by Anna Kashina
“I need to know which one of us they’re after.”
Ellah’s jaw tightened. “Fine. You move then. I’m staying right here. Just let me know when you’re done experimenting.”
Kara turned away. By now she should be used to the fact that Ellah never did as told. She shifted her weight, freezing again as the spiders rose, as if bracing for a leap. Damn.
“Look, they’re not letting me move at all. I think they’re after me, not you, but we can’t tell for sure unless you move. Away from me. Please?”
Ellah looked at her in indecision.
“If I’m right, you would be safer this way,” Kara said.
“And if you’re wrong?”
“Just bloody do it.”
Ellah shuffled sideways. The spiders showed no reaction.
Kara felt an unpleasant hollowness in the pit of her stomach. She forced it down, knowing how important it was to keep calm.
“Now,” she said. “Try to get off the balcony. Slowly. See if they have any objections.”
Ellah hesitated. “And if they do?”
“You freeze. Simple.”
Ellah’s eyes darted to the balcony doorway. She edged toward it, moving slowly and keeping her eyes on the spiders all the time.
When she reached the doorway, Kara let out a sigh. “Now, get the hell out of here.”
Ellah stepped through the doorway, then paused. “What about you?”
“I’ll think of something.”
“I’ll get help.”
“Thanks.” Whatever. Just get as far away as possible, please. It wasn’t going to look pretty if the spiders attacked. If Kara had any hope to survive she needed to act quickly, and she couldn’t possibly do it until Ellah was out of the way.
It would be good if she could first figure out why the spiders were after her. Perhaps they’d lost their minds?
Ellah’s feet skidded on the smoothly hewn stone as she darted down the hallway. The spiders showed no interest as they continued to watch Kara with their dark, beady eyes. Dear Shal Addim, they’re bigger than some mice I’ve seen in the palace kitchens. Kara kept her fear in check, relaxing her muscles, receding into the background to appear inanimate – a trick that came with her Majat-trained stealth.
After a moment the spiders retreated an inch, but didn’t change their attack posture. Clearly, whatever was triggering their aggression had to do with more than her actions – a thought that felt both comforting and frightening at the same time.
She judged the distance. With her skill, throwing three daggers at once wasn’t a difficult task. Even from this close, she could probably kill all three spiders before they reached her. Probably. But a miss would most certainly seal her death warrant. Worse, if she succeeded in killing any of these creatures, she would violate the hard-earned trust of Lady Ayalla the Forest Mother, a key ally in their war against the Kaddim. Was she willing to risk bringing on the wrath of such a powerful being, putting everyone in danger to defend her own life?
Kara’s mind raced. She was never fond of wildlife, especially the deadly kind that couldn’t be trained or tamed. Still, she had seen the way Alder, the emissary of the Forest Mother at the King’s court, took care of his deadly pets. He treated them like sentient beings, whispering to them, listening to their response. He seemed to believe he could reason with them. To her knowledge, he could make them attack on command – or hold them back – by saying the right words. Perhaps she, too, could find a way to communicate with them.
Very slowly, she lowered down to a crouch and placed her daggers on the floor.
“I mean you no harm,” she said.
The spiders appeared to hesitate, shifting their hairy feet and retreating another inch or so.
She put more calmness into her voice. “You have no reason to attack me.”
The spiders surveyed her intently.
“This is a mistake,” Kara said softly, soothingly. “I am not your enemy.”
The spiders flexed their legs in indecision. Kara forced herself to keep relaxed. She knew all animals could sense fear, and she needed to control hers, even if the thoughts of what could happen if the spiders changed their mind were hard to ignore.
She reached forward with her hand, palm open.
“Here,” she said. “You can climb on me, and I’ll take you back to Alder. This way, you’ll be in control the whole way. If you decide to bite me, nothing could possibly stop you.”
