Taste of Darkness

by Maria V. Snyder

  He pulled power, turning normal and intercepted Flea who stumbled through the underbrush with Melina right behind him. She carried a torch.

  “What’s—” he tried.

  “We have them all.” Flea gestured to the others wildly.

  People continued to pour out. Some carrying torches, others swords. All wearing robes and no shoes. All women.

  “All? As in all the girls in the monastery?”

  “Yes, over two thousand. We must keep moving.”

  Kerrick heard the number, but he didn’t quite comprehend it until the forest protested the trampling of the bushes and vines by so many feet. He didn’t recognize anyone else.

  “Which way?” Flea demanded.

  Sneaking through the forest was no longer an option. They needed to get to Pomyt Realm fast. Kerrick pointed. “Head straight. When you reach the path, turn right and follow it.”

  “Are you coming?”

  “Where’s Avry?”

  Flea gestured behind him. “Back there somewhere.”

  The tightness around his heart eased. “I’ll catch up. I want to make sure everyone gets out.”

  Flea nodded and, calling for the others to follow him, he ran. The women formed a single line. Many glanced at him as they passed. They regarded him with a variety of expressions, mostly curious, but the ones clutching swords shot him hostile glares as if he’d dare to attack them. No one said a word. Strange and smart.

  The women continued to race by. Kerrick scanned the faces, searching for Avry. An amazing number of people gushed from the tunnel. And he fully expected priests to be close on their heels.

  After the main surge finished, the slower escapees—the wounded and those supporting them—trickled out. Avry should be with this group. Instead, Odd and his men assisted them.

  Kerrick didn’t hesitate. He approached Odd. A woman covered in blood and gripping an equally bloody sword stopped and stepped close to Odd as if to protect him. Kerrick ignored her. “Where’s Avry?” he asked Odd.

  Surprised, Odd glanced around. “Didn’t she come out?”

  “No.”

  “She should have.”

  Kerrick stifled the desire to strangle the man. “That doesn’t help.”

  Odd exchanged a look with the woman. “I thought she was ahead of us.”

  “She was carrying Palma,” the woman said.

  “Palma was injured, right?” Kerrick asked even though he knew the answer.

  “Yes, badly. She—”

  Odd cursed. “She stopped to heal her.”

  “But I didn’t see anyone. I made sure we were the last and I extinguished the lanterns,” the woman said.

  “Avry probably ducked down a side tunnel so no one would stop to help and risk getting caught,” Kerrick said. “Is anyone chasing you?”

  “No one from the monastery—the women were thorough, but I’m sure the priests will organize a posse to come after us,” Odd said. He cursed again. “Fydelia, you catch up with your ladies. Kerrick and I will go back and find Avry before they do.”

  If Odd had stabbed him in the stomach, it would have felt better than knowing Avry was in trouble nearby and he couldn’t help her.

  “I can’t.” Kerrick forced the words out.

  * * *

  He watched Odd enter the tunnels. The sergeant carried a torch and Kerrick’s life. If something happened to Avry... He stopped his dire thoughts. Instead, he prepared to intercept the priests and guards from the monastery.

  Kerrick expected dozens to chase after the women. What he didn’t expect was Jael exiting the aqueducts holding a bloody sword.

  Shocked, he observed her. Jael wore a penitent robe. Surely she hadn’t been incarcerated, too. What was her game? Her beautiful face was creased into a scowl as she scanned the woods. The trail left by the women was clear. At least she was alone. For now.

  Kerrick had to intercept her. But he wasn’t sure how to do it. Her air magic was much stronger than his forest magic. Perhaps he could ensnare her in vines and knock her unconscious. Then what? She’d be impossible to incarcerate or rendered harmless.

  “Kerrick, I know you’re here. Show yourself,” Jael called.

  He pulled power and turned normal, hoping to distract her from the vines creeping toward her legs.

  “Wow, you look terrible,” she said.

  “Right back at you, Jael. Brown isn’t your color.”

  “I agree. Red is much more suited to me.” She held up her bloody sword. “Isn’t it pretty?”

  He recognized the smug gleam in her eyes. Fear for Avry pumped through him.

  Jael jabbed the weapon forward in a mock attack. “And shoving this into Avry’s heart was a thing of beauty.”

  His world spun, but fury trumped pain. Kerrick stepped closer to her.

  “I’m going to savor that look of astonishment on her face for a long time,” Jael said. “She thought I’d use my magic, but the vibration as the blade scraped bone tingled all the way up my arm.” Jael held her hand up, stopping Kerrick’s advance with a wall of air. “Not that I’m averse to using my magic.”

  The vines wrapped around her legs. She tsked. “You know better than that.”

  The wall of air changed direction. Instead of pressing on him, it pulled away, taking his breath with it. He doubled his efforts, urging the vines to move faster. If he could just get to her before he passed out... Kerrick struggled to draw a breath. Dizzy and lightheaded, Kerrick sank to his knees. Desperate for air, he dug his fingers into the dirt and wrenched every last bit of his magic to him, hoping to block Jael’s attack.

  But an odd thing happened. Roots erupted from the ground and burrowed into his legs, hands, and arms, twisting around Kerrick.

