Magic Underground: The Complete Collection (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 4)

by Melinda Kucsera

  “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

  Ann took a deep breath and nodded. His touch always comforted her. She hated to appear weak like this but hung onto his hand anyway.

  “Hurry,” Nadia called from up ahead.

  She and Ed moved on. Ann wondered who dug these channels. They were close to the border between Caselhelm and Asral. A long way from Orla at least.

  The passage widened into a large cavern. Ann gasped as orbs of light glittered overhead. Purple and green light danced over the crystalline walls. “This place is incredible,” she breathed.

  Ann had travelled a lot with her father around the five lands, but she’d never seen a place like this.

  Nadia insisted they not use much magic unless they had to.

  Ann felt the hum of magic all around them. Her own magic ached to reach out and connect with it. All druids had an affinity with nature and the elements. Her own affinity was fire, but she could use the other elements to an extent. Druids needed to connect with the Erthea lines or their own elements regularly to restore their energy. Ann hadn’t had a chance to do that since becoming a rogue.

  She breathed a little easier now too. But that didn’t stop her pounding heart.

  What if the resistance refused to take them in? Where would they go? Even if they ventured into another realm, they’d never stay in one place too long. Being in a different realm made little difference to the demons hunting them. They’d cross any border if it meant tracking them down. She and Ed had crossed into Asral for a while, thinking they’d be safe, but they had still been tracked and had to fight their way out.

  Up ahead stood a man with braided black hair. The dwarf with more braids through his long beard. His black eyes looked unnerving.

  “Xavier, these are the newcomers I told you about. Ann and Edward.” Nadia greeted him with a smile.

  The dwarf eyed them up and down. Ann gripped Ed’s hand a little tighter. She took a deep breath and her face turned impassive. The archdruid never showed their true emotions. Neither would she.

  “Pleasure to meet you both,” Xavier said. “Nadia tells me you’re a soldier, Edward?”

  “Was. My regiment has—well, with all the upheaval, I decided it was time to leave,” Ed replied. “This is my wife, Ann.”

  Ed had cast a spell before coming to make hand fasting lines appear on their wrists. Ann found the intricate lines going up her left wrist odd to look at. She never saw herself getting married. Hand fasting was a sacred joining. It seemed wrong to fake such a spell.

  She reminded herself it didn’t matter. She wasn’t Rhiannon Valeran here or Ann the rogue. They were a couple seeking shelter. Who they were and where they came from didn’t matter—or so Nadia insisted.

  Ann eyed Xavier.

  “You’re both welcome. We are always happy to have new people here,” Xavier said.

  Odd, Ann remembered her father telling her how the dwarves had been wiped out years ago at the end of the last realm war. It surprised her to find one of them had survived. Then again, she reminded herself not to be surprised by anything anymore. Nothing was what it seemed.

  Ed, Xavier and Nadia continued with their small talk. Ann didn’t pay much attention as they moved further through the enormous cavern. People turned and stared at them. She spotted Ursaie, dwarves, and other different races. Lights darted overhead. Looking closer, she realised they were sprites. She’d never seen so many different races under one roof like this.

  People sent curious glances their way but didn’t look like they were about to attack. She scanned the surrounding cavern with her mind for a brief moment then stopped. No sign of any demons. Yet.

  “How many people are down here?” Ann asked. “What kind of work do you do?”

  Xavier blinked, surprised. “A couple of dozen. We can’t all stay together in one place. But we have plenty of room for whenever large groups of refugees come through. We work on maintaining a small sanctuary here and other areas. We never stay in one place too long. All five lands oppose us and there are laws across all territories forbidding anyone from turning against the rule of the council.”

  “So, this isn’t a permanent base?” Ann’s heart clenched. She thought by joining these people she and Ed might get stay in one place more than a day or two.

  Ann, be careful, Ed warned. We aren’t supposed to arouse suspicion. We need to be careful of what we say.

  What? I’m curious.

  “Where did all these people come from?” Ann asked.

  Ann! Ed gave her a warning look.

