by Rin Chupeco
I tried again, but all my attempts at Scrying failed. How had I gotten past the barrier to Aenah? I reached out desperately and found nothing but darkness—a darkness that slithered, waiting.
Visions of forests and streams burned into my head. The azi was somewhere upriver, circling the sky. Even with the strongest wards keeping me in place, even across the long miles, it could find me.
Something curled along the edges of my thoughts. The azi did not think the way humans do, but there was a faint question in its mind, one I understood.
I could bind no spells in this room, but the azi was here. How could I use it? How could I control it? The thought of merging minds with a creature so grotesque, a daeva whose kind caused my own brother’s death, once horrified me.
I took a deep breath and plunged willingly into the azi’s mind.
It was thick and cloying; if I could have breathed in the abscesses of its soul, I would have suffocated. Consciousness slid around me like thick molasses, and its thoughts were primal, simple. It desired freedom. People hunted it, so it hunted them. It yearned for solitude, food and sunlight its only pleasures. The old scar on my thigh burned.
Master?
Yes!
There was a rush of wings, and my stomach plummeted as the azi swooped down, so low that its tail grazed the ground. With a loud cry, it soared back up, picking up speed as it shot through the air, a new destination in mind.
The walls of my room shook. It was close, far closer than I realized. I had a bird’s-eye view of rooftops, roads, and the familiar towers of the Odalian palace before the world shifted again. The azi dove down, straight into the heart of the city.
No! I yelled, grabbing at the shadows, and the beast rose at the last second, nearly missing a house. Its three heads screamed at the sky, tongues weaving, and somewhere in the palace, I could hear glass shattering.
I pulled again, and the azi complied, goaded into circling the city. At that distance, it had little chance for mischief, though I suspected that made little difference to the fears of the people below.
I tried to pierce through the wards around the room again. How could I remain linked to the daeva yet still be unable to channel the smallest spells?
On impulse, I drew Scrying and burrowed back into the azi’s mind, guiding my magic through it like a culvert so the rune poured out through it instead of through me. It purred its assent, and then Fox’s voice broke through, faint but clear.
Tea?
“Fox!” I sank to my knees, relief making the room spin. Where are you? Are you hurt?
Nothing I won’t survive. I thought they warded your room.
I found a loophole. Already shouts were coming from outside the door along with the sounds of running feet. Where are you?
There was a heavy thump outside, like someone ran into a brick wall, followed by several hard thuds. There was a quick choking sound that was abruptly cut off. And then came a tap on the door.
“Right outside. Stand back.”
The door was no obstacle for Fox’s sword. The air crackled with energy as the wards in the room were forcibly drawn back like curtains and quickly dispatched.
Men littered the hallway, Deathseekers and soldiers alike. Zoya and Likh were laying an unconscious man on the floor. “Govan’s a friend,” Zoya said ruefully. “I hope Zahid will forgive us for knocking out some of his Deathseekers. Good work on the wards, Likh.”
“You can dispel wards?” I asked.
The boy asha grinned. “I guess I have a knack for it.”
“We need to get out of here.” My brother’s shirt was torn, and painful-looking lashes along his back and shoulders were testament to his “interrogation.”
“I am going to kill Holsrath,” I snarled, taking Fox’s hand and making a small nick on my finger with his sword before he could stop me. The Bloodletting rune shone, settling around Fox like a warm blanket. The wounds along his chest thinned into white lines before disappearing completely, leaving only the horrible scars inflicted by the savul.
“I don’t feel pain, Tea,” Fox reminded me, flexing his left foot experimentally. “The only thing I wasted was their time. I could have managed without healing until we were out of the city.”
“We’re leaving?”
“Was there any doubt? There’s a daeva flying overhead, and the army is busy with it.” Fox’s glance was quizzical, and I could feel the question forming in his mind.
I nodded, and he frowned.
“Polaire and Althy are taking Mykaela,” Likh reported. “And Kalen is breaking Khalad out. We’re to meet by the stables.”
“Where are we going?”
