by Lisa E Parry
“She won’t hurt me. Let me get close to her.”
I attempted mind speech. “What are you saying?”
“If needs be, use me.”
Somehow, the disruption around me disappeared. Though everyone continued to yell like Neanderthals, all I heard was Viola’s voice. “She could hurt you. Without your powers, you’re helpless.”
“I know, but she’s aware of that too.”
Sheer determination shadowed Viola’s pale face - along with affection and worry. Melissa had people ready to sacrifice themselves for her - first Warwick and now Viola. I had no doubt that Dorian would lay down his life for her. The girl had touched so many hearts and saved so many from a grisly fate that it would truly be a sad loss if Melissa died. I realised then that I hadn’t considered the possibility she could meet with her own terrible fate. It hadn’t been an option.
Now it dawned on me, I felt sadness press down on me. How had I come to care for that stubborn girl? With a smile, I realised she reminded me of myself when I was younger - when I wanted the best for everyone, no matter the cost. That pureness of heart left a shadow where it used to be. At that moment, I felt its loss and envied Melissa hers. I didn’t want Melissa to lose that. It was something worth holding on to, something that more people should have - something worth preserving. I had to use every option in my arsenal.
“What are you two speaking of?” It was Aidan’s voice that snapped our attention to the now silent room. “You haven’t broken eye contact.” I suppressed a smile. He noticed the little things. Aidan’s participation in the conversation up to that point was little to none; yet he silenced the room to hear what had passed between Viola and me. Indeed, Aidan’s attachment to Viola needed to be addressed and discouraged.
Viola cleared her throat and my eyebrows rose. This quiet girl was about to address war generals, chiefs, kings and queens? I respected her a little more.
“I need to get close to Melissa. I am going to need help with that.” Her pale face flushed with the attention of war veterans and royalty that occupied the room. She visibly cringed away from their scrutinizing glares.
“Absolutely not. You are not going anywhere near that castle,” Aidan demanded forcefully. Viola’s mouth opened a little, but nothing came out. I shook my head at his determined objection.
“You’re not going anywhere,” came Warwick’s voice and everyone turned to him instead. “Cheri, have you come up with a plan for me yet?” He was asking me directly. Viola looked questioningly between us.
“Yes.”
“What are you talking of?” Elfina demanded.
“We can get Warwick into Anarch’s castle undetected. I thought if he …”
A rush of wind silenced me as the double doors burst open into a walled garden beyond the council room. The light in the room dulled. Swords were drawn, and magic waited at the ready, but from my position I observed the source of the sudden interference and grew uneasy. Even Dorian gripped his chair when he beheld great webbed wings.
“I am here to aid you. Do not be afraid,” spoke a calm male voice in my head. Concerned glances were cast about the room - confirmation that we had all heard the same voice. The wind ceased, the maps from the table resting once again haphazardly upon the table. A cryingly beautiful white tiger padded into the room, his golden eyes fixed upon Viola’s large violet stare. “You have a pure heart, my child, but you cannot reach your friend.”
I pressed my fingers to my temples. My head and eyelids felt heavy with such a great mind pressing down on it. His mere presence in the room made me want to bend to his will. Golden eyes found mine and then moved on. For now, do not concern yourself with Melissa’s safe keeping. I have taken that upon myself.”
Silence…
A crushing weight lifted from my chest at his words. I found my voice. “Thank you.” I gritted my teeth, then found the courage to address him. “Do you know of Anarch’s next move?”
“I told Melissa I would help. I shall not go to war, but that doesn’t mean you cannot seek my council.” He paused and looked around the room. I couldn’t read any giveaway expressions on his face - an admirable advantage of taking animal form. “Anarch readies his army for the West. What you choose to do with that information is up to you.” The tiger looked at me. “You may use the vampire in the scheme you have conceived. It will work.”
Unsure how to respond, I gave him a grateful nod. With a little more confidence in what I had planned for Warwick, I felt eager to follow it through.
“Thank you, Dargon,” Elfina answered. “Considering what has happened in your past, I appreciate your help.” Dargon’s golden gaze found the Queen’s emerald green one. Something untold passed between them.
“Will Melissa be travelling with them?” Aidan enquired.
“Yes.”
“Right,” Elfina declared, whilst pulling out a map from the disarrayed pile. “Then we shall assemble our men and ride west immediately. The closest city west of Anarch’s castle is Nutovi. If his army has not yet left, and if we emerge from the deep valley, here … - she pointed to a location on a map and generals pored over it – “we can cut him off on these grassy plains. We’ll send riders ahead of us to warn the Earl.”
Thankfully, there was unanimous agreement. A page left the room with a number of messages signed by each Royal. The war was about to begin.
***
Chapter 22
I pelted through the castle on swift wings and at such a speed that I barely felt the pull of Anarch’s hold on me. Twisting around corners and taking flights of stairs at an effortless rapid pace, I felt the bond loosen like a taught ribbon now slack. It was easier on me and I had Dargon to thank for hinting at how I could ease at least one thing I had to bear unmercifully. Etheldreda would not catch me and taunt me in this form. A wicked sense of exultation thrummed through my black feathered body in winning at least one battle. Perhaps all was not lost…
I caught a glimpse of Oliver along the way. He stood upon the castle wall looking outwards, head hung low. I desperately needed to speak to him – to apologise for the way I spoke to him. After dwelling on Dargon’s words in my waking moments throughout the night, I decided to find out what Oliver needed to tell me so badly, and how he’d died. Why was it so important that Anarch forbade him to tell me? Surely, between Avellana and myself, we could figure out a way to get it out of him.
