Oath Bound

by T. G. Ayer

  Darcy nodded slowly, biting on her lower lip. “It’s possible. Talk me through what you did when the power hit you. How exactly did you turn it around and fling it back to him?”

  “That wasn’t all I did.”

  Darcy blinked and Logan’s eyes narrowed. Then he said, “Do enlighten us.” His tone was cool.

  “I kinda rerouted it inside me. I was going to throw it all back at him which at the time felt like the easier thing to do but then I thought about the possible consequences.”

  “Consequences?” Darcy asked, eyebrow curving.

  “Yeah. Like the destruction of Tukats in case I did something wrong. Don’t forget I’ve never had a bunch of power swirling around in here before,” I said, pointing at my temple. When nobody countered me, I continued, “So the sky was out of the question, the Veil was a no-no, can’t go destroying the Veil again. One conflagration per century is enough and I’m not about to go helping any badges out by destroying the walls that protect us.”

  Logan exhaled slowly, patiently. “So you stored some of that power inside you head and sent the rest back to the fae king?”

  “Something like that. I thought I was pushing all of it inside my mind as deep as I can. But maybe there wasn’t enough space or something, “—Darcy laughed then choked her chuckles down but I just ignored her— “but when I pushed as hard as I could the explosion happened. I thought I’d failed though. Only knew something had worked when I noticed the destruction of the trees wasn’t as bad as I’d expected it to be. Grampa Fae King packs a punch.”

  Darcy let out a long breath in a loud whoosh. “Okay, maybe what you did was store some of that power inside your mind, but power like that had to be contained in some way. It’s possible whatever method Anwilly-whatever used to protect his power could have been transmitted to you as the power was transferred. I can’t be sure though. That’s just a wild guess. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

  I growled softly. “This is fucking exhausting.”

  “I’ll bet. It’s a bit of a mess in there,” Darcy added.

  I lifted an eyebrow and asked, “The whole point of this exercise was to ascertain the extent of the damage done by the stroke.” I wasn’t too sure how we would be able to move forward without knowing how badly I was injured and what would that mean for me in the future.

  “Oh, right,” Darcy replied quickly. “Well, I can’t get close enough to see the status of the damage. But Logan will still be able to administer his healing.”

  “How will that work if her mind is cordoned off? She have to invite me in like a vampire or something?” Logan asked, eyebrows wriggling.

  Darcy bit her lip but she couldn’t stop her smile. “No invitation needed. The fire heals naturally, in the same way a body can heal itself. Those energies can pass through the protective barrier easily. As long as they are done without the intention to harm.”

  “And how in Ailuros’ name will the barrier be able to tell if the energy has good or bad intentions?” I asked, puzzled.

  Darcy smiled. “All magic is infused with the intentions of its maker, dark or light, healing or fatal. All wards are erected with an express purpose, to block out, to contain or to trap.”

  I nodded. “I see. So this barrier will accommodate energies that attempt to heal but it won’t allow any energy to pass that would hurt me or kill me,” I said slowly. When she nodded, I replied, “Cool. Didn’t know wards were independently intelligent.”

  This time Logan snorted. “Only as intelligent as the mage who created it,” he said, chuckling.

  “I wonder what that says about me,” I muttered.

  Only when Logan and Darcy burst out laughing did I realize I’d spoken out loud.

  33

  I was almost angry that I’d slept through most of the day, and I must have looked it.

  “Come on, Kai. Your Dad put you under for your own good.”

  We were in the office at Tara’s workshop, waiting for Mel after she’d urgently requested a two-part meeting. Tara’s place only a strong reminder of the still very-much-missing fae queen. Horner had come up empty, and Jess was still to reply so I hoped her search proved to be a little more detailed than the High Councilman’s.

  Now, the fact that my doctor had decided to tranquillize me—with what drug I’d love to know—was rubbing me the wrong way. “But you did the fire-healing. That would have been enough,” I snapped, feeling like I’d spent hours asleep when I could have been looking for Tara. Her life was also in danger, and sleeping wasn’t going to be helpful.

