Heirs of War

by Mara Valderran

  "You were attacked in both places?"

  Zelene tuned the rest out. She didn't need to hear Kyle recount the violence she’d witnessed. Every night she had to fight off visions of all the blood and death they experienced that day.

  She instead replayed his version of their breakup over and over in her head, trying to find some sort of hole in his story. She remembered how much they fought over how he didn't want to take her back to his house. The breakup had been abrupt, and he had been upset when he had ended things with her, saying it was for the best. She remembered how he had tried to fight back tears, which was the reason she had believed him and tried to be friends. When she had gotten the text message from him asking her to come over, she thought maybe he had wanted to get back together. And he had looked surprised when she was there and told him she had gotten his message.

  "I believe we owe you a debt then, Kyle Logan," her brother said when she came back to the present. “You risked your life twice for her, suffering a grave injury in the process, but you also went through great efforts even before you knew about her importance to our world to ensure the safety of Ainnir Zelene. Thank you. I know this has been trying for you, given your condition. You may return to the leigheas, if you wish."

  Kyle nodded his appreciation. "Thank you. I will." He didn’t even look at Zelene as he limped from the room.

  Rhaya looked at her expectantly. "This is the part where you go after him, Zelene."

  Zelene bit at her lower lip and glanced to her father on the platform. "Don't I have to be here, though?"

  Rhaya waved off her concerns. "You'll be back in time. This part takes forever. Your Cyneward is basically describing your whole life on Dhara. Go!"

  Zelene gave Rhaya's hand an appreciative squeeze before ducking out of the room and chasing after Kyle. The sun was setting, and the sky was overcast from the early afternoon rains. She looked around and caught a glimpse of him as he turned toward the city center. He was halfway through the courtyard when she caught up to him.

  "Kyle!" She watched as he picked up his pace and she jogged to catch up with him. "You could never outrun me before, and you especially can't now," she teased.

  He whipped around to face her. "What do you want, Ainnir Zelene?"

  She took a step back, hurt from his harsh tone. "Is it true? What you said in there?"

  He rubbed free hand over his face. "What do you want me to say, Zelene? That it was a lie?" He paused as she shook her head slowly. "No? Would you like for me to bow down and apologize to you then? Or are you just here to rub everything in my face?"

  "What? I only wanted to know if it was true." She lowered her voice, trying to calm her temper. "Were you really just trying to keep me from Dean?"

  He took in a deep breath, finally meeting her gaze. "Yes. He was always more interested in you than in me. And when Varrick told me Dean was a danger to you, well...I had to do something, okay?"

  She shifted uncomfortably. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "Tell you what?" he demanded. "I didn't even know anything. I was just going on a damned feeling and Varrick's paranoia. If you want to get mad at someone for not telling you, go yell at Varrick, okay? He's the one who told me to keep you away."

  "But you listened to him. You could have been honest with me instead of...instead of—" She stopped and pulled her head back as she noticed three hooded figures appear behind Kyle. She couldn’t believe her father would send complete strangers to retrieve her like this.

  Kyle straightened at the look on Zelene's face and whipped around to face the three approaching men. "Well, the hoods don't make this ominous at all," he quipped. "I don't suppose you three are just taking a walk?"

  "Come quietly and the girl won't get hurt," the one in the middle said.

  Kyle lifted his cane in the air like a baseball bat. "Fat chance. You aren't taking her anywhere, pal." He freed one hand and used it to pull her close against his back. "When I charge them, make a run for it. And for once in your life, don't argue with me."

  Before they could act, Zelene felt a hand clamp down on her head from behind, yanking her away from Kyle before another hand covered her mouth with a bad-smelling cloth. She squirmed against their hold, fighting the groggy effects of the chemical. Then she dropped to the ground, her face splattering in a puddle. She looked toward the sound of Kyle's yelling and could see he was trying to fight the hold of two of their attackers to get to her, though her vision was blurred. She thought she saw the third one throw a hood over his head and carried him off just as she lost consciousness.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  "So I go down the stairs, then look to my left for the stone archway." Ariana paused to think it over. "No, I turn right to find the stone archway, which leads to the entrance. Right?"