Rather unsteadily, I transformed back into my human form, and almost collided with the wall. I brushed my dress down and tugged on the bodice before knocking on the door I’d felt Anarch’s presence behind. I hadn’t been to this room before, yet I was drawn to it like a beacon.
“Come.”
My hand hovered over the door handle and I glanced up at the closed door with uncertainty.
“Come!”
With a sudden urgency to open the door, my hand slipped off the handle. I got it the second time. Damn him.
I entered a beautifully lit, octangular room. Books filled many shelves that hugged the walls with windows spaced between the stacks, reaching for the beamed ceiling. I hated to admit it, but his library was stunning. I took a moment to take it all in. I could spend hours here. I flexed my fingers, itching to slide thick, ancient volumes off the shelves. What secrets do they hide?
“Come here, child,” Anarch ordered. I began walking before I even looked at him. He stood before a table strewn with books and maps. A large tome lay open in the middle of it all. Thick candles had burned all the way down to their gaudy brass holders. Anarch was without his long robes. With a simple shirt and breeches, it was easy to discern that Anarch was quite capable of physical combat. He gestured towards the table behind him and as he twisted, his shirt tightened. He was slim and muscled; he looked younger. How was that even possible?
A number of short, sharp memories flashed before my eyes. Anarch was a lot younger. He was laughing, he was fighting, he was riding at crazy speeds, he found something… Sorrow struck me so hard that I stumbled as I
neared him. After finding my footing, I met his gaze and knew Avellana had bestowed those memories upon me. But why?
“Are you unwell? Do you need medical attention?”
I gritted my teeth and balled my fists. Avellana was holding back on me. She had known Anarch. I needed to know so much from her – and from Oliver. By God, I’ll tear information out of them both! “Your weapon is fine, for now,” I snipped. His eyes searched mine and stepped a little closer. My vision flashed green for a moment.
“Sometimes, I think I see …”
“What?” I held my breath. He couldn’t know about Avellana. He must know I’m her reincarnation though. I resembled her almost perfectly and if he’d known her … What if there was another reason he wanted me close to him? I swallowed.
He cleared his throat, “We move west today.” He pointed to a map on the table, indicating a city named ‘Nutovi’. Caster lay to the east of it. “We should reach the city before the week is out. There is something there that belongs to me. We must take the city in order to find it. When we have victory, you and I will enter the caverns, here.” He pointed to a small etching of a pile of rocks near the city walls. I raised my eyebrows.
“What is it you’re looking for?”
Anarch shook his head and tutted at me. “You don’t need to know. I just need your help to retrieve it.”
I shrugged and nodded. I glanced back down at the map with little red dots peppered across it. Goosebumps rippled over me. The pinpoints almost resembled the blood that would soon be spilled in their locations. Anarch swept up the ancient map before I could study it further - not before I caught the name of the next closest city though.
Smoothing down my thick, grey dress, I looked at the floor. “Am I to be on the battlefield?”
“Of course.” Not very forthcoming, so I dug a little deeper.
“You want me to fight?”
“Yes,” he said casually.
I looked up at him. “Can’t we just sneak in and steal back whatever it is you want? Why must innocent people die needlessly?”
“I need the city. I must be close to what is there. Magical boundaries set in ancient times prevent anyone from moving it beyond the city limits. Even I can’t break them.” He looked pointedly at me. “Perhaps you can …” He frowned.
“Get me in and let me try. It will save innocent blood being spilt, if all you need is an item.”
“No. I want the city. My reign must reach far and wide.” He waved his arm in dismissal. “Do not use any more of your power until we get there. You are still recuperating, but your magic should have replenished by the time we arrive at the city walls.” Damn it. I couldn’t transform to travel about the castle now.
I turned from him to look out the window, so he wouldn’t see my reaction. All too soon, I would soak the earth with blood. I wanted to cry, but I sure as hell wouldn’t let him see it. I crossed my arms and pressed my eyes shut until the urge passed.
Anarch joined me at the window – standing so close that I flinched away from him. “Such a tortured soul. He will get what he desires soon enough.”
I frowned and opened my eyes. From this vantage point, somewhere half way up a tower, I could see Oliver. His lonely figure stood untouched by the wailing wind at the base of a spire upon the turret of one of the inky black towers. There were so many spires reaching for the sky – much like Anarch’s endeavours. If turned upside down it would look like spilled ink trickling towards the earth to saturate the ground and despoil it with its taint.
Oliver…
“What is his purpose to you?” I asked quietly.
“You haven’t figured it out? I promised him a new life as long as you don’t challenge me when I release you.”
My head whipped around to him, “What?”
“Walk away when we are done, or he will live out eternity in agony.”
