The Stone Eater (The Magic Eaters Trilogy Book 3)

by Carol Beth Anderson

  She walked around to stand on his left, hands in the air. He moved the lantern to his right hand and grabbed the base of her neck with his left, establishing a connection with her mind. “Are you going to kill, injure, or betray me, or help anyone else to do so?”

  “No.”

  “Follow me.” Letting go of her neck but retaining control of her mind, he stepped past orsas and over injured guards, scanning the area and quickly finding a dragon—his dragon—on the ground. The other dragon was gone. Ulmin sent urgent messages to the golden beast’s mind, demanding that it rise. It tried, legs shaking, before again falling.

  “You will rise as soon as you are physically capable of it!” he screamed. “You will fly from here and search for those you allied yourself with.” Unlike other brain lysters, Ulmin could retain a connection with a controlled mind over quite some distance. Now that he had the beast in his mental grasp, he could continue to guide it even if it flew out of sight. He’d need to prevent it from flying too far, however. Dragons had stronger minds than humans. The king continued, “If you find our enemies, you will kill them. The people and the dragons.”

  All at once, he realized what he’d said. One of those people was his daughter. He opened his mouth to tell the dragon to spare Nora.

  His teeth snapped shut. Nora had attacked him.

  Again.

  Earlier tonight, he’d naïvely imagined molding her into the princess and future queen she needed to be. It was time to stop lying to himself. She was no longer his daughter. She was his enemy. Nothing he did would change that.

  Still, he wanted to see her. To tell her goodbye. To ask why she’d turned against him. Then . . .

  Then he would be a man and kill her himself.

  Through a tight throat, he spoke to the dragon. “Kill everyone but Nora. Bring her to me. Now GET UP!”

  The massive, stupid beast tried, but it still could not stand. Ulmin shook his head in disgust and turned to Sharai. He frisked her, confiscating two guns and extra bullets. When he was done, he released her mind. “Talk.”

  She blinked, looking around in confusion before meeting his gaze. “I’ll tell you everything. I only ask that you consider making me part of your government again.”

  He would’ve laughed if he didn’t despise her so much. “You’re a traitor, and I can get the truth from you whether or not you want to share.”

  “That would depend on you asking the right questions. You may get more information if I talk willingly.”

  That was true. “Perhaps you can convince me to trust you again.” The lie emerged smoothly, followed by a cough. “I invite you to do your best to try.”

  She nodded, all business. “Nora’s been working with a seer. She’s bleeding out over there, and if you can’t get a healer here fast, she’ll die.”

  Ulmin’s mouth dropped open. “Show me.”

  Sharai led him to the young woman who’d stolen his stone. Ulmin knelt and released a short, relieved sigh when he saw that she was still breathing. He looked up at Sharai, whose face was ghoulish in the lantern light, all sharp lines and shadows. “She’s a seer?”

  Sharai nodded.

  Ulmin allowed himself a small smile as he placed a hand on the girl’s face, establishing a connection with her mind so that if she woke, he could control her. By the stone, that healer had better get here fast. With a seer and a dragon on his side, what couldn’t he do?

  “Tell me everything,” he commanded Sharai.

  Information flowed from her mouth as freely as water from a tap. Ulmin listened, but his eyes were flitting across the area. When his dragon at last rose to its feet, Ulmin hushed Sharai and ran to the creature. “You know your instructions! Go!” It lifted into the air.

  Not a minute later, fire from two fighting dragons lit up the sky some distance away. Ulmin let out a joyful cry. He reached out his mind to determine if the second dragon was the gray one he’d once held captive. It was not. He sent fierce mental pressure to his dragon, instructing it to fight to the death. The other creature could not be allowed to return to Nora. Where was she amassing all these damn reptids, anyway?

  Before long, the blood lyster arrived. Ulmin stood over her as she knelt by the seer, muttering about the severity of the injury. She drank copious amounts of thick, yellow blood as she slowly removed the knife from the girl’s gut, repairing tissue along the way.

  The healer let out a frustrated groan. “My talent wasn’t meant for injuries this severe!”

