by K. G. Reuss
“And as for Tarek, he’s a good man. But I believe Kellin is right about him. There’s something going on, something he’s hiding. I’ve known him for many years.”
“How did you meet him?” I asked, trying to further distract myself from Kellin.
“In a tavern.” Soran chuckled. “Near Lor’Lak, actually. It was right after Prince Xalvador was killed. Tarek was a mercenary at the time, claiming to be hunting for the band of men who laid waste to a few homes on the edge of Xanathar, where he was from. We ended up in a bar fight, him fighting beside me. I offered him a home in Dar’ish and a position with our army. He rose through the ranks at astonishing speeds, never once making me doubt his loyalties.”
“Until?” I pressed.
“Until you came home,” he murmured. “And now, he’s changed. I don’t want to tell you to be careful around him, Ana, but be careful. Guard your heart, baby sister. While I trust he’ll protect you, I can’t help but wonder what secrets he hides.”
“You and me both,” I answered, staring across the fire and watching Tarek as he sharpened his sword.
He must have sensed my stare because he slowly looked up at me, and our eyes locked over the flames.
Chapter 46
Soran was good at his job. He had scouts coming and going all morning. They’d sit on the outskirts of the city of Sarnia, watching and reporting back. By late afternoon, nothing had happened, and my nerves were at an all-time high.
Soran never left my side, making sure I was always in his line of sight. I even went with him to practice using my swords. He was a damn good fighter, giving me a run for my money. I was able to knock him to the ground once, but he recovered so quickly and countered me that I found myself on my back with his sword hovering over me before I could breathe again.
I was hot, and sticky, everything clinging to me in uncomfortable ways. I removed my armor and told Soran I needed a bath. After some argument, he agreed to let me wash in the nearby lake, provided I kept my dagger on me. I did so happily, glad to rid my body of the sweat and tears. Hurriedly, I washed myself and slipped on a light blue cotton gown, figuring I’d dress in the heavy armor later since I’d left it at the camp.
I trudged back, my mind worrying about Kellin and what I’d say to him whenever I saw him next. I heard shouts and a flurry of activity. I ran to the camp to find the soldiers readying themselves on their horses, weapons in hand. I glanced around frantically for Soran and Tarek and found them on their horses. Tarek made for me quickly and pulled me onto the front of his horse.
“Where the hell is your armor?" He shook his head. "Doesn't matter. We don't have time. You’ll just need to keep back and pray you aren't seen. Damn it, Ana. Zaros is attacking Sarnia,” he said breathlessly, handing me my sword. “He’s early.”
“How did he get in without anyone seeing?”
“No idea. Trust me, I’m just as surprised as you are. He could very well have already been camped out, and we simply missed him, although I’m not sure how,” Tarek said, nudging his horse forward. Frightened, I clung to his arms caging me in as we rode in formation to the edge of the city. Already the smell of smoke and screams filled the air.
“Keep her safe,” Soran shouted back at us as he galloped toward the city.
It was utter chaos. More so than what I’d witnessed in my vision. Tarek dropped me off near an alley and commanded me to hide and only come out if I was absolutely needed. He didn’t wait for me to answer. I hid in the shadows, watching as people ran screaming—some on fire, some bleeding, all in tears. It tore at my heart, and I couldn’t stand it. I could heal them. The idea dawned on me, and I realized my talents would best be served outside the city walls. I was a fool to think I was ready for this battle.
I rushed from my hiding spot, my eyes on a small child who was wandering in the streets, dirty and crying. He couldn’t be more than five years old. I came at him and swooped him out of the way of one of Zaros’s soldiers before the boy was trampled. Soran and Tarek were fighting with soldiers, their swords emitting sparks. The ground shook, and the wind whipped. It was hard to see with all the dirt and debris flying around.
I held the crying child in my arms as I hid by the well, trying to figure out my next move. And that’s when I saw him. Zaros. He strolled calmly toward me, his black cloak billowing behind him. His sword swung out every so often and took someone down. He did it with such ease that I sat there frozen, terrified I was finally face to face with him.
