Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies

by Robynn Sheahan

  “Erynn is fine. She is not unstable. I’ve been with her. I can get a message to her, if there’s anything you’d like me to relay.”

  Aynn’s mouth worked, but no words came out. Fear followed by turmoil swelled. Aynn’s emotional confusion—her need to deliver a message battled against her uncertainty.

  “You can talk to me. I won’t tell anyone . . . but Erynn.”

  “I want to trust . . . I need to tell her—” Aynn broke off, her voice low. Her gaze darted from one end of the dim corridor to the other.

  Erynn’s jaw clenched, her teeth grinding as she bit back the sudden anger rushing through her. Her rage was not directed at Aynn, but toward the circumstances that caused this woman’s crushing anxiety. She reached out to Aynn, touching her arm. A warm pulse of soft-blue energy radiated from Erynn to Aynn. “Erynn trusts me. You can too. I understand. I’ve heard things.” Erynn went on, hoping what she was about to say wouldn’t cause her more trouble. “She told me about General Gaden and others, that maybe they shouldn’t be trusted. With Cale gone—”

  “Then it’s true.” Aynn straightened, her growing resolve demonstrated in the narrowing of her dark eyes. The emotions cascading from Aynn were of a stronger nature now. “Cale is gone, and General Gaden has taken command of the base.” Aynn nodded decisively and backed into the compact parlor, beckoning Erynn to follow. “I think—no, I know where Cale has gone. He came to me early yesterday and told me the strangest thing. He said if anything happened to him, not to worry. To tell Erynn, and only Erynn, he would meet her in Glaskra, with Jaer.” Aynn grimaced and grabbed Erynn’s upper arms. “You must deliver this message to her.” She released her hold on Erynn and mumbled more to herself, “Let it be okay I told you.”

  Erynn shut the door behind her. “You haven’t broken Cale’s trust.”

  “I’m not sure why I told you. I shouldn’t have . . .” Aynn’s eyes fixed on Erynn’s, studying her. “There’s something familiar—” Aynn’s frown deepened and her eyes widened. “Erynn?”

  Erynn nodded, her lips lifting in a frail smile.

  Aynn gasped. “I can see you, underneath. Like a shining veil . . . It’s true, then! What Cace said. You were responsible for his miraculous recovery.”

  The vibration thrumming through Erynn eased and her ears popped. Her disguise faded. “No. Not me, but through me. Cace’s future, his destiny, is vital to Arranon and Korin. It was crucial he get well, to become the man I foresaw.”

  Tears welled in Aynn’s eyes again, this time tracking freely down her cheeks. “Thank you. What can I do? How can I help? I’ll do anything. I’m so worried about Cace. He’s already lost too much in his life, like a normal childhood and a father who cared enough to stay around. I don’t know what will happen if he loses any more.”

  Erynn shook her head and grasped Aynn’s shoulders, steadying her. “He won’t lose any more. I promise. May I see Cace? I don’t know how much you know about me, Aynn. I want to explain some things. I’m going to give you a quick condensed version, and I want Cace to hear this, too.”

  Aynn nodded. “Let me get him.”

  Cace emerged from the short hall. “Erynn!” His smile seemed to light up the whole room, chasing gloomy shadows from corners and under furniture. “I knew there was nothing to those rumors about you.” His expression changed, his brow furrowing, lips tight. “How’s Jaer?”

  “He’s not good, Cace. I’m going to help him, though. And to do that, I have to leave the base.”

  “Where? Where are you going, Erynn? I’ll come with you,” he said in a rush.

  “Cace, no.” Aynn clamped her fingers over Cace’s arm.

  Erynn smiled. “I can’t take you with me, Cace. But thanks for the offer.” She gestured them to the small couch and sat in a chair opposite. “I want to tell you something—a secret.” Erynn glanced at their eager faces. Drilled for as long as she could remember never to reveal her secret to anyone, this was difficult. Her dad’s instructions were as much a part of her as breathing. She nodded decisively and continued. “Do you remember that first day we met, Cace?”

  “How can I forget? You changed my life.”

  “No. Not me. Arranon did. With the help of the Anim Blath and, well, me to some extent, I guess.” Erynn took in a quick breath and let it slip out slowly through pursed lips. “My father was from Arranon, and my mother was from Korin.” She paused, waiting for the shock, the repulsion.

