by Jayne Castel
Ryana then covered her face with her hands, her voice muffled as she continued. “I was an idiot to confide in him. In reality I didn’t know Gael at all. Too late I discovered that he was an enchanter like me; only he’d been thrown out of the House of Light and Darkness in Anthor. He cast a dark enchantment over me that night and sent me back to the House to steal the stone.”
Ryana lowered her hands. Her desolate gaze swept over Dain and Lilia who listened in silence to her tale. “I did his bidding—I had no choice for he’d bound my will to his. I stole down to the Vault and killed the enchanter who guarded the stone. I brought it back to Gael, and he tied me up in the room we shared before disappearing into the night. In the morning, the enchantment had faded—yet I knew what I’d done, and I fled the capital before the Order came for me.”
Lilia slowly released the breath she’d been holding. “Why didn’t you go to them and explain it wasn’t your fault?”
Ryana’s gaze turned steely and her face hardened. “It was my fault. I told a man I barely knew a powerful secret—for that alone they would have punished me. Worse still, Gael was a member of a secret society of warriors called the Shade Brotherhood—men who’d spent centuries looking for the missing pieces of The King Breaker. I’d handed the stone to a dark enchanter in league with those wishing to free The Shadow King.”
“Didn’t they search for you?” Dain asked. “Surely, since you stole something so valuable, they’d hunt you down?”
Ryana’s mouth twisted. “They hunted for me, and I led them on a tortuous path before I cloaked my steps and hid myself on this isle.”
Silence fell at these words, broken only by the soft crackle of dying embers in the stove and the rattling of the wind against loose tiles on the roof above them. Lilia’s head hurt as she tried to make sense of what Ryana had just revealed.
Lilia had started off telling them about her oddly behaving shadow and the conversation had morphed into something far more frightening. She released The King Breaker from her sweaty palm and found herself staring at it. “What does this have to do with my shadow?” she whispered.
“I don’t know,” Ryana replied heavily. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you there.”
“It’s to do with that charm stone though?” Dain was staring at The King Breaker as if Lilia wore a venomous eel wrapped around her neck. “It can’t be a coincidence that shortly after she started wearing it, her shadow woke up?”
Lilia glanced across at Ryana, expecting her to nod—yet the woman merely stared back at her, confusion and pain on her face. “You’re probably right,” she murmured, “but I don’t have the answer.”
Lilia wiped her brow with the back of her forearm. It was so hot in the kitchen her head was starting to spin. Outdoors, it was the first mild day of spring but in here, standing next to a glowing stove, it felt as if she was trying to breathe underwater.
Her head hurt this morning; she’d gone to bed with a churning mind and had slept poorly. Work seemed trivial today—when she carried something so important around her neck.
I wish I could take it off.
Lilia had tried, before going to bed, but every time her hand fastened over the stone, a fierce protectiveness had swept over her. She could not remove it.
Beyond the thick kitchen walls, Lilia heard the faint thud of an axe on wood. Dain had been out back chopping logs for ages. Like her, he’d gone off to bed worried. Ryana had been distracted when she bid them both goodnight. Lilia hadn’t seen her this morning and suspected she had left. Revealing her real identity to them hadn’t been easy and Lilia saw that Ryana had spent years avoiding her past; it would be all too easy to start running again.
Lilia’s chest constricted. Ryana was the only one who could help her. Suddenly, the kitchen walls felt too close, constricting. She would bring Dain something out to drink and take a break and some fresh air herself. Lilia reached for a jug of freshly pressed apple juice and glimpsed movement out of the corner of her eye.
Twisting, she spied her shadow undulating across the flagstones behind her. Lilia’s anxiety flowered into panic but this time she fought her reaction; if Ryana wouldn’t help her she would have to face this herself.
Just ignore it.
Lilia turned her back on her shadow and poured two cups of apple juice. She gritted her teeth when she saw her hands were trembling.
