She stared at me with a hard expression. “You may take your Chosen; but no one else is allowed to know this information. If you speak to another about this you will never become a Council member and we will probably execute you for treason.”
Oh wonderful.
Everyone had an angle didn’t they? Even the Fire Elder wanted something out of me. To save my ass and fulfil Silva’s favour I had to do a favour for the Elder and risk my ass.
Once again; wonderful.
I took a deep breath. “Fine. Can I explain the situation to Jayson now?”
She nodded, shouting: “Guards?”
They came in immediately, bowing before the Elder and asking politely “What is it you want, my Lady?”
“Bring me Jayson Wanowa, and also the tracker team.” She ordered.
They left immediately and I glanced at the Elder unsurely: “This… supplier; I can’t imagine he’s alone.”
She shrugged, “I guess not, what’s your point?”
“Nothing,” I said, “I’m just trying to understand what I’m letting myself in for. Which, by the sounds of it, is a massive risk on my part.”
“It’s your decision Ruby,” She said. “But if you want to be a member those are my terms. I grant you a favour, you grant me a favour.”
I looked straight into her eyes and wished I could back out; but I had no choice of course. “I’ll do it.” I stated firmly.
There was a knock on the door. As the Elder opened it my eyes immediately connected with another pair of eyes. They were red eyes, the colour of blood; eyes I’d seen twice before.
My heart stopped beating for a moment. It was my attacker.
“You,” I gasped.
Automatically my hand clasped the metal bracelet which had snared my wrist ever since it had been forced onto me. I couldn’t contain myself; I sprang at Blaze with the intention of clawing his eyes out but someone immediately caught me. I was so angry; I tried to fight myself free of the restraining arms.
I couldn’t look away from those crimson eyes. They conjured up such horrific memories. Flashbacks of being pushed down an alley with a knife pressed against my throat, the feeling of my own warm blood dripping down my neck, and of being trapped in a cave with my shoulders forced behind my back. I remembered Blaze pushing harder until I heard a snap then felt the astonishing pain as my shoulder dislocated. I hated this man, I hated him.
If it wasn’t for him, me and Kieran might’ve still been together.
I could finally see what he looked like. His face was no longer covered and he was wearing black Phoenix Gear over his impossibly tall body. His skin was pale, his lips were thin and curving into a vicious lascivious smirk. I hated the way those awful eyes regarded my figure, staring me up and down. If he had red hair, it was shaved off and tattoos streaked across his neck; disappearing underneath the material of his shirt. I suspected his entire body was decorated in the designs.
“Ruby,” snapped the Elder. “What on earth is wrong with you?”
“Him!” I said between my teeth. “He attacked me! Twice. He threatened me; he held a knife to my throat and dislocated my shoulder!”
“We were on different teams then, sugar,” he winked, totally at ease with that dirty smile that made me cringe. “We are on the same team now.”
I heard a deep growling noise that grumbled threateningly and it took me a moment to realise that the sound was coming from me. “I’m not working with you. I refuse.” I planted my feet stubbornly and glared at him.
There was a knock at the door and the Elder shouted for them to wait; turning to me. “If you want my help Ruby,” she scolded. “You will answer to me. And I say you will work with him. You want to bring down Lynk? Then I expect you to tell Blaze here exactly what you know.”
I knew she was now practically my boss or something, and that I had to do what she said, but that didn’t mean I had to be mature about it.
“Fine,” I snapped agitatedly, “but if you try to lay one finger on me,” I threatened, trying determinedly to hide how terrified of him I really was. “I’ll come back at you tenfold. And I’ll bring my friends.”
He just laughed and turned to the others in the room; saying something so low I couldn’t hear. I stepped back towards the Fire Elder, “Did you know about him attacking me?”
She nodded, “I knew. We enlisted his services to find information on Lynk. We live in desperate times Ruby. We needed to know the truth.”
I didn’t know how to feel about that. “You could have just asked me.”
