by Jami Gray
The floor beneath her feet became uneven, causing her to step with care, caution beating inside her skull. She was getting close, but the gray mist still obscured her sight. Straining, she listened to the rise and fall of sound. Reaching out, she hissed as a sharp edge of stone etched fire against her palm. Moving with even more caution, she traced her hands over the stone walls only to discover she was in a cave.
Between one blink and the next a blur of flames and shadows replaced the gray mist.
Instincts held her still. She tightened her hold on Cheveyo’s magic, her stomach lurching as it dragged her forward. Off balance, she braced herself as she fell. The impact knocked the breath from her body. As she concentrated on rebooting her lungs, she could feel rough stone cutting into her back. She tried to rub her chest but discovered her arms were being held down. Not wanting to alert whatever was out there that she was conscious, she peeked under her lashes. The quick check revealed her legs were in the same boat.
Panic crested and phantom screams rang through her head. Reality warped with the past sending searing pain along her wrists, ankles, and neck where iron bands shackled her in place. The surrounding stone morphed into white walls, and the smoke disappeared under the smells of antiseptic. The distorted voices changed into cold, clinical tones. Hollow footsteps came closer, and a craggy face topped with gray hair floated in front of her. The man’s smile should have been comforting, if you could ignore the empty pools of darkness staring down with gleeful evil.
Flames raced through her veins, eating into her bones. Screams choked her, but she held them back, unwilling to give her tormentors that small victory. Fingers plucked inside her, pulling, tugging. The searching digits didn’t hurt at first, then the pain from their scraping and clawing began to multiply, until each tug became another lash with a hot poker. With no ability to physically get away, she reached for her shields with a frantic desperation.
They slammed into place, leveling the painful barrage until it began to ebb. Closing her eyes she took stock. Her limbs were weak and trying to move took a hell of a lot of effort. Still, she managed to work some give in the restraints on her left hand. Rope, she was bound with rope. The smoke-clouded air made breathing difficult, but heat wafted from her right. Turning her head, she slit her eyes open.
Thanks to the firelight from a burning campfire, her surroundings danced into hazy focus. Light flickered over her tanned arm revealing the raw rope burns on her very masculine wrist.
Tanned arm? When had that happened?
Clarity struck like lightning. She was in Cheveyo’s body. A small sense of accomplishment sparked. Okay, that was good, but where in the hell was he? Trepidation slid its icy fingers in deep.
The flickering firelight shifted over a shadow approaching her—no, approaching Cheveyo—whoever. Letting her lashes drift down, she kept her breathing light. Straining her ears for clues, she battled back the frantic thoughts scraping inside her brain. The sound of a something rasping against rock a few feet from her head had her fighting not to flinch. Cheveyo’s body was weak, which meant her chances at breaking free and fighting her way out was not an option. Besides if she was in the driver’s seat, where was her damn passenger?
The heat from the fire on her face leached away, only for the bone deep cold she associated with the Soul Stealer to crash in. Before the tidal wave of fear could rip her under, something yanked her back, deeper into Cheveyo’s body. The cavern and cold disappeared, replaced by some weird landscape coated with a wispy, drab mist.
The phantom grip released her and she collapsed under a draining weakness reaching all the way to her spirit.
“Good gods, girl. Didn’t I teach you better than that?”
The sound of Cheveyo’s sharp voice jerked her head up. Scrambling to her knees, she met the disgruntled gaze of her mentor. “Obviously not,” she snapped back.
A small grimace that might have been a strained smile appeared on his tired face. It should have made her feel better, but he didn’t look good. Weariness and pain left deep niches around his mouth and eyes, drawing his skin tight over his high cheekbones. His normal bronze skin was a pale olive. Gone was the fierce, dominating magi. In his place was a hard, battle-weary warrior.
“Cheveyo,” she started, but he waved his hand cutting her off.
“I know—we have to get me out of here, yadda, yadda…” He raked a hand through his collar-length hair, as he slid down some invisible wall to sit across from her. Placing his hands on his upraised knees, he just looked at her.
