Riftkeepers: Pursuit

by Carrie Whitethorne

  “Have you anything stronger?”

  Callan nodded, heading for the kitchen. Charlotte sat beside Markus and waited.

  “The moonstone pendent?” Markus asked at last, rubbing a finger along his temple.

  “She made me take it,” Charlotte shrugged. “Said she wouldn't be using it again.”

  He nodded. “Wear it always,” he said flatly. “And the ring.”

  “What do they mean?”

  “Not a clue, but they're significant if she saw them. The leather,” he paused and turned to her. “I'll have you armor made. Tunic and trousers, they'll be ready this evening.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured, uncomfortable under his gaze.

  “The shadows confirm the presence of Daeva. The blood? We can only hope that hasn't already been spilled.” He looked up as Callan returned with a glass of whisky for him, tea for Charlotte. “Thank you.”

  She placed the mug on the coffee table, offering Callan a small smile.

  “We'll have to wait and see how the rest work themselves out,” Charlotte said. “Thank you, Markus, for taking the time to come here.”

  With a large gulp, he swallowed the contents of his glass, flicking his steely gaze back to her. “Judging by the information the Seer has provided, it is us who should be thanking you, Charlotte.” He stood, handing his glass to Callan, “I must have the armor prepared. Please, collect it this evening.”

  With a brief nod, he left.

  “What's gotten him spooked?” she asked, staring blankly at the coffee table.

  “Nothing. He's under a lot of pressure.” He put the glass down and sat on the sofa.

  She picked up her mug and sank back, leaning closer to him. “Feels like I'm missing something. I can't explain it,” she said, shaking her head. “Has there been any news?”

  “None. I was going to go out again shortly,” he said, sadly.

  “I'll come with you, if we leave now we'll get a few hours then go to Houska before we come back for Enya.”

  “No,” he snapped. “I want you to stay here. With Rona's warning I want you here, safe. I won't lose you too.”

  “What warning?” She glared at him, steely determination in her eyes, “We haven't found him yet and I'll have the armor later today. I'm fine, Callan, and I want to be out looking with the rest of you. I won't hide here.”

  “Charlotte, please,” he said in a warning tone.

  “I won't, Callan. I'll get my jacket and we'll go now.” She left the sofa and reached through the bedroom door, grabbing her jacket and said, “Anyway it isn't as though there's a lack of people…”

  When she turned around the lounge was empty. “Callan?” she called, but he wasn't there to hear her.

  Shrieking in fury, she stormed back to the bedroom and flung herself onto the bed.

  Who the hell does he think he is? MY son is missing, I should be looking! Not sitting locked up in his ivory sodding tower!

  Why did I leave the bloody room? Stupid!

  Tears of rage streamed as she silently berated herself.

  “Lottie?”

  “What time is it? Where's Callan?” She rubbed her eyes.

  “Looking. Hiding. I don't know. I've come to take you to Houska for your armor. He'll be here for Enya, I'll bring you home.” Dane sat on the edge of the bed and flicked her hair from her face with a finger. “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks. I feel worse. Anything?” she grumbled, dragging herself up.

  Dane shook his head. “I'm sorry. I hoped…”

  She didn't respond to his lack of information, but yawned and said, “I just had the most mental dream. I was looking for Zander, but I wasn't myself. I had wings. I could cover massive distances. With every flap of my wings I covered miles and miles. I could feel it all. The moon, the stars, the wind in my face.”

  Just a dream. I'll never cover distances like that to find him. I'm not a wyvern.

  “I'll clean my teeth,” she mumbled, padding into the bathroom.

  You thick…

  Spinning on her heel, she rushed to the bed. “Dane, we have to go now.”

  “Okay, calm down. What?”

  “Rona! It isn't armor, it's the Wyverns!” she exclaimed.

  “What?” Dane stared at her, a confused expression on his face.

  Clicking her tongue, she pushed the images into his mind, the wyvern flying through the night sky, of the flashes Rona, had showed her.

  Caught off guard, blinked at her. Quickly regaining his composure, he grinned, “You're a genius. Why didn't we work that out?” He grabbed her arm and yanked her away.

