The Elder Blood Chronicles Bk 1 In Shades of Grey

by Melissa Myers

  “It is mine. I need to know what is going on if I’m going to keep her alive,” Finn returned.

  “What do you mean keep me alive?” Jala cut in before Sovann could speak again.

  “You weren’t a threat before, Jala, and there have already been contracts for your death. My father told me of them.” He looked meaningfully at the Bendazzi and back at her. “That just changed, my dear. You are a threat now, so show me what I’m looking after,” he finished and waved a hand for her to begin.

  Sovann was still silent, and when she looked to him, she found him simply staring at Finn as if his brother had suddenly sprouted another head.

  “Are you okay, Sovann?” She asked.

  He blinked a time or two and nodded. “Just shocked. I’m fine,” he replied hastily.

  “Come closer if you wish to know as well, I’d rather just do this once,” Jala said in a voice that was filled with exhaustion and dread. Sovann quickly moved his chair closer. Fortune had told her to not speak of where she was from, but that no longer seemed an option, and her gut told her the brothers could be trusted.

  She reached inside for her magic and shaped it to her will. A pale form began to take shape before them, featureless at first then slowly coalescing into a mirror. She let her life play out before them in that mirror, showing them her more important memories as far back as she could remember till her arrival at the Temple. They watched in silence. She fought back tears as she watched it all again. She had never actually called these memories forward on purpose, before. Normally, she forced them back and tried not to think of them. The mirror faded slowly out with the last memory and silence remained for a long while. She sipped on her tea again as she stared down at Marrow. The Bendazzi was awake now and watching her with those cool, yellow eyes. Somehow it was easier to push back the tears and be strong when she focused on him.

  “You have always been strong,” Marrow said. “But even the strong feel pain. To be hurt, is not to be weak. To let the pain destroy you, is weak, and you have not been destroyed.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered to him, her gratitude for his words thick in her voice.

  “So, who are you really?” Finn asked, now that the silence was broken.

  “I just showed you,” she answered turning her gaze to meet his.

  “You showed me where you grew up and who raised you, but not who you really are. Bendazzi don’t bond with farmer’s daughters, Jala,” Finn objected gently.

  She gave a slight nod and let out a long sigh. “Other than what I’ve shown you, I don’t know,” she answered. She had been thinking along the same lines but hadn’t had the will to voice it. She leaned back against the couch and gave a slight shrug then fought back a yawn. She had pushed the memories back again, and now fatigue was taking their place once more.

  “We should let her rest now, Finn; we can figure this out later. You know enough for now,” Sovann said quietly.

  Finn nodded his agreement and stood slowly, stretching as he did so. She tried not to stare, but it was hard. Immortals as a general rule were beautiful. Shade had laughed when she had asked him about that. ‘Why wouldn’t they all look their best, they have limitless magic,’ he had replied. Finn Sovaesh was an exception even to that though every bit as much as Cassia Avanti was. His body was as toned as one could be. He was slender yet powerful of build with broad shoulders and the grace of a cat. His skin was well tanned and showed no sign of scars despite the life he led. His tawny hair was tousled at the moment and if anything it added to his appeal. She wrenched her eyes away hoping he hadn’t noticed and found Sovann watching her with amusement. She blushed and thanked every god she could think of when Finn left the room without noticing.

  “All women look at him like that. Don’t trouble yourself over it,” Sovann said quietly.

  “It’s not like that,” she objected. Her words sounded pathetic even to her ears. With Shade, it was simple; she had never allowed herself to feel true attraction to Shade. He was a High Lord’s son and so far out of her grasp, the notion of him as anything more than a friend was laughable. She had, of course, felt attraction to Shade. One would have to be blind and deaf not to, but she had pushed it aside.

  Finn, however, was not so far above her, and he had always been so nice to her. And he is so nice to look upon. Her blush returned with the thought and she forced herself to consider him with logic, reminding herself that he was a womanizer. He has no interest in women beyond entertainment. He has admitted that many times.

