The Daath Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Eliza Tilton

  “Lucino? What are you doing here?”

  Terra glanced at Derrick who lowered his sword. “You know him?”

  Derrick nodded, but his gaze never left mine. His jaw twitched as his face tightened. “Is she here?”

  I shook my head. “No, but she’s in danger nonetheless.”

  Terra’s gaze switched back and forth between Derrick and me. “I don’t understand,” she said. “Why are you here? And how do you know Derrick?”

  “It’s a long story, and one I don’t have time to share.”

  Blackness crept across the sands as the night pushed away the last of the light.

  “We better get inside,” Derrick said. “You can tell us what’s happened.”

  “Can you behave?” Keeping one hand on my staff, I measured Terra’s glare, the hate boiling within those delicious eyes.

  “She’ll be fine.” Derrick put a hand on Terra’s back, ushering her inside.

  I wonder what has happened during their little journey. Has the human finally found another mate to occupy his time with?

  Inside, I sat on a piece of thick cloth then proceeded to recount the events that led me here. Derrick sat silent while Terra’s curiosity had interrupted me three times. Between her shock I was marrying a human, and the clear jealousy of it not being her, I was surprised I finished speaking at all.

  “Lucy will keep her safe,” Derrick said to himself. I still wondered what transpired between my sister and him. Lucy was never nice to anyone unless it gained her something.

  “She will, but there is no way to know what my clone plans to do. I need to return to Daath, quickly.”

  “Agreed.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Jeslyn

  Mother and Calli sat at the long dining table, an assortment of Daath’s finest fruits and delicately roasted pheasant spread before them. My heart fluttered at the sight of my sister shoving a handful of honey roasted figs in her mouth and Mother quietly shushing her.

  “Jeslyn!” Juice dripped down Calli’s chin as she waved at me.

  “Enjoying the food?” I smiled while Mother swiped a napkin across Calli’s chin, earning a big frown from her.

  “Mmm hmm.” Calli nodded and shoved away from the table to give me a hug.

  I wrapped my arms around her. The servants had pinned her hair half up, and her blonde ringlets danced on her shoulders. For a time, I never thought I would see my family again, now… now I couldn’t believe they were here. Once Father came, we would all be together, and Avikar would be forced to return to us.

  Months and still no sign of him. Mother hadn’t asked, but I knew she would. I was terrified to tell her the truth: my brother left and no one has heard or seen him in months.

  Julian entered the dining room, followed by Gwen and Jezebel. “Good evening, my ladies,” he said, causing Gwen to bat her eyelashes at Jezebel who politely nudged her hip with her elbow.

  “Evening, Julian.” He took my hand and gently kissed the top of it.

  “And who is this beautiful thing?” He reached out his hand towards Calli, whose blue eyes widened.

  “That’s my sister Calli and my mother, Selene.”

  “A pleasure,” he cooed, and Calli’s face blushed when he kissed her hand.

  “Who are you?” Calli asked in awe. “Are you a prince?”

  Julian laughed, and when he did, his brown eyes sparkled with delight. “Only to pretty girls.”

  Calli giggled and even Mother couldn’t help but smile.

  “I see where Jeslyn’s beauty comes from.” He bowed his head at mother who smiled and curtsied.

  Gwen came up behind me and gave me a quick squeeze. She knew how much it meant to have my family here, and after the fight with Lucino, I needed a bit of happiness.

  “Lord Lucino will be down in a moment,” Willis announced. “Please sit. The servants will be serving drinks and our first course.”

  I took my seat beside the one at the head of the table. Julian took the chair directly across from me, while Mother and Calli sat next to me, Calli squeezing in between us. Jezebel made a point to sit one seat down from Julian.

  “You wouldn’t leave me to be bored by politics all night, my lady?” He smiled at her.

  “Of course not.” She moved to sit next to him and purposefully avoided glancing in Gwen’s direction who scampered out of the room, covering her giggling mouth.

  The servants brought in goblets of honey fruit wine, and raspberry juice for Calli. I sipped the warm drink, my gaze focused on the large double doors where Lucino would walk in.

  Where is he?

  I tapped my foot under the table, impatiently waiting for him to arrive. He knew meeting my family was important to me. How could he be so inconsiderate?

  The doors opened, and my heart fell to my stomach.

  “Sorry for the delay,” Lucino said. “I hope everyone is enjoying the refreshments.”

  A goblet fell to the floor; I think it was mine. My breath hitched in my throat. When Lucino made eye contact with me, I wanted to cry.

  There he stood, in all his Reptilian glory, while the rest of us gaped in silence. The soft olive skin, the ears pointed to the sky, his eyes brighter, almost painful to look at….

  “That’s quite a costume.” Julian laughed, but forced, and it came out more like a strangled cough. “Had I known it was a masquerade, I would have changed.”

  I watched in horror, my heart beating faster and faster.

  No. No, not like this.

  Lucino gave me a wink as if I approved! I loved him, but he couldn’t just introduce himself this way. Why would he do this?

  He pulled out the chair next to me and sat. “I assure you, this is no costume.”

  Julian’s brow furrowed and when he glanced at me, I had nothing to say.

