“You’re all right,” Rigan said, slowly lowering his sword. Corran did the same, holding his hands out to the side to signal that he posed no threat.
“Rigan?” Aiden slumped, and the blue light faded. “Thank the gods.” A bloody gash marred his face above his left eye. “Glad you’re both safe,” he said. “Kell?”
Rigan shook his head miserably. “He didn’t make it.” “I’m sorry.”
At that moment, the woman stirred, and when she sat up, Rigan felt his breath catch in his throat.
“Elinor?”
She startled at his voice, blinked as if she could not be sure of what she saw, and then sagged against Aiden with a relieved smile on her face. “Rigan. You’re safe.”
“I’m alive. I’m not at all sure any of us are safe. We need to get out of here, and then you can tell me what happened. Are you hurt? Can you move?”
“Yeah. The distraction spell kept us from being noticed, but it messes with your head, makes it harder to tell how much time has passed. I think we were under longer than I intended—long enough that it started to wear off, if you saw us.”
Corran gave Aiden a hand up, while Rigan helped Elinor to her feet. Aiden glanced at the fresh blood and bruises marring the brothers’ faces. “You both look like shit.”
“Like Rigan said, let’s get out of here, and then we can trade stories,” Corran replied.
“And go where?” Rigan asked. “I don’t know anywhere else to find shelter Below.”
“I do.”
They turned to Elinor.
“I wasn’t staying with the witches,” she said. “I just came here to train. I’ve got a place we can go.”
“We’ve got others with us,” Corran warned. “Hunters.” He could see the questions in Elinor’s eyes, and expected to have the invitation withdrawn. But to his surprise, she just shrugged.
“Then it’ll be a tight fit. Come on.”
Elinor led the way.
They found the rest of the hunters waiting in the entry hall, and a whispered, heated argument died at the sound of their approaching footsteps. Calfon was angry, and both Mir and Trent looked like they were moments from taking a swing at him. The others watched in silence.
“We can’t stay here,” Corran said, cutting off their questions. “But Elinor’s got somewhere safe we can go.”
“Safe? This was supposed to be safe,” Calfon challenged. “And when were you going to tell us that your brother’s a witch?”
Corran stepped forward, putting himself between Calfon and Rigan. Behind him, Aiden stepped up to stand shoulder to shoulder with Rigan, as did Elinor. “It wasn’t hunter business,” Corran replied, his voice a low growl. “Now we’re getting to safety, with or without you. Either head for the door, or get out of the way.”
For a moment, Calfon and Corran stood toe to toe, and Corran braced to defend himself. Finally, Calfon stepped back with a muttered curse. “You’d better be right about this, Valmonde.”
Elinor led them through the quiet streets with Aiden beside her. They stayed in the shadows, mindful that whoever had attacked the witches was still at large. Corran remained beside his brother, ready to support him if his strength finally gave out. Rigan kept going, tight-lipped and grim-faced. The hunters surrounded them, half in front, half following behind, weapons hidden but at the ready.
Twists and turns took them through the narrow passages. By now, they were far from the witches’ house and the main market, in a less inhabited part of Below. They followed Elinor to an apartment a few steps below the street. A lantern glowed behind the shutters. Elinor motioned for them to stay back as she approached the door and rapped out a pattern on the wood.
“You’ll be the death of me, Elinor!” Polly said, opening the door. “Where in the name of the gods have you been?”
Elinor managed a wan smile. “It’s a long story. And I brought friends.”
Polly looked up, frowning as she recognized faces from Above, her gaze coming to rest on Corran and Rigan. “Well, don’t just stand there,” she said, hands on her hips. “Come in. But you’d best plan to find your own food, because I’m not cooking for the lot of you.”
Rigan collapsed just inside the doorway, and Corran caught him, breaking his fall. Aiden pushed forward, helping him ease his brother to the floor.
“Get him into the back room,” Elinor said, motioning for them to follow her. Corran and Aiden carried Rigan into the back.
