The Iron Altar Series Box Set One: Books 1 to 3

by Casey Lea

  Amber ended up draped over Pierce's chest and his arms closed around her. They lay there for some time. When she stirred it was only to lift her head and study his face. She was happy, but not ecstatic. She’d given up on their relationship long ago and had no idea whether she could forgive him, but if he was willing to spare everyone else, what choice did she have?

  “You'll come away with me?” Amber asked. “Leave everyone behind and let them live?”

  Pierce stroked her back and a tingle ran down her spine. “I've wanted this for so many ages,” he whispered. “Longed for you, Brosia and needed you, but for this cycle you're too late. The drive to feed is already on me.”

  Amber scrambled to her feet and Pierce let her go. She stood over his healing body, feeling shaken and sick. Why was she always such a fool? “That's not what you offered.”

  His eyes flashed and he came upright so fast she jumped back into a wall. “Most seriously, love. Your decision is not whether to save everyone or not. They're already gone. Moths around a hundred brief suns. No, the questions here are much more basic. Do you wish to save your marriage? Do you wish to save yourself? Because I surely do. But most important of all, do you wish to save our people?”

  Pierce reached out to Amber and she tried to pull back, but was too slow. His fingers stroked her cheek, their brief touch like a brand, before he dropped his arm. “We’ve always been the perfect couple. We outshone every other team, remember? I do and I still love you.”

  Amber frowned at the ground, but Pierce stepped closer, until she could see all of his feet and feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. “I know it’s ridiculous, but it's true. I'll always love you.” His fingers brushed the backs of her hands, then closed around them, so they no longer swung limp and aimless at her sides. “Two people can be in love and still not agree on everything.”

  “Yes,” Amber said slowly, surprised at the dullness of her voice. “But I'm fairly sure that genocide is a deal breaker.”

  Pierce grimaced and released her hands. His face went blank, but then he shrugged. “You won't join me yet. Don't worry, I understand. Major paradigm shifts require time, but I can't wait much longer. You have one year, Ambrosia. In a year I'll have to return to reset local evolution-”

  “To feed, you mean.”

  Pierce ducked his head and looked away. “As you say.” He glanced down at his gauntlet and lifted his arm to show an image of the nest. “Your zombie friend seems to be thawing.”

  Nikareon’s face twisted in pain and Amber was moving the instant she saw it. She flew down the link at combat speed, because her patient needed her. The nest was dark, but she used her fronds to find her way. She could feel the Beserk’s mind clearly, drawing her on as she hurtled across the chamber, splashing and cracking through puddles and ice.

  The lights came up while she ran. Pierce must have fixed them and that thought chilled her. His technology was frighteningly good, but she pushed that worry away for another time.

  Amber could see Nikareon lying completely still ahead, but the nest seemed to be enormous. She must have been running forever. She finally reached him and fell to her knees, sending up a dirty spray when she skidded the last few feet. She pumped all of her regen into his silent form and every pulse of energy her com could send. She kept going until the unit was drained and her injured leg started aching. She collapsed over him, trembling and chilled, but ignored her shaking to keep on healing him. She’d already saved the stubborn fool too many times today to risk losing him now.

  Amber lay pressed to a body colder than any corpse and tried not to think. Sadly, that was impossible. She'd managed to stop the ice, but everyone would still die because of her. She should have killed Pierce while she had the chance.

  “Don’t self-flagellate,” a familiar voice said and she heard the Devourer wading to join her.

  “I'm not.”

  “Please, Ambrosia. How long have we known each other?”

  “A mere twelve years.”

  The monster's laugh was soft and warm. “In our first life perhaps, but I've followed you in every one of your brief bodies since. I know you better than you remember yourself.”

  Amber refused to answer that. The arrogance of the man was incredible. She looked away, just as an ice sheet sheared from the wall. She reared back, tugging at Nikareon to pull him clear of the collapsing face. Layers of ice slid free and disintegrated to leave limbs projecting at odd angles from the fresh cliff. She gasped and recognised the nearest, small foot. It was Misty. Another lump sheared from the glacier that had been a wall and more of Trinity appeared, followed by Falkyn.