  “Please.” Lucino raised a glass. “Continue, we have all night.” He brought the glass to his lips, and I leaned over.

  “What are you doing?” I whispered.

  “What I should have done months ago. No more hiding.”

  I sat back in my chair looking at Jezebel for support, but by the crease in her brow, I knew she didn’t know what to do either.

  “I want green skin. Can the servants get me a costume?” Calli bobbed in her seat and my heart pattered waiting to hear Lucino’s response.

  “Only my kind have this skin. I’m afraid my servants wouldn’t be much help.”

  “Your kind?” Julian kept his voice even.

  “Ahh, the question of the night!” Lucino snapped his fingers at one of the servants who filled his glass with more wine. “What am I? Well, why don’t I show you?”

  Then before our eyes, his skin faded to a rich cream color, his pointed ears shortened, and his sharp angular features returned to the human boy I fell in love with.

  “Magic!” Calli shouted and clapped her hands.

  “Shh.” Mother grabbed Calli’s arm before she could run over to Lucino who sipped his wine, smirking at the shocked faces staring at him.

  “Magic… yes, my people have lots of magic. Would you like to see more?” Lucino held my sister’s gaze.

  “Uh huh.” She nodded, while the tension surrounding the rest of us grew until the air was thick with it.

  Julian continued his meal, cutting the braised meat with his knife, but his left hand shook, only for a moment, but long enough I knew he was pretending to be calm.

  “Lucino.” I smiled, faintly. “My family has come a long way, and this is a lot of excitement. Might we show them another time?”

  He leaned back in his seat and tapped his chin.

  “If it would be all right,” my Mother interjected, “we’ll retire now. I’m very weary from traveling so far.”

  “Hmm. I guess we can wait. You may retire to your room.”

  “
Thank you.” Mother bowed and pulled a frowning Calli out of her seat and rushed from the room.

  “But I wanted to see the magic,” Calli moaned as the doors closed.

  The pounding in my chest slowed. At least my family was out of the room.

  “As for you,” Lucino said to Julian. “Our plans have changed a bit.”

  Julian placed his cutlery on the table. “Oh? How so?”

  Lucino rubbed the rim of his glass with his pointer. “You see. I’ve had time to think, and Daath will not be negotiating any more trade deals.”

  “What?” I gasped. “How can you—”

  Lucino raised a finger at me, the playful smirk replaced by a cold snarl.

  “Your king will abide by the new law, and one that allows magic to rule.”

  This can’t be. What’s he talking about? This was never part of the plan.

  “You are asking something I am not able to respond to.” Julian glanced around the table as guards entered the room. “What you ask is not possible.”

  “Oh, I believe it is.” Lucino snapped his fingers and Julian dashed out of his seat, but not fast enough. The guards grabbed his arms. “You will stay in the prison until after the wedding. I can’t have you snooping around or trying to escape.”

  “Why not kill me now?” Julian growled.

  “Because you are more useful alive. Take him.”

  When the guards left, Jezebel slipped out behind them. While I wanted her here, I knew she was checking on my family.

  Lucino and I sat alone at the table. He picked up the pheasant leg and ripped into the meat like a savage. My stomach rolled with anger and disgust.

  “Why?” My voice cracked at the question.

  “The truth would be revealed soon. No reason to wait.”

  “Why wouldn’t you tell me? I haven’t even had a chance for my mother and Calli to meet you. And Julian?” I pushed away from the table to stand. “He’s our guest!”

  “He’s our enemy.”

  “No.” I shook my head unable to listen to him. “Peace. He was our chance at peace.”

  “I don’t know if there can be peace.” Lucino’s voice softened. “They will always fear us. Better we be the monster now than when they have us beaten.”

  “What happened to hope? What’s changed?”

  “This.” He dragged his finger across his stomach. “This is what humanity does.”

  “What happened? You told me it was a creature.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’ve made my decision.”

  “Lucino…” I wanted to give him comfort, remind him of all the gains we’ve made. “We’ve been through so much together. I know the weight of your people is a heavy burden, but we can’t give up on hope.”

  “I’m afraid it’s already gone.” He stood and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. “While my appearance might have been a bit jarring, your mother will come around.”

  I nodded, even though I didn’t want him anywhere near my family—not until I understood why he acted this way.

  What happened to the boy I loved?

  He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “Care for a walk in the gardens?”

  His touch sent a shiver across my face. “I’m tired.”

  “Very well. I will see you in the morning.” He leaned forward and kissed me, though I stood as still as stone.

  When his lips left me, I hurried to my room, holding back tears the entire way.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lucino

  Derrick had agreed to have first watch to let me rest. I did not want to attempt sleep with Terra nearby, though he vowed she would not touch me. If I knew anything about the human, it was his unfathomable loyalty, and with Jeslyn’s life in danger, I had no disbeliefs about where his priorities lay. My chest throbbed and a dull ache pounded in my head, making sleep almost impossible, yet somehow I did.

  When I opened my eyes, Derrick and Terra were both out of the tent. I stretched, slowing rolling to my side and in to a sitting position. Bones cracked, and I had to take a deep breath as I pulled myself to my feet.

