“Morg will have me killed if I let you out,” Man-boy pleaded.
“Morg is not here right now, but I am,” Kade said in a snarl as he slowly rose to his feet while keeping eye contact. His captor quivered visibly. The fear was wracking him, and Kade could see he was having the effect he wanted. Man-boy was looking anywhere but at him. “NOW!” Kade yelled into his face as he took a step right up to the bars.
Man-boy seemed to snap as his eyes whipped around to lock with Kade’s. They were no longer the eyes of a sane man. It was too much for Man-boy. His eyes went wild.
“I’ll do something,” he said as he frantically reached for the keys on his belt. A lifetime of being afraid while keeping it hidden had finally pushed him too far. He was going to prove once and for all that he had nothing to fear, and what better way to do it than to kill a Chosen.
Kade took a step away from the door while looking behind himself. He swallowed hard as his mind worked feverishly to find a solution to this problem. This was not quite the way he had pictured this going in his head.
“Leave him alone,” Darcienna screamed. Her eyes blazed bright blue instantly. He turned and locked eyes with her, which was a first for him.
“You will be next,” he hissed as spittle flew from his mouth.
“If you come into this cell, I will make you suffer beyond your worst fears,” Kade threatened, trying to regain control of the situation.
It only hastened the man to find the right key. Soon, he jammed the jagged piece of metal into the lock, and with a violent turn, the door was unlocked. He flung it open as he glared at the source of his fear. Man-boy leered at Kade, feeling brave for the first time in his life. He felt like he was the one in control and the one with power. The feeling of not being afraid filled him with strength, and this time when he looked at Kade, his intent was clear. Nothing meant more to him than killing this Chosen. With Kade’s death would come the death of his cowardice.
Man-boy took one step into the room, and Kade heard a sickening thunk. The coward, who had turned brave, stumbled as his head twisted at an odd angle. He hunched his shoulders and clenched his fists, his face screwed up in pain. At first, Kade was just as confused as Man-boy, and then he saw the reason why his captor had stumbled. He recognized the hilt of the knife sticking out of Man-boy’s neck. The point had gone all the way through and was sticking out several inches on the other side. Man-boy’s hand went to his neck as he tried to pull the knife out, but the life was already ebbing from his body. For just an instant, Kade could see sanity return to him. A look flashed in Man-boy’s eyes. Was it understanding? Was it the look someone gets when they finally realize something they were not able to figure out for an entire lifetime? Kade would never know, but at that moment, it was very clear to Man-boy that it was his cowardice and his fears that had kept him alive all these years. He was now going to die because he had overcome those fears. He gurgled a laugh and then fell to the floor, never to fear again.
Kade moved to the open door and looked down the hall from where the knife came. There was a shadow closing the wooden door slowly, obviously trying to be quiet. It slipped down the hall toward the cell where Kade was waiting. He looked back at the knife in the man’s neck and knew who was going to step into the light.
“I knew you were going to be needing me sometime,” Dran said matter-of-factly.
“You could not have timed that better,” Kade said as he breathed a sigh of relief. “Quickly, untie me.”
“First, let me get my knife back from the man who borrowed it,” Dran said, as he smiled at his own joke. He put his foot against the man’s head for leverage and pulled the knife free.
“You know this person,” Darcienna said, more as a statement than a question.
“Yes. I ran across him in the woods just before I came upon you. He was leaving the town where my parents were captured,” Kade said and then turned back to Dran. “How did you find us?”
“I saw that black animal of yours heading toward this dungeon. From there it was only a guess but a good one I see,” Dran said with a smirk.
“Yes, but how did you come to this town?” Kade asked, suspicious. He was not ready to trust anyone to be who they say they are with a shapeshifter around.
“Who do you think helped your parents build that beautiful cabin? And of course, it did not take a genius to know they would come here. It is the closest town. Once I got here, I kept seeing a silky, black creature with a bent ear. At first, I could not place it, but then it hit me; I saw him when we first met and knew it was not just a coincidence. I realized it was trying to lead me to you, so here I am.”
“I didn’t know it was here,” Kade said, turning his back to Dran, waiting for the man to cut his ropes.
“Dran, is that you?” Garig asked.
“Garig?” Dran responded, surprised at the voice he heard coming from the dark cell at the end.
“Yes, it’s me,” Garig said. “Why are you here?”
“I ran into your son. He told me what he was doing, and I decided I was going to help,” Dran said as he cut the ropes binding Kade. “So, I was right when I told Kade you were too stubborn to leave town?” Dran asked.
“Someone had to stay and try to get rid of that monster,” Garig growled.
“You two can talk later. Right now we have to get out of here,” Kade said as he reached for the ring of keys.
Kade pried them from the dead man’s grip and quickly opened Darcienna’s cell. Dran cut the ropes from her wrists. She breathed a sigh of relief as she rubbed her arms to help the circulation. Dran eyed her with deep appreciation at that intake of breath. Next, they freed Garig and Judeen. Darcienna raced over to her son and took him into her arms, looking him over for any injuries.