  “I’ve given you a gift,” Pierce said. “I’ll ask how you like it when I return.”

  Amber gave him a last look, gritting her teeth against the warmth in his voice. “The only gift I want from you is a divorce.”

  One side of his smile slipped, but the rest hung there, sardonic and charming. “What about your life? Eternally? Consider it while you enjoy my first present.” He gestured at Falkyn, but Amber stepped between them and Pierce sighed. “Your suspicion should wound me, but I understand. You were always exceedingly protective of your brother.”

  “What?” Amber asked, jerking to face Falkyn’s faint image in the ice. “My what? My brother? That’s tasteless, even for you.”

  However, she couldn’t stop looking at her frozen friend. Falkyn’s eyes opened, wide and shocked, but she couldn’t go to him, because he was far too familiar. How could she have missed it? The confusion of reincarnation was her only excuse, but it was a lousy one for not recognizing her own brother. Falkyn looked completely different to Sparrow, but his frond touch was identical.

  Amber spun toward Pierce so fast she tripped over her feet. “What have you done?” She staggered forward to grab the drakker by his shirt. “What have you done?”

  “Given you someone to live for. Plus a sample of what I’m offering. Before Sparrow died my children wove a pocket under his pillow and left a crystal in it. I pruned his memories, but kept his energy and personality intact. The body I placed him in modified both, but he’s still your brother.”

  The fabric in Amber’s fists stretched taut when she scrunched his shirt tighter. “You placed him in a body? Falkyn’s body? What were you thinking?”

  “That it seemed appropriate. My spiders were watching and they told me how much you wanted a child from Wing and Goldown. I found the boy and made him a little more yours.”

  Amber had no idea what to say. ‘Thank you’ was wildly inappropriate and yet her heart lifted. Her brother was dead and nothing could change that, but it seemed some small part of him had survived. Thanks to Pierce.

  The groan of collapsing ice was joined by a more human moan and Amber pushed aside her confusion. She limped as fast as she could to help her friends, but was still ridiculously slow and Pierce reached them before she did. He directed warmth from his once-again-thin, black com and the wall became a waterfall. By the time she arrived Jace, Misty and Zak were lying in a puddle, while Falkyn toppled from the wall to follow them.

  Misty was already stirring and Amber dropped to her knees, but her com was empty after saving Nikareon. She pulled her outer top off to place it over Misty instead. Pierce muttered something exasperated that she didn't catch and moved to their side. Regen fields flew from his hands to settle over all of her friends, but she gave him an angry look. “Why bother? Aren't they just appetizers to you?”

  Pierce had the cheek to look offended. “That is something we can negotiate when I return. My control is much greater than it used to be, so perhaps I could save them. If you wished it. I’m begging you, Brosia, give up your plots. I know them all and I want you by my side. I need you, sweet. Never forget it.”

  “I try very hard to forget our love,” she snapped, but sadness seeped past her defences. She instantly buried it, piling details on top of any emotion, and planning ahead at frantic speed.

  Amber determined never to weaken again. She promised
to skewer herself on his obscene altar when the time came and sacrifice herself instead of Darsey. The giant crystal would drain the life from anyone sharing her ancient genes, which meant Pierce would die with her, while everyone else would live.

  Amber tried to stare down the monster, but it was beyond her. The best she could do was ignore him. She stayed crouched in the wet, helping Misty's recovery. She wished he would just go.

  Amber finally heard the slow splash and crunch of Pierce retreating. She looked over her shoulder before she could stop herself and their eyes met. He was walking backward, watching her as he went. There was movement in the shadows behind him and her lips automatically shaped a warning.

  Pierce spun, but not fast enough to avoid the hand closing round his ankle. Pale fingers gripped tight, but he hesitated before kicking himself free, stopping instead to bend over a white haystack at his feet. That soggy pile stirred and a tattered figure looked up.

  Amber gasped when she recognized Lamidia. Both Pierce’s attacking web and the ice were gone, to leave a pitiful creature with pale eyes and wild hair. The Harvester glanced at Amber, before her eyes darted back to the man standing over her. Lamidia licked her lips and smiled up at Pierce. “Are you in need of a companion?”

