The Dreg Trilogy Omnibus

by Bethany Hoeflich

  “What do you mean?” Alex asked.

  “Think about it. Uniting the clans has been an impossible goal. Even when a new Warlord is ‘crowned’, there are some clans that reject his or her authority altogether. There’s constant infighting until a new Warlord takes over and then the cycle begins all over again. But Tomar found a way to unify them. What if . . . what if Cadmus was waiting for Tomar to unite all the clans, then he planned to kill him and insert the Order in place of the Warlord. He could have had Kearar, too, with a single strike.”

  Ethan paled. “It’s a clever strategy, and exactly something he’d do. Maximum benefit with minimal risk. And then there’s the matter of his hostages.”

  A thought crossed her mind and Mara looked at him in horror. “Is he really keeping them at Order Headquarters to keep their parents in line, or is he ensuring that the path of succession is disrupted?”

  She felt sick. At least she’d gotten Tamil away from the Order. He’d have a chance to grow up with his family and become Rei in his own right one day. But unless they stopped Cadmus, that might not happen for the rest of the children he’d stolen, including Arianna’s sister, Lucinda.

  “I wouldn’t put anything past him at this point. I think we need to prepare for the worst.”

  “I don’t mean to sound like I don’t care, but the children are safe for now while my people are burning. What are ya gonna do about that?”

  “Wynn’s right.” Alex pointed to the map. “The first step is finding and destroying these bases. That should disrupt the Order long enough to stop the raids.”

  Wynn straightened from her crouch and placed her hands on the hilts of her dirks. “Let’s go hunting.”

  ***

  Two weeks later, Mara stumbled back into Orgate, a hand pressed to her side to staunch the bleeding. Her other arm hung loose at her shoulder, blissfully numb. She glanced at the blackened flesh and squeezed her eyes shut as she struggled to place one foot in front of the other.

  She was lucky.

  Only two others had made it back alive.

  It was supposed to have been a simple mission.

  She and a group of twenty Gifted had gone out to destroy the base they’d discovered near Orgate and capture the disciples for questioning, but Cadmus had Seen them coming a mile away. From a distance, it had appeared that only a handful of disciples were located at the base. The plan had been to surround the base and force the disciples into a confrontation. Once the base had been evacuated, the Saxums would have crushed it beneath a mountain of rock and dirt.

  It was a trap.

  By the time they realized they’d been baited, it was too late. As soon as they’d gotten within striking distance, a flood of disciples had poured out of the base and attacked without mercy. They were overwhelmed in moments, and all they could do was run.

  Conner was the first to fall, followed by all the faces that had grown so familiar over the past few weeks.

  Choking on a sob, Mara stumbled and braced her hand against the obsidian wall of the fortress.

  The Saxum at the gate sounded the alarm, sending Orgate into a frenzy. Healer Oliver rushed toward Mara, but she waved him toward the two other survivors. They were in worse shape than she was.

  Ethan spotted her as she limped into the courtyard. He rushed to her side and swept her into his arms, grunting under the effort of supporting her weight. She might have protested, but she couldn’t remember. Her eyes drifted closed and everything went black.

  When she came to, she was lying in her bed. Someone had stoked the fire, keeping it blazing. Beneath the pile of furs, Mara sweated. She threw back the covers and tried to stand, then fell back into the bed as shooting pain pierced her side. She reached down to lift the edge of her tunic and froze at the sight of her arm. Someone had healed it. Instead of charred flesh, only pink skin remained. She peeled back the edge of her tunic and winced at the wound. It looked like the Healer had run out of energy partway through the healing process. The edges were pink and raised while the center still sported a gaping hole. At least it wasn’t bleeding any longer.

  Ethan burst into the room. His face relaxed when he saw her, and he hurried to her side. “You’re awake.”

  “It will take more than a scratch to kill me.”

  “A scratch? Your arm was so burned the Healer thought he would have to amputate it!” He pressed his forehead to hers and stroked her hair. “You scared me. No more going out on raids.”

  She pushed him away and fought through the pain to sit up. “I’m fine, Ethan.”

  “How did you get that?” Ethan pointed to her side. Belatedly, she realized her abdomen was still exposed.

  “An Armis stabbed me.” She tugged her tunic back down to cover it. “It could have been worse. At least I came back.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. You should stay here and let the Lingatians fight for their country.”

  Was he trying to order her around? Her hackles rose. “You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do.”

  “I’m not trying to control you, but I hope you can use your head. It’s clear that we’re underprepared and I’d rather you not risk your life in a battle we can’t win.”

  “You think I’m going to risk other people’s lives—”

  “What do you want me to say? That I’m okay with you going out and risking your life?” Ethan stood from her bedside and stalked across the room to the window. He braced an arm against the glass and rested his head against the back of his hand. His voice wavered as he said, “One of these days you might not come back, and I don’t think I can handle that. I just want you to be safe.”

  Mara twisted her hands in the furs. “Don’t you get it? No one will be safe until Cadmus is defeated. We both know that. I can fight twice as hard as anyone in battle so why shouldn’t I help where I can?” Feeling suddenly hollow, she sagged back against her pillows and swallowed the lump in her throat. “This is my choice, Ethan. I don’t want to die, but neither do the other Gifted. They’re risking everything for our fight. How could I look them in the eye if I’m not willing to do the same?”

