by J. M. Ivie
Laramie swallowed, peering at the map. “Well, how do we stop these Talismen?”
“If we could slay all the creatures, that would be a good start.”
“And how can we do that?” Laramie laughed, “It would take a fool! And even then… the King’s hand would need to be heavy on the mission. Half of the beasts’ locations are unknown!”
I smiled, “Well, then let’s plan it out. If the King wills, He will give us a sign.”
“Let Him give us a guide as well!” Laramie laughed. “So, make a plan… find Zahra, and hope Barak returns.”
“That’s the spirit,” I said, messing up her hair once more. “Come on, miss. You should get rest.”
She smacked my hand away with a large grin on her face, shaking her head back and forth. “All right. Goodnight, Apollo. I will see you in the morning.”
S I X T Y - T H R E E
BARAK
THE NIGHT WIND WINNOWED through the delicate blue curtains. White moonslight dripped into the room, weaving between the table and shadows. I had heard she was here, on Bouldarcaven—staying under the charge of a wealthy gentleman. I knew it would be the end of me if I were spotted. I couldn’t shed blood. Not anymore. Especially not in front of Mairead. This was not smart… but, taking chances seemed to be who I was these days. I slipped through the room. The door moaned as I opened it and peered into the hall. Vibrant reds and purples bombarded my vision. If Mairead is here, she wouldn’t be found in this hall.
I turned around, back into the room. Why am I even here? What is the point? I know she is safe. At least, safer without me here. With a breath of uncertainty, I closed the door and walked back to the balcony. Gripping the railing, I began my descent. My stomach clenched. Here I was looking for Mairead, and I had no inkling as to what happened to Laramie and Apollo. I did not know if they had made it out of the massacre. I hadn’t seen their names among the dead, nor did I see anything about Niall or Crimsyn. Their fate remained a mystery. Perhaps, if I found Mairead, I could ask.
Now I stood on the earth, I began my walk through the garden, keeping to the shadows.
“…can’t you help?”
My back prickled. I recognized the speaker. Mairead. I kept to my spot, hiding within the shadow where I stood.
There she sat near the glittering pool, head bent as she spoke to a man in a dark suit.
“I am not sure what I can do to help,” the man said, leaning against the tree. His voice had claws which ripped into my nerves. William.
“There must be something you can do. You have pull with the Priest! He’s your uncle!”
“He’s less than family to me, Empress. I personally cannot wait for the day he dies.”
“Then what can be done? I cannot simply sit by as the Woodlands is overrun by that coward!”
William exhaled a long, frustrated breath. “Diplomacy is key, Empress. I will be endeavoring to make amends.”
“No.” Mairead scowled and stood. “I want justice—not amends. That swine must pay for what he has done.”
“The Woodlands was committing high treason against the island. What was done, as haphazard as it was, it was justice. If I should name all the things they were doing in violation to the laws, it may just take me all day.”
“They were chained down by all those ridiculous rules.”
“You speak so, but you are fettered to the Emperor of Cathoon. You’re asking for something that you yourself were not able to avoid.” William sighed.
My blood began to boil. Emperor of Cathoon?
“That is an arrangement I agreeing to because of my father’s passing. You understand. I wish to avoid the tragedy which had befallen the Woodlands. Is it so horrible of me to wish it were different?”
William shook his head, “No. I understand.” He pulled out a small note, kneeling down. “And I do wish there was more I could do to help you, to ease this burden placed on your shoulders.”
I had never seen this side of William. Gentle. Refined. The Villain, a gentleman.
“What’s this?” Mairead took the note and looked through it. She sat, hand over her heart as she read the contents. Her throat bobbed up and down, her eyes scanning William. “I won’t.”
“If he so much as breathes around you, Empress, you must inform a Lawman or Guardian.”
“I will not give Chigaru-Baraka up to the system! Are you crazy?”
“It’s for your own good.”
Mairead squeezed her eyes shut.
“He’s a wanted man, Empress. He’s responsible for over three dozen deaths in just the last six months.”
All Anarchists and Talismen. He’s twisting the truth.
“He will kill again. It’s just a matter of time.” William turned his heel, looking around the garden as if he could smell me. “He tortured a woman in a tavern not too long ago.”
“He…tortured… a woman?” Mairead looked up at William.
“Yes.”
No.
I let her live.
I did nothing to her… and I have done nothing since.
“It is for your own good. He must be detained.”
Mairead nodded this time. “I understand now.” She dropped the letter, letting it slump on her lap. “Can you see me to the house?”
William’s eyes darted around the garden once again. He knew someone was here. “Of course.” He offered his arm and Mairead took it without hesitation. I could only watch from the shadows.
I had to speak with her. To clear my name.
___
The darkness fell over the land, swallowing up all the light that once filled the home. With my hand against the railing, I pulled myself back up on the balcony. For being so worried, William should have put her in a room with more barriers.
She lay on her bed, back to the arch where I stood. The mirror reflected the shadow of my figure. Keeping my footsteps as quiet as I could, I inched my way over to her side.
My presence was enough to jar her awake. She spun and looked at me. Her eyes wide with terror, but before a scream could escape her lips, I pressed my palm against her mouth. “Mairead…” I muttered. “I need to speak to you.”
