by Zara Quentin
“How are you feeling?” Axel asked, he pressed his forehead against hers. Her heart stammered as she felt the warmth of his skin resting gently against her forehead. A moment later, he pulled away to look at her again. His eyes twinkled, though his face was a mask of concern.
Jade held his look, her chest expanding as she allowed the sparkle in his eyes warm to her all over. She tried to lift her head, but it throbbed. She groaned and let it fall backwards onto the cushions, breaking eye contact with Axel.
“Don’t move,” Axel instructed her, and then he turned to Namaje who had come around to look down at Jade too. “Is this normal? Is she going to be all right?”
Namaje nodded. “Big bump. Sore now. Then better.” Namaje hovered a moment, then pointed to the door. “I go. Give news.”
Jade rested her head on the cushions, but her eyes followed as Namaje moved towards the curtain-door of her treehouse. Then her eyes flicked back to Axel, brushing over the tattoo on his shoulder.
A Traveller with a tattoo on his shoulder.
With a jolt, it all came back to her. She’d been looking for Axel, because he’d killed her father and stolen the Eigot. She tensed. He’d tried to get his old Traveller friends to kill her too.
And the explosion.
Jade gasped and covered her mouth as the unbearable flash of light assaulted her mind, over and over again. Her heart pounded, a sheen of sweat broke out over her body and her breath came quick and shallow.
Someone had sent her a bomb. Someone had tried to kill her again.
Jade’s head pounded as she struggled to sit up. She fought against Axel’s hands on her shoulders, trying to push her down.
“Stop! Stop!” She struggled, kicking her legs and clawing at Axel’s hands. “Wait!” She called to Namaje, who stood looking back, her hand on the curtain. “…Bomb…explosion… someone wants to kill me…” Jade panted and gasped, her eyes wide. “Axel! Him!” She pushed Axel’s hands aside, trying to crawl away. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. Her eyes darted around, searching for a way out. Surely Namaje wouldn’t leave her alone with him?
Namaje hurried back to her bedside, frowning. “Stay. Rest.” She kept repeating, holding her hands palm up as though Jade was a wild animal. Jade kept shaking her head, pointing at Axel.
“Arrest him—he stole the Eigot! He murdered Papa! He tried to kill me!”
Namaje hovered, her eyes darting to Axel, who turned to look back at her.
“Don’t worry,” Axel said to Namaje. “I’ll tell her.”
Jade froze, frowning as her narrow eyes darted from Namaje to Axel and back again. Every muscle in her body tensed, ready to spring towards the exit at her first opportunity. Were they working together after all?
“Tell me what?” Jade demanded. “What’s going on?”
“A case of mistaken identity,” Axel said, his voice gentle and soothing. He motioned to her bed, now a mess of blankets and cushions. “Please—lie down. Rest.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Jade saw Namaje had slipped out of the doorway. Axel reached out to her, his hand hovering over hers as though asking permission. Jade’s stomach flipped as her instincts fought each other. Part of her wanted to snatch her hand away. The other part desperately wanted him to touch her. Axel slowly, tentatively, ran a finger across the back of her hand, sending tingling ripples tumbling over her skin. He curled his fingers around hers.
“It was a mistake,” he whispered. “I didn’t send that bomb. I didn’t try to kill you. I tried to save you. Remember?”
Jade remembered Axel running towards her, yelling, just before the blast had sent her flying. Hope flared in her stomach, but she remembered Zorman’s evidence of Axel’s guilt that he hadn’t had the opportunity to show her. It wasn’t the first time she’d hoped Axel had been innocent, but all the evidence had pointed to him. Was he telling the truth? Or was this another manipulation to get what he wanted? Jade’s throat was tight, her breathing still rapid and shallow. She swallowed down her hope. She couldn’t let him play her for a fool again. She wouldn’t let him break her heart into splinters.
“Explain,” she said.
Axel gave her hand a light squeeze. “I’m not the thief. I came to Premye bringing a message from Magnus. He gave it to me, told me it was urgent. I left immediately. He must have been killed just after. I didn’t even know he’d died until I saw you in the forest.”
“But… your tattoo?”
