By Destiny Bound (The Lost Shrines Book 2)

by Amberlyn Holland

  Yve saw destruction at every turn. Felt evil spread and reach out into the world above. There was an echo of horror and fear from the generations of Kelans who'd witnessed this destiny before her, and Yve understood the Temple’s oldest rule. To protect the world, they couldn't allow the monster into the center of the Labyrinth.

  Yet, Yve had failed. The red-cloaked figure had the key.

  Yve coughed and struggled to sit up, but strong hands held her shoulders. Eyes still fogged with the remains of her gift, she panicked and fought.

  "Yve. Yve, it's me. You're safe."

  The last of the phantom smoke cleared from her eyes and Maddyn hovered in front of her, looking worried and angry and determined.

  When her eyes focused, and she stopped fighting, he asked, "Where are you hurt? Did he cut you with the dagger?"

  "I'm not hurt, just bruised," she mumbled, still trying to orient herself. Then she saw the poisoned blade where it had fallen. Remembered Mother Orra's final moments and understood what he must have thought when she fell and went still.

  "I'm fine. He didn't cut me. He dropped the knife before he got close to me."

  The tense lines eased and he engulfed her in his arms. For a second, Yve let herself rest against his chest, let the heavy rhythms of his heart and his breath soothe her.

  But only for a second.

  Collecting herself, Yve pushed away, forcing her way to her feet, though she longed to stay in the safe cocoon of his embrace.

  "We have to go. We have to stop him before he gets to the Labyrinth."

  Gathering her skirt, Yve didn't wait to see if Maddyn followed, just started running back toward the Temple.

  He did follow, of course, and was right behind her when she stepped through into the entry hall and stopped abruptly. Put his hand on her low back, steadying them both.

  Two Seryts were helping Brynna to her feet. The High-Seryt's forehead was smeared with blood from a fresh cut above her eyebrow.

  "Brynna, what happened?"

  "I tried to stop him," Brynna said, swaying a little when she stepped away from the support of the other Seryts. "I'm sorry, I couldn't."

  Yve reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "I didn't stop him, either."

  They shared a moment of guilt, acknowledging the mutual duty they now shouldered together. Yve stood straighter and let the weight of responsibility settle around her like a shield.

  "But I'm going to stop him now."

  The steady, silent presence of Maddyn behind her gave her confidence in herself.

  She headed for the stairs, Maddyn right behind her.

  "I'll come with you," Brynna said, determined but still unsteady.

  "No," Yve said with a shake of her head. Then she noticed the other Seryts filing into the hall, and a dark sense of danger choked her with foreboding.

  "Stay here. Don't let anyone down there, no matter what." Each word was emphasized, making it clear that Brynna's duty was to protect everyone else from what Yve and Maddyn were going down to face.

  Brynna looked like she wanted to protest, but instead, she stepped back pulling on her fierce, competent composure and nodded sharply.

  Once sure Brynna understood what was necessary, Yve turned back to the steps. The descent into the shadowed levels below had never seemed ominous before.

  Maddyn stepped in front of her, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Let me lead."

  Since he was the one with the weapon and the training and the enhanced senses, Yve didn't argue. He might be trying to protect her by leading the way into danger, but she had his back.

  On the way down to the lower levels, Maddyn growled and grumbled about the lack of a scent trail, but Yve had little doubt where the assassin was headed. How the bastard knew it was there, when no one else in the Temple even knew the library existed was another story.

  When she stopped Maddyn in front of a blank stretch of wall, he quirked an eyebrow but didn't question. Instead, his lips twisted up on a half-smirk. "Let me guess. Secret passage?"

  "Secret room, actually." Yve pointed out the faint hint of a doorway that was only noticeable once one was aware of it. "But I have a feeling there is a secret passage beyond that. Unfortunately, if there is, the medallion is the key."

  "Then we'll just have to get it back." Maddyn squared his shoulders and turned to face the spot where the door would appear. "Open it up."

