“Lean forward my little doves,” Tomias said mischievously. “Let me teach you the art of a well-placed lie!”
CHAPTER 15
Kirheen lay in a field of grass grown lush and green from an onslaught of spring rain, enjoying a day of rest before the battles were set to begin. Garild lay at her side, basking in the glow of the sun. She took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of damp earth and blossoming flowers. Above them, newly formed leaves twisted and danced, branches shattering the view of the sky like cracks across a glass surface.
The other Bonded lounged nearby, the air buzzing with their excited chatter and the bright chimes of laughter. It wasn’t long before Burk and Abby arrived, plopping down in the grass next to them. Kirheen sat up, smiling warmly to her competition.
“Nice day, isn’t it?” Burk commented, head swiveling from side to side as he took in the scenery. There was no competitive gleam in his gaze, no hint of foul play, but Kirheen had grown wise to their ways and knew better than to trust them. Abby sat at his side, plucking strands of grass out of the ground and twirling them between her fingers.
“It is,” Garild agreed. “It’s nice we get the day to rest before the battles tomorrow.”
Abby’s lips quirked at the mention of the battles. “Indeed. How are you feeling about tomorrow?”
“Oh, we’ve been practicing a lot,” Kirheen boasted. “I think we’re feeling pretty confident.”
“Don’t be so quick to say that. You’re going up against us first, and we’ve done our fair share of practicing too.”
Kirheen locked eyes with Abby. “That’s right, I’d almost forgotten. I’m glad we’re going up against a pusher and a blocker like ourselves. Means we’ll be on pretty even ground.”
Burk and Abby exchanged a glance. It was quick, barely a flicker, but Kirheen warmed with delight at that small ripple of confusion.
“Well, we’re looking forward to facing you both tomorrow,” Burk said, pushing himself up. He towered over them, somehow looking even bigger than he had weeks prior. He held out his hand to Abby and pulled her to her feet with little effort. “May the strongest bond win.”
Abby gave them a curt nod and the pair sauntered off, most likely seeking out Grant to tell him their advantage had crumbled. Kirheen doubted Grant would believe their lie, but if they’d managed to place even a seed of doubt in their minds, it might help during the battles.
Growing tired of lazing about, Kirheen and Garild went seeking their next victims. Isa and Ian sat alone on the edge of the field, talking quietly. Isa’s big blue eyes sought them out as they approached, glowing with curiosity. “Mind if we join you?” Kirheen asked.
“Please do,” Ian said with a smile, turning his green eyes towards her. He lay in the grass, hands tucked behind his head, long legs stretched out. Kirheen’s heart fluttered at the sight, at the way his eyes seemed to light up as she approached. It took all of her will power to look away from him and she silently cursed her lack of control. Stop it. This isn’t the time.
Kirheen sat down next to Isa. She plucked a blade of grass and rolled it between her fingers, keeping her focus on anything that wasn’t Ian. Garild tilted his head, his expression perplexed, obviously aware of her sudden silence. She gave him a reassuring smile and returned to fiddling with the blade of grass disintegrating between her fingertips.
“How are you both feeling about tomorrow?” Garild asked, keeping his tone casual.
Isa visibly shuddered. “Oh, I’m terrified. Ian thinks we can win, but we’re up against Tegan and Irena first. I’m not worried about Tegan so much, but Irena might just tear us apart,” she said, voice wavering. She wrung her hands together nervously.
Ian chuckled and sat up. “Isa, you’re one of the best blockers I know,” he said, nudging her gently with his elbow. “Anything they throw at us, you’ll be able to counter. Don’t be afraid.”
“Thank you, Ian. I appreciate it,” she said, blushing at his words. She relaxed, shoulders slumping, but she still glanced about as if her opponents might show up at any moment.
“You’re a blocker too, huh?” Garild asked her, feigning excitement. “So am I!”
Isa nodded. “That’s great. I don’t think it’s very fitting, at least not for me. I feel like I was meant to be something else. I’m far too timid for blocking. I think I would have been a better manipulator.”
“You could always learn,” Kirheen said. “In fact, after the battles, I could teach you a few tricks to help you get started.”