  Aynn reflexively drew away from Erynn. The deliberate misinformation forced onto the people for so many generations had deeply implanted a negative impression. “How is it you are alive? Children born of mixed parentage always die at birth.”

  “Lies,” Erynn hissed, her voice a low whisper through gritted teeth. She jumped up to pace a small path in front of Aynn and Cace. “Children of blended parentage were—are murdered. The fact that these children have abilities far beyond the rest of the population terrified our governments. The lie of deformities and certain death were told to prevent further births and explain the disappearance of whole families. Our leaders feared the potential loss of control to the future adults these children would become—that they, with the use of their powers, would take over one day.”

  Erynn slowed her frantic motion and nodded, not looking at Cace or Aynn. “I am not the only one. There are others. I met with a small group not long ago.” Her attention darted to Cace. “The oldest, Iyan, is about your age, Cace. You two would like each other. They are kept safe, in hiding on Arranon, protected.” She stopped pacing. Memories blurred her vision, and took her to a distant past. “My Dad, Damon, protected me. He instructed me from an early age never to use my gifts, to be careful, instilling a sense of discipline in me. If not for him, his constant vigilance and teachings, I’d be dead.” She exhaled, her focus returning.

  Cace smiled and his face brightened. “Awesome.” He leaned forward, absorbed with Erynn’s confession. In a soft whisper Cace added, “You’re like me—different.”

  “No. Not Different. We are special.” Erynn grinned at Cace’s excited acceptance of what she was, and his comparison of his own unfortunate circumstances to hers. Heat rose up her neck and into her cheeks. She blew out a quick breath. “Okay, here goes. My blended parentage gives me abilities. I sense the emotions of others. Sometimes I see future events.” Erynn crossed her arms and mumbled, “Not often enough, though.” She continued in a strong voice. “I have the ability to manipulate the electromagnetic field around me, and I can bend time for brief moments. I communicate with Arranon through the Anim Blath. I also communicate with the animals on this world and have influenced the weather.”

  Cace scooted to the edge of his seat. “That virtual flight you took me on, when the wind stilled, calming the water so we could look into the lake and see the Comhra symbols below the surface. That was you!”

  “Yes.” Erynn sat down again. “The more time I spend on Arranon, the more I learn about my abilities. Since I was not allowed to develop my powers as a child, Arranon seems to be providing me with a crash course on the possibilities awaiting me.” She glanced at Aynn and then Cace. “I found I could disguise my appearance by concentrating on an aleun that changes color in different environments.”

  “The Chamelaren,” Cace interjected. He tipped his head as the significance of what she told him sank in. “Wow!” He studied her through narrowed eyes. “What about Cale and Tiar and Sean? Are they . . . like you?”

  The heat spreading in her face intensified. “Like me?” She glanced at the floor, biting at her lip. “Not exactly.” This was a partial truth. Besides, their secret was not hers to tell. They did have a blended parentage and abilities, but not like hers. Because of Zander, his knowledge of Arranon and her magical secrets, Erynn’s abilities were . . . enhanced.

  “You’re a terrible liar, Erynn. I guess I just got my answer.” Cace shook his head. “How are you going to help Jaer?”

  “I have to find Dhoran.”

  Cace’s posture stiffened
. “Dhoran is in a holding cell, inside Byan Nev.” He shivered. The excited flush drained from his cheeks, leaving him pale.

  “No. Dhoran has left Nev’s body and escaped by possessing another victim. He was responsible for the attack on Jaer. I have information he’s gone to Tamaagra. From there . . . who knows? Nev is awake and aware. His spirit, his consciousness, his personality has regained control over a form that is foreign to him. He is effectively a prisoner in a cell and inside a strange, grotesque body.”

  “No!” Aynn cried. “Hasn’t he suffered enough? We have to help him.”

  Erynn took Aynn’s hand. “I will. At least I’m willing to try. I’m going to break Nev out of his holding cell, and together we are going after Dhoran.”

  Cace frowned, his posture still stiff. “How?”

  “Don’t know exactly. I’m still working on it.” Erynn straightened her shoulders. “You are going to hear some disturbing things about me. Don’t believe them. I need you to trust me. Can you do that?” Her gaze held Cace’s a moment and then shifted to Aynn.

