“Kill her now while I deal with this,” Jexon ordered as he turned to leave the tent.
“Bye, sweetheart,” Wesley whispered as his dagger sank into her ribs.
A sob broke through Jala’s lips as the point lodged against one of her ribs. “See you in hell, Jexon,” she managed just before Wesley plunged the dagger once more and her world dissolved from blinding pain too darkness.
Chapter 29
The Darklands
Finn shifted on his throne, his heart hammering in his chest. Leaning forward he stared hard at Seth. “What do you mean she is dead?” he demanded. His mind was already racing, searching through the overwhelming number of souls drifting through his domain as he desperately tried to find Jala.
“I waited for her to call, Milord. I was ready to move, but the call never came. I cannot intervene without a direct call or by your command. As you well know, I have limited free will,” Seth said softly. “She was betrayed, Milord, by one of her healers,” Seth said, holding out a hand to show the image of Wesley as the man hovered over Jala’s still form, his hands caressing her dead flesh. Seth let the image fade and stepped back, waiting just below the throne, his head bowed and his feathered cloak thrown back over one shoulder. Seth had brought him the news so swiftly that there was no doubt in Finn’s mind that the Assassin had indeed been waiting for her to call. That didn’t silence the anger building in him though.
“You knew I wanted her to live. I shouldn’t have to give commands when you already know my will!” Finn raged as his frustration grew. He was still too unskilled with his power to find Jala amid the sea of dead. “You want to redeem yourself, Seth? Find her soul and bring her too me now!” Finn bellowed as he rose from his throne. In truth he was more angry with his own failing than he was with Seth, but then Seth didn’t need to know that.
The air before him exploded into motion as Seth’s form dissolved into Ravens, the air filling with the dark forms as they flew from the hall in all directions. Finn watched them as he dropped lightly down the stairs and began to pace the Audience hall, his arms folded behind him as he continued to search with his magic. There were so many hazards for the dead in his domain. From the demons themselves to the Forgotten, there were many souls that simply did not last long enough to reach his hall.
“It is hardly Seth’s fault that she died, though I cannot believe I’m defending Seth,” Fiona said from her post behind his throne. The woman stood still and somber in her bloodstained armor watching him with impassive eyes. Fiona had existed for so long in the Darklands that something as trivial as the arrival of a new soul no longer held any interest for her, whether she had known the soul personally or not.
“I know it’s not his fault,” Finn admitted sourly and continued to pace. “Why wouldn’t she call on him? If she knew she was going to die why couldn’t she say one name to save her life?”
“She did say a name. It was the wrong one. She called out to Valor,” Hemlock’s voice was as unwelcome as the news Seth had brought.
Slowing in his steps, Finn turned to face his newest guest with a questioning look. As always, Hemlock wore the grey cloak preventing Finn from getting even a hint of the man’s face. He knew Hemlock well enough to know the man was smiling though. “Why are you here?” Finn asked coldly. He hadn’t seen the Assassin since the day the man had plunged the dagger into his back in Sanctuary.
“Is that anyway to greet an old friend?” Hemlock asked as he dropped down into Finn’s throne, propping one leg up on the side.
“I wouldn’t exactly say we are friends. You killed me, after all,” Finn said as he stared up at the man amazed at his boldness.
“And look where it got you. You should be thanking me, Finn. You are truly a god now rather than just thinking you’re one,” Hemlock returned, waving a hand in Finn’s direction.
“You know, I find it amusing that you only appeared after Seth left the room. Did I finally manage to stumble across something that you fear Hemlock?” Finn asked, cocking his head to one side.
“Ha! Seth? No, I fear many things. Salvation, peace on Sanctuary, Kali when she is pissed off, and those little squiggly things they serve in the Seravae quarter at all of the cafes. You know the little green things with those tentacles that they eat while the things are still squirming.” Hemlock waved his fingers about for a moment mimicking his description and then shrugged with a sigh. “Although I don’t suppose you care about that,” he said letting his hand fall limply back to rest on his leg. Shaking his head slowly, Hemlock let the cloak fall back enough for Finn to see his smile. “Seth, however, I do not fear at all,” he finished with a shrug.
