Forgotten
Page 34
Nathan, once again you’ve displayed a disappointing lack of meanness. He is, folks, the genius behind bee fumes and the inspiration for the chat about centaurs. Brilliant, right? For that, sir, I owe you two waffles AND a cookie. Even if you were a miserable failure.
To my family, who have all been astoundingly encouraging, my deepest thanks. I knew you guys would be great, but I never expected the overwhelming support that I’ve gotten from everyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And, most of all, thanks to the readers. You guys rock.
About the Author
Lyn lives in Michigan. It’s cold there most of the time. She is not a fan. She spends entirely too much time there playing video games and watching Netflix. Sometimes even with people! She’s a fan of amusing t-shirts, shiny new electronics, science fiction tv shows and cartoons. It’s also a safe bet to assume she’s into anything else remotely dorky.
Sneak Peek at
Blood & Fire Book 3
Destiny
Coming in 2013
“Hide these in the deepest crypt you have. If the Temples fall, so do our kind. Do no tell my brother where they are. Hamish cannot know!”
Elora blinked. Where did that voice come from? She touched the gems again, but this time nothing happened. She took out the gems one by one and put them in a pocket in her robes. She pushed the safe close and out the pendant popped. Elora placed it back around her neck. She wasn’t sure why, but Elora didn’t want anyone getting her hands on those gems.
What did they have to do with the Temples? The vision, for lack of a better word, could only be referring to the Elemental Temples. They were the source of elemental magics, at least amongst her mother’s people. There were four of them. Each Temple signified each element and the guardians of those elements: Gnome, Sylph, Undine, and Salamander. Only the Winged royals and representatives of the gods could enter the sacred grove that protected the entrance. Other than that, she didn’t know much about them. Rastia had never visited them and couldn’t give much description on the religion front of the Verus Volatis clan. So where did the gems fit?
“Are you going to stand there spacing out or are we going to leave at some point?” Rastia’s voice startled Elora out of her thoughts. “I heard voices. Dim your fire and let’s get moving. Zwi is going to cover our tracks.”
Elora nodded as Zwi winked. She walked out of the room. As she did a gentle breeze started. Elora turned to look. Zwi had his focus on the room behind them. The sand and dirt that Elora had disturbed were gently guided back in place. After a few moments it looked as if Elora had never been there. Elora envied Zwi his mastery of wind. Most days she was lucky to even be able to get it to do what she wanted it to do.
Rastia tugged on her arm. Elora hurried up the steps. What felt like forever later they reached the top, panting and almost breathless. Almost immediately after reaching the top of the stairs, Rastia’s flame went out. Elora followed suit. There were noises coming from the main room. Elora crouched along a wall and folded her wings around herself. She saw Rastia do the same, but kept her own wings folded against her back.
“There were lights coming from here, Captain. Ravensong saw them. Shall we search the area?”
Elora felt her heart beat faster. She gave Rastia a panicked look. Rastia simply shook her head slightly and quietly loosened her sword. Chewing her lip, Elora did the same.
“There’s only one way out of here.” the voice was female but flat, devoid of emotion. “They’ll either come out or starve.”
Footsteps echoed as they moved out of the building. Elora heard muffled orders. She moved over to Rastia. “What do we do?” she whispered.
Rastia stood and rolled her shoulders. “What else? We fight our way out. Unless Zwi can provide an adequate distraction.”
“No can do, Rastia.” Zwi seemed to have come out of nowhere. “You know I can play in mortal affairs like that.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. For once mischief wasn’t in his face or manners. He actually looked solemn.
“Like the Abyss you can’t. Whatever. We can get out ourselves.” Rastia put her hand on her hilt and walked out of the building. Elora glanced at Zwi, then followed.
The doorway was surrounded. There was a tight circle of armed soldiers with drawn weapons, all pointed at Rastia and Elora. In the forefront was the leader. Her helm was in the shape of a cat’s head. Her simple armor was almost purely ceremonial and was polished so well that the torches reflected right off it. She had drawn no weapon. Her hands weren’t anywhere near the sword that hung off her hip. She was staring intently at Rastia and Elora, and Elora could feel a smile from behind the helm. It sent shivers down her spine.
Elora took that moment to fully appreciate the danger they were in. There had to be at least two companies facing them, about three hundred soldiers. Many had bows or crossbows, all had swords. There was a very good chance none of them used magic, as the kingdom of Urazin didn’t allow for it. In using hers she could probably catch a number of them by surprise and even the odds at the same time. But could she do it? Elora had fought bandits before, but she had never killed them. These were no bandits. They probably wouldn’t run for their lives the moment Rastia put the commander in compromising position. Elora wasnt sure she could bring herself to kill another being.
The Cat lifted her hand. “Destroy them.”