Touch of Power

by Maria V. Snyder

  I opened my mouth to ask a question, but he cut me off with a deeper kiss. This time Tohon’s magic buzzed through my body, turning my willpower into goo. Without thought or any control on my part, my arms wrapped around his torso as I pressed against him. Still locked in a kiss, the room spun…or was that me? The next thing I knew, I lay on top of the desk completely at his mercy.

  The logical part of me had retreated to a small corner of my mind. It commented on the direness of the situation out of habit. Unfortunately, nothing could be done at this point. His life magic had overloaded my senses.

  Tohon broke off the kiss. And I think I whimpered in protest.

  “I’m getting tired of chasing you, my dear. Perhaps this little reminder of what I’m capable of will make you more willing to meet me halfway.”

  My senses returned. I clutched his arms before he could pull back. “Is this what you really want, Tohon? A lover forced by magic to be with you? Why not find someone who loves you without using your magic?”

  A dangerous glint shone in his eyes. “Where’s the challenge in that?” He pulled away.

  “How is using your magic a challenge? I’d call that cheating. The true challenge would be to not use your magic at all.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  He used the same phrase as Kerrick had. I wondered if they had learned that technique in school. “I’m suggesting you find a woman who will love you. A lady who hasn’t been influenced by your magic.”

  “And that’s not you?” His voice stayed flat.

  I stood on very thin ground. “You just used your magic on me.”

  “What if I hadn’t?”

  The ground crumbled beneath my feet. “There are…things about you I can’t accept.”

  “Kerrick has killed people, as well.”

  “I know, but he doesn’t turn them into dead soldiers.”

  “Anything else?”

  “The Death Lilys. I can guess the next logical step in your experiments with the toxin.” No sense letting him know I found the children.

  “We need more healers.”

  “We do, but your methods are immoral.”

  He considered. “Do you realize your honesty could make your situation worse?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why are telling me all this?”

  Good question. “I don’t know.”

  “Perhaps you’re scared.”

  “Of course I’m scared. It’s bad enough that my own magic sends my heart reeling when you touch me. But when you use your magic, all my self-control is gone.”

  “I was thinking you’re more scared that the things you can’t accept about me won’t matter to you once you get to know me better.”

  Wow. This man was seriously deluded. I thought it best to stop with the honesty before I dug myself in deeper.

  He took my silence as acceptance. “The heart is a strange beast and not ruled by logic, Avry. I think you’ve already figured that out.”

  Tohon left the next morning. I checked my patients and discharged a few. Both Gantin and Fox were strong enough to return to the barracks. Keeping busy all day, I tried not to dwell on what might happen this evening. All the soldiers in the compound were used to seeing me go between the infirmary and castle at all hours of the night. I had swiped and hidden a uniform close to Sepp’s size in my office.

  I debated about Danny. The boy shouldn’t remain with Tohon, but after I healed Ryne, I wouldn’t be able to teach him if he developed healing powers. If not, he still shouldn’t be here. If there was time, I decided to send Danny with Ryne and Sepp. Kerrick and Sepp could teach him about magic, and I would give him my journal of notes. If there wasn’t, I would help him escape before the plague symptoms incapacitated me. And if I wasn’t locked in the dungeon.

  The day seemed to drag. I practiced with my throwing knives, but it was more to burn off my anxiety. When I healed another person, a connection was forged. An emotional attachment like a sense of ownership that was impossible to ignore. They were my patients. My scars all had names and the thought of injuring a soldier I had healed—even if it was one of Tohon’s—made me queasy.

  Finally, the sun set and I tried to sleep for a few hours on an empty bed in the infirmary. My thoughts churned, making it impossible to relax, so I retreated to my office and waited for Sepp.

  When he arrived, I almost jumped out of my skin.

  “Any trouble?” I asked him.

  He looked the same. “No. No one’s insane enough to scale the outer wall. Your note said the Lilys won’t harm Ryne. Are you sure?”

