A patter of rain came down, a few drops that turned into a downpour. Unsure what to think about what just happened, Evelyn held onto Rhett for another minute before letting go. Worried about Dragar and Minna, she wanted to go to each and assure herself they weren't dead. Everyone seemed to have some kind of wound, gimp or fresh bruise.
Unsure of the Fallen's intent, the bailey fell into stillness and silence—except for the rain—while they all tried to figure out the Fallen's next move as well as their own.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Christian drag Dragar to his feet. Unsteady and swaying, the head of the Templar Order was awake if appearing confused and out of sorts.
She glanced Minna's way.
Her sister stirred at Alexandra's urging. Another wave of relief swept through Evelyn. They were alive. The wounds they could deal with later.
Rhett retrieved his sword off the ground and stepped around Evelyn, putting himself between her and the Fallen with the arrows. He seemed unsteady for the first time, rain diluting the blood oozing from the scrapes on his face.
“You should go inside and find the Seal. There's one of him and at least three of us,” Rhett said. He spat a mouthful of bloody saliva on the ground.
He hadn't included his father into the number, she noticed, probably because he was still so wobbly on his feet.
She touched fingers to the back of Rhett's armor, both to reassure herself he was really unharmed and to keep contact between them.
“I'm not going inside until I understand what just happened,” she replied.
Evelyn still felt the thrum of adrenaline from the intense fighting and emotions that made her breath short in her throat. For a heart stopping moment, she'd thought she lost him. Not just him but everyone. Her own mortality hadn't really figured into the equation until now.
Across the bailey, the Fallen slung the bow over his shoulder and approached.
Rhett tightened his grip on the sword. “Looks like we're about to find out.”
†
In the few minutes he had until the Fallen reached them, Rhett worked to clear his mind. A haze from too many hits lingered in his head, skewing his perception. Gripping the sword, prepared to engage in another confrontation, he saw Dracht and Christian close in on the Fallen's flanks.
Rhett didn't know whether to be alarmed or not that the Fallen didn't so much as glance back. He couldn't figure out why this particular one had helped him; there was no mistaking his allegiance, not with the charcoal armor and the general sense of unease Rhett felt around him.
The Fallen stopped ten feet away.
“I am Khyamaeus,” he said by way of introduction.
This was the first to bother with names and conversation. Rhett didn't glance away from the man's face to try and gauge his brother's reactions. He couldn't recall one time that the enemy had ever come forth in the midst of fighting like this.
“Ky-ah-may-us,” Rhett repeated, taking care to pronounce it the exact way the Fallen gave it. “What do you want?”
“To help you.”
“While your brothers have tried to kill us. Forgive me my doubts about your true intentions.”
“If I wanted you dead, you would be,” Khyamaeus pointed out. His voice rumbled over the thunder. He seemed unaffected by the rain or the storm.
Rhett wouldn't insult either of them by feigning arrogance. “Yes, I believe so. It begs the question then—why haven't you?”
“It's complicated. In simple terms, I want to help you turn the tide back in your favor. I know why you're here, and what you already have in your possession. I can also tell you that none of you will succeed in collecting the rest of the Seals.”
“How can you know that for sure?” Rhett asked.
“Because I know my brothers. I know their plan. And, frankly speaking, you're not strong enough to fight them and win.”
“Funny, we overcame one of your brothers in Jerusalem,” Christian said.
Khyamaeus turned his chin toward his shoulder and cut a look back. “You were lucky. Today you would have been slaughtered. All of you. Even with my help there is no guarantee we'll prevail, but you'll have a much better chance.”
Rhett detected no mockery or boasting in Khyamaeus' answer. Only reasonable truth.
“I still don't understand why you want to help us,” he said.
Khyamaeus met Rhett's eyes. “I was once Guardian, we all were. If I do this, I may be accepted back into the ranks of protector instead of killer. Not all of us have enjoyed our Fallen status, despite what you may think.”
