The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  I tried to crawl off the symbol, but Gavin’s intensity held me captive, the pressure of it sitting on my chest. My body seized in a powerless heap of agony. I could do nothing but helplessly watch the memory play out.

  Each demon held a sharp piece of metal; beside them was a stone bowl filled with blood. Deep voices thrummed in unison. The unfamiliar language repeating like some perverse mantra. The leader held a small vessel; the voices crescendoed in fervor. He went to each demon, methodically dripping golden liquid in their basin. The gold hissed and bubbled, turning the liquid black. The leader did not stop until he filled all the bowls. The chant’s tempo sped as the Dokkalfar raised their chisels, all hands striking the slate floor at once. The mountain shuddered in pain; its light flickered from blue to brilliant white. The demons struggled while the mountain healed itself; the chips and scars disappeared as the floor smoothed to solid stone. They dipped their chisels in the darkened blood, repeatedly striking, dipping then cutting and chipping until the rock had weakened and the mountain could heal no more.

  Muted light darkened to red. The chanting became intense, crescendoing to a fevered pitch. The sprite in the center panicked and screamed, struggling to find a way free.

  Taking his time, the leader crawled toward the center. He stopped, looming over the sprite. Murky blood dripped down his arms as he took the hilt of the knife, raising it with both hands above his head. He bared his teeth in wicked euphoria, his eyes, black as coal, held a maniacal light, and he thrust the knife downward.

  A scream burst from my throat as bony fingers pulled me off the floor. The uneven gait of strange footsteps carried me out of the cave.

  Chapter 5

  Rune

  “ARE YA DAFT, PRINCESS?” A gruff voice scolded. “What in thunder are ya doin’?”

  I panicked as the strange creature set me down close to the fall’s ledge.

  “Ye ought not to be curious about that cave,” he grumbled.

  His skin was the color of granite. He was short in stature, and coarse hair covered his lower extremities. His legs were thick, resembling a goat or large dog’s hindquarters. He stood upright, his chest barreled out even though he was extremely thin. Tattered tartan of red and blue draped from his right shoulder to his left hip. Long arms, which were slightly disproportional to his body, hung to his knees. But the most disturbing feature about him was his face. His ears were long and pointed past his head like spears. His broad nose, asymmetrical as if it had been broken many times, sniffed, searching. Black feathers crested round his head, running down his back.

  A marble statue of a unicorn reared on its legs, blazed in my mind. This was the creature in my sculpture. I tried to move, but I couldn’t make it past the masculine fury completely overtaking everything.

  All six streams of thought mixed together as spasms riddled my legs once more. I struggled to make sense of it.

  “Nora!” Gavin bellowed as he emerged from the falls. The caves brightened white hot as he ran toward us, a murderous look on his face.

  The stranger stood next to me, resolute. “I aim not to harm, young sire, but to protect.” He pointed behind him. “Tis black as the Earl of Hell’s waistcoat in there. I’m fearin’ she took leave of her senses, goin’ in that blasted cave.”

  Gavin picked me up, his fury still knifed through me, but pressure around my chest eased. Even though every muscle in my body cried out in pain, I could breathe freely again.

  “Who are you?” I whispered to the creature. Gavin pulled me into a fierce embrace, his emotions demanding I keep quiet.

  “I be Rune, the Urisk, Princess.”

  “Urisk?” Gavin’s brow rose. “I thought your race was extinct.”

  “It’d be appearin’ not, wouldn’ it now, Prince,” Rune said dryly.

  I shifted in Gavin’s arms. “How do you know?”

  “About yer bein’ the Prince and Princess? Well now, the entire land’s been chatterin’ about it since ya got here, Lass.” His eyes lit to a dusty blue; I startled.

  “No cause for alarm. Me eyes’ll be tellin’ when I’m harnessin’ energy. No hidin’ that, I’m afraid.”

  I leaned into Gavin as Rune grinned. His sharp gray teeth were frightening, but his eyes twinkled with humor.

  “And might I be askin’ why ya felt the need to be explorin’ such a dark place?” He stared at a wall where just a minute ago stood a threshold.

