by Meg Anne
Today’s errand almost reminded her of their scouting trips in the jungle in that regard, except for the absence of insects and the abundance of sky overhead. The trees were much sparser in Sylverlands, merely dotting the landscape instead of covering it. Instead of a forest like Bael or Vyruul, Sylverlands lent itself to long stretches of flat land broken up by the occasional hill or lake. The more open area explained why the Sylvanese scouts would have noticed a figure moving through the trees from a distance, but not how it managed to elude them.
Kael and Lucian were talking in hushed voices, their heads bowed together and faces grim. No matter how hard she strained to hear them, Effie couldn’t make out a single word, much to her chagrin.
Ronan stood with his arms crossed, Reyna at his side, her hands hovering just above the blades sheathed at her hips. Xander and Zane stepped back, allowing Lucian to kneel beside the two trees they’d just indicated. Kael moved to stand beside Kieran, their entire group falling silent as Lucian lifted his hand. Closing his eyes, Lucian pressed the palm of his hand against the tree on his right.
Muscles taut with tension, Lucian remained bowed beside the trees. All Effie could see was the slight expansion in his back as he inhaled.
She wasn’t certain what Lucian was doing, or what he expected to find, but a tingling awareness hummed within her. It almost felt like the start of a vision, but it was a subtler sensation. More an insistent tug for her to pay attention than a complete overtaking of her mind.
Trusting the instinct she didn’t quite understand, Effie followed suit. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply from her nose. Focusing only on her breathing, she repeated the technique. She wasn’t Helena, with her powers of Spirit and Earth, who would be able to discern a living thing’s essence just by concentrating on it, but she had come face-to-face with the Shadows. Effie knew what it felt like to be amongst them.
The way the tiny hairs on the back of her neck would stand on end.
How her blood would ice and cause goosebumps to erupt down her limbs.
The metallic taste of terror in her mouth.
Shuddering, Effie’s hand spasmed against the rough bark. Yes, she knew exactly what it would feel like if something of the Shadows was left behind.
It only took a few heartbeats for Effie to know with absolute certainty that they would not find a trace of the Shadows’ perversion here. Eyes fluttering open, she blinked against the bright light and refocused on the others, the hum of knowing no longer present.
Lucian had risen while she’d been busy with her own attempt at an investigation. He now faced their loose semicircle, his eyes still closed and his lips slightly parted as he searched for answers the rest of them couldn’t find. Effie wasn’t certain what kind of magic the Guardians possessed, outside of their immortality and considerable skill in battle, but she had a feeling she was about to witness it.
Effie’s breath caught in her throat as Lucian opened his eyes.
The tiny bronze flecks that had always caught her attention had expanded to the point that none of the deep umber was left. Upon closer inspection, Effie realized that the brilliant bronze was the only color present in them at all. Gone were his pupils and whites of his eyes, replaced entirely by the brilliant pulsating light.
Wonder filled her. The only other person she knew whose eyes changed when they accessed their magic was Helena. She could only assume for the Guardian’s to do the same spoke of incredible and rare power.
“Are you seeing this?” Ronan asked in a low voice, leaning over to speak in her ear.
Wordlessly, Effie nodded her head.
“Know what it means?”
“No,” she breathed, eyes never leaving Lucian’s face.
It was hard to tell where exactly Lucian looked as he scanned their surroundings, but she could feel the moment his attention landed on her. Energy zinged through her body, running through her like a current.
Seconds passed and he didn’t look away, the force of her body’s reaction building with each consecutive beat of her heart. It was like being hot and cold at the same time. Her skin was flushed, warming from the inside out, but goosebumps rose to the surface. Her nipples tightened into hard peaks and heat began to pool in her belly.
It was impossible to fully comprehend what was happening to her. Effie would have said she was aroused, but it was not desire causing her body to respond. It was much simpler and incredibly more complex than that, an awareness of self she’d never experienced before. She could feel the blood flowing through her veins, the infinitesimal growth of her hair and nails, the movement of air through her lungs. Every living, microscopic part of her had come into crystalized focus, and she was feeling every single piece all at once.
The soft breeze was almost painful as it blew over her skin. The sensation was too intense, like the feeling of a fingernail scraping over a sunburn. Just when she thought she couldn’t survive another second, the feeling started to subside.
He’d been looking at her for less than a minute, but it felt like lifetimes had passed by the time Lucian finally shifted his focus.
“Did you feel that?” she asked Ronan a bit breathlessly.
“No,” Ronan said slowly, his thick brows furrowing. “What?”
Biting her lip, Effie shook her head. “I’m not sure. Maybe I imagined it.” She risked a glance at her friend, wondering if he picked up on her lie. Ronan had an ear for the truth that was uncanny, but if he’d sensed her fabrication, he chose to let it go.
Effie let her eyes return to Lucian. She had more than a few questions for her Guardian the next time they were alone. First on the list was finding out what in the Mother’s name he’d just done to her.
Lucian blinked, his eyes returning to normal.
Kael stepped forward. “Anything?”
“No, not a trace.”
The Guardians exchanged frowns before turning back to their Sylvanese guides.
