Shadow and Starlight

by Darcy Sherlen

  The heat reminded me of the desert. I breathed it in, the smell not the same. This was fire and ash, not sunlight and sand.

  “Anchor!” Someone was shouting. Chains clanked loudly as the anchor splashed into the water. The ship slowly came to a halt.

  Lumpy cave walls above glowed red and reminded me that I was underground. The ship jolted as it tugged against the anchor, and Celeste grasped onto Demetri for support. I huffed at her bad acting.

  “So, this is the hell we speak of,” I said.

  Gwen's eyes widened and she looked to Celeste, who already made her way over to me. Her beautiful face had contorted into a snarl, her eyes rolling as she passed by. She narrowly missed slamming into me.

  “What's her deal?” I whispered to Gwen.

  “It's not my story to tell.” Despite knowing everyone's future, Gwen was good at keeping secrets. “Welcome to Taroth.”

  Zander answered. “Celeste grew up here. Though she may have described her childhood as hell, I doubt she likes to hear others insult her home.”

  I looked around, but the barren landscape offered no sign of life. Not even vegetation. “Who would want to live here?”

  Zander shrugged. “She only ever left because of Demetri.”

  “Demetri?” I asked, glancing to the Prince who spoke with the captain.

  I forced my gaze away from the two of them as Zander pushed a wad of fabric into my hands. “Yeah, they're in a rough patch right now, but they always work it out.” He shrugged. “Get your stuff together, and get the cloak on. Believe me, you don't want anyone to see you here.”

  I nodded, letting the fabric spill out in front of me. Donning the cloak, I walked down to collect my meager possessions. When I returned to the deck, everyone except the crewmen had begun to file off the ship. Gwen wore a hood just like mine. Though her face hid in darkness, she gave a small smile.

  The Prince stood at my side, not looking at me as he spoke. “This is where the Stalkers of your nightmares come from, little Red. Keep your hair covered and your mouth shut.” I nodded to nothingness as he strode away.

  We left the ship behind, along with any guards. I wondered how a Prince without the power to heal could walk around so unguarded.

  Streams of lava ran through the blackened land ahead. Not a sign of life to be seen. And the fog of Asphodel had been replaced by the smoke of Taroth.

  “Whatever we do,” the Prince was saying, “we need to remain inconspicuous.” The few people we passed along the road were dirty and unconcerned with anyone else. The endless expanse seemed to drag on for hours. My legs hurt from the long distance and I almost missed the damp breezes of Asphodel.

  It was like walking in a volcano. As everyone discarded layers of clothes, even Gwen with the exception of her cloak, I remained fully covered.

  “It's so hot,” Gwen complained, glancing my way.

  “It's much cooler than what I'm used to,” I lied as a bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. I forced a smile, wondering how long I could last to conceal my secret.

  At the sight of a building I almost cheered. As we came closer, I realized it was a small village. Demetri led us into a tavern, where we ate a quick meal of bread and cheese before heading up the stairs to the rooms.

  Drained from the brisk walk of the day, I entered the room hoping for a quick wash, but there was no water to be found. I collapsed on one of the two small beds.

  Thana set her things on the second bed and sat on the edge. Gwen appeared at the doorway, still cloaked. “You guys coming?”

  Thana shook her head, waving her hand in dismissal. Celeste stepped out from behind Gwen. “Let's go, Gwen. We still have to walk to the hot springs.”

  “Elara?” Gwen asked. I shrugged and stood up to follow them, but they had already begun down the stairs. I tagged along behind them like a third-wheel. It was nearly twenty minutes back into the barren lands before they stopped.

  We approached the hot springs. Demetri, Zander, and Keiran were already shirtless and jumping off large boulders into the water. Regret twisted in my stomach as Gwen and Celeste stripped off everything but their underclothes and jumped in.

  “Oh, I forgot I have to...” My voice trailed off, ignored, and I trotted back the direction we had come from. My walk slowed as they disappeared from sight and I glimpsed down at my arms, scars hidden beneath black fabric. I hated what the Doctor had done to me.

