Lukar ran through scenarios as he stared around the war room. Semnac’s constant pull made it nigh impossible to concentrate. A light sheen of sweat coated his forehead and the middle of his back. What felt like sharp, pointed hooks scraped across his brain, sinking and tugging in alternating measure. If he did not give the army orders to march by morning, he somehow knew those same hooks would sink deeper and leave behind grooves inside his skull. Being at the Goddess’s mercy was not a place for the weak-minded.
Over the last week, her desires had become nothing short of mandates, and Lukar could do nothing but obey. Her shredding his mind left him functioning at less than half capacity. Her patience was at an end. It took all his control not to wince as the hooks sank ever so slightly deeper. By Semnac’s teeth, did she not know their plans?
With her driving him to work faster, heedless of the losses the war against Kureto might incur, Lukar considered which of his councilors should remain in Gharra. In the last week, or in the last month if he was honest, he had seen hints of frayed control amongst his closest advisors. He had seen them salivate. He had seen their eyes take on a maniacal gleam when around other Malirrans. His men’s oaths to not sacrifice and eat their own people no longer held the weight it once did. Lukar recognized the stark hunger as one he fought against as well; regardless, one of his men had already succumbed to the mindless desire to feast on blood and death. He rather thought at least two others were on the edge of breaking their vow.
“Tair, report what you found this morning,” he ordered as he stared at the two men.
Tair gave a long, deep bow to Lukar. “I found Ruax pinning a man against a wall.”
Alux crossed his arms. “I wondered where he was. I assumed Ruax was busy with finalizing supplies and orders for the morning’s march. What offense did the man commit? Theft? Fighting?”
Everyone looked at Lukar, but he waved for Tair to give his account. “No,” Tair growled, “the incident is much more serious than it sounds. Ruax had his skinning knife out. When I heard a whimper in the hall, I looked out, curious as to the cause. Ruax was skinning one of our men in a small alcove and feeding it to himself. I was able to stop Ruax before more than a thin strip was removed, but the damage is done.”
Lukar picked up a goblet and hurled it across the room. The strength of his throw crushed the goblet and left a large crack in the rock wall. “Tair had to kill a warrior. A Malirran warrior. My Malirran warrior,” he roared, “died to keep the army from fearing their leaders.” He rolled his shoulders, releasing the tension and anger thrumming through him. “I restrained Ruax in his room myself and left two of my personal guards at the door. They have orders to kill him if he slips his restraints and pokes even a finger out the door.”
Drawing his dagger, he pointed at each of the councilors. “He broke a blood oath, a sacred vow to only sacrifice our enemies or the conquered.” Lukar prowled the room, slinking behind every one of his men who he had once trusted with his army. A few flinched away from him, but most of his men stood strong and proud. In a softer, more beguiling voice, he said, “We killed such a monster, and I took the throne. We killed a king who thought his people were his to feed upon. We all serve the same Goddess as Morrich once did, but I believed our fortitude greater than his.”
Coming back to the head of the table, Lukar thoroughly scrutinized each of his men. “We leave tomorrow for Kureto, and instead of everyone pursuing the last details of our departure, I stand here uncertain who I trust with my warriors.” With his words, the hooks sank deeper, Semnac’s way of displaying her displeasure with the potential delay. He gritted his teeth at the spasms that shot down his neck and shoulders. “I give you one chance to confess your troubles controlling your hunger. Those of you who struggle with Semnac’s gift will be monitored by those of my choosing. After this, if I find you torturing a Malirran warrior, you will receive the punishment of a traitor.”
A long pause followed his decree. His men glanced at each other before Duxon stepped forward to begin divulging his stance of his own dark inclinations.
After listening to all the men, he made a quick decision. “Tair, you will stay here and keep Gharra secure. I know you crave battle, but I need you here to continue gathering information from your spies and scouts.” He pointed at the two men who admitted wrestling with their need for blood and prey. “Gern and Winsar will stay behind as well. Tair, you are charged with monitoring their actions.”
Gern’s and Winsar’s pinched faces showed their disappointment, but they acknowledged the order with a nod.
“My King,” Ferer asked, “what of Ruax?”
An evil grin crossed Lukar’s face, and he made no attempt to hide it. “If he desires human flesh to such an extent to eat a man loyal to our kingdom, then the most fitting punishment is to starve him of what he most desires.”
