Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice

by Robynn Sheahan

  She chuffed. “Based on what Cace said, I did some research yesterday…and last night, and most of today. How can the symbols in the lake represent air when they are under water?”

  Cale shrugged. “What do you think?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense.”

  He crossed one booted foot over the other. “Where do you want to go? The lake? I’ll go with you. We could explore the area during the day and return to the base at night.”

  Erynn was quiet. She took in a breath. “I don’t believe the answer is there, at the lake.”

  “Then where, Erynn?”

  “Deanaim.”

  Cale considered her answer for a moment. “Deanaim? There’s nothing there but ruins. The place is probably overgrown beyond recognition.”

  “Deanaim is the oldest known archeological site on Arranon. If the symbol at the lake is a marker to another portal, I need to know. I just want to check out the fortress. What if the locations of all the portals are recorded there, somewhere. Cace will help me with the interpretation of what I find when I return, if I find anything.”

  Cale continued to lean against the desk. Graying red-brown hair fanned across one shoulder. “Have you had any visions or dreams recently?”

  “None.” Erynn sighed. Her gaze shifted back to the stone floor. “Not since the one telling me about Kira’s attack.”

  “What if I say no?”

  She raised her head slowly. Her jaw tightened. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  He sucked in a noisy breath and narrowed his blue eyes. “I’m beginning to understand a little of what Damon must have gone through raising you.”

  Erynn opened her mouth to protest.

  He held up his hands, stopping her. “I don’t want you to go alone.”

  She barked her held breath. “Who would go with me? Jaer? Kind of defeats part of the purpose for this trip.” Erynn stood up, stepping in front of Cale. “I want to go alone,” she pleaded. “I’ll be all right.”

  He reached out, pulling her into a hug.

  She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him back. “Thanks. I needed that.” Her voice was muted against his chest.

  “Let me think about it. Give me until tomorrow,” he said against the top of her head. “And anytime you need a hug, I’m here.”

  Another dream, another tunnel of the base. Section ten, the same alcove Erynn had found herself in after her confrontation with Jaer. She recognized the marks on the wall, and the short set of steps were just ahead.

  A woman glided toward a shadowy figure moving ahead of her in the dim light. Quiet laughter that was definitely male drifted from the shadows. The chuckle comforted, enticed, promised. He descended the stairs and beckoned the woman to follow. She stepped down onto the first rough tread. They both disappeared, swallowed in darkness.

  A distant, high-pitched scream tore through Erynn’s mind.

  “No, don’t go!” Erynn jerked upright, fully awake. She untangled her arms and legs from the twisted covers imprisoning her and jumped off the bed. Her feet hit the cold stone, further bringing her to awareness. Her hair was a tangled mess, and she raked it away from her face. “What?” She glanced around the dark room. “Lights. Low.” A dim glow filled the space. “I’m not in the tunnels. I’m in my quarters.” The dream had seemed so real, like she was there, watching, participating.

  Jaer is in the next room. He would come—

  “No.” She cut off the thought. Her voice was soft, drawn out. She closed her eyes and shook her head, arms hanging limp at her sides. The cry from the dream reverberated from the depths of her thoughts. Her heart pounded out a rabid beat. She gritted her teeth. “What if it’s real? Last time I ignored the warning, a woman died. I won’t be responsible for another death.”

  Erynn threw on some clothes and left her quarters. She tiptoed silently past Zach, who slept in an oversized chair next to the warm, popping fire in the common room. The corridors beyond were empty. She ran. At the alcove where the tunnels merged, she slipped into shadows as three men and two women walked past. They spoke of work and what they would do on their days off. Erynn envied them. Her life would never be simple. She hurried on after they’d passed.

  She reached section ten. The alcove leading to the stairs was empty, and the chamber below was quiet. She sighed, smiling. “I was wrong.”

  Melodious laughter bubbled up out of the dark from the open space beyond the foot of the short stairs. She crept toward the top step and listened. Muffled voices, a man’s and a woman’s, drifted up to her. She shifted to the left, peering down. Dim light cast a pale outline below in the blackness. A woman and a tall, lean man stood in the wan radiance.

