Forbidden Light (The Two Hunters Book 2)

by Kara Jaynes

  “We lost the others,” Bleke said. His eyes were wide as his gaze darted about. He licked his lips. “Are we lost?”

  “No,” I said. “We can press forward, or we can try to find the others.”

  A scream sounded in the mist, terror making the sound high pitched. Bleke’s already pale face went ashen. “Spirits take it, I think that was Rone. Let’s go.” Bleke ran in the direction of the cry, his form quickly lost in the mist. I followed, but it didn’t take me very long to realize he was now as hopelessly lost as everyone else.

  And myself.

  Illusions now peppered the area, a mix of ghosts and beasts. Forms meant to frighten. I kept hearing cries of terror and shouts of anger. Guards.

  One shrill scream sounded only mere yards away. A woman. Hair standing on end, I summoned fire, trying to locate the source of the noise, but my efforts were futile.

  Stagfort was a web of nightmares.

  Curse Elymas. My rage boiled as I turned and stalked through the streets. East.

  I planned to confront the trickster tonight.

  20

  Glacia

  I lay in bed, deliberating on my next course of action. The need to unleash my magic roared within me, growing increasingly strong. My arm hurt worse, and when I studied my wrist, I could now see faint runes etched into my skin, red and angry. I stared at them, mesmerized by their perfect design. They looked like cuts. They should be bleeding, or least scabbed or something, but they weren’t.

  Elymas had connected us through means of enchantment, without my consent. I should have been furious, but I was too desperate, and as I stared at the rune, the realization of that seeped into my soul. I needed this. Tonight. Immediately. Sleep was out of the question, so I didn’t see any reason to wait.

  Time was running out. I could feel it, urgency pulsing through me, like sand slipping from an hourglass.

  Getting out of bed, I crossed to the window. It was dark, the only light coming from the lamp posts, unable to pierce the fog further than a couple of feet. I wondered if Silvan was on patrolling or watch duty yet. If so, it was possible he could be out there tonight. I shivered. If he was out there, then I wished I was, too.

  My breath caught when I heard a low cry, outside of my windowpane. I held my breath, putting my ear to the glass pane. Had I imagined it?

  Another cry, this time it sounded like a deep moan.

  My heart pounded as ethereal figures floated through the fog, their white dresses in tatters, their limbs unmoving.

  Did I believe in ghosts? I certainly did at the moment, staring at the insubstantial women. I sprinted for Taloos’s room, my heart pounding so loud it drowned out everything else.

  I fumbled with the doorknob, and flung it open with a gasp. “Taloos, something is terribly wrong. The fog has gone wrong.” I didn’t love Taloos the way I loved Silvan, but the beast tamer was still a comforting presence, like an older brother I knew would protect me.

  When my eyes registered the empty room, I slumped to the floor, unable to accept what I saw—or rather, what I didn’t see, in the middle of the night.

  Taloos was gone.

  No. How could he be gone? He was here this morning. When had he left? This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. He was supposed to wait for me, at least, if not for Silvan to help him.

  If Taloos wasn’t here, he was out there. And I would need to go out, too.

  My body trembled, my breath coming in gasps. I needed to find Silvan. He could stop this.

  Elymas could stop this, too.

  I could stop this. I pushed myself to standing. A quick search of Taloos’s room confirmed his pack was gone. Why was I so surprised? Of course, he was going to go after the mage. His reputation depended on it.

  The magician will have more than one visitor, apparently.

  Running back to my room, I tugged on my boots. I had to go find him. I had to find Elymas.

  I stifled a scream when I opened my door to leave, coming face-to-face with a shadowy figure.

  “Relax, it’s just me.”

  I tilted my head. The feminine voice sounded familiar. “Kali?”

  “The one and only.” She stood on her toes to peer over my shoulder. “Please tell me Taloos isn’t in there.”

  “He’s not,” I said.

  “Good,” Kali said, but she pushed past me anyway, inspecting the room for herself. “So, he’s not here, in his own room, or downstairs in the common area. Where is he?”

