Redeemed in Darkness

by Alexis Morgan

  She glanced back at the grim-faced man closing in on her. The thought of never again seeing those dark warrior eyes or feeling those gentle lover’s hands ripped her breath away.

  The cold chill of the afternoon seeped into her bones, her veins, her soul.

  Cullen caught up with her at last and marched alongside her in heavy silence, a stubborn set to his jaw that she ached to soothe with a kiss. Maybe later he would let her close enough for that. For now, it was better they concentrate on the problems at hand.

  She deliberately approached the city from the far side to avoid the Guild. She wanted her sword in hand, and parading through the heart of the city with her weapon out would draw too much attention. With luck they’d make it to the back door of her house without mishap, but she’d fight her way to the children if she had to.

  Cullen held out his hand to stop her when the house was finally in sight. “Wait and watch.”

  He was right. Charging in without taking the time to scope out a potential trap was just asking for trouble. The two of them edged into the deepening shadows and froze. She wished her vision was stronger, but there was nothing wrong with her hearing or sense of smell. She drew in a deep taste of the air as she closed her eyes to concentrate on listening for sounds and scents that didn’t belong. There was something…someone. Turning her head slowly from side to side, she narrowed down the potential hiding spots.

  “There.” Cullen spotted him at the same time she did.

  Although the star hadn’t set, the day’s light was already starting to dim, casting long shadows across the landscape. Their adversary stood in a clump of low trees, watching the back of her house.

  “If there’s one, there may be more.”

  She nodded, already scanning the area, watching for sign of any accomplices. It didn’t take long to pick them out; there were only a few good hiding places. She was surprised the neighbors hadn’t already sounded the alarm.

  She leaned in close to Cullen’s ear. “It has to be my Blade, since my neighbors would recognize them and not raise the alarm. If anyone else was lurking in the area, they would draw suspicion.”

  “But your Blade had the day off. What would bring them here?”

  “Maybe they found out about the attack on Joq’s place.”

  “How? We would have seen their footprints if they’d been close enough to his house to look in.” His lips settled into a grim line. “Unless the set of footprints approaching his home belonged to one of them.”

  “But they were made by human shoes,” she protested.

  He pointed at his own foot. “And I’m a human wearing an Other’s boots.”

  She’d had enough of being called a name that meant nothing. “We are not ‘Others,’ Paladin, so don’t call us that. We call ourselves the Kalith.”

  Cullen’s expression softened. “Kalith it is. What does it mean?”

  A sense of irony and sadness weighed her down. “It means ‘People of the Light.’ It refers to the ability to draw light and warmth from the blue stones.”

  “I like the sound of that.” He smiled and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. “Now, back to your Blade. We need to find out what they are doing here. I’m all for the direct approach, but you didn’t want them to find out about me.”

  “I still don’t. I will draw them into the house. Once we’re inside, you can make your way to the basement.”

  “I don’t like it. If they’re involved in the thefts, you and the children could be in danger.”

  “Even so, I think they’d hesitate to attack me—at least until they find out what I’ve learned and exactly who I’ve talked to. But if they are part of the problem, they would attack you first before turning on me. I won’t risk that.”

  “And if you find out they can’t be trusted, what then? You’ll never be safe here.”

  He was pushing again, wanting her to turn her back on her world and its people.

  “One problem at a time, Cullen. For now, I need to get to the children.” She looked past him toward the house.

  He gave her a gentle shove. “I’ve got your back. At the first sign of trouble, holler and I’ll come running; to hell with secrecy.”

  She knew he would sacrifice himself for her and for the children. As much as she wanted to think it was only because he was a warrior following his calling, that wasn’t cold honor burning in his eyes. It was something far stronger and far hotter. She recognized it because the same strong emotion had settled somewhere near her heart.

  “Watch your own back, Cullen Finley. If you manage to get yourself killed, I will never forgive you.”

  She meant it as a dark joke, but he didn’t look at all amused; he looked guilty. What was that about?

