"Somethings," I corrected her. "We're about to have an army at our door."
That made her move even faster. Soon, the two of us were racing through the manor, only half dressed but too frantic to care. Without consulting each other, Belle headed upstairs to the third floor while I headed downstairs. I had memorized the corridors long ago, and I didn't need light to find my way. I travelled the halls with sure feet, my mind racing just as fast. What was it Cate wrote to me about the kerak? Fire. They're afraid of fire. I veered off course, heading for the kitchens instead of the servants' quarters. Mam always keeps a lantern burning there late at night. Saints, I hope she didn't forget.
I let out a sigh of relief when I burst through the door and saw the tiny heart of flame pulsing inside the lantern's glass. Thank goodness for solid, dependable Mam and her habits. I snatched the lantern's handhold and raced back out into the hallway again, this time heading straight for Sarah's room. "Wake up!" I shouted, beating against the door.
Sarah came stumbling out a moment later, still in her dressing gown and looking disgruntled. "What in heaven's name?" she rasped, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She squinted at the lantern in my hand and winced. "It's not a fire, is it?"
"Worse. We have to get everyone out of here at once."
Thankfully, Sarah didn't question me. Like Belle, she was all action once she saw the concern on my face. With her help, we soon roused Mam, the other servants, and the remaining groomsmen. Most were displeased at having been woken, but when they saw me waving my lantern, their complaints petered out. No matter how unorthodox my behavior and dress could be, they had grown to respect me over the years. Once, I had been one of them.
"Everyone head for the stables," I ordered, catching Matthew's eye. "Gather torches and as much kindling as you can find. You’re going to need fire."
The old stablemaster nodded once, and I knew he would make sure everyone obeyed. “Fer what, Miss?”
“Magical creatures are coming to Baxstresse. Fire and light are the only things that can harm them.”
That pronouncement caused a wave of panicked whispers, but I ignored them. I couldn’t show any fear even though my heart pounded frantically in the cage of my chest. Cate and her mate Larna might know how to fight these things, but I wasn’t a warrior, and neither were most of the others at the estate. As much as I hated the thought of leaving, we had no other choice. Baxstresse wasn’t nearly as important as making sure everyone survived.
“If they overwhelm you at the stables, don’t stay,” I told Sarah as all of us hurried out the front door and into the cold, wet night. Rain spattered my face, but I brushed it away and held Sarah’s dark, frightened eyes with my own. “Saddle the horses and run as far and as fast as you can.”
“But aren’t you coming with us?”
“Belle and I have to take Neva to Amendyr. I need you to make sure Lady Kingsclere and the others get out of here safely.” At that moment, three figures and several small shadows burst through the door, running across the field after us. I recognized Belle even from a distance, and relief washed over me when I saw that Neva, Lady Kingsclere, and a little army of Baxstresse tortoiseshell cats were keeping pace with her.
“Any sign of them yet?” Belle gasped as they caught up with us.
I shook my head.
“Good. Here, take this.” She shoved a pack into my arms, and I felt it squirm as I moved to loop the straps over my shoulders.
“Careful,” Jessith hissed. “It’s already cramped enough in here.”
I had no idea why Jessith had elected to come with us, but there wasn’t time to ask. An unearthly shriek split the sky, and a flare of lightning brightened the darkness. It highlighted several hulking shapes in the distance. They moved like sluggish mountains, all thick muscle, and I knew without a doubt I had been right. Those couldn’t be anything but the shadowkin, and if there were shadowkin, that meant—this time, the sharp scream tore close beside my head. I lurched, swinging my lantern just as a dripping claw sliced beside my face. I caught a glimpse of row upon row of black, rotted teeth and an endless mouth before the hideous creature’s long, twisted body erupted in flames. Its howls made my skull throb, I clamped my hands over my ears, hunching in on myself in terror.
“No, don’t!”
My ears were still ringing, so I barely heard the small cry at my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see three more of the twisted husks standing before me, but unlike the first, they didn’t move. They remained frozen, their eyeless maws turned directly on Neva. They seemed to be waiting for something, and gradually, I realized I was not going to die.
