Out Of The Darkness

by Calle J. Brookes

  A man like Nalik deserved someone better than her, didn’t he?

  Why had the goddess done that to him?

  It wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t right. How had Kennera been so cruel?

  Chapter 33

  The largest assembly hall of the damned demon castle was overcrowded with both demons and Dardaptoans. He thought he saw a few Lupoiux in the mix.

  Nalik found he blended in pretty damned well. He studied the groups and House colors of the various Dardaptoans and was surprised to see a good mix of all ten of the Houses. A representation of all, including the House he technically guided, still.

  But what about the other dozen tribes of Dardaptoans in the world? Had they relocated somewhere as well? Aodhan’s family in particular was spread out between at least four other tribes.

  Adrastos don’t live together comfortably; warriors the lot of them.

  The members of his House nodded at him as he passed, bowing their heads in the traditional Equan greeting. He responded, this time less from rote and more from respect.

  He was the leader of the Black House, and it was his duty to protect and guide his people, especially in the absence of the dhar.

  And it wasn’t as if he thought Rydere had done a bang up job leading their people anyway.

  He squared his shoulders and met the eyes of everyone he passed. He was the next in line in this land, until the dhar was present, the people would turn to him, and then Aodhan, Cormac, and Theo—in that order.

  He might have abdicated his role for the last thirty years, but this was a new world, a new land. And someone with knowledge and experience in this world would be called upon to lead their people. The Jareth Equan was the only other with nearly as much experience.

  And Cormac was not a damned leader in any sense of the word. He had too little patience for it.

  The people were waiting for the arrival of the goddess and their excitement was easy to feel. He didn’t have to like it, but his people did worship Kennera.

  He never would again.

  The hairs on his arms pricked up and he knew without turning that Cassandra had entered the assembly hall. He probably always would know where she was. He turned and watched her as she walked through the crowd.

  Most of them did not part for her the way they had for him. Some of them outright glared at her and her two redheaded cousins who flanked her. Animosity toward Tanisses would take a long time to dissipate, if it did at all.

  The women had to be aware of it, yet they still walked with beautiful strength and confidence between them. Theo’s female carried her babe strapped to her chest, and the child’s shocking red hair was easy for him to see.

  Would he and his Rajni be able to create babes between them? Had her grandfather done something to one of them—or both—that would prevent procreation?

  That would be something he would need to discuss with the healers of his people. Barlaam, or perhaps Thad. It would mean being up front about what Taniss had done to him. It would be something he would have to prepare for. And he would have to convert his female to Dardaptoan. But how to do that safely? Would it be possible with her more-Druidic features?

  How much of a Druid was the girl?

  He had many questions he would needst answer, before he could fully bring her into his world.

  She was looking at him, and he stared. How much of a public claim should he make upon her now? Fear was on her face and she shook her head, pleading in her expression.

  He let a grin touch his lips. Her eyes widened.

  He wanted her so damned much.

  She’d dressed in borrowed clothes, and they were too big on her. Both of her cousins were heavier than she, though they were all of similar height. Cormac’s Rajni walked up behind the other three, an ethereally beautiful blonde. Something about her had always made him uncomfortable.

  He’d found the file her damned grandfather had kept on the experimentation he’d done on her when she was less than six years. When he’d realized the subject in the documents was Taniss’s own grandchild he’d been sickened beyond belief.

  The lasting effect for the girl had been deafness, and even conversion to Dardaptoan hadn’t healed that grievous of a wound.

  They were all beautiful women, not that unusual among Dardaptoan females. But his had that something about her that drew the eye. Her Druidic nature, perhaps?

  Just what all could she do, and would it be enhanced by the proper training? Who could he speak to about getting her that training?

  He knew very few Druids. They tended to stick to themselves, studying either the arts of logic or growing plants. He probably hadn’t met one—other than those tortured and killed by her grandfather—in over one hundred years. And how much of a Druid was she, compared with human? Would a conversion from an almost-Druid to Dardaptoan even be possible? Had Barlaam studied Cassandra’s blood at all?

  Nalik walked to her side as a buzz of excitement went through the air. He glanced over his shoulder to see a blue portkey mist starting in the center of the room.

  His female shuddered, her fear very obvious for anyone to see. It would take many years, perhaps, for her to get comfortable with that mode of travel. How could it not? She’d been yanked from her own reality and into one she did not understand. It would be hard for any human in that situation.

  Still, he could not stand by idly, while his female was frightened. And to be honest, he wasn’t so certain that portkeys belonged anywhere near his female, after what he’d seen a few days before.

  That purple mist had deliberately chosen Cassandra, and the reason for that had yet to be found. He had not forgotten. He would not stop until it had. He started across the room toward her.

  Nalik would not reveal their bond, but he would make for damned sure that she was safe from whatever was coming.

  Nalik did not touch her, but he stood at her side. His hand rested on his sword—they had no guarantee who was about to arrive. That fact was one that should not ever be ignored, not even in these times. Especially in these times.

