Chapter 44 A Foreboding Presence
Chapter Forty-Four
A Foreboding Presence
Ellis
His lungs burned, and his legs ached, but he wouldn’t stop until he found Althea.
He had left her alone. He knew that it was the right thing to do, but it still tore at his pounding heart.
Its rhythm thumping to the speed of his feet striking the ground.
Rivka needed him. He wouldn’t stop, no matter how much his body begged him.
Althea would come. Evanar had sworn that she would be their ally, that she would do what needed to be done.
While he didn’t know exactly what was happening with Rivka, he presumed the baby was making its arrival early.
She had been in so much pain when he’d left, and while he knew finding Althea was what she needed, it had destroyed him to leave her unprotected.
The thought of her birthing that babe alone, or worse… he needed to move faster.
The dirt and gravel beneath his feet gradually changed to stone as he sprinted.
His ragged breathing bounced back at him in the dark as he started up a slight incline.
Rough hewn stairs appeared ahead just at the edge of his vision, below a softly burning sconce, a literal and figurative light at the end of the tunnel.
Exhaustion pulled at him as he neared the entrance into what he hoped was The Lavender Rose.
The tunnels could be misleading. You were never certain of your path or how long you spent in them.
A figure stepped out of the shadows ahead, barely discernible.
“What’s your business here?” the gravelly voice of the shadow barked, causing Ellis’ steps to slow.
“Ellis Varon.” He panted, coming to a stop completely, resting his hands on his knees. He had to pause and remember exactly what Evanar had told him to say. Doing his best to control his breathing, he continued, “Requesting the sanctity of The Lavender Rose, sent by Evanar Varon.”
The shadow disappeared, leaving Ellis standing in the small pool of light the sconce cast. “Nice to meet you too.” Ellis quipped under his breath, surveying his surroundings. There was nowhere else to go but up those stairs or back the way he had come.
The door swung open at the top of the steps, but there was no sign of the shadow man.
Ellis peered ahead, hesitating, before moving cautiously up the steps and into an empty room.
It appeared to be a private dining room, decorated in various shades of lavender.
The golden hues of the maple wood accents made everything appear warm and inviting.
The door he had come through had snapped shut the moment his entire body had cleared the doorway, leaving only what appeared to be a solid wall.
The room had no windows, but he could hear laughter and voices raised in conversation.
The sounds seemed to filter through a second door across the room.
He could only presume it led to the main tavern area.
Ellis crept forward and pressed his face to the crack in the door, only finding a deserted hallway.
Making his way down the hall, he peered around the corner into a large tavern, surprisingly packed with patrons.
Well, that was problematic. He couldn’t risk being recognized.
He had come too far for it to all fall apart now.
He had to try and make it through the crowd of citizens.
Straightening his clothes, he swiped at the sweat still beading his brow.
His clothing was in disarray and he smelled absolutely foul.
His hair had grown several inches in the last few months, and his shirt had sweat stains and dirt from running through the underground.
He had to hope that his unkempt appearance would be disguise enough to get him to the Med Center undetected.
Easing the door open, Ellis slipped into the main tavern area, head down, and began making his way toward the exit.
A hand shot out, grasping his forearm, and yanked him back behind the bar.
Ellis jerked his arm free, raising his fists in defense.
A young maiden, no more than twenty-five years of age, stood in front of him, dressed head to toe in black leather, her hair in a long braid down her back.
For a minute, he was taken aback by how much she reminded him of Alex.
“Who are you?’ he blurted, unsure if he should relax or continue to stand his ground.
“Who I am is of no importance. Follow me.”
Ellis baulked at her. Her voice was melodic and sweet—completely at odds with her outward appearance and gruff tone. She was likely one of the citizens that Evanar had told them to trust, but how was he to be sure? It wasn’t like there was a secret code word; he just said that I would know.
“Why should I trust you?” He asked, holding her gaze.
“Because, without me, you won’t make it ten steps into that room without being recognized.” She shrugged, her matter-of-fact air putting him further on edge. “If you’re inclined, go ahead and test that theory.”