  If we live here, I’d like to know more about these people. We might not be able to trust them either.

  “Some are former slaves like me,” Nadia replied.

  “You were a—” Ann bit her lip. She’d never considered Nadia a slave or treated her as one. Although the entire Ursaie race was treated like chattel throughout the five lands. Their demon-like appearances and strong magical talents made them ostracised by many of the other races.

  “Most of us are refugees,” Xavier answered. “Territories change hands every day throughout Almara. My own people were forced out of ancestral lands.”

  “By who?”

  “Forgive my wife, she’s very curious.” Ed wrapped an arm around her.

  She flinched at the word “wife”.

  She nodded. “Sorry, after we left the regiment I’ve been wondering if anyone else might have found refuge here.” True enough. She wanted to know if any of the Black survived or anyone from the palace. Like her father’s advisers, friends. But so far, they hadn’t heard much of anything.

  “Of course.” Xavier turned to Ed. “We’ll be glad to have you. Sometimes we have to help refugees move from dangerous areas.”

  What am I, a plant? Ann gritted her teeth. Did Xavier think she was a woman who did nothing but look after house?

  Ann wouldn’t become that kind of woman or be obsolete. She’d been wondering what kind of role she would play down here. It had always been her dream to travel and have the freedom her brothers had. She could use magic—not in the way she wanted.

  “I’m a healer. I can help too,” she blurted out.

  All three stared at her amazement. One way or another, she’d find a way to fit in here and be useful.

  Chapter Four

  After chatting with Xavier more and meeting a few more resistance members, Ed and Ann were shown to a cave. It appeared much smaller than the main cavern with glistening purple crystalline walls and flickering crystal torches that lit up the space.

  Ed didn’t like the fact it had no door. Xavier said things were open down here and they didn’t see the need for doors. No one saw the need for secrets or privacy.

  Ed conjured a ward. “Why did you tell them you’re a healer?” he hissed. “That wasn’t part of the plan.”

  Ann sighed. “Because I don’t like feeling obsolete.” She crossed her arms. “They kept talking about everything you’d be doing. It’s like I’m back in Larenth, only allowed to do things with someone else’s permission.”

  “That’s not true.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

  “Isn’t it? With my father, I had limited power and authority—even as his heir.”

  Ed opened his mouth to protest then closed it again. True, he’d always known how trapped she’d felt. Darius had never allowed her to travel or use her powers unless it served a purpose—usually one that served him. Ann wanted to abolish slavery and make changes—something Darius had never allowed. He knew Ann hoped in her new life now she might have more power and control over things. Yet she probably felt more powerless than ever. Outside forces still controlled her life.

  “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t use magic?”

  “I don’t have to use magic to help people. My mother…she was a healer and had only limited power.”

  “Fine, but we—”

  “I know, Ed.” She gritted her teeth.

  Xavier came in, making them both jump. “Ed, you seem lik
e a strong lad. Will you come and help with the mining?”

  “Of course.” Ed forced a smile. Damn, he had hoped to talk with Ann a little longer. He didn’t like the thought of them having to be apart during the day. What if there was another attack and he wasn’t here to help her?

  Xavier glanced between them. “Is everything alright?”

  “Fine, thank you.”

  “Come, I’d like for you both come and meet some more fellow members. Then we’ll all get to work.”

  Ann and Ed followed Xavier back out.

  Xavier introduced a few more people. Ed’s eyes landed on a man with long white hair, a weathered face and washed-out blue eyes. He wore patted blue velvet robes.

  Ann gasped beside him. “Phin—” She covered her mouth with a cough.

  “This is Phineas, a recent refugee from Caselhelm,” Xavier explained.

  Ed couldn’t believe the druid scholar was here too. He gripped Ann’s hand when she made a move to go to him. Don’t. He doesn’t know who we are, he told her. We can’t reveal to him who we are. So don’t say anything to him.

  But he’s— You’re right.

  Phin stared at them and nodded. “A pleasure.”

  How is he still alive? Ann asked.