  “It seems I am,” he answered. “At least for a time.” Pierce crouched to offer both hands and helped the mermaridian to her feet. She stared at him through sodden hair, while he supported her. His voice was low and concerned, but carried clearly to Amber. “You've suffered much.”

  Lamidia began to sob. “S-so much. You've no idea. It made me call Daddy. It infected him. It infected them all.” Lamidia sagged again, twisted double around wrenching sobs, while Pierce held her hands.

  “Indeed. You need healing.” He looked back at Amber with sad and solemn eyes. “Which I doubt you'll get here, so I offer you my protection. Come.”

  Amber's jaw tightened and she swung away to hide her reaction. Was he trying to make her feel guilty? Or jealous? Of that gat?

  She looked back, despite her best intentions and Pierce shrugged. “Are you sure you won’t join us?”

  “A spider lover and walking venereal disease? Doubt it.”

  Pierce surprised her with a laugh. “Nurture those doubts and take some time for thought. I'll be back for your answer in exactly one year.” He spread his arms in entreaty and his expression became wistful. “You have thirty-six weeks to decide. When I return join me, please. Or spend the rest of your life alone. Truly alone.” Pierce backed away again with his arms wrapped around Lamidia, but never stopped watching Amber as he went.

  She gasped once, before turning her back on the clinging couple. She pressed herself side-on to the wall, trying to find support, but her legs failed anyway. She slid down that liquid surface and hit the floor, to sit slumped and silent in a puddle. She had a single year before everyone was gone. A year spent recovering from the ice. The time would scroll past so fast she could scarcely afford to blink. Perhaps she should tell everyone not to bother with the buckets and mops. Her lips quivered and she almost smiled.

  Amber tipped her head sideways against the wall and let water sluice through her hair. It was cold and bracing as it flowed past, reminding her that the future was never set and she could still find a way to win. Her lips twitched cynically, but she rose to her feet anyway, pushing against bone-deep weariness, then moved to help her friends.

  Misty was sitting slumped with her head between her knees, but looked up at Amber’s approach. “What happened?” the warrior asked and Amber shrugged.

  “It’s all well. I saved everyone.”

  Misty managed a laugh that sounded like a croak. “Nice one. Doctors need a sense of humor.”

  Amber clenched her teeth to stop them grinding together. “Listen, child, I just defeated an ancient scourge, so slapping down a soggy teen would be simple.”

  Misty lost her smile. “You beat the ice? You kicked frigid butt?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “You?”

  “Yes, me. Myself.”

  “You? By yourself?”

  Amber paused and shrugged a hand. “Near enough. I dealt the fatal blow.”

  “You?”

  “Gods’ sake, girl, are you brain damaged? Or just deaf? Perhaps you need personalized regen.”

  Misty’s head dropped back between her knees. “No, I’m well,” her muffled voice replied. “A bit delusional though. I thought you said you’d saved the day.” Amber’s fingers curled, but before she could make a fist, Misty looked up. “Did you? Truly?”

  “Yes! Yes, yes, yes.”

  Misty studied her closely. “Well, alright then.”

  Amber slumped, exhausted again, but turned back to Falkyn anyway. He was trying to push himself upright and she hurried to help.

  “Doc,” Misty called after her, “well done. Nice job.”

  Amber didn’t answer, but a warm glow chased away the last of her inner chill. She settled beside Falkyn to lift his head into her lap and truly didn’t care that she only had a year to live. The Devourer had made a huge mistake. He hadn’t just given her someone to live for, he’d given her someone to die for.

  55

  Dynasty

  Princess Goldown bent until her face was almost in the carpet and she could only see her father's golden feet when he passed. However, he paused right beside her, curse him to all the hells. Her legs began to shake, but she locked her knees and endured.

  “My dear.” The royal hand fell on her shoulder and pulled her upright. She rose with a gasp and almost wobbled over. “You shouldn't squash your belly so. Show some care for Arkyn Brighteye.”