  “I have no idea. I was on my way to find him.” Partially true. I would probably find him if I went to Elymas’s home.

  Kali glared at me suspiciously. I rolled my eyes. “He’s my friend, too, you know. But I’m not romantically interested, if that makes you feel any better.”

  “A little.” Kali sniffed dismissively, then crossed her arms. “Do you have any idea where he would go? Taloos isn’t a city boy. I’m worried about him.”

  “He’s probably fine,” I said, but immediately remembered where he’d probably gone. “Actually, he probably isn’t.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s out there.” I pointed to the window. The fog looked darker. I shivered. “Trying to find Elymas.”

  Kali frowned. “The mage. Why would he go there?”

  I quickly filled Kali in on the events that had transpired since we’d come to Stagfort. I headed down the hallway, Kali walking alongside me. She smiled broadly. “My Taloos, becoming a hero. That doesn’t surprise me. I knew he had it in him.”

  “So, what are you going to do?” I asked.

  A crease lined Kali’s forehead. “I’m going to find Taloos.”

  “There’s something out in the fog,” I said. “I saw something through my window.”

  Kali shrugged. “I was just out there. It appears to be haunted tonight, but when have the dead been able to hurt the living?” She paused at the front door, and slid her pack off her shoulder, rummaging through it.

  “You’re not afraid?” I asked.

  “I don’t have time to be afraid.” Her voice was matter of fact. “Taloos is very likely in danger. Possibly extreme danger. He doesn’t have an amulet to protect him this time, so I must find him.” She pulled an extra shawl from her pack and handed it to me. “Here. This should ward off the worst of the chill.”

  I took it and wrapped it around myself. “I wish Silvan was here.”

  “He’s out there.” Kali jerked her head toward the exit. “In the fog. I eavesdropped outside of the barracks fence. Silvan is hunting Elymas tonight.”

  “Spirits take it.”

  “Yes.” Kali finished tying the straps of her pack and slung it over her shoulders. “But it is what it is. Let’s find Taloos.”

  “Okay.” I knew Taloos would bluster with indignation that a couple of girls were more worried about him than Silvan. But Silvan had proven on multiple occasions that he was capable of taking care of himself.

  Taloos almost got himself eaten by a dragon.

  But so did I.

  Kali unlocked the front door and slipped outside. I followed.

  The air had gone frigid cold. I shivered, tugging the shawl closer to myself. “This shawl is useless,” I hissed, closing the door behind me. “The cold cuts right through it.”

  “Hush.” Kali set off down the street, her steps quick and quiet.

  Together, we slipped through the foggy city, making our way east.

  Closer to Elymas. I could feel his presence through the runes etched into my skin.

  “What have you gotten yourself into?” Kali asked, and I realized she was looking at my wrist.

  Red and sore looking, the strange symbols cast an eerie light.

  “I’m not sure.” Fear tickled my spine. “Everything’s happening so fast,” I said.

  Everything went sideways when Silvan left. It stood to reason that if I could find him again, everything would be set right.

  Silvan set everything right.

  My mind went hazy and I shoo
k my head, trying to clear it.

  Elymas would set this right. He would help.

  21

  Silvan

  The streets were fairly empty on the east side, but despite the heavy fog that hung about, I could still hear the distant screams and shouts of terror when city dwellers tangled with illusions.

  Strong emotions hung about the city: anger, hate, sorrow, despair, and hope. I blinked at the last emotion. The air was tainted with despair, but a golden thread of hope wove through the streets.

  That was Taloos’s doing. I had to admit that the city was a better, safer place because of the beast tamer. I wondered why Glacia hadn’t decided to fall for him. Though with Kali in the picture now, Taloos wouldn’t have a chance. The roamer girl would see to that.

  The thought made me a lot happier than it should have.

  Coming to a crossroads, I paused. If I went east, I could scope out Elymas’s dwelling. But thoughts of Glacia reminded me that I hadn’t seen her since ending the potential mob. Maybe I should go check on her first. I nabbed the sleeve of a burly man who walked by. He jumped, swallowing a startled oath.