  “What ... where’s the cave?” I stammered, struggling to get down. Gavin’s grip tightened.

  “The mountain’ll be protectin’ all livin’ things from the evil swill befallin’ that place. Why ya chose to open it is beyond me,” Rune grumbled, his feathers ruffling a bit.

  “I didn’t choose to open anything.” I scowled.

  “Aye, ya did.” Rune’s eyes narrowed as he boldly stared back. “I felt it soon as ya stepped yer feet in this mountain, an’ I made me way here.” He looked around. “I’ve not been seein’ this cave in ages.”

  “Where have you been?” My question echoed in the cavern.

  “I’ve been all ‘round these parts, watchin’ the enemy grow.” Rune’s ears lowered. The seconds ticked away as I looked from Gavin’s hard features to Rune’s knowing expression.

  “Can you talk to him like the Alfar?”

  Rock eyes tore from Gavin’s to meet mine. “’Course I can.” Rune scoffed. “But only in the first language. Yer Prince’s a bit rusty, but I get the gist.”

  “What did you say to him?” I turned to Gavin. Hard emeralds refused to meet mine.

  “He’s wantin’ to know if I’m friend or foe, but he’s forgettin’ my clan‘d be the original defenders of light. Of course, I’ll be helpin’ to protect the Princess—should she be needin’ help, that is.” He dipped his head in a quick bow.

  “Thank you, Rune.” I smiled, and the cavern brightened.

  “Yer most welcome.” Rune’s feathers ruffled; his eyes matched the color of the walls. “Beggin’ yer pardon, Lass, I’d rather ya be headin’ home. Night’s fallin’ and ya ought not be out. Especially now.” He glanced at the dark corner. His uneven gate started toward the falls. “And I’m sure yer Prince has an earful just waitin’ to be heard.” Humor glittered before his expression turned serious. “Oh, and sire?”

  Gavin stilted.

  “I’d not be leavin’ the Princess alone again.” Rune’s gruff voice echoed as he disappeared through one of the mountain’s tunnels.

  Gavin shifted my weight, making his way through the falls. He said nothing as he walked across the field to the cottage, slamming the front door. He dropped me on the couch. His illumined palms started at my feet, touching every part of me, searching for any wound or harm.

  A soft groan of relief escaped my lips as his deft touch coaxed contracted muscles to relax.

  “I didn’t know your emotions could be so ... painful.”

  Gavin’s jaw clenched. “It hadn’t occurred to me either.” His palms rested on the caps of my knees. Cuts and scrapes itched as the small abrasions healed. His palm skated up my body, finally resting on my shoulder. One hand curled around the back of my neck while the other grabbed a blanket hanging over the couch. He threw it over me, his breathing off, his jaw still clenched.

  “Gavin, I—”

  “Why?” His voice was so low it barely made it to my ears. My mouth went dry.

  “I didn’t think there would be anything like ... I just wanted a place to concentrate. It’s the mountain ...” The screams of a helpless sprite echoed in my mind, and I shivered. “What was that?”

  “I believe it was a slaughtering room. The early Dokkalfar used them to hide their activities from the ancients. I never knew ...” He stopped short, his emeralds once again became like faceted stone. “Even a newborn sprite holds immense power.”

  Malicious almond shaped eyes glinted in my mind—an awful wave of recognition ran through me.

  “That was Jayril’s clan, wasn’t it?” I shuddered. “The leader had to be Jayril.
He looks just like Jakkar.”

  “It would appear so.” Gavin’s aggression ramped back up. “You still have not answered my question. Why?” His eyes pierced mine.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You knew I didn’t want you to go, and yet you went anyway.”

  Tears ached, making my voice thick. “I thought you were being overprotective, and I wanted to find a place where I could clear my mind.”

  I reached for his hand, rubbing his wedding ring with my thumb. “I’m sorry.”

  “I know.”

  The simple statement, so steeped in assurance, eased the anxiety coursing through. One good thing about me feeling his emotions and him sharing my mind was that arguments were always over before they began.

  Gavin half smiled. “It does skip the strife, doesn’t it?” His thumb rubbed over the back of my hand.