  “So quiet and still blushing, of course it’s not like that,” Sovann said dryly. “You can have my room to rest. I’ll show you to it,” he added with amusement in his voice.

  “I don’t want to take your room,” she objected.

  “Nonsense,” he said with a smile and motioned her to follow as he stood.

  “We will get some sleep on the couch, Sovann. Go ahead and go to bed,” Finn said as he entered the room and tossed a couple of blankets down on the couch.

  “We?” She asked at the same time as Sovann, their voices echoing the question perfectly.

  He looked between the two of them and chuckled lightly. “Jala and I, Sovann. I’m afraid you aren’t included in that ‘We,’” he clarified, ignoring Jala’s look of shock completely. She watched him spread the blankets across the couch, still ignoring the looks both she and Sovann gave him. Marrow made that curious growling sound that reminded her of laughter. She looked down at him with a raised eyebrow, and the Bendazzi seemed almost to grin at her. She could feel his amusement at her discomfort, and frowned at him.

  “Finn,” Sovann started to object.

  “Goodnight, Sovann, or good morning, rather. Turn out the lamp on your way out, please,” Finn said, cutting him off. He dropped lightly back onto the couch and lay back against the arm of it. When Jala didn’t move from where she was seated, he let out a heavy sigh and sat up again. Her eyes widened as he lifted her fully from where she sat as if she were a doll and sat her back down in the middle of the couch. “You really aren’t much help here,” he complained mildly as he turned her legs to face the same direction as his own, neatly trapping her between him and the back of the couch. “Good night, Sovann,” he repeated again before pulling the blanket over himself and lying back down.

  She sat there frozen and watched Sovann shrug and turn off the small magical lamp lighting the room. Obviously he found it to be a moot point to argue with his older brother. He left the room and closed the door behind him in complete silence. Jala remained frozen in the darkness, unsure how to take this odd turn of events. She stole a glance at Finn who was lying on his side, eyes closed, looking quite peaceful. She shifted her weight slightly, and his eyes flicked open.

  “Have I ever given you reason not to trust me, Jala?” he asked quietly.

  She gave a slight shake of her head. “No, you haven’t, it’s not that I don’t trust you, I’m just...” She paused, unsure what she wanted to say. I’m afraid of being too close to you, of getting hurt, she thought, but kept the words to herself. Finn had done so much for her that the thought seemed unfair.

  “Just what?” He asked after a moment’s silence.

  “Unsure. I’ve never slept by anyone. I’m not used to being close to anyone,” she explained, not sure that was the best answer for her current situation, but maybe it would do.

  He gave her a smile that she seemed to feel more than see. “You think too much, Jala, and I’m too tired to think,” he said with a sigh and tugged her down beside him, covering her with the blanket as he did. “Easier for me to watch out for you if I know exactly where you are,” he said in a voice that was barely a whisper.

  His arm moved to rest across her waist, and she stiffened for just a moment. He made a sleepy sound of amusement but did not open his eyes. Hesitantly, she relaxed and rested her head on his shoulder. His skin was warm and soft and smelled faintly of soap and sweat. She closed her eyes finally and allowed herself to relax and simply enjoy feeling safe.
It was a feeling she hadn’t even noticed she had missed, but now that it had returned, she realized it had been gone since before the fall of Merro, before she lost her family, and before her entire life was placed in other’s hands. Between Marrow and Finn, she didn’t think the gods themselves could reach her now. She smiled at the thought and drifted into sleep knowing there would be no nightmares tonight.

  Chapter 16

  Sanctuary

  The night was cool for summer and the strong breeze cut through his cloak as if it were made of lace. Charm pushed back farther into the eaves of his rooftop perch and kept his eyes locked on the warehouse. Jala had entered hours ago after wandering through the streets barefoot. She hadn’t even noticed when he had quietly dispatched the two men that had been shadowing her. He wasn’t sure what had her so upset, and it was quite irritating. He had no way to see inside Shade’s hall any more than he could see inside Sovann’s warehouse. Both had wards upon them that would let the owner know when magic was used.