His assessment made her uncomfortable.
“Didn’t expect me to answer your knock?” A faint thread of humor twisted through his words.
His question threw her back to when he first created their bond. Her concerns on how linked they would be had resulted in his reassurance that the only way the door would open was if she knocked and he answered.
“Actually we were hoping you would.”
He raised an eyebrow. “We?”
Before she could respond, the feel of nails scoring her skin left her scrambling to her feet. She spun around to face the thick barrier of fog behind her, hissing as another scrape ripped against her magic. Cheveyo’s hand on her arm stopped her from stepping forward.
“Raine.” He turned her away from the fog, his six-foot-six frame towering over her.
She didn’t let it stop her from yanking from his hold. “What?” Screw respecting authority. Right now, they were in deep shit and needed to get out.
The humor lighting his eyes made her worry he was reading her mind. “Who else are you working with?”
Paranoia flashed through her mind. Was this really Cheveyo, or some sort of illusion created by the ones holding him? If it was just her at risk, that was one thing, but she was tied to Gavin and Tala. Being responsible for others sucked. She shrugged, watching him closely. “Why do you care? Isn’t the important thing to get you out?”
He reached for her, his movements cautious as if he didn’t want to spook a skittish animal. Instead of touching her, he used one long finger to trace over the silver lynx resting on her throat. Suspended from a leather strap, it was the charm he had given her last year. The same one he used to track her down when she went to confront Alexi.
He raised his eyes from the charm to her face. “You still wear it.”
It wasn’t a question, so she didn’t answer.
He let out a soft sigh, dropping his hand. “I gave that to you last year for Talbot’s ball at the Governor Hotel. It was a stunning addition to the lovely leather bustier and skirt combo you were wearing that night.” A slightly wicked bent of humor peeked out. “Besides it made an even lovelier leash in tracking you to your rendezvous with Alexi.”
Yep, she was definitely dealing with Cheveyo. No one else could be so damn confusing as far as she was concerned. Gavin’s image popped into her head, causing her to self-correct.
Reassured she was facing nothing more threatening than her mentor, she answered his first question. “Gavin and Tala are waiting on us.”
His quick step back and the donning of a damn good poker face was more of a reaction than she expected.
Tilting her head, she gave him a considering look. “What is up between you and that witch?”
A surprised snort escaped him. “I take it you and Tala won’t be going out for coffee anytime soon?”
“Not damn likely.” She shot him a feral grin. “Unless the coffee comes with arsenic.”
A short bark of laughter escaped him. “I would have loved to watch you two meet.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t answering my question.”
Implacable arrogance colored his voice. “And I’m not going to, so don’t ask again.”
“Fine.” But Raine wasn’t done yet. “Can we trust her?”
He gave a short nod. “As much as anyone.”
She let it go. Another gouge against her magic, a little deeper this time, brought her attention back to the barrier behind her
. The mist flared with silvery blue and brown. “What is it doing?”
“Trying to break through the wall you and Gavin have in place.”
She turned back to Cheveyo. She hadn’t told him Gavin was helping with the protection.
He obviously read her expression correctly. “You didn’t have to.” He indicated the magical barrier. “I know your magic. I know mine.”
“Right. Then let’s get the hell out of here.” She went to move around him, but stopped when he remained where he was. “Cheveyo?”
“It won’t work this way,” he said, his expression inscrutable.
Frustration ate at her, between his non-answers and the Soul Stealer’s attempt to shred her, her patience was wearing thin. “Fine, then what will?”
“That wall you two have up won’t last much longer. Once the Nomȃhtsé’héōò Adanata tears through, the chances of you and Gavin being trapped here with me increase significantly.” There was no fear, no defeat, in his voice, just a statement of fact. “If the Stealer gets through, so do the others.”
Her pulse spiked. “Others?”
His exhaustion became unmistakable. “The summoner not only managed to raise a Soul Stealer, but they’ve trapped the spirits of Tala’s murdered witches.”