“Go away,” Neva said, pointing into the distance. Her small hand shook, but her voice never wavered. “Leave and don’t come back.”
Shockingly, the kerak obeyed. They turned, loping off on their unnaturally long limbs and disappearing into the night. I stared at Neva in amazement. “How…how did you?”
But the girl didn’t answer my question. “We have to go,” she said, tugging on my hand. “The others are already running.”
I turned to see the rest of the servants hurrying toward the stables. Only Belle remained beside us, and her pale face looked just as shell-shocked as I was sure mine had to be. “Ellie, did she just—”
“She’s a necromancer, you dolt,” Jessith yowled. “I told you these things were undead. I can smell the rotting flesh. Now let’s run before more of them show up. I’m not letting a barely-trained girl stand between me and an army.”
Jessith had a point. The large shadowkin were drawing nearer, close enough for me to make out more of their shapes. Their heads alone were as large as a person, and I didn’t fancy sticking around to find out how much bigger their bodies were. I grabbed Belle’s hand in one of mine and Neva’s in the other, hurrying to the stable.
A large fire was already burning by the time we got there. Mam and Lady Kingsclere directed the servants to feed it while Matthew and a few of the groomsmen saddled the horses. Even the cats were helping. I caught a glimpse of old Trugel batting some straw into the blaze and Ruficee carrying several sticks in his teeth. Unfortunately, the horses weren’t nearly so helpful. They nickered in fear, thrashing and rising up onto their hind legs. I hurried over to help, soothing the nearest one I could find. “Sir Thom, no!”
Sir Thom stopped bucking as soon as I touched him. He settled back onto all fours, breathing heavily. “Thom, I need you to stay calm,” I whispered, not caring whether any of the servants heard me. It was too late to worry about revealing my magical abilities. “You and the other horses have to get everyone away from Baxstresse.”
“I can smell ’em,” Thom huffed, bits of froth flecking from his mouth. “Smell the bad things.”
“Right. We’re going to help everyone out of here, away from the bad things.”
“I want to help.” I turned to see a familiar, narrow face in the stall beside Thom. Brahms wasn’t panicking like the others, although his sides heaved with energy. “Ride me, Ellie. Let me take you away from here.”
My inward debate didn’t last long. Brahms was a racehorse, but he was sturdy. Nothing could run faster than him and his sister, Corynne. If Belle, Neva, and I made a sprint for the border on their backs, Mogra’s army would never catch us. “You’ll need to carry two,” I told him. “Are you strong enough?”
Brahms whickered, almost as if he was insulted. “Of course I can. I’ll take you faster than the wind.”
I led him out of his stall and saddled him as quickly as I could, struggling to hold the reins in my clammy, trembling hands. He huffed as I helped Neva onto his back but didn't object. She was so small I doubt he would even feel her weight in addition to mine. Beside me Belle was already saddling Corynne. She was older than Brahms, but a champion in her own right. Her dark eyes fixed on me, and she gave me a small nod of acceptance. She was prepared to run as far and as fast as we needed to escape.
"I'll finish with her," I said, brushing Belle's hands aside and nodding pointedly in
the direction of Lady Kingsclere. "Go and say goodbye."
A flash of pain crossed Belle's face, and I realized she hadn't thought this through. She had been so focused on preparing she hadn't realized what she would be leaving behind if we ran—her mother, her friends, and the only home she had ever known. But after a moment to digest the sacrifice, she let out a slow stream of air and headed toward Lady Kingsclere. They shared a whispered conversation while I finished preparing Corynne, and though I couldn't see much in the flickering firelight, I noticed tears streaming down Belle's cheeks as they embraced.
There wasn't enough time for me to make my own goodbyes. More howls came from outside the stables, and the ground beneath us trembled. The kerak were closing in, and the giant shadowkin shook the earth as they surrounded the stable. I leapt onto Brahms' back, swinging my leg over his side and perching behind Neva. I took the reins from her hands and dug in with my heels. "Run," I shouted as soon as I saw Belle mount Corynne.
