Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
"W hat are you doing here?" I hissed as the group of us rushed down the stairs, two at a time, following Scotty's lead.
"Relyk got wind of the coup," Duncan said, one hand on the small of my back as we ran through the narrow tunnel. "He started interrogating the nobles. I sent Crispin to the shack, and you weren’t there. Nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“Duncan, I-”
“It’s alright,” he cut in. “I get it. You had to do what you had to do. By the time I went to the dungeons to look for you, there were already half a dozen of my supporters strung up in the town square. It was only a matter of time before Relyk got the information he needed about who was leading the charge. We’ll have to regroup and attack them later, from the outside in."
I couldn't deny he was a sight for sore eyes, and seeing him alive was a relief I couldn't even process yet. But…
“You could’ve gotten out another way. We’re just going to slow you down.”
“I wouldn’t leave, not knowing if you were still back there and in danger?” He let out a low growl. “A dozen Jackals couldn’t have kept me from finding you.”
My battered heart thumped hard. “How did you even know I’d be in the dungeon?"
The realization hit me at the same time as he spoke.
"Bertrand. He waited a long while but started to get nervous when Relyk called for a falcon to act as a spotter for one of the nobles who tried to run. They started bolting once they realized what was happening."
The puzzle pieces fit together. "Bertrand was afraid the sorcerer would send the falcon into the chutes and find me,” I finished for him. “God, poor Bertrand. I didn't mean to put him in that position."
"I'm glad you did. I'm here with you now." His fingers closed on my waist more tightly, and I wished to hell I could hug him.
"When the two of you love birds are done flirting, maybe we can focus on a plan of what the fuck we're going to do on the other side if we manage to shake these ghouls, yeah?"
"Sorry, Billy," I said, my breath coming short from the exertion. My legs burned, but I didn't stop. Getting decapitated by a Jackal would hurt a whole lot worse than sore knees and muscles.
My legs churned faster as I tried to think logically despite the fear.
"Once we reach the end, we get out, shut the doors and gather whatever we can to pile on top. Paddy, where exactly does the tunnel open up?"
"Right under that mostly burned down barn near the pond, a short distance from the town proper."
"Perfect." There were loads of rocks surrounding the pond. Most too large for me to lift, but Duncan would surely be able to heft them while we gathered some of the smaller ones. I could run to the Petway's shack less than a hundred yards from there and borrow some weapons if need be. They were a good family and would help if they knew my plight.
The sound of footsteps echoed behind us and my stomach turned.
"They're getting close, we’ve got to move! The exit is just up ahead. I just have to put the ladder up and open the doors," Jacob called.
“Get it done.” Crispin turned to Duncan for approval. “We’ll hold them off.”
Duncan hefted his sword, and his friend did the same.
“We’ll all help while he works on the ladder,” I said, but Duncan grabbed my arm as I reached for my pouch. The incapacitator was charged by now, I could help too.
“The tunnel is too narrow, Harmony. We’ll buy the time we need.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he was right. Only two could stand comfortably abreast, and, while it was possible to support them from behind, it would also serve to block their retreat.
“Leave it to the professionals, lass,” Crispin agreed, flashing a calm smile before turning toward the sound of oncoming feet.
The pair charged down the tunnel in unison, and I resisted the urge to cover my ears as they rounded the corner. Duncan’s battle cry split the air, followed by a blood curdling shriek.
My breath caught in my throat as blades began to clash. At this point, all I could do was hope.
Another roar shook the cavern, and Fetch shook out his wings as dirt rained down on us from the ceiling of the tunnel.
I couldn’t see anything, but a ghoulish howl told me a blade had found its mark in a Jackal. Frantic footsteps were audible a moment before Crispin and Duncan re-appeared around the corner, a cloud of black creeping up behind them.
“How’s that exit coming along, brother mine?” Billy asked, an edge to her voice that was part warning, part fear.
“The doors are twisted at the hinges, but I’ve almost got them. One minute.”
"That big one is even stronger than the others," Crispin gasped as he strode up to us, chest heaving.
"They seem to be waiting for that black mist to clear,” Duncan added, sparing a glance back. His biceps were slick with sweat from the brief exchange, and his sword was wet with green Jackal blood.
