He yelled and dropped me. I landed in a heap, marveling that my attack had worked.
“You dare fight back!”
When he leaned over me with murder in his eyes, Sepp said, “You might want to question her before you kill her.”
Tohon hauled me up and pinned me to the wall. This time he put a hand on my cheek and sent white-hot agony straight into my head. The pressure was so intense, I screamed in an effort to expel the pain. And just when I was about to slip into unconsciousness, Tohon eased up a bit before making me scream again. Then he repeated it.
Hours later, or so it felt, Tohon tired of the torture and released me. All I could do was collapse onto my bed. I curled into a ball, gasping for breath.
Tohon sat on the edge. “Get her a glass of water,” he ordered.
Only after I recovered and drank the water did Tohon reveal what had set him off. He pulled out a familiar cloth and unwrapped a syringe.
I was too spent to react.
“Estrid’s troops escaped through a number of holes in the encirclement last night. My special soldiers in those areas were neutralized. Not by decapitation or that strike to the base of their necks. No, they had been shot by a single dart. This was found near one of the breaches.” He held up the syringe. “Do you recognize it?”
“Yes.” My voice rasped. “I use them all the time.”
“What substance did they use to stop the dead?”
“I don’t know. I was with you all night.”
Tohon touched my cheek again. I braced for the pain, but this time a warm tingle spread and I felt as if I had been drugged. Then the feeling intensified, and the room spun as my body flushed with desire. I gasped.
His magic filled me, seeping into my brain and wrapping around my heart like roots. Logic packed a bag and left me. My clothes rubbed over my sensitive skin, and I plucked at them, wanting them off.
Tohon’s voice sounded in my mind. I’ll claim you, Avry. Then you’ll tell me everything just to please me. Just to be rewarded by my touch. Cooperate or I’ll take you.
His words had the opposite effect. After all the grief and pain over the last few days, I’d be damned if I’d let the bastard claim me. Concentrating on my magic, I viewed the heady feeling as a disease. As something that needed to be healed. Slowly my body cooled as the desire subsided.
“What was in the syringe?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.” His surprise didn’t last. “Which means you’re resisting me.” Now he sounded like a petulant child.
Except he was far from a child. Tohon increased his magic. My body responded. Shivers chased each other over my arms and legs. But I imagined that they were bugs, and my healing powers sought each out and squashed it.
I fought Tohon, planning to expend all my energy. But Tohon stopped before that point. Red splotches covered his cheeks as if he’d run a race. Pure fury burned in his eyes.
He glanced toward the door. “Girl, come here.”
Noelle stepped into my view. Ah, hell. Had she been here the entire time? I studied her expression. Yep.
Tohon picked up the syringe and examined it. “There’s a couple drops left.”
Fear spurred me into a sitting position. “No.”
He ignored me. Instead, he grabbed Noelle’s wrist and rested the syringe on her forearm. “Shall I test it?” he asked me.
“It’s Death Lily toxin,” I said.
My answer threw him. “Really? How did you figure that out?”
“It was a guess.”
He waited.
And since he still held my sister, I explained part of my theory. “I knew you’d been experimenting with the toxin, but then I remembered you were helping the Healer’s Guild to develop an antidote for the toxin before the plague. Maybe during those experiments, you discovered that substance you used to create the dead. So I guessed the toxin might counter your mystery medicine.”
“Impressive. Good thing only you and I can harvest the toxin. How many sacks did you give Ryne?”
“Three.”
Tohon considered. “Not many then. And he probably used them all to rescue Estrid’s troops.” He frowned. “Now we’ll have to hunt them down. You do realize that you’ve condemned her soldiers to death?”
“You already planned to kill them.”
“But it would have been orderly and painless. Now they’ll be killed on the battlefield, and I won’t be able to turn all of them. Such a waste.”
Hard to feel guilty over that. If I had a choice, I’d choose to go down fighting than on my knees, swearing allegiance to Tohon.