  I couldn’t deny that I’d been exhausted after the dragonfire healing Logan had administered, but I would have had a good enough sleep after the treatment anyway.

  Logan sighed. He sat, elbows propped up on the desk, spine stiff as we argued. “Even if I’d disagreed with your father, he wouldn’t have listened. He was determined to ensure you were as healthy as we could possibly get you before we leave for Mithras. I’m to administer another dose tonight, preferably followed by a few hours of sleep. And he does have a point, you know. You need to be well. You’re responsible for yourself as well as the rest of the team.”

  I didn’t reply immediately, just crossed my arms and remained where I’d settled a butt-cheek against the side of the desk. I’d kept a bit of a distance between us, more because I didn’t want comfort. I need to be focused. But Logan was right though I didn’t voice my agreement.

  I didn’t want the team to be any more burdened by my condition as they needed to be. And me being in as pique condition as I could possibly be, meant less distraction for the team, less having to carry my sorry ass around if I end up ill.

  My argument with Logan was cut short though, as Mel arrived, her body radiating tension and urgency as she hurried into the office. She scanned Logan and myself for a half-second then walked over to the second table. Ignoring the map, she sat on the edge of the table and studied our curious faces. I’d decided to wait for her to speak, instead of rush her, especially since she appeared so strained.

  Logan clearly had other ideas as he asked, “So what’s so serious that we had to do a double meet?”

  Mel took a moment before replying. “Two things. First, Aisha requested a portal access point be located to help with the transition through the Veil—which Horner is going to get for us. Two, the rebels have made contact—which means we have our safehouse location in Kamsin.”

  Something was off with Mel, something was bugging her that she wasn’t revealing. “And why do neither of those sound like a good thing?” I asked, hoping she’d get things off her chest fast.

  Mel’s lips twisted as though she was hesitating. Then she said, “Well, one is good-bad and the other is bad-bad...”

  “Mel!” Both Logan and I reprimanded the tracker in unison.

  With a sigh, Mel said, “Okay. So I was contacted by the rebel army, just as Saleem said I’d be. Her name was Fathima, and she looked pretty badass with all her weapons—” Mel paused as she realized she’d gone off on a tangent. Then she smiled and said, “So, short version, the rebels are pretty much sorted. They gave us the maps so we won’t be chasing our tales in case things go bad and they weren’t around to save our butts. All in all, they are ready to begin the extraction, but they’re waiting on us to arrive first. Our second issue is the alternative portal. I spoke to Horner about a sort-of-key called the Sharaita. It’s a pretty ancient key, apparently preceding most of the portal keys used today. The relic will demand a price, something called a Nahra. Thing is, it seems the Sharaita is our only option right now.”

  Mel’s update was partially reassuring. We’ll have backup from Saleem’s rebel army, which is only ever a good thing. The rest of her update was rather terrifying. “Please tell me that’s the bad-bad,” I said, a little afraid now of what the use of the Sharaita would entail.

  From Logan’s expression, I was certain he’d be doing his own research the moment he had an available second.

  “Sorry,”
Mel replied. Her tone held no wry humor and she sounded genuinely apologetic. “It’s the Sharaita that’s going to be a problem. And my gut tells me we won’t be able to get through without it. Aisha is hiding something, I’m not sure what but I think it has to do with the power required for the magic to work. Otherwise why would she ask for a boost?”

  “You may be right,” Logan replied, tone worried. “But what’s the price? I figure it would be blood or something. The Veil likes blood, from what I hear.”

  “Well, this piece of the Veil likes her sacrifices a little more permanent,” Mel replied with a wry smile.

  I wasn’t sure what to say, and when I met Logan’s gaze it appeared that he too was at a loss for words. I found it hilarious since he’d had so much to say only moments ago, and I almost laughed. Thankfully, I managed to turn the chuckle into a cough, then said to Mel, “Define more permanent. I think I know what you’re saying but for now I’m in denial.”

