by K. F. Breene
“Cut off some of their fabric. I need to wrap my arm.” Rachie tapped Xavier, who was vaguely looking at the wall.
“So we need to create chaos to keep the hero alive…” Xavier looked at Marc. “Who’s the hero?”
“She didn’t say. But we won’t live until tomorrow if we don’t sort out the dishes and the dead bodies.” Marc waved his knife above the dead guys again, this time more dramatically.
“It doesn’t matter who the hero is. It doesn’t change our job.” Alexa bent for one of the Graygual.
“Finally someone listens.” Marc grabbed the Graygual’s top half as Alexa lifted the bottom and they moved him toward a corner. “Or what about under the last shelf in the pantry?”
Alexa rolled her eyes. “We need to drop them outside the wall where no one patrols. A missing person is better than a dead body.”
“How the hell are we going to do that?” Marc demanded.
“Look both ways, cross really quickly, drag them through a hole and behind the wall, run back. Why are you in this group?”
“Xavier. Help me wrap my arm.” Rachie prodded Xavier again.
“Why isn’t anyone coming to check out the noise?” Marc wondered as Alexa opened the door slowly and stuck her head out. She threw it open the rest of the way and quickly lifted the body again.
“They were yelling at the Inkna a moment ago,” Alexa said before they hurried the body out and disposed of it. Back in the kitchen between drops, she continued, “Clearly people here are either used to outbursts and noise, or we are in the bowels of the castle and can’t be heard.”
“S’am didn’t mention that you’re kind of a know-it-all,” Marc mumbled as they got rid of the second body.
Back in the kitchen and with the door closed, Marc rolled up his sleeves. “I’ll wash. Who’s drying?”
“Are you serious?” Xavier tied off the fabric on Rachie’s arm and stacked the empty plates quietly. He set them in the corner out of sight. “We’re not doing the damn dishes.”
“Oh.” Marc shook his head at himself. “Right, yeah. Of course.”
“Now what?” Rachie asked, taking a lump of ham off one of the trays.
“Eat, then we’ll hide the trays with the plates and try to find the others. We need to tell them to lie low until the morning.” Xavier grabbed a half-eaten piece of bread. “If I wasn’t so hungry I’d think this was gross.”
“If I wasn’t so terrified that those guys were probably the weaker of the fighters in this house, I’d have a bigger appetite.” Marc grabbed a piece of ham.
“If I wasn’t so amazed that it took three Westwood men to do the job of one Shumas woman, I’d scoff.” Alexa grabbed a piece of bread. “No. I’m still going to scoff.”
“You just walked up behind him. Real clever,” Rachie said through a mouthful.
“Yes. It was. Which is why I’m not wounded.” Alexa blinked in such a way that said Rachie was an idiot.
“Quiet down.” Xavier started filling a sack with food. “Hurry up and eat and let’s go. We need to find the others.”
Shanti stared across the small table at One. They were, once again, at the sitting area overlooking the great nothingness where darkness covered the raging sea below. Tac sat off to the side, a new book in hand, staring at the stars. It was like he was asleep while sitting up, his brain completely shut off. Shanti was sure Inkna lurked somewhere just out of sight, making sure she behaved, though given the earlier display by One, she doubted they’d think they were needed. One had beaten her bloody, taking to her without mercy until Xandre had called him off.
Or, at least, that was what he had made it look like.
The truth was, he’d taken it easy on her in a way Xandre wouldn’t understand. He hadn’t hit her anywhere he might cause permanent damage. He could’ve ripped her arm out of its socket at one point, or tweaked it painfully at the very least, but he’d backed off, with a blow to her stomach instead. All her injuries were to fleshy areas that would bruise spectacularly, but heal easily.
“Let’s get down to the heart of it. Is Xandre hiding somewhere, listening to everything we say? Otherwise, why haven’t you locked me in my room?” she asked One, focusing on his facial expressions and his body language. Unfortunately, the man didn’t seem to have many tics to give away his thoughts.
