Kane’s eyes sparkled with interest. Rivik had deliberately positioned himself as an equal at their side.
“Yes, Commander,” Gallo replied.
Together they ran, keeping to the shadows and out of sight. Rivik matched pace for pace and headed away from the lights of the main town. They moved past the forest and towards the outskirts of the village. Kane’s excitement grew as they neared the border. Tonight, he would not fail. The Master’s faith in him would be fully restored, enabling Kane to move forward with his plan and secure the success he so badly craved.
Distracted with his musings, Kane narrowly avoided catapulting headfirst as both Gallo and Rivik skidded to a sudden halt. Neither of the Fallen would move despite the demand for total obedience that burned into their hide. Gallo, shaking his head vigorously, spun away from the village, refusing to cross its border. Rivik followed suit. Annoyed and bewildered by their reaction, Kane dismounted and glared at each in turn. “Why?”
Their eyes darted back and forth, Gallo released a whimper and Rivik licked his lips. They slowly inched away from him, and the village border. Kane knew that they feared his reaction, and of course, they would be fools not to, given that he was seconds away from obliterating one or both. Their continued defiance and sudden change of behaviour suggested something else was influencing them.
Suppressing his anger, he turned to Rivik. “I gave you both a direct order.”
Head hung low, Rivik refused to meet his gaze and instead dug his claws into the earth. A further act of defiance as far as Kane was concerned. Another warning scorched deeper into Rivik’s hide, and he sneered as Rivik let out a whine. The Fallen’s eyes a flame of fury.
Gallo snarled. “Punish us if you must, Commander, but we are unable to cross the perimeter.”
“You haven’t answered my question. Why?”
Gallo gestured his head towards the village. “Can you not feel it, Commander?”
Kane reached with his power towards the village. The darkness held no reply. “Feel what?”
“Sorcery,” Rivik spat out.
Kane turned and waved a hand over the perimeter line. “I sense nothing.”
“Perhaps your potion has made you immune,” Gallo replied.
He considered for a few moments. “If you cannot enter the village, then where are the others?”
Gallo sniffed the air. “They are close, on the other side.”
“Searching for an entry point?” Rivik asked.
Gallo nodded. “That would be my guess, although if Barrock hasn’t been able to find a way in by now, I doubt he will, at least not this night.”
Kane held up his hand, silencing them both as something niggled. Stepping across the perimeter line, he turned his concentration inward, focusing on his breath. A spark ignited, his thoughts turning to the vial, the blood now fully integrated with his own. With each beat of his heart, he felt a change.
The blood pumping in his veins heated his skin, neurons of power surged, illuminating him from the inside. The air around him shifted as he moved his fingers in a playful dance. All anger forgotten, as the energy continued to grow in strength and force. An electrical discharge fired from the tips of his fingers. The ground smouldered beneath.
“Come and face me, if you dare.” Kane waited for the response he instinctively knew would come.
He smiled when a voice, carried along by a breeze, answered his own. “You have no right to be here, Warlock.”
Slowly Kane scanned the horizon of the village in search of its owner. “Who are you?”
“Who are we?”
“We?”
“Call your creatures away, Warlock.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“This village is under our protection. Leave now.”
“Answer me!”
“You have no sway over us.”
A serpent slowly uncoiled in his gut. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“We know that you do not belong in this world,” the voice replied.
“Then, the fact that I am here is a testament to my power.”
“We will not allow those creatures entry to this village.”
“You cannot stop us.”
A howl answered from across the village. Kane turned to face Gallo. “What was that?”
“One of our brethren,” Gallo replied.
“Dead,” Rivik snarled.
“You, perhaps not. But the darkness cannot withstand our light. Now take your creatures while you still breathe and be gone from this village.”
“Not without that for which I came.”
“And what is that, Warlock?”
“The Tracker and the girl.”
“Both under our protection. You have no rightful claim.”
Kane’s anger unleashed and shattered an overhead light. “Your interference in a matter that does not concern you is a declaration of war.”
“So be it, Warlock. But to quote your own foolishness, you have no idea who we are.”
Ice bit deeper into Kane’s skin, and he pulled his clothing tighter. Gallo and Rivik whimpered, backing further away from Kane and the village borderline. Kane’s attempts to call forth his power failed as the cold continued to furrow its way deeper. He spun in a desperate attempt to locate and confront the unseen presence that had suddenly approached. Words failed him, the cold gnawing at his body, his throat constricted by the sheer force of its grip. For the first time, the fear that Kane sensed was his own. Shaking uncontrollably, he retreated, his muscles screamed in protest, the cold sinking through his core and into his bones.
“A testament of our power,” the voice affirmed, “now call off your creatures.”
Kane sank to the ground as the unseen presence abruptly relinquished its hold.
“Commander?” Gallo ventured.
All waited for his next move. Although it stuck in the back of his throat, Kane had little choice but to comply. Rising to his feet, he reluctantly gave the signal for the Fallen to retreat. Gallo nodded and howled in the direction of the others. Barrock immediately responded to the call.
