“Do not fear, Light. Those are the Kestrel falcons. They are immense in size but can hover over something as small as an egg for as long as they wish. I’ve requested their service. They are searching, but have found no large groups of Dokkalfar.” As he spoke, the Kestrels made a few passes overhead before circling further away.
The air stilled. My pulse pounded in my ears as the stench of the Dokkalfar grew thick on the torpid breeze. The hair stood on the back of my neck. Almond eyes briefly glinted in the underbrush. The warrior rose within, but this time I didn’t fight it. I allowed the need to defend the land to build until it soared painfully through me. My heart called for Rune. The hum of energy increased, and I put my hands out, concentrating with all my might on creating a barrier that would keep Malachi and the Sfera from harm. Gavin’s protection swelled. Silver uniforms dashed through the underbrush, one heading our way. Gavin hit the energy full force, bouncing to the ground.
“Let me in,” he growled.
I extended the field to cover him as well. A fierce wind whipped.
“Get her in the mountain,” Gavin commanded, but I grabbed his hand.
“We can’t leave the stone.”
“Nora, I don’t have time to argue.” His fury blistered through me. Malachi leaned on his walking stick as the energy increased.
The underbrush shook to the right of us, and Gavin crouched, ready to spring. My heart hammered in my chest—silver gleamed in the night, and I sighed in relief as Elias and Elaine ran forward.
“We can’t find them, but there is definitely a familiar scent.”
“It’s weaker on this side,” Tark called out coming from the left. “I think they came from the south.”
“Where’s Rune?” The question just made it past my lips when a gray streak weaved through the trees that covered the side of the mountain. Gavin pulled me close as Rune skidded to a stop. The acrid taste of bile bit the back of my throat. Cradled in his right arm was the head of a Dokkalfar. Almond eyes lay open, its jagged yellow teeth snarling, its last expression forever frozen on its face. Black gelatinous goo dripped from its neck, and the stench of rotten flesh came at me in waves. When Rune tossed the head on the ground and spat on its face, I couldn’t take anymore, and I retched.
“Apologies, Princess.” He kicked the head into the forest. “Let’s be gettin’ ya back inside where it’s safe. The old one’s lookin’ weak, and we’re foolish to let the stone be standin’ out here, just waitin’ for them to sniff it out.”
Gavin grabbed my waist and hauled me away, his anger burning through me. He entered the mountain, put me down, and headed back out without saying a word. Rena and Elaine stood on either side of Malachi, helping him toward the mouth of the cave. Gavin, Tark, and Elias held the stone on their shoulders. Rune stood underneath, steadying them as they went. As soon as they made it into the mountain, the room blazed white. We stood there for a minute or two, and finally, Gavin’s anger couldn’t be contained.
“I told you to stay.” His soft voice was no less blistering than if he were screaming.
“I couldn’t let the Sfera go unprotected,” I tried to explain.
“I will not have a direct order disobeyed.”
“I’m not a warrior. I’m your wife.”
“And I’m still your future King!” Gavin’s voice rose as his eyes pierced through me. “This entire day you’ve been reckless. First by riding without any training, then touching the carving of a stone knowing it was born of evil. And now,” his voice grew threatening soft again. “Now leaving the mountain with no protection in the dead of night knowing there are Dokkalfar around. Just what are you trying to prove?”
Our clan fidgeted, their emotions telling that they’d rather be anywhere but here.
Tears welled in my eyes. “I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I was doing what I felt I needed to do.”
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Anger blazed through me, but there was an underlying feeling of panic, of helplessness.
“What if they took you?” He closed his eyes as if the thought were too much. “You don’t understand their ways, Nora. I’ve seen what they’d do to you.” His voice became rough.
His emotions washed over me, and my need to comfort him far outweighed the need to prove to him I was right.
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think past protecting the stone.”
