'Expensive, then?'
'No. Free for me,' he said, grinning.
'You freed her from somewhere?' At his deadpan look, I added, 'Her sister, father, daughter…'
'I don't save everybody I know.'
'But?'
'Fine,' the vampire relented. 'I was at some fey markets when I 'overheard' a merchant trying to cheat her. I simply warned her that he was ripping her off.'
I took off my boots and put on the new ones. I stood and paced a bit. They were comfortable and even though I could feel the hidden pockets, they did not aggravate me when I moved. I crouched and tested pulling the daggers from their holsters and putting them back.
'Did you come back just to bring me these gifts?' I asked. Then added, 'For which I am grateful.'
'But you suspect my motives. And rightfully so. I'm here for the foreseeable future. You may be determined to face this threat alone, Therion, but I'm not the kind of friend who listens when his intuition tells him to do otherwise.' He paused, then said, 'Thomas is downstairs with the sentries. Amelia is in the courtyard.' At my exasperated look, he explained, 'When Thomas found out I returned here, he asked why. And I told him— I don't believe this façade of calm you're putting on. You won't tell me your strategy, which means you think I won't agree with it. The only reason I wouldn't agree with it would be because you plan to place yourself at great risk. I'm not letting you handle this alone. It's what friends do. When Thomas discovered that I returned, he rescheduled his meetings and turned up soon after. And Amelia… well, of course, she caught on, and now we're all here. Jay knows we're here.'
Jayden often got up in the middle of the night when a nightmare woke her. She'd been having them since her abduction but would not let me alter her memory for fear it might affect her testimony when the case went to court.
'She got up to make coffee and found us,' Bastien continued. 'I believe there was also some fooling around with the camera function of your phone that had Amelia and Jay giggling like school girls.'
I raised my eyebrows at that.
'Jay was explaining to Amelia about selfies, so there's likely some pics on your phone of them hamming it up.'
'Hamming?'
'A saying of theatrical origin that essentially captures the spirit of them acting like a pair of kids taking photos of each other in ridiculous poses. Now, I know I sound like a broken record, but will you finally tell me who you think Ceri-talen is sending— don't deny knowing— and what you mean to do when they turn up?'
I sighed, if they were determined to remain, they should have some inkling as to what to expect.
'Ulyn will send Qu-te-se. She is aware of the times I have saved his life, and such concern on my part will not have gone unnoticed. She used to keep a journal on me and would have noted such behaviour. She will delight in forcing me to either end a life I thought worth saving or my being killed by someone I’d saved. She will send him... soon.' I thought on it for a moment. 'Probably when she thinks I will least expect it, so around dawn.' At Bastien's impatient expression, I admitted, 'Indeed, I think she will send him this very morning.'
My revelation made the vampire snort and give me a disapproving look. I met his gaze without remorse. 'I urge you, Bastien, take Thomas and Amelia. I just want warning of Qu-te-se's arrival, the sentries are sufficient for that.'
He was about to respond when Jayden walked in. She gave us a sleepy smile of welcome and went to her coffee machine. After a few minutes she turned and said, 'You two arguing again?' At our lack of response, she smiled again. 'I'll just finish making my coffee and go downstairs. Then you won't have to worry about what I'll overhear.'
I rose. 'No need to worry. Bastien has made up his mind and I should know better than to try to change it.' I looked over at him. 'I don't have many friends, so I'd like to keep the ones I have.'
Jayden raised her coffee. 'Good to hear,' she started towards the door, 'but I'm still heading downstairs. I want to look over the café before Yu arrives.'
Bastien led the way down into the atrium greeting Amelia and Adrian with a wave. They were out in the courtyard but, upon seeing us, started walking towards the atrium. Their conversation slowed their pace though. Just as we reached the bottom of the stairs, I sensed movement through the planes. I pushed Jayden behind me and lunged for Bastien, also swinging him behind me. At the same time, I saw Amelia and Adrian tense. Heard the radio chatter as Thomas and Tadhg called in a warning. Thomas came over the courtyard wall a moment later, calling to Amelia as he did. She and Adrian followed him into the atrium just as Tadhg opened the door leading from the kitchen to the atrium, a look of wary alertness on his face. They needed to leave. The being coming through the planes was powerful, too powerful for them. Possibly too powerful for me.
