by Jess Bowen
Hector sucked in a deep breath, and his hands trapped her face between them. His lips became hard and urgent against hers as a noise of longing and pleasure escaped his throat. Without even thinking, Phoebe responded. Her lips moved urgently and desperately with his, and she locked her arms around his neck and molded her body to his. Fire burned through her, even while channeling his talent. Her emotions were vibrant and alive. She needed this; she wanted this.
“Not him,” a voice whispered in her ear. “He’s your friend, not the one you love.”
The voice was small, innocent, childlike, and Phoebe ignored it. His hands had left her face and were pressed firmly on her back. His mouth was hot and soft, and the smell of tree bark and earth was overpowering. She wanted someone to need her like this.
The childlike voice whispered in her ear again. “Dorian needs you.”
The sound of Dorian’s name being uttered ripped at Phoebe’s chest and she pressed her lips more firmly to Hector’s. A strangled noise escaped his throat again. Dorian didn’t need her like this.
“He loves you. He needs you. Go home to him.”
Hector knotted his hand into Phoebe’s hair and pulled her head back as he kissed down the side of her throat. Phoebe’s breathing stopped and her heart raced. She didn’t want to stop. She wanted to lose herself to this oblivion.
“Dorian, Dorian, Dorian, Dorian…” The voice continued to taunt her.
Hector trailed his lips across her collarbone.
“Dorian, Dorian, Dorian, Dorian!”
A dam in her chest broke, and ice flooded through her veins. A strangled cry escaped her throat in protest. “No!”
Phoebe’s eyes snapped open, and with strength she didn’t know she had, she shoved away from Hector. He didn’t even fight her. He looked shocked as his wide chest moved in and out with his heavy breathing. Phoebe stumbled back a few more steps and let go of his talent. She struggled to catch her breath as Hector stood slack-jawed with his arms open and his eyes wide.
Phoebe looked around at everyone else to see that they were in similar states of shock. Lucy looked a little horror stricken. She was right, the voice in Phoebe’s ear was right—Dorian still needed her. He still loved her. Only Kali was responsible for this, and if it took until her dying breath, Phoebe would get back what was hers. It wouldn’t be the first time she had fought for him. But, until then, she couldn’t use Hector to fill the emptiness. The only way to truly fill it was to have Dorian back. And the only way she could do that was to keep going.
Hector shook his head and regained his casual attitude.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Evan demanded angrily.
“This mist induces happiness and peace, a big reason why all the shadow creatures were banished here, but you have to stay focused or it will suck you in. The only way to be brought out of it is a big shock.”
“Okay, fine, but did you have to kiss her?” Cynthia asked in disbelief.
Hector shrugged. “It worked, didn’t it?”
Just like he could read her, Phoebe could read him. Behind his calm and collected mask was confusion and doubt.
“A little too well,” Evan grumbled.
“I’m fine. Hector did what needed to be done. We should keep moving.”
Everyone fell back into their positions without argument. This wasn’t the place or time for petty disagreements. They could wait. But everyone continued to shoot confused glances at Hector and Phoebe. She didn’t blame them. She was confused as well. Despite her revelation about Dorian, it had been Hector that she had clung to in her moment of desperation and need to escape. Not to mention, the emotion that had passed between them had been strong enough to break through Hector’s talent that suppressed them.
Phoebe couldn’t make sense of the warm sensation in her stomach when he’d kissed her, and she couldn’t figure out how or why they had both overreacted. Maybe it was all part of the act to get her to snap out of her dazed condition. Hector was her friend. Nothing more. He had just been doing what was necessary to keep them moving.
Phoebe didn’t have a chance to think about it further as she stretched out her mind to search the mountains around them for signs of life and Irena.
It was entirely too easy to find her. They skirted around two mountains and, just like that, Irena’s mind came within Phoebe’s range. She wasn’t even stretching her mind out that far—ten miles max.
