Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1)

by Kylie Griffin

  Still, six thousand warriors weren’t a lot.

  “Kalan, the Na’Hord number almost fifteen thousand.” She kept her voice low so only he could hear her. “If my father ordered every Na’Reish male young and old to bear arms that number could easily be increased to twenty-five thousand.”

  His jaw tightened. “We knew their Na’Hord outnumbered us but it seems we’ve underestimated their strength. That information needs to be passed on to the Council.” His gaze met hers. “Thank you.”

  Annika nodded as they entered a large, cobblestoned court. Guild Square. From behind the southern line of buildings, drifting on the evening breeze, she heard the faint strains of music, the only sign of life other than the watch in the sleeping city.

  She shot a swift glance at Kalan. He walked head held high even though dark shadows ringed his eyes. He was home, safe, in familiar territory. She tugged at her hood, more aware than ever of the stark differences in their worlds.

  Sacred Lake had watchmen. No Patrols or Vorc enforcing a nightly curfew. The slave quarters within the Na’Reish fortress were locked from sunset to sunrise and any blood-slaves kept within Clan homes were chained to the hearth so they couldn’t escape. Here, people were free to walk the streets.

  “This is the Lady’s Gate.” Kalan’s soft statement drew her from her thoughts. “We’ve reached the Light Blade compound.”

  Their escort spoke to the warrior on duty and they passed with a minimum of fuss. A series of buildings were scattered around the compound, all built in a similar style to the stone structures within the Business District. They crossed an open parade ground.

  Peering at a thin building to their left, Annika wondered why it was the only one where some of the windows glowed with light. Shadows of people passed the windows. She was on the verge of asking Kalan what that place was but then bit her lip. There would be time for questions later.

  “I’ll take my leave here, Commander.” The young warrior halted at the edge of the parade ground. He handed over the lantern. “Sleep well.”

  Kalan nodded and the man headed back toward the gate. “Your eyes are a deep violet, Annika,” he murmured as he steered her along a wide pathway bordered with a garden on one side and a formal arrangement of monoliths that stood at even intervals on the other.

  “I’m curious.” She waved a hand at the standing stones. “This is so different to the fortress. You have stone gardens inside your keep. Plants grow in boxes on the sills of some of the buildings. There was even a forest of trees on one of the streets with a small statue sitting in a pool of water. There’s nothing like this in the Na’Reish fortress.”

  His soft chuckle carried on the night air. “There’s more, but if I begin telling you we’ll be up for the remaining hours of the night.”

  “I’m sorry.” The garden pathway led them to a three-story building. He motioned her through an open doorway. “My questions can wait until morning.”

  They walked through long corridors and climbed flights of stairs until they reached the third level. Annika smothered a jaw-popping yawn as they reached the end of yet another corridor.

  “We’re nearly there.” A weary smile curved Kalan’s lips. He stopped in front of another door, pushed it open, then ushered her into a large room reminiscent of her father’s inner chamber. But that was where the similarity ended. While her father preferred lavish surroundings, the best of everything to remind others of his status, this chamber was decorated simply.

  Kalan left her by the door as he went around lighting braziers on the walls of the chamber and a stand full of candles, each as thick as her arm. Light filled the room and her eyes widened when she saw the intricate rug beneath her feet. Geometric circles in shades of blue patterned the weave. She stepped off it, afraid she’d mark it with the dirt on her boots.

  “You live here?” she asked as Kalan lit the wood stacked in the great fireplace to her left. The crackling of tinder and scent of burning wood was soothing.

  “Most of the time.” He dusted his hands. “During the warmer months I tend to spend more time on the training grounds with my warriors than here.”

  “Do all Light Blades live in chambers like this? Is that why there are so many buildings in the compound?”

  Shields and weapons hung on the walls, a variety of chests were pushed up against the walls, and a large table with high-backed chairs sat in the middle of the room.

  “Most live in the Barracks. Being the… commander comes with certain privileges.” His hesitation made her wonder why he’d faltered mid-statement. He gestured at two smaller wooden doorways on the wall opposite her. “My bedroom is on the left. The other used to be my sister’s, until she became a Handmaiden at the Temple. I don’t think she’d mind it being yours for a while.”