When Qu-te-se appeared, I felt a surge of pity. I could tell from his scars that Ulyn had been at him. Some changes were obvious, talons on his hands, more claw-like horns along the outside of his forearms. They looked sharp enough to slash a throat should he get the right hold. I knew immediately his strength was currently greater than mine. By Aurealis's rules, I could only kill to gain more energy if the soul was tainted and I was in battle. She did not allow me to build up strength in preparation for a battle yet to start. I could still scent the wyvern Ulyn had sacrificed to feed him. That said a lot; wyverns were difficult even for therilgalen to kill, the one I had saved Bastien from had been young and worn down from fighting with the vampire. An older wyvern, one old enough to supply the kind of spirit energy that Qu-te-se reeked of would have taken several therilgalen to subdue and Ceri-talen would not have agreed to the sacrifice lightly as he favoured dragon-kind. He reflected that favour in the design of many of the creatures he brought into being.
Qu-te-se's eyes were blood-red and when he spoke, I was surprised at how lucid he sounded. By now, most therilgalen would be beyond speaking, all that would matter would be the kill.
'Therion…' Qu-te-se murmured. Despite his low tone, I could hear unbending determination in his voice.
'Leave!' I sent the thought at the vampires with all the force I thought their minds could take. I felt Thomas and Amelia instantly shift out of the plane, Adrian raced to Tadhg, grabbed him and shifted out. Bastien remained.
'Bastien!'
'Ulyn says she has made it easier on me,' Qu-te-se was saying. 'She told me not to kill you.'
I did not wait, as soon as I felt Bastien go incorporeal, I spun, snatched up Jayden and launched myself into the planes.
Bastien
I looked into the blood-red gaze of the distorted therilgalen as I shimmered in my ghost-like state. The face looked like Qu-te-se, once second in command to Therion as well as being his friend, now the lead therilgalen in the Dark Realm.
A moment after Therion planes-shifted I decided against hiding, because even if Qu-te-se couldn't follow, it would do no harm to delay him as much as possible. I returned to my corporeal state.
Despite the obvious fury in his eyes, there was surprise in Qu-te-se's expression. It was likely due to the unexpectedness of Therion's response to his arrival. Therion had run rather than face him. I had never known Therion to run, and I would bet my incisors that Qu-te-se had never seen it happen, either.
I took advantage of Qu-te-se's distraction to charge him. Ramming my shoulder into his abdomen, we both went over. As we rolled, Qu-te-se recovered quickly from his shock and flung me off him. Landing in a crouch I readied to charge again, but Qu-te-se pre-empted the move and charged first. We dodged and parried each other for a number of minutes until Qu-te-se pulled off a feint and lured me within reach. Several minutes later I couldn't tell which bones were broken, but I could assure you that I did, indeed, have broken bones. I'd crashed against the unfinished, raised garden in the centre of the atrium. I was thankful it wasn't the glass stairs, if they'd shattered I’d have been a lot worse off. Rising, I could feel my regenerative abilities already working to heal me. I circled out of reach for a moment to gain a little m
ore time to heal, but I'd fought with broken bones before, my vampire nature makes me particularly resilient. In my home realm, I'd faced many formidable creatures, granted, none as powerful as a therilgalen, but my kind had evolved in a dangerous realm and we were stronger for it, so, after only a few moments, I closed again. I did not want Qu-te-se to have time to remember that the longer he fought me, the more time his prey had to run.
We clashed, separated, and clashed again several more times until Qu-te-se seemed to realise my motive in attacking because he suddenly drew away and became quite still.
'You have more intelligence than I first credited to you. You do not fight, you delay. Allowing Therion to run. I will remember that.'
He planes-shifted before I could distract him further. It had been worth the try.
