by Devri Walls
She ran right into the same type of sheet-like magic barrier that had protected the talisman and its secrets back in Meros. It seized her, freezing her in her tracks. Nestor’s security system ensured that no one but the Solus would gain access to the talisman. And now, it ensured that no one but those with threads of good would enter the city.
No, she thought as the magic began to search. I don’t have time for this—please, you have to let me go.
But the magic held her in place, checking her thread, searching her mind, before finally releasing her. Several of the Taveans were back on their feet and running toward her. She sent out another burst of magic, throwing them backwards before she shoved the talisman against a notch in the wall, yelling the incantation that would reseal the door. This was the only entrance that needed to be sealed with the talisman, being the only one that opened from the outside.
As the entrance became solid again, she ran down the long tunnel that stretched before her, pushing her legs to go faster, trying to ignore the searing pain along the side of her face and body. She flew past door after door without stopping to look at what they were before crossing a large opening in the center of the city and bounding through another tunnel. It was huge—mammoth! Crossing Nestor’s underground city under these circumstances, with anxiety and worry rubbing her nerves raw with every step, felt like it was taking an eternity.
A dragon roar rumbled somewhere in front of her. She was too late—their enemies had already found them. Flashes of light reflected down the walls from the magical battle that had just commenced outside. But then the beautiful sound of feet pounding through the tunnels reached her. Woman and children were soon rushing and flying past her.
They were getting in, but not fast enough. Raining down from the entrance was the same pink, green, and blue magic she had already experienced. It popped and snapped, stopping everyone who came through, searching their minds and threads before admitting them. She hadn’t realized what danger this particular security measure would put them in.
Pushing her way through the magic, she burst out to see Alcander and Lomay firing shots as fast as they could, trying to protect the group. Emane stood nearest the entrance, sword drawn and shield in hand, blocking any shots that came near him—sending them spinning back the direction they had come. Drustan must have met up with Emane because his arm was healed and he was battling in the air as a dragon. The fight up there was far from fair. She feared for his survival.
Knowing dragons had excellent hearing, she shouted over the battle, “Drustan! Ground, now!” He twisted around, giving a wink as he passed to let her know he heard her before using his very limited bubbling abilities to vanish.
A blue shot of magic approached Alcander’s blind side. She yelled out a warning. A Tavean woman threw a shield for Alcander.
“Kiora!” Emane yelled, reaching for her. “Let me heal you.”
“No, in a minute.” The truth was, she couldn’t feel the burn anymore. That was probably bad. She ran to the end of the group, throwing a shield that arched over everyone. The scale was enormous and magic was pouring out of her. She immediately realized she had overestimated her abilities.
Lomay turned. “Alcander, help her. She won’t be able to hold that for long.” Lomay and Alcander both added their magic to the shield, reinforcing it. Attack magic and dragon fire poured around it as Emane helped terrified women and children through the door.
Drustan dropped his bubble. Kiora breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of him—she wasn’t sure if he had made it down before she had thrown the shield. They had everyone—now they just needed to get them all inside.
As the line shortened, Kiora stepped back, diminishing the size of the shield to reserve as much magic as she could. When they got close to the entrance, she yelled back to Lomay. “I need everyone through—let me have it.”
“Do you have enough left?”
“If not, I have the talisman. Go!”
Finally it was just Kiora and the army in front of her. The next round of magic broke through her shield in several places. It slammed into the ground and threw her off her feet. Scrambling backwards, she fell through the entrance, suspended in the barrier. Alcander was through already and tugged at her arms, trying to force the magic to release her, but she wasn’t going anywhere until it was through with her. As soon as it released its hold on her, Alcander jerked inside the tunnel, the two of them crashing into the ground.
“Seal it! Seal it!” Drustan yelled as the army ran toward them.
Before she could get up, two soldiers made it through—a Tavean and a Shifter who was seven feet tall. They hit the barrier at the exact same moment. It froze them in place, the brightly colored magic sliding over them, searching for their true intent. In an instant, the magic flared red. Each of them issued a silent scream, the magic pouring in their mouths and eyes, tearing skin from bone. They just—melted. They vanished entirely.
The forces behind them hesitated. Kiora took advantage of that hesitation, running toward the door and using her magic to slide the rock back into place. When it was sealed, she collapsed against the side of the wall.
With the threat neutralized for the moment, the full force of her injuries returned. Her eyes fluttered as her vision began to blacken.
Emane caught her, hurriedly healing her arm, face, and back. “Better?” he asked. His eyes raked over her, looking for any injuries he might have missed.
She nodded, blinking. Her head was still woozy. She tried to stand, but stumbled back into the wall.
“Easy,” Lomay said. “You have used far more magic than is advisable in such a short period.”
Alcander pulled her arm over his shoulder, slipping his arm around her waist.
Emane tensed before turning his back. He checked on Drustan. “How’s your arm?”
“Perfect.”
“Did we get everyone?” Kiora asked as Alcander led her down the hall. “Did anyone get hurt?”
“Everyone is fine,” Lomay said.
