Void Born

by R. J. Metcalf

  And his mother and Francene hadn’t had any breakthroughs on their political attempts to free Andre. The sands of time were slipping away.

  “Did Jade tell you that Ben’s pistol needs to be fixed?” Zak interrupted, leaning over the table to look at the empty water sack. “The glass tank broke.”

  Weston’s eyebrows shot up. “That was fast. I didn’t think it’d break so quickly.” He pulled a pad of paper out from the shelf under the desk and made a note to make a new tank or a bag for Ben’s pistol. “Does he still have it?”

  “The pistol? I think so?” Zak’s shirt stretched in the shoulders as he twisted to look at Briar. Weston followed Zak’s gaze, biting back jealousy. Jade wasn’t a shallow woman. Zak’s physique wouldn’t be the only factor in her decision to choose the Monomi over him. But maybe he should listen to Niles for once, and spend more time in the training arena than in the workshop.

  Briar shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I was unconscious.” His eyes narrowed, and his tone turned bitter. “Useless then, useless now.”

  “You aren’t useless. You’re a valuable part of our family crew, and you’ll be out of that chair in no time.” Zak’s voice was mild, as if this was a conversation they’d had before.

  Weston fiddled with a wire on the workbench, not saying anything as he scanned the room for Pistoia’s purple hair or Jade’s red curls. Even if the trio were in their own little world, having them here would help to break the awkwardness that swirled like icy wind in their conversation. He glanced sideways at Briar. “So, you and Krista, right? Planning to marry her someday?”

  Briar’s face mottled, and Weston’s breath seized in his lungs. Why had he asked that? Why had he brought up anything remotely related to weddings? He cast a desperate look across the room, but Pistoia had her side to Weston, pointing at something in a cupboard, Jade and Krista clearly enraptured. There would be no help digging himself out of this one.

  “Sorry, that was a bad question. I shouldn’t have asked,” Weston tried, staring at the ground by Briar’s boot.

  “I’d wanted to,” Briar stated, his voice soft and cold, like freshly fallen snow. “And I’d planned to propose, until everything happened.” He rubbed at his stump, and his voice dropped, barely audible over the noise in the shop. “Nothing like a brush of death to realize that waiting is a bad idea, when we aren’t guaranteed another second.” He winced. “But I wasn’t sure Krista would still want me, now that I’m not whole, and,” Briar glanced up at Zak, his dark eyes full of pity, “the timing just hasn’t worked yet. Not with family losses and other engagements. And now all Krista’s talk of weddings is how they’re stupid, unnecessary, and unwanted.”

  Weston winced. “I wasn’t involved in the decision of that, but I’m still sorry.”

  Briar scrubbed his left palm over his chin. “I know.” He dropped his hand and fixed Weston with a level look. “It doesn’t change anything right now.” He sighed. “But forgiven, for what it’s worth.”

  “Will you really let her go, if it comes down to it at the altar?” Zak’s question froze the blood in Weston’s veins.

  He dared to raise his eyes from the wheels of Briar’s chair and look at Zak. “If she doesn’t want to marry me at such a time, then yes.” The words tasted sour in Weston’s mouth and he smacked his lips, wishing for a mint leaf. “I care for her. And I’m willing to do whatever is needed to preserve what happiness I can for her.”

  Zak’s jaw clenched, then eased. A confident smirk crossed Zak’s face. “She’ll never choose you.”

  “I know,” he replied softly. Jade drew Weston’s gaze like a magnet, and he watched her laugh alongside Krista, the light granting depth to the highlights in her hair and shading her body in the best of ways. Only a tragedy beyond the scope of his imagination would have a chance at changing her mind. She’d never be his. And the knowledge hurt. She wanted Zak, not him. And while Weston would do everything he could to protect their people, he’d also strive to protect her from his father. Somehow. And without turning into his father. Weston looked back at Zak. “We all have our own roles in this. I know mine.”

  “Oh? And what is it?” Zak leaned a hip against the workbench, his eyebrow raised.