Soran and Tarek noticed him coming slowly across the square, and I heard them shouting at me, trying to break through the mass of people surrounding them. I quivered in my spot, unable to move. The child shrieked in my arms, and yet, I remained frozen.
Oracle ...
“Run. Run to the forest,” I shouted frantically to the child as I released him.
He ran as fast as he could away from the skirmish, leaving me on the ground.
I gasped as Zaros came closer. I managed to get to my feet, my body trembling. I still couldn’t see his face beneath his cloak, but I knew it was him. I could feel his darkness vibrate around me.
I did the only thing I could—I ran. The woman from my vision screamed as he ran his sword through her.
I didn’t make it far. His hand fisted my hair, yanking me back forcefully. His laughter rang out around me.
“I knew you’d come,” he rasped in a voice that sent goosebumps through my body, twirling me around to face him. “You aren’t as timid as they think you are, girl. Bravery lies in that heart of yours. I can smell it. The fear overpowers it, though. But I can fix that. I can train you.”
“Go to hell,” I shouted, kicking and thrashing.
He tossed me to the ground, and I crab-walked away from him as he bore down on me. I thought he was going to gut me right there. Instead, he tossed me my sword.
“Get to your feet, girl. I do not wish to take you so easily. You’re the Oracle, after all. Let’s see you fight. Satisfy me.”
I snatched my sword, my hands shaking as I glanced around for Tarek and Soran. They were still shouting for me, trying to fight their way through Zaros’s soldiers to get to me. Tarek’s eyes were frantic, his shouts drowned out by the kerfuffle happening around him. I tore my gaze away from him as he took out soldier after soldier in his efforts to get to me.
“Don’t look for them for help,” Zaros hissed. “I’ll have you long before they make it here. We have business to attend to, remember? Calixto saved your brother on the promise you’d come with me willingly. I daresay I could end your dear old brother now if I felt like it.” He gestured to the rooftops where archers were gathered, their arrows aimed down at my brother who fought below them.
I swallowed down the bile that had crept into my throat, remembering my promise to fight and never stop, knowing this was only going to end one way, whether I fought or not.
Zaros came at me, his sword lashing wildly through the air. I did all I could to avoid it, picturing Calix in my mind encouraging me, loving me, and knowing I had to do this to save him. Zaros was fast and strong. He seemed to know my moves before I did. I hit him with a blast of wind, but he captured it and whipped it back at me, cackling the entire time. I was able to dodge it and throw a ball of fire at him while making the ground around him shake. He avoided the flames, and the ground moving beneath his feet only made him faster as he came at me.
The sound of hoofs beating made me turn to see what was going on. Kellin was coming into the town, Rowan at his side, his men around them. The look on Kellin’s face broke my heart. He was afraid as he stared at us. He knew he wouldn’t make it to me. We all knew it. He raised his hand, a storm brewing overhead, the wind picking up. He was still going to try. Zaros must have known what it meant too.
Zaros took the moment of my distraction to place his large, cold hand on my forehead. I knew what was coming next. Fazing. Kellin had done it to me before when I’d found out who he was.
I cast a final look at Tarek, who was still s
lashing through soldiers to get to me as the ground rumbled beneath our feet. As if sensing me, he stared at me, a look of horror crowding his features, the word “No” falling from his lips. And then there was Kellin, shouting orders frantically as he tried to make it to me. The storm strengthened overhead, a mark of his anger and desperation.
I peeked back at Zaros as his cloak fell away from his face. He looked a lot like Calix, with dark hair and matching dark eyes. But his skin was pale with ugly, black lines snaking through it, giving him a terrifying appearance. He continued to keep his hand on my forehead, his lips cutting upward into a wicked grin.
The sounds of Tarek and Kellin screaming echoed in my ears, but all I could do was stare up at the face of Zaros.
“We have much to do,” Zaros murmured before my world went black.
