The Stone Eater (The Magic Eaters Trilogy Book 3)

by Carol Beth Anderson

  “Take my hand!” Sarza said.

  Dani did. They ran, panting. Sarza tried to ignore the occasional caynin that approached. It didn’t take long to reach the fence at the back of the property.

  As they continued to jog, Sarza kept her eyes peeled for some sort of access to the dragon’s prison. She let out a too-loud sigh of relief when light from a lamppost shone on a stone staircase that looked like someone had shoved up against the fence. This had to be it. Sarza looked up, seeing a dim light breaking through the dome’s darkness. She started climbing, trusting that Dani would follow.

  At the top of the fence was a stone landing that extended over the short gap between the fence and the dome. The staircase turned again, continuing up the inside of the dome. Sarza’s heart pounded. Even if the stairs weren’t made of stone, she’d be convinced the king had created them. No sane person would’ve made this dark staircase with no railing. The dome’s slightly concave wall pressed against her on one side, like it wanted to nudge her off the drop-off on the other. Ignoring the cold fear in her belly and the continued pounding in her head, she asked Dani, “You okay?”

  “Yes,” Dani said breathlessly.

  Sarza’s thoughts spun, creating a plan. We’ll wait near the top of the steps until I see the dragon fire. Then we’ll shout so Gild hears us. She’ll fly us out of here. This might actually work. She took the steps a little faster.

  Something caught her eye below—the swinging light of a lantern. A sound reached her ears: footsteps, two sets, heavier than Dani’s.

  “Another shift in paradise,” a man said.

  The second man laughed.

  Sarza’s breathing turned panicked as she picked up her pace. We’re so close. We’re so close.

  The dim light above illuminated a wide landing that led to the massive opening into Gild’s cave. Sarza could barely make out the outline of the dragon.

  Her heart pounded so hard, it hurt her chest. A guard, holding a mostly shuttered lantern, stepped onto the landing. “We thought you two were never gonna make it!” he called.

  For a terrifying moment, Sarza thought he was talking to her and Dani. But no—they were shrouded in shadows. He was speaking to the lantern-lit guards below.

  Sarza’s mouth turned dry, her thoughts racing. Could she and Dani push the relief guards down the stairs? Would Dani dare do such a thing?

  Then a simple fact occurred to her: I have a gun. The realization sent a frantic, electric charge through her arms, spurring her to action.

  She moved her hand to her waistband. Her fingers closed around the gun’s handle and began pulling it free. The guard above stepped back into the cave.

  Blinding blue fire—even brighter than it had appeared in the vision—seared Sarza’s eyes. She lurched, both hands darting to her eyes, instinct screaming at her to protect her sight. The gun slipped from her fingers, tumbling into the blackness beneath her. Her panicked mind let loose with a silent roar.

  Two terrified voices cried out from the cave. Desperate to protect herself from the dragon fire, Sarza ducked as low as she could on her step. Even with her head hidden in her arms, violently intense blue light pierced her closed eyelids.

  The men’s cries turned to tortured screams. Scorching heat blasted over Sarza. The guards in the cave didn’t scream for long. Sarza pictured the lumps of ash she’d seen. She swallowed, barely avoiding heaving.

  When the bright light disappeared, Sarza uncovered her eyes and grasped the next step with a sweaty hand. She’d crawl to the top, as quietly as she could. They could still do this. She heard movement in the cave; Gild was probably about to leave. When she got a little closer, she’d run to the top and call her back.

  A man barked, “Stop. I saw you both. I’ve got a gun on you.”

  The voice was right behind them. As Sarza and Dani had huddled on the stairs, protecting themselves from the light and heat, one of the relief guards had closed in.

  Sarza squeezed her eyes shut, letting her forehead fall to the stone staircase. Something powdery settled on her hand, and she knew it was ashes from an incinerated human.

  “Please don’t shoot us,” Dani said.

  “If you both come down, I won’t have to.”