  He made it sound so easy. So certain that they'd succeed. Yve drew on his confidence, both the words and strength in their connection, and let it bolster her own.

  With a deep, steadying breath, she pressed her hand over the hidden release mechanism and pushed.

  Before the door slid completely open, Maddyn rushed through, a warrior's bellow echoing in the room.

  *****

  As soon as the first few inches slid open, Maddyn swept the whole room with a glance. The library was cluttered, filled with books and artifacts and a dozen weapons that could become a threat or opportunity. Directly across from the secret door, a hutch had been angled away from the wall, revealing an ancient looking door carved with intricate symbols. At its center was a stylized full moon that created a depression just the right size for the Kelan's medallion.

  The assassin halted with his hand half raised to insert the medallion into the unique keyhole. He'd turned around at the sound of the door to face Maddyn.

  As soon as the door opened enough to fit him, Maddyn rushed heedlessly through. Confined by the room's clutter, there was no room to draw his sword. Instead, Maddyn went with the expedient of lowering his shoulder and tackling the assassin with all the momentum he could build. The cloaked figure tried to brace himself at the last minute, but Maddyn barreled into him with enough force to take them both to ground. He landed on top of the wiry intruder with a satisfying thud.

  Something clanged on floor and Maddyn smirked when he saw an empty hand where the medallion had been. The smiled slipped, however, when the assassin arched abruptly under him, twisting at the last moment and dislodging Maddyn enough to get leverage and reverse their position.

  Despite his size advantage, Maddyn didn't keep the upper hand for long. They struggled, back and forth, rolling across the floor. Maddyn's shoulder slammed into one of the bookshelves, and a barrage of artifacts and detritus rained down on them. He twisted using the strength of his legs to return the favor and crashed the cloaked figure into the desk.

  Over the sound of their struggle, Maddyn kept part of his senses trained on Yve. Her quiet gasps and the rippling concern whenever the assassin temporarily got the upper hand were a constant compass that helped him keep the fight away from her as much as possible in the confined space.

  Then he heard her soft steps move further into the library. Her heart rate picked up, rapid fire surprise, exhilaration, then determination hummed along the bond and Maddyn had no doubt she'd spotted the medallion and was going for it. He fought hard against the urge to twist around and check on her. The momentary distraction cost him, anyway. While his attention was divided the assassin stretched out and wrapped his fingers around the hilt of a fallen dagger.

  Maddyn caught the movement a second too late. He rolled to avoid the thrust aimed at his heart, but the blade still plunged into his body, ripping jaggedly across soft flesh before tearing out of his side. Agony burned like acid. His body betrayed him with weakness as he battled through the blood loss and pain. Exultant, the assassin tore himself out of Maddyn's grasp, stomping a well-aimed boot to the fresh wound. Maddyn curled in on himself, fighting through the searing agony to stay conscious.

  Free of Maddyn, the assassin launched himself toward Yve, hand closing around her arm and yanking her back before she picked up the necklace.

  Calling on whatever reserves he had left, Maddyn struggled to his feet, will battling weakness with the burning need to protect his bond-mate.

  Yve fought back, pushing and clawing at the man to get to the medallion before he did. In the struggle, she gripped the edge his mask, yanking it
back to reveal the assassin.

  Lennar's sharp features sneered back at them.

  The shock froze all of them, but the seneschal recovered first, shoving Yve roughly toward Maddyn, knocking him back to the ground. She landed sprawled across him in a tangle of limbs and skirts. The force of their collision coupled with the searing pain in his side drove the air from his lungs. Spots danced in front of Maddyn's eyes as he gasped to catch his breath.

  Lennar scooped up the necklace, pressed it into the door and disappeared into the dark tunnel beyond.

  Yve scrambled to stand up, pressing on his side in the attempt and making Maddyn gasp. She stared at the blood on her hand. On her dress. Then she reached out, hand hovering over his wounded side.

