Protector of the Flame

by Isis Rushdan

  Adriel sat beside her. At least his friendship could be counted on no matter what, even if it came at a steep price.

  “Neith doesn’t think we’re going to survive.”

  “She hasn’t given up on you,” he said, “but she has to be prepared in case things don’t go our way.”

  His beautiful face relit her ire and it flared hot. Gritting her teeth, she looked away and over at the long line of record-keepers.

  Nightfall came quickly as she helped the others with the transfer.

  “You must wrap up, it is time for the evening meal,” Neith said.

  “We need a few more minutes to finish,” Dante said.

  “Mira must complete the download now. I need you to shut down your terminals. You don’t want to be late for this evening’s meal. The kitchen has planned something special.”

  Adriel nudged her shoulder. “Are you still angry with me?”

  “That depends.” She shut down her workstation.

  “On what?”

  They walked to the lower level.

  “How you plan to behave.”

  “This is hard on me as well.” He looked straight ahead. “I’ll be a good brother from now on. I won’t cause further aggravation.”

  “Thank you.”

  In the dining hall, she had her choice of seating. Nakia sat gabbing away to someone at a half empty table. Talus and Micah exchanged lovey-dovey looks, trying to be discreet by glancing away from each other whenever Spero gazed in their direction. They had six seats left.

  “Will you sit at my table?” Adriel asked. As she was about to refuse, he continued, “Give me the chance to make amends. You were right about my behavior earlier.”

  “This might not be a good idea.”

  “If you won’t give me the chance to redeem myself, you may as well send me away with one of the teams.”

  Anger over his manipulation and pity for his burden warred inside of her. After the interaction between Cyrus and Adriel in the office, she’d be a fool with a death wish to agree. “Let’s not push it tonight. You know I want you to stay, but it’s only in case Cyrus needs you if it comes to a battle. Don’t use it against me. If you want to leave, I’ll respect that.”

  She didn’t wait for an argument or agreement. She headed to the table with her warriors. Still odd to think of them as hers, but she had full control over how they were to be used. Cyrus thought it was a good idea. It was the warrior in him acknowledging that all war brought death and with it change.

  Adriel sat two tables away with other historians, right in her line of sight. She couldn’t look straight ahead without meeting his gaze.

  Cyrus and Sothis walked into the dining hall. He spotted her and marched toward the table.

  “How was your training?” Serenity rose and kissed him. Her mother sat opposite them. “It was better than working the trash detail or down in the quarry.”

  “I’d love to hear all about it.” She stroked his thigh, running her fingernails along the inside from his knee to his crotch.

  “Sothis taught me basics about poisons and antidotes, but there’s much more to learn.”

  Serenity maintained eye contact with him as he spoke, ignoring the pull of Adriel’s gaze. Spero and Elianus chimed in to make comments on the training. Dinner flowed smoothly. They feasted on a creamy crab soup flavored with tarragon, fish in a saffron broth, and mussels. A lavender theme ran through the rest of the meal: lobster with lavender and lemon, fresh baked lavender bread, spiced plum torte with a lavender sabayon and a lavender summer fruit pudding.

  Neith went to the center of the room. “This library and all who serve have been the great love of my life. I send most of you back into the world on a new mission to safeguard and preserve until the time we can be reunited. Thank you for your service and your loyalty. Each of you has a purpose. I ask you to continue to serve with courage and faith in the days ahead. For those who remain behind, you do so with a clear vision of our ultimate goal. I’m pleased to share our Blessed Sister Serenity is with child.”

  Heads turned one after another until all eyes were focused on her. Serenity thought everyone already knew, but by the shocked expressions it became apparent many had no idea.

  “We shall triumph and usher in a new era,” Neith continued. “One of balance and order, where fear falls to the wayside and redemption will be ours. All of us will not make it to see the glory of our efforts, but those who do will forever remember the suffering and the fight and the sacrifices made.” Neith bowed her head and paused. “Layke and Sebastian will sing for us as we finish our meals, but first Brother Korbin would like to make an announcement.”