  Annika edged her way around the rug to stand in front of the fire, sighing as she felt the warming air. An open archway on the last wall of the room showed her smaller chamber shrouded in darkness. She was tempted to wander over and look in but she hadn’t been invited yet.

  “It’s a bathing room.”

  She jerked in surprise and discovered Kalan watching her, a grin curving his lips. She pushed back the hood of her cloak. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

  He motioned to a third door. “That opens onto a balcony overlooking the gardens.” Grimacing, he ran a hand through his hair. “Annika, I don’t want to leave you alone. We need to talk. There’s something very important I have to tell you that I couldn’t before, but I’d like to visit my sister. She’ll have worried during my absence.”

  “Then go.” She raised an eyebrow as Kalan hesitated. The deep frown and uncertain expression he wore made her wonder what would take precedence over reuniting with his sister. “We can talk later. I promise not to leave the room on one condition.” She glanced longingly toward the archway. “May I bathe?”

  Kalan’s somber expression lightened. He pointed to a chest near the archway. “Bath cloths and cleansing sand are in there.” He disappeared into his room a moment then came out holding a small bundle of linen. “Wear one of my shirts. I’ll ask Kymora to bring some clothes tomorrow. Are you sure you’ll be all right here by yourself?”

  With a smile, Annika took the bundle off him. “Once in that bathing room, I’ll hardly know you’re gone.”

  “Hedonist,” he accused her with a chuckle as he headed for the door.

  Despite her reassurances, she felt his absence immediately. Her smile faded. The hollow sensation inside her went heart-deep. Unwilling to dwell on the problem, she focused on collecting what she needed for her bath.

  After lighting more braziers within the room, she turned and her jaw dropped. She’d expected a wooden tub or maybe a basin and jug—not a tiled pool big enough to fit four people and deep enough that it would submerge most of her when she sat down. It was already filled with steaming water. Bending down to examine the mosaic on the bottom of it, she watched the water ripple and undulate and heard the faint sound of it splashing into something beneath the floor.

  Her eyes widened. It was piped through the buildings? Not even her father had such luxury. Kalan hadn’t been joking when he’d said he liked to bathe.

  Eager to try it out, Annika stripped and slid into the water, groaning as its warmth touched her skin. She was tempted to lie back and float but a series of eye-watering yawns dissuaded that idea. More likely than not she’d probably fall asleep mid-float.

  Reaching for the jar of cleansing sand she washed quickly, starting with her hair and working her way down her body. She enjoyed its creamy texture as she smoothed it over her skin. As the foaming sand heated its fresh, light scent filled the room. With the water constantly circulating, it had little chance to cloud or get dirty.

  Too soon she was finished. Reluctantly, she left the pool. The sensation of being clean for the first time in days was a pleasure she’d not forget anytime soon.

  A hollow, wooden thud, much like the sound of a door being flung open in the outer chamber
made her start. Snatching up the shirt, she slid into it, fingers fumbling with the laces.

  “Kalan!”

  Annika froze. The deep voice was unfamiliar. Bootsteps clicked on the flagstone floor, heading toward the bathing room.

  “Kalan? It’s me… Arek. Are you in there?” A tall man about the same age as Kalan appeared in the archway. “Yevni told me—”

  The man drew to a halt, surprise flitting across his clean-shaven face as he spotted her standing beside the pool. The armor covering his chest bore the sun symbol of the Lady. Did She bless all her warriors with such striking looks?

  At first glance, the warrior’s hair was dark blond but when she looked closer it was made of a number of colors; light yellow, red, brown, even a few strands of pale gold. It was brushed back from his chiseled facial features and tied at the nape of his neck. His eyes were a deep blue, much like the sky as twilight approached, but there was nothing soft about them.

  A cold sliver of fear sliced through Annika. Lady of Mercy, her cloak lay underneath the pile of dirty clothes. His eyes darkened. He’d seen her body markings.

