Raijin came to the balcony and leaned on the metal railing, staring the way Onyx had gone. It felt like forever before the Templar finally pulled away from the balcony and retreated into the Temple.
Onyx crouched there for a while longer just to be safe, realizing his heart was racing and his hands were shaking. He clenched his fists to still them and narrowed his eyes. Not even The Divide had rattled him that way. The pure, uncontrollable terror that had raced through his being when Raijin was searching for him was something he wasn’t used to. Was it a side effect of Raijin’s strange light magic? Onyx noticed movement at the doorway to the temple. He recognized Callistra by the way she stalked out of the temple and into the street. He did not sense the same odd light magic in her, but maybe that’s what Raijin was trying to teach her.
Interesting. Templars were traditionally always men that were not allowed to have families. It seemed as though Raijin had been a Templar for a long time. Callistra appeared to be Onyx’s age but they were elves so it was difficult to determine just by looks. He tilted his head and moved forward on the roofs to follow her through the city. Most Templars came from noble families and lived within the Temple. So where was Callistra going?
He followed her for almost a half of an hour as she wound through the streets below him. A few times she seemed to stop and look behind her, as though she knew she was being followed, but she never looked up. People in Aderaan rarely did, which was why traveling by rooftop was safer than the shadowed alleyways below.
Onyx crouched by a low wall around a roof as he watched her approach a gate. He recognized that house. It was House R’trayn. He often went there for parties. That was why Callistra looked so familiar. He saw her at parties quite often and she always caught his eye. He had thought she was a visiting noble from one of the other cities. And maybe she was. She looked too much like Raijin to be Lord R’trayn’s daughter. Maybe she was adopted by them to maintain appearances? After all Templars were not supposed to have children.
Onyx hissed in displeasure. He didn’t like it when Aderaan’s politics got messy. House R’trayn was actually one of his biggest clients. He’d been helping them rise through the ranks of the city for a few years now. It was time to visit.
He leapt across to the rooftop once Callistra was out of sight and ran around to the back of the house. He visited here so often that Lord R’trayn had set up a private window in a small broom closet on the top story for Onyx to come and go. Onyx slid the window open and ducked inside. He cautiously opened the door to the hall, and seeing no one but staff, slipped out and strode boldly into the hall. Lord R’trayn’s servants were used to seeing Onyx there, so they ignored him as he passed as if he were no more than a shadow.
When he got to the Lord’s office, he found Lord R’trayn there. Isakael sat at his desk concentrating on the papers before him. Isakael had the common elven noble look to him. Thin and fit, pale skin, dark hair and eyes, and handsome features. He was one of the few Lords that Onyx actually enjoyed talking with. If their business association was not one of assassin and Lord, they might even have been friends. Onyx cleared his throat from the doorway and spoke, “Lord R’trayn.”
Isakael jumped at the intrusion, then a slight frown crossed his lips and his brows furrowed. “I don’t think I owe you money, and I know I didn’t summon you today.”
Onyx looked around then slipped into the office and closed the door behind him. He stalked over to the desk, and leaned across it so he was closer to Isakael’s face.
The Lord recoiled as far as he could in his chair, his hand reflectively going to his neck. “No one paid you to kill me today, did they? If they did, I will triple their price! We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“You wouldn’t have even known I was here if I were going to kill you.” Onyx snorted, as he kicked a chair out and sat in it. He put his boots up on a stack of papers on the desk as he leaned back, arms behind his head. “Isakael, you didn’t tell me that beautiful red-headed noble girl I’ve been chasing is staying here.”
Isakael shuffed his papers, then brushed Onyx’s feet to the side so he could grab one off the stack. He relaxed, but only slightly. “Oh, have you come to ask about her? Caught your eye, did she? I know you make a living out of killing dangerous noble women, but I suggest you leave that one alone. I have heard she is like bedding a viper.”
“I like them dangerous. Tell me about her,” Onyx put his feet down and leaned forward. “Like why I saw her come from the Templar hall dressed as a Templar when women aren’t supposed to be training as Templars?”