She waited, emptying her mind of any emotions or thoughts. A distant part of her screamed in terror as she felt the touch of a hairy spider leg, but she forced that part deeper down, relaxing to welcome the tingling sensation as the spiders filed up her arm. She could sense their weight as they settled on her shoulder, doing her best not to think of them at all.
“See?” she said. “It’s called trust. I trust you with my life. I hope you trust me too.”
Rapid footsteps clanged in the hallway outside. She sensed the spiders stiffen and forcibly kept her stomach from lurching. When this is over I’m going to go where no one can hear and have a nice long scream.
A tall, broad-shouldered young man rushed in, with Ellah close on his heels. Alder. Kara met his eyes, momentarily overwhelmed. Will they listen to him?
Will his presence trigger them to do something rash?
“What’s happening?” Alder asked.
Kara forced a smile. She hated to admit how her body was beginning to feel sore from the effort of keeping still. This would not do at all. Not for someone of her training. “Nothing. We’re just making friends, that’s all.”
“Ellah said they threatened you.”
“Yes, they did.”
“Why?”
Kara thought of shrugging, but quickly decided against it. No way of telling what the spiders would do if she moved her shoulder just now.
“No idea. I was going to ask you the same question, actually.”
Alder’s eyes briefly darted to the daggers on the floor, then to Kara’s forehead which, she knew, must be glistening with sweat. His lips parted in a hissing sound. Talking. He’s talking to them. She watched wide-eyed as the spiders leapt from her shoulder onto Alder’s sleeve and pattered up his arm.
She flexed her muscles, surprised at how stiff she felt. Bloody hell.
“They’re fine now,” Alder said. “I don’t think they will threaten you again.”
“Thanks,” she said.
“No problem. You did well, by the way.”
Kara shrugged, a bad habit as she was now beginning to realize. “I didn’t bloody do anything.”
“You calmed them down.” He glanced at the daggers on the floor again. “I know your instinct must have been to attack them.”
“It’s what they expected, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Like I said, you did well.”
She nodded, feeling the tension slowly leave her body, replaced by a weakness she normally experienced only after a very strenuous fight. More footsteps echoed down the hallway, the newcomers crowding into the doorway. Kyth, the Crown Prince. His dark blue eyes widened in alarm, then softened as he saw that Kara was out of danger. Her brief smile in response faded as she saw the red-haired lady step up to the Prince’s side. Lady Celana Illitand, a young and highly intelligent noblewoman, took a special interest in the Prince and wasn’t a person Kara ever wanted to mess with. She kept her face impassive as Celana glanced at her with displeasure before fixing her eyes on the spiders.
“I think everything’s fine now,” Kara said. She picked up her daggers and sheathed them at her belt.
“I left them in the gardens hunting this morning,” Alder said. “They did seem agitated, now that I think about it. I assumed they were hungry.”
Hunting. Kara swallowed. The spiders were like small predators, doing marvels at keeping down the castle’s population of mice and rats. Come to think of it, it was fortunate they didn’t normally go after anything larger than that.
Footsteps and clanging of weapons signal
ed the arrival of reinforcements. Dear Shal Addim, did Ellah alert the whole castle? The thought faded instantly at the sight of Mai, the hallway behind him filled with armed Majat. She felt warm inside as she met his concerned gaze.
“What happened?” Mai’s eyes briefly darted to Alder’s shoulder before settling on Kara again. His frown deepened as he glanced over her sweaty hair, the weary set of her shoulders, the strain that she knew must be plainly visible on her face.
Damn it, get a grip. Mai knew her well, and she knew how fast his temper could flare if he believed she was in danger. The way his eyes kept returning to Alder filled her with unease. The last thing they needed right now was a confrontation between a member of the King’s household and the Majat.
“I’m fine,” she said, hoping that she sounded convincing.
Mai’s expression told her she hadn’t succeeded at all. His glare forced Alder to take a step back.
“Why did your spiders threaten Kara?” Mai demanded.
Alder shook his head. “I had nothing to do with it. I wasn’t even here.”
“It’s your bloody job to keep them under control.”