“Maybe,” she said. “But it’s only now, after your mind check, that we can trust you’re telling the truth.”
Well isn’t that ironic, I thought grimly.
She continued, “I have to go now. I have other things to attend to. If I can organise it quickly, the Trials should begin in a few days. I’ll contact you before then. For now Blaze and his people will talk you through what will happen after the Garatourii.”
“You can’t leave me alone with them,” I said urgently, looking desperately into her old knowing eyes.
“I won’t,” she agreed. “Wanowa!” she called, “You may come in now.”
Jayson opened the door. He smiled at me and stood beside me; noticing Blaze and my reflective expression. Jayson knew about Blaze, but I doubted he realised that this was him. I did feel better with him here though.
I now looked at the others in the room. There were three of them, a woman with auburn hair tied into a tight knot, a man with coppery eyes and another man who was slightly older with tattoos curving up the back of his neck, nearly touching his flash of red hair. They were in deep conversation and Jayson and I just stood on the side being ignored; especially once the Elder disappeared.
I coughed in the attention-getting kind of way and eventually Blaze turned back to me. “Want to sit down?” he gestured towards an empty chair.
I folded my arms across my chest. “I’d rather stand. And before I answer anything,” I narrowed my eyes, trying unsuccessfully to look intimidating. “I want this off.” I held out my wrist and pointed at the bracelet tracking device.
“Fine. You’re not that interesting to track anyway. Colette,” he snapped his fingers, “Take that off her.”
The woman with the auburn hair nodded and came over to me. She whispered some words in the ancient language and I recognised her voice immediately. I watched as the metal hoop began to slowly expand until it was loose enough that I could pull it off my wrist. I handed it back to her, rubbing the skin where there were now marks left from the bracelet.
I must admit, I felt greatly relieved that it was gone. It was slightly unnerving knowing that someone could know exactly where you were twenty-four seven. “Okay,” I said sternly, “Let’s make this quick.”
They wanted to know a lot. It ended up not being quick at all. By the end of it I’d told them absolutely everything I knew about Lynk; going from childhood up to the last time we’d met. I also answered every question about rest of the world that they sprung on me. I gave them the little information I knew about cars and modern technology and weapons, but in all honestly I didn’t really have a considerable amount of useful information.
“So that’s it, there’s nothing else useful you can tell us?” demanded the older Firebird.
I shrugged, “That’s all I know.”
“Okay,” said Blaze, still looking at me in that disgusting way.
I could tell that Jayson didn’t like the way he was staring at me either, every time he looked at me Jayson tensed up. I looked at Jayson and half-smiled; still aware that he had no idea what was happening.
“We’ll meet you here, at dawn, two days after the Garatourii has finished,” Blaze decided. “We should return in a few days if we catch him quickly. Bring any weapons and clothing you need and obviously keep this silent.” He glanced at Jayson. “You too; if you are coming.”
“Where Ruby goes, I go.” Jayson swore sternly.
Blaze nodded s
harply and they all filtered out of the office.
Jayson looked over at me and frowned. “What did I just volunteer for?”
“We’re going to find Lynk’s supplier.” I said. “The one who imported all that weaponry and technology into Kariak.”
His eyes widened in astonishment, “Bloody hell. Why us?”
“I’m their translator,” I explained grudgingly, making my way to the door; having had enough of this room. “It’s the only way the Elder will help me during Garatourii. I need her favour. Without it I don’t have the slightest chance of winning.” I frowned.
I rushed out of the empty room; Jayson following me immediately. He was silent as he thought through what I’d just said.
“Jayson,” I said slowly, anxiously as we walked. “I have to have a Chosen to be on the Council. I hope you don’t mind I picked you.”
He choked in shock. “You chose me?” his eyes were wide in astonishment. “Ruby that’s a huge commitment…. I’m not sure I could do it.”