“How can we be sure you're not leading us straight into a trap?” Rhett asked. The motivation Khyamaeus provided was one of the more believable reasons he could wrap his mind around. He didn't know every single detail of the old war and maybe, just maybe, a few of the former Guardians thought they had been cast down unfairly.
“The fact that I have killed two of my brethren today assures that even if you do not accept my help, I will be hunted and taken out for my betrayal. There is no going back for me. I succeed in this, or I face death.”
Rhett stared up at the Fallen's eyes. He liked to think he was a good judge of people—except these weren't people precisely they were dealing with—and that he knew when someone was lying to his face. Khyamaeus spoke over the downpour with a matter-of-fact tone that didn't seem deceiving.
He glanced at Dracht and Christian. Dracht cocked his head in a I'd like to believe him, but damn!, kind of way. Christian shook his head, a subtle gesture of outright denial.
Dragar loomed up behind Christian and Rhett knew by the look on his father's face that he'd overheard it all. Even through the rain and sporadic cracks of thunder. He asked a question with his eyes and Dragar paused, then nodded ascent.
His father must have detected the same things Rhett had. Minna and Alexandra both appeared dubious and cautious. He couldn't see Evelyn and didn't want to take his eyes off Khyamaeus that long to turn and see her expression.
Rhett knew on an instinctive level that Khyamaeus was right. Maybe they were supposed to meet up with him, perhaps it was all part of the grand plan. Ashrael might have known they wouldn't win on their own, might have even guessed that Khyamaeus—or another—would seek to right a wrong this way.
Like a giant, holy game of chess, the pieces were positioning themselves for the final showdown. In the grand scheme of things, he and the Templars were pawns, if that.
Maybe, too, this was a test of their faith and decision making. If they were to become the Guardians over the Seals and the girls, Ashrael likely wanted proof they could handle the job.
Sometimes to win a war, a man had to adjust and accept change, flow with it, use it to his advantage.
Living was better than dying.
Too jaded to take Khyamaeus on his word alone, Rhett looked at all the angles; there were two dead Fallen behind him that gave credence to the tale; Khyamaeus could have easily killed him and his brothers; and the Fallen had betrayed his own, a fatal mistake in the arena of good against evil.
Inclined to believe Khyamaeus meant what he said, Rhett gave the Fallen a curt nod, sealing their fate. They didn't have the luxury of time to debate or hesitate. Every one of them would probably be dead right now if Khyamaeus hadn't done what he'd done. That deserved at least a beginning sliver of trust.
“What do you suggest we do next?” he asked.
“They have already broken the Sixth Seal. Within three days it will become too treacherous to move about the earth in the ways we need to, so that is the time frame we have to work with. Collect the Seal from the castle and we'll head to the next destination.”
“Where is the next destination?” Rhett asked. Evelyn still had the compass. She wouldn't be able to tell where the other Seals were until they found the one inside the castle anyway. That one would throw everything else off until they had it in their possession.
“China. We'll figure out a plan as we go.”
†
�
��You're not going in there alone,” Rhett said.
Evelyn stared up at his eyes. She made sure she had her dagger back in its sheath and the compass in her pocket. “I'll take Alexandra with me. I'd rather have you out here in case...well. Just in case.”
Rhett scowled. “I don't think it's a good idea for you and her to split off alone, without one of us.”
“What's going to happen? They're all dead, Rhett. The Seal is probably just inside somewhere. We'll be back out in a flash.” Evelyn didn't think she and Alex would have to go beyond a far ballroom or old kitchen to retrieve the Seal. The distance felt farther, but that was likely because she was outside and it was sequestered within the castle walls.
And she wanted to do this. In all the places she lacked with battle and warfare, retrieving the Seal while the Templars guarded the bailey was a task she could manage without trouble.
He stared down at her, displeasure writ all over his face. “I'm going to tell Dracht I'm coming with you and that's the end of it.”