  No, not a man, but male. The sense of it was male.

  The creature’s true form was indistinct, a vague shadow. Erynn knew he was no human man. His movements blurred under the disguise he wore.

  With a bold manner, Erynn walked down into the chamber. “What’s going on?” Her muscles contracted, ready. She stiffened, holding in the tremors threatening to break over her.

  The man-thing hissed and struck out at the woman, knocking her to the ground. He smiled at Erynn. “You came. My master said you would.” The voice was guttural, the words halting.

  Erynn quickly stepped to stand between the woman’s cowering form and the creature before her. She sucked in a breath. “Okay. I’m here.” Blood pounded in her ears and cold air abraded her lungs. Her mouth was dry, her throat constricted. Pupils dilated, allowing her eyes to take in any available luminosity. Heart rate and respirations increased. Her body prepared for fight or flight. Erynn groaned inwardly with the realization of her situation. She was alone. She had no staser, having left the holstered weapon behind in her haste to get here.

  Stupid mistake.

  She hadn’t been thinking clearly since she’d found out about Jaer and her, his sworn half. Now Erynn and this innocent woman may pay for her reckless actions. A Shifter, whose intentions toward her were not good, stood less than a meter in front of her.

  Why didn’t I wake Zach, bring him with me?

  She understood the reason before the thought finished.

  Because the Shifter wouldn’t have been here, had I not come alone. This is a trap.

  Icy sweat encased her. Breath refused to pass in or out. Light shifted. Shadows danced across murky walls. Water dripped from overhead in an irregular patter.

  The dark, oily head ducked and retreated. Wide, black, pupil-less eyes reflected her face. He took in a hissing breath. “Yes. Powerful. I feel your energy. Master will reward me for luring you.” A rattling from deep inside the creature rumbled out his open mouth.

  A strong odor of rotting flesh swirled through the air. Erynn grimaced, and her stomach rolled with nausea and fear.

  The Shifter sneered, sharp teeth shining in the gloom. “This was the only way to lure you. I do not become another for you. You see us as we truly are. Your mixed heritage gives you this ability. Did you know that?”

  “You’re here to kill me?” She couldn’t hide the tremble or the rise in her voice.

  “No. Not kill. Obey my master.”

  “Your master. Dhoran?” Erynn asked in a dry, resigned tone.

  The woman scrambled back, crying.

  “Go. Get help. Hurry,” Erynn croaked. The woman’s footsteps echoed up the stone stairs and away. The creature smiled wider, and Erynn saw his dark thin lips stretch over razor teeth.

  The face wavered. Once again, the vague mask of a human, a man, churned over the actual features. He reached out.

  Erynn stepped back, but not enough. A hand whipped through the space between them. Long clawed fingers grasped her arm and jerked. He hit her hard across the face with a blinding-fast fist. Her head snapped back. Her vision blurred.

  His breath rasped and hissed, fading into the dark nothing crowding in around Erynn. “Yes. I have you. The mixed blood. My master will know your secrets.”

  Everything went
black. Her eyes closed without her willing them to. Maybe this was best, to just slip away. She felt no pain, no fear.

  Zander’s face materialized before her, swirling into view from a bright white fog. His brown eyes were dark with concern. “It’s not over, Erynn. Arranon is not safe.” His soft voice reverberated around her as if they were in a great open chamber.

  Erynn frowned, shaking her head. “The alien enemy is gone, their ship destroyed. I did what you wanted.”

  “This danger is not from outside,” Zander insisted, “but inside. Dhoran has awakened and intends to rule. I was a fool to think I could destroy him. He will never truly die.” His gaze dropped from her, and he sighed. Long dark hair swept across his shoulder.

  “You did what you thought was right. I know you tried, for Arranon, for her people.” She felt a profound loss at never having known this man. He was her father after all.

  What would his hugs have been like? Had he even wanted me?

  Zander’s attention returned to her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Erynn.” A glistening tear slid down his shimmering cheek. “I did love you, and your mother. Very much.”