“He is not hiding, no,” Tac said, staring upward. “He is in his chamber. You shocked him today. Your unpredictability is something he rarely encounters. He’s probably planning what to do with you. As for your room, I wanted to sit out here. What’s the difference?”
One’s eyes widened, proving Shanti’s earlier theory false. Apparently, shock got through his self-control just fine. He stared at Tac for a moment. “This is not a conversation you are a part of.”
Tac smiled, sending a chill down Shanti’s spine. “I am a part of all conversations.” He lowered his head, leveling a hard stare at One. “Xandre makes you relevant. You’re smart enough to realize that. Without him, you’re nothing but a highly trained mercenary.”
“A mercenary that could easily teach you to watch your tongue.” One’s lip quirked into a snarl.
“Maybe. But without me, the Inkna can easily teach you to watch your tongue. You need me, whether you want to admit it or not.”
“The Inkna have their place. A place they stayed in before we scraped you out of that destroyed village and raised you above the rest of the land. I had my position before you knew the might of the Graygual, don’t forget that.”
“Vain.” Tac shook his head and looked back at the stars, his smile still curling his lips. “So very vain. You have helped create an empire which the Inkna financially run. The real threat is the Chosen, not you. The Shumas. The Shadow. Other people fluent in mental power, who can also fight. That is who they really fear. Not Xandre. Certainly not you. How long do you think it will take them to realize that they are a target because of their affiliation with Graygual? That they’d have more power as allies with the Chosen? Hell, they could take down a tyrant, make a deal with the captain, and exist in peace. You think they aren’t disgusted that their women are used for breeding? That their sons are either killed if they don’t have power, or are put through excruciating training if they do?”
Tac blew out a breath. “I bet they’ve already figured it out. And I bet Xandre knows that. Why else hasn’t he killed Shanti? He needs her. He is a genius with a power that mostly steers him along the winning path, but there comes a point when there are simply too many pieces to control. Too much strife to ignore. With great oppression comes great courage, and he will become the target if he doesn’t gain control.” Tac glanced at Shanti. “And here we are. At the cusp of the next thing.”
“You don’t sound like a loyal player in this game,” One said in a low voice filled with warning.
Tac waved the thought away and went back to staring at the sky. “I’ll die before this is all through. Should’ve died already. With my family. I don’t care what happens. Xandre feeds me, provides me with books I haven’t read, and gives me an easy life so long as I protect him from the Inkna. Until I’m sent to the Underland, I’ll do what I’m told. Doesn’t mean I don’t have a thinking brain on my shoulders. My eyes are open; I just don’t care what they see anymore.”
“Wow. This is depressing.” Shanti picked up a berry from the solitary dessert tray and popped it into her mouth. The larger trays and the used plates had already been taken to the kitchens. “So, One, what will you do if the Inkna overthrow Xandre?”
“That won’t happen.” One was still staring at Tac.
“Just for kicks, what if it did?”
“I’d die,” he answered without inflection. Tac nodded.
“I doubt the Inkna who are listening love that their great plans have been figured out and discussed.” Shanti glanced over her shoulder, but didn’t see anything. Not that she expected an Inkna to pop his head around the corner and throw her a thumbs-up or anything.
“Nope.” T
ac rested his book on his lap.
“Xandre will hear of his,” One said, still staring down the other man. A muscle pulsed in his jaw, the effect of clenching and unclenching. It seemed One was trying to control his temper. Interesting.
“So, One…” Shanti schooled her tone, light and unaffected. “Why did you take it easy on me earlier?”
One’s head snapped toward her. His eyes flicked toward the Inkna location.
Another secret. Also interesting. There were layers to Xandre’s camp. Shanti wondered if he knew that.
“You were not at your full strength. What would be the point in making sure you never would be again? That would interfere with the master’s plans.”
“Diplomatic,” Tac said quietly.
One’s hands curled into fists.