  “To be the stepping stone to get her ...to get her to where she needs to be.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Ben

  Ben paced, undisturbed by the rain and wind shaking the window by him. Maybe the storm would keep Adonis away, and they’d skip today’s round of interviews.

  A hand brushed his shoulder, hesitant and yet sure, and he knew it was Raine before he even turned. She’d likely been outside, under the patio again, as he could feel the damp cold that clung to her skin as she leaned against him, peering over his shoulder.

  Something had shifted in their dynamic since yesterday—posing as a couple—and as much as it thrilled Ben, it also ate at his insides. He’d have to find a way to let her know that he couldn’t be anything more than a friend to her. Just as there was a barrier around southern Terrene, there was a barrier between them. She deserved more than a Void Born. And he’d eventually have to go home.

  “No sign of them yet?”

  He shook his head, careful to not dislodge her hand. He wasn’t ready to push her away. “Not like I can really see out there.”

  “True.” She sighed and moved away, sitting cross-legged on a cushion that cast a sickly hue over her skin. “Hopefully this storm will prevent Lucio from doing anything, too.”

  “I’d had the same thought.” Ben sat across from her. “I can’t imagine crossing over to the island with the winds like this, and I’m hoping they’re having the same concern.”

  Someone pounded on the door, and Ben and Raine both jumped to their feet. Her gaze found his, and he could easily imagine the uncertain glimmer in her eyes being reflected in his. Ezekial strode to the door and opened it, allowing Adonis to enter.

  The corporal produced an overflowing basket of food from under his dripping wet oil-slicked cape and handed it to the tall sage. “We filled as much as we could in here for the day, and we’ll send another basket back after the interviews. It’s only going to get harder to go out in a few hours, and we’d rather avoid having to make food deliveries then.” He touched a hand to his sword hilt and scanned over the few that had gathered in the entryway. “Is everyone here, then?” He pulled a paper from his pocket. “Before we go, you need to know something. Emperor Ezran is considering waiting until after the leaders’ summit to finish this business.” His eyes hardened as he looked at Finn. “We have plenty of new questions for today in regards to your missing friend.”

  Raine sucked in a breath beside Ben, and he felt the impact of Adonis’s words in his gut. The summit was still a few weeks away. There was no way they could wait until after.

  Ezekial stepped forward, his glare hot enough to melt metal. “We can’t wait that long,” he snarled. “Does anyone in this town understand that time is of the essence? The barrier could be down the moment this storm is over, because you’re not letting us get to the keystone! For all we know, Lucio is already there, and the barrier has already fallen!”

  Adonis glared up at Ezekial, his words hard and cold. “I am well aware of what is at stake, man. And I am also aware that some rules need to be followed, if one wants freedom to do what is needed. And your friend leaving yesterday didn’t help your case.” He dropped the pack off his shoulder and roughly pulled out ponchos. “I’m still taking those of you on the list in for questioning. Get these on, we’re going.”

  Finn reached past Ezekial to take a handful, giving one to Serena and one to Maggie, before handing another to Roska. Finn walked over to Raine as he slipped his own oiled cloth over his head.

  Ezekial donned his poncho, and it reached him mid-thigh, versus the ankle-length that everyone else wore. Michael guffawed, his laughter echoing in the hall.

  “What do we do now, Papa?” Raine whispered, her eyes wide. “If he waits that long—”


  Finn took advantage of the distraction Michael was providing, reaching out and squeezing both of her hands while making eye contact with Ben. “We’ll figure it out as we go,” he replied lowly. “And we’ll hope for the best. Maybe I can convince Ezran to see reason.”

  “And if not, what then?” Ben asked, grateful that Maggie had joined in the teasing, continuing to provide them with the necessary white noise to block their conversation from Adonis. “What if someone slips up, and they imprison you lot while over there?”

  Finn’s face smoothed of all concern until he was completely expressionless, with only lines of determination around his eyes. “Then you do whatever you need to do to get to that island and make sure it’s secure.”

  A heavy weight filled Ben’s chest and he nodded. There was too much at stake for them to falter now.