“You’ve interfered again,” Tohon said. “Killing you is the smartest thing I can do right now. Yet, I hesitate because I’m still hoping that you’ll use that intelligence in my favor.”
“That wooing thing?”
“Yes. Although I no longer believe that tactic will work. No, it’s time to try one last strategy with you before I admit defeat.”
I didn’t like the sound of that.
“Every time you upset my plans or go against my wishes, I will kill someone close to you. You will bear witness to a very painful death, knowing it’s all your fault.”
Oh, no. “As of now?”
“No. Starting today, which means—” Tohon pricked Noelle with the needle and depressed the plunger, sending Death Lily toxin into her body “—she’s the first.”
KERRICK
Four hours had passed by in a heartbeat. No dreams of Avry or Flea had disturbed his short sleep. A pang of disappointment filled him. He lay there, summoning the energy to move.
Danny reached for his hands. “I can help.”
“No, thanks. Save your strength.”
“Why?”
“You’re going to need it.” Kerrick put a hand up to stop the next question. “Put together a pack with the medicinal herbs that are good for lacerations and that bread from yesterday. I’ll explain once we’re away from here.”
“Are we escaping?”
“Yes and no.”
“Kerrick, you’re not making any sense.” Danny rested his hand on Kerrick’s forehead as if checking for a fever, his serious expression at odds with his young face.
“I’m fine. Now go.” He shooed the boy. Not really a boy any longer. He’d been forced to grow up quickly, but Danny had risen to the challenge.
Once he returned with the pack, Kerrick showed Danny the opening he’d made in the wooden wall of the other bedroom. The library didn’t have a door to the back alley, but its neighbor did.
Danny raised an eyebrow before climbing through.
“It is always a good idea to be prepared for anything,” Kerrick said.
They crept downstairs, and Kerrick checked the alley for Noak’s men. By now he knew them all by sight.
“Once we’re out in the open, I want you to act like you’re on a mission. Don’t glance around, don’t stare at the ground and don’t avert your gaze if we pass anyone. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
Kerrick strode into the alley with Danny by his side. He headed to the bathhouse. Halfway there, he changed directions and aimed for the forest west of Krakowa. His back burned as he imagined all of Noak’s warriors following them, ready to pounce as soon as they stepped outside the city.
He relaxed only when they reached the outer edges of the woods. Once they traveled deep enough to be hidden by the trees and bushes, Kerrick took Danny’s hand and tapped into the living green, using his magic to camouflage them both.
Danny held his free arm out. “I’m green!”
Kerrick put a finger to his lips.
“You’re green, too,” Danny whispered.
He smiled.
“Even your teeth!”
Keeping a hold on Danny’s hand, he turned east toward Rakel’s cave. The boy matched his step, cutting down on the noise of their passage.
They reached the entrance an hour later. Kerr
ick called softly so he wouldn’t scare her. She was still armed after all. But when they entered, she didn’t stir from her prone position next to the fire.
Danny dropped Kerrick’s hand and knelt beside her. “Where—”
“Waist.”
He lifted her shirt. Blood had soaked through the bandages. He peeled them back. Rakel didn’t move.
“It’s bad. None of the herbs will work for this. I need to—”
“Can you survive?”
“I...don’t know.”
Conflicted, he paused. Danny’s life meant more to him than his own. How could he risk him?
“It’s not your decision, Kerrick. Remember? It’s mine, and I’m going to do it.”
Spoken like a true healer. “Then I’ll help you like I did with Avry. Go on.”
Danny placed both his hands on her exposed skin. Nothing happened. Then Danny yelled, clutched his stomach and doubled over, passing out. Kerrick picked him up. He turned to take the boy into the forest.
Noak blocked the entrance.
“Step aside,” Kerrick said. It wasn’t a request.
Without changing his expression, Noak backed from the cave. Kerrick followed, and as soon as he reconnected with the living green, he plopped onto the ground with Danny in his lap.