Therion
[Wrong Side of Heaven – Five Finger Death Punch]
I felt the pull of the barrier protecting the Sunlit Meadows drag on my spirit. For a moment, I was worried that Jayden's spirit would not get through, but the barrier did not prevent her entrance. We drew several curious looks from some light-dancers arrayed in a small group discussing something.
'Be aware,' I said raising my voice. Instantly, I had their full attention. They all know, no matter how much they dislike me, that my function is to protect them and if I have something to say, it is important.
'I have a therilgalen pursuer. You should flee to safety.'
It did not happen often, yet it was not unknown for therilgalen to breach the barriers of this plane. In ones and twos, the light-dancers heeded my recommendation, their forms transforming into light and then blinking out.
I held Jayden to me. Expending some energy to negate the ill effects humans suffer from planes-shifting.
'Promise me you will seek a life if I am unable to return with you.'
Jayden looked up at me. 'We already agreed about what we will do if the worst occurs,' she said softly. She was worried and frustrated. It was true, we had discussed it and had come to an agreement about what was best. Yet, whenever I spoke of her putting her life back together, finding a new companion, having a family, her career, all those things I had come to learn were important to a fulfilling human life, she was always evasive. I wanted to discuss it more, but there was no longer any time. If Qu-te-se made it through the wards into this realm, there was little chance of a desirable outcome. As I understood it, by bringing Jayden here, I made her safety Aurealis's responsibility. None who sought sanctuary could be turned away. This was where I'd made my request to Aurealis when I changed sides. I'd had to seek sanctuary so she could lawfully claim me and protect me from Ceri-talen.
'Remember, Jayden. When Aurealis appears, you must say that you seek sanctuary. Say your name and that you seek her protection.'
Jayden inhaled deeply, before saying, 'I remember.'
A portal shimmered, but then flickered out.
Qu-te-se was expending a huge amount of energy. I was hoping that the burning light here would add to those things wearing him down. Even after all this time, I still found the light stinging, but much less so than when I first entered this realm and I had been changed so I could use sunlight to replenish my energy. It was an irony I did not appreciate: a shadow being made reliant on sunlight for energy.
The wind started to pick up rapidly, an eyrie keening echoing about the valley.
Several of Aurealis's soldiers shifted in, though they kept well behind me, uncertain as to what was happening and scouting the situation first. Just as I was about to call one over to take Jayden, another portal flashed and a sound much like an otherworldly scream pierced my ears as Qu-te-se forced his way through.
He was roaring and I could see the effort cost him. Venom dripped from his fangs and his head whipped towards me as soon as he oriented himself. What was left of the light-dancers scattered, disappearing or flying to a safe distance. The soldiers were, as always, content for me handle the intruder— that was the understanding, if a soul taker killed them, they'd be extinguished. Only if things got dire, would they step in.
I pushed Jayden behind me as Qu-te-se charged.
'I have her,' I heard a soft, familiar voice say.
'What of Maya?' I asked.
'She is safe,' Vessa assured me.
Had I a moment to dwell on it, I would have felt honoured that the guardian had come to stand by me. There was no time, though, for Qu-te-se rammed into me like a train at full speed. I relaxed, not wasting my energy repelling a charge I could not stop. Pulling my wings in, I locked the feathers into a shield to protect them when we hit the ground.
We hit hard.
My shoulder took most of the force and I grunted as I landed. Using the remaining momentum, I threw Qu-te-se off me. In a practiced move, I drew my short swords with one hand, that was one of the reasons I had them both on the same side; it allowed me to grab both hilts in a single move. At the same time, I punched the side of Qu-te-se's head with my free hand and then stepped back long enough to toss one of my blades in the air, taking another step back, I leaned out to catch it— another move I had practiced. I dodged the next charge and slashed at the tendons in his lower leg. He crumpled, then used his wings to pick himself up. He did not draw his sword, deciding instead to take off. It was a move I had often used— get enough height and you could use it to swoop in and deliver a brutal blow to your opponent. It also bought him time for his regenerative faculties to heal the tendons enough for him to use them again.
