Ashe (Fuse Book 2)

by E. L. Todd

  I’m getting really annoyed with this.

  You don’t like her either, huh?

  I don’t think she should be burned to death like you do.

  Difference in opinion, I guess.

  “Lilac, my personal life is none of your business. All you need to know is that it’s never going to happen between us. So, if you want to hook up with Victor, you should. I’m unavailable.”

  Her face fell like she’d been punched in the nose. “Who is she? Why isn’t she here helping you?”

  “Because she’s doing her part elsewhere.” I hope, at least. She won’t talk to me…

  She will eventually, and we’ll get to the bottom of her silence.

  “How long has this been going on—”

  “Enough of the questions. I’m done with this conversation.” Rush turned away and left her there alone, annoyed by the entire exchange. How did I ditch her at the inn and she’s still clingy?

  Because she likes you, Rush.

  I don’t see what there is to like.

  Cora likes you…so obviously, there’s something.

  Anastille was on their left, far away and invisible, and in the darkness, they crept around Rock Island to drop anchor.

  “What’s the plan?” Bridge sat at the table with Lilac beside him, slouching in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest, still angry from their conversation a few days ago. Liam and Zane were on the ship too, having hopped aboard when the sun was still out.

  Rush sat with his beer in front of him, eerily calm despite the fierce odds he was about to face. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but if it’s run the way I recall, there’re only a few guards. The slaves are too intimidated to rise up, even though they outnumber the guards one hundred to one.”

  “Is that what you’re going to do?” Zane asked. “Encourage the guards to fight with you?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “That would take way too long.”

  Way too long.

  “Then what?” Bridge asked.

  “I kill the guards,” Rush said with a shrug. “Pretty simple.”

  Bridge leaned forward and rubbed his palms together. “While we’re ferrying the slaves away?”

  “No,” Rush said.

  “Make a distraction?” Lilac asked.

  “Nope, not that either,” Rush said.

  Bridge narrowed his eyes. “You better not say what I think you’re going to say.”

  Rush tapped his fingers against his temple. “You catch on quick, man.”

  “Well, can you spell it out for the rest of us?” Lilac said.

  Bridge released a long sigh. “He’s going in alone.”

  Liam raised both eyebrows. “By yourself?”

  Rush prepared for their reaction, and he just had to get through it so they could get going. “None of you are skilled fighters—”

  “Excuse me?” She threw her arms down, like she might get to her feet and fight him on the spot.

  “You’re good with a dagger,” Rush said. “Sorry, that’s not the same thing. The guards wear armor.”

  Lilac pulled out her knife. “All I need to do is slip it between their plates of armor.”

  They’re annoying.

  Just trying to help.

  They’ll just get in my way.

  True.

  “I’m going alone—and that’s final.” Rush looked at all them. “I appreciate your loyalty and dedication, but I’m hoping to get this done in an hour. I know the area well enough to sneak up on them all. When they’re all down, Rock Island will be ours.”

  “And if one of the stewards is here?” Bridge asked. “Or one of King Lux’s higher-ranking men who are fused?”

  “This place is a wasteland, so they don’t usually spend their time here,” Rush said. “I’m taking a gamble they aren’t here.”

  “And if you’re wrong?” Bridge asked.

  Rush gave a shrug. “I don’t know…we’ll have to fight him.”

  Liam’s eyes shifted back and forth. “You can’t kill a dragon.”

  He’d already done it enough times. He didn’t want to do it ever again. “I…I may have no choice.”

  I understand, Rush. We can’t save them all.

  Liam’s eyes watered. “I joined you to help the dragons, not kill them—”

  “I get that,” Rush said. “But I can’t force them to unfuse. That only happens between man and dragon—”

  “Or woman and dragon,” Lilac said.

  “There is only one woman fused with a dragon,” Rush said. “But that’s beside the point, alright? We’ll have to sacrifice a few to save the many. I’m sorry, but that’s how it has to be. There’s a good chance there will be no dragons here anyway, so this conversation is pointless. I need to get going.”

  They finally turned quiet, just staring at him.

  “When I’m successful, I’ll return to the ship. We’ll give Captain Hurricane his cut, and then we’ll figure out the next step. With the minerals and ores at our disposal, we should have no problem buying our own fleet of ships.” Once the captain got his treasure, he would sail away without looking back. I hate pirates.

  That makes two of us.

  The silence continued.

  Rush gave them the opportunity to say something, and when nothing came out, he clapped his palms against his thighs and rose to his feet. “Make sure there’s a pint waiting for me when I get back…”

  Twenty-One

  The Pits

  Rock Island was a living hell.

  The terrain was jagged and uneven, a wasteland made of rocks, boulders, and compacted sand. Flecks of light shone on every surface, hinting at the ores and minerals underneath.

  There was no greenery, and the only life that was present was the resilient weeds that popped up in random places. It was an island of imports and exports, trading what they had for the things they couldn’t produce on their own.

  Like food.

  Water.

  Pretty much anything.

  Rush navigated the short crags that blocked the ships from view and crept closer to the excavation sites.

