Alex paused as he made his way through the passageways and tunnels heading toward a presence he could feel. He knew somehow that the presence belonged to the person he was seeking: the Skull Lord. If it wasn’t the Skull Lord, then he knew whoever it was wouldn’t be far from the person he sought. Alex lost count of the members of the League of Skulls he dispatched on his way through the warren. Beyond ten, he stopped counting as it didn’t seem to be important. While Alex could feel the burning anger bubbling inside he didn’t think it was the same he recalled from Kyle’s memories. Unlike Kyle, Alex wasn’t sickened by what he was doing and knew in this place and time he was the one in control and making the conscious choice to kill those who stood in his way.
Kyle only had limited flashback memories of his actions when he’d succumbed to rage and slaughtered people. While at first, he seemed remote from his own actions, he’d then been sickened by what he’d done when he came back to himself. Alex didn’t have to come back to himself; he wasn’t sickened. He didn’t seem to care anything about the people that stood in his way.
A part of his brain recognised that this was not normal. That he should be sickened, he should care. He knew normal people would care. As he moved through the underground lair, a part of his brain continued to puzzle out what had changed and what was wrong.
Alex paused, knowing there was someone coming, and flattened up against the rough, cool rock wall, drawing power to him to conceal his presence, at least until it was too late for the person approaching. Alex could tell that this man also had power but in smaller quantities than what he possessed himself. It was possible he would detect Alex’s presence, although somehow Alex doubted it. His experience so far had shown him that while the members of the League of Skulls had access to rudimentary power, they were not proficient at using it.
Alex found he was holding his breath as the man came closer and, with a smile, released his breath and began to breathe again. It wouldn’t do if he passed out from lack of oxygen in this place. It would also be a little embarrassing to have to admit later on, as he was sure something like that would come out. The embarrassing stuff always did.
The man was close enough now and Alex could see the Skull ring on his finger and the Skull tattoo across his hand, winding all the way up his arm to disappear under the shoulder of his vest. Looking at him, Alex noted the weapons he carried on his person and smiled. Alex waited until the man passed him with no indication he knew of the presence of another in the tunnel with him. Alex lurched himself forward, grabbing a fistful of the man’s hair, pulling his head back with one strong yank while he drew his knife viciously across the man’s throat. It was over in moments and Alex let the man drop to the floor.
Alex knelt and wiped his blade on the vest of his fallen adversary and, without knowing why, removed his Skull ring and placed it in the inner pocket of his vest for safe keeping. You never could tell how and when something might come in useful. Still, if he had his way, this was one chapter of the thieves league that would, if it existed at all, be a headless snake and left in a state of disorder after he’d dealt with the Skull Lord. At least for a space of time until someone else rose up to fill the power vacuum his death would create. They might even learn a lesson to leave those who ruled this land in peace. Alex well knew that in the past as long as their excesses were not too bad, it was deemed beneficial to leave them be. After all, that way they knew who to watch.
However, the guild here in the capital had gone through a change of late and grown bolder. Attempts on the life of a high-ranking lord, let alone a Prince of the Realm, even the youngest son, had been unheard of in the past. It was yet another thing that continued to puzzle him. It really didn’t fit the League’s past behaviour. Alex hopped it was something the mysterious Skull Lord could clear up, before he died.
Alex smiled and continued on his way without a backwards glance at the dead mercenary.
Alex paused, closing his eyes, although it was more out of habit than need at this point. He could feel those of power around him these days without even having to concentrate. They were like bright sparks in his consciousness, although one was much stronger than all the others but seemed to cut in and out, as if the individual was concentrating on something else. Alex paused. His eyes flew open. So his target knew he was coming. His adversary was giving away his location because he was concentrating on tracking his progress through the underground lair.
He paused. The Skull Lord knew he was coming and was tracking his progress—he no longer needed to hide. Alex smiled self-depreciatingly; so much for a surprise attack. Although he kept the shadows pulled around him to mask his presence, he had no illusions. He was expected. He wondered what the Skull Lord had in store for him.
