Talon

by Alice Wade

  Lainey screamed from her concealed location and instinctively ran to Dace. In an act of protection, she wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders, pulling him back out of the way of another attack.

  Warwick cursed that the man had moved, but as he recognized who was holding him, a wicked smile lifted the corner of his mouth, “Ah, you must be Lainey. Caused quite the commotion with Kaen I must say.”

  “Warwick.” Kailani’s voice pulled to him, distracting him from Lainey. It was like music to a deaf man who just got his hearing restored. She’d recovered the bow and had it resting at her hip, one hand wrapped around the recurve arm while her other hung at her side. “You are really here for me, not her. You know it as well as I, you don’t care what Kaen wants.” Kailani was still in shock that Warwick possessed the ability to cast such a spell. What she just witnessed was elf magic—stolen elf magic—and it froze her blood when she realized what that meant. She needed to distract him long enough for Dace to get Lainey from this room because none of them had the skills to withstand this attack.

  He laughed at her, for she knew him too well. “I see I can’t fool you, my dear.” He took a step forward. “Indeed you are my primary target, but don’t mistake my intentions. I’ll take Lainey back with me as well.”

  “Over my dead body,” Dace snarled. He reclaimed the dagger from the wall above his head and threw it. It bit into Warwick’s side, just beneath his ribs. The ash haired vampire hung his head just before he exploded in a feral rage. He charged with teeth bared, claws extended.

  Kailani inserted herself between the human and her old friend, colliding with a sounding thud. They crashed to the floor in a heap. She was a snarling mass, shredding Warwick’s clothing trying to get to his throat. Warwick tangled with her searching out her arms so he could twist them around her back, while using his legs to pin her writhing form from twisting out of his grasp.

  Warwick released another spell and watched a greenish glow enclose Kailani’s body, one which immobilized her. Although, it was with some regret for her body had been rubbing along his erection and he couldn’t help getting aroused. She wiggled in his arms as if it were a dream, which caused a fire to spread through his body at her touch. A fire which caused him to tremble while he clung to her. Leaning down, he couldn’t resist the urge to inhale her wonderful scent in an exaggerated breath as she lay dazed in his arms.

  It was chaos in the room as the situation happened so quickly. Dace recovered and shoved Lainey back into their room and slammed the door closed. In one smooth motion he was on the two, looking for an opportunity to strike but Warwick saw it first.

  He wasn’t so distracted by the woman in his arms that he missed the approach of the human. He waited until he was close enough then suddenly detached from her and launched himself at Dace, pushing the man backwards into the wall, digging his nails into Dace’s neck and shoulder, effectively pinning him to the wall.

  The attack was so quick Dace wasn’t prepared. He dropped his sword in a clanging ring and coughed as his air whooshed from his lungs in one gushing sound. The smell of his flowing blood pushed the vampire to a very dangerous limit and had a cold chill in his smoldering eyes as he leaned a mere inches from the human’s face, “You think you can fight me?”

  Dace saw spots as Warwick clamped down harder on his throat, blocking off his air. “You think you can interfere with the Dûr Falas?” He squeezed watching Dace’s eyes bulge. “You’ve been harassing us long enough, human.”

  Warwick’s fist that wasn’t clamped on Dace’s neck punched him hard in the face and Dace blacked out from the force of the blow, causing him to begin to slide down the wall as his legs gave out.

  Just before he hit the floor, he felt the hilt of the sword and grabbed it. He turned it around quickly and punched Warwick in the groin sending the vampire to the floor in agony. The distraction caused the spell he’d layered on Kailani to fade, so she was moving even before the vampire was down.

  “Get up Dace!” Kailani yelled pushing herself once more between the two. She winced at the pain she suddenly felt and knew she’d broken a few ribs with that blast. “Go! Get her out of here!”

  Blood continued to flow out of the corner of Dace’s mouth, which he wiped away using the back of his hand, He was still dazed. He hadn’t removed his eyes from the vampire kneeling on the floor with his face pressed into the carpet.

