The Iron Realm (The Iron Soul Book 1)

by J. M. Briggs

  “No, some other professor. I don't remember the name, but it wasn't her.”

  “That's not surprising,” Alex told them with a shrug as she pushed her dinner plate to the side and pulled her slice of cake to the front of her tray. “I think she mostly teaches the high level history classes.”

  “I can believe that,” Nicki agreed. “She scared off a lot of kids in our class.”

  “So no one is in any of her classes this semester,” Bran said thoughtfully before he shrugged. “Hopefully she won't take offense at that.”

  Everyone around the table paused and glanced at each other. Chuckling softly, Alex shook her head and turned her attention to the slice of chocolate cake, figuring that it wasn't worth worrying about at this point. Besides, she had a sneaking suspicion that Morgana didn't worry about such things nearly as much as they thought she did.

  Dinner ended soon after as more student poured into the cafeteria to get food and see their friends. As the noise level climbed higher, Alex and her friends pulled on their coats and returned their trays. Alex fell into step next to Bran and headed for the main door only to realize that Nicki and Aiden were following them. Turning to look over her shoulder, she raised an eyebrow at Aiden who just made a small nod towards Bran. Nodding in understanding, Alex silently agreed with the two other mages escorting them back to Hatfield Hall. After all, she mentally conceded, Bran's ability to run was limited and she had no magic, a thought that stung.

  They stepped outside and Alex tightened her coat around herself as a harsh chill shot up her spine.

  “Man it's getting cold,” Nicki huffed as her breath misted in the air.

  “Yeah,” Aiden agreed, pulling on a pair of fleece gloves as they slowly moved down the path. “If it gets much colder, it will be too cold to snow.”

  “Too cold to snow,” Nicki mumbled, “That just sounds wrong.”

  “Wrong, but possible,” Aiden answered as he shivered. “Come on, let's just get moving.”

  The crowd of students around Michaels was small with everyone moving inside as quick as they could, but Alex still saw plenty of bags and baskets of laundry going inside. Snow crunched only a little under their feet as they stepped off the sidewalk and onto the lawn between Michaels and Hatfield. Glancing down at the snow, Alex noted that it was almost completely trodden down from students, but frowned as she saw the impression of a dog track.

  “Alex,” Nicki called with a hint of shivering in her voice. “Come on.”

  Without a word, Alex dismissed the track and picked up her pace as another chill shot through her body. They were halfway across the lawn and back into the outer edges of Hatfield's lights. Suddenly a high pitched howl echoed through the night making Alex and her friends stop in their tracks. No one moved except their hands all cautiously dropped to their bags or in Aiden's case to the back of his jeans. Alex's fingers felt warmer as she touched the hilt of her iron dagger and carefully drew it from the sheath, but left it concealed in her bag.

  “Where did it come from?” Nicki asked in a low voice as they all looked around slowly.

  “Not sure,” Aiden answered in a low voice.

  “We'd better keep moving,” Bran muttered nervously.

  “Back to Michaels or on to Hatfield?” Alex questioned, her eyes darting forward to Hatfield.

  “Fall back to Michaels,” Aiden decided after a moment of heavy silence.

  Another howl erupted, this time closer and from behind them. Spinning, Alex looked towards Michaels, but saw something moving fast between the distant lamplights in the parking lot. She couldn't see it clearly, but the speed and size allowed for no doubt in her mind.

  “No!” Alex snapped, “Hatfield, it's in the Michaels parking lot.”

  They broke into a run, as fast as Bran could manage as he awkwardly lunged forward, using his cane to support his leg the best he could. Looking over her shoulder, Alex could see the Hound closing on them. She could now clearly see its quadruped shape and the flash of its fur whenever it passed a light. In the distance she could hear shouting and some screaming as the Hound tore after them.

  “Call animal control!” someone screamed behind them as the students rushed towards the entrance to Michaels.

