by Brux, Boone
Vile slammed into the stone, decapitating the sculpture, and dropped to the ground. Quickly righting himself, he sent a blast of fire at the imps. Their squeals of pain filled the hall, the smell of their burning flesh billowing to choke Siban.
He coughed and covered his mouth with his sleeve. “We need to get out of here.”
“What about the Abyss?” Ravyn asked.
“There’s nothing to be done about it now.” Magnus waved at the battling dragons. “Pray that the imps know what they are doing. If not, I’m sure we’ll know about it soon enough. Best that we’re not here when and if it opens.”
One by one the dragons landed. Siban shoved Rell onto Luc’s back along with Jade. Juna and Brita climbed onto Gregory, leaving Siban to ride Rhys and Magnus on Trace. He held out his hand to Meran, but before she could reach for him, Icarus swooped down and plucked her from the ground. The demon shot skyward toward the light at the top of the hall.
Ravyn transformed, but before heading toward the opening, she laid a wall of fire between the Bane and the escaping dragons. Luc shot into the air and Siban breathed a sigh of relief that Rell was on her way to safety. Gregory launched next, then Trace, and finally Siban and Rhys took to the air.
Vile paid them no heed, his attention focused fully on the Abyss and the imps. With their king not in pursuit, the other Bane seemed disinclined to continue the fight.
Above them the light grew. Icarus and Meran burst through the opening first, followed by Ravyn, Luc, Gregory, Trace, and finally Rhys. Sunlight bit into Siban’s eyes when they broke free from the dark interior of the Shadow World. He gasped, breathing in the sweet air of freedom.
Chapter Twenty
Wind dragged at Rell’s hair, the rays of the sun spreading over her the higher the golden dragon climbed. Compared to the icy interior from which they had just escaped, outside felt like a summer day. Jade wrapped her arms around Rell’s waist and crushed the air from her as Luc glided down the slope of the mountain to where they had left the horses when they had entered the Shadow World.
She craned her neck to look behind them and sent up a prayer of thanks when the only others who followed them were members of their party. Perhaps the Sanctuary had collapsed or the Bane were too busy trying to counter the unexpected invasion of imps. Rell inhaled deeply, just thankful that they’d all gotten out alive.
The exhilaration of flight and narrowly escaping Vile’s trap made her want to shout to the open air. A roar erupted from the golden dragon, reverberating against Rell’s legs. Jade yelped and clutched her tighter. Rell laughed, unable to suppress the multitude of emotions swirling through her.
An answering roar erupted behind them. Rell craned her neck to see the black dragon banking around the mountain with Siban on its back. Her heart soared. She scanned the sky, mentally counting the Bringers and the dragons. All had escaped. Overcome with gratitude, she closed her eyes and sent up a heartfelt prayer of thanks to the Sainted Ones.
Their course dipped lower to drift a hundred feet above the trees. Because the clearing was small, the dragons circled, waiting for their turn to land. After Gregory had shifted back to human, Luc banked steeply to the left, eliciting another yelp from Jade, and alighted in the center of the clearing. It took a few seconds before Jade relinquished her punishing grip around Rell’s waist. On shaky legs, Jade crawled off the dragon’s back. Rell hopped from her place at the beast’s neck, to its haunch, and then onto the ground.
Though he took longer than Gregory, eventually Luc shifted back to Bringer and walked to Jade, wrapping her in a protective hug. “It’s all right. We’re safe.”
Jade wrapped her arms around Luc’s waist and pressed her face into the crook of his shoulder. She didn’t speak, only held him close for a good minute.
Obviously Rell was not the only one who was grateful to be alive. Rhys’s black dragon circled. The Bringers on the ground moved into the trees to allow him to land. With a mighty down stroke of its wings, the dragon hovered a few seconds and then settled in the clearing.
Her heart beat faster at the sight of Siban on top of the powerful beast. He looked every bit the warrior. His gaze leveled on her, intense and serious. She swallowed and took several slow steps toward him. Without breaking their gaze, he rose, jumped from the dragon, and strode toward her.