Rune’s feathers ruffled. “I’ll not be gettin’ between a warrior and his mate, but you’ll not be doubtin’ yer instincts, Lass.” Rune turned to Gavin. “And I’m understandin’ yer wantin’ to keep her safe, Sire, but at the moment it’ll be worryin’ me more that one of them mongrels was so close to the mountain and we’d not be knowin’ it.”
Malachi looked out toward the woods. “I suspect he was at the fringe of the forest when he happened to notice you as you made your way home.”
I shivered, remembering the feeling of being watched. “Was he alone?”
“The entire guard is searching the forests, as are the animals,” Gavin said. “The scent is strong on the southern edge toward the fissure. But as of now, there are no Dokkalfar in Kailmeyra.”
“When did they come back? How long have they been here?” I frowned.
Malachi lowered his head a fraction, his eyes searching mine as he always did when he was deciding how much he should tell. I stared back, silently demanding an answer.
“I’ve had reports of sporadic sightings since Mia’s escape. I’m unsure as to what happened, but it seems that her making it through the only open portal weakened our defenses. Earth’s unspoiled land remains secure, which leads to the conclusion that they are finding another way in.”
“Was the fissure a portal?” I asked.
“Actually,” Malachi said, “it was the first gateway discovered. It has been there since the original scrolls were written and for thousands of years was the only way to Earth. It wasn’t until much later the ancients found other access points.”
“Are we sure the other portals remain closed?”
“I check it daily, Princess.” Malachi took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “There is one other piece of information I must share.” He sat on the stone, his shoulders slumped. “The Queen ordered Ester be placed in seclusion while Lera pondered her fate. When Micah put the guard on alert, Ester took advantage of the distraction and escaped.”
Gavin’s anger turned to rage. “What?”
Elias balled his hands into fists. “We have all the guard searching for Dokkalfar. I’ll have Weylin and the lower guard head back to the castle.”
“No need.” Rune growled. “I’ll be findin’ her.” He grinned, his eyes hard as granite. “I’ve got her scent in me nose. If she’ll be hidin’ anywhere close to the keep, she’ll be mine within the hour. And then I’ll be usin’ a few tricks of me own this time so she won’t be slipping away.” His eyes glowed to a dusty blue, and he headed back through the mountain.
Tark clapped Gavin on the back. “Rune will find her, I’m sure.” He looked at the stone and then the narrow corridor that Rune had just taken. “We’ll have to get this stone further into the mountain. Nora, can you reshape the Sfera to fit through the corridor?”
“Not necessary.” Malachi stood, making his way to the fork in the road. He pointed to the other tunnel. “We can place the Sfera in the cave holding Nora’s memories. It will be just as protected there as it would in the center of the mountain.
The walls rung blue as Malachi concentrated the energy around the stone. The Sfera, the size of a small boulder, rumbled past as if it were nothing more than a tumbleweed.
“Rena, Tark, I require your assistance.”
“They are not allowed in.” Gavin’s tight voice caused Malachi to stop. “That room is private.”
Rena’s curiosity came at me in waves, but Malachi nodded, his eyes glinted with understanding.
“As you wish.”
The rumb
le of rolling stone echoed through the tunnel as they guided the golden boulder down the way.
Elias turned to Gavin. “I’ve ordered the two guards responsible for Ester’s escape to go to the garrison.”
Gavin rubbed the back of his neck. “They can wait. Nora’s exhausted. I need to take her home.”
“I’m all right. I know the way.”
“You’ll not go anywhere without your guard.” Gavin’s anger ramped back up. His emotions burned through me. I hadn’t seen him this furious, well ... ever.
“Fine,” I placed my hand over his heart. “I won’t go through the castle alone. I’ll wait for Rena and Tark at Malachi’s. It’s getting late, and I’m sure those poor warriors are worrying themselves half to death.” After all, they didn’t mean to let Ester escape. I’m sure it was an accident.
“You don’t understand.” Gavin’s shoulders squared as his jaw clenched and unclenched.
Elias shot me a warning glance, and I decided it was best to keep quiet. Gavin was right. I didn’t understand.