Kade stopped and looked at the knife in Dran’s hand, grateful it never left its sheath when they first met. The man knew how to use a blade almost too well. He had to remind himself that any man could still be deadly, even those that did not use the Divine.
“You’re pretty good with that thing,” Kade said, motioning to the knife. “That was at least a fifty foot throw.”
“Well, a man has to be good at something,” Dran said as he flipped the blade over and over in his hands. It was almost as if he was doing this without having to think about it. It was as if it was an extension of his body.
“Well, who is this?” Dran asked while staring at Darcienna. She slid closer to Kade and put her hand on his arm, not liking the attention she was getting.
Kade longed to introduce her as his intended but instead said, “This is Darcienna. I met her the same day I left you. Look, we need to get out of here before the other men come back,” Kade said, not liking the way Dran was looking at Darcienna. Without thinking, he put his arm around her protectively. Dran shrugged his shoulders casually and pretended to check over his knife for any damage.
“You’re right,” Judeen said as she smiled a hello to Dran. She made a point to ask him later if he and Tracella were split up again as she took in the way he eyed Darcienna.
“There should have been two others,” Darcienna said. “How did you get by?” she asked of Dran as she glanced at Kade with worry.
Dran started to laugh as he said, “they took off after your little pet.”
“Well, we should have no trouble getting out,” Kade said as he flowed through the moves for the Transparency Calling. Everyone disappeared from view. Just before they faded out, Kade saw a look of awe on his father’s face. He could not help but enjoy seeing his father impressed with his ability instead of the disgust he expected. At least, he hoped that was what it was he was seeing. Next, Kade quickly completed the Silence Calling and breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, we can leave now,” Kade said, happy with himself.
“What just happened?” Dran asked in awe.
“I am a Chosen,” Kade said, feeling that that was all the explanation needed. He neglected to use the word apprentice. “I just made everyone invisible. We need to stay close or
we could lose contact. I also have a calling in place that will allow us to hear each other, but no one else can hear us. We still need to be careful. Someone could see us disturbing the ground, so keep that in mind.”
“Well, Chosen, it looks like you have found what you’re good at. My knife is nothing compared to this. This is incredible,” Dran said, overly impressed.
“Kade,” Darcienna said, trying to get his attention.
“Yes?” Kade responded, hearing worry in her voice.
Just then the door at the end of the hall opened, and Vell entered. Kade felt a cold chill run down his back as he noticed that there were two others with him. He closed his eyes as his heart started to pound. He completed the Reveal Calling and inhaled sharply at what he saw.
“Three shapeshifters,” Kade hissed.
Vell was, once again, in the shape of Garig. This was obviously a game to him. Kade could not wait to see his reaction when he saw the empty cell with the dead man lying on the floor. Vell sent the other two shapeshifters forward with instructions to retrieve the Chosen. Kade felt the urge to blast them with his lightning but decided that caution was a more prudent course. Getting them all out safely was much more important than revenge…barely.
“Kade,” Darcienna whispered in panic.
“I know,” Kade responded roughly. “Everyone get behind me. Stand next to the wall at the end of the hall. If we are lucky, they will not sense us.”
Just as Kade finished speaking, the first shapeshifter came upon the dead man. The second shapeshifter ran into the cell formerly occupied by Darcienna. The first shapeshifter ran back into the hall in a panic.
“There is a dead man here.”
“This cell is empty,” the second shapeshifter said in a hurry.
“No! It can’t be!” Vell screamed in outrage. He changed into the form with the long daggers for fingers.
Kade went through the moves of the Lightning Calling in his head just in case they were discovered. He was not sure if the three could sense him or not, but he was going to be ready. He planted his feet firmly as he locked onto Vell. A part of him wanted this so badly he could taste it. He could feel the Divine Power swirling within him, promising him ecstasy, urging him to use it, to destroy with it, to enact his revenge. He felt the power calling to him and his eyes closed slightly as the sweet feel of the Divine filled him. Kade shook off the desire to let the Divine guide his hand.
“Check the other cells!” Vell commanded roughly.
“Darcienna, be ready to use your shield when I say but not until then. If I can take out Vell, then maybe the other two will make a run for it,” Kade said.
“I thought they were not supposed to be here till tomorrow,” Judeen said. “Does that mean Morg is here?”
“I am not sure. Right now we can’t worry about that,” Kade said as he watched the two subordinates check the cells one by one.
Kade watched as the two shapeshifters moved closer and closer. He was certain that his small group was not going to stay undiscovered. The shapeshifters were going to be too close when they got to the last two cells at the end of the hall. Kade smiled, grateful for the excuse to fulfill his urge to exact his revenge.
“Stay behind me and watch,” Kade said as he grinned eagerly.
He planted his feet squarely and started through the moves. He was the wind moving gracefully through the trees. He was the water swirling easily through a winding river. He was grace and beauty as he performed the moves flawlessly. The closer of the two shapeshifters stopped just two paces in front of him as it smelled the air. Kade let the Lightning Calling explode from his hand to slam into the shapeshifter. The sound was deafening as it echoed off the walls. The building shook to its very core as dust sifted down from the ceiling. Although the shapeshifters heard nothing because of the Silence Calling, everyone else’s ears rang furiously. Everyone panicked at the sound of the explosion and quickly pressed their hands tightly to their head. The creature was caught directly in the center of its chest. It exploded messily, spraying the small party, making them visible once more.