  Ulmin knelt by her. “If you want to leave this place alive, you will succeed in this task. Do you understand?”

  “Yes . . . yes, Your Majesty.”

  He hovered over her as she worked. At last, the knife was out, and the wound on the girl’s belly was closed. “She will wake soon,” the healer said.

  Ulmin stood. Giddy laughter bubbled in his chest. He held his belly as his entire body rejoiced. The seer—his seer—would live. The dragons were still fighting, closer to him now. He calmed himself and sent a mental instruction to his dragon, commanding it to fight even harder. The beast roared in return. Ulmin was certain it would win this battle.

  Joy sent lightness throughout his body, and he looked around for someone to share it with. Someone he could trust. “Ovrun! Come here, son.”

  When the young man didn’t come, a bit of dread slithered through Ulmin’s insides. “Ovrun?” He hurried through the area, stepping around orsas, ignoring questions his people sent his way. “Ovrun! Ovrun, my boy!”

  Cold with fear, he kept searching as the healer took care of all the injuries, big and small. At last, she approached the king, asking if she could heal his lungs from the dust he’d inhaled. He nodded, barely noticing her cool hands on his back. He was too busy scanning the area for the hundredth time.

  Ovrun, the one person Ulmin had dared to believe was truly loyal, was gone.

  27

  Ulmin showed up on Uncle Quin’s doorstep after dinner tonight. “Can we talk on your porch?” he asked. “My grandmother insisted I come work things out.”

  It wasn’t the greatest start to a conversation. And for a long time, it didn’t improve. But fighting is tiring. After a couple of hours, we gave in and started listening to each other.

  He told me again how afraid he is of losing me, not because he doesn’t trust me, but because of how much he already cares for me. I told him I want to give myself over to my feelings for him, but I can’t stop questioning the whole process and how little control we have over it.

  After a long, difficult talk, we made a commitment . . . to friendship. I hope it’ll turn into more, but that’s what we both need right now.

  -Letter from Ambrel Kaulder to Dani Kaulder

  Dated Barna 12, 180 PD

  Where are you?

  Osmius and Nora had just taken to the air after dropping off the others when Vin’s voice entered her mind. Heart racing, she replied, We’re flying! Are you okay?

  I escaped from Gild.

  Oh, thank the stone. Renewed hope loosened the bands of tension circling her chest. Osmius, can you send Vin directions to the barn?

  I am doing so now, Nora-human.

  Nora’s thoughts swirled, fogging up her brain like the dust Zeisha had stirred up. Where were you? Why didn’t you answer me earlier? We thought—

  It was a hard fight, he interrupted. Never before have I been so weak. I needed to hunt to replenish my energy. It was difficult to say even a few words to you. I have eaten now, and my strength is returning. I shall catch one more meal before coming to you.

  Are you injured?

  I have a gash in one wing, but it shall heal.

  Nora was hesitant to ask, but she had to. What about Gild? Is she dead?

  No! Vin’s voice was shockingly strong, resonating with anger. I would never kill another dragon. She is merely fatigued. She fought with a frantic energy, far more than she would have used were her mind not manipulated. In the end, she fell from the sky, unconscious. We were flying quite hi
gh, and I caught her with my claws so the fall would not kill her. In Vallinger, when a dragon becomes exhausted to the point of losing consciousness, they remain asleep for hours. Osmius, is it the same for dragons here?

  It is, Osmius said. When Gild wakes, she will need food, as you did. But she is strong. She shall recover fully.

  Relief, as cool as the autumn wind, rushed over Nora. The thought of her father controlling Gild still sent nausea burning through her stomach. But at least the gentle, golden dragon wasn’t dead. And thanks to Gild’s exhaustion, Nora’s father couldn’t immediately attack the farms.

  Nora again considered their strategy. Flying Osmius to the farms had never been an ideal plan. One glimpse of the gray dragon, and her father would capture his mind again.

