Chapter 53 #2
Intruder! The voice pierces my skull as I sweep around to find the leader looking directly at my avian self. Heretic! Is there no low you will not stoop to? she says in outrage. Birds, too? Kill her! Destroy her!
Another Torailian notches an arrow into their bow, draws back, and lets loose.
The black-fletched arrow cuts through the air, flying straight towards me.
My small heart thumps a pitter-patter rhythm, I launch myself upwards and—
Fen rips me back into my body.
Little Raven? I felt your panic! Are you well?
His nickname hits differently now that I have taken the body of a raven, which I may or may not have flown directly to his death. I hope the sharp movement I started was enough to save the poor bird from the path of the arrow.
I’m all right, I say softly. The Torailians do not pursue us. We’ve put several hours between us, and they will continue to tend to their dead.
I pause, aware of the arrow fletches that stick out of my satchel, drawing my thoughts to my family. It’s now been over half a moon since we left. Almost a full moon since the Goddess returned my powers. Surely some of Kay’s Morathkian magic has manifested by now, even with the tonic?
I only hope that Jonas is keeping her safe and away from prying eyes. Though if my previous vision of her waiting for a ball is anything to go by, then I doubt it.
As fear for my family seeps in, I know there is another question I need to ask my wolf, even though I’m not certain I want to know his response.
But I cannot afford secrets between Fen and me, not when we’re bound this way, and so I push the thoughts of Kay and William aside.
I return to the bond. The king says the war with the Torailians ended over a decade ago, but you’ve fought them before.
You have fought the Torailian, and so has Kyor, which means the king lied, I say, not bothering to pose it as a question, not when we both already know the truth.
Many times, he agrees. I should have told you to disconnect your mind from mine.
And I should have told you to sing your favourite song loudly in your head.
That was always what Zelle did as he fought them.
His tone is mournful. Zelle especially enjoyed singing rude songs.
He sighs. The one with the cork was his favourite.
‘Let’s stop here,’ Kyor calls from up ahead. ‘It’s getting dark, and we’ve most certainly put a great deal of distance between us and them, even if they are pursuing us.’
A shiver runs through me. I know they’re not, but telling him that means admitting to using a magic when I have no idea where it comes from.
Issen? It can’t be Torailian, not from the disgust they showed towards me, so it must be Issen, yet the feeling doesn’t settle quite right.
Still, it doesn’t change the fact that I need to tell the others the truth.
They’ve risked their lives too many times for them not to know this, and the knowledge causes no immediate harm to anyone.
‘I … I flew back as a raven,’ I admit. ‘They’re not pursuing us.’
Ruben’s mouth tightens. ‘Are you sure using your power is wise?’
‘No,’ I say honestly. ‘But I’m sick of not having a handle on any of this.’
Stide and Thessa exchange glances but do not weigh in. I suppose in a discussion of magical powers, they have little to add.
Kyor’s voice cuts through my thoughts. ‘Regardless of whether those Torailians are following us, everyone needs to stay sharp on watch tonight. We’re in disputed lands. Elska will go hunting and see if she can find something fresh for us to eat.’
I’ll go with Els, Fen suggests casually. The pair of us hunt well together.
Sure, I agree easily. Enjoy the hunt.
I can feel the anticipation humming through him as he sets off.
We make the camp quickly, the routine helping settle us as we do our respective chores with ease.
‘Hey,’ I say to Kyor. ‘Fen said Zelle used to sing a song in his head to distract the Torailians.’
He smirks suddenly. ‘The one with the cork?’
‘You know it? Will you sing it to me? I thought Fen might like it if I learned it for him. You know, to show that Zelle will always matter.’
Heat suddenly flushes his cheeks. ‘Uh, it’s a sweet idea, but it’s not really suitable for a lady’s ears.’
‘Kyor, I lived in the slums. There is nothing you can say that will shock me.’
He shrugs, face still warm. ‘Uh, I can’t really remember it, sorry.’ He pointedly turns back to the fire.
Now my interest is well and truly sparked. One way or another, I’m learning that song.
But I let it go. For now. I have other things to worry about.
Once the fire is blazing, I confront the monster in the room. ‘So apparently I’m a little bit Torailian, too.’
‘It changes nothing,’ Ruben says instantly. ‘You’re you. That’s all that matters.’
‘They have magic,’ Benny notes, his voice slightly disbelieving. ‘The Torailians have magic.’
Ruben frowns. ‘What do you mean? They didn’t do any magic at all.’
‘Mental magic,’ I explain. ‘They can talk to one another silently in their heads, co-ordinate effortlessly, and apparently … they can read our minds.’
‘It’s how you could communicate with the kraken,’ Benny says, looking at me as things click into place for him. ‘Residual magic, my arse.’
I smile faintly at that. ‘Sorry we had to bullshit you back then, but if it’s any consolation, we didn’t know what the fuck was going on, besides the fact that I’d developed the ability to talk to a kraken.’
Stide’s eyes go wide. ‘The Rose, you spoke to a kraken?’
‘It was a pretty one-sided conversation,’ I admit wryly. ‘Anyway, I … I think I get the telepathy from my father. He could always tell when Mother was just around the corner, always knew when Kay and I were up to mischief. Could follow us in the woods, no matter where we went. And his emotions …’
I close my eyes. Because now the implications hit me fully.
Did he lose his Torailian magic with his Morathkian powers?
Were both ripped away, or only the ones the High Priestess knew of?
Because if he could still read minds – or even just feel the emotions flooding us – then he would have known my thoughts.