Amber Eyes

by S. D. Grimm

  Thea breathed in. Her father had said she could never tame the future, but by accepting that truth, she had. Or at least made it less scary.

  “Thea, I am surprised to see you here.” Belladonna’s voice echoed in the stone corridor.

  “I could say the same about you.”

  Belladonna held up the key to the spell room—the very one Idla had always worn around her neck. “I am here on the king’s business. Whose business are you here on?”

  “An assassin knows never to reveal all of her secrets.”

  “Franco doesn’t trust you or your sister.” Belladonna took a step closer.

  A bold move if Thea could kill her. There were only two ways to kill a Healer. Thea matched Belladonna’s movement. “No one really does.”

  “Do you know who helped Logan escape?” Belladonna narrowed her eyes.

  “How should I?”

  “Answering one of my questions with one of your own only makes me suspicious.”

  Thea shrugged.

  Belladonna narrowed her eyes. “So, do you know who helped Logan escape?”

  “I do not.”

  “Your heart betrays you. I sense a lie. You are no dragon that you can hide the truth from me. Was it Kara?”

  “No.”

  “Was it you?”

  “Logan got himself out.”

  “True, but how do you know it?”

  “An assassin knows never to reveal all of her secrets.”

  “I suppose she does.” Belladonna sneered. “Did you help Logan?”

  “Of course not.”

  A greedy smile parted Belladonna’s lips. “I see.”

  Now the woman would go tell Franco that Thea had let Logan escape. Thea turned and walked away. Her heart sank to her knees, but she kept them from buckling beneath her until Belladonna was no longer watching.

  Chapter 16

  A Humble Wizard

  Purple smoke dissipated, leaving Belladonna in a valley of rock formations. Orange stone arches and pillars as far as she could see, and a small, lopsided hut hidden among a grouping of pillars.

  Amazing. This magical potion Franco had given her had transported her from the palace right to the strange hut. Maybe she’d been wrong to be skeptical. Too bad he’d given her the last bottle that could bring her to this place, although maybe the wizard here could make her another one.

  She touched the other vial of purple liquid in her pocket. Franco had said the potion would only take her back to the place where it was made. That meant this one would take her back to the palace. When the time was right.

  Her boots made imprints in the sandy soil as she walked toward the hut. What kind of wizard was this Rubius? And why did he live in the middle of nowhere?

  “Who goes there?” a voice echoed in the cavernous valley.

  Unable to tell which direction it came from, Belladonna placed her hands on her hips and looked at the empty space right in front of her. “One who seeks the council of a wizard.”

  “Wizard? You flatter me.”

  A humble wizard? Please. Why must men put on such an act?

  A man wearing a tattered brown cloak appeared from behind some invisible wall. So she had guessed right on his location. Hopefully he’d noticed her confidence.

  The breeze ruffled his long, stringy white hair. He clutched a staff in his hand and seemed to lean heavily on it. “I watched you appear from thin air, yet you call me a wizard?”

  Belladonna eyed the stranger. “It seems you’ve done the same. I’ve heard you know all about the old ways because you’re old enough to remember them.” And hopefully not too decrepit that he’d forgotten.

  “Who sends you here?”

  She checked her fingernails. “Queen Idla of Soleden.”

  “She’s dead.”

  Oh good, he did know. He must have some powers for that news to have made it out here. “Her son approved my mission.”

  He hobbled closer. “And what do you come for?”

  At least the look in his eyes was spritely. He might just be what she needed. “I was banished from my Healer camp for breaking the code. I wish to take vengeance on those who left me for dead. I wish to take something from them.”

  Belladonna’s whip lifted from her belt. She didn’t flinch as it floated over to the wizard and stopped in front of him. He fingered it and lifted a bushy eyebrow. “You embellish your weapon with fine jewels? Bones. And teeth.”

  “I only want what is best for those I torture. Is there anything harder than a diamond or a dragon’s tooth?” Belladonna couldn’t hide her growing smile.

  “I am Rubius. Come in. I think I may be of service to you.”

  Chapter 17

  The Fourth

  Deliverer

  The forest smelled older here.

