Shadow Crown

by Kristen Martin

  Complete and absolute fear.

  Estelle nudges me in the side and mouths, “Now.”

  She goes after the lanky guard, who’s clawing at his eyes, and I take the other, who seems to be frozen in time, petrified. Not much of a challenge, if I do say so myself. I begin to search him for the dungeon keys, but come up short. I snap my fingers once to get Estelle’s attention. Her head pops up and I give a slicing neck motion to communicate that my guard is a dead end.

  Felix keeps his gaze on both of the men. His hands begin to tremble and I can tell that the state of amplification is growing weaker by the minute. We don’t have much time. I rush over to Estelle but, just as I arrive, I hear the jangling of keys. Felix releases the men from their amplified states, panting as the bodies drop to the ground. Whether they’re unconscious or dead, I honestly can’t tell.

  “I can’t see you,” Felix pants between ragged breaths.

  I feel a sort of veil lift off of me, and I can see both Estelle and Felix more clearly. She’s released us both from our cloaked states. All three of us stand in the open, completely visible to the naked eye.

  Estelle holds up the ring of keys and looks directly at me. “Where’s the cell?”

  I point to the end of the hall. “According to Xerin, it’s the last one.”

  Estelle and Felix rush down the corridor, but I stay behind. My eyes fall to the guards. Contrary to my belief that they’d be writhing in pain, they remain motionless. I bend down and pick up one of the swords. It glimmers, even in the dim chamber lighting.

  As I’m standing there, alone, running my hand along the blade of the sword, something familiar approaches. I recognize it almost immediately.

  No.

  Dark energy circles around me, feeding off my desires. My “friends” have returned, just as I knew they would. Do it, the voices whisper. Kill them.

  My mouth fills with a coppery taste. Blood.

  I want this so badly.

  The dark tethers pull at my mind as I position myself over one of the guards and raise the sword with both hands. It feels heavy and good in my hands. My fingers grip the pommel.

  Do it. Kill them.

  It’s so easy. One swift movement and it’s over. No one would be the wiser.

  Just as I’m about to plunge the blade into one of the guards’ skulls, the men suddenly disappear. I blink a few times, feeling disoriented. Slowly, I lower the sword and look to my right, then to my left. Where did they go?

  Without warning, someone shoves me from behind, causing me to fall headfirst; but my hands catch me just in time. The sword scatters from my grip, and I watch with wide eyes as it slides along the damp stone. I flip myself over and look up at the perpetrator. It’s Felix.

  “What the hell are you doing?” he shouts. His eyes blaze with fury and his hands are balled into fists.

  As much as I want to pull myself up and shove him back, I know better. My wrist throbs from landing on it, so I take my free hand and wrap it around the pain. I focus, trying to get it to heal, but Felix’s incessant shouting isn’t helping.

  “The Caldari do not kill innocents!” he bellows. “We are here to do one thing and one thing only, and that is to free your stupid friend.”

  I nod. “I agree. He is stupid.”

  “That wasn’t my point,” Felix says through clenched teeth. “We don’t kill innocents.” The last word comes out as a hiss.

  I breathe a sigh of relief as my wrist starts to feel normal again. I test it first before pushing myself up off the ground and dusting off my tunic. My trousers are now damp and dirty, thanks to this brute. I can feel my temper rising. I point at the area where the guards once lay. “They work for Tymond! They are not innocent!”

  Felix chuckles. He shakes his head. “Have you forgotten? So do you!”

  I lurch backward as if I’ve just been hit in the stomach. “Did,” I correct. “So did I. But I don’t anymore.”

  “Well, from what I just witnessed, I wouldn’t be surprised if you went running back to Tymond, begging him to take you back as an assassin.”

  My ears burn at the insult. Just as I’m about to strangle him, Estelle appears between us, her arms extended at full length. “Enough!” she shouts. She glances at Felix, then over at me with a harsh expression. “We need to be a united front. You can save your narcissistic pissing match for later.” I can tell she’s angry because I’ve never heard her talk like that before. “Now get over yourselves and follow me,” she growls.

