by Alice Wade
Talon
By
Alice Wade
Eternal Press
A division of Damnation Books, LLC.
P.O. Box 3931
Santa Rosa, CA 95402-9998
www.eternalpress.biz
Talon
by Alice Wade
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61572-658-5
Print ISBN: 978-1-61572-659-2
Cover art by: Dawné Dominique
Edited by: Kim Richards
Copyright 2012 Alice Wade
Printed in the United States of America
Worldwide Electronic & Digital Rights
1st North American, Australian and UK Print Rights
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any form, including digital and electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the Publisher, except for brief quotes for use in reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
For all the readers who have been there with me from the start—you’ve kept me going. For all the friends who supported me when I was not sure I could continue, you are my inspiration. But mostly, I dedicate this to my family who waited for me to come back to Earth after falling off into the different lands I wrote. I love you. Without you, none of this would be possible.
A Special thanks to the amazing support and forum reviews provided from the Guild. Without your feedback and thorough eyes, my stories would not be complete. A special thanks to two individuals in particular who spent valuable time as a sounding board for my crazy ideas—Jaz Cullen, for being my kindred spirit and Adam for his calming perspective that was my stability.
Chapter One
The wall exploded as Dace Veridan ran through the courtyard in his frantic attempt to escape the palace guards. Twenty armed men with swords and crossbows flowed through the hole and into the space where Dace had just been.
He was gone now. After ducking down a side alley, he slipped into the hidden entrance to the secret passageways that only those familiar with the darker side of the castle knew existed. Heavily armored feet tromped past his hiding spot, as Dace held both his body and breath still in an effort not to alert the guards of his location.
Relief flooded through him as the sounds faded and disappeared down the alley. He allowed a small smile to lift his lips as he celebrated that he had done it! In his hand and pockets, he now carried enough coin and jewelry to feed his entire starving rag-tag group of thirty people.
From high up in the rafters, a dark shape observed the outcome of his adventure curiously. He had been watching this man, this Dace Veridan, rob the rich blind for the past week. As he became bolder, it made the observer wonder if he were an asset or hindrance. Watching the skill as he easily avoided the palace guards, he leaned more towards asset and began to think through how he could use this man to his benefit.
The watcher in the shadows reflected on the current circumstances, because he and his mate had been tracking the chaos left in the wake of a renegade group of men; men who left carnage in their trail. That led them here, to King Ondre and his pathetic castle with its weak occupants. Sniffing the air, the watcher moved on to track this Dace man through the city using his heartbeat as his guide, a beacon directing him to his hidden location in the city.
Looking out over the city from this height, the poverty of the people was clearly visible. King Ondre bled them dry with taxes and fees for years. The watcher snorted in disgust, for if he mapped it all together he would pay a gold crown to confirm that it started with the arrival of the Dûr Falas three years past.
Since their arrival, the ransacking and abuse the people was evident. Hundreds of families were torn apart as family members were divided and shipped off to different locations, never to see each other again. A growl vibrated the night as that realization settled on his awareness. One way or another, this would end soon. Looking around the rooftops, the watcher scanned the silhouettes of the buildings.
Where is Kailani? He thought to himself, as he reached far with his senses, searching.
* * * *
Dace shook his head, loosening his shaggy dark hair in wonder that he had gotten away. He looked down the alley and back the other way before he chanced moving. He recalled the disappointment on his master’s face when he left his blacksmith apprenticeship to fight against the evil that plagued the city’s people.
“Now look at me,” he muttered before he sank down to the cobbles, “Nothing but a common thief.”
Dace knew the alternatives. He knew if he’d followed his master’s orders and waited this out, he would be no different than the hundreds of families that had been shattered by their crown. He would be dead, and he knew it. Just days after his disobeying his master’s orders, the guards came for him, dragging him away in chains. That could have been me, Dace thought.
Instead of waiting as his master asked, he had personally decided to take matters into his own hands. He figured that becoming a thief and stealing back what was rightfully the peoples’ was better than waiting for a certain death.
As he became more ingrained in the criminal arts, he encountered others like him and fell into the role of their leader. Now he was responsible for thirty people, ranging from young to old, all desperate but possessing an iron will to live. Thinking of the inhabitants back in his new home, he smiled at the vexed look his stolen bounty would bring. One man in particular taunted Dace at every chance, and this would be one victory to prove Ian wrong. They could fight back and Dace showed them how.
This last job was a bit tricky. Dace tempted fate by stealing from the one man who had caused all their woes to begin with—he robbed the Crown. Knowing he could never get into the king’s chamber, he stole from Princess Deandra, a woman known to frivolously leave her treasures lying about, unprotected, thinking her space secure. She could not have been more wrong.
