Beyond the Core (The Starborn Series Book 1)

by K. R. Cunningham

  He looked at the neck and narrowed his eyes. “Curious. You see there? Its Core is missing again, as if someone punctured it and drew it out.”

  “Those metal plates are made of steel,” Rhielle said. “They’re hard to pierce.”

  “Yes. One could get to the Core, but it would be a hard task to pull it out with a blade. He’s hired a good hand to protect him.” He sighed and stood up, his breath coming out in heavy white wisps, and looked around. “He’s not here, but I’m certain it was him. He would know how to defeat such a thing. Not long before he disappeared, he asked me about the new design.”

  “Curious.”

  Elian nodded, then looked at Rhielle as she shivered and pulled her hood on. “We should get moving. It’s too cold out here to linger. Once we get out of these woods, we can find a place to stay.” He nudged the carcass with his boot. “What a waste of power and animals. This Outrider plan of theirs hasn’t done the Legion much good. I’ll report this to the masters. Either way, we’re still warm on his trail.”

  He walked to Tuck and gave him a sugar cube before taking the reins. “We’ll leave Birchwood this way. We’ll get our bearings once we come out and find the main road.”

  It was afternoon when they emerged from the trees. They ventured down the west road, Birchwood on their right and the rolling hills on their left. Elian led them along for an hour or two until they came to an inn called Hillside Greens.

  “You tired?” he asked.

  Rhielle rolled her head back and looked at him with sleepy eyes. “Understatement.”

  Elian smiled and looked down. “We can rest here and pick up later. We may have to split up.”

  “Split? You trust me that much?”

  “Yes.”

  She put a hand on her chest and battered her eyes. “Oh, how special I feel.”

  “You’ll feel more special after we catch Amias. Come on, let’s not dally.”

  They tethered their horses to individual troughs and paid the stable hand to shelter them, though Elian and Rhielle both insisted on unsaddling and brushing their own horses.

  “Should I be getting used to this much travel?” Rhielle asked Elian as she dug a few rocks out of Giddy’s hoof.

  “Travel, yes. This much? No. When you’re an official Wielder, you’ll only be visiting the children you’re assigned to.”

  “Is bringing them to Alacor hard to do?”

  The question made him falter, and for a moment he stared at her, his mouth open. “It’s not that hard,” he said quickly. “Most of them are compliant.”

  “No, I mean—is it hard bringing them, knowing they have to endure the Cleansing?”

  “They’re prepared for it.” Elian rubbed a hand down Tuck’s snout before moving away. “Hungry? I am.”

  They made their way into the inn, where they rented two rooms. Elian ordered them supper, and while he waited, he changed out of his clothes. His buckled, black leather vest had become uncomfortable, and he was ready to change and lie in a warm bed.

  He stood still for a moment, his hand on his chin as he thought of where Amias could be. He could not get the images of the dead Outriders out of his mind. Who was this Colt and Owen he was traveling with?

  As he racked his brain for answers as to where Amias could be hiding, he caught sight of the bracelet around his right wrist. Drawing his arm down, he smoothed a thumb across the purple leather bands interlaced to form a braided pattern. From the tie hung two white beads.

  “I made this for you, Elian.” Anna held up a bracelet and grinned from ear to ear. “You’ll always be my favorite Wielder.”

  Elian flinched at the memory. He closed his eyes and curled his fist tightly against his lips, his shoulders slumping as shame fell over him.

  Before he let his thoughts take over his mind, he pulled on a new tunic and tugged his sleeve down over the bracelet. Then he left swiftly to eat with Rhielle, hoping company would ward off any darkness eager to creep into his mind.

  When morning came, Elian sent Rhielle out early to travel along the western road. She had gotten her food to eat along the way, and now Elian sat alone in the mess hall with a plate of eggs, sausage, and porridge drizzled with honey and fresh berries. He was on his second cup of coffee, which he drank black.