  Jael laughed. “How perfect. The forest agrees with me.”

  Sharp pain pierced him as the roots bit into his skin. What the hell? His vision turned to snow. Soon he’d get another taste of the darkness, and he feared he wouldn’t find the light again.

  On the edge of blacking out, Kerrick fought to stay conscious and won. Huh? Energy infused him, but no air filled his lungs. Not wasting time to figure it out, he focused on Jael.

  The vines had continued to circle her, but she remained calm, watching him with keen interest. Only when the vines encircled her neck did she fight. Too late. Soon trapped, she stared at him in horror.

  “How?” she squeaked.

  Without air, Kerrick couldn’t talk. Rooted to the ground, he couldn’t move. But his connection to the living green strengthened and, with a thought, he commanded the vines to tighten around her throat.

  Jael’s magic finally released Kerrick as she thrashed. Air rushed into his lungs and he pulled in a few deep breaths. The roots retreated underground. Pain flared anew. Blood ran down his hands.

  Kerrick stood and moved closer to Jael. “Enjoying the taste of your own medicine? It’s rather awful being denied the simple act of breathing, isn’t it?”

  No response. Terror, panic, and fear flashed on her reddening face. He hesitated a moment—was there another way? He spotted the sword lying next to her. It was coated with Avry’s blood. She didn’t deserve mercy.

  “Goodbye, Jael. I’m afraid there’s no chance of us ever getting back together.”

  CHAPTER 14

  I struggled to sip air. The effort ringed my chest with sharp daggers of pain. The light in the distance faded as the tunnel spun. Lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseous, I drifted into and out of consciousness. The
water soaked into my robe. Or was it sweat?

  Heat burned my skin followed by uncontrollable shivers. The motion was pure torture. Why couldn’t I just pass out? Or die? I really didn’t care which one at this moment. Although Kerrick would be upset and Loren and Quain and Flea and...

  Odd? My name. He called my name. Torch light flickered. Or were they spots in my vision? I didn’t have breath to talk. Instead, I slapped the water with my hand. Or was it blood?

  Then he was there, shining a much-too-bright light. I squeezed my eyes shut. His hands slid under me, but I squealed with pain when he tried to lift me and he stopped. Part of my brain noted that my right lung must be healing in order for me to have enough air to make that pathetic sound.

  Odd asked, “What can I do?”

  “Save the...” I gestured to the girl next to me.

  “Sorry, Avry. She’s dead. What else can I do?”

  “Wait.”

  “For what?”

  I opened my eyes and met his gaze.

  “Oh.” He sat back on his heels. “That’s unacceptable.” Odd took my hand.

  He wasn’t a magician, so he didn’t have any power to share, but his presence soothed me. I closed my eyes.

  “Do you know about Kerrick’s...er...problem?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry for giving the guy a hard time about disappearing. That’s rough. He should be here instead of me. I can’t help you. Well, except to ramble on, trying to keep you awake. Avry, are you still with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. ’Cause if you die, Kerrick’s going to kill me. Probably strangle me with some vines. Or have a tree fall on top of me. Or feed me to a Death Lily.”

  I shook my head.

  “Easy for you to say. You didn’t see his face when he couldn’t come in here with me. Too bad that he’s missing out on this...unique smell, and I hear soaking in sewer water is great for the skin. My butt’s going to be baby soft.”

  Despite the burning pain, I smiled at Odd’s well-meaning prattle.

  A vibration rippled the water. I squeezed Odd’s hand, shushing him. The distant sound of boots clattered on the stone. Odd extinguished the lantern.

  “Company,” Odd whispered, letting go of my hand.

  I opened my eyes. Blackness pressed on me. As the drumming grew louder a faint light filled the tunnels. Odd stood in front of me. He held his sword, but the tip of the blade pointed down.

  “This way,” a voice called.

  “Keep up,” another said.

  The light brightened, filling the main tunnel and leaking into ours. Would they spot us?

  Odd pressed against the wall. “Don’t move.”

  That wouldn’t be a problem. The brightness and sound increased in small jumps. Each time I blinked, it seemed they’d hopped closer. A few minutes ago I wouldn’t have cared if I was discovered, but I still struggled to breathe. The searing pain was a good sign. And of course, I didn’t want Odd caught.

  When the torches came into view, I flinched. Two priests held them close to the ground, illuminating the obvious tracks of two thousand plus people. Hopefully, they wouldn’t notice the few heading in this direction.

  The priests paused, sweeping the torches back and forth. I longed to stifle my rasping. With his dark uniform, Odd blended in. And the filthy muck coated my exposed skin and stained my brown robe black. Perhaps they’d view me as a lump of discarded garbage. It matched how I felt.

  After a lifetime, they moved on. They streamed past the entrance to our tunnel. Not as many as I’d expected. Had they sent others aboveground? Would they rally their troops to get between the women and the border?

  “Avry? Still with me?” Odd whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “Can I pick you up? We really need to get out of here.”

  “Jael,” I said.

  “General Jael? What about her?”

  “She’s here.”

  Odd cursed. “All the more reason to leave.”

