Demon Untamed (Shadow Quest Book 4)

by Kiersten Fay

  Sonya tilted her head. “They went missing the same time as Cale?”

  “It’s possible Ru did, but Ina was spotted this morning before we reached the guild. Claimed she knew where Ru was and was going to find him. At the time, no one knew we were missing two of our own. She hasn’t been seen since.”

  Sonya glanced up, gauging the dimming sunlight. Her expression turned sorrowful. Endeavoring to search at night would be too dangerous for any of them, especially after the attack.

  “You know Cale is fierce. Wherever he is. I’m sure he and Kyra are in no danger.”

  Sonya locked gazes with him. “Thank you for attempting to sooth my worries, but I can see right through you.”

  Ethan pressed his lips together. It was true; even he didn’t believe his own words.

  Portia’s slight figure popped so suddenly into the clearing that they all jumped. “I see you’ve made a mess of things without me.”

  “Portia!” Sebastian yelled. “By the gods, where have you been?”

  She shot him an affronted look, but her words came out blithely. “Only doing my best to campaign for your cause. Commence with gratuitous behavior.”

  “I’ll ask you why I should be grateful later. Is there a way for you to use magic to find Cale and Kyra? They’ve been missing since yesterday.”

  “I’m aware. Hence the comment about the mess. I can scry for them, but that takes time and concentration, and I won’t be able to work spells to conceal the oncoming horde.” She pointed to the sky.

  “Do it,” Sebastian ordered without hesitation.

  “Very well. I should hear back from the council in a few hours’ time regarding what they are willing to provide. With any luck, they’ll send more powerful magic wielders than I.” With that, she vanished.

  Chapter 34

  The next morning, Sonya found herself faced with bad news, followed by terrible news. Neither Ru nor Ina had returned to their guild, and Portia’s scrying had failed. So not only were they no closer to finding Kyra and Cale, but more of the horde, as Portia had so eloquently put it, were fast approaching, all but announcing to the Kayadon that an invasion was coming.

  The only good news seemed to be that far more races had come to the Faieara’s aid than any of them could have anticipated. Numerous ships were now stationed around the planet, waiting, and new transmissions were flooding in by the hour.

  Unfortunately, with the search for Cale ongoing and no intel on the Kayadon’s stronghold, they were nowhere near battle-ready.

  Sebastian kept up the pretense of leader, dividing his time between the search and consulting with Aidan, Tristan, and Ivan over battle strategies. All the while, he kept the waiting ships in check and far enough away from the planet that the element of surprise was not lost. Many of the crafts were run by bloodthirsty captains, mercenaries, and pirates who didn’t take kindly to being ordered around. They were itching for action.

  And Sonya was right there with them.

  Each moment that past felt like lost time. Time that could be spent taking back what the Kayadon had callously claimed. This world might not appeal to her taste, but it should not belong to Kayadon scum.

  She knew Ethan could sense her urgency, but made no attempt to temper it. She imagined he felt the same. The only thing holding them back was the worry that if they attacked now, both Cale and the future Faieara queen would be put in worse jeopardy than they might already be.

  If they were even alive.

  Sonya shook the notion from her mind, clinging to the only thought that would keep her from breaking down completely. She knew her brother well, and if he’d been captured or killed, he wouldn’t have gone down without a fight.

  Sebastian summoned them all to the clearing to perform one last search before he unleashed the legion of eager warriors upon the Kayadon…and this planet. In a moment of uncharacteristic compassion, Sonya worried for the ignorant Faieara who had no idea their world was very close to delving into a fiery pool of chaos.

  Would any of them join the fray and take to battle, or would they escape farther into their protective woodland? That is, if there even were any more hidden guilds. It was entirely possible that Azule’s band of brothers was an anomaly among an otherwise enslaved race.

  Ethan believed there were others. He would have her believe there were hundreds, if not thousands of free Faieara concealed all over Evlon. After he’d insisted it, Sonya had given her best encouraging smile, but feared it looked more patronizing than anything.