“This?” Axel ran a hand over his shoulder. “Distinctive, yes. But not the one the thief wore.”
Jade stared. “Why did you lure me into their trap? Why did you try to kill me back near the camp?”
Axel immediately started shaking his head, eyes widening. “I didn’t know they were there. I was as surprised to see them blowing darts at you as you were.”
Jade hesitated. “If you weren’t working together, then why didn’t they kill you? How did you survive all this time when other Travellers didn’t?”
Axel dropped her hand and held up the large dark cloak that he’d draped around his shoulders and wings. “Magnus told me to put this on as soon as I came through the Portal. He told me I needed to hide my wings so Premyans wouldn’t mistake me for a Traveller. I had to get close enough to them to explain why I’d come.”
“So, what have you been doing all this time?”
“Looking for the Premyans,” Axel ran a hand over his shaved hair. “Their camp is well hidden. Magnus told me they change locations often. I’ve been looking for it all this time. Probably spent most of it walking around in circles.”
“But…?” Jade looked hopelessly at him. His brown eyes were wide, pleading. He didn’t break her gaze, didn’t look away. He answered her questions without hesitation. He didn’t seem to be hiding anything, but… Could she believe his story? Jade looked away from him, closing her eyes, trying to sort out the tangle of emotions swirling inside her. She wanted to believe him, but that didn’t mean it was the truth.
Axel heaved a sigh and Jade saw his shoulders sag. He looked at the ground. “I already gave Magnus’ message to Loraya, so I can’t show you. You can ask her though—it’s proof. I didn’t do it.”
“What did the note say?” Jade asked cautiously.
“That Magnus knew the thief and that he was going to ensure the Eigot was returned safely. He didn’t name the thief though.”
Jade turned her eyes to the ceiling, examining the conical thatch of sticks and daub that left a space in the centre for smoke to escape.
Axel squeezed her hand. “He also gave me this, to prove to the Premyans I was his messenger.” He slipped something into her hand and Jade looked down to see Papa’s ring. “I’m sorry about Magnus, by the way. I wanted to say…” Axel swallowed and Jade saw deep sadness in his eyes. “Well, Magnus was like a father to me, too. He was a good man. One of the best men I’ve ever known. I want you to know that I’m very sad about his passing.”
“His murder, you mean.” Jade’s throat constricted, but she wasn’t sure whether it was grief or anger. She turned her face away and tears sprang to her eyes. She closed them, but the well of grief inside her threatened to break open. She pushed it down, but couldn’t push it away. If Axel was telling the truth, she was back at square one, with no idea who the killer could be. If he was telling the truth.
Someone appeared at the doorway. She opened her eyes, grateful Namaje had returned.
But it wasn’t Namaje standing in the doorway.
It was Loraya.
* * *
You are no closer to finding the Traveller who kidnapped my brother-Eigot?
Jade winced at the force of DivineOne’s thought as it pierced her mind. It was an accusation, punctuated by a tongue of fire, which sent ripples of red-orange light sparkling over His glittering, blue scales.
Jade’s knees ached from kneeling on the hard floor in front of the altar, but the discomfort in her knees just added to her list of injuries. The wounds to
the back of her head and on her shoulder had, at least, been muted by the paste Namaje had applied, but the dull edge of the pain remained, a constant reminder. When Loraya ordered her to come, Axel had protested that Jade shouldn’t be moved, but Loraya had simply snapped that no one kept a Dragon-God waiting.
“Show her the message,” Axel spoke up from where he knelt behind her. “From Magnus.”
“Show respect,” hissed Loraya and Jade heard a thump, then Axel cursing. Jade could not tear her eyes away from DivineOne’s glittering black eyes. No matter how much she wanted to look away, she was drawn into His eyes, until everything else seemed to disappear. She couldn’t even blink. Her heartbeat rushed in her ears and her own breathing deafened her. It was now just her and DivineOne.
The small Dragon-God was only as big as her fist, but commanded a presence that crowded the room. His body was covered in scales that gleamed a deep sapphire, each one as perfect as the next, and sparkled with light from within. His body was strong and lithe, His wings tucked behind him and He held his head high and proud.
