by S. D. Grimm
Serena turned to the voice behind her and had to look up. His serious face sprouted a smirk, and she realized she’d been staring. First at the way his tunic stretched over his chest. Then at his incredible gray eyes. Regaining any dignity at this point might be useless, but she tried. “I have it handled, thank you . . .”
“Ryan.” His smile was charming, and he bent to take her hand. She let him, and he kissed the back without tearing his eyes from hers. Heat crept up her neck. Was she seriously blushing? When was the last time she’d blushed? Well, to be fair, when was the last time she’d seen anyone so handsome, let alone coming to her rescue? At least the mask hid her cheeks. But it was certainly getting warm.
“Swallow.” She introduced herself.
“I seem to have scared your last suitor off. Can I buy you a drink, Swallow?”
This question came up often. Every time she entered a tavern. But for the first time, she wanted to say yes. “Please.”
His smirk returned and so did the heat in her face. He led her to the bar and ordered a drink for each of them.
She turned on her stool and faced the crowded room. The music was louder this close to the musicians, so she couldn’t hear the patrons’ conversations, but she could read a few lips. So many conversations going on at once. Fascinating.
“Do you visit taverns often?” He held a full cup in front of her, and she realized her mind had wandered.
“Thank you.” As she took the drink, her fingers grazed his.
His smile deepened, showing his teeth.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
Lie. But she knew that already. He must be laughing at her. She looked down, her face warm for a different reason. The ways of the world made her so naïve. She just wanted to fit in here, but maybe she never would. She shyly met his gaze again. “Something made you laugh.”
“Yes. I just figured out you didn’t want a drink so that you could talk to me. You must have just been thirsty. Clearly someone else has your attention.”
“Oh. No. I just . . .” His earlier question finally registered. She angled her body so she faced him instead. “I don’t get to come to taverns often. This whole place is fascinating. But so are you.”
His eyebrows rose, hiding further beneath bangs that seemed both perfectly placed and carefree at the same time. “I’m fascinating?”
“Now that’s funny.” A different voice—distinctly female—joined the conversation, and Serena looked around Ryan to see a redhead ordering a drink. She looked at Serena. “If my brother has you believing he’s fascinating, he’s probably telling you lies.”
“Only one.” Serena smiled.
“Ah, well. I tried to save you from a huge mistake—letting him dance with you.”
“Dance?” Serena looked out at the dance floor.
Ryan set down his drink. “Do you want to dance?”
“I’m not very good at dancing.”
“I’m an excellent teacher.” He held out his hand.
She bit her lip and stared at it. What would the Circle say if they found out? Then again, how would they? She set down her drink and hopped off the stool. “All right.”
“Two things first.”
“Two?” Her hand stopped, hovering above his, and she looked up into those gray eyes.
“First, I need your real name.”
Her heart beat faster. If the sisters of the Circle came to town and found out she’d been frequenting here—
“And no mask. I have to be able to read your face.”
A talent? Her pulse galloped.
“Unless you’re not willing.” A crease formed between his eyebrows. “I assure you, I mean no ill will.”
The truth of his comment registered so plainly in her heart that she felt silly for even doubting. Why did Healers have such a hard time trusting men? Maybe they just hadn’t run into any of the right kind.
Could she be Serena here, instead of Swallow?
She stared into those eyes and reached with her talent to see the purity of his heart.
Unbidden, it beat beneath a surface of charm and good humor—his heart was wary, untrusting, unsure. Like hers. He certainly put on a good show. But his heart was so pure. Except one small sliver. A taint. Like one bitten by a black lion. How had he survived?
And how had he fought to keep the taint so tightly locked up? Only someone so pure of heart could do that.
She unlaced the mask.
“Serena.” She laid the mask on the bar and took his hand. “I’m Swallow when I’m fighting.”
His smile didn’t ooze the self-confidence and charm she’d gotten used to from him. This smile was pure, innocent, and it accentuated the sparkle in his eyes. “Thank you for trusting me enough.”
