by Dawn Brower
“The hunter,” Lulu said morosely. “She’s the key. Only she can do it now.”
Well, if Donia could save Cale, then Elodie would make her. Whatever it took...
11
Blood Ties
Elodie hopped to her feet, prepared to drag Donia out to help Cale. Daire still had not brought the girl out to the ledge as asked. She hadn’t really cared at first because she’d been focused on Cale. Now though, she was irritated he hadn’t done as she’d asked. She’d drag the girl out by her hair if necessary. Cale mattered far more than keeping the hunter safe. Maybe she’d dangle her before Kalypso as a possible meal after all. It might convince Donia to aid the knight.
“Wait,” Lulu called as Elodie headed toward the cave. “You must understand the cost.”
“No cost is too high if it saves him.”
“This one might be.”
Elodie froze. What could possibly make the bird leery? It couldn’t be that bad. Could it? She turned around and headed back to Lulu. “All right. I’m listening. Explain the consequences and exactly what it is the hunter can do for Cale.”
“She has magic in her blood,” Lulu replied. “Much like you now do. Your blood can save, and so can the hunter’s.”
“Why must it be her blood?” She would gladly donate some of her own if it would help Cale. He’d done so much for her—too much to be honest. He’d taken things a step too far, but his heart had been in the right place. “It would be easier if I could do it.” Not convincing that way...
“You can’t because you are tied to another,” Lulu explained. “And her blood is special in a different way. It would be more potent and do more than you could.”
Wait. How was her blood tied to another? “I didn’t share my blood with anyone. How can I be tied to someone else?” She scoffed at Lulu’s description of Donia’s blood. “She’s not that special.” Elodie certainly wasn’t impressed with her. They had outsmarted her in the end—even if it was a little too late. Cale might not be in his current state if she’d have been able to stop the hunter sooner. “Nothing you said explains why she must be the one to help Cale.”
“It’s her hunter heritage.” Lulu flapped her wings and rose upward. “It changed her irrevocably.”
“What about it will be of use though?”
She hated the idea that Donia had to be the one to save Cale. Elodie wanted to be the one to do it. She’d made the vow and was more than willing to do whatever was necessary. Donia would have to be persuaded. She intended to make the hunter help, or at least try. It might not go as she wanted it to, and she’d have to accept it if it did. It would kill a part of her if she lost the knight. Failure was not something easy to live with and Elodie would do everything she could to ensure it wouldn’t be a permanent part of her soul.
“They are opposites,” Lulu clarified. “The poison in his blood is turning him to stone. It’s working against the dragon blood. The hunter blood is its counterpart. It’s an antidote of sorts, and once infused with his blood, will battle the poison. They won’t ever be able to turn him to stone again. It’s a risk the hunters refuse to take. They did poison him to begin with.”
That made a strange kind of sense. “You would think the hunter blood would be the poison.”
“It is,” Lulu replied. “That’s why it is tricky.”
Elodie froze. Lulu had given her a way to save Cale, and taken it away at the same time. If Donia’s blood was poison, how could it possibly be used to save the knight? “Lulu,” Elodie said carefully. “What are you not telling me?”
The bird chirped something insensible, then fluttered down to sit on Cale’s head, staring down at him with deep concentration. After a few moments, she glanced up at Elodie. “He is important to more than you. This isn’t about you and your problems. The knight must be saved.”
Elodie had issues, and selfishness was one of them. She hadn’t realized that part until recently though. She made everything about herself, and she was doing it again. Still, if the hunter’s blood was poison to Cale, she had a right to be concerned. It could, in fact, kill him. “I respect what you’re telling me. Cale means a great deal to me however you look at it. If Donia’s blood can kill...”
“It can’t,” she interrupted. “There is only one thing that can kill a dragon, and no hunter has been able to do it. That’s why they resort to these tactics to control him.”
