Briseis laughed humourlessly and replied, “You first, sweetheart.”
It all happened very quickly then. I watched, my muscles locked into place, as Briseis moved the gun to Chara and aimed and fired. Everyone instantly leapt into action; automatically springing out of the way of the flying bullets. I just managed to dash behind one of the tables unscathed; hiding underneath the incongruous coffee machine. My heart flew as I glanced at Nik beside me. He gestured to an item in his hand; a small green object shaped slightly like the body of a pineapple. A grenade.
Kieran noticed this, a short distance away behind a car.
Kieran shouted Nik to come over. Nik took a quick breath before making a run for it; dashing across the terrifying space of no-mans-land. I closed my eyes briefly as he ran and a moment later they were forced open by the sound of an almighty explosion. When my ears stopped ringing and the floor stopped shaking from the fallen rock; I slowly lifted my head to glance around the coffee machine. It was completely silent. Dust wafted up from the ground and Briseis was nowhere in sight.
I spotted her a moment later, half-covered by the tumbling mass of powder. She lay unmoving on her stomach, far from the main sight of the explosion; the impact had obviously hit her. I stared closer; she was breathing.
“Well that was surprisingly easy,” Kieran commented.
“Let’s get out of here!” Chara exclaimed; her hands still desperately squeezing shut her wound.
She ran to the archway we’d come through earlier. Nik followed instantly; catching her when she stumbled and pulling her into his strong arms. With unhesitant movements I sprung onto my feet and chased after them, the others in tow behind me. We were back in the room of bodies in seconds, darting between them like graves in a cemetery. I constantly looked around as I followed, anxious for another encounter. My bare feet intermittently snagged on the biting cave floor as we ran down a narrow passage; eventually seeing light.
We followed the light and escape was imminent.
I could smell fresh air. A breeze not contaminated by the stench of the stagnant water or the mould in the walls. As we got closer I saw the exit; a tiny crack in the wall about as tall as me but much thinner. Nik put Chara down and helped her through, then followed her outside. I watched as Adrian squeezed through the impossibly tiny gap, then Jayson until it was just me and Kieran left. I was just stepping through when I heard a rock skip quietly across the floor behind me.
Instantly I looked back, seeing Kieran’s father frozen behind us like a deer in headlights; obviously attempting to hide. I hadn’t even noticed him. Immediately he turned on his heel; running away. Kieran followed instantly.
“Kieran!” I screamed, thoughtlessly rushing after him. “Stop!”
When I finally caught up with him, Kieran was pinning his father to the floor, his hands wrapped around his throat in a choking vice.
I stopped instantly, my heart racing. “Kieran come on,” I said frantically. “We need to go. More people will be here any minute.”
“Where is it?” Kieran snapped to his father; who didn’t even flinch. Kieran sunk his nails deeper into his neck when he didn’t respond. “We know you took it. Where is it?” He demanded.
“Lynk has it,” His father smiled vindictively. “You’ll never get the Eternal Light now. It’s too late.”
Kieran leaned down seriously, his emerald and onyx eyes piercing, “You’ll regret this.”
His father shook his head, “The only regret I have is your brother.”
Kieran voice dissolved into pure poison, “One day you’ll regret me too.”
“Why not today?” He wondered.
“I cannot kill an unarmed man.”
“Can’t or won’t?” his father smiled.
I could hear feet echoing down the passage. “Kieran,” I warned.
“It doesn’t matter,” Kieran answered his father. “One day you’ll pay for what you’ve done.” Kieran leaned closer, “And one more thing,” his tone changed dramatically then, into his usual arrogant demeanour. “This,” he nodded towards his chain, “looks much better on me.”
The footsteps were growing louder still.
“Ruby, will you kindly take my chain?” Kieran asked me, totally at ease, “Don’t worry, while I’m disinfecting it later I’ll make sure I sterilise your hands too.”
I quickly reached out to grab Kieran’s familiar golden chain. I unclasped it speedily from his father’s neck. I put it around my neck for safekeeping.
