disobeying was almost worth it just to see his expression."

  "You let him get away,” Valandil growled, stopping in front of me.

  I let him get away? Hell, no. “Did you happen to forget that Maedhros is Tinuviel?” I asked, attempting to calm the fire of rage building within me.

  "Of course not."

  "Then what in the hell made you think you could just bring your little army here without him knowing you were coming?"

  Leena's hiss echoed my own anger. I glared at her, and she went back to trilling apologies.

  Shirak stepped between us. “There is no time for this,” he said. “Josephine may be in even greater danger."

  "What?” I continued to glare at the Carnesir, who returned my glare.

  "Maedhros wanted to be there when the eggs hatched, so they would bond to him,” Shirak explained. “He saw Leena. He didn't know the eggs were that close to hatching. If the others have hatched while Phi is there they might have bonded to her as Leena did."

  Leena's claws dug into my shoulder. “What are we standing here for?"

  As we turned to go, I heard Dad's voice. “Son ... wait!"

  "Dad,” I said, turning to face him. “I don't have time for one of your lectures. Save it ‘til I get back."

  He shook his head. “No lecture. I want to come with you."

  "Why?” I asked, stunned. Dad had never taken very much interest in me or anything I did. Shirak was the star.

  He rolled his eyes at me. “You love the girl, correct?"

  "Yeah, but what—"

  "Then I have a vested interest in seeing the girl who may be my future daughter-in-law to safety."

  I just nodded, unable to think of any response appropriate to his words.

  Shirak cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Father, Brother,” he said, tilting his head to the side. “We do have a girl to save so if you do not mind skipping all the mushy stuff for now..."

  I growled at him. “Just shut up and lead the way."

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  Chapter 25

  Josephine Erlina Moreau

  I watched as Gawain and Gareth, the green hatchlings, romped around the room, bowling each other over in their play. After they'd finished the stew, Lancelot, the blue hatchling, had chewed through the ropes at my wrist and now paced in front of the door.

  Neither of the Reds had come back to get the empty bowl, which was fine by me. I tried the door, but it was locked. Even if it hadn't been, I didn't think I could have gotten past the Red twins.

  Lancelot left the door and joined his brothers playing, seemingly unconcerned with our current predicament.

  "You three are not helping me figure out what to do,” I said, looking down at the mass of green bodies. Three heads tilted to look at me quizzically.

  "Escape?"

  "How is the real problem,” I replied.

  They untangled themselves and lined up in a row, looks of intense concentration on their faces.

  I rolled my eyes. “Don't hurt your brains."

  Most of the suggestions they gave me involved bursting out the door and fighting my way out of the cabin. I shook my head. “As much as I like that idea, I'm no match for those two muscles for brains."

  I continued to ponder, still coming up with nothing. Maedhros had been smart to give me a room with no windows.

  I felt Rikashi approaching and as much as I hoped it was Aer, I somehow knew it was Maedhros and Corilla. “Look, guys, I need you to hide."

  "Why? Stay, fight."

&nbs
p; I smiled at their insistence—it was cute. “I'm sure you'd give him a run for his money but I don't want you getting hurt so please, do this for me and hide. Don't come out no matter what."

  Gawain and Gareth were the first to do as I asked, hiding beneath the bed. Lancelot remained, stamping his clawed feet. I shook my finger at him. “Don't you give me that,” I said, hearing the front door bang open. “Please, hide!"

  He finally did as I asked, dashing for the crate and burrowing into the straw. It had just stopped shifting when the door burst inward, splinters of wood flying. I threw up my arms to protect my eyes from the flying wood. Once the noise subsided, I lowered my arms cautiously.

  Maedhros ignored me, crossed the room to the crates, and started digging furiously. My heart leapt in my throat, but the blue dragonette must have hidden very deep. What Maedhros pulled from the crate was only shell. He lifted the shards from the straw, staring at them for a long moment. I backed away from him as he crushed them. He turned on me, and my heart skipped a beat. He was pissed.

  "What's wrong?” I cursed the slight tremble in my voice. “Your lackeys break the eggs?"

