Fury

by E. L. Todd

  She pulled her hand away, her fingers curling into her palm.

  “Have you told him about Ashe?”

  “No.”

  “Are you going to?”

  “Yes.”

  “I know Ashe would never eat rabbit food, so what’s he eating?”

  “Callon showed me a secret passage in and out of Eden Star…”

  He gave a slight nod. “His secret must be pretty big…if he has no problem sharing that secret.”

  “I’ll get it out of him eventually. Or…I’ll ask someone else.”

  Rush stared for a while, his eyes reading hers like words.

  She cleared her throat. “Flare said you had something for me?”

  “Yeah.” He held up the sack. “Bad news. I made a deal with Mathilda. Venom for access to the dwarves. But when I got there, they’d all been wiped out.”

  “What?” She took a step back. “No…that can’t be.”

  His eyes dropped, and he lowered the bag. “Makes sense. Once the empire realized we had a way to kill them, they made sure we couldn’t do it anymore. I’m sorry, Cora. I should have foreseen this. I could have stopped it.”

  She lowered her gaze to the sack in his hands. “They wiped out an entire species…”

  “Not the entire species.” He uncinched the drawstring and opened the bag. “I found these guys hidden away.”

  She peered inside, seeing the snarling frogs staring at her, various bright colors. The breath she sucked in was automatic, along with the film that layered over her eyes.

  “I knew they’d be safe in Eden Star, so…” He cinched the bag once more before he set it on the ground. “The Galeco Clan can raise them. Maybe when this is over, we can introduce them to the area again and help them repopulate.”

  She stared through the small opening at the top, seeing shadows move as the frogs crawled over one another to get comfortable. “What are you going to do about Mathilda? Did you…get some venom?”

  With his eyes on the bag, he gave a subtle shake of his head. “No.” His eyes flicked back to hers. “I’ll find another way… Always do.”

  With soft eyes, she stared at him, the bag between her feet. “Why?”

  Rush gave a stare he had many times before, on an island, far away from this place. “You know why.”

  Her chin immediately dropped to the bag between them, and she kneeled to grab it. The bag was light, and as soon as she picked it up, she felt the frogs shift and rock the sack.

  “You’re the one who thinks they’re cute, so…they’re your problem now.”

  She pulled the strap over her shoulder and let it hang at her side, feeling the bag shift and move slightly as they got comfortable once again. “Thank you.”

  Without looking at her, he gave a nod. “When we get to the dwarves, I’m not sure if you’ll be able to reach me. We’ll be deep underground, so I’m not sure if we’ll remain in contact. Just want you to know so you don’t assume the worst.”

  “Thanks for letting me know. Good luck.”

  “I’m sure we’ll need a whole lot of it.” He gestured behind him. “Especially with those idiots.”

  “You’re an idiot too.”

  He chuckled. “Am I now?”

  “Always have been.”

  He gave a shrug. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  There was nothing left to say, but Cora couldn’t say goodbye. She looked at his chest for a moment before meeting his gaze once again.

  “Don’t be a stranger. Gonna need some company being stuck with these circus freaks for who knows how long…”

  She felt the smile move on to her face, but just like his, it didn’t reach her eyes. “Alright.”

  “One thing before I go…” He chewed the inside of his cheek and shifted his gaze in the other direction. “General Noose crossed our path with an army two-thousand strong. He didn’t head in the direction of Eden Star, but I’m still wary he might. The empire knows I have an existing relationship with General Callon, and therefore, Eden Star. He might try to eliminate you—just the way he did with the frogs.”

  “Callon shares your fear.”

  “Then your queen is aware?”

  She nodded.

  “Then prepare for war—because it might show up on your doorstep.”

  She nodded again.

  “If that happens, I will come to your aid as quickly as I can—hopefully with an army of dwarves.”

  “I know you will.”

  “If it happens, it’s because of me. And I’m sorry for that.”

  She gave a shake of her head. “It would have happened eventually.”

  His stare lingered, his eyes hard on her face.

  She stared back, picturing the cool mist that fell from the clouds, remembering the sounds of the waves as they crashed against the cliffs below. Eden Star was a place of serenity, but because of magic. Mist Isle was a place of innate peace. Moments like this made her wish to return.

  He gave her a final nod before he turned away and retreated to Bridge and the others.

  She watched him go, and it felt exactly the same as the last time he left.

  Like she was alone on an island—watching a fire-red dragon fly across the ocean.

  12

  Suicide Mission

  You handled that well.

  Really? Didn’t feel like it. Never had to do that before.

  What?

  Going from being that…to being friends.

  You did it with Lilac.

  Yeah, that’s not the same thing.

  It is the same.

  What I had with Lilac is not what I had with Cora.

  Flare let seconds of silence trickle past. Wish I could have seen her in the flesh. Watched her admire my beauty with appreciation.

  Rush rolled his eyes. You just want compliments.

  Yes. She gives plenty. But she’s also my friend, and I enjoy her company.

  Rush remained in the lead as they trekked through the wilderness. The dry and blistering desert was behind them, and they were back in the evergreen trees near the stream. He set the pace, and everyone groaned in protest behind him. Yeah…I enjoy her company too.

