The Dreg Trilogy Omnibus

by Bethany Hoeflich

  Kya spat on the ground by Mara’s feet. “Evelyn died the moment that brand touched her skin. Her heart gave out.”

  Mara’s mouth dropped open in shock. “I’m so sorry.”

  “She’d still be alive if it weren’t for you.” Her face contorted into in a sneer and her words twisted like a knife in Mara’s gut. “But you just had to meddle with things you don’t understand.”

  Ethan snapped, “Hold your tongue. It’s hardly Mara’s fault that Cadmus is depraved beyond reason. Taking your grief out on her does nothing to help the situation.”

  Mara blinked back tears. She hadn’t known Evelyn long, but she had been nothing but kind and loving. Her loss was a devastating blow. Mara peered around Ethan to see how Ruby was taking the news. She and Evelyn had been the best of friends in their youth. With a serene smile on her face, Ruby tapped her feet on the floor and swayed slightly in her seat as though she were listening to music. Maybe it was better if she didn’t understand what was happened.

  Kya shot one last venomous look at Mara before skulking to the side of the room.

  Mikkal cleared his throat. “Oona stayed behind to spy, and she’ll send a message as soon as she can. Isaac knows everything now, but he can’t do anything without compromising himself. Not with his father so invested in seeing you dead.”

  “And Ella?” Alex asked hopefully.

  Mikkal shook his head. “She decided to stay in the outer rings to care for the Gifted unwilling or unable to travel. She wishes you well but says this isn’t her fight.”

  Alex’s face fell, and Mara’s heart broke for him. If they were still alive after all this was over, maybe he could find her again.

  Wynn, who had stayed quiet the whole time, gestured to Kya. “Come here. Let me see it.”

  “See what?” Kya’s face hardened, and her fists clenched. Then she hissed between her teeth and grabbed her arm.

  “Ya were saying?” Wynn arched an eyebrow at her. Kya reluctantly approached Wynn and pulled her tunic off her shoulder to expose the red, puckered skin. “Healer?”

  Oliver stepped forward and examined the mark. He held his hands over it, channeling his healing energy into the burned skin. After a minute, he stepped back and shook his head. “The damage goes too deep. Maybe with a team of five or six Healers we might be able to reduce the scarring, but with so many wounded, we can’t afford to use our Gifts on cosmetic injuries.”

  Kya looked like she was about to cry, but Wynn nodded. “Ethan, do ya have something that can help?”

  “I think so. She’ll always have a scar, but I have a cream that will help ease the pain.”

  “Good. Go get it,” Wynn ordered. Ethan dipped his head then stood and left the room. Wynn regarded Kya with cold pity. “Look at me.”

  She kept her face turned away.

  “Look at me!”

  Finally, Kya dragged her gaze up and looked at Wynn—Wynn, who was covered in scars given to her by the Order. “They don’t define ya. Sure, the Order gave ya a scar.” She gestured to her own face. “They gave me thousands. So what? Do ya think I let it stop me? They might have marked yer outsides for life, but that doesn’t change who ya are on the inside. That’s what matters.”

  Wynn marched over to Mara and plucked the brand from her hands. She waved it in the air to emphasize her point. “They think this is a mark of shame, but I say it’s a mark of strength. Who knows more about what it’s like to keep on living when the world’s doing its best to kill ya than dregs? The Order made a mistake when it created us, and now we’ll show them what true strength looks like. It will be the last thing they see before they die.” Wynn crossed the room to the fireplace and plunged the brand into the hot coals. Firelight danced across her face, bathing it in swirls of orange and red. She braced her hand against the mantle and took a deep breath as though she was struggling with her emotions.

  The clan watched in heavy silence. Most weren’t aware that Wynn had been a dreg most of her life. Not only had she been left to die by her parents, but when the Order discovered her relationship with a disciple, they had murdered her entire family and unborn baby. Though it had almost broken her, she refused to give up. Wynn was a survivor, and Mara was awed by her strength.

  Ethan slipped back into the room and made his way to Kya. She kept her gaze glued to the floor as he rubbed the cream on her damaged skin.