My heart pounded in my ears as I turned from Jacob to the shrinking cloud of mist behind us. They’d blocked off their own progress with the stuff, but it was dissipating far too quickly.
Even if we managed to get the doors open, there would be no time to figure out how to keep them closed if those monsters wanted out. They were just too strong…
Duncan’s eyes were liquid silver as he gripped my shoulder, holding my gaze in the dim light. As if he were thinking the same thing.
“Forgive me,” he whispered. “And don’t give up, keep fighting.”
I grabbed his arm to demand an explanation as he shot a grim look at Crispin, who nodded.
"Billy, you get Harmony and your family out. Crispin and I make a final stand here and hold them off until you seal the entrance.” He stared at Billy with those preternatural eyes. “Do not let her turn back. Is that understood?"
Horror rolled through me, and I shook him roughly, sending Fetch off my shoulder. "No! No, I'm not going to just lock you in with those creatures to die!"
“They tried to kill me once. How did that turn out?” he whispered. But we both knew it was bullshit. One wasn’t three, and these Jackals were the cream of the crop.
“Ladder’s up, let’s move!”
The snarling and the pounding of incoming boots was almost upon us as Paddy hitched his hands under my arms and hoisted me onto the rickety ladder.
"Lead the way and climb or everyone behind you dies, and it's on your head!" he shouted. That got me moving, as he must’ve known it would.
The sudden clash of swords was faint over the pounding in my head as I put one foot in front of the other, barely able to see the rungs with the tears running from my eyes.
I reached the open doors just behind Fetch and stepped off the ladder, turning back to help Paddy, who was directly behind me.
Maybe if they hurried, there was still a chance for all of us to get out. Maybe if…
But my thoughts were derailed by the sound of a familiar voice over my shoulder. “Get your scrawny ass out of the way so I can blow this fucker to smithereens, would you?”
Moll stood a few yards away, wearing a yellow dress with a corset, no less, without even a coat. Her slippered foot rested on a neat little pile of familiar looking red sticks with strings trailing off them. My bang 'em ups!
"Hello again, love," Paddy said as he leapt onto the floor of the barn. "Excellent timing."
O'Donnellys continued scuttling up the ladder and through the open doors as Moll and I stared at each other. Her eyes were as wet as mine, and her bottom lip trembled despite the tough guy act. I wanted to hug her, but knew it would be impossible to keep it together for both of us if I did...
"What the hell are you wearing?" I deadpanned.
"What...heroes can't be sexy?" she shot back with a hint of a smile.
A howl of pain rang out from below, and I winced. It hadn't sounded like Duncan, but I couldn't be sure.
Billy stepped off the ladder and she and Jacob both reached down to grab Scotty by the forearms and hoist him the rest of the way.
"We've got backup, boys!" Billy called down to Duncan and Crispin. "Lay them low and get up here so we can finish the job."
Paddy stuck his head through the doors and into the tunnel, watching upside down. "We ain't closing these doors without you."
The responding snarl was most definitely Duncan, and he wasn't happy, but I didn't care. This had to work...it would work.
"One final push, Cris. Give it everything you've got!"
A guttural war cry echoed from the tunnel below, and my head pounded with adrenaline and fear. If only I could see what was happening?—
"They got 'em!" Paddy howled. "The Jackals are flat on their backs!"
Crispin came barreling up through the open doors, Duncan hot on his heels.
"Now!" Billy called to Moll, who lit the fuse on the crimson sticks and tossed them into the tunnel.
All of them.
I’d never had use for more than two at a time, I had no idea what kind of damage five would do.
Like a well-oiled machine, the rest of us got on either side of the doors and yanked them shut with a clang.
"Run!”
We all just made it outside when a series of back-to-back booms rocked the ground beneath us. The charred, skeletal remains of the barn shook, and for a second, I thought it might collapse altogether. Then, it and the trembling earth settled.
All was still and silent but for our labored breathing, leaving white puffs in the night sky.
Crispin moved first, striding toward the rusty doors. Smoke rose from them in whisps as he cocked his head to listen.
“I don’t hear any movement at all, and the doors are red-hot. I can’t imagine anything survived that explosion.” He straightened and offered a weary smile. “I think we’re in the clear. For now.”
