“We’ve got to be close,” Adam muttered, the sound barely registering in Jinaari’s tired brain.
They’d been walking for hours. Initially, he set a quick pace. The warlock’s assurance that they could rest, safely, in his tower that night spurred him on. The sooner we get there, find Amara, the faster we’re back in Almair. Thia needs me back before the delegation arrives. That rumor won’t stop growing until Tomil and Amara get married, either. “Find it yet?” he grunted. Delays always made him uneasy.
“Why? Are you tired?” Adam shot back.
Jinaari leaned against one side of the tube. “Not at all. You did promise me we’d be in your tower tonight if we moved fast enough.”
“No,” he replied, running his hand across the wall’s surface, “what I said was we’d get to the offshoot that leads to my tower before nightfall.” He glanced around. “It’s not quite that time.”
“We’re resting in a tube tonight?”
“Most likely. Aha!” With an audible click, part of the wall slid away. A blast of damp, warm air hit him, accompanied by a stale, musty smell. Wherever that tube led, it’d been sealed a long time.
“Come on,” Adam waived at him from the open doorway. “I can’t keep it open forever.”
Jinaari walked through the entrance, taking his time so his eyes could adjust to the dimmer light. Once he was past his friend, Adam resealed the opening. “Where now?” he asked.
“We rest here. It’s getting too dark for us to make it to my tower.” Adam sat down, his back against the wall they’d just come through. The blonde man was tired. Even in the meager light, Jinaari could see sweat dotting his forehead.
“I can make us light.”
Shaking his head, Adam said, “Not a good idea. We’d be spotted. All tubes are going dark. If this one suddenly began to glow . . .”
“People would know it’s occupied. Got it.” Jinaari leaned against a wall, turning his head down the hallway. He lowered his pack to the ground and removed his helm, setting it on top. Absently, he rummaged around in a pouch and pulled out some dried beef. “How much farther? Any offshoots we need to worry about?”
“No, this goes straight to my tower. Shouldn’t be anyone, or anything, between here and there except some dust.” There was a tired edge to his voice. “It’s been a while since I walked it, but I don’t remember it taking more than a few hours.” Jinaari heard him shifting and he looked toward him. The warlock had removed his pack and was using it for a pillow. “My legs were a lot younger then, though,” he said as he wrapped his cloak around his body.
Jinaari sighed and took another bite of the jerky. It didn’t matter what Adam said, he’d stand watch for a few hours. The warlock needed the rest, but he could wait.
The road here had been easy. Too easy. He didn’t hold out much hope that going out would be as fast. Some would depend on Amara; she’d keep a good pace, but not as fast as he and Adam could do. They’d have to let her dictate how quickly they moved. Soon as she’s missed, they’re going to come after us. I’d rather fight Lolc Aon again over facing a thousand or more trained warlocks. Adam’s not been right since we got in here. His energy’s low. I’m going to have to ask him about that, after we get to his tower. I need to be sure he’s got the stores to get us back to the inn.
His head snapped to his left and he stared at a shadow. Had it moved? Shifted at all? His hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword. Adam promised they’d be safe in this tube, but he had his doubts. Feeders were able to move through walls. All it took was them to catch the scent of human flesh, of fear.
Thia’s face flashed in his mind and he shoved it aside. Caelynn was with her, and Lukas would make sure one of his brothers was as well. If he didn’t think she’d be safe, he’d have brought her with them.
Yet the same unease she voiced to him had settled into his mind. She was right about one thing. Something’s wrong with all of this. The timing was too perfect between the delegation and finding out that Amara was at Helmshouse.
It was as if someone knew exactly how to separate the four of them.
A quick movement in the darkness put him on alert. “Adam?” he whispered.
“I know,” he replied. “Keep it busy for me.”
He heard his friend moving as he turned toward the shadowy darkness. Three separate foes. “There’s more than one,” he muttered.
“Your sword is still God touched, isn’t it? That didn’t go away after you killed Lolc Aon?”
Jinaari let a tight smile flash across his face. “No,” he said, “it didn’t.” Pulling the weapon out of the scabbard, he welcomed the soft light that it gave off. The blue aura was enough to show him what was coming his way.
The Feeders appeared human at first glance, which let them get close enough to their prey. Most victims didn’t realize the figure wasn’t solid until it had attacked. As soon as there was an opening, the creature would become a trail of vapor and infect their host, consuming them from the inside out.