  Without another word, Felix and I do as she says, trailing behind her to the end of the corridor. I grab one of the torches from the wall and hold it out in front of me as we approach the cell. A thin body is curled up against the back of it, a head of matted, ashen hair pointed directly at us. It doesn’t look like Rydan, but then again, I haven’t seen him in months.

  I take the key ring from Estelle and bang it against the metal bars. The ashen head rises, and I expect to see beautiful, vibrant eyes, but pale yellow ones have taken their place. I gasp as his eyes meet mine, then take a step back.

  His voice cracks. “Arden?”

  The figure begins to crawl toward the front of the cell, eyes glued to mine the entire time. My mouth remains open, and all I can do is stare in horror. As he draws nearer, a wave of empathy washes over me.

  The once fearless, strong man I’d come to know has been rotting away here in this cell, whittling away to nothing more than skin and bones. His rich black hair is now a sickly gray, long and tangled around his shoulders. His eyes, nose, and cheeks are sunken in, like the peasants we used to sneak loaves of bread to on the streets of Trendalath. His once brawny figure has disintegrated, and his bones look as though they might snap at any moment.

  The image is gut wrenching.

  “Arden,” he croaks again, “is it really you?”

  “Yes,” I whisper, hands trembling as I start inserting different keys into the locks. “Yes, it’s me, Rydan.”

  His lips crack into a smile, showcasing rotting teeth of the yellow and brown variety. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”

  My heart picks up speed as I insert one key after another into the lock. I’m not as agile as I used to be. My emotions are getting the better of me. I can feel a minor meltdown coming on when a warm hand is placed atop mine. I raise my head to the right to see Estelle standing next to me.

  “Allow me,” she says, her voice smooth as silk.

  I pull one of the many incorrect keys out of the lock, then drop them into her open palm. “Thank you,” I whisper. She assumes my position as I move to the back wall of the chamber.

  After a few less attempts than I’d had, the lock clicks. Rydan’s eyes have been trained on mine the entire time. Felix ducks into the cell and helps him to his feet. Rydan’s knees shake and his hands tremble as he rises, and he has to clutch the wall for support. Felix urges him to try and walk to test out his mobility. Still holding onto the wall, Rydan lifts his foot and takes a miniscule step forward.

  “How the hell are we going to get him out of here?” Estelle asks. Her voice is strained as her eyes dart around the dungeon. “We need to leave. Quickly.”

  “Oh, I’m sure we can leave. It’s the quickly part we’re going to struggle with,” Felix retorts.

  Estelle leans her head against the metal bars. With a sigh, she mutters, “This is one part of the plan we should have fleshed out in more detail.”

  I bow my head, not wanting to witness my previous Cruex partner dying before me. Even though I’m still disgusted by his actions in Lonia, I still care for him. He’s still Rydan. He’s still my friend.

  And then I remember. What am I doing just standing here? I jerk my head up and rush into the cell. “Sit him back down,” I command.

  Felix looks at me with resilient eyes. “But we’re making progress.”

  I can’t tell if he’s joking, but if he is, now isn’t the time. “Sit him back down. Now.”

&n
bsp; Felix lifts his brows at my tone, but doesn’t argue. I’m actually surprised he’s chosen to listen to me for once. He gently lowers Rydan back to the ground. I kneel and place my hands over his chest. “Close your eyes,” I whisper.

  Rydan cracks a small smile. “If I do, I’m not sure they’ll open again.”

  The words send a pulsating pain straight through my heart. “Open it is then.”

  I know he’s not going to like what I’m about to do—or to see what I actually am—but I don’t see any other choice. I press my hands more firmly against his chest, trying to will away the memories of him speaking ill of illusié.

  “What are you doing?” he asks, eyes flitting between my face and my hands.

  I exhale. A soft white glow appears around my fingers. I release some of the pressure from his chest, scanning for signs of internal injury. Being a prisoner has done quite a number on him, and he probably doesn’t even know it.