I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks before opening them to find Duncan standing right by my side. A trail of blood ran down his arm as he reached for my hand, but we would deal with that later.
Moll was safe, and we had all made it through that tunnel in one piece. Right now, that was all that mattered.
* * *
A short while later, we all stood in the center of The Hollow. It was nearly morning, and the last dregs of adrenaline driving me had faded during the run from the barn. I couldn’t remember when I’d last slept, and my legs trembled with exhaustion. I wasn't sure I could make it another step.
I spared a glance at the rest of our bedraggled crew. They weren't in much better shape than I was. We needed to eat and rest for a spell, or we'd be useless.
"We've got to keep moving," Paddy said, bending at the waist to catch his breath. "The palace guards will be swarming this place for Billy soon enough."
Duncan let out a low laugh as he cocked his hands on his hips. "The palace guards don't give a rip about your sister anymore, O'Donnelly. They have a rogue prince and his treasonous knight to find. Haven't you heard? Those two were planning a coup."
Billy's eyes narrowed as she assessed the two men. "Pardon me saying so, but that's a pretty pathetic coup. What, you thought the two of you would be able to take down the whole lot of them? That fucking sorcerer included?" She let out a snort. "Not likely."
I pressed two fingers to my pounding temple and shook my head. "It wasn't supposed to happen last night. They had rallied a group of supporters.”
Duncan nodded. “Things...changed when I found out Harmony wasn’t where I left her."
Understanding dawned in her shrewd, blue eyes and her lips twisted into a smile. "Loverboy couldn't bring himself to let you handle it on your own. Had to be Prince Charming, did he?"
I couldn’t think about that right now, or how the truth in her words made me feel. Instead, I focused on what I was good at.
Planning, and execution of said plan.
I held up both my hands, drawing everyone’s attention. "I know I'm not in charge here, but we need to reevaluate. Our place is a couple miles from here, and we aren’t far off from sunrise. We don’t want to be out walking about if we hope to lay low. I'm dressed for a party, two of you are covered in blood, Billy's spent a week in a dungeon and looks like something you'd dig out of a crypt—no offense—and Duncan is the fucking prince of the realm. We don't exactly blend in."
Paddy's dimple flashed. "She's right, you know. Me and her are pretty as ever, but the rest of you are pretty shite right now."
I blew out a long breath, dreading what I was about to say, but knowing I had to say it. "Look...there's a place we can hide out for a bit and rest, big enough for everyone. Clean water, clothes, some food. It's right around the corner..."
"Tell me you're not serious," Molly hissed, reaching out to pinch my arm. "We're in the middle of a shit sandwich, and you want to add your step-monster to the mix? You're out of your mind."
I rubbed at the stinging spot and moved away so she couldn't do it again. "I don't see that we have a choice."
"Well, you might not, but me and mine do," Billy said, eyeing her brothers before moving to stand close to me. "We're too conspicuous together. Besides, the O'Donnellys work best on our own. I appreciate what you’ve done for us, but it's time we take our leave."
Scotty let out a sigh of relief. "About time. All this chatter is giving me fits."
Duncan reached into his pocket to pull out a pouch full of coins and held it out to Billy. "To help you find a place to hide, or passage out of here. A caravan leaves for Bryngarde in two days."
She accepted the coins with a nod of thanks and then backed away.
"Then it’s back to the motherland, I guess. Ta, all. Maybe we'll see you in another lifetime."
With that, she broke into a jog and her brothers followed behind. A twinge of sadness crept over me as I watched them go. They’d been in my life for only a few days, but I knew I would never forget them.
The sky was turning from black to purple as I started walking in the direction of my stepmother's house, dread building with each heavy step
"I guess we're off to meet your family, then?" Duncan asked.
Molly gagged and Duncan sent her an incredulous look.
"We just battled three Jackals and lived to tell the tale. It can't be worse than that…" He laughed, but I did not laugh with him.
Molly, though, let out a snort. "You haven't met Druzilla, Pain, and Suffering. At least you know those fly-covered fuckers will just try and kill you. These three? These three will just make you wish for death."
She couldn’t have been more right, and as we headed to my stepmother’s house, I found myself wishing for Jackals…