We burst out through the door and into a swarm of monsters. The kerak swiped their scythe-shaped claws through the air, barely missing us as we hurtled through their ranks. I saw the endless pits of their mouths every time the lightning flashed, and I hunched further over Brahms' quivering body, trying not to look. The shortest glimpse sent a painful spike of fear through my chest. We sprinted over the fields, flying through the rain and leaving the stables behind.
"Ellie, look out!" Jessith hissed behind my head, and wet strands of hair whipped about my face as I whirled around.
The kerak and most of the shadowkin were a fair distance away, but a huge black shape was hurtling toward us. As it drew closer, another jagged fork of lightning cast a flashing picture. One of the shadowkin was running toward us, but it was no slow, lumbering beast. It was moving almost as fast as we were, and something was perched atop its back. No, someone, I realized with the next flare. I caught a glimpse of pale, sloughing skin, but even though the person's face was indistinct, the banner of chestnut hair streaming behind was not. Some part of me knew instantly who it was despite the darkness and the blinding rain. I could feel it in my bones—Luciana had come for me at last.
Chapter Five
Taken from the letters of Cathelin Raybrook, edited by Lady Eleanor Kingsclere
RAIN STREAKS DOWN IN torrents, sliding over the twisted, dying flesh of the pale woman's face. Her eyes are snarled shut, sightless and scarred over, but her jaw hangs loose in a feral howl. Ribbons of matted chestnut hair stream behind her, lashing and whipping in the storm. Her clothes are soaked through, clinging to her frame. She's little more than bone, a living skeleton, but some kind of taut sinew holds her together as she gallops on the back of a giant, hulking beast. No, not just gallops. Chases. She's chasing the two shadows growing smaller and smaller across the fields.
Then—a flash. Smooth glass, the face of a mirror.
"You, my queen, are fair; it’s true.
But the princess with the seven dwarves
Is still a thousand times fairer than you."
"No!" A shriek fills the stone hall. The mirror's surface ripples, threatening to splinter around a beautiful woman's face. Her lips are cut of red rubies and her crown gleams on top of her fair hair. "She's dead. You gave me her heart!"
Sharp nails dig into a sallow man's throat, piercing skin until blood wells out. His mouth moves, but the words are soundless. Hoarse attempts at breath rattle in his chest, but he can't take in air. His pupils fade, the whites swallow his eyes, and flecks of froth gather at the corner of his cracked lips.
"Since you lied to me, I will have to take yours as tribute instead."
Blood, twitching muscle, the cavity of a chest, ribs and yellow fat, sinew and clawing hands.
"Cate! Catie, be you all right?"
I opened my eyes to see Larna hovering over me. Her face was an instant relief, and I remembered where and who I truly was. Larna. Larna's here. I'm safe. I rose from the armchair I had been reading in before my vision, letting the abandoned book on my lap fall to the floorboards and reaching for her shirt instead. “It was terrible. I was at Baxstresse, and she was chasing me. Then the queen killed him." I knew I wasn't making any sense, but I couldn't seem to stop. The explanation tumbled out in a rush of mixed-up words that soon trailed off into dry, ugly sobs.
Larna folded her arms around me, holding me close through the spasms. "I'm here, little bird," she whispered against my hair, pressing kisses to my temple. Each one unraveled the tight knot in my chest a little more, and I sank back into myself instead of battering at the walls of my nightmares. As she rocked me, my breathing evened out. I closed my eyes and buried my face in her shoulder, inhaling her scent. Sweet. Warm. Familiar.
It was a long while before I could speak again, but Larna didn't rush me. She kept making soothing circles over my back until I found my words. "Another vision," I told her, although I was sure she already knew. "I saw Luciana. The new Luciana, the one in the mirror. She's been turned into something horrible, and I think…" I flashed back to the field I had seen in my mind. It had been dark in my dream, but I still recognized the landscape. "I think she was at Baxstresse."