  Walking away from Cullen, she retreated some distance before making her approach to her Blade, hoping they hadn’t already seen her as part of a pair. She still hoped to protect Kit and his brother from this mess she was mired in; Larem would have to make his own decisions.

  Kit stepped out of the shadows as soon as he recognized her. As usual, he smiled. “We were worried about you.”

  “About what? We weren’t on duty today.” She kept her voice neutral, not wanting her words to be taken as criticism.

  The smile disappeared. “Then you haven’t heard. Larem found Joq earlier today. He’d been attacked.”

  “Is he all right? Has he been able to tell us who did it?” Her concern was genuine, even if her shock wasn’t.

  “I’ve been out here since we found him. Larem might know more. He’s the one who found Joq and brought him here.”

  Her instincts went on full alert. “Why not take him to the Guild? He could have gotten medical care there, even though he’s not on the roster any longer.”

  Kit shrugged, his eyes still scanning their surroundings. “Either Joq asked him to, or else Larem thought you’d want Joq here where you could keep an eye on him.”

  Which was it? She’d give anything to know the facts of the situation before she walked through the door. It was too late to change plans, though, so she had no choice. She could only hope that Bavi and Shiri were all right.

  Walking in the door with weapon in hand was only asking for a confrontation. She checked to make sure the sword slid easily in its scabbard and started for the house. The calm before a battle settled over her. Even if the war was to be fought only with words, she was ready.

  The door swung open as soon as she reached it. Larem loomed in the doorway, but stepped back as soon as he recognized her. She noted he kept his weapon drawn as she pushed past him, looking for Bavi and Shiri.

  “Where are the children?”

  “They’re in their rooms. I figured that was the safest place for them until we find out who attacked Joq.” Larem curled his lip and sneered, “I put him in your human lover’s bed.”

  Her hand itched to smack his face, but it would serve no purpose. “I’ll speak with the children, and then I’ll check in on Joq. You stay here.”

  “But—” he started to protest.

  Lusahn snapped back her shoulders as her hand went to her sword. “You dare argue with your Sworn Guardian? If you wish to be relieved of duty, say so now. But know if you walk out of that door, you are no longer part of my Blade. And I will post the reason for your dismissal.”

  Larem hissed in shock. If it got out that he’d refused a direct order, his career in the Guild was over. Hers, too, probably, because they’d demand his version of the events that led to his dismissal. It probably wouldn’t save him, but he’d have the satisfaction of taking her down with him.

  Right now she didn’t care; she had more important things to worry about.

  As soon as she crossed the threshold, she knew Bavi’s room was empty despite the boy-shaped lump under the bedcovers. Bavi never slept with his head under the blankets; he’d fashioned a dummy out of his bedding to fool Larem into thinking he was asleep. He’d undoubtedly slipped down the hall to his sister’s room to be with her as soon as Larem turned h
is back.

  The door to Shiri’s bedroom was closed. Rather than barge in, she knocked softly.

  “Bavi, it’s me. Can I come in?”

  It took a few seconds for the door to open. Judging by the sound of things, Bavi had blocked the door with the bed. Ingenious. The boy might be young, but he had the instincts of a warrior. Cullen had been right to start introducing him to the world of weapons.

  As soon as the gap was wide enough, she eased inside and closed the door. Shiri immediately leaped into her arms. Bavi stood back, allowing Lusahn and Shiri to comfort each other before speaking.

  “You were gone too long!” There was equal temper and fear in his voice.

  “I know.” She met his gaze head-on, paying him the respect he deserved. “We didn’t mean to be, but things got complicated. Someone tore up Joq’s cabin, and we were trying to find out what happened to Joq. I just found out that he’s here.”

  Bavi dropped his voice to a whisper. “That Larem brought him inside, saying he’d found Joq wandering in the city, beat-up and bloody.”

  “You don’t believe him.” It wasn’t a question; the distrust was right there in Bavi’s eyes.

