Mist's Edge (The Broken Lands Book 2)

by T. A. White

  He landed with legs crouched and arms spread, the impact reverberating up his limbs. Shea turned to look at him, her eyes wide and her mouth open.

  “What are you doing?” she shouted. “Have you gone insane?”

  He straightened, his legs and back protesting, and strode over to her. He ignored her as she tried to wave him off, grabbing her and wrapping her in a tight embrace

  She let him hold her for one long moment, her arms coming up to clasp him, before she shoved him away.

  “You idiot. What were you thinking?”

  “I was thinking you could use my help.”

  One eyebrow rose in an incredulous expression. “How exactly does you being down here help us? Now both of us are stuck in this hole instead of just me.”

  He folded his arms over his chest and fixed her with his best arrogant expression, looking down at her with a look that said she should be thanking him instead of giving him a hard time.

  “I’ll lift you out,” he said.

  She gave him a skeptical look before glancing at the hole above them. “And what about you?”

  “Caden has rope. He can use that to get me out of this place.”

  Shea’s face reflected her uncertainty. She looked to the side and Fallon saw that she hadn’t been lying earlier. There really was a tunnel that appeared to lead away from this place.

  “We could go that way.”

  He shook his head. “No, we go up. I don’t want to chance it leading somewhere worse.”

  She nodded. He’d told her about the bones near the entrance. Neither one of them wanted to meet the denizens of this place if they could help it, especially alone and lightly armed.

  Fallon walked around the small space. It only took a few strides to meet the wall. He found a spot that looked relatively stable and cupped his hands. “Here you go. I’ll lift you out.”

  She stared up at the hole and then back down at Fallon. “I don’t like this. We should wait for the rope. Then we can both go.”

  “There’s no point. Let’s get you out of here, and then there will be one less person to hoist out later.” His tone left no room to argue.

  He felt a wave of relief when her mouth firmed, and she stepped towards him. What he hadn’t told her, the reason he was so insistent that she go now, was because she was right. This place was very close to falling. Every moment they waited was another one where this place might collapse. He wanted her above, where it was safe before that happened.

  The fall must have unnerved her more than she’d let on for her not to pick up on any of that or call him on his autocratic orders. For that he was grateful, even as a thread of worry touched him.

  She placed her boot in his hand, and he lifted her easily until she was standing on his shoulders.

  “Shea!” Buck’s head appeared over the edge. He looked like he’d lain down. Seeing Shea so close, he extended his hand. “Here, I’ll pull you up.”

  Shea reached, catching hold of his hand easily. He lifted her out, pulling until she was over the lip of the ledge. Fallon stepped back, watching the place where she’d disappeared.

  Shea crawled several feet from the edge wanting to keep her weight as distributed as possible so as not to collapse everything. Buck was right beside her. When she turned and sat, he clasped her on the shoulder, patting her arms and legs.

  “I’m fine, Buck.”

  “Just making sure, crazy lady.”

  “Does Caden have the rope?” she asked, looking around. Eamon and Caden were making their way towards them.

  Before he could answer, there was a crack. Half the courtyard caved in.

  “Fallon!” Shea lurched forward. Eamon and Caden grabbed her and dragged her back. “Fallon!”

  There was a gaping hole where the post had been. Even the spot where Shea had been lifted out was gone.

  An ugly feeling rose up inside her—one that threatened to grab her by the throat and spew venom and darkness.

  Fallon was down there. Fallon was down there. Fallon was down there.

  Shea didn’t realize she was repeating the words over and over until Eamon stepped in front of her and grabbed her face.

  “I know, lass. I’m sorry.”

  Shea made a choked sound. She couldn’t cry, her eyes were dry. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Was the Warlord down there?” a voice shouted.

  There were running footsteps as several people spilled into what remained of the courtyard.

  “I told you to keep them back,” Caden snapped, his voice coming from a distance. All Shea could do was stare at the hole where Fallon had been.

  “They used one of the buildings to slip past us,” another voice answered.

  Fallon was gone.

  “You didn’t answer me. Was the Hawkvale down there when it collapsed?”

  “I don’t answer to you, Rain,” Caden snarled.

  “I’d be careful, outcast, in how you speak to the clan leaders. I don’t care if he did make you Anateri. With the Hawkvale dead, one of us stand to take his place,” Van said.

  Dead.

  There was a scuffle as Caden lunged at the other man. Only the quick reaction of his men kept him from landing a blow. Eamon and Buck surrounded Shea, their eyes on the others even as they protected her.

  “Do you see a body?” Shea’s voice sounded like that of a stranger.

  The other men paused, all eyes coming to her. She didn’t notice, staring at the dark abyss of space.

  No one answered her.

  She finally looked up, her eyes calm and her face composed. “Well? Do you see a body?”

  “Will somebody shut her up? We don’t have time for histrionics.”

  Shea bared her teeth. A fight. Good. She needed one.

  “How ‘bouts I show you histrionics?” Buck threatened, stepping forward.

  Van looked at him and curled his lip. “I can see the first order of business will be ensuring discipline in the ranks.”