  "Oh. You're hurt," Yve whispered like she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. Then her lips firmed and her face sharpened with resolve. "We have to get you help. I'll yell for Brynna to get the healers. Then I'll go after Lennar."

  "NO." He surged up, gripping her wrist before she turned away. The thought of her going after the monster alone left him chilled and shaken in a way his wound hadn't even begun to.

  Despite his slight size, the seneschal had held his own against Maddyn’s strength and training. He wasn't sure if it was skill or sorcery but, either way, Yve wouldn't stand a chance on her own.

  "No, I'm good," Maddyn insisted. He let go of her, pressing his hand back to his side and using every bit of reserve he had to struggle to his feet. His head spun, and dizziness swamped as soon as he tried to take a step. He could feel the blood pulsing against his fingers. Could feel the strength and focus draining along with it.

  It was only when her small hands pressed against him to hold him still that he realized he was swaying wildly.

  He should pull away. Instead, he let himself lean on her for a second, his words softer than he expected as he strained to make her understand.

  "He's dangerous. Don't underestimate him like I did. We still don't even know what kind of sorcery he's capable of. And he seems to know this place at least as well as you do. You can't go alone."

  "I have to stop him. I can't wait. I saw... I don't think anyone else can stop what's going to happen if we--"

  "We what? What do we have to do?"

  "I saw us. Both of us. But you're never going to make it. You can barely stand as it is."

  "Not in this form, maybe. But I have another form."

  "Will transforming heal you?"

  Her eyes were wide and hopeful, and he hated to dash that hope, but he shook his head.

  "No. Not like you think. My forms are separate, taking turns waiting on the spirit plane for me to call them. That's why the Hound doesn't appear wearing pants."

  He tried to chuckle but it turned into a gasping cough. His body was weakening, and his consciousness would follow if didn't do something soon.

  "My Hound is unharmed. It will also stop this body from getting worse until this is over. You can't fight him physically."

  He paused, hating what came next. He wanted to wrap her up in blankets and keep her safe. But that wasn't what she wanted. And it wasn't what was going to happen, whether he wanted it or not. So he swallowed his instinct to protect and his habit of taking charge.

  "I have a feeling it won't be a physical fight in the end, though. Whatever happens next, you have to be there. We need to do this together."

  Uncertainty tightened the lines around her mouth, but she seemed to accept that there really wasn't another choice.

  She leaned forward, her lips brushing over his in a lingering kiss that was more promise than invitation.

  When she drew back, a smile tempered the fear in her eyes.

  "Together," she agreed.

  Maddyn smiled, pressed his lips to hers one more time. Then he pulled back to put some space between them and called the Hound.

  *****

  The white mist surrounded Maddyn, blurring her sight and, when it cleared, the Hound stood in his place. The surge of awe and affection surprised her with the speed it ran through her.

  Even if it was only temporary, Maddyn was her bond-mate, and she was grateful to have that gift. Impulsively, she dropped her hand to his neck and let her fingers curl into the soft fur.

  The door had closed behind Lennar, but Yve felt a pull from the other side and knew it wasn't locked. The tug got stronger as she got closer to the carved wood of the portal, leaving no doubt she had a connection with the Labyrinth. She just wished she understood what it was. How to use it. Why it was given to her and not to someone more worthy. She didn't have half the knowledge or understanding of the Order that Brynna did.

  How on earth was she going to stop a dark sorcerer from unleashing his evil in the Temple when she couldn't even get her chores done?

  Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, Yve did her best to crush the surge of self-doubt and pushed at the door. It swung open easily, and the tug became almost a wave of welcoming when she stepped inside.

  A steep, narrow staircase descended deeper into the earth. A faint light reached up from the darkness below. Maddyn nudged past her taking the lead.

  At the bottom, the single tunnel opened up in front of them. It looked like some giant snake had bored its way through the dark stone. The walls were smooth except where runes had been carved in a straight, unending line at eye level. Those carvings were also the origin of glowing light illuminating the Labyrinth. Yve peered closer, but couldn't see what caused them to glow.