Alex reacted even before he realised what it was he was reacting to, then he saw it, that shadowed movement that triggered his own reaction, and his blade met the other’s blade. Alex grinned in anticipation and pulled in more of the veil, concentrating; his opponent was good. Pushing aside the growing ache in his head that seemed to be now spreading throughout his body as well, Alex lost himself in the fight, grateful that his old bumbling real-world self seemed to be banished somewhere. Or perhaps those who had been interfering had given up. Of course, he didn’t know who they were, or why, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been interfering. Alex chuckled despite his current activity; perhaps that belief was just a sign of impending madness. No matter the reason, he was grateful. With the increase in power, he saw his opponent’s movements and found that he was matching them.
Alex felt a rush of power and had a moment of concern, then grinned when he felt a presence he recognised. Kyle.
Alex felt his friend gather his own power and knew what he intended. Alex sparred a moment and sent a shaft of power back down that bond between them.
No, Kyle, brother, you are hurt. It’s too late for me. Stay!
Alex didn’t have the time to spare for Kyle after that. He knew that Kyle watched still, although he knew he would stay out of this fight at least; right now, his friend needed time to heal. He also gathered his friend would have a few words to say to him on his return to the palace. Pushing that distraction aside, Alex continued with his fight. Grinning, he pulled the surrounding power to him and in that moment his attacker was visible, a shocked expression on his face. Alex raised his main sword and blocked the blade of his enemy, then plunged his long dagger up into the man’s heart.
“How—?” The blade slipped from the gifted thug’s lifeless hands and he crumpled, lifeless, onto the cold stone floor, his sword clattering next to him.
Alex stood for a moment, looking at the man he had battled, waiting to feel something—anything—as he knew he should. He didn’t. Alex was wondering if, despite what they had all thought, it wasn’t a deep madness and rage that affected the Sundered. He wondered if it was this coldness. This lack of compassion. He idly knew that yes, he was angry, in pain, yet he hadn’t killed the men in the Skulls Lair due to that. He’d killed them because they’d been in his way. Unlike what Kyle had suffered, he didn’t feel guilty in the slightest and he wasn’t suffering from fragmenting control and didn’t believe he’d suffer the blackouts either.
Alex shrugged and pushed aside his contemplation of the Sundered. It could wait until tonight was finished.
Alex walked on down the corridor, knowing, sensing, that no one else was coming to confront him, still feeling that malevolent presence although now he knew it was close. He could also tell it didn’t fear him. Whoever the person was, they were waiting for him.
Alex found himself at the end of the corridor facing a door. He knew stealth was unnecessary given that whoever was beyond the door knew he was coming and seemed to be waiting for him. Alex was about to open the door when it opened of its own accord. A cloaked figure stood there looking at him.
“Your Highness. My master bid you welcome and asks that you come inside. No one will seek to harm you. You have his word.” The man’s vo
ice was steady and well spoken, much like the servants in the palace.
Alex took in the palatial hallway with signs of wealth decorating the walls and wondered which of the Lord’s town estates he had made his way to. It had to be one of them, he just couldn’t fathom which one. Then again it could be one of the wealthy merchant’s or even a total unknown; Alex shook his head, he’d find out soon enough who was in charge. Still, if it was one of the lords, it would have to be one of the minor lords since all the major ones had moved along with the court to the Summer Palace. Alex laughed at that, remembering he was at the Summer Palace, yet here he was back in Vallantia, about to walk into the den of a man who had been trying to kidnap himself and his friends.
Alex acknowledged the man as he walked in, sheathing his blades, taking the servant at his master’s word. Still, Alex knew he didn’t need the sword to kill the servant if it came to that. He paused, allowing the man to close the door and lead the way though the corridor and up a flight of stairs through yet another door into the house. Alex paid little attention to his surroundings, except to note he wasn’t even familiar with them, therefore it wasn’t the residence of any of his contemporaries. He could feel that Kyle was still following, and that he didn’t recognise the place either.
