Vowed

by Liz de Jager

  Dante’s clearly burning to have a throwdown with Brixi, so I jump in with questions of my own. I’m not really flushing at the implication of maidens and kissing, not at all.

  ‘What is going on here? Who is she?’ I ask him, turning back to the sleeping figure and mentally ticking off the names of the kids lying like satellites around her. ‘What are the children doing here?’

  ‘Step away, please.’ Brixi’s eyes drift anxiously towards the figure in the middle of the haze and he reaches for my arm but I jerk back. Annoyance shifts across his features and as it does, they change. For a moment his face looks different, and I recognize someone else: Officer Briggs, the policewoman in little Tia’s parents’ lounge, her electronic equipment hooked up to the telephone as she waits for the kidnapper to call.

  My mind is quick to make sense of it. Brixi had impersonated a police officer and had been in Tia’s and her mother’s home all along. He’d set up the spell so that I couldn’t enter; only when Marvin invited me in could I walk freely into the flat.

  ‘Who is she, Brixi?’

  ‘She is a living goddess,’ he answers after a beat, tracking Dante and Aiden as they prowl around the room, peering at the sleeping children. ‘We have been looking after her for an age, making sure she stays alive.’

  ‘By stealing children whose parents you trick into god knows what?’ I can’t help the revulsion in my voice or finish the accusation, because – really, does it need acknowledging again? ‘What about their families, the people who care for them? How can you do this to them?’

  Brixi shakes his head, pressing a finger to his lips. ‘No, no. You don’t understand. The children want to be here, they need to be here, to look after their mother.’

  Actual waves of crazy are coming off Brixi now. There’s something about the way he’s staring at the sleeping figure in the centre of the room that makes me want to run and hide. How can the word ‘mother’ be even remotely appropriate here? Both Dante and Aiden are standing closer to me now. They look worried and Aiden’s pale beneath his tan. Dante’s rubbing at his hands; the tattoo markings are far more vivid than before.

  ‘Those children need to go home. Their parents are waiting for them.’ Dante’s voice is harsh. ‘This is so incredibly morally wrong.’

  ‘There is no way the children can be moved without killing them,’ Brixi says, his tone soft and almost apologetic. ‘They have completely bonded with the goddess. They are now her sources of power, keeping her strong.’

  ‘Excuse me, but did you say this sleeping giant is a goddess?’ Aiden shoots a look at the prone figure. ‘Are you sure? She doesn’t look very powerful to me.’

  ‘And the children are her sources of power?’ Dante chimes in. ‘This situation is wrong.’

  Brixi gestures elegantly. ‘It is what it is. Every few generations the children need to be replaced. It is our job as her keepers to find those children and bring them here.’

  ‘Wait,’ I say, holding up my hand to prevent both boys from asking questions. ‘Why don’t we just let Brixi tell us the story from the beginning?’

  Dante and Aiden share disgruntled looks and it’s cute how they try to gang up against me, but I give them an aggressive stare that shuts them up. Brixi watches the quiet struggle for power before he nods. ‘Very well. It has been some time since I told the story in its entirety. The last time was to your parents,’ he says, nodding at me. ‘How long ago was that? Sixteen years? Time moves differently here.’

  I don’t even have a second to process that he’s just mentioned my parents before he starts his story.