“That’s mine, you little bastard,” his father screamed angrily, thrashing in bitter frustration under Kieran’s sharp grasp.
“Such unpleasant language,” Kieran sighed. “No wonder Adrian feels such swearwords are acceptable in a civilised society.”
“Kieran come on,” I said urgently, hearing shouts.
“Well,” Kieran said, getting up. “It wasn’t nice catching up, let’s not do it again, but do feel free to send expensive birthday presents. With receipts.” He smiled sarcastically before he moved.
I began to run back towards the exit. I managed to squeeze through the narrow gap; half yanked through by Nik and Jayson. I glanced back through the hole, to where Kieran was staring at us; one eyebrow raised.
“Making doors this small won’t help the obesity crisis,” Kieran frowned. “You know that, right? “
“Come on you idiot,” Adrian yelled.
Kieran pushed himself through just as we started to see people on the other side. “Go on,” Kieran said, pulling something from his pocket, “I’ll handle this.”
“Great,” Nik frowned. “Run!” he shouted, sweeping Chara up into his arms and rushing off. I followed suit with Jayson and Adrian in fast pursuit.
I was confused, why were we leaving Kieran?
I turned around to look at what he was doing and suddenly he was beside me, grabbing my arm and forcing me to run faster. An almighty shockwave catapulted into me, sending me flying to the ground. I glanced back as my ears rang painfully, just making out the entrance of the cave; having exploded in a shower of grey rock.
I shook my head incredulously and faced forwards again, slowly and painfully pushing myself up. My joints moaned and clicked in protest.
As I stood, my legs barely holding my weight, I stared at Kieran beside me, “You just had to be dramatic, didn’t you?”
I could hear the grin in his voice; “I like to leave a lasting impression.”
“Though it’s never a positive one,” Jayson muttered, slowly getting up from where he’d been blown to the floor, rubbing his head.
Kieran smirked, “But one way or another, everyone I meet remembers me. You can’t deny that, Jayson. I’d rather be remembered for bad than be forgotten.”
“I’ll be remembered,” Jayson said defensively.
“Only in medical records,” Kieran retorted.
I smiled to myself, feeling free as we quickly set off into the mountains.
It was a three day journey to the capital; and that meant flying constantly. We had to stop sooner than I felt comfortable. Despite my aching, exhausted body, I would have continued flying; but Chara, who lay crippled with pain on Nik’s back, needed some serious attention. We had other casualties too. Jayson had been shot in the shoulder and of course there was me and my array of injuries.
It was compulsory when we landed at a place called Hollow Peak.
It was snowing up there and the altitude exercised my lungs. We were sheltered from most of the elements by the trees and defensive rock face; which simultaneously camouflaged us. We’d chosen the spot specifically because there were hot springs nearby; which meant fresh water to clean any injuries. Once the large tent was erected, Kieran and Adrian started to work on everyone’s wounds. I fetched water and equipment. Nik continued setting up camp; lighting fires and unpacking necessities.
The hot springs were gorgeously warm and inviting. When did I last have a bath? Days or weeks? I probably smelt disgusting. I ignored these thoughts and hurried back,
carrying the precious water first to Kieran, who was cleaning up Chara’s wound. It was surprisingly small considering how much it had bled.
Luckily Chara had packed everything anyone would have ever needed ever. And then packed two of each. Her First Aid kit was incredible and soon pain killers were dispensed, wounds stitched and bandaged. I helped all I could with Chara then glanced over at Adrian and Jayson. Adrian was delicately removing a bullet from just above Jayson’s right shoulder. Jayson winced as Adrian retrieved it; plucking it out with a pair tweezers. There was a mutual silence between them.
They faced each other yet deliberately avoided looking at each other. I felt confused by the peculiar expressions on their faces, both a mirror of each other; hard and apathetic. It wasn’t awkward exactly; it was more like they didn’t know how to act. I mean I knew Kieran and Jayson hated each other, but what about Jayson and Adrian? I thought they hated each other too.
It’s probably more complicated than that.
As Adrian began to silently stitch the wound I shuffled over. Jayson brightened as I sat beside him; though his muscles were blatantly tense and he winced occasionally. “Do you want some pain killers?” I asked.
