Black Blood

by S. D. Grimm

  She giggled, then leaned forward, smiling. “Can you really turn into an animal? What kind? Do the different kinds mean different things?”

  “You read more of the chapter than you let on. But you can’t lie, Madison. I shouldn’t answer you.”

  “How do you plan to get us out of here?”

  “This morning I heard Belladonna saying the Deliverers were headed here. I feel it as well. I plan to go talk to Franco and see if I can’t figure out his plan. I know he won’t let the Mistress take the Deliverers he wants so badly for himself.”

  She flinched. “Talk to Franco?”

  Connor shrugged. “We all have a part to play.”

  Chapter 14

  The Future Is Near

  Word has reached us from Moon Over Water by the wolves, Logan.” Westwind’s voice seemed weaker than normal. “Reuben and Beck and Alistair are on their way toward the palace. They should be within fighting range in four days.”

  “Thank you, Westwind.” Logan stood at the edge of river separating them from what Quinn called the borderlands: the decaying land that bordered the Mistress’s levels. The defense she used to guard her as she sat safely in the palace, regaining her powers.

  A defense he’d have to find a way to overcome. Already they’d traveled four days from the chasm.

  He listened with all his senses. The forest felt so different. As if it was fighting to stay alive. Starlight punctured through the reddish black hue of the sky tonight. That was a good sign, wasn’t it? He wanted to ask Quinn.

  Rebekah approached him and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his back. “Worrying again? Some things don’t change.”

  He pressed his arms against hers, feeling her warmth. How many nights had he imagined her soft touch while she’d been away? He turned into her, and she didn’t break her hold. “I hope this plan works.”

  “You would have made a wonderful leader for Moon Over Water. I always knew that.”

  He laughed. “I do not wish to lead anyone, Bekah.”

  “And yet here you are.” She let go of him and held his hand as they headed across the camp to where his trusted leaders had gathered, awaiting his orders.

  Morgan and Richard represented the Dissenters.

  Gavin and Melanie, Ethan, Jayden, Serena, and Quinn were also present.

  “You have news, Morgan?” He turned to her first, hoping that by now she had seen something that would help them.

  “Belladonna knows Ethan is approaching. She expects him to rescue Ryan.”

  Morgan’s eyes took on a faraway look. She was likely focusing on something internal—a vision of the future. “As long as we move toward the palace, they will lie in wait for us.”

  “That means she’ll have scouts,” Logan said. “Are you sure the Mistress is still weak?”

  “I don’t see her. I don’t know.”

  “She is.” Quinn knelt on the ground and starting drawing something in the dirt with a stick. “Her power moves through the soil, destroying it with poison and pain. The more she destroys, the stronger she’ll become.”

  “Then we don’t have much time.” Logan’s heart hammered. “You’re sure Connor will know how to put the Mistress away?”

  Quinn nodded. “He has to open the door of death and push her through. The only way he can open the door is if I touch him.” She glanced up at Logan, but then resumed her strange drawing.

  “All right. We are on the doorstep of our enemy. We have almost all the tools we need to defeat her. We have to strike while she’s weak.” He glanced at Ethan. “Because she knows we’re coming.”

  “A sorceress will come with power to destroy all the Creator has built. She’ll break the land and the people’s hearts and bring death to those who’d oppose her. But hope will be found when the Deliverers rise through fire, through ash, and heal the heart of the land. Through blazing fire and torrent of rain, the forest shall fall and rise again.” Quinn recited, echoing Kara’s earlier words.

  Serena knelt beside her. “Do you know what that means?”

  She looked up at Serena. “The Wielder does. The trees do. Everything will burn. When she uses her power, everything will burn.”

  Serena sat back on her heels, glancing up at Logan with her eyebrows pulled together, but an unfelt breeze touched Quinn, and she closed her eyes.

  Her stick stilled and she spoke again. “The heart of one, mind of another, the soul of one, and strength of her brother.”

  “What does that mean, Quinn?” Jayden asked.