  By the time I was halfway back to the inn, I realized that no other water was available to wash myself. I turned back around, determined to wash the dry sweat from my face and neck. When the springs came into sight, I hid behind a huge rock, hearing the voices in the distance. Convinced I was alone, I cupped water into my hands and splashed it on my face, wiping my hands down my neck.

  “...some kind of crush on her or something.” It was Celeste's voice around the other side of the boulder.

  I quieted my breath.

  “Demetri?” Zander asked. “A crush on the Red?” I strained to hear more. My heart fluttered. “Celeste, you know how he feels about Reds.” His laughter rang out, joined by hers. I almost ached in pain, praying I would remain hidden.

  Why did I even care? They were Stalkers. They didn't come from a decent civilized place.

  “He's just been acting very strange lately. Doesn't even want to talk about getting back together.”

  “Celeste, there's no competition between you and the Red,” Zander said, confidence laced in his voice. The ground crunched beneath their feet as they moved away. “Demetri's just been stressed.”

  “I know something is up. And so do you...” Her voice muffled.

  I waited until their footsteps had completely silenced before exhaling and catching my breath once more. I glimpsed around the edge of the boulder. Demetri stood in one of the pools, his chest exposed. Celeste splashed water on him, causing him to grab her around the waist and dunk her underwater. Her gleeful shrieks felt like a cut against my heart.

  When I made it back to the inn, I hid under the blankets, trying to lull myself to sleep.

  I felt like I hadn't slept at all, but I was shaken awake the next morning, and we left the inn behind, walking through the morning. I wasn't sure if it had gotten hotter as the day progressed, or if the heat was getting to me.

  “We will arrive at the edge of the city within the hour,” Demetri said.

  “Are you concerned about the King of Thieves?” Keiran asked.

  “Don't call him that,” Demetri spat. “No. We will pass through without stopping. We can't risk Erro's spies.”

  My mind drifted as we walked, pondering who the Prince of Darkness could be afraid of.

  The city came into sight. Tall buildings silhouetted against the burnt orange sky. The buildings were buried under a layer of ash, along with the people. A greasy-haired man stood on a corner in a shiny black trench coat, his narrow eyes scanning each passerby. Women in skimpy clothes flooded the streets in mass, while sketchy deals were made in the Shadowy alleys.

  Shouts filled the air, anger mixing with ecstasy. I kept my head down, fearing meeting the eyes of the criminals all around. I pulled the hood forward, afraid of a strand of hair coming loose.

  I glanced up, catching a glimpse of a woman whose hair was definitely not black. It was white. She stood along the road, a chain wrapped around her ankle, and a severe man keeping an eye on her from the Shadowy alley. I gasped in horror.

  “She is a commodity here.” I looked to see the Prince joining my stride. “Everyone without the Shadow is.” His nose upturned at the comment.

  I thought of Krev, and how runts were treated. “Aren't you the Prince? Can't you put a stop to it?”

  “One day, I hope to.”

  “Wait a second,” Zander said, looking at each of our faces. We stopped, huddling in the less populated area. “Where's Celeste?”

  Everyone looked around. Demetri spoke, “She was with us when we left earlier.”

  “She'll return to us,” Gwen said, unconcerned.
“I've Seen it.”

  They glanced around, uncomfortable leaving Celeste behind. But as the minutes passed, many cooed us to make a deal or buy pilfered goods. We pressed deeper into the city. The crowds grew along the sides of the road, fawning over women and men with brightly colored hair. Our progress was slow, blocked by street performers and prostitutes.

  A man spun around, a circle of people forming around him as fire released from his mouth like a dragon. People clapped and cheered, tossing coins at the performer. Demetri and I had been pushed to the front, separated from everyone else by a tight line of onlookers.

  Another flame blazed, only inches from me. The heat rushed over me and I bumped into the Prince. I readjusted my hood, peaking out to see the show.

  In the middle of the cobblestone street, a man held a long whip, the entire length flaming. He twisted his arms, the flames dancing in circles. The line of fire split into two, spiraling around the man. The Shadow hid from the light, faces lit with excitement.

  Someone bumped into the Prince, giving a short apology before passing in front of me and standing at my side. “Great show, eh?”

  I kept my head down. “Excellent,” I said, inching closer to Demetri.