Magnus failed us.
Jade cringed at the weight of DivineOne’s anger in the force of His thought. His thought contained an echo of the anger of all the Dragon-Gods. She was breathing rapidly—quick, shallow breaths. A lump in her chest lodged and grew. She wanted to defend Papa, to protest the unfairness of DivineOne’s expectations. Papa had died trying to protect The Three, didn’t he? Wasn’t that enough?
She remembered the dreams she’d had consistently since Papa had died. His spirit always floating, caught. Always asking her to finish what he’d started, to release him. Perhaps this was the reason? The Dragon-Gods were angry with him and refused to allow him to pass into the afterlife because of his perceived failings. The lump grew, almost choking her. She shook with the desperation to speak up for her father.
But she could not. She could not even move. She was in thrall to the force of the Dragon-God’s presence; His will.
Jade’s eyes became dry and itchy, but she could not blink. Her knees went numb, but she could not shift her weight. Desperately, she tried to move her little finger—just the smallest amount—but she could not. Her frustrated attempts at movement only made her pant all the more.
Even when DivineOne turned his head around to look at another, Jade remained frozen in place. She couldn’t look away. Suddenly, though, the conversation in the Temple returned. Another Premyan had entered and prostrated herself in front of DivineOne. It was the Premyan woman who had confronted her when she’d first arrived at Kapelton, the one who recognised the pendant on her wrist.
What is your report, servant-Terana? DivineOne sent the thought, though Jade understood instinctively that it was not directed at her.
Terana’s fingers flicked, though Jade could not turn her eyes to watch them. Even if she could, she wouldn’t have been able to understand.
However, perhaps because DivineOne held her in mental thrall, Jade understood without needing any translation that Terana was the leader of a force harassing—killing—the Travellers camped on the beach. Terana reported that another Traveller had been left on the beach, throat slashed.
Michael’s body came to mind, lying on the edge of the sand. Bitter bile rose in the back of Jade’s throat.
DivineOne sensed her thoughts. The theft of my brother-Eigot is the act of gravest treachery against the Dragon-Gods. The children of Taraqa seek wealth and power. They have neglected their duties for too long. These ones may not have kidnapped My brother-Eigot, but they cover for the thief. They must pay the Lifeprice.
Jade was cowed by the force of His beliefs, though the bitter taste in her mouth did not go away. DivineOne turned his attention back to Terana, who had more news.
When Terana’s fingers stopped moving, DivineOne spread His wings and stood on His hind legs, roaring a tongue of flames in a semi-circle. Jade understood Terana had reported that one of their own had been captured by Travellers.
Will the children of Taraqa force information about our location from this daughter of Premye? DivineOne’s head turned to Jade, His black eyes burning into her again as His tail flicked back and forth.
Jade remembered the conversation she’d had with Cajun and Glade at their beach camp, Glade’s anger, and his desire for revenge. Would the other Travellers do anything to force the Premyan to talk? Jade wanted to say no, to believe in the honour of the Traveller Force, but that conversation with Cajun and Glade had instilled a seed of doubt. Yet, Michael had been disgusted at the thought of torture. Would more Travellers share his view or would they side with Cajun and Glade? More importantly, what orders would Vance give?
DivineOne’s desire for an answer almost crushed the breath out of her. Jade shook uncontrollably as she fought her paralysis, without success. DivineOne returned her ability to speak.
“Maybe,” Jade whispered.
“Yes,” Axel spoke up behind her. Jade heard another thump and Axel cursed again.
DivineOne’s roar was deafening. If Jade could have pressed her hands to her ears, she would have. Instead, the roar echoed, as Jade heard it first through the link in her mind, then again from without. DivineOne paced in a circle, red hot sparks flying into the air as He crunched over the glowing coals under His feet.
Finally, He faced the small group kneeling on the woven mats in front of the altar.
Servant-Loraya, you will send out Terana and her group to continue to extract the Lifeprice from the children of Taraqa. They must not be allowed to think their treachery will go unpunished. Then you will command all others to prepare for our removal to another site. My sister-Eigot must be protected. See to it now.