Jinaari grabbed his helm with one hand, settling it on his head and closing the visor. As long as he could keep them at sword’s length, he could give Adam time to cover his face. “Feeders!” he called out as he pulled his shield off his back. “And another that I’m not sure about.”
“Shit!”
“What’s wrong?” Jinaari asked, though he kept his gaze on the creatures. They moved with a slow, methodical gait. There wasn’t much time left before they’d get to them.
“I don’t have a way to shield myself.”
“Stay behind me,” he instructed. “They’re not getting past me anyway.”
The first one in the line screamed and charged toward Jinaari. Swinging his sword, he sliced through the mist that formed the creature. Blue lightning coursed through the two halves as the magic of the weapon worked against it. A second charged, swinging with a clawed hand at him as the first dissolved in a shower of sparks.
Parrying the attack, he spun his arm quickly and cleaved the creature. Looking past the dissolving body, he locked eyes with the third. The figure moved differently. It was clad in polished black armor, with a shield that matched. It wasn’t a Feeder; dead eyes ringed with red stared at him through the helm. “Adam?”
“Yeah, I see it,” he replied. “Thoughts?”
“We don’t have time.” Holding out his sword, he pointed it at the creature. “I only offer this once. Leave us in peace, or die.”
“I sense the fear in you.” The deep, gravelly voice sent a chill down Jinaari’s spine. “You are not the shield my Queen deserves.”
“Who do you serve?” Jinaari demanded. I should know that voice!
The creature pulled his sword out of his scabbard with a steely hiss. “To me, she is perfection incarnate. To you, she is Thia Bransdottir.” Without another word, he charged forward.
Jinaari sidestepped the attack, his feet moving around his pack on the ground as his sword sliced across the back of his opponent’s armor. The blow was strong enough to slice through the metal, but there was barely a scratch. An unearthly laugh came from inside the fighter’s helm. His foe spun around; his sword aiming for Jinaari’s shoulder. There was something familiar about the movement of the attack. It can’t be!
He parried the blow, stepping back a few feet. I need to move him toward me, away from Adam. “Who are you?” he demanded.
“I am your fate.” He pulled off his helm and Jinaari stared in disbelief. Deep scars ran from Alesso’s blood red eyes to his chin. “You cannot kill me, Althir. Not now. I serve a purpose you will never comprehend!”
“I was too kind the last time we fought, Potiri. I won’t be as generous this time.” He stared at his former brother. “And you’re not getting anywhere near Thia.”
“I am her shield. When she comes into her kingdom, she will choose me. And you’ll be dead.” He stared at Jinaari; a cold hatred burning in his red eyes. “Her feet are on the path already. By the time you return, she won’t want to turn away from it.”
A bolt of green magic shot through Alesso’s armor. The Foresworn paladin’s mouth turned upwards in a sick grin. “Remember my words, Althir. You will understand soon enough.” A black shadow coalesced around his form, and he vanished.
Jinaari stared at the spot Alesso had stood in, his jaw clenched. He was right. This was planned. Slamming his sword into its scabbard, he stared at Adam. “You up for a few hours of walking? The sooner we can get to your tower, and find Amara, the faster we’ll get back to Almair.”
“Alesso’s dead.” Adam’s voice echoed his own disbelief.
“It looked like him. Voice was right. Someone’s managed to bring him back. Whoever it was either paid a high price or has stores that rival Thia’s.”
“Another God’s Son or Daughter?”
Jinaari sighed. “I hope not.” Thia’s power amazed him. To have someone else wielding the same amount, walking the world, possibly working against her . . . his mind shuddered with the thought.
“Do you believe what he said? About Thia?” Adam asked.
Jinaari set his shield down before he bent down and picked up his pack. He threaded his arms through the straps and settled it on his back. “Not entirely. Potiri always was an opportunistic prick. He’d lie to anyone if he thought it would give him some sort of advantage over them.” Picking the shield back up, he tightened the straps.
Adam gathered his gear and looked at him. “Which part do you believe?”
“Someone’s messing with us, with Thia. That’s obvious. She’s safe for now. That delegation’s still weeks away from arriving. I won’t worry about her unless we don’t get back before then.” He leaned against a wall and looked at Adam. “You lead. You know where you’re going, right?” It was more a demand than a question. Someone’s playing a game with me, and Thia’s the target. But is it early on, or have they been planning something for years that I’m just now seeing? His fingers pressed into the wire wrapped hilt of his sword. He hated having a foe he couldn’t see, couldn’t anticipate.
