Behind the Third Door: The Innocence Cycle, Book 2

by J D Abbas

  Ebony wisps snapped in the men’s direction, wrapping around their ankles and anchoring them to the floor. Yaelmargon’s hands immediately swept back and forth as he mumbled words to counter the spell. It wasn’t working.

  Silvandir was almost to the threshold of the antechamber when he was stopped. He cocked his head to the side and pushed through the line of men to move toward the lionesses, unhindered by the black tendrils.

  “What are you doing?” Celdorn asked.

  Silvandir turned to face him and shrugged. “I’m returning their property. The girl belongs to them.” His voice was flat, indifferent, his expression blank.

  Celdorn’s jaw hung slack. “You’re not Silvandir. How were we so easily deceived?”

  Elena turned to face Silvandir, horrified.

  “It is Silvandir,” Yaelmargon said, “but another has entered his body.”

  “Let go of me!” Elena kicked and twisted, landing a solid blow to Silvandir’s nose with the heel of her hand.

  Sasha barked and lunged, equally unhindered by the spell. The dog dug her teeth into Silvandir’s thigh, snarling. He howled and slashed at her with his knife. The blade sliced across the top of her snout, and she yelped but didn’t let go. Silvandir brought the pommel down with a thud between her eyes. The dog faltered and released his leg. He followed with three brutal kick to her ribs. Sasha stumbled backward, and her legs collapsed. Braiden, just able to reach her, pulled her behind Celdorn’s men and used his sleeve to staunch the flow of blood on her snout.

  “You brute!” Elena swung her heel into Silvandir’s wounded thigh and jammed her elbow into his ribs.

  Silvandir grunted and nearly dropped her. Then he tightened his grip around her, pressing the dagger to Elena’s throat as blood slid from his nostrils and leg. “That’s enough!”

  Elena gritted her teeth, and although she stopped fighting, her expression screamed hatred and defiance. Elbrion, afraid she might shift into the warrior at any moment, chanted softly, praying she would resist the urge.

  “You cannot kill her,” Yaelmargon said to Silvandir.

  “Of course we can, you fool; we want only her zhadhar. Once we have that, this useless shell is all yours.” He laughed as he feigned pulling the blade across her throat.

  “Elena, come to me,” Elbrion called, but she only stared at him in confusion. “Let your heart lead you, Sheyshon.”

  Understanding crossed her face, and she closed her eyes. Silvandir cried out and dropped her, rubbing his arms as if they had been burned. Elena scrambled to her feet and ran toward Elbrion.

  A rumble sounded. A crack spread across the floor and opened into a gaping abyss in front of her. Elena screamed and teetered to a stop on the edge of the chasm, arms waving to regain her balance.

  “Close your eyes, Elena. It is illusion,” Elbrion said. “Come to me.”

  Elena glanced from the fissure to Elbrion and back again. Then she gave a quick nod, closed her eyes, and stepped boldly into the gap. The illusion immediately dissolved.

  When Elena had almost reached Elbrion, her eyes snapped open and her hands went to her throat. She clawed at the flesh as if some invisible force were strangling her. Elbrion sang louder as she dropped to her knees and reached toward him, eyes bulging. Her mouth formed a silent, desperate plea. Then, all at once, her eyes rolled and she collapsed.

  Celdorn cried, “Fight, Elena! Use your power!”

  When Elena dropped to the floor, Mikaelin grabbed his chest and swayed, his face contorted with pain, embodying the same agony Elbrion felt in his own heart.

  “No!” Anakh’s wispy hand grabbed Elena by the hair and lifted her. “Where did she go?” Anakh threw the flaccid body to the ground and floated toward the men. “Find her!” she said to the other lionesses.

  As Anakh searched the chamber, holes appeared in her black form, allowing shafts of light to pierce her shadows. Her strength was waning.

  “I don’t sense her anywhere.” Silvandir sniffed the air as he prowled the room, peering at each man as if expecting to find her there.

  Elbrion, realizing what Elena had done, sang more strongly. Haldor and Yaelmargon joined him. With each note, the room throbbed with ever-increasing light. The lionesses were forced to draw back.