  Erynn stared into his dark eyes. He could hear her thoughts. She understood that now. Her mind warmed and her heart opened to him. “What do you want me to do?” Erynn asked.

  Sadness etched the deepening lines around his mouth. “Dhoran will murder or enslave every man, woman, and child that does not vow to obey him or acknowledge him as ruler of both realms. Arranon will not survive his intentions. The instability will tear Arranon apart. Dhoran never understood this. I tried to warn him, but he refused to believe me. There must be balance, an equality between the realms.”

  “Arranon will be destroyed?” Erynn squinted against the brightness radiating in silver pulses off of Zander.

  “You must seal the four portals to Dhoran’s underworld. He must be trapped underground, forever.”

  Erynn floated in warm golden light. “Yes, the Anim Blath told me about the portals. They weren’t sure about Dhoran, though. Do you know for certain he’s returned? Wait. One is of air. Is that the lake you and Cale discovered?” Her words trailed away in a snapping, arcing static of vibrant blue. She twisted closer to her father. “How can that be? It’s under water.”

  Zander’s face rippled under flashing pinpoints of red, orange, and yellow lights.

  “You’re not going to tell me where the other portals are, or how to close them? But why?” Firelight bounced around, through and off Erynn, neither warm nor cold.

  “I can’t tell you what I don’t know. I showed you the only portal I’d discovered. That of water.”

  The message in the rebounding, flickering red-orange glow was frantic. The spicy-sweet scent intensified. High voices sang through her mind. “Stop Dhoran.”

  “If you don’t know, will the Anim Blath tell me where to find the other three portals?” She stared into the flashing lights.

  His voice faded. “The secret of the portals’ whereabouts is closely guarded. Not even the Anim Blath know of each location. You can do this, Erynn. Keep Jaer close to you.”

  “Jaer? No, wait. You don’t understand.”

  “Keep Jaer close,” Zander demanded. He stared at her, blurring, growing smaller, blinking out.

  Silence. Utter dark. Weightless. Calm.

  Am I dead?

  Chapter 11

  “ERYNN, WAKE UP. COME ON, now. Wake up.” Nev stood over her, gently slapping her cheek.

  She pushed at his hand and scowled. “Stop it.”

  He let out a long breath. “She’s okay.”

  She heard the smile, and the relief in his voice.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Like I’ve been run over by a transport,” Erynn mumbled. She blinked and tried to sit up. Pain knifed through her head. She put her hand over her eyes.

  “Just stay put.” Nev pushed her back. He spoke to someone in the outer corridor. “Let Cale know she’s awake.”

  I’m in the Medical Unit.

  “So did you catch it?” Erynn muttered.

  “It? You mean him?” Nev spoke quietly.

  “Okay, fine—him. Did you catch it?”

  “No. By the time help got into the tunnel, he was gone. But you, miraculously, were still alive.” There was a tremble in his breath as he inhaled. He squeezed her shoulders, his voice severe. “What were you doing down there, alone?”

  “I saw what was about to happen. No. What was happening. I think. I went to stop it from hurting that woman…or me…us. I’m confused.”

  “Yes, you probably are. But getting yourself hurt in the process?” Nev reprimanded.

  “That’s what I just said, isn’t it?” The light was bright, painful on her eyes, even with them closed.

  “Why didn’t you call for help? Zach was right there.” Nev’s voice was high, his words clipped, expressing his anger.

  She couldn’t bear to look at him. Not just because the light was painful. She didn’t want to see his smooth face lined with worry, or worse, his disappointment in her. “I didn’t have time. I had to move.” The excuse sounded as weak to her as it would to Cale. She groaned and covered her face with her arm. Once again, she’d acted irresponsibly, endangering herself and others. Jaer would lock her in her quarters and throw away the access code. Her stomach turned and clenched.

  Jaer.

  Nev turned out the light. “Is that better?” The glaring brightness vanished, along with Nev’s angry tone. Darkness smoothed the rough edges, softening his words.

  “Better.” She smiled, dropped her arm, and attempted to focus on him.

  “Did you see his face? Can you give a description?”