My heart sank as I said the words. Some part of me knew they were true, and the implications were dreadful. If Luciana was at Baxstresse, that meant my friends were all in danger. I jerked out of Larna's arms, heading over to where my pack rested at the foot of the bed. I opened it up and started tossing things out: clothes, bandages, and several other bits and pieces until I found what I was looking for.
I pulled out the magical journal Cieran had given me. Its twin was with Ellie, allowing the two of us to write back and forth without the hassle of sending letters across the border. I had been the last one to write an entry, but as I flipped through the pages, I hoped Ellie had found the time to respond. The tears welling in my eyes streamed down my face when I saw that the final page wasn't in my handwriting. They dotted the paper, leaving a few smudges, but I could still read the blurry words.
Cate,
Belle and I are safe. Cieran has entrusted a young girl to us, a girl he claims is Neva, the Crown Princess of Amendyr. The night after she arrived, monsters attacked Baxstresse. From what little I saw, they are the same creatures Mogra makes for the Queen's armies. The three of us were forced to flee, and although we were given some warning, I don't know what has become of Lady Kingsclere, Sarah, Mam, Matthew, and the others.
There was no sign of Mogra among the monsters, but they did have a commander. It was Luciana, or something that was once her. She has been transformed into something so horrible I can scarcely begin to describe it. Belle, Neva, and I managed to outrun her on horseback, but I suspect she will try to follow us across the border.
We are coming to Amendyr as quickly as we can. Hopefully we will find the rebellion soon and deliver Neva to them for her own safety. Please, be careful. I fear Luciana and Mogra's Serian forces may find you if they do not find us first.
I love you,
Ellie
It took me another several minutes to compose myself as I read over the letter. Transformed...something so horrible I can scarcely begin to describe. Ellie needn't have tried. The images of the new Luciana's face were burned into my brain, and I wasn't sure they would ever leave. I closed the journal and hugged it to my chest, too overwhelmed to scrawl out a response. There wasn't much I could tell Ellie she didn't already know. She, Belle, and their strange charge were already on their way to Amendyr, and I doubted she would have much time to write while on the run.
"At least she's safe," I breathed as Larna knelt beside me.
She rested a hand on my shoulder, offering me a reassuring smile. "Who, Ellie?"
I nodded. "Her, Belle, and you're not going to believe this, but Ellie says she's escorting the Crown Princess of Amendyr across the border. Does the name Neva mean anything to you?"
Larna's concerned expression turned to one of shock. Her eyes widened, and she extended her hand for the journal.
"It won't do you any good to read it," I reminded her. "It's in Serian. Ellie didn't say much, just that a wizard named Cieran entrusted the girl to her. They're planning to meet up with the rebellion."
"I canna believe it." Larna lowered her hand and shook her head, still processing the news. "None of us were knowing where the princess was. Most thought she was long dead. I hoped, but I was never truly believing she could escape the Queen's reach. And you say Ellie is to be bringing her to Jett Bahari?"
"If Amendyr's princess is alive, the rebellion is probably the safest place for her. She can't keep hiding in Seria if Mogra's monsters are running loose at Baxstresse."
Larna seemed to agree. A hopeful look spread across her face, and she clutched my arm. "Surely the council must be listening to us now! We have a proper heir to the throne again. If all goes right, we will be having the liarre at our backs when we see the princess for ourselves."
My mate's optimism was infectious. I shook off the last of my lingering fear and returned her smile with only a little effort. The knowledge that Ellie and Belle had escaped had bolstered my spirits. "The fact that the council wants us to meet with them is a step in the right direction. How much do you think we should tell them about all this?"
"Everything," Larna said with unwavering certainty. "Even Rufas canna claim the rebellion is worthless with a princess to fight for."
Personally, I doubted Rufas would admit anything of the kind, but it didn't matter. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Ellie and Belle haven't even crossed the border with her yet. And besides, we don't need Rufas to agree with us. The only one we need to convince is Maresth. A three-two vote is still a win."
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