Her heart thrummed as if it were a lute he’d just strummed, and she froze as he tugged her onto the dance floor. His eyes rounded as if to ask if she was okay, but she smiled and joined his steps, letting him lead her in the dance.
“Just finding everything fascinating?” He smirked.
She looked deep into his eyes. “Absolutely.”
Dancing with Ryan seemed to last one eternal, warm, delightful moment. And yet it ended so soon. As the candles bore longer drips of wax than wicks, she realized how late it was getting.
“Serena?” Dash’s voice filled her mind. “We really should be heading back.”
She gripped Ryan’s hand, trying to memorize the feel of it. Strong, calloused, warm, rough. “I should go.”
“Was it something I said?” His lazy smile made her feel all the more warm inside.
“Of course not. I just need to get home.”
He walked her back to the bar and handed her the mask. “Do you live near? I can walk you.”
“Oh. No. Thank you.” She caught the look on his perplexed face and didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “Do you come here often?”
“I just came here this evening to see the sword fights.” His eyes brightened. “But I do visit the Winking Fox every night. It’s in Balta. They have great dancing.”
She smiled. “Perhaps I’ll see you again. Next time I’m in the area.”
“Bring your sword, Swallow.”
Of course. “You’re the Knight?”
His eyes popped open wide for a moment before that smirk formed again. “You’ve heard of me?”
She laughed.
“Oh.” His eyebrows pinched together. “Not good things. I hope that won’t deter you.”
“What I’ve heard doesn’t matter. I’ve met you. That’s all I care about.”
Now the real smile broke through that tough outer shell. And her heart did something she’d never felt, ever. That’s when she knew she’d have to see this Ryan again. The sooner the better.
Chapter 36
Yellow Moon
As they hiked higher up the mountain, Ethan scanned the area.
On one side treetops swayed just below the ledge. On the other side a craggy rock wall rose to the sky. Plenty of boulders littered the ground—perfect for hiding behind—and hundreds of crevices in the rock wall offered shelter. The rock formations made it difficult to see what was up ahead, though.
Logan handed them rations as they walked. There’d be no fire when they reached camp tonight. It was getting dark. And fast.
Hopefully they could make it as far as the Valley of the Hidden Ones tonight. After all, the black lions were near here. Not a creature Ethan ever wanted to meet again. Healers seemed safer to stay with than black lions.
“Westwind says camp isn’t far.”
Too late. A burn shot through Ethan’s heart.
Darkness blanketed them as if a thick cloud covered the moon.
A soft purr vibrated through the blackness. Another echoed it. Ethan looked up as four yellow-beacon eyes dove toward them.
“Get down.” He pushed Jayden to the ground and lay on top of her as the winged beasts swooped past, wind eddying around them, leaving the sce
nt of lavender in their wake.
Jayden gasped. “A black lion.”
He rolled to his feet. “Two.”
Logan raced over to them, scanning the dark expanse above them. He held his sword in one hand and a wooden stake in the other. Ethan recalled that weapon from their first encounter with a black lion.
Both lions landed.
A pair of eyes locked on Ethan. Scout rushed to his side. A low growl rumbled the ground. These lions made the last one they’d fought look like a juvenile.
Ethan gripped his sword and pulled out a knife. Shadows seemed to trick his eyes. The lion’s shoulder twitched. He braced himself as it lunged.
Scout darted around the beast and grabbed its wing in his jaws. Good. Scout had remembered how they’d kept the last one down. Ethan prepared to swing his sword. The lion stopped advancing. It snarled at Scout and snapped its wing. Scout flew into the air and slammed into the rock wall with one yelp. Limp, he fell to the ground.
Ethan’s chest squeezed. He stared at his dog, waiting to see his side rise with a breath. Waiting for some movement. Come on, Scout. Nothing. His eyes burned, but he pushed the emotions away.
A tingle of heat spread across Ethan’s chest, and he moved just in time to deflect the lion’s paw with his sword. It snarled and lunged for him.