  “Let me try.” Since there was nothing wrong with my legs, I tucked them under me, then pushed with my arms to straighten. Every inch of my chest flared with such pain, I gasped.

  Odd reached under my arms and lifted me to my feet. I yowled. My world spun and my legs refused to hold me up. If Odd hadn’t kept his grip, I would have toppled.

  “Guess I can’t carry you over my shoulder,” Odd said.

  “No. Give me...a minute.”

  “Hell, Avry, you’re gonna need a few days. Sorry about this.” He adjusted his grip, sweeping me into his arms like a baby.

  Pain pulsed to my extremities and back again. Noise and sensations faded to a buzz and I might have blacked out. Hard to tell when inside a pitch-dark tunnel.

  “Can you see?” I asked Odd once I regained my senses.

  “No.”

  “Then how—”

  “Hush, I’m counting steps.”

  Oh. A rubbing sound accompanied a slight vibration along his left arm. His shoulder must be in contact with the wall. Smart.

  After a while, I dozed in his arms. When he stopped to rest, I was jolted awake.

  “Still with me?” he asked.

  “Yes.” I drew half a gulp of air. “And I think I’m past the danger.”

  Odd squeezed me to his chest. “Thank the creator.”

  I yelped. “Still in lots of pain, though.”

  “Oh, sorry.” He relaxed his arms.

  “I can try to walk.”

  “No.”

  “Worried about those vines?” I teased.

  “No,” Odd said in a flat tone.

  I longed to see his expression. After a few more minutes, Odd lurched to his feet and continued. He navigated with confidence. Impressive, considering he hated tunnels.

  Fresh air laced with the scent of living green roused me. Odd slowed, probably thinking the same thing as me. Where was Jael? And what did Kerrick do when the priests had exited the duct? I hoped he’d stayed hidden, avoiding them both. But he might have attacked them in order to protect the escaping women.

  My pain forgotten, I worried about Kerrick. “Careful.”

  Odd crept to the edge and peeked out, then grunted in either admiration or in disbelief. He stepped clear. The weak rays of dawn shone on the priests all trapped in vines. They struggled and shouted to no avail.

  “Your boyfriend’s been busy,” Odd muttered. “Probably exhausted himself.”

  Kerrick appeared beside us. Joy shone on his face. “I’ve plenty of energy left,” he said, despite the skin clinging to his gaunt and pale face. He held out his arms.

  Odd hesitated before handing me over. Kerrick’s magic swept over me like a healing balm. He squeezed me tight as I snuggled against him, his scent a welcome break from the reek of sewage.

  “Thank you,” Kerrick said to Odd in a strangely formal tone.

  Odd nodded. “I’d better catch up with my squad. We might encounter trouble before we reach the border.”

  “Watch out for Jael,” I said to Odd.

  “She won’t bother you,” Kerrick said in his flat tone. “But troops are moving to intercept the women as we speak.”

  “How soon?”

  “Two days.”

  They’d be only halfway to the border with Pomyt. Not good. Unless... “What if they go south to Tobory Realm? It’s shorter and unexpected.”

  “Lots of Death Lilys down there,” Odd said.

  We both stared at him.

  “Will you be able to catch up by then?” Odd asked me.

  Already feeling stronger, I glanced at Kerrick.

  “We’ll meet you at the border.”

  “See you there.” Odd turned to go.

 
“Odd, wait.” Kerrick set me down.

  The leaves under me pulsed with his magic, keeping our connection. Kerrick dug in a pocket and produced a lumpy orange berry about the size of a gold coin.

  He handed it to Odd. “Tell the women to collect and eat these. They’re edible and will give them energy. Stay away from all the other berries, most are poisonous.”

  Odd tucked it into his pocket. “Got it.” Then he took off.

  Kerrick knelt next to me. He pulled a clump of wet hair off my face.

  “Why won’t Jael bother Odd?” I asked. “Did you—”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “She said she killed you. And no jail cell could hold her. She was just too dangerous to keep alive. At least now she’s being useful for a change.”

  I waited.

  “As fertilizer for the forest,” he said.

  “Is there a chance she’ll come back like you did?”

  “No.”

  I searched my feelings. No sadness or guilt, and relief dominated. Ryne might be mad at us, but we’d neutralized a threat.

  “You just had to rescue them all, didn’t you?” Kerrick asked, but his tone remained soft.

  “Wasn’t my idea.” I told him about Melina. “Besides, it was the right thing to do.”

  “It’s going to be a challenge getting that many women to freedom. Plus they’ll need clothing, shoes, and more than berries to eat.”

  I smiled. “I’m sure you’re up to it.”

  “Well, first things first.” He picked me up. “You lost weight.” He scowled.

  “The food was awful. I’m going to write a letter of complaint.”

  His scowl eased. “After you’re healed.” He turned.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To a safer location.”

  “What about the priests?”

  “They can hang out here for another day and give the women a head start.”

  He carried me to a small campsite and laid me on his bedroll, then wrapped me in his blanket. Lighting a fire, Kerrick stared into the flames for a moment. The bright glow highlighted his exhaustion.