31. Mare
Mare
My hands trembled uncontrollably as I led my elk and Reese's white mare down the snowy streets. Certain death awaited me outside these walls.
Either the monsters would claim my life, or . . .
Or Reese would, when he saw the truth.
How could I possibly hide it? The scáde would welcome me. Shadows might erupt from my blade, though I hadn't called them.
I gasped, lifting my eyes from the road as a shadow stepped into my path.
Liam grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. "You don't have to do this," he said, hushed. "We can leave. Right now. Just you and me."
My brother was thinking the same thing I was—ride out with a Paragon toward the dragons who welcomed me, and I was lost.
"I can't just run away," I said, voice cracking. "What about these people?"
"Reese has it handled. "
"Does he? Did Killian? Did Ishii?" I leaned closer. "The Paragons might be impressive, but they're still men."
Liam swallowed. "Mare, please."
"I want to run, Liam, I do."
My inner turmoil nearly spilled from my lips. My fear, my doubt. But this was my little brother—I had to wear a brave face for him. So, I donned a mask to hide the terror.
"But I'm not a coward like you.” I smiled, and brushed his hand off. "I always wanted to be someone. This is the perfect opportunity to earn some fame."
Liam's eyes narrowed, like he saw right through me. He probably did. But he responded in kind, hiding his fear.
"Why would I aspire to fame? Well-known thieves don't live long." He smirked. "The governor here is a real cunt. I think I might use the chaos to relieve him of a few choice items."
"Delinquent." I pushed him away. "Don't get caught."
Liam backed away, pale-green eyes glued to mine. "I've never been caught."
I watched him until I could bear it no longer, until the urge to flee nearly overwhelmed me. Forcing my head away, I raced down the road.
Cranking chains greeted my ears when I returned to the square. Reese darted out from a group of soldiers and rushed to my side. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I handed him his mare's reins. "Ready to hunt a dragon?"
“Scádes aren't technically dragons," he said playfully, mounting his horse. "We'll see if you're ready for the real thing after tonight."
I tried to voice a witty retort, but my throat dried up. Climbing up onto my elk, I drew Cierthine and tried to breathe.
Reese grabbed my hand. "The moment you need me, yell."
"Why?" I tried to still my hand, but he must have felt me shaking. "So you'll know I've died?"
"No. So I know to let go."
I tilted my head, confused.
"Just make sure to bring me back afterward." He released my hand. "Come on. Stick close."
Clicking my heels into my elk, I followed his white horse through the gates. What did he mean? Rumors said Cleiv Solais only picked men with tempers as fiery as their blood.
Reese had been so even-keeled, I couldn't imagine him as anything else.
We passed under Tsuyan's gate, and I watched it crank closed behind us.
No going back now.
I turned around, scanning the outskirts of the city: a handful of scattered homes and tents.
Tents.
I gasped. "The refugees! Did they never let them in?"
"No," Reese called back. "If we're quick, we can save them."
Across the fields of snow, I saw someone dart into their house and slam the door closed. It wouldn't be enough.
A shaggy brown horse galloped toward us from the dark. Its rider raised a horn and blew. A deep, resonating tone soared through the dark.
The scout passed us, heading for the gates. A bell started ringing a moment later.
"They're already here.” Reese looked toward the pitch-black sky. "Can you hear it?"
I closed my eyes, tuning out the alarm bells and horn.
A faint hum droned in my ear, growing stronger and stronger. The same I heard in Galasvar, in Gwynford.
I pressed deeper, seeking it. If these beasts felt a kinship with me, could I not also feel one with them?
The hum focused, narrowing. It came from the east, down a steep hill.
"This way," I shouted, turning my elk.
Reese's horse thundered after me, quickly catching and passing me. Cleiv Solais gleamed gold against the night. Misty plumes from my frozen breath painted the world white, and smudges where distant crystals glowed faint blue guided my path.
My elk slowed as we descended the hill. A grove of dead trees waited below, and hidden between their boughs I spied deep shadow, and a flicker of light.
I heard a whizz, and then I was tumbling forward. My elk screamed as an arrow lodged in its leg. It fell, throwing me from the saddle.
Shrieking, I hit the snow and rolled down the hill. Clutching Cierthine to my chest, I struggled to my feet.
My elk lay on his side further up the hill, blood pooling on his leg and seeping into the snow. An arrow fletched with black feathers was lodged deep in his thigh.
There—between the trees. Men in ebony armor leaned out from behind the trunks to draw their bows.
