by K. F. Breene
Without a word, Sanders took the pot out, dropping it to the ground to cool. He continued on to the Captain’s tent, amazed the man was still asleep, let alone had slept at all. As he pushed open the canvas flap, he changed his tune.
The Captain sat cross-legged, his elbows resting on his knees with his head in his hands. He glanced up when Sanders came in. “Close the flap behind you.”
Sanders dropped the canvas and walked to the corner, bending. “Sir, reporting for orders.”
The Captain straightened up. His eyes were red and puffy, proof of very little sleep for the last couple days. Haunted, too. In front of him lay Lucius’ body, stretched out and lifeless.
“Something is happening in the city,” the Captain said in a firm voice that didn’t match those sorrow-filled eyes. “Shanti’s emotions are all over the place. She killed a few times yesterday, I’d bet my life on it. I know what those shocks of adrenaline and the flashes of remorse feel like.”
“Flashes of remorse?”
The Captain rubbed his eyes and then reached back, tying his hair at the nape of his neck. “She doesn’t show it, but every time she kills, she has a flash of remorse. She was trained for destruction, but I get the feeling she is more like Rohnan than she lets on.”
“I can’t imagine she’d feel remorse for killing the Graygual, sir.”
“Even the Graygual. She has never had the choice of whether or not to kill. She was pushed to it as a young girl. And then it became her mantle, and perhaps her burden.” The Captain sighed, looking at Lucius again. “That’s neither here nor there. I probably shouldn’t have told you that.”
“I bet she wouldn’t get a flash of remorse when trying to beat that little tidbit out of my brain, sir. So I’d just as soon we keep that knowledge between ourselves.”
A ghost of a smile graced the Captain’s lips. “Wise.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to stop them coming in,” Sanders said lightly. “They would’ve taken you and Shanti, and fucked off, killing everyone in their wake. Lucius died to protect his people. I would’ve done the same. Still will, in fact. Ready for it.”
“You will not be able to reason this out, Sanders.” The Captain’s voice was low, his body bowed in slightly. The cracks of grief and guilt were starting to show. “Whatever might have happened, this is what did. And I take it upon myself.”
Sanders hardened his voice. “Well, sir, with all due respect, but we’ve still got people in there depending on us. My wife is in there. If Shanti is killing people, that means the time has come. Time to take back our city, sir.”
The Captain stared at Lucius for another long moment, his gaze locked on his lifelong friend’s closed eyes. Finally, he straightened up again. “Yes. I have a plan, but it will take synchronization.”
* * *
Cayan stood, grief pulling him down and filling his stomach with acid. Sleeplessness clouded his mind and sullied his judgment. He needed to get moving. To dull the ache with action.
He reached for Shanti’s emotions, feeling her Gift surging along their shared plane of power. His Gift danced and played, eager to join it.
Cayan stepped over the lifeless body of his friend.
I will properly grieve for you, he promised. I will bury you the right way when this is all done.
“Ready, sir?” Sanders prodded.
Cayan left the tent. The blast of frigid air hit his face, clearing a little of the haze. The trees of his land waited for him, hiding the enemy within their fold. Leaves shook and danced in the breeze.
His men looked up when he walked among them. The younger men stood, staring at him eagerly. The veterans remained where they were, their eyes echoing what Cayan felt.
They’d lost damn fine soldiers already. Three of the best. Sterling and Lucius were extremely hard to kill—excellent with their weapons, great with tactics, and unable to say die. They wouldn’t have gone down without a fight, and should have been smart enough to get themselves out of trouble. Galen, the third officer down, was also a good man. He was a step down from the other two, perhaps, but younger, too. He was working his way toward greatness.
The Graygual had claimed them all and God knew how many more. That was what Cayan and his men were up against.