  He could, of course, attempt to sneak inside the building, but had yet refrained from doing so. Lex would tell him tomorrow whatever had upset her, and as for Sovann’s warehouse, she was most likely just seeking the comfort of a friend. Perhaps more than typical comfort, he added silently. He had watched Finn enter the building not long after her and the young man had a reputation with women. That would certainly explain why she had been in there so long and why the building was so dark.

  A brief hint of movement from across the rooftops caught his eye and he noted the faint outline of a figure before it disappeared once more into the shadows. Isador was drinking with the Avanti tonight, and even if it had been her, she knew where to find him and would have come to him directly. He kept his eyes locked on the distant rooftop, his body tense and as still as a statue. He would not give himself away with any movement. Several minutes passed, before he found the figure. It was perched as he himself was, with a commanding view of the warehouse. Charm rose slowly, keeping his body shrouded in the deepest of the shadows. There were very few people that could hide that well and only two of them were in Sanctuary. With Isador occupied that left only Hemlock. He loosened his daggers in their sheaths to reassure himself they would come free easily when he needed them. With the grace of a hunting cat, he began his slow prowl toward the Assassin. His movements were slow and precise, and he moved with more care than he ever had before, but then a man of Hemlock’s caliber was not exactly easy prey.

  “I don’t know who you are, but you are very talented,” Hemlock whispered as Charm approached. Silently, Charm cursed the man and stepped calmly from the shadows. There was no point in hiding since the Assassin knew he was there. He could, of course, have simply thrown his dagger and hoped Fortune would grant him enough luck to land a killing blow, but then he wouldn’t learn why Hemlock was here. The Assassin could simply be waiting for a convenient time to kill Jala, or there could be other reasons.

  Hemlock studied him, his expression hidden beneath the cowl of his cloak. “How interesting, the farmer’s daughter has both Sovaesh brothers wrapped around her finger, despite how they dislike each other, and a Fionaveir guardian.” With a grace to equal his own, Hemlock stood and faced Charm directly. “And not just any guardian, but Charm himself.”

  “Which should tell you that if you mean to kill the girl you will not have an easy time with it,” Charm replied. Hemlock was dangerous, there was no doubt of that, but he was far from scared of the man. In truth, if a reason came to kill the Assassin, Charm would hardly be upset by the death.

  “I’m not sure I want to kill her yet.” Hemlock drawled the words and seemed to consider it a moment. “Maybe hear her scream a bit, perhaps, but not kill her. She is such a pretty little thing and so perfectly innocent from what I’ve heard. She would make a nice toy, I think.”

  “Make any move at all to harm her and I will bury you,” Charm promised in a voice as chill as the night air.

  “How gallant,” Hemlock breathed, his voice high and whimsical. “Can I decide what is put on my tombstone?” he asked, his tone mocking. “How about ‘He fucked my ward before I could kill him,’ what do you think Charm?”

  “I think I’ll feed you to the serpents instead,” Charm countered. “And before you can so much as look on her face again,” he added.

  “I’ve never actually heard of anyone being talked to death, Charm. Are you actually going to do something other than threaten?” Hemlock asked, sounding bored.

  A wave of magic washed out from the warehouse, and Charm glanced that way, unsure of what was just cast. Hemlock was gone in that brief instant his eyes flickered. He dropped to a crouch, cursing himself for a fool. Frantically, he searched the rooftop, looking for the Assassin. He was more than a match for Hemlock, he knew, but only when he actually knew where the man was. As silent as he could be, he moved, changing his position and still searching the area, but there was no sign of the guild leader anywhere. He couldn’t abandon his post and leave Jala unprotected, but then he couldn’t remain here, either, without knowing where Hemlock was. I have a problem. He sent the words to Isador through a fragile mental link and continued to move away from the failed encounter.

  What kind of problem? she asked, her voice barely a whisper in his mind.

  With effort, he relayed the encounter to her and his current situation, while trying to keep as much of his focus on remaining hidden as he could. Can you leave what you are about? I may need to leave here, and I don’t want to leave her unguarded, he asked, hating to admit defeat in this, but accepting that he might have to.