  Quinn opened her eyes. “She needs the Deliverers to give her these things in order to get the Creator’s power. She needs one’s heart, one’s mind, one’s soul, and one’s strength. Then she can unlock the power with the keys.”

  “The keys.” Logan crouched near and caught sight of her drawing. It looked like a labyrinth of sorts. A maze in a circular shape. “Is that the key?”

  She looked up at him. “This is our map through the levels.”

  Logan gasped and stared at her. “You know the way in?”

  She smiled, so innocent. Oh how he wished war and evil wouldn’t rip that innocence from her. “I know the way to the palace. Once we have Ryan and Connor, the six of us can open the door of death and send the Mistress through. The Deliverers must battle the Mistress. Her defeat will make her weak enough to push her through the door of death. And she’ll be locked away. The land will heal.”

  “Wait. You have to be there?” Ethan turned to Quinn, shaking his head.

  “Yes.” Quinn squared her shoulders.

  “No.” Ethan held out his hand and glanced at Logan as if asking for help to back him up.

  Logan’s heart clutched. As much as he wanted to agree, how could he?

  Quinn stood. “If I’m not touching Connor when he opens the door of death, then the door of life will remain closed.”

  “What does that mean?” Logan asked.

  Quinn held out the book he’d given her. The pages flitted open. “This shows the doors open.” Once she touched the two blank pages, a picture spanned them. Two holes in the sky, one light and one dark. The dark door sucked life toward it. The light door expelled a white cloud that spread over a battlefield. Carnage and dead bodies covered the ground.

  “I’m still not sure I understand.”

  “When the door of death opens, it will claim lives. If I’m touching Connor, the door of life will also open. It will keep many from dying.”

  “This future is not set in stone,” Morgan said. “But Quinn speaks truth. If you are able to do this, the combined power of the Deliverers will defeat her.” She paused. “Or make her unbeatable if she is able to take their power.”

  Logan breathed in. The air was thick. Not just with danger and evil, but with the feeling of apprehension mingled with anticipation: the feel of the eve of battle.

  They had to make it through the levels, and Quinn had the map. “Then we go in. We rescue Ryan and Connor. Then we destroy the Mistress before she gains her powers back.”

  “You have a plan for this rescue?” Melanie asked.

  “We split up.” Logan drew a diagram in the dirt near Quinn’s map. “Half of our army will go with Gavin and Melanie. Half will stay with me. Ethan, we need you to draw Belladonna out, then we’ll ambush her. The other half of our army will wait here on the south side while a team infiltrates the palace for the rescue.”

  “The team?” Gavin raised his eyebrows.

  “Me and five other Dissenters. We know the way in. Connor helped us escape,” Morgan said. “I know where Ryan and Connor will be. I can get my men there and we can get them out.”

  “You’ve seen it?” Jayden asked.

  Morgan’s eyelashes fluttered. “I’ve seen so many possibilities that I block it out. But I know where Ryan and Connor will be. And I know when.” She looked at Logan. “You will move us closer tomorrow?”

  “That’s my plan. Half of our army will divert the Mistress’s attention while we get the Deliverers
in place. We leave early tomorrow and travel hard in this direction.” He motioned to Quinn’s map. “Once we get here, the team of rescuers can break off.”

  “What’s this?” Ethan leaned down and reached for a long, thin line of liquid that traveled across the ground. He touched it.

  “Don’t!” Quinn dove for Ethan’s hand. He jerked away from the ground as if it stung him. Quinn wiped the moisture off his fingers and cried out. Her body shook. Black lines raised her veins and trailed through her body.

  “Quinn!” Ethan caught her form, his eyes wide.

  The dark color faded, leaving her clean. She blinked and looked up into Ethan’s eyes. “I’m okay now.” Her voice seemed small.

  “What was that?” Logan asked.

  “Black blood. The Mistress sent it forth to destroy the land. The trees are trying to absorb it. That’s why they’re dying. If you touch it—it’s like venom.”

  Venom. That he understood. “How do we stop it?”

  “Send the Mistress to the Afterworld. Her blood will go with it.”

  “That’s her blood?”