  Chapter 28

  “Vlasta? You want to take her to Scotland?” Markus' expression was one of surprise and disbelief.

  “She's the only one of them he spent time with. The Seer showed her, Father. You've seen it yourself. Please. We have to find him, she's the best chance,” Dane begged.

  Markus looked to Charlotte, his lips pursed, then back to Dane, his eyes hard and unyielding. “You ride her, Dane. No-one else. Not even Lukas. Should any harm come to her, you will be held personally responsible.”

  Dane bowed and turned to leave.

  “Wait,” Markus said, quietly, looking at Charlotte. “Take every precaution. I expect to see you again soon. Your items are in the armory, ready for collection.”

  He's worried about me.

  “Thank you, Markus. We'll see you soon,” she said with a watery smile.

  He waved them out of his study.

  As the door closed, Dane blew out a long breath. “Thought he was going to say no then. Let's get your gear and I'll take you home. I'll come back for Vlasta.”

  “You're sure she'll find him?” she asked, uncertain.

  “I'm sure. Rona wouldn't have let you see that particular vision if there wasn't a high possibility.” He took her hand and took her to the armory.

  “Dane, your father said to expect you. Your items, Princess.” The guard bowed as he handed her a neatly folded stack of leather items.

  “Thank you, I need Vlasta prepared for flight in thirty minutes. I'll return shortly,” Dane said, turning back to Charlotte. “Let's go.”

  Sitting her on the sofa, Dane ran a hand through his hair and crouched in front of her. “Try those on. Eat. Rest. She can do it in two hours, avoiding major towns and cities. So, we'll be in the country from eight. Give or take. If she finds him, we'll need to be prepared. Have your gear ready. I'm going to speak to Ally then straight back to Houska. Will you be okay until Callan comes back?”

  Blinking, she nodded and said, “Be careful.”

  Flashing a brilliant smile, he reached for her, “Don't worry about me.”

  She wrapped her arms around him, breathing him in. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “I have to go, Lottie. I'll let you know as soon as there's any news.” He pulled away, kissed her gently, and left.

  She hadn't felt so alone in months.

  Come home, Callan. I need you here.

  Picking up the leather armor, she opened out the tunic and studied it. The velvet soft texture of the mauve skin felt wonderful on her fingertips. She brushed it gently for a few seconds then turned it round. Fitted with clasps, the tunic fastened right up to the neck. There were no pockets or decoration, only the dull mauve colour of the leather. Not a single stitch was visible. This set wasn't studded with silver like the ones Markus had sent for Enya and Zander, but it felt thicker, more substantial.

  Taking the trousers, she went into the bedroom to try them on. She expected a bit of a struggle, from what she'd heard of leather pants, and wondered if there was any talc in the bathroom. They, too, were plain, unadorned and fastened with a concealed zip. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she slid them on. They were surprisingly comfortable. Moving around the room she found them supple and warm. She tried the tunic and looked in the mirror. The only parts of her not covered were her hands, feet and head. Not usually one for figure hugging clothes, she liked the fit of them.r />
  At least I can move in these. Hopefully they'll offer some protection.

  Changing into pyjamas, she folded the leathers carefully and set them on the bed with her dagger and headed for the kitchen. Caoimhe had left a bowl of soup in there from the night before so she took it and ate it cold on the sofa. She picked up her phone. 6.55 pm. Callan would be due back soon, if he wasn't already picking Enya up.

  Keep a lid on it until Enya's asleep. Hopefully, this is nearly over.

  Huddled on the sofa, she waited until she felt Enya. The door opened and Enya walked slowly inside. Callan closed the door behind her and went straight into the kitchen.

  “Hello, baby. What did you do at Nanna's? “she smiled, pulling Enya onto her knee.

  “Nothing. Watched a film,” she shrugged. “Grandad brought me some cake. Daddy brought it here, I didn't want it. Have you found Zander?”

  “No, but, Dane's flying Vlasta over now to look for him. She's good at finding people.”

  Callan strode from the kitchen. “Vlasta?”

  “Yep. Worked it out. The leather, the night sky, that odd beating sound. It was her. They should be in the country around eight,” she said curtly.

