Descendant

by Giles, Nichole

  I draw a pattern on the table with my fingernail. “It doesn’t seem possible an entire city could sink like that.”

  “Well.” Eoin picks up another book. Toward the end, he stops turning pages. “Listen to this:

  ‘By magic did the kingdom fall.

  Below the earth its demons sleep.

  The Morrigana did forestall

  The fate that makes all mortals weep.

  The Arawn Keys have sealed the door

  The keepers spreading far and wide

  Until the day the Keys restore

  The powers that are locked inside.’”

  The book thuds onto the table as Eoin sets it down. The room is silent as we all work out the poem in our heads. I break the silence. “The city sank by magic, then?”

  “You could call it that.” Eoin runs his fingers through his hair again. Kye does it too, and I hide my smile. “The magic—or powers—of three goddesses. Badb, Macha, and Morrigan, otherwise known as the Morrigana or the Great Queens. The ladies had a special attachment to Dryden, and I think that was their way of preserving what little was left of it.”

  “They sank an entire city?” My head throbs with incredulity. “Why?”

  “It wouldn’t have been the first time in history, would it?” Eoin clears his throat. “From my studies, I gather that the city and all beings living there—mostly demons at that point—were sealed behind a door. Val and I figure it’s a sort of tomb.”

  “A tomb containing an enormous cache of power.” Kye lays the book on the floor at his feet. “Evil power.”

  “Don’t worry.” Eoin pats my hand. “They can’t get out by themselves. The tomb is made of poisonous stone, so their Gifts are rendered useless. For now.”

  “And my—Raina’s ring is one of the Keys.” I’m starting to believe Eoin’s theory about my ring might be right. “But why would Juri want to open the door?”

  Kye’s face lights up. “I bet he’s after treasure.”

  Eoin shakes his head in disgust. “That’s probably not far from the mark. Dryden was a wealthy kingdom. A handful of Gifted people escaped before the city sank, and they helped seal the tomb by combining their powers with the magic of the jewels that would become known as the Arawn Keys. By doing so, the people bound their powers, unknowingly giving up the bulk of their special abilities.

  “Theron was not one of the sealers—we know this for certain. But that ring of yours must have been one of the sealing Keys. Or that’s my theory.”

  A sliver of sunshine creeps through the closed curtain and I follow it to the window to look out at the street. “But there’s no real proof. No one knows for sure if this was really Raina’s ring.”

  With his hands on my waist, Kye draws me backward into his arms. “I know it,” he whispers, holding me tight. “Whoever carried that ring out of the city helped close the demons behind the door. Whoever it was must be related to you.”

  Eoin joins us at the window, staring at something in the distance. “Everything I’ve read indicates that the only people powerful enough to seal an entire city underground were members of the royal family, yet they were all missing at the time. There’s a big piece of this puzzle still absent and I’m running out of places to look.”

  I lean the back of my head against Kye’s chest, still surprised at how comfortable we are together. “Could one of my ancestors have stolen it?”

  Eoin shakes his head. “It’s not likely.”

  “Why not?”

  Eoin turns to stare at me—hard. “Your eyes. And your abilities. It’s entirely possible you could be a blood relation to the royal family—a direct descendant, even. It would explain where your grandmother got the ring.” He picks up a book and hands it to me, pointing out a full-page portrait of a young woman. She has high cheekbones, a slightly crooked chin, and waves of auburn hair that frame her porcelain skin and bring out the roses in her lips. There are more similarities, but none so striking as her eyes, which are round and full, a mix of blue, green, and gray.

  They’re my eyes. My face, my crooked chin. If I didn’t know better, I would swear the portrait in Eoin’s antique book is a picture of me.

  A small figure creeps through the forest, pulling her cloak more tightly around her shoulders to keep out the chilly winter air. In the shadow cast by a grove of trees, she waits, knowing he will come. Sooner or later, they’ll bring him here, and then she’ll save him. A cough shakes her body—the cough of the dying—and the hood of the cloak slides down to reveal her face.