  A short man with white hair replaced Neith at the center of the room. “With help from Brother Cyrus we have completed a goal seventy years in the making.”

  He clapped his hands and twenty Kindred emerged from the kitchen carrying trays of small cups, twice the size of a shot glass.

  “I give you elixir of the gods.” They moved from table to table, ensuring everyone took one. Neith and Serenity declined. “We also have 500ml bottles corked and sealed for easy transport. If you’re interested, find me in the main hall after the evening meal.”

  Korbin lifted a cup. “A toast to the blessing of this evening.”

  Everyone raised their cup.

  Sothis gazed at Serenity. “It’s an ill omen to toast with water.” She pushed a cup of wine toward her. Serenity looked at it hesitantly. “A little wine won’t cause any harm. You are Kindred.”

  Another reminder to let go of her human perspective. She picked up the cup.

  “May the days we’re separated be short. When we’re reunited, may our nights of rejoicing be long. May the joy in this cup warm your hearts and remind you of the loving pulse of our collective. May the almighty Creator have you in his keeping always.”

  Everyone repeated the phrase, “May the almighty Creator have you in his keeping.” Then all took a sip from their cups.

  Sothis coughed. “This is no ordinary spirit.”

  Serenity’s gaze traveled two tables over. Adriel sipped the elixir and licked his lips.

  “It’s infused with the sap of a tree that has psychotropic effects on us,” Cyrus said, then drank from his cup. “There are no side effects, but I wouldn’t advise consuming much of it.”

  “How much did you have the night you were drunk?” Serenity asked.

  “They had me drinking most of the day and well into the evening.”

  Sothis set the cup down and pushed it away. Some of the other warriors at the table did the same.

  At the table filled with historians, Adriel extended his cup as he spoke fervently. One by one, each historian poured their elixir into Adriel’s cup, then he chugged it. When more was offered to him, he eagerly accepted. Dulling his misery like this would lead to no good.

  Layke and Sebastian swept into the room, surrounded by three others with instruments. Serenity sighed with relief over the much needed distraction.

  Music filled the dining hall and conversations trickled to a hush. Sebastian’s voice lifted over the chords of the instruments, a rich tenor, steady and piercing. Layke sang softly in Latin, her vocals mingled with his, as if answering his call.

  Adriel closed his eyes and swayed his head to the music.

  Layke and Sebastian touched hands for a moment and separated, weaving their way through the tables, singing to everyone.

  Their voices cast a heavenly spell. Cyrus lowered his arm to her waist and rubbed her stomach. Talus and Micah locked eyes. Spero watched them, ignoring the performance. Elated from the elixir, they didn’t seem to realize they’d been caught. Serenity wondered how far their relationship had gone and what Spero would do now that he knew.

  Even on the remote island, they were still bound by Herut’s laws and in the eyes of their House, their relationship was forbidden.

  Layke glided in between a table a few feet away, laying a hand on the shoulders of those preparing to leave. She sa
ng about faith and love. Sebastian, on the other side of the room, touched his chest, singing something about his heart and the harshness of the winter to come. The song was dark and haunting.

  Standing at the head of Serenity’s table, Layke reached up toward the ceiling, lyrics about fate rising from her lips when her voice cracked. Heads shifted in her direction. Alarm filled her face. She continuing to sing and strolled down the aisle toward Serenity.

  The pitch of her voice faltered and Layke sang out of key. As she walked behind Serenity, no sound came from her mouth. Murmurs filled the hall and Sebastian stopped singing.

  Adriel rushed to Layke with a cup. While she sipped it, he guided her away from the table and whispered in her ear. Layke’s gaze fell to Serenity. She handed Adriel the cup, cleared her throat and proceeded to sing, staying clear of their table. Adriel staggered back to his seat.

  Sebastian and Layke met in the middle. Their voices soared in an emotional crescendo. The last notes, soft and poignant, faded.