Tonight, he stole not the family heirlooms, for those would be recognized, but instead took her smaller pieces of jewelry. What landed in his satchel were those items of function that could be melted down and the stones sold separately. Dace had also come across a purse full of gold coins, which he decided needed a new home. He patted his pocket as a reminder of his success.
All in all, he currently held enough money to feed them for a few months, which in itself should give a little peace to those who were getting twitchy and beginning to complain. Not to mention, it should silence the complaints a few of the older ones who claimed he was too young or not smart enough to get them out of their current situation.
The majority of the group turned to him and often sought him out to solve their problems. This wasn’t what he wanted, but someone had to fill this role and frankly he was the best at it. He offered order, trust, and camaraderie. Dace tolerated absolutely no fights, and under no circumstances would there be any stealing amongst themselves. He demanded obedience and received it. They followed his word and his rules, thus their little existence was tolerable.
Except when they began to starve and the seeds of doubt were sowed, like now. He needed this money to show them they could and would take back what was theirs and one day live free and unbeaten again. His goal was to discover what had turned their king so violent three years back, and destroy that influence once and for all. This land needed to be liberated from that tyranny, but it would not happen overnight. No, that would take time and money. Today was the first demonstr
ation that he could get them into and out of the palace without being caught. Today was a victory which would give his people hope that they could fight back.
Dace shook his head, loosening his shaggy dark hair in wonder that he had gotten away. He looked down the alley and back the other way before he chanced moving. He wasn’t one to rush anything, so he sat back against the wall and waited.
“Damn,” he shuddered as a bone chilling cold wafted over him, sending shivers down his spine and causing Dace to look around him trying to find the source. He suddenly felt like he was being hunted by something other than the guards. He squinted when he thought he saw something move in the shadows. What was that? he thought. A sound of iron clad feet forced him back against the wall to wait.
That cold dread washed over him again causing Dace to look up into the shadows. Nothing was there and he released a breath filled with tension because he still felt as if he were being hunted not just watched. This was a complication he didn’t need at the moment for all he wanted was to get home. Dace chose to ignore the sensation before he looked to make sure his way was clear before he headed out.
* * * *
From high up in the rafters, a dark shape observed the outcome of the adventure curiously, for Talon had been watching this Dace Veridan, rob the rich blind for the past week. As Dace became bolder in his actions, Talon considered if he were an asset or hindrance. After tonight, he leaned more towards asset because Dace easily evaded those guards. Could he do that again?
Talon absently scratched his emerging beard, wondering how he could use Dace to accomplish what he and Kailani came here over a month ago to do.
What they lacked were more able bodies to be able to track their prey effectively without being seen. Dace fit the requirements, as well as some of his people. With more eyes, Talon would be able to learn what was really happening at this castle and bring a halt to it.
He dusted his hands and shifted to a more comfortable position. Dace hadn’t moved yet and Talon wanted to see what he did next. When more guards passed by his concealed location, he growled—more out of frustration than anything—for needing this man’s cunning abilities. He wasn’t arrogant enough to say he didn’t need help.
For the past two centuries, he and his mate were tracking the chaos left in the wake of a rogue group of vampires called the Dûr Falas; creatures who left carnage in their trail. Talon cleansed each location they found, destroyed the rogues and moved on to the next. That led them here, to King Ondre and his pathetic human occupants. This was the largest infestation they’d stumbled into, and found the city in their grasp. With the sheer size, Talon accepted he couldn’t do this alone. There were just too many of them. He needed more eyes.
Hearing a shuffling sound from below forced his attention to the scene below him. Realizing he’d lost track of the man, Talon sniffed the air and prepared to track Dace through the city using one thing. After watching him for weeks, Dace’s heartbeat was like a beacon guiding Talon to his hidden location.
He gave the city below a last curious glance. Poverty and despair were both clearly visible. Dark shapes slunk through the dirty streets with dejected movements and the moans of sorrow drifted out of open windows. It was everywhere, right down to the mangy dogs that riffled through the roughage in the alleyways.
King Ondre had bled them. Based on the desolation and despair he saw his with his naked eye, Talon would pay a gold crown that it started with the arrival of the Dûr Falas three years past. It was their trademark, just on a larger scale here. Families were torn apart as more able family members were sent to the dungeons or prison mines to work off debt. Others went missing with no explained source. That left a wake of despair and it hung in the air like a toxic cloud.
He’d failed them all. Talon growled. These people suffered because of his inability to trap the leader Kaen and put an end to the Dûr Falas. He and Kailani only succeeded in putting a dent in their number, but that would change now. In this castle, Talon felt optimistic he could succeed for one reason only the leader of the Dûr Falas was here. If he could kill Kaen, the Dûr Falas would fall apart.