Chapter 47
I was cold. My head felt like it had been bashed in with a hammer and then run over by a semi-truck. My body ached, and my arms felt like they were being pulled from my body. I opened my eyes slowly, terrified of what I’d see.
I was chained up by my wrists to a high ceiling. My toes barely skimmed the floor beneath me. The room was made entirely of stone with no windows. A damp, musty basement smell filled my nostrils. I shifted, struggling weakly against my bindings. The sounds I made as I struggled to free myself echoed around the room.
“There’s no sense in struggling,” Zaros’s deep voice chilled me as he came into view from the darkness. “Your abilities don’t work here either. Well, not the ones that really matter. I’m talking about your elemental powers. This room has been nullified, and even you, the great and powerful Oracle, cannot whip a fireball here.
“Why do you want me?” I cried out, stilling against my restraints. “Calix is gone. He’s dead. I’m no use to you. Please. Let me go.”
“Ah, precious girl,” he murmured, stepping up to me and running a cold finger across my cheek. “So beautiful. So… perfect.”
His finger traced down to my heaving chest, and he easily flicked away a button and then another, nearly exposing me. I let out a terrified cry and struggled hard against the chains that held me.
“Please,” I begged, my face wet with my tears. “Please.”
“Please what?” he asked, his fingers going back to my face and brushing my tears away. He licked his fingers, making me want to gag.
“Let me go.”
He laughed maniacally, the sound echoing around us.
“You know I cannot do that, sweet girl,” he cooed. “I’ve been waiting so long for you. I need you, my dear. Just like you need me.”
“I don’t need you,” I cried.
“No? I thought you missed Calixto? Or was I mistaken?”
“Calix is dead. He sacrificed himself for me months ago. He’s gone.”
“True.” Zaros nodded, circling me like a vulture. “But, you are the Oracle, are you not? That sacrifice only made you who you are. Calixto really did do wonderful work on you, Princess. It’s the first time I’ve ever been proud of him.”
“You’re sick,” I whispered.
“Perhaps,” he mused, stopping in front of me. “But I think we’re all a little sick on the inside, wouldn’t you agree? Aren’t you deeply in love with a man who ran his blade through the innocent—children included? Wouldn’t you call that a little sick? That you love him?”
“He didn’t have a choice. You were controlling him,” I shouted.
“Was I or is that what he told you?” Zaros asked, his dark eyes dead. “Because my son can be quite the trickster, you see. I mean, he did manage to get you, did he not?”
“You’re a liar! Calix would never intentionally hurt anyone. You made him do it.”
“I suppose there’s really only one way to find out, isn’t there?” he asked thoughtfully. “My dear, you control the elements. My son sacrificed himself for you. With his sacrifice, he gifted you. You can control Void. And you will. You will bring back Calixto Shadowmoore, and we’ll take over Winterset with you beside us.”
“I will not!” I screamed, my voice hoarse and my heart thudding painfully in my chest.
“My dear sweet girl, you don’t have a choice.”
Chapter 48
Zaros left me after that. I hung there for hours, which turned into days. Sometimes a man with black hair and dark eyes came in to give me water, but never food. I was becoming weaker and weaker, wishing for death. My arms had lost all feeling.
I’d run out of tears to cry even though my body went through the motions. It was sometime during this point that I remembered what Tarek had said to me about focusing on my visions. On being able to control them. I remembered how I’d helped Soran when Calix had attacked him. My heart pounded excitedly in my chest. Maybe I could get a message to someone. Zaros said my elemental powers didn’t work here. He didn’t say anything about my Sight.
I closed my eyes and breathed in and out slowly, focusing all I had on my desire to see someone, anyone.
And then through the darkness, I saw him. Tarek.
He sat in the gardens at the palace, his head in his hands, his body shaking slightly as he emitted soft sobs.
He was crying.
Why?
