Teya swallowed and nodded, frightened at his anger. What had she done? Bran must have sensed danger or he wouldn’t be so upset. She decided to sing something lively and engaging to put everyone in a good mood.
At her urging, Jesse sang the familiar tune with her. The crowd relaxed and soon most everyone joined in with clapping and singing. The next song was like the first, only this time Teya sang harmony, leaving the main focus for Jesse. At the end of the third song Teya was ready to leave the audience in Jesse’s capable hands.
As she moved away, Jesse urgently whispered that he needed to see her. “I’ll come to your room when I’m done.”
Teya didn’t have time to argue, so she just nodded, eager to get off the stage. With Bran at her side, glaring at the crowd, no one dared to approach her, and soon he’d escorted her out of the hall.
“Our room’s up there.” He motioned up the stairs. At the top, he took a key from his pocket. Unlocking the door, he ushered her in. A lamp glowing on the small table lit the empty room, but Bran held her back while he checked the dark corners. Satisfied, he turned to face her. “We have to leave. It’s not safe here.”
“Why? Did you see something?”
“Teya.” He took her by the arms, as if to shake her. “Do you want a kundar put back on your neck? There were plenty of people in that crowd who aren’t as stupid as you think. They’re trained to spot magic like yours and make a profit from it.”
“But what about Jesse? He was using magic too.”
“It’s nothing like yours! He’s hardly worth the time. You, on the other hand, are a goldmine. We never should have come here.” Bran paced over to the window and gauged the distance to the ground.
Teya sank to the bed, shivering with dread. Her hands strayed to her throat, remembering all the years spent wearing the kundar. She had to find her people, but knew Bran was right. This was not the way. She shouldn’t have sung, and now they were both in danger. A thundering knock sounded at the door and her heart leapt into her throat. Before she could blink, Bran had the gun in his hand.
“It’s me, Jesse. Please let me in. I can help.”
Bran raced to the door in a heartbeat, his gun ready to fire. “What do you want?”
“I came to warn you, but there’s not much of time.” Bran opened the door and scanned the hallway. Satisfied that Jesse was alone, he let him inside, but kept his gun ready.
Jesse eyed Bran’s gun with apprehension, but turned his gaze to Teya. “There are some men down there who want you. I can get you to safety, but we have to leave now.”
“Why are you helping us?” Teya asked.
“Because...you foolish girl. You’re a Kalorian,” he said simply. “And we need to stick together.”
Chapter 5
“There’s a back way out of here, grab your things and let’s go,” Jesse said.
Bran could hardly believe this man, but from Teya’s stunned expression, he knew she did, and his heart sank. Maybe it was true, but it could just as easily be a lie. He wasn’t about to believe him without real proof, but he was right about the men downstairs. Bran had singled them out while Teya was busy singing. If nothing else, Jesse could get them out of the inn, but Bran wasn’t about to trust him.
“Teya?” Bran asked. “Do you believe him?”
“Yes,” she said. “Let him help us.”
With a shiver of misgiving, Bran slid his gun away and gathered the few things he’d brought upstairs. Most of their belongings were still with the horses, but he’d just have to come back and get them later. They followed Jesse down the upstairs hallway to the other side of the building. A door at the end of the hall opened to an outside staircase and soon they were in an alleyway between the buildings.
Jesse motioned for them to follow, but Bran stopped. “That’s far enough. I can get us out of here now.”
Jessie’s eyes widened and a shadow crossed his features. “All right, but go quickly.”
“Wait,” Teya said, a restraining hand on Bran’s arm. “I don’t want to go until I’ve had a chance to talk to him.” She turned to Jesse. “Can you take us someplace safe?”
Relief flooded Jesse’s features, and he nodded eagerly. “Yes, come this way.”
“Teya...” Bran said.
“Please,” she answered.
Bran swallowed his misgiving and nodded, then followed behind them. He just hoped they weren’t walking into a trap. What was it about Jesse that made him uncomfortable? Teya believed Jesse was a Kalorian, but couldn’t sym give him the same magical abilities?