  Vin’s mind, however, wasn’t subject to the king’s control. If Vin carried Nora, she’d have the freedom to help the rebels until the moment someone spotted Gild and Ulmin in the air. Then she and Vin could fly out of sight. Nora shared the idea with both dragons.

  Vin, Osmius said, do you have the strength for such a trip?

  I shall, when I have eaten again, he replied. I can go without rest for some time if my belly is full.

  Happy hunting, then, Nora said. We’ll see you when you’re done.

  Osmius turned back toward the barn where the others were staying. Flying with Vin is a wise choice, Nora-human, though I always prefer to carry you myself.

  You’re a big softie.

  He responded with a growl.

  Despite the long night, Nora’s limbs filled with sudden energy. Vin’s message didn’t fix everything that had gone wrong tonight. But she had every reason to think they’d get to the farms on time. A soft, relieved laugh burst from her mouth.

  As they landed at the barn, Osmius said, I shall hunt, then return.

  Sounds good. Nora dismounted and ran inside. The old building was lit only by a couple of candles. Kebi and Joli were both resting peacefully, but Krey and Zeisha were awake. Nora huddled with the two of them and laid out the new plans.

  Krey’s smile got wider the longer she talked. When she was through, he said, “The grumpy dragon came through for us.”

  Nora laughed. She and Krey got into a deep discussion about the best way to evacuate the farms. At some point, Zeisha bid them goodnight, joining Kebi and Joli on the floor.

  After some time, Krey said, “Before you leave again, there’s something I need to tell you.” Candlelight bounced off the planes of his face. He looked as serious as she’d ever seen him.

  “What is it?”

  As Krey drew in a deep breath, Osmius spoke to Nora. I have returned.

  “Hang on for just a minute,” Nora told Krey. “Osmius is back.” She sent the dragon a message: That was a quick hunt.

  Now we shall see if I can fit in the barn doors. Will you open them, please?

  Nora passed along the message to Krey, and they crossed to the double doors, pulling them open. She expected the light of Krey’s candle to fall on a dragon. Instead, it illuminated a very familiar set of wide shoulders and a joyful grin.

  Nora screamed and threw herself into the newcomer’s arms. “Ovrun! You’re here! How are you—oh, you’re here!”

  He laughed and gave her a squeeze, then let her go. “I ran off at the same time the rest of you did,” he said. “After I’d been wandering around for a long time, a weird-looking dragon with a long tail landed next to me. It grabbed my shirt with its teeth and put me on its back. The next thing I knew, we were in the air. We landed pretty quick, and Osmius was waiting. The other dragon picked me up again and dropped me on Osmius’s back. And here I am. You’ll have to get the rest of the story from him.” He looked over his shoulder at the gray dragon.

  Wiping her eyes, Nora spoke aloud to Osmius. “You told me you were hunting!”

  Vin found Ovrun and asked me to pick him up. I considered telling you, but I thought you needed a joyful surprise.

  Krey hugged Ovrun. “You have no idea how good it is to see you, man. You’ve got a lot to catch us up on.”

  Zeisha walked up, grinning. Apparently she hadn’t been able to sleep through Nora’s squeal.

  As she hugged Ovrun, Osmius spoke to Nora. I would still like to hunt. For prey this time, not stranded humans.

  Okay, I’ll see you when I get back from the farms.

  Osmius lifted off.

  Nora quickly updated Ovrun on Sharai, Sarza, and Gild, then shared her plan to return to the farms with Vin. “I know we’re all tired, but before I go, can you give us the short version of what you’ve been through?”

  They found a spot across the barn from Joli and Kebi. In a low voice, Ovrun told them of being captured and tortured, then somehow entering the king’s trust. He showed them his fingers that hadn’t healed properly. Nora went numb as he spoke, her heart unable to process how far her father had fallen.

  “I have a lot of questions,” Krey said, “but they’ll have to wait. Nora, I still need to talk to you before you leave.”

  “Ovrun, if you’re hungry, we have food,” Zeisha said.

  “That would be great.”

  The two of them strolled away.