  His brows rose and he gave her a small smile.

  “Can I see her?” Enya asked, hopefully.

  “She's really busy, sweetheart. We'll visit her and take a treat to thank her when Zander is home, okay?”

  Enya nodded enthusiastically, and asked, “Can I have my cake now. Please Daddy?”

  Relieved, he said, “Of course, would you like ice cream with it?”

  “Yes please!”

  As she tucked into her cake, Charlotte stepped into the kitchen and flicked on the kettle. Callan stood awkwardly by the door, “Charlotte I'm sorry…”

  “Not now,” she inclined her head in the direction of the lounge and made the drinks in silence.

  Handing him a mug of coffee, she walked straight past and sat with Enya on the sofa.

  They spent the next hour with Enya, eventually persuading her to go to bed. “If Vlasta finds him, we'll wake you, okay?” she lied.

  If she finds him, I want you to sleep through it all and us come home to you in one piece.

  Enya nodded and was quickly asleep. Charlotte kissed her head and sat for a few minutes, watching her sleep, listening to her steady breathing.

  This is draining her. I hate to think what's going on in there.

  Callan's waiting. Better go and sort this out.

  She found Callan in the bedroom, examining armor she hadn't seen before. It wasn't like hers. This was a shiny, hard leather. A two tone, red and black in colour, the vest had a silver trim along the shoulder and silver clasps down the front, it was beautiful. He was checking the clasps as the door closed with a click. “I am sorry.” He murmured, laying the tunic out on the bed beside him.

  “You don't choose for me, Callan. You never have, why now?” She leaned on the door, fighting to keep her tone even.

  “Because I can't lose you.” There was a sadness to his tone that made her throat tighten.

  She let out a small sigh and said softly, “I'm not going anywhere. I can defend myself now and I trust you to keep me safe. I can't sit around waiting any more than you can.”

  She crossed the room and stood in front of him, running her fingers through his hair. “We can't be at odds with all this going on, Callan. I need you.”

  He took her by the hips and pulled her closer, resting his head against her body. “I don't know what to do for the best. I made a mistake.”

  Kissing his head, she said, “Yeah, well, it worked out okay. I was pissed off and fell asleep. I dreamed of Vlasta, flying, and it clicked. Markus was reluctant but he came around when Dane begged. They should be in the country now. I've no idea how she's going to find him but Rona saw enough to let me work that much out.”

  “She'll find him,” Callan said confidently, looking up at her face.

  She sighed. “I don't know how much longer I can keep it together, Callan. I feel so hopeless. Empty. Like there's a part of me missing.”

  “You're the strongest person I've ever known,” he said, pulling her down onto the bed. “I've known a few.”

  She smiled, huffing a small laugh, “Just a few?”

  They lay together for a while, Callan stroking her hair, Charlotte studying his face.

  “I miss you,” she murmured, lacing her fingers through his.

  He leaned in and kissed her, pressing her hand back above her head. “I miss you,” he said against her lips.

  They took their time, slowly and gently reconnecting after what had felt like a long absence, eventually falling asleep.

  Lottie, wake up.

  She nudged Callan with her elbow and rolled out of bed. “Callan…”

  What's wrong? What time is it?

  It's one thirty. We've found them.

  “I'm getting dressed now,” she called. “Callan!”

  His eyes flew open and he was out of the door in seconds. She heard a rapid, murmured conversation outside the bedroom door.

  Quickly pulling on her leather pants, a vest and her tunic, she laced her boots and sped to the bathroom to pull her hair into a braid. After rubbing the toothbrush around her mouth briefly, she made her way to the lounge.

  Callan gave her a tight-lipped smile, nodded and went to dress. Dane was perched on the edge of the sofa, waiting for her.

  Not giving her chance to ask, he said, “Glencoe. There's no wonder we didn't find them, they're in a cave. Fuck knows how they got up there, it's a hell of a hike. Dagda and everyone is gathering at the house now to plan it out. I'll get Ally to come and stay with Enya.”

  Thank you.

  “Is he alive?”

  “As far as I can tell.”

  “Where's Vlasta? Is she safe?”