  ‘In the beginning, four of the five Elder Gods rampaged through villages and towns, laying waste to entire tribes. The fifth chose to dedicate her life to the people who loved her. She brought them fire, taught them how to tell futures, and how to use the natural magics of the world. She showed the men animal husbandry and she showed the women how to hunt and gather. She was strong and capable but her brothers raged across the face of the world in a wave of destruction. She decided that they had to be stopped. She spoke with the strongest sorcerers she had trained, and together they devised a way to banish her brothers, when it became clear they were bent on the total annihilation of the people who worshipped them.’ Brixi breathes deeply before plunging ahead. ‘The ritual was performed by Fae and human sorcerers. One Fae warrior, one of the dragon-born, swore to become the Elder Gods’ keeper and watch over them for all eternity. The success of the ritual caused what became the Sundering of the human and Fae worlds. The goddess wept at the loss of her brothers but she knew she had betrayed them for the good of the people, whom she’d come to love. She went into mourning, falling into a deep sleep. Shortly after the Sundering it became clear that the Otherwhere wasn’t stable and that its magics were leaking into the human world. This was incredibly dangerous and lethal to both Fae and human. The sorcerers realized it was the presence of the Elder Gods that stabilized the realms. The Fae lords discussed matters at length and they instructed their sorcerors to weave thousands of spells to create one all-encompassing binding spell, the strongest spell ever to have been worked on since the beginning of our time. The spell would ensure that she would never wake, and with her magical presence in the Otherwhere, the Fae realm remained stable. The songlines burned with power and the sorcerers once more grew strong and feared. As time passed, the goddess’s powers have ebbed and flowed in the way of all things. More recently, it became obvious that she was weakening. A thousand years ago, a great congregation of sorcerers and rulers met and it was decided to try whatever it took to stabilize her and enhance her power.’

  ‘And so you found that children could be used as batteries to feed your sleeping goddess?’ I stare at Brixi in horror. ‘That’s awful. Not just for the kids but for the poor woman you’ve kept prisoner here for I don’t know how long.’

  Brixi looks deeply unhappy. ‘You must understand that I love her more than life itself. A few of us look after her needs but I am her caretaker. However, I am not the one who put her here. I care deeply for her and it’s because of me and the sacrifices I’ve made that she survives.’

  ‘Yeah, you might not have put her here but you are definitely keeping her here.’ Aiden scowls and advances on him, bulking up and towering over the smaller man, who doesn’t look at all scared, just wary. ‘How would you feel if you were trapped in there by someone else? Especially if you were a little kid and you were stolen from your family to come here, to this weird place, to become food for something that shouldn’t even exist any more?’

  Brixi seems very conflicted as he regards us. ‘You don’t understand. She will die if her power gives out entirely. And if she dies, the Otherwhere dies. The Veil that separates the Frontier and the Otherwhere will be shredded. Creatures will storm your world, and humanity will not survive. In turn, humans will fight and try and invade the Otherwhere with their weapons, because humans are ever on the lookout for things they don’t understand so that they can destroy them.’

  I take this in and see both Aiden and Dante hesitate. I walk back towards the prone figure and the surrounding tiny beds. I can’t get further than a few feet from them before I’m gently pressed back, insistently.

  ‘How many people know about this?’ Aiden asks him. ‘The wolves have never heard this legend.’

  ‘I’m pretty sure I would have heard this from someone in my family,’ I pipe up, walking around the periphery of the barrier. I trail my fingertips along, liking the buzzing feel of it against my sensitive skin. ‘But then last year, the whole Elder Gods thing seemed a bit of a shock to all of them too.’

  ‘Aelfric knows. He’s always known. It was his many-times-great-grandfather who worked with the sorcerers to put her under the spell. Istvan knew, as his family ruled during the time the Elder Gods walked the earth.’ Brixi’s gaze rests on me as I complete my examination. ‘Our new guardian, Aelfric’s youngest son, knows. But other than that, it’s me and whoever has enough determination to wade throu
gh ancient histories in rotting libraries.’

  I draw a ragged breath, taking it all in. ‘You said my parents knew? Did you tell them?’

  ‘They already seemed to know so much when they came looking for her.’ Brixi’s voice is apologetic. ‘I liked them. You remind me of your mother: she had something fierce about her too. I am sorry for your loss, Blackhart.’

  The need to sit down is nearly overwhelming as my legs suddenly feel weak. Could my parents’ death perhaps be linked to their finding out about the goddess? The thought and its implications nearly flatten me and I cross my arms protectively over my chest and turn away from Brixi. There is stuff going on here, secrets that don’t sit well with me. The urge to be alone so I can figure this out is overwhelming, but I know this isn’t the time. Both Dante and Aiden are watching me closely for clues as to what to do next.

  ‘Has she ever woken up?’ Dante asks.

  ‘Once, when the bombs of your second great war shook the Frontier, it threatened to tear the Veil between the worlds. She woke up then and caused a lot of upset. She killed all her guards and tried to escape her chambers.’