  Wynn pulled the branding iron out of the fire. The tip glowed white-hot.

  “Let’s see them face us now. They say they’re going to kill any Gifted who’s marked? Let them try.” She reached up and ripped the sleeve off her tunic. Without hesitation, she pressed the iron to her own arm. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, but she didn’t so much as scream even though Mara was certain she was in agony. After a few seconds, she ripped the brand away. The smell of cooked meat filled the room and one of the Lingatians gagged. The Healer approached her, but Wynn waved him away. She looked down at the new brand dispassionately before addressing the Gifted in the room. “All of ya need to make a choice. I’ve heard about the petty squabbling and worthless fighting. Save it for the Order. I know it can be hard to put the past behind ya—I spent my whole life living in bitterness and resentment—but if ya can’t put yer differences aside and come together, ya might as well leave now. Who’s with me?”

  For a moment, no one so much as breathed. Then one by one, the Lingatians stepped forward and bared their arms to accept the brand. Mara’s heart swelled at the sign of support for their Warlord.

  Only a handful of Gifted left, unable or unwilling to join the clan. The guards let them go with no resistance.

  Finally, Mara stepped forward. “You are the craziest person I’ve ever met.”

  “Thank ya.” Wynn held up the brand and arched her eyebrow. “Ya sure ya want to do this?”

  “I do.” Mara took a deep breath and pulled the sleeve of her tunic down to expose her arm. She closed her eyes as Wynn pressed it to her arm. She screamed as the heat seared down to her bone and her teeth chattered. Then it was gone. Oliver stepped forward and waved his hand over the new brand, cooling the pain to a tolerable level.

  Wynn gripped Mara’s other shoulder. “Now, let’s kill Cadmus once and for all.”

  “With pleasure.”

  29

  One thousand Gifted from Merrowhaven arrived the next day. Mara welcomed them at the gate before they were taken to their new homes within the fortress. It was getting crowded, but Mara was grateful for the new additions. She couldn’t say the same for Alex who was struggling to mediate the fights and disagreements between the Gifted of Esterwyn and the Lingatians.

  Not wanting to waste time, Mikkal set up a training schedule to prepare everyone for the fight against the Order. After the devastating losses they’d suffered trying to destroy the bases, Wynn refused to send her clan out on raids. Instead, they would focus on a final assault at Order Headquarters itself. It made sense, but Mara couldn’t deny the thought made her sick. Win or lose, it would be over soon, and she could only hope that her Gifted would prevail.

  A few days later, Mara found Mikkal instructing a group of Armises in the courtyard.

  Mara watched as they manifested and banished their glowing weapons with ease before partnering up to spar. Mikkal made minor adjustments to their stances then stood back to let them fight. He crossed his arms, feet shoulder-width apart. She nodded her head at the fighters. “Think they’ll be ready in time?”

  “They’re not perfect, but they can hold their own.” His hand twitched toward the hilt of his sword like he was itching to join in.

  “How long?”

  Mikkal paused, thinking over her question. “Six months.”

  Mara shook her head. “We can’t wait that long.”

  Northern Lingate was in ruin. The Order’s attacks had left few unscathed and evacuees showed up at Orgate by the droves. Wynn had ordered her Saxums to begin constructing new homes in the hive. Until then, the Gifted had to sleep in make-shift shelters
scattered throughout the crater. Mara expected the hive residents to protest being forced to play host to the violent clansmen they so desperately wanted to avoid, but so far, things had been peaceful. Maybe the clans were so grateful to be safe that they wouldn’t stir up trouble.

  Mikkal barked out instructions to an Armis whose grip was questionable then turned to Mara and said, “Maybe not, but you can’t afford to take barely-trained Gifted against hardened disciples. Cadmus will crush you.”

  “What do you suggest?” Mara asked, unable to keep the frustration from her voice.

  “Two months at double the training sessions. We can’t march north until the snow melts anyway, so that should give us enough time.”

  “I hope so.” Mara glanced around the courtyard. One of the Armises swept the legs out from the other and pushed him to the ground. “It doesn’t seem like enough.”