  Another howl made Alex's heart jump as she turned to see a second Hound racing after them from near Rhodes hall, heading straight for their left side while the Hound behind them continued to gain. Snarling echoed in her ears and she was vaguely aware of Aiden shouting something, but she couldn't hear him. Aiden grabbed Alex's hand, pulling her sharply to run at a steeper angle and faster speed. Another rush of fear gave her legs extra strength to run faster towards Hatfield. Aiden dropped her hand and turned his attention to helping Bran increase his speed.

  The steps of Hatfield were just ahead of them and Alex let go of her dagger in order to pull out her student card, nearly dropping both in her haste. Students ahead of them were dropping their things and fleeing inside, screaming as they spotted the Hound. Alex was trying to rush to the front of the group with the card ready when another snarl erupted to the right of them. A girl on the inside shoved the door open and gestured for them to hurry.

  A Hound leapt in front them, landing directly in front of the door and baring its teeth as they all came to a sharp stop. Behind it there was a scream and the door closed. The lights of the building made its fur glow and illuminated the sharp curves of its rib cage as it stepped towards them. It snarled at them, taking a slow step towards them as it blocked the entrance. Aiden pulled Alex back from the Hound, flinching as the first Hound caught up with them. Behind them the low growling of the first Hound rumbled through the air, soon joined by the third Hound. The snarling grew louder and Alex spun, horrified to see another pair of Hounds stalking out of the shadows of Hatfield hall to join the one on the steps. She fumbled for her dagger as the Hounds formed a semi-circle around them, moving towards them slowly.

  There were shouts from the building and screams in the distance, but Alex could barely hear them over the pounding of her heart. Ten cold violet eyes gazed at them as the Hounds lowered their ears and growled together. They were waiting Alex realized with a pain jump in her heart. Waiting to see what they would do, gathering information for the Sídhe. Her stomach churned and her body felt frozen as her sweat chilled and her breathing grew sallow.

  “What do we do?” Nicki asked softly, not taking her eyes off the three guarding the doorway. “There are too many people around to use magic.”

  “Alex can you get away?” Aiden questioned in a low voice.

  “I don't think so,” Alex replied, trying to ignore her trembling hand as she clutched at the sleeve of Aiden's coat in an attempt to regain control. “Sorry,” she added in a whisper.

  “The lakeside,” Bran muttered as he took a few careful steps to the right were there were no Hounds. “There's a path just around the building. There's water there that Nicki could use.”

  “Maybe,” Nicki agreed with hesitation. “We're too hemmed in here.”

  “One… two…” Aiden said lowly as they all started to shift towards the right side of the building. “Three!”

  Around and above them, Alex could hear screaming and shouting despite the snarls of the Hounds as they started to run. There were howls echoing around them as they rushed along the building, out of sight of the front lawn. Bran's pace was the slowest and Alex turned to look over her shoulder as one of the Hounds snapped at his legs. Spinning clumsily on his cane, Bran shoved his hand out towards the Hounds and swept it towards the building.

  The first three Hounds which were almost upon him were suddenly pulled off their feet and thrown into the bricks of Hatfield Hall with a crash. Bran moved his hand again, not waiting to see their condition and loosed the three Hounds upon the remaining two who were gaining ground. The tangle of silvery fur snarled loudly and began to right itself. Reaching back, Alex grabbed Bran's hand and pulled him as hard as she dared to get him running again. A howl only a few seconds later told her
that the Hounds would be upon them soon enough. Up ahead, Aiden led them off the sidewalk, trusting them not to trip in the snow as they headed further away from the buildings and into bare trees.

  Snow covered the ground and a hint of ice hung on the trees as the lamplights caused the scene to almost glow. Above the lake hung a crescent moon that at the moment looked to Alex's frightened mind like a claw in the night sky ready to slice her open. Aiden stopped suddenly in a small clearing and spun back around, grabbing Alex and pushing her behind him as the first Hound erupted from the trees after them with a vicious snarl.

