The Lost Relics Box Set

by LJ Andrews

  “Then join us! We can protect each other,” Killian pleaded before his heart dropped in his stomach like an anchor. “Wait, did you say Eldora?”

  Angus narrowed his eyes. “Yep, Eldora. One of the first Deshuits. I hear she worked hand in hand with Merlin. Well, one of our people saw her and says she’s in cahoots with the Trinity, or the highest bidder. All I know is she got no loyalty to the Deshuits.”

  “Wait, wait,” Killian said holding up his hand. “Can you trust the person who saw her?”

  “Ask ‘im yourself,” Angus said pointing to the back of the room. “Jax, what’d you see?”

  Egan snapped his head and dropped his mouth in surprise when a tall, older Ignisian man removed his hood. His face was painted in the ashen color, but his flaming eyes billowed throughout the darkness.

  “Jax,” Egan said breathlessly. “What…how long…” he sputtered.

  “Forgive me, Chief Egan,” Jax said humbly. “I joined the Deshuits several sun cycles ago. I saw the depth of their devotion to the realms, and believed they were the only ones I could trust, apart from you, sir.”

  “You’ve been living in the mansion…how could I not have known. You just tried to kill us!” he shouted, grabbing Jax’s collar.

  “Sir, please, I didn’t recognize you. I am still your man, I would never bring harm to you, or…your lovely daughter,” Jax smiled and bowed his head at Mercedes. “I have waited many years to see you home in Ignisia, miss.”

  Mercedes smiled hesitantly and looked at Egan. Taking a deep breath, Egan released Jax’s collar. “This is the man of the mansion. He’s served my family since before I was even born. I’ve missed you, Jax. You could’ve told me the truth.”

  “I hope you’ll forgive me, sir,” Jax said, lowering his eyes.

  “Excuse me,” Killian cut in. “You saw Eldora betray you.”

  “Yes,” Jax said meeting his eyes. “I tried to save Marie and caught a glimpse of Eldora leaving the queen’s chamber. She didn’t look happy; I can only imagine she was negotiating. I left to get more help after seeing her and returned to help your mother.”

  “You saw my mom?” Killian felt a large lump well up in his throat.

  Jax nodded. “And another woman. I know where they’re being held. We almost got them out, but…the Trinity found us and killed some great people.” He looked back at Egan. “Aradia is dead sir.”

  Egan’s shoulders slumped. “No. Silly woman, I told her to be careful. The Trinity would want her power.”

  Jax nodded again and placed a hand on Egan’s shoulder. “They took Marie from me, Killian. For some reason I was left alive. They won’t harm your mother or the other woman until they get to you. She should be alive.”

  “Listen,” Killian said to Egan and Mercedes anxiously. “We have to get back to the Praetorium. My father trusts Eldora. He told me she’s the one who told him about the ruby. He’s probably already told her we found it. We have to warn them.”

  “What ruby?” Angus asked.

  “There is something very dangerous that the Trinity is trying to get,” Killian said breathlessly. “We have a ruby with all of Merlin’s power in it. It can help us stop this curse the Trinity wants to release. And if Eldora knows we’ve found it, it’s just a matter of time before she comes to get it.”

  Angus nodded and pointed toward a blonde woman leaning against the wall. “I understand how important it is to get you back. Tambrynn will take you to the track system.”

  “I can try to open a portal,” Killian said.

  Lydie shook her head. “Don’t you dare. You’ll draw too much attention to us and put everyone here at risk. If you think we’re good at hiding, you should see the Trinity spies. They’re waiting for unusual activity and they’ll stomp on us the second you open a random track.”

  “Okay,” Killian said holding his hands up against Lydie’s intense gaze.

  “Tambrynn here has a unique ability to sense the stability of a track. She’s invaluable to us and has kept us from harm numerous times,” Angus said with pride.

  “Come on,” Tambrynn said sweetly. “I’ll get you back.”

  “Mercedes,” Egan said softly. He took her hand in his and smiled. “I’m going to send you back with Killian, but I’m staying here.”

  “Why?” she said with a level of anxiety.

  “I need to help unite Ignisia with the Ponderi. It’s my duty as chief.”