He shrugged, then subsequently flinched. “It’s not too bad. I’ve had worse. It’s just aching now really.”
I shook my head, smiling. “You didn’t answer the question.”
“Yeah go on then,” he laughed and I handed him what Chara had taken earlier.
He frowned abruptly as he took the pills. “Your arm looks sore.” he observed.
I shrugged, “It’s just numb now.” I lied.
“Bullshit,” Kieran called, coming over. “You’re next on my list. Let me see if the damage is fatal and you’ll perish in the night.”
Reluctantly I held out my arm for him to examine, but as soon as his skin touched mine he cringed, recoiling away from me as if I’d electrocuted him. When he looked up at me under those fanning black lashes his eyes were wide and astonished. “Somebody touched you,” he stated, almost accusingly.
I frowned bewilderedly at him, “What?”
“Somebody touched you. I can feel their mark staining your skin.” He shuddered, making a revolted face. “Urgh, it’s disgusting.”
“I am not disgusting,” I snapped. What was he on about?
Kieran’s voice dropped so low only I could hear, “Usually you feel familiar, have a familiar…essence; taste almost. Like…like I’ve marked you. But now…”
My forehead creased incomprehensively and then it clicked: “I had a pretty bad infection and was healed, could that be it?”
Kieran‘s voice rose several decibels, “You let some random guy heal you? What were you thinking? He could have, I don’t know, given you a disease or something.”
“Why would a healer give me a disease?” I wondered.
“You sound almost jealous,” Jayson observed. “You know the healer who ‘touched’ her was probably saving her life.”
“Shut up Jayson.” Kieran snapped. “Who invited you anyway; you’re like the ugly cousin at a wedding that no one wants to dance with.”
“Don’t start, Kieran, I’m warning you.”
“Wow I’m terrified,” Kieran retorted, completely relaxed. “You saw me fight today didn’t you?”
Jayson glared, “Murder is not something to be boastful of.”
“It’s not murder,” Kieran shoot his head, “It’s assisted suicide. They’re two completely differently things.”
“How do you work out its assisted suicide?” Jayson enquired.
Kieran sighed, “Isn’t it obvious?” He ran a hand through his silky black hair. “Anybody who wants to fight me must have a death-wish.” Then he glanced at me, “Maybe I can erase the mark.” He suggested casually.
“There is no way I’m letting you touch her,” Jayson said possessively.
Annoyance ignited within me. “Shut up Jayson,” I snapped. “Don’t be a dick.”
Adrian whistled lowly, “Ouch, Ruby.”
I shot a glare at Adrian, now awkwardly bandaging Jayson’s shoulder. Jayson just winked confidently, “Sorry babe.”
“Before I vomit-” Kieran began, starting to say something rude.
“-Done.” Adrian interrupted, chucking Jayson’s shirt back at him. “You might want to leave flying until the morning.”
As if on cue Nik stepped inside. “Right, dinner time: anyone up for a hunt?”
I started to volunteer but Kieran interrupted, “Not you Ruby, you need a bath.”
“What-“ I began to protest.
“He’s right,” Chara admitted from the other side of the tent. “You do smell really bad Ruby. Go to the hot springs. There’s a wash kit in my Brace.”
I huffed.
“You need to wash those wounds as well,” Kieran added. “I can’t do anything with them when they’re like that.”
I glanced down at the festering gashes in my arm. “They’re not that bad.” I said unconvincingly.
Kieran frowned, “Ruby, you look like you picked a fight with a combine harvester. And lost.”
He was right. I huffed again, this time smiling, “Fine. I suppose it’s only fair that I don’t stink out the tent after you’ve all taken the time to rescue me.” I felt suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, “Thanks everyone. I don’t know how much longer I would have lasted in there. How did you even find me?”
“Well, we knew that generally Lynk’s army was somewhere in the Glaze Mountains, so it was a case of surveying the area for signs of use.” Nik’s eyes turned appreciatively towards Jayson, “Also Jayson’s gift was quite useful.”
