by Grant, Donna
He stopped before Hugh’s chamber and knocked. Loudly. Within moments Hugh stood before him bare-chested.
“Gabriel?” he asked as he rubbed his eyes. “What is it?”
“You need to come,” Gabriel said as he turned and retraced his steps. There was a commotion in Hugh’s chamber, which meant Mina was determined to come with them.
Gabriel stood at his door and waited for Hugh and Mina. Hugh took one look inside, then looked down at his wife and said, “Wake the others, my love.”
It wasn’t long before Roderick, Val and Cole stood with them. “What was so important to wake us?” Val asked. “Not that I’m not relieved to see Gabriel up and about, his regular cheerful self,” he said with a grin.
Gabriel threw his friend a look. “Cole,” he said and turned to the other Shield. “Do you recall the substance we found at the monastery?”
“Aye,” Cole said as he stepped into Gabriel’s chamber. He walked to the puddle near the chest and went on his haunches before it. After he dipped a finger into the liquid, he rubbed it between two fingers. “It’s the same, Gabriel.”
“What. Is. It?” Hugh asked, his entire being radiating anger.
Gabriel sighed. “With everything that has happened, Cole and I both forgot to tell of the substance we found. Neither of us thought much of it since we didn’t find any sign of a creature.”
“In various places throughout the monastery we found this liquid,” Cole said as he moved to stand beside Gabriel. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Hugh moved his gaze to Gabriel. “Is anything missing in your chamber?”
“Nay,” he said. “All is accounted for.”
Hugh raked a hand through his hair and walked into Gabriel’s chamber to stand over the puddle. “What could it be, and why the hell is it in your chamber?”
Gabriel walked with the others to stand around the pool of liquid. “I wish I knew.”
Val knelt down and leaned close to the liquid. He inhaled deeply and coughed. “There is a slight smell to it that you don’t notice unless you get near it.”
“Whatever it is, it got into the castle unseen,” Roderick pointed out. “I’ve walked these halls all night and not seen a soul other than Gabriel.”
“I want to inspect the monastery tomorrow,” Hugh said as he walked to the door. He stopped and turned to look at his men. “I don’t care if it is storming or not. We will ride out.”
Gabriel let out a breath as Hugh disappeared down the hall. There was tension among all of them, but not for reasons of the unknown liquid. It was because each of them had something precious to lose, their mates.
He looked over his comrades. Roderick was still as stone and withdrawn. Val, whose smile had come much easier since finding Nicole, had also retreated into his shell once more. Only Cole seemed the same, though unease clouded his eyes.
Silently, they filed out of his chamber and returned to their own, leaving Gabriel staring at the liquid and wondering how it had gotten in his chamber and what it meant.
Chapter Seventeen
Aimery stared out over his beloved land from his balcony in the great Fae city. The sun shown its brilliance as it rose above the tall mountains in the east.
“It is going to be a beautiful day,” Theron said as he moved to stand beside him.
Aimery bowed his head to his king. “Aye.”
“What troubles you, my friend?”
Aimery turned and faced his liege who was dressed all in white save the blue cloak that hung around his shoulders. “The Great Evil spoke to Gabriel.”
Theron’s face drained of color at the news. “What did he say to Gabriel?”
“Only Gabriel knows, and he isn’t talking.”
Theron sighed and clasped his hands behind his back as he turned and walked the length of Aimery’s office. “If Gabriel discovered his past, he wouldn’t have been able to hide it from you.”
“I know.”
Theron stopped walking and cocked his head to the side. “You aren’t worried about him discovering his past.”
“Nay,” Aimery said. “He is a strong man with a strong soul. He can withstand anything.”
“Then what is it?”
Aimery sighed and closed his eyes as he sank onto one of his large, soft chairs. He opened his eyes and looked to his king. “Did we do the right thing in keeping the truth from him, Theron? How many times has he asked me if I knew anything, and how many times have I lied?”