  “She’s had thousands of years to bleed into her prison. This is how she’s killing the land and consuming its power. Her blood will travel away, destroying everything. Once it starts flowing back to her, she’ll be stronger than—than anything.”

  “Where is it going?”

  “The heart of Soleden. The Forest of Legends. If it kills the heart, the world will stop beating. The Feravolk will cease to be.”

  Chapter 15

  Oath Hands and

  Wounded Hearts

  Serena curled into a ball on her bedroll and tried to hold back the tears. Scraping pain slammed into her back, then dragged across her skin, leaving a burning trail over her skill. Over and over. Tears dripped down her face. And Ryan’s faint voice called her name. Each new ache dulled as quickly as it came, but she knew that wasn’t happening for Ryan.

  Logan was right to want to plan and wait for Alistair’s army from Moon Over Water before striking. But he wasn’t right about sending no one to rescue Ryan ahead of time. The Dissenters wouldn’t go in until Logan brought them close enough.

  That was too late.

  If they didn’t go soon, Belladonna would break Ryan. His heart was already tainted. She’d sensed the dark scar when she first met him. Belladonna would sense the black lion venom, too. And Belladonna would push him to embrace the taint. The healing walls the scar had created would burst, and the poison would overtake his heart.

  Serena held in a sob. Logan might be speaking from wisdom, but if they were too late, Ryan would give his allegiance to the Mistress.

  She balled her hands into fists. It was settled. Somehow, someway, she would rescue Ryan herself. And she knew just how to get close enough to the palace.

  “Serena?” Someone standing outside the tent whispered her name. “It’s Morgan. Can I talk to you?”

  She sat up and dried her eyes. Neither Jayden nor Quinn had returned to the tent. They were both likely with Ethan. She swallowed, steadying her voice. “Are you here to talk me out of things?”

  “No.”

  Serena’s heart jumped. “Then come in.”

  Morgan slipped into the tent and closed the flap. She faced Serena and breathed deep. “I know what you’re planning.”

  “You said you wouldn’t stop me.”

  “I won’t. Logan and his army won’t make it in time. Ryan will be lost.”

  “And if I go?”

  Morgan sighed. “If you go, Ryan has a chance. But you also need the counters book.”

  “Counters book?”

  “Every spell book has one.”

  “Yes! The hidden book inside.” Serena paused. “Do you know how I plan to get to the palace?”

  “The woman who gave you that.” Morgan motioned to the golden ring Serena wore. “She was Kara’s sister.”

  That was why Kara looked so familiar. “Do you think she will help me?”

  Morgan nodded slightly. “And I can help you escape here unseen, but only for the next hour.”

  Serena grasped Morgan’s hands. “Thank you.”

  Morgan left as quietly as she’d come, and Serena’s heart pounded as she stared at the tent’s exit. It had to be now, while everything was right. “Dash?”

  “Yes.”

  “Could you meet me by the raspberry bushes in a half hour?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “I can’t tell you . . . yet.”

  The unicorn’s sigh was audible in her thoughts. “What are you up to?”

  “Trust me? Please?”

  “Serena, you know going after that boy alone would be unwise?”

  “It’s less wise if I don’t. We’ll lose him, Dash. Morgan has seen it.”

  Dash paused, thinking.

  “A half hour, Dash. I’ll see you then.”

  “Be careful.”

  She braided her hair and put on her slacks and shirt. She draped her inherited Feravolk cloak over her and pulled up the hood. Her four beautifully crafted daggers were tucked away, two in her black, knee-high boots and two hanging from her belt. Then she bit her lip and glanced over her shoulder as she opened Jayden’s bag. She’d seen the small pouch of tangle flower seed in here before. Hoping for forgiveness, she pocketed that, closed Jayden’s bag, and stepped out of the tent.

  Her soft leather boots hit the soil beneath her like a falling feather as she headed toward one particular tent. When she reached it, she drew a dagger and softly tapped on the door. The taut material gave under her touch.

  No one answered.