  “Be at ease,” I said, my tone soothing. “I was wondering if you could give me directions on the whereabouts of Elymas.”

  The man’s face visibly paled and he shook his arm free of my grip. “No, sir, I could not. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get indoors. The fog’s gone bad. Real bad.” He hurried off.

  I’d find it myself. It wouldn’t be too hard to find.

  I usually had an easy time sensing magic and finding its source, but the fog dulled my ability to sense it. The fog had magic threaded through it. That didn’t surprise me, as I knew it was created through enchantment, but I had to focus intently to separate it from other sources.

  However, I managed, and eventually found what I’d been searching for.

  A mansion loomed on the opposite side of the square, made of cold gray stone. The windows were dark. The mist wafted about, cold and gray. The temperature had dropped, leaving the city miserably cold.

  I took a step closer, senses stretched, ready to shift. I wished I knew who was telling the truth: Dubauer or Elymas. But if Elymas had been wronged, he was unleashing his revenge in the wrong manner. And if he had tried to manipulate the bargain, then the fear and mistrust he’d sown was outrageous.

  I studied the front door. I had no idea if it was locked. I also didn’t know if that was the way I should enter. It seemed an absurdly easy way to gain entrance, which made me wonder if Elymas had set traps or other unpleasant surprises.

  A moan sounded, low and full of despair. It tugged at my heartstrings. Why?

  No. Probably another illusion. This matter needed my full attention, and I couldn’t give it if I was watching for ghostly illusions. Closing my eyes, I focused on the stone structure before me. Searching for magic, for life.

  Something flickered out of the corner of my eye.

  I spun to face it, just in time to see a woman slip down an alley and into the fog, but not before I recognized her long blonde curls and pale dress. She sobbed again.

  Glacia.

  Fear flooded my throat, making it hard to breathe. It was an illusion; she wasn’t truly there. But it was a signal, clear as day, that the mage was aware of her.

  I followed the illusion several steps before jolting to a stop. Elymas probably wanted me to follow the phantom figure. I needed to find Glacia, and fast.

  Would she be at the Gray Goose? I couldn't imagine her being anywhere else, so I spun on my heel and bolted.

  “Don’t leave,” a voice called out of the mist. “Don’t leave me, Silvan. Not again. Don’t go.”

  She was an illusion. Sweat beaded on my forehead. It took all my willpower to keep running. It sounded so real. But I couldn’t listen. I had to find Glacia. The real Glacia.

  “Silvan.” Devan came out of the mist. The man was panting, his face haggard from exhaustion. “Am I relieved to see you.”

  I halted. Devan looked terrible. Sweat streaked his face, and his sides heaved as if he’d been running all night.

  “I’ve seen terrible things,” he said. “Terrible things, tonight.” He shook his head, as he approached.

  I only had a second to process what was happening. Devan lunged forward, jabbing his sword at me in the same moment.

  I threw myself to the ground, and scrambled back to my feet several feet away. “What are you doing?” I shouted.

  Devan’s eyes widened when he realized he’d just lost the advantage of surprise. “It’s your fault.” He ran forward, his sword swiping and slashing erratically. I evaded him easily. “Things took a turn for the worse ever since you and your piper friend showed up.”

  “I’m here to help!” I shouted, anger boiling up inside me. “Taloos got rid of the rats, you idiot. How was that bad?”

  “At least we were alive,” he snarled. “I don’t care what Ehric thinks. You aren’t our hope; you’re our doom. The darkening fog, the walking spirits. People keep disappearing. I have no idea what’s happened to Bleke or Rone, or if Kyle is even alive. Leave!” He flung an arm out. “Leave the city. Leave us be.”

  I didn’t have time for this. I broke into a run, outpacing the man as I become lost in the fog, ignoring the shouts and screams of panicked people. The mist was thickening, growing darker. A growl rumbled in my throat. The world was going insane.

  When the Gray Goose became visible through the mist, my steps slowed, my heart thundering in my chest as I gulped air.

  She wasn’t there.

  I could usually sense her presence when I drew closer to her, but now, it was as if the inn was devoid of life.