“I get the feeling you two don’t talk much.” Shanti crossed an ankle over her knee, and winced. Her leg still hurt from when One had expertly kicked it several times in the same spot. He was fast, strong, and had perfect form. Perfect form. He’d earned his position, Shanti could tell. It would take everything she had to beat him.
“We speak when spoken to,” One said evenly. “The master does not like a lot of chatter. It interrupts his thinking. Usually this one follows those rules.”
“The master is not here.” Tac shrugged.
“He will hear about this,” One said again.
“Will he?” Tac smiled. “You’re not the only one capable of loose lips. At least I’m not pulling punches.”
One cocked his head, as though he were cracking his neck. “I did not pull punches.”
“He most certainly did not pull punches, no.” Shanti massaged her ribs when a flicker of movement caught her eye. Wondering if Xandre was sneaking close enough to be able to listen after all, she focused in on the patch of darkness near the stone wall of the castle. A hand moved, barely definable, like a wave.
A shock of adrenaline coursed through Shanti as Gracas leaned a little into the light. What are they doing here?
Cayan wasn’t with him. She could feel him off somewhere in the distance, probably separated by that swamp.
Another shape leaned forward until moonlight showered her head. Maggie!
Shanti jerked her head away, looking out over the sea. Fear coursed through her. If those two were here, ones that hadn’t even been in the city, she would bet more were. If any of them were found, they’d be killed on the spot. Or worse, they’d be tortured to get Shanti to do what Xandre wanted.
The last thing she wanted to be responsible for was the death of those growing boys and girls. Even Maggie, fully an adult, wouldn’t be in this mess if Shanti hadn’t come along.
Guilt rushed in, as it always did when she realized she’d put someone she cared for in danger.
Shuffling behind her caught her attention. The Inkna stepped out. Did they feel the new additions?
Reacting quickly, she surged up and grabbed the base of One’s chair. He didn’t react, watching with an intrigued sparkle in his eyes, curious as to what she’d do.
She would beat the hell out of him, that was what she’d do.
Using all her strength, she overturned his chair. He fell onto his back and rolled gracefully, up on his feet a moment later. He winked at her. She couldn’t help a smile. They were both born to fight, and if this had been a sparring session, she’d go after him with glee. But there were lives on the line.
She spun and kicked, smashing her foot into the side of Tac’s face. He flew, turning over his chair and spilling onto the ground. One rushed her, but it was too late. The damage had been done.
Her Gift flooded into her, more powerful than both of the hidden Inkna guards combined. Electricity fizzled through her body as she struck, slicing through their offenses easily and stabbing her power directly into their brains. They stopped, pain freezing their muscles.
A fist came for her face, but she dodged easily. She sliced and pounded the Inkna, battering their attempts at another offense. They weren’t putting up a huge struggle.
A moment later, she knew why.
One staggered, his kick sloppy. She met his shin with her knee, blocking. He squinted and shook his head as a blast hit Shanti’s mind.
The Inkna were trying to take down both of them, and they’d surely blame it on her.
“Guess Tac was right,” she said, peppering One with punches. She smashed her forearm across his face and then whirled around him, throwing him into a headlock. Before she could execute it, he reached back and caught her shoulders. Bending with force, he threw her over him. She landed on her back, the wind knocked out of her.
He was on her a moment later, covering her body with his to pin her down, hammering a fist into her ribs. He smashed another fist in before grunting, probably taking another Inkna assault.
She bucked to get her knees under him and then flung him off. Quickly hopping up to her feet, she backed away for an extra couple seconds, and smashed into the Inkna offense, battering their power away again. This time she didn’t let up. She created a white-hot blast of power, confined to a spear, and pierced into the meaty tissue of their minds. Their bodies crumpled as a stack of solid muscle crashed into her, taking her to the ground again.
She bit his shoulder and tried to get her arms around his neck to cut off his air supply. He countered, ripping her arms away and grappling.
At a glance, she saw Maggie and Gracas staring at her with wide eyes, swords in their hands.