  “I already told Cale.” She raised her head, grimaced, and dropped back to the pillow. “Didn’t she tell you? The woman. She was there.”

  “She doesn’t remember. Said his face was always in shadow. What do you mean, you already told Cale?”

  “Why was she down there?” Erynn rolled to her side and wrapped her arms around her chest, pulling her knees up until they bumped Nev. He sat next to her on the bed. Close.

  Nev rubbed her back. The pain in her head eased. “She was coming off a shift in the kitchens when a man approached her. He told her she was needed in food storage to help unload a new shipment. She went with him. She believed him and felt safe.”

  Hurried footsteps sounded in the corridor.

  Nev stood up. “Cale’s going to want to talk to you.”

  Erynn flopped onto her back and groaned.

  Cale pushed the curtain aside. He stepped to Erynn’s side and leaned in, one hand on each side of her.

  “Don’t yell at me, my head hurts.” Erynn winced.

  “I’m not going to yell at you. But I should. Why didn’t you call Jaer? Or Zach? Or me? What’s happened here. The attacks. One woman dead. One severely injured. Do they mean nothing to you? You promised you would contact me if you had another vision. How many times do I need to tell you? You can always call me, Erynn, no matter what, no matter when. You know that, don’t you? If anything had happened to you…” He didn’t finish. He brushed at her curls. “You’re like my daughter.”

  Erynn gave him a weak smile. “I’m sorry, Cale.” Her smile dropped. She stared down at her arms folded over her chest.

  Cale turned and spoke to someone behind him in the corridor. “Whoever he is has returned to his quarters.”

  Erynn tried to sit.

  Jaer?

  Her face twisted and she lay back down. “No. He’s what I told you. He was a Shifter. He’s not a man, not a human man. I saw him. I talked to him.” Her eyes widened. “Dhoran is back. He’s controlling the Shifters.”

  Cale ran his fingers across her forehead, the touch soft, comforting. “Erynn, you’re confused. You took a nasty hit to the head. Rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.” He patted her hand, stood up, and nodded to Nev.

  Maire entered holding a small shiny cylinder, which she handed to Nev.

>   Cale leaned over and brushed a kiss on her cheek. “Sleep. You need to sleep.”

  Nev tapped the cylinder against Erynn’s bare arm.

  “What?” She glared at Nev. She forced her gaze to Cale. Her vision swam, and his features blurred. “Cale, wait.” Her eyes slipped shut. “There’s…more. I…talked…to…”

  Consciousness returned in small increments. Erynn remembered everything in a distant vid-like quality, even knowing where she was. She had slept soundly with no dreams. She cracked her eyes open with effort. Her lids felt stuck together. Pale light crept in from the corridor, stopping short at the foot of the bed as if a barrier held back the annoying glare. She rested on her right side in the cool, dark exam room.

  Through the fog of drugged sleep, Erynn recalled Zander’s words. Find the portals, close them, and imprison Dhoran, forever. Somehow, in her subconscious, she understood which one needed to be sealed last.

  Water.

  She blinked heavy eyelids.

  So where are the other portals? How do I find and imprison Dhoran?

  Through a blurry haze, she saw Nev. He sat in a chair next to her bed, holding what Erynn assumed to be patient records. She sighed.

  He glanced up. “How do you feel? The truth.” His soft voice drifted over her ears.

  “Hmmm, not sure. Groggy.” Her words were slurred.

  “That will pass. Go back to sleep if you can.”

  “No, I have things…to…do…”

  The next time she woke, the corridor was dark. Nev slept in the chair, his head propped against his fist. Her mouth was dry, tongue thick, but her head didn’t hurt, yet. A pitcher of water and a cup sat on the table next to her. She stared at the sweat-beaded container with a longing she didn’t think possible.

  Just sit up. Pour a cupful.

  Nev straightened. “I’ll get that for you,” he whispered.

  “Thanks.” Her voice croaked, thin and parched.

  “Can you sit?” He tipped the pitcher over the cup. Clear, cold water cascaded down. The burbling trickle promised relief.