“You don’t have to,” I said. “But I don’t have anyone else. If I don’t get on the Council there is no chance of getting even with Silva, and that means I’ll be cursed. And if I’m cursed I’ll be exiled.”
I smiled at him; trying to lighten the mood. “And you’ll be great on the Council anyway, you’re a natural leader but you’re also really clever and brave and will listen to those in need. I need you by my side, Jayson, please.” I pleaded. “You’re the only person I trust to be on the Council with.”
He looked at me for a long time, expressions flickering across his face so quickly I didn’t have time to interpret them, but then his mouth gradually stretched into that easy-going smile I loved so much. “Well, when you put it like that… okay, Ruby Swartette, I shall be your chosen.”
I felt greatly relieved. “Thank God for that.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Sometimes I wonder,” I said as we made our way back to Jayson’s place. “If it would have been better if I’d never found out.
“If you never found out what?” Jayson asked from beside me.
“You know,” I said, waving my hands nonsensically; as if that would enable his understanding. “About everything. About Kariak and me and Lynk and everything else.”
“But you’ve said before that you’d never go back.” he pointed out casually.
“Yeah,” I sighed. “I wouldn’t now. But it still probably would’ve been easier. I never thought it would be like this. Everything here just seems to be against me. What with Lynk and Silva. And now even the Elder is demanding I risk my life again. And with Blaze too.”
I shuddered at his name, biting my lip to stop it shaking. I could not describe how much I hated that repulsive, terrifying man.
“I don’t like him.” Jayson said, in an uncharacteristically dark and dangerous voice. “The way he looks at you... I could kill him for it. I think Kieran would have cut off his testicles by now.”
“Do you realise who he is?” I wondered.
Jayson nodded. “Yeah, he must be that guy who attacked you before. I clicked on when that woman removed the tracker on your arm. Only the person who puts it on can take it off.”
“Everything’s so dangerous here,” I muttered grumpily. “And everyone wants something from me. I have that many deals and worries spinning around in my head that I might collapse from the extra weight.”
“Ruby,” Jayson frowned. “You’re wallowing.”
“You’d wallow too if you were me,” I huffed.
“Well it’s not going to help, is it?” he snapped, unexpectedly harsh. “Come on. You’re the strongest person I know. You’ll get through this.”
I looked up at him in acute scepticism. “Do you really think that?”
“Of course.” He growled, angry at my self-doubt. “I mean, look at the rest of us. We’re hardly amazing at coping, are we?”
I gazed at him confusedly. “What do you mean?”
“Well Kieran’s an addict with an attitude worse than his criminal record. Adrian shuts himself away so much that you can only get about three decent words out of him a day. And I betrayed my greatest friends to the one man I knew would kill them all, because I was so cut up that they were going to leave me. That they never thought of me.”
I could see the pain in his eyes and I remembered distantly his words from that conversation with Kieran, while I was half-wake in the tent. You never gave me a choice though, did you? That’s what he’d said to Kieran.
Jayson was betrayed too; just in a different way.
We were both quiet for a moment, until eventually I sighed. “You’re right; I’m moping. I’m sorry.”
Jayson relaxed into his usual easy-going smile that I loved so much. “It’s okay. I’ll let you off.” He nudged me, grinning. “I suppose.”
That night Jayson decided that we both needed a break, so he took me to the spot where we’d first met; on the night of my High Flight. The hike to the top of the cliff ledge was daunting and painful, but it was welcomed. The constant stretch of muscle and tendon gave me something to focus on.
When we arrived at the top, the view was spectacular.
Under the stars Forenna shone magnificently; its stone spires and scintillating glass windows brilliantly lit by the moonlight. It was cold though, and a bitter wind pulled at my clothes; tugging them occasionally with their chilling fingers. Luckily Jayson had accounted for the weather and immediately gathered up a few dry logs from the nearby forest. He lit a fire with a flick of his fingers, and grinned at me before withdrawing from his backpack what appeared to be a package of assorted meat and snacks.