“You haven’t lied,” Theron said sharply. He took a deep breath and started again. “Aimery, we didn’t have a choice. It was by sheer chance that we happened upon Gabriel when we did. To this day we still don’t know if the things he said while the fever raged are true.”
“I think they are,” Aimery replied softly.
“But we don’t know for sure. There is a difference. You knew instantly he was a man for the Shields. You weren’t wrong then, and you’re not wrong now for keeping speculation from him.”
Aimery nodded. “There’s something else.”
Theron shifted and crossed his arms over his chest. “I gather this also has something to do with Gabriel? Has he allowed you into his mind? Have you seen the truth for yourself?”
“Nay. I do not think Gabriel is blocking me from his mind. I think something else is.”
“Maybe,” Theron said and looked into the distance. “There are many beings out there that could be keeping Gabriel’s mind closed.”
“There’s a woman,” Aimery finally said. “A woman that Gabriel seems drawn to. There is much darkness in her soul and revenge in her heart, though there is no evil running through her.”
“Is she from Gabriel’s past?”
“I do not know. I tried to question her, but discovered nothing.”
“Then read her mind,” Theron said, losing patience.
Aimery smiled, for his king was known for his emotions. “I have tried. Her mind is also blocked.”
Theron’s flaxen brow rose. “Coincidence?”
“Doubtful. I hesitate to interfere too much though.”
“I know you care about the Shields, Aimery. It’s what makes you such a fine commander. However, the growing evil might not give Gabriel the time he needs. And now you say this woman is full of revenge? Could she be after Gabriel?”
Aimery inhaled deeply and softly blew out the breath. “She is at Stone Crest for someone. Who? I do not as yet know.”
“And there isn’t time for you to keep watch over them either.”
Aimery soared to his feet. “I must be with them. The fate of our realm is also at stake.”
Theron’s face hardened and his voice lowered dangerously. “I don’t need reminding, Aimery. I need you to take some of your army to the west. Someone has slain a white dragon.”
Aimery felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. “No Fae would dare to slay a white dragon.”
“I know,” Theron said and turned away, but not before Aimery saw the weariness in his king’s face. “Only evil would dare to kill such a pure dragon. How evil stepped over our boundaries without us knowing it, I know not.” He turned back to Aimery. “I need you to find out who did this.”
Aimery nodded and waited until Theron left his office before he sat and dropped his head into his hands. Never did he think he would have to abandon the Shields. They needed him and his army.
But the Fae also needed him, for to slay a white dragon carried serious consequences to the magic of their realm. It might not be felt now, but it would soon.
Somehow, Aimery knew this was all connected to the Great Evil. He knew the evil had garnered great power, but was his magic so great that he could walk undetected into the Realm of the Fae and slay one of the most precious of their dragons?
The answer was nay. For if the Great Evil could venture into the Fae realm, there would be no reason for him not to destroy it.
He sent someone else, or something else, instead.
* * * *
Gabr
iel shifted in his saddle as the heavy snow fell around them. His quiver of arrows and bow were slung over his shoulder. He had made a mistake the day before by leaving them on his mount. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Barely visible through the falling snow were Roderick and the five women on the steps of the castle. Another of the Shields should have stayed, but Hugh wanted more protection for them.
The people of Stone Crest had been warned and were ready for any kind of attack.
The holes dug beneath their homes were stocked with food and water as well as an escape route if necessary. They were prepared.
He glanced once more to the steps. Roderick stood behind Elle, arms crossed over his chest and a fierce expression on his face. The women were safe with Roderick, for Roderick would sell his soul if it meant his Elle would be safe.
“The faster we leave, the faster we return,” Val said.
Hugh nodded and with a last wave to Mina, nudged his horse toward the gate. The horses weren’t any more eager than their riders to venture into the storm, but they were well trained and did as commanded.
Gabriel looked over his shoulder to find the others filing into the castle. All except one. Jayna. She stood watching him.
