Amber Eyes

by S. D. Grimm

  Dash galloped over the threshold of the valley and into black lion territory. One of the beasts flew through the air in a dive toward two bodies on the ground. Dash didn’t slow. He charged the beast. Red claws extended, it dove right for Ethan.

  Red claws meant it was going for the kill. Serena’s heart clutched. She hung tight to Dash’s mane. He lowered his head.

  A jolt knocked Serena from his back as his head rammed into the creature of darkness. His horn passed easily into the skin and the lion shrieked. It clawed at Dash’s face, but it had already been dealt a killing blow. Black dust rained down on Dash’s white fur. He shook his head and looked at Serena, dark blood dripping down his horn.

  She released a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. “Thank you.”

  “Heal them if you can. Before any more of these beasts come,” Dash said. “I got lucky with that strike.”

  Serena raced over to Ethan. He dropped to his knees next to a young woman. It was her head injury Serena had felt.

  “Serena?” He clutched her arm with his blood-covered hand. The pain in him pulsed into her and she wanted to retch. “Can you heal her? C-can you heal Jayden?”

  She knelt beside him and hovered her hand over Jayden. Neither she nor Ethan had been poisoned with the lion’s venom. Strange, because the gaping holes in Ethan’s side looked to be claw punctures.

  Jayden was moments from death.

  Serena laid her hand against Jayden’s forehead.

  Oh. There was a lot of damage in there. She was fading fast. Serena’s hand shook. If she healed this wound, what would it do to her mind? Would she be able to keep focused enough to keep the healing energy flowing? She looked into Ethan’s pleading eyes. She breathed deep. Creator help her, she had a gift and she was meant to use it.

  Her bloody hands pressed against Jayden’s head.

  Shooting pain pulsed in her skull.

  At last Jayden opened her eyes.

  Ethan sighed. “Thank you, Serena.”

  Jayden stared at her with wide eyes, then she turned her attention to Ethan. He’d lost a lot of blood and started to fade out of consciousness. He pitched forward, but Serena caught him and laid her hands against his wounds.

  Blood soaked her sleeves. Her insides felt like they ripped open. Everything burned. Her eyes squeezed tight. After what she’d just done for Jayden, she might not be strong enough.

  Dash touched her back. She pulled strength from him, funneled it into the healing. “Come on, Ethan.”

  He sucked in a shuddering breath and opened his eyes. “Serena?”

  She touched the side of his face with her bloody hands. “Almost lost you there.” A lump got caught in her throat. “You all right?”

  He pulled her in and hugged her tight. “You said you’d come if I needed you. I didn’t think—thank you.”

  Then he turned to Jayden. “You okay?”

  She nodded, eyes welling with tears.

  Dash’s voice filled her tired mind. “Serena, there are others in need of healing.”

  She turned to Ethan. “Dash says there are others.”

  “Yes. A man.” Ethan stood, towing Serena with him. Jayden followed.

  Serena slowed as she felt those who were injured. There were so many. Two wolves lay on the rocky ground. The larger of the two lay in a puddle of blood. His foreleg was slashed open, and a shard of bone stuck out of it. The other one rose, unsteady on her feet due to the gash in her side, and bared her teeth.

  “It’s okay.” Ethan held out his hand. “They’re friends.”

  Dash strode closer to them, his hooves silent on the gritty ground.

  Serena got down to the wolf’s level. “Dash will heal you and your mate.”

  The wolf nodded.

  Dash followed Ethan’s gaze, lighting the area with his horn. Oh. A large farm dog lay on the rocky ground. She touched Ethan’s shoulder. “He’s alive. Dash can heal him, too. Take me to your friend.” She felt the sting of black lion venom spreading in her veins. Whoever it was didn’t have a lot of time.

  Jayden led them to a man on the ground. Deep puncture wounds in his chest oozed blood. It was as she feared. Venom infected him. “I cannot heal him here. He has to come to the Tree of Wisdom. The venom is spreading, but it has not infiltrated his heart yet. If we can extract it before it does, he will have no lasting effects. But we must hurry. Dash will carry him. Help me.”