  Gnarled branches spanned above, with bark so black it looked wet. Leaf cover was thin on the odd-looking trees, like something diseased them long ago and they’d never recovered. Never grew again. No birds or squirrels made their homes in these dead trees. The farther they walked beneath the decaying branches, the closer the limbs grew together. Logan sniffed the air thick with fog. It smelled odd.

  “Animals don’t pass through here.” Westwind flattened his ears. “I don’t blame them. Something happened here. Death of some sort. Fear stains the ground, old and potent.”

  Scout whined and dropped back so that he walked next to Ethan.

  Aurora loped with her tail low, her confidence wavering.

  Fear, huh? Logan couldn’t smell the emotion, but he wasn’t really good at that anyway. Rebekah had been. He quickened his pace as if he could leave those thoughts behind him. Perhaps they should move out of the area quickly.

  “No argument from me.” Westwind chuffed.

  The others followed his lead and walked at the brisk pace for hours without complaining.

  At last the cover above thickened with green leaves. Chirps and chatters filled the air again. Golden light replaced gray and the fog dissipated. It was almost as though they’d walked through an invisible wall to a new place.

  “That’s more like it.” Westwind looked over his shoulder and winked.

  The wolves loped up ahead, but Scout didn’t join them. “You okay, Scout?” Logan asked.

  The dog whined. “My human is limping.”

  Oh no, the kid. He shouldn’t have pushed Ethan so hard. Logan patted Gavin’s shoulder. “What do you say we stop here for a little while? You want to give Ryan a few lessons?”

  He glanced over his shoulder in time to see Ryan perk up.

  “Maybe I’ll just watch.” Chloe practically flopped onto the ground.

  “You’ll do no such thing.” Melanie gripped Chloe’s hand and towed her up. “It’ll be good for you. Jayden will help, won’t you?”

  “Of course.” Jayden dropped her pack and pulled out her daggers.

  “How about we throw knives?” Chloe pulled out her belt knife. “I have one of those, thanks to Gavin.”

  “Oh, come on, Chloe. This will be fun.” Kinsey practically clapped her hands.

  Chloe put a protective arm in front of Wren and smiled at her sister. “If Kinsey is holding a weapon, I think Wren and I will be way over there.”

  Wren rolled her eyes. “I’m not scared, and I’ll learn faster than the lot of you.” She swung at the air a few times and Logan watched her. He nudged Gavin with his elbow. “You might want to start with that one. She shows promise.”

  Wren brightened.

  Ryan laughed and shook his head. “You have no idea.”

  Wren’s fists flew to her hips and she jutted out her chin. “I know how to hold my own.”

  “No one’s doubting that.” Ryan tussled her hair, and she practically glared at him. Then her lips curved and she winked at him.

  A pang hit Logan’s heart. He’d never seen his children at this age. “We’re stopping, Westwind.”

  “It’s as good a place as any. Aurora and I will get you some rabbits, unless Scout want
s to join.”

  Tail-wagging, the dog took off.

  Logan approached Ethan, who sat with his back to a tree. “How’re you holding up?”

  Ethan chuckled. “Pretty well. But I admit, I was a little nervous that you were going to ask me to spar.”

  Logan smiled. “Maybe later.”

  That got another laugh. “I wanted to talk to you, too.” He paused. All trace of smile left his face. “I would have died down there if—”

  “Ethan, I’m sorry.” He hoped the kid saw how sorry he truly was. This guilt would likely never leave him. He’d left one of his own. “I thought you were dead, but that was no reason to leave you behind. I wouldn’t have if the cave hadn’t been collapsing.” If he hadn’t been injured and wondering if Jayden was okay. He closed his eyes. “I should never have left you, no matter what.”

  Ethan stared at him, quiet for what seemed like an eternity. “I’m not angry with you. You did what you had to, and I understand. You’re forgiven, Logan.”

  More than he deserved. “I’ll never leave you again. I hope you know that.”

  “Hey, we protect Jayden first. Then each other.” He held out his hand and Logan clasped it.

  “So, sparring now?”

  “I hope you’re kidding.”

  Logan couldn’t help but laugh. “I am.”