She spared a moment of struggle to wave them away urgently. It was all One needed. He snatched her limbs and wrapped her up in his immovable body—not as strong as Cayan, but certainly stronger than she was. With his weight over her and her limbs pinned, she could do nothing but kill him with her Gift, or stare up at his impassive face and wait for an opportunity.
A moment passed and the same reasoning as before rolled through her mind—then what? There were still a lot of Graygual, and probably even more Inkna, and her Honor Guard trapped in the area with her. One’s death wouldn’t do much in the grand scheme of things, and as it stood, he had helped her. It might’ve been slight, but it was eyebrow raising.
“You killed two Inkna,” he said in her language.
“You are really heavy.”
“Were they trying to kill you?”
“I think they were trying to kill us both, which was stupid, since they should’ve been focusing all their attentions on me. I get the feeling they haven’t been in battle before?”
“They were at the Shadow Lands, but not one on one, no.” One’s eyes bored into hers. “I had heard you were strong in the power. I did not realize you were that strong.”
“They didn’t either. Back to you being really heavy. Are you going to make a move? At the very least, can you shift a little? I realize you might not be in charge of certain parts of your body, but they are digging into me.”
“I am not aroused.”
“Well, your hips certainly are. Or are they always that hard?” Shanti struggled to get more breath, letting her Gift spread out as far as she could. At the edges of her range, she met the glorious tingles of Cayan’s mind. Their Joined power fizzled up her center, giving off that spicy feeling she loved. He was not conscious, though. Probably asleep, which was good. She couldn’t feel many with him, which meant it would be easy for Xandre to send out a group and wipe them out. He needed more time, because a small distance east of the castle, in what was probably a camp, lay a vast collection of power. She felt it rouse, spikes of the Gift reaching and searching her way.
“They are bone. Of course they are always that hard.” One’s expression turned quizzical.
“Not much for joking, huh?” A slash of power coursed through her mind. She slammed down her shields. One winced. “I’m powerful, but I can’t ward off the stockpile of Inkna you have close by. They are just now realizing one of their—”
One was off her in a flash. Not bothering to secure her, he bent to Tac and shook. “Wake up, you fool.” One was ba
ck to using the Graygual tongue.
“It’s amazing how many people know multiple languages. A real melting pot dealing with Xandre, huh?” Shanti battered away a mental probe and returned an attack. She looked at the place Maggie and Gracas had been, relieved to see them gone. Quickly scouring the castle, she located the others, either sneaking through the castle, sneaking around outside, or inside one of the upstairs rooms.
What were Leilius and Ruisa looking for in the rooms? Whatever it was, Shanti hoped it would help.
A sharp stab of pain assaulted her, making her stagger. She reached out blindly, fighting the scouring agony as it dripped down her body.
“Wake up!” One said.
Shanti heard a slap of skin, One hitting Tac, before another thrust of pain brought her to her knees. Invisible needles jabbed her eyes. Acid dripped down her skin. Fire boiled her blood.
“Not good,” Shanti said, clenching her teeth. Her forearms hit a hard surface. She fell forward as scorching points stabbed her body. It felt like she was being burned alive.
“Shanti Cu-Hoi.” Strong arms came around her as soft footfalls hurried toward them. “Wake him up,” One directed as Shanti rose into the sky. “Is there somewhere I can take you, Shanti? What can shield you from mind pain?”
Clearly the Inkna were focusing only on her. How nice of them to give her all of their attention.
She dug her fingers into skin and curled within herself, putting all her strength into her shield. After that, she drifted away from the pain, wondering if Tac would wake up before the Inkna killed her.
14
“Don’t let them kill her!” someone bellowed from within the hall.
Leilius froze by the door as footfalls thundered down the hall. “I wonder who he’s talking about?”
Boots scuffed on the stone outside and caught Leilius’ attention. He rushed to the window in time to see Maggie and Gracas rush by, swords in hand. A few moments later, four Graygual ran after them, but without weapons in their hands.