“Why are you here?” Finn repeated, not the least bit amused by Hemlock’s antics or the distraction from his search for Jala.
“To ensure you don’t keep Jala here with you,” Hemlock said bluntly as he rose from the throne.
“What interest do you have in it?” Finn snapped, the mere suggestion that Hemlock had an interest in Jala infuriated him. He couldn’t stomach the thought of Hemlock anywhere near her. He knew quite well what sort of man the Assassin was.
“Because our world is going to shit swiftly and I don’t want to be alone with Myth when the rest die off. Jala is still needed, or so Kali says, and I tend to listen to Kali. As I said she is scary when she is pissed,” Hemlock returned in a cheerful voice. “Besides, Finn, as I said, she called out for Valor in her moment of need. Not Seth, not Neph, not You,” he emphasized the last word as he stepped down the stairs closer to Finn.
“Why would she call out to me? She thinks I’m dead,” Finn snapped, his gaze following Hemlock as the rogue walked a tight circle around him.
“I like the new look, Finn. The black armor is very…deathly,” Hemlock said, waving a finger at Finn’s chain armor.
“You know it isn’t wise to taunt your master,” Fiona said, finally stirring herself to speak. “You serve Death remember?”
“I served the Dark lady. I have no contract with Finn,” Hemlock replied calmly, pausing in front of Finn once more. “She has forgotten about you, Finn. Do the sunlit world a favor and forget about her,” Hemlock whispered.
The flutter of wings drew Finn’s attention for a moment and when he turned back Hemlock was gone. With a heavy sigh, Finn watched as Seth settled once more on the floor of the hall and shifted back to his human form. Bowing to Finn he held both hands outstretched a faint glow emanating from each.
Carefully Finn took the soul stones and retreated back to his throne examining them as he walked. “You brought the Bendazzi too,” Finn murmured as he sat once more. “Stay, Seth. Allow me to deal with this and then I have more work for you,” Finn said.
Carefully Finn cracked the soulstone containing Jala and watched as her spirit coalesced in front of him. She had a confused look on her face as she gazed slowly around the hall. He watched her in silence, drinking in her beauty and it took all his willpower to not approach her. Her eyes found him finally and they widened, her lips parting slightly in shock.
“Finn!” Jala whispered his name and her expression shifted to a look of pure agony. “I thought you were dead.” The words were spoken so softly he almost missed them entirely.
“Jala,” Finn said in greeting, fighting to keep his voice calm. His heart thundered in his chest as he tried his best to look unperturbed. “Do you remember how Sovann always said I would get myself into something I couldn’t get out of,” Finn said, holding both arms out his palms up. Slowly he gazed around the Audience hall then looked back to her. “It turns out he was right. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be, though. There is the godly power to consider.” He kept his words casual and forced back everything he desperately wanted to say to her. With a sigh he let his arms fall back to the throne and leaned forward to look at her.
“I thought you were dead,” Jala repeated, her voice louder and the pain in her voice was heartbreaking. “I never would have married him, had I known. I did what I thought I had to in
order to save Merro,” she added in a rush, the words tumbling out of her as the tears would have had she still been alive.
“I know…Jala,” Finn said, the words faltering slightly as he caught himself at the last moment. He had almost said Vezradesh. The word had been on the tip of his tongue. That wouldn’t help though. Not with what he was about to do. “You aren’t finished in the sunlit world, Jala,” Finn said as he leaned back in his throne once more.
“I died, Finn. I failed,” Jala said sadly, her head dropping forward as if she could no longer meet his gaze.
“I’m sending you back, Jala. You haven’t failed yet,” Finn said calmly. “Heal yourself the moment you arrive. I will hold your soul in place for as long as I can, but it won’t be long. I am the god of Death, after all, not life.”
“Finn,” Jala began, her eyes lifting once more to meet his own. “They said it was enchantment that bonded us. They said your love for me wasn’t real…” Her words failed her and she tilted her head back, swallowing heavily, the actions of life still echoing in her spirit. “It wasn’t that for me Finn. I loved you more than anything else I had ever known,” she finished softly, her voice pleading for him to confess the same.