Jesse led them through several streets towards the outskirts of town. At a corner house, he took them around to the back and unlocked the door.
“You’ll be safe here,” he said, lighting a candle, then motioned them toward a table and chairs. “Please sit down. It’s not much, but it’s home to me.”
His living quarters consisted of a bed on one side of the room, and a table with chairs on the other. Bran peered into the dark corners, but saw nothing amiss. Still, he didn’t feel right about this.
“How did you know I was a Kalorian?” Teya asked.
“Easy.” Jesse smiled. “Your magic is pure and there are only a few of us left now because of the hunters.”
Teya glanced at Bran. “What do you mean? Who are they?”
Jesse tensed and narrowed his eyes, then glanced between them with suspicion. “Everyone knows about the hunters...unless...who are you? Where have you been?”
“We’ll answer your questions,” Bran said, not about to tell Jesse anything. “But first explain who these hunters are.”
Jesse shrugged, but didn’t relax his stance. “They’re people who get paid to catch Kalorians. They use a kundar to take them captive. I don’t know where they are taken. I tried to follow a group once, and got as far as the Wynd River before I lost them.”
“We need to find our people,” Teya said. “And gather all that are still free and return to the grove. We don’t have much time.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Jesse asked.
“The grove is in bad shape. The Songmistress’s powers are dwindling and the grove is dying. Without the strength of our people it will be destroyed.”
Jesse stared at her while comprehension flooded over him. “You’ve been to the grove? How did you get past that black thing?”
“Teya, wait,” Bran said.
“With magic and luck,” she answered, ignoring Bran. “I know the notes that will hold it back.”
“So that’s it,” Jesse breathed, then smiled with wonder. “There is a way back. What about the tree? Is it still standing?”
“Yes,” Teya said. “But we need to take everyone back to the grove or it will die. Can you help us?”
“Yes, of course,” Jesse agreed. He began to pace with excitement. “There are a few other Kalorians here besides me, and I know they’ll help. In fact, there’s a man who has spent years looking for them because his sister was taken. He moves around a lot, but I know how to reach him. I could get a message off to him tonight.”
Teya’s eyes widened. “Do you know the man’s name?”
“No,” Jesse said. “He’s secretive, and doesn’t trust anyone, but I think if he knows about the grove, he’ll come out of hiding. I’ve helped him out a few times, so he knows me. If nothing else, at least you could talk to him. It might make all the difference.”
Bran glanced at Teya and knew she thought the man Jesse talked about was her brother, Hewson. He admitted that it could be him, but it seemed unlikely. If Hewson had gone after Teya two years ago, and knew she was at the palace, what would he be doing around here?
“That’s all fine and good, but I don’t think we should stay here,” Bran said. “It’s too dangerous.”
“Yes, it probably is,” Jesse agreed. “But I think it’s dangerous wherever you go. I have friends who will help if you want to get a message to this man.”
“Yes,” Teya said without hesitation. She glanced at Bran with a
pology. “Jesse... I think the man you’re talking about is my brother. I know he’s been looking for me. If he’s here he can help us.”
Jesse’s eyes widened in shock, and he studied Teya with renewed interest. “It’s you. You’re the Songbird.”
Bran swore under his breath. This was either a huge mistake or a freaky coincidence. Now that Jesse knew, he hoped it was the latter.
“Yes,” Teya said. “Do you think you can get a message to Hewson?”
“Yes, of course,” Jesse said, still taking it all in. He glanced at Bran with a raised brow. “If she’s the Songbird, then who are you? I know you’re not a Kalorian.”
“He’s from Braemar,” Teya answered. She opened her mouth to explain further, but Bran stopped her.
“I’m here to protect her, and that’s all you need to know,” Bran said, pinning Teya with a hard stare. He glanced back at Jesse. “And I swear if anything happens to her because of you...”
