Wings of Lomay

by Walls, Devri

  “Get me that staff,” he said to his second-in-command—a tall, thin Tavean with beady eyes and a need to please.

  “Of course.” His second motioned to three other Taveans to join him.

  “No,” Enzo said, grabbing him by the arm. “Alcander has evaded us too many times. I will not take that risk. I want him dead, and I want that staff. I don’t care what it takes. Go, all of you.”

  “But Your Majesty, it wouldn’t be wise to leave you here unguard—”

  Enzo’s nostrils flared and he jerked the man closer, grabbing him by the neck. “Get me that staff,” he snarled.

  His small personal guard obeyed and they pounded out after Alcander.

  Enzo turned back to the last remaining door. His forces should be opening it at any moment. He rubbed his hands together, already tasting victory.

  ***

  THE ATTACK MAGIC INCREASED. Not only were the flying foxes no longer in the air to discourage it, but the whole of the enemy army could now focus on the small area where the rebels had retreated. The Shifters on guard were well protected, but everyone else was shoved into a tunnel, waiting for Alcander to clear their way out.

  Kiora pushed out a shield large enough to wrap around both tunnels, protecting all that was dear to her.

  She felt the threads of the army outside moving away in pursuit of Emane and Alcander. All except one—Enzo stayed exactly where he was, stationed in front of that exit. Which was fine—she was not concerned about one lone thread. Especially one who, Kiora was certain, would not be receiving any aid from Jasmine—despite his beliefs and those of his followers.

  The shield was large—too large—and her arms began to shake beneath the assault. Her shield dripped with blue, green, and red magic, as well as Dragon fire—without the assault of their foxes, the enemy Shifters had changed into their preferred form of fire-breathing Dragons.

  Erina whispered something to Drustan. He put his hand on Kiora’s shoulder a moment later. “Let us help you.”

  Kiora’s eyes filled with tears as her shield thinned. She couldn’t do this on her own, no matter how much she wanted to. Not without putting some serious magic into a burst, which would probably destroy Lomay’s barrier and release the rest of the lake on them. She nodded, blinking back her emotions. “All right.”

  The Shifters made a line the length of her shield.

  Gritting her teeth, Kiora pulled it back, only shielding herself and the hall Emane and Alcander would be returning from, allowing the Shifters to protect the rebels.

  Some of the enemy crept closer, crouching with small shields to stay beneath the majority of magical attacks flying from both sides. One of the Shifters caught sight of them and whipped out a barbed tentacle, stabbing each assailant who got too close. Bodies littered the base of the stairs.

  ***

  EMANE HAD NEVER FELT so exposed. With the exit behind them, they were surrounded by nothing but flatland and grass. No natural shields or blinds of any kind, and the tree line was too far ahead for them to reach.

  Some distance to their left stood the curved pieces of wall that surrounded the entrance to the city the Illusionist had guarded, the entrance where the rebels now waited for escape. The army of Taveans Alcander had hoped to draw away appeared, coming out from between two of the pieces and running straight for them.

  “Keep going!” Alcander shouted over his shoulder.

  Once within range, the Taveans roared and threw up their magical attacks.

  Emane pulled up his shield to cover his shoulders and head. A moment later, spear-and-bolt-shaped magic pounded them. A few rebounded off Emane’s shield, returning toward the enemy—which gave him a fair bit of satisfaction, considering that he couldn’t actually launch any attacks himself.

  One of the Taveans knelt down and placed his hand on the ground. The earth began to roll toward them in what reminded Emane of waves in the ocean. “Alcander!” he shouted.

  Alcander glanced over, swearing. “I can’t control earth. Stay on your feet.”

  Enzo’s army was getting closer, and there was no sign of the help Alcander had been referring to. “Any chance help is almost here?” Emane asked, angling himself toward the first wave of earth and leaping over it.

  “Is that doubt I hear in your voice?” Alcander leaped as well, landing on his feet. He pushed out a wall of green magic that rushed forward. It was as wide as the ranks of the enemy and three times as tall. They shielded themselves, but were firing again moments after it passed.

  “Doubt? No. Well—yes. But I think it’s also laced with terror.” Emane jumped over the next wave of earth and then dropped to one knee, pulling up his shield.

  As the magic rained around him, a flash of white to his right caught Emane’s attention. He looked up to see Marlocks, the creatures they had released in Tavea, bursting out from the tree line and streaking toward them. Emane could hardly make them out, they were moving so fast.

  Alcander shielded them both against a sphere of magic. “Back toward the entrance,” he said, nudging him. “When you get on the Marlock, lie flat and hold on.”

  The army was close enough that Emane could make out their facial features. One of the Marlocks dug in its heels, screeching to a stop next to him, spraying up dirt, grass, and rock in the process.

  “Jump!” Alcander said. He shoved Emane from behind and fired two shots around his shield.

  Emane leaped on the Marlock. He put his shield on his back and sheathed his sword so he could grab handfuls of fur.

  Alcander leaped on behind him. “Down!”

  Emane lay as flat as he could. Alcander leaned over him and whistled again. The Marlock started running.

