Aren put an arm around Selina, who seemed magnetized where she stood, and herded her and Valine into the sitting room, where Geyle was stumbling in. They had escaped the growing windstorm only to enter another one inside the House.
“The god!” Geyle called out over the noise, trying to hold her hair and skirts in place. “All the fire in the House has gone out!”
Aren looked over his shoulder, out past the balcony where the falcon circled. Then, he blacked out.
SEVEN
Kaila sat on one of the deserted beaches on the Kailen Islands, trying to come up with excuses. She would tell Tanghi that she was in Tiede Wood. She could admit to relinquishing her powers just as Geir did. The lack of her powers, plus the intense, raw energy of the Wood, was more than enough to mask her location. Tanghi would be upset with her for mimicking Geir, but his fears would be assuaged.
She would have to tell him about the attack on the House as well, and why she hadn’t told Alaric right away. Lies were so hard to keep up with, and Kaila wished she didn’t have to deceive the ones she loved. But what else could she tell them? That she had it under control?
A breeze lifted Kaila’s hair, and she couldn’t help but smile despite her worries. She felt the shift in the sand as Geir made his way towards her and sat down. He looked out at the open waters without seeing them, and she imagined he was thinking of great ships and sails, and majestic birds taking wing.
“I can’t stay long,” said Geir, his bare feet covered in a rush of water. “But I’m happy to see you again. What’s wrong? You called because you’re in trouble.”
Kaila sighed. “Why did you tell Tanghi about the blessing I placed on the girl?”
“I didn’t tell him anything about that. You said you’d tell Alaric when you were ready.”
Kaila recalled the message that she and Alaric had watched, Tanghi saying he had spoken to Geir. “Then, why was he so concerned—”
“I told him that I’m in trouble with Aalae again,” Geir cut her off. “That’s all. I regret saying anything.” Kaila’s brows furrowed but he pushed on. “I don’t have a lot of time, Kay. Tanghi is with Sabana in Trum, and they think I’m out looking for horses.” He brushed off some of the black, magic powder that covered his arms.
“Has Tanghi said anything about me being missing?” Kaila asked as she picked a feather out of his hair.
Geir leaned back on his hands. “No, but the fae of Tiede Wood told me he was looking for you. If I don’t get back soon, he’ll be looking for me too. We should convince him there’s something going on between us.”
“You could have any creature in all of creation; the most beautiful gods and goddesses ever to exist would want you as soon as they laid eyes on you.” She nudged him with her shoulder. “Besides, you’re too old for me.” He smiled, making her feel warm inside. If only he would be like this all the time, the way he used to be. “When did you talk to the fae?” she asked.
“This is a nice respite,” he said. She was about to repeat her question, but he went on, “So why would Tanghi venture into Tiede Wood? He hates trees.”
Kaila moved to kneel in front of him. She needed to look at his face, even if she couldn’t see his eyes. “Tanghi knows I was in Tiede, but he didn’t know I relinquished my powers to be there. There are things in Tiede that I can help with, and if I succeed, maybe Alaric will take me seriously, but I don’t want anyone to know that I relinquished my powers to spend time with mortals.”
Geir sighed. “I’m the last one to tell you what to do, but you know how dangerous mortals can be. I’ve warned you to keep your distance.”
“Is that why you left that note for the young man in Tiede?” she asked. She couldn’t see his eyes, but the movement of the muscles in his jaw told her everything. “Since when did you get involved in the affairs of mortals?”
“He didn’t listen to my advice,” Geir managed to say, “and you remained in contact with him. I saved his life because I knew it would hurt you to see him dead, but I was hoping that the note would scare some sense into him. Most mortals would retreat back into whatever comfortable hole they came from; this one charges into trouble with reckless abandon. No mysterious note from some stranger is going to stop him from flirting with danger.”
“How did you save his life?”