  Sarza considered scrambling up the rest of the steps. If Gild returned quickly enough . . . but no, the guards would hear her and follow, possibly pushing Dani to her death in the process. Sarza couldn’t risk that. She pressed a hand into the stone of the dome. It was still warm from Vin’s fire.

  This dank, depressing place was her home. For the rest of her life, most likely. However long that was.

  “No need to shoot,” she said, scooting around to face downhill. “We’re coming.” In the light of their captor’s lantern, she caught Dani’s gaze. “I’m sorry.”

  The Stone Eater: 10

  Ulmin Abrios had always loved his sister-in-law.

  Now, however, it took everything in him not to send a stone bolt into her heart.

  Sarza, the skinny, ungrateful seer—at least he understood her. Of course she’d tried to escape when he was sleeping. He should’ve predicted that.

  But Dani? He’d given her a home for eleven years, ever since Ambrel died. And this was how she repaid him? Attempting to leave on the back of his dragon?

  He sat on the front of his desk, gripping its edges so hard, it was a wonder the wood didn’t crumble. Dani and Sarza stood before him, faces blank, both controlled. “How did dragon fire burn through my stone?” Sarza’s mouth moved with a response, but he bellowed over it. “My dragon escaped! TELL ME HOW!” The scream abraded his throat. This time, he listened for Sarza’s response, though he knew what it would be.

  “I don’t know.”

  Breathing heavily, he lowered his voice. “Do you have any ideas?”

  “Vin isn’t from here.” Her tone was flat, matter of fact. “He’s a phibian. Maybe his fire is hotter than reptid-dragon fire.”

  Ulmin suspected the truth was far darker. This very girl had stolen a piece of the stone from his pocket, then handed it off to that boy Krey. She hadn’t connected the dots, but he had. That dragon’s fire wasn’t natural.

  Who else had touched the stone and enhanced their powers? Was that stupid boy Krey even now controlling dozens of people? Would he create his own Overseers? Or was Nora planning to fill his dome with ice, freezing him to death? Fiery anger burned in his chest, coming out as a wordless roar that made the guards at the door flinch.

  A tremble entered two of his fingers. He was all but certain the movement was too small for anyone to notice. Still, he grasped his guards’ minds and sent all his mental captives a silent instruction to look away.

  This is not weakness, he told himself as the tremble grew to encompass his whole hand. It’s simply my body’s signal that it needs fuel. Perhaps he needed food too; he hadn’t eaten since the previous morning. He’d deal with that issue later. Heart racing with anticipation, he pulled a handful of tiny brains from the container on his desk and ate them so quickly that he nearly choked. Strength filled his limbs again.

  He turned to gaze out his window. Perhaps he should bring soldiers to the palace. He’d avoided such a move until now. While he could easily keep tabs on his staff, how was he to trust dozens or hundreds of troops? But Nora’s rebellion was strengthening . . . and now, his own dragon was gone. He needed more bodies surrounding him, people who would die to protect him.

  The thought shot fear through his limbs. I can't trust them. That’s why the dome is here. It will keep invaders out.

  Unless dragon fire penetrates the stone again. The thought sent nausea burning through his gut.

  He stood taller, resolve cutting through his fear. He’d bring troops to the palace. He despised taking risks, even calculated ones, but he had no choice. I must protect myself. My palace. My stone.

  First, however, he had to deal with the women in front of him.

  Ulmin released Sarza’s and Dani’s minds along with those of his guards. “
Don’t move a muscle,” he told the two women. His voice was deathly calm now. “You’ve both betrayed me. You’ll be locked in neighboring cells in the security office. Sarza, my people will limit your food intake, your ability to sleep, and your access to chamber pots, in an effort to increase the number of your visions.” He should’ve done that earlier. He knew how seers worked. Mess up her routines, her comfort, and she’d have more visions. Instead, he’d tried to lure her in with kindness. A stupid thing to attempt. Fear and pain and magic—those were the only ways to control someone. He should know that by now.

  He shook his head, bringing himself back to the moment. “When you have a vision or even a premonition, you will tell a guard immediately.”