The servant stood at the entryway to what Alex gathered was a meeting room and gestured for him to enter but made no move to follow. Alex paid no mind at all to the door closing behind him—it wasn’t like he needed the door to get out and back to his rooms at the Summer Palace anyhow.
Alex looked up and froze as he recognised the figure sitting, relaxed, on the other side of the room.
“Welcome, little brother. I judge it won’t be long before you join our rather select ranks. I was honestly expecting Lord Kyle to be the one who showed up on my doorstep.”
34
Not as it Seems
Alex shuddered at the man in front of him calling him ‘little brother’, along with the inference he would join the Sundered ranks soon, the phrase causing his memory to flash back to that time so long ago—his mother’s death. He tightened his grip and went to lunge, only to feel himself slam into a barrier that formed between him and the Skull Lord. Alex struggled against the restraint.
“Relax, Alex, I mean you no harm. You are powerful; you will grow, and it’s likely your power will outstrip mine in time, but for now you are running on instinct.” The Lord gestured to a chair where a goblet of wine sat on a low table next to it. “Please, sit down. I imagine you have questions; you didn’t have to kill so many of my men, you know. My name is Simon.”
Alex felt sweat bead on his forehead as he struggled against the barrier before he conceded that he would not get through it. He glared at the man in front of him, then nodded. His mind shied away from acknowledging that this man had been a contemporary of his uncle. Or at least he looked just like the man in his dream about his uncle and friends saving the woman with the baby. He even had the same name that his uncle had used to refer to him in the dream. Simon.
Feeling and seeing the barrier dissipate as fast as it had appeared, Alex walked and sat in the chair opposite the Skull Lord. Not hurrying, he glanced at the mug on the table next to him. Shrugging his shoulders, he picked it up and sipped, his eyes never leaving his host as he did so.
Pushing his dreams aside, Alex asked. “Why did you try to kidnap me and my friends?” Alex knew he was being a little blunt, but he didn’t have the patience for much else right now.
Simon sighed, his smile fading. “Straight to the point, I see.” He paused, picking up his own wine, and sipped. “I didn’t try to have you kidnapped, Alex. What need would I have for that?”
Alex shook his head. “I don’t know what I want to know. I killed your assassin when she came after Kyle again. It’s why I came here.”
Simon frowned. “My assassin? I haven’t sent an assassin after Lord Kyle. I wouldn’t be that stupid. If I wanted Lord Kyle dead, I would have killed him myself.”
Alex absorbed Simon’s assertion; he wanted to disbelieve the man sitting opposite him, but somehow he didn’t.
“Alyssa wasn’t sent by you?” Alex flashed back to a memory from the battle with the female assassin in the ballroom at the palace and projected it at Simon, knowing he would see it.
“No, that poor unfortunate soul was not one of mine.” Simon considered Alex for a moment before continuing. “There are more Kin around than you know of, Alex; I will see if I can find out any information about her for you. That is how we refer to ourselves, Alex, as Kin. Sundered is a rather derogatory term and misguided.”
Alex felt his eyes widen.
“You’re Sundered—sorry, Kin—I can feel it and there was your little display earlier. What are you doing here in charge of the League of Skulls?” Alex had relaxed despite himself; if Simon had wanted him dead then he could have done so already.
Simon smiled, picked up the bottle of wine on the side table next to him and walked across to top up Alex’s glass before returning to his own chair to refill his own.
“In this era, those who survive the transition to become Kin give up their old lives.” Simon raised one eyebrow at him. “People notice that you are not ageing after some time; your old life has to die, after that we tend to move around. For now, I am the Skull Lord, I can help a few of our kind who escape and, if it’s not too late, help them through the transition. I was a thief more years ago than I care to think about, so I guess you could say I’m doing what I know. It placed me ideal to keep an eye on you and your friends.”