“After you mentioned him, I decided to see what he was about, so I followed him around Tiede that night. He attracts chaotic magic. The first time, I alerted him to a creature’s presence in an alleyway. The second time, I physically picked him up and brought him back to the House after he was knocked unconscious.” Geir exhaled, as if he had been holding his breath. “I thought that all you felt for the boy was a temporary curiosity bolstered by your sense of compassion. I wasn’t betting on you altering the course of the fate lines by having feelings for him. The more you interact with the mortal, the more your line tangles with Alaric’s.”
“You knew I had feelings for him?”
“Not until you told me you saw the note,” he said, and she grimaced. “You can’t lie to me, Kay.”
“Alaric will lock me up if Aalae learns about Tiede. Please don’t tell her,” she begged.
“Aalae already knows about Tiede. She’s keeping Alaric distracted so that it might fall on its own. She even has counter-spells in place so that Taia isn’t alerted. But don’t worry, she doesn’t know about the mortal,” he assured her. “I don’t know what this boy’s actions are doing to the lines, and now it’s too late for me to undo what he’s done. I probably should have let him die. This would all be less complicated.”
She took his hand. “You did the right thing by saving his life. He would never hurt me, I know he wouldn’t.”
“Kaila, there is no future with—”
“I know!” she cut him off a little too harshly. She continued, softer. “I mean to say I need to see my work through to the end to face Alaric. The new Priestess, the conflicts in the House, the magic…”
A darkness settled over Geir’s features, and a sadness she couldn’t explain clouded his aura. “You need to let him go,” he said. “Whatever it is you have to do in Tiede, finish it and say goodbye. Your line tangles with Alaric because he will kill the boy with his bare hands if he ever finds out about him.” Kaila couldn’t stop the tears from flowing, and her body was racked with sobs. “It hurts, I know it does, but if you care for him at all…” Geir reached out to touch her but pulled back. “If Aalae finds out, she will use the mortal to control you. Alaric can’t afford that and neither can I. If it came down to it, I would kill the boy if it meant saving you. I don’t say these things to hurt you, but you have to understand if you want to save his life.” Geir cupped her face. “If you can cut all ties with him, I will do my best to assure his safety and keep him hidden from the gods. I promise.”
“His name is Aren,” she whispered as Geir finally pulled her into his arms. “No one can know about him.”
“I swear on Mahl’s holy name that no one will hear of him through me.”
EIGHT
Aren stood outside of the Mermaid’s Song, waiting for Dane. His brother said he’d meet him as soon as he delivered the latest sets of daggers to the Fighters Guild. As Aren leaned against a lamppost, he pulled two burned dolls from the pack he carried. Their rigid, ivory bodies were cracked, and their painted faces faded. He fingered the threadbare clothes covered in soot and examined the little shoes made of bone.
When he had woken in the sitting room, the connections had become clear. Valine and Selina were sitting next to him, conferring with Elder. Aren had begun talking at once about monsters and magic and how he had to help the ghosts find their way home, how he had to listen to the voices and protect Tiede. That was when Geyle gave him some tea to calm his nerves.
Valine and Geyle began to argue, then the room dimmed. When he had woken up again, he was in his room. Elder had left a note with express instructions to stay in bed, but he left anyway. How am I supposed to stay in bed when there’s
a monster trying to kill us?
Aren tugged at his black vest, then glanced at his pocket watch before looking down the street. Still no sign of Dane. What was taking him so long? All the good ale was here at the tavern, so he couldn’t have stopped between the Guild and here.
“Well, if it isn’t the luckiest man in Tiede.”
Aren turned towards the mocking voice, wondering which drunken apprentices were going to go at it today. Before he could figure it out, a fist caught him square in the jaw. He lost his balance and fell to the ground. The dolls in his hand clattered to the pavement, and he cursed as he recovered himself, looking to find his assailant as a few onlookers gasped and scattered, the fear of killers and monsters driving their actions.
