Cross Keys: Unity

by Ally Shields

  “That was very clever of you.” Esty gave Rhyden a bright smile that showed her dimple.

  “Thank you.” Only Esty would praise him for his ability to lie. He turned to Trevain. “Here’s the deal. I’ll give you five days—I can avoid Brunic that long—but only on certain conditions.”

  “Name them.”

  “You’ll keep me advised of your efforts in locating these rebels, and you turn over the names of anyone you’re unsuccessful in converting. And lastly, you keep Esty out of it. I don’t want her placed at risk again.”

  “You can’t speak for me,” she protested.

  “He can on this subject,” Trevain said. “I don’t want you in the middle of this either.”

  “You can’t stop me…either of you.”

  Rhyden ignored her. “What about the other conditions?”

  “I don’t like them, but I’ll do it. Brunic’s intervention at this point would ruin everything.”

  “So we’re agreed.” Rhyden stuck out his hand.

  Trevain’s lips twitched, but he clasped Rhyden’s hand and shook it once. “I’ll be in touch.” He turned and walked out. They heard the sound of horse’s hoofs galloping away a few moments later.

  “I didn’t agree to any of this,” Esty said immediately.

  “We’ll talk about it on the way back. I’m sure your father is already wondering where we are.”

  They argued the entire time. Esty became so angry that she shook off his arm and stalked beside him. “I am not a child. Can’t you get that through your thick skull? I want to help these people. Ellyn’s my friend, not yours.”

  “What more do you want to do? We’re better leaving the hunt to Trevain.”

  “He has a job which prevents him from listening to village gossip. I’m not talking about sneaking around at night. Just keeping my eyes and ears open during my daily activities.”

  He gave her a sideways look. “I know you, Esty. You’ll go nosing around, start asking questions. You’ll eventually draw someone’s attention. Brunic, if no one else. You could interfere with the very cause you want to help.”

  “Do you have to sound so reasonable?” she demanded sharply. “OK, but you can at least keep me updated on what’s going on.”

  He looked away. Not going to happen. These frequent meetings had to stop. All her vehemence and pouting only made him want to take her in his arms and kiss her. He sighed. “I can’t be running over here all the time just to satisfy your curiosity. I don’t expect Trevain to report that often.”

  “Then what can I expect?” she asked as they stopped in front of her door.

  It opened, saving Rhyden from answering her question, but Sawyer Ryndel filled the doorway and quickly presented an even larger problem. “It’s time the two of you explained yourselves.”

  Aw, hell. Tonight appeared to be full of unexpected moments.

  Rhyden found his voice first. “I’m not sure I understand, sir. I’m sorry we were gone so long.”

  “Oh, father, were you worried?” Esty recovered and threw her arms around her father. “We were talking and lost track of time.”

  “Now, Esty, you know that isn’t what I meant—”

  “Have you heard about the break-in at the Smithsonian?” Rhyden asked, latching onto the first topic he thought might divert the older man. “Jermon Lormarc appears to be alive.”

  “I hadn’t heard.” Sawyer’s face immediately darkened. “What exactly happened? Has the king been told?”

  They stepped inside, and Rhyden explained what Seth and Kam had reported. The news appeared to consume the older man’s attention, and a few minutes later Rhyden made his escape without getting into his and Esty’s activities. Sawyer would eventually remember, which gave Rhyden a third reason…behind Esty and Brunic…to avoid Elvenrude for the next few days.

  He hurried through bitter cold toward the portal and the warmer weather of New Orleans. Sawyer’s worried face had brought him to his senses, and he regretted every moment of tonight. Even worse, he saw no easy way out. One thing was clear: he had to confide in Seth. His activities now involved the Lormarc name. Seth had a right to know if their reputation could be further tainted by another family member being on the wrong side of the law. Damn. If Esty hadn’t been there when Brunic recruited him for that first raid, none of this would have happened.

  And he wouldn’t be thinking about a certain smile and melting blue eyes.

  He reached the guild, stepped through the portal, and exited into the human world. Rhyden flexed his shoulders and drew in a deep breath of New Orleans’ mild weather. Talking to Seth would be good. They’d been raised like brothers. Seth would understand, and there wasn’t anything they couldn’t solve together.