  Her eyes hardened. “And if I don’t?”

  The question delighted him. “I or one of my Overseers—” He laughed when Sarza’s brows leapt up at that word. “I can see my daughter has told you about the Overseer she knew. I have eight of them now, all staying here at the palace. Their skills are growing rapidly. It’s quite impressive. I or one of them will control you frequently, throughout the day, at unpredictable intervals. We will interrogate you. If we learn that you have not been open with us, you will watch as Dani, in her right mind, endures torture.”

  Tears filled the girl’s dark eyes, and her entire body stiffened. Leaning forward, he smiled and whispered, “Bet you wish you hadn’t made friends with each other.” He’d been furious when, during an in-depth interrogation, they’d revealed their late-night hugs and snacks. But the horror now splashed across Sarza’s face made all that worth it. “You will help me take my daughter down,” he said. “Then, if you’re helpful enough, I might let you stay locked up forever, helping me rule my kingdom. What would you think of that?”

  A tear rolled down her cheek. Ulmin laughed, then stood and brought his hands together in a single clap. “Guards, you heard my instructions for these women?”

  They nodded.

  “Then take them! And when you’re done, escort my Overseers to my office. They’ll find themselves busy in the coming days.”

  He watched them leave, and when the door shut, he indulged in a good chuckle. Having eight Overseers available to him at all times was simply delightful.

  His plan had been to send them into the capital to keep the peace. When he’d learned of his daughter’s growing rebellion, however, he’d reconsidered. Why risk revealing his greatest weapons to Nora? No, he was better off keeping them here, close by, ready to send them out to battle for him when he needed them most. They could practice on the troops he was bringing here.

  Nora was attempting to win the nation’s hearts. She’d find out soon how ineffective her strategy was.

  The hearts of citizens were useless . . . when the king could steal their minds.

  32

  I know I’ve broken my letter-a-day vow, but I had no idea how much work it is to plan a wedding. We have less than five weeks, and with all the to-do lists engraved on my brain, I’ve almost forgotten my name.

  I got Ulmin to myself for a little while tonight. We sat on a couch in the palace living room, and I told him if I’d known how little I’d see him while planning our wedding, I would’ve either said no or demanded an elopement.

  He kissed me, which was nice. But then he held me close for an entire half hour. We said nothing at all, and it was exactly what I needed.

  -Letter from Ambrel Kaulder to Dani Kaulder

  Dated Wolf 6, 180 PD

  In the open land to the north of the rebel camp now known as Riverside, Nora sat against Osmius’s chest, distracting herself by chatting with him. Krey was dealing with his own nerves by running, despite the dark, cloudy night.

  I have her!

  As soon as Vin’s voice entered Nora’s mind, she let out a joyful scream and jumped up to hug Osmius’s broad neck. Are you okay, Gild? she asked.

  Yes. Tired, but healthy.

  Krey’s footsteps drew near. “I heard you scream. Did you get some news?”

  “Gild is free!” Nora pulled Krey into a tight hug.

  Vin’s voice reached her mind again. I am leading Gild to a place where she may sleep. However, I have a concern to share with you. After I rescued Gild, we flew over Deep Forest so I could show her the camp. However, we saw no rebels.

  None at all, Gild echoed.

  Nora’s forehead screwed up. Deep Forest was the camp by the palace. She let go of Krey. “Vin said they didn’t see the rebels. It’s the middle of the night; Hatlin’s people should’ve been visible.”

  “Do you think your father found them?” Krey asked.

  He did not, Vin told Nora. Remember, I returned one of Hatlin’s messengers to Deep Forest before I rescued Gild. I did not at that time fly over the camp, but when I landed in the clearing, two rebels emerged from the trees.

  Nora passed the message along to Krey.

  Osmius’s voice, low and hesitant, penetrated Nora’s mind. I know of one way dozens of people could hide from dragon sight. It is highly unlikely, and yet I can think of no better explanation.

  Nora spoke aloud, so Krey could hear her part of the conversation. “Now I’m intrigued, Osmius.”