The color drained out of Isakael’s face, and he stared at Onyx with wide eyes. Then he sat forward, lowering his voice. “All right. What do you want? That can’t get out. Money?”
“I want to meet her,” Onyx said, raising a brow.
“Bad idea,” Isakael insisted. “As you know she’s training as a Templar. Do you think they would approve of your profession or the fact that I’m funding you? There are thousands of women in Aderaan. You’re a handsome young man and very persuasive. Go find another one.”
Onyx resisted the urge to bare his fangs. He had been extremely careful to make sure all of Aderaan knew him only as a deadly assassin. If they knew he was a Night Creature he would be run out of the city. “It wasn’t a request,” Onyx warned as he drew his dagger and considered the edges of it, watching Isakael’s reflection in the metal. “I have reason to believe she’s involved in crossing me. Introduce me, or I’ll be introducing myself later in a less friendly way.”
“That’s impossible. Callistra would never be involved in anything like that. She is secretly training with the Templars as a side hobby, nothing more.“ Isakael reached for another paper. He sucked in a breath when Onyx’s dagger ended up stabbed through the stack of papers he had reached for, the blade just between his fingers.
“That could have been your hand,” Onyx warned. “Someone messed with my family, Isakael. It’s personal. She has information I need. Let me talk to her. I promise I’ll be gentle unless I find out she was involved.” Onyx narrowed his eyes. “Come on, Isakael. You said we were friends. Help me out. You know I could just stalk her, corner her, and torture the truth out of her instead.”
“No! Onyx, no. She’s my adopted daughter, all right? I owe a life debt to her father. Please, just leave her alone,” Isakael scowled at him. “What information do you need? Maybe I have it.”
“Tell me about her father then,” Onyx said coolly as he retrieved his dagger and sheathed it.
“Raijin? He’s nothing. He’s a washed-up Templar. He was injured badly in an attack by a Night Creature in the woods. It has taken almost ten years to heal him enough to allow him to return to duty and he just trains other Templar recruits. Surely, he’s no trouble for you.” Isakael said, waving dismissively.
“You’re lying to me. I know he led the attack on the Night Creatures in the woods the other night. I know he’s the Leader of a new sect of Templar zealots sanctioned by the King himself to hunt the Night Creatures,” Onyx hissed.
Isakael stared at Onyx, dumbfounded. When he finally found his voice, it trembled. “Onyx, my friend, I don’t know why you are mixed up with the Night Creatures, but you need to stay out of this one. It’s bigger than you can imagine. Stick to your assassin work and your own business.”
“Maybe you should have let me meet Callistra. She might have distracted me.” Onyx stood up.
“Oh? And why would you think that?” The harsh feminine voice from the doorway made both of them spin to look at Callistra. She stood there in a noble woman’s dress, her red hair piled on her head in delicate curls, and her face done up with cosmetics. Nothing like the dusty Templar Onyx had seen just a short time ago. She narrowed her eyes at Onyx. “Why are you here, and why does it seem like you’re threatening my father?”
Isakael cleared his throat and stood. Instantly a benevolent Lord again, he smiled at her and walked over to take her hand. “Nonsense, Callistra. Lord Onyx is a frien
d of mine. A colleague. He’s from House Hrral’tyn.“
“I know who he is,” Callistra snapped to cut him off and crossed her arms. “I know what he does, too. And what he wants.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And not all women are fooled by his looks and charm. I think you had best leave now, Lord Onyx.”
Onyx felt a thrill go through him. It wasn’t often he came across a woman to whom he was attracted who did not just throw herself at his feet. This one would be a chase. That excited him more than he wanted to admit. He wanted to stay here and banter with her but instead, he bowed to them. He had not found out much for Niyx and his brother’s mission took precedence for now. “Of course. Forgive my intrusion.” He glanced at Isakael. “We will talk more about this later. Don’t forget.”
Isakael just nodded slightly as they stood aside so Onyx could leave. Onyx walked past them and down the hall, but he smirked when he felt Callistra’s glare on his back the entire way.