  Applause erupted in the hall.

  Neith kissed them both on the cheeks along with the musicians. “Thank you.” Turning to the crowd, she said, “Before you disperse, I need the team leaders to see Soren.” He stood in the main hall, holding a stack of envelopes. “He has your final instructions and destinations. I wish you all a good evening.”

  The room filled with scenes of heartfelt goodbyes, teary-eyed hugs, passionate kisses, forearms locked in farewell. Through a break in the crowd, she spotted Adriel headed straight for their table.

  Serenity got to her feet and urged Cyrus up from the table. “Let’s enjoy the evening outside.”

  Her mate was in no rush, relaxed by the elixir. Sothis noticed her anxiety and looked around to find the source. Her mother hopped to her feet and maneuvered to intercept Adriel.

  Just as he was about to reach the table, Neith floated in front of him, brushing Sothis aside. “Adriel, I need to see you in my office. Now.” She blocked any chance for him to follow through on whatever madness was running through his mind. As he left the dining hall with Neith, he glanced back once, but Serenity looked up at Cyrus and smiled.

  “I’m going to start patrol,” Sothis said.

  Elianus rose. “You should’ve told us you were standing guard. We’ll patrol with you.”

  “You have to teach the others,” Sothis replied.

  Spero got up. “There are plenty to teach the other warriors. We’ll stand guard with you.”

  As Ptolemy joined them, Spero shot a glance between Micah and Talus. “Micah, you’ll come with us.”

  “I’m sure you could use one more,” Talus said, rising.

  “As matter of fact we could,” Spero said. “You’ll stand watch on the dayshift.”

  Surprise and disappointment darkened her face. “I’m good enough to stand guard in the evening.”

  “You are,” Spero said, “but you’ll stand guard on the dayshift.”

  Talus bowed her head and skulked away as Sothis and the others departed.

  Serenity and Cyrus drifted into the chaotic main hall. Soren called out names; the individual stepped forward to receive their envelope with instructions.

  A gaggle surrounded Korbin and his display of bottled elixir set up on a table.

  Tosia went over to the portly man who grabbed five. “We leave within the hour.”

  “I thought we were staying for a few nights,” he said.

  “Our instructions say we leave tonight while there’s no moon.”

  “All right,” he groaned.

  “Serenity,” Soren called to her. She eased through the crowd to reach him. “Please go up and tell Mira I need the flash drives now.”

  After she nodded, she went to Cyrus. “Shall I meet you in our room or outside?”

  “Definitely the bedroom.”

  She gave a quick kiss and darted up the walkway to the library.

  Sconces illuminated as she passed. The doors to the ancient archives were closed, but a light came from Neith’s office. She crossed the hall so she wouldn’t trigger more lights and went to the open door. On her tiptoes, she crept down to the doorway, staying out of sight.

  “This doesn’t change anything,” Adriel said.

  “You’re not thinking clearly. If you were, you’d see that it changes everything,” Neith responded.

  “I would never do this,” he said in a raised voice, his tone sharp and defensive.

  “Serenity?” a female voice called from down the hall.

  She turned to face Mira. Neith’s office fell silent.

  “What are you doing?” Mira asked.

  “Looking for you. Soren said he needs the flash drives right away.”

  “Okay.” Mira watched her for a moment before leaving.

  “Come in where I can see you,” Neith said.

  Serenity stepped into the doorway. Adriel had a massive book open on his lap. When he slammed it shut, she stared at the brilliant phoenix rising out of the flames etched on the cover.

  It was the Book of Destiny.

  Neith sat in her chair, twirling the peacock feather. “I’ve asked Adriel to leave, but he refuses. If you ask him, he’ll go.”

  “We’ve already discussed it,” Serenity said. “It’s his decision to make.”

  Neith threw the feather down on the desk. “I underestimated the depths of your selfishness and the lengths I’ll have to go to in order to purge you of it.”

  The scathing tone bit to the bone. “You haven’t asked Nakia to leave and she’s just a child.”

