Aloft

by J F Rogers

  “Yeah, so?” What was he getting at? “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “He was in Nica when we seized it. He was one of the fasgadair who approached Maili.”

  “Who was?”

  “Le’Corenci.”

  “So?”

  He grabbed my shoulders and shook me. “Don’t you see?”

  “No.” I peeled his fingers off me and planted my hands on my hips once more. “Tell me.”

  “Because of what had happened before, we trusted him. Though he was desperate for redemption, he agreed to remain a fasgadair to fulfill a mission. We sent him ahead to Diabalta with a flask of redeemed blood.”

  “To do what—single-handedly cut every bloodsucker?”

  Declan laughed. “He contaminated their water supply, then laid low until they had their daily ration. Only the redeemed remained.”

  “The fasgadair drink water?”

  Declan’s shoulders twitched in silent laughter. “That’s the best part. They’ve been watering down their blood supply to make it last since we’ve been squeezing in on them.”

  “What?” I sucked in my breath. “That’s incredible.” All that worrying for nothing?

  “That’s what I’m telling you.”

  “This is crazy. How didn’t Morrigan know? They’re connected.”

  Alastar stepped up. “Le’Corenci had denied his thirst for so long he was nearly desiccated, making Morrigan’s connection to him weak. It also made his mission a long shot. But he was the only one we could trust to accomplish the task.”

  “Does Morrigan know this? Should you be telling me?”

  Declan narrowed his eyes. “Are you concerned she might still have access to your head?”

  I hoped not.

  “Whether through you or her own connection”—he eyed me with renewed suspicion—“she knows they’re dead or no longer fasgadair.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  ◊◊◊

  A SKELETAL MAN WITH loose skin spotted me. Joy leapt to his eyes as he straightened. Then his spine settled back into its hunched position as he approached, keeping his eyes trained on me. He reached out a spindly hand. Did he expect me to shake it? I’d never shaken hands with anyone in Ariboslia. Did they do that? I raised my hand, tentative. He seized it in both his. I relaxed, glad I didn’t shake it.

  “Fallon.” He smiled, revealing a big gap in his teeth.

  Something was familiar about this man. No, I would’ve remembered him with his curved spine and gap teeth.

  “It isss so good to see you.”

  No way. That lisp. It had sounded more sinister as a fasgadair. More snake-hiss like. But this had to be him. “Le’Corenci?”

  “No.” He spat on the ground. “That wasss my fasgadair name. My real name isss Ennisss.” He pumped my hand. “I held on to the hope that the angel would keep hisss promisss. After waiting more than a year, I thought I must’ve done something wrong. But look.” His overjoyed eyes crinkled, and he shook my hand with renewed vigor. “Here you are. And here I am.” He loosed a hearty laugh. “No longer a fasgadair. Just asss the angel promised. I’ve been waiting for you to arrive to thank you.” He released me.

  I folded my hands. “I should thank you. We came expecting a fight. Or, at least, I did. But, thanks to you, there’s no fight. No losses.”

  “Only the gainsss of the redeemed. Myself included.” His smile widened further, taking over half his face. “God may not be on my schedule, but He keepsss Hisss promisesss and He’sss alwaysss right on time. Imagine if God had redeemed me when I had wanted? Who would’ve been able to get into Diabalta with the redeemed blood?” He cupped his mouth and chuckled. “Oh, and whatever you do… ”

  He leaned in and whispered in a not-so-hushed voice, “Don’t drink the water.” He gave my shoulder two firm pats and shuffled off giggling.

  ****

  We held a celebration that night. King Abracham retrieved wine from the cellar and filled glasses for everyone in the great hall. He raised his glass. “Brothers and sisters, we have overcome great odds. We traveled to the lands to the east, endured shipwreck and heartache, and raised our weapons against our foe. But it was a worthwhile journey. Look what God has done! He’s restored the gachen’s relations with the selkie. He’s freed the pech out from the underground and united us. He’s reunited the clans and returned our kingdoms. Most of all, He’s restoring us to Himself.”