“I’m still here.” A sing-song voice slithered over her shoulder. “There’s no point in pretending otherwise—I’m not going anywhere.”
Heart pounding, Lilia pivoted round to face it. “Why is this happening?” she asked, her voice shrill as she struggled to control her panic. “Why me?”
Her silhouette stopped moving for a moment. “I’m part of the charm too.” The words whispered like wind through the trees. “It has also bonded to your body and given me life.”
Lilia swallowed. “What do you want?”
Her shadow rippled, raising its arms high above its head. “To exist.” It grew larger before her, a dark stain spreading across the floor. Lilia’s throat closed as she watched it move. “The world is new to me—I wish to learn. You will teach me.”
Lilia backed up against the bench, her body now drenched in sweat. “Leave me be.”
Soft laughter carried across the kitchen. “I can’t do that, Lilia. I’m your mirror—your other half. I have been observing you these last few weeks, and I must say that I’m disappointed. You’re so full of fear—a poor choice to bear something so precious.”
“I didn’t ask for this.” Lilia choked the words out.
“No—but you walked right into it.” The voice hardened a little and developed a critical edge. “You let a stranger charm you, lie to you.”
Lilia stiffened. She’d had enough of this slippery, accusing voice. She wasn’t going to remain here and listen to more. Hands shaking she turned, picked up the cups and carried them out of the kitchen. However, the voice trailed after her. “We’ll continue this conversation later then …”
Lilia ignored its parting comment and stepped into the common room. Even though it was a warm day, a low fire flickered in the hearth. Ailin had his back to her as he wiped down tables. Neasa would be stripping down beds and cleaning the sleeping quarters.
Lilia crossed the common room behind Ailin, grateful he had not spotted her.
Ever since Neasa had seen Lilia and Dain in each other’s arms in the kitchen, both her employers had barely spoken to her.
Lilia exited the common room, taking the short, narrow passage leading to the courtyard at the back of the inn. She stepped outdoors. The bright sunlight made her squint, and she peered up at the cloudless blue sky. Not a breath of wind stirred the air.
Dain did not see her emerge into the courtyard. Stripped to the waist, he slammed the axe into the thick logs, splitting them easily, before tossing the pieces aside and grabbing the next log.
Lilia watched him. Despite that her heart was still pounding and her palms felt clammy, the sight of him gave her a welcome moment of distraction from her shadow.
It was the first time she’d seen him shirtless. Her gaze slid down the lithe column of his back; his shoulders were broader than she had thought. His skin gleamed with sweat, the muscles flexing under his lightly tanned skin as he brought the axe down on the next log.
She knew Dain was attractive; she’d noticed it the first time she’d seen him. However, she’d been determined not to let it affect her. They lived under the same roof, and she worked for his parents. Not only that but his teasing, his banter, made her distrust him.
But watching Dain now, she felt her breathing constrict; a reaction that had nothing to do with her shadow. Her gaze slid over his taut stomach to the finely muscled contours of his chest—and her mouth went inexplicably dry.
Sensing her watching him, Dain lowered his axe and turned. “Hello, Lily.”
His voice brought her to her senses. She blinked, her gaze snapping upward to his face. He was grinning at her—that s
mug male expression that told her he’d seen the direction of her gaze and was enjoying the attention.
Lilia ground her teeth. What came over me? The encounter with her shadow had clearly lowered her defenses.
She lifted the cups she carried. “I thought you might be thirsty …” Her voice trailed off when she saw he was still grinning. She fought the urge to throw the apple juice in his face. “Of course if you’re not, I’ll just take these away …”
She turned, stiff-backed, and was about to march inside when Dain called out to her.
“Thanks—I’m parched.”
11
Strangers at Port
Lilia turned back and thrust one of the cups toward him. “Here you are then.”
He took it from her although she could feel his gaze on her face. “You’re flushed—are you unwell.”