  The army yelled out, breaking into a full run, but they were no match for the speed of the Marlock. Emane and Alcander reached the entrance in moments and were tearing back down the hall.

  ***

  DRUSTAN DOVE OUT OF the way as a white blur skidded to a stop. Kiora looked over, startled. She had never seen a creature like that before, but didn’t have time to ask what it was—she assumed it was the Marlock.

  Alcander slid off. He slapped the long, furry creature on the behind and it skittered toward the tunnel that was packed with rebels, Emane still on its back.

  Kiora felt the remaining threads of Enzo’s army entering. “Let’s go,” she yelled. The Shifters retreated first, backing into the tunnel. Kiora and Alcander protected them, using shields and returning fire. She couldn’t see anything through the dripping magic that coated her shield and was firing at random. She was getting weaker and her shield cracked near the top, a rainbow of residual magic dripping inside.

  Alcander looked up. “Come on,” he said, grabbing her arm.

  They backed along the wall and slipped into the tunnel. With everyone inside, Kiora switched to a much smaller shield, just wide enough to encase the doorway.

  The enemy roared with glee and pushed forward with their advance.

  With great satisfaction, Kiora slammed the last entrance shut, trapping the newly arrived enemy. She waited until every thread made it out of the tunnels and into the center of the city. Everything hinged on this last detail—they had to be in the center.

  A Tavean leaped up the stairs that were no longer engulfed in Dragon fire and fox spit and pounded at the shield, snarling at her. It was a Tavean she recognized—the one who had killed Alcander’s mother. Kiora held his gaze as Alcander came up beside her.

  “This death is too easy for him,” Alcander said. His eyes blazed and his fists were clenched at his side. The Tavean on the other side sneered at him.

  “It is,” Kiora agreed. She knew how badly Alcander wanted her to take the shield down, to let him seize the revenge he deserved with his own two hands. But she couldn’t endanger the lives of the rebels for revenge.

  It was time to put Lomay’s barrier back in place, which meant it was time to access nature again. Every nerve in her body screamed for her not to, anticipating the pain. She took a deep breat
h and pulled.

  The barrier that went over the center of the city was not only stronger than those that guarded the exits, but it was larger. The magic seemed to know she needed more and forced itself in, becoming thicker—hotter. She bit down on her lip hard enough that she tasted blood. Her heart was on fire, stuttering in a strange and painful rhythm.

  The magic looped faster and faster—heart, head, feet, and back again. As it looped, more magic continued to feed into the stream until she thought she would burst, being pried apart from the inside out. Her shield flickered as her concentration faltered beneath the pain.

  Kiora spoke the incantation through broken and gasping breaths. Lomay’s barrier snapped back into place with a crack that resounded through the city. Everyone’s eyes turned upwards.

  Nestor’s barrier shimmered, slung below the golden layer of Lomay’s, then flashed bright red. There was a moment’s hesitation where everything was completely silent. And then it began raining magic. Deadly, thread-searching magic.

  It was finished. Kiora tried to release the power of nature, but it continued to push through her. She shoved back at it harder, aware of the screams coming from the city, but it wouldn’t release her.

  Her heart thudded, hard—once, twice, and then nothing. Pain jolted through her. She couldn’t breathe. She clutched at her chest. Fire rushed down her arm and up her shoulder. She opened and shut her mouth, trying to suck in a mouthful of air she so desperately needed, but was unable. She fell to her knees and tipped sideways. The world around her faded to black. She felt Alcander grab her, and then she was gone.

  ***

  “EMANE!”

  KIORA WAS CONVULSING and Alcander knelt, lowering her to the ground. Blood poured from her nose and trickled from the corners of her eyes as she shook. Then, abruptly, the shaking stopped and she slid limply over his arm.

  Emane shoved through the rebels.

  “She’s not breathing,” Alcander said frantically “It’s that magic she’s using—her body can’t handle it.”

  Emane dropped to his knees and pulled her into his lap. He placed his hand near her heart and pushed every ounce of magic he had into her.

  ***

  KIORA SAT STRAIGHT UP, clawing at her throat and gasping for air. Kneeling in front of her were Alcander and Emane. The muscles in Alcander’s jaw and neck were taut and his eyes swam with fury. She looked away. The nature magic had done exactly what he had said it would. If it weren’t for Emane, she’d be dead.

  Emane stood and pulled her to her feet. He looked haggard, just as he had after healing Alcander, and stumbled into the wall, putting up a hand to brace himself.

  Alcander stepped forward and seized her face between his palms. He was gentle, but Kiora could feel him tremble and hear the shaking in his voice. “Never again, Kiora. Promise me. Never again.”

  She swallowed. “Never again.”

  He seemed unsatisfied with her answer and his eyebrows pulled together in a scowl. She had no doubt that he could see what she had left unspoken in her eyes. Never again . . . unless there is no other way.

  Kiora put her hands on his, gently pulling them from her cheeks and squeezing them before turning to face the rebels. She took slow, deliberate steps, moving through the tunnel to the last doorway. Alcander and Emane were close on her heels. She chose to look away from the mix of admiration and worry on the rebels’ faces, focusing instead on the floor.