  The king took a deep, satisfied breath. “All we’ve lost, He is setting right as we follow Him. We must not allow those losses to dampen our victory. God is with us. He is restoring what we lost due to our faithlessness. We will rebuild with His blessing. And, although we must refuse to allow the ghosts of the past to taint our futures, we must never forget where we’ve come from or repeat the mistakes. From this day forward, my friends, let us remember to praise our God, to keep Him first, above all else, on His rightful throne. And let us love each other.”

  He thrust his drink in the air, sloshing some over the edge. “To God be the glory!”

  “To God be the glory!” the crowd shouted.

  Everyone drank their wine, and cheerful notes of a flute floated through the air. Drums and a stringed instrument soon joined the refrain. I grabbed Kai’s hand to go outside. The merriment continued throughout the hall, into the foyer, and out into the courtyard where a gangly man juggled flaming sticks. A group danced in an organized fashion like in a Shakespearian play. Alastar scooped me up and swung me into the mix. I didn’t know the dance, but everyone else seemed to, except Kai. My mother had roped him in. They swung us around, whisking us away in the general direction we should go. Others gathered us, keeping us in line. I watched their feet to mimic their steps and fell into the rhythm and came face-to-face with Kai. A broad smile brightened his face. We clasped hands, stepped on each other’s toes, and twirled in the wrong direction, laughing every step of the way. Others swooped in to bring us back in step.

  Why had I always been so afraid of dancing?

  ****

  The next morning, my brothers, Kai, and I delivered porridge in carts to the courtyard. The whole way, I tried not to worry about the unknowns encroaching on me.

  I needed to trust God with this. And I did. For the most part. But it was so much easier said than done. I mean, an undead demon skilled in witchcraft who had likely resurrected her evil sisters loomed in my obscure future. Facing her was inevitable. I didn’t have to fear. I shouldn’t fear. But how could I not?

  We met a crowd gathering in the courtyard. They started at Alastar’s cart for a bowl, then scooted to Kai, Declan, or me to scoop porridge for them. They smiled at me and said thanks. Amazing to see how many people had taken part in this journey, and now I got to serve them. The honor filled me with an inexplicable joy.

  Once the crowd dissipated and our tureens were almost empty, we ladled a portion for ourselves and sat on a low wall surrounding a garden. I scooped a spoonful and took a bite. It was cold and lumpy but tasted wonderful. I scoffed it down and set my dish aside.

  I chewed a chunk of porridge as my thoughts returned to the imminent final quest. “When are we leaving?”

  My mother collected our bowls and set the stack beside her. “I think we should take time to reestablish this kingdom as we did with Nica.”

  “But Nica was further away. I hear it only takes a day to walk to Ceas Croi.”

  “Aye.” My mother nodded. “But people still need time to rest. We need to pray and await God’s timing. The people here need us, as with Nica. Whatever their experience, all were enslaved… many since birth. That’s not easily overcome.”

  It made sense. Still, I felt sicker and sicker each moment I thought of what lay ahead. Better to face it now than wait.

  ****

  I shimmied through the tunnel on my belly. Where was the end of this thing? And why did Maili love torturing me so? She knew I was claustrophobic. My breaths came in tight gasps as I rounde
d the dark corner. The floor dropped out from under me several feet above the mat. Panicked, I reached for a bar as I fell. My fingers nearly slipped, but I adjusted my grip and spotted a platform. I swung myself back and forth, gaining momentum. One more swing, and I should make it. But I had to be quick or the bar supporting me might disconnect. Maili did everything she could to make me move fast.

  After the third swing, I landed on the platform, arms windmilling to keep me from falling backward onto the mat. I stepped forward, and the platform collapsed, sending me down a chute on my butt. I rolled at the bottom and landed on my feet in a crouch, arms spread, ready for whatever surprise Maili prepared for me. Sure enough, a log swung from my left. I pitched forward, splayed out on the mat. The log swept past with a whoosh, blowing my hair.

  Maili jumped into the pit, landing with a soft thud. She clapped as she approached.

  Was that it? Was the torture over?

  “Well done, Fallon.”

  I glanced around, watching the log, then slid forward and stood a safe distance away. “You really do enjoy torturing me.”