  Hope she contacts us.

  She will.

  Do you think she’s spoken to her father?

  Rush stopped at the top of the crest and looked at the path below. It was a quiet afternoon, no travelers or armies in their vicinity. Their only company was the birds. The poisonous frogs would have been there…if they hadn’t been annihilated in a gruesome death. Yes.

  I think so too. Just wanted to spare your feelings.

  I didn’t have much of a chance before…but now I have none.

  Not necessarily.

  Yes. That’s the exact reason why she didn’t mention it. He’s her family—and I’m just some mistake.

  You know that’s not how she feels about you.

  If not now, she will soon.

  Rush headed down the hill, past a couple boulders, and then came to a stop when Bridge’s voice came from the rear.

  “Do you ever stop?” He paused at the top of the hill, hands on his back, head tilted to the ground. “You’ve got some good shit in your pack or what?”

  “Got some beef jerky you aren’t sharing with the rest of us?” Lilac stopped next to her brother, her forehead shiny with sweat. “Or maybe some cookies? Did your girlfriend hook you up with some cookies?”

  It’s time to rest, Rush.

  We have a lot of ground to cover.

  You can cross all of Anastille, and you’ll still never outrun your thoughts.

  “Fine. We’ll rest here for the day.” Rush dropped his pack in a grassy area between the trees and readied his bow. “I’ll grab dinner. You guys make a fire.”

  Bridge was the last one awake, and he continued to cast glances at Rush. “I’ll take the first shift.”

  “It’s fine. Not tired.”

  “How?” he asked incredulously. “Now I’m thinking she gave you more than
cookies…”

  “I just don’t want to be out in the open longer than necessary.”

  “Because of General Noose?”

  “Because King Lux stepped up his game. His dictatorship has been peaceful for a very long time…until now. I know my father. He’s unnerved. And he’s especially unnerved that I’m the one who’s challenging him.”

  Bridge shifted his gaze to the fire.

  “War is brewing.”

  “You think he’ll go after Eden Star?”

  Rush gave a nod. “Unfortunately.”

  “What about the dwarves?”

  “His focus is on the half-elf that’s immune to the Skull Crusher and the general of the elven army that dropped ancient hostilities to rescue their enemy. Nothing else is his concern right now. We have to keep Ashe a secret as long as possible. Because once that’s out…he’ll give everything he has. At least right now, he’ll continue to underestimate us. That’s our only advantage.”

  Bridge nodded. “You think it makes sense to go into the mountains without any idea where we’re going? That’s like searching for a broken fingernail on the rug.”

  “You got a better idea?”

  “Can you offer Mathilda anything else?”

  “Other than the shirt off my back, no.”

  “She gave Cora the tears for an IOU. Maybe she can do the same for you?”

  “Doesn’t think I have anything to offer…and she’s not wrong about that.”

  Bridge rubbed his palms together and held them out to the fire. “If she’s not ratting you out to the empire, then she can’t be a supporter of King Lux. So, it’s in her best interest to help you. Maybe you should tell her what we’re trying to accomplish.”

  “Too risky.”

  “Well, combing mountains we’re unfamiliar with is more risky, if you ask me.”

  “It’s going to take us twice as long to go all the way back, and she may not even cooperate.”

  “All I know is, I’m not familiar with anything north of Anastille. There’s no passage through the mountains by foot, so the only way to get there is by flight. So…who knows what’s out there.”

  “Sounds like you’re scared, Bridge.”

  “Uh, you aren’t?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve seen it all. Nothing scares me anymore.” His eyes went back to the fire.

  “Whatever. This is your mission, so I’m down for anything. But if time is of the essence, we’ve got to spend it well.”

  I agree with him.

  Didn’t ask for your opinion.

  Rush.

  How am I going to convince a witch to help me?

  I don’t know. But it’s a better use of our time than hiking up a mountain in the dark. We don’t know where we’ll find water. How will we hunt?

  Rush gave a sigh. “Fine…we’ll go see Mathilda first.”

  “Tell Flare I said thanks.”

  Tell him I like him.

  I’m not saying that.

  Bridge looked at the fire for a while, rubbing his palms together again. “Things seemed tense with you guys…”

  This is exactly why I didn’t want to stop.

  You don’t need to be ashamed of your feelings.

  Not ashamed. Just don’t want to talk about it. “It’s a bit awkward when a woman says she just wants to be friends.”

  Bridge gave a nod. “Sorry, man.”

  “That was the first time we’d spoken since she shot me down. It’ll get easier from now on.”

  “I’m sure it will.”

  Despite their hustle, it was a two-week trek back to Polox.

  They made fires during the day to cook their meals and immediately snuffed them out with a fire blanket instead of water. Otherwise, it would create a cloud of smoke that could be seen by unwanted eyes.

  They didn’t cross paths with General Noose and his army.

  But they came across something worse.

  “Just saw it…” Bridge lay beside him in his bedroll in the dark. “And there’s another one.” If he pointed at the nighttime sky, Rush couldn’t see it because it was pitch black without a campfire.