The hair on the back of Phoebe’s neck stood up. This had just gone beyond suspiciously easy to how-stupid-do-you-think-we-are easy. Phoebe knew from a short occupation of Irena’s mind that she was in a large cave that was roughly the size of their training arena. She was chained to a flat slab of rock and waiting for them. She knew they were coming. She also knew that they weren’t stupid enough to walk right into a trap unknowingly.
Phoebe wasn’t sure what to do. If she alerted the others, their reaction might cause them to get attacked before they reached Irena. Phoebe was almost positive a battle was coming, but they had to reach Irena before it happened.
Hector was the most experienced. Phoebe had to quickly find a loophole in his talent. The only mode of communication she had was her mind, and there was one part of her Truth Seeking talent that she hadn’t yet used, and she needed to use it right then. If she could channel her talent through Hector, he should be able to use it too. She could project her thoughts to him, and he could project his thoughts to her, thereby allowing them to have a conversation. It was a long shot, but it just might work.
Phoebe channeled Hector’s power, hoping it might help, and channeled her talent into him. She had always been able to think while she was using her talent, but letting someone else hear those thoughts had, thus far, been impossible. The group continued to move forward quietly as she focused all her energy on speaking to Hector.
Hector, if you can hear me, do not stop and do not turn around. Just keep walking. But, if you can hear me, scratch your ear.
Phoebe had never seen Hector have the need to satisfy an itch, but she didn’t think anyone would notice if he did so now. Hector’s back stiffened, and he reached up and scratched his ear. Phoebe fought the smile of success that tried to make an appearance on her face.
Okay, listen. I’m channeling my talent through you. If you really concentrate, you should be able to talk to me just like I’m doing now.
Phoebe waited anxiously for a response as she kept all her senses on alert for even the smallest change around her, waiting for the ambush she felt was sure to come. Cynthia prowled beside her, over her anger for the moment. Evan already had his swords out as he stalked forward, daring anyone to attack him. Jared’s eyes darted around quickly, and Lucy glided noiselessly beside him. Ethan brought up the rear with his arms held out stiffly at his sides, ready to unleash his power. Something looked different about him. He stood a little straighter than Phoebe had ever noticed before. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
What is it? Hector’s thought sent a wave of relief through Phoebe.
Don’t do anything as I tell you this; just keep walking, no matter what.
She didn’t want anyone watching to have the slightest idea that she was on to them.
Okay.
What is Zuriel’s talent? she asked.
Hector hesitated, but only in his thoughts. Basically the same as Cassius’s, complete Cloaking, and he knows when someone is lying, why? He kept moving robotically forward, but he was instantly on high alert.
Phoebe had suspected as much. It was the only way anyone would be hidden from both her and Jared. Because I found Irena, and there’s no one with her.
Hector’s hand twitched toward his belt where several daggers were sheathed. Could be just a coincidence. The Void is moving two days from now. Maybe they already left her.
Phoebe tried very hard not to roll her eyes. Hector, you know what this means; we both do. They’re waiting for us, but we have to get to Irena before they realize that we know they’re here. She couldn
’t blame him for trying to see the upside of things, but they both knew what the absence of any intelligent life—or unintelligent for that matter, she hadn’t seen any living thing since they had left the Haven—meant.
They won’t attack us before we get there; they want to know the rest of the prophecy too. They’ll wait to see if we get it.
Torture, wonderful, she thought sarcastically.
He agreed. It would be torture either way, but I think you’re right. We should let the others know. How close are we?
A little over nine miles, northwest. We should be able to see the mountain with the cave shortly.
Hector glanced around, deliberately in the wrong direction. Okay, here’s what we’re going to do: tell the others what’s going on just like you have me. I’m going to lead us in the wrong direction, and we’ll wind around for a while. I don’t think it’s a good idea if you give our enemy any ideas about your talent if they don’t know already. We’re going to wait until Jared senses Irena before we make our way into the cave. If and when a battle does begin, well, this is what you’ve been training for; you know what to do. Does that sound good to you?