The dim lantern light revealed two cots and the meager personal items Elinor and Polly managed to bring with them when they fled. Corran and Aiden settled Rigan onto one of the cots. Voices sounded in the other room; Polly sounded like she was giving the hunters a stern warning about minding their manners.
“What do you need?” Elinor asked.
Aiden rattled off a list of herbs. “I’ll also need hot water to make tea and mix a poultice.”
“Can you help him?” Corran asked.
Aiden frowned, skimming a hand above Rigan’s body. “I’ll do what I can. I’ve used a lot of power just keeping Elinor and me alive.”
“I’ll be back in a moment to help,” Elinor promised, then fled to gather the items Aiden had requested. Aiden turned his attention back to Rigan. Corran slid down the wall in the corner to sit on the floor, out of the way, feeling utterly helpless.
Aiden took a deep breath and let it out. “You don’t really know me. You don’t completely trust me. But I am trying to do the best I can for your brother, and I need to know what magic he’s done in the last day.”
“We found our brother, Kell. He’d been mauled by a monster. We killed the monster.”
“With magic?”
Corran shook his head. “No. The old fashioned way. I’m a hunter. Rigan’s good with a blade; comes with the business.”
“And then?”
Corran ran a hand across his eyes. He could do with another shot of whiskey, or even a cup of coffee, anything to keep him on his feet. “There were guards hiding in the back of the warehouse. They were drunk and they came after us. They taunted us about the way they killed the prisoners and used the monster to cover it up. I killed two of them. Rigan... killed the third.”
“Magic?”
“Yeah. There was this glow, the soldier started bleeding, and then he died.”
Aiden cursed under his breath. “Anything else?”
“Rigan called a flame to his palm, so we didn’t have to use a lantern.”
“Minor magic, not too much of a drain. There had to be more.”
Corran swallowed. “We got Kell back to the shop. Rigan and I prepared the… prepared Kell for burial.” His voice broke, and he looked up at Aiden defiantly. “We were both took it pretty hard. I said that I was sorry we hadn’t had the chance to say goodbye, and Rigan did something with his grave magic, and the next moment Kell’s ghost was standing by the table. It was really him.” Tears streaked down Corran’s cheeks, and he brushed them away with the back of his hand.
“How in the name of the gods did Rigan know how to call to the dead?”
“We banish restless spirits. It’s part of what undertakers do. But Rigan found out how to summon the ghosts. He’s been able to hear their confessions for months now, ever since our mother died.”
Aiden cursed again. “And?”
Retelling what happened made Corran realize just how much magic Rigan had used. A cold fear started in the pit of his stomach. “We went to the cemetery. We were both pretty broken up, and we were talking about making someone pay. We’d seen a priest perform a ritual a few weeks ago—”
“You didn’t—”
“We prayed to Eshtamon, and sold him our souls.”
Aiden went utterly still, and Corran knew a storm was brewing. A faint, blue glow limned the man’s outline, then winked away. Do witches glow when they’re angry? Rigan glowed when he killed that guard.
I have the feeling we’re in deep shit.
“And then what?” The healer’s voice sounded tight.
“We barely got back to the shop for me to patch Rigan up, when Mir—one of the hunters—came to warn us. So Rigan brought us Below.” Corran paused. “We didn’t have a choice. If we had stayed, we’d be dead by now. How bad—”
“He’s not already dead, so there’s a chance he’ll pull through,” Aiden replied.
“Dead?”
“He hasn’t told you much about his magic, has he?”
Corran shook his head, still numb. Dead. No, not dead. Please, no.
Aiden turned back to the cot, and his hands moved over Rigan’s body, glowing with faint blue light. “Magic done properly draws from the power of the universe around us,” Aiden said. “Done wrong, it burns you up from inside. Rigan has the potential to become a powerful witch, but that takes years of training. Native talent alone will get you killed.” He shook his head. “The last time Rigan channeled so much power, it almost killed him. What you’re telling me—I don’t understand how he made it here.”
“Eshtamon.”
“What?”