“Away from Odalia, but Kion seems the best choice. Daeva or not, none of us are welcome here.”
“But what of my parents? My brothers and sisters?” Concern rang in my voice.
“They’re safe,” Fox assured me. “Polaire spirited them out of the city yesterday when she learned of our arrest.”
“We can’t leave!” The thought of abandoning Kance, alone and defenseless, preyed on my mind.
“We can do nothing for him right now, Tea,” Fox reminded me gently. “You and Khalad will be of more use where they aren’t accusing us of murdering him.”
“Wait!” I grabbed at his sleeve. “We can’t leave the book behind either.”
Fox opened his mouth but didn’t have the words to disagree.
“This is no time to be salvaging a favorite novel or zivar, Tea,” Zoya said impatiently. “The king’s men may have their hands full with the daeva, but we don’t know for how long.”
“You have my word that the azi won’t destroy the city.” The less they knew, the better. Bloodletting left me feeling lightheaded so soon after Scrying, but I could feel strength leaching through my link with the azi, and I latched on gratefully. “We must make the time. It’s too important to leave this book behind.”
Zoya and Likh exchanged worried looks, but before they could react, a band of soldiers rushed in, a dozen in all…and were immediately buffeted by a gust of wind that slammed them against the wall, knocking them out.
I stared at Likh, whose forehead was creased and beaded with sweat from the strain. “You are marvelous, Likh!”
The boy grinned bashfully. “Zoya and Kalen have been teaching me runes. I don’t think the association will approve though.”
“I doubt the association will approve of anything we do today.” Zoya gestured, and another burst of air divested the soldiers of their weapons, sending swords clanking to the ground. “Be quick about it.”
I had little time to consider anyone unfortunate enough to get in my way. Advancing soldiers, scurrying courtiers, and fleeing maids all dropped, fast asleep almost as soon as Compulsion flared up. There were obvious signs of my room having been rifled through, and I could see many of my most powerful zivars and potions were missing. But my relief was palpable when I saw the familiar leather binding underneath the pile of books where I hid it.
Kalen and Khalad waited for us by the entrance to the stables. Beside them were Althy and another person, whose face was obscured by a heavy cloak. Fox froze, recognition pervading our bond even before the stranger drew back the hood. It was the First Daughter of Kion.
“What took you so long?” Althy asked me crossly, ignoring Fox completely. “All exits to the city will be under heavy guard by now.”
“What is she doing here?” Zoya asked Althy, gesturing to the princess.
The plump asha shrugged. “She insisted.”
“We’re in the company of several wanted felons, and the alarm will be raised once they realize she’s gone. This is not a good idea.”
“I think it’s a pretty good idea,” Princess Inessa said shortly. “I must return to Kion immediately.”
“You’re leaving Prince Kance?” I gasped.
“I
have the most important part of him here with me.” Inessa opened her cloak. Twin heartsglass gleamed red, Prince Kance’s beside her own. “Althy says this is what they’re after, and Ankyo is the safest place for us.”
“We must sneak out while the duke’s men still engage the daeva,” Althy cautioned.
“The gates are heavily defended,” Likh pointed out.
“But wooden,” Fox added thoughtfully.
“We’ll worry about that once we’re there,” Inessa insisted.
“I cannot leave Odalia,” Mykaela whispered. She was thinner and frailer than before, leaning heavily on Polaire. Her horse familiar, Kismet, stood beside her, calm and placid. With her were three other Drychtan stallions, the best of the royal stables.
“Yes you can, Mykkie,” Polaire encouraged.
While I could understand Mykaela’s frail health, I was taken aback by Polaire’s gaunt appearance. Her cheeks were sunken, with dark circles ringing her eyes, and her dark hair had lost most of its luster. She had lost considerable weight and looked only slightly better off than Mykaela.
“What happened to you?” At my wordless command, Chief cantered out with his ears pricked, already eager to run.
The brunette only shook her head. “Don’t worry about me. Mykkie, you know as well as I do that we have no choice.”