A few of the men nodded, though their tanned skin paled at the torture their fellow councilor would soon face. Lukar felt a slight pang of regret at his chosen punishment. All the same, the threat would keep the other men wielding Semnac’s power on a tighter rein. The actual consequence of completely withholding the sustenance of human flesh from Ruax was unknown. Lukar, however, thought the man would either go mad or die from the withdrawal. Perhaps, the withdrawal would have once simply relieved Ruax of the strength and senses Semnac gave her servants, returning the man to what he once was. Except, Ruax was too far into the throes of thirst. His body had not subsisted on normal human fare in far too long, which meant his body would reject the food his regular army ate.
Lukar wondered with detached curiosity whether Ruax would still be alive when he returned to Gharra. If the man did die, he’d have to ask Tair how long he lasted.
¤ ¤ ¤
Lara opened her eyes when Skye shifted her into a different position. Pinpricks crawled over her skin as if the sharp edges of knives poked her in a roving pattern she couldn’t anticipate. She blinked to clear her vision, trying to bring her surroundings into focus. Thinking the pain was due to her wounds and the way Skye held her against his chest, she tried to ignore the foreign feeling. She really did need a healer; Lara had expended too much energy saying goodbye to her parents. Her last sight of her mom and dad came to mind, and she rubbed her chest at the loss that bloomed.
Lara took a deep breath and smelled the scent of earth overlaying everything. A yawn caught her by surprise, making her remark almost unintelligible, even if she already knew the answer. “We’re in Kureto?”
“Yes, on the outskirts of Luthis, to be exact,” Skye confirmed. He glanced down at her. “I’ve already contacted Eiren and Chion. They are on their way with at least one healer.”
She frowned when she realized Skye merely held her, not moving closer to the city. “Why aren’t we walking into the city?”
He growled. “I feared for your safety. Luthis is full of people, and we left Earth without you able to put up a shield.”
God, she was such an idiot. Of course, the constant waves of pinpricks lambasting her skin were directly connected to the hundreds of people within the city. She slammed down the shield, shoring a few spots until she sighed in relief. “Thank you for thinking of me.”
Her entire body rose and fell with Skye’s deep breath. She peeked up at him and realized his eyes were unfocused. A twisted smile crept across his face. “If I am honest, I also feared using my magic. I have not had the chance to practice my increased powers. I did not wish to risk you if I buckled under the weight of details streaming toward me.”
At the reminder, Lara searched her own powers for any changes. “Skye? I can’t feel a difference in my own Lan’Ai powers.”
Skye shifted his weight against the wall. “I assumed your powers would have increased much like mine. Right after we returned to Aradun, I switched to my second sight for a brief moment. It overpowered my senses. We are close enough that the emotions from the people should cause you problems if your powers had increased like mine.”
Lara contemplated Skye’s deduction. “Is it possible I don’t have a Lan’Ai power?” Before he could respond, she answered her own question. “No, that’s stupid. We were all ripped apart and then put back together. I remember screaming and the spasms in vivid detail. I remember thinking this was the end and an absolutely horrendous way to die.”
Skye snorted. “Indeed, I doubt you would have suffered the formation of the second bond without a reason. Your magic might diverge from how mine changed.”
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“You mean your ability to see farther out?” She considered that for a second. “You know, I’m actually relieved that my ability to sense emotions hasn’t increased. I know I already said this days ago, but can you imagine how painful my life would be if it had? I’d have to live on an island with only the three of you living there to have any kind of life.”
My Lady, we are almost to you, Chion called out. His frantic rush to reach her came through the bond. At hearing him, Lara’s body loosened and relaxed, causing Skye to rearrange her in his arms.
She heard the pounding of feet grow louder before Chion, Eiren, and three Kurites skidded around the corner at the end of the hallway. “Chion. Eiren,” she greeted, smiling to alleviate the pakas’ worry snaking through the link.
My Lady, I smell your blood. You are bleeding. Chion’s growling disapproval rumbled around the tunnel like thunder.
Eiren’s gasp of dismay came through loud and clear. Lara, how… Why have you not healed? You told us your healers were skilled. Skye, did something occur during your journey to the other world?
