It was a lot to take in, more than she’d ever gotten in one sitting from anyone, but yet she couldn’t understand why. Why was he telling her this?
‘Tom… I appreciate that this is hard to talk about, and even harder to tell someone with our friendship, but I have to ask. Why now? Why tell me all of this?’ She could no longer wait.
‘I’m telling you this, because I want you to know what my life was like before.’
‘Before what?’ She blurted out.
‘Before Rob. Before he made me feel wanted again, made me feel like I could at last be myself. He made me feel like I deserved to be loved, like to him I was the only person in this world that he could love like that. You have no idea what that felt like after so many years of pretending, to myself, to the world.’ He released a long sigh, one born of loss and frustration.
She knew there was nothing she had ever felt in her life like that, not losing her parents, nor living on the streets. At least she could always be herself, be anything she wanted to be. Selene couldn’t begin to understand his pain, but the pain of losing Rob was at least something she could share in.
‘I know how much he loves you, Tom, we’ll find him, and bring him home.’
‘I need him, Selene, more than anything, I need him. I want you to promise me something. If this hunt drags on, if the guild, or our friends tire of searching.’
Selene cut in, ‘they would never give up on him, Tom, you have to know that.’
‘If they do… swear that you and I will continue, until we find him, and make the people who did this pay. No matter how long it takes, no matter the cost.’
She couldn’t imagine their circle giving up hope on Robert, the entire idea of what he was asking had her stunned.
‘That day on the rooftop, I saved your life. Instead of pursuing the men, I stopped to save you. You owe me a debt, Selene, swear this to me in payment of that debt.’
She took a moment to gather her thoughts. Her and Tom had never been as close as she was with the rest of the group, but she’d known them longer, been through so much more with them. None of them would have seen it as a debt to be paid, would never have asked for it to be paid. She knew there was nothing else to say. ‘I swear it. No matter the cost, we will find Robert and make these people pay.’
And so it was done, a life debt sworn to be repaid, no matter the cost. At least now she knew where she stood with Tom, what he thought of their friendship, but she wondered if perhaps she would have done the same if Gareth had been the one taken.
He moved to the door without a word, but paused at the threshold, giving her time to ask something she now felt important, given the hunt they were undertaking.
‘What happened to your sister? Did you return for her?’
‘I did.’
‘And? Where is she?’
Tom inhaled deeply. ‘Two winters ago, my mother took ill, and without money for medicine, she passed. My father was beside himself with grief, and when strangers came to the village, he sold my sister to them. Miners from the Iron Mountains he said. Sold my sweet Áine to miners… I never did find her.’
‘And your father, what of him?’
He gave Selene a look she had not seen on his face in all the time she had known him. ‘Him… He saw what my five hard years of training had accomplished.’ And he was gone, without a second glance, or word of goodbye.
TWENTY EIGHT
Piercing beams of light shot through the lush green canopy above, striking the ground, broken only by the dozens of feet that swept through the forest as if the hounds of hell were at their heels. Beasts of any description would have been an improvement, for they were being hunted by far worse.
The group started out as thirty, but one by one, the immortal killers took out those unable to keep up. Undisciplined, and cavalier, the youths each thought themselves capable of escaping the clutches of their pursuers. It was only after they’d too many close calls, and their numbers dwindled, that they realised working together would be the more prudent choice.
Now they worked as one, the slower members were helped along, those who fell, found they’d barely touched the ground before being hauled to their feet and pulled at speed to catch up. They would reach safety together that was the pact they’d made during a short respite. They’d evaded long enough to take a drink from a running stream they hoped to use to their advantage. Unfortunately for them, a quick drink and the time to seal their pact, was all they got. The stream they were resting next to, froze over, a signal that their pursuers were right behind them.
Fierce warriors, bred for battle from the time they put one foot in front of the other. They knew no pain, or weakness, gave no quarter, or reprieve, these immortal beings were what the creatures that lurk in the shadows fear. While they were all gifted in the art of combat and weaponry, each possessed another gift, something that made them far more dangerous than any mortal.
Elemental magic was a common enough gift amongst the Zin. The ability to summon fire from nothing, freeze the warmest of liquids, or move the earth from beneath someones feet, were all skills they possessed. But as with everything in life, there were always those who were stronger, and more adapt at their use than others. The Tuath Dé were those people. Carefully chosen, they were the strongest of the warriors in the Zin army.
A jet of flame appeared as if from nowhere, scorching a tree just above the head of a short, wiry boy who had been falling behind the group fleeing the warriors. The group of twenty or so had been running for hours, all young, far too young to be evading a contingent of skilled soldiers, but evade they had, at least most of them.
‘Quickly, Daiz, this is no time to slow down.’ She said, spurring him forward.
‘Thanks, Neesha, I can’t seem to catch my breath, they’ve been on our heels for an age now.’
‘I know, but we need to keep moving, we’re almost there.’
She continued to haul him along at speed, ensuring he kept pace with those around them.
‘We would move faster than this if we didn’t let some of the others slow us down.’ A voice in Neesha’s ear.
