19. Connection #3
She claims she did, but Fiona hasn’t a clue. She’s having Elgar go through every single one of her memories. Charlie’s too. That just shows how desperate they are, Eyros said. Both of them are giving up their privacy completely.
Eyros, can you keep everyone at bay while we go back in and speak to Seeyr? Ryder asked.
The crowd surged again, but was slammed back down. While it was a feat to keep thousands of Vampires in place, Ryder had seen Eyros do it before. But this time it appeared to be much more difficult.
You’re damned right it is! I haven’t been feeding overly much.
We can’t exhaust our Acolytes and… Well, there are so many Kaly slices here.
Dozens of them. Eyros, Wyvern. Weryn. One in every single Bloodline.
At least one, Eyros explained. And they are very intent on breaking free.
That Roan Tithe is trying to squirm into my brain.
Thinking of what Roan Tithe would do to Balthazar in the future had Ryder seeing red. But he couldn’t help Eyros be becoming angry. He had to be strategic.
I’ll go in to see Seeyr! Ryder told him. Quick as can be!
Ryder prepared to shoot through one of the open windows in the Spire.
Then he could shift into something smaller like a mouse.
It was rare for him to choose such a dainty form, but he could do it.
Then he could slip underneath the dungeon’s door and head down to see Seeyr.
He couldn’t believe that she’d been so vague!
She knew how dire their situation was! The fact that Eyros was here–
Don’t both, Ryder, Eyros said with a sigh. She won’t tell us any more. She can’t. Evidently, if she speaks too plainly, Kaly will figure out time travel well before they should and that will be disastrous.
So how are we to get back? Ryder demanded.
That’s something you have to figure out, Eyros laughed. I’m doing my part.
The enemy Vampires suddenly were moving again. They surrounded Eyros in seconds. Ryder did not hesitate. His unkindness shot down like lightning bolts and struck the Vampires that came too near. Screams of pain and howls of rage followed as he left blood in his wake.
He continued to dive bomb again and again, leaving Vampires down on the ground, dazed and confused, around Eyros. The other Immortal was cursing under his breath. His hands were to his temples as he tried to regain control of the surging tide.
“We’ve gotta get out of here!” Fiona cried. “All of us!”
“You’re telling me!” Charlie shouted as half his face turned into a woman’s with bright red hair and the other side a black man’s.
“Master, let me help!” Elgar cried.
He grabbed one of the enemy Vampires and pressed his lips against her ear. He whispered into it. She stiffened and went limp. That same thing began to happen to the Vampires around her. Each of them going rigid and then falling.
“Get him! Get the Whisperer!” Someone screamed.
“I think NOT!” Eyros roared and his arms were flung wide.
Another wave of power extended from him to the group and, once more, all was stillness and quiet. Eyros sagged forward, breathing heavily. Elgar was immediately by his side, holding him up.
“Master, I have you. Take some of my strength,” Elgar offered.
“N-no, my Childe. I am… I am fine.” Eyros waved Elgar away even as he still swayed on his feet, but he managed to keep them.
“We need to get away from here,” Fiona repeated as she shifted Tanis’ dead weight in her arms.
“Yes, you do! Go! Go on now! Elgar and I can–can keep things together,” Eyros said.
Ryder landed on his shoulder. The other Immortal snapped his head around to face the bird. Eyros’ eyes widened. He actually reached up with a tentative hand and brushed his fingers over Ryder’s feathers.
“Soft. Remarkable,” Eyros muttered.
And your brain must be going soft if you think you can survive a few moments without us, Ryder said. We all go. I can obscure our trail. You just need to hold them until we can all make a run for it. Can you do that?
“You know what my fate is,” Eyros said.
More than you do, Ryder said. But if you’re going to be the hero, Eyros, we need you to stay alive for a little longer at least.
“If I must,” Eyros smiled a little wildly.
Then let me show you the power of communication, Ryder said.
Ryder felt the animals living all around the Spire. He touched each and every one of their life forces. He called to them. Lord of the Forest. Lord of the Fields. Lord of the Seas. Lord of the Skies. They lifted their heads as if one.
Come to me and keep us concealed, Ryder commanded.
“He can Whisper, Master!” Elgar’s head was cocked to the side. “I heard him!”
“Yes, yes, how very interesting,” Eyros stared at him as if he saw Ryder in a whole new light.
Not so different or separate after all. The Vampires started to surge again, but Eyros held them.
His fangs were bared, but then he turned that into a smile.
“Let’s see where this all goes, shall we?
I haven’t been this intrigued in millennia. ”
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