Ellis looked around at the patrons, several had already covertly glanced his way, eyes leary of him and his appearance.
A familiar shock of blonde hair in the back corner caught his eye, giving him pause, but he dismissed the idea immediately.
There was no way that Tristan was here. He turned back to the girl and simply shook his head.
It would be a hasty and reckless move to try to get through the room, and Rivka needed Althea quickly.
She threw an exasperated look at him. “We share the same allegiance, Consort. I mean you no harm. Now, unless you want to waste more time, follow me.”
Ellis followed without another word. He didn’t trust himself to speak, and he knew he needed her help in order to get out of there without being seen.
She led him though the attendant's corridor, lined with shelves and cabinets with what he assumed were supplies and linens.
A door with an intricate design of a rose carved into the face appeared just ahead of them.
His leather-clad guide stepped to the side, gesturing towards the door.
“This will open up into the service alley separating us from the Med Center. Stay to the shadows. She will be along shortly after the sun rises.”
Ellis tipped his head in thanks, slipping past her out the door.
The alley was deserted; the early morning hour had everything coated in mist. Only those who were off to work or up to no good were out.
Nestling deep in the shadows, he leaned against the wall of the Med Center, his gaze steadily scanning the mouth of the alley where Althea should be appearing soon.
He hoped. His blood felt charged, as if lightning blazed in his veins.
Waiting and doing nothing seemed impossible.
The pent up emotional energy drove his singular focus, keeping him rooted to the spot.
Dawn was just breaking the horizon when Ellis saw Althea crossing the mouth of the alleyway.
He quickly jogged alongside the building until he was certain that she was within hearing distance.
“Althea!” His voice was raised slightly higher than a whisper.
Still, her head snapped in his direction, fear flickering across her face before she schooled it into a mask of professionalism.
Motioning for her to come to him, he stepped into a shaft of light so that she could see him more clearly.
Quickly covering her gasp, she rushed forward.
“Ellis? Oh my Gods, are you alright? Is..” her eyes darted past him, scanning the shadows for anyone else.
“She isn’t here. Althea, she’s in trouble. The baby is coming early. I was forced to leave her to come and get you. Evanar told us that you would help.”
Althea stood frozen, stunned at his rush of words. “Baby? Wait. You?” The words exited her mouth in a stutter.
Ellis paused, realizing that she hadn’t been informed of their arrival.
Maybe due to them being early, or maybe due to something happening to Evanar.
He hoped that it wasn’t the latter. Lowering his voice even more, he pushed.
“Althea, Rivka’s in the underground, possibly in labor.
It’s a lot for me to explain, but right now we need to go. She needs you.”
Althea only hesitated for a moment, uncertainty apparent in the rigid set of her shoulders. He needed her to trust him, as there was no time to waste.
“I need to get some supplies. Wait here.” She called as she sprinted into the Med Center.
Ellis waited for what felt like an eternity for her to return, when in reality it was probably only a few minutes. The sun had almost fully risen when she rounded the corner once more, a large satchel thrown over her shoulder.
“Ready?” He asked, angling towards The Lavender Rose, pulling the crude map from his pocket.
“As I can be, since I’m not sure what I am walking into.” Althea tugged his shirt, stopping him. “Where are you going?”
“Back into The Lavender Rose.”
Althea shook her head, reaching for the map in his hand.
“Show me where she is.”
Ellis leaned over, pointing to the area on the map where he had left Rivka.
“This isn’t the only entrance. I know another. It’s a risk because it is unguarded, but it will take less time. Let’s go.”
Ellis didn’t hesitate, following her as she weaved through the side streets of Gleann, trusting that she knew exactly where she was going.
It was still early enough that they rarely passed anyone, and those they did didn’t take notice of them.
They didn’t speak, although Ellis could have sworn he heard her mumble under her breath something about “First Alex, now Ellis, and a baby. Oh niece of mine, what have you gotten yourself wrapped up in?”