  Azule had yet to decide whether he would fight by their side or not. Each time he refused to give a definitive answer, she had to bite her tongue to keep from crying, “Coward!”

  At times she had to wonder if any from this world had the guts to do what needed to be done. Then she would admonish herself for such thoughts. She only had to remember the bravery Anya had displayed, as well as Anya’s sisters. Not to mention, Ethan was more than a fearsome fighter, filled with courage and determination equal to her brothers, perhaps even outshining them in some ways.

  “We’ll head off as a group,” Sebastian said when they were all gathered. “We can’t risk splitting up at this point.”

  Sonya nodded, assessing the rest of the group: Nadua, Marik, Anya, Tristan, and Ethan. If another pack of those creatures attacked, the little buggers wouldn’t stand a chance.

  A voice called from behind. “What about us?”

  They all glanced at Azule, a little surprised to see he was flanked by what must have been his entire guild—Sonya determined forty or more.

  “We’re glad to have you,” Sebastian said diplomatically.

  Ethan called out, “Are you here merely to help in the search or to fight when the time comes?”

  “I’d hoped just to recover the princess, but my guild has spoken. They’re eager to take back their home. And as far as I can tell, this time—with you, Ethan, and your constituents—we may just have a chance.”

  “About time,” Sonya mumbled.

  “Very good,” Sebastian said more loudly.

  Sebastian instructed Azule to split his guild members into two and send them in opposite directions for a wider search. Azule complied without argument.

  Then Sebastian turned to his own group. “Rex, Tristan, take the lead. The rest of us will follow behind. Marik, and Ethan, take up the rear.”

  It didn’t escape Sonya’s notice that Sebastian had placed all the females, including herself, at the center of the group and she was reminded of Ethan’s comment about a male’s natural instinct to protect their females. Yet instead of indignation, Sonya felt only affection for her eldest brother. Although, she did give him a swift jab in the arm and call him an overbearing dolt.

  He responded with a bemused look before taking his position.

  Just as Ethan took his first steps behind the party into the foliage, Portia popped into existence at their front.

  She spoke quickly so that no one could get in a word. “Oh, good. I caught you. The counsel sent a few more witchlings. Not what I’d hoped for, but better than nothing I suppose. Anyway, I’ve had Enaki take over scrying. She seems confident that she can get results. Loralye will help me with other things while Yarrow is attempting to brew up some major concealment. He has some very interesting ideas.”

  Ethan blinked, and Portia was gone.

  Tristan visibly shuddered. “Canna say enough how unsettling all this magic is to me.” At their looks, he added. “Doona get me wrong, the Faieara are different. They’re born with it, same as dragons. Runs in our blood. Witches, Serakians, whatever they want to call themselves, they use magic in unnatural ways. They go against the natural order, in my opinion.”

  After hiking for several hours, they took a short break in a thickly wooded area that overlooked the valley. Sebastian and Rex kept watch while the others relaxed. Marik reached into his pack and fished out a bundle. He unwrapped it, revealing a hunk of smoked meat. The sweet scent drew everyone’s attention. Without a word, he broke o
ff pieces and passed them around.

  Ethan bit into his portion and then settled next to Tristan on the branch of a downed tree. “So, you and the witches on your planet are still at odds?”

  Tristan looked at him. “You heard of that?”

  He nodded. “My king spoke of your people often.”

  Tristan ripped of a chunk of meat, chewed, and then swallowed before saying, “A more deceitful bunch I have never met, those witches. Claim to want peace between us, but forever find ways to sabotage it.”

  Ethan glanced over the beloved mountains that surrounded the deep valley containing his once home; the palace. “Have you or anyone in your clan spent much time exploring off world, or learning of other spacefaring cultures besides the Faieara?”

  Tristan raised a brow and shook his head. “We’ve no’ had the need. Our world is plentiful. Would not have even bothered with your lot had your king not sought out and befriended my father so many years ago.”