“Chindis,” she muttered.
He nodded. “If you know the term, you know what we’re dealing with.”
She sighed. “Not really. We’re still trying to piece it together. Tala and Tomás aren’t exactly fonts of information.” Another testing rake of pain left her clenching her fists.
Cheveyo uttered a phrase in a liquid sounding language, and the sensation of being clawed bloody, faded.
Realizing they were working against a clock, she grabbed his arm. “Come on. We’ll talk about it once we’re out of here.”
He pried her hand from his arm. “No, Raine. There’s no getting me out of here.”
His words, more than anything, sent fear skittering along her skin. “We’re not leaving you here, Cheveyo. It’s not an option.”
Something flickered in his obsidian eyes. “I don’t expect you to. Whatever spell is being used, it’s not one I know. The bond between my spirit and body is fraying. If you succeed in getting my spirit on the other side of the wall, my body will die and I’ll be trapped on this plane. I’m really not into being a ghost just yet. For now, retreat is the only option.” He shrugged his wide shoulders. “I can hold on a bit longer.”
Shaking her head, she tried to ignore the insidious worry burrowing deep in her mind. “I don’t think you understand. This link you and I have, we’re going to make it work for us. Your magic has been drawing on mine, which tells me you’re struggling harder than you’re letting on.”
Surprise flitted briefly across his face. “I was unaware—”
“I know.” She waved off his words. “I’m not concerned about that right now. We have a plan, but you have to get to the other side of the damn door.” She had no clue how to get back to the door, but she started to walk away from the pulsing wall.
“What damn door?” Cheveyo reluctantly followed.
She didn’t answer. The dull mists curled around her feet as she followed Gavin’s pull. For once, she would trust Gavin to lead and pray he wouldn’t lose her.
Chapter Fourteen
The feel of claws tearing at her skin and the haunting chorus of angry wails chased her through the thickening fog. At some point, she grabbed Cheveyo’s hand, dragging him behind her. The driving sense of urgency increased with each step. Gavin’s tugs refused to let her slow. Here in this other place, there was no sense of time.
The fog pulled back and she stumbled to a stop in front of the old-fashioned safe door. The scrabble of clawed feet on stone came from behind them as the Soul Stealer and its chindi minions closed in. Another hit struck and she felt the protective barrier buckle. Her breath hitched and a cold sweat broke out.
She looked back to Cheveyo, worry gathering. Whatever battle he waged was creating a serious toll. His skin held a gray tint, while his chest pumped furiously. Peering into the roiling fog behind them, she tried to make out their pursuer. “Come on, old man.”
Cheveyo glared back.
She ignored his anger, considering he was entitled to it. Especially since he’d been slowing the monster's assault by lying down numerous obstacles as they ran. A dangerous, but necessary move. She needed to reinforce their tie, but didn’t have time.
Think. She needed to think. If she opened the door, she would lead the Stealer to Gavin and Tala, probably losing Cheveyo in the process.
A strong metaphoric tug from Gavin yanked her forward until she stumbled, an answer flaring to life. Shit! Right, Gavin!
Worried about the Soul Stealer and company ripping her magic away, her internal walls were locked down tight. Keeping not just the monsters out, but Gavin as well. To increase her strength, and by proxy, Cheveyo’s, she needed to let Gavin in. Problem was, if she created an opening, the Stealer could crash the party.
With an unnatural suddenness, the wispy fog surged forward, reaching for her and Cheveyo. The protective veil began to shred under invisible claws, leaving her no choice. With each slash, the pain of psychic rendering sent her to her knees, and she lost what little control she held.
Her shields came down with a crash and Gavin surged in, his magic weaving with hers at an incredible speed. Silver-blue fire hit the Cheveyo’s threads, reinforcing the magical ties into a thick rope.
She blinked at Cheveyo’s wordless shout and realized she was on her feet in front of that blasted door.
Gavin’s voice was an urgent whisper in her head, “Now, Raine! Get it opened now!”