  I swallowed a terrified whine that built in my throat. Don't panic. She's probably with Taloos. But where was Taloos?

  I checked the door, assuming it would be locked at this hour, but it wasn't. A quick search of the two rented rooms confirmed my suspicions.

  They were gone, but where?

  “Silvan?”

  Barrett stepped into the hall, his face white as a sheet. “There’s a dead woman in my room,” he said, his voice trembling.

  Heart leaping in my throat, I tore into his room, relief flooding me when I saw it was another illusion. I tore it away, and turned to Barrett. “The city is rife with spirits tonight,” I said, “but they can’t hurt you. Don’t forget that. Try to calm anyone who comes to your door.”

  Leaving the inn, I sprinted back out into madness.

  I began to run east again, silently cursing myself for my stupidity. I stretched my senses out, searching, searching.

  If I found Glacia before she entered Elymas’s home, then she would be safe.

  If.

  22

  Glacia

  Kali and I wove through the darkness, heading east. Kali seemed very sure of where she was going, despite the fact that the fog was so dark it was impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. “Have you been here before?” I asked.

  “A few times,” was the response. “My aunt, Zyphiir, has met with the Tenebra family over the years, during our travels. Trade in magic.”

  My steps slowed. “Is your aunt a fortune teller by any chance?”

  “Have you met her, then?” The bracelets on Kali’s arms clacked together as she walked. “Don’t listen to her fortunes, by the way. Her predictions have an eerie way of coming to pass, so it’ll only freak you out.”

  I scowled at the fog. “Well, let’s hope not, because she thought Taloos and I would make a lovely couple.”

  Kali’s gasp was audible. “Oh. Well, not every prediction she’s made has come true. Really,” she huffed, “that’s ridiculous. I bet that wasn’t a real prediction at all. She’s only saying that to try and discourage me from pursuing the man of my dreams.”

  I stifled a laugh. Taloos was handsome in his own way, but he didn’t seem romantic material at all. “Why would she discourage you?”

  “Because he’s not a roamer,” Kali said, her tone b
itter. “We try to keep marriages in the family, to preserve our culture. If we are married off, it’s to someone filthy rich. Taloos isn’t a roamer, and he isn’t rich. So, my family doesn’t approve.” Her voice turned frosty. “But I don’t care what they say. Taloos is the man for me. I’ve known it since we were children. He is the one who will buy my freedom and make me happy. And in return, I’ll give him everything that I am.”

  Her steps slowed. “We’re here.”

  I walked up to stand beside her. Elymas’s home loomed out of the darkness, looking almost castle-like in the gloom. It was the grandest home in the city, making Dubauer’s home look shabby by comparison—the same house I’d seen just a couple of days before.

  For a moment, my heart failed me. What was I thinking? I was a forgotten girl, a lost princess. How could I have enchantment? Why did anyone think I could become more than I already was, which was nothing?

  No. Those were lies. Put there by my own fears and insecurities. I could do this. I would learn to wield magic.

  “You think Taloos is here?” Kali asked, her voice small. Guilt jabbed me when I remembered I was also here for my friend. That should be my priority.

  But my magic was my priority. My purpose hummed inside me. I was ready for this.

  I took a step forward, then another. I drew closer to the magician’s dwelling.

  “Glacia!”

  My heart leaped with joy at his voice. I turned to see Silvan materialize out of the mist, as gloriously beautiful as always.

  We collided, his arms wrapping around me in an iron-strong hug. “Magic that be, I thought I was too late.” He voice was a sob as he buried his face in my shoulder.

  This was unexpected in a wonderful sort of way. I held perfectly still, relishing the feel of him.

  “Why are you here?” He pulled away, his face etched with concern. He moved his hands to grip my shoulders.

  To unlock my enchantment. I didn’t say the words, wondering how to phrase it in a way that wouldn’t upset him. Was there a way to do that? I’m just going to go hang out with another man, and learn magic and stuff. I was so glad to see Silvan, but how did I explain this? I shook my head, my mind feeling hazy.