“We’ve taken a severe blow,” he said, looking at the faces all pointing in his direction. “I won’t deny it. We’ve already lost some of the best. But we have to remember that Lucius, Sterling, and Galen didn’t have mental warfare. They couldn’t protect against the Inkna. I can. Shanti can. We are the strongest this land as ever seen, especially paired. We are what Inkna want to be. And you are what the Graygual want to be. We have enough force between us to take them down, as long as we work together.”
The men, one by one, started to straighten their spines.
“Shanti is already in the thick of it. She’s still alive, and from what I can tell, she’s fighting in the dirty, underhanded way only she could make glamorous. We need to give them hell out here so we can gut them from inside the walls.”
The men’s eyes sparked, fire starting to kindle.
“We work together better than the Graygual and Inkna. I’ve come up with a plan to make the most of that. I’ll hit them hard with my mind, while you cut their legs out from under them. Together, we can kill every last one of them.”
Cayan only hoped it would be enough.
* * *
Shanti waited by the window and looked out. Another mind touched hers then fled. Checking in. “That’s three.”
“There can no longer be any doubt. They know.” Rohnan paced in the living area of the orphan house, his hands clasped behind his back. Molly sat on the couch with a few of the other women, watching Shanti silently. Molly’s newest night guard decorated the garden. They had been unable to dispose of him like the others.
“Yes. They think they are being sly.”
“They know where you are?” Molly asked. She fidgeted, afraid of what might come next.
“They know my location, yes. They’re preparing.” Shanti glanced at the streaks painting the sky. “The longer we give them, the more time they have to box us in…”
“We need to all go at one time, Chulan. We’ve talked about this.” Rohnan flexed and re-clenched his fingers. Impatience rolled through the room.
“When are Lucius and Sterling supposed to wake up?” Shanti looked at Molly.
It was Eloise who answered, “It depends when he took the concoction.”
“Excellent. Extremely helpful,” Shanti said dryly.
“Using that tone is not helping anyone, young lady.” Eloise lifted her eyebrows in disapproval.
“Sorry.” Shanti’s tone hadn’t improved. It was her little stand against female tyranny, of which this city apparently had plenty. If Eloise didn’t remind her so much of her grandfather, she would’ve shrugged off any niceties. That was what she told herself, anyway.
In truth, she still couldn’t believe these women had elected to keep her with them even though it meant they’d have to fight. Their courage was remarkable, easily equaling their good nature. It gave Shanti an insight into why Cayan was so strong and capable while still so balanced and just. He was bred that way by the strong men and women before him, no matter what role they’d had within the city. He was the best of them, and that was truly inspirational.
“What is the Captain’s current emotional state?” Rohnan asked softly.
Shanti turned back to the window. Another mind touched hers. If they kept at it, she was going to retaliate. “He’s grief-stricken, obviously. Hence my asking when Lucius would wake up…”
Eloise tsked. If she was waiting for an apology for that one, she’d have to keep waiting.
“Any word on the Graygual in the prisoner camp?” Shanti asked.
Gracas said, “A few of the smaller-built Graygual were walking around like drunks last night, S’am. I couldn’t find any drinking parties, though, and they were all spread out. I’d bet it’s working.”
>
“It is. We made that dose particularly strong. More than a few won’t be getting up this morning.” Eloise pursed her lips, glancing toward the stairs leading up to the rooms where all the kids were supposed to be staying out of the way.
“And the prison itself?” Shanti asked. She already knew all this. All of them knew. They’d been over it several times during the night. But hearing it again settled her a little. It kept her from rushing out of the house and killing every Graygual she saw.
“We didn’t know which officer held the key last night, but we know which one holds the key now. Today, I mean. We knew, I should say.” Rohnan’s hands flexed and clenched again. “If the Hunter knows you are here, he will change his defenses. Nothing will be done the same way twice.”
“That’s confusing, S’am,” Leilius said, near the window with Shanti.
“He just means the Hunter will keep changing things.” Shanti felt another mind touch hers lightly. It was the same that had done it an hour ago.
