by Raine Thomas
“Come on,” Skye said, looking around her. Amber had already run the dagger across her wrist and was leaning over Olivia. Blue-green light again flared. “All of you.”
James hurried to take the dagger from Amber. His tears had started flowing the moment he saw Olivia’s condition, so he was ready to do what he could to help his wife and unborn child. Skye felt Caleb tap into her emotions to bring forth the tears he needed and watched Gabriel close his eyes to do the same.
The sounds of footfalls neared them as Gabriel pressed his wrist to Olivia’s abdomen. Skye looked up as the elders surrounded them. Without a word, Ini-herit found a place beside Olivia and waited until Gabriel pulled his hand away before he held his own hands to her waist.
Silver light flowed from his touch. The dagger wound healed. The Corgloresti elder kept his eyes closed in concentration. Skye held her breath as her tears continued to flow.
After a long moment, the silver light stopped. Ini-herit opened his eyes.
“It would seem the baby has a strong will,” he said to Olivia. “You are both fine.”
It took almost an hour for all of them to once again compose themselves and regroup. Skye was completely drained. She gathered with her siblings and the elders in a large house that she learned belonged to the Lekwuesti lieutenant, Hinto. He had unquestioningly opened his doors to Sebastian when the elder approached. They now all sat somberly around his large dining table. Some of them were standing.
Centered in the middle of the table was a piece of ivory parchment. Its ends were curled and it was splattered with James and Olivia’s blood. The arrow had been used to project the parchment to them.
Its message was brief: “I will not stop unless you stop me. –G.”
Skye stared down at the strangely elegant and flowing script as though it would bring answers. Her hands were pressed together in her lap. Her eyes felt gritty and sore from her many tears. She was sure she looked as wrecked as her sisters, who had wept along with her. Even their husbands looked emotionally wrought.
“This message comes from Grolkinei, but he did not cast the arrow himself,” Uriel said at last.
“Absolutely not,” Jabari agreed. “That would be impossible since Mercesti cannot see or find our stronghold.”
“And he would not have stopped with one arrow,” Ini-herit added.
There was another round of silence. Skye kept her gaze on the parchment. She felt Caleb’s hand move to her back. She appreciated the show of comfort and leaned against his side.
“We detected no conversions within the homeland,” Sebastian said. He waited for Malukali and Knorbis to nod in agreement. “The being who shot that arrow should have converted to Mercesti.”
“Only a Mercesti would have access to a cursed weapon such as that,” Uriel said. “The evidence implies that it was a Mercesti who shot the arrow. But how would they have gotten past our guard?”
Gabriel shook his head. “We all know Mercesti can’t get through the protections. It’s impossible. We also know there are non-Mercesti Estilorians who want the daughters of Saraqael dead. It isn’t a big stretch to guess that one of us is in league with the Mercesti.”
Heads turned. James and Caleb both nodded.
“You are suggesting…a traitor?” Jabari said. His brows were drawn in concern.
“It’s the only answer that makes sense,” Gabriel said. He was holding Amber’s hand on top of the table. He exchanged a look with her.
“The being who shot the arrow didn’t intend to kill Olivia,” she said in a quiet voice.
“It was a cursed weapon and it struck her neck,” Ini-herit argued. “How could that not be intended to kill her?”
“Amber and I survived the curse,” Skye said. “Whoever shot it probably knew that.”
“And the arrow was shot low,” Caleb added. “James said earlier that Olivia was bent down the moment the arrow reached her. I think the fact that it struck her neck was an accident.”
“Not to mention the fact that James sensed the arrow and immediately moved to intervene, as he is innately attuned to do,” Gabriel concluded. “Whoever shot the arrow knew Olivia would probably survive.”
“That is why the assailant did not convert,” Zayna said with wide, disbelieving eyes. “He or she shot the arrow without intent to kill.”