‘Of all the people to suggest that, you were the last I’d imagine hearing it from.’ Neesha said, glancing over to Daiz, who was far too concerned with not tripping over the forest floor to hear them.
‘Ugh, I know… but given the stakes, I’d do just about anything right now.’
‘Issy, we’ll make it through this, you worry too much. We’re almost at the border, it’ll be over soon, we can make it, together.’
Reassured, they continued on at a quickened pace, knowing their destination was now within reach.
‘Neesha…Neesha.’
Candle light flooded her vision as a hand shook her awake. ‘Velias? What is it?’
‘Neesha, I’ve found them.’
TWENTY NINE
Almost a week had passed since that life changing moment. The moment he knew nothing would be the same for them. Gareth stared at Selene, as she lay next to him, still asleep, and he relieved that night, as he had every waking moment since.
The chasing of dark figures, a valiant Commander standing above the corpses of his enemies, Selene still unaware of how her life was about to change forever. He laughed to himself a little, remembering that a jail break was the biggest concern he had. Then there was Neesha. She appeared, a hooded figure, not unlike the others, but different all the same. Even before the flash of light from her hand, it was clear the night had already changed, that a jailbreak would be the least of his concerns.
And so it had been, a few words, no matter how much he hated them, no matter how much he wished them untrue, changed not just Selene’s life, but his. Selene is Zin. In that moment, he knew their love for each other, no matter how strong and true, wouldn’t be enough to change what was coming. She was an immortal, a being blessed with long life, magic, and gifts he could never understand. She was destined for greatness, just like he’d always known, he just always imagined them by each
other's side, through it all.
Selene stirred, shaking him from his deep, almost depressing thoughts. Her hand stretched across his chest first, pulling him close, then her eyes blinked, opening, revealing the bright blue eyes he loved so much. Gareth brushed the back of his hand across her cheek, and tucked her long, dark hair behind her ear. She smiled up at him, as he lowered his lips and kissed her on the forehead, for too short a moment, he thought.
‘Morning,’ she said, still smiling.
It was easy to see the heavy thoughts of the day had yet to fill her mind, and he wouldn’t dare bring up the week’s events until she did. He wanted to savour every moment of her, take in her beautiful smile, piercing eyes, the intoxicating smell of her body as she moved in closer to him. Her head rested on his shoulder, her breasts softly pressed against his chest, exciting him a little.
‘Morning, did you sleep well?’ He asked, hopeful.
‘I did. Having you next to me always helps.’ She leaned in and kissed him softly.
There came a knock on the door, so soft, that they almost didn't hear it. They both paused for a moment, still unsure if they’d heard anything at all, but then it came again, three soft knocks this time.
‘What?’ Gareth shouted, annoyed that they’d been interrupted.
‘Sorry, sir, but there’s a woman.’ A shaky, young voice said from the other side of the door.
‘A woman? What do I care?’ He shouted again.
Selene was now giggling beneath him, entertained by his annoyance, but he was not finding either part of the situation amusing.
‘She’s asking for you and Selene. Says it’s important.’ The young man on the opposite side was becoming more timid by the second.
‘You still haven’t told me who this woman is, and how in the nine hells does she know we’re even here?’
There was a long pause, no one uttered a word. Gareth looked down at Selene again, who was still giggling to herself, he moved his hand between her thighs, changing the giggle to a slight moan for a moment. Now he was the one smiling.
‘It’s the one that looks like she might kill you with a stare.’
That had sent them both into a fit of giggles. Gareth rolled over, defeated.
‘Tell her we’re on our way.’
‘Do you think Neesha knows she gives off that impression to others?’ Selene finally spoke.
Gareth looked at her for a moment and laughed. ‘Knows? I’m almost certain she takes pride in it.’
They rolled from bed with a grunt, both unpleased with having been interrupted, knowing that was probably the only fun they’d have all day, especially if Neesha had gone all the way there. Gareth still wasn’t sure how she knew they’d stayed at the guild the previous night.
His position within the guild afforded him certain luxuries, and having his own room there, was the best of them. It allowed him and Selene to spend the night together, which wouldn’t be possible in either of their own homes. As much as his mother loved Selene, she would say they were far too young for such things, and Molly would say the same.
Dressed, they made their way downstairs to the main hall where they spotted Neesha straight away. She was the target of every other person’s piercing gaze, not that the guild hall was all that busy first thing in the morning. Long nights, thieving, and drinking didn’t allow for many early starts for most of the guild’s members.
‘Ah, Neesha, dearest, you couldn’t stay away from me, is that why you’re here at this ungodly hour?’ Gareth asked, in jest.
‘I assure you, little thief, if I were interested in you, you’d have no doubts.’ She growled.
He noticed Selene laughing behind him, and nudged her, before moving to the opposite side of the table, taking a seat facing Neesha, Selene took up the seat next to her.
‘I come with news,’ Neesha began, turning to Selene. ‘News that could not wait. My scouts report they’ve uncovered the Magi’s base of operations.’