  “Something isn’t right, but I didn’t have a chance to find out what. Larem ordered us into our rooms before I could get a look at Joq.” He smiled wickedly. “Larem probably thinks I’m still there.”

  “I’m sure he does, and you did the right thing by coming in here.” She handed Shiri back to her brother. “I need to go check on Joq and see what’s going on.”

  She wished she could speak to Bavi without the little girl hearing, but that wasn’t going to happen. “Bavi, you can trust Cullen Finley, no matter what happens or even if what he says frightens you. If something happens that I can’t come to you right away, do whatever Cullen asks of you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Looking far more adult than a boy his age should, he gave her a solemn nod. “I will trust him.”

  Lusahn leaned in close to give Shiri a kiss on the cheek. “Be good for your brother, little girl. I love you both.”

  Bavi surprised her with a hard hug, squeezing Shiri so tightly between them that the little girl squealed in protest. Lusahn ruffled Shiri’s dark curls. “Sorry, Shiri, we didn’t mean to crush you.”

  It was time to go. “Block the door behind me.”

  Back out in the hallway, she closed her eyes to better listen to the sounds in her home. There was one heartbeat near the front of the house, no doubt Larem. The second one below her had to be Joq. She paid special attention to him. If he was beat-up and bloody, as Larem claimed, why was he prowling in the basement like a caged animal?

  Bavi’s instincts had been right; something was definitely wrong.

  There was little chance that she could make it to the steps that led downstairs without Larem noticing, so she went for speed rather than stealth. She made it most of the way down before Larem was behind her, his sword pointed right at her back. Even so, she wouldn’t have been worried except that Joq was waiting below her with his own sword in hand.

  “You look awfully good for someone who’s supposed to be injured.”

  Joq smiled, showing a lot of teeth. “See, Larem, I told you she was too smart to fall for that excuse. We should have told her it was Kit who was injured. She might have believed that.” Then he shrugged. “Of course, it’s too late for that, since he’s dead.”

  “I just saw him a few minutes ago, and he was fine.” She prayed to the gods that he still was.

  Joq shook his head. “You and your human lover killed him not more than five minutes ago. It’s a tragedy, really.”

  “Joq!” Larem shouted. “You never said anything about Kit or his brother having to die!”

  “Casualties are part of any war, Larem. Be glad it wasn’t you.”

  Joq’s smile sickened her. Tears burned her eyes, and rage burned like acid in her stomach. “You won’t survive to spread that story, Joq. If I don’t gut you, Cullen will.”

  The older man’s head jerked toward the door, as if expecting the Paladin to come charging in. So he wasn’t as confident about his ability to take on the two of them as he wanted her to believe.

  “So which of you is stealing the blue stones? If I’m going to die, I’d like to leave this world knowing who my friends really were.” She eased down another step, slowly moving her blade back and forth, ready to counter whichever of them attacked first.

  Larem answered, “This isn’t about the stones, Lusahn. It’s about you betraying our people to the Paladins. It sickens me to know you’ve been spreading your legs for the enemy.”

  It didn’t matter how they knew about how far her relationship with Cullen had gone; she wouldn’t let them tarnish what she and Cullen had shared. Nor would she let his hurtful words spur her into acting rashly.

  “Larem, you are a fool. This isn’t about honor at all. It’s about greed.” She was only one step from the bottom now, bringing Joq almost into the reach of her blade. “Cullen wasn’t lying about why he was here. Someone has been stealing the stones and coaxing our people into crossing the barrier with them. They hope the stones will buy their way to safety, but they die instead, and the human thieves and the corrupt ones from our side get richer.”

  Joq’s laugh was ugly. “The fools die anyway, Lusahn. Their deaths are senseless; you know that as well as I do. At least if the Guild profits, we get some value for their headlong rush onto the Paladin’s swords.”

  Larem retreated up the steps. “Gods above, what have I done?”

  Lusahn took that final step forward. “Say your prayers, Joq. Ask the gods for forgiveness, because you’ll get none from me.”

