by Tenaya Jayne
Desperately tormented, he grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. He lifted her off her feet, holding her against him, heart to heart. Trailing kisses from her mouth to her jaw and down her neck where his lips touched her slave mark, dousing his fire as effectively as a bucket of cold water. He sighed and placed her back on her feet. "We're not whole yet," he said sadly. "How much longer are you going to make me wait?"
"As soon as I am Hailemarris, I'll go back to the Onyx Castle and kill Leith."
He kissed her once more, abruptly. "I love you, Forest."
"I love you, Syrus." She retrieved her shirt off the floor and put it back on. "Not much longer, love. Not much longer."
"All right. I'll be here."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Forgiveness." She lifted his hand and placed it over her heart. "Listen to it while we're apart."
"I do, always." He placed her hand over his heart. "You need to get better at listening to mine."
"You're right. I'll do better."
The ogre, Len, was more than happy to open a portal for her to the gate of Kyhael. Forest was both optimistic and heavyhearted when she left Syrus. Looking forward at her future career and their future together, she moved ahead, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
Chapter Twenty-two
Devonte yawned and rolled his shoulders before checking Leith's progress again. The surgery to remove the black thorns had been rough, and he was healing slowly. The incisions were in danger of infection and would create ugly scars regardless of what Devonte did.
Vladien came into the dark room and looked down at his son, thrashing in his fevered sleep. "What do you think, Devonte?"
"He'll live. You were right to send for me."
Vladien's head boiled. He wouldn't stand for this. He wouldn't sit quietly while his race decided they were no longer superior. And he wouldn't let anyone, regardless of their rank or title, pass judgment on his son.
Sudden grief for Lorcan seized in his throat, and he excused himself from the room. Holding up in this non-descript house in the low-class end of Paradigm was necessary while Leith was wanted. The bodies of the previous owners still lay in their beds.
"Vladien," Devonte called, "he's waking."
Vladien rushed back into the other room and knelt down next to his son. Beads of sweat covered Leith's skin, and his eyes fluttered. He moaned and murmured.
Leith sprang into a sitting position, grabbing his father by the arm, his bloodshot eyes wild and unfocused. "Forest! Where is she?"
Vladien pushed Leith back. His muscles convulsed a few times before he slipped back into unconsciousness. Vladien stood and straightened his shirtfront, sneering down at his son. "Idiot, boy," he snarled and then looked at Devonte. "We need to talk."
The hunched wizard followed Vladien into the next room. Vladien paced the length of the floor a few times before turning his icy eyes on Devonte. "That Halfling is the cause of all of this! She killed Lorcan."
"Sir, Forest was at the ball when Lorcan was killed."
"She killed him, do you hear me?"
Devonte shrugged, unperturbed. "Calm yourself, or I'll leave."
"You'll do as I say!"
"I don't answer to you. I came because I sympathize with your plight. Don't push me."
"I want her dead. She's trouble. You can take her out."
Devonte scratched his nose as though bored. "I don't give a damn about her one way or the other. And I've had enough of your drama. If she's such a bother to Leith, let him take care of it. He'll be back on his feet in a few days."
Vladien offered no thanks or acknowledgment of any kind to Devonte when he left, except to slam the door behind him.
Devonte contemplated reporting their location once he returned to Fortress out of annoyance at how he'd been treated, but on second thought, he really didn't want to draw attention to himself at the moment. His thoughts shifted to a good meal and a nap.
****
The portal from the Obsidian Mountain dropped Forest directly in front of Kyhael's main gate. The gate stood wide open, deceptively welcoming. Forest gulped and took a step back, her heart beating painfully fast. Never had she dared to venture this close to the elf city before. The light radiating from the Belliss stone was warm, golden, and alabaster, its luminescence coming from within and not a reflection of the pale sun.
The urge to run slammed through her feet. Her thoughts were a mess. She tried to create a cover story and a lie about her business and identity, as she knew she would be questioned as soon as she entered. Then she took a deep breath and shook her head, laughing to herself. She didn't need a cover story or a fake name. She didn't come here to hide, but be recognized. The sensation was completely new.
Forest wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and did a quick appearance check. She was still in her wonder woman mode. Remembering what Rahaxeris said about choosing an appearance that people could recognize her with, she shifted back into the look that closely resembled her true form, tucking her hair behind her ears, so everyone could see she was an elf.
She lifted her chin, walked through the gate, and was immediately stopped by two armed guards. Both of them smiled vaguely in an attempt to seem cordial while emanating the sense they would take her down in the blink of an eye, if need be. They resembled each other so closely they could have been twins. Forest admired the official white-handled swords that hung from their belts.
"A few questions, please, citizen."
"Citizen?" Forest asked.
"All elves have citizenship in Kyhael. Is this your first time to the city?"
"Yes. It is."
The guards glanced at each other for a second. "Are you here on business or pleasure?"
"Umm. Some of both, actually."
Their eyes grew more intense. "You are not a full-blood elf," the one on her right said sternly.
The ingrained urge to look down pulled at her. Forest fought it, keeping her chin up. "That's right. I'm half shifter."