  “They’re doing the best they can,” Mikkal said, tight-lipped. “It’s not like we’ve been well-equipped.”

  “I don’t mean to offend you.”

  He sighed. “I know you don’t. I guess nothing but a fully-trained army of fifty-thousand strong would feel like enough.”

  “Isn’t that the truth.”

  “Numbers aren’t everything. Despite being outnumbered, a well-trained force will win a battle nine times out of ten.”

  Mara threw her hands up in the air. “Then we’re definitely going to lose. The Order has greater numbers and they’re better prepared.”

  “Jameson! Get your head out of your butt and focus! If this was a real fight, you’re dead!” Mikkal stomped over to the Armis and yanked him out of his sparring match. He set him up with a different partner and motioned for them to fight. Once Mikkal appeared satisfied with the new matchup he returned to Mara and said, “At least you have some allies. Do you think Tregydar would lend support?”

  “I wouldn’t count on it. We haven’t heard from Halder since we left. He probably has them holed up in the caves until this whole mess blows over.” Halder had been instrumental in Mara’s training. As a fellow Impriga, he had unique insight in how her Gift worked and how she could best use it. Having him fight by her side against the Order, especially now that Cadmus had an Impriga of his own, could change everything. But that was if he was willing to come south. She doubted he’d leave his people for anything. She took a deep breath and sighed. “At least we have Kearar. Wynn sent an Avem to let Tomar know we’re preparing for war. That should give him enough time to prepare his Gifted.”

  Mikkal scratched his beard. “Unless he stabs you in the back.”

  “That’s always a risk. We just have to hope that he’ll remember what we did for Tamil and keep his promise.”

  “It’s still worth a shot to send word to Tregydar. What could it hurt?”

  Mara turned to leave, and a thought crossed her mind. “Hey, have you seen Kya?”

  “Saw her slip out of the fortress this morning. Why?”

  “What!” Her eyes slid to the gate. It wasn’t safe for a dreg to wander off alone in Lingate, especially not while the Order was busy ravaging the north. “Where is she going?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t think she’s coming back. She had a pack bursting with supplies.”

  Mara’s heart dropped. She’d hoped the girl would work through her grief and resentment and choose to stay, but maybe being around Mara made that impossible. She silently wished for her to stay safe. “I’m sorry to hear it. I’ll see you later.”

  “Mara?” Mikkal said. Something in his voice made her pause. “You can’t save everyone.”

  “No, but I can try.”

  She left the courtyard and headed down the tunnel leading into the hive where Ruby had been assigned a house on the ground level. She needed to talk to Ethan, and there was a good chance she’d find him there. Over the past few days, he’d created an elixir to help restore Ruby’s mind. According to Ethan, it was an adaptation of a recipe he’d come across in Merrowhaven. It wasn’t perfect, but Mara could already see an improvement in the elderly Seer. Her periods of lucidity stretched to almost an hour now. Ethan loved sitting with her, learning about his grandmother and the grandfather he’d never had a chance to meet.

  Arianna leaned against the wall at the entrance of the hive. Her face was a mask of revulsion as she watched the new arrivals line up for food with wooden bowls clutched in their hands. When she spotted Mara, she straightened and crossed her arms. Her lip curled. “Come to see the crazy lady again?”

  Mara’s hands curled into fists, and it took all her willpower not to punch the princess in the face. “Don’t call her that. Besides, I don’t see how it’s any business of yours.”

  “You’re wasting time. We could have been to Crystalmoor and back by now, but you and that traitorous Shield are too busy playing soldiers to care.”

  “You made a deal with the Warlord, not me. If you don’t like it, take it up with her.” Mara tried to walk around her, but Arianna blocked her path. Her irritation spiked, and her Gift flared to life.

  Arianna’s eyes flickered to the sparks dancing along Mara’s arms. If she was scared, she didn’t show it, but she did take a step back. “I made the deal before I realized she was planning on dragging us on a suicide mission. Besides, it’s not like she’ll see me.”