“I didn’t realize how close the entrances were to one another. I wasn’t thinking about having to uncover the talisman.” She leaned into Alcander’s side. “I would never forgive myself if the women and children had been killed because of me.”
Lomay hesitated in his steps before resuming his hobble. “Forgiving one’s self is always advisable.” He waved his cane at her. “You would do well to remember that. You would all do good to remember that.” He gave Alcander a pointed look.
Kiora looked around as they made their way down one of the ten tunnels coming off from the center. The halls were lined with doors on both sides in equally spaced increments, stretching the entire length. Kiora estimated there were a hundred doors in each one. No wonder it took so long to get to the other side.
Emane pushed one of the doors open. Inside was a small and simply furnished room—a bed in the center, a dresser, and a desk. He opened the next room, which was identical. “Nestor certainly prepared, didn’t he?”
“Amazing,” Lomay said, smiling in approval.
As they exited the hall, they came to the center of the city. It was awash in an eerie blue light. The women and children gathered just outside the tunnel, their necks craned upwards. The sweet red-haired winged boy Kiora had been so enamored with was fluttering a few inches off the ground to see over those in front of him.
Kiora followed their gaze to the most magnificent thing she had ever seen, and that was saying something. A chandelier the size of three houses hung, unlit, from a magical barrier. The barrier was clear, allowing them to see into the lake they were hiding beneath. Sunlight from above filtered through the watery ceiling, basking the room in an underwater glow. Fish swam lazily above them, completely unaware of their presence. Smiling, Kiora reached to light the chandelier before Lomay laid his hand on her arm.
“Perhaps you should replenish what you have lost. Allow me.” Fire exploded from hundreds of candleholders that comprised the chandler, illuminating the cit
y with light and allowing the true scope of Nestor’s preparations to emerge from the shadows. A large home, much like Lomay’s, occupied the center. Surrounding that were huge courtyards that could handle large groups. Rows of stalls ran down one side, ready for a market or food distribution. The other side was lined with doors. Kiora already knew what lay behind them—training rooms. Short stairways, comprised of four stairs each, ran from the sunken center of the city up to each tunnel entrance.
Feeling the magic returning to her, Kiora put her weight back on her own legs. They were safe, and they were home. Smiling, she turned to the women to find their eyes all focused on her. She expected to see some amount of reprimand—after all, it was her plan that had nearly gotten them killed. But instead, they looked grateful and relieved.
Perina was in the front, smiling at her. The Omelian rushed forward, wrapping Kiora up in her arms and accidentally stepping on her toe with her large ostrich feet. “I was worried I would never see you again.”
Kiora smiled, hugging her back. “Don’t worry about me.”
Perina pulled away, scoffing. “You have been spending too much time with Alcander. I can worry if I like.” Holding Kiora at arms’ length, she looked her up and down. “You need some new clothes. I wonder if there are looms around here anywhere.” Perina had made her the most beautiful blue top back at the old camp, and she was one of the few people who harassed Alcander. Kiora had liked her immediately.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. But if we don’t find any, let me know and we can summon one.” Kiora looked out over the rest of the group. “Please find a room and get settled. This is your home for now. It is completely protected—the Shadow cannot get in, nor can its forces. Nestor left this for you to keep you safe.”
There were many sighs and smiles as the women nodded, murmuring their thanks as they took their children to find rooms. Her favorite little winged boy pulled free from his mother’s hand to run over, squeezing her tightly around the waist. She slid her hand over his hair before he ran back to his mother.
“Wait!” she called out. “I don’t know your name.”
The boy looked up to his mother for permission. When she nodded, he said, “Ky.”
“Nice to meet you, Ky. I hope you enjoy your new home.” Her heart swelled as the boy whooped, pulling his mother away to find their room.
Seeing them safe brought her so much joy.
“I think it’s time for you to find your room as well, Solus,” Alcander murmured in her ear. “I am surprised you are still standing.”
“I can’t go to sleep. We have to get the Wings.”
Emane evaluated her. “Your eyes are half closed just standing there. You need to rest.”
“Listen to those who care about you,” Lomay said. “You will need your strength.”
The main house in the center of the city was grand. The ground floor was made of libraries, map rooms, meeting rooms, and a large kitchen and dining room—all made to house a big crowd. The table alone could sit sixty. Off the back of the house were two more large kitchens to deal with the needs of the city. Upstairs were more rooms which were much more richly furnished than the rooms in the tunnels.
When they reached her room, she opened her mouth again to protest, but Alcander stopped her. “We will leave as soon as we can. But you need your rest, and a full supply of magic.” He gave a formal bow at the waist and left.
Kiora scowled. The last thing she remembered before falling asleep was that she didn’t like being told what to do.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Good-byes
KIORA AWOKE TO EMANE’S thread on the balcony outside her room. Pushing the door open, she saw him sitting on a chair, his feet propped on the rail, staring at the water above them.
“This has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” he said. “Even better than Drustan’s waterfall.”
“It is amazing,” she agreed.
“How do you feel?”
“Much better, thanks.”