A kick landed on Aren’s ribs, knocking him back, his arms coming up to shield himself from another blow. The next kick was aimed at his face, and he rolled before the boot could connect, pushing himself up into a defensive crouch. When the next kick came, he was ready for it, blocking and preparing his defenses again.
“Aren’t you just full of surprises,” the man said, the black hood of his apprentice robes dropping back to reveal Trista’s friend.
Recognition blossomed in Aren’s brain. “Inra Mercer. What do you want with me?”
“I want you dead, asshole,” Mercer attacked again, but Aren managed to block the strikes. He pointed at Aren’s shoulders. “Let’s see the marks. I know Trista was lying to protect you.”
“We’re going to talk now?” Aren scoffed, his arms open wide. “Kiakt’i gu’rd! Come on, hit me again. Give me a reason.”
Mercer looked hesitant, but there was no mistaking the frustration and anger in his eyes. “Show me the marks!” Mercer demanded.
“Aren! What’s going on?”
Mercer took a few steps back as Dane came running down the road and joined them. Aren rattled off a string of curses, gesturing at Mercer, and Dane gave his chest a few pats with the back of his hand. “Calm down, brother. In a non-dead language I can understand.”
Aren pointed. “They are trying to kill me.”
Dane looked at Mercer and raised an eyebrow. “Not with a stance like that. Who is they anyway? And why you?”
“That’s what I was trying to find out, but he keeps telling me to take off my shirt.”
Dane shook his head and began to pick up the ivory dolls, the broken limbs, not bothering to acknowledge Mercer’s presence any further. “Why are you carrying these creepy things around?” He replaced them in the pack. “Is this what you wanted my help with? To play with dolls?”
Aren let out a breath, put his hands on his hips as he hung his head. “I need to take them to the Wood.”
Mercer yelled something and Dane put a hand on Aren’s back, leading him away. “Calla’s probably called for help,” he said, referring to the tavern proprietress. “We don’t need to be here when the Regulators arrive.”
Aren looked over his shoulder to find Mercer backing away towards the town center, hatred contorting the man’s features.
“Next time you want to fight me, bring the big man!” Aren yelled.
Dane put him back on course, and they walked towards the stables on the other side of the inn. Vir’s information was on target; someone really was trying to kill him. But why? If Mercer believed he was marked, why would he want to kill a fellow mage?
“Shouldn’t we have him arrested?” Aren asked. “That’s why Trista came to the House the other night: to get me out in the open.”
“Arrested? On what charges?”
Aren put a hand to his ribs. “He beat me and I think he’s behind the first attack on the House.”
Dane stopped to examine him. “He hardly touched you, you big baby. Gods, you better not tell Gryf. He’ll beat you just to remind you what a beating is.” Dane put a hand on Aren’s shoulder and they continued walking. “Just so you understand, I’m only going with you to the Wood because it’s already in your head to do it. It seems every time I leave you alone, you get into some kind of trouble. I’d start to believe that Tiede’s curse attached itself to you if I didn’t already know you had your own special kind of curse.”
They approached the stables, and Aren gave him a droll stare. “That’s only when it comes to women.”
“Speaking of which, how’s Lake?”
“Doing well, I think. She and I were working this morning, but she had some pain so I took her back to her room so she could rest.” They greeted the stable boy and pointed out two of the younger gree. “I owe Rieka a huge debt for taking care of her.”
“Don’t mention it,” Dane said as they watched the boy prepare their mounts. “It’s given Rieka a huge boost of confidence, and I personally enjoyed waking up to a fully prepared breakfast. Also, not that Rie needed it, but the gold pieces were a very generous token.”
“Lake left gold?”
“She most surely did,” Dane said as he and Aren herded the two gree out by the scruffs of their necks. “She must be rather well off herself. Seems to me there’s still quite a bit you don’t know about your beautiful friend.”
NINE
Aalae watched with annoyance as Rafi applied salves of winter-mint, aloe, and papaya to Geir’s wounds. Rafi winced at the sight of the raw, open burns that raked Geir’s chest, but Geir only clenched his teeth, waiting for Aalae to tell him to return to the fighting in Trum.