  “On Holy Isle, for now.”

  She let out a tight breath.

  She felt Callan's hand on her shoulder and turned to say something. What, she had no idea, the words evaporated from her tongue as she took him in.

  His armor was like a second skin, the subtle red and black tones of the leather shifting in the light as he moved. He had daggers strapped to each thigh. Her gaze travelled up, past his hips, up the clasps of the vest. The shoulders jutted just past his own, silver trim glinting. Behind, she could see the hilt of his sword over one shoulder. He reached up, pulling his hair from his face and secured it with a band. The movement set the muscles of his arms rippling, drawing her attention to his tattoo. The black, twisting band etched into his skin, the symbols offering some sort of protection.

  That's my husband. My fairy warrior.

  He appraised her in return, a smile twitching the corner of his lips.

  “Alright, put your tongues back in,” Dane smirked. “I'll go and get Ally.”

  “Wow,” she breathed when Dane had left.

  “Wow yourself,” he murmured against her lips. “You forgot your dagger.”

  With one hand, he clipped it to a loop on the waist of her trousers. “Are you ready? This won't be pleasant. It will get violent.”

  She bristled. “Yeah, I can handle it. I owe that prick a hiding.”

  He grinned as Alayna arrived. Her jaw was clenched as her eyes searched Callan's. “What do I tell her?” she asked, her voice uneven.

  “That we're close to finding him and had to go out looking with Vlasta. She'll be okay. Thank you.” He kissed her forehead and turned to Charlotte. “Dagda's waiting.”

  “Be careful.” Alayna whispered as Callan took Charlotte by the waist and took them home to Arran.

  “Where's Carlie?” Callan asked as he surveyed the room.

  “She didn't check in,” Dagda said, clearly worried. “I've sent a team after her now.”

  Charlotte looked around them. None sat, they all looked tense. Dagda was dressed in armor like Callan's, only his was green. He had more weapons strapped to his body than she cared to count. His longsword hung from a belt
at his waist.

  “Dagda, where's Ferne?”

  “Asleep, upstairs. She won't wake.” He rubbed the back of his head, avoiding eye contact.

  “How do you know that? If she comes down and sees us all looking like this, she'll flip!”

  “Because she drank a tincture before she went to bed,” he shrugged.

  Prick!

  “You drugged her? Dagda!” she gasped.

  He clenched his jaw and said, “No, I gave her an herbal remedy to help her sleep. She doesn't need to spend the night worrying about us.”

  “Fair enough,” she accepted with a shrug.

  Dane, Lukas and Anton wore armor identical to her own, only studded and trimmed with silver. Klara wore a tight, leather body suit, no studs, no clasps but a long, three-pronged knife fastened at either hip. Her gaze lingered on them for a few seconds.

  “Sai,” Klara said, noticing her focused attention. Charlotte nodded, none the wiser.

  Konrad wore brown leather pants, long knives strapped to his thighs, and a strange leather brace that served no protective purpose she could see, apart from the silver studs spaced evenly along it displayed his heavily muscled upper body. Buckled around his waist, it crossed over his exposed torso, sat over his shoulders and crossed down his back. Between each pair of studs was a loop that held a small, silver knife.

  “Carlie always checks in,” Callan growled, ignoring the tension between Charlotte and Dagda.

  Dagda looked away from his brother and closed his eyes briefly. Pushing his concern aside, he began planning. “We work in pairs. Lukas, you cover Charlotte. Callan, you're with me. Don't look like that, Cal,” he warned. “You're compromised watching her back. Lukas has her.”

  “He's right, Callan,” Charlotte said quietly. He gave Dagda a curt nod.

  “Anton with Konrad, Dane with Klara. I want Vlasta nearby.”

  When no-one objected, he went on, “We take out the Daeva first. Charlotte, if he attacks, deal with him. Lukas, you stick with her, don't turn your back for a second. Once we have him, we split and find Zander.”

  Dane said, “When we get in, try and speak to Zander, Lottie. Let him know we're coming for him and to protect himself. If he can take out the wards it gives us freedom to move. There are probably a few Daeva watching Zander but they're easily dealt with when we get to him.”