Skye reassured them, “She is healing. We could not afford to bring scrutiny to our presence. Her parents provided us with herbs and bandages, reducing her fever and attending to the infections. She was well taken care of, Eiren. The healers here will do the rest.”
Taking that as his cue, a man stepped forward with a bow. “Sare, I am Loyar. Your Ai asked for my assistance to heal you. Sire,” he looked at Skye, “my trainees have brought a stretcher for the woman.” With a snap of his fingers, the young man and woman with him fitted the poles together and laid the stretcher on the ground.
The three Kurites’ professional worry and concern pinged off her shield, making Lara feel more comfortable with the strangers. Skye stood up with her in his arms, hesitating. After a couple seconds, he admitted his problem, Chion, Eiren, I am uncertain I can manage my magic enough to find the stretcher without harming Lara. If you would both guide me through our bond, I can lay her down.
Of course, My Lord, Eiren assured. These are less than auspicious circumstances for testing your magic. There will be time for that later. Chion, go to the end. Make certain your eyes are directly above the end of the make-shift bed. I will do the same at the other end.
As Eiren guided Skye to the stretcher, Lara couldn’t help the groan of pain that escaped. To keep her mind off the cuts and bruises, she sealed off her shield until the city’s emotional rollercoaster became a distant concern. She closed her eyes when Skye and the three Kurites picked her up off the tunnel floor. Chion’s cool nose snuffled her neck and face.
She said through their bond, I missed you.
And I you, My Lady. Do not disappear on me again.
Lara heard more than what he said. Chion had barely gotten her back, and she had disappeared on him again, leaving him without a way to protect her from harm. Her bondmate needed her presence to keep his composure. Her strong paka was still susceptible to turning feral. His relief upon seeing her, including the way his eyes examined her for any new injuries, showed how strained his control was.
Chion, I’m never leaving you again.
Why do you sound so certain? Uncertainty filled their link.
Because… Because the time I spent on Earth with my parents felt like my last chance to say goodbye to my family. I think my parents knew it too. Later, I will show you the gifts they gave me right before Skye and I came back. I don’t believe the coil will transport me again. I had a choice to make. To stay there or return. She shifted her left arm until her fingers brushed against her bondmate’s white hair. Chion? I’m here for good. I’m never leaving Aradun again.
My Lady, Chion started, then stopped. Instead, he stuck his head into the crook of her shoulder, sending his love and soothing her grief at losing her parents. Finally, he said, You may have said farewell to your parents, but you are not alone. I am with you, always.
Somehow, hearing Chion’s promise gave her a sense of tranquility, a stillness that overrode the calamity of her loss, grief, and pain.
The silent group walked for about ten minutes, and Lara squeezed her eyes shut for most of the trip. The sounds of the city grew as they entered the more populated areas. When they reached their destination—a small room that smelled of sweet herbs with an alcohol undertone, Skye lifted and placed her on the bed.
The male apprentice leaned over with a gentle smile, putting his hand on her forehead. “When you wake up, you will be healed. First, sare, I will send you into a deep sleep.”
She felt a pulse from his hand push against her forehead. Before she completely registered the sensation, it was as if he had flipped a switch, and she dove into a black nothingness.
She next woke to the soft murmur of familiar voices. Enjoying the absence of pain, Lara kept her eyes closed and listened to the conversation taking place a few feet away.
Eiren commented, Skye, you expect too much of yourself. No Tal’Ai conquers their magic in a few sessions.
Indeed, Chion inserted, neither you nor Solara had full control of your Tal’Ai magic. With the additional power surge, you will need time to gain a modicum of control of your Lan’Ai magic.
“We are running out of time. The Malirrans are coming, sooner than the Kurites think.”
We are aware, Skye. It is why Eiren and I ran back to Luthis as quickly as we could. Jaure has already sent out pakas to specific locations between here and Gharra.
Lara decided it was time to let her friends know she was awake. “You mean like a relay station?”
My Lady, Chion rumbled his pleasure, how do you feel? He came over to hover above the bed.
“I feel great, actually.” She sat up and stretched her arms above her head to loosen the muscles in her back. “Back to the pakas, do you mean they can relay messages back and forth over several miles? Sorry, over a great distance?”