  Anakh’s shape warped and diminished as the brilliance filled the room. Her dwindling form followed Silvandir as he skulked toward Mikaelin, a low growl rumbling in his throat. “You’re hiding something, my friend.”

  Mikaelin squared his shoulders, the pain gone from his face. “You are not my friend. Silvandir would never turn on Elena or his brothers. My friend has a heart truer than any man I know.”

  “And you, my noble friend, would you lay down your life for a worthless whore?” Silvandir sneered, pushing his dagger under Mikaelin’s chin.

  Anakh’s wispy form surrounded Silvandir. “Kill him before she can escape.”

  “No!” Elena called out as her body came back to life. She sat up and reached toward Mikaelin. “Don’t hurt him.”

  Silvandir turned and gaped at her.

  “Slit her throat quickly, before she can hide again,” Anakh said, her power reviving at the sight of the girl’s movement.

  “But you said we had to keep her alive,” Silvandir argued.

  “I’d rather have her incomplete zhadhar than none at all. I’ll snatch it before it flees.”

  Elena jumped to her feet and turned to run as Silvandir charged toward her. He grabbed her waist from behind and wrapped his other arm around her neck, squeezing. The men fought to free their feet but could not break loose. Elena gasped as Silvandir lifted her off the ground. She clawed at his forearm, and her feet kicked wildly when she saw his dagger moving toward her throat. But as it came closer, Silvandir’s arm shuddered then slowly inched back.

  “Give me the damned knife,” Anakh said as blackness surrounded the dagger. It seemed to float in the air on its own, moving toward Elena.

  Silvandir fell forward, pulling Elena down and covering her with his body. His whole frame jolted. Anakh’s nebulous form flew back, as if struck by some invisible force. The dagger dropped from her grasp and clattered to the ground. The lioness that had lain lifeless on the far side of the room squirmed and yowled. She climbed weakly onto her four legs and slunk toward the balcony, followed by the others.

  Anakh’s tenuous figure wavered. With a crackling and a pop, like a log on a fire, she vanished.

  Silvandir rose to his knees. “Are you all right, Elena?” He took hold of her arm to help her sit up, but she yanked free of his grasp and scooted backward on the floor, wild with fear.

  “Who are you?” She stared into his eyes, searching for an answer.

  Mikaelin and Haldor, now free from Anakh’s spell, grabbed Silvandir’s arms and pulled him away from Elena.

  Celdorn sat on the floor next to their daughter and lifted her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her. “By the mercy of Qho’el,” he exclaimed. “Are you hurt?”

  “No, I don’t think so,” she replied. Is Sasha all right?”

  At the sound of her name, Sasha rose on shaky legs and limped toward the girl. Elena threw her arms around the dog’s neck. “You were so brave, Sasha.” The dog collapsed on the ground and put her head on Celdorn’s thigh as if she could do no more.

  Elena stared at Silvandir in disbelief. “You hurt Sasha, and you were going to slit my throat.”

  “It wasn’t me, Elena. I know how empty that sounds, but you have to believe me.” Silvandir slumped on his knees, his shoulders sagging. “I don’t know why they keep choosing me.”

  “Because they were hoping that an additional betrayal would crush Elena and give them an opening to move in and take control of her again,” Yaelmargon said.

  “She could just as easily have felt betrayed by any of you.” Silvandir smacked the floor in frustration. “Why did it have to be me? Haven’t they done enough damage between us already?”

  Elena studied him from the shelter of Celdorn’s
arms but didn’t reply.

  Elbrion, deep in thought, reviewed what he had seen. He turned to Silvandir. “It appeared Elena was on the verge of pardoning you earlier when she laid her hand upon you. What force threw her back?”

  “Anakh stepped in,” Yaelmargon replied for him. “I felt her move. It seems she did not want Elena to undo the damage that had been done. They still had plans to use Silvandir.”

  Silvandir grasped his head and hunched over, turning a sickly green.

  Yaelmargon knelt beside him and laid a hand on Silvandir’s back, his face filled with tenderness. “Your feelings for Elena gave them the opportunity. They took the truth and twisted it, opening the door for a grievous wound.”