  "Where are they?” He moved toward me. His voice did not match the angry look in his eyes and that scared the hell out of me.

  I shrugged. “I don't know what you're talking about."

  Pain exploded in my cheek, and I looked up from the floor to see him standing over me, wings spread, tail swishing back and forth slowly.

  "Where are they!"

  "I don't know what you're talking about, you lunatic,” I spat, pushing myself to my knees.

  His hand shot out again, grabbing a fistful of hair and pulling my head back. My neck and back arched painfully while my scalped burned. “You will tell me where they are, Josephine. You have no idea what I am capable of."

  "He hurts you. We will help."

  "No! Stay hidden. Sneak out if you can. Find Aer."

  "No, we will help. Help you and then help other."

  "Don't."

  Why the hell would they want to help that Little Silver Bitch? She was as crazy as Maedhros.

  Maedhros yanked my hair and another hiss of pain escaped me.

  "You're capable of being a complete and utter jackass,” I managed through clenched teeth, pushing my hands against the floor, trying to relieve the pressure from my back and neck.

  Gone was the cool, collected, Hannibal Lector-ish façade. He'd gone over the edge. Why couldn't he feel the hatchlings? I could clearly feel their presence and pinpoint it. Maybe he was just too angry.

  I was yanked to my feet and thrown onto the bed, my scalp tingling from the abuse.

  "You stupid, foolish girl. You have no idea what I am trying to do. You condemn me when it is your friends who are the ones to be condemned."

  I got to my feet, moving toward the other side of the room. I had to keep him away from the hatchlings. He might figure out where they were if he got close enough. I was glad when he followed, catching my wrist in his vice-like grip. I tugged, in a half-assed attempt at escape.

  I was playing a dangerous game, but maybe if I kept him angry enough he wouldn't find the dragons. He pulled me out into the main room, forcing me onto the couch.

  "So, what are you trying to do?” I asked. I needed to keep him talking, keep his focus on me.

  "You will never know,” he said. The tone of his voice sent a chill up my spine. “Corilla!"

  The young Rikashi appeared at his side. “Yes?"

  "Find out where the dragons are. I don't care if you have to tear her mind in two."

  Shit.

  Corilla nodded, a determined look on her features. “You will not hide your mind from me this time, Josephine."

  I winced as those fingers touched my face. This was not going to feel good.

  I felt more Rikashi approaching and glanced at Maedhros. There was no indication on his face that he felt them. His eyes were only on me.

  Corilla was entering my mind, and I thought of the ocean. At first I thought maybe it would work again, but the skies over my ocean filled with dark clouds. The ocean boiled, lightening struck the sand, turning it to glass, which shattered moments later. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming, but even that didn't help.

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  Chapter 26

  Aerandir Cirdan Gwindor

  Shirak led us further into the forest and stopped at the edge of the trees. Ahead of us was a small log cabin, the front door open. Leaning against the doorway was one of the two red Carnesir that were working with Maedhros. As we watched, the other red landed and joined his partner.

  "What's the plan?"

  I scratched my head. Dad's whispered question made me realize I didn't really have one. My only thought was to get Phi out of there. “My idea was to just bust in there and kick some ass."

  Both of them sighed, and Dad shook his head.

  "I doubt anything else would work,” Shirak admitted. “Maedhros likely knows we are here, so sneaking up is not an option. It seems to be just him, the two Carnesir and the Tasartir Surion."

  "I'll handle the Carnesir. You and your brother take care of Maedhros."

  "Dad?” I was skeptical that he could take on two at once. “Are you sure you can do that?"

  "The old man still has a trick or two up his sleeve,” he replied with a mischievous glint in his eye.

  "Okay.” I wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of Dad taking on two young, healthy Carnesir.

  A scream ripped through the air. There was no mistaking whose voice it was, and my heart stopped.

  "Phi!"

  I ran toward the house. Shirak and Dad were shouting, but I ignored them. I wasn't the only one reacting on instinct, I somehow knew that at Phi's scream Leena had leapt into the air. She'd grown since hatching and was now the same size as my draconic form. Her wings beat against the air, propelling her toward the cabin.