Hector was the best of the best for more than just his talent. He was a born leader and quick thinker. Phoebe hated to think that he deferred the leadership to her because of her station when he was obviously so much better at it.
Of course, she replied.
Oh, and Phoebe? he added suddenly.
Yeah?
I’m sorry about earlier. I…I never meant for that to happen—whatever happened. I don’t understand…
He sounded so confused. I know. I don’t understand either.
It won’t make things weird, will it? We’re still friends?
Friends? Why did that term make her stomach sink a little bit? The best, as always. Now, I should probably tell the others what’s going on.
Right.
Phoebe briefly wondered if he was trying to apologize before it was too late. She tried not to think about it too much, though. There would be time later—at least she hoped there would be.
She let go of the cord connecting their talents, and she quickly relayed their plans to Evan, Jared, and Cynthia, and luckily, none of them gave the slightest sign that she was silently talking to them. It took Phoebe a few minutes to decide what to do about Ethan and Lucy. They were locked together in their private connection, and her loophole with Hector didn’t work on them. After trying everything she could think of, she finally decided that they would be all right if they didn’t know the whole plan.
So, their journey continued. For hour upon hour they traveled in circles and nonsensical patterns, Phoebe’s energy draining with each passing step, and her stomach clenching angrily in protest to no food. Sapphire was becoming restless, wanting to be part of the journey and the fight she knew was coming. She was one life Phoebe could protect, and she would not allow her companion to escape her body as she so desperately wanted. Phoebe was sure it had to be night again outside of these mountains, but she didn’t know the specific time.
She had lost track of exactly where Irena was and was getting ready to plead with Hector to turn in the right direction when Jared suddenly whispered excitedly. “I found her! A mile and a half, due south!”
His whisper seemed as loud as shouting after the hours of silence, and everyone jumped. His alert was all part of the charade. Although, if Jared hadn’t sensed Irena soon, Phoebe was seriously considering giving up her secret just so they could get a move on.
She had almost forgotten that Ethan and Lucy didn’t know what was going on, and she felt their shock course through her body as they broke their mind connection for a fraction of a second. That was all Phoebe needed to quickly relay the plans to them before they could say something that would give them away.
Oh, that’s a great idea. What did I expect from her? A bad idea? Hardly.
Phoebe didn’t listen to Ethan’s thoughts for too long. She couldn’t tell if he was angry, upset, or disappointed, maybe a little of all three. She still couldn’t believe he thought he was in any way inferior to the rest of them. She had seen him do some amazing things with his power, and even though he was more of a technical fighter—rather than a dirty cheater like Evan and herself—he was still exceptionally good. Without her talent to read minds, she knew she wouldn’t be able to beat him. Phoebe could maybe understand his feeling of inferiority if he was comparing himself to Dorian, Hector, or Cassius, but everyone felt inferior to them—Phoebe just hid it behind sarcasm.
Lucy caught on to Phoebe’s strategy before she was even halfway through her explanation. I get it. We don’t want to give away your talent, and we want to get to Irena before we get involved in a fight. She sighed. I had a feeling this was unavoidable. What do you think our chances are?
Lucy was the first to ask Phoebe that. She couldn’t lie; it was something she had been thinking about all day as they traveled in circles. Well, we have a pretty good idea of what’s coming, and I doubt Petrozan or Esmeralda will be here. They wouldn’t risk it. On the other hand, they probably have numbers on their side. I can’t give you an answer. I don’t know.
Lucy glanced back at Ethan. If Dorian asked you to leave him behind to save yourself, would you do it?
Phoebe didn’t need to think about it. No. I know the pain that comes from losing him. I wouldn’t leave him behind so I could live with that pain indefinitely. But you have to make your own decision. Ethan is just trying to keep you safe.
I’m sorry for what I said a few days ago. I never meant to hurt you.
