The Shapeshifters: The Kiesha'ra of the Den of Shadows

by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

  It hurt to see him draw back from me, and I fought every instinct not to hide behind the comfortable reserve I knew so well. “Zane—”

  He turned back to me and took a deep breath, his gaze holding me in place, frozen, as if I had met the gorgon’s eyes, except for the frantic beat of my heart. “I do appreciate the effort, Danica. I enjoyed spending time with you in the market, and I’m glad to see you can be so comfortable around my people. But you’re here alone with me now only despite your fear … and I’m not looking for that kind of sacrifice.” His voice softened as his anger simmered out. “I would be your lover if you would trust me, but I don’t want you to come to me because you feel like it is an … unpleasant duty. I would rather be your enemy than a meaningless obligation.”

  My heart lurched into my throat at his words, and for a moment all I could do was stand dumbly. By the time I had unraveled my tongue to argue, he was continuing, the last of his rage gone.

  “If you want to make the offer someday when it means something to you …” He shrugged, and for a moment the brilliant, charm-birds-from-their-nests smile was back, but then he was gone and I stood in shock.

  He is wrong. Whatever else our relationship might be, it could never be meaningless.

  Heart still beating loud enough to wake the dead, I followed him into the hall, trying to discern which direction he had gone. In that moment of hesitation, my ears picked up a noise that registered as subtly wrong.

  The sound came again: a familiar cry that raised the feathers on the back of my neck. Carefully but quickly I moved toward it.

  Just a few paces beyond the hallway’s bend, I saw two figures fighting. One was obviously Zane; his movements had the frightening fluidity of a serpiente warrior, and he fought as soundlessly as all his people. The only noise came from his opponent, and even that was so soft I would never have heard it had I not stopped in the hall.

  The second figure was either a slender young man or a plain, shapeless female; I suspected the first. The loose black clothing he wore left much to the imagination—as much as the silken scarf twined around the assassin’s head, which showed only shadows over his eyes.

  The word assassin came to my mind un-bidden, but as soon as I thought it, I knew it to be true. I also knew, from the style of his movements, that the attacker was probably avian. He was fighting with the long-bladed dirk many of the Royal Flight favored, and he guarded his back with the precision of a soldier who is used to defending wings.

  Quickly my thoughts shifted. If the assassin was avian, caution made it reasonable to assume the blade of his weapon was poisoned. Depending on the strength, a scratch could kill; he did not even need to land a fatal blow.

  I did not wait for an opportunity. Against avian poison, I was safer than Zane, and I hoped that even an assassin would hesitate to harm his Tuuli Thea. All but ignoring the weapon, I grasped the attacker from behind and dragged him backward to keep Zane from the range of his blade.

  The assassin whirled, and I raised an arm to defend my face. I felt the knife cut through the flesh of my forearm and the heat of poison in the wound, but I also felt my attacker recoil. He had recognized me.

  Obviously unwilling to continue the fight with me in the middle, the assassin spun and took off down the hall.

  Zane moved as if to follow, but then he turned to me.

  “Danica, are you okay?”

  I was going to say yes, I think, but at that moment the world warped and churned around me, and I stumbled back into the wall. Zane gathered me in his arms and hurried to pound on a doorway down the hall. Almost instantly four of the guard emerged.

  “Adelina, we’ve had a run-in with an assassin, avian, I think. Danica’s hurt. He went in the direction of the north exit.”

  Adelina nodded sharply. “You, with me,” she ordered one of her men, who I recognized as Irene’s mate, Galen. To the other two she said quickly, “You, stay with your Diente, and you, fetch the doctor and Danica’s guard. Keep quiet,” she added, with a glance at Zane that lingered only a moment too long. “We don’t want this hollered all over the palace.”

  “Let’s get her back to her room,” Adelina suggested, speaking to Zane, who nodded mutely. She added, “We wouldn’t have moments like this if you shouted when attacked.”