  “Already on my way, Charm. I excused myself when I heard the name Hemlock, she assured him, and let the mental link drop so he could focus everything on his current predicament.

  He kept himself moving until he spotted her in the shadows of his normal perch. He had circled the warehouse four times now and his nerves were on edge. He was sure Hemlock was no longer in the area, but he couldn’t be positive. The man hadn’t stayed alive as long as he had without talent. He was too much of a bastard to survive without it. He crossed to where Isador waited and forced himself back to calm. Between the two of them, Hemlock didn’t stand a chance.

  “Any sign of him?” she asked as he crouched down beside her.

  “Not since I looked away from him like a fool,” Charm admitted bitterly.

  “Any idea what spell was cast?” she asked.

  “No, none at all, but there is a light on in there now. That must be a good sign. It has been dark for most of the night.”

  Isador focused on the warehouse and he felt a very faint flux of magic from her. “There are three Immortal life patterns inside there, and…” she paused, and cocked her head in confusion, then looked at him. “And a Bendazzi,” she finished.

  “A what?” he stammered. He knew he had heard her correctly but it made no sense whatsoever. Bendazzi were northern predators and never left the sheltered mountains and deep forests they had claimed as their own.

  “A Bendazzi,” she repeated. “And before you ask, yes, I am sure. I don’t understand it any more than you do,” she added with a shrug.

  “That makes no sense at all,” he said, voicing his thoughts.

  “None at all, but I’m sure we will get answers in the morning. I’ll stay here with you tonight, and we will double our shift now that Hemlock has shown an interest.”

  He nodded his agreement. “Find out anything interesting tonight?” he asked, his eyes still scanning the shadows with paranoia. He felt like a child after a ghost story.

  “Cassia tried to order her brother to have Sovaesh kill Jala,” she said casually.

  “How did that work out?” Charm asked with a sigh, wondering if he needed to be watching for Sovaesh, as well.

  “Apparently Sovaesh convinced him it was a bad idea and to wait. Cassia was quite upset,” Isador answered with a smile. “She is convinced it is all Finn’s fault and was begging Lord Rivasa’s revolting son to duel him on the morrow when I
left,” she finished.

  “Did she actually think the boy would have a chance against Finn? From what I hear, if he could joust he would be the next Lutheron,” Charm said in disbelief.

  “I’m not sure. I think she might have. She can be a bit unrealistic,” Isador shrugged.

  He settled himself more and pressed his side against hers to share a bit of warmth. “We all can be, I suppose, but that involves another’s life. Do you think he will accept?” he asked.

  She gave a nod in answer. “He thinks quite highly of himself and would go far out of his way to gain Cassia’s approval. Her father would have done better to betroth her to that fool. He caters to her more than Christian ever will.” With a sigh, she leaned her head on his shoulder and watched the darkness warily. It looked as though they were going to have a long wait.

  Hemlock watched the two Fionaveir for a time, amused by their paranoia. It was good to know he could still frighten others so easily. With a sigh, he left the district. He hated leaving such good entertainment behind, but then, he had things to do. He was a man of many responsibilities now and had made his decision on the girl. No doubt Shade would be grateful. Perhaps he would send a few of his lesser blades against her, but he himself wouldn’t act. With Charm and Isador watching over her, the lesser blades wouldn’t have a chance, of course. He could still collect the contract fees, half the fees anyway, which would more than cover the cost of the lives he meant to throw away. He would profit then, and girl would stay alive, while he would have entertainment watching it all. It was a rather good arrangement, he thought.

  Content, he dropped down into an alley and crossed into the next district, making straight for the portal stone. This particular stone had a rune on it that would send the High Lords into fits if they knew of it. But, they would never know of it. Only a select few did, and they were quite good with secrets.

  He brushed the rune as he approached, giving it just a trace of magic to activate it as he stepped through the arch, his pace never slowing. The dim glow of the city streets disappeared at once turning to the bright white light of Kali’s parlor.