  The barmaid checked on him often and was sure to fill his mug even when it was half full. Wielder life came with unpredictable people, and Milarc was home to an array of views. Stepping into more popular inns in the south warranted warm welcomes, but in the north, people were cold toward Wielders.

  The north was said to be full of stubborn people who prided themselves on the sweat of their brows. Elian could not help but admire them. They were far different from people in the south, who put pride in making money. It only made sense that greetings were more wholesome here.

  It did not help that most people were fearful. They had seen many times what would come of disobeying a Wielder’s commands.

  Elian glanced out the window. Outside, a donkey pulled a small wagon full of carrots and cabbages, while two men on horses rode the opposite way.

  The world goes on, despite all that happens in it. Elian felt his Core through the pouch at his side.

  “Stop! Make it stop! It burns!”

  But I could not save one child.

  Anna’s death had tainted his mind. It was all he could see, every day, when he was alone; dark blood smeared on the cold stones, Anna’s dormant blue eyes as they stared into darkness.

  Elian had witnessed the deaths of many men, a few by his own hand. They were men who had attacked him or refused compliance to authority. Milarc prided itself on taking people to trial rather than executing them publicly, as in the days of old, but what happened in secret within the citadel was another matter. He had seen grown men tortured until they wept blood. He had always obeyed the authority of the council masters without question.

  Anna’s death changed something in him, if ever so slightly. He remained loyal to the cause of the Legion, but he wondered if it was worth it. All the children that had to go through such a harsh ritual. He had not seen every Astran child be Cleansed, only those he had guarded over. The thought of what happened in that dark chamber when he was not there made him tremble. How many children had really died in the ritual?

  And how many more must die before the council masters find what they’re looking for? How much more blood will we have to spill in the name of the Legion? If only I could find a Starborn. I could halt the Cleansing.

  Not long into his meal, a familiar face came through the door—a man a bit shorter than himself, with dark brown hair and a devilish, stupid smile upon his lips.

  Elian turned away, hoping to avoid him, but when he heard the man walking his way, he groaned inwardly and prepared himself.

  “Elian Darrow? Is that you?” came the voice.

  Elian looked up from his coffee and nodded. “Lou Cadwell. Fancy seeing you here. Are you still on leave?”

  “Ah, I am. Enjoying the last of my time before taking up the Core again.” Lou pulled up a chair and sat at the table. When the barmaid strutted over, he said, “I’ll have what he’s having, except with an ale, lovely.” He winked and stared at her backside as she went. “So, what brings you out this way? You’re far from Alacor.”

  “Personal mission,” Elian replied coolly.

  “You’re gonna pull that card? Come on, we’re brothers of the Core. You can let me in on your task.”

  “Not this, I’m afraid.”

  Lou shrugged. When his food arrived, he ate quietly for a while, but the silence did not last long. He cleared his throat, saying, “You had a chance to use the new weapons at the armory?”

  Elian raised an eyebrow. “You mean the firearms?” His voice was low.

  Lou nodded, shoveling in a mouthful of potatoes and gravy. “That’s it. The firearms. Say in a few years every Wielder in Avathon will carry one. That’s big.”

  “They’re really no different from a Core.”


  “You haven’t seen one in action, then.” Lou chuckled, wiping his mouth.

  A few men nodded at Elian as they passed by their table, and the barmaid smiled at him warmly as she filled his coffee cup.

  “Thank you,” he told her.

  She nodded and whisked away.

  Lou shook his head. “The women always show you love, don’t they?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh, come on. Every time I’m with you, they bat their eyes and giggle and do all sorts of annoying things.”

  “I don’t really notice.”

  “Oh, I’m sure.” Lou washed his food down with a big gulp from his mug. “You looking for someone?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Will you just cut the shit, Darrow, and tell me what’s going on?”