“But—”
“It’s final, Mykkie.” Polaire’s heartsglass bore flecks of green similar to Mykaela’s. I took a closer look, saw a familiar rune spinning in the air around them, and gasped. “Heartshare!”
Polaire’s eyes widened. “How did you know about… No, now’s not the time. We’ll talk about it later. Mykaela’s heartsglass still lives somewhere in this city. Given her current health, straying too far will kill her. I’m just propping her up till we can figure out something new.” Polaire smiled nastily. “Once I’m through with that sack of dung that calls himself the Duke of Holsrath… No offense, Kalen.”
“None taken. I’m inclined to think the same way.”
“Zoya, Kalen, Khalad. You’re to assist Mykaela and Polaire.” Althy was always the quickest of us to adapt. “Don’t let either of them out of your sight.”
“Don’t treat me like one of your sick patients, Althy,” Polaire growled.
“You are a sick patient. Tea, Fox, Likh—stick close to Inessa and me. If something happens to our rose of Kion, the empress will have all our heads.”
“Stop treating me like I’m not here,” Princess Inessa complained.
Zoya took over Kismet’s reins, and Khalad climbed up behind Polaire. The latter muttered another protest but had no strength to follow through.
“I’m not going with you,” Kalen broke in.
I felt cold all over. “This is not the time for jokes, Kalen.”
“I am not leaving Prince Kance. I promised to protect him.” The Deathseeker’s fists clenched, anger and guilt spilling out of his heartsglass. “I may not have been successful at that, but I’m not going to abandon him either.”
“He isn’t in danger,” Khalad said quietly. “They have to keep his body physically healthy if they are to use his heartsglass.”
But Kalen shook his head, stubborn to the end. “That doesn’t matter. I swore an oath not to leave his side.”
“You can’t!” I cried. Strong as he was, he was no match for a whole army, and he knew it. Visions of Kalen fighting off soldiers as they surrounded and overwhelmed him until he was lost amid a sea of flashing swords, horrified me. “That’s suicide!”
“You don’t know me, Tea.”
“I don’t need to to know you’re going to die!” My voice broke. “Kalen, please…”
He paused. “I’m sorry, Tea. More than you’ll know.” He turned his horse around, and my panic rose.
I felt apprehension on Fox’s end, but he made no move to stop me when I drew Compulsion and directed it toward the Deathseeker.
“You. Will. Not. For once in your life, do as I say!”
Kalen stopped. He nudged his horse back to follow without another word, though his jaw had hardened. I could feel his outrage filtering through my shock.
I stared down at my hands, which were shaking. I didn’t want to do that, least of all to him. But what else could I do?
I was breathing hard, and there were spots in my vision. We had barely left the castle and already I felt like I could topple over any second. Wordlessly, Fox grabbed my hand and helped me onto Chief.
“Did she just…?” I heard Likh murmur, confused.
“Not now!” Zoya insisted. “Let’s move!”
The walls crawled with men firing arrows that the azi avoided with ease. Already we were attracting attention; soldiers crept toward us with swords and bows at the ready. Zoya flung out an arm, and weapons flew from their hands. Another gesture sent them stumbling back. Likh and Altaecia flanked her, but Kalen remained where he was.
Tea. It was Fox, gently bringing me back to the present. Now is not the time.
I forced myself to speak. “I’m going to do something unusual. Fox, tell them not to panic.”
“I will help you,” Zoya said warily, “if you tell me what we shouldn’t be panicking over first.”
But I had closed my eyes, all my strength directed at the beast above us, eager to let the daeva in and chase away my guilt. The azi dipped down, close enough to send many of the men and women scrambling for cover or sprawling away.
There were a few asha and Deathseekers manning parts of the gates, but I knew none of them would risk fire or lightning at this range. Zoya was already weaving the air with her fingers, prepared to attack the daeva. Fox grabbed her arm. “Don’t hurt it!”
“Grab my arm like that again, and you’ll lose yours,” the asha said ominously. “And why shouldn’t I?”