The guards glanced at each other again, some significant communication passing between them silently. "State your name, please, citizen."
"I am the Lady Forest. Zeren's adopted daughter and I'm here to see the Rune-dy."
Within three minutes, Forest was surrounded by Kyhael officials, all wanting to escort her to the Rune-dy. They fussed and tripped over themselves offering her warm welcomes and any comfort she might desire. People on the street stopped, stared, and moved aside for her and the entourage around her.
Their words faded into a buzzing in the background as Forest beheld the full beauty of the elf city for the first time in her life. The streets, walls, and buildings all seemed to flow from the Belliss stone rather than have been cut from it. Nothing was stacked, or rough-edged. The entire city was seamless, a shining example of balance and harmony.
****
Rahaxeris looked up from the report he was reading. Forest was close by; he could feel her. Surprised she would just show up and pleased she possessed the courage to do so, Rahaxeris got up to see which of his fellow priests were at work and inform them of her arrival.
After looking through every room, he found he was alone except for Baal, who was doing paperwork in the science library.
"Baal," Rahaxeris addressed the assistant.
Baal jumped to his feet. "Yes, sir."
"Forest is coming in, in a few minutes, and I'd like to speak to her privately."
Baal folded his notes and tucked them under his arm. "Yes, sir…I didn't know she was coming today."
Rahaxeris smiled. "Neither did I, otherwise I'd have informed everyone."
Baal hesitated at the door. "May I meet her, sir? Just briefly?"
Rahaxeris raised one eyebrow. "Scientific curiosity?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very briefly."
The Rune-dy's upper office was located in the dead center of Kyhael. Forest found she didn't have to speak for herself as the officials all st
arted barking orders at the office staff. She looked around at the efficient simplicity, feeling a chill run up her spine as she reminded herself of the atrocities that were committed behind the walls.
"I shall escort the Lady from here. Thank you for bringing her in, but please leave now."
Forest surveyed the elf ushering the officials out before he turned to smile at her. "I am the prefect Camber." He took her hand in a welcoming gesture. "You honor us with your presence."
Forest made a non-committal noise in her throat. She pegged Camber immediately as the perfect lackey. Useful, but she didn't like him at all.
"If there is anything, anything at all that I can get for you, please don't hesitate to ask."
His smile fell a fraction when she made no request of him or gave him thanks like a treat to an anxious, performing dog.
"Please follow me."
As Forest followed Camber down the narrow tunnels, she fought the urge to turn and run back to the surface. Her mind conjured all manner of horrors that might lie below. Once her imagination kicked in, cold dread swirled in her stomach. The Rune-dy might still strap her to a table and dissect her for answers. Everything Rahaxeris said might have been a ruse, in an attempt to lure her here.
Syrus' logical words came back into her mind. If Rahaxeris wanted her, she wouldn't have been able to hide from him. He didn't need to deceive to get her.
She came to a halt behind Camber in front of a curved wall, a circle of light shone through the center, no bigger than Camber's palm. He placed his hand over it, and the light expanded until it was taller and wider than the two of them. He stepped back. "After you."
"I don't think so," she said sternly.
He smiled and gave her a little bow. "As you wish." He walked through the light.
Forest's pulse hammered, and she blew out her breath. Okay, here goes. She stepped into the light and passed right through the wall.
Rahaxeris waited on the other side. She met his red-eyed gaze evenly. Father. Her mind rolled with the word, again finding it odd, but not rejecting it.
He turned a smile on Camber. "Thank you, Camber. You may leave."
"Yes, Sir."
Rahaxeris looked at her silently until the light closed behind Camber.
"So, Forest. What brings you here?"
She reached into her pocket, pulled the green stone necklace out, and held it up.
A stony expression hardened on his face. "Did you come all this way just to give it back?"
"No. You're mistaken. I came here to accept it and claim my birthright."
Pleasure flashed through his eyes, and he quickly worked to neutralize it. "Well, I am…pleased."
Forest chuckled then sobered. "I'm not doing it to please you. I'm taking the job so I can do good. So I can speak for those who have no voice, as I myself was once silent…And though some will judge me to be a monster once they learn whose child I am, I find that I long to have a surname."
At Rahaxeris' quick smile, she rushed to clarify. "Accepting my title puts me on more even ground with Syrus. I want to be considered his equal. It's vital to my future happiness."
Her statement didn't dampen his smile. "I'm happy my name will contribute to your future happiness, Forest…I know that my knowledge about you, irks you, but I think you'll find it agreeable when I tell you that the position of Hailemarris is not absolute or forever."
"Huh?"
"I know you like to earn what you have. You shall be instated as Hailemarris, but after five years, as the new republic finds its feet, you will only be able to keep your position by a majority vote of the people."
Forest's mouth fell open. "Really?"
"Really."
"Thank you." It was the first genuine smile she'd given him, and his heart absorbed it. She slipped the necklace over her head, the power sliding over her skin, filling her pores like smoke. "So, what do we do now?"