  “Why is it your responsibility?”

  She held his gaze. “If not me, then who else?”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t know how tempted I am to lock you in this room until the war is over.” A breath hitched in his throat and he turned away so she couldn’t see his face. His voice cracked. “I . . . don’t know how I could live without you.”

  Summoning the last of her energy, Mara edged to the side of the bed and stood. She grabbed the headboard to keep from falling when her wound sent sharp pain flaring through her abdomen. Slowly, she crossed the room until she stood at his side. “Everything dies, Ethan. Whether it’s tomorrow or fifty years from now, it’s inevitable. And if it is my time and I don’t come home from battle, that’s okay. My life will be well-spent fighting for those too weak to fight for themselves.” She remembered the gut-wrenching horror she’d felt when she thought the emperor had executed him, then again when Tomar had poisoned him. Is that what he felt every time she left? She captured his chin in her hand and turned him to face her. “I love you. Never doubt that for a moment. I don’t know what happens after death, but I do know that what we have transcends lifetimes. This is only our beginning. Cadmus won’t be our end. Not when we have so much to live for.”

  His hand coiled in her hair and he pressed his forehead to hers, breathing deeply. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I promise. Now, tell me what happened while I was gone.”

  He tensed and looked away.

  “Ethan?” She tilted her head back and searched his face. “What is it?”

  “It might be nothing, but we haven’t heard anything from Merrowhaven in over a week.”

  “Is that unusual?” she asked carefully, trying not to assume the worst.

  “There was nothing in Oona’s last report to suggest anything was amiss, but her messages have
never been this late before. I don’t mean to worry you, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.”

  “That’s odd.” She frowned. “Did she say anything about the Giftings in the last message she sent?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing, only that she managed to brew a few additional batches of the Soperallias extract. I’m assuming that everything is continuing as usual, but the sudden lack of communication is unsettling.”

  “Do you think the emperor found out?”

  “I hope not, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. What we’re attempting is dangerous on more than one front.” He offered her his arm. “Here, let’s get you back into bed before Healer Oliver returns and eviscerates me for allowing you up and about before you’re healed.”

  Mara leaned on him as they walked back to the bed. He pulled back the furs and helped her lay down. She gnawed on her lip, trying to figure out a plausible explanation for the silence that didn’t involve her friends’ heads on spikes. Ethan tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “So, I know better than to ask how the raid went. Based on your condition, I’m guessing it was bad.”

  “Understatement. If I’d had my Augeo, I could have turned them all to dust before they had a chance to breathe.” Her words ended up sounded more bitter than she’d intended.

  Ethan winced. “Is that really what you want?”

  She blew out her cheeks and rubbed her eyes. “I don’t know anymore. Once, I’d thought that the disciples would turn on Cadmus if they had the chance, but it’s obvious that they’ll follow him to the grave. My foolish optimism cost us forty-seven allies.”

  “Never apologize for showing mercy. The disciples don’t know there’s a better way. They follow orders, or they die. I know that once they learn that there’s an alternative, many will turn their back on Cadmus.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  28

  Lingate was still recovering from the devastating loss and Mara had no idea how to move forward. How did you fight against someone who could predict your every move? Wynn had withdrawn from everyone, spending more time alone in her rooms than with her friends. She felt personally responsible for the losses of her clan, and nothing Mara said would make her feel better. Nothing cheered her, not even the fact that their numbers were growing by the day.

  Word of the new Warlord had spread across Lingate, and hundreds of Gifted defected from their clans and traveled to Orgate to pledge their loyalty to Wynn and join clan Myriel. It was inspiring to see so many willing to join them, but until Wynn made an appearance, the Gifted had little to do except wander the fortress or train in the courtyard. This led to other problems. The Sandor clan had a blood feud with the Rudven clan, and everyone hated the Covalle clan. Alex was doing his best to manage the conflicts, but he was one person. It wasn’t like he could be everywhere at once.

  Mara laced up her tunic and reached for her new fur-lined cloak. Snow was a near-daily occurrence now that they’d reached the heart of winter. She could live without the bone-chilling cold, but at least the snow had its benefits. Attacks from the Order had stopped since the roads were rendered impassable. She wasn’t sure how long this break would last, but she was determined to make the most of it.

  A shout came from the guards stationed at the front gate. Eager to see what the commotion was, Mara rushed down the stairs, through the courtyard, and to the gate. The Saxum stationed at the gate nodded to her and let her pass. A thick fog had rolled in overnight making it impossible to see ten feet past the moat.

  Mara squinted, trying to see what was coming. It was either two people on foot and one on horseback or some sort of mutated bog monster. The shadows pierced through the fog.

  “Mikkal! Kya!” Mara shouted. She couldn’t make out who the third person on horseback was. She turned to the Saxum and said, “Quick, make a bridge so they can cross.”

  “I’m sorry, but you don’t have the authority to order me.”

  “But I do.” Wynn stepped through the gate and stood by Mara. She met her gaze, daring her to comment on her absence, but Mara held her tongue. “Let them cross, Greer.”