  I don’t know but it would be safer not telling him who we are. We can’t trust anyone. Only each other, Ed warned. Orla could use people we once thought of as friends. Even someone like Phin.

  “Come, I’ll show you the crystal mines.” Xavier motioned for Ed to follow. Ed hesitated.

  Go, I’ll be fine, Ann insisted. We can’t be together every moment. If we are supposed to start new lives, we should make an effort to do so.

  Okay, be careful. Call me if you need me.

  Ed followed Xavier along the cavern tunnel. He didn’t listen to what the dwarf said as his mind raced. How had Phin of all people ended up here? The druid was in his seventies and used to be the court scholar and bard. Ed thought he died during the night of the revolution, along with anyone else who didn’t swear loyalty to Orla. He doubted Orla would have had much use for the elderly man, since Phin wasn’t very powerful.

  Ed wanted to go back and ask Phin for himself. He wouldn’t though. They couldn’t afford to trust anyone now. Ed hated how he couldn’t even talk to Phineas. It would have been good to talk to a familiar person and someone they had once viewed as a friend.

  “Are you listening to me?” Xavier’s voice broke through his thoughts.

  Ed shook his head to clear it. “Sorry, a lot my mind.” Ann, where are you?

  With Nadia, she replied. Why? I haven’t talked to Phin anymore, if that’s what you’re worried about. He went back to his chamber.

  He breathed a sigh of relief. Ed scanned the area with his senses but still didn’t detect any sign of danger. It had almost been a full day since they’d been attacked by demons. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or alarmed by that.

  “We grow our own tunnels through the use of crystals. Here is one of the mines which we often harvest them from,” Xavier explained. “We harvest as much as we can. We never know when we’ll need to move to a new location—though most of the tunnels here have been around for centuries.”

  Ed caught a flash of movement as a huge rock hurtled toward them. He shoved Xavier aside and dove out of the way.

  The rock hit the ground and made the earth tremble. Shards of rock and bits of dust flew everywhere.

  Ed scrambled up and scanned the area with his senses. That couldn’t have been a natural occurrence. He didn’t believe in coincidences. Not after everything they’d been through over the past month.

  Xavier turned around, stared at the rock wide-eyed. “How did you know that would happen?”

  Ed shrugged it off. “I saw it.” He’d always had fast reflexes. It was one of the things that made him excel within the Black Guard at a young age.

  “Thank you,” Xavier said. “I—”

  Ed frowned as he sensed another presence somewhere above them. Cold and dark. That rockfall was no accident, he realised. Ann, you still with Nadia?

  Yes. Ed, you don’t have to—

  Good. Stay there, he told her.

  Why?

  No time to explain.

  “I have to go,” he said to Xavier and took off down the tunnel. Ed pulled his sword out as he went. He’d been on the run long enough to sense when a demon was near. Only this one felt stronger than the others.

  Ed, what’s going on? Ann asked. Don’t lie to me. I can feel your panic.

  Blood pounded in his ears as he ran. He had to find the demon before it had a chance to get to Ann or attack anyone else.

  Ed considered blocking Ann out then thought better of it. He wouldn’t risk not hearing her call if she needed him.

  Ed? Ann called again. Answer me!

  There’s a demon here. He gritted his teeth and dodged by several people as he hurried through the tunnel.

  The demon’s presence grew stronger and it moved closer. Now it no longer came from above ground but here in the tunnels.

  Where? I’ll—

  No, stay where you are, he growled.

  What happened to the part about us being partners?

  We are but stay with Nadia. I don’t want it finding you. Ed turned down another passageway. The crystal walls glistened like sparkling diamonds in the limelight. Someone cried out and Ed spotted Phin with a black-cloaked figure. The figure, indistinguishable as male or female, had their hand class around the druid’s throat.

  Ed charged the demon then swung his sword.

  The demon spun and raised his hand. A burst of energy slammed Ed into the wall. The air left him in a rush. Ed leapt up, using his sword to deflect the next burst of energy. Invisible waves of power rippled against the glowing blade.