  I flicked a hand at the tracker for her to explain, realizing too late that the movement would reveal my armband. I tugged the sleeve down quickly, aware now that there were so many secrets we were keeping from Mel. And I had to work hard to keep my face from revealing how guilty I was feeling in that moment.

  Mel appeared not to have noticed though. She pressed her fingers to her forehead and then her temples before replying, “We do have to provide the blood consecration of the artifact to get us through the Veil, but once we return we must pay the final price—exactly what we won’t know until later. Horner was evasive, but I’m guessing the Sharaita will choose a life to sacrifice. Unless we choose one ourselves.”

  The price of the Sharaita had already been made clear enough, and Logan got to his feet, replying as though reading my thoughts. “Well, it’s not as though we weren’t already aware that someone could die on this mission.”

  I had to wonder who he was talking about. Probably me, dying from my damaged brain cells. “This is different, Logan,” I said, my tone a little cooler than was necessary.

  “I’m just glad we can finally kick the kids off the team with a legit excuse,” Mel said, almost to herself.

  “True,” agreeing one hundred percent. I got to my feet, uncomfortable that I was relieved because the decision had been taken out of my hands. “And we give the rest of the team the choice,” I suggested.

  Maybe Logan also felt restless from guilt, or possible pre-mission tension because he started to walk a line back and forth beside the desk. “Who do you think will decline?” he asked.

  “Natasha,” Mel said confidently. “I’m thinking this is dark magic, blood magic. She won’t want to dabble in it.”

  Logan said, “Anyone else?”

  “I don’t see any of the Ni’amh remaining behind,” I replied softly.

  Mel replied, “That’s five of us, eight with Logan, Drake and Aisha. Lacroix?” she asked, glancing at Logan for an answer.

  “Pretty sure he’s also a no-go, Logan replied with a shake of his head. “He’d be breaking some kind of overlord tenet, I think.” I watched Logan, wondering if he was thinking about Barry’s running the fae king on a wild goose chase to keep Grams safe. The demon overlord had returned to his work with Saleem’s mom as though he hadn’t just risked his life a time or two.

  “That’s eight instead of thirteen,” Mel counted, bobbing her knee restlessly. “But I’m still not satisfied.”

  “I know Drake wouldn’t budge,” I said, aware of the gargoyle’s loyalty to Mel. “But what about Nerina and Cassie?”

  Mel let out a low groan. “This entire mission started off with Saleem in need of help and us being the only people who knew about his situation. But now, there’s a rebel army, armed to the hilt, with plans in place and the means to get to him. If anything, we’re just going along for the ride.”

  “That’s where you are wrong,” a new voice rang around the room.

  34

  Aisha and Baa’ruk, two people who’d just been occupying my thoughts, entered the room. Mel’s only reaction was a scowl, probably because the pair had arrived unannounced. I was too amused to be annoyed.

  “Don’t make that face, Melisande dear. You need to know that you are the only one able to track Saleem.”

  The tracker let out a soft growl-grunt, then looked over at Logan as though he had some kind of answer. His response was a shrug, the meaning a little unclear.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Mel asked, keeping her tone even.

  With a regal flick of her hand, the queen said, “There must have been a point after you met, when he either jumped somewhere with you, or felt the need to allow you access to his thread. Saleem is a djinn warrior, powerful enough to protect himself from detection within the ether. But you’ve found it perfectly easy to track him whenever you wished to.”

  “Wait just a hot second,” Mel said, eyes going wide. “Have you never tried to contact him in the ether before?”

  Aisha’s answer came as a shock to both me and Logan whose features twisted with surprise as she let out a regal sniff and said, “No. I didn’t dare. He’d have tracked me back to the estate in an instant. It was safer that I stay away. But I did try recently, and I suspect he’s recoded the magic.”

  “Recoded the magic?” the tracker repeated.

  I was trying hard not to smile at the exchange. Beyond Aisha’s shoulders, Barry also appeared to struggle to keep a straight face. Aisha and Mel had given us hours of amusement with their conversations that were usually good enough for a comedy show.

