CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
M Y BACK ARCHES INTO THE battlement wall as I stretch out my muscles. My eyes linger on a group of second years, doing some practical battle strategy with swords; must be Infantry. My magick seeps out, looking for a crack in their squad leader’s defenses, and when I find it, I strike, letting myself seep into the crevices of his mind. He continues shouting orders, getting them into position, completely oblivious that I’m here, seeing his darkest secrets. His mother works at a brothel in Targos, the shipping capital of Damorleia, and he’s hoping that if he can earn enough respect in the ranks he’ll be able to clear her debt and free her and his younger sister.
The grip on my magick slips, hitting a little too close to home. I show him his fears, like an invading parasite. He fumbles, nearly tripping over his boots as his face turns a ghastly shade of white as I show him picture after picture—every horror imaginable in those types of places, especially where the Lord of Allonde doesn’t care to implement laws to help curb the atrocities that take place in the dark of the night.
I change the scene, as he’s yet to realize I’m there and push me out, showing him the battlefield between Vathia and the border leading into Skyrivene. Soldiers lay dead and forgotten along the banks of Wraithwater Channel, the sickly sweet smell of scorched flesh mixed with the putrid smell of excretion from those who were terrified in those last moments, the stench of their fear still laying heavy in the air.
At this point, he’s panting in the snow, his squad surrounding him with worry etched on their faces as they call for his attention.
“Jesper, what in the fates are you doing?” Ashbluff snaps as he comes up to my side.
A slow smile graces my lips as I pull out of the Infantry soldier’s head and slowly let my head fall to the side to look at the male. “Well, I’m bored waiting for Talyn and Kill to meet me here, and the kid wanted to prove himself, so I tested him. It’s not my fault he left his mind open. He should know better, or he’ll be killed within moments in battle.”
His face scrunches in worry or disgust, I’m not sure which, maybe both. “Maybe leave the teaching to those fit to do it, yeah?”
My shoulders raise, then fall, unconcerned. An open mind is too tempting not to play with.
He leans in, blocking the view of his mouth by putting his back to the training yard. “Your mother wanted me to pass this along to you.” He places something in the pocket of my tunic before pulling back and leaning against the wall next to me. “There’s news from the battlefront.”
My brow raises, pulling the scarred tissue around my useless eye. “Oh?” I hum, waiting for the dramatic male to continue. He always does love to drag things out.
I watch the male out in the training yard pull himself together, searching around for something until his gaze lands on me, a look of understanding then rage passing over his expression before he masks it. And this time when I prod his mental barrier, it’s as hard as steel.
Ashbluff’s voice stays lowered. “Those shadow fiends that caused all that destruction months ago were spotted again. Southeast of Evende where one of our invading camps lay in wait before heading down to the next camp to join the battle.”
“I know where it is,” I snap, shoving off the wall to give him my full attention. “Does Talyn know yet?”
He shakes his head, resting his hand on the pommel of his blade. “No, I saw you first. We haven’t heard anything about these things for damn near half a year. Why is Vathia doing this now?” he ponders out loud, his brows drawn in, matching the frown pulling at his face.
“Are you sure you read the report correctly?” I double check. “That’s extremely close to Phixmery. Do you really think they have the balls to come here?” I ask him, again gauging what he really thinks of this war. Bringing him in would help us tremendously, but maybe he’s also testing me and our loyalty. War is a fickle game—one wrong move and someone you thought was an ally is shoving an iron blade through your spine.
He levels me with a look that holds more wisdom than I thought the male could muster, and I mask the surprise that wants to take root on my face. “I think we both know who’s behind this and what they’re capable of,” Ashbluff replies smoothly before doing something that shocks me—he opens up a small portion of his mind.
He’s smart, not letting me access any more than necessary. I could push through, but I’m far too curious about what he wants, which must be important since he knows that letting me in is a risk that could end with his life’s blood spread across the glittering snow. I let my magick flow through, tilting my head to the side as I listen to his words, creating a mental shield around us so no one else can listen in.
“ I don’t think Vathia is capable of this type of magick. The reports are dark. Other riders are saying their beasts feel an ancient magick, something that hasn’t been seen since the Gallalaus Fae were still alive. The lords want it covered up and kept quiet for as long as possible. You and your brothers know something, and I want to help. ”
I take a moment to consider his words. They are drenched in truth, but I can sense the undercurrent of fear there—fear that he gambled wrong. I push my words into his mind. “ I need to talk with my brothers about what you’ve told me. Meet us near the officer’s quarters in the Hall of Portraits. I’m sure you’re aware it will be wise to keep this information to yourself? We don’t need pandemonium spreading through Phixmery. ”
His head dips slightly, telling me he’s heard me. “ Of course. I’ll see you tonight, ” he murmurs back before speaking out loud. “Go see your mother, boy. She said she baked you some treats,” he states before heading towards the armory, letting me mull over our conversation.
Considering he placed something in my pocket, it’s probably a letter from Evander, so mother most likely did actually bake me some treats. I smile, hoping it’s a berry pie. Saliva coats my tongue as I think about the sweet and tart flavors, but before I let myself get carried away, I pull the parchment out of my tunic.