He tried to channel energy into Danny. Except Kerrick had nothing left. He’d used all his strength. All he could do was hold Danny tight and hope his healing powers would save him.
“Will the boy live?” Noak asked. He stood nearby.
“I don’t know.”
“You lied about Rakel.” Noak’s tone was matter-of-fact.
Kerrick couldn’t believe he was bringing this up now. “I did.”
“You gave your word to cooperate.”
“And I cooperated by searching for Rakel and her abductor as requested by members of your tribe, and I found her. But you never told me what to do once I located her.”
“It did not need to be said.”
“In this case it did. She asked me to keep her location hidden, and since she’s a member of your tribe, I had to cooperate.” Technically she hadn’t asked, but he doubted she’d correct him.
Danny groaned, and Kerrick remembered the pack full of herbs. Perhaps one of them would help him heal faster. Kerrick gently laid Danny on the ground and staggered to his feet.
Rakel exited the cave. She scowled at her brother but didn’t say a word. Instead she stepped into the sunlight, closed her eyes and turned her face toward the sun. Her pale skin darkened to a honey color. After a few minutes, she strode toward Danny. When she reached the shadows, her skin glowed as if she’d swallowed a piece of the sunlight.
Kerrick intercepted her. Heat and magical energy pulsed off her.
“I will not harm him,” she said.
He moved aside. Rakel knelt next to Danny. Placing her hands on his chest, she stared at him. The glow spread over the boy. He moaned.
“Wait,” Noak said as Kerrick stepped closer.
Danny shuddered, then relaxed. When the glow faded, Rakel stood, her skin pale once more. Kerrick checked on the boy. The wound had disappeared. Not even a scar marked Danny’s stomach.
Confused, Kerrick asked Rakel, “Did you take it back?”
“She used summer’s touch to heal him,” Noak said.
“Then why didn’t she heal herself?”
“My magic only works for others.”
“Then why aren’t you helping your people? They’re sick.”
“I was in seclusion.” Rakel shot Noak a nasty, hate-filled look. “No interaction with anyone but my intended during the course of four seasons.”
Kerrick put a few clues together. “Olave abused you.”
Rakel turned to Noak. “I will not marry him.” She placed her hand on the dadao hanging from her belt.
“Father—”
“It is time for you to challenge Father, Noak, and take your rightful place over both tribes.”
Noak’s expression didn’t change.
Rakel pointed to Kerrick. “You were right about this one. I will act as second for you.”
He remained silent.
“If you won’t, then I will challenge him,” Rakel said.
“It is not how it is done.”
“Neither is bringing back a prisoner. We need to adapt, Noak. Father is old.”
“He is still strong,” Noak said. “And no one in the tribe will defy tradition and agree to be your second.”
Rakel glanced at Kerrick. Oh, no.
“Will you be my second?” she asked. When he hesitated, she added, “If I am successful, I will release you and your boy. You will be free.”
“And if you’re not successful?” Kerrick asked.
“Then you both die,” Noak said.
CHAPTER 19
Noelle lay on my bed, sweating and shivering as the Death Lily toxin poisoned her. At least she hadn’t died right away, so there was hope she’d survive. Not much, as only ten percent lived. Tohon left me to watch her die, taking Sepp with him. My four dead bodyguards remained crowded inside my small room.
Pacing, I considered my meager options. I couldn’t heal her, which was why the healers at the Guild had been experimenting with the toxin—to find a cure. And I couldn’t bear to see her suffer. Guilt squeezed my chest. All this was my fault.
What if she died? I stopped. She couldn’t. I wouldn’t allow it. But what could I do? I could take her to a Peace Lily. Provided I was able to slip past my bodyguards, escape the manor house and break through the encirclement. Almost impossible to do on my own, but add in one sick girl and we wouldn’t get far.