  Many months ago, you mentioned a rumor of a unicorn living in the forest by the palace.

  Nora smiled. She’d told Osmius that on the day he’d shown her the kingdom’s magical places. They’d seen a pack of unicorns in the Kamina Forest, and she’d laughed with him about the stories she’d grown up hearing. “Keep going.”

  Unicorns are highly intelligent. They communicate with each other, but never with other species. However, they do touch the minds of other creatures.

  “How?”

  They cast illusions.

  “Are you saying a unicorn is hiding the rebels?”

  “Wait—what?” Krey asked.

  “I’ll update you in a sec.”

  Perhaps, Osmius said, but they live in packs. If there is one, there are likely at least four.

  “Why would a herd of unicorns protect our people?”

  Vin’s voice intruded on the conversation. That is an excellent question. Unicorns are not in the habit of involving themselves in human affairs.

  That is true, Osmius said. However, they are likely observing the rebels and know they are enemies of the king. The unicorns could be protecting them to prevent Ulmin from attacking the forest.

  “Good point,” Nora said.

  Perhaps. Skepticism was thick in Vin’s voice.

  Additionally, Osmius continued, Unicorns have a strong sense of ethics. Perhaps they know your people are in the right.

  Nora chewed on her lower lip. “If they’re ethical, I assume they’re peaceful?”

  The dragon’s laughter bounced about her mind. Only if they are left alone. When they are attacked or their way of life is threatened, they do not hesitate to protect themselves, even if that means killing other creatures. Carnivores have been known to hunt them. It is difficult to defeat unicorns, but their illusions break down at very close distances. When an enemy occasionally gets close enough to see what is real, the unicorns attack with their poisonous horns.

  “Poisonous?” Nora repeated, incredulous.

  Next to her, Krey muttered, “What the hell are those dragons telling you?

  Generally fatal, Osmius replied.

  Nora shuddered. “Should I tell the others?”

  Tell only those you trust most. If the unicorns feel threatened, they may flee. Worse, they may fight.

  “Thank you, Osmius.” Silently, she added, I’d better update Krey. He’s squeezing my hand so hard, I’m afraid he’ll snap off my fingers.

  The next night, Nora prepared to move to Deep Forest with her friends and two hundred rebels. Osmius, Gild, and Vin would carry them. Joli had once again proven her organizational prowess, creating a travel schedule and a simple system that minimized transition time on the ground.

  When Nora arrived, Hatlin pulled her to the side. “A scout spotted three hundred Cellerinian
Army troops marching to the palace this morning.”

  Nora wanted to scream. If she and her two hundred rebels had moved to this forest just a day earlier, they could’ve attempted to stop the soldiers from entering the dome. Perhaps she wouldn’t have dared expose herself through such an attack, but it would’ve been nice to have the option. Now all those troops were in the palace, acting as a living shield for her father.

  Shaking off her frustration, Nora turned to welcome the next group of rebels, flying in on Gild’s broad back.

  Shortly after sunrise, a feather lyster soared above the trees, approaching from the direction of the palace. Nora recognized him as Master Kadin. For a moment, she regretted not killing him in their last encounter. There was no way to completely hide hundreds of people in the forest, and it was one thing to hope unicorns were protecting them. It was another thing to truly believe it. She held her breath, watching him.

  As Kadin passed overhead, he didn’t react at all to the scurrying rebels beneath him. Hours passed with no response from the palace. The rebels murmured amongst themselves, coming to the conclusion that the feather lyster was secretly on their side. Nora let the assumption stand.

  Secretly, she marveled at the truth. Unicorns had to be protecting Deep Forest. That meant she could bring even more of her supporters to this place.

  In many ways, the rebels were no match for the king’s army. They hadn’t trained together. They carried a discouragingly large variety of weapons, from pitchforks and sickles to swords and bows. The former militia had guns, but limited ammunition.

  Nora’s band of rebels, however, had been growing. Every day, people showed up to fight for her. Hundreds had arrived in Riverside the day before, and they spoke of thousands more behind them.