CHAPTER NINE
Several days later Onyx returned with a new plan. He would take Niyx into Aderaan to gain an audience with the King. Rumor had it that the King was attending one of the big parties and Onyx had an invitation. The only problem was that Niyx had to pretend to be Onyx to get in. Onyx had suggested a disguise and Niyx had refused so this was the only other option. Niyx scowled and tugged at the tight frilly collar of the fancy shirt Onyx had just finished buttoning. He was quite certain he looked absurd, though he could only see his reflection in standing water, and there wasn’t any here. “Why is this necessary?”
“Because if you show up in your heavy armor looking like some sort of knight of death, you won’t get in Aderaan’s gates much less the noble house we’re going to,” Onyx scolded and batted Niyx’s hands away from the shirt. “Leave it alone. You have to look like an elf, not the King of the Night Creatures. The only reason I am allowed into Aderaan’s society is because they don’t know I’m a Night Creature. You don’t understand Aderaan, and that’s why you came to me for help, right? Trust me.”
“You do look nice,” Kiril offered. She sat in the corner, watching, with Nial babbling and bouncing on her knees.
“I look ridiculous, I am quite certain,” Niyx grumbled. The tight clothes restricted his movements and offered no protection. At least both his dragon and his sword could be summoned through his magic. So even if he left his dark blade leaning against his throne and Ice sat perched on its hilt, he could summon with just a thought. Provided the Templars didn’t block his magic. “Are you certain Aderaan’s King will be there? Will he not be surrounded by Templar guards? What if Raijin is there and recognizes me?”
“I’ve been running around Aderaan for years now and Raijin has never bothered me. We’re identical twins, you know. The only difference is that your magic colors your eyes blue.” Onyx grinned at him. “You don’t look bigger than I am now that you’re not wearing all that armor.”
Niyx grunted a bit, feeling quite grumpy and out of sorts. With a deep breath to re-center himself, he closed his eyes. His magic ran through every fiber of his being, and he could feel it thrumming just below the surface as though hoarfrost ran through his veins. Normally, he had no reason to suppress it, but now he hid it beneath a guise of calm much like he hid his emotions. When he reopened his eyes, he smirked at Onyx. “What about now?”
Onyx glanced at Niyx’s now green eyes then raised a brow. “Now it will be very hard for anyone to tell us apart. Perfect. We’ll stay away from each other at the party and people will think you’re me. Just try not to talk to anyone. Should be fine. I usually skulk around the edges of the room anyway.”
“Then let us go,” Niyx commanded. He paused only to give Kiril a brief look of understanding and to see Nial’s smile before he stalked outside. Onyx had procured horses and it took a little while to convince the one selected for Niyx that he was not a predator that would eat it.
Still, they made good time to Aderaan. Onyx had come up with a ruse where he would go in first, since Niyx could track his twin with his magic, and Niyx would follow. If anyone questioned him, Niyx had a few phrases he could choose from to explain his reappearance. The city guards were predictably lazy and uninterested especially since Onyx often bribed them to look the other way. They didn’t say a word as Niyx went through, even though Onyx had passed them just moments before.
The noble house was packed with people. Niyx had to fight the urge to bare his fangs. Except for Kiril, elves had been nothing but a harvestable crop to him for so long. Food. And there were so many here. His bloodlust made him thirsty, and his mouth went dry. He couldn’t help but stare at some of the people passing him. He had not realized how difficult it would be to blend in with them or how strong the urge to devour them would be. He shook his head and tried to focus on his magic and locate Onyx instead. He had to stick to the plan. Onyx was going to set up a meeting with Aderaan’s King, and at the last moment, Niyx would go inside.
Onyx slipped in and out of the crowd like a ghost. Most people didn’t even notice his passing. Niyx got caught up in watching and trying to figure out how his twin was doing it. He leaned against a pillar at the edge of the room to wait and watch. He didn’t notice the woman until she stormed up to him and spoke.
“What are you doing here?” The female voice demanded, in a tone that clearly conveyed she was not happy to see him.