The blonde man nodded his head slowly. “It goes straight to my tower.” His words were measured. “Care to tell me what’s got you so pissed?”
“Care to tell me why doing magic that you’ve done dozens of times a day is now such a trial that you have to rest after opening a door?”
“Point taken. Let’s get to my tower. I’d rather explain there than here.”
“Then walk,” Jinaari growled.
Adam turned around and headed down the tube, and Jinaari followed. The anger would go away. He knew that. What bothered him more was the sense of dread that settled on his soul. For once, he found himself hoping Thia would hide from the world until he got back. Listen to Caelynn, don’t run from my brothers. I have to believe you’re safe until I get back.
“Is there any way you can get a message to Caelynn when we get to your tower?”
“Yes,” Adam replied, glancing back at him briefly. “What do you have in mind?”
“Encourage her to keep Thia isolated, let them know we’ll be back as soon as we can. If you can, tell her about what happened back there,” he gestured behind them. “She needs to know there’s a threat from an unknown source. Word it however you want. But I’ll rest better if she knows to keep a closer eye on Thia.”
“I’ll do that as soon as we get settled. I’ve got the right tools in my arcanium. It won’t take long to set up once we’re inside and you’re in the shielded room.”
“Can’t I listen in?”
“Not unless you swear to stay perfectly still and not utter a sound. The spell isn’t an easy one, and I don’t need you interrupting me with questions.”
They walked in silence, which was fine with Jinaari. Every step brought him closer to Amara, yes. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that the message Adam was going to send would arrive too late. Garret, keep her safe. Talk with Keroys, whisper in the ears of my brothers. Something. The last time I felt this conflicted was when you pulled me away so I could learn how to protect her. This journey isn’t your doing, though. And I need to find out who’s behind it before it’s too late.
“We’re here,” Adam said.
Jinaari looked up. A slab of white marble stood at the end of the tube. Adam ran his hand over it, and it slid aside. “I go first this time so I can disable the wards,” he said. “Stay here. It won’t take long.” Adam walked through the opening and it shut behind him.
Jinaari looked back down the way they came. The inky darkness was solid, impenetrable. Not even a mote of dust shimmered in the air. For anyone else, it would be a deterrent. I know the way. There’s always another way to open a door.
“It’s safe now,” Adam’s voice called out from behind him. Without a glance back, Jinaari walked into the warlock’s tower.
The room was warm, bathed in a soft light. Comfortable chairs sat near a fireplace; the light from the flames dancing off tables full of devices, books, bottles, and things he couldn’t identify. Bookshelves lined the walls, reaching toward the top of the tower. “Over here.” Adam stood near one set of shelves, holding a door open. “It’s the best place for you to rest up.”
“I want to listen when you contact Caelynn,” Jinaari said.
His friend nodded. “I can make it so you hear me. You won’t hear her, though. I can’t amplify her voice enough. If you’re in here, you won’t be tempted to ask anything.” His face grew serious. “My house, Jinaari, means my rules. Out there is yours. I may ask questions, but I’ve never once failed to do what you felt was best. You’re the fighter, the tactician. I’m a warlock. You know what that entails. Here in Helmshouse, what I say goes. I’ll tell you anything you need to know. Let’s get this done and past us. Afterward, we can eat and talk.”
Jinaari walked into the room. It was sparsely furnished with a large bed, fireplace, and a pair of chairs. A low table sat between them. Turning around, he asked, “How long?”
“How long what?”
“Until you reach Caelynn. You said something about needing tools.”
Adam nodded. “Less than an hour. The hardest part, what will take the most time, is getting a response. If she’s downstairs playing, or asleep, it may take a while. She’ll know I’m calling to her, but she won’t respond until she feels it’s safe to do so.”
Jinaari shrugged off his pack, dropping it on the floor. “Wake me when you get her.” Turning around, he heard the door close behind him.
A wave of weariness washed over him. The fire chased away the coolness in the room. For a moment, he wondered how it had been started. I’m surrounded by magic and people who can control it, manipulate the surroundings around me. That a fire suddenly roared to life is the least strange thing that’ll happen.
Fifteen minutes later, his armor was off and placed neatly at the foot of the bed. Pushing the blanket aside, he sat down and pulled off his boots. He glanced at the door; the light from the other room was bright enough to outline the opening. Another hour of waiting was a possibility, if not more. He lay down on the bed, throwing the blanket over him, and closed his eyes.