  The Saxum raised her arms and formed the bridge. Mikkal led the horse across, and Kya followed, clutching her right arm as if it caused her pain. The moment they were inside the fortress, Mara launched herself into Mikkal’s arms and gave him a crushing hug. He stiffened, then patted her back. The grim set of his lips sent a flare of unease through her gut. “What happened?”

  “We need to talk.”

  Kya slunk to the side of the group and threw Mara a nasty look.

  Ethan stepped into the courtyard and froze, his eyes glued to the figure on horseback. Mara glanced up and shock coursed through her veins. “Ruby?”

  The Seer smiled. Her white hair, which had once fallen to her ankles in a solid sheet was now cropped almost as short as Wynn’s. Mikkal reached up to lift her off the horse, then set her gently on the ground, holding her arm until she could stand by herself.

  Mara gaped at Mikkal. “How did you find her?”

  “I didn’t. She found us. She interrupted a training session, nearly giving us a collective heart attack, then started spouting a bunch of nursery rhymes at me. Then I remembered you telling us about the woman in Oxrest who had made prophecies.”

  “That’s her.”

  “Well, if it weren’t for her, none of us would have gotten out of Merrowhaven. We owe her our lives.”

  Ethan stared at Ruby in wonder. She toddled over and gave his arm a squeeze before breaking out in a wide, toothy smile. He swallowed, and Mara’s heart exploded. This was his grandmother. Mara only wished they could truly get to know each other. After a Guardian had begun removing Ruby’s Gift, it had left her mind shattered. Mara had seen brief glimpses of lucidity in her pale eyes before, but those moments were rare and fleeting. Most of the time, it seemed like she lived in a different world.

  Mara gave the old Seer a hug and whispered, “It’s good to see you again, Ruby.”

  With surprising strength, Ruby pried herself from Mara’s arms and turned back to Ethan. Her eyes cleared. She reached up and patted him on the cheek. “So handsome, just like your grandfather.”

  Ethan gasped. “You know me?”

  Her eyes went vacant and Mara knew that she had descended back into madness. She gave Ethan a sympathetic smile and said, “Why don’t we go inside. It seems like we have a lot to talk about.”

  They went into the throne room. Wynn sat down in her chair while the rest settled on the benches. Wynn’s clan gathered around with curious expressions. Astrid leaned against the wall in the back of the room with Harris. Mara glanced around until she realized she was looking for Conner and her heart clenched painfully. The guilt over his death threatened to drown her.

  Astrid nodded at Mara, then tilted her head toward Arianna who was sulking in the corner. Since arriving in Orgate, Arianna had been nothing but a nuisance. Every day, she hounded the guards about seeing Wynn to the point where they were ready to toss her in the moat. She couldn’t be bothered to help with their raids, and anything that delayed her personal crusade against her brother was scorned. Mara hoped she wasn’t here to start trouble.

  With one last look at the princess from Crystalmoor, Mara made her way to the benches where she found a seat next to Ethan and Ruby. Now that she was here, her mind whirled with questions. They weren’t expecting Mikkal for another few weeks at the earliest. Why was he here? And more importantly, where was the rest of the army? Her stomach churned with unease. Ethan reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

  Once everyone was settled, Mikkal walked to the front of the room. He ran a hand through his long, brown hair and let out a loud breath. “I don’t know where to start. So much has happened since you left.”

  Ethan chimed up. “We figured something was wrong when Oona stopped sending messages.”

  “That’s not even the half of it. After you escaped, things got bad in Merrowhaven. Real
bad. Oona had to stop because the emperor grew suspicious. She couldn’t risk him intercepting the letters, but it didn’t matter in the end. It was too late.”

  Mara leaned forward in her seat. “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know how to tell you this.” Mikkal’s face twisted. “Cadmus found out.”

  Her stomach dropped like a lead weight. “About what?”

  “How we’re Gifting the dregs. I don’t know who told him, but he found out, and he put a stop to it.”

  Oh no. If he killed them all . . . She closed her eyes and prepared for the worst. “Tell me.”

  “Cadmus sent his disciples to the dreg encampment. They rounded up all the dregs who were left and branded them.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. “Why didn’t the emperor stop them?”

  “Emperor Edgard supports him! He views what you did as treason and put a price on your head. The second you step foot in Esterwyn, you’re a dead woman.”

  “I wasn’t planning on going back.” She glanced at Kya, noting the way she was cradling her arm. “Did she . . .”

  He nodded. “They branded her. But that’s not the worst part. The Order is sending Veniet through the streets to search for newly Gifted. Any Gifted with the brand is executed immediately. The dregs who are left don’t want to risk it. Even though we offered to smuggle them out, they refuse to be Gifted.” He pulled a metal bar from his tunic and held it out.

  Mara took it, turning it over in her hands. She ran a finger over the brand—the rune for ‘dreg.’ “That’s their choice then. What about the dregs we’ve already Gifted? We can’t just abandon them.”

  “We’re not. They’re a day behind us. We decided to go ahead of the group to prepare you for their arrival.”

  “What about Evelyn? And Oona and Ella?”