“But you said her blood is poisonous to him.” If it didn’t kill a dragon what would it do? The more Lulu explained, the more confused Elodie became. That was no surprise really. It was one of Lulu’s greatest talents. To inform while befuddling. “What does it do exactly?”
“What it is doing now.” Lulu gestured toward Cale. “The hunters do what they do best—take down a dragon. That one purpose had kept them going all these years, but their numbers have dwindled over time. They need their queen to keep their power intact—it’s her blood that is key. Even with a dragon encased in stone, it must be watched. Their purpose never ceases because a dragon is always a possibility.”
That explained some things. Elodie wanted to question why Lulu was so forthcoming with this information when other times she was mute when it mattered. She didn’t push her luck and point that out though. The bird was being unusually cooperative, and she wanted to take advantage of that. She didn’t understand why Donia’s blood was key. What about it did the hunters need? More importantly what could she do to stop it?
“That’s how they are turning him to stone?” Elodie asked. “Her blood?”
She nodded. “It is a cure and a curse depending on how they wield it. Placed on the tip of an arrow, it becomes a weapon.”
“She must give it to him by a means not triggered by an act of violence.” Elodie understood what Lulu hadn’t said. That was why she couldn’t force Donia to help Cale. The hunter had to do it willingly or it would make matters worse. He was still whole and savable. If they made Donia give him blood now, it might speed up the process, and he’d become stone in a matter of minutes instead of hours. They wouldn’t be able to determine exactly what would happen or how long it would take. Either way, it was not a risk that Elodie wanted to take. “Is there a way to entice her to help?”
“Only one way to find out,” Lulu replied. “Ask her.”
Daire took that moment to come out with Donia. He had the hunter tossed over his shoulder. Her blonde hair hung low, hitting the ground as he walked. He made his way over to Elodie and set the hunter down beside her. “I debated a while and decided you wouldn’t actually kill her. What are you going to do with the girl?”
Elodie stared at Donia. The girl had been a thorn in her side from the moment they met. Now she had to beg the girl to save the man she loved—even if he was a dragon now. He would always be her knight. Cale had always been the one person she could depend on and she wouldn’t let him down. He had done this to himself to aid her, and she would not reward his loyalty by failing him.
“Nothing,” Elodie said. “At least not yet.” Elodie stared at Donia and considered how to proceed. The girl seemed rather angry. She was more than capable of doing violence. She’d shown them what she was willing to do already. What would it take to get through to a girl like her? Would she help Cale, and for what price? Elodie didn’t care about herself and would gladly pay whatever the hunter wanted. “Take her gag off.”
Daire lifted a brow. “Is that wise?”
She might regret it... Unfortunately, it had to be done. Donia would undoubtedly say things that made them all uncomfortable. It was something the girl did well, and if she’d used her barbed tongue on anyone else, Elodie might have appreciated it. However, as the recipient, she wasn’t looking forward to another round of stinging insults and biting innuendo.
“Probably not,” Elodie answered. “But it is necessary.”
He did as she asked and removed the cloth covering the girl’s mouth. Donia laughed once it was free. “You missed talking to me already. Our last conversation was so
titillating. I confess, I didn’t think you’d want to speak again so soon after that.”
“Circumstances have changed.” She fought to keep her tone ambivalent. “I’m willing to set you free.”
“Oh?” The girl smiled smugly. “I thought you would want a little more girl chat. Do tell—was that kiss as passionate as it appeared?” She glanced up at Daire. “He looks like he knows his way around...”
“Enough,” Elodie exclaimed. “I don’t wish to discuss that with you.”
She thought she’d been prepared for the girl’s loose tongue, but she’d been wrong. That hadn’t quite been what she’d been expecting at all. Damn her and her evil ways. If she didn’t need her, she might stab Donia with one of her short swords. Elodie reminded herself to breathe and that she was trying to be less violent—even if Donia deserved it.
“Ellie,” Daire said carefully. “I...” His voice held an edge of hope to it.