  She is me.

  TWENTY

  Run

  The flash of vision leaves me trembling. I droop to the floor, holding the book to my chest. “Princess Raina?”

  Kye searches my face apprehensively as if trying to decide what to do and ends up in the kitchen searching through cupboards.

  Eoin sits across from me on the floor. “Yes.”

  My fingertips trace Raina’s face over and over again until the look on Eoin’s face makes me stop. These pages are hundreds of years old. Gently, I set the open book on the table. “Sorry, I can’t help but touch. It’s eerie.”

  He pats my knee. “Quite all right, honey. They’re copies. Very old copies, but not originals. And, if my theory is correct, they belong as much to you as to me. I may be the historian, but the story belongs to your family.”

  “Dad, you’re the historian because you’re good at finding information.” Kye returns from the kitchen and hands me a glass of water. “Here you go.”

  I drink deeply, soothing my dry throat. “Thanks.”

  “You’re pale. Doing okay?” He sits next to me, frowning at his father.

  I nod at Kye then turn back to Eoin. “Why would these books belong to me?”

  “Still going in the vein of you being a direct descendant of the princess—and honestly, given that you look so much like her, I’m left with little doubt about the truth of it—that would technically make you heir to the throne of Dryden. It’s not much of a throne anymore, but if it were ever restored, we could refer to you as Princess Abby, making these books—and a number of other things—officially yours to inherit.”

  Eoin’s words stun me into silence for about ten seconds. He’s so serious. So sure. I’m gluing thoughts together, trying to make them stick, and then laughing because it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. I can’t help it. Me? A princess? Kye’s befuddled expression makes me laugh harder. Eoin’s joking. He must be joking.

  “Of course you think it’s funny,” he says. “But, Abby, this is a serious situation. You could be in a lot of danger.”

  Part of me, somewhere deep down, knows he’s right, and I make an attempt to stop. But the idea sounds so absurd, so irrelevant to my current life, that I can’t help it. Eoin’s stern look gets me going again until I’m laughing so hard I can barely breathe, bending over, kneeling, then lying on the floor. Kye watches me for a while, trying to keep a straight face—for his father’s sake, I think—but after a few seconds, he’s rolling on the floor too, one arm around me while the other holds his stomach.

  By the time I regain my composure enough to sit up, Eoin has left the room.

  Kye leans against the couch, his breath still hitching every time our eyes meet. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh. You’d make an awesome princess. I don’t know why it feels so funny right now.”

  “Are you kidding?” I drag myself to the table where the book lays open. “What girl doesn’t dream of being someone’s long-lost princess? That’s what makes fairy tales so popular. The thing no one expects is discovering that their so-called kingdom has been overrun by demons and buried underground.” Another giggle bubbles up in my chest.

  Kye stares at the picture, grinning. “Yeah, that sounds about right, doesn’t it? Just our luck.”

  “Ahem.” Eoin returns with a piece of paper in his hand, looking resigned. “Are you finished? Because we really should talk about the Keys.”

  I bite my lip, feeling better than I
have in days, and spread my arms wide. “Lay it on me, Dad.”

  Finally, Eoin smiles. “That’s a pleasure I don’t have very often, being called Dad. If you kids can stay for a day or two, I’d love to play the role. I could show you around the city, buy you dinner, take you to a show ...”

  There’s a new light in his eyes, and I want to feed it. I want to get to know him better because I love the idea of sharing Kye’s dad for a few days. It’s been so long since I had my own. “I vote we go to the top of the Empire State building.”

  Kye swipes his hand over a dust-covered end table, glancing around. “Where will you put us?”

  “Good question.” Eoin scratches his head, surveying his tiny apartment. “We’ll figure it out. I suppose Abby can have my bed, while we men camp out in here on the floor.” He waves the paper and hands it to me. “You’ve distracted me again.”

  “What is this?” On one side it looks like a blueprint, but the other side is filled with symbols and writing in another language.

