But he’s— You’re right.
Phin stared at them and nodded. “A pleasure.”
How is he still alive? Ann asked.
I don’t know but it would be safer not telling him who we are. We can’t trust anyone. Only each other, Ed warned. Orla could use people we once thought of as friends. Even someone like Phin.
“Come, I’ll show you the crystal mines.” Xavier motioned for Ed to follow. Ed hesitated.
Go, I’ll be fine, Ann insisted. We can’t be together every moment. If we are supposed to start new lives, we should make an effort to do so.
Okay, be careful. Call me if you need me.
Ed followed Xavier along the cavern tunnel. He didn’t listen to what the dwarf said as his mind raced. How had Phin of all people ended up here? The druid was in his seventies and used to be the court scholar and bard. Ed thought he died during the night of the revolution, along with anyone else who didn’t swear loyalty to Orla. He doubted Orla would have had much use for the elderly man, since Phin wasn’t very powerful.
Ed wanted to go back and ask Phin for himself. He wouldn’t though. They couldn’t afford to trust anyone now. Ed hated how he couldn’t even talk to Phineas. It would have been good to talk to a familiar person and someone they had once viewed as a friend.
“Are you listening to me?” Xavier’s voice broke through his thoughts.
Ed shook his head to clear it. “Sorry, a lot my mind.” Ann, where are you?
With Nadia, she replied. Why? I haven’t talked to Phin anymore, if that’s what you’re worried about. He went back to his chamber.
He breathed a sigh of relief. Ed scanned the area with his senses but still didn’t detect any sign of danger. It had almost been a full day since they’d been attacked by demons. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or alarmed by that.
“We grow our own tunnels through the use of crystals. Here is one of the mines which we often harvest them from,” Xavier explained. “We harvest as much as we can. We never know when we’ll need to move to a new location—though most of the tunnels here have been around for centuries.”
Ed caught a flash of movement as a huge rock hurtled toward them. He shoved Xavier aside and dove out of the way.
The rock hit the ground and made the earth tremble. Shards of rock and bits of dust flew everywhere.
Ed scrambled up and scanned the area with his senses. That couldn’t have been a natural occurrence. He didn’t believe in coincidences. Not after everything they’d been through over the past month.
Xavier turned around, stared at the rock wide-eyed. “How did you know that would happen?”
Ed shrugged it off. “I saw it.” He’d always had fast reflexes. It was one of the things that made him excel within the Black Guard at a young age.
“Thank you,” Xavier said. “I—”
Ed frowned as he sensed another presence somewhere above them. Cold and dark. That rockfall was no accident, he realised. Ann, you still with Nadia?
Yes. Ed, you don’t have to—
Good. Stay there, he told her.
Why?
No time to explain.
“I have to go,” he said to Xavier and took off down the tunnel. Ed pulled his sword out as he went. He’d been on the run long enough to sense when a demon was near. Only this one felt stronger than the others.
Ed, what’s going on? Ann asked. Don’t lie to me. I can feel your panic.
Blood pounded in his ears as he ran. He had to find the demon before it had a chance to get to Ann or attack anyone else.
Ed considered blocking Ann out then thought better of it. He wouldn’t risk not hearing her call if she needed him.
Ed? Ann called again. Answer me!
There’s a demon here. He gritted his teeth and dodged by several people as he hurried through the tunnel.
The demon’s presence grew stronger and it moved closer. Now it no longer came from above ground but here in the tunnels.
Where? I’ll—
No, stay where you are, he growled.
What happened to the part about us being partners?
We are but stay with Nadia. I don’t want it finding you. Ed turned down another passageway. The crystal walls glistened like sparkling diamonds in the limelight. Someone cried out and Ed spotted Phin with a black-cloaked figure. The figure, indistinguishable as male or female, had their hand class around the druid’s throat.
Ed charged the demon then swung his sword.
The demon spun and raised his hand. A burst of energy slammed Ed into the wall. The air left him in a rush. Ed leapt up, using his sword to deflect the next burst of energy. Invisible waves of power rippled against the glowing blade.