She shook her head. “My shadow just spoke to me again.”
His face turned serious. “What did it say?”
“It told me its behavior is linked to The King Breaker.”
Dain raised the cup to his lips and drained it in a couple of gulps. “Anything else?”
“It wants to learn from me.” She didn’t tell him that the shadow had also insinuated that she was a pathetic wretch and a poor judge of character.
He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Dain looked about to say something else when the door behind Lilia leading to the common room flew open, and Ryana strode out into the courtyard. One look at her told Lilia she was leaving. She wore leggings, high boots and a tunic belted at the waist with a woolen travelling cloak about her shoulders. As always, she wore her fingerless gloves, which Lilia now knew were to protect her real identity. She also carried a leather satchel slung across her front and a weathered ash staff in her right hand.
Ryana’s face was stern, her gaze troubled.
“Thought you’d be far from here by now,” Dain greeted her. He reached for his tunic and shrugged it on, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm.
“I had business in town,” Ryana replied, her gaze snapping to Lilia. “There are strangers at port. You’re not safe here.”
Lilia frowned. “Pardon?”
Ryana stepped forward, her tall, athletic frame emanating tension. “A galleon has dropped anchor in the harbor and boatloads of men have come ashore.”
Lilia’s pulse accelerated.
A galleon.
“What’s that got to do with me?”
Ryana made an impatient gesture. “They’re asking if anyone has seen a tall, dark-haired man with a southern accent.”
Lilia’s stomach twisted. “Saul,” she murmured. He’d told her he commanded that ship, but if that was the truth why were those men hunting him?
Ryana’s mouth compressed. “Clearly, but it’s The King Breaker they want.”
“But they don’t know Lilia has it,” Dain pointed out. “She should be safe if she keeps out of sight.”
Ryana raked an exasperated hand through her unbound hair. “They’ve already clashed with the Port Guard. Now, they’re scouring the town as I speak, going from house to house and questioning folk.” Her gaze shifted to Lilia. “Do you really think you can hide from them in here?”
Lilia swallowed, aware that her legs felt weak and nausea now crept up her throat. “Who are they?”
Ryana’s lips parted to answer but another did so in her stead; a man’s voice—low and self-confident. “They are The Shade Brotherhood.”
All three of them stiffened before turning toward the voice. A tall, cloaked figure stepped out from the shadow of the stables behind them. Saul of Anthor had entered the courtyard through the narrow wooden gate at the back and had been listening to their conversation unseen.
Ryana folded her arms across her chest and regarded him coolly. “I was wondering when you’d be back.”
Ignoring her, Saul’s gaze went to Lilia, the intensity of it pinning her to the spot.
“Hello.”
Lilia stared at him. Over the past few months, she’d convinced herself that Saul was never coming back. Learning the value of the stone he’d left in her keeping had made her rethink that belief—yet it was still a shock to see him standing there. Before yesterday she’d have been overjoyed at his reappearance, now it only worried her. He wasn’t the man she thought he was—how did she know everything he’d said wasn’t lies?
“Good morning, Saul,” she replied. Suddenly, she didn’t know what to think.
“You can dispense with the charm,” Ryana cut in, her tone sharp at being ignored. “We know what you gave Lilia, you’re not getting it back.”
Saul glanced over at Ryana, his handsome features tightening. “You’ve got a lot to say for yourself, scop,” he growled. “Lilia and I had an agreement.” His gaze shifted back to Lilia and he smiled. “As you might have guessed I’m in a hurry. I thought I’d travelled back here unseen, but it appears The Brotherhood have spies everywhere.”
Lilia scowled. “You lied to me.”
He made a dismissive gesture. “I did it to protect you—it was better you didn’t know.” His gaze narrowed then, before he glanced from Ryana to Dain. “I’m amazed you discovered the truth for yourself.”
His comment made her anger rise. “Really? Aren’t I clever enough?”