Niyx glanced at her and immediately recognized Raijin’s features in her beautiful face and her fiery hair. Even if Onyx hadn’t described her, Niyx would have known Callistra just from the resemblance to his enemy. Of all the people to catch him here, but at least she thought he was Onyx. He glanced quickly to see where Onyx was but his twin was too far away and distracted to signal any pointers. Niyx considered glaring at the woman and just storming away but that might be considered suspicious. “I was invited?” he offered, trying to sound casual.
“What were you doing at my father’s house earlier? I want the truth,” Callistra demanded in a low tone to keep the others around from hearing. It was not that difficult in the loud din created by the crowd.
Niyx considered what Onyx had told him, and narrowed his eyes at Callistra. “I’ll tell you if you tell me why you were training with the Templars.”
Callistra’s skin paled at that, and her eyes went wide. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, but no words came out of her full lips. Finally, she clenched her fists, turned, and stalked away.
Niyx rolled his eyes at her dramatic departure; he still did not understand why Onyx was attracted to that woman. He decided movement was better, so no one else could sneak up on him. Curiosity was one of his more dangerous traits, though, and he could not help looking down the halls as he wandered around. The only noble house he’d ever been in was Ruel’s, and this one seemed to be a similar structure, many hallways and closed doors.
An odd chirp sounded to his right, and he turned to see Onyx standing across the room discretely motioning him to follow. Niyx walked that way as quickly as he dared and disappeared into the shadows behind the pillar where Onyx waited for him.
“I talked to his guard. He’s going to meet with you in one of the private rooms. They said to follow after they’ve gone so that it’s less noticeable.” Onyx pointed to where the King was exiting the party down a hallway with two Templars following him. “Just be careful of the Templars.”
Niyx nodded, then walked swiftly after the King. Aderaan’s King was an ancient elf; no one knew exactly how old he was. According to legend King Skyris had minimal elven magic but he was well trained with a sword and bow. Niyx was confident he was the better swordsman. The Templars worried him, but he didn’t sense anything but normal light magic within the two walking by the King.
Niyx walked far enough behind that he saw which room the King and his guards disappeared into but still enough space that no one saw him following. He was almost to the room when Starsilver flashed in front of his face, and he barely dodged back in time to avoid being hit with the blade.
/> “You do not fool me, monster,” Raijin growled as he stepped out of a nearby doorway and pointed his magical blade at Niyx. “Did you think I would forget?”
Niyx glanced down the hall both ways. They were alone. If Raijin was here, Niyx was certain their ruse had failed. He had no doubt that the King was no longer even in the building. “I am the one that deserves to seek vengeance, Raijin. Do your fellow Templars know you tried to hunt and kill a child in the forest?”
“I hunted a monster. You were one then just as you are one now,” Raijin corrected Niyx’s statement and swung again.
Niyx raised his hand to summon the hoarfrost. The deadly ice filled the air as a mist spread out to summon his heavy broadsword. White ice bled into black metal. It solidified just in time for him to bring it up to meet the Starsilver blade and block the attack. The metals clanged loudly as they clashed, then screeched as the blades slid apart. Frost filled the air, dropping the temperature to levels uncomfortable for the living, then a frigid wind started to blow unnaturally through the hall, driving blinding snow with it. “Fool, I am no child now,” Niyx snarled.
Raijin stumbled back, covering his eyes to block the gust of snow, his breath labored and visible in the cold air.
“Ice! Come to me,” Niyx commanded. The dragon coalesced next to him and landed on his shoulder with an angry screech, Ice’s magic keeping him in the whelpling form.
Raijin narrowed his eyes and drove his sword into the floor with a shouted magical command. An explosion of light knocked Niyx backward and he landed hard on his back and slid along the floor, stunned. The burn from the light magic made him ill. His stomach lurched, and he saw stars.
Ice, however, was unaffected. The dragon leapt at Raijin, changing shape in mid-air. The dragon that landed before the Templar was big enough to shake the ground, floor tiles snapping under its weight. Ice roared and the entire house shook. He lashed his tail and snaked his head, breaking walls, ceiling, windows.
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