“When we made the bargain, Eshtamon called us his champions. He said I’d be hard to kill. And he promised to add to Rigan’s magic.”
Aiden turned to stare at him. “You didn’t just do a ritual or see a figure. An Elder God actually talked to you?”
Given the way the night had gone, Corran hadn’t considered that remarkable until right now. “I just thought we did the working right.”
Aiden cursed. “Well, that explains why he’s not dead. It doesn’t guarantee that there was no harm done.”
Elinor returned with a tray holding all of the items Aiden requested. She knelt on the other side of Rigan’s cot. Aiden gave quiet commands and Elinor did what he requested. Rigan lay quiet and still. Corran watched them work, his chest tight with fear. I’m absolutely useless. My brother is dying, and I’m useless. Elinor responded efficiently to everything the healer requested, but Corran could see her biting her lip hard enough that it bled. She’s the one Rigan was courting. She really is a witch. If he had any doubts about whether or not she cares for him, I think the answer is right there.
Corran looked up as someone sat down beside him. Polly had been feisty and sure of herself when they got to the house; now, she looked older and worn. Her eyes were red with tears she was too stubborn to shed, at least, not in public. “Mir told me about Kell,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“He liked you a lot,” Corran said, hearing his voice hitch and looking away as he squeezed his eyes shut.
“I liked him, too.” Pain made her voice raw. “How’s Rigan?”
Corran shrugged. “Not good.”
“I figured.” She was sitting close enough that their shoulders touched, but she made no move to comfort him; just being there was enough. After what seemed like forever, Aiden turned to them.
“Elinor and I have done everything we can,” the healer said. “He’s a little stronger, but he’s been badly drained. Let him sleep. In the morning, once I’ve rested, I’ll do more.”
Corran nodded. “Thank you. I’ll sit with him.”
Aidan barked a laugh. “Beggin’ your pardon, but you don’t look much better.”
“Take my cot,” Polly offered. “I’d better go check on the others before they cause a mess. Don’t think I’ll be sleeping much tonight.” With that, she climbed to her feet, brushed off her skirt, and headed into the next room.
Aiden stood, and Corran realized how wan and pale the healer looked, as if tending to his brother had sapped all of his remaining strength. “I need to find a quiet corner and get some sleep. You could use some, too.” He followed Polly into the front room, where Corran could hear the hunters conversing in low voices.
Elinor still knelt beside Rigan, holding his hand. She smoothed a lock of hair out of his face before she realized that Corran was watching her.
“It’s all right,” Corran said. “He’d like that.”
Elinor blushed and looked away. “I’m glad you got out, and I’m sorry about Kell. Was it the monsters?”
Corran shook his head. “Monsters and guards.” He swallowed hard. “Thanks for letting us stay.” Belatedly, he realized he was covered in blood and grave dirt. I look like a brigand, or worse.
Elinor shook her head. “Nice to see faces from home. I don’t know what happened, but if you’re down here, it must be bad.”
“It was.”
“You know, there’s no one living in the back rooms. They’ll need some tidying up, but we’re away from any of the main thoroughfares. No one bothers us here. You could do worse for a hideout.”
Hideout. Not far from the truth. The hunters were wanted criminals; the Valmonde brothers had attracted the wrong kind of attention. “I’ll tell the others,” Corran said.
“Polly can get you something to eat.”
Corran shook his head. “I don’t think I could keep anything down— not with everything that’s happened.”
“Then get some sleep. I’ll sit with Rigan. If anything changes, I’ll wake you right away.”
Corran wanted to argue, but his body gave him little choice. He stretched out on the cot and fell asleep, too exhausted to dream.
* * *
BEING UNDERGROUND AND in perpetual night took some getting used to. Corran woke with a start, fighting down panic in the unfamiliar room. A half-shuttered lantern kept them from complete darkness. A moment later, his memories caught up to him, and he looked over to where his brother lay. “Rigan?” he asked quietly, crossing to kneel beside his cot.
