Heir of Lies (Black Dawn Series Book 1)

by Mallory McCartney

  “Swim, Emory, swim!”

  Her muscles were on fire, burning and cramping. There was another roar from behind them, but they climbed upward out of the cave’s mouth. That was too close. An earth shattering bellow shook around them once more just as they shot out of the tunnel.

  “Thieves!” the merman shouted. He had waited at the entrance, sword pointed at their chests.

  Memphis turned to face him, his body taut, and the only indication of him taking action that Emory could see was a twitch of his eye, and then the merman’s grey eyes rolled in the back of his head and he dropped, unconscious. Gripping her hand, Memphis yanked her hard, climbing toward the currents and to their escape.

  What had that thing been? Her revulsion and shock caught up with her, making her stomach churn. The current caught their bodies, shooting them up and through another darkened tunnel. Fear pierced through her, her imagination running rampant, and she waited to feel the tentacles wrapping around her once more.

  She had almost died. Memphis had willingly drawn her down there like a moth to a flame. He had risked her life to gain whatever was in the box.

  Upward and upward, they spun, as her anger grew. Right about when she thought she was going to be sick, they were spat out into the calm lake, golden sand and all. Memphis didn’t falter and cut through the rose gold water, climbing for the surface.

  Emory only focused on the dappled light and the whirling clouds of the clearing. She forced her limbs to comply. Water rained down around them when they burst through, resurfacing. Ripping the mask off her face with a giant squelching noise, she gulped in the refreshing air. Letting go of Memphis’s hand, she paddled for shore and lifted herself on the grass. Blissful solid ground met her, and she breathed in the sweet scent of the dirt and grass as she rested her cheek on the ground, her legs still emerged in the water.

  “Do you still have it?” Memphis’s voice sounded like sandpaper. He was resting beside her.

  “Have it? Oh this? This box you nearly let me die for? Yes, why in fact, I do have it.” Pure venom filled her voice as she lifted herself up onto shore, throwing the goggles to the side.

  Memphis rose up to meet her, droplets of water running off his skin. “You don’t understand.”

  “Oh I don’t understand? I think I understand perfectly. That you led me into a trap to get something you have wanted for years!”

  Birds flew out, squawking from their hiding places when her voice rose several octaves.

  “Yes. I knew the chest was down there. I knew about this place because I found your mom’s diary in her old office. I knew that this chest was meant for you, to help you! The mermen inhabit this water, but that other thing...I had no idea. If I did, I wouldn’t have brought you down there.”

  She wiped water from her eyes angrily, blinking hard. “So, you admit it was a test? You admit you brought me knowingly into danger?”

  Memphis stepped closer, the corner of his lip lifting. “If I didn’t believe you could handle it, we wouldn’t have come here, period. I respect you, and I thought you would want whatever it is your mom left you.”

  Shaking her head, she clenched the chest to her palm and exhaled. “Yes, I do. I just wish you hadn’t lied to me. That’s not how you will win over my trust, and just so you know, that is not how most people choose to relax.”

  Memphis chuckled. “But don’t we make a great team?”

  She hesitated before she murmured, “Maybe. Now put your shirt back on.” She tossed him the light fabric. “Let’s go back so I can look at this from the safety of my bunker.”

  Pocketing the small chest in her soaking pants, they walked back into the slumber of the forest.

  ***

  They made it back to the edge of the forest line, to the rolling hills where the Academy was hidden. Memphis leaned against a tree, poised and skeptical. “So, was that enough to satisfy your curiosity?”

  Lifting her eyebrows, she retorted, “No, but it will do for today.”

  “Excellent, because I’m starving.” Pushing himself upright, she was just about to make a snarky comeback when a twig snapped from behind them.

  They both spun in unison, Memphis reaching and drawing his bow in a fluid motion. Emory followed and, with shaking hands, drew her bow taut. The horizon was clear, but it wasn’t until five figures dressed in forest green fell from the trees, landing gracefully, and stood.

  Memphis barked, “You have a second before I shoot.”