  “Good.” Ethan took a deep breath. “What I wanted to tell you is that I met your son. He saved my life.”

  All the air left Logan’s lungs. “My . . . son?”

  “Connor. The wolf. He’s your son. There’s no need to worry about how he turned out in there. He saved us all.”

  Logan cupped his hands over his face. It all made sense. But why?

  Connor. His name was Connor. Rebekah had always liked that name. Logan swallowed, his voice seeming so far from reach. He wanted nothing more than to go for his son, but Connor had said he wouldn’t go with Logan. Then he’d protected Rebekah. It didn’t all make sense. It was still going to be tricky to get him out of the palace. Even so, Connor would have to wait. First duty was to get his daughter. And the Whisperer.

  He didn’t know where they were. The taut rope in his chest seemed to draw him closer to the Forest of Legends. Something he almost heard, but not quite, seemed to whisper in his soul. And it was telling him to look for his daughter there, that she needed him first. He hoped it was right, because Franco was looking, too. And Franco had scores of men to help him search. All the more reason Logan needed to see his people. He was counting on his friends to help him find his daughter and their Whisperer.

  Finally finding words, Logan glanced at Ethan. “Thank you.”

  “I just thought you should know. I was going to bring him when he helped me escape, but he’s bound by a trace spell. He said he’s in no immediate danger. I told him we’d go back for him.”

  “And we will.” A trace spell. That made sense. Connor had to save face with Rebekah, and it was too dangerous for him to leave. As soon as he had his daughter and the Whisperer, Logan would go in himself. The wolf. His heart shattered. Then it mended. His own son had protected him. He breathed deep, stood, and patted Ethan’s shoulder. “Get some rest, kid.”

  After they were fed and rested, Logan got them moving again. “Gav, how far?”

  Gavin paused, no doubt listening to Glider. “Not far now.”

  “How was Ryan?”

  Gavin’s smile was bright. “Chloe’s as green as a sapling, but Ryan has obviously spent some time with a sword in his hand. The fact that he’s a blacksmith works in his favor.”

  “Good.” Because One Eye would help shape him into a fighter, and Logan figured they’d need all the help they could get.

  Westwind loped near Logan. “Do you smell that?” He slowed and his head lowered as his hackles rose.

  Chapter 18

  In Plain Sight

  The warmth of a threat spread over Ethan’s chest, and he pulled arrows from the new quiver he’d received from the Dissenters. He held his new bow, ready to pull the string back, and nudged Ryan, who quickly did the same.

  Scout lowered his head and growled.

  “Logan?” Ryan’s voice sounded shaky. Ethan glanced at his brother. It wasn’t like Ryan to sound scared, and his face had gone pale. Not normal at all.

  A sharp hiss punctured the air, but Ethan couldn’t tell where it came from. As for the source of the danger, it was potent in every direction.

  Logan tapped Ryan’s shoulder. “It’s just Callie, kid. Put your weapon away.”

  Ethan scanned the trees, bow still in his hands, but he saw nothing aside from the mountain lion. “Not just Callie, Logan. We’re surrounded.” And he had too many to protect.

  The trees rustled. Hundreds of cloaked people crouched in the branches and crawled across the limbs, bows in hand, stalking them.

  Ethan aimed his arrow up and tapped into his talent. Hopefully he could trust it with this many to protect at once.

  “Ethan, put your weapon away.” Logan’s voice was a whisper.

  The growing threat receded, but the inkling remained. Whoever they were, they would fight back if provoked. He lowered his weapon, but didn’t put any arrows back.

  A massive grizzly bear lumbered toward Logan and stood on its rear paws, towering above Logan.

  “Logan,” Kinsey whispered.

  But Logan smiled. “Berne, it’s a long way from Moon Over Water. Tell me you brought Reuben.”

  A man, taller than even Ryan, stepped out of the cover of the trees near them. He dropped the hood of his cloak and looked at Ethan first. Everything about him seemed sharp. His features, the look in his eye, and his many weapons.

  “Reuben.” Logan rushed to greet the man.