  The air was warmer and the breeze gentler the moment they stepped into the valley. Serena noticed that Jayden stayed close to Ethan, and both of them stumbled often. She’d had to use much of their strength to heal them.

  “Don’t worry, Serena. They’ll be able to rest soon enough. You saved both of them from the brink of death. That would make anyone feel weak.”

  A silence hung over them as they walked into the dark woods beyond the meadow. Once beneath the boughs, the darkness fled. Silver leaves shimmered when the wind touched them.

  Serena and Dash halted in front of the largest silver tree in the valley. The Tree of Wisdom. The two healers she most trusted, Miranda and Rochelle, stood outside with their unicorns, waiting for people to come for healing. Not that anyone ever did. Tonight would change that.

  The massive tree’s thick trunk rivaled the width of some houses. The breeze tickled the silver leaves. Was a storm brewing?

  Miranda stepped forward. “Serena?”

  “Miranda.” Serena bowed. “Venom from a black lion runs through this man’s veins.”

  “You’ve healed the rest.” It wasn’t a question.

  “They were not . . . bitten.” Serena’s gaze flicked to Ethan.

  Miranda’s hand hovered over Logan. “I’ll get some other Healers to help you. There is much venom in him. Let’s get him inside.”

  Chapter 38

  Red Rubies

  Thea had not gone to Meese. Not even made it off the palace grounds. She’d been ambushed before entering the carriage, just as she’d foreseen. Now she waited inside, bound and gagged, for Franco to show himself. To stab her while she watched.

  The door opened and Franco entered, wearing the same blood-red cloak he’d worn in her vision. She knew the words he’d speak before he even spoke them, and her heart sputtered in her chest.

  “I thought you might want some company.” Franco sat on the bench across from her and lowered the scarlet hood. He smirked, lazy and dangerous.

  Thea stared right into the prince’s eyes. She’d never consider him a king. He was some kind of wolf having a power play.

  Thea’s fingers carefully found the object hidden in the pocket at the small of her back. Now she just needed to shift her weight and bend unnoticed so she could place it on the bench.

  “Still struggling, I see.” Franco sneered.

  Something hit the outside of the carriage. Franco shifted his gaze. It was all Thea needed. She placed the tiny object on the seat of the carriage uncovered. Its black form blended in to the dark leather seats.

  Franco dipped his hand into his breast pocket and fished out something. Thea slid over slightly so the seeing stone she’d placed on the carriage seat could catch everything. The Mistress of Shadows would know what her pawn, Franco, was up to. But more importantly, Connor would see everything.

  Franco held up his right hand, a small object between his thumb and forefinger. A ring. Thea’s ring—given to her by her other sister, the one not related by blood. She always wore it. He’d stripped her of it when he tied her up.

  “It’s pretty.” Franco inspected it. Then he let it fall into his fist. “What I like most about it is how I’ll be able to use it. Once you are disposed of, Kara will seek vengeance against your killer. Pity she won’t know it’s me.”

  Franco had a terrible laugh.

  “You’ve been a good assassin, and I thank you for getting my mother out of the way. I didn’t even have to ask.” He leaned forward, closing the distance. “But the truth is, she was my mother. I never would have killed her. And I can’t tole
rate those who try to get me killed.” He stood and pried the gag from her mouth. Then he leaned down, face close to hers. “Why did you free Logan and the Deliverer?”

  Thea glared. “Prince, I hope you know my sister is more dangerous than I am. You’re lucky she won’t know you killed me. I’d pity you if she did.”

  Then a vision hit her. Melted her heart. She gasped. Some of it was the same, the way things would go from here: Jayden lying bloody in the snow, eyes open and unfocused. General Balton stabbing Logan in the chest. Connor pushing Rebekah out of the window.

  But one thing was new—Kara drinking a potion made by Franco. Her heart ached. She hadn’t seen everything. And she couldn’t fix it now.

  Franco tipped his head and arched an eyebrow. “Losing your tough demeanor?”

  The plans Franco had for Kara formed in her mind. This couldn’t—this wouldn’t—she glared at the prince. “Never. And Kara will never submit to you.”