This demon had long dark hair and hollow eyes. Unlike the others, Ed faced that looked more human.
Phin crumbled to the ground. The demon blasted Ed with another burst of energy again. Ed swung his sword. The demon ducked as the blade hissed through the air.
The demon drew a jagged knife, jabbed it at him. Ed jumped back. Blessed spirits! The other demons had weapons like that.
Ed spun, using the momentum to knock the demon’s knife away.
The demon growled, firing another blast.
Ann appeared in a flash of light, raised her hands and blasted the demon with her fire. The demon stumbled as the blast knocked him to the ground.
Ed muttered a curse under his breath. Damn it, why couldn’t she stay away? He could have handled this without her.
“Gaiste agus ceangail air,” Ann chanted words of power. White glowing lines swirled around the demon, trapped him in place.
Ed moved and thrust the tip of his sword under the demon’s throat. “Who sent you?”
Fire formed in Ann’s hand. “I’d answer him if I were you. Unless you have a death wish.”
The demon laughed. “Your glamour cannot hide what you are.”
Ann knelt and placed her hand on the demon’s forehead and closed her eyes. Ed knew she was listening to the demon’s thoughts. He wished he could listen in as well, but refrained from joining powers with her.
“Orla sent him.” She frowned. “He’s been tracking us by using the Erthea lines. What is an Ashrak?”
Ed flinched. “It’s a hunter. Stronger and more powerful than most demons. I’ve heard about them in the Black.”
The Ashrak shot up, the lines around him faulted. He lunged straight for Ann. In a flash of silver, he knifed her through the chest before Ed even had a chance to react.
“No!” Ed grabbed hold of the demon and thrust his sword through the demon’s chest.
Black blood gurgled from the demon’s mouth. “More will come,” he rasped and slumped to the ground, dead. In a flash of light, the demon’s body melted into ash.
Ed gathered Ann up in his arms, letting his sword fall to the ground. “Ann?” He examined the wound on her chest. Given its position, he knew the blade must have struck close to her heart. Blood seeped through her tunic and her eyes were already closed. Spirits, no! She couldn’t die. Not here. Not after everything they’d been through. Ed scanned her body with his senses but didn’t detect any sign of a heartbeat. “Ann, come on. Wake up. You can’t leave me. Not like this.”
Ed scanned his memories for a healing spell. He learnt several of them during his years in the Black Guard, but none of them came to mind. Spirits, there’d be something he could do. He wouldn’t lose her. He was meant to keep her safe. Without her, his life would have no meaning anymore. She meant everything to him.
Tears stung his eyes as he held onto her.
After a few seconds, Ann’s eyes flew open and she gasped for breath. “Argh!” She put a hand to her chest. “That hurt!” She stared up at him. “Are you crying?”
He blinked the tears away. “No, of course not. But I thought you were dead. You stopped breathing.”
Ann rose to her full height and ran a hand over her chest. “The wound has faded.” She frowned. “Did you hear me?”
Ed shook his
head. “No. You were already gone—this is impossible.” If it weren’t for the bloodstain covering her tunic he thought he might have imagined it.
“Well, we have more important things to worry about. Phin must be hurt.” She hurried over to the elderly druid.
“We should get out of here.” Ed sheathed his sword. “I was foolish to think this place could be safe for us.” He spotted Xavier standing a few feet away. Ah, spirits!
“We not leaving. Phin’s hurt.” Ann glanced over at Xavier. “We—”
Xavier stared at Ed’s sword. The symbol of a wolf’s head glittered on the hilt. “You are one of the Archdruid’s Black.”
Ed glanced at his sword. The silver metal only ever got used for the archdruid’s Black Guard. He hadn’t thought it would stand out. He’d been so focused on keeping Ann safe.
Ed grabbed Ann’s hand. Transport us out of here.
Ann gaped at him. We can’t leave. Phin—
Isn’t important. You are.