Ethan slashed. It whirled out of the way. He lunged forward again, rocks crunching beneath his boots. Airborne, it backed away. Dust billowed toward Ethan. He drove through the cloud. Heat throbbed in his chest. Revenge for Scout.
Every muscle tensed. Ethan gripped his sword tighter. This beast would die today. “Don’t like it when your prey fights back?”
The purr descended all around him.
The big cat crept closer along its belly like a snake.
“Look out!” Logan darted next to him, Jayden right behind. She motioned up. The other black lion hovered above them. Ethan stood ready. The aerial creature dove at the same moment the land snake snapped.
Ethan charged toward the lion on the ground. Westwind joined him—good, the wolves had made it. Ethan raised his sword and the lion moved to avoid a blow, but Westwind clamped his jaws into the cat’s neck. It shrieked and Ethan stabbed his sword where the beast’s heart would be. It shrieked and writhed.
“Ethan!”
He turned to see Logan toss him something that landed on the ground at his feet. The stake. He scooped it up and turned to the beast. It still lay on its side, but its wound was healing. Ethan plunged the stake into the black lion’s heart.
With one final shriek, it turned to dust and blew away in the wind.
A scream split the thick air and Ethan turned. Aurora clung to the other lion’s wing. Westwind raced to help his mate. He jumped and grabbed the other wing. Logan stood under the beast and motioned for the stake. Ethan tossed it, but the lion snapped its wings.
The wolves were tossed into the air. They landed on the rocky ground. Yelps and then silence.
“Get that thing to hunt you!” Logan’s voice rang out.
Ethan clenched his jaw. He hesitated, and blackness moved closer to Jayden. Two-handed, he chopped through the air with his sword. The blade connected with flesh. A jolt resonated through Ethan’s arms. A roar punctured the night. The creature chased after him.
A heavy paw batted Ethan down. He kept his head from slamming into the earth and positioned his sword above him. Yellow irises moved minutely, focusing on prey.
Logan raced to the beast’s side, wooden dagger ready to strike. The lion turned on Logan.
Jayden screamed as she buried her dagger into the lion’s flank. Too late. Its teeth clamped onto Logan’s arm and its blood-red claws buried into his chest.
Ethan raced toward Jayden and pushed her away in time to stop the lion from hurting her. But Logan fell to the ground, blood spreading across the ground from his wounds.
He didn’t move.
“Jayden, get the stake. I’ll distract it.”
“No. I’ll distract it.” She darted in front of it before he could stop her.
Why wouldn’t she just listen to him? Ethan raced behind the creature, his talent fueling speed. He had to do something before it hurt Jayden. He lifted his sword high and brought it down with all his strength, aiming at the beast’s tail.
Blade sliced through flesh and bone. Half of the lion’s tail thumped onto the ground. The beast screeched. Mighty wings flapped, kicking up dust. It ascended and whisked out of sight.
Jayden ran to Logan. Ethan joined her. Logan was breathing but unresponsive.
The venom. Ethan clutched his shirt. He couldn’t breathe. Heavens, it was like something was sitting on him. He took the wooden weapon from Logan’s hand. “Will he . . .”
Jayden moved him aside. Her fingers slid calmly across Logan’s neck. “He’s alive.”
Ethan drew in a long breath. How long did Logan have? The wounds in his arm and chest were gaping. Black liquid bubbled out of them. If Logan died—
“We need to get him help. Fast.” She looked so calm.
Ethan’s chest burned. “It’s coming back.”
A dark form dove toward Jayden like a black lightning bolt. White prongs of teeth exposed. Yellow eyes locked on him. Good. This thing wouldn’t get away again. Not if he could help it.
His talent seemed to whisper an idea and he knew how to get out of this, but he had to act now.
“Jayden, duck inside that cave.”
“I can help you.”
He looked at her, eyes pleading. If she didn’t move now, he’d have to push her out of the way and—well it wouldn’t be good for him. “Please! Trust me!”
“No, Ethan, I—”
He pushed her and dove on top of her.