  Harsh wind forced the tent flap open, revealing an orange and pink sky. Derrick sat on the dusty ground, sharpening his broadsword. The black blade shined under the suns.

  He gazed up and nodded. “Morning.”

  “Morning.” I stretched out my arms and squinted at the bright light. My body ached. My clone had come too close to killing me. The shoulder wound had almost healed, but the wound to my chest ached. Even with my healing ability, this would take time to fully recover.

  Terra ran down an adjacent hill, sand kicking up around her breeches. “If we’re going to make the journey through the gorge before nightfall, we need to leave now.”

  “How far away from the gate are we?” I asked. “Can we use the speeder?”

  She shook her head. “The pulse is coming from beyond the gorge, and within. We don’t have the right supplies to fly above and descend down.”

  I thought back to my father’s speeder. It contained basic med kits, technical parts to repair the ship… but no rope. “I would think rope would be a necessary item out here?”

  “It is, and we have some,” she said, “but not enough to reach the bottom.”

  Derrick stepped by my side. “We’re wasting time.”

  I nodded.

  Terra smirked, reminding me eerily of my sister, dangerous and extremely clever. “Oh, and prince… don’t stop running.” She spun on her heel and dashed over the rocky hill before us.

  “What does she mean?”

  Derrick sheathed his massive sword into the holder on his back. “You’ll see.” He grinned and disappeared over the ledge.

  I growled. “Fools.”

  The hill rose then fell in to a ravine. Colossal rock stained pink and orange paralleled the empty ravine. Sand covered the floor, drifting up into the air as the wind sent a breeze through the long valley. The ravine turned and swayed like a river, and I couldn’t see how far it went.

  Terra and Derrick stood at the opening, where the walls began to rise up to the sun, while Terra pulled out a long black bag. “Once we start running, our steps will awaken the bugs… so don’t stop.” She eyed me. “You chop the one in front of you and you keep running.”

  “What kind of bugs?” Our land had many bugs, and I’d already faced the wenlo mother; none were tougher or more dangerous than her.

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what kind, but how many. Even you could not handle a swarm of a hundred giant scorpions.”

  She made a valid point. “What’s the plan?”

  “Derrick has lead, you center. I’ll guard our rear. These energy balls will attract the bugs. It should give us enough time to escape.”

  “How long to the gate?” I watched Derrick’s face waiting for a hint of fear, anything but his stoic expression.

  “If we hurry,” she said. “We can reach it by dusk.”

  Running all day? Terra and I had the stamina to achieve such a feat, but the human didn’t. “What about Derrick?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  I shrugged. “Very well, then—let’s go.”

  Both suns blazed in the sky, hot boiling stars, one fading. We began in a slow jog, padding across the sand. A rush of wind brushed against my already hot face. I gazed at the rocky holes in the mountain, curious what sort of bug would crawl out. Bugs were the least of my worries.

  My thoughts went to Jeslyn. Always to her. I did not believe in regrets―one made their choices―and yet I could not help wondering where we would both be if I had never went to see her in Luna Harbor. Romulus had warned me about the dangers of creating a simulacrum. I had heard the stories, but if I had never made those decisions, Jeslyn and I would not have been left on that island where everything changed.

  Though the island br
ought us together, it also brought us to this point in time.

  I would make things right.

  “Here they come!” Terra yelled and I turned as she threw a blue orb behind us. The ball crashed on the ground, exploding into blast of energy.

  Brown scorpions, and insects with too many legs to count, crawled out of the sand, swarming to where the ball burst. Blue lightning crackled in a sphere, snaking out and incinerating any creature venturing too close. I whirled to the front where Derrick ran with his broadsword out, the way ahead clear.

  The ravine bent right, narrowing at the top, casting our run in dancing shadows. Sounds of hissing and slithering sand fainted the farther we ran. While my mind wanted to return to thoughts and worries of Jeslyn’s wellbeing, I knew keeping my focus on the path ahead would get me to her faster.

  Yet no matter how fast I ran, it wasn’t quick enough.

  I am coming.

  We trod on the rocky floor and the monsters all seemed to disappear. Again, the ravine bent right, this time opening into a large valley, broken up by twisted red rock formations. A stream gurgled pink waters. Muddy brown bushes dotted the open expanse, and the cloudless sky gave the appearance of a peaceful and serene day. But the hunter in me knew better. Where there is water, there are beasts.

  A tingling sensation on my neck warned me to watching eyes. As we trotted across the valley, I gazed around the mountains, searching for the malevolent beast I sensed watched.

  “On guard, prince.”

  Terra’s warning confirmed my suspicions. If she sensed the creature, it was no normal beast. Searching our flank for anything out of place, I grabbed the three-quarter staff off my back, and held it with both hands, horizontally, waiting for an attack.

  Boom.

  The ground shook as a massive crok landed in front of Derrick. Bony brown plates covered its shell, and a long-pointed tail dripping with poison swung behind it while claws the length of my arm adorned its toes. It scraped against the ground, snorting through its beak, eyes black.

  Derrick raised his sword. “Any words of wisdom with this one?”