  ‘But they put her back under?’

  ‘Istvan did. He spent a long time here, locked away with her, working on the spells that kept her safe.’ Brixi peers down at his charge’s face. ‘She is so beautiful.’

  ‘How did you become her custodian?’ I ask him, curious against my will.

  ‘I’m one of the Faceless. It is my family’s obligation; we were her guards and handmaidens in the old days. We continue to serve her still, even if I am one of only a handful of us left.’

  ‘You have no right to make yourself sound noble. You steal children to keep her alive,’ Dante bites out as he stalks towards Brixi but Aiden bars his advance with an arm across his chest.

  ‘Dante, dude. Come on, all of this is different now,’ he rumbles warningly. ‘None of this is what we thought it would be. Lines are blurred although there’s still so much wrong here. We need to think this through.’

  I’m so confused by everything I’ve heard, that I don’t even realize I’ve sat down until I register my back leaning against the smooth stone wall.

  ‘I don’t know what to think.’ I hate how small my voice sounds. ‘How do we even begin to fix this?’

  Maybe Brixi looks ashamed for a second, but maybe I’m wrong.

  ‘There are some things that are better left undisturbed, Blackhart. For everyone’s safety,’ he says.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  I allow myself to wallow in misery for a few more minutes before deciding we need to head back and talk to Uncle Andrew. And Aiden needs to put this to the wolves. Basically, the whole scenario needs looking after by adults because there is just no way I can handle it myself. I’m about to suggest this when Aiden’s head comes up sharply and his whole posture becomes super alert.

  ‘What?’ I call out to him, worry thrumming through me.

  ‘There’s someone coming.’ He holds up his hand and turns his head, listening. ‘Only one. But there are others too, further back.’

  ‘How do we stop them? Can we shut the doors to this room?’ I’m back on my feet, looking out into the smaller chamber beyond.

  ‘Let’s see who we’ve got first,’ Dante says. ‘It could be someone Suola sent.’

  ‘I’m not sure if that’s better or worse,’ I reply, already moving for the doorway. There are fast-running footsteps now too and baying hounds in the distance. Because the large rooms echo so well, it sounds as if there are hundreds of people rushing towards us.

  ‘Does anyone else feel very last stand in Moria right now?’ Dante asks, an expectantly savage grin on his face.

  I shake my head. ‘Really? A Tolkien reference? Now?’

  His grin widens. ‘Sorry, when I get nervous I randomly refer to Tolkien and think WWSD.’

  ‘WWSD?’

  ‘What would Strider do?’

  ‘I can’t believe you,’ I retort but I can’t help giving a laugh, even though it’s slightly hysterical. I turn as Brixi nears me. He’s carrying two fighting knives with blades as long as his forearms. They look boss-level mean. ‘Are you expecting anyone?’ I ask him. He mutely shakes his head before moving past me into the small antechamber and I follow him, my sword ready.

  You know when things slow down in movies and you think that never actually happens in real life? I can testify that it does happen.

  The figure running towards us is dressed in light armour. I see the glint of a familiar cuirass and overlong blond hair. My heart stutters from shock when I recognize Thorn – and this time it’s real and it’s not a dream.

  ‘Holy shit, is that Thorn?’ Aiden breathes next to me and I have to lean against him because my knees feel week. He wraps an arm around me and pulls me back into the large chamber, just as Thorn arrives at a run.

  ‘Brixi,’ Thorn gasps, still unaware of us as he reaches for the Faceless. A hand is pressed to his side, where blood’s dripping from a wound. ‘What have you done? There are guards all over the forest. Hundreds of them.’

  ‘We have guests,’ Brixi says and pulls him around to face us.

  Seeing the person you think you’re in love with in your dreams, then seeing them in real life when your world is crumbling – it’s not ideal, but you take what you can get.

  Thorn looks shocked to see me but then he’s reaching blindly for me, and I let myself be pulled into his arms. I can hear him talking to Aiden and feel Aiden reaching around me to hug him fiercely.

  ‘You stupid bloody faerie, what trouble are you in now? You look like crap.’