  “What is this?” he asks again, his tone harsher this time.

  I cock my head and Estelle appears across from me. She places her hand on Rydan’s cheek and tilts it toward her. “Focus on me,” she soothes. “And breathe.”

  “I don’t understand what’s going on.”

  Estelle shoots a look at me. I nod.

  “We are Caldari,” I say slowly. “Illusié.”

  Rydan’s eyes widen, and suddenly I’m not sure that telling him was the best idea. But the distraction is working. His heart is beating faster. His injuries are healing.

  “What are you doing to me?” he yells, although it comes out as more of a croak. He tries to thrash, but Felix is holding down his legs, Estelle his arms—plus he’s too weak to make a harmful movement anyway.

  The glow begins to disappear as I feel his energy bind together and grow stronger. I remove my hands from his chest and rise. I watch him carefully as Felix and Estelle help him to his feet. “For the time being, he should be able to walk, maybe even jog, if needed.”

  Rydan runs his hands over his chest and his arms, then through his hair. He shakes his legs and stamps his feet, as if he’s a child learning his motor skills for the first time.

  “Rydan, I’m illusié, a Caldari.” The words feel foreign, yet satisfying, as they leave my mouth. “I’m a Healer.”

  Rydan looks at each of us with disgust. “What now? You expect me to come with you?”

  I smirk, then turn around and walk toward the dungeon’s exit. “It seems you don’t have much of a choice.”

  RYDAN HELSTROM

  RYDAN CAN HARDLY believe how much better he feels. He’s keeping up with Arden and the rest of the Caldari as if he hadn’t been locked in a cell for months with little food, water, and sleep. He presses his hand to his chest, his heart beating steadily underneath his skin. His back, arms, and legs feel strong, but most surprisingly, his mind feels sharp—dare he say even sharper than before he’d been thrown into his cell.

  What exactly did Arden do to me?

  They’d left the castle with ease, only because Rydan had decided not to make a scene. As much as he loathes the Caldari and everything they stand for, he’s certain he would have died in that dungeon cell. He had no choice—for his sake, and for Elvira’s.

  Estelle’s cloaking ability is truly one for the books. It’s a surreal feeling, being invisible and walking through crowd after crowd of unsuspecting bystanders. When they’d made it to the town square, Rydan had warned himself not to look at the execution stage, but had braved a look anyway. Where he’d expected there to be blood were planks of wood in their natural color—brown, not red—which meant one of two things. Either Elvira had escaped, or the execution hadn’t happened yet. He sincerely hopes it’s the former.

  Nearing the outskirts of the forest, Rydan stops in his tracks. He can’t keep going without knowing whether or not Vira is okay. “Arden,” he says, tugging on the sleeve of her tunic.

  She whirls around to face him, a concerned look on her face. “Is everything all right? Is the pace okay for you?”

  He waves his hand in the air and shakes his head simultaneously. “It’s not that. The pace is fine.” He takes in a sharp breath, unsure how to phrase his question. It’s strange being around her again. It feels different, but also the same—if that’s even possible.

  “Rydan?” she presses.

  “Elvira.” He casts his eyes to the ground. “Did she make it? Is she still alive?” The last word catches in his throat.

  A slight frown graces Arden’s lips. “Honestly, I don’t know. I think so. But we’ll know for sure soon.”

  Rydan nods his head, shoulders slumping. Not the answer he wanted, but it’ll have to do.

  “Hey,” she says as she pats him on the back. “Come on. The faster we move, the sooner we’ll know.”

  Rydan watches as she turns around to catch up with the others. He sighs and picks up the pace.

  A couple of hours pass on their journey, but they don’t seem to be making much progress. Felix and Estelle keep looking up at the sky, although Rydan doesn’t know why. Every once in a while when they look up, he’ll follow their gazes. Perhaps they’re just using the sun to gain a sense of direction. Then again, they’re Caldari—shouldn’t they be able to conjure up something to help guide them besides what Mother Nature has to offer?