  “Na’Reish!” His snarl lifted the hairs on her neck. His gaze bore into her, hard and merciless. Dangerous. Lethal. With a cry, he leapt across the distance separating them.

  Heart pounding, Annika flung the jar of cleansing sand in the warrior’s direction. The granules sprayed through the air, blinding him and giving her enough time to dart around to the other side of the pool. She heard the jar shatter against the floor as she ran through the archway.

  If she could just make it to Kalan’s room and close the door… his hand grasped her shoulder. She cried out in frustration and fright as she was swung around. A forearm slammed against her chest and pinned her against the wall. Instinct brought her knee up in a move she’d practiced with Kalan but the man twisted, his hard muscled, leather-clad thigh taking the blow. He grimaced.

  Candlelight flashed off metal. A blade pressed against her throat. She sensed a sudden rush of power. Dark satisfaction burned in the man’s blue-eyed gaze.

  “Now you die!”

  Chapter 14

  SIX Light Blade warriors.

  Varian heard Lisella suck in a sharp breath as Zaune’s hand signals alerted them to what lay just over the ridge. A stone’s throw away, the young scout lay flat on his stomach, barely noticeable, in the shadows of a bush perched on the rock ledge.

  His hands gestured again. Coming west.

  Toward the line of Na’Chi traversing the slope behind them.

  Breath hissed out from between Varian’s teeth. Why had he insisted on traveling before dark? Because they’d fallen behind Annika and he’d wanted to make up time. What a stupid, stupid decision. Risking all their lives should never have taken precedence over their safety.

  He scanned the steep hillside. A few bushes. A half-dozen stunted trees. Even fewer boulders. He grimaced at the lack of cover to hide behind as the warriors went by. Backtracking was an option but he doubted they’d have time to erase their tracks. The Light Blades would top the ridge in less than a quarter hour.

  “What are we going to do?” Lisella’s whisper barely reached his ears. “There’s nowhere to hide.”

  “Get the group to crouch low and keep the children quiet.” He caught Zaune’s eye and motioned the scout back. “I need Barvi and Leanna.”

  Fear flashed across her face. “You’re not going to kill the humans?”

  “No.” Her hasty assumption made him smile. “Something even better.” His smile widened into a grin. “How good do you think humans are at running?”

  Lisella stared at him as if he’d lost his mind, then her eyes flickered with comprehension. She slithered down the hillside to fetch the two scouts he’d requested. He waited with Zaune until they’d returned and quickly outlined his plan to them.

  “Lisella, stay with the others.” He was expecting her frown.

  “I’m just as fast as you.”

  “If something goes wrong, you’ll be in charge of leading this group to the city and to Annika.” Her mouth tightened but she gave a nod. “Once we lead the Light Blades away, head for Zaune’s last marker. Push hard and you’ll close the gap to a day behind Annika. If we don’t meet you there in two hours, go on without us.”

  “Be careful.”

  “Always.” With that, he and the other scouts followed the ridgeline. The late afternoon sun was at their backs and they kept below the edge until they were well away from the group. With only the scent of the humans to guide them, they worked their way along the ridge until they reached a ravine that intersected the well-worn trail.

  Zaune crawled up the short slope, peered along the trail then dropped back down. His fingers moved swiftly. Four males, two females. Still advancing.

  Varian glanced at each of them. They must follow us. Ready? He received three nods. Now!

  They all scrambled from the ravine onto the path. Varian almost laughed as the humans came face-to-face with him and his scouts. Their astonished expressions were remarkable. For the longest moment they all stood watching one another, barely a stone’s throw apart then he threw back his head and uttered a Na’Hord war cry.

  “They’re Na’Reish!”

  Adrenaline surged through him as the Light Blade warriors charged. Two even drew their weapons. Several heartbeats later he gave a sharp nod to the others and they all took off running.

  Varian split off from the trail and headed downhill. Behind him, he heard boots scrambling over rocks. He swerved around a tree and caught sight of two warriors pursuing him. Another leap and he was into the shadow thrown by the hill. Sunset was minutes away.

  Farther along the trail, he heard several cries then Zaune’s voice shouting at his pursuers.

  Darkness would be their ally.