  “How can all of the Dokkalfar come from one clan? I know they’ve been around for a while now, but not as long as the Alfar, or man for that matter.”

  “It’s because they need little time to mature. The Dokkalfar feed off negativity and evil. As Earth grows in selfishness and greed, they’ve become so strong one female can sire fifteen or twenty offspring before she dies, and those can mate within a decade. Here, they struggle to survive because negativity is scarce, but Earth ... it’s a veritable energy feast.”

  I shuddered as images of desecrated rock, Jayril’s clan, and a lone sprite haunted me. All six streams of thought swirled in thoughts of negativity and hate.

  Gavin pulled me close, kissing my forehead.

  “The Alfar, on the other hand,” his voice deepened, becoming velvet and soft. He kissed the tip of my ear, “age as their mind matures. Some stay children longer than others, and so we do not count age in the same manner as humans. While offspring are rare, our people flourish with life because the land continually gives energy back to the mountain.”

  “That’s a much better subject.” I smiled, imagining what it must be like to have grown up here. He brought his arm around my shoulders. I nestled into him. “Tell me more.”

  Gavin’s breath warmed my ear as he softly told stories of a time when the kingdom thrived with happiness and peace. His words, descriptive and lovely, painted such contentment that my mind finally quieted, and my eyes grew heavy.

  I sighed as strong arms picked me up, carrying me back into the bedroom.

  Chapter 6

  The Road Home

  TERRIFYING SHRIEKS echoed in a forest full of ash. Ink colored feathers plumed around a frightening face. Black flames engulfed a lake as dark as pitch.

  Gavin’s warm hand gently nudged my shoulders. Alarm and protection coursed through me, and I rubbed the sand from my eyes, exhaling in frustration.

  “I haven’t slept this badly in years.” I felt hot and feverish like I was coming down with the flu.

  “You’ll have better rest tonight. We’re heading home.”

  My eyes flew open. A hint of pink light filtered through the window as Gavin bustled around the cabin. Boxes littered the room; some already closed, others half full. From the looks of it, he must have been up all night.

  “What’s going on? Why are we going back now?” I mumbled, sitting up.

  “Something’s happened. Elias has the guard on alert. The carriage is here.”

  “What if I can’t contain the excess? What if—“

  “We have no choice.” He turned toward me, his eyes chiseled and alert. “The castle’s spiders have finished the weaving their webs in our suite. Every wall is covered. If we make good time on the road, we should be home by dusk. The Queen has agreed to clear the courtyard, so all we have to worry about is our clan, and Malachi has been working with them on a daily basis.”

  “Is there something I should know?”

  Gavin’s eyes stared past me. “No, love.” Picking up a stack of parcels, he headed toward the door. “I’d dress warm,” he muttered over his shoulder.

  I threw on the first thick sweater and warm pants I could find. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I tugged on my boots.

  Small figurines, intricately carved, stood across the dresser. I didn’t want to leave Gavin’s little stone menagerie behind. A wooden box, inlaid in jewels, sat on the top shelf of the closet.

  “I’ll get that,” Gavin yelled as he bound into the room, heading straight for the closet. He grabbed Ester’s box, and in one fell swoop he unhinged the latch, scooped the tiny stone animals across the dresser’s top and into the box, slamming the lid closed. “You might want to check to see if I’ve forgotten anything.”

  “I wanted to pack those in tissue paper.”

  Gavin stopped, tucking the box under his arm. His agitation rippled through me. “They’re made of common stone, not precious jewels.”

  “Still I’d like t—”

  “Love, we really have to go. I’ll find a spot where the box won’t jostle around if that will make you feel better.” He hurried out of the room.

  By the time I had brushed my hair and teeth the room was practically bare. I wrapped Edna’s quilt around my shoulders and headed for the door.

  Large black stallions snorted, billowing tufts of water vapor from their muzzles. This wasn’t the decorative open carriage we came in. The sleek contour, large wheels, and reinforced suspension were designed for speed. Gavin finished securing the parcels to the footing on the back.

