Blood of Ravens

by Jen McIntosh

  Suriya staggered, shoving Lucan’s mind from her own as she stumbled and clutched at the parapet while the world trembled. The Lady didn’t even flinch, somehow staying upright while black flames and lightning battled in the sky above. Then the flames retreated, and the reverberations stopped.

  ‘What was that?’ Renila asked, hauling herself back to her feet.

  The Lady scowled. ‘The Shade. He’s attacking the wards. It won’t take him long to get through them.’

  ‘What do we do?’

  The Lady drew herself up to her full height. ‘We hold him as long as we can.’

  ‘The wards are under attack,’ Alvar was saying while he helped Farran to his feet. Lucan offered a hand to Erion in silence. ‘They have to go, now.’

  ‘They need more time,’ Farran protested.

  ‘There isn’t any. They go now and take their chances in the hills, or they stay here, and they die.’

  Farran was silent for a long time, eyeing the handsome Lord with a mixture of admiration and hatred. Then he nodded and gave the order. It was all Lucan and Erion could do not to be swept along in the chaos that followed. Alvar paced, chafing at the slow exodus. The ground shook again, and now it was not just the children who screamed out in fright. Erion was itching to help, but he remained at his friend’s side.

  Then, without warning, Alvar roared and staggered from some unseen blow.

  On the parapet, the winds rose around them, carrying the sound of shouting from below as Farran ordered the evacuation. The ground shook again, and frightened screaming echoed up from the courtyard. Lightning sparked, but this time, the sound of magic battering against the wards overwhelmed the roar of thunder.

  ‘Gaelan!’ Lord Alvar roared. ‘Help me!’

  The Lady looked skyward and squared her shoulders as starlight erupted out of her. Suriya raised a hand, shielding her eyes against its brilliance, but her attention was focussed out beyond the wards. She reached out her mind as far as possible, not daring to leave the safety of her body again. But there was no need – the Shade radiated so much power that it was impossible to miss him. Flames of shadow spewed from his hands, hammering at the invisible wards, but they recoiled as the Lady’s starlight reached him.

  ‘Alright,’ gasped the Lady, huffing from exertion as she drove him back. ‘Tell Farran to go now. I’ll hold until they’re clear.’

  Suriya once more found herself tangled in Lucan’s mind as his fear threatened to overwhelm them both.

  Alvar straightened, wincing as if movement pained him, and looked to Farran. ‘Captain! You need to go now!’

  Lucan watched Farran nod before turning to argue with his wife. He could only guess at what was being said, since his ears were filled with the nervous hum of the crowds. A child was howling. The sharp sound pierced through whatever sense of calm he had left, and panic squeezed at his chest. He saw Olly appear at Farran’s side and nod while the Captain spoke.

  The ground shook with the reverberation of that terrible noise once more, and Lord Alvar swore. ‘Captain!’ he yelled. ‘Go or stay, but you and your men need to decide now!’

  Farran embraced his wife one last time and clapped a hand on Olly’s shoulder as he gave his last orders. His eyes were damp as he watched them join the throng streaming out the northern gate towards the hills. But when he had taken a deep breath and squared his shoulders, he turned to face the men who had chosen to remain. There was nothing but single-minded determination in his gaze.

  ‘We give them as much time as we can,’ he said, his voice carrying despite its softness. From his dark corner in the courtyard, Lucan watched Farran’s grim resolve spread, touching every man who remained. It was their families, the people they loved, who were depending on them. Every single one of Farran’s men would lay down their lives for their Captain, for their home … for their family. Even Erion was nodding, his hands clenched tight enough by his sides to turn his knuckles white.

  As one, they followed their Captain’s example. They each allowed themselves one last look at those they would die to defend. Then they turned away, ready to face their doom.