  Silvandir looked up, startled and horrified, as if the master had just stripped him.

  “The pain they inflicted upon her was not only the defilement of the assault itself,” Yaelmargon continued, “but the far greater wound of betrayal, which they anticipated would plant the seeds of mistrust toward all others within the keep. If her dear friend would do this to her, who next?”

  “And those have been my very thoughts,” Elena said. She turned to Silvandir and tipped her head to the side as if working to understand something. Her eyes widened. “What drove Anakh away was your fight to spare my life.” Her gaze intensified. “It was your will that drove the knife back, not mine. Your affection proved stronger than her malevolence.”

  Silvandir met her gaze, hope lighting his features.

  “Mikaelin’s words also fortified Silvandir’s resolve to battle the force within him, further diminishing her power,” Elbrion said.

  “As did Elena’s moving out of Mikaelin’s body in order to spare his life,” Yaelmargon added. “Those who serve the Zhekhum cannot endure such things.”

  “D-did you know she h-had entered into you?” Braiden asked Mikaelin.

  “Immediately.” Mikaelin smiled at Elena. “Her feelings are almost as familiar as my own.”

  “You h-hid it well.” Braiden shook his head. “I-I had no idea w-what was happening.”

  Yaelmargon squeezed Silvandir’s shoulder. “You must deal with the shame you feel over having been used as a pawn in all this treachery. It leaves you vulnerable to further attacks.”

  “The first time they used my form, I wasn’t there, didn’t know it was happening. But this time, I felt the one inside of me, and I could do nothing to stop it. What is it about me that told them I could be so easily manipulated?” His head drooped again.

  “My friend,” Celdorn said to Silvandir, his voice tender, “you were chosen by them, not because of some shortcoming or wickedness they could exploit but for the opposite reason. Your strong character, your faithfulness, and your tender affection have endeared you to Elena and enabled her to trust you, which is what they needed in order to make the betrayal significant to her. You weren’t chosen for your weakness but because of your great strength.”

  Elena motioned for Silvandir to move closer. He crawled on all fours until he was directly in front of Celdorn, stopping when Sasha lifted her head and growled. He leaned back on his haunches, still and waiting. Elena reached out her petite hand and placed it over his heart once again.

  “I won’t say I forgive you”—Silvandir’s face fell at her words—“for there is nothing to forgive. You have done no wrong.” Tears welled as her words reached into his soul. “My eyes are opened, and I see the truth. You are a good man, a noble man… and a strong man. You did overcome the one inside you,” she said. “So I’ll say to you, instead: let’s start anew… my friend.”

  Silvandir placed his hands on top of Elena’s and closed his eyes as tears slid into his beard.

  Chapter 46

  “Do we have a report on the guards who were in the courtyard?” Celdorn asked.

  After the evening meal was finished in the Great Hall, the visitors had returned to Celdorn’s chambers to resume their meeting, ignorant as to what had transpired with the lionesses. Elena remained in her room with Braiden and Mikaelin.

  “All five are dead, sir,” Shatur replied, his face grim. The room went instantly quiet. “We have replaced them and added ten more. I believe they will be more vigilant now that they have a better understanding of the magnitude of the danger. We have also assigned clusters of guards in the mountains to watch for any movement of the lionesses.”

  Celdorn slapped the table as he rose. “It’s my fault they’re dead. I should have given them sufficient warning, better instruction.” He growled and turned his back.

  “You were not aware yourself what Anakh might do. How could you have warned them?” Elbrion said quietly.

  “It is my responsibility to be aware,” he snapped.

  The visitors watched this exchange without interruption, questions evident on their faces.

  “Forgive me.” Celdorn heaved a sigh and returned to his seat. “I didn’t mean to leave the rest of you in the dark.” He gave a brief account of the lionesses’ appearance to those who’d been in the Great Hall during the break.

  “I wasn’t expecting an open attack. I don’t know what changed, nor why they suddenly attempted such a brazen assault.”

  “I believe it was Elena,” Yaelmargon said. “Her offering of forgiveness to Silvandir forced them to alter their strategy. Up until the moment she pardoned him, Elena had been vulnerable, and their plan was working. They were, however, not expecting her to be so gracious and stout-hearted. This is the part of Elena that remains an enigma to them. They were forced to act or lose their advantage.”