“Have you nothing to say for yourself?” she seethed.
Geir turned his face up as if to look at the bright, white ceilings that turned and bounced the light that shone in through the glass walls of the botanical. A thin layer of black powder covered his skin, shadowing and accentuating his muscles, making him look almost demon. He looked out of place, a broken beast surrounded by the vibrant greenery of plants and trees, the saturation of flowers.
A breath escaped his lips. “Why must you have me followed? Are you afraid I’m off worshipping someone more beautiful than you?”
“You can’t bait me,” she snapped. “Why did you meet with Kaila? What did you give her?”
“My love. Something you will never have.” He gave her a cocky grin. “Ask me another question.”
Aalae reached out to form her whip when Rafi touched her hand and gave her a look to remind her that their problems were bigger than Geir’s madness.
She made an irritated noise, then said, “Did you tell her about the counter-spells over Tiede? Have you ruined everything I’ve put in place?”
“If only it were so easy,” he sighed. His speech was getting slower, and he looked as though he were having difficulty holding up his head. “No, my Lady. I have bled to keep your secrets safe. Kaila is just…” he trailed off, smiled, then continued, “She just needs me sometimes.”
Aalae glared at him. “Whose side are you on?”
“There once was a time long, long ago when there were no sides. There was one timeline, one unbroken cycle of Light and Night with four major Elements supporting it. There were eight continents and one imprisoned yet quiet planetary god.” Geir’s voice was soft, lulling. “Now, we are being strangled in countless fate lines with an angry planetary god who is trying to free himself and destroy us.”
“Your point?”
He laughed and she wanted to slap him, cut open his beautiful face. “No point, my Lady. I forget who I’m talking to.” He smiled but his fingers gripped the treatment table with enough ferocity to turn his knuckles white. He shook his head and gritted his teeth.
Rafi held a hand up to her, and she tried to rein in her temper. He gave her a slight nod to let her know that the potion he had mixed into the salve was finally starting to work.
“What were you doing with Kaila?” Rafi asked. “Did Alaric send her to you to get information?”
“No, she just…” Geir turned his head left and right as if looking for something. “She missed me and needed to talk.”
“About what?” Aalae pressed, her patience wearing thin again.
“She’s in love.”
TEN
Nothing happened when Aren buried the dolls. There were no ghost children, no glowing lights. Granted, Dane didn’t allow Aren to go deep into the Wood. They stayed within sight of the first marker, the ghostwood with the Guardian constellation carved into the base of the trunk. Dane asked if they were going to perform any rituals. Maybe it had all just been a bad dream.
They stayed in the Wood for a while, close to the tree line, since it was still light out. Aren sat on a mossy log, breathed in the scent of soil and wood and green, and felt a calm that he hadn’t known in a while spreading over him. Dane leaned against a tree, peeling the bark off a fallen piece of branch while Aren recounted his conversation with Valine, the images that assaulted his memory, and the strange experience with the falcon.
“Rumor is, the Wind god paid a visit to the House,” Dane said, examining the stick. “I wasn’t nearby, but they said you could feel the gusts all the way out to the town center and midway down Guild Row.”
“We had rain yesterday,” said Aren. “It could just be a prelude to more storms.” He found it odd how people always explained things away by blaming it on a god.
“Could be, faithless Apprentice,” Dane chuckled, and Aren shot him a wry look. “I choose to believe that the gods are paying attention because Tiede is in serious trouble. Nothing this bad has happened in Tiede for as long as I can remember.”
Aren hated to admit it but his brother was on to something. “Not since Lady Elleina died. Before that, there was an assassination, some strange illness, a disappearance. All the incidents revolved around the Tiede family and their spouses and offspring.” Aren looked towards the cluster of rocks where the dirt had been newly turned. “There was the fire that killed those two Tiede children. I think I met them. I think that’s what my brain is trying to piece together.”
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