  But neither Suriya nor Lucan could watch as those people disappeared through the gates and into the night. Not when all those they loved were still within the castle walls …

  Suriya pulled herself back into her own body, the clamouring from below growing ever louder as the exodus began. The ground shook from the Shade hammering at the wards once more. Gaelan snarled as she flooded the air with power, strengthening the wards with her own magic. Suriya watched – vaguely aware, through Lucan, of Alvar shouting at Farran to keep them moving. And then, after what seemed like an age, came the sound of the north gate closing with a mighty clang.

  Lucan and Erion straightened when Alvar appeared beside them, his purple-grey eyes heavy with worry as the crashing of thunder and magic warred in the sky. The world shook again, hard enough to make his teeth hurt this time. Then again. And again. As if some colossal fiend was pounding its fists against the fabric of existence. Though he cursed himself for it, a small whimper of fear escaped Lucan’s lips. Erion’s hand found his in the darkness and squeezed.

  Shooting stars arced overhead, battling with the darkness that battered the wards. Lightning joined them, but still, that terrible force continued to pound the wards.

  The Shade was almost through. Lucan wasn’t sure how he knew that, but he did. Alvar swayed where he stood, eyes on the wards.

  ‘Gaelan!’ he called in warning.

  ‘I fucking know!’ was the only response she offered. Lucan blinked. He’d never heard the Lady swear. Alvar stumbled as the ground shook once more, and it was only Lucan’s quick reactions that kept him on his feet. He said nothing as he pulled the Alvar’s arm around his shoulders, offering his strength when Alvar’s was failing. Erion moved to do the same on the other side.

  ‘Thank you,’ Alvar murmured, glancing down at the boys keeping him upright. There was a terrible ripping sound as flames of incandescent light and blackest night battled overhead. But despite all efforts, the light was being forced inexorably backwards. Alvar cursed. ‘Come on, Gaelan,’ he muttered. ‘Just a little longer.’

  Suriya wrenched her attention back to her own body, scowling up at the magical battle above. The world shook again, the Shade’s attack strong enough to rattle her skull. He struck again. And again. And again. The Lady growled, raising her hand. Shooting stars arced from her palms, battling with the darkness. Lightning joined them, but the Shade continued to pound the wards.

  The Lady staggered from a savage blow, and Renila reached out to steady her.

  ‘I’m here,’ she murmured as the Lady leaned on her. ‘Lean on me.’

  The Lady flashed her a grateful grimace and bared her teeth at another vicious barrage. And this time, Renila stood with her. Suriya could only stare in wonder as the two women who had raised her put aside their differences to defend the only thing they shared … the people they loved.

  Suriya stepped up beside them, sliding her hand into the Lady’s.

  ‘Together,’ she whispered. The Lady glanced down, her expression unreadable. A silver sheen of unshed tears shone in her ethereal eyes, and she nodded. Beside her, Renila squared her shoulders and looked to the wards.

  Suriya followed suit …

  And loosed a power she barely knew she had.

  The Lady guided it, drawing on the magic hidden within. Tongues of fire in shades of gold and amber formed in their outstretched hands, and a single thought from the Lady sent the flames racing across the night. The darkness recoiled, and Suriya thought she caught a frustrated shout as the Shade was driven backwards. He raged against their power, his black magic engulfed in flames of gold, white and amber.

  In the courtyard, Lucan could only watch in awe as more power streaked across the sky – flames surging from the topmost tower of the castle, driving the darkness back. Farran and his men cheered at the victory, infinitesimal though it was, while Alvar sighed in relief
at the brief respite.

  ‘What was that?’ Lucan asked.

  Alvar smiled down at him and winked. ‘Renila … and your sister.’

  A cheer went up from below, and Suriya allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. But their relief was temporary as the Darklings added their magic to the Shade’s – ice, wind, fire and more slamming into the wards. A wave of exhaustion crashed through her, flames flickering beneath the barrage, while a murderous growl ripped from Renila’s lips as she swayed.

  ‘Alvar,’ gasped the Lady. ‘The wards are failing!’

  ‘Are the mortals clear?’

  ‘Almost. But I don’t know how much longer we can last.’