“Will you show us to the lake now?” Kael asked.
“Yes, of course,” Zane replied, glancing up at the sky. “It’s a bit of a walk from here, but we should make it with enough time to get to the keep before sundown. If you’ll follow me.”
In silence, their small group converged behind the blond men, following them down a winding path. It was a pleasant enough walk; the sun warm on her back while the cool breeze kept the heat from being unbearable. At least, until the smell of rotting flesh hit her nose.
Effie tried not to gag as her eyes watered, the stench of decay so overpowering she soon had to use her cloak to shield the bottom half of her face. Around her, others did the same. Only Lucian appeared unaffected.
Xander turned back to them, his face apologetic. “We should have warned you it’s a bit ripe.”
“A bit, he says,” Ronan muttered. “I’ve walked among battlefields that smelled better.”
Effie snickered.
“You laugh, but men shit themselves when they die. You don’t understand how a stench can attach itself to something until you’ve had to wash the stink of war off your leathers.”
Giving him a droll look, Effie asked, “Who do you think did the wash at the estate? If you ever need tips on getting a blood stain out, I’m your girl.”
Ronan gave her an appraising look. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
They took a few more steps when Effie added, “But if you shit your pants, you’re on your own.”
She heard Ronan’s breath hitch and smiled to herself as she continued on. He was still laughing by the time she caught up to Lucian.
“What’s that about?” Lucian asked.
“Laundry.”
The Guardian raised a brow.
“Nearly there now,” Xander called. “It’s just around the next bend.”
“I didn’t realize laundry could be so amusing,” Lucian said after a beat, glancing down at her.
Effie grinned, seeing through his carefully bland statement. “Are you prying, Guardian?”
Lucian glower
ed. “I don’t pry, fledgling. I observe and comment.”
“Call it what you will.”
Sighing, Lucian shook his head. “You’re impossible.”
Somehow the way he said it made it sound like a compliment.
Smiling, she opened her mouth to goad him further, just as they came around the last hill and stopped dead.
Chapter 5
“Mother’s tits,” Ronan swore.
Between one step and the next, they’d left the quiet beauty of Sylverlands behind and stumbled upon . . . hell.
There was no other word for the wasteland before them. Nor was there need for tricks or magical abilities to suss out signs of corruption. The Shadows’ taint had spread far and wide, their destruction unmistakable.
The lake was more of a swamp, the water murky and rank. No signs of life moved beneath its surface, although there were large bubbles that would burst at infrequent intervals, releasing more of their foul smell into the air.
Outside of the water, the land was dry and cracked, mutilated carcasses of what had once lived within scattered around. The soil beneath them appeared leeched of any kind of nutrients. What was left of the lush grass was brittle, the few spikes looking like they would slice through her fingers if she tried to touch them.
“It grows worse every day,” Xander said, his voice pained.
“Is it spreading?” Lucian asked.
Swallowing, Xander nodded.
“Is there anything we can do to stop it?” Effie asked Lucian in a low voice.
And by we, Effie really meant Lucian. Her power was useless here.
Lucian’s frown deepened. “Not without risking corruption ourselves.”
Too big a risk.
“We need Helena,” she murmured, eyes darting to Ronan. “Is there any way to contact her?”
“She and her Mate did not leave word of where they were going, but I have an idea. I will try to get a message to her once we get to the keep.”
The thought of having to leave the ruin in front of them alone to fester and grow did not sit easy, but it was the only avenue available to them.
Her eyes sought out the Sylvanese heir. “I’m sorry there’s not more that we can do.”
“Coming here is a good start. I hope that it helps you find and eliminate the source.” He gave her a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. What was happening to his land was affecting him deeply.
Sighing, Xander said, “We should start heading back. It’s probably not good to remain here longer than necessary.”
Lucian and Kael nodded their agreement.
“I would keep your people away from here for now. Other than to mark any new developments, they should not come into contact of any kind with the tainted land,” Lucian said.
“It will be done,” Xander promised.
“We will be back once we know how to eliminate and hopefully reverse the effects,” Lucian added, his expression fierce.
Something like hope flared in Zane’s silver eyes. “We would be most grateful.”
With a curt nod, Lucian turned, his hand briefly resting on Effie’s lower back. With a gentle press of his fingers against her, he signaled for her to start moving.
As she turned, Effie caught a glimpse of the expression on Kieran’s face, and her steps faltered. His gaze was zeroed in on the spot where Lucian touched her, his face filled with disgust and unmistakable malevolence.
She shivered, drawing both Lucian and Kieran’s attention.
Her tutor’s expression cleared, and he spun away, stalking back along the path.
Lucian lifted a brow, silently asking what was wrong.
Effie shook her head, not having an answer, but the feeling of unease wouldn’t leave. Whether triggered by the corrupted lake, or the darkness of Kieran’s expression, she wasn’t sure, but a feeling of premonition swelled. It grew with each step, until a single refrain echoed inside her.
A storm was coming. One they couldn’t outrun.
Dinner was a somber affair. The large hall was obviously meant for entertaining, its raised dais likely for live entertainment of some kind. There was no entertainment tonight.