  KALAN heard Annika’s cry when he was halfway along the corridor. The distressed sound ripped through him like a blade and he sprinted the remaining distance. The door to his quarters was wide open. Heart pounding, he took in the scene before him.

  He recognized the blond warrior who had Annika pinned against the wall of his chamber, his dagger digging into her throat. Her fingers clamped so tightly around Arek’s wrist they were bloodless. Every muscle in her body strained as she tried to stop him from slicing open her throat.

  “Stand down, Arek!”

  The warrior’s head jerked around to stare at him. “Kalan?”

  “Annika has my protection!”

  Shock flickered across his friend’s face. His lip curled. “She’s Na’Reish!”

  “She saved my life!” It was a relief Arek was even listening. He tended to act first and think later, especially where anything Na’Reish was concerned. “Let her go.”

  Disbelief flashed across Arek’s face. He glanced back at Annika, a frown creasing his brow. For the longest moment all Kalan could hear was the blood pounding in his head and the harsh rasp of all their breathing. He waited, hoping Annika wouldn’t panic or try to move, ready to surge forward if the blade pressed any deeper into her neck.

  Abruptly, Arek stepped back, but he placed himself directly between Kalan and Annika, shielding his comrade.

  Kalan let out a quiet sigh and placed a hand on his friend’s tense shoulder. “Thank you.” His fingers bit into thick muscle as he squeezed. “What are you doing here in my apartment?”

  “I ran into Yevni as I was coming off perimeter watch.”

  Annika remained motionless against the wall, held still by the very real threat of the dagger clutched in Arek’s hand and the fact he hadn’t taken his eyes off her. She was trembling. Vivid yellow flecked the violet depths of her gaze.

  “Annika, I need to speak with Arek.” The thin red line of blood on her neck stirred Kalan’s temper but he remained calm. “Go into my room and close the door.”

  Her nod brought a wince of pain. “I need my pouch. It’s on the table.”

  Arek scooped it up before she could move. He riffled through it, withdrew the sma
ll knife she used for cutting herbs, and tucked it into his belt. Then he tossed her the pouch. Annika took it without comment and retreated.

  Arek pivoted as the door closed and Kalan found himself in a backbreaking hug. “Lady of Mercy, Kalan, don’t you ever leave me sitting in that damned Council chamber in your stead when I should be at your side protecting you. You never would’ve been captured if I’d been with you on that visit to Durrat.”

  His friend’s anger was genuine but Kalan chuckled as he returned the hug. “It’s good to see you, too.”

  The man pinned him with a savage glare. If he’d been any other person, that look would have chilled him to his innards.

  “I’m still waiting to hear why you stopped me from killing that demon.” His hand flexed around the hilt of his dagger.

  Kalan sobered, knowing just how close Annika had come to death. If he’d arrived a minute later… he sighed softly and waved the warrior to the table. He wasn’t surprised when Arek sat in the closest chair facing his bedroom door and placed his dagger on the edge of the table.

  “I’m really tired, so I’m going to keep this short. Long explanations can wait until tomorrow. For now, you need to heed me and spread the word around the compound. Annika has my protection. Anyone who harms her will answer to me. She saved my life getting me out of that fortress. Twice.”

  “Why would a Na’Reish do that?”

  “She’s Na’Chi, not Na’Reish.”

  “A half-blood?” His brows pulled down low. “They’re a myth.”

  “Not anymore. She carries a Light Blade amulet. Her mother was one of us.”

  Arek listened as Kalan shared Annika’s story. When he finished, he leaned back in his chair and gave his friend time to absorb the facts. The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire.

  “She drinks blood. She has the strength of a Na’Reish warrior. She’s the Na’Rei’s daughter.” Arek ticked off the facts on his fingers. “She’s still a threat.”

  Kalan held back a sigh and rubbed tired eyes. He’d hoped for some understanding from Arek but wasn’t surprised by his lack of sympathy. Having lost both parents to the Na’Reish as a young baby, he harbored a deep, abiding hatred for demons. Being raised by his maternal grandfather, a man embittered by the tragedies, hadn’t helped.