  “She’d better, or she’ll find herself dead.”

  Thea forced back tears. Perhaps this was for the best. If Franco did this to Kara, she wouldn’t have to worry about him killing her. Thea’s father’s voice echoed in her mind, comforting her: “The future is always changing. Hang onto the threads that are firm. The ones that dance around can change at any time, with any decision. Be careful you don’t try to hang on to those threads, daughter.”

  Franco lifted a vial with clear liquid and shook it. “I’ll have Belladonna’s power for the next half hour.” He drank it, then faced her with a wicked smile. “Is Kara to be trusted?”

  Thea laughed. “Kara trusts only me.”

  “Did she have a part in your plan?”

  “Kara has no idea what I have planned. I wish she did. That way she would never believe the lies you will tell her.”

  “Who do you work for?”

  “The Mistress of Shadows does not trust you. She planted me in your palace.”

  “You and your sister?”

  “Kara is unaware of the plans I have been making with the Mistress.”

  Franco studied Thea’s face. Half-truths like that could muddle a Healer’s search for truth, but Franco didn’t seem to notice. He finally spoke. “I think your carriage is about to catch fire. Pity you’ll be in it. But as I said, you were a good assassin. You won’t feel the burn. You’ll already be dead. Any final words?”

  She’d already said them. “Did I complete my mission?”

  “Worry not, your sister will see you as the heroine who died performing her duty. And she will never know you betrayed me.” Franco stood and held a small dagger in his hand. Red rubies gilded the hilt. “Feel free to scream.” Franco placed the dagger’s tip against Thea’s abdomen.

  It was just like Thea had seen play in her head time after time. The silver penetrated her jerkin and thrust into her lung. Her breathing hitched. The vision had been void of pain, but this didn’t hurt as badly as she’d expected. Mostly she felt pressure.

  So much pressure. Then the pain filled her.

  Crimson tainted her clothes. It was warm at first, then cold. Very cold.

  Chapter 39

  Justice Is Served

  The inside of the tree seemed different than Jayden expected. And larger. Candles adorned the curved walls, lighting the whole room and filling it with the scent of roses. Three pallets lined the walls, and one long table sat in the center of the room. A cabinet with a pitcher of water and wooden bowls rested against one wall.

  Reliefs of unicorns and elegant women adorned the tree’s peach-­colored wood. Jayden caught herself staring at the designs. Many were of Healers laying hands on people, but some depicted Healers with daggers.

  One picture showed a unicorn thrusting its horn through a black lion. Jayden shuddered. The black lion’s pained face was just above one of the candles on the wall, and the resonating light of the flickering flame distorted its gruesome face even more.

  “Set him here.” Serena’s voice called Jayden back to the urgency at hand.

  Ethan lowered Logan onto to the table.

  She ripped his shirt, where it was already torn and bloody, and exposed the wounds. He flinched when she applied the water to the black, oozing punctures. “Awareness is a good sign.”

  “You two must be exhausted. Please, rest.” Serena motioned to the pallets. “The other Healers will be here soon. I’m going to go with Miranda and make sure they’re aware of the urgency of the situation.”

  Ethan moved toward Serena and stumbled.

  She steadied him. “Easy there. I had to use quite a bit of your strength to heal you and Jayden.”

  Jayden straightened her back. “You used his strength to heal me?”

  Serena nodded. “You didn’t have enough of your own left. You almost didn’t make it. Both of you.” She looked into Ethan’s eyes.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “I wasn’t going to let that happen.” She squeezed his arms once more before she left.

  Jayden bit back her jealousy. It was stupid, really. This woman had just saved them. She should be feeling grateful. Happy. And she was. But too many emotions wanted to rise to the surface right now. She gravitated closer to Ethan.

  He rubbed a finger against her arm. “Hey, I’m sure Logan will be fine.”

  His emotions lapped against her. Push, pull, push, pull. They mirrored hers.

  Everything from the black lion battle rushed back to her. He’d told her to run, but she hadn’t. His fear had spiked, and she’d ignored it.