“Whoever it is,” Knorbis said after a moment, “They are highly skilled at masking their thoughts. Malukali and I have not intercepted any such intentions. Even general negative thoughts regarding Amber, Olivia and Skye have greatly diminished as we have visited the homelands.”
Malukali nodded. “As Estilorians meet the sisters, they realize the negative myths and rumors about them are all false. There is general delight surrounding their existence now.”
There was more silence. James eventually broke it. “Are there any Orculesti or Wymzesti skilled in the use of a bow and arrow?”
“Why do you ask?” Knorbis wondered.
“We appear to be looking for a being skilled enough to mask his or her thoughts from you and wield a bow with enough ability to hit a target from a great distance.”
Ini-herit nodded. “So the most likely options are either an Orculesti or Wymzesti skilled in the use of a bow, or a Gloresti, Corgloresti or Waresti skilled at masking their thoughts.”
“That leaves an awful lot of options,” Amber said dryly.
“I can think of no one who fits those particular criteria,” Knorbis said. “But I will certainly look into it further.”
“We’re headed to the Corgloresti, Gloresti and Waresti strongholds,” Gabriel said. He looked at his wife and siblings. “We’ll be particularly on-guard. And I’ll be paying attention to the demeanors of everyone we encounter.” Then he looked at Malukali and Knorbis.
Skye knew he was mentally telling them to closely monitor thoughts, as well. She hated to be the voice of negativity, but she figured her thought had to be voiced. After pursing her lips and clenching her hands together, she said, “And then there’s the other possibility we all have to be prepared for.”
All eyes turned to her. She took a bracing breath, then pointed out the other obvious option. “There could be more than one traitor. And they could be working together.”
Amber nodded. “Skye’s right. That’s an equally likely possibility.”
More looks were exchanged as they all considered this.
Eventually, Olivia spoke. Her light green eyes flashed with a fierceness that was rare for her. “Fine, then. Traitor or no, Grolkinei’s message couldn’t be clearer. He wants us to find him and stop him? So be it.”
Skye caught Amber’s gaze. They nodded.
“It’s time to fulfill the prophecy,” Skye said.
“Let’s go get the bastard,” Amber concluded.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The traitor established the usual connection with Kanika.
Is it done? she asked the moment the connection opened.
Yes.
She survived?
Obviously, as you have not added to your ranks by one.
A mental huff. They received the message from Grolkinei, then. What has been the response?
I believe it will provoke the battle you are seeking. They intend to complete the protections around the class homelands. Then I believe they will make their plans for battle.
And you will share what you learn so that we are prepared for them?
Of course.
The sun was nearly at its highest point in the sky as Caleb, Skye, their siblings and the elders arrived at the Corgloresti homeland. They had stayed the previous night at the Lekwuesti homeland after their exhausting day, choosing to wait until the morning to complete the ritual. It went well. The sisters had only rested for about twenty minutes afterward.
Now, they walked as a group through the tall, silver arch marking the homeland’s single point of entrance. The long, wide path leading from the entrance deeper into the homeland was lined with Corgloresti. As the sisters walked p
ast, each of the Corgloresti bowed.
Caleb felt Skye’s humbled awe. He found it telling that she continued to be amazed when she and her sisters were honored by others.
He glanced down at her now. Her gaze was wide as she took everything in, resulting in her usual look of innocence and wonder. She had asked Evangeline to add a thin silver streak to her hair that morning in honor of the visit to the Corgloresti homeland. There were pins of some kind entwined with her curling tresses, as well. She wore a shimmering turquoise gown with silver embellishments along the neckline and hem. It had long, filmy sleeves that parted when she moved her arms, revealing rows of colorful bracelets that matched her long, sparkling earrings. The skirt was also made of thin material that parted when she walked, revealing teasing glimpses of her incredible legs. He found it very hard to keep from staring.