  She laughed. “Look how far you’ve come.” She threw a towel at me.

  “How is this supposed to help me fight Morrigan?” I wiped the sweat from my forehead and the back of my neck. “I can’t outmaneuver her.”

  “For one”—she jutted her thumb—“you’re overcoming your own demons before contending with the ultimate one. Look how well you’re dealing with your fear of heights and confined spaces? Second”—she aimed her pointer finger, forming a gun trained on me—“you’re much more agile. And third”—she added another finger—“you’re learning to be on the alert and react quickly.” She patted a beam of the torture device, gazing upon it as if it were a long-lost friend. “The trees offer great natural courses. But I might have to construct a course in Kylemore when we return. This one is even better than Nica’s.” She touched her lips and studied the thing. “I’ll have to make a sketch.”

  “Great! I’ll leave you alone with your beloved torture device.” I’d almost made it to the exit when my mother appeared in the doorway.

  “Done training for the day?” she asked.

  “Yes.” I peeked at Maili as I slid close to the exit.

  Maili gave an absent nod and continued scrutinizing her pride and joy.

  “Good.” My mother stepped out into the hall, allowing me to pass. “Eat a decent meal and rest up. We leave for Ceas Croi in the morn.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  ◊◊◊

  IF SHE WANTED ME to sleep, she shouldn’t have said that. I tossed and turned all night. If we leave in the morning, will we camp outside Ceas Croi for the night? Though it was a mountain without windows, Morrigan must be expecting us. Whether she still had access to my mind or not, she had spies. And we were so close. She’d see us coming.

  Wait. Evan wasn’t with us. How could we go without him? Wasn’t he the only one who knew the secret tunnels? Without him, we never would’ve escaped.

  The pech? They created Ceas Croi. Pepin led me to the secret entrance near the peak. He said there were other “surprises” too. But they’d abandoned Ceas Croi to the gachen generations ago. Unless they had a record or blueprints, how would they know where the tunnels were? And what surprises was Pepin referring to?

  I flopped to my side and faced my mother’s bed. She lay on her back, hands folded across her chest. A slight snore escaped her lips. How could she sleep so peacefully? She’d been held captive there and only escaped a little over a year ago. Wasn’t she as anxious as I was?

  I huffed, half wishing to wake her. But no. She responded with another snore.

  The early rays of dawn streamed into the window.

  My mother stretched. “How’d you sleep?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Oh.” She eyed me as if afraid I might bite. “I shouldn’t have told you we were leaving.”

  “You think?” I couldn’t contain the sarcasm. Not after that sleepless night.

  “My apologies.” She peeled the covers off her and put on her traveling clothes. “I’m going to wash up. See you at breakfast.”

  I nodded, hoping I’d enjoy what might be my last meal.

  ****

  After breakfast, we donned our things and headed out. This time, since it was our last seize and only a day away, we traveled lighter. I sidled next to Pepin. “Are we going to enter through the tunnels?”

  “That’s my guess.”

  “You don’t know?”

  “Given our relationship, they didn’t want to tell me.” He wrinkled his nose like he smelled something foul and eyed me. “Not to mention, I’m not familiar with Ceas Croi.”

  “But you told me about the entrance at the top of the mountain.”

  “I said that?”

  “Yes, right before I left to confront Aodan. You don’t remember?”

  Pepin narrowed his eyes. “How could I tell you something I don’t know?”

  “I don’t know how you did it, but you did.” I racked my brain to conjure the conversation. It was so long ago, and I couldn’t even remember what I ate yesterday. But I recalled him acting strange, absentminded, and repeating himself.

  “Morrigan killed the pech in Ceas Croi hundreds of years ago. There’s not a pech alive who has ever seen the inside. We’ve only heard legends.”

  My hands shook. I folded them to keep them still. “Then how are we to get inside? Should I fly in like last year?”

  Pepin stopped and grabbed my arm. He stared at me and growled. “Do not do that.”

  “But it sounds like you’re not prepared. We need a plan.”

  “We have one. I just don’t know what it is. And you don’t need to either.” His grip tightened. “Do not run into this alone.”