  The sound of Warwick’s laughter drew her attention away from Dace. He was having a hard time catching his breath but found enough to laugh. “You pathetic human! You resort to cheap shots rather than fight me like a man!” One eye turned and pinned Kailani, “Some friends you’ve chosen, love.”

  She kicked him in the stomach so hard earning a grunt from Warwick, “That was for what you did to me years ago. I don’t know what I was thinking begging Talon not to kill you.”

  “Ah, sweetie, he didn’t kill me because it was too much fun to hunt me,” Warwick wheezed out. “Talon enjoys the hide and seek as much as I do, so don’t flatter yourself that you convinced him.”

  His wounded demeanor was misleading, for he shot up and pinned her to the wall, shattering bones in the process. They were now twenty paces from where they stood, and Warwick pinned her tiny body two feet from the floor.

  Dace looked from the spot the vampire had knelt to where they were now and opening his mouth in shock. His lips moved mutely as he tried to find words, but the alarm of seeing how fast Warwick moved terrified him.

  That didn’t last long.

  Dace jumped the broken chair blocking his path and stabbed the vampire with the sword. It went deep, cutting into his already bleeding side.

  Warwick was in a haze of fury and didn’t even feel the elven magic burn his skin. All he did to acknowledge he’d been stabbed was grunt. He was focused on Kailani and kicked the annoyance away with a sickening thud.

  Warwick’s teeth were poised at her neck while his hands pinned her head back. He’d split her lip and broken bones, but it didn’t stop him. He was crazed and not seeing the damage he caused the woman he supposedly loved. Using his body, Warwick held her in place while he prepared to devour her here and now. He’d waited long enough to taste her blood and he wasn’t going to wait any longer. He didn’t miss this opportunity to grind his erection into her midsection, though and smiled when she whimpered. Mistaking it for fear he missed the signs that it was actually out of pain, “You can’t overpower me. I think we’ve already proven that once.”

  She thrashed with a blinding panic sending the fire poker that was leaning near the wall to clatter loudly to the ground. She’d lost her advantage in that one split second. Warwick had won. She knew Dace couldn’t fight him and Lainey was too young to know her own strength. She was alone. There was no one to help because the inn was near vacant with it being market day. She’d failed.

  Kailani cried out as his teeth sank into her neck with a violent force that shredded her neck. She felt her own warm blood trickle down her chest and her last emotion blasted pure terror. Kailani knew Warwick didn’t stop or care. He continued to pull more and more of her blood, draining her beyond what was healthy and there was nothing she could do about it. Suddenly the pain and terror faded, slipping farther and farther away as if she were sinking until total blackness consumed her. Kai passed out.

  * * * *

  It had been another two anxious days since Talon last felt Kai. He searched time and again for another fleeting emotion through their bond and found nothing. Cuilwen, perceptive as always, knew something was wrong and tried everything she could envision to distract him. Well, everything that was non-sexual that is. She’d challenged him to four different forms of swordplay and at the moment was slapping him with a bo staff as they circled around the dirt ring.

  When the wood of the bo struck him along his back leaving a welt in its wake, he laughed, yelling, “Enough!”Her offensive
maneuvers had him dancing away to avoid another strike.

  Cuilwen was drenched in sweat, and relaxed immediately upon hearing his call for a halt. “Had enough, prince?”

  An audience had gathered and watched, blocking any open space, thus closing them inside. Because of that, elves scattered like roaches when either forced the other out of the ring with some particularly ferocious attack. None of the watchers moved, because they were not sure if Talon was being honest. They couldn’t tell if he tricked the First Maiden into relaxing so he could score another hit, especially since she was ahead.