  She’d thought it weakness to let his fear in. To let her own fear—the thought of losing him—in.

  He’d asked her to trust him and she hadn’t. Because of that, he’d been in the path of the lion and then it went after her. All because she didn’t want to lose him. Because she was afraid to let him protect her.

  But it was his job—not hers. His choice. He’d taken over where her family could not.

  If she kept trying to stop him from protecting her, it would only make things worse. It had made things worse, more than once. She needed to accept that this was what he’d do. That last thought pierced her heart like an icicle. But she’d have to accept it. Honor the fact that he’d taken an oath.

  But losing him would crush her.

  Yes. The emotions would cripple her, but only if she let them. They weren’t to be controlled, they were to be embraced. But how?

  Perhaps the first step was to stop trying to become her idea of an emotionless warrior.

  She looked into his eyes. “Thank you for protecting me.”

  He stared at her, and his relief rushed into her like a dam breaking. It was as if he finally felt that she understood him.

  He leaned in close, intensity deep in his eyes. “Anything for you.Anything.”

  His soft smile melted her. His eyes searched her face. Her heartbeat quickened. He leaned closer. So close she could—

  The door to the tree opened. Serena and Miranda, followed by two other women, slipped in. The first was a dark-haired, dark-eyed woman who looked much older than Serena, though not exactly old. The other woman had white hair.

  “Lydia, Tabitha.” Serena introduced the newcomers.

  These women also wore white, flowing gowns that rippled as they strode over to Logan. The white-haired woman jerked away from him. The dark-haired woman placed a hand over her mouth.

  What did that mean? Was he beyond healing?

  “We cannot heal this man,” the white-haired woman spoke.

  Jayden’s heart clutched.

  “What do you mean?” Ethan placed a hand on his sword hilt.

  “This man”—the white-haired woman faced Ethan—“is a danger to Serena. We cannot heal him. Justice has been served.”

  “Justice?” Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

  “Yes.” She arched an eyebrow.

  Ethan ripped a candle from the wall with his blood-stained arm and handed it to Jayden. “Jayden, take Scout and Aurora and find one of the plants. Westwind and I will b
ring Logan to you.” The wolves bounded to Ethan’s side, teeth revealed.

  “We cannot allow this.” The two women barred Jayden’s way.

  Ethan began to pull out his sword.

  “Ethan, don’t.” Serena’s voice stopped him.

  “Ethan?” Miranda’s wind-chime voice broke in. She looked at Serena. “This is your Ethan?”

  “Yes. This is the Ethan I healed.” Serena’s eyes pleaded with the other women.

  “We still cannot—” the white-haired woman began.

  “How can you make this judgment, Tabitha?” The dark-haired woman interrupted her.

  “He is evil, Lydia.”

  A fire lit in Jayden’s chest. “He is no such thing.”

  Tabitha glared at Jayden. “Are you bonded to unicorns, Child?”

  She recoiled from the old woman’s cold stare.

  Serena stepped closer to the older Healers. “It’s the evil of the venom you feel.”

  “No, child,” Tabitha said to Serena. “He will try to take you. I cannot allow that.”

  Serena’s eyes widened. “Logan? This is Logan?” Her voice came out as a whisper. Her hand pressed against her throat, and she staggered a step back.

  Tears coursed down Jayden’s cheeks now. “If you won’t heal him, then let me save him. We’ll take him far from here, if you’re worried.”

  Serena’s gaze met Jayden’s. “Do you trust him? Logan?”

  “He’s like a father to me.”

  Serena glanced at Ethan. “And you?”

  He released his sword. “With my life.”

  “Then I’ll heal him myself.” Serena rolled up her sleeves and placed both hands above Logan’s leg.

  “Serena, no. You’re not strong enough.” Tabitha charged toward her.

  Ethan blocked the white-haired Healer.

  “She is,” Miranda whispered.

  “Serena, the Hall will form a Circle if you decide you must heal this man,” Tabitha warned.

  “Form your Circle. He has no time left.” Serena dropped her hands to Logan’s thigh.

  “So be it.” Tabitha whirled around.