  “Okay. Okay.” I tried to shake his arm loose, but his sausage fingers gripped tighter.

  “I mean it, Fallon. Don’t take this into your own hands. Trust God. Otherwise, you’ll ruin everything.”

  “Oookaaay.” I drew out the vowels and bugged my eyes out as if that might somehow convince him.

  He pointed to Kai and my brothers. “Watch her. See she doesn’t leave on her own.”

  “What?” I raised my free hand in defense. “I said I wouldn’t.”

  “And I know you too well.” He looked to the boys again. “Watch her.” He waddled off.

  Great. Why did I have to feel like a prisoner before I’d even approached the enemy?

  ****

  I’d never observed Ceas Croi from the outside. Last time, I’d flown to the summit as a bird. Clouds had hidden the landscape. When we escaped through the backside tunnels, we were running for our lives. Or, in my case, carried away. I never glanced back. Plus, I’d lost a lot of blood from three bites courtesy of Aodan, Evan, and Evan’s brother, and I was out of it.

  The mountain loomed in the distance, the tip obscured by clouds, and I wanted nothing more than to change into a falcon, ditch my captors, and sneak in as I had last year. But then what?

  Somehow, God made everything work out before. He’d do it again. Right? I wish He’d let me in on His plans. But no. I’d have to swallow bitter pills of nervous energy—energy tempting me to avoid waiting, prompting me to fly into danger to get it over with—and trust Him.

  God, You have a plan. Help me keep putting one foot in front of the other, trusting You.

  We avoided the road heading to the main entrance. Someone had to know where a secret passageway was. Right?

  The question was, did Morrigan know?

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  ◊◊◊

  THOUSANDS OF US TRUDGED through the dark woods, following those in front, like an army of ants to a picnic lunch. We moved slowly, keeping to a broad column rather than fanning out. Considering our numbers, we were surprisingly silent. Crouched with weapons ready as if they might actually sneak up on Morrigan. But there was no way she didn’t know we were co
ming.

  The entire trip, I didn’t come upon any living things. Little wonder there were no land-dwelling critters. They’d probably scampered away at our approach. But no birds? Not one scattered as our troop neared. Nothing.

  Did every living thing keep a safe distance away? Perhaps they sensed the evil residing within. Other than the unnatural quiet, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No electric smell. Yet every hair stood on end as if attempting to incite me to turn in the opposite direction, away from the malevolent beings. My heart pounded harder, thumping like the grim reaper knocking at my door, persistent, banging louder with each blow. I clenched my shaking hands and fought to still my feet itching to run… anywhere but where I headed.

  Where was Morrigan’s army? Where were her guards?

  Alastar. He’d know. I spotted him with Wolf and rushed to his side. “Where are Morrigan’s guards?”

  “We’ve never needed them before. Morrigan owns the entire area and nearby cities.” He scoffed. “At least, she did.”

  “But she knows Nica and Diabalta no longer belong to her. Right?”

  He kept his gaze dead ahead, focused on his mission. “Aye.”

  “And that we’re on our way?”

  “Aye.”

  “Then don’t you think she’d station vampires out here to intercept us?”

  His fingers tightened around his dagger. “I’ve never known what to expect from Morrigan. But she knows she’s lost minions. She doesn’t need you for that. Her connection with hundreds of fasgadair severed when Nica and Diabalta fell. There’s no way she didn’t notice.”

  “Does she know where the secret tunnels are?” It unnerved me that he didn’t glance my way, not even once. If I didn’t know better, I might’ve thought he was angry with me.

  “I wasn’t aware of them. But that doesn’t mean much. Morrigan kidnaped me and raised me as a so-called son which means she tormented me to make me mean and barely tolerated me as a human, isolating me to protect me from her bloodthirsty minions until I had grown enough to transform into a fasgadair.” His nostrils flared as he blew out air like an angry bull. “Then she trained me and gave me control of her armies. In all that time in her presence, I never understood her. I never knew what she would do next. If she’s anything, she’s unpredictable. If you’re hoping anything you might’ve learned about her will help you fight her, you’re wrong.”