  Yet the people around him were celebratory. Not the demons; they were more seasoned fighters, they’d been trained to expect the enemy and rejoice when the ally arrived. And every male who was bonded stood by his mate. Those who were warriors were sword-ready, as well.

  But the Dardaptoans—they were civilians. Many were young, and only old enough to have experienced the fringes of the human wars that had been fought in the last three or four hundred years. They were not trained for fighting, for defense against war.

  How were he and the other Equan to keep them safe? This demon land was just as dangerous as Gaia—he’d heard of the battles that had changed Aureliana and those that had threatened Kindara. Everyone had heard of the tales. And demons were warring creatures by nature.

  The trouble with these battles were that they were not legends—they were precursors. And everything in his soul told him that the war was to hit this world, hard and early.

  He put a hand on Cassandra’s shoulder. She didn’t pull away. Jushua stepped up beside Nalik.

  “Always this much fanfare when your people arrive?”

  “The dhar, dahn, and their precious goddess come.” He looked at the other male. “There is always ridiculous fanfare.”

  “You seem to feel it unwarranted. Not care for your own goddess?”

  “I do not think she is as all powerful as legend makes out. She is not as infallible as she wishes her people to believe. I have seen the evidence of her failing with mine own eyes.”

  “Pity. Goddesses should be revered.” Eaudne stepped closer to Cassandra, and Nalik allowed her to pass between them. Eaudne had to sense the fear that was gripping Cassandra. He appreciated the woman’s kind heart where his Rajni was concerned.

  “Reverence comes with respect. My people have suffered too greatly without the aid of our goddess for me to offer respect too easily.”

  “Wise words, my friend.” Jushua watched the portkey grow larger. “
The first are coming through.”

  Nalik watched as two of Rydere’s best guardsmen entered the portkey first. Barlaam, Rydere’s only living sibling, entered next, along with his Taniss female. This one looked very much like Cassandra; only the long curling hair was almost white blonde on her, compared to Cassandra’s earth brown. She scanned the crowd and grinned—an expression very much like Cassandra’s—when she saw her sister and cousins.

  She hugged her sister first, then Cassandra. They were very close, these two. He’d known that the first time he saw them together.

  This blonde was another one of her grandfather’s experiments. He’d heard the rumors months ago that the girl could sense when someone around them was different.

  She stared at him over her cousin’s shoulder. Her green eyes weighed him. He looked directly at her, waiting for her to say something.

  This girl would grow in whatever powers she possessed the older she became. Barlaam had his hands full with this one.

  Nalik nodded, acknowledging who he knew to be his Rajni’s best friend. She would be a part of their life for centuries to come. Good thing he respected her mate.

  The dhar and his mate were the next ones through the portkey, the ether parting for the couple easily. More people followed until the last were through.

  The damned goddess and her Wolf protector.

  He instinctively tensed. Like he always did when the goddess showed up, seeking accolades from the people.

  This deity would never have his respect again.

  Nalik turned away. He had no wish to see the goddess. Had his Rajni not still stood among the crowd, he would have returned to the rooms the demon had assigned him—clear across the castle from his Rajni, which would not do—and wait for the celebrations to end. He had much to think about.

  A small hand slipped into his and he turned back, shocked to his core. Cassandra looked over at him, compassion in her pretty eyes. “We can leave, if you want.”

  And leave her sister? Did she even realized what she offered? “Stay. Greet your sister; she has noticed you now.”

  She turned back toward the new arrivals. Her sister squealed and ran toward Cassandra. The crowd parted, surprised. Dardaptoans did not act thusly. The sisters embraced and rocked each other. Finally it was Cassandra who pulled away. “I am fine, Em. I promise. No scars—barely any bruises. Thanks to Nalik.”

  He found his arms full of small female—a sobbing, gushing small female.

  He felt the tension that hit the girl’s Rajni. So Rydere still did not trust him, then? Damn him. The girl was thanking him profusely.

  He’d never seen her this way, and from the surprise on several of the dhar’s family—and hers—they hadn’t either. He set her aside from him and bowed. “It was no trouble. Now, your Rajni awaits.”

  Women and tears made him damned uncomfortable.

  Rydere just pissed him off. Cassandra was wiping her own eyes, and the sight of her tears had him feeling weak and useless, though he knew they were happy tears.

  Rydere held out his hand in the traditional warrior greeting of their people. Nalik took it in the same spirit that it was offered. He looked at the leader of their tribe and nodded. They would hash it out later, he was going to make sure of it. “Dhar Rydere.”

  “Equan Black. My family’s thanks are greatly with you for your service to our Cass.”

  “It was my honor.”

  Ritual words had always set ill on his tongue. But this time, he meant it. And had to bite his words back from adding on that it was his right to protect her.

  She wouldn’t be ready for that, though he most definitely was.

  Jushua stepped through the crowd; Nalik could sense the other male behind him. The goddess and Wolf were moving behind Rydere, as well.

  Nalik tensed. He knew it would fall to him to make the appropriate introductions, and he did not wish to even speak to the goddess.

  She disgusted him too much.