She pushed against my chest, my hand slipping from her mouth. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to clear things up.” I hissed out a breath between my teeth. “And I need to know if they are all alive.”
She stilled.
“Please, Mairead. Let me speak to you. I need answers and you are the only one who might have them…”
She swallowed, and I pulled away.
“Is what William said true? Have you killed people? Have you tortured?”
“He twisted the truth. I did not torture that woman, and I have only killed those who deserved it.”
“What is the truth, Barak?” She wrapped her arms around herself, scowling. “How do you draw those lines? What is the line between those who deserve death and those who do not?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
“I wish I could trust you, Barak,” Mairead hugged herself tighter, “but, after what you said… what William has said… all that I’ve heard… it’s hard—”
A sob. She stifled a sob.
“I still care for you, Barak. But… you frighten me.”
Shame. That is what I have heaped upon everyone. “Then tell me one thing…” I took a step back. “Did they survive?”
Mairead looked at me. The fire in her eyes had gone out, filled with tears. “I don’t know.”
I nodded. “Then I will have to search for them…”
“Go… and hurry…” Mairead’s voice seemed a cracked whisper as she warned me.
I turned to her, “What did William mean? Are you to be engaged to the Emperor of Cathoon?”
Mairead trembled, “Yes. Since I am unwed, they want to arrange the marriage.”
My stomach turned into a forge. I had pushed her away, and now she was paying the price. A marriage… arranged. Seeing her, knees tu
cked close to her chest, made my heart squirm. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t be…” she looked up at me, a small smile spread on her lips. “I will be proud. I am doing this for my people. Being selfish is the last thing I should do.”
I took a step closer to her and knelt down before her bed. “Mairead.” I felt the blood pound into my skull. My body felt too warm. “Io amor tua.”
Her eyes snapped to mine.
“I will find a way to get you out of this…” I slipped my hand into hers. “And I will come for you.”
Mairead wrapped her arms around my neck. Half of her body remained on the bed, the other half on me. “I love you too, Barak.” Her lips grazed my temple. “I always have.”
I turned and faced her. “May I?”
She nodded.
I hugged her, yanking her closer. I never wanted to let her go… I removed my glove and ran my thumb over that sharp chin. Caution was to the wind. I kissed her. Every second melted like frost in spring. “I pledge my life to you, Mairead of Freya.”
Her fingers twined with mine, tears trickling down her cheeks. “May this bond remain forever unbroken.”
“And forever be sealed until death.” I kissed her again, feeling as if this may be the last night I ever had with her. Realization struck me. “It is reckless… but, if we leave now—” I whispered against her cheek, “we can find a Lawman.”
Her eyes caught the pale moonslight, “I’ve been told I do reckless things.”
PART TEN
S I X T Y - F O U R
THE FLOORBOARDS CREAKED as I snuck back inside. It had only been a few months since Fiermont, and I moved back to Oceland.
I cleaned myself up, glaring into the mirror. Shaking water from my hair with my hands, I allowed the events of the day to wash down the drain.
There was a gentle tap at the door. I quickly threw on a fresh shirt and opened the door. Laramie stood there with a raised brow.
“You always look so sour.” I chuckled.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re making me a sour old woman. I swear that I will be an old maid because of you!”
“You? An old maid?” I sputtered through laughter.
“Of course!”
“How?”
Laramie’s cheeks tinged pink. “Well, for one—” she muttered, “you’re positively reckless. I couldn’t imagine leaving you alone.”
“Well, I am certain I will find Zahra again…” I whispered, being sure to keep my voice low as to not wake any of the family.
“That’s the other thing.” Laramie pressed her fingers together. “I don’t think I’ll be able settle for anyone who is less a man than you are… or my father was. You don’t know how lucky Zahra is to have someone so fiercely devoted to her. Few men are like you, Apollo.”
A smile tugged at my mouth; however, something concerned me in her words. “You need someone who is far better than me, Laramie.”
“Have a brother out there? Perhaps he is like you.” She unintentionally poked at an old wound.
I grimaced. “I’m far too abrasive in my personality. You need someone softer.”
Laramie choked out a laugh, looking up at me. “I don’t want a wimp.”
“Oh, definitely not. He would have to be a rather strong-willed man to put up with you.”
Laramie wedged her lip between her teeth as she smiled. “You make me sound like a menace.”
I laughed, tucking the loose piece of hair that had fallen in her face behind her ear. “You’re a half-menace.”
Laramie burst into laughter. “If I’m a half-menace, then you’re a full menace.” Though she tried her best to stifle the initial loudness of her laugh, it still woke Tiana. The little girl plodded into the living room rubbing her sleepy eyes.
“Go to sleep,” Tiana grumbled as she approached, blanket wrapped around her. She crawled into my arms and settled her head in the crook of my neck.
“Someone’s grumpy…” Laramie whispered. “I’ll leave you with child duty.”
“You’re cruel.”
I walked around the small hut, holding Tiana who now slept, blanket askew around her, in my arms. “Anything new with the refugees?”