My neck snapped over to Jayson. “You’re gifted?” I said, astonished. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Jayson shrugged modestly, “It’s not normally that useful.”
“What can you do?” I probed, intrigued.
He smiled, flashing his pearly white teeth. “You know how when you’re in bird form, you can see temperatures?” I nodded curiously and he continued. “Well, it’s kind of like that but much more advanced. I can concentrate my vision to see body heat, and because of there being so many half-breeds stuck inside that pitiful lump of rock, I knew exactly which mountain to look in.”
“Wow,” I enthused. “That’s awesome.”
He just shrugged again, “It doesn’t come effortlessly.”
“Big deal,” Kieran said, “I don’t need infrared vision to know that everyone’s body temperature rises when I get within seeing distance.”
“And drops again when you get within hearing distance,” Jayson muttered under his breath; I laughed quietly.
Chara ignored this, “How we got in isn’t really that important. The real question is: what happened while you were in there?”
“And before,” Nik added, “Everybody knows what you did in Ephizon.”
I cringed inwardly, I couldn’t help it, “Everyone knows?”
“What, that you single-handedly cleared the Ephizon Tower of all conscious guards and Elders?” Adrian said ironically.
“I didn’t have a choice!” I protested. “If I hadn’t had used my voice then Briseis would have killed even more people!”
“Nobody blames you,” Chara soothed.
“You could have just left.” Adrian muttered.
I shook my head. “There was this guy…. there was no way I could have left. I did try once; but it…didn’t work.” I took a deep breath; admitting. “Lynk stole the Eternal Light.”
“We kinda figured that one out for ourselves,” Kieran rolled his eyes. “You know, when you broke into the Tower and then it mysteriously disappeared.”
I rolled my eyes and then explained what happened at Ephizon -though for some reason I felt that I should keep the whole mother-premonition thing to myself. I told them what happened in the caves –including the water punishments, the half-breed chamber and abuse from Briseis.
“We need to inform the Council,” Chara said when I’d finished.
&nbs
p; “You can’t,” Jayson spoke up.
Kieran turned to glare at Jayson, “And why not, Blondie?”
“Well for a start,” Jayson answered coldly. “Ruby is in just as much trouble as Lynk in the Council’s eyes. After all, she did help to steal the Eternal Light. They’ll arrest her as soon as she gets to Forenna.”
I’d never even thought of that.
“What will they do to me?” I glanced at Kieran worriedly; remembering the Council’s last vicious punishment; inflicted onto Kieran’s altruistic back.
When Kieran answered his voice was hard. “An offence like that will probably cost you your wings. At least.”
I shuddered.
Chara sat up slowly. “We’ve already been through this. If we can prove you did not voluntarily help Lynk –and that you were saving lives- the punishment won’t be nearly as brutal.”
“How do I do that?” I wondered hopefully.
“They’ll want a mind-check.” she answered.
“Huh?” I said, clueless.
“They’ll send somebody with telepathy gifts,” Jayson said. “Someone who can read your mind to see if you’re lying or not.”
“But that’s like,” I burst unthinkingly. “Mind-rape!”
“Don’t think too much into it now,” Chara said soothingly. “You need a bath, I need a rest and the boys need to hunt for my dinner. We’ll talk later.”
“But I-“ I began; and several others simultaneously protested.
“No buts,” Chara intercepted with a firm, maternal voice. “Off you go,” her hard, determined gaze flicking to each of us individually, “All of you.”
Kieran laughed, standing up and saying to Nik, “Mate, you can’t have a woman speaking to you like that.”
Nik pulled a face, “By all means; you put her in her place.”
“I don’t dare.” He grinned.
“Me either,” Nik grinned back. “Come on then,” he signed. “Let’s get food.”
As everyone shuffled out I grabbed Chara’s wing brace and rummaged inside the pockets for a wash bag. When I discovered it I stood up and glanced at Jayson, who had his eyes closed; apparently the drugs had a sedative effect, or he was simply ignoring the rest of us.
Risen (The Firebird Trilogy Book 2) Page 7