  There was a commotion of to the side of the ring which grabbed everyone’s attention. Standing there, elegant in a flowing golden robe, was Daerwen’s personal guard. He stood with his hair blowing and robe billowing as if a personal breeze hovered only around his body, but the effect was dramatic. When he saw he’d captured their attention, he clapped, “Well done, First Maiden. You’ve succeeded in besting our greatest warrior.”

  Suspicious and not trusting why Gaylien was here, Cuilwen dipped her head but said nothing. Respecting his position as Cûrion, Talon would not meet his eyes and looked at the dirt at his feet instead. “Iondwë Daerwen has requested your attendance immediately. He awaits, so please…” he waved at the two of them, “wash up”. With a flourish, his black hair and golden robes flowed as he whirled around to disappear down the path.

  Talon didn’t move.

  “I’ll never understand why he has that breeze blowing around him, it’s unnerving.” Cuilwen finally said, trying to lighten the moment. Eyeing Talon from the side, she noted his lack of response, and added quietly, “Maybe this is the forgiveness you’ve wanted, Talon. Have faith.”

  “I have none left. I don’t belong here.” He looked at her with such pain in his blue eyes, “I don’t care if he forgives me any longer. I need to get home.” Talon dropped his bo and the short staff to clattered to the dirt. The crowd parted before him as he exited.

  Before Cuilwen followed, she watched her friend sulk gracefully through the thong of elves, a crowd that recognized just how out of place their former prince was now. Cuilwen blinked back tears then located Talon through the numerous elves, sighing. He looked so out of place with his short hair, his accentuated elven features which gave him an alien appearance in a sea of long hair angels. For the first time since he’d returned, Cuilwen accepted Talon needed to leave. He needed to back in his new life among humans. He needed to be with his Kailani. Not here, rotting slowly and getting barely enough nourishment from what she was able to offer.

  She dropped her bo and followed him towards the baths. All along her walk, elves lined the way, looking on with confusion and worry. She resisted grabbing her long braid that swished at her hip in an effort to control her nervous energy and glided towards the building ahead of her. Just before the doors stood a group of elves standing in an arch and all wearing serious expressions. The man in the center of the arch of warriors stood demanding her attention.

  Nethlhindornien held himself lean and tall, his bleached hair pulled tight into a severe ponytail that flowed freely down his back and waggled in the light breeze. With his hair pulled so tightly from his face, he looked like a feral feline with his deep green eyes boring into her as she approached. He waited for Cuilwen with crossed arms and a stern expression, which wasn’t masking his intensity. The warrior from the Oystercatcher clan had an investment in this audience and he wasn’t about to be left out of it.

  When her strides carried her to him, she stopped, looked at his tastefully booted feet then exhaled before raising her eyes to lock with his. “I’ll join you to hear what is to be announced,” his musical voice stated with authority.

  Cuilwen shook her head no. “We alone are beckoned, but be ready. For anything,” she whispered.

  “I demand to come. I have a right to hear this verdict as it is the business of the Oystercatcher clan,” he demanded.

  “Just be ready. Have the others gathered as well.” She looked around the group and caught Faelwen, Helinion, and Rodwen’s eager eyes, giving each a nod and receiving one in return. They would stand with her, follow her and defend one of their own. “If you will excuse me, I have to get ready.”

  Nehtlhindornien didn’t more right away, debating just how far he could disrespect the First Maiden to prove his point. He was a mountain of rock, so she waited patiently for him to come to terms with this arrangement—she was in charge, not him. Finally, respect for her won out, and he bowed, stepping to the side, allowing her to pass.

  Before she did, she turned, “I won’t leave you out but this meeting is specific to Talon and we must honor that request. I already set my links to each of the members, so if we need to go, I’ll just take you with me. Be ready.”

  He nodded, “I’ll not show such distrust again, First Maiden. I humbly apologize.” He mumbled before turning away himself and conferring with his warriors who huddled off to the side.