Her pace quickened and she nearly threw herself into his arms. He scooped her up and crushed her to him. “We made it.” His words whispered against her cheek. “Barely, but we made it.”
She nodded and lifted her head. Despite the gathering crowd of Bringers, she twined her fingers in his mass of chocolate-brown locks and pushed his head toward hers to kiss him. Their mouths met and she let out a little whimper as the reality of what they’d just gone through hit her. They’d entered the Shadow World, and though they hadn’t accomplished their mission, they’d learned so much more than they’d previously known. On a personal level, she and Siban had faced their nightmares and survived.
“Is everybody all right?” Gregory stood in the center of the clearing. Blood ran from a large gash on his forehead, his gaze traveling over each member of the group. “Does anybody need healing?”
A thump from above sounded, and though they had been the first through the opening, Icarus and Meran were the last to land. The demon flared his wings and settled a few yards from Gregory with Meran clutched to him. The demon’s embrace loosened and his gaze lingered on her for a few seconds longer than felt natural.
Rell thought it looked as if Icarus released her with great reluctance. Meran’s hands slid from around his neck and drifted down his chest before she stepped away. The demon watched her, his yellow stare swirling to silver, making him look almost human. Icarus watched Meran the same way Siban used to look at her when she was a demon. Good, if they planned on saving his life, he would need something or somebody to fight for.
Meran’s eyes never left Icarus. “Thank you. You saved my life.”
A strange expression flittered across Icarus face, one Rell had never seen the proud demon display—humility. “It is I who am in your debt.” He lifted his head to stare at the group. “I do not know what it all means for me, but I am grateful for the knowledge of who I was.”
“Are,” Meran said. “Vile has never been able to fully take away who you are and I will do everything in my power to help you find your way back to us.”
His eyes leveled on her. “Again, I am humbled by your generosity, but I fear there is little that can be done to mend what Vile has broken.”
Tears burned in the back of Rell’s eyes at his declaration. She stepped away from Siban and walked to where Icarus stood. “These Bringers”— she held out her arm, indicating the entire group— “welcomed me as one of their own. Even as a demon they gave me shelter and protection. Though I couldn’t see it at the time, they did everything in their power to save me.” She lowered her hand and turned to look at Siban. “I want to believe it is never too late, Icarus.”
Siban glided forward. “Perhaps I’ve been wrong about you, Bane.”
Icarus tipped his head and peered down at him. “You were wise not to trust me.”
“Probably, but Rell is right. You deserve to know who you are.”
“You are my brother.” Gregory stopped in front of Icarus. “For far too long you’ve toiled alone.” He shook his head. “No longer. Whether you want it or not, we will not abandon you.”
“Remember when you asked me if being human was good?” Rell asked.
Icarus inclined his head.
“To live without the darkness is like lifting blinders from your eyes and unchaining your soul to let it soar free, unfettered by the desolation.” She smiled. “It is good, Icarus, very good, and I wouldn’t give it up for all the treasure in this world.”
“Your words fill me with. . .hope. But I’m hesitant to give them too much weight. We are not the same, Rell. I have lived as a Bane for a thousand years and much of the stain on my soul was of my own doing.” He st
raightened and looked at his brother. “Will you return to the manor?”
“Yes.” Gregory paused. “Will you join us?”
“No.” Icarus extended his wings. “There are things I must take care of.”
“You’re not going back in the Shadow World, are you?” Meran asked.
“I have had enough of my uncle’s treachery.” He shook his head, the long black mane swishing against the edges of his wings. “When I am finished I will find you.”
With one last glance at Meran, Icarus launched himself into the sky and banked to the south.
Meran shook her head and looked at the group. “I can hardly believe what we’ve discovered.”
“A thousand-year-old mystery,” Rhys said. “One that I’m sure involves many of our kin.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Brita said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to discover what exactly happened.”