“Because Tea’s in its head right now,” Althy said quietly. “Isn’t she?”
I couldn’t answer; the strain of keeping the daeva under control when it was so close to the city was too tasking.
Ram the gates? Fox suggested.
My mind recoiled at the potential casualties from his suggestion. Absolutely not! The azi could kill everyone on those walls.
I didn’t mean with the azi, idiot.
I felt arms encircle me; my brother lifted me off Chief and transferred me to Likh’s mount. “I’ll need to borrow that!” he yelled at an approaching soldier, swiftly slamming his fist into the man’s face to knock him out and promptly retrieving the latter’s shield. Then he goaded Chief into a dead run toward the gates.
“Fox!” Princess Inessa shrieked behind me, and then both man and horse hit the barrier. There was the frightening sound of bone snapping and wood splintering.
Rise up! I screamed, and the azi flew so quickly that it became a speck in the sky within seconds. What were you thinking?! I screamed at my brother.
Were you expecting them to open the gates for us?
The rest of the group stared at the large, gaping hole Fox and Chief had left in their wake. “Ride hard!” Althy yelled.
A few asha struggled to block our way. Zoya whipped out a series of Shield runes that repelled arrows and sword thrusts. Althy was rougher; Fire and Mountain burst from the ground at times, surrounding attackers in either a ring of flames or stony obstacles. Likh maintained a Shield of his own, hovering it over the now-sleeping Mykaela and the barely conscious Polaire. I had stopped compelling him long before we reached the gates, but Kalen no longer showed signs of wanting to remain with us; his own runes of Rot and Shake sent fissures opening and walls crumbling behind us, preventing more soldiers from following.
Once our last horse was past the gates, I took hold of the azi’s mind again. The daeva landed, blocking the army’s way and crowing belligerently. We kept riding, not stopping until we had reached the first copse of trees several miles from the city. From a small hill,
we watched the daeva rise again, ringing the city but no longer attacking.
Fox and Chief waited calmly for us. Large splinters jutted out from my horse’s legs, but that was the extent of his injuries.
Oh, but Fox… He was riddled with arrows, many protruding from his back. A painful-looking wooden stake was shoved through his chest, another through his neck. He had used the shield to bear the brunt of the damage, but the shoulder he had braced it against was nearly stripped of flesh, his bones sticking out.
And his face. I could barely recognize him underneath all the blood, and though I was reassured by the calmness of his mind, it was hard to reconcile that knowledge with what I saw standing before me.
Likh threw up. Princess Inessa slid off her horse and sank to the ground.
“Fox?” Even the normally sardonic Zoya was shaken. Khalad was a mixture of terror and curiosity.
Kalen slowly climbed down from his stallion, staring at my brother. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Never been better.” Fox’s voice was brisk. “Chief can run for weeks if he has to, but the others can’t do the same. We’ll need to change horses frequently or at least find a cart to lessen the load, and that might pose a problem.”
“Your arm is about to fall off, Fox,” Althy said gently. “I think horses are the last thing on everyone’s minds right now.”
My brother glanced down at the arm hanging on to his shoulder by a few strips of flesh. He grabbed at the offending appendage and, with a quick twist, ripped it away from the rest of him. “Tea will patch me up later. Let’s keep riding, people.”
“I think I am going to be ill,” Zoya said as Princess Inessa fainted.
The private chamber Lord Kalen provided for me belonged to one of Emperor Shifang’s many concubines. She, along with many of her other consort-sisters, had long since fled the capital, leaving only traces of her scent behind: lavender and jasmine, oiled perfume, and incense. But I was no longer accustomed to soft beds and thick pillows and thus spent a listless night with the fires from the approaching legions as my only source of light. The sight of those soldiers terrified me, but I did not fear for the inhabitants of Daanoris nor the fascinating, terrible asha who had seized power here. Instead, I feared the time the asha would summon her daeva, for I knew not even the most powerful armies of all the kingdoms would be enough. I feared for the advancing soldiers, who did not know they were approaching to die.