  “But...Gwyniera is in Glaciem. I can’t do this without you.”

  He smiled like a father would. “You’re so strong. You were amazing in Glaciem when you stepped in as empress. You were a strong Beastian before you even knew who I was. You need to help the Ponderi prepare. I’ll see you soon, but we all have duties and mine is here.”

  Mercedes nodded and wrapped her arms around Egan’s broad shoulders. Killian smiled when Egan’s face shifted from surprise to contented joy.

  “Be safe,” she commanded when she backed away.

  “We will, and you watch out for anything suspicious at the Praetorium. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Come with me,” Tambrynn interjected softly.

  Killian and Mercedes followed closely behind Tambrynn as she led them out through the hidden opening and into the hot sun of the desert.

  “Come this way,” she said as she jogged, keeping her head low, toward the back of the boulders.

  Tambrynn placed her hands along the rock and closed her eyes. Nothing seemed to happen. Killian shifted his weight and looked at Mercedes impatiently. Mercedes took his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Finally, Tambrynn turned away from the stone.

  “The track is stable and empty. I didn’t sense anyone sinister inside.”

  Killian lifted his eyebrows. “You can sense if a bad guy is in the track.”

  “More their intention. Deshuits are pure and have a sense of protection that I can detect, Ponderi have a sense of duty, but I’ve only sensed one Ponderi Custodis. They don’t stumble on our tracks very often.”

  “What about the Trinity?” Mercedes asked.

  Tambrynn glanced at her. “They are full of anger, desire, and bloodlust. It’s quiet terrifying how twisted many of them have become. Some were once great people. Well, you should get going. I know Eldora and if what you say is true, she won’t wait to act.”

  Killian and Mercedes thanked her as she opened the Deshuit track. The sandstone gleamed a pale yellow as a comforting pull tugged at Killian’s midsection. It was welcoming as it beckoned him to enter the track, much more comfortable than his own suffocating portal. With a quiet wisp of a warm breeze, he sensed his feet had lifted and he was sliding toward the Praetorium. The vortex wasn’t violent or tumultuous; it was peaceful and almost pleasant.

  Finally, Killian felt the squishy lawn hug his feet as they landed gently in the wild garden behind the building.

  “Well, I know my preferred method of travel,” Mercedes chuckled.

  Her hair had returned to the beautiful chestnut brown, and the green flames had once again transformed to her stunning emerald eyes.

  “You and me both,” Killian agreed. “Now, come on. We have to warn them.”

  Chapter 17

  Betrayed

  Once inside the building, Killian and Mercedes were nearly tackled to the floor by a group of people running down the hallway.

  “Connor!” Killian called out upon realizing the person trailing behind was his friend.

  Connor stopped and looked behind him. “Killian, you’re back. Come on—we need to hurry.”

  Killian and Mercedes jogged next to Connor along the hallway. The others in the group had already taken an elevator to wherever Connor was rushing toward.

  “Connor, what’s wrong?” Killian asked once they jumped into a car.

  “A lot,” was all Connor said before rushing off the car at the clinic floor. Mercedes looked at Killian curiously and quickly followed.

  “They just got back,” Connor said over his shoulder. “She’ll be all right,
but they are very lucky.”

  “Wait, who, Connor? What are you talking about?” Killian said pulling on Connor’s shoulder.

  “That’s not why you’re back?” Connor said, raising an eyebrow as he stopped at a curtained bed.

  “No. We came back to warn you about Eldora. She’s working with Maurelle.”

  Connor sighed. “Ugh, we’ll talk about that, but come here.”

  Killian looked behind the curtain and saw Dalia and Lucan leaning over the bed.

  “Rhetta, what happened?” Killian cried rushing toward the edge of the bed.

  Rhetta opened her eyes and smiled. “Oh, Killian, you’re safe.”

  Killian scanned the bed and saw a large white bandage wrapped around her waist with a brownish-red stain seeping through.

  “Well, we went to Cimmerian and we had a little run-in with some Trinity soldiers,” Rhetta said quietly.

  “Connor, where is the suture light?” Killian asked.

  “It’s being used on a recruit right now. They had a little accident during training. Shannon will bring it as soon as possible,” he replied.