  “I suggest you do the same, girl. You might have been the best Blade I ever had, but I know how you fight, since I’m the one who taught you.”

  “But you don’t know a damn thing about how I fight, Other—and you’re about to find out.”

  None of them had heard the door open, but Cullen stood there, battle-ready, with the promise of death in his eyes.

  With a howl, Joq charged Cullen, and the fight was on.

  Lusahn charged up the steps, fearing Larem would head for the children. She didn’t want to kill him, but she wouldn’t tolerate any threat to Bavi and Shiri. Luckily, he’d headed for the front door. She went right after him.

  If he reached the Guild to sound the alarm, there would be no time for Cullen to escape to the safety of the caves. She had to buy them enough time.

  Luck was with her. Rather than taking the road where the dim lights would have left him exposed, he cut through the yard, hoping to disappear into the shadows.

  Lusahn knew the area far better than he did and made better time. When he looked back to see her closing in, he tripped over Kit’s body and went flying headfirst into the trunk of a tree. The impact dazed him into immobility. Yanking his hands behind his back, Lusahn used her belt to tie them together, then used Kit’s belt to tie Larem’s ankles.

  She tightened the belts one last time and then stood up.

  “Larem, I won’t let you turn Cullen in. He’s going home to his world. After that, I will stand down as Sworn Guardian. I promise you that.”

  He managed to roll over onto his back, glaring up at her. “It’s not enough. You’re a traitor to our kind, just like your brother. I will see to it that the q’Arc name is erased forever.”

  That wouldn’t be hard. She was the only one left, and the Guildmaster would order her execution as soon as Larem got free and reported in. So be it. Right now, she had to get back to Cullen and the children.

  “You could have been so much more, Lusahn. With the right male beside you, you could have been Guildmaster someday. Even Joq thought so. Instead you settled for being a whore for that human. You disgust me.”

  “Right now I’m not too pleased with you, either.” She gagged him with a strip of fabric she cut off his tunic, then ran for the house.

  The back door stood wide open, the light from the
basement spilling out into the darkness. From inside came the clang of two blades in the hands of two master swordsmen. She prayed that Cullen’s youth and strength could overcome Joq’s years of experience.

  She approached the door with care, not wanting to distract Cullen. Her heart settled in her throat when the combatants moved into her sight. Cullen was bleeding badly from a cut on his leg, causing him to move in an awkward lurch. Joq was wounded, as well, but nothing that hindered his ability to outmaneuver his opponent.

  She ached to join in the battle, but the room was too small for the three of them to maneuver without hampering one another’s movements. When Joq realized she was back, he made a quick dash to the far side of the room to keep Cullen between them. He lunged forward, swinging his blade in a wide arc aimed right at Cullen’s neck. The Paladin roared in fury as he blocked the move and went on the attack himself. Joq danced backward, his feet a blur as he outdanced his human opponent.

  Lusahn clenched her sword tightly as she watched her lover fight for his life. With her pulse pounding through her veins, she prayed the gods of her world would protect him.

  And if her prayers went unheard, she would finish off Joq herself—making sure he took a long, long time to die.

  Chapter 10

  C ullen figured he could afford to die, but it would be damned inconvenient. Did Lusahn even know that he could come back if this bastard managed to kill him? The first chance he got, he was going to tell Lusahn every damn detail of his life and demand that she do the same.

  His arm ached, and his leg hurt like a son of a bitch, but he wasn’t going to let this traitor get the best of him. The Other was a master with a sword, but Cullen had learned from the two best Paladin swordsmen. From Devlin Bane, he’d learned technique and finesse. From Blake Trahern, he’d learned sheer cussedness. The combination was lethal.

  Joq’s eyes kept flitting from Cullen to Lusahn and back. She was hanging back, staying out of their way, but her mere presence was enough to make Joq sweat. He knew that even if he managed to take Cullen out, he’d still have to face Lusahn. And with the mood she was in, the best Joq could hope for was a mercifully quick death.