There were maybe twenty people in total, the Keepers’ small group joined by a handful of the Sylvanese court. The clatter of silverware on dishes and their hushed voices were lost in the giant space, giving the illusion of silence.
The heir had invited the Guardians to sit at his table, but there was not enough room for the others, so Effie, Reyna, and Ronan sat across from them at another table made out of silvery wood. Kieran had been absent since they returned to the keep, and she had no clue if he’d be joining them or taking his meal elsewhere.
Nor did she care.
Effie pushed her food around her plate, unable to take more than a bite or two. The succulent clams and cream sauce over a bed of noodles should have been appetizing, but she couldn’t seem to make herself eat it.
“Eating works better when you actually put the food in your mouth,” Reyna murmured beside her.
“Is that how it’s supposed to work?” Effie replied, looking up.
Reyna’s smile grew. “I have it on good authority.”
Wrinkling her nose, Effie explained, “My stomach is still too unsettled for such rich food.”
“Your body is still recovering; you need to eat something. Want me to see if they can bring you some broth?”
The Sylvanese ate a primarily seafood and grain diet. Effie had a hunch their broth would be similarly made, and the thought of anything fishy made her gag.
“No, but thank you for asking.”
Reyna frowned. “I’m not the only one that noticed, you know.”
“What do you mean?” Effie asked, her brows dipping in confusion.
The Night Stalker used her chin to gesture to the table parallel to theirs where Lucian sat with Kael and members of the Sylvanese court.
“Your Guardian keeps glancing over here and frowning.”
“Is that all?” Effie laughed. “All Lucian ever does is frown. Don’t read too much into it.”
Reyna hummed.
Setting her fork down, Effie turned to face Reyna fully. “Okay, what’s that supposed to mean?”
A small smile played across Reyna’s clean face. “He does more than frown.”
“Oh, and when in the short time you’ve been here have you had a chance to witness that miracle?” Effie asked, genuinely curious.
She’d only seen Lucian’s rare half-smiles a handful of times, and a true smile once. Otherwise it was all broody glowers and dark scowls.
“When he looks at you.”
Effie snorted. “I doubt that.”
Reyna’s eyes glowed with amusement. “You should bed that man, and soon, lest he start setting the rest of us on fire with the smoldering looks he sends your way when you aren’t paying attention.”
Effie sputtered, not sure how to begin responding to that statement. Or what to think about the warmth that unfurled low in her stomach at Reyna’s assessment.
Reyna laughed, the husky sound catching the attention of Ronan, who sat on her other side, and a few other males seated along their table.
“Speak for yourself,” Effie murmured, missing none of the heat in her friend’s eyes as he stared at the Night Stalker.
Reyna’s smile was pure alpha female as she replied, “I’m working on it. True prizes require a proper hunt.”
Effie let out a startled laugh. “Does he know that?”
Reyna lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “The ground has been laid and things are progressing nicely.”
Effie chuckled, loving the thought of big, badass Ronan being pursued. He’d had his heart broken by his longtime lover and deserved to be with someone who could truly appreciate him.
“If you hurt him, there’s more than one person you’re going to have to answer to,” Effie murmured, not hiding the slight edge to her voice.
Reyna’s eyebrows lifted. “Warning received, Keeper.”
Effie nodded, letting her smile return.
“So is the reason you keep your Guardian at bay because you’re harboring feelings for the blond one?” Reyna asked, after taking a bite of her food.
Cheeks burning, Effie scanned the dining room, ensuring that no one, especially a certain blond tutor, had overheard the question. Thankfully, Kieran was still nowhere to be found, and the others were all focused elsewhere.
“Not quite,” Effie gritted out.
“Explain,” Reyna ordered, washing her food down with some berry cider.
“It’s . . .” she paused, searching for a word, and finally sighed, “complicated.”
Reyna’s intense gaze said she wasn’t letting Effie off that easily.
“Kieran thinks himself in love with me. He’s made it abundantly clear that our futures are interwoven and we will end up together. He’s been . . . single-minded in his pursuit of me,” she explained, her voice low.
“And this is a problem because you do not return his feelings?” Reyna guessed, taking another sip.
Effie shrugged. “He’s handsome enough, even kind sometimes, but—”
“But a certain dark-eyed Guardian has caught your attention?”
The flush that crept up her neck gave her away.
“So if he’s the one that you really want, what’s holding you back?” Reyna asked, not beating around the bush.
“I came to the citadel to learn how to interpret my visions and help end the war. I shouldn’t be distracted by either of them. Besides, Darrin—”
“Is dead,” Reyna said bluntly. “You are not. No one expects you to live your life in mourning for the man, Effie. Least of all him. He’d want you to find happiness. Especially with none of us knowing how long we might have left.”
Effie’s mouth fell closed and some of the weight she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying eased. Reyna’s permission helped wipe out the guilt that had plagued her since her drunken liaisons. It had felt like a betrayal of Darrin’s sacrifice to want anyone, especially for that one moment with Kieran when he’d felt like a stand-in for the man she’d once loved.