  Another lash of fire shot in front of me, the heat burning my skin with the wind of the flame. The hood ripped back from my head. The fire-spinner let his arms drop, the flames dulling to a mere crimson ember along the rope. Gasps ran through the crowd as the circle formed around me. A hundred pairs of eyes on me.

  14

  The crowd gawked at me. My face burned, both from the fire and the scrutiny. I started to tug my hood back up, but it was too late.

  “Get her!” Someone yelled.

  Demetri tried to block me from view, but the crowds outstretched arms reached for me, grabbing and pulling at whatever they could. Confusion and darkness, hair tugged, feet trampled.

  “Stop!” Demetri called out. “I am the Prince—”

  His voice was silenced, the crowd pushing a layer between us. I heard Gwen's scream in the distance. Grubby hands yanked at me, holding my arms with an iron grip. Stalkers reached out at me as I passed as though I were a trophy.

  They dragged me along the side of the river of fire, long black streaks running through it. After a maze of alleyways, they tugged me down a staircase to the pulse of a beat. The thudding music deafened my heartbeat as we passed through a door. Drums like a war coming. Harps and flutes hypnotizing under the beat, repetitive, like a trance.

  My feet tripped down the stairs, past a stone wall with barred windows. Flames lit the huge underground, beams ran overhead, and lattice grates gave a window to the orange smoke above. People with colorful hair hung in cages like birds, moving with the pulse of the music. Green and purple, blue and white hair changed colors with the flicker of flames.

  Unconcerned with the commotion below, the dancers continued to gyrate until the the music screeched to a stop.

  The fire lit every corner of the room, except for a sphere of a Shadow near the center. Shadow so thick that even the bright light of fire couldn't penetrate it. A dark figure moved from within, a human form, standing.

  My kidnappers tossed me in front of the Shadow, slumping to the ground like a sack of grain. Black bands wrapped around their limbs, just like Keiran's tattoos. I jumped to my feet, searching for a way through the thick circle of Stalkers around me before turning back.

  The Shadow parted as he stepped forward. A man with thick black hair, and stubble covering his chin. While everyone around him was scarred and dirty, his smooth complexion was ageless. Bones wrapped around his head like a crown, gold gluing it together. He wore wrinkled clothes: a black vest, and boots tucked into holey pants.

  The King of Thieves.

  Not very grand for a King.

  He met my eyes with the thought, a smile showing his blackened teeth. “A new piece for my collection.” He gestured to the cages above. His voice was hoarse, as though he'd been drinking all day, and his stagger confirmed it.

  Demetri, Zander, and Keiran pushed their way through the crowd. Two soldiers held Gwen in place behind me. Despite the situation, she waited with complete calm. It must be nice knowing the future.

  “A Red and a Seer?” said the King of Thieves. Two guards hustled me forward to him. “Lucky day.”

  “Let them go, Erro! As the Prince, I command you.” Demetri yelled. He had finally broken through the mob. He strode forward until a spear pressed into his neck. He put his hands up.

  Erro laughed, and the spear remained in place. “You have no power here, Prince. Upon our last encounter I showed you mercy, let you and your little friends leave. But that was before I knew that you stole something from me.”

  “I didn't steal anything from you—”

  “Are you sure? You didn't try to entice my daughter to escape with your broken promises of love? Did you plan to use her against me?” Erro passed me, his hand gliding over my chin, running through my hair. I shivered in disgust.

  “Your daughter?”

  The King of Thieves jerked his gaze to Demetri. “Do you pretend to be ignorant of it?” Before the Prince could give his answer, Erro called out. “Come on out, sweetheart.”

  The crowd began to move, parting to let someone through. The King of Thieves kept his narrowed eyes on Demetri, a snarl hiding behind his stoic expression. The Prince's eyes widened, shaking his head in disbelief. My eyes landed on her, the daughter of the King of Thieves.

  “Celeste?” Keiran said, trying to push through the guards toward her in disbelief. “You're the betrayer?” His eyes shot to me for a moment before fixating on her. “How could you?”