  “Time to go.” Adonis cracked open the door and glanced outside. “Each of you walk with a guard. They’re here to escort you and to make sure no one else runs off.”

  Adonis stood back and motioned, checking everyone off the list as they passed by out the door. He followed Finn out, and the wind slammed the door with a window-rattling thud.

  Helplessness flooded through Ben. Should they wait to see if Finn’s group came back at the end of the day? Should they try to escape in the storm? A flash of lightning lit up the sky, momentarily revealing their crew and escorts as they hastened back to the palace. Then darkness replaced the light and thunder shook the house. Nope. It’d be best to stay indoors during lightning. Going out on open water during this wouldn’t be the best and brightest of their ideas to date. He knuckled his forehead.

  “I’ll wait till dinner time,” Raine said in the quiet, to no one in particular. “And if Papa isn’t back, I’m going out there.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Ben replied automatically. He didn’t smile at Raine, but he softened the frustration in his tone. “We won’t leave our own. And we won’t wait any longer.”

  ***

  Time slowed to a crawl, and there was only so much pacing Ben could do before he went mad. Not even an hour had passed since the group had left, and already his nerves sang with the need to do something. And if he was this tense, how was Raine faring?

  It took all of five minutes to find her sequestered away in the corner of the room that she’d been sharing with Serena and Maggie, barely visible from the doorway, polishing her sword. Ben approached her cautiously, amused to note just how clean Raine and Serena kept their sleeping mats, everything stowed away in a bag already as if expecting to flee at any moment, while Maggie’s belongings had been carefully arranged and stacked in neat piles around her mat. Raine’s eyes flicked up to him, then back to her blade. He hesitated, then sat next to her, his back against the cool wall.

  “Preparing?” He crossed his arms and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. He was unsure of what to expect from her. Attempting to be calm was probably the best bet at getting a read on how she was doing, let alone figuring out if there was anything he could do to help her right now.

  Raine ran a stone down the length of her sword and sighed. “I can’t just sit around and do nothing.”

  “I hear ya.” Ben handed her the oiled cloth between them, and she accepted it with a silent nod and twitch of her mouth. “All this time and I’ve never asked. Why swords?”

  This time she did smile, a slight bitter twist to her lips. “Papa.” She settled the weapon on her lap and tilted her head, eyes distant with memory. “I wasn’t good at much of anything. I don’t have the skill for gardening like him, nor do I have a passion for herbology like him.” She faltered. “I—I don’t have the gift for healing and magic, either. He wanted me to have something I could do that I would enjoy, and something that I could use for defense, when necessary.”

  “So you started sword fighting? As a little girl?”

  Raine laughed lightly and ran her fingers over the grip of her sword. “Indeed. It was something I could practice even if we were moving around. And it’s a good defense against people getting too close.”

  Ben regarded the inches between their arms, but she didn’t seem to notice. “But there are times where you can get separated from your sword, whether on purpose, or not,” he pointed out. “What do you do about defense then? You sometimes watch, but never join in when we’re wrestling.”

  Raine’s gaze dropped and she sheathed her sword, setting it on the other side of her. She pulled her knees up to her chest, revealing the black leggings she wore under her long-sleeved tunic. “I’m not comfortable with hand-to-hand combat like that, no.” She lifted a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug and shot him a subdued look. “I didn’t have anyone that I could train with, let alone someone I’d trust to get that close.”

  Ben chewed on her words for a moment. They’d already been in one situation together where she’d been separated from her sword, and who knew what the future held. “Do you trust me?”

  She looked at him from the corner of her eye and pressed her lips into a line before nodding. “Yes.”

  “Good.” Ben pressed against the wall and turned, grabbing her hand and hauling her to her feet. “Then you need to learn some basics, for those times that you don’t have a sword.”

  “Here? Now?” A surprised laugh burst from her, breaking some of the tension visible in her shoulders. “When we don’t know when we’re going to—”

  “There’s no time like the present,” Ben interrupted, firm. “We don’t know what’s going to happen today, tomorrow, or next week. Who knows when we’ll have a chance for this? This is important to know.”