  Torches burned throughout the night, highlighting the deep holes that were dug into the ground. Ladders went deep into the abyss, where the slaves worked from sunrise to sunset. They dug until they hit the bedrock then found another place to dig.

  What will King Lux do when he runs out?

  Find another hobby. Rush kneeled and examined the area. There were a few watchtowers, a lone guard in each one, turning one way then the next, visibly dragging their feet because their posts were pointless.

  No one ever tried to escape.

  A castle made of stone was on the premises, where the guards slept and congregated when their shifts concluded. There were also cages to house the prisoners who didn’t work hard enough. A nice beating made them pick up the pace.

  What’s first? The guards on the watchtowers?

  Yes.

  Alright. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

  Do you sense anyone?

  No.

  Then this should be easy.

  I can only sense if their mind is open. If their mind is closed, I cannot.

  I’m an optimist, so I’m going to hope for the best.

  Whatever you say.

  With his body low to the ground, Rush approached the first tower, on his stomach at the base of the ladder. He poked his head up, looking at the guard at the next watchtower.

  You’ll have to move quickly. Because they may start to notice the absence of guards in the tower.

  I know. Rush watched, waiting for the guard to turn away.

  Okay, go.

  Rush got to his feet and climbed the ladder quickly but also quietly. He remained below the top rung and peeked inside.

  The guard was facing his way.

  Okay, wait.

  What about the other guard?

  He’s turning this way.

  Shit.

  Rush lifted his head and checked again.
The guard turned away.

  Okay, go.

  Rush pulled himself inside, the guard looking over the grounds and oblivious to Rush right behind him. Rush glanced over the rail and saw the second guard turn away. Finally. He got to his feet and snapped the guard’s neck.

  He crumpled to the ground.

  Okay, go.

  Shut up about the go’s and wait’s.

  How am I supposed to help you then?

  Just change it up. He poked his head over the rail and looked at the other guard. He was turned the other way, so Rush moved to the ladder.

  Okay, go. Sorry, there’s no better way to say it.

  Rush held on to the edges of the ladder and slid all the way down before he ran to the next tower, getting low immediately afterward. There’ve gotta be ten of these.

  And the more you do, the more they’ll notice.

  I can take on a couple if it comes down to it, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

  Then let’s get to it.

  Go. Go. Go.

  Shut up! Rush sprinted across the grounds, four soldiers behind him.

  Stop. Stop. Stop.

  Rush halted, almost falling into a huge pit that wasn’t illuminated by the torches. He turned a different direction and kept up his sprint. Okay, that was actually helpful.

  It’s working. They’re all following you instead of going to the bell.

  Rush halted and unsheathed his sword, pivoting in place and slicing the blade through the air, slashing the first guard right across the neck.

  Niiiiiiice.

  He toppled over and fell into the pit.

  The other three came at once, surrounding him on all sides.

  Your left.

  Rush spun his sword on his wrist and deflected the blow before it could land. He kicked another in the chest, sending him into the pit along with the first.

  The other two were better swordsmen and were heavily armored, so their blades danced together, their feet gaining ground and losing ground, back and forth. Metal clanged against metal, and only little nicks were exchanged.

  Come on, you can do better than this.

  Do you not see the pits everywhere? Rush blocked another blow then turned to the previous soldier and aimed for his neck.

  He missed and lost the upper hand, forced back by the two guards.

  Pit behind you.

  Rush kept up the attack, meeting their swords and slamming his against their armor.

  Pit!

  I know! Rush’s heels hung over the edge, and he pushed the guards back as hard as he could. He kicked one in the chest and he faltered back, but the other did the same to him.

  I have to change. You’ll die if I don’t.

  Wait.

  They crumpled to the ground beneath him, and a hand reached out and grabbed the front of his shirt.

  Lilac glared at him, her bloody dagger still in her hand. “That was taking way too long.”

  Thanks for the heads-up.

  Sorry, I was focused on you.

  Lilac tugged him, moving him away from the pit.

  Rush was out of breath and sheathed his sword, covered in sweat because it was hot despite the night sky. It was always hot here, the forges running all the time to break the ores into smaller pieces. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I just had a bad feeling.”

  “The others?”

  “They don’t know. I snuck off.”

  Rush released an annoyed sigh. “That was not the plan—”

  “Would you rather have fallen fifty feet to your death?”

  “I could have changed.”

  “Isn’t that exactly what you’re trying to avoid? Just admit it. I saved your ass.”

  She’s infuriating.

  “Rush, it’s nice to see you again.” His loud voice echoed off the watchtowers, shook the foundation under their feet, and then brought an eerie silence to the pits.

  Rush already knew who it was. Didn’t even need to look. “You need to run.”

  “I’m staying right here—”

  “Just do as I say.” Red in the face with spittle accompanying his words, he shoved her in the shoulder before he turned to face the assault.

  In heavy black armor and flanked by several of his powerful men, General Noose headed straight for him, his smile hidden by the steel of his helmet. With every step, their weight was audible, distinct thuds against the ground.