I knew no nation nor group that donned ebony armor. Who were these people?
I lost sight of Reese. All I saw were the knocked bows ahead of me and the gap between us: too far to cross before I'd be stuck like a pincushion.
Dancing forward, I mimicked the opening steps to a waltz—and threw myself forward.
Crackling lightning ripped from Cierthine and enveloped me. No, more than that. I became the lightning.
Woman and blade vanished into the streak of violet and surged toward the trees. Time slowed as I felt myself being consumed by the kind of magic only a Paragon weapon could produce.
Less than a second passed. The lightning fell away, and I stepped from its embrace, a pace from the archers, bows still drawing back. Raising Cierthine above my head, I brought it down on my foes.
The black blade cleaved across the man's shoulder down to his opposite hip, ripping through his armor and tearing his flesh. He screamed, bow slipping from his hand.
I froze. Blood dripped from Cierthine onto the screaming man at my feet.
Everything had happened so fast—had I really done that?
My heart hammered against my ribcage.
Wood cracked across my side, throwing me against a tree. I returned to my senses as another man in ebony armor threw aside the bow he'd struck me with to draw his sword. Ducking, I avoided his swing. It slashed across the tree, carving a line in the trunk.
Panic swelled in me. Fighting people was nothing like fighting monsters.
They would not hesitate to hurt me.
Thrusting my hand forward, I shoved him. Shadows burst from my fingertips and wrapped around him like creeping vines. They tightened around his windpipe and squeezed.
I heard a bone snap, and the man went limp. Stumbling back, I stared at my hand in horror.
The body crumpled to the snow. Shadows streamed from his body and melted into the night.
Saints—what determined if lightning or shadows emerged? Why couldn't I control it?
If I were the curse plaguing this land, I'd die trying to stop it.
Whirling on my heel, I ran toward the scáde's hum. Fire plumed into the air to my east—Reese.
Let him deal with these people. I didn't have time.
The scáde had to die before the city of Tsuyan became naught but rubble and ash.
Breathing in, I felt the cold melt from the air. The night welcomed me into its arms. I imagined a shadow stepping from the stars and taking my hand, twirling me in a dance.
As I spun, the shadows wrapped me in their ebony embrace, concealing me from all who watched.
The shadows came to me so easily. It was as though the night itself wanted me to wield it.
Men in ebony armor ran past me, toward the fire. Toward Reese. They didn't glance in my direction.
The hum grew steadily louder. And louder.
My target hid at the edge of the glade, concealed by darkness. The scáde used the same magic I did.
Shadows danced around the scáde, rendering it nearly invisible. But I could see it—the faint flickers where the shadows swirled, where they parted.
The scáde's head whipped in my direction. It saw me, too.
This one was different—leaner, smaller. Thin horns like elk antlers spiraled up from its head. Its wings parted, revealing butterfly-like patterns on their undersides.
And, gods, it trotted toward me as the others had. It lowered its head, like a curious dog.
I saw its throat warble—singing the death hum.
The scáde's head snapped toward Cierthine, and it backed up.
My conviction fled. This creature was intelligent. Beautiful. It looked upon me like an old friend.
Lowering Cierthine, I reached out a hand, fingers trembling.
The scáde watched me for a moment. Snow fell past our merging shadows. Then, it crept forward and cautiously pressed its head against my hand.
Warmth hummed under its scales. I felt them vibrate with the song.
This creature was not evil. I felt it deep in my breast.
Someone had made it sing this song. It was no different than a horse bearing its rider to the battlefield.
"Leave—run," I blurted out, running my hand down its face. "Please. I don't want to hurt you."
The scáde raised its head. It looked away from me—back toward the fighting.
"So many people are going to die," I rambled, pointlessly. "Please."
Humming vibrated through the air. The scáde peered at me, silent.
What was I doing? I had no idea what I was—who I was. This creature would not listen to me.
The scáde sprung back, startled. I turned—too late.
Sharp pain tore through my side as steel ripped through my back. I bucked forward, but a strong arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me to a warm chest.
A Solheart with golden-green eyes peered down at me as his blade protruded from my abdomen.
"Solathair's shit," he cursed. "You really do look just like her."
Her?
Adrenaline tore through me, dampening the pain. Blood rushed in my ears, and I recalled my mentor's words.
'The moment you need me—yell.'
"Reese!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
The Solheart man grimaced. "Gods, I hate the sound of that name." He growled with the last word, yanking his sword out and pushing me forward.
I stumbled away, pressing my hand to my wound. Blood rushed between my fingers.