  Carefully lifting the flap, Serena stepped inside. A strong grip curled around her wrist and wrenched her arm behind her. Cool steel pressed against her throat. “Come to kill me in my sleep?”

  “Why would I knock?” Serena choked on her words. “Let me go, Kara.”

  Kara released her, pushing her farther into the tent.

  Serena nearly fell forward. She straightened and faced Kara. “Is that how you greet your visitors?”

  “You came to my tent with a dagger drawn.”

  Serena motioned to Kara’s cloak. “Heading out?”

  Kara’s eyes narrowed and she tucked her knife at the small of her back. “What brings you here, Golden One? Or did you enter the wrong tent?”

  “I need your help.”

  Kara cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward. “It comes at a cost.”

  “What cost?”

  “Depends on the favor.”

  Serena was losing a battle with time. “If you took me to the palace, could you guarantee me a way out?”

  Kara’s eyebrows shot up. “Why?”

  “I didn’t think assassins asked that question.”

  “I’m curious.” Kara smirked.

  “Because you hate Franco.”

  Kara picked up her packed satchel and slung it over her shoulder. “Very well. I’m headed there anyway.”

  Serena’s knees trembled. She felt as if a hummingbird fluttered inside of her. “So you’ll take me?”

  Kara’s stare locked onto Serena, and she stepped closer until she was a breath away. “You would go as my prisoner?” She cocked an eyebrow. “I see your need for secrecy. Logan will search for you.”

  “I know.”

  “If he catches us, it could get me killed.”

  “You’re an assassin. You won’t let him catch us.”

  Kara circled Serena, tapping her knife hilt on her open palm. “Logan I can hide from. It’s his wolf friends that worry me.”

  “Let me handle that.”

  Kara’s eyes narrowed.

  “It’s now or never. And if they catch us, I won’t let them kill you.”

  “Even you can’t stop an arrow already released.”

  “No, but I can heal.”

  Kara stopped her vulturous circling. “Fair enough.”

  “I won’t discuss my plan until we are away from here.”

  “If you have a plan.” K
ara folded her arms. “Why do you trust me?”

  “Trust is a strong word. I need you.”

  “You know I’m going to find a way to kill Franco.”

  “I wish you luck.”

  Kara’s smile slid across her lips. “You going as my prisoner is all the luck I need.”

  “I need a blood oath that you will get me inside the palace and equip me with the means I will need to escape—alive.”

  “And alone?”

  “Creator willing, no.”

  Kara cut her palm with her knife. “You have my word.” She handed Serena the knife.

  Serena’s pulse raced. “If you make an oath with a Healer—”

  “I’ll die if I break it. Yes, I know.”

  Serena cut deep so her wound would still be open when Kara clasped her hand. They shook, bloody palm to bloody palm. Serena wiped the red away, her cut already healed.

  Kara stared. “Must be nice huh, Golden One?”

  “I can heal you.” Serena reached for Kara’s hand, but Kara pulled away.

  “I can hold reins with an oath hand just fine. When do we leave?”

  Chapter 16

  The Trap Is Baited

  The sound of metal scraping against stone jolted Ryan from sleep. Dim light from the doorway was like a knife to eyes accustomed to the dark. The lacerations on his back and sides pulled when he moved. At least they felt a few days old thanks to what Belladonna called healing. The memory of fresh pain was enough to make him thankful for what she’d done to ease it.

  The silhouette of a woman with a long ponytail and skin-tight pants meant Belladonna had come to retrieve him for his daily torture session with Beefy Butch. Ryan sat up and placed his tortured back against the stone-cold wall of his cell. It stung until he got used to the chill.

  He watched Belladonna through the openings between the cross-hatched bars in his prison. Her signature sultry walk brought her closer to him. The sound of diamonds and dragon teeth clinking together like a sick wind chime accompanied her. His stomach squeezed, and he fought to keep her from noticing.

  She stopped in front of his cell. “It’s time, pet. I’ve got something special planned today.”

  He trembled. Of course she did. She always did. Already they’d smashed his sword hand and given him what Butch described “a small taste of the rack,” but always they whipped him. Always.