  We need to fly.

  Lilac.

  Tell her to climb on.

  General Noose stepped aside, and his men revealed an enormous crossbow, with an arrow that would pierce Flare all the way through. They took a stance and readied it, prepared to fire the second Rush changed.

  What are we going to do?

  I have to fight him. He won’t kill me, but if we fly, he’ll kill us both.

  Once Lilac understood the situation, she was dead silent and kept her distance behind Rush.

  General Noose stopped a few feet away and unsheathed his blade. His dark eyes drilled into Rush’s, two pools of black oil. “Not so brave without your dragon, are you?”

  Rush held his gaze and slowly unsheathed his sword. The torches burned around them, and the night turned eerily silent, the tension audible in their minds.

  You can do this, Rush. I’m here.

  Silence. Rush held up his blade, inviting the attack.

  General Noose paused, gripping his sword, his glee palpable. “May the best general win.” He lunged with lightning speed that defied his size and came at him hard, swinging to kill, swinging to annihilate.

  Flare shared his focus, shared his energy, channeling it into Rush and losing it for himself.

  Rush met the assault, his sword blocking Noose’s, ducking fluidly and striking back. He maneuvered across the dirt, acutely aware of the pits because Flare’s mind made a mental image of his surroundings so he could see in more ways than one.

  General Noose dropped his sword and gave a quiet laugh. “Not bad.”

  Rush was silent, focused on his movements and ignorant to his words.

  The general paused, staring him down, and then came harder.

  Rush was ready, meeting every blow with his own, and shoving General Noose back, right for one of the pits.

  Flare pushed with his mind, giving his strength for Rush to use.

  His sword danced in the firelight, reflecting the glowing torches, the metal clanking against metal every few seconds. Both men worked up a sweat, heaving from the exertion. Rush aimed to kill.

  General Noose was on the precipice of the dirt cliff—ready to fall to his death. “Get the girl.”

  The men moved behind Rush and headed for Lilac.

  There was a smile in General Noose’s eyes. “And kill her.”

  With his jaw clenched tight and red in the face, Rush’s hand trembled as he held the sword against General Noose’s, pushing him into the pit, slowly overpowering him and getting him closer to death.

  Lilac screamed.

  Rush gave a final hard shove before he turned to Lilac.

  General Noose laughed, the taunts following him.

  Rush sprinted to Lilac, who had a sword to her neck, the blade drawing blood. “No!”

  Behind you.

  Rush spun on the spot with his sword raised—but he missed.

  General Noose kicked him in the chest and sent him to the dirt.

  Get up!

  General Noose stomped his foot down, aiming for his chest.

  Rush rolled out of the way.

  Lilac screamed again, sobbing.

  Ignore her.

  I can’t!

  Ignore her or we lose.

  Rush got to his feet and readied his sword once again, tuning out Lilac’s screams and focusing on the brute who had no integrity, who would rather cheat than lose in a fair fight.

  General Noose lowered his sword. “Surrender.” He nodded to his men, who dragged Lilac over, her neck already dripping with blood from where the sword had cut her.<
br />
  “You lost.”

  “I’m still alive, aren’t I?”

  “Because you cheated.”

  “I won—that’s what I did.” He grabbed Lilac by the hair and dragged her over so he could execute her himself. “Surrender. Or she dies.”

  Lilac was still, the blade right against her throat. “Don’t do it, Rush—”

  General Noose pushed her neck into the blade.

  Her screams pierced the night.

  Let her die.

  I can’t do that.

  She means nothing to you.

  She risked her life to help us.

  If she dies, you can defeat him.

  General Noose stared down Rush, ready to push her farther onto the sword.

  I’m sorry, Flare. I have to.

  This is all her fault—

  Doesn’t matter. That’s not the kind of man I am anymore. He dropped his sword.

  General Noose released her hair and dropped the sword. He straightened and stared down Rush with victorious eyes. “Lock her up.”

  “We made a deal—”

  “I said I would let her live. Not that I would let her go.” General Rush moved forward and came face-to-face with Rush. His sword was sheathed, but the promise of violence was in the air.

  “No!” Lilac screamed as they dragged her to the castle.

  The general’s eyes shifted back and forth as they looked into Rush’s. “I’m really going to enjoy this, Rush.”

  He held his stare, his posture straight, showing no fear.

  General Noose stepped away and nodded to the men that stood in the background, the twelve armored men who were ready to take orders. “Put him in the dungeon. Let’s see how long it takes him to break.”

  Underground and surrounded by stone, he was just like the dead corpses buried in the pits that were covered once they hit bedrock. Men perished in the blazing sun, from dehydration, from pure exhaustion. Their bones lay there for eternity.

  Rush sat in a chair in the large cell with a rat in the corner. The temperature was cool, and there was an odor that reeked of damp death. Other men had lost their lives in that very same room.

  He wouldn’t share that fate—but he would wish he could.

  Metal chains were hooked to his wrists and his ankles.

  There was nothing he could do but wait.