  They both nodded.

  Erynn stood up and moved toward the door. “Stay close to Aven, Tam, Tiar, and Roni. I have to go now. I’ll contact you when I have news. Don’t tell anyone where Cale is or that I was here.” Erynn opened the door a crack and peeked into the empty corridor. She turned back and smiled before slipping into the dim hall.

  Erynn concentrated on the aleun, the Chamelaren, returning to her disguise. She turned a corner and descended a flight of stone steps, wondering how long she had until Gaden realized she was no longer in her quarters. “When they bring my next meal?” Her soft voice sounded close in the narrow corridor. She continued down toward the holding cells, trying to figure out how she would get in to see Nev, let alone get him out of his cell.

  Chapter 13

  ERYNN HURRIED THROUGH COLD, DESERTED warrens, descending murky steps into the shadowy depths of the mountain fortress. Water dripped from the rough ceiling, a sharp staccato, ticking on the floor like phantom footsteps. Icy trails of silver-white veins formed, tracking down stone walls under widely spaced and diffused overhead lights.

  Curt male voices rumbled a shared discontent from the gloom ahead.

  Erynn gasped and skidded to a stop, her feet slipping on slick stone. She turned to run the way she’d come, but an insistent voice echoed from that direction also. Even disguised, Erynn had no business being in a prohibited section without authorization.

  Deep laughter from behind bounced against rock, heralding the speed of the patrol’s approach.

  She spun, scanning her immediate area, searching for a recess in the rock to conceal her presence. She gritted her teeth, a soft groan escaping her throat. “Beirig din! How far back is the nearest side tunnel? Too far,” Erynn whispered, biting at her lip.

  Boot steps made a quick report on stone. Three dark shapes formed just beyond the third overhead light in front and two from the second globe behind her.

  Erynn pressed her back against uneven rock in the shadows between faint illuminations. The white flight suit she wore glowed in contrast to the deep brown stone. Her soft whisper trembled, “Perfect. Now what?” Hair on the back of her neck rose in response to a deep chill spreading from her chest. Her heart hammered. If she didn’t do something—and quick—she’d end up in a cell next to Nev’s, and Dhoran would get away.

  Jaer!

  The sense of Jaer’s life in a ticking countdown and Dhoran leaving Tamaagra before she and Nev could find him made her stomach feel as though a pair of brawling bonthar—quills extended—had taken up residence there. Energy swelled and snapped, gathering in her fingertips. “If I bend time, I’ll lose that ability for a while. Have to recharge before getting into Nev’s cell.” Erynn took in a deep breath, ready to loose the current building inside her. “No other choice.” Her voice barely raised above an exhalation.

  Eyes darting from one side of the tunnel to the other, Erynn considered her lack of options. She would wait until one—or more—of the security team acknowledged her presence, then stop time, rush past the patrol on her right, and disappear into obscurity. They would doubt what they’d seen when time caught up to them and would not pursue her. At least she hoped that’s how this scenario would play out.

  A man and a woman closed in from her left. The three men on her right were near enough for her to distinguish the crossed staser rifles of their security insignias on white jumpsuits. Erynn didn’t move. She took in a deep breath and held it. If she compressed herself any farther against the rock wall, she would leave a depression. Her stomach tensed. Muscles ached from holding them tight.

  The first patrol was less than two meters from her now, yet they behaved as if she wasn’t there. The two teams converged, standing right in front of Erynn. Both patrols had to see her, or hear her pounding heart.

  The older woman on the left asked, “Did you clear level ten?”

  The guard in the center on the right straightened and stepped forward. “Yes, Captain Pyne. We found no evidence General Athru escaped through the lower level.” He glanced at his teammates. “We did infrared sweeps and followed up with a ground-penetrating scan. We located nothing, Captain.”

  Captain Pyne nodded. “We’re to report to General Gaden. Hangar bay in five timnents.” Pyne turned and gestured, her arm sweeping toward the left side of the corridor. “Move out.” They trotted away in cadence and melded into the shadowy gloom.