  “Something I would never, ever be showing you under other circumstances.” He resumes his pacing. “If Abby’s ring is in fact one of the Arawn Keys, it’s the only Key for which I haven’t found much data in all my years of research.

  “I’ve uncovered the locations of two, and have actually held one—besides Abby’s—in my hands. Years back, some friends of mine went looking for the Keys. In hindsight, I’m not sure why—because using them could only cause destruction. But they were young and stupid and ...” his voice trails off as he stares out the window. “That was a long time ago. It turned out badly.”

  “Juri’s dagger?” Kye asks.

  “Yes. It wasn’t a good idea to begin with.” Eoin rubs his chin. “Anyway, to my knowledge, there are a total of four Keys. About a month ago, while combing through some texts, I came across newer information that makes me believe the Pendant of Sadira is here in the city ...”

  Eoin is still talking, but his words become a distant buzz as a vision slams into me like a tornado-force wind.

  Pale violet eyes are reflected in the window of a cab, driving past rows of tall buildings. A hacking cough drowns out the heavy metal song playing in the background. A cell phone rings.

  “Did you find the address?” asks a raspy voice. “Good. I’m nearly there.” Another cough. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring the ring. Remember our deal. You get the ring, and I get Raina.”

  “Abby!” Kye shakes me. “What? What’s wrong?” He has me cradled in his lap on the sofa, though I have no memory of moving there.

  I sit up, shaky, my eyes darting to Eoin. “He’s here. He’s coming for me. For my ring. They know where we are.”

  Kye tenses, his voice alarmed. “Who? Who’s coming?”

  I shake my head as I push myself up to stand, looking around for my duffle bag. “I don’t know. Someone.” Another flash—eyes reflected in glass. “The guy from Yellowstone.”

  “Boone?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sure?” Eoin hurries to the window and looks down at the street.

  “I’m sure.” I shove my arms into my coat sleeves and strap on my duffle bag. Kye frowns and trades me for his backpack, claiming it’s lighter and we’ll be faster this way. I shrug and sling his pack over my shoulders.

  Kye zips his coat and turns to Eoin with a look of regret. “Sorry, Dad. Wish we could stay.”

  Eoin slips the paper inside Kye’s backpack. “Maybe you should wait to retrieve the Key. Come back in a month or so?”

  Kye shakes his head. “We don’t have a month. Besides, if we leave New York without that Key now, we risk losing it to the Dark Ones. They must know that’s why we’re here. We can’t take the risk.”

  Eoin taps his head with his fingertips. “You’re right. Be careful.”

  “You aren’t coming with us?” A knot sinks into the pit of my stomach. I had so hoped to have a parent around to be responsible.

  “No. I need to preserve the records. I’ll catch up with you in a few days.” Eoin wraps his arms around me. “Be safe.”

  I hug him back. “We will. Thanks for everything.”

  “My pleasure, Princess Abby.” He lets go of me and says goodbye to Kye. After a few murmured words and manly pats on backs, they pull apart, and Kye and I race down the stairs and burst onto the street. On the run for the second time in two days.

  TWENTY-ONE

  King Tynan

  As the door closes behind us, a cab stops at the curb and Boone gets out, a frighteningly large smile spreading when he sees me. My heart thuds in fear. There’s someone else with him, but I can’t tear my gaze away from those violet eyes. Kye drags me around the corner and we take off down the alley.

  “Don’t let them get away!” Boone yells. Shouts trail after us, combined with footsteps pounding on the pavement, but I don’t look back. Kye’s forward momentum won’t let me. He has my hand, and his legs are longer than mine. Adrenaline is the only way I can keep up with his speed.

  The cold air stings my throat and burns in my chest, but I don’t dare slow down. We leave the alley and blow through an intersection where—luckily—the light is green. We run down another alley, onto another street, around corners, past buildings and cars. My feet move methodically, heavier and heavier with each step as I burn through the bagel I ate earlier. My heart thumps so hard I wonder how it doesn’t break through my skin. The footsteps trailing us have faded significantly.

  “Kye,” I wheeze. “Are they still behind us?”