Finn sat in silence a long moment preparing to speak. “I care for you, Jala, as I would a friend. I fear there is nothing more to it though. What I felt before…” His voice trailed off as he nearly choked on the lie, but from the expression on, Jala’s face he didn’t need to say more. “May I never see you in my halls again, Jala. I wish you a long life,” Finn said quietly as he summoned his magic and sent her soul back to the sunlit world. He let out a long breath, fighting back the tears he felt stinging his eyes. Bowing his head he waved Seth forward.
“How may I serve?” Seth asked quietly as he bent to one knee before the throne.
“Take this to Jala and make sure she survives long enough to heal herself fully,” Finn said as he dropped the stone containing Marrow’s soul into Seth’s hand. “And Seth,” Finn added as the Assassin rose to his feet.
“Yes, Milord?” Seth asked, his dark eyes fixed on Finn.
“Bring me the traitor that killed her. Keep him alive, Seth. Apparently he has a fondness for the dead and I have a few to introduce him to,” Finn said, his tone low and dangerous.
Seth bowed his head and stepped back from the throne before taking to his Raven form once more. Finn sat in silence as the Assassin left, his gaze locked on the floor where Jala had stood moments before. He could have kept her beside him forever, and he had sent her back. The temptation had been so strong. It wasn’t Hemlock’s words that had swayed him in his final decision. It was the memory of Jala in Sanctuary and how upset she had been to see so many orphans in the streets of her district. No matter how much Finn wanted her beside him, their son needed her more.
“You lied to her,” Fiona said softly, her tone almost gentle.
“And it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Finn said slowly, the memory of Jala’s expression of pain burned into his memories. “I knew from the moment I traveled to Merro with her that she was the perfect woman for me,” he said with a heavy sigh and raised a hand to rub his face. Somehow he was still managing to keep his calm despite the agony twisting in his chest. “I never once stopped to ask myself if I was the perfect man for her.” He let his hand drop to his lap once more and leaned heavily back in his throne. “I’ve always said Valor was a better man than me. I wish them both happiness,” he finished, though the words were barely audible through the tightness in his throat.
Chapter 30
Avanti
Lightning flashed, illuminating Wesley’s form as his lips traced a path down her side. Jala fought back the shudder of revulsion and called on her magic to cleanse her body of the poisons the man had fed her. The crash of thunder hid her gasp as another flash of lightning shattered the darkness and she caught the briefest glimpse of the shadowed form standing in the tent behind Wesley.
“Hello, Jala,” Seth whispered. The sound of his voice brought Wesley’s head up sharply. The healer staggered to his feet, a look of guilt covering his face as Seth closed the distance between them. The glint of bare steel flashed once in the Assassin’s hand as lightning lit the sky again. Seth drove forward hard against the healer and Wesley’s scream was lost in the thunder outside. “He said I had to bring you alive. He didn’t say how alive though,” Seth hissed, his dagger buried to the hilt in the man’s stomach. Wesley stumbled to his knees, his arms wrapped tightly around his stomach, and a sobbing whine bursting from his throat.
Jala stared down at the man with no trace of mercy in her heart as her magic healed the countless wounds her body held. “Traitor,” she hissed as she staggered to her feet. Her eyes fell to Marrow’s still form with the next flash of light and the pain from seeing Finn turned to fury. “I want him dead,” she whispered to Seth, her balance still too unsteady to take action herself.
“He will be soon, I promise. He must suffer first, though,” Seth said calmly, seizing the man by his hair. “You have matters to attend to outside, Jala,” Seth said as he tossed the soulgem down on the bed before her. “You might want your Bendazzi with you to face it, though,” he added with a faint smile as he dragged Wesley to his feet by his hair.
“No, no, please. Jexon forced me. I didn’t want to betray her. I had no choice,” Wesley whined his voice rising with every word.