  "You were right the first time." Alec knelt beside her and patted her leg. "Maybe we should give ourselves another day to prepare."

  Without looking, she grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him close. "We are leaving tonight. I am not going to take the chance Kellen gets back early and decides to feed me to her wolves."

  He placed his hand over her white knuckled fist, urging it away from his shirt, but keeping her tiny hand enclosed in his. "I won't let that happen. I promise."

  "I know," she said. "I'd just rather get out of here before it comes to that. No offense," she added quickly. "I mean, you're cute and all, but this isn't how I pictured my first time to be."

  "None taken, I assure you,” he said with a chuckle. Now tell me again where you're supposed to go."

  She gave an exasperated groan as she turned her attention back to the makeshift map they had created from various items around the room. "I just don't know what the point in going over this is. You know your way around this place, don't you?"

  "I do," he agreed as he stood up, "but there's no guarantee I'll be with you. If we get pinned down, and you have the opportunity to run, you should. You should seek out the tairseach like I explained."

  She rose slowly to her feet as stared at him, dumbfounded. "Don't be an idiot, Alec. You really expect me to leave without you?"

  His face turned grave as he answered. "If I fall behind, then yes."

  She matched his somber look with one of defiance. "I won't leave you."

  He turned and paced away from her. "You are far more important in all this than I am."

  She gnawed her lip, his words giving her pause as she wasn't sure what to say in response. She decided to try a different tactic, placing her hands on her hips. "How am I supposed to find my way without you? I don't know anything about this place or magic or anything. I need you to help me."

  "You're a clever girl, Ariana. You don’t need me." His silky tone didn't mask the whispers of longing in his voice. "I've already told you what you need to do once you get to the tairseach."

  "But—"

  "No. If we get out of this cell, and I manage to clear the way for you to escape but can't follow, you must keep going. Or this will all be for nothing. Promise me."

  "I promise." He turned away from her, but she grabbed his arm, and pulled him back to face her. She took a step closer until their faces were inches apart. "If it comes to that though, know I will come back for you. That is also my promise. I'll do what you ask, but I will come back for you. No matter what it takes."

  He was taken aback by her vow. Before he could respond, she threw her arms around his neck and held him tight to her. "Hopefully you won't have to," he said as he returned the embrace with some hesitance. "Now show me the route you take."

  Ariana turned back to the map, kneeling down as she pulled her dark hair from the back of her neck. "Down the stairs, then to the right at the stone archway. Once I'm outside, I go down the pathway until I reach the main gate. Then," she bit at her lower lip, "I'm not sure. I'm drawing a blank."

  He lowered himself to his knees beside her. "Are you really? Or are you trying to appear as though you are hopeless without my aid?"

  She scrunched her
nose. "Maybe a little of both? I knew it was a left," she admitted. "But I really am drawing a blank as to where to go after I get out through the gate."

  He pointed to the map and drew a line with his finger. "Keep to the woods. It's important you stay hidden. There will probably be two guards posted at the gate. Now, how will you get past them if I am not with you?"

  "I'll kick 'em, sir," she joked. When he didn't laugh, she rolled her eyes. "In all seriousness we'll need to pick some stuff up along the way to make it look like we have a purpose here. Like we're delivering stuff somewhere else?"

  He nodded, and Ariana could tell he was somewhat impressed, but doubtful her ploy would work. "Clever, but her guards are sharp enough to see through your guise. Might be best to try at first, but make sure you also find a weapon along the way. You'll probably need one. A dagger, preferably, but a staff would suffice."

  “Or a sword?”

  He shook his head. “Swords are heavy and hard to wield if you’ve never trained.”