  * * *

  Rhyden arrived at work early the next morning, anxious to unburden himself. Seth might be pissed, but it wouldn’t end their affection for each other. Rhyden paced his office and watched the clock. It was nearly ten. Seth was never this late.

  Fifteen minutes later Seth walked in the door of Rhyden’s office with a coffee cup in one hand and a small box in the other. “I heard you were looking for me. I just had to show you what I bought Kam for our promise ceremony.”

  Holy hell. Rhyden had forgotten all about tomorrow night. He had to get out and make a purchase or two of his own. Why hadn’t Esty reminded him?

  Seth set his coffee cup down and opened the lid of the box, holding it out. Rhyden leaned forward to admire the contents—two silver ear piercings to scroll along the rim of the ear. Each was set with a small blue sapphire, the Ryndel family stone.

  “They’re beautiful,” Rhyden said. And he meant it. He couldn’t help imagining how such a pair might also look striking on Esty’s slightly more pixyish face. He lifted his brow at Seth. “Good thing you’re a rich man. These must have set you back a pretty penny.”

  Seth grinned. “She’s worth every penny and more.” He set the box down, picked up his coffee again, and dropped into a chair. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I can’t wait to get married. The next year will be a very long one. At least tomorrow night will be the official beginning.” He shook his head with a wistful smile. “You know, we’d be married by now if misunderstandings and the Cyrilians hadn’t delayed our engagement. Nothing and no one is going to stop us this time.”

  “If they try, I assume it’s my duty as your witness to challenge them to a duel.”

  “You bet.” Seth stood and picked up the earring box. “I have a billion things to do yet. I want tomorrow to go smoothly.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  Seth looked at him with a roguish grin. “Oh, I have a list for you.”

  Rhyden laughed. “Bring it on.”

  “I’ll be back with it in a little while.” Seth stopped just short of the door. “I almost forgot. What did you want to see me about?”

  “With all this talk of romance, it’s slipped my mind. Nothing important.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  The morning of the Winter Solstice and Kam’s promise day dawned bright and sunny. She’d spent the night at her parent’s home in Elvenrude, and the first thing she did on waking was check outside. The December weather had cooperated. The brisk wind of the last few days had calmed, adding only a pleasant crispness to the air. She smiled as she stood on the walkway and blew out a moist breath to test the temperature. Only a slight fogginess. It would be a fabulous day.

  At six that night their guests—a mixture of Lormarcs and Ryndels, including Captain Brunic, plus Caleb and Bria, and Prince Trystan—assembled around three long tables set up in her parents’ home and decorated with yew branches, holly, bittersweet, and white candles.

  Kam looked at Seth across the table from her and smiled. He looked gorgeous tonight in a hunter green jacket over a black T-shirt and black jeans. Just enough of the bad boy peeking through to make her heart flutter. His green eyes gleamed whenever their gaze met.

  It wasn’t a formal affair, but the women wore femi
nine blouses or even dresses, and the men had replaced sweatshirts with sporty jackets. So far the evening had been just as she’d hoped. Both families were congenial and the food and wine perfect.

  She caught Seth’s gaze again. Almost time. In a few minutes they’d make the announcement and say the traditional words that began a formal binding. She tingled with anticipation. It had been a long time coming in a year filled with intervening events. It was finally their night.

  Seth stood, his eyes finding hers and dancing with promises. He held out his hand over the table. Kam pushed her chair back and went to meet him, their eyes remaining locked as she circled the end of the table—and stopped at a loud knock on the front door.

  She gave Seth a laughing shrug. Another short delay. A late comer. But she couldn’t imagine who it might be. She turned toward the door to let their guest in, but her father got there first. Guild Master Barrott burst into the room. His frantic gaze found Kam.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but we have the makings of a disaster. Thanks be to the gods you’re all here. Prince Trystan’s brother has been taken into custody by Mexican border guards.” He looked at the Cyrilian prince. “I’m afraid he’s also been shot.”

