by Deirdra Eden
“Maybe we should keep some of her blood,” Korban said in hushed tones. I turned my head slightly to hear them better. “We can use her blood, combined with yours, and take down a castle wall.”
“We are not Shadow Lords,” Azrael said in a low, irritated voice. “We are not going to steal her blood.”
Orion chuckled and nudged Azrael. “Besides, ‘tis not Auriella’s blood he wants to ignite.”
Korban smiled smugly. “You’ve been looking for her all these years and when you finally find her, she’s engaged.” He tilted his head back in laughter. “Oh, the irony.”
Azrael looked back at me. I quickly turned away. I heard him whispering, but I couldn’t make out what he said.
I finished destroying the last of the rags and returned to the campfire. Azrael offered me a seat next to him, but I remained on my feet. “I need to talk to you men about something serious.”
Korban and Orion looked at Azrael like he was about to be executed. Azrael froze like a statue of guilty ice.
“As you know, I was sent on a mission by the English king to assassinate the Scottish king, but I can’t kill a human.” I laced my hands together politely. “It’s not our place as Watchers.”
Orion and Korban both shifted nervously.
“No,” Korban said. “Of course we wouldn’t kill a human.” His jaw tightened and his eyes darted from Azrael to Orion. Orion sputtered and Korban elbowed him in the ribs.
I had the distinct feeling they weren’t jesting. I swallowed and continued, “I’m using this mission as an investigation to see if your king is a Shadow Lord in disguise. If he is human, perhaps I could negotiate an alliance between our countries.”
“We have several Watchers at the castle in Edinburgh,” Azrael assured.
I arched my eyebrow. “You have more than one?” I suddenly felt cheated that I had been on my own this whole time.
“We need more than one,” Orion explained. “The Neviahan sanctuary ‘tis on the Northern Isle, which makes Scotland a prime target for the Shadow Legion. The problem is the English.” I flinched at his sour tone. “They keep attackin’ us from the south, so we have to split our military forces.”
“England isn’t attacking you,” I defended. “We are trying to help you. Don’t you see? If we combine our kingdoms we will be strong enough to defeat the Shadow Legion—or, any other enemy for that matter.”
Korban let out a quick, sarcastic laugh. “Is that what they told you? You have no idea what the English soldiers have put our people through.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked. “King Edward wants peace.”
“Is that why he sent you to assassinate our king?” Korban snapped.
I paused. What if they were right? “My king said it was your people who were attacking us.” My voice sounded less sure.
“We are only defending ourselves,” Korban said. “Scotland is a nation with a unique heritage, culture, and laws. We don’t want another country’s military patrolling our land. No man should be given too much power, especially not over other people lives.”
I held up my hands and explained, “But England protects you from the invading countries of the south.”
Korban’s eyes narrowed. “And Scotland’s people have been protecting England from the Vikings of the north.”
Azrael, who had been unusually quiet this whole time, leaned back, crossed his legs, and put his hands behind his head. “England thinks they are protecting us? ‘Tis not a fair assessment, since England starts most of its own wars.”
The three Scotsmen laughed together.
“I don’t think that’s funny,” I said through tight lips.
“I’m sorry, Lady Auriella,” Azrael said. He leaned forward and gave me a playful half-smile. “It must be frustrating working for someone like King Edward.”
I let out a gasp of surrender. He had no idea how little support I’d had since Edward took the throne. I kicked at the dirt. “Actually, it’s more than frustrating—it’s aggravating. He doesn’t understand my position as a Watcher.”
Korban smirked. “We figured as much if he sent you on an assassination mission.” He dropped another log on the fire. Red ash floated into the air, contrasting the white stars above.
The firelight danced across Korban’s intense, chiseled features as he continued, “Our spies in the Middle East have watched Erebus’s movements for years. We tracked him all the way to London. We had no doubt the Shadow King was after you.” He motioned toward me. “We believe he found information on you through the crusaders.”