  “And what are we to expect now?”

  “They have withdrawn for the time being,” Yaelmargon said. “I sense them nowhere within this area. They have inadvertently strengthened Elena’s attachment to this place, or I should say, to the Guardians here, which increases her power to resist them. They will have to find another tactic.”

  “Hopefully they won’t find one quickly,” Celdorn replied. “She needs rest.”

  ~

  Elena stood in the antechamber, arms crossed, glaring at Mikaelin and Braiden. “I don’t want to sleep in my bed. I’ll sleep in a chair. I’ll sleep on the floor, but I will not sleep on that.” She gestured toward her bed. “It would be futile anyway. I would never be able to close my eyes.” She focused on Mikaelin. “I told you, the beds of this keep bear me ill will.”

  “These chairs aren’t fit to sleep in,” Mikaelin countered. “And you must rest. Your ada’s orders.”

  “Then I will put a mat on the floor in front of the door.”

  “P-perhaps we could m-move one of the chairs from Elbrion’s f-fireside to your room, and y-you could sleep in it,” Braiden offered. “W-would that b-be acceptable?”

  Elena felt as if fire burned in her eyes as they darted back and forth between the two men. “As long as you place it by the door and don’t block my exit.” Her jaw tightened.

  “We are here to assure your safety, not to trap or confine you,” Mikaelin said. “We’ll do whatever you want, within reason, so that you may rest.”

  She stuck out her chin. “And the lamp will remain lit.”

  “As you wish.” Mikaelin dipped his head. “We’re on your side, Elena, but if it would make you feel better, you may beat us into submission.” He flashed an impish grin.

  Elena’s face softened. “You’re right. I’m being difficult. I’m sorry.” She glanced at the bed then stared at the floor, her hands balling into fists. “I’m just so… frustrated, so angry that I can’t even lie down without feeling terrified. I’m tired of being afraid.” These were her friends; she should be able to trust that she was safe.

  “Un-understandably so,” Braiden replied. “L-let us help you make it through th-this night. We’ll work on one n-night at a time.”

  She nodded, close to tears.

  Braiden went to Elbrion’s chamber and brought back one of the larger chairs for Elena. He placed it just inside the threshold to Celdorn’s room, precisely as she had requested, and closed t
he door since Yaelmargon and Elbrion were still meeting with Celdorn and would be for some time.

  “As your guards, we ought to station ourselves in front of each access point, so no one can enter,” Mikaelin said. “I’m not comfortable with you sleeping next to an unprotected door, especially with all that has happened.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Elena said, curling into the chair with her dagger in hand and the hilt of her sword resting by her feet.

  “Won’t you be cold with only a dagger and a sword for covering?” Mikaelin teased, pulling her blanket from the bed and bringing it to her.

  Her mouth quirked into a grin as he covered her. “I know it must seem ridiculous to you since my adversaries can’t die by the sword, but it makes me feel more secure somehow.”

  “A sword is not a bad bedfellow,” Mikaelin agreed. “Mine has been my night companion for many years. He’s a little unyielding at times, but he doesn’t snore.”

  They laughed as he set his chair in front of the sealed hallway door. Braiden put his by Elbrion’s door. They left the lamp lit as she had requested.

  “Is Sasha all right?” she asked.

  “B-Belmhar, an animal h-healer, is t-tending her,” Braiden replied. “S-she will be f-fine, I’m sure. She’s a t-tough dog.”

  “And brave.” Elena shifted her position. “How is Silvandir’s leg?”

  “Unfortunately, f-for him, S-Sasha bit the same l-leg as the Zakad. The t-tissue was still t-tender. Keeping it c-clean is the m-most important thing.”

  Again, it was her fault they’d been injured. She sighed heavily.

  “Try to g-get some rest, El-Elena,” Braiden said.

  She nodded, but her eyes couldn’t relax. She stared at Celdorn’s door, wondering what they were talking about with Yaelmargon.

  It seemed like hours before she finally drifted into sleep.

  ~