  Note? “Didn’t…?” Kerrick’s name hovered on my lips, but I swallowed it back instinctively. “Yes, I’m sure. As long as he’s with you.”

  If Sepp noticed my stumble, he didn’t react. I handed him the uniform and turned around. He fussed about changing. I really didn’t miss Sepp these past three weeks. In fact, I’d take Kerrick in a bad mood over Sepp any day.

  When he was ready, we crossed to the castle. Only a few soldiers lingered outdoors. We entered without any problems. Lighting a lantern, I led him to the coffin room. Nothing had changed.

  Sepp tsked over the display of death. “Typical of Tohon to be so showy.” He tapped on the glass. “What keeps the other two from decaying?”

  I glanced at Ryne, then the others. The difference between them and Ryne showed in the pallor of their skin. Sepp had said his powers were the exact opposite of Tohon’s. I considered Sepp’s death magic and how he froze life in a fake death. Perhaps Tohon froze death in a fake life.

  “Could their bodies be in a stasis similar to the one you used for Ryne?” I asked. “That would explain why they haven’t decomposed.”

  Sepp shot me a surprised look. “That’s possible.” Then he turned to a dark corner of the room. “Did she get it right, Tohon?”

  Chapter 25

  “She has it half right,” Tohon said. He stepped from the dark corner.

  The shock left me breathless and gasping, as if I’d fallen into an icy river.

  “Surprised to see me, my dear?” He gestured to Sepp. “Have you ever heard the term opposites attract?”

  “When…?”

  “We first met at the Healer’s Guild before the plague,” Sepp said. “We got along rather well except we disagreed about helping the Guild.”

  Frozen, I chipped at my confusion. “Is that how you found Ryne? Through Sepp?” I asked Tohon.

  “No. Kerrick is so predictable with his caves. Eventually, my men discovered the area where Ryne’s guards had been taking their sunlight breaks. Then it was just a matter of time.”

  “He ambushed me,” Sepp said. “But he spared my life and convinced me he is right. Tohon’s going to unite all the Realms and bring peace to everyone. Think about it, Avry. It took Kerrick two years to find you. During that time, Estrid has moved west and Tohon built his army. Two years lost. I wasn’t going to waste my gifts for the losing team. Bad enough you didn’t arrive at the cave when you should have. I almost died from the infection.” His tone was peevish.

  “I’m regretting that already,” I said. But his words when you should have clanked. Tohon had been the one to delay me. Was that on purpose?

  “Oh, you’ll be regretting much more, my dear.”

  Just when I thought that wasn’t possible, Sepp asked, “You have an empty coffin. Do you want me to put her into a stasis?”

  I clamped down on a cry of dismay.

  “What are you thinking, Sepp?” Tohon asked.

  “I’ll go to Estrid’s camp, find Kerrick, tell him Avry’s plan failed and that she’s in here. He’ll come rescue her, and we’ll set another trap for him.”

  “Rather time-consuming,” Tohon said. Bef
ore Sepp could protest, he continued. “Kerrick’s already here.”

  Pain crushed my chest.

  “Here? In the castle?” Sepp seemed surprised.

  “No. But he’s around. Probably sulking in the woods nearby.”

  “But—”

  “He probably watched you climb the wall. When you don’t return and there’s no sign of Ryne or Avry, he’ll come.”

  “How can you be so sure?” Sepp asked.

  “My people are loyal. There is no way Avry could have sent you a note. And I know Kerrick. He would never let her out of his sight. He talked to you in the garden the night of the party, didn’t he?”

  No sense lying now. “Yes.”

  “He’s predictable, Sepp. Don’t worry. We’ll have him by this time tomorrow.” Tohon turned to me. “You’re a smart girl, Avry. How can you believe this one man can make a difference?” He swept a hand toward Ryne. “I’ve won. You would have sacrificed your life for nothing. I can see you still don’t believe me. Kerrick has you brainwashed. Sepp, wake Prince Ryne.”