  ‘Just let it go!’ His reply was terse and filled with worry. ‘Save your strength. We can hold their attention here and take out as many as we can until the mortals get away!’

  The Lady nodded to herself, glancing to Suriya. ‘When I give the signal, break off and get inside.’

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘Just do as you’re told,’ she ordered. There was a pause, as if she was waiting for something. Then. ‘Now!’

  Reliant only on her instincts, Suriya released whatever strange power she had conjured and bolted for the door with Renila right behind her. The Lady roared in agony as the full strength of the attack fell on her. Suriya hesitated. The Lady screamed for her to run, but her limbs locked, refusing to move, refusing to abandon the woman she’d once called Mother. Then Renila’s arms were around her waist, and she was thrown inside.

  The air above the castle seemed to solidify, glittering like a wall of pure diamond. The earth was shaking constantly now with the force of the attack. Lucan and Erion clutched at each other, trying to stay on their feet. Alvar backed up as he herded the boys behind him, eyes on the diamond dome. A bolt of shadow-fire blasted through the night, arcing towards the castle with lethal precision.

  ‘Farran!’ yelled Alvar. ‘Take cover!’

  But his warning was too late. The black flames struck, the diamond dome cracked, and with that last mighty blow, it smashed into a million tiny shards. But Lucan wasn’t watching that. He was watching the shadow-fire streak through the air and slam right into the highest tower – right where Suriya, Renila and the Lady had been standing.

  Suriya tumbled, screaming, down the stairs as the building exploded above her. Renila fell with her, their limbs tangling as they crashed towards the ground. A bark of pain escaped Suriya as she was slammed into the wall at the foot of the staircase. The world went black, for a moment, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it as Renila surged to her feet and threw her body over Suriya’s – just as the rest of the tower collapsed on top of them.

  The building exploded and, even through the chaos that followed, he heard his sister’s screams. Roaring her name, he took a step towards the castle. Erion was right on his heels, yelling for his mother.

  But then Alvar was there, tackling the boys and throwing himself on top of them as the pieces of the wards rained down. Thunder cracked, and the air grew thick and heavy. The shards slowed, as if sinking through water rather than falling through air, and floated to the ground like feathers. Lucan barely noticed. He struggled against Alvar’s hold, yelling for his sister, but Alvar would not release him.

  Renila roared as a chunk of stonework smashed into her back, but she didn’t move an inch, shielding Suriya’s body with the sacrifice of her own. Then heat seared Suriya’s cheeks as amber flames erupted from thin air, wreathing them in a fire that somehow repelled the falling masonry. She glanced up and saw fire and fury dancing in Renila’s amber eyes, the gentle woman gritting her teeth from the effort of whatever magic was keeping them alive.

  The reverberations stopped, and Suriya dared to peer out from under Renila. The parapet where they had just been standing was gone, the spiral staircase – at least a dozen steps shorter now – ending in open air. Where the Lady had stood was nothing but the night sky. A choked sob escaped Suriya’s lips. She staggered to her feet, stumbling towards the stairs, but Renila held her back.

  ‘Suriya, no!’ she insisted, grabbing her about the waist and hauling her back. ‘There’s no time! We have to get to the stables!’

  Suriya barely heard her. She could only stare at that empty space in disbelief. The Lady was gone. Suriya shook her head. It wasn’t possible. Her mind was silent, numb from the shock. There was so much left unsaid … so many questions left unanswered.

  ‘But—’

  Renila cut her off. ‘Suriya, we have to go. We have to go now. Lucan is waiting for us. He won’t leave without you.’

  And like that, her tears stopped. Nothing in all the world would ever come before her brother. For him, she would sacrifice herself, body and soul, so she dried her eyes and followed Renila from the ruins.

  It was quiet in his head. He’d never noticed it before – that warmth and steady dependability that resonated throughout his mind, that part of him that was Suriya. Hadn’t noticed it until it was gone. Panic gripped at his heart … she couldn’t be …

  ‘Lucan!’ her voice echoed through his head. ‘It’s alright … I’m alright!’