  “I swore an oath, Cadwell.” Elian furled his fist. Inside, he was boiling. He hated Lou for many reasons; he was dishonest in his work, abused his power, and had killed innocents in the name of the Legion when he could have easily avoided such a thing. Being in his presence annoyed Elian beyond giving a good show of tolerance.

  Blood was always a last resort.

  “Well, I guess I won’t deter you from an oath. You have your odd ways. But speaking of, you want to hear something odd?” Lou chuckled.

  “Out with it,” Elian sighed. He downed a good bit of coffee.

  “I found Amias Linswood drinking up at Berry Farms. You believe that?”

  Elian froze, his eyes going wide. “What? When?”

  “Oh, ah—the night before, it was. Was holed up there with two other lads. Acted a bit strange. I didn’t know he was even on leave.”

  “Did you speak with him?”

  “A bit. Said he was visiting the winery with his nephew.”

  Despite this news, Elian looked away. He did not want to show the pain he felt, however briefly. Amias had not only been a scholar, but also a brother of the Core. Elian had confided much in Amias, and now he was within reach. He had a trail now and would be on him soon.

  “Have you seen Rhielle?” he asked suddenly. “I sent her out that way not long ago.”

  Lou’s eyebrows perked up. “Rhielle? You mean she’s with you, too? See what I mean about the women you attract?”

  “I have to go.” Elian paid his tab and got to his feet.

  “What, so soon?”

  Elian glanced up at him, his brow creasing. “Yes.” He left swiftly for his room, packing his bag and loading with a few provisions from the inn before coming outside into the sunlight. When he hastened to the stable, Lou caught up to him.

  “What do you want, Cadwell?” he asked. He turned to the stable boy. “Get my horse, please.”

  “What’s this all about?” Lou said, coming up to him. “Are you looking for Amias?”

  Elian turned a sharp eye on him. “Perhaps I am, and I’d rather this news didn’t reach Alacor just yet. They still haven’t released an official warrant. The masters put me on the case to track him down first, and that’s all I’m telling you.”

  “By the gods. What’s he done?”

  “I’ve told you all I can.”

  “Hoping for a bigger wage, are you?” Lou smirked.

  “They don’t want this getting out of hand. This is a low-key mission.”

  “And they put Rhielle on with you?”

  “You know I’ve been training her for a while now.”

  Lou shrugged. “I just assumed you were fucking her.”

  Elian clenched his jaw, but said nothing. Despite himself, he knew he might need Lou’s help. Amias had traveled far, after all, and not on his own.

  “Tell me, what did these lads he was with look like?” he asked.

  “Oh, one smallish looking one, no more than twenty, and the other taller, older. You need me to ride with you?”

  Elian grabbed Tuck’s reins and pulled him forward. “I think I’ve got it handled.” But he stopped and thought for a long moment. Amias was someone he needed to catch, and despite his dislike for Lou, the man was good at tracking down criminals. “I suppose you could ride with me, if you want. I don’t care about the money or the attention. I just want him found. It couldn’t hurt to have another man on the case, especially since I need to find Rhielle.”

  “Back to Berry Farms it is, then.” Lou clapped his hands and rubbed them together, then pulled on his horse. “I’ve been pretty bored these past few weeks anyway.”

  “Just don’t get too trigger happy with your bow, should we find him.”

  “You mean Baby?” Lou rubbed the crossbow strapped to the saddle and smiled devilishly. “Never.”

  Chapter 16

  “I want you to talk to me. I can tell you many things about yourself.”

  Owen woke with a start, gasping for breath. He clambered up from his sheet, but his mind was heavy, and he fell to the floor. Amias stirred from his pallet at the foot of his bed and came to his side.

  “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

  “I just . . . keep having strange dreams. Keep hearing a voice. Like a whisper in my head.”

  “In your head?” Amias looked at him and hesitated.

  Owen drew back. “What is it?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

  “I just . . . thought I was overly tired.” He grimaced as he leaned against the bed. “I first heard the voice in Green Springs. Then I saw shadows. I’m not sure if they’re Entities. They may be.”