“You’re a manipulator?” Ian asked, his eyes widening. “That does suit you. You’re probably a force to be reckoned with.”
“Oh, I’m not that good,” Kirheen said, waving him off. Heat swept across her cheeks and she quickly looked away. She wanted so badly to meet his gaze, to stare into those green depths that reminded her so much of the sweet spring grasses surrounding them. Instead, she smiled at the ground and felt like a complete and utter fool.
“You girls, always so modest,” he smiled.
“What about you, Ian? What are you?”
“I’m a pusher,” he replied, beaming with pride. “We make a great team, Isa and I.” Isa smiled brightly at his words. She leaned closer to Ian, gaze meeting his. It was obvious she was infatuated with her bond mate, but who could blame her? Kirheen’s stomach twisted at the way she looked at him. She wanted to take her place, to be the one sitting close enough to Ian to feel the heat from his skin.
“He’s really talented,” Isa said.
Kirheen couldn’t look her way, too afraid those bright blue eyes might see the emotional turmoil raging just under the surface. Instead, she turned the conversation back towards the battle. “Any idea what you’ll be up against?”
Ian shrugged. “Not really. If I’d have to guess, I’d say Irena is a probably a manipulator. As for Tegan, I think he’ll be lucky if he even knows what he is by tomorrow.”
“They’re such an odd pairing,” Garild added. “I’m interested to see if they can even work together.”
“Well, we’ll be on our way,” Kirheen said hastily. She needed to put distance between them, to have enough space to breath. She rose, self-consciously smoothing her robes as she waited for Garild to follow. He cocked an eyebrow but got up to follow her, not daring to question her in front of their potential competition.
“Good luck tomorrow,” Garild said, waving farewell to Ian and Isa. Kirheen gave them both a brief nod before shuffling off, quick as she could without drawing too much attention. Garild’s hand locked around her elbow when they were out of earshot, yanking her to a halt. “Hey, what’s the rush? Is something wrong?”
Kirheen spun to face her bond mate, skewing her features in the hopes of looking confused. “No, everything is fine,” she lied, hoping her expression was at least somewhat convincing.
He frowned. “You seem upset. Did something happen? Did they say something?”
“No, no. It’s fine.” She sighed. “I guess I’m just nervous. The more we talk to people, the more it sinks in that we’ll be facing them in the battles. I’ve gotten so used to training with you, and Tomias, and Fenir that it just feels strange, you know?”
Garild’s expression softened and his grip on her elbow loosened, his hand falling back to his side. “Right. Of course. I hadn’t thought about that. It does seem strange, doesn’t it? Just take a deep breath. We’ll get through this, and you’ve got me to help protect your mind.”
Kirheen forced a smile. “Thank you. I appreciate you having my back. At least we’re completely throwing them off. If anyone talks to each other, they’ll have a hard time actually pinning down what our true powers are.”
The next pair of Bonded they stumbled across were Vienna and Daris, and Kirheen almost shied away from approaching them. They were the oddest of the bunch, seemingly content with having no interaction with any of the other Bonded. They sat on the steps of their home, sitting shoulder to shoulder.
Vienna was tall and graceful,
her curly blonde hair cropped just above her shoulders. Dark blue eyes regarded them with suspicion, silently daring them to come closer. She’d always been quiet and poised, every action she took deliberate and calculated. Her bond mate, Daris, was a bit more relaxed in his mannerisms, but every bit as intimidating. Tall and muscular, he had dark hair, olive skin, and eyes as black as ink. The two were openly affectionate with each other, a strange contrast to their otherwise cold nature. Kirheen noted their interlocked hands, the close press of their bodies. It was hard to imagine sharing such closeness with Garild. It made her uncomfortable.
“Can we help you?” Daris asked flatly, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
Garild cleared his throat. “We were just – um -”
“-trying to see how you were feeling about the competition tomorrow,” Kirheen finished quickly.
“Just fine,” Vienna replied tersely. “We’d rather not discuss the battles until they are done.”