  Fire burst forth in Aiden's hand, turning his fleece glove to ash as a fire ball formed in his palm. Thrusting his arm forward, Aiden pushed the fireball directly into the face of the first Hound. Flames exploded out at the contact, licking at the air and sending a blast of heat across Alex's face. The smell of singed hair filled Alex's nostrils, making her stomach turn. Pained cries filled the air, but Aiden created another fireball and threw it at the Hound which was reeling back from them.

  Digging into her bag, Alex struggled to find her dagger. A quick glance up told her that the Hound Aiden had blasted with fire was down, but two more were nearly upon them. A sharp cool pain in her hand made her flinch before giving her a sense of triumph as her fingers closed around the blade of her dagger. Ignoring the pain, she tightened her fingers around the blade and pulled it out of the bag. In the low light she had just enough time to adjust the dagger with her hands so she was holding the hilt before the four remaining Hounds began to advance on them.

  Staring into the violet eyes of the Hound around Aiden's shoulder, Alex forced herself to breath, clenching and unclenching her free hand and bringing up her dagger in front of her. Morgana's promise that she'd have her magic when she needed it echoed in her mind and she waited, praying silently for a burst of inspiration telling her what to do. There was a moment of utter silence and stillness as neither Hound nor mage moved.

  Bran moved first from beside Nicki at the far side, sweeping his hand forward again. Three of the Hounds bounded out of his way, but the forth was shoved back into a tree. Closing his hand, Bran panted with a pained noise and glared at the Hound. Alex glanced towards the Hound to see it caught in midair, hanging off the ground as its body twisted into an odd shape. She looked away quickly as the snap of bone began to fill the air.

  There was another blast of fire from Aiden, but the Hounds dodged it, leaping around and then forward as they rushed for Aiden. Beside Aiden, Nicki glared at the Hounds, bringing her palm up in front of her chest and sweeping it forward. As the Hounds launched themselves off the ground towards Nicki, snow rushed up from around Nicki like a wave of water, mixing with a spark of icy blue magic glowing forth from Nicki's hand. The air grew colder and there was a strange creaking noise followed by an animalistic cries of pain that made Alex's heart stop. Her eyes adjusted and took in the sight of two Hounds impaled on a sloping wall of icy spikes less than two feet in front of them.

  The final Hound growled at them, sweeping around them with a burst of speed and snapping at Bran. Fire swept past Bran, forcing him to turn his head away, but forcing back the attacking Hound. Alex heard the Hound Bran had trapped crash to the ground and dared a glance to see if it was moving. The creature stumbled to its feet, its body crushed on one side and limping badly, but it snarled at Alex meeting her gaze. Less than three feet away, Bran dropped to his knees with a pained gasp for air, shaking badly.

  Nicki and Aiden turned as one to hold back the Hound that lunged for Bran. A wave of snow rose up from the ground which the Hound dodged, only to move directly into the path of a fireball. A growl behind her, made Alex turn back to the injured Hound which was making its way towards her. Holding up her dagger, Alex watched a drop of her own blood run down the blade and tried to keep her hand steady.

  It lunged, releasing a terrible cry of pain, but baring its teeth as it jumped. Alex lashed out, kicking the beast as hard as she could in the upper chest as soon as it came into range. A dull pain swept through her leg, but the Hound was forced back from her body. It caught itself on three legs, skidding on the ground and growling. She couldn't hear what was happening with the other Hound behind her, the growling and her own beating heart overwhelmed her. The Hound crouched, watching Alex and breathing hard and then pounced. Her arm moved out, sweeping the iron blade forward on reflex. The red drops flew off the dagger, hitting the skin of the Hound with a hissing sound just before the flesh of the beast gave way, spilling out luminous blood from the Hound's neck.

  It fell to the ground, struggling to stand, but fell to the side as its silvery blood seeped out. Alex lunged forward and buried her iron dagger into the throat of the beast, falling to her knees next to it. A gurgling growl turned into a keening cry of pain before the Hound's body dissolved into the air. Tightening her grip on her dagger, Alex climbed to his feet and spun to check on the others.