  “There will be no first, second, third, or any other order of business,” Shea said, her eyes flinty. She lifted her chin when the other men glanced at her. “Because the Hawkvale is not dead and you will not be taking his place.”

  Van gave a derisive laugh as he looked around the rest of the group. Zeph had joined Van and Gawain. His face was guarded and remote. None of the other men laughed, just looked at Shea with varying levels of intensity.

  Van looked at Shea with scorn. “What are you going on about?”

  Shea spread her hands to encompass the area. “Do you see a body?”

  They all looked at the collapsed square. No body presented itself.

  “What does that matter? No man could have survived that collapse.”

  Shea lifted an eyebrow, “No one said Fallon was down there at the time of collapse.”

  Van made a sound that was half-huff, half-laugh, like he thought Shea was jesting. Her face remained serious, her eyes winter cold. “You’re serious.”

  “She is,” Caden said before she could answer. “There is no proof that the Hawkvale was down there.”

  “We all heard her screaming,” Gawain said.

  “You don’t really expect us to believe this fabrication,” Van inserted.

  “No body, no death,” Shea told him. She allowed a humorless smirk to grace her lips.

  “This won’t stand,” he hissed. “You will not rule in his stead. Our people will not allow a throwaway to lead us.”

  Shea didn’t allow emotion to touch her. “We’ll see.”

  Van gave her a look of derision before whirling and stalking back the way he’d come. Gawain looked at the rest of them. “He’s right. Eventually the men will demand answers.”

  Zeph was the last to go. He looked at the rest of them before departing without a word.

  When they were gone, Caden looked at Shea. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  She leaned forward and rested her palms on her thighs. The confrontation had left her shaky. “So do I.” />
  “Is there reason to hope he lives?” Caden asked.

  She took a deep breath and straightened. “There was another way out. I wanted to take it, but he thought it was too dangerous—that we’d get lost. If he was in the passage when the courtyard collapsed, he could still be alive.”

  “But you’re not sure?” Eamon asked.

  Shea didn’t answer.

  “Horse gods, protect us,” Caden muttered.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “YOU TWO know Fallon best. Where would he go? What would he do if he survived?” Shea asked Caden and Braden, keeping her voice low so they weren’t overheard.

  Besides Darius, the two men had the most experience with Fallon. They knew his habits. They could probably guess the thoughts in his mind right now. While Shea had grown closer to Fallon in the past few months, she didn’t have the same level of history with him.

  She’d drawn them aside, into a small area away from the main group. She wanted their thoughts before the rest of the Trateri caught wind of what had happened in that square.

  The two men stared thoughtfully at her. Caden’s forehead had several frown lines in it, while Braden firmed his lips and narrowed his eyes.

  “He would try to make his way back to the main element.”

  “Would he expect us to remain here?” Shea asked.

  Braden shook his head. “No, he would want us to keep moving, especially in light of the collapses. He’d try to meet us at the rendezvous point. Otherwise he would trail us until he could catch up.”

  That answered the question of stay or go.

  “What kind of opposition can I expect from the clan leaders?” Shea asked. She had a sense of what was coming but wanted their feedback as well to see how much it differed from hers.

  “You already know Van of Lion will be a problem,” Caden said, his arms crossed over his chest. “Gawain of Rain shouldn’t be trusted either. Fallon and he have a troubled relationship.”

  “I would have said Zeph from Ember would be a good ally, but he has been rather close with those two of late. He could be a trusted supporter, or he could stab you in the back,” Braden said.

  Great.

  “What can you tell me about the buildings that collapsed?” Shea asked, moving on.

  “Probably sabotage again.”

  If she hadn’t stopped for that jacket, they would have ridden right into the kill zone. Then they might all be dead instead of just possibly Fallon.

  She rubbed at the pain in her chest.

  “Lock down the camp. No one in or out,” she ordered. “If the perpetrators are still here, I don’t want them to have the chance to go after Fallon while he’s alone and possibly injured.”

  “I agree,” Caden said with a firm nod. “I’ve already given my men orders to get a head count. They’ll bring us the names of anybody who was missing at any point.”

  “Good. I want to hear what the clan leaders are saying as well. Bring me anything you find,” Shea said in dismissal.

  Both men took their leave.

  Shea took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Panic threatened to spring up from that knot in her chest. She forced it down by sheer willpower.

  Fallon wasn’t dead. She believed that. She had to.

  A wind blew from behind Shea, rustling her hair. She stilled but didn’t turn. Whatever lived down here, she had no desire to see it.

  Remember, enemy of my enemy. Choose your path wisely. Cold breath hit the back of her neck and then was gone.

  *

  Shea couldn’t sleep while Fallon was out there. She’d made the decision not to chance trying to go into the collapsed courtyard, but it didn’t mean she didn’t want to. Instead, she’d done the smart thing, the right thing, and had moved Fallon’s army further into the city and towards the path leading out of this place.