  The closest figure to them stalked toward them, declaring, “You are losing your touch if you didn’t notice us until now. Besides, rumor has it, you need our help.”

  Memphis’s stance relaxed slightly, but he didn’t lower his bow. “What clan are you from, raiders? Is this a meeting of acceptance, or a promise of another war?”

  The man lowered his hood, revealing his bronze skin and hooded eyes. His group followed closely; weapons drawn. “We are from the Blood Dust clan. Naturally, you have to understand I can’t tell you where that is located, or I will have to kill you.”

  “Naturally,” Memphis said, smoothly.

  “Is it true you and your, uh, army are taking on Adair? With the heir?”

  Memphis grinned. “You might recognize your future queen when she is standing right in front of you... Are you with us, if we were planning such a thing?”

  The raider’s eyes lazily found her and looked most unimpressed. He stepped closer. “You’re telling me that this girl is the key to your freedom? I would reassess your plan.” He shrugged. “Also, we came to kindly remind you that we answer to no one. The lands we inhabit are ours, and no one else. We will bow to no queen.”

  Memphis pulled the bow string tighter. “Then you will fall with Adair.”

  Emory looked between the two groups, divided by her claimed regency. She lowered her bow. “What if I promised that you would remain free on your land? That you wouldn’t have to answer to me as long as you promise to help us in this fight.”

  Their leader cocked his eyebrow. “How can we know that you would keep your word?”

  Memphis shot her a warning glance, but she pressed on. “Your land will never be free as long as Adair is on the throne. At the end of the day, you have, and will continue, to answer to his actions. You help us now, and you ensure you keep what you want most. I’m here to help rebuild my parents’ world, not one born from flame and ash.”

  A quiet unease rippled throughout the group, and the raider turned his focus on her. “You have quite the mouth on you, Emory Fae. Maybe you are telling the truth, and maybe you aren’t. Time will tell.”

  He spun his knife in his hand, eyes returning to Memphis. “As for you, Commander, we decline your offer for now. We will continue to watch, but I’m warning you. If you seek us out again, it will be the last thing you do. If we decide it is our fight, then we will come.”

  Before Memphis could react, the raider sent the blade sailing through the air, and with a twang, finding its mark in the tree beside Memphis. The raider sounded a sharp whistle, and they took off, scampering off into the cover of the trees once more.

  Memphis loosened a shaky breath, lowering the bow.

  “Well, that went well,” Emory said.

  Memphis grabbed the blade out of the tree, smiling. “They will come. Raiders never leave a token of good favor.”

  Emory scoffed. “These dynamics... I don’t think I will learn them fast.”

  “Raiders are fickle. They wanted to test us, too. To see if we are a threat to them.” Memphis strapped the bow on his back and sheathed the blade.

  Emory waggled her eyebrows. “Aren’t we?”

  “Let’s just get back.” Memphis kicked at the ground, rolling his eyes.

  It felt like a flutter of wings brushing against her consciousness, as she was pulled into a memory.

  Memphis crushed Emory against his chest in a massive bear hug.

  “Memphis get off me!” Emory shoved him back, grinning crookedly.

  “Em, you are
the best. Thank you for not telling anyone.”

  Exhaling, Emory looked at one of her best friends. “Memph, it’s not my place to tell anyone you are getting private tutoring with your ability.”

  Eyes glowing, a flush filled his cheeks as he hugged her again. “Still, thank you.”

  As fast as it had come, the memory left, leaving Emory breathless. Over the last few weeks, snippets had come to her, most of it meaningless information but had solidified the echo of Memphis Carter within her. He was stubborn, was manipulative, had a taste for danger.

  But wasn’t she as well?

  She looked to the horizon, where the setting sun dipped in the sky. Brilliant golds and oranges bled into the sky, and the forest was painted with golden light.

  Together, they walked back to the Academy, side-by-side and in happy silence.

  ***

  The necklace fell out of the chest with a clang. Emory had sprawled out in her bunker, staring at the chest and working up the courage to open it.