“You don’t have to leave,” Xavier told them. “I said you’re welcome and I meant it.”
“We can’t stay,” Ed protested. “You’ve already seen why.” He glanced over at the remains of the demon.
Xavier turned to Ann. “Are you Rhiannon Valeran?” All colour drained from her face. “It’s alright. I suspected you might come here. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Ann—”
“Phin needs help and the Ashrak is dead. Let’s stay. For now, at least.”
Chapter Five
Ann and Ed went off to another chamber. She’d been surprised when Xavier had guessed their secret and told them they could still stay. Stranger still had been when the demon stabbed her. She felt the blade slicing through her flesh then darkness had dragged her under. For a few moments, she’d appeared in a shadowy world surrounded by nothing but mist. She decided against telling Ed about it. Ann couldn't be sure, but she thought she might have been dead there for a few moments. But the only thing that mattered right now was making sure Phin was okay.
Ed reluctantly walked off to check for more demons after she gave him a good talking for his overprotectiveness. She hoped he’d stop acting so much like a guard. He’d been more protective of her now than when he was her bodyguard.
Phin now lay on a makeshift bed in one of the other caverns. Blue walls glittered around them. His head had some bruising where the Ashrak had struck him.
She dug through Nadia’s supplies until she found the herb and wrapped it in some cloth to make a compress. She pressed it to his forehead. Since the Ashrak had already known where they were she didn’t see the harm in using a little magic. She muttered words of power.
Phin’s eyes fluttered open. Ann kept her fingers pressed to his forehead so she could listen to his surface thoughts. Where am I? he wondered. What happened?
Ann scanned deeper. How did you escape from Orla? Did you join her?
Phin blinked. “Rhiannon, is that you?” The druid grasped her hand.
Ann winced. “I’m not—” Blessed spirits, how had he known it was really her? Her glamour made her look like a different person and even disguised her voice. Nothing about her should have resembled Rhiannon Valeran anymore.
“No, it is you. I’d know your magic anywhere.” He gave a weak smile. “I’m so relieved you’re alive, child.”
She placed her hand on his shoulder. How did you escape from Orla?
“I wasn’t at the palace. I’ve been travelling to Trewa. After I heard what happened, I tried making my way back there. But I was waylaid. Orla’s forces are everywhere.”
Ann felt no deception in his thoughts. “I’m happy to see you, Phin.” She gave him a quick hug. Despite Ed’s warnings and her own anxiety, she decided it was better to tell him the truth. Besides, he already knew it was her. No point in lying to him now.
“Child, tell me what happened in Larenth.” Phin gripped her hand. “Who killed your parents? I know you’d never do such a terrible thing.”
She winced, a familiar ache in her chest. Ann didn’t want to think let alone talk of that night. “I didn’t do it,” she said finally. “What’s happening back in Larenth?”
“Orla has outlawed the use of magic by anyone who refused to join her.” Phin sat up. “They’re either forced to swear fealty to her or put to death. Dozens are dead already. Everyone from guards to villagers.” Ann’s stomach lurched. “Why did you run? Why haven’t you stopped her?”
“I…I didn’t have a choice.” She’d been so weak after defeating Urien she hadn’t stood much of a chance against Orla’s forces. There had been no other choice but to flee or they would all be dead now.
“Is your father truly gone?”
She nodded and clenched her fists. “He’s gone.”
After making sure Phin had no lasting symptoms, Ann headed back to her chamber and pulled a small box out of her pack. The bag was spelled so it could hold an infinite number of items. Ann flipped the box open and took out a map of the palace. She knew every way in and out by heart. The question was how could she get in and kill Orla without being detected first?
She sensed Ed coming toward her. She shoved the box and map back into her pack. Spirits, couldn’t he leave her alone for one moment? Ann couldn’t have a chance to go through her things for days now since Ed rarely left her alone.
“I haven’t found any more Ashrak.” Ed rubbed the back of his neck. “I still can’t work out how they tracked us.”