Claws dug into his side, deep. Piercing. Too strong. So much pressure. Then pain. He screamed. The claws ripped through him so easily. Picked him up and tossed him off of Jayden. Red and sharp, they dripped with his blood.
He tore his eyes from the lion and found Jayden. She stood, sword ready.
He tried to move. Heat throbbed through him. Jayden was in danger. His body shook. Revenge wanted death, but revenge didn’t mask the pain. It’ll consume you like a raging fire.
He remembered One Eye’s words. Remembered thinking how revenge felt the same as a threat. How would he know the difference?
It controls you. One Eye’s voice rang loud and clear.
So did his talent.
It controls you because you’re too afraid of something. What are you afraid of?
Losing Jayden.
Revenge masks fear, but it’s only a mask. Fear is the true fuel of revenge. Remember that.
It was true.
The black lion’s paw extended claws and swiped at Jayden. She jumped. White claws left red slashes on her legs and swept them out from under her. Midair, her body jerked sideways and her head slammed into the rock wall.
She slumped to the ground, limp.
No! The word echoed in his mind like a thundering whisper.
He focused on his talent. It covered up the pain in his side, told him there was a threat for Jayden. That meant she was alive.
He could still save her.
With renewed strength he stood, waved the wooden dagger for the beast to see. “You die today.”
He ran. The earth thundered as the lion bounded after him.
A hiss.
He sank to the ground, clutching his middle. Red drenched his shirt. Black spots clouded his vision. He gritted his teeth. He had to save Jayden first.
The lion jumped at him. He dove under it. Dirt and tiny rock shards stabbed through his shirt and clung to his skin.
He gripped the stake in both hands. The beast descended, and he plunged the weapon into its heart.
The ensuing shriek ripped through the dusky sky. Thick blood—so dark it looked black—oozed down Ethan’s arms. The mask of lavender faded into the scent of decaying plants.
The beast erupted into a cloud of black dust. And another black li
on descended. Help me, Creator. I have nothing left. He couldn’t leave Jayden unprotected. Hear me, Creator. Send help.
Chapter 37
Black Lion
Territory
Try again.” Dash touched his soft, white nose against Serena’s hand.
She huffed and lifted her hand up in front of her again. “You’re a unicorn, I’m a human. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean I can. I don’t even have a horn.”
“I understand. Humor me.” Dash stretched his neck forward and his long, spiraled horn glowed. A ball of light burst on the end, shining like a star. “Did you feel how I did that?”
She did. He let this surge of energy that stemmed from a warm memory fill him, then somehow channeled it into his horn. That didn’t mean she had the same power. But she focused on her outstretched hand. She latched onto a feeling of something wholesome and true—her friendship with Dash—and tried to push it through her arm.
A small sparkle of light glittered in her palm. She opened her mouth. “Do you see that?” She kept pushing the thought and the ball of light grew, like a star in the center of her palm.
Light surrounded her. “Do you see it?”
“I see it.” Dash nuzzled her.
She stroked his long nose. “You were right, my friend. I’ll have to tell Rochelle. We should—” She stopped and doubled over. Searing pain stabbed her side.
Dash caught her with his nose, pushed her up. “Where is it?”
She stood, clutched her middle. The pain always came as an explosion all at once, letting her know the intensity. Then it began to wick away and settled into a tight knot pulsing within her. Letting her know someone had entered the Valley and was in need of healing.
Then her head felt as though it cracked open.
Dash dipped his head for her to get on his back. “Someone entered the valley? I don’t feel the pain.”
She jumped on his back. “Not in the valley. Close. On the border. It’s someone . . . Ethan.”
Dash’s hooves pounded into the soil as he carried her toward the border.
“No, stay here. The black lions are out.”
“I feel the pain now. There’s too much for you to heal alone. I’m going with you.”
The pain continued to throb in the tiny knot inside her. She held onto it. As long as she still felt it, Ethan was alive. “Hang on, Ethan. We’re coming for you.”