  Maybe it was because she made everyone miserable. Retracting her Gift, Mara put one hand on her hip and pointed down the tunnel with the other. “Then leave. No one’s forcing you to stay.”

  She scoffed. “And where would I go? It’s not like I have a lot of options.”

  “Then stop complaining. Your brother went through far more than you and he handled it far better.”

  Arianna’s eyes bored into hers and her nostrils flared. “Figures you’d take his side.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? I know him. I don’t know you.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. You didn’t know him—you knew a character.” Her face twisted into something cruel that matched her mocking voice. She let out a harsh laugh. “Silvano loves to pretend, and one of his favorite pastimes is fooling people into thinking he’s a decent person. He spent his whole adolescence masquerading as a drunken womanizer and for what, so we would believe he had no ambition? He’s been aiming for Miestryri since he was a child.”

  “Gee, I wonder why. It couldn’t possibly be because he’s the oldest, right? It must be some sinister plot to keep the second born from her rightful place.” Mara tried to walk around, but Arianna grabbed her arm and wrenched her back.

  She pulled her close and hissed through clenched teeth. “The sea would have never chosen him. He’s nothing but a filthy dreg.”

  “You have two seconds to remove your hand before I remove it for you,” Mara said evenly. “It’s a wonder you didn’t ally with the Order, considering your beliefs seem to align closely with theirs.”

  For once, Arianna was shocked speechless. Mara dusted her sleeve and brushed past her.

  “Oh, and Arianna?” Mara paused and looked over her shoulder. “Do you know how you kill a chicken? You cut off his head. Sure, the body might flail around for a while, but it eventually dies. Maybe you should think about that before you criticize Wynn’s plan.”

  Before she could respond, Mara turned her back and hurried into the hive. She ducked behind a building and took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. That was too close. Did she like the princess from Crystalmoor? Absolutely not. Did she have permission to pummel her into the dust and potentially start another war? Also no. But like it or not, Arianna was Wynn’s ally, and if Mara wanted to avoid a confrontation. She resolved to stay out of her way for now.

  Mara circled the building and peeked around the corner, letting out a sigh of relief when she saw that Arianna was gone. She waved to a few Lingatians she recognized before ducking inside Ruby’s house. The homes within the hive were surprisingly spacious. Each had one or two rooms depending on the size of the family. The curtained ‘door’ opened inch to a cozy living space. The
walls were carved to create built-in stone counters, storage space, and a volcanic oven and cooktop. Ethan and Ruby sat next to each other on a raised cushion. The temperate was toasty, but Ruby had a blanket wrapped around her and a mug of something hot in her hands. She spotted Mara and gave her a warm smile. She patted the cushion next to her. “Come sit, child.”

  Mara blinked, impressed by how far she’d come along over the past few days. Ethan’s elixir was borderline miraculous. She recovered quickly and returned the smile. “You sound like Evelyn now.”

  Ruby laughed. “She and I should have been the twins, that’s the truth.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “It was her time. I’m proud of the good she did with the time she had, and I’m sure I’ll see her again in the next life.”

  “Ruby . . .” Mara hesitated. She reached out tentatively and rested a hand on the Seer’s bony shoulder. “I don’t know if someone told you, but I think you should know about Opal. She—”

  Ethan’s eyes widened, and he shook his head.

  “I know she’s gone, child. No need to hide it in order to protect me.”

  Ethan stood and adjusted his tunic. He leaned forward and kissed Mara on the cheek. “I’ll make you something to drink.”

  Mara smiled. “Thank you.”

  Ruby’s eyes danced as she watched them. “I’m happy for you both. So much like my Marcus and me when we were younger.”

  “Marcus was Cadmus’s father?” She regretted the question the instant she asked it as Ruby’s face fell. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I know you didn’t, child. Reliving the past can be a hard thing when you’ve made as many mistakes as I have.” She dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. “I regret every day that I didn’t raise Cadmus myself. Marcus was a Magi, and I convinced myself that our child would do better if he were raised by his father. I guess it’s proof that not even a Seer knows everything, but how could anyone look into that wee babe’s face and predict the evil he would become?”