“Rhett...”
“Evelyn. You're not going alone. I'll be right back.” He touched her face with his palm and stepped around her.
She understood his concern, it wasn't that. But his stubborn streak matched her own and after a quick glance at Alexandra, they started for the castle door. Evelyn didn't have to explain her thoughts to her sister. Alex knew exactly what was on her mind.
While Rhett had his back turned, they slipped inside.
Chapter Nine
“What do you think?” Alexandra asked Evelyn. Inside the castle, where the only light came from the strange storm illumination slanting through the windows, the girls passed through the foyer and into a main hall. The ceiling, arching and high, sported hand painted murals and intricate molding that acted as great frames for the artwork.
“I'm not sure what to think,” Evelyn said. Soaked from the deluge, her shoes made squeaking noises over the tile floor. The appearance of the Fallen and his apparent desire to lend them aid struck both true and suspicious for her. She was naturally wary of nearly everyone however, especially lately.
And who could blame her.
Brushing wet strands of hair out of her face, she followed the tug and pull of the compass through another hallway to a door. When she opened it, stone steps led down into what she assumed was a basement or perhaps part of a dungeon. It was too dark to see.
“Rhett seems to think we should trust him,” Alex said. She grabbed a candle off a table next to the wall and lit it with a long lighter laying next to it for that purpose.
There was a switch next to the door as well and Evelyn flipped it; overhead, on the ceiling of the stairwell, small lights flickered to life.
Alex snorted behind her and doused the flame.
“There's still power. Let's just hope the storm doesn't knock it out. Maybe you should bring that anyway.” Evelyn glanced over her shoulder before starting down the steps. The walls on either side were smooth under her palm.
“We're takin' the candle, we're not takin' the candle.” Alex snatched the candle and lighter up and followed behind Evelyn.
“I trust Rhett's judgment. It's not like we really have a choice. Are you sure you're all right?” Coming to a turn in the stairwell, Evelyn followed it to the left and down another flight. So far, the lights stayed on.
“I'm fine. Banged up but it's no worse than anyone else. I'll be better by tomorrow.” Alex made more noise than Evelyn coming down the stairs. Heavier footed, her shoes thumped on the stone.
“I'm worried about Rhett and Dragar. Minna looks pretty battered but I know she'll heal faster than they will,” Evelyn admitted.
“Dragar's worse than Rhett. Got his bell rung pretty good up there. I think he'll be all right though. Just have to keep pushin' on and hope we can get to the Seals in time.”
“Three days isn't very long.” The lights flickered when Evelyn came to the last step on the second flight. Just how far down did it go? She paused and waited for the power to stabilize.
“We have two Seals after we get this one and another's been broken. That's three out of seven. If they're too far apart, travel time alone is going to eat up a good chunk of each day.” Alex didn't sound happy about that.
“There's not really anything we can do about it other than hurry.” Another light switch sat on the wall to the right and Evelyn flipped it.
Light bloomed out over a basement with stone columns set around for support. It wasn't finished; no furniture had been brought down, no decorations hung on the rough cut walls. Whoever owned the castle hadn't bothered with the basement yet or preferred to leave it as it was.
Other corridors, darker with rectangular entrances, split off from the far wall. They reminded her of the entrance to an underground tomb. Of course it was one of those she felt compelled to enter. For a moment, she wondered if the Fallen could have left some kind of...protection down here. Something like those wolf-creatures or the bats. Wouldn't Khyamaeus have known?
“Why are you just standin' there? Don't know where to go next?” Alex asked, hovering right behind her.
“I know where to go.” Evelyn started across the basement, glancing into the shadowy corners, wary of rats and other creepy crawly things.
“Why are you so hesitant all of a sudden?”
“I wondered if the Fallen might have left calling cards down here,” she admitted. She stopped at the entrance to the black corridor and looked for a switch on the wall.