"I'll send word to Zefyre, telling her of your decision, and to be expecting my official letter to the high council. Then one to Zeren. Trust me, word will spread quickly. Do you need to notify anyone?"
"No. I told Syrus before I came here. Will I be an employee of Fortress again?"
Rahaxeris chuckled. "Hardly. More like the boss. I've already had your office constructed in Fortress castle, but if you'd prefer to be in another location, it can be arranged easily."
Forest considered. "I suppose it will be best that I am there, given the nature of the job, and the central location…I'm sure the members of the high council will dislike the change."
"You have the ability to terminate the job of anyone who works for Fortress, including the members of the high council…in fact, I think you'll find your plate full, very quickly, with charges brought against a few you know."
"What?"
"Zefyre and Lush must come under your judgment, soon. Frost and Gagnee face lesser charges. And then there's Devonte…The lawless actions of the wizards will no longer be met with acceptance. They will obey the laws or face banishment back to their homeland."
Forest swallowed and took a deep breath. "Damn. No honeymoon period then."
Rahaxeris' stare bored into her. "You're perfect for this job, Forest. I have no doubt."
His confidence was solid and real. She could stand on it. "Thank you…Father."
"Would you like to see what we do down here?"
Trepidation crept into Forest's muscles as she looked over Rahaxeris' shoulder. He noticed.
"If you're not comfortable…"
Her gaze cut to his. "I most certainly am not comfortable. But the choice of ignorance is for cowards. Show me."
"Very well."
Ice crystallized down Forest's vertebrae as she followed. He brought her into a library first, where another priest sat reading. He looked up at them, quickly closed his book, and stood.
"Forest, this is Baal. He's an assistant."
Baal inclined his head.
"Nice to meet you," Forest said.
Baal was dressed like Rahaxeris, though a bit plainer. His eyes were also red, and his black hair hung board-straight to his shoulders. His appearance wasn't anywhere near as frightening as Rahaxeris', but he still put her system on alert. Dangerous, but on a lesser level than her father.
"I'm happy to finally meet you in person, Forest. You have fascinated me for a long time…I see you have accepted the title. I look forward to working with you in the future."
"Uh, thank you."
"Baal will go with you when you leave here," Rahaxeris said. "Assuming that you are heading straight to Fortress."
"Oh, well…okay. I guess that would be better than you going with me?"
"I didn't want it to look like daddy taking his little girl to school."
"Ah, yes." Forest managed a small smile. "We can't have that."
"So, anyway, this is the science library. Self-explanatory. Come on."
Forest nodded to Baal, who nodded back and resumed his seat as they left the room. She followed past a basic meeting room, and then into the science lab. She looked at the odd jars lining the walls before approaching the table in the center of the room, diagrams and charts covered the surface. Forest looked down at the papers, understanding less than half of what she saw. The word unsuccessful was written harshly across the top of the paper. It stuck a chord and she turned to face her father. "I want to see the files from the experiment that spawned me."
Rahaxeris crossed his arms. "Just because you are here doesn't mean I can show you anything you want to see. You don't have clearance for that."
"You could give me clearance," Forest fired back.
"Perhaps I could, but I won't."
Forest hissed out an angry breath. "Why? Because it's so ugly?"
"Yes."
The tears rising in Forest's eyes surprised her. She wrapped her arms around her middle, thinking of the ones who had been created then deemed unsuccessful and destroyed. She turned her back to him, letting the tears fall down her cheeks, mourning them as si
blings.
Rahaxeris came up behind her and put his sharp hand on her arm. "Come with me. I need to show you something else."
Forest let him lead her by the arm out of the room and into another. She dug in her heels as she crossed the threshold. It was an operating theater, empty, sanitized, and completely haunted by the tortured dead.
"Yes, you see. And you know the rumors. But what we do is for the greater good."
Forest looked at him helplessly.
"You believe in the greater good, don't you?" he asked gently.
She nodded. "Yes."
"You understand the usefulness of fear?"
"Yes."
"Fear of punishment keeps people safe, safe from others, and from the evil within themselves. So, just as we cultivate fear, and contrive pain for punishment, we create balance and peace. It's not a job just anyone can do."
Forest stared at the operating table and shivered. "That's for damn sure."
"And with science, experimentation must be detached. But through probing for answers we have learned, many ways to heal, improve life, and prolong it. Death happens in the process."
Forest looked back into his eyes shaking her head. "I've seen enough."
"No, I don't think you have. Come on."
Rahaxeris led her back to a plain room, the stone opening and sealing again behind her. The room was empty. "These are my personal quarters. I want to show you my memories."
"Your memories?"
"Unless you don't want to."
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued."
"All right."
Rahaxeris placed his palm flat on the wall, closing his eyes and muttering a few words under his breath. A grey fog rose off the stone around his hand, quickly filling the room, drifting over the floor like a haze in a swamp. The ghostly image of a woman gathered from the mist and stood in front of Forest. She jumped back, her mouth falling open as she recognized her mother. Liasia never was one to shift her appearance too much. She stuck to five different looks. What Forest saw was a face she knew well. Her mother looked at her silently as other transparent people formed around her, joining her in a line.