  Erynn exhaled in a silent rush. Her frantic heartbeat steadied. Muscles stiff, she staggered away from the wall. “They didn’t see me.” She swiped the back of her hand across her mouth and continued in a steadier gait down the corridor to the right. The ability of disguise seemed to have enhanced to a camouflaged invisibility. Erynn’s lips twitched, forming a satisfied but somewhat uneasy grin. “But wasn’t that what the aleun—Cace called it a Chamelaren—did all along?” She glanced back, listened, and then continued, whispering reassuring words to make sense of what had happened—before and just now. “So it only makes sense I can do the same thing. Right?” Her quiet debate with herself over the Chamelaren’s talents versus hers ended.

  Erynn slowed, entering the side passage to the holding cells. Flattened against the wall, she crept forward, stopping in a deep shadow at the corner of the command post and listened. White light spilled from the antechamber, pooling on the floor just ahead of her. A man cleared his throat. A chair squeaked under shifted weight. Silence followed.

  Erynn edged closer and chanced a peek around the corner, drawing back quickly. There was only the one tech. No security officers. No Anbas. “What the—” She frowned and considered this lapse in safeguarding Dhoran.

  Don’t question good fortune. I still need to get past this one and into Nev’s cell. I hope he’s still there. This could get tricky if Gaden has released Nev, who he thinks is Dhoran.

  She took several deep inhalations. Her exhaled breath plumed in a silver fog and vanished.

  Nev’s cell was three down on the left past the command desk. She didn’t know the keypad access.

  An icy mist formed ahead of her, glowing and sparkling with a throbbing purple energy.

  Erynn remembered—and smiled. She hadn’t known how to get to the alien commander Admiral Newell either. His evil presence had radiated from behind the thick bulkhead of his quarters. Explosions had rocked the massive alien ship, ripping it apart. Terror had immersed Newell—the same dread he inflicted daily on his crew. Powerful electromagnetic energy delivered through Erynn to the hatch’s panel had opened his quarters. Once inside, she had confronted the small, cowering man, letting him know his invasion of Korin, Arranon, and of future worlds was over, forever. His attempt to flee the vessel was futile. Erynn made sure Admiral Newell went down with his ship.

  She nodded, and her smile widened. Yet another ability Erynn controlled.

  Her disguise no longer necessary, the vibration coursing through Erynn stilled, the tingle in her hands faded, and the familiar pop soun
ded in her ears. “Time for another mixed-blood talent,” she stated under her breath and chuckled. The irony of her use of the word time pleased her. Blue static built in Erynn’s hands, arcing and snapping, spinning around her fingers. She stepped around the corner facing the control desk and sent the current flying.

  Time slowed and stopped.

  Erynn ran. She reached the correct cell and laid her palm over the keyscreen. She glanced back at the motionless tech, expecting him to jerk into the present at any moment. The bonthar in her stomach were now chasing each other in the confined space. Bright purple electricity crackled under her fingers, shorting the locking mechanism. The access glided open. She slipped through and eased the door shut. It would no longer lock. She leaned against the useless but solid access, panting, and listening. The energy she’d sent out rebounded, finding Erynn, and was reabsorbed.

  Nev rose slowly to a seated position on the cot. “Erynn,” he whispered in a low rumble.

  She stared at him, seeing only Nev. “You’re awake. Good. We have to move fast. You up for it?”

  His blue eyes widened. “You believe me, then?” He slumped, seeming to shrink, and nodded. “That I’m not Dhoran?”

  “Yes.” Erynn mentally assessed how long she had taken to get here, trying to calculate how much time they had until Gaden would be informed she was no longer in her quarters. At the most, she hoped there was another huair. “Can you keep up? We need to get off the base and to Tamaagra—fast.”

  Nev shook his head. Long sandy-brown hair slipped over his furrowed forehead. “Now? Slow down. Off the base? Tamaagra? What about Dhoran?”

  “Dhoran’s gone. To Tamaagra.” Anger aided by adrenaline coursed through her. Body tense, she pushed her weight off the door, and it rattled faintly against the thin tracks. Propelled the four short steps to Nev, she held out her hand to help him stand. “A lot’s happened. No time to explain. We have to get out of here.” Erynn tipped her head. She splayed and wiggled her fingers. “Come on,” she chided in a low tone. Nev took her hand, and she tugged him into a standing position. He seemed steadier than he had last night. “I see the drugs have worn off.” His alertness troubled her.