The Daath Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Eliza Tilton

The jungle surrounded the grassland with the high trees. At night, creatures called through the air. Dark shadows whipped around the sky, but I never saw anything more. Based on the size of the nests in the treetops, and Hadda’s current size, the birds that lived here were large.

  Ivy clung to the tall trees, and a few animals scurried to their tops. Wildlife hunted on the ground, and we had yet to come across another animal bigger than a rabbit. The carcass we had seen on our first day near here was the largest animal we’d found, yet we’d never seen another.

  Jeslyn stopped, staring out across the open space. “Do you think they’re sleeping?”

  “Yes. They hunt at night.

  Hadda hopped on her shoulder.

  “It’s okay, Hadda.” She patted the bird’s head.

  Hadda hopped again, this time off Jeslyn’s shoulder and onto the ground.

  “Hadda!”

  When Jeslyn reached for her, Hadda squawked and leapt in the opposite direction.

  “What is the matter with you?” Jeslyn chased after her, trying to catch her, and failing miserably.

  The leaves on one of the trees rustled.

  “Ouch! That’s enough, Hadda.”

  The leaves rustled more.

  Scree! Scree!

  A bird, large enough to carry two men on its back, soared into the sky. Its wings spanned the length of two carriages. Its feathers had the same vibrant blue as Hadda’s, but with streaks of white.

  “Go!” I grabbed Jeslyn’s arm with one hand, and scooped up her bird in the other.

  “What’s wro—” Her words failed when she saw the sight behind me. “Is that . . . ?”

  “Yes, now move!”

  We ran through the jungle, leaves and branches slapping us as we passed. The bird screeched above in the sky, swooping down in vicious arcs, trying to snap at us. Frantically, we dodged its talons as it separated the foliage, tearing huge chunks of dirt and grass out with each pass. I remembered the cave behind the waterfall. The water would hide our scent, and we could stay in the cave until the bird grew bored. I tugged Jeslyn in the direction of the waterfall. Her breath came out in choppy gasps as we ran faster.

  When we reached the lagoon, I handed the bird off to Jeslyn and waded in. “Tell that bird to sit on your shoulders, and you grab mine. I’ll swim us over there.”

  Jeslyn nodded and urged Hadda to sit on her, then she climbed onto my back.

  Scree!

  “Lucino, it’s coming!”

  I pushed through the water, speeding to where the waterfall plunged. “Hold your breath and the bird.”

  I swam under the rushing water, breaching near the cave opening. I grabbed the opening with one hand and lifted Jeslyn onto the stone floor with the other, then pulled myself in. Jeslyn scooted to the back, which wasn’t that far. I slid in front of her, blocking her body with my own.

  The screeching quieted.

  Neither of us spoke. Jeslyn held Hadda in her arms and hid behind me. She grasped my waist, and her heated breath beat against my back.

  Silence.

  Had the bird left? I didn’t think so.

  A blue shimmering shape appeared on the other side of the water, along with the rush of flapping wings. I expected the bird to attempt the water, which would be futile. The waterfall would soak the bird’s wings, making it unable to fly.

  The falling water in front of the cave parted as if someone opened a curtain, and the bird’s head peeked through. Water separated around the bird, which screeched loudly, blasting us with acrid breath. It moved its head side to side, observing us.

  Jeslyn’s fingers dug into my skin.

  “Don’t be afraid,” I said, standing. “I won’t let it harm you.”

  I faced the bird and let the fury roar through my veins, igniting my Reptilian power. Red hazed around my body, and the bird screamed. It struggled to go deeper into the cave, but the cave walls wouldn’t allow its thick body to pass.

  My left foot slid forward and I crouched. “You should not have followed us.”

  I leapt at the bird, grabbing its neck in a lariat, using the momentum to pull it away as I swung onto its back. The curtain of water crashed down on me.

  “Lucino!”

  My hands twisted feathers. I dodged its snapping beak. We spun in a downward spiral and collided with the lagoon. Claws raked my side as we sunk into the water. Slipping around its neck, I wrestled with the bird while it thrashed beneath my grasp. I could hold my breath. I doubted the bird could.

  Water from the lagoon shot up and under us, lifting us like a wave into the air. If the bird caught flight, this battle would be much more difficult. I took hold of the scruff on its neck, punching the creature’s head. The water tugged at my arms and body as if it were a sentient being that protected the bird.

  A rock hit the bird’s face.

  I glanced back. Jeslyn stood on the grass, throwing rocks, her aim impressively good.

  Claws raked against my arms, and I had to dodge the snapping beak. If I could get my arms around the bird’s throat, I could crush it.

  Squawk squawk!

  Hadda dove at the larger creature, pecking its eyes. When the bird turned its attention to Hadda, I got out from under it, and spun onto its back, taking control of the fight. The water rose around us, whipping out at Hadda and Jeslyn like a lance.

  I wrapped my arms around the bird’s neck and squeezed with all my might. As I did, the waterfall shot out at me, like a titan’s fist, swatting me off the bird. The feathered monster screeched and flapped into the sky. I landed on the ground, the watery fist dissipating into a shower of rain.