He realized they were nearing the end of the long path. Before them was a long, nine-foot high onyx structure with an uneven top edge. The surface of it glistened in the sunlight and was inscribed with silver etchings. Caleb had seen this part of the Corgloresti stronghold only once, during his orientation to the Estilorian plane nearly eighty years before. It had changed a bit since then.
They stopped before they got to the onyx wall. The elders moved to stand in front of it, as did commander Raphael, the Corgloresti second commander, Frantiska, and the Corgloresti lieutenant, Christopher. As was usually the case with Estilorians, the second commander and lieutenant hadn’t changed much over the decades, Caleb observed. Frantiska’s dark, lustrous hair was bound in a bun and she wore her usual black tank with pants and boots. Christopher still wore his dark blond hair cut short and favored military uniforms. Both of them had numerous silver markings along their arms and backs. They and the others all faced the sisters and their Gloresti.
“Amber, Olivia and Skye,” Ini-herit said, “welcome to your homeland.”
Caleb felt Skye’s start of surprise, sensed it transition into pride and pleasure. She and her sisters smiled and exchanged glances. It wasn’t until then that he realized just how much they had felt like outsiders on this plane. Ini-herit had changed that with one simple word choice.
“We have brought you first to the monument we created many centuries ago honoring those Corgloresti who have fallen over the centuries,” the elder explained. “Each Corgloresti instinctively makes a mark on the wall at the time of his or her passing. We keep this monument at the heart of our homeland to honor the memory of them.”
Now the sisters grew somber. They looked more closely at the monument. Although they were several feet away, it was possible to see individual signatures etched onto the smooth black surface.
“Where’s our father’s mark?” Skye asked after a moment.
Caleb felt her sadness and wanted to reach out to comfort her, but he also received Gabriel’s warning against the public display. Instead, he stood with his legs braced apart and his hands held behind his back. But he sent her comforting thoughts as Ini-herit waved his hand and a single name glowed.
Saraqael.
The sisters moved over to their father’s name. It was near the end of the list of names since he had died only nineteen years before. Caleb followed Skye and the others and watched as each of the sisters reached out to trace their father’s name.
I wish I had known you, Skye thought when she touched it.
Deeply moved by the grief and wistfulness in her thought, Caleb shifted his gaze to try and maintain his composure. His eyes chanced to fall on the last name etched in silver not too far from Saraqael’s.
He staggered back a full step. James instinctively reached out to steady him. Skye and their siblings turned in concern.
“Caleb?” Skye reached out and touched his arm. “What is it?”
He had to really struggle to control his reaction, sensing all of the Corgloresti gazes on their backs. Although he managed to resume a more normal posture, his heart still pounded in his chest as he stepped forward and touched the name he had read in answer to her question.
Skye’s eyes widened. She clutched his arm. “Oh my gosh—that’s my signature!”
He felt the sympathetic thoughts from his brothers as they realized what had so shocked him. Skye gave him a look filled with depth and understanding as Amber and Olivia reached over to touch him in shows of support.
“Yes,” Ini-herit said. “You are the first Corgloresti who has died and returned. We did not exactly plan for that possibility when we designed the monument. Thus, your name is still here.”
She gave it a considering look. “Well, I’m still here…so this shouldn’t be here.”
She reached out and touched the letters. They shimmered at her touch, making the nearest Corgloresti draw sharp breaths and murmur. After another pause as she absorbed the impact her touch had on her name, she nodded to herself and then traced the letters backwards with her fingertip.
They vanished without a trace.
Brushing her hands together as if dusting them off, she stepped away from the wall and smiled. “There.”
When she caught his gaze, Caleb wondered how he could withstand the power of her love for him. He wanted to pull her into his arms. Instead, he clenched his hands into fists so he didn’t reach for her.
Christopher stepped forward. “Amber, Olivia and Skye, we would like to offer you a tour before you conduct the ritual,” he said. “If you will follow me, I will orient you to your homeland.”