  “What?”

  “Wake him so we can all watch him die. Once he’s gone, he can join my special forces and I need not bother with him again. Avry can move past this nonsense and try to win back my favor.”

  Sepp stared at Tohon for a full minute. I suspected he wasn’t accustomed to being ordered by Tohon. Then he moved to Ryne’s coffin.

  “The top pane slides back,” Tohon said.

  The death magician pushed on the sheet of glass, uncovering Ryne.

  Tohon grabbed my wrist. “Don’t get any ideas, my dear. If you heal him, I’ll just take his life and then bury you.”

  Sepp touched Ryne’s face. In less than a heartbeat, Ryne opened his eyes. He smiled at Sepp, but the mage kept his gaze on Tohon. The prince caught on quick. Sitting up in alarm, he scanned the room.

  “Welcome to my castle, Ryne.” Tohon switched his grip to my upper arm, yanking me close. “Kerrick found you a healer. Too bad—like you, she’s mine.”

  I tried to jerk away, but he sent a wave of pain that turned my muscles to jelly. I sagged to my knees.

  “Where’s Kerrick?” Ryne asked. His voice was rough, but steady.

  “He’ll be along shortly. Then we’ll have a nice little reunion before you die.” Tohon called for his guards.

  Six soldiers appeared from the dark corner. There must be a hidden passageway like the one that connected my room and Tohon’s.

  “Escort the prince to an underground suite,” Tohon ordered four of them.

  The soldiers surrounded Ryne. The prince climbed from the coffin with dignity and grace. Impressive. He met my gaze and nodded before being led away.

  Tohon’s fingers dug into my skin. “What should I do with you, my dear?”

  “I—”

  “It was a rhetorical question. I know exactly what happens next.”

  He pulled me to my feet and leaned close.

  “All the comforts and freedoms you’ve enjoyed are gone. You will have to earn your way back into my good graces.” He threw a pair of gloves onto the floor. “Put those on.”

  When I didn’t move, his magic blasted through me, sending me back to my knees. Even if I could break away from Tohon, my odds of getting far were slim to none. I slipped on the gloves. He yanked me to my feet, spun me around and held my arms behind my back while one of the guards snapped a pair of manacles on me, cranking them tight around the gloves and my wrists.

  “Take her to a cell close to Prince Ryne’s. Make sure her hands remain secured. I don’t trust her.”

  The soldiers grabbed my upper arms—one on each side. They led me down so many steps, I lost track of the number. Better to count than to consider the future. Metal doors swung open and clanged shut. Rank odors fouled the air. Metal bars and sickly yellow torches blurred past. I glimpsed Ryne sitting on a big metal shelf that served as a bed in a cell two down from the one they shoved me into. They left, banging the door closed behind them. An empty cell separated us.

  My accommodations included the same hard bed as Ryne’s, and a slop pot. I sat on the edge. Wiggling, I tried to slide my body through my arms. It didn’t work. Ryne watched my useless efforts through the bars. And so did the two who took up positions at the end of the hallway. The design of the prison made Ryne and I quite visible to anyone guarding this wing.

  “Sorry the rescue failed,” I said.

  “What’s your name?” he asked.

  “Avry of Kazan.”

  “I remember you. You were one of Tara’s apprentices. How is she doing?”

  “Not good. She’s dead.”

  He let out a slow breath. “What else have I missed?”

  “Make yourself comfortable. This is going to take what’s left of the night.”

  I told him about Kerrick’s two-year search and everything that happened since. He didn’t interrupt, but a few of the more alarming incidences caused him to cringe.

  “Sepp’s working with Tohon. If it wasn’t for that little surprise, my plan might have worked.” My throat was raw by the time I finished.

  “You planned to heal me?” Ryne asked.

  “Yes.”

  He stared at me as if trying to decide if my answer was genuine or not. “Even knowing you’ll die?”