“Not now,” she said, glancing up at him. “It can wait.” Then she turned toward Donia. Please let her drop the kiss... Sadly, she also hoped Cale was so out of it, he hadn’t heard them talking either. He already had too much going on and had to fight to live. They were not together and didn’t owe each other anything, yet she had hoped they would be more than that one day. If he heard about a kiss between her and Daire, it might make him unhappy. “Why must you taunt me? Do you really not value your life? I had hoped we’d reach a mutual agreement instead.”
“Ah. I see...” She met Elodie’s gaze. A self-satisfied smile graced her pretty face. “You want something only I can grant.”
If only she could slap that smile off her face... No, she couldn’t. Cale needed Donia, and Elodie would hold her tongue. If the end result saved her knight, it would be worth it. As long as she kept reminding herself of that, it would be all right. She could do this. For Cale, she’d do almost anything.“I do,” Elodie replied evenly. “Will you do it?”
Donia understood what she was asking. They were not playing any games. It was a simple give and take. She’d let Donia go free, and in return, she’d save Cale. It seemed like a fair trade; however, the hunter was a wild card. She could refuse out of spite. The main goal for them was to incapacitate a dragon, after all. Why would she trade her freedom to save one?
“I find your offer unfair,” the girl said. “The scale doesn’t balance as even as I’d like.”
Of course Donia wouldn’t make this easy. She’d want more than Elodie was prepared to offer. The question was how much would Elodie be able to grant her? What if Donia asked for something out of Elodie’s control? She had to hope it wouldn’t come to that, but prepare herself for any possibility.
“How so?” Elodie tilted her head. “A life for a life. How much more balanced could it possibly be?”
“If I do this, my life is forfeit,” Donia explained. “The hunters would kill me for you. Do you wish to have my life on your hands?”
She’d been afraid of that. The hunters seemed to be quite rabid. Their one goal appeared to be killing dragons. Why would one save the very thing it set out to destroy? It made sense that, if Donia did as Elodie asked, the other hunters would execute her. It would be treason of sorts. Death was the only punishment for such an offense. Added to what Lulu had said, that Donia’s blood was the key—would they really kill her when they needed her?
Somehow, she doubted that. The more likely possibility would be they’d hold her prisoner for the rest of her life. Either way, it wasn’t something Elodie would wish on anyone—even Donia. “Then give me a counteroffer.”
The girl stared at Cale for a long time. His amethyst scales were lovely. Malediction’s sun had set a long time ago and the moon’s light made them even more ethereal than the sun had. They sparkled in a different way, but lovely all the same. How could they not see the beauty of the dragon? Why would they have willingly destroyed such a creature? To Elodie, he’d always be her knight. It didn’t matter what form he took.
“Take me home with you.”
“To Zelnon?” Elodie jerked back in surprise. Why would Donia want to return with them? “I don’t even know how we are going to find our way home yet. How can I make that promise to you?” If she wished to return with them to Zelnon, perhaps the girl had an idea how they could go home. For that alone, Elodie would agree; however, she still needed more information before she gave her consent to this wild scheme.
“I can help you as long as you swear to honor your word to take me there.” The girl jutted her chin out, waiting for Elodie to respond.
Elodie didn’t want to agree. She’d thought that, after this, she’d never see the girl again. If she agreed to this bargain, she’d never be free of her. The reward would be worth it though; Cale would be saved—at least alive and not stone. They could worry about his dragon form later. “All right, you have my word. When we find a way back to Zelnon, you’re welcome to join us.”
“Good,” Donia replied confidently. “Now untie me so I can work freely.”
It appeared as if they were going to have a larger group heading back to Zelnon. Elodie hoped she didn’t come to regret the decision she’d made. Donia was unpredictable at best. On the other hand, it would be a nice surprise for her stepmother. Fiona thought Elodie was unruly—she couldn’t wait for her to meet Donia.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Elodie warned, then nodded at Daire. “Undo the rope.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I won’t be able to take her by surprise a second time.”
Elodie nodded. “It is the only way to save Cale.”