  His breathing is as labored as mine. “I think so.”

  “I can’t ... go anymore.” Afraid to stop completely, I slow my pace because I can’t keep up any longer. Every part of me hurts.

  “Come on, princess,” he urges, turning down another alley. “Just a little farther.”

  I remember him saying something like that in Vegas, too. “Where are we going?”

  “To get—” He takes a breath as we dodge a stream of people flowing out of the subway exit. “To get the other Key.”

  “Where?”

  “Liberty Island.” Kye slows down too, his eyes wild and urgent. “Come on, princess, we have to keep moving.”

  “Don’t call me princess.” I take a detour down the stairs to the subway. “I’m sick of running. Let’s ride.”

  Kye closes his mouth on what appears to be a protest and smiles instead. “Good idea.” He follows me through the station and stands guard as I buy two tickets to wherever, and then we board the train.

  As the doors close and we pick up speed, I notice him looking over his shoulder. “Do you think they saw us?” I ask.

  “If they did, they won’t know what train we’re on or where we’re headed.” We squeeze together in the crowded car, holding on to a rail in the middle for balance. It’s hot in here, muggy. Claustrophobic.

  “Boone wasn’t alone,” Kye murmurs. “Did you get a look at the other guys?”

  I shake my head. “I was too scared. Did you?”

  “Not a good one. Too busy running.”

  “Do you meet guys like Boone often?” We’re inches apart.

  “Here and there,” he murmurs. His eyes drift to my lips and he leans forward. Finally. I sigh against his lips and move into him as his hand covers mine on the pole. Then someone behind us loses his balance and tumbles onto the floor, nearly pulling me down with him. “Watch it!” Kye catches me, keeps me on my feet and holds me close.

  I want him to kiss me like I want air to breathe.

  His lips find mine, an explosion of heat and light that sends ripples of sensation across my skin and leaves my insides burning. His tongue glides over my teeth, dips in to find its mate as his smooth lips keep mine busy, their taste evocatively familiar. This. This is that thing I’ve searched for. Kye is that person who has haunted me for so long. Whatever lingering doubts I had disappear one by one as we lose ourselves in each other, knowing there’s nowhere we can run right now.

  We’ve only been riding for a few mi
nutes when a bright flash startles us apart and a lilting voice says, “Don’t you two make the prettiest picture? All hearts and love and big hopes for happily ever after.”

  Kye’s body goes rigid. He pulls me into his chest and answers over the top of my head. “Mind your business.”

  “Now, now. That’s no way to talk to your brother.” The voice has a hard edge to it. “Theron.”

  “What did you call me?” Tension radiates off Kye as he maneuvers me behind him. “Should I know you?”

  I shiver, feeling the beginnings of something—a vision that wants in. I shake it off, determined to stay in the present. Now is not the time to black out.

  “You did. Once upon a time.” Dark, piercing eyes sparkle under a fringe of jet-black hair. His skin is pale, his face all angles and lines to go with his accent. He stands around six feet tall and isn’t much older than me and Kye.

  Kye looks confused. “I did?”

  The stranger smiles and my breath catches. Everything in me feels drawn—urges me to go to him. And I thought Kye was good-looking. “You really don’t remember, do you?” he says.

  Kye shakes his head and reaches back to grab my wrist.

  “Another life. Another time. Another world.” He focuses on me. “Come, Raina. Come to me now.” That voice is compelling, hypnotic. Every muscle in my body strains toward him and my thoughts center only on that beautiful sound. I want to push Kye aside and run to the mysterious stranger—but Kye won’t let go. He rubs my arm with his free hand. “Stay with me, Abby. Don’t let him trick you.”

  This guy is good. I shake my head to clear it. “Who are you?”

  He folds his arms. “Come now, little princess. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me too.” He looks meaningfully at Kye’s hands, holding me in place. “I can see you’ve missed me.”

  The vision swims again, stronger this time, and I can’t force it away. I tighten my hand on the pole and feel my eyes roll up.