  Enzo’s thread waited outside. With the doors shut and sealed, he wasn’t able to feel any threads from inside. He had no idea she had just wiped out his entire army.

  Kiora hesitated for only a moment before sweeping her hand across the stone and pulling it open. Enzo sauntered forward, stopping just in front of the raining magical barrier. His eyes ran over it with some curiosity before looking through to the rebels behind it. The expression on his face faltered as the calm demeanor and stance of the rebels inside surely did not match the panic he must have expected. His smugness dropped away and he took a step back.

  Alcander’s arm snaked out through the barrier and grabbed Enzo by the wrist, jerking him forward. Enzo’s eyes went wide. He tried to yell out as he jerked back against Alcander’s hold, but the magic seized him—searching his thread. Finding him to be evil, the barrier flared red and flowed into his open mouth, silencing any pleas he might have offered. Alcander stood taller, his eyes glittering as they watched the ruler of the Tavean armies melt away.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  No More Hiding

  KIORA WALKED THROUGH THE barrier and out into the sun. She tilted her head back, enjoying its rays—free of bubbles and shields. She breathed deeply, and the crisp, clean air burned the inside of her nose. They had done it. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

  Alcander came up next to her, slipping his fingers through his. “Look at this,” he said, turning her around.

  Behind her stood the tree that camouflaged the entrance to the city. The rebels were stepping out, looking around with the same wonder that she had felt. The solid wall with its lone door surrounded them, and beyond that stood the partial sections of wall that arched up and around—all that remained of the Illusionist’s guise.

  The rebels searched for friends and family, hugging and kissing, laughing through tears. Kiora joined them in their laughter, joy bubbling up from inside. She could only imagine how long it had been since they had been able to walk around with no protections of any kind.

  The rejoicing quickly turned into an all-out celebration. Winged people took to the air. Ky shot overhead, rolling as he went. The Taveans pushed up showers of sparks in every color. Everyone was stomping, laughing, cheering.

  Drustan tapped Kiora on the shoulder. “Come with me.” He jerked his head back toward the city and re reentered the tunnel. She followed, frowning in question at what he was doing.

  Once inside, he looked over his shoulder at her. “Feel that?”

  She did. There was a thread. One solitary thread left in the city. Her eyes went wide. How was that possible?

  Alcander strode in. “What are you doing?”

  “One survived.” Drustan shifted into a black dog that stood nearly to Kiora’s shoulders. “Climb on.”

  The three raced down the hall. There, in the middle of the city, kneeling on the ground, was what looked like a Tavean with long dark hair—but her thread gave her away as a Shifter.

  Kiora and Alcander slid off Drustan’s back and he shifted into human form. The three stood, staring in disbelief. It was Drustan who moved forward, walking down the stairs and kneeling in front of the Shifter.

  She looked up hesitantly, trembling like a leaf.

  “I wouldn’t have believed it if I wasn’t seeing it,” Alcander whispered. “She masked her thread with evil all this time. Why?”

  “Probably to keep herself alive,” Kiora said, leaning her head on Alcander’s shoulder. “Without becoming a slave.”

  “But to hold that spell indefinitely . . .” He shook his head. “She must be very strong.”

  “Sometimes you find strength in the most unlikely places,” Kiora said. Her heart hitched at the words. It was reminiscent of something Malena would have said.

  Drustan put his finger under the Shifter’s chin, gently lifting it a few inches higher until she finally met his gaze.

  “What is your name?” he whispered almost reverently.

  A shudder went through Kiora and she couldn’t help but feel that she was watching something remarkable, finding joy amongst what had otherwise been only darkness.

  “Nara,” the Shifter whispered back.

  Nara’s hair changed from black to a glistening red, a lighter and more natural color than the streak of red that ran though Drustan’s dark hair. Her features softened to match the human features Drustan had adopted.

  Drustan smiled and stood, helping Nara to her feet.

  With more loving care than Kiora had seen from him since they left his Shifter colony in Meros, Drustan wrapped his arm arou
nd Nara, leading her forward.

  “Nara,” Drustan said, “meet the Solus, Kiora.”

  Nara bowed her head in what was not respect, but purely shame.

  Kiora pulled Nara into a hug. “No guilt,” she whispered. “You did what you needed to do, and you are with us now.”

  Nara made a sound somewhere between and sob and a whimper. Her arms fluttered upwards, but she was unable to work past her shock to return Kiora’s hug.

  Kiora smiled at her. “We could use another Shifter—if you would like to join us.”

  Nara looked at Drustan, who smiled at her.

  Her hands still trembled, but she gave one short nod of assent.

  ***

  EMANE MET THEM AT the mouth of the tunnel, looking curiously at Nara, but not commenting. “All are accounted for.”

  Kiora looked over at Leo, who sat quietly on one of the branches in the large tree where they had just emerged. “All but one,” she said.

  Emane followed her gaze to the sole Guardian. His shoulders sank and his eyes closed. “Oh, no. What happened?”