  Regardless, it feels as though they’ve been walking in circles and Rydan decides it’s time for a break. He spots a nearby rock and, without saying anything, meanders over to it. He plops down, surveying the area for a small stream or ripe berries. Honestly, anything will do at this point—he’s parched and starved.

  Arden seems to sense that he’s no longer behind her. She calls out to the others to stop. They backtrack and soon, they’re all standing around Rydan, looking down at him as if he’s an injured animal.

  “We’ve been walking for hours in what feels like circles. What in lords’ name are we searching for?” Rydan asks.

  Arden regards him with a confused expression. “What do you mean?”

  He points to both Felix and Estelle. “They keep looking up at the sky. I want to know what we’re supposed to be looking for.”

  Before Arden can answer, Felix cuts in. “It’s really none of your business,” he snaps. “Lords, we save your ass and we don’t even get so much as a thank you?” His mouth curls into a sneer. “And Arden here, she healed you, so that you could walk, so that you could escape that death ridden cell. You sustained injuries that normally take years to heal, and she fixed them in a matter of minutes.” He spits at Rydan’s feet. “Tell me, Helstrom, why did we even save you in the first place?”

  Rydan shoots up from the rock and marches over to Felix so that his chest is pressed against his. “Apparently, you’re just a little servant boy who answers to Xerin’s every beck and call.”

  “Enough!” Arden and Estelle shout at the same time.

  Arden takes Rydan by the arms while Estelle grabs Felix’s shoulders. Rydan tries to pull himself from her grip, but she’s stronger than he remembers. “Do your friends have you in strength training or something?”

  Arden’s eyes ignite with fury as she slaps him across the face.

  Rydan’s hand flies to his cheek. He’s never been slapped before, and it hurts more than he thought it would.

  “I don’t know what happened to you in there, or why you’ve suddenly become such a prick,” she growls through clenched teeth, “but that ends right now.” She pushes him away from her.

  Rydan stumbles a little, shocked at how angry she seems, but he regains his balance quickly. He straightens his shirt before lifting his chin higher in the air.

  Arden scowls. “Don’t make me regret this, Rydan.”

  He shakes his head as a small laugh escapes his lips. “It seems you already do.”

  ARDEN ELIRI

  JUST AS I’M gearing up to slap Rydan once more, an unnerving sound catches my attention. I look over my shoulder to see Estelle with her hand
clasped over her mouth. I turn back toward Rydan and lower my hand. It balls into a fist. He gives me a sardonic smile and I whirl around before I change my mind. “What is it?” I ask Estelle.

  “I’m a fool,” she cries. She hits herself in the forehead. “I never released us. We’ve been cloaked this entire time!”

  I rub my temples as I attempt to comprehend what she’s just said. “So if Xerin’s been looking for us—”

  “—there’s no way he could have seen us,” Felix finishes.

  Exasperated sighs fill the air.

  I turn to look at Rydan, flashing him a look of warning to keep quiet. Surprisingly, he listens.

  “I’m now releasing each of us from our cloaked states.” As Estelle says this, I can feel the seemingly invisible veil being lifted, the sheen over my sight dissipating. Things become crystal clear. I’m disappointed in myself for not catching it earlier. If I had, Xerin would be here by now, and we’d be well on our way.

  With slumped shoulders and frowns gracing their faces, I can tell the Caldari feel defeated. Disheartened. But I’ll be damned if we allow ourselves to fall apart now. “It’s okay. Let’s keep going. Xerin can see us now, and I’m sure he’s nearby somewhere . . .”

  My thoughts trail off as a glimmer in the distance catches my eye. I race toward it, despite the conversation that’s going on behind me. I hear my name being called, but I ignore it. As I draw closer, the object comes into view—a floating black orb with shimmering white and gold spots. It’s stunning.

  Has Xerin found more ways to shape himself?

  “Xerin?” I ask. I reach out to touch it, but as I do, the orb moves backward, or at least it seems like it does. I furrow my brows and try again, but the orb retreats. I keep going, further and further into the forest. I finally reach a point where I turn around and can’t see or hear anyone behind me.