  ‘Wolf, I’d say I missed you but that would be a lie.’ Thorn’s voice is deep and still holds that cute hint of the exotic. Even through the strain in his voice I can hear his amusement at Aiden’s snort of annoyance. ‘And Kit. This is now, isn’t it? And real?’

  I grin up at him. ‘Of course it’s real. You’re bleeding and running away from people. This is how it usually goes, isn’t It?’

  ‘True. And who . . .’ Thorn goes dangerously still. ‘You’re him, aren’t you? Eadric’s son.’

  I have enough self-preservation instinct – unbelievably – to step away from Thorn as he looks at Dante. The telltale hum of his magic washes over me, and Aiden must sense something too. He pulls me behind him protectively, then pushes Thorn back and away from Dante.

  ‘Dude, Dante’s nothing like his father, okay? Take it easy.’

  ‘I’m fine, Aiden,’ Dante says. ‘I can handle this.’

  Thorn calms and the tension breaks as he holds out a hand out to Dante. ‘I knew you were out there somewhere; I’m sorry I overreacted. I didn’t expect to see you here, but it’s a relief to meet you finally. I should have known Kit would find you. She attracts trouble like . . .’ He shrugs. ‘She’s just a trouble magnet.’

  Dante’s smile is wary but amused. ‘It’s good to meet you too. I’ve heard some interesting stuff about you.’

  They look at one another and it’s a frank and assessing moment and not at all hostile. Thorn seems to come to some sort of decision. ‘A whole army of wild Fae followed me into this place – on my father’s instructions. We need to get you to safety.’ He turns to look at Aiden. ‘Wolf, listen to me. We have to move, and quickly.’

  Brixi’s fighting knives flash in the light as he moves forward. ‘You know the way through the back tunnels, guardian. I suggest you start running.’

  ‘Why would your father send people to chase you?’ Aiden asks him in surprise.

  ‘Not me, specifically. Just anyone who approaches the fortress without one of the foresters as a guide.’

  ‘But, surely, if they knew who you are . . . ?’ Dante hesitates, looking blank. ‘I mean, he’d have his people attack his own son?’

  ‘Let’s just say that I’m not exactly here with anyone’s blessing. And from what I’ve found out, my father is not particularly keen to have others knowing about the palace or what it houses.’ Thorn looks grim as h
e says this, and before I can move or Dante can question him further, a dog the size of a Great Dane, but more muscular and the colour of smoke at night, bursts into the room. Brixi spins into a deadly tornado of blades, catching the dog as it leaps at him. I turn away in horror as the dog falls in a heap on the floor. But even as I try not to see it, its body melts to goo and muck on the floor, leaving behind a gross mixture of intestines and bones.

  ‘What the actual hell,’ shouts Aiden, looking at the mess, shock clearly etched on his face.

  ‘Kit, come.’ Dante’s grip is firm on my arm as he tries to pull me away from my position right in front of the doorway. More people are hurtling towards us, wild Fae dressed in leather and furs, their dogs barely restrained by leashes. ‘Move away.’

  I dig my heels in and scowl at him. ‘No, we fight. I do not run away. Not ever.’

  He doesn’t have time to argue because chaos erupts in the room as we’re crowded by howling Fae and barking dogs. I catch a glimpse of Thorn blasting pure energy into one of the Fae attacking him before ducking the blow of another and running him through. Aiden throws back his head and, with a wolf howl that startles the newcomers near him, he launches an attack of his own that looks devastating.

  Dante tosses the taser to the side before punching one of the Fae in the head. Brixi’s laying into the group with his blades and I keep a watchful eye on him as my own sword parries a blow from a mean-looking Fae. I catch a glimpse of his fanged necklace, and wildness rolls in his amber eyes. His sword is beautifully made, similar to a Japanese katana, but the blade’s pitted and looks as if he’s been using it to fry skewered meat over an open fire. I concentrate harder on blocking his thrusts and launch my own attacks. I notice that the Fae favours his left leg and I spring towards him. I pretend to stagger and overreach, putting myself inside his circle of defence.

  ‘Hello, Blackhart. Didn’t think we’d find you here. Thought you’d been scared away.’