“We are under attack,” the second shapeshifter said as he dove into a cell.
Kade could see him changing shape even before he hit the ground. He looked down the hall to see Vell grow to three times his size. Kade smiled at the challenge. Larger was not better, and Vell was about to learn that the hard way. He recalled Darcienna telling him of how this creature had hit her in the head and stepped forward to meet the challenge, eager to make this creature pay.
Kade was covered with the blood of the shapeshifter. He could be seen. It did not matter. He let the power fill him and he reveled in it.
He brought the Lightning Calling to life, again causing an explosion that rocked the very building. The calling raced down the hall toward its target. Vell dodged, but just barely, as the bolt slammed into the wooden door, causing it to disintegrate. The shapeshifter recovered quickly, changed into something else just as big, but much faster, and charged down the hall at an all-out run. For just a moment, Kade felt the urge to step back but quickly dismissed the idea. He raced through the moves for the Divine Fire Calling and sent the fiery blast to envelope the creature. Kade smiled in satisfaction as he saw the blast explode against the beast’s chest, causing it to scream out in pain. When the smoke cleared, there was no sign of Vell.
“Kade, should I use my shield?” Darcienna asked, not seeing a trace of their captor.
“Not until it is absolutely necessary. If they get too close, they can surround us. I must keep distance between them and us,” Kade said as the flames died down. He looked around and started to get a bad feeling. The seconds ticked by. Kade started to get nervous, knowing that Vell could be sneaking up on them this very moment. He was about to tell Darcienna to use her shield when he got an idea. He closed his eyes and used the Reveal Calling.
“Just as I thought,” Kade said under his breath as he watched a slight distortion move along the ceiling toward them. He imagined that Vell had taken the shape of a spider and shivered. He hated spiders…or…he used to. He started through the moves for the Lightning Calling once more as the spot closed to within twenty feet. It got to fifteen feet and started to expand when Kade let the calling explode from his hand. Vell screamed as the ceiling crumbled under the impact of the calling.
“Now, Darcienna!” Kade yelled as the building started to fall down on them. The shield materialized just as the first heavy chunk of brick fell toward them. Kade ducked out of reflex. Every piece of debris that hit the shield caused Darcienna to grunt and her arms to jolt as if she were being hit, but she held. She fell to one knee and her hands had sank to the level of her shoulders, but the shield stayed intact. Darcienna was panting by the time the building stopped falling.
Kade closed his eyes and searched for Vell but found nothing. There was no way he could have survived that, Kade thought. It was a direct hit. Just as he was about to open his eyes, he looked to his left for the other shapeshifter. There, in the far corner, was just a speck of distortion. He would have easily missed it, but knowing what to look for, he had seen what he was seeking.
“Holy Mother of the Divine, Kade. What was that?” Garig said too loudly, trying to stop the ringing in his ears.
“Just a simple little calling I learned recently,” Kade said with mock modesty.
“That is one bloody calling that I would not consider simple,” Garig said as he swore, feeling his heart hammer at the inside of his chest. “And maybe a warning next time?” he scolded, letting another string of profanity fly.
“Kade. Are you okay?” Darcienna asked. He did not answer at first as he watched the spec in the cell. He was certain that this one was fairly weak in its abilities. It was, most likely, afraid for its life. “Kade,” Darcienna said more insistently.
“I am okay. I am watching something,” Kade said.
“Would you like to see if he likes the taste of my knife?” Dran asked, picking up on what was happening.
“Yes,” Darcienna said. Kade was certain he could hear a fair share of strain in her voice but, he trusted her. If she said she could do it, then he knew she could.
“Good. I am going to let both callings go that are cloaking us,” Kade said.
“But, that will mean that the shapeshifter will be able to follow us and hear us,” Judeen said, alarmed.
“I’m counting on that. If you don’t want to be forced to move from that beautiful home of yours, then just follow my lead. It should also keep Morg from finding us if he doesn’t show up before we get out of here. Father, play along,” Kade said as he let both callings dissipate.
Kade led the way by the cell while watching for the shapeshifter out of the corner of his eye. They passed the gaping hole in the ceiling without incident. Darcienna let the shield go with an audible gasp. They stepped through the exit where the door had been and started to work their way up the stairs. Kade stood against the wall to allow the others to ascend as he closed his eyes and casually glanced down the hall. As he expected, there was a shimmer working its way toward them along the edge of the wall.
“Father, how much further south must we travel to get to your cabin?” Kade asked with a sly smile.
“Oh we are not even close. Its days if not weeks till we get there,” Garig said.
“I will travel with you until you are home and then I will go on my way. We should be safe until then,” Kade said as he glanced back down the corridor. He saw a small field mouse wedged up against the wall not more than ten feet from them. Pretending not to see, Kade turned back to the party as they all continued their climb. Soon, they were outside the dungeon. Kade could see the dragon through the trees.
The Divine Path (The Divine Series) Page 22