“Vile’s journal should give us some clue.” Gregory sighed. “Unless he staged his chamber knowing we’d discover the diary.”
Magnus leaned his back against a tree. “I grow weary of these deadly games.”
“Unfortunately, it seems Vile does not.” Rhys draped his arm around Ravyn’s shoulder and pulled her into the crook of his arm. “It’s more important than ever to protect ourselves and those we love from what Vile has in store.”
“I agree, but first we need to recover from what we just went through.” Jade walked to Gregory and placed her hand near the cut on his forehead. “You need healing. What was it, a talon?”
“Yes, after the Bane began fighting in earnest, one of them caught me across the head. I’m lucky I only received this.”
“I’ll say.” Jade closed her eyes and whispered the ancient words of the healing chant.
Besides her transition back to Bringer, Rell had never seen her sister’s powers at work. The air around Jade and Gregory shimmered. Thin threads of green-and-white light flowed from the surrounding trees and swirled around his head, dancing in graceful circles around the two of them.
Vibrations skittered across Rell’s skin like tiny butterfly wings, bringing with it a feeling of tranquility and oneness with the forest and all living things. Like her Tell, Jade’s Redeemer powers were an entity in itself. Rell smiled. For the first time she saw Jade as a powerful Bringer and not the little sister she’d wronged thirteen years ago.
The healing only took a minute and when Jade removed her hand, no evidence of his injury remained. She turned. “Anybody else?”
One by one, Jade, Ravyn, and Meran worked through the Bringers healing them. Some bore only a disheveled appearance as evidence of the battle, but the women took no chances, not wanting to risk any internal bleeding.
When Jade’s light entered Rell’s body, it burned away most of the aches and fatigue, but didn’t touch the desolation being in Vile’s presences had left in her. “That will have to do for now.” Jade removed her hands. “It will last us until we get home and can fully heal.”
“Thank you.” Rell smiled and rotated her wrist, amazed that the ache where she’d been struck by a chunk of falling stone was gone. “That feels much better.”
…
Siban led the small mare to where Rell and Jade sat. Jade’s glare cut to the animal. A sigh heaved from her. “Will this torture never end?”
Rell gave her a sympathetic pat on the back. “No.”
“Thank you, Esmeralda. Your empathy is underwhelming.” Jade’s eyes darted around the clearing, as if looking for a place to hide. “Here comes Luc with my mount.”
“You just faced down several Summoners, the Demon King, and rode a dragon. I think you can handle a horse,” Rell said.
Jade scowled. “You’re beginning to sound like Mother.”
That made Rell smile. “I will take that as a compliment.”
Rell mounted her horse, taking the reins from Siban.
“If we’re ready, let’s mount up.” Gregory pulled his horse to the front of the line. “I think it best if we go as far as Illuma Grand today.” He glanced at the sky. “We’ve probably four hours of sunlight and I’m sure we could all do with a rest before pushing on to the manor.”
When nobody disagreed, Gregory urged his stallion forward and back along the path they had traveled. They felt no hint of the Bane, nor did they meet another person on the trail. The hum of bugs and the song of birds indicated their only companions. The farther they traveled from the Shadow World, the more relaxed Rell became. Though the battle was nowhere near over, at least tonight she’d be able to sleep peacefully. Grabbing every precious moment in life was a lesson being thrust at her more and more.
Just when she thought she understood the workings of her life, something would change. It was a chaotic existence, where friends became foes, cowards became heroes, and a demon could become a king.
The time seemed to pass more quickly than when they had traveled toward the Shadow World and they arrived at Illuma Grand just after nightfall. Once again they were received in front of the palatial structure by several men dressed in gray. The Bringers gave their horses over to the stable hands, with instructions to feed and water the animals well.
Rell couldn’t help but notice that the gazes from the mixed bloods had changed. No longer did they look upon their arrival wide-eyed, as if the group was some exotic and strange animal prowling the halls of Illuma Grand. Now, respect and eagerness burned in place of fear. Beatrice had obviously been spreading the word.