“No, I mean…always changing things would confuse people. Even without a battle, it’s hard to keep that straight. They’ll mess up. Maybe even hand the key back to the Graygual that is normally supposed to have it…” Leilius rubbed the bridge of his nose. Then unconsciously patted the knives at his belt. Shanti could feel his nervousness. Just another unpleasant emotion filling the room like soup.
She couldn’t stand this waiting.
She got up as the front door opened and closed. “So the officers are cut off from us,” she muttered. “The men with the most experience will be cooped up, out of reach.” She scratched her head as another mind touched hers.
Without thinking, she snapped.
She grabbed that mind and wrenched. A shock of pain colored the connection, spiking Shanti’s adrenaline. She amped her power and stabbed. The mind winked out. “That’ll stop them from touching my mind for a while…”
“Chulan…” Rohnan gave her a warning glance.
Maggie came into the room, face flushed. “I’m ready.”
The door opened and closed again. Alena, breathing heavily as she jogged in, held a heap of clothing. Ruisa came in right behind and said, “We barely made it. If I didn’t know a secret way, we wouldn’t have. They’re massing.”
“Shit.” Little bursts of fire jolted though Shanti. Her fingers tingled. “Are the other women ready?”
“Yes.” Ruisa dolled out pants and binding to the women in the room. “The men who aren’t cowards, or condescending, are with them. We’re ready, S’am.”
Shanti took a deep breath. She looked at Gracas, then Leilius. Both boys had their jaws set and a glimmer in their eyes. Fear, adrenaline, and pride glowed out from them. Time for battle. “We’re counting on you two.”
Gracas gave a nod, more mature now than she’d ever seen him. “Yes, S’am. I can do it.”
Leilius didn’t move at all. Just patted his knives again.
“Aim for the vital points and move on,” Shanti told Leilius. “Retch after the kill strike, not before.”
“Yes, S’am,” Leilius said. “I’m getting better about that.”
“It’s okay. Keep your humanity. Just make sure you stay alive to do it.”
“Yes, S’am,” Leilius whispered.
Eloise tsked as she took the clothing offered her. “Wearing pants. Unsightly!”
Ruisa hid a smile as she picked out a size that might fit Molly.
“Well, I won’t be exposing myself, if that’s what you think!” Eloise lifted her chin and headed to another room to change. They heard a “harrumph” as she disappeared out of sight. The other women quickly followed.
The women wouldn’t be doing much in the way of fighting, Maggie’s explosives aside. While some said they would take to the streets with knives, none of them were trained fighters. Even the worst Graygual fighters would have an easy time dispatching the women. What the women could do, however, was help the wounded. That, and make sure any wounded Graygual stayed down.
Another Inkna was stupid enough to touch her mind. She yanked, to get him off balance, and stabbed. A shield came up to block her, ready for her assault. She added more power, splintering his defense and piercing his fragile mind. His consciousness split, like a knife to the brain. His lights blinked out.
“We can’t wait for Lucius to wake up. We have to go.” Shanti checked her weapons and adjusted her binding. She rolled her head to loosen her neck, and then her shoulders. “Gracas, Leilius, get moving.”
Maggie turned to go with them.
“Wait.” They all turned back at Shanti’s voice. She looked at Maggie. “Where are you going?”
“I have some explosives set to go off. To provide distraction.”
“No.” Shanti glanced out the window. The sleeve of a black uniform melted behind the house across the street as someone stepped behind it. “You’ll draw attention.”
“Excuse me!” Maggie put her fist to her hip with an indignant expression. “This is my city. When I was a girl I ran through these streets, just like all the boys. You ask the Captain if he could ever catch me. Just because I wear a dress and was assigned domestic duties, doesn’t mean I’m useless outside of the house!”
Shanti looked at the woman for a moment. She had touches of fear, just like everyone else, but her fierce determination showed through. Inexperienced though she was, she had just as much of a glimmer in her eyes as Gracas or Leilius. Maybe more so. She wanted to defend her home, and if she’d been born a man, or to Shanti’s culture, she’d be the fighter she longed to be.