  This demon had long dark hair and hollow eyes. Unlike the others, Ed faced that looked more human.

  Phin crumbled to the ground. The demon blasted Ed with another burst of energy again. Ed swung his sword. The demon ducked as the blade hissed through the air.

  The demon drew a jagged knife, jabbed it at him. Ed jumped back. Blessed spirits! The other demons had weapons like that.

  Ed spun, using the momentum to knock the demon’s knife away.

  The demon growled, firing another blast.

  Ann appeared in a flash of light, raised her hands and blasted the demon with her fire. The demon stumbled as the blast knocked him to the ground.

  Ed muttered a curse under his breath. Damn it, why couldn’t she stay away? He could have handled this without her.

  “Gaiste agus ceangail air,” Ann chanted words of power. White glowing lines swirled around the demon, trapped him in place.

  Ed moved and thrust the tip of his sword under the demon’s throat. “Who sent you?”

  Fire formed in Ann’s hand. “I’d answer him if I were you. Unless you have a death wish.”

  The demon laughed. “Your glamour cannot hide what you are.”

  Ann knelt and placed her hand on the demon’s forehead and closed her eyes. Ed knew she was listening to the demon’s thoughts. He wished he could listen in as well, but refrained from joining powers with her.

  “Orla sent him.” She frowned. “He’s been tracking us by using the Erthea lines. What is an Ashrak?”

  Ed flinched. “It’s a hunter. Stronger and more powerful than most demons. I’ve heard about them in the Black.”

  The Ashrak shot up, the lines around him faulted. He lunged straight for Ann. In a flash of silver, he knifed her through the chest before Ed even had a chance to react.

  “No!” Ed grabbed hold of the demon and thrust his sword through the demon’s chest.

  Black blood gurgled from the demon’s mouth. “More will come,” he rasped and slumped to the ground, dead. In a flash of light, the demon’s body melted into ash.

  Ed gathered Ann up in his arms, letting his sword fall to the ground. “Ann?” He examined the wound on her chest. Given its position, he knew the blad
e must have struck close to her heart. Blood seeped through her tunic and her eyes were already closed. Spirits, no! She couldn’t die. Not here. Not after everything they’d been through. Ed scanned her body with his senses but didn’t detect any sign of a heartbeat. “Ann, come on. Wake up. You can’t leave me. Not like this.”

  Ed scanned his memories for a healing spell. He learnt several of them during his years in the Black Guard, but none of them came to mind. Spirits, there’d be something he could do. He wouldn’t lose her. He was meant to keep her safe. Without her, his life would have no meaning anymore. She meant everything to him.

  Tears stung his eyes as he held onto her.

  After a few seconds, Ann’s eyes flew open and she gasped for breath. “Argh!” She put a hand to her chest. “That hurt!” She stared up at him. “Are you crying?”

  He blinked the tears away. “No, of course not. But I thought you were dead. You stopped breathing.”

  Ann rose to her full height and ran a hand over her chest. “The wound has faded.” She frowned. “Did you hear me?”

  Ed shook his head. “No. You were already gone—this is impossible.” If it weren’t for the bloodstain covering her tunic he thought he might have imagined it.

  “Well, we have more important things to worry about. Phin must be hurt.” She hurried over to the elderly druid.

  “We should get out of here.” Ed sheathed his sword. “I was foolish to think this place could be safe for us.” He spotted Xavier standing a few feet away. Ah, spirits!

  “We not leaving. Phin’s hurt.” Ann glanced over at Xavier. “We—”

  Xavier stared at Ed’s sword. The symbol of a wolf’s head glittered on the hilt. “You are one of the Archdruid’s Black.”

  Ed glanced at his sword. The silver metal only ever got used for the archdruid’s Black Guard. He hadn’t thought it would stand out. He’d been so focused on keeping Ann safe.

  Ed grabbed Ann’s hand. Transport us out of here.

  Ann gaped at him. We can’t leave. Phin—

  Isn’t important. You are.

  “You don’t have to leave,” Xavier told them. “I said you’re welcome and I meant it.”