  Goldown ducked her head obediently, but Blizzard spoke from the carpet. “The Princess is a most excellent mother and thinks always of our child.” She kicked him surreptitiously, but it was too late. The Arck moved back, to where her husband genuflected beside her.

  “Whose child?” Sharpeye asked mildly and Goldown felt her husband's mind harden.

  Her fronds swayed toward him. No, beloved. ask/entreat/beg Be patient. Our rule will come.

  Blizzard's mind was still as sharp as ice, but he sent only love to Goldown and bent even lower before the Arck. “Your grandchild, of course, sire, and your heir.”

  “Correct.” Sharpeye tapped a golden slipper under Blizzard's nose, before moving on. The Council chamber was utterly quiet, despite being full. All one hundred members of the High Council were present and the air was thick with dread. Today's meeting should be most interesting.

  The Arck continued to the dais at the end of the room and Goldown released a soft sigh. He stepped onto it and swung with a swish of robes to face the High Council, before dropping into the room's only seat. Her father sat with his chin supported on the heel of his hand, while his eyes roamed over the crowd with a brooding intensity. He truly knew how to scare. She stared at her belly, avoiding eye contact, until he jerked his hand impatiently at the Royal Speaker.

  A stooped kres with white hair strode forward from the back of the dais. Despite his obvious age he moved with speed and carried his tall staff of office without effort. He swung that ornately carved length over his head, before smashing its metal tip against the stone dais. “All hail His Magnificence, our most beloved Arck Sh-”

  “Drakkit, Raptor.” Sharpeye suddenly crouched forward and clutched his temples. “Why haven't you stopped the drakking humming?”

  Everyone gaped at his interruption of the royal presentation. Such a thing was unheard of, even from this Arck. And such profanity! Goldown had to set her jaw to hold back a smile. The Speaker always spoke first and no one was allowed to usurp that ancient right. Her father's popularity was plummeting to new lows.

  Sharpeye seemed unaware of what he’d done. He ignored the Speaker to scowl at his Leader of the Beuro for Royal Protection. Raptor bowed deeply and his face was expressionless. “Apologies, sire. We’ve been unable to find the source of any humming.”

  Sharpeye supported himself on the
arms of his chair with a desperate grasp. “Are you useless? We can hardly hear ourselves speak. Find the hum and silence it. Now.”

  Raptor bowed again and slipped back through the crowd, conferring with his com as he went.

  The Royal Speaker continued with quiet dignity. “All present may rise. Tetrark Brisk of Clan Swallow has requested first audience.”

  The youngest of the tetrarks stepped forward, but Sharpeye interrupted again. “Be quick, boy. You lot dragged me to this council in the middle of a war. Have you nothing better to do?”

  “Indeed not, sire,” Brisk answered boldly and Goldown hugged her belly in delight. Foolish young off-worlder. This was his first trip to Kresynt since inheriting his position from his mother and it showed. Was it possible the idiot had actually volunteered to place the Council's complaints before her father? “I offered to speak today on a most urgent matter affecting us all. The curfew, sire.”

  Sharpeye stopped squirming and his gaze settled on the young male. “You wish to criticize my curfew?”

  The room grew very still and even Brisk hesitated. “Sire... no. There is no criticism intended, we merely wish your advice. All interplanetary trade has ceased as ordered and communication too. We have blocked all normal subspace frequencies-”

  Sharpeye slapped himself hard across the cheek. The smack rang round the room and Brisk gaped. The Arck clutched his head and glared. “Speak up, chick. Is your muttering simply to tell me that my orders have been obeyed? Because such is my expectation. I do not require confirmation from a child.”

  “But, sire, the restrictions are causing chaos. Businesses are failing and families can't stay in contact. The people are protesting. We're facing litigation and marches. There was even a riot outside your palace on my world.”

  “Are you telling me you can't control your populace, Tetrark? Because we are at war and I need leaders who can keep the peace. I won't have spies coming and going and talking as they wish in my Empire. The curfew stands and any rulers who can’t do whatever is needed to enforce it, will be replaced.”