I glanced at the cornucopia of food delights; my eyes focusing on the surprising string of sausages. He noticed my deviated attention and grabbed the uncooked sausages from the brown paper bag they were half-concealed in, raising his eyebrows suggestively. “Shall we?” he gestured to the food.
I grinned enthusiastically. “When did you get all this?”
“I bought the meat this morning,” he replied, finding a small stick to skewer a sausage on and passing it to me. I took the stick and cooked the sausage on the cracking fire. “But the cakes and everything else were just being ignored in our cupboards; so I figured Flint wouldn’t mind us taking them off his hands.”
I laughed as he pulled out a couple of bottles which smelt vaguely like beer. I sipped mine cautiously and bubbles filled my stomach with a pleasant warmth. We chattered as we ate and for the first time in weeks I felt truly calm and relaxed. I ignored all those nagging thoughts at the back of my head, forgetting them in the company of my lovely friend.
After a while, with my stomach so full I looked slightly pregnant, I lay back onto the cold but snowless ground. I sighed as several clouds distorted my view of the stars. “I think I might give birth to a food baby.” I said.
“That’s actually a really gross concept.” He frowned.
“I know,” I laughed, then glanced over to Jayson; who smiled tenderly. “Thanks,” I said appreciatively, “I think I needed this.”
He grinned. “I should have known that all it would take to cheer you up was cake and sausages.”
I pulled a face at him. “What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing.” He said; his voice the epitome of innocence; despite the contradicting mockery in his amber eyes. I rolled my eyes.
As we stayed and talked, the fire dyed before us. It didn’t matter what we spoke about, which was mostly unimportant gibberish; as long as it didn’t involve Lynk or any Elders or the Ashaiks.
After a while I thought; I could do a lot worse than Jayson.
He always made me laugh and made me feel safe and comfortable. He always assured me that I had nothing to worry about. So that was why, when he said goodnight to me back in our apartment, leaning down towards me, that I’d reached up and kissed him for one brief but lingering moment.
He’d seemed surprised, but kissed me back instantly before pulling back and smiling t
hat soft dependable smile. I turned to go into my room and closed the door gently behind me. I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do, and then slowly made my way over to the window.
Of course Kieran was out there, even at this late time. He was training in the courtyard as usual, lifting heavy weights that caused sweat to run down his cuttingly gorgeous face. In that moment I felt guilty. Though why I felt guilty I didn’t know. I could have felt guilty for kissing Jayson when Kieran still occupied my heart, but I also could have felt guilty for watching Kieran after I’d just kissed Jayson.
To be honest, I probably felt guilty for doing both.
I postponed telling the Ashaiks about the Fire Elder’s proposition, partly because I was forbidden to and partly because of Jayson’s advice, but mostly because I didn’t want to see Kieran; who’d apparently slipped and fallen off the edge of the earth anyway. Not that I cared.
So the next couple of days were quiet and uneventful as I awaited news on the Garatourii. I still saw Adrian in the morning, but I swear I was getting worse at defending my mind, and that was exactly why, when the Elder came to visit me two days after my hearing, I answered her the way I did.
She had come in to explain that the Garatourii would commence in two days and that, as part of our previous arrangement, she was willing to grant me her ‘favour’. During a Garatourii the Elder in charge is permitted to grant favour on one particular candidate and, if chosen, this meant that you are allowed to skip one of the life-threatening trials. It was important, apparently, as it shows who the Elder deems most suitable for the job and subsequently gives them more of a chance of winning and being liked by the Tribe.
Usually this favour was actually given because of appropriate gifts, bribes and business deals; arranged between the candidate and the Elder. It in no way guaranteed victory –as Cecelia pointed out to me several times- and the contract of favour extinguished the moment the skipped trail finished.
After that I would be on my own and she had a right to choose whichever candidate she wished to succeed the position on the Council.
Risen (The Firebird Trilogy Book 2) Page 20