  Zane shook off the criticism. “The injury isn’t bad, but …”

  Time warped a bit right then. The next thing I knew, Andreios was bandaging my arm while the doctor paced in the background. “It won’t kill her,” I heard Rei explaining to Zane, “but—Danica, how do you feel?” he asked, noticing I was awake.

  “Not well,” I responded. My throat felt dry.

  “You’ll be fine,” he assured me. “The poison must have been nearly pure to affect you this strongly, but it isn’t designed to harm avians. You’ll probably drift in and out for a while, and after that you might suffer dizzy spells for a couple …”

  Again the words trailed off.

  The next time I woke, I was lying on my bed, still in the palace. Zane was sitting beside me.

  “Water?” he offered.

  “Please.” He wrapped an arm under my shoulders to help me sit up, and I gulped down the drink he held to my lips.

  “You could have been killed.” His voice was carefully neutral, the same tone with which he had offered water, and I wondered what emotion he was trying not to share.

  I shook my head, and that made it spin. A deep breath grounded me, and when I was sure I was not about to pass out again, I added, “I assumed one of my people would hesitate to hurt me. Even a scratch from that knife would have killed you.”

  “How were you so sure it was one of yours?” Zane answered.

  “The way he moved. Did they catch him?”

  “Her,” Zane corrected. “The guard cornered the girl down the hall.” He paused reflectively and then admitted, “It surprised me, too, that she was one of my people.”

  “Serpent?” I thought back and remembered how the would-be assassin had fought. “But she moved as if she had avian training.”

  “She might have been a dancer; a good one of that guild could probably imitate an avian fighter. My guess is that she was trying to return us to war. According to Andreios, one of the Royal Flight had his weapon stolen recently. Our serpent either didn’t realize how strong the poison was, or she was willing to kill me. Any observer would have blamed the murder on your people, and that would have caused havoc.”

  “Have you spoken with the … her?” I could not make myself say “assassin” aloud.

  Zane shook his head. “According to Adelina, she took her own life when she realized the guard had her cornered.”

  My head was spinning again, and I put a hand to my temple as if that might keep the world still. “What was her name?”

  “It wasn’t in Adelina’s report,” Zane answered. “Only that the girl was a viper. Probably no one in the guard recognized her.”

  “Did you … see her?” I asked.

  “No.” His gaze flickered as if he was uncertain about that decision. “If none of the guard recognized her, I suppose I wouldn’t have, either. They can deal with the body. I preferred to stay here to make sure you would be all right.” Regarding me critically, he said, “You should probably rest more.”

  “How long did Rei say it would be until I am on my feet again?” I asked as Zane helped me to lie down again.

  “Not much longer,” he answered. “This is the most lucid you’ve been since you were hurt.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “Almost a full day. Close your eyes, Danica. Try to rest.”

  I did as I was bidden, and almost instantly I was asleep.

  ZANE DID NOT MOVE MORE THAN TWO steps from my side when I was finally well enough to walk about. My stomach was still feeling picky, so the lamb dinner was further delayed, but aside from an occasional few moments of faintness, I felt fine.

  “Are you sure you’re okay to travel?” Zane asked. It was the hundredt
h time I had heard the question that day. Rei had asked as many times as Zane.

  “I’m fine.” I sighed again. “We’re already late arriving at the Keep, and I don’t want anyone imagining I’ve been killed over here.”

  Both Rei and Zane had to agree with that reasoning. With one of them on each side of me, we rode.

  IT WAS A hard trip, but Rei had insisted that riding was safer than flying if I was still having dizzy spells. By the time we arrived, I had gained a new appreciation for how much time Zane had spent traveling this path by horse while I held to the luxury of flight.

  At the entrance to the Keep, we were met by a flurry of the Royal Flight, led by Gerard in Rei’s absence. Near the edge of the group was a worn-looking Erica Silvermead. She did not even seem to have the heart to give Zane a proper glare as we dismounted in the courtyard.

  Gerard filled us in quietly as the horses were stabled. “Erica returned to duty a few hours ago. Her father’s death has taken a toll on her. A few weeks ago, he would have been listed as a soldier in battle; now he has been labeled a traitor.”