“Instruct the others to meet us back at the camp, Gallo.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“A wise decision, Warlock, you’re not as foolish as you look,” the voice confirmed.
Kane’s eyes flashed fire. Rivik shook his head in warning and gave a low growl.
Teeth gritted, Kane addressed the unseen presence one last time. “We shall leave, but know this, the Tracker and the girl are, and will be mine.”
“We shall see, Warlock,” the voice responded.
Kane’s body betrayed him as he mounted Rivik, and he cursed inwardly at such a pitiful display of weakness. Rivik, however was smart enough to keep his own counsel.
“Go,” Kane ordered. At his instruction, both Fallen broke into a run, Gallo following at a close distance. He waited for a few minutes to pass then stole a glance behind.
“It does not follow. Gallo has checked,” Rivik hissed.
“Even so, I do not trust it. Have you encountered such a presence before, Rivik?”
“No, Commander, not one such as that.”
Kane shifted his position and released the ache in his back. “Perhaps the Master may know of its existence.”
Rivik’s voice lowered. “If the Master did, then surely, Commander, he would have better prepared you.”
Kane considered. “We shall soon find out.”
“You’re telling him?”
“It is foolish to keep anything from him.”
Rivik slowed as they approached the entrance of the forest. “The Master does not take defeat lightly, as well you know.”
“Yes, and yet this is not something we have encountered before. As you have already noted, had the Master been aware of its presence then he would have better prepared us.”
“May I suggest that you take some time to consider your decision. Or at least as to how to relay such news to the Master. A third failure
will enrage him.”
Gallo spun his head. “I would rather not be shredded and have my brethren feed upon me, Commander. Rivik makes a good point.”
Kane could not deny the validity of their argument and yet to withhold information from the Master would be futile and equally as dangerous. “I cannot avoid such news. The Master would see through any attempt. His punishment will be all the more severe.”
“There isn’t anything more severe than being ripped apart and eaten,” Gallo growled.
Kane smirked. “You are wrong, Gallo. At least death would be instant. There would be no memory of your brethren, consuming your remains as you would cease to exist. But imagine a lifetime of suffering and pain. The Master’s methods are excruciating, even for the likes of you.”
“You speak as one with experience,” Rivik replied.
“I have witnessed many suffer at the hands of the Master. He is without pity. If it comes to a choice, I would rather die instantly, than have the Master’s pets burrow holes into me.”
“The Weavers are not too dissimilar from us. Our power surely matched?” Gallo said.
Kane shook his head. Such bold and foolish words, little doth the creature know.
“You are gravely mistaken, brother. The Weavers are not born from the same place as us. They bear no resemblance to the power we hold.”
Rivik’s words surprised him. Such insight for a Fallen who had never shared the same proximity as a Weaver. “And how is it you know of them, Rivik?”
The Fallen tensed beneath him. “Like you, Commander, I watch, and I listen.”
Kane was unconvinced by the response. Something instinctively told him that Rivik’s experience was much more than that. But why does he hide it? How does he have the means to survive such contact?
As they entered the forest, the two Fallen increased their pace and sprinted towards camp. “I still don’t want to be fodder for my brethren,” Gallo growled. “For all our sakes, I trust you know what you are doing, Commander.”
Chapter Eight
Outside of Pitlochry, Scotland
Finn sensed her tiredness as Rowan shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The effects of the last cup of coffee had worn off, and he noted, in less than an hour of them leaving the tiny village she called a ‘service station’. He wasn’t particularly surprised by this, despite her insistence that the coffee was all she needed. He remained unconvinced by such a disgusting looking substance, and its miraculous cure for fatigue. Even as Rowan had passed him the cup, offering for him to taste and see for himself its hidden magical properties, he doubted. His nose wrinkled at the memory of the strange scent she wafted underneath his nostrils. It was not one that remotely appealed, and immediately reminded him of the Gylliac reed that grew along the shoreline of Tahlia.
Finn scrunched up his face, recalling how his mother, who was so convinced by the healing properties of the grass, had chosen to blend this in practically every one of her topical healing remedies. Often covered in cuts and scrapes from his adventures in the forest, Finn had the sheer misfortune of having the Gylliac reed lotion applied daily. He had been over the moon the day his father had confirmed there would be no further need as Finn was old enough to learn the healing runes. The only lesson he had paid close attention to and had worked diligently at, even surpassing his father’s expectations.
Rowan yawned loudly and rubbed her eyes, breaking him from the memories that stirred. Finn gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Take the next road from here. There’s somewhere close we can spend the night.”
She nodded. “You were right about the coffee.”
“I’m glad you agree. Hopefully, I’ve put you off drinking that stuff,” he laughed.
“I wouldn’t quite go that far. But its taste is not for everyone, and if the smell bothers you that much, I won’t drink it.” She smiled and flicked the lever at the side of the wheel. The car turned from the main road as she followed his instructions to the building he had sensed earlier.
Rowan switched off the engine and turned to him. “You know you still haven’t given me any idea as to where we are going, and we’ve been driving for hours.”