  “Lucino!” Jeslyn ran to me, sliding on the ground. “Are you hurt?”

  I sat up on my elbows. “No. Did you see the water?”

  “Yes. I couldn’t believe it. Was the bird controlling it?”

  It was a very good question, and yet, a better question would be how could I control the bird if it had the power to control water?

  Chapter Forty-One

  Avikar

  “I don’t remember.”

  Ezekiel couldn’t seem to grasp the fact I couldn’t remember the fight.

  “You must remember.”

  “Well, I don’t.”

  “You don’t or you won’t?”

  Where was Cael? I’d had enough of the scroll man.

  “You were there. Your eyes saw. Your ears heard. But your mind will not recall the memory. What are you afraid of?”

  “I’m not afraid of anything. Lucino is dead.”

  Ezekiel put his quill down. “There are other ways to extract the memory.”

  He walked over to me, rolling up the sleeves of his robe. Black geometric markings covered his thick arms.

  “What are you doing?” I leaned back against the chair as he reached for me.

  “Helping you remember.”

  He grabbed the sides of my head and began chanting. “Dominus regit me, et nihil mihi deerit . . . .”

  Heat filled my body. I didn’t want this guy touching me. There was nothing wrong with me.

  “In loco pascuæ, ibi me collocavit . . . .”

  The black markings on his arms glowed blue.

  “What are you doing to me?”

  Ezekiel’s eyes closed and his forehead scrunched.

  My heart raced.

  “Super aquam refectionis educavit me . . . .”

  I have to get away from him.

  “Animam meam convertit . . . .”

  Sweat pooled at the back of my neck and dizziness swept over me. I blinked, forcing myself to focus. The heat from his touch burned through the rest of my body. Was this invocation or magic? What if this chant twisted my mind or made it worse? How could I trust a priest from The Order?

  He continued to chant, and even though I wanted to m
ove, fear kept me in my seat. The fear of not knowing what happened with Lucino overpowered the fear of Ezekiel’s chanting.

  “Et ut inhabitem in domo Domini in longitudinem dierum.”

  Ezekiel released me.

  Dizziness left my mind, and a tingling sensation ran though my body. “What did you do to me?”

  Ezekiel unrolled his sleeves and returned to his seat. “That’s enough for today. We’ll try again tomorrow.”

  He puts a spell on me with no explanation, then says ‘that’s enough’? I shook my head and stood.

  “Tell Cael I left, and not to come looking for me.” I was getting Raven and we were leaving. I wasn’t going to be a test subject for The Order.

  The priests gawked as I stormed past, and I didn’t care, even when I knocked over a scroll. Whether The Order wanted to acknowledge it or not, I saved them from Lucino. No one else. Me. I fought him, and it almost killed me.

  I didn’t owe The Order anything.

  Navigating the tunnels between the trees took longer than I thought, and when I finally found my way back, everyone had already finished with supper.

  One of the villagers played a fiddle while another clapped on a set of bongos. Men, women, and children danced, including Raven. She clapped her hands, smiling and laughing, kicking her feet up and down. She and a few other women danced in a single file, men lined up across from them.

  Blond Boy stood directly across from her.

  Not wanting to disrupt their merriment, I slid out of the light, watching them from the shadows. I trusted Raven, but those two had a history; a history I knew nothing about. Were they just childhood friends?

  The men danced with the women, taking one hand in theirs and placing another on their hips, twirling them around.

  Did anyone notice I wasn’t back yet?

  Part of me wanted to rip Raven out of his arms, throw her over my shoulder, and leave. The other wanted to see how far Cael would go, and if that happened, he was mine.

  Seeing Cael’s hands on her hips as the two of them twisted and leapt around made me sick. Not once did Raven glance around to possibly search for me.

  “It’s always coldest in the shadows.”

  Ginna stood beside me, staring straight ahead at Cael and Raven.

  “You and Blond Boy?”

  She smiled, a faint smile that appeared more sad than happy. “No, but not because I didn’t want to.”

  We stood next to each other watching them dance. Ginna wasn’t exotic like Raven, but she had a simple beauty. Cael was an idiot to ignore her. She was sweet and her lips made a cute pout. I would have bet she’d be a good kisser.

  A real smile formed on her lips. “It’s not polite to stare.”

  “Does he know how you feel?”

  She didn’t answer, but her smile faded.

  “He’s an idiot.”

  “Sometimes.” She touched my shoulder. “Don’t spend your night hiding out here. She might miss you.” Ginna glanced to the right. “Goodnight, Avikar.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Ginna walked to the dance floor. Cael laughed at something Ginna said and reached out to take her hand, whispering to Raven as he passed. Raven turned her head, finally spotted me, and walked over.

  “What are you doing over here?” She stood on her toes, kissing me on the lips and putting her arms around my neck.

  I didn’t kiss back. “I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “We were just dancing.” She rolled her eyes. “You should’ve joined us.”

  “Yeah, well, you looked busy.”

  “I’m never too busy for you,” she joked, and stretched up to kiss me again. This time I moved my head.

  “What’s the matter with you?” She dropped her arms, stepping back from me. “Are you jealous?”