Color had returned to Rigan’s face, and his chest rose and fell steadily. Lank hair, damp with sweat, fell across his gaunt face; shadows darkened his eyes. Corran felt for a pulse, and closed his eyes, thanking the gods, as he felt a steady beat beneath his fingertips. That was close. Too close.
Aiden and Elinor were gone, leaving Corran alone with his brother. He placed one hand around Rigan’s, and gently pushed the hair back from his face with the other. “Please don’t leave,” Corran begged quietly. “I can’t lose both of you. Aiden’s done all he can. It’s up to you now. I know you’re tired”—his voice broke and he blinked back tears—“but I can’t do this without you. Please, fight the darkness. It’s too soon for you to go to the After. Too soon for you to leave. Please, Rigan. I need you. I can’t do this alone.”
Corran slumped down next to the bed, resting his forehead on the mattress, fingers still twined with Rigan’s. He must have fallen asleep, because he did not hear Aiden’s approach.
“He’s looking better.” The healer’s voice startled Corran awake. “I’ll work on him some more. He’ll be all right.”
“Thank you.”
“Glad I could help. There were so many I couldn’t save.”
Corran remembered the bodies at the witches’ house, and Rigan’s conviction that someone had betrayed them. “What happ—?”
Aiden shook his head. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather wait until Rigan can join the conversation. I’m not sure, right now, I could get through it myself, and I’d rather not do it twice.”
“Fair enough.”
“I’ll stay with him,” Aiden offered. “Go get something to eat. Your hunter friends have been asking for you.”
Corran rose and moved stiffly toward the adjacent room. Mir, Calfon, and the others looked up as he entered.
“Is Rigan all right?” Trent asked.
“Aiden says so. He looks better.” He sat between Trent and Mir. Polly brought through a tray of bread and honey; adequate provisions given that they had not been expected.
Beyond the light, the darkness seemed thicker than before. The circle of lantern light barely reached all of the hunters. “How did you know to warn us?” Corran asked Mir.
Illir, Ross, Ellis, and Tomor sat in silence, still stunned at their sudden change in fortunes. Dilin, Calfon, and Trent stood near the windows and faced the door to the street, on watch.
“Calfon warned me,” Mir replied. “He was just getting hom
e when he saw guards heading to the lamp shop.”
“If I had been a few minutes later, I’d probably be dead. I saw the guards heading up the street, so I hung back. They were arguing with my father. I heard my name and I ran,” Calfon said.
“Did they—” Corran started, and had to stop to steady his voice. “Did they burn the shop?”
“Is that what happened to you?” Calfon asked, staring at Corran in horror. “Gods, no! At least, not that I saw.” He looked stricken. “Do you think they will?”
Corran shrugged. “I don’t know. Didn’t expect them to burn our place, but they did.”
“The Guild is going to have a fit,” Ross said.
“They’ll disavow us,” Trent replied. “Like they did Bant and Pav and Jott. And if our families are smart, they’ll go along with it. No reason for them to pay for our mistakes.”
“They never brought Pav and the others for burial.” The hunters all turned to look at Corran. “I had hoped that, them being Guild, the Mayor would make an exception. But he didn’t. And Rigan and I couldn’t retrieve the bodies, not without questions being asked on why we were coming to bury three ‘traitors.’”
“You did the right thing,” Trent said, clapping a hand on Corran’s shoulder.
Then why doesn’t it feel that way?
“I don’t like this, staying Below…” Calfon looked worried, and Corran saw his hand resting on his knife.
“Do you have a better idea?” Corran met his gaze. “Elinor said there are enough empty rooms. We could move in, have a place to stay while we figure out what to do next.” He forced himself to drink some of the tea Polly had set out for them, and to choke down a piece of bread, though he was still too worried and grief-stricken to be hungry.
“How’s Rigan?” Mir asked.
“He pushed himself too hard. I just came through to make sure you were all right. I’ll go back to him in a moment.”
“We’re on the run, there are probably bounties on our heads, we’re hiding Below,” Mir replied. “I’m not sure any of that counts as ‘all right.’”
“It’s got to be better than where we were,” Trent said.
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