Laramie shrugged, looking out the window. “Not really. A few more wandered in today and set up their tent. Most of them are people of the Woodlands who got away from that tyrant.” Her eyes flashed with anger and red surfaced on her cheeks. A flush of fury and a tinge of hatred. After a moment the fire cooled and only the simmering embers were left.
“Any leads?”
The word punched me in the stomach. Leads. “None.” I grumbled.
Laramie’s face dropped, “You’ll find her soon, Apollo.”
I let out a long, uneasy sigh. “I’m twenty-two, Laramie. It’s been two years since I saw her last. I’ve heard nothing. The only thing I know is that Azu is constantly moving.” I looked at Tiana, lowering my voice to keep from waking her, “The chances are slim, but I want to go to Winsdale. She won’t be there, but it may provide some lead. It’s all I have—”
“It burnt down! You know this… Besides, the last time you tried to go there you were nearly killed!”
“I can try,” I snapped, looking down at the floor. “But, I also worry about leaving you… and Duranne… and the children…”
“We would be fine, you worrywart.” Laramie gave a warm smile.
I felt like correcting her preposterous hopeful words, but, I couldn’t. She was my balance.
___
Screams pounded in my ears, ripping at my eardrums like the claws of a hungry beast. The scream, the sound of the voice, it was familiar. Barak.
A knife, like a painful, jagged memory cutting into reality, sliced at my skin. Bare flesh pooled with blood, dripping into what seemed a painting of horror and red.
Eyes as purple as a lilac in the spring opened. They didn’t fill me with warmth, or hold the same enticing beauty as the flower. These eyes, they were cold, like a stone too long forgotten.
Their owner spoke four words so simple, yet, they jarred me. Every syllable barbed—algid in its rawest form. “You’re out of time.”
I awoke with a start. My heart pounded like a stallion galloping around in my chest—wild, frantic, trapped. My muscles, knotted and pinched, caused the moment to feel even more berserk. The dream felt too real.
I pulled myself up from the small cot, wringing out my thoughts in the moons-soaked room. My every breath was a misery to inhale. I couldn’t place it, but the edging horror of the moment ate at me with its cold, rotting teeth. I needed to find him.
I pulled my bag from the small trunk and began packing a few things into it. I grabbed hold of my jacket, slid it on. I grabbed my baldric off the top shelf, hooked it over my chest, and let out a satisfied sigh. I glanced at the wall, knowing what I would find there. The ax. The ax Flynn and Reid gave me after the defeat of the Heman.
I stopped when I heard the muffled groan of a person half awake. I turned my head. “Laramie?”
“What are you doing, Apollo?” She yawned, rubbing away the night from her eyes. Dawn would be upon us in an hour; I wanted to leave before then.
“I’m going to find Barak, Laramie. I keep having these dreams… and I haven’t heard a word from him since he left.”
Her mouth cracked open, as if she were preparing to say something. She nodded slowly… the worry edging its way onto her brow.
“I promise I will be back.”
“Don’t promise something you have no power to keep,” she said, unable to keep her voice from cracking.
I couldn’t shake the tension. I knew I couldn’t stay there… but she worried me. Her and the family. “I think you should be fine, at least for a few days.” I grabbed her arm, making sure she was listening. “If anything happens—”
“Yes, I remember. Go to the cave. There’s a secret tunnel you discovered that leads away.” Laramie rolled her eyes.
She was an iron-willed maiden. I hoped my words carried s
ome weight and she would follow them. “If all goes well, I’ll be back before the month ends.”
“So… a fortnight?” Laramie raised her brow.
“It’s a long way to Bouldarcaven from here. A two-day journey if the weather is ample.”
“How do you know he will be on Bouldarcaven?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know… but, something inside of me says he will be there.”
“I don’t like this, Apollo…” Laramie’s eyes settled on the ax I had slung onto the baldric. “You’ve not been in a battle in—too long. What if you run into trouble?”
Her words carried truth. “I know.” I ran my hand over my face, feeling the bit of stubble on my jaw. “If anything has happened to Barak…” I couldn’t let my mind go there. “I have to find him. There would be no point in standing around here any longer than I have.”
Laramie opened her mouth, a slight gasp escaping her lips. A thought seemed to dangle on her tongue. She pulled her coat tighter to her body, wrapping her arms around herself. “All right then.”
“Laramie—” I wanted to stay. I wanted to tell her… but, if I said anything… it would be enough to change my mind. “Take care of everyone.”
Her lip quivered, and her brows knitted. “Then—” she wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me tight. “I love you.”
My stomach hardened like it was made of iron. A thousand tiny spiders seemed to be crawling across my arms, maneuvering across my back in a way that shot chills through my body. I grabbed hold of her and hugged her back. “I love you too, Laramie. Be safe.”
She nodded, though, she didn’t let go. “Please. Don’t go. You’re the only person I see as family… the only family I have left.”
I kissed her head, fighting everything that told me to stay. “Listen, Laramie.” I pulled her away and knelt down on one knee. “I need you to make me a promise.”
She nodded, and I saw the tears forming in her eyes.
“Whatever happens, don’t come and try to rescue me. I need you to promise me that. For you to try to rescue me would put everyone in danger.”