“Forgive me.” Shanti gave her a slight bow. “Just don’t get caught and killed. I’d hate for you to be wrong.”
Maggie scowled even as a grin threatened her serious expression. She turned to leave with the boys.
“Okay. Time to get to work. Molly.” Shanti waited for Molly to finish adjusting her pants and look up. “Make sure the kids don’t leave this house. Some will want to. I heard them muttering. Keep them out of danger.”
“Okay, S’am.”
Shanti huffed out a sarcastic chuckle with the name. Molly was not like Maggie. She wasn’t born a fighter; she was born a caregiver, like Rohnan. She was sweet and soft and deserved to be in a warm home with a fire and cookies in the oven. Why she had never mated and had children, Shanti didn’t know, but seeing her like this, holding a knife in a shaking hand, eyes tight with consternation, broke Shanti’s heart.
There was nothing for it, though. Freedom came at a price. Shanti just hoped none of them would have to pay with their life.
“Ruisa, stealth.” Shanti pinned the young woman with a hard stare. “Like I taught you. Do not try for the officers. Anyone below three slashes is fair game. Stay away from the all black. Inkna will feel you coming.”
“I know, S’am.”
“Good.”
“I’m going with her.” Alena left the room for a brief moment, and came back with a bow. “I can hit the Inkna while she gets the Graygual.”
After Maggie, Shanti knew better than to say no. “Can you shoot that?”
“Yes.” Alena’s gaze was hard. Her slight frame was flexed in defiance.
“With any accuracy?”
“Yes. I have two brothers—they’re locked away in the prison camp. My father taught me just as he taught them. Lucius got me practicing again, way back when. I like it. It’s calming. I’m an excellent shot, though I don’t have a great range. I’ve always been better than my brothers.”
“You have singular focus, that’s why.” Shanti glanced at Rohnan.
“She will do it, anyway,” he said. “She’s not asking your permission.”
“How does Cayan keep people in line, that’s what I want to know,” Shanti muttered. To Alena and Ruisa she said, “I hope to see you when this is all done. Keep your risks small. Your only mistake will be getting caught.”
“Or getting dead.” Ruisa flashed the other woman a tight grin. “C’mon. We’ll have to keep moving.”
&nbs
p; Finally Shanti met Rohnan’s solemn gaze. They, more than anyone, knew what they were up against. With odds this great, there wasn’t much hope they’d make it out alive.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“What is this place?” Kallon bent, running his fingers through the hard, brittle brush. Charred trees, bent and twisted, hunkered low to the scarred, burnt ground.
“Dead, by the looks of it,” Sayas said, glancing around. He took out his water skin and gulped down a mouthful.
“Why would the Chosen stay in land like this, I wonder?” Mela wiped her brow then glanced at the sky. The frigid weather didn’t match the blaring sun. “Summer must cook the skin in this region.”
“She’s always had terrible jokes…” Sayas kicked a stump. Charred debris flaked off and drifted to the ground like snow. “And living in a region like this would certainly be a terrible joke.”
“She wouldn’t have settled in a land like this.” Kallon straightened up, taking a swig of his own skin. He couldn’t imagine living with no natural life around him. It would stunt his Gift and crush his spirit. Chosen had always been one of a kind, feeling and doing things differently from others, but she had a heart like the rest of them. At the core, she needed the same things. “Maybe it’s a defense mechanism. This is a large region mostly left to itself. Possibly this is a barrier to keep people from venturing onward.”
“Are you sure we’re going the right way?” Sayas looked at Dannon.
“I’m sure.” Dannon reached for his map. He traced their route with his finger. “The map indicates that there should be woodland here. She probably swerved so far north because she needed to replenish her Gift. That’s what I would do. And stay out of sight. Traveling through the plains to the east would surely get her snatched up. It would’ve been smart if this land was as we expected.”
Kallon closed his eyes and let his Gift spread out, covering the ground. Even pushing, all he felt were those around him, fighters he knew better than most people knew their own siblings.