  Guests bounded to their feet, and the room erupted into a jumble of voices expressing shock and alarm. Having an elf captured by human authorities was among their worst nightmares. Their blood, DNA, and organ placement were unique.

  “Is he alive?” Trystan demanded.

  “Yes, sir. He is.”

  Kam gave an encouraging nod to Trystan, but like the others, her first thought hadn’t been for his brother’s welfare. Far from it. It was bad enough Prince Tadeous was a traitor to his people, but his present captivity placed all of elvenkind at risk of discovery by humanity.

  “He must be retrieved…swiftly,” Brunic said. His words were echoed around the room.

  “Where is he exactly?” Kam asked. “And how do we know any of this?”

  “Juarez. Just south of El Paso, Texas. Apparently he gave the authorities your name, Kam, and our guild address.”

  Smart thinking. But not what she’d expect from him. Turning himself in? Almost as if Tad had put protecting his race before himself. She grimaced. Not likely. He had some kind of angle.

  Seth, Trystan, and several guests crowded around Barrott with additional questions, but Kam had heard all she needed for now. She edged out of the crowd and ran to the bedroom, found the Guard bag she carried everywhere, and quickly changed into her duty clothes—an all black, form-fitting outfit, a narrow scarf, and black, hooded jacket. Kam was adding her weapons and magic items when Esty came in.

  “Do you really have to go?”

  “Yes, it’s my job.” Kam clasped her silver band on her right wrist. It enhanced all her natural abilities of speed, strength, and rapid healing. A dagger went into her boot, the elven crossbow concealed in her hood.

  “What about your ceremony? Can’t you finish your promise vows before you go?”

  “There’s no time. If we don’t get Tadeous out of human hands, we might not have a future to worry about.” She gave Esty a quick hug. “Don’t fret about the party. Seth and I have each other. The formalities have waited this long. They can wait a little longer. Wish me luck?”

  “Always. And be careful.”

  When Kam returned to the sitting room, the men had finished arguing over who should go. It seemed obvious to her. She grabbed Seth’s arm and nodded to Trystan. Both men had already shed their nice jackets, and Sawyer had supplied each with a hooded replacement.

  Less than fifteen minutes after Barrott's arrival, they said a quick good-bye and raced toward the portal. Seth and Kam picked up their guns from the safe at the Ryndel Guild before leaving New Orleans. They transported into El Paso, Texas, and then used the invisibility rings to cross the long border bridge into Juarez, Mexico.

  Even in December, the Juarez night was mild and warm in contrast to Elvenrude. They quickly located the border patrol substation on the outskirts of town where they believed Tad was held. Barrott had asked the authorities to keep him there until someone brought his passport and identification. The officer he’d talked to had also mentioned a fine, which Barrott interpreted as a bribe, and he’d implied it would be generous.

  The money would have been no problem, but they hadn’t had time to forge the necessary documents. They needed an alternate plan and stopped in the shadows of a dingy shack, one of dozens in the surrounding shantytown. A skinny dog came out to sniff at them, then slinked away.

  “Do we just barge in there?” Trystan asked, gesturing toward the small, one-story border patrol building.

  “Pretty much. I say we take him and run,” Seth said. “I don’t care if they’re suspicious. It’s better than giving them time to confirm he’s not human.”

  Kam blinked at Seth in surprise. Usually he was the voice of caution, but she definitely agreed the quicker they acted the better. “OK, but let’s get a look inside and then decide who’s doing what.”

  Still using the invisibility rings, they approached the sandy-colored structure and peeked in a window. A divided room with desks on the near side, two holding cells on the other. One cell was empty; Tad lay on a cot in the second. Kam couldn’t tell his condition, but he wasn’t moving around. A door next to the cells probably led into a rear supply area or a bathroom. Three Mexican guards lounged at the desks; two were chatting, the other was absorbed in something on his phone screen.

  Kam and her companions circled the small structure and found a rear entrance. Seth popped the lock, and they entered a dark supply room. A door standing open on the left revealed a small bathroom. The door to the front area was closed but unlocked. Kam jerked her head toward the back, and they retreated outside.