  “Gavin?” Something wasn’t right.

  He nudged me toward the carriage door. “We’ll talk on the way.”

  Just then, Rune came through the woods; his scrap of tartan bundled around a stick. “Ya be ready, sire?”

  Gavin nodded, and Rune waited until we were settled before he hopped in. The horses jolted to a gallop.

  I frowned. “I didn’t know you were joining us.”

  Rune fiddled with the tie of his bundle. “The Prince’d be askin’ for me help, at least until yer toes’d be safe ‘n sound’ in the castle.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  “Ya opened that ruddy cave, that’s what. Darkness called t’ darkness.” His eyes stayed down, his feathers ruffled.

  “Rune.” Gavin glared at him, clenching his jaw.

  “She’ll be needin’ to know soon enough, sire.”

  “Know what?” I turned to look at Gavin, but Rune was the one to answer.

  “They’ve been searchin’, they have—for the one that’d be destroyin’ ‘em. And that’d be you, now wouldnit?”

  My heart missed a beat as sick dread washed over me.

  A hint of rancid dirt drifted on the breeze. The horses whinnied, their gait lengthened. Rune tipped his head to the wind, his eyes illumined to a dusty blue.

  “Tis good t’ be leavin’ when ya did. I’m thinkin’ they’re not near the fall ... yet.”

  “I don’t understand.” My heart jumped into my throat. “How could that cave tell them where I am?”

  “She’s not understandin’ much, is she sire?”

  Gavin glared at him but chose to ignore the comment. Instead, he turned to me. “Nora. The Dokkalfar can’t distinguish anything positive, which drains them of energy. I chose the spider’s respite for our time of strengthening for two reasons. You’ve been fascinated with them since you first saw their webs. And the place is practically impenetrable to the Dokkalfar. They’d never make it past the field alive. When the slaughtering cave opened, it called to those that created it, but it also fought your energy. I’m sure any Dokkalfar in the land would have put two and two together.”

  “But they aren’t here anymore. They’re on Earth.”

  Gavin’s voice gentled. “Elias has suspected for some time that something is amiss.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You had enough to deal with. And we needed time together.”

  “It’s my fault,” I mumbled, looking back at the dust trailing the carriage. What was to happen to the cottage, the spiders ... the Simians? I put my face in my hands. “What have
I done?”

  Gavin’s arm warmed my shoulder as he pulled me close. “This is why I didn’t want her to know, Rune. I knew it would only cause her pain.”

  Rune grunted. “Apologies, Lass. Yer not needin’ t’ be feelin’ guilty. I’ve been smellin’ em’ for a while, I have. The cave’d be callin’, but they’ll not be gettin’ in, now will they?” His raspy voice warmed with sincerity “And I’ll not be knowin’ how in the blazes they made their way back t’ this realm, but I’m tellin’ ya’ that’d have nothin’ to do with yer bein’ curious.”

  The carriage lunged over the rocky path, knocking Rune’s bundle to the floor. He picked it up and put it on his lap.

  “Is that all you need to take with you?”

  “I’m not needin’ much, now am I?” He fiddled with the cloth, tying it tight.

  “Where’s your home?”

  He grinned, looking out at the landscape “Home’s where the wind’ll be takin’ me.”

  The forest smothered the sun, plunging the carriage into shadows. Gavin’s eyes never left the landscape, but Rune seemed determined to ease my anxiety by telling me stories about the land. He seemed especially intrigued with birds.

  “As a lad, I wanted these feathers to fly,” he said watching a hawk circle overhead. “I’d be tryin’ it once. Thought flappin’ me ears’d do it, but a good thumpin’ on the head changed me mind.”

  Despite my worry, I snickered trying to imagine Rune as a child. Rune’s eyes flickered from the energy swell, and I siphoned it to my amulet.

  “I’d like t’ be askin’ a question,” Rune grunted.

  I nodded.

  “Why are ya fightin’ the power?”

  My heart raced as Gavin’s attention turned from the landscape to the hairy gray creature opposite us.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “You and yer mate. Yer tryin’ to control wha’ flows through ya. Why not just set it free?”