  The words made me take a second look at the young sparrow who stood across the courtyard like a lost soul. She was slender, hated the serpiente and had been out of sight the past several days.

  Rei caught me examining the girl with a critical eye. “Adelina caught the assassin,” he said, sensing my thoughts. “But if you are still worried, I can keep a closer eye on Erica.” The offer made it clear that he too was concerned about Erica’s state of mind.

  “Thank you,” I answered.

  “Shardae, did you intend to loiter in the courtyard for hours while I wondered over your whereabouts?” I turned toward my mother, feeling appropriately chastised. However, beneath the censure, her face and voice both betrayed worry. “You have been missed these last few days, and the market and court are both full of nasty rumors. Karashan was on the verge of storming the palace, sure you had been abducted or worse.”

  “We had some problems with a … would-be assassin,” I answered hesitantly. I went on to explain as much of the circumstances as was my mother’s business, including the fact that while the assassin had imitated an avian soldier, Adelina had reported her to be a serpent.

  My mother gasped. “Did it not even occur to you that you might have been the target?”

  I shook my head. “I wasn’t. There was plenty of opportunity to harm me.”

  She frowned. “If your theory is correct that someone is trying to start the war again,” she pressed, ignoring Zane completely as she spoke, “then why would a serpent have hesitated to harm you? In the heart of the serpiente palace, that would have caused as much trouble as if she had killed your alistair.”

  “I don’t know.” I glanced at Zane, wondering if he had thought this point through.

  “My best guess is that she wasn’t trying to kill anyone,” he offered. “She was trying to make it appear as if someone had attempted to kill me, but she probably balked at actually doing the deed.”

  “Nice to know your kind hesitates at some crimes,” my mother said dryly. “The idea still seems unlikely to me. You are certain that this Adelina didn’t make a mistake?”

  “Do you have a better theory?” I spoke a bit louder than was necessary and gave Zane a warning glance before he could say the caustic remark that was surely waiting on the tip of his tongue.

  My mother made some reply along the lines of “I will consider it,” but I did not truly heed the words. I grasped at Zane’s arm, trying to remain standing as one of the now familiar waves of dizziness passed over me.

  “Shardae, for the love of sunlight, go lie down.” My mother’s voice finally came fully to my ears. “You’re frighteningly pale. Why in the world did you let her travel in this condition?” This last was demanded of Rei.

  “She insisted” was his answer. “Your daughter did not want you to worry.”

  “I’m fine, Mother.” I even managed to release Zane and remain on my feet. “The spells are not nearly as bad now as they were earlier.”

  My mother shook her head skeptically. “Danica, you must have ridden for hours just to get here, on top of having been injured. If your guards and your alistair cannot convince you, then allow me to appeal to your sanity. Go lie down.”

  I nodded finally. It was late, and I had ridden hard. “Fine, I will go.”

  “Zane, perhaps you might stay?” my mother asked as we turned to leave. “I have a question for you regarding your people down in the market. There’s no trouble—Danica, please, go to bed,” she interrupted herself when I paused. “This is hardly anything important enough to warrant your attention.”

  “Sleep well, Danica,” Zane said, already turning to speak to my mother.

  I knew she was just trying to keep Zane away from me. Anything “hardly important enough” for me to be bothered with was surely nothing Zane needed to hear at this moment. She wanted to make sure I would go to my room alone.

  I slept poorly, with a scattering of dreams I could not quite remember, yet I woke when dawn was barely brushing the sky, feeling surprisingly refreshed.

  I did not want to bother any of the Keep servants yet, so I slipped into clean clothing and padded into the hall unaccompanied.

  Rei had been on duty guarding the hall, and at the moment he was deep in conversation with Zane.

  “I wish I could,” Rei interrupted whatever Zane had been saying, his voice slightly raised. “If you—”

  “Danica.” I had been seen. Zane cut off Rei’s words and stepped past my guard to greet me. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”

  “Fine … good. What were you two talking about this early?” The instant I asked the question, Rei’s expression let me know they had been talking about me. In what context, I did not know.