  Curiosity unsatisfied, she frowned and followed Maddyn down the corridor until it branched into a Y shape.

  A gentle pull came from each of them, and Yve hesitated, trying to understand what it meant. Did the left feel stronger? Or was that her imagination? Her wishful thinking that she could somehow figure this out and save the day.

  The Hound edged toward the right tunnel, then paused and looked back over his shoulder at her. The Hound had instincts of his own, not to mention heightened senses and training in tracking people. Yve wasn't ever sure if what she felt was real or a figment of her imagination. Uncertain and unwilling to make a mistake, she stepped up next to Maddyn and followed him down the right corridor.

  The farther they went, the more foreboding weighed on Yve. Two turns later, they met a dead end and the sense of connection to something greater had all but disappeared.

  "Well, I guess we need to go back," Yve sighed, unable to keep her exasperation and dejection out of her voice.

  Maddyn huffed and licked her hand before heading back the way they'd come. She couldn't help but giggle, feeling lighter despite the failure as they retraced their steps.

  They moved quickly back through the false turns until they got to the Y. Once they stepped into the left branch, a cool buzz of rightness washed over Yve, and she started to trust her new sixth sense a little more. Several more turns and choices bolstered her confidence a little more until the corridor widened out to create a circular room with a half dozen openings leading off in all directions.

  She stopped walking, trying to sort through the sensations, the buzz of yes or no or maybe that came from each branch. Yve closed her eyes and tried to remember some of the meditation and mantras she had learned early in the first days of her novitiate. Sitting still and concentrating had never been her strong suit and she rarely practiced the skills when not required to.

  This time, though, with the aura of something greater buzzing all around her, it was easier to sink into herself and find that quiet place of connection.

  When she opened her eyes, lines streaked over the floors and along the walls like some kind of grid. Some thickened toward certain doors and some were fainter and fainter as they all but disappeared down the branches that felt like dead ends. She even saw the way they fed into the runes and created the magical glow that lit their way.

  "Maddyn, are you seeing this?"

  Remembering that he couldn't answer her in his current form, Yve pulled her eyes away from the light show around her.

 
Maddyn sniffed along the edge of the closest corridor, one with strange-looking leylines. Those leading to it were faint but then got brighter as they twisted into a knot just inside the mouth of the entrance.

  Curious, Yve stepped closer as Maddyn edged toward the opening.

  "Maddyn, wait. No!" Yve shouted, the feeling of danger overwhelming her. The warning was too late, though. The Hound's tail swayed slightly, and he walked into the corridor.

  The lines of power pulled taut around the knot. Then something powerful and stifling flared in the air around Yve a second before a circle of fire blazed to life around Maddyn.

  The Hound growled and tried to leap through the flames, but the heat drove him back. He snarled again and settled in the center of the six-foot circle hemming him in.

  Floor to ceiling, they crackled and flickered, searing the air and forcing Yve to step back. She felt Maddyn attempting to dampen the pain and fear and frustration in order to spare her. Even when he was the one in danger, he was still trying to protect her.

  Sinking to the ground, Yve tried to clamp down and not let her own despair and terror slip along the connection. She'd failed.

  Maddyn. The Temple. Mother Orra. Probably the whole world.

  She'd been given a power and a chance and she'd failed. Just like everyone knew she would. Her parents, her sisters, the Seryts.

  Damn it. She wasn't giving up. Because then everyone would be right and she knew they were wrong.

  Anger and frustration erupted, pushing away the doubt and hopelessness that had swamped her. She snarled at the line nearest her, mentally tugging back against the pull around her.

  And it moved.

  Only a hairsbreadth. But it moved.

  She was so caught up in the surprise, she almost missed it when the sensation of Maddyn humming along the bond changed. It became calm and resolved. Filled with a push of comfort and a rush of goodbye.