Without another word, Vienna turned her attention back to Daris, dismissing them with a simple nod of her head. Daris gave them a wicked grin, dark eyes glimmering with amusement.
“Nice talking to you too,” Kirheen muttered under her breath, dragging Garild off in another direction.
“Well, they seem friendly,” Garild sighed. “Can we wrap this up now? I think we’ve suffered enough discomfort for one day.”
“I more than agree with that. It wasn’t all bad though. I think we actually surprised a few people. Hopefully it helps.”
“I hope so,” Garild agreed. “Let’s get back.”
They walked in silence, Kirheen contemplating the battles to come. They’d spent so much time practicing, learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses, the subtle shifts of their minds. While that knowledge would help, there was so much they’d be facing that was unknown to them, and the thought sent a shiver of fear racing along her spine.
Tomias and Fenir were waiting for them when they returned. Tomias met them at the door, a boyish grin lighting up his face. He’d pulled back his hair and Kirheen was struck by his youthfulness. Most of the instructors were older, but Tomias and Fenir were rare exceptions. With the long, gray hair, it was easy to age them, but she could see the smooth planes of his face, unmarred by the years of worry that seemed to have etched lines in the others. “How did our subtle manipulation go?” he asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
“Better than expected,” Kirheen informed him as she plopped down in her favorite chair. Garild sat down next to her, stretching his legs out as far as they would go. A day filled with lying to everyone in sight had really taken its toll and it felt nice to finally relax.
“I just hope it helps after all that,” Garild groaned. “It didn’t feel great lying to everyone.”
Tomias raised a brow, grin widening. “But think of the rewards for your efforts! You’ve just thrown off the enemy teams. You’ve got Burk and Abby second guessing every bit of training they’ve done up until now and that alone is worth it.”
Fenir grunted.
“Oh, shut up. It’s exciting!”
They spent the rest of the evening practicing, checking for any signs of weakness in their defenses. They went to bed feeling confident, ready to take on anything the other Bonded could throw at them.
It was a feeling that faded quickly.
Kirheen stared at the wall beyond her feet, eyes following the wood grain, tiny glowing rivers that weaved through the wraith wood planks. She’d been exhausted when she’d gone to bed. Weeks of training and scheming had beaten her down, but in the dark, with the battles looming ever closer, she found it impossible to sleep. Her armor of confidence was cracking, fear and doubt squirming inside, burrowing into her heart like worms in damp soil.
When sleep finally claimed her, her dreams were plagued with fearful images, twisting dreams into nightmares. She moved slowly through a forest, taking in her surroundings. It was autumn and a gust of wind swirled around her, leaving her skin covered in gooseflesh. Leaves crackled under her feet, so loud compared to the silence of the forest. Her breath billowed out in frosty gusts that twisted and curled in front of her face.
Each step felt like it could be her last. She could sense the traps intertwined in the forest, just waiting for her to step off course. Eyes blinked from the shadows of foliage, and she could hear the raspy breathing of creatures far more cunning than she. Looking through the twisting branches above, she saw Herzin staring down, her thin lips pulled into a cruel and knowing smile. Her eyes twinkled with delight, hungry to witness Kirheen fail.
She quickly looked back to the forest floor and tried to ignore the terrible emeralds in the sky above, but her heart was hammering inside her chest, breath coming faster. Herzin was inside her mind, and this time, she wouldn’t be so lucky. Now she was out for blood and Kirheen knew she would have it.
The path split up ahead, one branching off to the west and the other winding to the east. They looked identical, neither more worn than the other. Above her, Herzin cackled. “Choose wisely, girl.”
She stood for a time, silent and afraid, as still as a deer caught in the eyes of a predator. Her muscles ached from the stillness, lungs burning with each breath. Leaves rustled behind her, spooking her into flight. She fled to the east, feet carrying her forward as fast as they could. And all the while, Herzin laughed, and laughed, and laughed.
Through the trees, she thought she could see a clearing in the distance, a place of refuge. Hours seemed to pass before she finally broke through the edge of the forest, leaves swirling around her as she burst from the underbrush. Tree limbs stretched forward, spindly arms attempting to stop her.