  I shouldered past the two Carnesir standing on the threshold, and froze. Phi sat on a couch to my left, the Surion in her lap, Maedhros standing in front of them.

  "Get your goddamned hands off of her!"

  All eyes turned to me, and time seemed to freeze as we stared at each other for seconds that felt like minutes. In those frozen moments I realized Leena had flown toward the back of the cabin.

  Maedhros broke the stillness with a wave of his hand. “Take care of that hatchling. Corilla, finish."

  The Carnesir launched themselves at me, and I braced for their attack. A green-gold form inserted itself between us, letting out a roar of challenge.

  "Thanks, Dad.” I turned my attention back to Maedhros and Corilla.

  "I said, get your damn hands off of her.” I moved forward, my only thought to yank that silver bitch off Phi's lap.

  Maedhros was suddenly in front of me. “One more step, hatchling, and you will regret it."

  All hell broke loose as a kaleidoscope of color zipped into the room. The Surion let out a cry of pain as four dragons, green, silver and blue, attacked her.

  Maedhros turned away from me. “No! You don't understand,” he wailed as the four dragons drove his Tasartir away from Phi, who collapsed and lay still on the couch. I could hear Dad taking his fight outside while Shirak edged toward Josephine.

  I grabbed Maedhros, spinning him to face me while my other hand, fisted, flew toward his face. He was a lot faster than I expected and ducked the blow, delivering a counter to my stomach. I doubled over as the wind was driven from my lungs. I was able to twist out of the way of another punch and dodged away from him.

  "Is that the best you've got, old man?"

  He was older but faster and stronger than me. I knew I couldn't beat him in a straight fight. I needed to get him angry. I needed to get him to make a mistake. He didn't seem to be taking the bait, not letting his guard down.

  "I do not expect a traitor such as you to understand my noble work."

  "What is so noble about k
illing your own kind?” Shirak asked, moving back to my side. Josephine was moving again, looking a little worse for the wear, but at least she was moving.

  "I am not the betrayer,” Maedhros said, pointing at me. “It is you and your clan who committed the greatest betrayal of all, and now you and this human have subverted these magnificent dragons."

  The dragons left their harrying of Corilla, lining up on the back of the couch to hiss at Maedhros. “It seems they don't agree with you, Maedhros,” I sneered.

  He looked at them helplessly, almost begging as he spoke. “I know not what poison against me these fools have filled your mind with, but surely you know that I have only been preparing this world to be safe for your birth."

  As I stood looking from Maedhros to the dragons and back, it suddenly made sense. All the pieces of the puzzle began to line up. “You still think Gwindor is responsible for the Melwasul."

  He rounded on me. “I do not think, I know. Your fathers’ fathers betrayed our people and the Great Dragons. The rest of the Tinuviel are only slightly less guilty for submitting after your treachery."

  "You are mad,” I spat. “You think that any of our clan would betray the trust of all three races? We kept the peace."

  "You betrayed our secrets to the humans,” he screeched.

  "No,” Josephine croaked, one hand on the back of the couch supporting herself. “It was not the Gwindor. It was a Tinuviel."

  "Silence! Foolish girl. What do you know of our history?"

  "She speaks the truth,” I growled. “A Tinuviel Tasartir by the name of Meranwe."

  "Lies,” Maedhros spat, his eyes flashing. “Meranwe was the name of my father's sister. None in my line would commit such an act."

  "She was tricked by a human, a man she loved,” Josephine continued. “So, if you want to blame anyone, you can blame your own aunt."

  "Silence! I will not listen to your lies any longer."

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  Chapter 27

  Josephine Erlina Moreau

  My head was pounding and my legs felt like jelly, but somehow I managed to stay on my feet and deliver the words Maedhros obviously didn't want to hear. On the back of the couch, the hatchlings trilled words of encouragement. I glanced over at Aer and in that split second Maedhros shifted to his draconic form. When I looked back, I was staring into his open mouth, full of sharp, wicked looking teeth.