I sat on the edge of Flea’s bed and put my head in my hands. If she died... No. Surging to my feet, I continued to pace. There must be a way. I just needed to think harder. My foot kicked something. I glanced down and halted. The syringe.
A plan formed. Not a very good one, but it was better than doing nothing. I checked on Noelle, mopping her brow and helping her to lean forward to sip water.
She clutched my sleeve. “Avry...”
“Shhh. Save your strength. I need—”
“They’re waiting for you.” Her body convulsed, and she curled into a ball.
“I know. Tohon—”
“East. Go east. Leave me.”
“No way, little shadow.”
“Stupid.”
“I disagree. Now I need to fetch a few things before it’s full dark. Rest, I’ll be back.”
My bodyguards followed me to the infirmary. I pulled Christina aside and asked her to sit with Noelle. When she left, I found Sergeant Enric. He played cards with a private from Halberd Company, keeping the boy occupied.
“Enric, can I talk to you a moment?” I asked.
“Sure.” He tossed the deck to the boy. “Shuffle them good, Bronson. I’m tired of losing.”
We stepped out of hearing range of the other patients.
“I need your help,” I said. “I—”
“Sure, anything.”
“I didn’t even explain. And it’s dangerous.”
“I’ll take action over inaction no matter how dangerous it is.”
I told Enric my plan.
He glanced at the dead soldiers waiting by the door. “What about your new friends?”
“I’ll take care of them. Are you in?”
“Yes.”
I grabbed a few supplies and headed up to Estrid’s suite, trailing my guards. Hoping Tohon hadn’t returned, I slipped inside. The servants were lighting the lanterns as I dashed to the bedroom, grabbed my pack and hurried back down to my room.
Christina jumped when I entered. The four dead crowded in behind me.
“How’s she doing?” I asked.
“Sleeping now,” she whispered. “But she was vomiting.” Christina pointed to the floor next to Noelle. “I brought in a few more clean bedpans for when she wakes. Does she have the plague?” Fear laced her voice.
“No. She has a stomach flu.” The plag
ue symptoms closely matched the toxin’s. Except the plague’s victims lived longer—about eleven days, compared to an average of seven for the Death Lily’s. “Thanks for staying with her.” I escorted her out.
I placed my supplies from the infirmary on the night table and then dug through my knapsack. Unable to find what I was looking for, I upended my pack, spilling the contents on Flea’s bed. Frantic, I searched.
“Looking for this?” Tohon asked.
He stood in the doorway, holding a Death Lily toxin sack. Or to be more exact, my sack.
“You made this one easy, my dear.” Tohon strode over to the bed, gazing down at Noelle. “The Lilys make two sacks per flower. So if you gave Ryne three of them, then there has to be one left. And sure enough...” He tossed it into the air and caught it. “I found it in your bag, and I knew you’d want to use it on your special companions.”
Tohon turned to me. Behind him Noelle stirred, sitting up. I kept my gaze on him.
“However, not all your schemes will be this easy. So, I’m afraid—”
He staggered forward as a loud clang echoed. Noelle had hit him over the head with a bedpan. I rushed forward and caught him. He looked at me with a dazed expression. Taking advantage, I found the spot on the back of his neck and zapped him before he could counter me. Tohon collapsed.
Dumping him on the ground, I yanked the toxin sack from his hand and swiped the syringe off the night table. One of the dead soldiers wrapped his arms around my waist, picking me up. His buddy grabbed my legs.
Noelle brandished the bedpan as the other two advanced on her. I shoved the needle into the sack and drew toxin, then pricked my captor.
Nothing happened.
A clang sounded as Noelle’s bedpan connected. I tried to fight, but the two held me tight, and soon Noelle was captured, as well.
As they headed to the door, the man I’d pricked lurched once, then collapsed. A horrible stench filled the room. But I didn’t hesitate to stab the dead holding my ankles. The other two recognized I was the bigger threat and dropped Noelle to come after me. Noelle reclaimed her bedpan, distracting them just enough so I could inject them.
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