  First things first, she needed to get his men out of here. The warning from whatever lived down here couldn’t be ignored. She had a feeling if they stayed past their welcome, their bones would be the ones decorating the entrance way. She’d kept them on the one street that seemed to meander in the direction they needed. She didn’t know if that path was the one the being had spoken of, but it felt right.

  Murmurs caught her attention. Shea lifted her head just slightly. She’d chosen a spot away from the fires, not wanting to be around anyone right now.

  Braden conferred with a couple of men. The furtive way they moved warned Shea it wouldn’t be a good idea to be seen watching them. She put her head down just as Braden looked in her direction. She held still, waiting until there was no movement before looking up again. Just in time to see Braden disappear into the city.

  Now, where was he going at a time like this? Especially given no one was to leave camp. He might be a trusted general of Fallon’s, but that didn’t mean he could disregard orders. Right?

  Shea sat up. Someone would just have to see what he was up to.

  Mindful of the guards roaming the perimeter, Shea followed Braden. Careful to keep her movements swift and silent.

  Following someone in a cavern with little light was not easy—especially when you didn’t dare risk a torch for fear that you would be seen. The crevasses in the ceiling let in a little light from the moon and stars, enough that she wasn’t totally blind.

  She stumbled on unseen obstacles more than a time or two. Each time her heart leapt into her throat.

  As they moved further and further from the camp, leaving the perimeter behind, Shea became convinced that Braden was up to something. Why else would he have left? Especially when he’d agreed with her that they should lock down camp.

  It dawned on her that she was following a Trateri general, a man as trained as Fallon in the art of warfare, without backup or having even told anyone where she was going. She wanted to kick her own ass for her stupidity.

  This wasn’t smart. She should have told Caden or at least brought someone along.

  A figure loomed out of the shadows. Shea made an undignified sound—a cross between a squeak and a scream—as hands grabbed her. Her training kicked in. She swept one arm up trying to break his grip. Her assailant countered by grabbing her hand and bending it sharply backwards.

  She gasped, her body bowing to keep the hand from breaking.

  “Shea?” The grip on her hand relaxed. A torch flared, illuminating their surroundings. Braden stared at her in disbelief and suspicion. “What are you doing here?”

  Shea stared at him for a long moment. No lie came to mind. She had nothing prepared.

  “You’re following me.” It was a statement; not a question.

  She nodded.

  He gave an angry sigh. “Why?”

  Because he’d been very suspicious skulking around the camp. Because she was curious.

  She doubted he’d be happy with either of those answers.

  “Why are you out here?” she asked going on the offense. “Caden said no one was to leave.”

  He gave her a grim look. “I’m a general.”

  “Does the Trateri version of that word mean someone who doesn’t have to follow orders?” Shea asked before she could think better of it. She was out here alone, and he’d already proven he was better at combat than she was. The last thing she wanted to do was antagonize him.

  His gaze said he was not amused.

  “I think you’re right. I should head back.” Shea tried to step around him and was brought up short when he lifted an arm and blocked her way.

  “No, I think you should accompany me.” The smile he gave her didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So I can ensure your safety, of course.”

  Shea kept any skepticism she felt inside. She didn’t want to antagonize him. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Camp’s not far.”

  It was a subtle reminder that someone might hear her scream and come running.

  He looked over her head and then ran his eyes over her. “And how do you plan on finding your way back without a light? I see no torch on you.”

/>   Shea glanced back. There were enough buildings standing between them and camp that any light was blocked. Only darkness waited behind her.

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine. I just need to find my way around one or two buildings.”

  “Nonsense. Fallon would never forgive me if something happened to you on the way back.” He waited a beat. “Unless there’s some reason why you don’t want me around?”

  The implacable look on Braden’s face said he wasn’t going to let this go. Shea was left with two choices—resist and try her luck on making it back with an angry general hunting her or go along and wait for her chance to escape.

  She gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “No, you’re right. Trying to find my way back in the dark is madness. I’ll stay with you.”

  He gave her a slow nod, looking less than convinced of her words. He turned, saying over his shoulder, “Stay close. We wouldn’t want you falling into any sinkholes.”

  Shea strides stuttered before she forced herself to calm. It was hard not to see that last comment as anything but a subtle threat given what had happened to Fallon.

  “You never did say what you were doing out here,” Shea said after a long moment of walking through the abandoned city.

  “I’m looking for something.”

  “Something or someone?” Shea didn’t know why she was pushing him. She didn’t really want an answer right then, especially given there were plenty of places to hide her body with no one being the wiser. They would think she’d just wandered off. Maybe looking for Fallon, though she was sure some would say she was abandoning them.

  The gaze he cast her over her shoulder was hard to decipher. After a pause, he said, “You are very curious.”

  Shea shut her mouth. They walked past several smaller buildings, many of which might have been houses in the city’s long ago past. She slowed down, letting the space between them widen.

  “I couldn’t understand what Fallon saw in you. There he was telling me how he wanted to strengthen his hold on the Lowlands, that he wanted to put any thought of conquering the Highlands on hold.” He looked at her and stopped. “What are you doing?”

  She feigned an innocent expression, her heart thundering in her chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”