  Bran was back on his feet, but leaning against a tree and breathing hard. The Hound that Nicki and Aiden had been fighting was crying in pain as its fur burned. Another fireball crashed into it and Alex could barely see as the body dissolved. Her eyes found Nicki who was stabbing the two Hounds impaled on the ice with her own iron dagger. Aiden turned to look at Alex, sweeping over her quickly with his eyes before he turned to Nicki and Bran to check on them.

  “That's all of them,” Nicki breathed in relief, slightly out of breath and not putting her dagger away.

  “Bran?” Aiden called, moving over to his friend in two long strides. “You okay?”

  “I'll be fine,” Bran hissed as he moved. “Just… too much running, my leg feels like it could start burning at any moment.”

  Nodding in understanding, Aide ducked under Bran's right arm to support his bad side. “Let's get inside,” Aiden told them as he helped Bran step away from the tree. “Nicki, call the Professors, we need to know how to deal with what people saw.” Bran huffed in pain as they moved. “And see if we can do anything for Bran.”

  Nicki nodded and pulled out her cell phone, falling into step behind Aiden and Bran as they moved back to the sidewalk. Alex moved next to Nicki as they started to follow the path up to Hatfield Hall, listening to Nicki quickly tell Merlin what had happened. Looking down at her dagger, which she was still clutching in her hand, Alex swallowed and held back her tears as the terrible question of what would have happened if Nicki and Aiden hadn't been so determined to walk them home entered her mind. Biting her lip, Alex slid her dagger back into its sheath and shoved her injured hand into her pocket as she tried to hold back a sob.

  27

  Song on the Wind

  811 B.C.E. Somerset Levels

  Morgana stared out pensively over the watery landscape before her from her spot atop the tall tor that rose sharply out of the gentle sloping hills and waters that made up her current home. The flooded valley with small islands linked with wooden causeways that crisscrossed the marsh stretched out towards the sea. A hint of salt was carried on the wind along with the thick smell from the marsh below her high perch on the hill. Down the grooved path that Morgana and others had carved over the years, Morgana could see the buildings of the small village where she lived now and studied it thoughtfully for only a moment. The wind swept her hair around her shoulders, gently jangling golden hair decorations scattered throughout her long brown locks as a sense of unease settled over her.

  Frowning, Morgana's fingers brushed the bronze brooch that fastened the long blue cloak around her shoulders securely. The metal felt warm to her touch with a gentle rhythm of heat, almost like a soft pulse, but there to her sensitive fingers. She traced the pattern of the metal working carefully, the brooch had been a gift from her husband when she'd come north to marry him almost two years ago. At the time Morgana had not been pleased with the arrangement Uthyrn had made to ensure their family continued to control bronze production, but Airril had proven himself to be a good man.

  She'd been prepared after Uthyrn's anger over
Arto's disappearance with Merlin to be saddled with some distasteful brutish iron man. She'd tried to ready herself for the harsh treatment of a Sídhe male that she'd grow up hearing whispers about, but none had ever come. The greatest sorrow that she suffered here was missing her mother, the continued mystery of Arto's fate and the loss of her magic. Airril had not been what she expected, a diplomatic leader who oversaw much of the northern coasts copper mining with an easy grace. He wasn't afraid to smile, it was Morgana's favorite thing about him and even his less tolerable younger brother Sionn had made her feel welcome.

  Dropping her hand, Morgana clutched the fabric bag which hung from her belt. The familiar smooth shape of the metal disk met her hand as her grip tightened around it automatically. It felt cold to her touch, sending a chill up her arm. Despite the warm thick cloth it was wrapped in, she could feel the chill radiating from it. The contrast deepened Morgana's frown.

  Ever since the day Merlin had taken Arto there been no contact from the Queen. The Sídhe had sent no messages, no signs and no offers to return to the realm she had been raised in. Her fingers traced the shape of the metal disk as she brought her left hand to her brooch, gently tracing the curved design that adorned it. Everything had changed, but she felt no more certain or settled than she had almost six years ago. Most of the time she could ignore it, but a weight had settled in her stomach over the last few days and every little thing seemed to remind her of the past.