  “We were meeting with the people in the palace square,” Dalia said. “And all of a sudden a large group of Trinity attacked. Rhetta was a fighter, but she took on a little more than she should have.”

  “Is everyone all right? What happened to the people?”

  Lucan smiled mischievously. “They fought back. The little rats had to retreat.”

  Mercedes widened her eyes and smiled. “Good for them. The people defended what’s theirs.”

  Dalia nodded, but her face was sad. “It took a while, and many people are lucky to be alive, but they fought. It’s almost for our benefit the Trinity came so they saw firsthand the seriousness of what we were saying. They were somewhat against helping the Ponderi after Speron’s attack. But from what I heard after the attack was over, I think their minds may change.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, and I’m glad you’re going to be okay, Rhetta. Don’t scare us like that again, okay?” Killian said wrapping an arm around his grandmother’s shoulders.

  “I’m fine, sweetie,” she said.

  “Oh, I can’t believe I didn’t say it yet, where is Owen?” he said. “Eldora, his friend, is working with the Trinity. If she knows we found the ruby, it could only be a matter of time before she comes to get it.”

  Killian was overwhelmed with a great sadness as she finished speaking. He softly rubbed his chest, feeling as if his heart was literally breaking. “Why am I…” he looked at Dalia’s face that had fallen flat and paler than usual. “Is there something else that happened? You seem very upset, Dalia.”

  Lucan glared at the floor, and Rhetta reached out her hand for Dalia’s. Slowly Dalia pushed the curtain surrounding Rhetta’s bed back and Mercedes gasped. Eldora lay on the next bed, eyes closed, with a wide gash across the side of her head. Her pale skin was pasty and gray, not the vibrant paleness that was so attractive about Cimmerians. Even her long black hair had dulled, no more glimmering silver. Everything about her was lifeless.

  “Eldora,” Killian breathed out softly. “What happened to her? Did she try to get the ruby?”

  Rhetta nodded. “She tried, and succeeded. But…” she trailed off.

  “We don’t think she did it alone, Killian,” Dalia admitted.

  “Who helped her?” asked Mercedes.

  “We aren’t sure, but Axel is missing,” Dalia finally said painfully.

  Killian caught his breath and refused to believe what was in Dalia’s mind and heart as it overwhelmed his senses. “No, Axel wouldn’t take the ruby. He saved us when Blake tried to take it. You’re sure it’s gone?”

  “The ruby is gone, Killian,” Dalia said forcefully. “And Axel is gone. We don’t have time to pretend a close friend wouldn’t betray us; think of Blake.”

  “Dalia, I’m not afraid to admit when a friend betrays us,” Killian countered defensively. “I just want to make sure.”

  “We need to state the obvious,” Lucan snarled. “Axel had a plan with Eldora, then double-crossed her and took the ruby for himself. Think about it—what sane person is going to try and take the ruby from a powerful Infinium, except maybe Killian and Maurelle. And even then, no offense, Killian, he’d probably win.”

  “So the ruby is really gone?” Mercedes said softly.

  “It’s gone,” Connor said as he returned with the suture light. “And all evidence points to Axel taking it. Whether he’s taking it to Maurelle or using it for himself, we don’t know.”

  Connor sat on the metal stool next to Rhetta’s bed and began removing the white bandage. Killian winced when he saw the enormous gash along her rib cage. Carefully, Connor placed the ugly, scratchy suture paper along the wound and began running the light along the length of the paper until it sizzled and turned to ash.

  “Feel better?” he asked Rhetta.

  “Loads. Thank you, Connor.”

  Connor turned and faced Killian. “There’s a chance Axel is facing Maurelle alone. He might believe only he’s strong enough to stop her. We don’t know.”

  Dalia scoffed. “You also don’t know Axel like I do. If he’s faced with power, he’ll take it. It’s his greatest weakness. And who else do you think could get close enough to Eldora to kill her? She’s one of the most powerful women I’ve ever known.”

  “Look, we need to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Killian said. “He’s saved us too many times to just turn on him.”

  Dalia smiled and gathered her club and an extra crossbow. “Do what you’d like, Killian. As for me, I’m going to prepare to meet the queen and now the first Infinium in battle.”