  Indignation sparking in her eyes, Neith stood. “I gave Nakia and Caelius the option to leave, but asked her to stay. Without her, we’re blind to danger that may come and if it does, we’ll need Caelius. They put themselves at risk and stay for the entire collective.”

  “And so does Adriel. He’s probably the greatest healer that’s ever lived. He could save many of us.”

  “Do you believe this delusion or do you say it in the hopes of convincing me?” Neith glided to her with hard, narrowed eyes. “If this link binding you two is strong enough to cause you to lie to yourselves, to say whatever is necessary so that you may remain together without seeing the falseness of it, then…” Neith stood in front of her blinking. She touched the side of her head. Her gaze drifted as if she were thinking.

  “Then…then, what was I going to say?” Neith shook her head.

  Serenity and Adriel exchanged a glance.

  “Neith, I think your thoughts will become clear again if you moved away from me. The baby’s powers are manifesting. It’s blocking your ingenium from working.”

  The ancient beauty turned, looking old and lost, and returned to her seat. Staring at the desk, she fingered the feather. “Yes,” she said, the fog lifting from her eyes, “Adriel mentioned it to me. If I did not have to love your child, I believe I would hate it.” She picked up a small strip of paper. “Abbadon has sent word of Aten’s response. They have agreed to convene early and to hear the blood grievance.”

  “That’s great news,” Adriel said.

  But Neith’s face was grave. “Aten states that the grievance must be presented by the aggrieved parties before the Pesedjet.”

  “The House can present the grievance on our behalf,” Serenity said.

  “They can. However, Aten is twisting the bylaws. As you belong to no House, they will only hear the grievance from you and Cyrus in person. Cyrus is now a member of his Council. Aten will not accept his use of a proxy. He must attend, but to demand your presence, especially in your current condition…”

  Serenity swallowed her rising fear. “What does this mean for us?”

  “They want to flush you out.” Neith leaned back in her chair. “It means Abbadon will have to use the book. When he does, our days here will be numbered. I want him to stall, we need more time, but Herut’s response is due by the end of the next lunar month.”

  That wasn’t nearly enough time. Serenity rubbed the slight curve of her belly. She’d o
nly be five months by then. The baby wouldn’t come for another twenty-seven weeks.

  Neith looked at Adriel. “Please leave the island.”

  “No.” He stood and threw the Book of Destiny crashing onto her desk. “Give it to a record-keeper to take with him in the morning.”

  Serenity glanced between them. She’d never heard Adriel speak to Neith in that tone, ordering her to do anything.

  Neith gazed at Serenity. “Are you sure you don’t want to read it?”

  Taking a deep breath, she stared at Adriel. He held her gaze, the plea clear in his eyes. She owed him her loyalty and couldn’t side with Neith against him, even in this. She looked back at Neith. “If you really believe we have a chance, I don’t need to read it.”

  “Very well.” Neith slumped in her chair.

  Adriel turned on his heels and left the office.

  Serenity followed him. “Was that your first time to see the book?”

  “Yes.” His pace didn’t slow.

  “What did you read? Was it your past life or mine?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” He refused to look at her.

  “Why are you so upset?” Holding the railing of the walkway, she stopped. “What did it say?” Perhaps it said everyone around her and Cyrus that tried to help them had died as well. Maybe she should read it. What if knowing was the only way to spare some of the others, to save Adriel?

  She turned to race back up to the library.

  Adriel caught her. “The past isn’t destined to repeat itself. If you have any love in your heart for me, any at all, you won’t go back to read it.”

  Goose bumps flashed over her skin and her spine tingled. The baby started kicking and a flutter whipped through her stream. She should have read it when Neith had insisted a second time. “You’re scaring me.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then promise.” His eyes pleaded, his words tugging at the strings twisted around her heart. “Please. Promise me.”

  Her heart pounded in her ears. Go back and read it. Then she gazed into Adriel’s eyes. He did love her and wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. “All right.”