  “Fine.” Raine settled into a stance, holding her fists to her chin. “Now what?”

  “First, loosen your fingers.” Ben tapped her white knuckles lightly. “This tight is asking for trouble later. Also—” He swept his leg into hers, and she toppled to the floor with an oath. “We need to work on your stance. It’s slightly different from sword fighting.”

  He moved from one basic form to the next, and Raine listened well, asking questions when needed, and applying herself with diligence to each instruction. The chill in the room faded to a warmth similar to the gym that Ben had frequented during basic training—slightly stuffy, with the scent of sweat and determination in the air.

  After a few moves on their feet, they moved to the ground. Practicing choke holds, pins, and escape. While Ben had sparred with Raine on countless occasions, this was different. Every move involved some sort of bodily contact, and it was starting to dig under his skin, every touch reverberating along his nerves. He’d initiated this to teach her what she needed to know. And he was going to see that job done. Then he’d go run some laps in the cold rain outside.

  He tightened his hold, steadying his breath. Raine twisted her neck, protecting her windpipe. Good. She jabbed a sharp elbow into his side, and he grunted at the pain but didn’t loosen his grip. She struggled another moment, then tapped the thinly woven rug beneath her, and Ben instantly released his arm bar on her neck. “Now you see what I mean about getting your hand up as fast as possible? It’d help give you some leverage, or, at the very least, help protect your ability to breathe.”

  She sat up and rubbed at her throat, eyes narrowed. “Could you break someone’s neck with that move?”

  Ben couldn’t stop the small smirk. Of course she’d ask something like that. “You’d have to add a twist to it, and a ton of strength, but it’s possible. Do you want to try again and see if you can break out of it on your own this time?”

  She considered, then shook her head, loose strands from her braid shifting with the movement. “How do I escape if . . .” She hesitated, and her shoulders hunched as she turned her face away, avoiding eye contact. “If I’m pinned by someone who intends to rape me?”

  Ben’s heart stuttered at her soft words. He’d been trying to figure out how to bring that up without being awkward about it, and if she wanted to be the one to mention it first, he’d run with it. This was the most import
ant thing she could learn, if she was ever without a weapon and there were no allies around for her. “Still trust me?”

  Whatever hesitation she may have had earlier was gone, replaced with a fire in her eyes and a grim air that made his muscles tremble. She flashed him a tight smile. “Show me.”

  “First, I’ll show you the move as if I’m the victim and you’re the assailant, then we’ll reverse and you try to throw me off.” Ben waited for her to nod, then he fell on his back and set his feet against the floor, knees bent. He gestured. “On your knees, sit on me.” The second the words left his mouth, Ben closed his eyes and prayed that she’d mistake the flush in his face as something from their exertion, and not from any other double meaning. It had been easy enough to teach this to Sara. Teaching it to Raine, when he was attracted to her, was a totally different matter.

  A faint rosy hue settled on Raine’s cheeks, but she narrowed her eyes and tossed a leg over him, settling in place. She waved a hand awkwardly. “Where should I put my arms?”

  Ben swallowed convulsively and grabbed her wrists, pulling her down close, settling her splayed hands on either side of his face. “If you’re trying to subdue someone, you’re going to want to use your body weight to keep someone pinned in place, and if you can use your elbows or hands to attack the face and keep them distracted, all the better.” He shot her a quick grin. “But we’ll avoid the punches and pain right now.”

  She nodded, and the motion sent the tip of her braid to tickle his cheek. “Right.” Her eyelashes fluttered, then she dropped her weight, pinning his lower body. “And how do you break out of this?”

  His entire body lit up like a live wire the moment she fell on him. Oh, sweet—time to finish this. Fast. “You dislodge.” He bucked his hips, and Raine fell forward with a slight shriek. “Then push.” He pressed just above her knee on her thigh while scooting back on his side. “And roll.” He grabbed her shoulder and used his legs to flip them over, pinning her down. “Then you beat the crud out of whoever thought it would be a good idea to get this close to you, and you run like hell.”