  Reuben’s movements were much more calculated and calm. He wore his cloak so that the fabric didn’t even seem to ripple. Stealth seemed to be his talent. Reuben clasped Logan’s hand and pulled him in for a hug. “It’s nice to see Gavin brought you back in one piece.” He reached to give Gavin and Melanie the same greeting. “Looks like you’ve doubled the size of our camp.”

  No more feeling of umbrage from the people in the trees, but they hadn’t put away their weapons, either. Ethan returned the arrows to the quiver, but kept his hand close, just in case.

  Kinsey had gravitated closer to him. “They’re Logan’s friends. Don’t you trust them?”

  He moved closer to her and lowered his head. “I don’t trust anyone who could hurt you.”

  She smiled. “I feel the same. Only about people who could hurt you.”

  He chuckled. Leave it to Kinsey to try to ease the tension. So like Ryan.

  Reuben tilted back his head and cupped his hands to his mouth. The distinctive call of a blue jay escaped his lips. The other cloaked people began to pass the call along, and it echoed deeper into the woods. How many of them were hidden among the trees?

  “I see you brought an army.” Logan laughed.

  “Only twenty of my best men and women from Moon Over Water. I like to be prepared.”

  “Twenty-one!” A man with a scarred face and pronounced limp stepped out from behind a tree and lowered his hood. His smile was broad.

  “I didn’t ask you to come, Beck.” Reuben slapped the man’s shoulder, and a wolverine growled and lurched for Reuben’s arm.

  Beck’s huge hand pushed the animal away. “Now you’ve insulted Cenewig. That’s never a good idea. Even Berne leaves him alone.”

  “Of course he does.” Reuben laughed. “He’s a smart bear.”

  “Logan! Gavin!” Beck grabbed Logan’s hand and pumped his arm. “It’s been too long, my friend.”

  “Beck.” Logan held his hand out to slap the man on the back, but a threat loomed. Before Ethan could react, the wolverine charged at Logan, hissing and spitting.

  Beck’s thick hand pushed the animal away. “Cenewig, leave Logan alone. You silly beast.” His rich laugh boomed. “Temperamental thing.”

  The threat vanished, and Logan’s laughter jo
ined Beck’s. Great. Ethan breathed deep. Looked like he’d be stuck on edge this whole time.

  Logan turned his attention to a third person who joined their group. She had tight, dark curls and a hooked nose. Her smile practically beamed. A falcon perched on her slim shoulder. Logan opened his arms wide. “Samantha.”

  She hugged him tight. “Stranger. Did you find them all?” She motioned to Jayden and the others. Ethan walked closer to the group, still standing behind everyone. Logan might trust these three, but Ethan didn’t—yet.

  Logan tipped his head to the side. “Let’s talk where it’s safe.”

  “Yes.” Reuben put his hand on Logan’s shoulder and led him under trees infiltrated with camouflaged Feravolk. “But just so you know, Alistair insisted on coming. He wanted the update from you himself.”

  Whoever Alistair was, the name made Logan’s shoulders tense. Ethan glanced at Jayden and Ryan.

  Ryan shrugged.

  Jayden looked up as she passed beneath the archers.

  Ryan bumped her shoulder with his. “Don’t worry. If they wanted us dead, we’d be on the ground already.”

  “How can you make jokes like that?” Chloe whispered. She stuck as close to her brother as Jayden.

  He smiled and glanced at Ethan. “If I don’t, who will?”

  Ethan chuckled as he put away his bow. “Too bad they aren’t funny.”

  Reuben disappeared in front of them.

  “Another Feravolk camp. Is it Moon Over Water?” Kinsey grabbed Wren’s hand and a giddy gleam lit her eyes.

  “No.” Logan smiled. “But it’s a number of people from there. And I imagine they’ve made the place feel like home. Follow me.” He stepped forward into the invisible wall. No threat loomed there, so Ethan didn’t follow. Instead he waited to be sure everyone made it through.

  Jayden stopped next to him and held out her hand toward the invisible wall. “I don’t see a thing. How do they do it?” Westwind brushed her hand and she looked down at him. “It’s amazing.”

  His eyes seemed to smile. He tipped his head toward the opening and together they stepped through. Logan and his friends followed.

  Ryan stopped at Ethan’s shoulder. “How are you holding up?”