“Of course,” he said sarcastically. “Everything comes back to him, doesn’t it?” She didn’t have time for his jealousy. Cale’s life was on the line, and she wouldn’t apologize for her effort to save him. She didn’t have a chance to upbraid him though. He didn’t ask again if she really wanted him to untie Donia. Daire kneeled and loosened the rope, then rolled it up to fasten to his quiver. “There,” he told her, meeting her gaze. “She’s free. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do,” she reassured him. “It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
He didn’t appear reassured at her words. In fact, he looked downright miserable. “It doesn’t matter what I want. Cale will be all right. That’s what you want, and it will happen. I’m happy for the guy,” he retorted. “But he will have you in the end. It’s hard not to resent that.”
With those words, he spun on his heels and walked back in the cave. That left her alone with Donia. Lulu and Cale didn’t count. The bird kept her focus on Cale, and the knight was out for the count. “What are you waiting for?” Elodie asked. “Your blood is the only thing that can save him. Do whatever you have to, but make sure he lives.”
It would work. It had to...
12
Day Meets Knight
Elodie hoped the girl could help Cale and that she hadn’t freed her for naught. If Donia failed—no, Elodie wouldn’t think of that. This would work. Donia circled around Cale. That was a feat in itself. He lay near the edge of the cliff, and there was just enough space on the other side of him for her to walk around. She stopped near the gash her arrow had made and kneeled beside him, then placed her hand on the crusted-over wound and closed her eyes. She stayed like that for several heartbeats before she glanced up and met Elodie’s gaze.
“The wound needs to be reopened.”
Elodie glared at her. “You want me to cut him open and allow him to bleed again?”
“I can do it if you’d prefer,” she retorted. “I don’t mind hurting him.”
Damn her. Elodie hated the hunter with every fiber of her being. She wished she could pull out one of her short swords and cut her instead of Cale. Before meeting the girl, she had been determined to go down a less violent path than she’d been on before. Maybe she still could once she left Malediction. The hunter asked to return to Zelnon with them, but that didn’t mean Elodie had to let her stay in the castle. She could live with Paige, the white witch, for all
she cared. As long as she didn’t have to spend any more time than strictly necessary, they’d be fine.
“I’ll do it,” she told her. “But if this is a trick...”
“It’s not,” Donia replied. “If it makes you feel better, I need to bleed too.”
It didn’t. Not really... “Depends, do I get that honor too?”
“It matters not,” Donia replied. “As long as, in the end, I’m free of this cursed world.”
Sometimes Elodie wondered if they would ever be free of it. If she returned to Zelnon—no, when she returned, the first thing she’d do is figure out who’d cursed her into Malediction. Someone with a lot of hate toward her must have sent her there. She didn’t care the reason so much as the who. Anyone willing to take such drastic steps must be stopped from doing it again.
Elodie went over to the gash on Cale and pulled one of her short swords from the scabbard. She slid it over the wound, reopening it. Blood oozed out and down to the ground. It wasn’t pretty, and it made her wince to witness it. She wished it didn’t have to be done... “Your turn.” Elodie turned toward Donia. “Where would you like to bleed from?”
The hunter smiled. “In a minute. The blood needs to cleanse itself first. I’ll let you know when it’s time.”
How did blood cleanse itself? She didn’t ask for fear of looking stupid, but if it took long, she’d address it. Thankfully, a few moments later, Donia glanced up and nodded. Then held out her hand and pointed to the center of her palm. “Cut here,” she ordered.
Elodie did it in one quick movement. Not to save her from any unnecessary pain, but for expedience. It made the wound a clean slice and would heal better over time. Donia held her hand up toward the sky and let the blood drip downward over her hand and toward her wrist. She closed her eyes and whispered something under her breath. Elodie couldn’t make out the words, but she figured they must be some kind of spell or sacred rite. She was a hunter and they had their own rituals. Maybe this was one to ensure that the blood was freely given and would make certain Cale healed.