Yes, Eiren answered, it is similar to how Tal’Ais speak to their bondmates. The farther one is from the other, the longer it takes to receive the message. Unlike Tal’Ais, though, Pakas do not have quite the distance capability.
Lara checked her legs for any remaining wounds. Seeing a fine network of scars in their place—the bandages removed while she was unconscious, Lara stood up on shaky legs and shuffled around the room. With each step, her confidence grew. She hopped over both Eiren’s and Chion’s tails on sure feet, working out the kinks in her muscles. “It sounds like all we can do now is wait for the Malirrans to make their move.”
Skye crossed his arms over his chest with a scowl, staring down at the floor. When she got within touching distance, Lara leaned in and gave him a half hug. “But Skye is right, we both need to figure out how to use our powers. The Lan’Ai bond formed for the first time in a thousand years, and we’re pretty certain that is because of the Malirrans, right?” When everyone nodded their agreement, she continued, “Then it is imperative that Skye gain control of his magic. As for me, I need to figure out what my new power actually is. Until that happens, Skye needs to find a location on the outskirts of the city to practice. Maybe where we waited for you to meet us, would that work?”
Yes, Eiren confirmed, the place Chion and I found you is not well traveled. It would be the perfect location to train your new powers.
Chion tilted his head, his ears locked onto her. Skye explained that, unlike him, your Lan’Ai power is not an expansion upon your Tal’Ai magic. Nevertheless, it is a concern for later. We have more immediate concerns. You need to regain your strength first. Chion curled around her, rubbing his cheeks everywhere he could reach.
You also need to eat. You have rested for a night and half a day, Eiren added.
At the mention of food, Lara’s stomach howled long and loud, much to her chagrin. It did, however, break the growing tension in the small room. Before they left in search for food, she started to wrap her shield back around her only to realize that the watery protection still encased her.
“Wow,” she blurted, “amazing. I’ve never had the shield last through the night.”
Chion swung his head around, his face a mask of puzzlement. Did you determine a better means of maintaining your shield?
Lara was already shaking her head, though the shield feat had raised her spirits. “No, of course not. I haven’t done anything different. I didn’t even think about my shield when the doc—uh, healer—leaned over me. It happened too fast.”
Is it possible that the Lan’Ai power you’ve acquired has strengthened your ability to block the emotions around you? Eiren asked as she leaned against Skye’s leg.
Lara turned inward to check over her magical buffer. She poked at it with a metaphorical finger. If she had to gauge the change, the shield’s substance had at least doubled in strength and durability. “I think…” She pursed her lips. “Well, I think I’ll have to mentally drop the barrier now. It feels as if it is now a permanent structure in my mind.”
You believe the shield will not collapse if your concentration slips? Chion rephrased, cautious optimism palpable in his tone.
She beamed, leaning over to hug the huge paka around his neck. “Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.”
Goddess be praised, this is excellent news, Eiren proclaimed. We have all worried about your inability to rebuff the emotions of those around us.
“I definitely feel more like myself. It is odd, really. If I concentrate, I can identify the emotions that bump against my shield. But I do have to concentrate.” She focused on the wash of emotions hitting the outside of her barrier. “For instance, the people immediately outside this room are broadcasting determination and unease.”
Still wrapped around Chion, she lifted her head until she could see Skye. He’d been too silent for her peace of mind. Catching sight of his furrowed brows, she reminded, “It is one thing on our list that we don’t have to figure out, Skye. Take the win.” Changing the topic, she asked, “Let’s find something to eat, and someone can explain why I’m feeling people’s unease and single-minded intent. What’d I miss?”
Without a word, she walked over to Skye and took his arm. As they walked past the curtained doorway, he sent through the bond, Thank you for remembering. I do not trust my magic quite yet.
Of course, she acknowledged, yet she couldn’t help but tease him. Are you sure that I’m helping you? I could be using you as a crutch. I wouldn’t want to fall on my face or anything.
Skye growled through their link, You are definitely feeling better if you can harass me. His tone turned grim. Chion and Eiren can insert their own commentary to the current situation, but Jaure has already mobilized the Kurite war council and warriors. Based on our account of the battle at the Tal’Ai school as well as other rumors coming out of Pyran, he sent runners with updates and orders to every major city in Kureto. The warriors are still trickling in, but the city and the outlying tunnels are near to bursting with troops.