Trusting Cheveyo to cover her back and Gavin to hold their hunters off, she grasped the metal lever, bracing for the pain. It didn’t come. She yanked—hard. The bar separated and the heavy door began to inch open.
Gavin shoved through the widening crack. His green eyes glowed as he shot her a sharp look before taking a position between her and Cheveyo.
A ringing filled her ears just as another swipe of pain tore through her, bringing a choked scream to her throat.
The door opened a bit more, giving a glimpse of Tala on the other side. Caught in some unseen wind, her blonde hair blew wild and a gold glow outlined her body. An undulating curtain of the same glow hovered just outside the door.
On some level, Raine recognized Tala’s spirit was unable to cross the door’s threshold. Raine’s understanding of the metaphysical might be limited, but she knew enough to grasp the concept of being a conduit. Reaching through the doorway, the gold glow curled around her wrist like a scarf and she dragged Tala over. “You okay?”
Tala nodded, and taking her at her word, Raine rushed to the two men.
The gray fog snapped at Cheveyo’s magic as it burned like solar flares along his body, but failed to find purchase. Behind him stood Gavin, glowing with his own power. Unconsciously, she stepped between the two of them. The hand still wrapped in Tala’s magic fell on Cheveyo’s left arm, while her other hand caught Gavin’s right wrist.
The minute all three touched, an eerie silence descended. Then, like the muted thunder of a tsunami, a wave of power swept through her. The combined magics of Cheveyo, Tala, and Gavin collided like the titans they were, shoving Raine back. Completely unprepared, she tumbled into the abyss.
Desperate for an anchor, she reached out only to find nothing. Even her scream was noiseless, swallowed by the emptiness tearing her apart. The bonds of magic holding her together disappeared under the flood of power.
Into the roaring void came a lifeline.
“Raine!” Gavin’s shout snagged her like a fish on a line.
Unable to breathe and fighting back panicked fear, she concentrated on his voice. He called again, and she struggled through the solid waves of darkness, praying she was heading in the right direction. One moment she swam through a pitiless void, the next dancing lights left her blinded.
Her lungs
found air in a harsh rasp that filled her ears, drowning out all other sounds. Blindly, she reached out, mutely appealing for rescue. A strong hand wrapped around her wrist, and pulled her free of the chaotic waves. Keeping her desperate grip, she scrambled out of the sea of power, stumbling to fall against a solid chest. Strong arms held her tight as she focused on the mechanics of breathing.
The rumbles under her ear soon coalesced into Gavin’s rough tones. “Breathe, Raine. Just like that. Come on back, baby.”
A shudder worked through her as she burrowed closer to his heat. Gods, she felt so cold. If this is what channeling power entailed, count her out. Never fucking again did she want to go through that.
But this—having Gavin hold her—was nice. So was the encroaching feeling of safety his presence brought. Taking one last deep breath into her aching chest, she raised her head.
Gavin stroked her back, watching her intently, as if he could see deep inside her, pass skin and bone. It made her uncomfortable. Hell, she didn’t even dare look that deep into herself.
Reluctantly she stepped back, and he let his hands drop. “I’m—” Her throat felt shredded. “I’m okay, I think.” She took another careful step back, looking around. Just behind Gavin’s shoulder stood Cheveyo, speculation filling his face. She looked away, feeling color rise to her cheeks. “What happened?”
Tala’s mocking voice floated through the air causing Raine to search for the witch. “I knew you were too stubborn to die, little cat.”
A growl rumbled in the back of Raine’s throat. “Where are you?”
A faint, blurred image of the witch emerged next to Cheveyo. The woman waved her fingers at Raine.
Raine snarled back.
“Enough.” Cheveyo’s voice was exasperated. “We don’t have time for this.”
Tala’s image wasn’t crystal clear, but it was good enough for Raine to catch the hint of hurt Cheveyo’s curt words invoked.
That tiny vulnerability left Raine empathizing, especially as she found herself on the tail end of such tones from Gavin more than she cared to remember. “What’s next?”