Orion’s face wrinkled in puzzlement. “Why do the English keep sending crusaders to the Middle East?” he asked me. “Don’t they know about the curse?”
I shook my head. “What curse?”
“You don’t know about the curse?” Korban’s eyes went wide with disbelief. “No one can rule or govern the Middle East. Those who live there will be in a constant state of war until the end of the world.”
Orion laughed at Korban. “You can be so dramatic.”
I crossed my arms and wondered if they were just trying to scare me.
Azrael turned to me and got to the point of their story. “We thought you could use some help defending the castle in London, since you are the only Watcher in England.” I was about to agree when he stopped me. “But—now that you’re here, we’re going to take you to the safety of the Neviahan sanctuary. After that, we will go after Erebus ourselves.”
Korban and Orion cheered at the battle announcement. “Huzzah!”
“You’re not fighting Erebus without me.” I narrowed my eyes and dared any of them to stop me.
“‘Tis not up for debate, my lady.” Azrael leaned back and looked at the night sky. “You don’t know how Erebus works. He’s killed dozens of Watchers and stolen their powers. Fighting him is like fighting a small army with super powers. His tactics are subtle webs of complex traps. By the time you know you’re in danger, ‘tis too late. Our mission is to get you safely to the sanctuary,” Azrael explained. “You made things easy for us, since we didn’t have to travel all the way to London.”
“Yeah,” Korban said. “You practically fell onto our shields.”
Azrael threw him a warning glare.
I flexed my jaw and took in a quick breath. “And what about my mission?”
Korban let out a low sarcastic laugh. “You’re going to assassinate our king?”
I pressed my lips tight. “No, I want to be a diplomat between our two countries. Humans should not be fighting against each other when there’s a bigger battle at hand. If we can bring peace between Scotland and England, then we can combine our forces to defeat the Shadow Legion.” I looked at each of the men, waiting for their approval of my idea.
Azrael stared at the fire in front of us. Korban crossed his arms and looked like he was about to laugh. Orion seemed more interested in the ground than in me. I dropped my shoulders, but I wouldn’t be defeated. “Help me destroy Erebus and I will go willingly to the sanctuary,” I bargained.
Azrael’s head snapped up. His eyes searched mine with interest as if debating whether he should accept my offer. I knew he wanted me to go with him, but I needed to know that my country was safe before I left. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed their help too.
Korban kept his stern composure and said, “We need reinforcements to take back London. Do you really think that just the four of us can defeat Erebus and his army?”
“We have Starfire,” I reminded, and I flashed them a confident smile. “I’m not afraid to use it.”
Azrael’s eyes beamed with excitement. His whole body radiated white energy. I was sure he would take the bait now and convince the others to come to London.
I turned back to Korban. “You even said so yourself—we can take down a castle wall with just a few drops of my blood. If Azrael and I combine our powers, just think of what we can do to Erebus and his army.”
Korban paused, then stroked his chin. He gaze
d away in deep thought. Orion stared at the fire, his brow creased.
Azrael finally broke the silence. “The only way we could win would be to use Starfire.” He stood and stepped toward me. “Are you sure about this?” he whispered.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sure.” My gaze didn’t waver as I stared into his eyes behind his dark mask.
His voice sounded confident and pleased. “This will be the first time Starfire has been used against the Rebellion in over a thousand years.” One corner of his perfect mouth lifted. “You and I will create one amazing light show in London.”
Chapter Eight
Scottish King
I dug through my saddle bag, which thankfully survived the fire fight, and pulled out my brocade slippers. They weren’t riding boots, but they would have to do until I got back to London. I retrieved the dress I carefully selected to wear before the Scottish king and shook out the wrinkles.
I still wasn’t sure what to say to the king. Just because I wanted peace didn’t mean the two monarchs of England and Scotland would. I pursed my lips with irritation. It seems the only people who enjoy war are kings who don’t fight in battle themselves.