“Look…” Alder squared his shoulders. “I don’t know what happened, but I–”
“I think I know,” Kyth suddenly said.
Kara’s skin prickled as she saw the Prince’s grim look, the way his eyes bore into her with a mix of regret and disbelief. What the hell was going on?
“It’s the Kaddim magic,” Kyth said. “I sense it on Kara. I assume the spiders did as well.”
Kara’s eyes widened. Kyth’s gift enabled him not only to resist the Kaddim and protect others from their magic, but also to sense it when it was used nearby. The fear she saw in his eyes echoed with hollowness in her chest.
“How is it possible?” Her voice came out as a near-whisper.
Kyth’s gaze wavered. “I’m not sure. Their magic is faint on you, but I sense it exactly the way I do when the Kaddim apply their power.”
“Maybe there is a Kaddim Brother in the vicinity, Your Highness?” Lady Celana asked.
Everyone exchanged glances. The idea seemed unlikely, since the Majat’s recent strike had sent the Kaddim’s magic-wielding leaders far away into their secret stronghold, where, as everyone assumed, they were now organizing their defense. Kara knew Kyth’s father and Mai were preparing an attack that would hopefully destroy the Brotherhood once and for all. But if Kyth’s words were true, more was at play than they all realized.
Kyth shook his head again. “No. It’s coming from Kara, I’m certain of it.”
Kara stared. She knew Kyth wouldn’t lie. He used to love her, and he still cared for her deeply, even though she had given her heart to another. He was also a man of integrity. He would never accuse anyone unfairly, or speak of something like this unless he was absolutely certain.
In the ensuing silence, Mai crossed the small space of the balcony and took Kara’s arm. She clung to him as he led her through, grateful for the support, wishing his closeness could make her feel safe, like it always did before.
She didn’t trust herself to speak, or even do anything right now. Too many emotions welled inside her, threatening to overpower her. Fear, confusion, shock – and anger. So much anger.
How did it happen that the spiders, bestowed on this castle for protection, could have attacked and threatened her, one of the key defenders and top warriors on their force? Why couldn’t Alder keep a better control on them? And worse, how was it possible that she had become the source of Kaddim magic?
She kept herself in check, just like she did with the spiders, releasing Mai’s supporting arm to join the Diamonds of his Majat escort. She knew she should be the one speaking right now, but she was afraid to open her mouth for fear of saying something she would regret. Besides, Mai’s reaction was already bad enough, his anger flaming out of every pore as he glared at the spiders perched on Alder’s shoulder.
“Keep the beasts under control, Alder,” he said. “Or I’ll be forced to kill them.”
“You can’t,” Alder protested, backing away. “The Forest Mother…”
Mai’s short glance stopped him. “Just do your best, so that I don’t feel tempted.”
Kara flinched as she saw the furry shapes raise their legs threateningly again, as if they could actually understand Mai’s words. Perhaps they could. Or maybe they acted this way because she was close to them again. She hastily stepped away, the Diamonds crowding around her protectively.
Mai ran his eyes around the gathering. “It’s almost time for the King’s council. Most of us are headed there, so we can perhaps continue this discussion – and hopefully make sure something like this doesn’t bloody happen again?”
3
Mind Link
The King’s council chamber was designed for noble gatherings, each of the chairs set around it in an even circle massive enough to accommodate all the essential ornaments and heraldry signs even for the highest born. Now that she claimed control of her emotions, Kara couldn’t escape the feeling she didn’t belong. She had to remind herself that she, like everyone else here, had been invited for a reason – in her case, her familiarity with the enemy, even if that familiarity had just become a bit too close for comfort.
She envied Mai’s ability to instantly settle into any environment. Now, with the additional aura of power his Guildmaster status had given him, he became the natural focus of the gathering as soon as he stepped into the room. Perhaps part of it was due to the fact that the six Diamonds he brought with him easily outpowered any warrior force this chamber had ever seen, including the King’s own hired Majat guards. If nothing else, this alone was bound to make this gathering historic, an unprecedented occasion of hosting the Majat Guildmaster and his very best warriors at the King’s war council.