I moved closer to him, trying to reach out and touch him, but he didn’t seem to notice. He straightened up suddenly, wiping his eyes, as Kellin approached. His face was ragged and tired. Dark circles painted his eyes, and his lips were turned down in a frown.
“What are you doing here?” Tarek asked, getting to his feet.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Kellin answered dryly.
“This was Ana’s favorite spot at the palace.” Tarek looked around, gesturing sadly.
“I know.”
“I thought if I came here I might be able to feel her or something,” Tarek continued softly. “Maybe she’d be able to communicate with me and tell me where she’s being held or if she’s even OK.”
“We both know she isn’t OK,” Kellin spat, his face reddening. “And it’s your fault. I left her with you. You swore to me that you’d keep her safe. You swore to Soran. And now, she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy, the one thing we’ve been trying to keep her from. How did it happen, Tarek? Did you have a hand in it? Tell me. I know you aren’t who you say you are. I was willing to overlook it since Soran swore you were loyal. Clearly, you aren’t.”
“I swear that I had no hand in Zaros taking her,” Tarek answered heatedly. “I tried to get to her. I tried. There were too many enemies, and then he Fazed her and swept her away. Don’t you know how much it hurts me? It kills me to know he has her.”
“Believe me, I feel it more than you do,” Kellin growled. “She was my fiancée, not yours.”
“Was,” Tarek muttered, looking away.
“What did you say?”
“I said was’ as in not anymore. Did you really think you could love two women, Prince? Did you think it would work out? She isn’t even yours, and yet, you try to lay claims to her.”
“She is mine. Cyrena and I ended long ago when I took my oath to protect Ana. The only love I have now is for my bride-to-be.”
“Then why did you leave Ana to go to Cyrena? Why did you visit Cyrena before your engagement announcement?” Tarek asked in a deadly whisper. “You say you chose Ana, but it was clear that day when you portaled off to Marriot how you really felt.”
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” Kellin hissed, his eyes darkening. “I’m obligated to keep Cyrena safe. I owe it to her after my father broke off our engagement. It was my way of repaying her.”
“By sacrificing the Oracle?” Tarek shouted. “By sacrificing the one thing that could save us all? Now she’s in Zaros’s hands. You have no idea what sort of creature she’s with. What he will do to her. What he’s probably already done to her. Are you aware that as the Oracle she can control Void? Have you thought about what that means? No? It means, Prince, that our dear princess can open the Void and pull Calixto back into
this world. Do you know what kind of world we’d live in if he returns with Analia at his side? She won’t be able to fight him AND Zaros. You fool. I take responsibility for losing her. It kills me. But it’s not all my fault. It’s your fault too. You left her after you swore you’d protect her. You. Had you stayed, you could’ve portaled her home. You could’ve been by her side. I couldn’t fight off Zaros’s men and protect her. Now, she’s probably shackled and being tortured by a creature so evil it would make you vomit. Think about that tonight while you try to sleep.”
“I’m going to save her,” Kellin said through gritted teeth. “And then I’m going to expose you for who and what you are, Tarek. You’ll be hanged, and I have no problem being the one who’ll open the floor to watch you dangle.”
“You’re no match for me, Niall,” Tarek hissed. “You don’t have a clue who you’re dealing with. Ana knows or at least she will. That is, if it isn’t too late. You think you’ll be the one to save her, but you’re wrong. It will be me.”
The vision faded, and I sagged in my chains, my chest and head aching. Both of them missed me. Both of them cared. But I couldn’t reach them. What if no one ever found me? Would Calix and I share the same fate?
My heart thumped painfully in my chest at the idea that Calix would be brought back, and he’d be just as dark as Zaros. There was no way anyone could fight and defeat Zaros. I’d been a fool to think that. The best way to overcome him would be to die.
I prayed for death as I swung from my chains in that cold, dark room.
Chapter 49
“Wake up, Analia,” Zaros’s voice cooed at me.
Something sharp bit into my side, and I winced, opening my eyes. He stood before me in all black, grinning. I stared blearily back, not having the energy to shout at him.