Inside the hall, an older woman, dressed not in gray but blue velvet robes greeted them. Her gown was conservative but still spoke of wealth. She executed a graceful curtsey. “Sir Gregory.”
He returned her welcome with a low bow. “Lady Tobin, you are a sight for weary eyes.”
Her worried gaze traveled over the group. “I can see things are not well.” She folded her hands in front of her. “And that you were not able to rescue my grandson?”
Gregory gave a slow shake of his head. “No, my lady, we were unable to locate those taken by the Bane.”
“Well—” She blinked quickly a few times and sniffed. “I’m sure you did all you could, and from the looks of you, it was no easy journey.”
“That, my lady, is an understatement,” Rhys said. “May we beg lodging for the night?”
“Of course.” She waved a young man to them. “See to rooms for our guests. Put them in my wing.”
“Yes, Lady Tobin.” The young man’s gaze skated over them, his mouth silently moving as he counted each one of them. “Right away.”
With that he turned and jogged across the hall and down the west corridor.
“After you freshen up, I hope you will join me for dinner.” She lowered her voice. “I would very much like to hear of your adventure and your opinion about the rising danger of the Bane.”
“We would be honored, my lady.” Gregory gave a quick bow and held her gaze. “I trust Lord Bagita will not be in attendance.”
“No, he will not.” Lady Tobin’s mouth pinched in a sour expression. “I think it’s time somebody put that man in his place.”
“My lady, I believe you are just such a person,” Gregory said.
The young man Lady Tobin had sent to prepare their rooms returned. “Your chambers will be ready in a few minutes if you’d like to follow me.”
“We will dine in my private dining room at eight o’clock. My chamber is the last one at the end of the west hall.”
“Thank you, my lady. I look forward to our talk,” Gregory said.
“As do I,” she replied.
“If you’ll follow me,” the young man said again.
Lady Tobin watched their departure. Though Rell had never met the woman, her heart went out to her. With her missing grandson and the problems brewing within Illuma Grand, life for the woman could not be easy.
Exhaustion swamped Rell, a yawn pulling at her. Suddenly she was very tired and wanted nothing more than to lie down. The young man indicated a group of rooms and then left, le
tting the group divide the chambers between themselves.
Siban opened the closest door and pulled Rell inside. She went willingly. The furnishings in the room were sparse and utilitarian, though after her time in the Shadow World, she would never turn her nose up at a comfortable bed.
“Lie down.”
Rell waved him away. “I’m fine, Siban. You don’t have to hover over me.”
He walked to her and gently grasped her shoulders. “I’m not hovering, I’m tending.”
She smirked. “Is there a difference?”
“Most definitely.” He eased her toward the bed. “Hovering implies unnecessary worry.” The back of her knees butted against the bed, setting her off-balance. She sat and Siban knelt in front of her. “Tending means that I am doing what needs to be done to make sure a member of my party stays healthy and unharmed.”
It was impossible not to laugh at his serious expression. “All right, comrade, I’ll let you tend to me.”
“That’s a good soldier.” His fingers glided down her arms and he laid his palms against hers. “After I finish, you may tend to me.”
She tipped her head toward him. “You’re very generous.”
“I know,” he said. “Now close your eyes.”
“But I want to watch you.”
He smiled. “All right.” Siban stood and picked up a pitcher. Tipping it, he let the water pour into the matching basin. He set the water beside the bed and dipped a linen cloth into the liquid, squeezing out the excess.
The rag was cool against her head. With gentle swipes, he cleaned the grime from her face. She couldn’t take her eyes from him. Thick black lashes rested against his cheeks and his skin had darkened from the sun. He was beautiful inside and out. What he had seen in her when she was a demon was still a mystery to her. But now she understood how the strength of one person’s love could save the other from near death. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. No risk she wouldn’t take. No foe she wouldn’t battle to keep him safe. When they practiced using their Tell, they had glided side by side, connected but still separate. Now they were one, their souls merged.