“I’m not the one you should be begging for mercy. I’m taking you to him now,” Seth said coldly, his gaze rising to Jala once more. “The runes on a Soulreavers back are what keep the spirit from passing to the Darklands, Jala. If you destroy the tattoos they end up in the Darklands like everyone else,” Seth said as he backed toward the shadows dragging the sobbing healer with him.
“Tell Finn that Jexon will be there shortly,” Jala promised softly as she picked the soul stone up from the bed. Moving as quickly as she could she knelt beside Marrow and healed his body of the poison and wounds Wesley had given him. Carefully she broke open the stone and urged his soul back into his body, wishing Ash was there to help her. She didn’t know at all what she was doing. Marrow stirred under her hand, his yellow eyes opening slowly.
I cannot even begin to describe how much I want to kill that little bastard. Marrow’s voice was weak in her mind, but she could sense his rising fury.
“Wesley is beyond our reach now, but Jexon isn’t,” Jala said softly as she rose to her feet once more.
Turning, she moved for the door to the tent, her stride gaining speed as her strength slowly returned. She heard Marrow move behind her as she pushed the flap of the tent back and stared out into the storm filled night. She could see a cluster of people standing near the center of the encampment and the faint noise of ringing steel sounded above the wind. Letting her hand fall back to her side, Jala stepped out into the rain, her bare feet sinking in the mud. The wind and rain pelted her, whipping her hair and torn gown as she silently approached the crowd. They parted before her as the spectators of the fight stared at her in shock. Still silent, Jala continued past them, her eyes locked on the two combatants. Neither had seen her approach. Both men were too consumed with the fight to notice the shifting of the crowd. Pausing at the edge, Jala watched as Valor brought a vicious blow down across Jexon, his face a mask of grief and fury. Jexon parried hastily, his feet sliding in the mud as his sword caught Valor’s blade at the last moment.
“Jexon!” Jala called loudly, her voice rising over the storm. Both men froze, their swords dropping in shock as they turned as one to gaze at her. Her eyes locked on Jexon as she stepped forward into the circle. “Betrayer,” she hissed her eyes narrowing.
Jexon staggered back, his eyes widening at the sight of her. “You were dead. I saw him kill you. There was no one that could have raised you,” Jexon stammered. The expression on his face was one of pure terror and his sword shook in his hand.
Jala nodded slowly in agreement as she took another step forward. “Had you shown
me kindness, Jexon, I might have cared for you.” Jala spoke the words slowly as she took another step forward. “Had you spoken to me, I might have understood you,” she continued as she advanced once more. “Had you shown me courage, I might have respected you,” she said, stopping just in front of him. “Instead, you have shown me nothing but pain and treachery, and you have my hatred in return,” Jala finished, her magic rising swiftly as she pointed a hand at him. Jexon’s look of fear changed to agony as her spell shredded the flesh of his back ruining the protective magic. “Kill him, Valor,” she commanded as she stepped back giving her knight room.
Valor moved with no hesitation, his sword rising in a single graceful arc as he brought it down hard on Jexon’s neck. Blood sprayed across her face as she watched her husband’s body fall to the ground, his legs kicking feebly in the mud. “A widow again,” Jala said softly as she turned back toward her tent, her hand dropping to rest on Marrow’s head as she walked. The crowd around her was deathly silent and she noticed a few of the Soulreavers dropping to their knees, their heads bent in submission as she passed.
You have mastered the art of scary bitch, I’m proud to say. Your eyes glowing, the wind tossing your hair around like that, the blood covering your chest and gown. I’m impressed and I think at least a few of them pissed themselves when you approached, Marrow said, his voice light in her mind as he attempted to make her smile.
“Jala, wait,” Valor’s voice called out behind her, but she didn’t have the will to face any of them at the moment. Not even Valor.
Silently she pushed the tent flap open and stepped into the darkness before the first of the tears filled her eyes. Swallowing heavily she dropped to the floor and pulled her knees up against her chest. Crossing her arms around her legs, she lowered her head and let the pain wash over her in choking sobs.
The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 3 From the Ashes Page 47