  Now, the queen replied, “Yes. When a djinn with Saleem’s level of power is trained to hide himself from detection, he learns there are many ways to create the protective shield. But, the more time he spends in the astral plane, the quicker the spell will fade away. A spell can last up to a decade, sometimes longer if an experienced adult performs the spell for a younger djinn.” Aisha seemed to be taking the interrogation by her son’s main squeeze very well. She didn’t look in the least annoyed.

  “So you created his shield when he was a boy?”

  “Once when he was born, and the second time when he was thirteen. Both times, both his father and I merged our power to form the protection. But the rate of degradation increases the older the subject gets so the second round perhaps lasted until recently.”

  “And you would have access to him because you were the one who created the spell. But now that he would have had to repair the shield, he effectively shut you out?”

  “Exactly,” Aisha said, smiling thinly. “Which is why I am certain your presence is essential, whether the rebels know of the shield or not.”

  “I didn’t get the feeling from Fathima that they felt our presence was unnecessary. I’d assume if the rebels had everything under control they’d have at least told us we’re not needed. Or given us the impression that we can come along but to stay out of the way.”

  Taking a quick breath, the queen looked around and clapped her hands. “Now that we have that out of the way, did you find us a portal?”

  When Mel updated Aisha on the requirements of the Sharaita, the queen didn’t look all too happy. She shared a dark look with Barry who merely returned her inspection with a smile

  Then, to Mel he said, “I’m afraid I will be unable to go with you, given the nature of the Sharaita. The Nahra forbids the use of the blood of a demon as a sacrifice.”

  Barry laughed when Mel looked over at Aisha, confused. “Yes, the djinn are demonborn but their blood is...shall we say their blood is unique. And even were it not so unique, the demonic nature of my blood would shatter the bond of the blood sacrifice with the Sharaita.”

  “Doesn’t sound very healthy,” Mel said, pursing her lips.

  “It’s not. The Sharaita was created with the sacrifice of the lives of a handful of powerful demons. Hence the incompatibility when it’s used by a demon. And sadly, my contribution must remain on this side of the Mithrasian Veil. At least until your team gets through and destroys the ward. I shal
l check the state of the magic and follow as soon as I see the ward has fallen.”

  “No. It’d probably be over by then. They have a rebel army doing their rebel thing on the other side of the Veil. From what I’ve been told, they are ready to move as soon as we arrive. Chances are, when the Veil falls, the fun will already be over.”

  Barry shrugged and said, “That may be, but I shall follow either way. There are a few people I’d like to meet with, to see if my help is needed as the realm recovers.”

  Mel’s face was filled with curiously and it was almost comical to watch her school her features. Thankfully, she was saved from responding as the shop doorbell clanged, announcing the arrival of more of the team.

  Time to face the music.

  *

  The rest of the team arrived in drips and drabs, and somewhere in-between, the queen and Barry left. Mel spoke to the Natasha, Cassie and Nerina to bring them up to speed. I caught Cassie’s eye a few times, received a reassuring nod to say she’d taken Mom to the Calliope 7 Station and that all had gone well. I had to assume that Mom hadn’t been able to convince Cassie to bring her and Grams right back.

  Now, Mel was talking to everyone who remained, bring the younger team members up to date, though the version they received was brief, leaving out much of the more sensitive information which they wouldn’t need to know given they were no longer going with us to Mithras.

  “So when do we leave?” asked Lily. She looked excited and raring to go, and I felt a twinge of guilt that I’d been happy to disappoint her.

  Mel replied, “As much as I would love to say now…. We’ve come to understand that our position has changed in terms of the number of people we’d need on the mission.”

  Steph’s spine stiffened now, anger flaring in her eyes. “So who have you decided to take with you?”

  “Natasha isn’t coming. Neither is Barry, Nerina, or Cassie. Our final team will be Logan, Kai, Drake, Darcy, and myself. And Aisha of course.”