  Her eyes were lined with thick kohl, her lips scarlet. Spiked pauldrons covered her shoulders, and her sais glowed at either side of her hips. Leather straps held throwing knives on her thighs. She smiled, her eyes moving to Keiran, while her fingers glided over her many blades, almost seductively.

  When Celeste reached her father's side, he gave a proud smile. “Yes, Celeste warned me you may be trying to pass through my territory without permission.” Erro's eyes landed on me, grazing over my body. My skin crawled. As though his eyes could see through me, I felt vulnerable. Though no guards held me, I was captive.

  “Nothing to say now, Prince?” He spoke the title with a laugh.

  “Is this how you repay us?” Demetri locked his eyes on Celeste. “We got you away from this place, trained you. All while you were only lying to us all.” He shook his head. “Bitch.”

  She barely flinched at the insult, rolling her eyes. “I never needed your help. I've been trained since before the war.” In the blink of an eye, her hand moved, a flash of silver flying across the room. The knife hit with a thud, Demetri looked to a post behind him where it had landed. His hand rose to his jaw where the blade grazed him. His fingers glistened with blood.

  He turned to the King of Thieves. “What do you want?”

  “Only to know what is so important that our Prince graced Taroth with a visit.” He glanced at me. “Perhaps this Red has something to do with it.” He stepped toward me, raising his hand as though to touch me.

  “If you harm her, you will incite an army of Reds to come and kill us all,” Demetri threatened.

  The King of Thieves lowered his hand, meeting my eyes. “Perhaps...” A tingling sensation ran through me, like a feather inside my skull. “Or perhaps they think her dead. Aren't Reds supposed to kill themselves upon capture?” When no response came, he continued. “No. She's just a lost puppy, trying to find her way home.”

  Laughter rang out in the room. Celeste's angelic laugh blended unnaturally with the maniacal ones.

  “How did you come across such a rare commodity?” Erro asked.

  Demetri shook his head. The King of Thieves grabbed my arm, pulling me toward him. I screamed, pushing against him. He dragged me toward the Shadowy sphere. The chill of Shadow brushed against my skin as he sat on the throne and pulled me to his lap. I opened my mouth to scre
am and call out, but within the Shadow no sound came out. I could see through the dark cloud, but I knew those outside of it could not see me. My arms flung through the chilly air, trying to hit the King of Thieves, scratch his face, elbow him. A silent scream erupted from within.

  “So easy to control,” Erro said, his voice loud. “Not quite the fight you'd expect from a Red. Is that how you captured her, Demetri?” I couldn't hear an answer, but Erro continued after a pause. “Brings down the value a bit.” He lifted my hair to his nose, inhaling deeply. “But it is still priceless.”

  My ears rang from the silence of the Shadow. It was hard to breathe, the cold seeping down to my bones. The King of Thieves' grip relaxed and I jumped away from him, out of the Shadow and into the heat of Taroth. A guard grabbed me, holding me in place.

  Erro laughed from the throne, the sound stifled until he walked out. The entire crowd began to laugh with him. “You and your friends may leave.” He waved his hand carelessly toward the door, turning to return to his throne.

  “Let Elara go, and we'll leave,” Demetri said.

  The King of Thieves scoffed. “Named your pet, have you?” He shrugged, sitting on his throne and hiding within the Shadow. “The Red is the cost of passing through my city. Go before I change my mind, boy Prince.”

  Demetri glanced toward me. Those who had promised to protect me said nothing. Did nothing. Zander grabbed the Prince's arm, but he jerked out of the grip. And then he turned, walking toward the exit. Leaving me behind.

  15

  The Stalkers crept forward to get a better look. The King of Thieves laughed in his victory, eyes locked onto me. The crowd cheered at their leader. “This will give us unlimited power.”

  They must be hoping to use me in battle. But what was one runt versus the armies of Krev? “I won't fight for you,” I said. While I had meant to sound confident, desperation and defeat clung to my words.

  The King of Thieves turned to me, a wicked grin stretching across his face. “Do you not know the power of your element? We don't need you. Just your Blood.” He waved his hand and two hooded figures grabbed hold of me. “Ryder, take her to the dungeons, and then ensure that this information doesn't get out. We can't have all of Taroth knowing about this.”