They fell into step behind the lieutenant. There was a swell of noise as the many Corgloresti lining the entrance path left the area to return to their homes and daily tasks. Caleb was on high alert as the action in the area peaked. His Gloresti senses remained dormant, however.
Where do you suppose we’ll live when this is all done?
He glanced with surprise at Skye as the thought entered his head. She was looking up at an assortment of gleaming black and silver buildings of varying heights and thinking how “futuristic” it looked, whatever that meant. She thought the smooth gray walkways looked a lot like roads from the human plane and seemed to expect something called a car to come toward them at any moment. She was fighting an instinct to step off the path to walk beside it.
I haven’t really thought about it, he admitted.
Will the elders allow us to build a home away from the stronghold if we want?
He gave a mental shrug. I don’t see why not.
She slid a glance his way and raised an eyebrow. You don’t seem too concerned about it.
I’m not, he responded. It doesn’t matter to me. As long as we’re together.
When she disregarded their orders to avoid public displays of affection and reached over to take his hand, her smile wide, he figured he had done what he could to put her mind at ease.
They gathered for the ritual later that afternoon. For the first time, they allowed the general public to witness the ritual. The sisters wanted to conduct it near the monument as a way to honor their father.
Since it had been so successful, they hadn’t changed the flow of the ritual from the first time they had done it. Caleb stood with James a short distance away as the elders and the sisters formed the first circle of power. Skye centered herself as they started the flow of power. The words of the elders filled her mind, growing in strength as the ritual built.
Then she harnessed the power when she sensed the time was right and stepped into the center of the circle with her sisters. She felt many pairs of curious and intrigued eyes focused on them as they touched their wings together and continued the ritual by building the power among themselves. Their rhythm was now so established that they very quickly had the power cycled back to its peak.
Now, she thought.
Caleb stepped forward with James when the thought got to him. The elders parted as Gabriel stepped out of their circle to join the sisters with Caleb and James. Caleb stood between Skye and Olivia. Although they had done the ritual many times now, she felt how stunned he still was by the amount of power
she was harnessing as she slowly released it toward him to build it again. His reaction made her smile.
As with the second build of power, this one went very swiftly. They all knew what they were doing by now. This time, though, when it reached its peak, she drew in a sharp breath.
An image suddenly shimmered into existence in the center of their inner circle. It was a handsome young man with silver eyes and dark, curling hair long enough to brush the collar of his white shirt. He wore simple navy pants and brown boots. And he smiled gently at her.
I have been waiting for you to come, he thought.
Her eyes widened in recognition, then filled with tears. Dad.
He briefly closed his eyes. When he again opened them, she read the emotion there. And I have been waiting even longer to hear that.
She realized her siblings could also see him. Every one of them wore expressions of shock and wonder. He turned and crossed his right arm over his chest, bowing to Gabriel. His thoughts went out to all of them.
Archigos Gabriel, I would like to thank you for all that you did for Kate during her time here. She thinks the world of you. Indeed, she had come to think of you as a son long before you fell in love with Amber. We could not be happier with whom our eldest daughter chose to give her heart.
Gabriel crossed his own arm over his chest and bowed his head, unable to move beyond that or risk breaking the circle. Thank you, sir.
Nodding, Saraqael then looked at Amber. Her gaze was unusually wide as she absorbed his presence. Amber. Our warrior. You have your mother’s beautiful eyes and her fierce determination. His tender expression then had her eyes filling with tears as he thought, I would not have had you suffer so as a child. I will always be sorry that neither of us was there for you when you needed us most. But you have grown into such a remarkable young woman with more strength than either of us. I am so very proud of you.
She could only nod and wipe her cheeks. Thank you, Dad.
He gave James a bow. It is nice to meet you, James. You have proven a very patient teacher, as well as an eager student. I find it easy to see why you make such a perfect match for our Olivia. I know you will take excellent care of her and the children you create together, and I thank you for that.