  “Idle fantasies,” Zane answered smoothly. Neither his voice nor his face gave away his thoughts. However, I trusted Rei implicitly and knew that he would not have tolerated insults or threats against me. “Andreios has been telling me avian lore.”

  That I could believe. Andreios had a passion for the old stories that belied his otherwise reserved nature. When prompted, he spun the mythical origins of our kind in a way that could make the hardest skeptic believe for a moment that they were real.

  As we descended the stairs toward the court, Rei made most of the conversation. “I spoke to Lady Nacola,” he commented. “In light of the attempt on Zane’s life at the palace, she has dropped her argument against allowing some of his guard into the Keep. Adelina and Ailbhe should arrive before dawn tomorrow morning, and I’ve asked them to report to me when they do so.” Rei shrugged lightly as he commented, “Your mother wavers between threatening Zane’s life and trying to preserve it. She’s convinced that our people were somehow involved in the attack at the palace.”

  “Adelina’s coming?” The words were sharper than I had intended; Zane’s expression took on the barest hint of a frown.

  I doubted that Rei was as oblivious to the tension as he appeared, but he answered, “She is the captain of the guard, and is more than capable in that capacity. In addition to her technical qualifications, she seems very loyal.”

  Rei’s opinion sealed the matter. He was captain of the Royal Flight, and if he thought Adelina would benefit the Keep, I would have to accept his decision.

  Though the formal breakfast would not be served for hours, fruit, bread, milk and cider were available in the court for early risers. Several such people greeted us quietly before returning to what they were doing.

  I helped myself to an ample meal. My appetite had finally returned, and it had done so with a vengeance. Though Rei had already eaten, Zane served himself a meal similar to mine, and we sat at one of the side tables to eat.

  “What did my mother have to say about our flute-maker last night?” I asked Zane, trying to draw him from the melancholy silence he seemed to have fallen into.

  He smiled wryly, and the expression appeared forced. “Nothing important, reall
y. I think she doesn’t like the thought of my having time on my hands in which I can plan mischief.”

  Rei glanced at me quizzically, clearly asking whether he should leave. I didn’t like seeing Zane in this mood and wanted a moment alone with Rei to ask what they had been discussing that had bothered the serpiente so much.

  He made up his mind without input from me. Standing, Rei apologized. “I need to check in with my flight to make sure there won’t be trouble when Adelina and Ailbhe get here tomorrow. Karl will be with you today,” he added, nodding toward the doorway, where the slender raven waited unobtrusively. Quietly, so only Zane and I would hear, Rei added, “Karl’s weapon was the one stolen by your serpiente assassin, and he has been doing everything he can to earn back my flight’s confidence. I’ve never had a problem with him before; he’s one of my most competent soldiers, and he is infinitely loyal. You can trust him.”

  With this reassurance, Rei left, and Zane and I picked at our food in silence. I made a few more attempts at conversation, to which Zane responded with what sounded like a forced attempt at lightness.

  Eventually I gave up on discretion and asked point-blank, “Zane, what’s wrong?”

  “Why would I be bothered by anything?” he replied sarcastically. “I was nearly killed within five steps of my own bedroom, and you were injured. What one person does, several people usually consider—several people who, in this case, are considering what the benefits would be if you or I met with an untimely death.” He stood from the table, and I could see he was trying to gather his self-control. “Excuse me, Danica. I shouldn’t be sharp with you, of all people.”

  “In this situation, it’s perfectly forgivable.”

  He just shook his head.

  THOUGH ZANE MADE every attempt to hide it, his dark mood persisted for the rest of the day. In front of avians who had not spent as much time with him as I had recently, he must have simply seemed more subdued than usual—a favorable turn in the eyes of the court, with which we spent most of the day.

  The two serpiente merchants, however, exchanged worried glances during the short conversation they had with Zane and me while we were circuiting the market.