I was more worried about what to say to Lucas when I returned to London than what to say to the barbarian king. I had lost my engagement ring, but more pressing, how would Lucas feel about leaving London and coming to the sanctuary with me and the other Neviahans? How would he feel about Azrael and our intimate Starfire connection?
Lucas was a good human, a knight for his country, and a friend. Azrael, well, he was barbaric, abrupt, and forward. I’m sure his terrifying traits had to do something with being raised by the Scottish.
I folded my dress and placed it back into the saddle bag before examining my horse’s injuries. Whatever salve Azrael had used to heal my horse worked well. I ran my finger over her smooth scars.
I stood up and whirled into Azrael, his nose inches away from mine. “Azrael!” I breathed and stepped away. I had no idea how long he had been standing behind me. “You scared me.”
Azrael laughed playfully. I put my hands on my hips and gave him a stern glare as I tried not to laugh myself.
“We are ready to leave,” he informed me.
I stroked my horse’s nose. “Are you sure she is ready to ride?” I motioned toward the scars.
Azrael nodded, but added, “Now, I wouldn’t let a big man like Orion ride her, but she will get you to Edinburgh and back to London.”
I glanced at Orion, who looked too big to ride even his own massive shire horse.
“Do you need assistance mounting?” Azrael asked me. By his wide smile, I could tell he was too eager to put his hands around my waist.
I furrowed my brow. “No!” I said louder than I should have. I didn’t feel sorry about it either. He was trying to make advances. If Lucas were here I had no doubt he would have challenged Azrael to a duel. “I can manage.” I turned my back to him as I gripped the saddle and swung my leg over the horse.
Azrael held up the reins. I took them, and he intentionally let his hand linger over mine a little too long. I glanced away and pretended I hadn’t noticed.
Azrael turned from me and mounted his horse. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, but refused to speak to him. I had met men like him before—too confident for their own good. I would have to set boundaries in our “fuel and igniter” relationship, not only for him, but for myself too. He was the kind of man every woman fell in love with. I wasn’t going to fall into that trap.
He looked back and flashed me a perfect smile. His eyes shone out through the black mask as if it weren’t there. I clenched my teeth and forced myself not to smile back.
Baby bounced along the trail and then back to the group as if he was irritated we weren’t as fast as him. Azrael rode beside me, Orion rode behind, and Korban in front. They formed a shield around me as if worried we might run into Erebus himself on the foreign road. All three stayed vigilant and watched the woods. Even Baby occasionally stopped and sniffed the air before pressing forward.
I hadn’t brought a map, and the Scottish roads were obscurely marked—if there were any markers at all. “How many days travel to Edinburgh?” I intentionally asked Orion the question instead of Azrael.
“Well,” Orion said, dragging out his voice. “Since we ‘ave you with us, it’ll take twice as long. I’d say two or three days.”
“I travel well,” I assured him and tried not to sound offended that he thought I would slow them down. “I’m not as delicate as you think.”
Korban let out a burst of laughter. “You have no idea how delicate and vulnerable you are.”
King Edward had said something similar to me before I left. I let out a sigh. Neviahan and human men were all the same.
“Do you want to travel through the night?” Azrael asked. His tone indicated a challenge.
Korban looked over his shoulder and shook his head.
“She’s going to fall off her horse,” Orion said.
Perhaps if I traveled through the night, they would see I wasn’t delicate. I sat a little taller. “I can do it.” Besides, I had gotten more than enough sleep in the last twenty-four hours after Azrael drained the venom from my arm.
“Azrael!” Korban shouted. “Why did you challenge her?”
Azrael laughed and glanced at me. “Because I knew she couldn’t resist.” I narrowed my eyes. He had tricked me. Azrael looked away and said casually, “Besides, she’s worried about her fiancé. The sooner she talks with the king, the sooner she can return to London.” Azrael didn’t face me.
The sun glowed like a white orb through the clouds over head. My energy seemed to wane on overcast days like this, but at least it kept my Lifelight from sparkling and distracting everyone.