Alex let the silence stretch between them for a moment while he thought through what he’d learned. For his part, Simon wasn’t the least bit uncomfortable with Alex’s regard.
“I had a dream about my uncle; you were in it.” Alex heard the faintly disbelieving tone in his own voice. Despite everything, he was still struggling to believe it all.
Simon smiled. “Yes, Alex, I knew your Uncle Edward, and Cal and Kat.”
Alex stared at Simon, struggling with his own disbelief, yet somehow he did believe him and regretfully let go of his initial plan to kill the man. If he was honest with himself, Simon’s little display of power when he’d walked in made him doubt that he could kill the self-styled Skull Lord.
Kyle sat in a sitting room at the Fourth’s Complex, watching as Alex paced, agitated. Still, Kyle knew Alex would tell him what the issue was eventually. Jess, for her part, seemed fine; if it was anyone else, they might even believe it. Kyle could feel the waves of distress coming from her. He tried to block both out of his mind, yet wasn’t successful. He found he was more susceptible now after what Alyssa had done to him.
Alex turned, accepting the drink that Miranda handed him. Kyle watched as she moved around the room serving both Jess and himself as well before leaving them all through a side door. Alex sipped his drink, walking to the large windows that led to a private courtyard. He stood watching the garden in the fading light before he spoke. Filling them both in on all he’d discovered, he didn’t even hold back on finding the place where Kyle had killed the family. Kyle had closed his eyes, a pang of guilt assailing him, but kept his silence. He knew all of that had been at Alyssa’s prompting. Still, it had been his fault she had managed to get through his barriers and into his mind.
He finished recounting his meeting with Simon, the Skull Lord. Kyle shook his head, almost laughing, since while Alex had gone there intending to kill the Skull Lord, he seemed to have left with a good impression. Kyle had followed most of the encounter so wasn’t surprised at any of the story but knew Jess had been busy with other pursuits she had been keeping close to her chest, excluding them both. He watched her as Alex detailed what he knew about the Killiam Order from Aaron, and his belief that they were the next place they should look for answers.
Jess jumped at the mention of the Order and paled. He looked at Alex, who had come out of his introspection and noticed how shaken she was.
“Come on, Jess, it’s obvious you know
something.” Kyle watched as she closed her eyes and buried her face in her hands for a moment.
Jess sat back, swallowed, and pulled them both inside the memory of her investigations, starting with her conversation with Damien and finishing up with the woman coming out of the house and the final conversation. In that memory, they could see, hear and feel everything Jess had.
It didn’t take long for Kyle to understand why she had been so shaken. He stood and walked to Alex, his hand on the shoulder of his friend.
“Alex?”
They all stood together, watching as the shadows in the empty, overgrown garden lengthened. The guards on watch on lookouts on the wall threw shadows that eerily matched those of the statues who still stood guard around his mother’s tomb, still visible in the fading light. The silence stretched between as they each processed what they had learned.
“I don’t understand why—why are they doing it?” Jess’ voice was soft, the pain clear.
Alex spoke, his face hard. He still didn’t turn from his mother’s tomb.
“I don’t care why. I will deal with him.”
Kyle shook his head. “No, Alex, please leave it to us.” Kyle stopped, his words freezing in his throat. Alex had shut down; cold, hard anger emanated from him.
“No, Kyle. He is mine. Lord Vannen is guilty of treason, as is Baine. Can you take care of them, Kyle?” Alex turned his gaze to Kyle, waiting until his friend nodded then his gaze moved onto Jess, assessing her. “Do you want me to—”
“No. I’ll handle it, she’s mine.” Jess turned her mind away from what she needed to do and concentrated on the pulsing flow of the veil, allowing it to calm her.
“What about that scholar?” Kyle asked, turning his gaze back to the garden.
Shattering Dreams Page 32