Gareth leaned across the table. ‘Reported? Why didn’t they wipe them out if they've already found them?’
‘That is not our mission here. An all-out battle between Zin and Magi would be in violation of our orders, and the king’s law. It would draw the wrong attention. But I bring you this news, so you can do what needs to be done.’
Needs to be done? Gareth couldn’t help but think the Zin were afraid to face the Magi that they were leaving it up to the mortals to clean up their mess. The Magi were once part of the Zin, he thought it was their responsibility to end this crisis, not the citizens of Emeer.
‘Maybe you should make it your mission.’ Gareth was angry now, he didn’t care if he was speaking to someone who could kill him without raising a hand.
‘Gareth, it’s okay, it’s not her fault, she gave us what we wanted. We can take it from here.’ Selene said, caressing his hand.
‘Fine. So where are they?’
‘The Warehouse District, as we thought. At the western end, next to the river.’ She said, removing a parchment map from a pouch at her hip.
‘We searched the western end, days ago, how did we miss them?’ Selene interjected.
‘They are here,’ Neesha said, pointing to her map. ‘There is an old sewer entrance there, they are within. Our guess is that they will use the sewer’s exit out on to the river to take the children away by small boat. They have a ship waiting for them along the coast, out of sight.’
* * *
An hour had passed, no more, since Neesha had given them the location. Gareth had messages sent to the others, to gather their gear and meet at the old guild safe house near the river, at the edge of the warehouse district. He knew every minute could mean the difference between finding and losing the missing children forever, possibly losing his friend.
Selene stood outside in the back yard of the building, she had told him she needed some air, as the safe house had become stale and smelled of dust. But he knew she was nervous, could see her taking deep breaths as she sorted through her armour and weapons. Nothing would happen to her, Gareth would never allow it, not today, not ever.
‘You watch her with the eyes of a guardian, one who has spent his life protecting others.’
He turned to see Neesha next to him. She too was clad in armour although not unusual for her. But she did carry far more in the way of weaponry than he had seen in the time she’d been with them.
‘She means the world to me, I will protect her as long as I draw breath.’
‘That I do not doubt. I have seen far less skill on those who have lived many of your life times.’
For a fleeting moment he thought to ask her age, but looking her up and down, he thought better of it. In that moment, he saw something on her that he had never noticed before, or perhaps it was new, along with the array of weapons she now possessed.
A dagger with an all too familiar emblem, that same one that sat on the bracer of the man from Falias, and too heavy cargo he’d watched another remove from the warehouse.
‘Neesha, that symbol on your dagger, it looks familiar. What does it mean?’ He never showed all of his cards.
‘This?’ She pointed to the emblem, to which Gareth nodded in confirmation. ‘Perhaps you have seen it during our many excursions lately?’
‘Perhaps.’ Again, revealing nothing. ‘What does it mean? A blacksmith’s mark?’ He pressed further.
‘It is the emblem of my people, it represents our history, our culture.’
‘So, I would have only seen it on your people? Not somewhere around Eitane, or in my recent travels to Falias?’
The warrior stared at him strangely before answering. ‘If not on my people, or the Magi, then I doubt you would have seen this emblem before, it is not simply lying around one of your cities.’
‘Magi? Why would they wear the emblem of the Zin?’
‘They too were once part of my people, as you know. This emblem represents their birthright whether they have forsaken us or not. Now, why so many questions? You seem to have
far more interest than someone who may or may not have seen something before.
The twins entered through a side door in the building, giving Gareth perfect opportunity to dodge her question and excuse himself.
While he had never shown any of it to Neesha, what she had said hit him hard. For a moment, he actually thought Vin was helping her people get supplies in and out of the city. That somehow, unknown to Vin, he’d been helping find the children through his dealings with the Zin. But no, it was not that, couldn’t have been that, for that would have allowed Gareth to feel some sort of pride towards his mentor’s dealings.
He didn’t know what the guild leader was doing working with the Magi, or how involved he had been in the kidnappings, but he would get to the bottom of it. For now, they all needed to concentrate on the task at hand, before more blood was on the guild’s hands.
* * *
The leather bindings of her armour seemed tighter than they had in the past. There was little occasion for Selene to wear armour, it was something Gareth had had made for her, and insisted she wear on some of their more dangerous excursions. It had been made of the finest leather, strong and tough, but much lighter than one would imagine. Even knowing all of that, it still weighed heavy on her chest. It's all in your head, just relax, she thought.
Her long coat swayed in the wind, the chill going right through her, but she wouldn't allow herself to shiver, to show anything that might be seen as a sign of weakness, or nervousness. Neesha was next to her, the thieves gathered in front, discussing strategies, and backup plans upon backup plans, they were preparing for war, a war she wasn't sure she was ready for.
She had gotten them all into this mess. If it weren't for insisting on hunting the Magi, none of them would be there, ready to risk their lives. Now she knew why the armour seemed so heavy why it felt tight around her chest. There was a chance that some, if not all, might not make it back, and it would be because of her.
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