“It won’t,” Jesse broke in. “But we need to move fast. In order to set up this meeting with your brother, I need to go back into town, but after what happened tonight that will be tricky.”
“Could Bran help you?” Teya asked. “No one knows him there, he could take the message.”
Jesse glanced at Bran, thinking it over. “Yes, it would be easier and faster if he helped.”
Bran pursed his lips. Now they were in for it. Helping seemed like the best solution, and he was willing to take the risk. But leaving Teya alone didn’t sit right. Of course, taking her would be worse. At least if he went with Jesse he could keep an eye on him. If things went bad, he could leave Jesse behind and get Teya safely away. “All right, as long as Teya stays here.”
“But I could help…”
“No,” Bran said, his tone gruff. “It’s the only way I’ll do it.”
Teya shrugged. “All right. I’ll wait here.”
“He’s right,” Jesse agreed. “It won’t take long if we both go. You sit tight, and we’ll be back before you know it.”
Bran didn’t like how quickly Jesse took over. Teya should be listening to him, not Jesse. “Let’s go,” he said instead. “You can fill me in on what you need me to do on the way.”
Jesse glanced at Bran with an agreeable nod, then grabbed a floppy hat and pulled it low over his eyes, effectively hiding his hair and face. “Lock the door when we leave,” he said to Teya.
She nodded, and followed them out. Before she could close the door Bran whispered urgently. “If I don’t come back, get away from him. Understand?”
“What?”
“There’s no time to explain. Just be careful.” With a quick glance at her puzzled expression, he closed the door behind him and waited to hear the bolt catch before he caught up with Jesse. Hopefully, there would be no need for her to heed his warning, but this was almost too easy, and there was a hunger in Jesse’s eyes that Bran didn’t like.
“The tavern’s on the other side of town,” Jesse said. “But if we keep away from the main roads it will be easy to reach without much trouble. One of the serving girls is my contact. When we get there, you can go inside and I’ll wait out back.” He described the table where he normally sat and what the girl looked like. “Just tell her that I need to leave a message for our mutual friend, but couldn’t come in. She’ll know what to do.”
“All right,” Bran agreed.
As they made their way back to the center of town, Jesse shook his head and smiled with incredulity. “You’re lucky you ran into me and not someone else. This is a dangerous place for her. I can’t believe you let her sing in public.”
Bran bristled at the criticism. “It seems to me that you’re the one who lured her up on the stage. Not me.”
Jesse frowned. “But I didn’t know who she was then. All I knew was that she liked my music, and once I saw her, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I’ve never seen anyone like her before. She’s ... well, now that I know who she is, it makes sense, but I’ve never been so drawn to anyone like that in my life.”
A surge of anger swelled inside Bran. He didn’t like Jesse talking about Teya that way. It also made him realize that she’d affected him the same way, and he didn’t like the comparison. But it was different with him. Teya was his.
As soon as he thought that, something fell into place, affirming the truth deep in his bones. Whatever had happened between them at the grove, Bran knew on a deep level that somehow, she was bound to him. It gave him comfort, but with it came a responsibility to keep her safe at all costs. No matter what.
After walking several blocks in silence, Jesse motioned Bran to stop in front of a worn and shabby tavern. The roof sagged in the middle, and the door needed repairs. Glancing through a grimy window, Jesse pointed out the table and girl, then disappeared to the back of the building.
Raucous laughter spilled from the doorway as Bran entered. He made his way to the back table with casual ease, while scanning the room for trouble. After sitting down, the serving girl approached him with a glass of ale.
“What can I get for you, sir?”
Bran set a gold piece on the table under his palm where only she could see it. “I’m here for Jesse. He needs to get a message to your mutual friend.”
“Jesse?” Her brows rose. “That blackguard? If this is one of his jokes…”
“No,” Bran interrupted. “It’s not. He sent me to get a message to a friend you both have in common.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “Jesse must be playing a trick on you. He’s a conniving liar and you...”