  Tentatively, she scooped up the thin silver chain, gazing at the beautiful amethyst gem with flecks of gold dust layering it. Her hands started to shake when she saw there was the tiniest of notes folded neatly in the bottom. As if reaching for the most delicate of feathers, she lifted it out and unfolded it.

  For you, my dear. To remind you that you are never lost.

  Her mother’s handwriting was thin and beautiful. Emory soaked in the words before her: To remind you that you are never lost.

  Pride and fear shot through her simultaneously. This had been her mother’s, held by her, touched by her. She dropped the note and sat on her bed in silence, not quite grasping the beautiful gift. Had her mom known that she would be in danger? Why else hide a family heirloom?

  Groaning, she dropped her face in her hands, not wanting to face her reality.

  A sharp knock sounded at her door, and she stood, electrified. In a daze, she grabbed the necklace and clasped it around her pale throat while she walked to the door. Opening it, she asked, “Yes?”

  Wyatt stood in front of her, thick arms crossed in front of his chest. “Well, isn’t that a pleasant way to greet someone. Hello to you too, Princess.”

  Sighing, she mimicked his stance. “What do you want?”

  He grumbled. “I’m to take you to the library to enlighten you on a history lesson.”

  That got her attention. “I didn’t know there was a library.”

  Pressing his lips together, he waited.

  Rolling her shoulders, she closed the door behind her, and the pair took off down the hallway.

  Wyatt tried to make conversation with her. He talked about his turn in the ring with Jaxson and how, “The git had multiplied and cheated his way through,” about him tracking the raiders, about what he ate for dinner.

  On and on and on, he rambled until Emory stopped him. “Wyatt, why are you trying so hard to be nice to me? Why now?”

  Scratching the back of his neck, Emory caught more detail of his tattoo: a sun beating down on the forest, deer like creatures with huge antlers and wings climbing out of the shadows through the air. In inky swirls, three women cupped crystals in their palms. The detail was beautiful.

  “I didn’t like you because I thought you wouldn’t be able to survive this world or wouldn’t accept it. I told Memphis that not only did you have to prove to yourself that you are strong enough, you had to prove it to the rest of us as well. Now that you have, I would like to get to know you, if that’s okay with you.”

  She turned a flaming beet red. Wyatt. Burly rough and tough Wyatt had accepted her. He playfully punched her shoulder.

  “Don’t let this go to your head, though. The others will take time, especially Jaxson and Nyx.”

  Nyx.

  She cringed internally at the thought of the other woman who was fueled by her inner fire. She hoped that their paths didn’t cross soon.

  Onward they walked, and she was at a loss for words, which Wyatt seemed to understand.

  The library, it turned out, was on the same level as her room. The door was like every other in this metallic world, and Wyatt pushed it open, motioning for her to follow. The room was dark with one bookcase. The dreary walls were covered in maps, painting a visual picture for her. A very small desk and two chairs lay at the center.

  It was small, but it was the coziest place she had seen here yet.

  Wyatt pulled a worn black-covered book from the top shelf and gently said, “Sit.”

  She gracefully accepted, her battered and bruised body complaining about her earlier activities that afternoon.

  “This is the last copy of the History of Kiero,” he said, bitterly. “It dates back to before your parents were married. Memphis thought reading this might help your memories become clearer.”

  She eagerly reached for the book, Wyatt holding it just out of her reach. “I will advise you to absorb what is here, but remember that this time, our future is ours to write.”

  He held her gaze and then gently laid the book down in front of her. Standing, he took his leave. “I have to go check on Jaxson. I will be back in a couple of hours.”

  His words were already background noise to Emory as she gently opened the fragile cover. It was apparently the day of gifts.

  She eagerly looked to the first sentence and was swept away in the story about a magical kingdom that was divided from the beginning. Of how her parents’ marriage was part of peace treaty between the Shattered Isles and Kiero that would help stop slaving in Kiero and unite the borders and ensure all their resources would still be produced and sold. Of how they built a democratic society to ensure everyone felt they were equals, that they had a say about how their towns and government should be run. This had worked for a while, and fifteen peaceful years had followed.