I was not about to give him that time.
Qu-te-se saw me take off and, drawing his sword, changed course. He was higher than me and used that to his advantage. I had to use both my swords to block his strikes. My short swords are easier to manoeuvre in close quarters, so I was able to slash at his legs, forcing him to back up and allowing me to gain more height. I swung for his right shoulder while using my other blade to parry his next strike.
Qu-te-se pulled in his wings, causing him to drop, at the same time he sheathed his sword. Then he flung his wings out to catch an upward draft and arced behind and above me. In less than a heartbeat he was upon me, the talons made of his hands digging into my shoulders, the current of air providing momentum for him to force me downwards. I brought my wings in so that if he continued to hang on to my shoulders, he was dealing with more weight. He let go and twisted away, but I was too close to the ground to save myself.
As I hit the ground, I rolled with the momentum and stopped myself in a crouch, searching for Qu-te-se. He swooped in from an angle behind my shoulder, and I barely ducked in time. He changed direction, this time coming in so low he was able to hook me about the waist and sling-shot me across the meadow. He followed through with a series of blows, but I managed to break free and thrust a blade through the back of his thigh. Qu-te-se spun and slashed my upper arm and part of my chest with his talons. I felt them shear through my muscle with as little resistance as water gives fingers, but I scored another strike with one of my swords along his side.
I could see he was tiring. He kept trying to take up a position where he was not looking into the sun, but the source of light here was god-created; I knew well that there was no escaping its glare. The effort of breaking through to this plane and the lack of shadows had drained a significant amount of his energy. Ulyn would likely rant and rail about sacrificing a wyvern to have half its benefit undone by what she would view as a simple change in location. The problem was, he still had ample energy to heal his injuries and fight under these adverse conditions. It did not help that Qu-te-se was a highly skilled warrior, one I had personally trained before I defected, thus, I was not as confident of victory with him as I would have been facing many other therilgalen.
Jay
I had thought Therion invincible. He was surviving rather well, considering the beating he was taking. He delivered several very damaging blows, but the other therilgalen just kept coming. Therion had said he expected that his old handler, Ulyn, would send Qu-te-se. He said she would find it
amusing to pit him against one he considered a friend. The way Qu-te-se was fighting, though, I saw no evidence of a friendship. I'd heard Qu-te-se say he wouldn't kill Therion when he first appeared in the atrium, but I seriously doubted it.
The worst part was that I couldn't help. I had no weapons, no particular skills useful in fending off something like a therilgalen. I could only watch in horror as they traded strikes. Vessa's hands on my shoulders reminded me that I was not alone, but it made me wonder why no one was helping Therion. Therion was more graceful, faster, more controlled; unfortunately Qu-te-se's brute strength was his downfall. Therion's ability to use his wings to deflect blows, help him manoeuvre, and hide strikes until the last moment, greatly frustrated his opponent, but once Qu-te-se pinned him, Therion suffered serious injuries.
Suddenly, Qu-te-se swept Therion up and threw him into the side of a small, white-walled cottage. The force was such that the wall crumbled, taking one corner of the cottage with it and sending up a thick cloud of white dust.
For a long moment, Qu-te-se paused. His chest heaving out ragged breaths, pain contorting his face.
Disappearing into the dust cloud, I was certain Qu-te-se was going to deliver a killing strike. The blood-chilling scream that resounded throughout the valley moments after Qu-te-se disappeared seemed to confirm that.
It was Therion's voice.
The silence that followed it brought tears to my eyes.
He couldn't be dead…
…
…
…
Could he?
Abruptly, a dark figure came sailing out of the dust and hit the ground hard.
Oh, Therion. How could his supposed friend treat him, treat his body like that?
When Therion emerged from the white screen of dust, I frowned. Then, as the dust cleared about the fallen dark-angel, I realised it was Qu-te-se who had been thrown across the field… By Therion. He was still alive!
Soul Taker's Redemption Page 48