  Ariana slumped over with disappointment. Somehow, imagining herself rushing at the guards with a battle cry and a sword in hand made all of this much easier to deal with. "Fine, no sword. So once I'm past the guards, I keep to the woods to the right, and that will lead me to the town, right?" She rocked back on her heels. "Satisfied? Can we do this now?"

  He stood, shrugging before brushing the dirt off his knees. "I suppose there's no time like the present. Just remember…"

  "I know, I know," she interrupted. "Make it real." She paused and tilted her head up to meet his ever-sorrowful eyes. "And don't squirm, I got it."

  He towered over her. "This is serious, Ariana. One wrong move, and I could gravely injure you or worse."

  She placed her hand over her heart in a mock solemn pledge. "I promise to be as limp as a rag doll in your hands."

  “You have no idea how breakable you are in my hands,” he said with a resigned look.

  She smiled up at him and took his hand with the expectation of being helped up. Instead, he lifted her from the ground in one fluid movement. She cried out in surprise, not able to resist the scream that came as his hand closed around her throat from behind.

  "Make it real," he growled in her ear.

  "Somebody help me," she bellowed, trying to suppress the terror at once again feeling a hand clamped around her windpipe. It was little comfort knowing that her airway was threatened by a physical force instead of an invisible one, though she did try to remember that it was Alec's hand, and he seemed to be someone she could trust. As his grip tightened, her heart beat against her chest as she had the fleeting thought her trust might have been misplaced. "HELP!"

  Two guards, one male and one female but equally armed and sized, burst in with their weapons drawn. They were clad in leather and metal, their chain-mail armor woven into the chest of their dark blue tunics. The symbol of the moon passing over the sun, like the tail end of an eclipse, featured heavily on their uniforms. The emblem was on the tops of their gloves and the hilts of their swords; they even wore the symbol on a chain around their necks.

  "Alec, what do you think you are doing?" the male asked as if he was talking to an old friend.

  "Using my ticket out of this place, that's what," Alec retorted.

  The guards didn't seem to believe him and began to close in. "Let the girl go, Alec."

  "Don't," Alec barked and flexed his fingers around her throat. He had her arm twisted in an uncomfortable angle behind her back, causing her to arc her back. "You've witnessed my speed. I will snap her neck before you can even think of bringing harm to me."

  "You wouldn't dare. She is of the Duillaine," the male hissed.

  "Better she be dead than be of any use to Kellen." Alec’s usually light voice was callous and frigid, sending waves of ice up her spine.

  Ariana whimpered, trying to remind herself he didn't mean the words, but fearing for her life all the same. "Please…."

  "Now," Alec began as he inched closer, "you will let me pass, or I shall kill her where she stands. We both know I would not be the only one Kellen blamed."

  A chill ran through both the guards at the thought. They exchanged looks, but remained firm in their stance, blocking Alec's path. They seemed to be evaluating the threat, like they still weren't taking him seriously even though his words had given them pause. Their dilemma was clear: Risk the life of Ariana, or let Kellen's pet go free? Either way they knew their commander would be angry.

  Alec’s grip tightened around her neck as he jerked her, causing her to cry out. "You will let me pass, or I will kill her. The choice is yours – my freedom, or her death."

  Resigned, the woman took a step back, and the male soon followed. Alec rushed past them, backing out of the room, so his focus remained on the threats at hand. They followed, poised and ready for attack at the first sign of any weakness on Alec's part.

  Alec’s plan had a flaw that he and Ariana had not foreseen. Alec kept his attention on the threats before him, unaware that more guards gathered behind him. He grunted in pain and Ariana twisted to get a better view of him. She screamed in horror at the sword blade protruding from Alec’s chest. The guard behind Alec gripped the hilt, twisting it slightly before removing the blade with a jerk of his armor-clad arm, and Alec’s fearful eyes drifted to Ariana’s.

  "Run," he groaned before collapsing to his knees.