  Rydere stepped back, and the goddess stepped forward, coming to stand next to Rydere’s small Rajni. The goddess had one of her twin babes strapped to her chest in much the same manner as Theo’s female. This babe was a bit older than the Sebastos, and watched the world from black eyes like its father’s.

  Seeing yet another babe made him wonder…

  He shook that thought from his mind—they would not be having babes until he knew it was safe for her to do so.

  And until these wars that were approaching were ended. He would not have babes only to lose them or her to war or the goddess’s curse.

  He bowed to the goddess, as was expected of him, but stopped short of the full reverent position. When he stood, her gaze was on him, on the scar that dissected his cheek, and filled with an emotion he struggled to identify quickly. Horror. Pain. Sadness. All were there.

  But no regret, no shame. None of what he felt should be there.

  Cassandra stepped up to his side. He was finally able to breathe again, just having her there.

  “Equan Black, I am glad to see you and Cassandra are unharmed.”

  “It was but a few days of uncertainty, daharana. But it brought with it unexpected benefit in the form of new allies for our people. For the Demonkin and Lupoiux, as well.” He held out a hand toward Jushua and Eaudne, expecting them to make the same bow of greeting.

  Instead they were both frozen, staring at the goddess with shock written all over them.

  The goddess was staring in return, her arms wrapped tightly over the babe she carried. Her Wolf stood behind her, their other offspring in his arms.

  “Mama?”

  The goddess’s whispered question had everyone around them close enough to hear—mostly Rydere’s relations and the Demon King—falling silent and stepping back a few steps. They formed a barrier around the goddess.

  Eaudne held out a hand. “Kennera…”

  “Mama!” The goddess started to rush forward, but the Wolf grabbed her shoulder and yanked her back against his chest. The goddess fought his hold. “Mama! Eiophon! Let me go!”

  “No. You know not if this is true.” Her mate was firm and his grip had to be bruising. But if what he suddenly suspected was true, Nalik could understand the Wolf’s position. “Questions first.”

  Jushua pulled his mother back, placed his body between hers and the goddess. “Who are you?”

  “Who are you? Where did you come from?” The Wolf passed the babe in his arms off to the dhar’s female. He moved to challenged Jushua’s stance.

  There was silence for a moment. Nalik studied both the goddess and the Evelanedeans. They were all blond, though Eaudne’s hair was much darker. Eaudne and Kennera were of similar height and build. The eyes on all were the same—Dardaptoan eyes, of course.

  They could be related based on physical characteristics, but all Dardaptoans were similar in build and height; very rarely were there major differences, except for Dardaptoans who had other Kinds mixed in their ancestry.

  The way the Wolf and Jushua were measuring each other did not sit well for the negotiations and Nalik wondered at what each thought.

  Rydere and the demon king were standing back, not interfering. The tension continued to grow until Nalik could sense it becoming too great in intensity.

  Someone would have to act soon.

  He stepped between the two equally large men. They were all three of a height and build. And though the other two were far older, and once far more powerful, he knew that thanks to Taniss’s frankensteining, he was now just as strong.

  “Think you both have questions of each other. I am sure there is a room of privacy for such discussion.” He looked at Kindara’s demon. “King Rathan, would we be trouble of you if we requested such?”

  The Wolf turned his attention to Nalik. “Speak you now for everyone, Dardaptoan Black?” The emphasis on Dardaptoan had Nalik believing the Wolf god sensed the changes in Nalik and was intrigued.

  He would have questions for Nalik later, no doubt.

  Rathan n
odded. “We have a small conference room. You will not be disturbed.”

  “Very well, then. Mother…” Jushua nodded toward the demon king.

  “Oh, very well. I think this is beyond compare with foolishness. I know what mine own heart is telling me. Stubbornness of all males, aside.” Eaudne tilted her head in Nalik’s direction. She held out her arm to him, surprising him. “Come, dear Nalik, for talks of these sort will need a man of logic to mediate.”

  He wanted to back away, but how could he? He had placed himself in the path of those around him, and now they looked to him as a person of import. It would be foolishness to step back now.

  Chapter 34

  Cass watched Nalik lead the small group of people into an adjoining room, before turning toward her sister. The room begin to buzz around them, speculation heard from every direction. Not all of it was good, or even flattering to Nalik.

  That had her teeth gritting, and her holding on to her temper with a thread. Aureliana stepped up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. The larger woman leaned down and whispered in Cass’s ear. “Nalik is far stronger than even he knows. This is part of what he was made to do. Do not worry for him so. Let’s take your sister and the babes out of the main hall while we wait for Nalik and the others to return.”

  “They all fear him so, and are so horrible. It’s not fair to him—it has to hurt him.”

  Aureliana wrapped her arm around Cass’s shoulders, surprising her. She hadn’t spent much time with Mallory’s sister-in-law; definitely not enough for Aureliana to know what Cass was thinking. “It does hurt him, but he will end up ok.”

  How could anyone? “He’s so…”

  “Intense? That’s always been Nalik. Come, we’ll go with your sister and take these babes in the sitting room; Ren’s sister is there with her young babe, and Rathan and Kinney’s. Mine is getting fussy.”