In my mind, I went over speeches of diplomacy for the King of Scotland. Their culture was so different from what I knew in London. Azrael’s plaid kilt wrapped around his loins like a short skirt. His bare legs hung down over his unsaddled horse. I could only imagine how sore he would be after riding all day and all night. I smiled to myself. He would see. I would outlast him in this challenge of riding through the night.
Korban pulled his horse off the road toward a stream. If they planned on taking a break every few hours, this would be easy. Azrael, Orion, and I followed Korban to the stream. Moss covered the streambed and rowan trees.
Azrael bounded from his horse with ease and reached out to take my hand. I looked away and dismounted as I had done thousands of times without his chivalrous aid. My feet hit the wet grass surrounding the stream and slipped out from under me. I wasn’t used to wearing the brocade slippers outdoors. If that wasn’t embarrassing enough, Azrael had the nerve to reach out with inhuman speed and snatch me before I hit the ground.
My face flushed. I shrugged away from him.
“You’re welcome,” he said even though I hadn’t thanked him. I didn’t turn to look at him, but I knew he was smiling. I took deep breaths to calm my nerves.
I retrieved my canteen from the saddle bag and filled it after I let my hands linger in the cold water as a feeble effort to stop his energy from racing through me. It happened every time he touched me. My hands grew cold, but the rest of my body burned vehemently. I put the canteen to my lips, hoping the water would chill the fiery spirit inside me.
“Don’t push her,” Korban said under his breath to Azrael.
“I know what I’m doing,” Azrael whispered. “Trust me.”
I put the cork back over the opening of my canteen. They were planning something. Azrael knew more about me and my powers than he let on.
I stayed vigilant as I walked on the slick wet moss and mounted my horse. I pulled on the reins and faced Edinburgh. The sooner we got there, the better. “Do you boys need to rest longer?” I asked in a taunting tone.
Korban threw his leg over his horse and mounted. Azrael and Orion mounted their horses as well. Baby finished lapping up a drink then he too, fell in line.
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Eventually, the woods gave way to rolling hills of jade hues. The overcast sky seemed to intensify the wet green landscape. I took a deep breath of cool country air as the wind tangled through my hair like a lover’s gentle fingers. The horses’ hooves hit the earth in a lullaby rhythm. I still hadn’t thought of what to say to the king of Scotland—or Lucas, for that matter.
There is always a better solution than war. I just had to make everyone see it. The sky grew darker and the world colder. The warmth of the sun faded on my back as we continued east. I gripped my cloak tighter and sat taller to defy the sleep creeping over me. The fight with the Blood Hunters and healing my wounded arm had used more energy than I expected. I yawned.
Azrael glanced at me.
I forced my yawn back, brightened my eyes, and smiled. I wasn’t going to fall asleep and let him win.
“She’s going to fall off her horse,” Orion muttered again.
I ignored him. I had enough on my mind to keep me awake. I hoped the Scottish king would be reasonable in his requests of King Edward. What if the Scots leased their army to the English for a fee? That way both kingdoms would be satisfied. The Scots would get income and Edward would get his army.
The overcast sky hid the stars and made the world pitch black. The tiger’s eyes glinted in the deep night. A second set of reflective eyes watched the woods. I squinted to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. “Azrael?”
Azrael whirled around at the mention of his name. His eyes flashed like silver moonlight.
“Your eyes,” I gasped.
His eyes narrowed as he smiled. “Night vision,” he answered. “When Watchers get their animal companions we take on some of their attributes.”
“Astonishing,” I said. I relaxed a little and leaned over my saddle. At least there would be no surprise attacks. Baby and Azrael wouldn’t let anything happen.
I went back to my dilemma of what to say when I met with the Scottish king. I thought about how to do my hair, since there was only one option of what to wear. I imagined my formal wardrobe at home in London. I loved the way my long, heavy skirts sounded as I danced around the ballroom. I imagined Lucas in his crusader tunic. He smiled and looked deep into my eyes. I leaned into him as we danced.