Looking around the rooftops, Talon scanned the silhouettes of the building, searching with his mind. He cast his senses wide, sweeping the area for any sign of his mate. It had been at least a week since he last had contact with her and the trails he’d followed went cold. He knew in his heart she’d been captured. The fact he couldn’t find her or find any concrete clues was getting frustrating.
Where are you my love? He angrily thought to himself and he reached far with his senses, searching once more to pick up her trail. Nothing. Talon’s lips pulled downward, and he frowned.
* * * *
Leaving his hiding spot, Dace made his way back to the group deep within the underbelly of the castle by ducking down alleyways or scaling fences. He located the drainage pipe that led to the underground tunnels used for water transfer and sewage removal. This was their home now. A few of the tunnels were unused and forgotten, so Dace claimed them as his own. They now had a shantytown thrown together with tarps, sheets, lean-tos, and anything else that could be used as cover and it filled the largest of the vacant tunnels.
The small village was protected by sentries and triggers that would alert them of any intruders. He’d made absolutely sure it was secured before he set up camp here and smiled as he approached. He saw the sentry at attention and paused. He squatted on a ledge high above admiring what lay below him, feeling a sense of pride.
Organized rows of lean-tos stretched down either side of the wide tunnel. Each structure had personal touches to make it feel more like home. Flower pots that held dried flowers, stepping stones that led to the door flap, baskets filled with gourds and squashes, or hand painted décor that made their pathetic space feel bright. All of it brought life to this dank tunnel, and all of it reminded them daily to keep fighting.
It was late afternoon and many of the families were preparing dinner on the outdoor fire pit before their homes. Sounds filtered up to Dace of screaming children as they darted through what they considered the street, playing. He heard friendly banter, an occasional reprimand from a parent to a child or laughter that echoed through the enclosed space. It feels alive, he thought to himself. Dace took a deep breath and remembered that fact. They were alive and this was their life for now. Dace vowed to change that soon, however. He’d been saving a huge portion of his bounty to make all of their lives better. As agreed by group consensus, they wanted to purchase a building above ground and live like respectable people again. Dace had a surprise regarding this, but he wasn’t ready to share. For now, he swallowed a lump in his throat out of pride and hopped down to the floor. He was finally home.
He crossed the boundary and gave the whistle announcing his arrival to grant him access.
“Dace! You’re back!” the sentry called. “How did it go?”
The sentry was a skinny kid, just over eighteen years old and had not found his full height yet. He was scrawny, pock faced, and dirty. Dace demanded that the entire group of renegades wash at least once a day to keep the vermin down, but Jaras’s long, greasy hair announced he had not yet done that act.
“We’ll be eating for a month.” He was met with a huge smile that broke Jara’s face in two.
A loud whooping holler echoed through the tunnel, bringing people out of their tents or looking up from their chores. “Dace?” a woman’s voice called as Lainey jogged over to meet him. His breath caught each time he saw her, especially now when she wore that curious expression on her pixy face.
Dace smiled at her very innocently and full of enthusiasm. “I did it. I made it in and out without being caught. I knew that entrance was still there and unguarded,” he said as the small, lean woman entered his embrace.
Lainey had joined them over a year ago and soon after found his bed. They were close, sharing everything and denyi
ng nothing. He had never thought to fall in love, if that is what they had. He had never told her those words out of fear, but he needed her, craved her, and sought out her thoughts and advice first above all others.
“I knew you would. Were you chased?” Lainey leaned her head back, tossing her black curls about. She looked into his sparkling hazel eyes, then quickly over his shoulder. “Or followed?”
“I was, but I got ahead of them at the tunnel entrance and slipped past.” He wiggled free from her arms, “I have something to show you,” he winked as he pulled items out of his pockets to present to her within his open palms.
Ruby, sapphire, diamond rings, pendants, earrings, and necklaces all glinted in the torchlight. There was enough here to take care of them if they were thrifty and didn’t overspend. Dace cocked his head as her shaking hand caressed the items displayed. Lainey was in charge of their coffer and kept their stores stocked. Dace knew this was enough to make a difference. It also brought them hope, something he caught the glint of in her eye as she evaluated and measured each piece carefully. No doubt she was categorizing what each trinket would buy them. It wasn’t much but the hope he read there was enough.
Unbidden tears fell from her eyes as she looked from what was in his hands to his face before reaching out a tentative hand to take a few of the items. “Is this for real?” What he held in his hand was a small fortune, enough to save the group from a slow death and give them the hope they so desperately needed.
“There are more. I found this as well.” He plopped the bag of gold coins in her hand. “Think that will help too?” He smiled wide flashing his straight teeth.
Lainey looked at the bag, hefted it a few times and met his smile. “I think I can do a few things with that too. Come, I was making the last of our food into stew, so it should be ready just about now.” Lainey snaked her arm though his and pulled him towards their shelter, comprised of boards and brick and giving the couple a small, intimate spot that they could call home.