Loraya and Terana both bowed to DivineOne again, then hurried out. Now only Jade, Axel and Namaje remained. Jade wished she was able to move, but she still felt the suffocating paralysing presence of DivineOne. She felt vulnerable, helpless. Powerless.
And tired. So tired.
Still flicking His tail back and forth, DivineOne brought His black-eyed glare to rest on Jade again.
My brother-Eigot must be found and restored to Me. It was the sacred duty of the servant-Magnus to bring this to pass. He failed in his duty to his Dragon-Gods and to The Three. For this, he shall never find peace.
Jade panted, trying to shake her head in protest, but she was still paralysed. The lump in her throat swelled, but the mere thought that DivineOne was being unfair brought sparks from His nostrils.
We Dragon-Gods do not care for ‘fair’. There is duty. There is obedience. The servant-Magnus failed Us and will be punished accordingly. That is, unless you can succeed where he has failed. You have his token, after all.
Jade felt a loosening of the invisible shackles that bound her. She could speak again, and move her head, though she was still pinned to her numbed knees. Jade looked at the charm hanging from her neck chain. The symbol on it—the three Eigots ringed in flames—was similar to the memory that Namaje had shown her of the missing wood panel.
Do you pledge to redeem the honour of Magnus Gariq by taking up the mantle of his duty to The Three? Do you agree to bring Us back my brother-Eigot?
Jade was vaguely aware of Axel hissing something at her from behind, but she found herself again unable to tear her eyes away from DivineOne’s compelling stare. Again, all other sounds and sensations fell away, until only she and DivineOne remained. His eyes gleamed, drawing her in until she was barely aware of separation between herself and DivineOne.
Do you accept this sacred duty to your Dragon-Gods? Do you accept the burden of Magnus’ soul?
Jade gasped. Papa’s words arose in her mind: Release me. She swallowed down the lump in her throat. Without hesitation, she knew what her answer must be. She ran a finger over the face of Papa’s pendant feeling the grooves and joins. “Yes.”
With that promise, the blanket of DivineOne’s will was lifted and Jade felt suddenly so light she might have floated into the air. She rolled her shoulders and shook out her wings. She shifted
the weight on her knees and her legs started to tingle as the feeling came back. In spite of everything else, Jade breathed a sigh of relief.
DivineOne spread His wings and leapt into the air. Jade watched as He flew over to where two square bathing pools were set into the floor in the back corner of the Temple. Jade hadn’t noticed them before, as they were situated in the opposite corner from the entrance and the wall with the carved wooden panels. Jade saw that the water in one of the pools was cloudy, with steam rising from it. The other was clear.
DivineOne splashed into the steaming water and ducked underneath the surface, then reappeared, splashing about. Namaje pulled at Jade’s arm, drawing her towards the door. Axel was already standing in the doorway of the Temple, waiting for her. She watched DivineOne lolling about in the water and knew her audience had come to an end. But as she got to her feet, Jade could not help but ask Him one more question.
“Will you release Papa’s spirit now?” she asked.
DivineOne sent steaming water splashing across the floor with a flick of his tail. He sent back a thought full of promise and warning: When you bring Me my brother-Eigot, only then the servant-Magnus shall be released.
23
The sun peered over the horizon when Jade felt a tap on her good shoulder. Namaje’s face appeared at the opening to her treehouse to look at Jade, who was perched on the branch outside, arms wrapped around her knees. She’d been sitting in that same spot for hours, although only now, as the sky lightened with the break of the new day, did she notice the passage of time.
Though exhausted, Jade had been unable to sleep after her encounter with DivineOne and the small treehouse had seemed cramped and oppressive. She had moved outside, staring into the night, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions and thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her.
Her grief over Papa’s death, and her need to find his killer. Axel’s betrayal and then his s redemption. Michael’s selfless help when she needed it, then his sudden death. A death she now understood was blood on her Papa’s hands—and on her own. Now she held the burden of redeeming Papa’s soul. She’d promised DivineOne that she would find and return the Eigot, but now she had less of an idea than ever about how to do that. The weight of her impossible burden pressed on her. Why had she accepted it? Then again, could she have refused?