Nothing.
“You mean like the bats or those other things?” Alex asked.
A moment later, the sound of the lighter preceded a glow falling around them from the candle.
Good thing they'd brought it.
“Yes. I suppose Khyamaeus would have known though. Right?” Evelyn let Alex carry the candle so she could take the dagger out of the sheath. Just in case. The sword she'd picked up off the Fallen was temporarily in Rhett's possession.
“I don't know. That's a good question. He didn't say anything, so I think we should be all right.” Alex didn't sound exactly sure of herself. Or Khyamaeus.
Evelyn didn't waste more time debating it. She entered the corridor, squinting ahead, going slow so the glow from the candle lit the way. It was eerie here, the scent of the earth and stone stronger. The walls became less structured and more jagged, as if the builders hadn't taken time to finish the job.
They came to another fork in the tunnels and Evelyn split left, unable to see more than three feet ahead at any given time.
“You're remembering how to get out of here, right?” Evelyn asked.
“We've only taken a couple turns. We'll get out just fine.”
“We're not there yet,” Evelyn pointed out. She could feel the Seal closer than before, but not as close as she would have preferred.
Just how deep did these tunnels run, anyway?
The compass compelled her into another turn, to the left, and immediately to the right. Evelyn hated enclosed, dank places. The weight of all that stone seemed to slowly bear down until she hunched, creeping with a hand on the wall to feel her way. As they walked, the darkness seemed to swallow the candlelight inch by inch, chasing the cone of illumination to the edge of her feet.
An internal pull, almost as if someone tied an invisible string through her insides and yanked, guided her straight along the passage.
“Cripes, how much further?” Alex hissed behind her.
“I can't tell exactly. We're closer though.”
“We better be. I can hardly see anything.”
“You and me both.” Evelyn followed the tunnel around another curve to the right. Here, the walls narrowed and the ceiling wasn't as high.
Tighter, closer, more confined. She shuddered. If she put her other hand out, she knew she would encounter the opposite wall before she could stretch her arms fully. Unnerving.
“Let me have that light. I can't see anything at all up here.” Evelyn reached back for the candle.
Alex put
it in her fingers.
“Thanks.”
“Does it feel like we're goin' down to you? Descending? Like at a real gentle slope?” Alex asked.
“I can't tell. If we are, it's extremely subtle.” Evelyn didn't want to think about it. She put the candle out in front of her to chase back the gloom. It only retreated a foot. Like it was a living, breathing thing. It was so dense, that Evelyn wondered if the Fallen had anything to do with it before it died. Not just thick, but cold.
Her skin broke out in goosebumps under the armored shirt.
“Did it just get colder in here?” Alex whispered.
“I think so. It's just because we're going deeper underground.” It made sense to Evelyn. Three more turns, two to the right and one to the left, brought her much closer to the Seal.
She could feel the urgency to reach it, to keep going until she had it in hand.
The tunnel opened into a small cavernous space, something Evelyn felt more than saw. Yet the shadows didn't retract and sink back to the arching walls; they cloyed like a collection of thunderclouds, roiling through the rounded room without any real substance. Just pitch blackness that made the flame on the candle flicker. Evelyn hesitated to walk any deeper into the cavern and stopped at the mouth of the tunnel.
“Why are you stopping? Is this it?”
“Yes. It's straight ahead. Right...there,” Evelyn said. The Seal was not more than ten feet in front of her somewhere.
Alex nudged her. She braced herself with a hand against the wall. “No, wait. I can't see and I have the feeling we need to see what's between us and the Seal.”
“What could be there? You afraid you're gonna stumble over a rock or rope or something?” Alex asked.
“I don't know.” Evelyn couldn't put her finger on it, and perhaps if Alex was standing where she was, she would feel the same peculiar sense. Like a vacuum. “It's something different than that.”
Daughters of Eve Collection (Books 1, 2 & 3) Page 57