  Emory leaned closer, her nose practically touching the pages when she reached the part that introduced Adair’s family. The Strattons had been her parents’ best friends and advisors, it was said, and they had always thought the Academy was too soft. That the students should be taught how to use brute force and grow their abilities instead of learning how to control them.

  It was only a paragraph describing the Fall of the Academy, and all that was said at the end was, “It is unknown why the Strattons’ son unleashed his ability for destruction and sadly killing The Faes to usurp the throne. It is rumored the Strattons also perished.”

  Emory leaned back, exhaling hard. Blinking heavily, she wondered how long she had been there. Her eyes stung, and her lower back cramped. She turned to look at the door and yelled, falling out of her chair when she saw Memphis’s silhouette leaning against the open door.

  “By flame and fire, Emory! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Groaning, she stood. “You could have knocked.”

  He stepped closer, eyes lighting up. “I was wondering when you would notice I was there, but you seemed rather engrossed.”

  Her mind was still digesting all the information she had took in. She eyed the Commander warily. “Where’s Wyatt?”

  “He got held up with Jaxson, so I came by to tear you away. You should get some rest.”

  Not arguing, she made her way to the door and into the hallway.

  Memphis whispered to her back, “It suits you, the necklace.”

  She turned to look at him with raised eyebrows. She was exhausted, sore, and above all else too tired to think about the rugged man in front of her with his mind games. “Goodnight, Memphis.”

  She turned her back, and he gently grabbed her hand, his thumb slowly tracing circles on the inside of her palm. Her heart stuttered as he lowered his full lips to the top of her hand, not breaking his gaze. The kiss was feather light.

  Straightening, he stepped toward her, slowly. “Em,” he whispered, voice dripping with honey.

  A coolness settled in her stomach, and she cleared her throat. “Where is Nyx tonight, Memphis?”

  Stopping, he smirked and winked at her icy expression. �
��Sleep well.” With that, he was gone, disappearing down the hallway and leaving Emory more confused and frustrated than before.

  Stalking, she slammed the library door behind her, which was all too satisfying. She made her way back to her room, not able to shake how much she liked Memphis’s lips on her skin and how much she wanted to find her Commander again.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Nyx

  The taste of blood coursed through her mouth. Nyx cracked, her emotions fueling her when she ducked as Brokk’s fist swung to meet her face once more.

  “You’re going to have to do better than that!” she said breathlessly, knowing he was on a short fuse. She wanted him to give her his all.

  Spitting blood out, Brokk lunged at her relentlessly. Her body responded: duck, uppercut, duck, right hook... There was a satisfying thud when she met her target. Brokk grunted, responding in kind to their savage dance. Minutes, hours passed; sweat poured off their bodies, both trying to find some sort of calm.

  Finally, she yielded as Brokk stopped to catch his breath.

  It was hours after their day had concluded, but they both needed a distraction. Brokk had finished his turn in the ring, and she had dragged him here. Their training arena was small but efficient located adjacent to the dining hall. Worn dummies with Adair’s sigil blazed on their chests littered the room, and Nyx leaned lightly against one, her heart pounding.

  She traced the line of her jaw with her finger, feeling the skin had spilt.

  “Have some pent-up frustrations there, Brokk?”

  His golden eyes narrowed. He stalked toward her, rolling his shoulders at the same time. “Don’t be coy, Nyx. Both of us know the answer to that.”

  That she did. The thought of Emory left a sour taste in her mouth. Their savior.

  She scuffed the floor with her boot and, moving centrally, began to stretch. Brokk followed suit. Nyx pulled her purple hair back with a worn band and concentrated on her breath. If Memphis had given her a proper chance, maybe the entire fate of their group wouldn’t lie with a girl who had experienced nothing. They spent years scouting, planning, and gathering information, and even then, they had just found out Adair’s location. Memphis held them back for safety. They were skilled, but Adair was always better.