“Phin will be okay.” She decided to change the subject.
“Good, we should leave before—”
“No,” she said more forcefully than she’d meant to. “I don’t want to leave yet.”
Ed’s brow creased. “You don’t?”
“No, we should stay. Only Xavier, Phin, and Nadia know who we are. I know we need to be careful, but I trust them. I don’t think they will betray us.”
Ed’s eyes narrowed. “You told Phin who you are?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m tired of running. Maybe we can make a difference here.” Guilt clawed at her. She couldn’t admit to Ed she wanted to stay so she could finally go after Orla again. They’d moved around so much this past month she hadn’t had time to plan things properly. Ed hardly ever left her side either. Deep down she knew he’d never support her plan. He’d stop her or convince her not to go after Orla.
Ann was sick of waiting. Every day Orla sat in Caselhelm and grew more powerful. Which meant she had more opportunity to terrorise the people of Caselhelm and do the spirits only knew what to them. She couldn’t sit back and let that happen. Someone had to stop Orla, and it would be her.
“Are you sure you want to stay?” Ed’s frown deepened. “More demons will come after us.”
“Let them come. We can’t run forever. We’ll deal with it.”
Ed didn’t look convinced. “Fine, we’ll stay for now. But let’s talk about what happened earlier when the Ashrak stabbed you.” He took hold of her hand. “For a moment there, I could have sworn you were dead. I felt like I lost part of my soul. What happened? Were you dead?”
She shivered at the memory of the icy darkness she’d been surrounded by when the blackness had dragged her under. “I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t know what happened.” She pulled her hand away from his. “I don’t want to talk about it either. Get back to work. We need to blend in around here.”
Ed left, and Ann knew she’d have to find the right moment to leave.
Ann waited until later that night. She’d spent the day helping Nadia. Once people learned she was a healer, she’d had people coming to her all day asking for help to cure various ailments. She hadn’t had a moment herself. The resistance’s supplies were lacking. It made her wonder how they managed to help anyone. These people needed help. Money. She felt guilty for only using this place for cover. But she wouldn’t give up on her plan. She’d avenge her father no matter what.
Ann had given Nadia some coin and told her where she might get some decent supplies
from some of her father’s contacts. It made her glad she could do a little good here at least. The resistance needed the money more than she did. Besides, when she finally faced Orla she knew she might not come back. It didn’t matter if she died as long as she got revenge for her family. She didn’t care what came after that.
She didn’t say much to Ed that night then pretended to go to bed early.
Ed climbed into bed beside her. She waited until she heard his steady breathing before she slipped out, dressed, and swung her pack over her shoulder.
Sorry, Ed, she thought and muttered words of power to make sure he stayed asleep.
Ann trekked through the tunnels, relieved when she didn’t run into anyone. Guilt twisted in her gut. She hated lying to Ed, but this was too important. She couldn’t lose the chance to attack Orla, not when most of her forces weren’t at the palace.
Pale slivers of moonlight crept through the clouds. Ann moved away from the tunnel entrance and pushed through the trees until she reached a clearing.
She knelt and traced a circle on the ground. And its different rings that would transport her straight to the new lands. It’d be harder for Ed to track her that way. Ann opened her mouth to chant the transfer and spell.
A shadow flew at her. She caught the flash of a knife as she struggled with her assailant. She flexed her fingers and burst of air sent the demon flying.
She began to chant the spell. The demon came at her again.
“Silly girl,” the Ashrak said. “Every time you use the lines, I can track you.”
The glow of the Erthea lines fell away. “What? That’s not possible,” she gasped.
The Ashrak raised his hand. Ann dodged another blast of energy. A fireball formed in her hand, and she hurled it at him.
The demon dodged it and the tree behind him exploded. She cried out more words of power. The Ashrak staggered and drew one of her own knives. “I’ll kill you,” the demon hissed.
“No, you won’t.” She plunged the blade through his chest and the body melted to ash.
Wayward Magic (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 2) Page 4