  “If we want to make this look like an ordinary guy rescued by his friends, we have to get the guards out of there. The less they see, the better.”

  “I’ll stay outside and create a distraction,” Seth offered. “You and Trystan spring Tad.” He looked at Trystan. “Do you have an extra ring or do you need mine?”

  Trystan frowned. “I didn’t even think of that. How do we get everyone back across the border?”

  “We’ll figure it out.” Seth handed him the ring. “Just get your brother out of there. These guys won’t catch me, and it’ll be a good thing if they can report seeing someone.”

  “Let’s make you look more like a ruffian.” Kam pulled up his hood to cover his hair and tied her black neck scarf over it like a headband. She flashed a brief smirk. “Hmm. You look kind of like a pirate—a sexy pirate—but it’ll do.” She handed him a pair of dark sunglasses from her pocket. “This should make it impossible to identify you.”

  Seth put them on, kissed her cheek, and disappeared around the corner. Kam and Trystan slipped back inside and stationed themselves on either side of the interior door…just in case someone came that direction when Seth started his performance.

  Kam stilled her breathing and waited. She wrinkled her nose at the faint odor of stale urine coming from the toilet facility. Hurry up, Seth.

  Less than a minute later, something hit the side of the building with a loud bang. The Mexican guards reacted immediately, shouting at one another, slamming doors. One of them rushed through the supply room and exited out the back.

  Kam and Trystan quickly moved into the front room. One guard had remained behind. He stood at the door, peering outside. Kam tiptoed up behind him, gave him a hard head-tap with the butt of her pistol, and caught his limp body. She lowered him to the floor and searched his pockets for the jail door keys. They weren’t on him, but she found them hanging on a peg behind the desks.

  Grabbing the key ring, she hurried to the cell where Trystan talked quietly with his brother.

  “He’s pretty weak,” Trystan said softly.

  As soon as the lock was open, they helped the unsteady young man toward the back door, and Trystan placed the invisibility ring on Tad’s finger. They exited the substa
tion a brief moment before the guards returned to discover their injured partner and the open cell door. In the shouting and general uproar that resulted, Kam and Trystan half-carried Tad up the hill, picking their way over the rough, sandy ground sprinkled with rocks, cactus, and short, tenacious scrubs. They ducked behind the first row of housing but didn’t stop moving until they found a secluded spot at the rear of a dilapidated building four blocks away.

  “How badly is he hurt?” Kam whispered over the head of the slumped man. “Can he travel?”

  “I’ll be OK.” Tad’s voice was weak, but he planted his feet and straightened. “I’m a little shaky, but I can do it. I’m sorry for all of this.”

  “Save it,” she said tersely. “You’ll have plenty of time to tell your story once we’re back in Elvenrude. Let’s keep quiet until Seth’s seeker charm finds us.”

  Seth appeared quickly. “I’ve been thinking how we can do this,” he said. “I’ll follow you to the border and find a safe place to wait. You get Tad across and then Kam can bring a ring and come back for me. Easy and uncomplicated.”

  It was a rather anti-climatic end to a tense operation, but that’s how they did it. Everyone walked out. No bullets flying. No running for their lives.

  Within an hour, start to finish, they were back in Elvenrude, and Prince Tadeous was in the hands of elven healers. Kam and Seth, Trystan, and Brunic waited in the front room of the temple for the healers to finish their examination. They were eager to hear Tad’s story, especially the activities and location of Jermon and the other renegade elves. But nobody was certain what Tad’s attitude would be. He seemed grateful for the rescue, but would that extend to cooperation?

  A healer appeared in the doorway and beckoned.

  Seen in the lights of the temple’s healing rooms, Tad’s face was unusually pale. His dirty and bloodstained clothes had been replaced by a white robe that emphasized the deep shadows underscoring his eyes. His injuries—partially healed arrow wounds, a puncture on his back and a hole through his right shoulder that had nicked the bone—had been treated by the healers, and he lay on a cot with his good arm over his forehead. Trystan entered first and sat by the bed; a healer in a blue robe stood on the opposite side.