  Cuilwen groaned, this wasn’t going to be easy for him. He was accustomed to being in charge and relenting to her was frustrating to him. He and his warriors were unstoppable when it came to skirmishes and defense, so she needed him to work with her, not against her. He seemed to find that balance, but would he when it really mattered? She’d need to think on that as well as show a little trust. So far, he’d not given her any reason to doubt, yet his need to control was still a risk.

  She entered the door and was assaulted with the cool air of the chilled room. Relief from the hot weather and her workout caressed her skin as she practically melted with the liberation from the humid air outside. She looked around the room to locate which door Talon was behind just as the sounds of his bath came from the one to her left. Taking the one on the right, she entered to rid herself of her sweat and prepare her nerves for what was to come.

  * * * *

  “Are you ready?” Cuilwen whispered, smoothing out Talon’s shirt fabric in an effort to remain calm while they waited in the darkened outer chamber of Daerwen’s hall. Talon looked so controlled, so comfortable that she felt the need to fidget and this conversation really had nothing to do with her.

  “Will you stop? I’m fine, a little eager, but fine.” He batted her hand away as she tried again to eliminate a wrinkle.

  Cuilwen finally gave up, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears. “All right.” Her brown eyes tracked him though, as he gently walked around the room until he came to rest near the window where he stood like a statue waiting.

  Gaylien suddenly entered, holding the double doors open, filling the space between. Even inside, his hair and robes billowed gently in his personal breeze that wrapped his body. “I see you are both in proper form to meet with Iondwë Daerwen.” He pinned Talon with his eyes for a moment, “I caution you. Don’t speak unless spoken to. Don’t interject and don’t assume anything.”

  Talon accepted the advice and bowed, tilting only his upper body.

  “What is the meaning of this Gaylien?” Cuilwen was offended by those instructions, even if Talon was still Cûrion. At full height, Cuilwen stood six feet and at the moment she was using that to her advantage to show her offense. She didn’t tolerate Gaylien’s speaking to Talon so commonly and stared him down with a quiet silence and crossed arms.

  He wasn’t fazed.

  “It is imperative to set a few ground rules before entering. Iondwë Daerwen is in a mood. I’m afraid if either of you, especially Talon, oversteps your bounds, he will be executed. Just be careful.”

  Because he’d referred to Talon by name, not his exiled one, she backed down. Her eyes narrowed though, because she hadn’t expected his compassion. He cared and that touched her. She decided to show her submission, touching her forehead as a sign of respect and gratitude.

  “Now, if you will follow me, he’s waiting,” Gaylien said, turning so his robes flowing out behind him, and proceeded towards t
he inner hall.

  They were led to the Sun Room which was a magically enhanced glass dome structure. It was delicate in design but with the magical wards protecting it, the dome was actually stronger than steel.

  Talon stopped in his tracks, struck with a nostalgia that stabbed his heart and stole the air from his lungs—this was another of his favorite places. He stood there, breathing in the earthy smell of the place and looked up into the brilliant blue sky. The way the dome was constructed, it allowed an unobstructed view of the sky through a kaleidoscope of brilliant color as different rays of light passed through the glass. Being here now, for this final judgment was another painful reminder on what he had lost. He said a silent prayer and tried to find the calm that this space used to bring him before he closed the distance with his father.

  This wasn’t a friendly trip. He must remember that fact. Talon didn’t have the luxury of feeling homesick at the moment.

  Daerwen watched his son enter the space. When Talon paused and leaned his head back towards the sky, he, too, felt the emotional torment of the moment. Now was not the time to wallow, so he swallowed those feelings and remained in control. He was about to do the unthinkable and deny his son for a second time, something he knew he wouldn’t emotionally survive. Twice now, he’d failed as a father; twice now he’d placed the safety of their society over his feelings; twice now he’d have to watch his son be destroyed by his rejection. Why did that make him a monster? A vile creature no better than the humans his lords detested so?

  “I see you’ve been becoming reacquainted with the village.” Daerwen’s voice was soft, but the power of authority wasn’t to be denied.