  “Yes.”

  He flinched and glanced away. After a few silent moments, he said, “I can’t believe Tohon’s still experimenting with the Death Lily toxin. Even when he knows the danger.”

  “Besides the obvious, what danger?”

  “He could start another plague.”

  Not the answer I’d been expecting. “Did he start the first one?”

  “Not directly. He was helping the healers develop an antidote to the toxin. What they thought was an antidote turned into the plague.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I stole their notes after my sister died.”

  “And you added to it,” I said.

  “I was furious. The Guild had been doing research without taking the proper precautions. They were playing with dangerous substances. I always worried something like that would happen.”

  He confirmed my suspicions about the Guild. “You should be happy that the Guild is gone, then.”

  “I’m… It’s not like that. I wanted the handful of researchers in the Guild to be held accountable, not executed. I didn’t know the people would kill healers.” He rested his head in his hands. “I regret my actions. How could you even consider healing me when you knew about my involvement?” Ryne gazed at me as if in awe. “Can you even forgive me?”

  “I already have.” Saying the words confirmed my decision in my heart and soul.

  “How could you?”

  “Two reasons. Kerrick and Belen. I trust them. It’s that simple.” I smiled, remembering Flea had said the exact same thing to me long ago.

  “You said Belen is safe with Estrid. But Tohon said Kerrick will be here soon. Has he been captured, as well?”

  I explained. “Tohon’s pretty confident Kerrick’ll try to free us.”

  “Tohon’s confidence is one of his weaknesses. Although in this case, I’m with Tohon. I hope Kerrick finds a way to outsmart him.”

  “Kerrick suspected Sepp wasn’t trustworthy.” I told him about the note. “If he’d known Sepp would double-cross us, he’d never let him come…unless he planned for Sepp to show his hand. But did Kerrick guess Tohon would wake you?”

  “Tohon hasn’t changed since school. He likes to gloat. He likes to flaunt it when he has the upper hand—more weaknesses. I’m positive he meant to wake me at some point.”

  “But now we have…seven days at most.” Until he died. “How do you feel?” I a
sked.

  “Rotten. Everything aches and I’m sweating.” He lay down.

  Stage-two symptoms. “At least you’re not throwing up.”

  “Small mercies,” he muttered. “I’m not going to waste my time moping. Right now there’s not much we can do—unless you have a set of lock picks on you?”

  He seemed so hopeful, I hated to disappoint him.

  Ryne glanced at the guards and lowered his voice. “Aside from the guards doing something stupid, we’re stuck for now. Best thing I can do is learn everything I can about what Tohon is planning. Avry, can you tell me about his dead soldiers?”

  I told him what I remembered. Thankfully, I hadn’t seen them since being in Tohon’s castle.

  “You believe Tohon is putting them into a stasis right after they die. But he’s injecting them with a medicine or chemical to animate them. Right?” Ryne asked.

  “Yes.”

  “If we can figure out what substance he’s using, we can stop him from making more. Any ideas?”

  I thought of my journal back in my office in the infirmary. It was possible, although unlikely, I had jotted down some useful information. “The Guild had lists of hundreds of different medicines from plants alone. My mentor knew all of them, but I only remember a few.”

  “You’ve been with Tohon long enough to learn about his experiments. Has he mentioned anything else?”

  “No. All he talked about was the Death Lily…” A memory snagged. When Tohon had injected me with the toxin, my essence had detached from my body. I had no control, but Tohon walked me back to my room and laid me down on the bed. My body had obeyed him. What would happen if he injected the toxin into a body without a soul? Would it do the same?

  “Avry?”

  I told him about the toxin. “It almost seems too coincidental.”

  “It makes sense. The body has already died so the toxin won’t kill it.”

  “But the body’s been frozen in a stasis. Wouldn’t that freeze the toxin, as well?”

  “Good point. Don’t give up. Keep thinking, Avry, you have a fine mind.”