Her breath came in ragged gasps and she glanced nervously over her shoulder, expecting to find creatures in pursuit. The trees swayed, angered by her flight, but she was safe for the moment.
When she turned back to the clearing, her heart froze. What had looked to be tall green grass was a barren waste. The ground was cracked and dark, splitting in great chasms that begged for moisture, despite the fact that the area was covered in thick, gelatinous goo. It was dark and putrid, clinging to her bare feet and squishing between her toes. Giant pools of darkness bubbled and spat. A hand burst from the muck, grasping desperately for freedom only to be pulled back under and engulfed.
Was this the future that awaited them, a land of darkness and chaos? In the distance, a scream carried across the desolate landscape, a terrifying sound that didn’t seem human. She shuddered in fear, hugging herself as she crept across the land. The forest behind her had disappeared, leaving her in a rotting world, blackened eyes watching her from above.
Another scream pierced the air, this one closer. She shifted and moved hesitantly towards the source. Perhaps she could help them, to stop the pain that forced such an awful sound to exist. A man sat on the ground with his back to her, head hung low. He rocked back and forth, muttering to himself in low whispers. He wore tattered robes so stained by the corruption that she couldn’t tell what color they’d once been.
She approached cautiously, noticing another body lying in front of the man, completely motionless. She crept closer, holding her breath against the stench, trying not to disturb him. When she was finally close enough, she reached forward and gently brushed his shoulder. He turned and latched on to her arms before she could react. His hands were slick with the corruption and it leaked from his skin. The corners of his blackened eyes oozed trails of sludge that looked like tears.
Throwing herself back, she tried to pull away from him, but he held fast. There was a twisted sense of the familiar and she forced herself to look at her captor. Familiarity turned to horror as she realized she stared into the face of Tomias. She screamed, struggling frantically to get away from him. He shoved her to the ground, pinning her hands next to her head.
“I didn’t mean to,” he wept, inky tears dripping onto her face. “I didn’t want to, but now he’s gone. Gone. Just like this world.”
She turned h
er head, looking to the motionless man on the ground, his build so like Tomias, white hair stained with darkness. Her stomach twisted, roiling with fear and anger. “You killed him!”
“I didn’t want to. Couldn’t have known. This is all your fault. Your fault. You wanted this world. You wanted this,” he screamed. He raised an arm, fingers clenching into a fist. As he brought it down hard and fast, she whispered an apology.
“I’m sorry.”
The blow shattered her nightmare and she burst back to reality, only to find herself unable to move, no matter how frantically she squirmed. Disoriented as she was, it took her a moment to realize that someone was holding her down. She cried out at the sight of Tomias looming over her, eyes dripping black, and she struggled harder to break free of his grasp. His grip loosened and she shoved him away, scrabbling away from the bed and to the corner of the room.
He fell to his knees before her, whispering calmly as if she were an injured bird. His gaze was one of concern, free of the malice she’d experienced before. Warm eyes, eyes the color of cinnamon. Nothing like the inky blackness she’d seen in her nightmare.
“Kir, please. It’s me. It was just a dream. I’m not going to hurt you, okay?” He inched forward, hand held out towards her. His hair was unbound, and it fell around his face like a halo of light. “Let me help you.”
The scuffle had woken Garild and he stood nearby, eyes droopy from sleep. “What’s going on? Is everyone okay?”
“Everything is fine, Garild. Just stay over there, please,” Tomias begged.
Garild went perfectly still, watching intently.
Kirheen eyed Tomias suspiciously, still caught up in the residual effects of the nightmare she’d just had. It was hard not to see that terrible darkness marring his features. “Kirheen, please. It’s me.”
He kept whispering gentle words to her, calming and soothing as he crept ever closer. After what felt like eternity, he wrapped a hand around her arm. “Kir, you’re awake. You’re all right.”
A wave of emotion rocketed through her and she burst into tears. His arms slid under her and he scooped her off the ground, cradling her close. The warmth of him was a comfort she welcomed, finally free from the nightmarish trap that had been her own mind.
The Allseer Trilogy Page 12