I know. I’m so sorry I yelled at you. You were just trying to help, and I think you were right. I couldn’t bear to hope that you were right, then. Now I can’t bear to think that I might never get back to test your theory.
The corners of Lucy’s lips turned up and then back down. He still loves you. I know that much. If something happens, at least you know that. I understand your reason for yelling, and you never needed to apologize, but thank you anyway, and thank you for the advice.
Anytime, Phoebe replied and exited Lucy’s mind. She tried not to think that she was also making last minute apologies. To be making amends at a time like this sent a bad omen. It was like a premonition that was colored with nothing but uncertainty. Had they come all this way just to die?
“One mile,” Jared said.
“Is there anyone with her?” Hector asked, again as part of the act.
If it turned out no one really was there, they could feel stupid later.
Jared cocked his head to the side as he pretended to concentrate. “No, she’s alone.”
“Excellent.” Evan muttered his line with practiced ease.
Hector glanced back at Phoebe with an accusatory look. The hours that had passed had been frustratingly dull. So what if she had time to come up with a scripted conversation? She figured it was better than having somebody slip up. In her mind, he should have been thanking her.
“Do you know where the cave entrance is?” Cynthia prompted.
Jared nodded. “On the west side of that mountain, about two hundred feet up. Shouldn’t be too difficult to get to.”
The mountain he indicated was directly in front of them and, just like all the other mountains, made of nothing but rock. Hector made an impatient noise in that back of his throat as Phoebe’s play continued on but turned to lead them to the west side of the mountain anyway. She tried not to laugh. They weren’t even to the second act yet.
“Should we all go in the cave, or do you think some of us should wait outside? Just in case,” Evan asked. He was probably the calmest out of any of them. A bomb could go off right by his head, and he would probably laugh.
“I think we should all go in. We’ll be stronger together, not that I’m expecting anything to happen,” Phoebe said.
Hector’s jaw clenched. Phoebe was pretty sure the long hours of no sleep, no food, and unending flying or walking were starting to get to her. She was a little overly elated and f
ound Hector extremely funny.
“Do you think it’ll be much trouble to get the prophecy?” Cynthia asked as they reached the base of the mountain and found a path that led up to the cave entrance.
“I don’t know. Maybe we won’t get it at all,” Jared replied.
The steep path up the mountain wasn’t hard to navigate. The rock had worn down into a nearly level and easy to manage path. Phoebe couldn’t imagine being stuck in a cave for two hundred years. She couldn’t even wrap her head around being alive for that long. As they neared the cave entrance, she reached her mind out to Irena again. The older woman could hear them coming, and her heart overflowed with happiness.
The seven of them reached the cave entrance and halted for a minute. Despite their careful planning and their knowledge of what was going to happen, they still feared what was coming. All Phoebe’s practiced lines vanished at the mouth of the cave.
“Faith,” a quiet voice whispered in her ear. The same voice from earlier was back.
Did she have any hope? Did she still have any faith? She couldn’t honestly say that she did, but she had to go on with or without it.
“Jared,” Cynthia whispered.
He turned to look at her. “Yeah?”
“I’m sorry. I never meant to be so cruel to you.” This was not part of Phoebe’s script, but could she deny them?
Cynthia’s stance was strong and composed, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Jared stepped around Phoebe and squeezed Cynthia’s hand. “I know, me either. I’m so sorry.”
Cynthia nodded, and they released their hands. Phoebe couldn’t help the fear that settled into her stomach as she looked at everyone. Would she lose one of them? Evan, too brave for his own good, or Hector, her best friend? Lucy, her kind and sweet friend from the moment she met her, or Ethan, her friend and last connection to a world she had? Cynthia, bold and confident, or Jared, careful and calculating? Would she lose Dorian by simply never making it back to him? It was too late to turn back now.
Hector turned and led them into the cave. It was dark in the passageway, but she could see torch light ahead where the cave opened up into the main chamber. She could also see a flat slab of rock at the far end of the cave with a wasted figure chained to it.