  “There are other benefits to be gleaned than forming alliances. It’s a valuable experience. I’ve spent a lot of time away from my people, having to find unique ways to survive. Of course, my situation is extreme, but if I ever need, I can mingle with every manner of foreign cultures without inadvertently causing or taking offense. Once I understood the ways of others, animosity was easily avoided.”

  Tristan narrowed his gaze. “Now, I know you’re no’ suggesting there’s a lack of understanding on the part of my clan. You doona know what those bluidy witches have done.”

  Ethan shrugged. “You’ve shared the same land for centuries, yet cannot get along. I imagine both sides are guilty of something. Could it be pride that keeps you from peace?”

  A muscle ticked in Tristan’s jaw. He opened his mouth to respond—

  A brilliant light flashed over the sky. Seconds later, the rumbling of the fierce, yet distant, explosion rocked the ground at their feet. A shockwave followed, compressing the air from Ethan’s lungs and nearly knocking them all over. Ethan sucked in a breath and shot to his feet. A plume of smoke billowed up from behind the wall of trees.

  A deafening quiet settled over the group as they all gaped. Even the wildlife seemed to have taken a stunned pause. A light wind filtered through the leaves above.

  A second explosion accompanied the first, this one slightly farther away. A heavy ball of dread settled in the pit of Ethan’s stomach.

  The good news was the explosions were nowhere near Marada—they resided in another valley altogether—but they were far too close for comfort.

  Several ships shot overhead, made into shadowy figures by the thick forest ceiling.

  Sebastian let out a harsh curse. “We must get back, now!” He started to move, but then froze in place and tilted his head to the side.

  Sonya retrieved her gun and swung her head around as if hearing whatever had alarmed Sebastian.

  “Those creatures are coming,” she said.

  Ethan pulled his gun, though he could detect nothing out of the ordinary. A heartbeat later, low growls registered. He tightened the grip on his weapon. Snapping of twigs indicated numerous entities approached.

  “Not just creatures,” Marik hissed. “Kayadon.”

  “An army of them,” Sebastian declared. “Let’s go.” He ushered everyone in the opposite direction. Their pace started as a jog at first, in order to remain quiet, but before long, Sebastian ordered, “Hurry!” and they all sprinted forward.

  The creatures Ethan had only seen in drawings suddenly raced beside him. He had to hold back a gag from the sight. Bony, gray skinned animals with large jaws designed for catching and holding prey. He kept them in his peripheral as he forced his legs faster. When one jumped at him, he was ready with his weapon and shot it down.

  Sonya made good use of her gun. Her aim was spot on as she kept a swift pace. Ethan took to counting the yelps as she felled one creature after another, allowing pride to wash over him.

  He reached thirteen when all at once chaos threaded through his world. Blast after blast vibrated the ground around them—targeting them—the heat of each explosion scorching his skin. Through the turmoil, he tried to determine if Ivan’s fleet or the dragon’s ships had moved in, but it was impossible to tell. The trees shielded every craft that flew over.

  A plethora of violent noises bombarded his ears. He could only assume the Kayadon had discovered the presence of the enormous army stationed around the planet and initiated the attack.

  “They’re closing in,” Tristan yelled.

  Ethan glanced back. Several Kayadon dodged through the trees after them. They appeared a bit more haggard than he recalled, their skin just as tight and devoid of color as their ravenous pets. Several sets of veiny white eyes locked onto him.

  “What’s the plan?” he asked no one in particular.

  Only a few feet ahead, Tristan answered, “We need to find a place to make a stand. Any ideas?”

  With a quick glance around, Ethan tried to draw on his memory of the land. After a moment of gauging their position, an idea sparked. “Keep going! There should be a hanging cliff ahead. If we get there, we can keep the Kayadon from surrounding us. I think it’s our best chance.”

  Nadua gasped. “Oh! The cliff! I”—she directed an arrow toward a creature nipping at her heels—“I had a vision once. We were all there on the cliff that overlooks the palace! I’m sure of it now.”

  Sebastian’s feet beat against the ground, his hand locked with Anya’s as he pulled her along. “If it gives us the advantage, then I’m all for it. Lead the way, Ethan.”