Life, light and hope drained out of me as those wretched words left his mouth. If I did nothing to Anarch when I became free, Oliver would live again. If I turned on him and failed, then God knows what Anarch would do to him. A cry bubbled out of me.
“Don’t be so dramatic, my dear. He knew what he was walking into.”
A shaking hand came to my mouth as I clawed for the courage to pull myself together. Anarch had my hands tied completely…
His footsteps passed by me and I heard a tap, click and then a grinding of stone against stone. Looking up through water, my eyes fell upon a glowing glass orb. Nestled in black silk and sitting upon a stone block, it had emerged from a space in the wall behind a bookcase. Emerald smoke eddied around the object. Tears sliding down my cheek, I paced over to the object. It felt unnatural – demented. I was drawn to it. Cries and wails of despair emanated from inside. Distorted faces twisted and turned within. I had never seen such pain on a person’s face. I reached out a hand only for Anarch to smack it away. The physical reprimand shocked me out of a daze, and some part of me wanted to run for the hills from that thing.
“This is Oliver’s fate, should you attack me.” Those simple words made something inside me crumble. It was over, all hope turned to dust. How could I curse Oliver to an eternity with such torment? I fell to my knees, ready for the breakdown to tear me to pieces.
That’s when Avellana surged up. Rock hard resolve, assurance and support smothered me like a blanket and I felt dulled within my own body. Mechanically I stood, turned for the door and strode towards it. “If I am not needed until we march, then may I leave your presence?” Avellana made sure she did not face Anarch.
“Oh? Of course. Someone will be sent for you when we leave.” He sounded unsure. He wanted to witness my collapse, had waited to see me surrender to my fate. Apparently, today was not that day.
Anarch’s footsteps quickened to my side and he roughly grabbed my arm to spin me around. “Did you hear what I said?” Those green, swirling-vortex eyes searched for my attention, but mindlessly I gazed somewhere beyond him. “Look at me!”
“Your threat came across loud and clear.” Boldly I stared at the door instead of meeting his stare. “May I leave?”
Anarch pushed me away, his eyes assessing me anew. “Go.”
I left the library calmly on his command – then fled in search of Oliver. Avellana had relinquished control of my body to me once again. She had saved me from shattering and giving Anarch exactly what he wanted: me – broken. Thank God for her.
I paced the cold, hollow corridors in a phantom wind until I found what I surmised to be the base of the tower Oliver stood atop. A deep hatred boiled in my veins and the emptiness of reaching for my powers and finding nothing became unbearable. I begged to lash out at something, but my powers obediently lay dormant. I heaved up an ugly vase from a plinth and threw it against the wall with a loud cry.
Staring upon the thousands of shattered pieces lying at my feet, I couldn’t help but relate to the mess. I pictured myself as a 3D puzzle. Each piece represented a person I loved and cared for. I would be nothing without them. I would be hollow, incomplete and cease to exist – and they were all still alive and worth fighting for…
“It looked at you wrong, didn’t it?” Oliver said out of the darkened corridor. My eyes searched the empty passageway for the source of his voice.
“Where are you?”
He appeared by the door I was to take up the tower. “Well, thank you for saving me the trip up there.”
His downcast eyes met with the floor somewhere before my feet.
“I need to talk to you,” I said.
“Now you want to talk? I didn’t think you cared anymore.”
I faced him. “I’m so sorry for the way I spoke to you. It’s not how I feel at all.”
He scratched at his head, scruffing his hair up. “You have every right to be angry with me. I went behind your back.”
“No. I know about your deal with Anarch.”
He looked up at me. “We shouldn’t do this here. If anyone sees us together then I’ll be forced to tell him every
thing we spoke about.”
I looked around. There wasn’t a soul to be seen. Come to think of it, I had only ever seen Etheldreda roaming these halls. “Okay. Meet me at my room.”
“Can’t you fly there?” he asked.
“You’ve been watching me?”
“Always.” A lump formed in my throat.
“Anarch has forbidden me to use magic until we get to the city. I’ll have to go the long way.”
On returning to my bedchambers, I found I had preceded Oliver. Calmly, I walked to the gossamer curtains to breathe in the fresh air that whispered throughout the room. I prayed he had not been intercepted and questioned. If Etheldreda had caught sight of us …
Oliver appeared stretched out on my bed, hands behind his head and legs crossed at the ankles.
I looked soberly over my shoulder at my dear friend. Even now, I still felt a little betrayed. “You know I must do everything in my power to kill Anarch. Why make such a terrible deal with him?”
“I have my reasons.”
Shoving the curtains aside, I paced the floor to the foot of the bed and slammed my fists into the bed sheets. “You have your reasons? What kind of a lame-ass excuse is that?” I straightened. “Why won’t you tell me?” I gripped the bedpost. Rein it in. I told myself before losing my temper.
“I can’t tell you.”
“Then figure out how!” I slammed my hand against the wooden post and winced as it bit into my palm. “You did this behind my back. You should’ve told me. We could’ve figured something out.”
“You would’ve stopped me. I’m doing this to help – like you did with Warwick? You didn’t ask; you just acted on your own because that was what mattered the most to you. Let me do the same.”