  Amias looked down, as if concentrating.

  “You know something I don’t.” Owen looked at him hard. “You should tell me.”

  Amias nodded, his eyes concerned. “Yes. I think you deserve to know by now.”

  Owen glanced up at the other bed, where Colt lay with his face in the pillow and his arm off the bed, snoring. “What is it?” he whispered.

  “This voice, do you know what it said to you?”

  “When I hear it in my sleep, it wakes me up every time. It says it wants to talk to me and tell me things. It feels odd, as if it’s not part of my dream. It sounds almost like a man, but I’m not sure.”

  “You sound like your father.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Owen grabbed Amias’s arm and glared at him.

  Amias tried to smile, but it came out in a wince. “Your father heard voices, too, and they told him the same thing you just told me.”

  Owen pulled away, his heart faltering. He tried desperately to think back to his father, about how he looked, but he had no image of him other than the one he had created himself. Dark hair and rough hands, the same height as himself, with a small frame. Callous thoughts of his father’s abandonment invaded his mind.

  Slumping against the bed, Amias looked at his hands. “Your father didn’t leave you and Emilia because he didn’t love you. He . . . he left because the voice he heard drove him mad.”

  The air seemed to grow colder. Owen stiffened, shivering. He pulled away and stared ahead, shaking his head. “It’s not true.”

  “It is true. And I’m the one who fabricated the lie that he abandoned you both.” Amias pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “Forgive me,” he whispered.

  Owen shook his head, heat filling his veins. He ground his teeth, his fists clenching. “You’re a liar,” he rasped, his whisper causing Colt to stir.

  “I know.” A cry sprang from Amias’s throat. “It was all for your own good. I swear it.” When he tried to clasp Owen’s hands, Owen pushed him away.

  “You’ve made things worse between us!” Owen ran his hands through his hair, letting his fingers tighten on his tendrils until it stung his scalp. “I don’t value dishonesty.”

  “I didn’t think the same things that happened to Jen would happen to you.”

  Hearing his father’s name had once put a bad taste in his mouth, but now Owen thought about it with ease. The inexplicable disgust he’d once harbored for his father he now aimed at Amias. He glared sharply at the man he had known for twenty
years.

  “And how do you expect me to believe you?” he asked, his eyes stinging.

  “I don’t.” Amias shook his head. “I—I can only hope you do. When I left with him on a trip, he took us in circles. He claimed a voice would not leave him alone. The last time I saw him was in Avathon. We were at an inn, and on his bed he had left the dagger. I have not seen him since. That was seventeen years ago.”

  Owen did not want to believe it. He ran his hands down his face, pressing his palms into his eyes, hoping to push back the tears. “And what did you tell mother?”

  “The same thing I just told you. She didn’t want you to know about the voice.”

  Looking up at the window, Owen sat for a long moment, absorbing what he had just heard. The early stroke of twilight brushed the sky outside a dim blue. “I suppose we should leave now.” Getting up from the floor, he changed into his travel clothes and pulled on his boots, not saying another word.

  Thankfully, Amias held his tongue as well.

  They all left the inn under an early morning sky. None of them spoke for a long time as they walked along the main road south. A dull ache ran through Owen’s head, his thoughts a current of frustration directed towards Amias.

  They turned off the main road after a while, away from the wagons and horse-riders, and into a wooded area. They could see only one wagon, far up ahead, and the trees created a canopy over them.

  “I haven’t seen Lou again since the other night,” Amias said. “But we’ll keep strictly to the back roads in case he’s reported me to region soldiers.”

  The air stirred, blowing a surge of leaves their way. Owen scanned the trees. Then came the sound of hooves.

  He looked behind them, his eyes landing on a blonde-haired woman clad in leather armor atop a gray horse. His heart dropped into his stomach. He backed away until he reached Amias and Colt.