  I’ve counted twelve.

  That’s not good news.

  They’re searching for us—everywhere.

  “Flare counted twelve.”

  “Twelve?” Bridge asked in surprise. “I didn’t even know there were that many.”

  “Neither did I.”

  They were either really lucky, or the Shamans only searched by night because they hadn’t seen the cloaked Shamans and their steeds in the blue sky. If they thought Rush would light a fire in the dark to keep warm or cook a meal, they were idiots.

  They continued on their journey, just a few days from Polox.

  It’s Cora.

  His heart already raced from pushing himself physically, but his pulse gave a sudden spike. Put her through.

  Her beautiful voice came into his mind, loud like she was right beside him. Where are you guys now?

  Almost to Polox.

  I thought you were going to the dwarves.

  We were. But Flare and Bridge decided that it would be more worthwhile to get directions from Mathilda…even though we’re gonna be empty-handed.

  It sounds like she already knew about the frogs…so she won’t be surprised.

  True.

  Hello, Pretty.

  Hey, Flare. How’s it going?

  Tired, hungry…hide!

  What?

  “Down.” Rush grabbed Liam because he was the closest person to him and yanked him to the base of a tree.

  Bridge did the same with Lilac, pulling her under the canopy as they searched around for enemies.

  Zane was at the tree beside him, turning his head frantically back and forth.

  Is everything okay?

  Before Rush could answer, he saw the enormous outline above the trees.

  The outline of a dragon.

  Who is it? Flare?

  Flare was silent.

  What’s going on?

  Rush felt Flare disappear from his mind completely.

  Everyone else saw the big outline above the trees and pressed their backs even deeper into the trunks.

  Liam looked completely awestruck, his mouth agape, his eyes wide.

  Rush watched the dragon soar overhead and continue across the sky. We just spotted a dragon.

  Do you know who it is?

  Rush moved between the trees, getting to the edge so he could see over the horizon.

  He recognized the blue scales immediately.

  Obsidian.

  It was several hours before Flare returned to his mind.

  I’m here.

  Why’d you leave?

  I feared he would feel my mind.

  Didn’t even consider that… Good thinking.

  They were close to Polox but didn’t move from their hidden location. The skies were clear of dragons, but the fear had just reached a crescendo. He’s looking for me—personally.

  And he wants you to know that he’s looking for you.

  This is bad.

  Yes.

  “What’s our plan?” Bridge asked.

  “Should have headed straight to the mountains…”

  “He could be looking there too.”

  “Unlikely.”

  “What if he thinks you’re going to the dwarves?”

  Rush gave a slight shake of his head. “No one knows anything about the dwarves, so I doubt he would assume that.”

  Rush, we have a problem.

  What?

  What happens when he doesn’t find you?

  I’m not following.

  If he can’t find you anywhere in Anastille, where’s the last place he can’t check?

  Rush released a sigh. Fuck.

  Eden Star.

  They were stationed outside of Polox and ready to slip inside.

  “I have a plan…and you aren’t going to like it.” Rush approached their group, leaning against a big log as they rested after
their long trip.

  Bridge finished drinking his water before he secured the cap back in place. “We already have a plan. Lilac will get you in just like last time.”

  “Yeah…a plan after that plan.” His hands rested on his hips, his pack at his feet.

  Lilac folded her arms over her chest. “What are you up to, Rush?”

  “You aren’t going to like it,” he said. “Spoiler alert.”

  “What is it?” Bridge asked, sitting beside Zane.

  “Dragons, Shamans, armies…they aren’t going to stop until they find me.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his weight to one leg. “And when they comb every inch of this land and I turn up nowhere…he’ll assume I’m in Eden Star.”

  Bridge set his canteen down slowly then rested his palm on the lid. “I already see where this is going.”

  “I don’t,” Lilac said, glancing at her brother. “We skip the dwarves and head to Eden Star?”

  “No.” Bridge shook his head. “That doesn’t fix the problem.”

  “Then what does fix the problem?” Zane asked.

  Bridge gestured to Rush with his hand. “Suicide mission…but whatever.”

  They all looked at him and waited for an answer.

  “You get me into Polox. I talk to Mathilda,” Rush said. “Then I lie low for a couple days so you guys can get clear of this place. We’ll agree on a meeting spot. I’ll meet you there when I can.”

  “Whoa…what?” Zane asked. “Meet us after what?”

  “If my father doesn’t find me in Anastille, he’ll hit Eden Star,” Rush explained. “So, I basically have to tell him where I am.”

  “Rush.” Bridge closed his eyes and shook his head. “You literally have no chance of getting away.”

  “Seriously,” Lilac said. “And you have no idea if King Lux will actually attack Eden Star—”

  “He will,” Rush said with a sigh. “Eventually. And I can’t let that happen. Eden Star won’t stand a chance against dragons, armies, Shamans… It’s a forest. Their magic will protect it for a short while, but then my father will obliterate the place.”

  “Then why hasn’t he done it before?” Bridge asked.

  “Too far away,” Rush said. “But it’s not going to feel too far away very soon.”