  Moments later, they paused just before the edge of the rocky cliff to face their attackers. The cliff was nothing more than an oddly shaped but massive rock that narrowed and then billowed out before dropping off. Perfect for forcing their enemies in a tight bottle-neck and slowing their progress.

  From this point, the sky was wide open and Ethan ascertained the battle in its entirety. Ships from both sides sliced through the sky, targeting each other. Many were spewing fire and flames even as they continued their assault. He realized many of the sounds he’d assumed were bombs had been ships ripped from the sky and crashing destructively to the ground, taking out a field of ancient trees.

  The city that surrounded the palace in the valley below was in clear view. Ethan’s gaze became transfixed; many of his people raced through the cobblestone streets, engaging in battle. Kayadon attacked with fervor, displaying no pity for their physically smaller opponents.

  Well-established fires spewed black smoke from most of the buildings, making Ethan wonder if the battle had started long before he and the others were aware.

  Grueling doubt scattered his mind.

  Were they too late? Had they made a wrong move? Was the rebellion to be squashed even before it began?

  The smell of ash coated his nostrils, punctuating his troubled thoughts.

  Struggling against his distress, Ethan focused on the approaching Kayadon. He would not stop fighting until he sucked in his last breath. If this was to be the end, it would be an end to remember.

  Rex, Sebastian, and Marik took the foremost positions, garnering first shot at the fiends. All the demons, including Sonya, were fiercely on the Edge, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust, horns burning brighter than the flames spreading over the forest.

  Nadua pulled back toward the edge of the cliff, using her arrows on the oncoming army. Anya stood by her side, nervously clutching her sword in case she needed to use it.

  Sonya planted herself as Anya and Nadua’s fearsome defender, rapidly felling the Kayadon’s creatures with her gun.

  Ethan raised his own gun and proceeded to take out their gaunt faced foes while Tristan joined the demons on the front line.

  Soon enough, the Kayadon were climbing over bodies of their own kind to get to them. As far as Ethan could see, Kayadon poured from the thick forest, so many, they were uncountable.

  When despair threatened to choke the air from Ethan’s lungs, Tristan sounded
a triumphant cry. Ethan turned to see several crafts dotting the sky, approaching. When he looked again, he realized they were not crafts at all, but dragons.

  Diving toward the sea of Kayadon, the procession unleashed a long stream of boiling fire. Some of the dragons arched back into the sky to engage an enemy ship heading their way. As a well-organized group, they clung to the hull, their claws ripping through metal as though it were as thin as a sheet of parchment.

  Two dragons broke off from the group and sailed overhead. Hot air blasted over Ethan as the great beasts flapped their massive wings to slow their progress, looking ready to land. Preternatural magic sizzled in the air, and the dragons transformed just feet off the ground, landing softly on two legs near Tristan.

  King Mar and his eldest son rose to their full warrior height, greeting their kin with a nod as they unsheathed thick blades. Ethan burned to know what had initiated the attack, but that conversation would have to wait. Kayadon surged forward, managing to push them all back a few steps.

  “Come on!” Sonya ground out encouragement to her group as she fired into the deluge.

  The battle seemed endless. Both the Kayadon and their pets appeared to multiply each time she took one down. Even through the fog of her Edge-drenched mind, she understood that they couldn’t go on like this. Their enemy’s numbers were too great. Eventually the Kayadon would breach the line and tear them to shreds.

  A flurry of impossible movement drew her gun to the right. “By the gods, Portia! I nearly took your head off!”

  Portia merely smiled. “Brought you a present!”

  Sonya glanced at Portia’s feet, where three bodies huddled, clutching their stomachs and dry heaving.

  “Cale!” Sonya’s chest thudded with relief. Kyra crouched next to him, an odd expression on her face. “What’s wrong with them?” Sonya asked Portia.

  “Side effect of astral dimensional navigation. They’ll be fine in a minute.”

  Kyra and Cale began to rise unsteadily, yet the third body remained on the ground. It took Sonya a moment to rationalize that it was a Kayadon restrained around the torso by thick vines.