Emane stood to face her. “You can’t leave me behind anymore,” he said. “I could have helped both you and Drustan out there today.”
“I don’t know how we would have gotten you through the village.”
“Kiora.” His tone was firm as she met his determined stare. “No more leaving me behind. I am your Protector. I don’t know why we have this conversation over and over again. Yes, I have weaknesses—ones I wish I didn’t have. But I also have strengths that you need. I am here for a reason, not to be shoved off when it is inconvenient.”
“I did not shove you off! I was trying to—”
“Protect me, I know. But that is my job, not yours.” Stepping closer, he looked down at her with such regret. “I want you to know something.” Swallowing, he ran a finger down her cheek. “I am all right.”
She looked at him with confusion, struggling against her magic.
“I was hurt, but I understand your choice. I understand Alcander.” He rolled his eyes. “And damn it if I am not starting to actually like him.” He gave her a loving smile as tears sprang to her eyes. “Although, you do have a problem being attracted to men who act like complete horses asses’”
“Only on the outside,” she whispered.
His smile turned serious again. “I couldn’t say good-bye at Lomay’s. I wasn’t ready. But I understand some things now that I didn’t before and…I think I can say good-bye now.
“I will always love you, Kiora. And I will still protect you because I want to. But I need to do something before I bow out.” He stepped in closer, sliding his hand under her chin, tilting it up. “I wish things were different. And I wish that this could have been everything I wanted, but that is not your path.” She felt him jerk as a little magic slipped. She tried to step away but he grabbed her waist, pulling her against him. “One more minute,” he whispered. “Just hold on for one more minute.”
She bit her lip, her heart thudding wildly in her chest.
“I am not saying it will be easy to watch you from a distance, but I will try. I will always be there for you…always.”
“You shouldn’t have to be.”
“I choose to be, and you can’t take that away from me because you want to save me or protect me.” He moved in hesitantly, allowing her time to prepare before he gently placed his lips over hers. The kiss was short, but laced with a heart-wrenching good-bye.
Releasing her, he stepped back, casually flipping his hair out of his face. Kiora turned away. I don’t deserve either of you, she thought.
Emane walked around her, taking a deep breath and pushing out a smile. “We are meeting downstairs when you are ready. And I mean it, Kiora. If you try to leave me here, I’ll…Just don’t, all right?”
“All right,” Kiora said, and meant it.
“Thank you.” Rocking back on his heels, he grinned at her. “Your hair is a bit of a mess.”
Her hands flew up to her hair. It was a rat’s nest. “Thanks,” she said, smoothing it out.
“See you downstairs.” He laughed as he strolled out the door.
She could not think about his good-bye—would not. It was just too painful. Plopping on the bed, she summoned the book of Creators. Her dreams had been vision free but her mind had refused to quiet, working most of the night on the current problem. How was she was going to get the Lights?
There was the possibility that Jasmine would be able to stop the Wings from working once Kiora activated them. Kiora couldn’t allow her to erase them. The Wings of Nestor were the only record left of where Jasmine hid the Lights.
She scanned page after page. A lump formed in her throat as she read a killing spell. The spell itself was easy enough, but just like what she had done to the dragon wing earlier, it depended on aim—which made it difficult in battle. The pictures were graphic and she hurried onward.
“There,” she whispered. A blocking spell. It would keep a person or an item from sending or receiving magic. If the magic couldn’t flow, good or evil
, she should be able to protect the Wings. Hypothetically.
Smiling, she hopped out of bed, book under her arm, and was nearly out the door before she realized she was still in her nightdress and had done nothing about her hair.
A few minutes later, she found the group downstairs, spread out around the main entryway. Emane was lounging in a chair, Alcander stood stiffly against the wall, Drustan was staring out the window—his neck craned up to get a view of the lake overhead—and Lomay stared at her with his usual intense gaze, as if he were unraveling some great internal puzzle.
“How are you feeling?” Lomay asked.
“Better, thank you.”
Lomay leaned forward on his walking stick. “That was very foolish, Kiora, throwing a shield like that.”
“I…” She frowned. She knew she had overestimated herself, but what other choice did she have? “What was wrong with it?”
“A shield that size took an immense amount of magic. And although useful in a situation where the time is defined—a time in which you are certain you can hold it—using it in a situation where you are uncertain of the length you will be required to maintain that level of magic could be suicide. What would have happened had you drained yourself and the shield failed? Always use the least amount of magic possible to achieve your goal—you never know what the next second will bring.”
It was good advice, and Kiora accepted her scolding. “I understand.”
“What next, Solus?” Drustan asked.
“We go to the Wings.” She held up the book. “I think I know how to keep Jasmine from erasing the Wings once they start showing us where the Lights are.” Opening the book, she handed it to Lomay.
Lomay nodded, rubbing his chin. “I have never tried it on this scale or against the size of magical attack that will be coming our way, but it should work. Although, any falter in your focus and the spell will fail—Jasmine will only need a second to slip in.”
“Kiora held our disguises through the village,” Alcander said. “She will be fine.”