  “Me? Jealous? Jealous of what? That guy?” I pointed to Cael. “I’d never be jealous of him; unless . . . should I be? You never did tell me how close you two were.”

  “Cut it out.” She folded her arms, glaring at me.

  “Did Blond Boy ever get his priestly hands under that chemise?”

  Raven’s face turned red and she punched me in the chest. “You’re an idiot.”

  I took the hit, standing straighter, grinning.

  “Ugh.” Raven turned around, walking back to Ginna and Cael, who both watched us.

  I smiled wide and waved. “When you’re ready to leave,” I called to Raven, “come find me. I’ll be the idiot standing in the corner.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Avikar

  Hundreds.

  Soon we will rule.

  Broken visions of Lucino, covered in red and fire, flashed in and out of my mind. My eyes shot open and I couldn’t breathe. Darkness filled the room, and Jonas’ loud snores roared from a few cots over.

  No. No. No.

  Heaviness pressed against my chest and I had to get up. A lantern sat on the table in the center of the room, barely illuminating the area.

  Water. I needed water.

  I shuffled around in the dark, sweat dripping down my back and soaking my shirt. How could I not remember? He said hundreds. There were hundreds of them already here!

  There was no air in this room or tree.

  I have to get out of here.

  Grabbing my sword, I slipped my belt on and snuck out the door.

  The rest of the villagers were asleep. Flickers of candlelight shone from outside the shacks, and I was alone. There were no guards to ask me why I was up or where I was going. The tree slept.

  Moving as quickly and quietly as I could, I headed to the ladder to the high-level walkway. Whether I was allowed outside or not, I didn’t care, I needed air. This tree smothered my every thought.

  How could I forget something so important?

  I was an idiot.

  Near the top of the tree, the light faded to nothing, making walking and finding the door problematic. Since the walkway only went up, I’d find it. Using my hands, I traced along the bark for the indents, and after what seemed like forever, I found the handle.

  Moonlight touched through the spaces of leaves, casting shadows everywhere. I closed the door and stepped outside, then took a deep breath and ran my hands through my hair. Wind rustled the leaves and sent a breeze through my shirt.

  If only I had remembered sooner, we would’ve been more prepared. I would’ve done more than sitting around and hanging out with Raven.

  Had I really been afraid of the truth? No, I wasn’t afraid of Lucino or any of his shapeshifting friends. What was wrong with me?

  After everything we accomplished, we weren’t even close to true victory. How would we be able to tell who was human and who wasn’t? How could I ever trust another person again?

  I breathed in and out, controlling the panic slamming my chest.

  What do I do now?

  Go home.

  The answer was simple.

  I took out my father’s dagger, running my thumb across the runes. During the spider fight, my dagger had been the only weapon able to pierce its skin. How could a simple dagger be able to combat magic?

  The vellum with the rune etchings was safely tucked away in my boot. When I arrived back home, I could show Father the matching runes. This dagger was a family dagger, passed down the line to the eldest son. Someone in our family knew about Lucino. How could they know when The Order didn’t?

  When I began searching the temple in Daath and examining the runes, I wanted to go home, but now I understood why I had to. I needed to be reunited with my family. To protect them. And to finally find an answer to who I was, and more importantly, who my father was.

  Was he really just a solider?

  Since Jimri died, my father and I said very little to one another. It was time we talked.

  “I’m coming h
ome, Father.”

  Closing my eyes and saying those words aloud released the constricting pressure in my chest. I was finally going to see my family—and the shapeshifters that were intent on taking our lands? We’d stop them. I’d fight them all, and I’d do it alongside my father. Nothing was more important than that.

  Hoot.

  Croxley sat on the post, another note on his leg. I slowly stepped to him, and when he didn’t hop away, I reached for the note.

  Hoot.

  If Jonas caught me, I’d be in it for sure. I took a quick look behind me and unfurled the beige paper.

  The betrayer marches. Estradtas is lost.

  The note fell from my hands.

  Estradtas . . . the third land, just west of Lakewood.

  Anger, fear, panic—all collided in my chest and I clenched my hands. This can’t be happening.

  If Estradtas had fallen, Lakewood would be next.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Jeslyn

  Lucino had been working endlessly to finish the boat. He rarely slept or ate. I urged him to rest, but he was anxious. He kept saying we needed to leave the island because of the danger, but every now and then he would look toward the tall trees and I thought I saw wonder in his eyes.

  Hadda had grown from a small crow to the size of the snow geese that habited Lakewood. Any bigger and she wouldn’t be able to rest on my arms. I discovered she loved the silver fish and the native orange colored fruit. I tried to get her to fly again, but she seemed content with flopping around and sitting on my shoulder. If she were to grow to the size of the bird Lucino fought, I’d be in terrible trouble.

  I sat on the sand while Hadda ate a fish. No big waves today, just soft lapping. I had wanted to try swimming since we arrived, but I was nervous. My few attempts at sea had all ended in disaster: the fish attack in Daath, and the shipwreck that landed us here. Back in Luna Harbor, I never ventured into the sea, only admired it from the shore.

  “No reason to sit around being frightened.” I stood, determination rising within me. “I’m going to do it,” I said to Hadda.