  Lucan sagged with relief, a choked sob escaping his lips as Alvar let him up, though he kept a tight hold on Erion. ‘Renila?’ Lucan gasped. ‘Is Renila alright?’

  ‘Yes, she’s fine. She’s here.’

  ‘Renila’s fine,’ he told Erion, gesturing to Alvar to release him. Then he turned his attention back to Suriya. ‘What happened?’

  ‘The Shade got through – followed the magic back to us. Mother … Gaelan … she gave us enough time to get out.’ She broke off with a shuddering breath. ‘Lucan. She didn’t make it out in time. She’s gone.’

  Lucan stumbled from the shock. His mother. Gone. The thought left him winded. Alvar’s hand was around his arm, steadying him, but the his attention was elsewhere – a dark scowl the only reaction he offered to the news of his wife’s demise. Lucan wasn’t sure what to make of that, was too absorbed in his own grief to notice.

  He couldn’t bring himself to speak the words, to explain the anguish on his face to Erion. But his friend seemed to understand, his eyes swirling from storm-grey to gentle gold. He said nothing but gripped Lucan’s shoulder in reassurance, before turning to Alvar.

  ‘What happens now?’ he asked.

  Alvar grimaced. ‘Now we see if these bastards bleed.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  The night echoed with the triumphant hoots and wicked crowing of the Darkling invaders. Lucan stood between Erion and Alvar while, across the courtyard, Farran readied the archers. He was bleeding from his brow but seemed unperturbed as he gave the order, prowling along the parapet above the gate while they fired into the oncoming horde. But it didn’t seem to do much to repel their advance.

  The Captain swore and gave the order to fire at will before vaulting back down the stairs to the courtyard below and ordering the gates reinforced.

  Alvar moved.

  ‘Captain,’ he called. ‘Get your men back. I’ll hold the gate for now.’

  The look Farran offered in response to this order was incredulous. Lucan didn’t blame him. But Alvar’s tone brooked no debate, so Farran did as he was ordered.

  There was a mighty boom as something slammed into the gate, the shrieking and cackling of their enemies echoing beyond. The gates were splintering now, giving way beneath a barrage of magic. They exploded inward, and once again, that strange, heavy feeling pressed on the air, protecting them from the worst of the blast.

  Alvar stepped into the breach, hands outstretched and expression murderous. Thunder cracked, the storm clouds overhead burst, and the rain came lashing down. The winds were rising, howling through the keep as if answering his call, and lightning sparked from his fingertips.

  Five Darklings stepped into the light, blood-red eyes glowing as they breathed deep the scent of their prey. They were huge males – tall and broad-shouldered, with chests like barrels and arms like tree trunks. Th
e darkness behind them shifted with the rest of their forces, teeming like shoals of fish. A hundred, Gaelan had said, yet it looked like more.

  Gods help them.

  As if in answer to his prayer, lightning split the sky, streaking through the night towards the Darklings. Heat seared the air, and the ground shook from the force as the lightning blasted into the Darkling ranks. Screaming winds followed, pushing them back, and cries of pain filled the air when the rain turned to driving hail. Lucan glanced at Alvar. His face was set in a silent snarl, his eyes churning with power unlike anything Lucan had ever seen. Lightning flashed. Once. Twice. Three times. Twice more. And each time, a Darkling died. More careered through the gate, scenting the blood, and they met only death as Alvar’s wrath raged unchecked.

  ‘Lucan, get inside,’ he hissed, panting from exertion. ‘Get Erion and get out of here. Find your sister and hide!’

  ‘But—’

  Alvar cut him off. ‘Go!’

  Lucan ran, shoving Erion in front of him. From the corner of his eye, he saw Alvar unsheathe his sword, the slim blade glinting in the light of the fires. The sight of him, standing alone to face such an overwhelming force, was enough to make Lucan want to weep. Then Farran stepped up beside him, sword steady in his hand as he faced the nightmare descending on them. Other soldiers joined them, but Lucan only had eyes for the Captain and Alvar.