  Dalia stalked out of the clinic, taking her heart-wrenching betrayal with her.

  “Connor, has there been any word on how Gwyniera is doing in Glaciem?” Mercedes finally asked after a long silence.

  “The people adore their empress, and from what I’ve heard they are willing to do what she asks, but that isn’t confirmed.”

  She smiled. “My father is working with his sister to raise Ignisia. I’m sure the warrior spirit will unite and I’m sure they’ll stand with us.”

  Connor nodded and took the suture light away from Rhetta. “Get some rest, all right? You’ll be good as new tomorrow.”

  Rhetta smiled and lay back on her pillow. Killian gave her hand a squeeze before following Connor through the curtain.

  “How is your work coming with lowering the barriers?” he asked as Lucan and Mercedes left Rhetta’s bedside.

  “Slow, but I’m close,” Connor said, walking back toward his lab office. “It’s difficult trying to break a historic code that isn’t even used today. You come from a line of brilliant minds. James Thomas was serious about keeping the realms separate, and I’ve never seen such an intricate web of spells and science building up the barriers.”

  “You can do it. I’ve never met someone like you, either,” Killian said, trying to encourage Connor.

  It seemed to work since Connor’s face lit up as he sat back down at his computer.

  “Have you seen Owen? I probably should let him know we’re back.”

  “He’s been helping train in the training center. He’ll be glad you’re safe. That man doesn’t know how to not worry about you now.” Connor chuckled.

  Killian, Mercedes, and Lucan stepped into the training center and were overwhelmed by what they saw. Beastians and recruits were training together, but it wasn’t the tan and gray clothing going against one another; it was the array of creatures crowding the entire field.

  “Oh, my gosh,” Mercedes said as she stared at the various species in awe. “This is why I became a Beastian.”

  “Thomas, you’re back. Get over here,” Aidan shouted in his brisk, deep voice.

  Killian sauntered over toward Aidan, ducking as a squealing, black balled creature soared through the air before releasing an incredible wingspan and snatching a piece of meat in its fanged mouth before it hit the ground.


  “Camazotz,” Mercedes said. “Oh, I’ve only seen pictures of them. They are so intelligent, and can see even the tiniest things from the sky. Tricky little devils, though, from what I’ve learned about them. They were said to bring death in mythical stories, but I think it’s just because of their dark faces.”

  Lucan raised an eyebrow and Killian shivered as he tried to avoid another close encounter with a camazotz.

  “Aidan, what’s going on?” Killian asked when he stood next to the red-haired Ignisian.

  “Training, Thomas. Isn’t it obvious?”

  “But what’s with the creatures?”

  “Well, we need creatures on our side, don’t we? Cora said there’s been a mass shadow imp exodus to who knows where and Malumian tracks are everywhere leading out of realms, but we can’t find where they’ve actually gone. And I don’t think you’ve seen those little beasts around here, have you?”

  “You think the Trinity is taking them?”

  “Very good, Thomas,” Aidan said with his usual sarcasm. “Don’t think they don’t have a few skilled creature lovers on their team, too. Now where is Dax? That boy has been slacking.”

  “He’s with my father in Ignisia trying to unite the people,” Mercedes said firmly.

  Aidan lifted an eyebrow and crossed his fist over his chest in salute when he realized Mercedes was standing there. “Of course. Thank you for telling me, My Lady.”

  Mercedes crinkled her eyebrows as if unsure if she liked the titled Aidan had given and Killian snorted as he tried to hold in a laugh, but he quickly silenced when Aidan glared at him and steam came off his shoulders.

  “Excuse me, sir,” he asked Aidan. “Have you seen Owen? Connor said he was training recruits.”

  Aidan pointed briskly to the far corner of the room, then looked at Mercedes. “He’s actually working with a Glacien named Hawklen; he just arrived yesterday. I think you’ll find his creature expertise very interesting.”

  Mercedes perked up in anticipation and followed close to Killian. Lucan tried to follow, but Aidan quickly went off on a tirade about how Lucan needed to train other recruits and brush up on his knife fighting before he embarrassed the entire Ponderi. Killian laughed; even with his abruptness, he missed training with Aidan. It reminded him of when Sophia was alive and Blake was still his friend.