I’m sorry; I don’t mean to be critical. It’s been a stressful day, and you’re right. I’m tired.
Gavin squeezed my hand, his emotions eased a little. “Rena and Tark shouldn’t be much longer, and then I’ll see you at home.”
We walked the rest of the way through the mountain in silence. When we made our way to the blue energy curtaining off Malachi’s sitting chamber, Elias stepped through, giving Gavin and I a much-needed moment of privacy.
Gavin pulled me into his arms. “I don’t like leaving you what we’ve just been through.”
“I’ll be fine. And I promise I’ll wait for Rena before I head back home.”
He kissed my forehead. “Thank you. I know you don’t see Ester as a threat, but I do. Rena has assured me she won’t be long.”
Gavin joined Elias, and I watched them until they walked across the room and out Malachi’s door.
The chamber settled into an uncomfortable silence. I paced back and forth, my mind going over the past few hours. Ester’s escape ... finding the stone ... Jayril’s memory ... the Dokkalfar. Gavin thought I was being reckless, but I just wanted to help. It really bothered me that he felt I needed protection all the time. I wanted to be an asset, not a burden like Mia.
And how were the Dokkalfar getting in? I knew Malachi had been strengthening the portals, but it wouldn’t hurt to give an extra shot of energy to the first one, would it?
With that thought ringing through my head, I turned away from the blue curtain and headed toward the energy field.
Every time I’d walked these narrow corridors, either Malachi or I would keep the walls bright, the buzz of energy humming through the air. But tonight, exhaustion had set in, and I could do nothing more than manage a misty, muted blue. A hushed sound had my ears prickling in awareness. My stomach flipped as I smiled.
I recognized that sound—it was the comforting rush of water cascading over rock.
Turning from the path that led to the field, I veered down an unfamiliar tunnel, allowing my ears to guide the way. Clear water rushed off a high bluff overhead, flowing over rounded stones that had been smoothed over time. The warm mist humidified the air. Images of another waterfall played through my memory.
I wish we were back there, Gavin and I concentrating solely on each other, exploring our new gifts.
My thoughts lit the entire cavern, except a place at the end of a smaller ingress. I ran energy down the walls, trying not panic. The last time I’d seen a dark spot in the mountain—I’d accidentally opened the forbidden cave.
As soon as the blue touched the dimmed space, an alcove appeared, and relief washed over me.
The alcove was nothing more than shelves that contained a hodgepodge of art. Maybe I’d found a hidden treasure that only the ancients knew about. Smiling, I walked past the waterfall to get a closer look.
The air was strangely dry here—as if the mountain new moisture would destroy the paintings displayed along the sculpted shelf. I bent down, careful not to touch anything.
Every piece seemed to be of war and darkness. Even the sculptures radiated pain. My heart raced as I recognized a lone box wedged between a stack of sketchpads at the end of the bottom shelf. An Appalachian star carved from precious stones brightened as I neared.
What on Earth was this doing here?
Ester’s voice rang in my mind. “You must know where the box is at all times!”
What was it she was trying to tell me?
Malachi’s theory of functional art must be true. I’d held this box before and hadn’t seen anything. So why had it been hidden away? And why was Ester so insistent I know where it is? Maybe there was something hidden in the lining—something that had to do with the Sfera.
I reached for the box. As soon as I touched the lid, tall petrified trees covered in ash raced through my mind. A pool of black tar bubbled, the stench of rotting flesh choked my breath. Onyx demons rising from the depths slithered and crawled, their eyes alight with victory. Hooves thundered in the distance. Malachi’s crumpled frame leaned against the side of the mountain.
A hand ripped the box from my grip.
Masculine anger whirred as fingers tightened around my wrist and jerked me back from the shelf.
“Gavin ... I didn’t think that ...” I turned around.
It wasn’t Gavin.