D ear brother,
I know you would rather not speak to me regarding my choices, but I think the situation we are all in is bigger than that. I want to do this. I’m not going to try to convince you, but I hope one day you see the truth: that I’m good at what I do. That being said, I’m told you need to pass a message along to me, and I’m assuming it’s to get to our mutual friend. I will meet you in the forests of Phixmery where the first trial takes place, near the entrance to the cliff wall at the time when the moon is highest, three days before it’s at its full glory. Give mother a hug for me. I look forward to seeing you again, even if you hate me.
With all my love,
E.
I fight the urge to scrunch the tanned parchment into a ball and set it on fire with the nearest torch, but some part of me, the part that loves my brother, makes me roll it back up and place it in my pocket.
It’s in that moment when I see Talyn and Killian come striding into the training yard, heading towards me with haste. They had a meeting with Major General Rune, probably talking about what I just discovered from Ashbluff.
Deciding not to let them come all the way to me, I make my way towards them, nodding towards the dragons den off in the distance, and when I get close enough, a manic grin graces my lips. “Let’s take a ride. Tisur could use a stretch of his wings.”
Talyn nods. “I was going to suggest the same thing.”
TISUR'S POWERFUL MUSCLES flex between my thighs as he lands, his giant bat-like, light-blue wings folding in as he turns his long neck to look at me. “ The dragons will stand behind whatever you and your wing decide, ” he states as I climb down from his saddle.
“ Noted. Any other words of wisdom? ” I ask, pulling down my wind mask as I glance around at where we landed. The Dreki Mountains are still within view, and there’s a small grove of trees just ahead with enough space from prying ears to have a much-needed discussion.
“ None that you will listen to ,” he drawls, his tail swishing behind him, almost catching me as he strides over to Voissor and Zaddro.
I shake my head at him, since he’s obviously still bitter about me not letting him convince Kill’s dragon to burn down the Lords’ castles—something even Tal’s dragon has been on about. Talyn reaches me first, seconds before our surly brother and I instantly hand him the letter from my brother.
His eyes dart back and forth as he takes in what’s written there before passing it to Killian. “That’s in three days,” he states, and I can see the worry he’s been trying to mask in his gaze. The choosing is looming closer, and Evera has been relentless with her pursuit of him. He’s taken to sleeping anywhere but his rooms, after finding her in there one night.
“Zorn will get back to us quickly on this matter,” Kill grunts as he passes the folded parchment back to me.
“He better,” Tal snaps, running his fingers through his short, deep-chestnut tresses.
My boot squelches on the muddy grass, the weather turning warmer outside of the mountains as I move a step towards him. “He will. Although I do have an interesting development.” Their gazes harden on me.
“What did you do now, Jesp,” Talyn says, exasperated.
I raise my hands. “Nothing. Well, no, that’s not precisely true. But that story is besides the point.” I decide not to get into the helpful lesson I gave that second year soldier. “Ashbluff came to me.” I then proceed to tell them about our conversation. “I figured we could meet him under the castle, in that handy secret room, considering my Little Mouse hasn’t been sneaking out of her hole lately,” I scowl in annoyance.
Ever since Talyn lost his composure during that lesson a few weeks ago, she’s been annoyingly careful and hasn’t even stepped foot back under the castle. Her friends have closed ranks around her, but it doesn’t stop me from watching her every moment that I can. She started off as such a weak, mousy thing, but now she’s grown into her power—the power we know she has, anyway. It’s impossible to tell how much she’s hiding, and I still can’t get into her damn mind. There has to be something helping her—there is no way she’s powerful enough to keep me out like this. Even with some of the oldest fae, their shields eventually crumble under my magick.
Talyn’s expression turns sour at the mention of the vexing female who we still can’t get answers out of. I’ve never seen someone get under my brothers’ skin like she has. But I notice how their gaze barely breaks from her when she enters a room, even the surly, giant male standing to my left.
“Yes, that works. He’s been dropping hints about our extracurricular activities. I’m pretty sure it’s him who’s been keeping Rune off our back about our extended trips when we leave for missions. He would be an asset to the cause.” He pauses, his brow twitching, the only tell that he doesn’t want to ask this next question. “Still no updates on Cadet Solace?” He grinds out her name like it’s the bane of his existence.
Killian straightens as they both wait for my answer. “No,” I sigh. “Every waking hour I’ve been following her. She’s been spending a lot of time in the library with her squad, and she’s signed up for the Infantry faction for The Choosing. Her raven stays with her almost all of the time except during combat—although she should be using him during that,” I mumble under my breath. That bird watches me. He knows I’m there sometimes; whether or not he thinks it’s a coincidence or not and has told her is another question. Familiars are fickle that way, but loyal as hell to their fae.
“I can tell you she really doesn’t get along with your female and her friend, nor the one male in her squad, Cadet Levine. Or maybe it’s a love-hate relationship, because he seems to follow her around like a lost hatchling.” My eye nearly twitches at how that male acts towards her. Only we alone should be able to get under her pale, soft flesh like that.
“She’s not my female,” Tal snaps, while Killian grumbles, “Maybe we can use the male to our advantage in combat. Set him at her during sparring, or even the females.”
A thought strikes me. “I have an idea, but it’s going to take a bit of planning.”
Talyn sighs. “I’m all ears, but then we need to get back to meet with Ashbluff and bring him into the fold if he passes the tests.”
So I tell him the wild idea that may just get my Little Mouse to reveal her secrets, whether she wants to or not.