He turned back and followed the others out of the gate. As the gate banged closed behind them, the winds grew stronger. The horses trudged through the mounting snow, their heads bowed beneath the onslaught.
Gabriel pulled his cloak tighter. He brought up the line as they filed one by one into the forest. Hugh could find the monastery blindfolded he knew his land so well.
The only sound to be heard was the wind whistling through the bare trees. Gabriel’s hair on the back of his neck started to rise and he gripped the pommel of his sword. He unsheathed his sword as he whirled his mount around.
But nothing was behind him.
“Gabriel?” Hugh called.
Gabriel let his gaze wander slowly around him. There had been something there, he would bet his soul on it.
“What is it?” Val asked as he rode up beside him.
Gabriel didn’t lower his sword. “I felt something,” he whispered. Yet nothing moved or attacked them. It was as if whatever it was had disappeared.
Finally, Gabriel sheathed his sword and looked at Val.
“I know I felt something behind me. We’ve done this for too long for me to mistake that feeling.”
Val nodded. “Let’s get to the monastery. There’s something foul in the air today.”
Gabriel followed Val and continued on. The rest of the ride was uneventful, though Gabriel kept his senses open in case something tried to sneak up on him again.
The ruins of the monastery rose from the snow like giant fingers to the sky. For decades the monastery had been abandoned, leaving the once marvelous structure to be occupied by wild animals and any stranger who dared to venture through the gates. Though the place was once holy, its atmosphere was that of a dark shadow creeping upon you.
Gabriel shuddered despite himself as he tethered his horse. He gave his mount a pat on his neck before following the others through the gate.
A flash of movement out of the corner of his eyes spun Gabriel around as he withdrew an arrow and notched it, aiming it in the direction he had seen the movement.
“There’s something out there,” he whispered to the others.
One by one they drew their weapons. Hugh notched his crossbow, a deadly weapon he used with incredible skill. Beside him, Cole held his impressive double-headed war axe, a weapon that could cleave a man’s skull in two. Val let his gaze wander as he fingered his halberd, a weapon he used with lethal accuracy.
“I don’t see anything,” Hugh said.
“I know,” Gabriel replied. “But it’s out there. I’ve seen it out of the corner of my eye twice since we entered these woods.”
Hugh swore viciously. “Into the monastery. Now.”
The four walked carefully into the monastery, their weapons always at the ready. Once inside, Hugh moved to the right as Cole quickly stepped through the doorway and then to the left so his back was against the wall.
Val and Gabriel were the last two in. While Gabriel kept his gaze outside, waiting for an attack, he was back to back with Val who stood at the ready inside the monastery.
Gabriel didn’t put down his bow until he heard Hugh say the room was clear of creatures. He inhaled deeply and pivoted so that he faced his comrades.
“I know what I saw.”
Cole raised a hand. “I never doubted you, Gabriel. Did you see anything about it? Was it human or creature?”
“I didn’t see it clearly,” he said.
Hugh stepped forward then. “Cole, set up watch at the door. I want to make sure we aren’t surprised by any creatures while we’re here.”
With a small nod of his head, Cole moved to his position by the door. “Val.”
“Aye,” the Roman answered.
Hugh pointed above him. “Check the upper levels.”
Gabriel watched Val run up the stairs with nary a sound and waited.
“Lead me to these puddles you and Cole found earlier.”
He turned to Hugh then Gabriel motioned around the vast room. “Look around, Hugh. They’re everywhere. In every level Cole and I checked, we found the same substance.”
Hugh cursed again as he rested his crossbow on his shoulder and looked around the room. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“There is much more of it below,” Cole said over his shoulder. “Whatever it is, it prefers the dank, dark chambers below the earth.”
Gabriel gazed at the substance that dotted crumpled bookshelves, stairs, overturned tables and chairs, and even the earth. “You can tell the ones that are older,” he said as he leaned closer to a pool of the liquid. “It starts to turn a milky white and harden.”