Kara glanced at Kyth, seated at the King’s right. In the past few months he had matured so much, from the young idealistic boy who looked up to everyone around him, into a young man in his own right, fit one day to assume the throne. She felt guilty that part of this maturity was undoubtedly caused by the heartbreak he suffered when she professed her love for Mai. And now, seeing him next to Celana filled her with new hope. The royal lady looked so good by his side, her beauty and wit a match for the Prince in every way. With luck, and Lady Celana’s persistence, the wound Kara had inflicted on the Prince’s heart would heal – and soon.
Her eyes inadvertently slid to the spiders perched on Alder’s shoulder. The creatures were motionless now. It was easy in this state to mistake them for an elaborate shoulder ornament, but after her recent ordeal she would never be able to look at them the same way. Her stomach clenched at the memory of their weight on her shoulder, the high-pitched crackling sound they emanated when they moved.
She glanced away to the last two members of the gathering, representing the two spiritual powers of the realm. The white-robed Keeper, Magister Egey Bashi, looked bulky and muscular, his warrior appearance so unbefitting the scholarly mission of his Order, or the superb healing skills Kara knew him to possess. The black-clad Father Bartholomeos, the head of the Holy Church, was nearly the exact opposite, thin and frail, his large gray eyes surveying the gathering with unease. His gaze hovered over Mai with a pained expression as the priest likely remembered the ruckus the Majat had caused at the Holy Monastery during the last battle with the Kaddim. Kara had no doubt the Holy Father would remember Mai and his men for a very long time.
“Thank you all for responding to my invitation for this council,” the King said after everyone was seated. “I will get straight to the pressing matters at hand. As I’m sure you are all aware, despite Aghat Mai’s and Prince Kythar’s victory over the Kaddim two weeks ago, their five top men escaped. We can only presume that they have now reunited with the rest of the Kaddim leaders and are likely expecting our attack.”
“Four top men, Your Majesty,” Egey Bashi said. “The fifth was bitten by the spiders.” He glanced at Alder’s shoulder, and Kara in
advertently followed his gaze. “The venom would have liquefied his body, placing him beyond healing – or the resurrection the Kaddim are known for.”
“Do we know this for certain?” the King asked.
“Yes,” Kara said.
Her skin prickled at the memory. When the Kaddim had cornered her and tried to drag her into their time vortex, the spiders launched at one of her hooded attackers before the vortex swallowed them all. She stiffened as the images flowed in her mind. Cobblestones, collapsing around her. Fingers brushing her arm. The pulling sensation as she – very briefly – felt as if her body was being sucked away through the gaping hole that, for all she knew, spanned thousands of miles. It had been too close. And now, she couldn’t get rid of a nagging feeling that she hadn’t really escaped at all.
She glanced up into Kyth’s widening eyes. The Kaddim power. Is he sensing it again? Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the answer in his face even before he spoke.
“It’s back,” Kyth said. “Sorry.”
Kara jumped up, edging away from the table.
All the Majat around her were instantly on their feet, Mai darting to her side so fast that his shape blurred. His eyes sought hers questioningly as he planted himself between her and the door.
She wondered at the panic she felt at his interference, at her urge to pull away from him. This was Mai, the man she loved. His closeness always made her feel safe, protected. Why did she feel as if she’d rather be anywhere but here right now?
“I need to leave,” she said.
Mai frowned. “Why?”
Why indeed? It felt as if the voice in her head wasn’t exactly her own. “Mai, please. I–”
“What the hell is going on?” Magister Egey Bashi demanded.
“It’s getting stronger,” Kyth said.
“What, Your Highness?”
“The Kaddim power.”
The Keeper’s eyes widened.
“My spiders threatened Kara just before the council,” Alder explained hastily. “Back then, Kyth sensed something strange. But then the spiders calmed down, so we all thought…”