  Ariana dropped down with him, her hands automatically pressing into the wound to try to stop the bleeding. "Stay with me, Alec! You're going to be okay, I promise. No! No!" she screamed as the guards pulled her away from him.

  One of the larger men threw her over his shoulder, though she fought him as hard as she could. She lifted her head just in time to watch the remaining guards circle Alec, and the first boot collided with his back. The guard dropped her down just inside the doorway to their room, shoving her away easily as she tried to rail against him to get to Alec.

  She paced the room, trying to find something she could use as a weapon to get past him. The guard watched her from his post at the door, chuckling as she tore the room apart in a glorious temper-tantrum. Ariana eyed the shards of the pitcher she had accidentally broken in her frantic search for aid. Kneeling down, she lifted one of the jagged chunks of glass and turned the piece over in her hand before lifting her resolute face to the still-chuckling guard. His laughter died in his throat at the look she gave him. Her eyes had turned hard and determined. He watched her apprehensively, paling with shock as she lifted the broken shard to her own throat. He made to step forward, but she stopped him by pressing the sharp edge harder into the soft flesh of her throat.

  "Don't." She watched as he paused, clearly trying to decide the best course of action. "If you come any closer, I will kill myself. On your watch. And then Kellen won't be able to use me."

  "What do you want?"

  Ariana tilted her head in the direction of Alec. "I want him returned. Now. I want you to bring me medical supplies. The means to see to his wounds," she elaborated at his confused look.

  "Why—?"

  "You will do as I say. You will bring Alec to me, placing him gently just within the door and stepping away. You will then resecure the door, and bring me what I need. I will then turn over any possible weapons in this room to you. Do you understand?"

  He hesitated, his eyes darting between her and in the direction of Alec.

  She pressed the shard against her throat, causing a warm trickle of blood to trail down her skin. "Do it now," she yelled.

  The guard started and rushed in the direction of Alec, shouting orders as the door slammed shut with a thud that weakened her resolve. She could hear the sound of Alec’s feet scraping against the stone floor as they dragged him down the hallway. The door creaked open, and the guards eyed her cautiously as she held the shard to her throat, chin raised in determination. They did as she demanded and back away. She wanted so very badly to rush to Alec's side, but knew the guards watching would use the opportunity to disarm her. Instead, s
he kept her maddened gaze locked on their fearful eyes, daring them to breathe without her permission.

  She risked a glimpse to Alec, whose shirt was wet with blood. He was pale and still, and Ariana was terrified she might be too late to save him. The female guard returned carrying a basin of water and a mortar and pestle along with a towel draped over her arm. She placed the items next to Alec before backing away slowly.

  "We've completed our end of the bargain, Ainnir Ariana," the male said in a gruff voice. "Now hand over the shard."

  Ariana shot him a dirty look. "You've got some nerve to call me by my title when you're holding me hostage. I'm not turning anything over to you. Shut the door and lock it before I decide Alec was right, and I'm better off dead than any use to Kellen."

  The guard took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. "Lady Kellen will be returning soon. I think you'll find you would have rather dealt with me than her, Ainnir Ariana."

  Ariana had no argument, but the guard gave her no time to make one as he turned on his heel, and shut the door behind him. Once she heard the click of the lock, she threw herself down next to Alec and tore his shirt open to inspect the wound, using the rag to mop up the blood clotted around the gash.

  She pressed her fingers to his neck to search for a pulse, but there wasn't one. "No," she gasped. "No, you can't be dead. Come on, Alec. Come on!" She shook him violently, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Please...don't leave me here alone," she whispered and clutched his shirt in her white-knuckled fists.

  Ariana waited with dim hope, but Alec didn't move. She scooted away from him, her back against the doors, her legs drawn to her chest, and sobbed into her knees. Alec had said that she didn't understand the gravity of their situation, but in this moment she understood fully. He had been a source of strength for her since the very moment they had met; a ray of hope in the darkest of circumstances. And now he was gone, and she felt more alone than she ever had before.