He smiled and took a step toward her. “Come, none of us have time for this. Give me back my charm stone, and I’ll be on my way.”
“Not another step.” Dain had picked up his axe and stepped forward between Lilia and Saul. Likewise, Ryana placed herself in his path, her staff raised.
Saul gave a soft laugh, not remotely intimidated. He looked over Dain’s shoulder at Lilia and grinned. “Have you employed bodyguards now?”
Lilia reached up, her hand fastening over the charm stone underneath her blouse. “You’re not taking it,” she told him firmly.
His smile twisted. “I don’t want this to get bloody—don’t make me hurt you.”
“Fool,” Ryana snarled. “You took The King Breaker out of its iron casing and gave it to her. Don’t you have any idea what you’ve done?”
Saul’s blank look told them all that he didn’t.
“The stone has a protection charm woven into it,” Ryana confirmed. “If you want it, you’ll have to kill Lilia first.”
Ryana’s words made Lilia’s belly cramp. Her fingers closed tight over the stone; even through the linen of her blouse she could feel its chill, burning like ice. Gods, how she wanted to tear it off and throw it at Saul; however the need to protect it rose so strong within her it was as if she was defending her newborn child. Ryana was right; he’d have to rip it from her lifeless fingers before she’d give it up.
Things might have gone ill then, for Dain and Ryana moved closer together, forming a wall between Lilia and Saul, while he reached for one of the many knives strapped to his body.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The sound of a heavy fist thundering against The Grey Anchor’s front door, caused all four of them to freeze.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
“All right.” Ailin’s harassed voice reached them. He must have left the common room and gone down into the cellar. “Keep your cloaks on, I’m coming.”
Saul’s expression turned hunted and he uttered a low curse under his breath. “They’re here.”
A wave of terror crashed over Lilia and her legs suddenly went weak. The world tilted, and she thought she might faint.
Ryana wheeled, eyes wild. “We need to go.”
Dain started. “What, now?”
“Unless you want to start swinging that axe at trained killers, yes.” It was Saul who answered. “I have a boat moored on the northern coast of the isle. We can escape in it.”
Dain’s face twisted. “We’re not going anywhere with you.”
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
“Open this door or we’
ll break it down!” A deep voice from the street beyond reached them. The voice was slightly muffled but the menace in it made Lilia start to shake.
“Take your chances here then,” Saul snarled back at Dain.
“If he’s got a boat, it’s our only chance to get off the isle,” Ryana replied. Her gaze was riveted upon the open door that led to the common room. “In a few moments, we won’t have a choice. I say we take Saul’s offer and run.”
“We can’t trust him,” Dain shot back.
“Right now, we don’t have any choice,” Ryana reminded him.
“I can’t leave,” Lilia burst out, panicked. “I need to pack first.” Her treasures, the items she’d brought from home, sat on her bedside table. She couldn’t go anywhere without them.
“No time for that,” Saul whirled and strode toward the gate at the back of the courtyard. “We go now or not at all.”
Dain spat out a curse before spinning round and grabbing Lilia by the arm. She struggled against him.
“Stop! What are you doing?”
“Saving your life.”
Ryana stepped forward, grabbed Lilia by the other arm, and together they dragged her after Saul.
Panic surged through Lilia. She was leaving with nothing more than the clothes on her back. She had few possessions but the ones she did own meant everything to her; she felt desperate at the thought of leaving them behind. She struggled against Lilia and Dain, but they held her fast.
There was no time for goodbyes. Dain did not even have time to warn his parents. His grip on her arm was crushing, the only sign that their urgent departure bothered him. The morning sun glinted off the axe-blade he carried in his left hand, reminding Lilia just how real the danger was.
They ran through the outskirts of Port Needle, up to a narrow staircase that took them to the top of the East Terrace and along a damp alleyway that smelt of mildew. A short while later, all of them breathing hard and their faces glowing with sweat, they emerged onto the High Road.