“In all honesty, I don’t know myself yet.”
“I can’t just keep driving aimlessly, Finn. We need a plan. I mean, how long do I have to stay away from home?”
“It was important to get you as far away as possible from the village. Isn’t that enough for now?” he asked. “Can’t we talk about this in the morning when we’ve both had a chance to rest?”
“I guess,” she said with a sigh.
They got out and went around the back of the car. Finn retrieved her case from the boot and carried it as they walked towards the building.
Rowan paused outside the entrance and began fumbling in her bag.
“What are you looking for?”
“My purse. I know it’s here somewhere… aha!”
Laughing, she followed him into the building. The man behind the desk stood in greeting.
“Welcome to Norbrook Hotel. My name is Richard. Checking in?”
Rowan flashed him a smile. “Hi Richard, I don’t have a booking confirmed but we’re hoping you would be an absolute star and have a room free tonight? It’s been a long drive, and we need to rest.”
Finn didn’t miss the appreciation in Richard’s eyes as he beamed back at her. “Your luck is definitely in. I have one twin available.”
Rowan passed him a small piece of plastic. “Fabulous. I’ll pay for the room now.”
Richard tapped on something hidden below the desk, a machine whirred from behind and churned out a piece of paper. He passed it to Rowan. “If you could just sign here for me.”
His gaze flicked momentarily to Rowan’s chest. “Here is your room key. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Finn took the key card out of his hand. “She has everything she needs from me. Thank you. I would, however, advise that you do yourself a service and practice some manners.”
The smile fell away from Richard’s face. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t understand?”
Finn ignored Rowan’s stare. “Eye to eye contact may avoid such misunderstandings in future.”
A deep shade of red stained the young man’s cheeks, and he nodded. “Enjoy your stay, sir.”
Finn picked up the suitcase and reached for Rowan’s hand. She gripped his fingers tightly and walked stiffly beside him to the lifts. Finn prepared himself for the explosion he sensed coming. They stepped inside together, Rowan immediately pulling free, and pressing the button for the fourth floor. She turned and glared at him as soon as the doors slid shut.
“What the hell was that all about? Are you trying to get us thrown out?”
“Where I come from a man should have a little bit more respect for a lady.”
“He was doing his job. Are you going to insult every man who smiles at me?”
Finn’s temper flicked. “Not when their intentions are honourable. However, a man who leers at the breasts of the woman I care for, well let’s just say that Richard was lucky I considered his youthful ignorance. Otherwise, he’d be nursing a bruised face.”
Rowan’s lips twitched at the corners. “While I appreciate that you were looking out for me, I can handle myself. Richard isn’t the first guy to take a sneak peek at a woman’s breasts.”
Finn sighed and forced himself to admit the truth, that his reaction in part had been the result of jealousy. He reached forward to stroke her face, relieved when she drew closer to him and nestled her cheek against his palm.
“I didn’t like the way he looked at you. I’m sorry, I wasn’t prepared for this.”
She smiled. “Neither was I.”
The doors of the lift slid open, and he followed her out. They turned left along the corridor and stood outside of room 406. Finn passed her the key card, and she slipped it quickly in and out of the small box attached to the door.
The room was pleasant enough, although Finn felt a twinge of
disappointment to see the two separate beds. He placed the suitcase down and sat on the one nearest the window. “Do you mind if I take this side?”
“Of course. I’m sensing you’re disappointed?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little, but I understand.”
Rowan sat beside him and kissed him softly on the cheek. “I knew you would, but it’s our first day together, and as much as I want to share your bed, I need to take the time to get to know you and get used to us.”
He nodded. “Take whatever time you need.”
Rowan gestured towards the bathing room. “Seeing as you called first dibs on the bed, do you mind if I use the bathroom first?”
“Dibs?”
“It means choice.”
“Oh, yes,” Finn said.
She reached for her suitcase and placed it on the bed. He watched her unzip and fumble through its contents. “What are you looking for?”
She waggled a small brush at him. “I need to clean my fangs.”
“Erm fangs?”
Rowan laughed. “It’s just a joke. I need to clean my teeth.”
She collected some clothing and disappeared into the bathroom. Finn resisted the urge to study the rest of the contents of her case. Instead, he zipped it up and placed it on the floor away from the bed.
Lying back against the pillows, Finn waited for her to emerge. A familiar tap of energy signalled Mercadia’s connection to his mind once more.
“I’m amazed you’ve taken this long.”
“It’s been a testing day.”
Finn could sense the weariness in her voice. “What’s happened?”
“Jarrow was laid to rest.”
“I’m so sorry. You must feel his loss greatly.”
“Thank you. I had so foolishly hoped that the Master would as a mark of respect allow us one day’s peace to bury our dead, and he couldn’t even find it in him to give us that.”
“He attacked during the ceremony?”
Mercadia’s voice trembled with anger. “Drey and the others attacked the village of Eloria while the Master’s first army made a further attempt on the Selensia.”
The Veils of Valoria Page 10