Chapter 18
Elias and the Practice Fields
ELIAS’ EYES GLITTERED in frustration. “The Prince is still with the guard, but as soon as Rena found that you weren’t waiting for her, Gavin ordered that I go find you.” He put the box back on the shelf. “The Ancient One assured me this would remain hidden. I see he has underestimated your abilities to explore.”
“I don’t understand. I’ve touched that box before. Why can I see now?”
“You held it before you arrived at the Spider’s Respite. As soon as we discovered your new gift, I asked the Prince to keep the box from you.”
“Why not just tell me? I would have done what you asked.” My voice became a little higher as hurt stung through me.
He rocked back on his heels, his sapphire eyes glinted. “My lady, sometimes your curiosity overrules common sense.” He raised an eyebrow and looked around as if to prove his point.
I blushed. “What is this place?” The sketches and sculptures screamed with despair, and I couldn’t help but shudder.
“This is the ancient art born of pain. It was once housed in the cave of knowledge, but after you and the Prince became one, Malachi placed them here, so you would not be harmed. I see his instinct was right.”
I looked at the paintings of the dead, the sculptures of loss, and my eyes filled with tears.
“I understand why he hid the rest of this art, but why put Ester’s box here?”
“The minute you touched the fireplace, I suspected Ester’s gift. Something was amiss. It seemed too convenient Ester would make a simple box for the future Queen. Her abilities far exceed this work. I feared she had foreseen your new gift and was using it to usurp the protection surrounding you.”
“Elias, I don’t need to be protected all the time!” My voice rose off the walls as aggression ran amok.
His eyes glittered, and he smiled.
“I see the Prince has shared his aptitude for voicing an opinion.”
I scowled and then smiled back. He was right. I was definitely more opinionated now Gavin and I were married.
“Sorry.”
“Quite all right, my lady.”
We stood in an agreeable silence, the only sound the rush of the waterfall.
“I feel there is something you must know.” Elias’ brassy voice softened. “There was a time when I too allowed my judgment to be clouded with the need to protect.”
I grew uncomfortable. Elias had never shared anything personal ... ever.
“Elaine and I were chosen to be mates since birth, as is the way of our people. I never doubted my parents’ choice; my first
memories were of loving her. We grew up sharing energy, and we were married as soon as we reached the age of passage. But during the early years, right after our ceremony, I made a horrible mistake.”
Elias reached on the top shelf and found a simple sketch. Aggressive black lines darkened the page. Thousands of Dokkalfar lay in piles around a lone figure. His broad shoulders, strong jaw, and the arch of his brow bore a striking resemblance to Gavin. Warriors throughout knelt, heads bowed in sorrow, but just to the left of the fallen was a young Elias, openly weeping. My breath caught.
“We hadn’t been mates long.” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Elaine was new to a warrior’s life. She had not been formally trained.” He looked at the sketch again, pointing to the left wall of the scene.
“The Dokkalfar were everywhere. You’ve seen them in the hundreds. That day, they were here by the thousands. I looked at the creatures pouring through the forest, and all I could think of was Elaine’s safety. I took an oath to protect the land, but I now had a different responsibility. My heart demanded I keep my mate from harm. She was my life, but how could I guard both?
“Torches and orbs of energy lighted the courtyard as the guard prepared the castle. I stood by the great King Frey, who had grown weak after the loss of his mate. He commanded me to lead one battalion, Rill another, and he took the third. I ordered Elaine to stay by the King’s side. She protested, but I insisted knowing she would be in the safest place possible.” His voice grew dark. “As you know, the sun shines brightly on the road leading to the castle, creating a natural defense. And so, we devised a plan. Because the Dokkalfar needed shade, I would take my men across the right wall, Rill across the left, dividing their numbers and driving them toward the open fields, away from castle’s gates. We had archers posted in the mountain’s trees, and by then the sun would be high in the sky. We could trounce them. If needed, the King’s battalion would serve as reinforcement and charge. It was a good plan.” His conviction grew.
The Secret of the Keepers Page 17