Before she finished, Bran surged to his feet with a hiss of anger. He rushed out of the tavern and around to the back where he’d last seen Jesse. There was no sign of him, and Bran’s heart raced. Damn. This was all a ruse. He rushed back down the alley, anxious to get to Teya before Jesse did.
A black shape flew out of the darkness, shoving Bran into the wall. Caught off-guard, Bran fought to stay on his feet. Two men joined the first and Bran did his best to throw them off, landing a few solid punches before a blow to the jaw sent his head crashing into the wall. Another well-aimed punch to the stomach sent him to his knees.
“Enough.” Jesse hissed. “Tie him up and get him out of here.”
“What should we do with him?”
“Take him to the woods and kill him.”
As Bran tried to breathe, his arms were jerked roughly behind him and tied together, then a rope came around his neck and he choked on a gasp.
“Wait.” Jesse bent down and pulled Bran’s gun from his waist. “I don’t think you’ll need this anymore.”
The men pulled Bran to his feet, and he took that moment to butt heads with one man, and stomp on the other’s foot. He shoulder-butted the third man and tried to run, but Jesse stepped in and pulled the rope tightly around his neck until he gasped for breath and fell to his knees.
“Get him out of here!” Jesse hissed. “Before anyone sees you.”
Darkness clouded Bran’s vision, then the rope loosened and he took several huge breaths. Before he could recover, the men got him to his feet and pushed him down the alley, skirting the tavern and the other buildings. Struggling did Bran no good, and he fought to hold down his panic. How was he going to get out of this and stop Jesse from taking Teya? He had to get back to her.
Jesse’s men kept pushing him forward, and he fell to his knees several times before coming to the edge of town. The woods loomed dark before them and one of the men paused to light a torch before leading the way deep into the forest. Crackling twigs and the rustle of small animals scurrying through the brush accompanied their steps. The path took them past a creek before opening into a secluded clearing.
“This is far enough,” one of them said. They pushed Bran onto his knees in the dirt, and he knew there was only one chance he could escape alive.
“Wait,” he panted. “If I’m going to die, at least give me the dignity to stand up and fight.”
“Go ahead,
” one of them said. “Stand up.”
He struggled to his feet before the first blow knocked him down. Stunned, he got back to his feet again, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead. “Come on,” he cajoled. “Cut me loose. Give me a chance.”
Another blow to the stomach had him doubled over in pain. Before he fell one of the men jerked him back by the arms. “After that blow to my nose, I don’t mind beating the shit out of him,” he said, then hit Bran hard in the face. Bran fell groaning to his side, but managed to get back up.
“Is that all you’ve got?” he said, blood running from his nose. “Cut me loose, and give me a fair fight. Or are you afraid I’ll win?”
The second man frowned, then stepped next to him with a sharp knife and held it close to his face. “Three against one... not great odds, but I’m itching to see you try.” He lowered the knife to cut the ropes around his hands, and Bran let out his breath. “Either way you will die. If you haven’t noticed, no one’s coming to help you.” That brought a chorus of laughter.
The loose ropes fell and Bran pushed them off, then straightened to confront them. He raised his fists into a boxing stance, causing the men to laugh again. They came at him hard and strong. Bran managed to land a few punches before a blow cracked his ribs, knocking the breath right out of him.
Soon, he could hardly stand, but did his best to watch for a chance to run. Then all three joined in together, and he couldn’t keep up. He fell to his knees, then curled into a ball, and struggled to protect himself from the vicious kicks that rained down on him. Then he thought he must be dead, because nothing hurt anymore.
****
Teya didn’t like waiting, but after ten years of captivity she’d grown used to spending time alone. Once Bran and Jesse left, she lit more candles to chase away the dark and keep the walls from closing in around her. The soft light gave off a warm glow that helped settle her nerves.
Bran had warned her to be careful, but she didn’t understand why. Jesse was helping them. She couldn’t think of anything in their conversation that seemed threatening. Still, she couldn’t help the tension that crept up her spine.
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