“Whatever it is,” Val said from above them, “it’s nasty. I never cared for the monastery, and I care for it even less now.”
Hugh sighed and glanced up at Val. “Did you find anything?”
“Nothing. Not a trace of a wild animal or a whisper of a ghost,” Val said as he started down the stairs. “It’s odd, don’t you think? Before we found traces of animals. Now there’s nothing.”
“That is odd,” Hugh agreed.
Gabriel shifted feet and shook his head. “I would say whatever did this belongs to the Great Evil, but I don’t smell any evil.”
“Nor do I,” Cole said. “With as many piles of that liquid is around here, if it was evil, we would smell it all the way back to Stone Crest.”
Hugh nodded. “Aye. If it’s not evil, and I know it isn’t an animal from these parts, what could it be?”
“Maybe Aimery will know,” Val offered as he rubbed his hands together. “It’s damn cold. Let’s return to Stone Crest and call for Aimery. He can look over the liquid in Gabriel’s chamber then.”
Gabriel let his gaze wander the monastery again. There was no sign of the creatures, no stench of evil, but he knew something was there.
And he would bet his prized bow made of magical Fae wood that it was something other than the Fae army, something other than an animal.
Deep down, he feared that whatever it was might very well be there to harm them.
Chapter Eighteen
Jayna stood on the steps of the castle long after the gate closed behind Gabriel. Anxiety writhed in her stomach and she didn’t know if it was because she was more concerned about the Shields encountering the Harpy again...or the Great Evil.
Thick snowflakes landed on her lashes and hindered her vision, but she didn’t move. The heavy cloak did little to keep her warm, and it wasn’t long until her toes and fingers began to grow numb.
She inhaled deeply, the cold slicing into her lungs and making her shiver. She gazed around the empty bailey. Besides the guards atop the battlements, she could have been the only person on Earth. She had worried for so long about finding food, clothing, and a safe place to sleep. Being at
Stone Crest, being welcomed and loved, had made Jayna realize just what she had left behind when she set her course for revenge.
But without the Great Evil’s constant meddling, her thirst for revenge had slackened.
Your thirst hasn’t slacked. Dare you forget what Gabriel did? How he betrayed you?
Jayna blinked away sudden tears as she thought of her family, her beloved family who she had cherished deeply. They were gone, all gone. And all because of Gabriel.
The sound of footfalls crunching on snow jerked her out of her memories. She was appalled to find more tears had escaped her eyes. She lifted her hand to dash away the hated moisture only to find it had frozen to her face.
“It’s not a fit day for man or beast,” Roderick said as he stopped beside her. “It feels as though we are the only people left on Earth everything is so quiet.” He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest as he turned to look at her.
“They will return, Jayna. You needn’t stay out here waiting for Gabriel.”
She swiveled her head to stare at the tall, golden warrior beside her. “I don’t wait for Gabriel. I like the peace out here.”
Roderick’s dark blue eyes narrowed slightly before they turned compassionate. “Peace. It means something different to everyone.”
“Aye.” Jayna wasn’t sure what Roderick spoke of, but he looked as though he needed to speak and she suddenly found that she didn’t want to be alone.
“What does it mean to you?”
She thought over his words a moment. “Peace to me is ridding myself of ghosts.”
“Ghosts?” Roderick asked, his head cocked to the side. “You are too young to have ghosts.”
Jayna chuckled. “I’ve learned that one is never too young to have ghosts, my lord.” She looked out over the bailey, thoughts of her family filling her mind. “One can be young, happy, innocent, trusting and...in love.” She returned her gaze to Roderick. “Then, in less time than a heartbeat, it can all be taken away.”
“Is this why you seek revenge?”
She nodded.
He closed his eyes briefly. “Put aside your revenge, Jayna. It will not slay the ghosts that haunt you.”