  Krey sat directly in front of Nora and spoke softly, his words meant only for her. “Like we suspected, your father was carrying a piece of the stone. Sarza stole it during the skirmish and put it in my pocket.”

  Nora wasn’t sure what she’d expected him to say, but that certainly wasn’t it. She swallowed, trying to moisten her dry mouth. “Did you touch it?”

  “No.” He leaned toward her, which sent her heart racing for reasons that had nothing to do with their conversation. “I’ll be honest, I considered it. But it would turn me into someone I’d be ashamed of. I know it would.”

  His words warmed her, while also sending a spear of pain into her chest. Resisting such a temptation took strength. Why couldn’t her father have done it? He was strong too . . . wasn’t he?

  “I considered dropping it off Osmius’s back and not telling anyone,” Krey said. “But I couldn’t do that either. Sarza risked her life to take this from the king. Maybe she had a vision or something, I don’t know.” He shook his head. “We don’t have time to talk about all that. I’d like you to take it.”

  “Me?” Nora drew back.

  “For better or worse, your family is supposed to care for the stone. I don’t trust your father, but I do trust you. You should have it.”

  “I—wait! How can you get it out of your pocket without touching it? Did Sarza touch it?”

  He smirked. “She put it in her sock. I hope you’re not too grossed out by Sarza’s foot sweat.”

  Nora let out a nervous chuckle. “Congratulations, Krey, you’ve managed to make an otherworldly, magical artifact sound totally disgusting.”

  He reached in his pocket, then placed a warm, cloth ball, surprisingly light, in her palm. His hand closed over the object, his fingers wrapping around hers. “Will you take it?”

  “You don’t think I’ll be tempted to touch it?”

  “I know how badly you don’t want to be your father.” His voice was so low, so close. “Like I said, I trust you.”

  Her fingers brushed against his hand as she closed them around the sock. “Your trust is a bigger gift than this stone.”

  The soft words hovered between them. Krey was still for a long moment. Then he let go of her hand and leaned back, crossing his arms. “Anyway . . . when you get back, we can talk more. Maybe one of us will have an idea of what we should do with the stone by then.”

  Nora blinked, thrown by the sudden shift in atmosphere. She slipped the sock-covered stone into her pocket. “When I get back, things will be fast and furious until . . . everything changes.” Lonely dread filled her. How much longer did she have with Krey, the feather-and-ice lyster who’d flown above her in his town square, then somehow become her best friend? How much time did she have with Ovrun and Zeisha and the others? With Osmius? Suddenly needing to get away, she said, “I
’ve gotta talk to Ovrun before I go.”

  “Yeah . . . of course. See you soon.” Krey stood and walked into the barn’s darkness, leaving the candle sitting next to Nora.

  Her decision to talk to Ovrun had been impulsive, born out of the sudden weirdness between her and Krey. But as she walked toward the wall he and Zeisha were sitting against, she realized she really did want a moment alone with him. This was her chance to speak the things that had built up in her heart for the last two months.

  As she approached, she contemplated the least rude way to ask Zeisha to leave. But once again, Zeisha’s intuition saved the day. When she looked up and saw Nora, she picked up her candle and stood, yawning. “I need some rest.”

  Nora watched her leave, then sat next to Ovrun. She set the candle between them and leaned her back against the wall, turning her head toward him. His shoulders were broad as ever, and his wavy hair was longer than before. He shifted to look at her, the candle’s amber light dancing in his eyes, and she tensed, anticipating the surge of desire he’d always elicited in her.

  It didn’t come.

  “Hey,” she said, giving him a genuine smile.

  He returned it. “It’s good to see you, Nora.”

  “Listen, I’m not sure how long I have. And I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”

  His silhouette stiffened a little. Was he afraid she’d throw herself at him? Or that she wouldn’t? She pressed forward. “There’s one thing I’ve regretted, ever since the day I ended things with you. I said . . .” She had to stop and breathe; just the memory of that moment pained her. “ ‘Why would I want a man who isn’t strong enough to stand up for what he really needs?’ I remember the exact words.”

  “So do I,” Ovrun said softly.