“You will get your magic back as soon as we are out of range,” Kiora told them. “I can’t allow you to follow us.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Into the Fray
“DRUSTAN,” KIORA SAID AS they flew back toward the forest, “we will need to make camp soon. Keep an eye out for a spot to land.”
Emane whispered in her ear. “What do you think about the look those three Shifters gave Vardon?”
Kiora shook her head. “I don’t think it was good.”
“I know. Vardon seemed to relax afterwards. I don’t like it, Kiora. Something is going on.”
Drustan jerked beneath them, his wings stuttering before righting to a normal rhythm.
“Drustan! What’s wrong?” Kiora called.
“Nothing,” Drustan said with slightly more enthusiasm than the situation called for. “Just became distracted for a moment.”
Emane’s gaze hardened as he looked back to the three bird-Shifters from earlier.
***
NIGHT HAD TAKEN A firm hold on the land. The clouds covered the moon, making it even darker than usual. Drustan flew toward the edge of the tree line. Kiora hoped his eyesight in Dragon form was as good as his hearing because as they came in for a landing, she could barely see past the end of his snout, let alone the ground.
Kiora was grateful for her abundance of magic as she pushed a bubble out that was large enough for her to build an enclosure inside. Once the barrier snapped into place, she dropped the bubble and sheathed her talisman.
The strange myriad of Shifter-fowl and insect life flew down, morphing to human form on the ground. Each Shifter dropped to their knees and bowed their heads.
Kiora’s shoulders slumped. Why did everyone have to bow? It never stopped. It was exhausting—and immensely uncomfortable. “Please, no bowing. I am no better than any of you.” She motioned for them to rise. “We have a long journey ahead of us,” she said, trying to recognize each of them with a smile and nod. “Get some rest. We will reach the city tomorrow.”
As the Shifters settled in around the enclosure, Drustan grabbed Kiora by one arm and Emane by the other. “I need to speak with you,” he said in a low voice. “Outside.”
Kiora put up a bubble, and the three slipped outside the barrier.
“What is it?” Kiora asked.
“You asked earlier what was wrong.” Drustan glanced over his shoulder. “A little bug whispered something in my ear. Erina informed me that we have three traitors amongst us.”
Kiora cursed the situation. “If it’s true, we can’t let them know where the city is. But without proof of betrayal, any action we take will make the rest of the Shifters question our intentions.”
Drustan stared back at the enclosure, rubbing his chin. “I think I know which Shifters she means.”
“The last three to join,” Emane said.
Drustan nodded. “It doesn’t surprise me. There used to be four in that particular group, and they stuck together. The missing member happens to be the Shifter who pushed Alcander out of the barrier back at the canyon.”
“Aimon referred to placing a spy with Lomay’s rebels.” Emane reminded them.
Drustan nodded. “The spy is most likely teaching the others how to mask their threads. The Shifter who pushed Alcander out of the barrier was probably a test—to see if they could control their threads enough to mutiny with the bracelets on.”
“Some test,” Emane muttered.
“If I had to guess, the traitors will try to get into the city. They fooled the bracelets and are most likely over-confident in their ability to fool the magic.”
“The one who tried to push Alcander out of the boundary died,” Emane said. “What do they have to be confident about?”
“They wouldn’t have ultimately been sure of what killed him. All they know was that Alcander was indeed pushed out—it was a success.”
“And what if they try something before we reach the city?” Emane asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” Kiora said. “Erina obviously knows who they are, I assume because her husband knew—you saw the look that passed between them. But we don’t know how much the rest of the Shifters know. If we deal with the spies without proof of who they are or their intentions, it will appear as if we are killing without reason. Their trust in us is shaky at best—taking action could turn the rest against us. They are going to have to witness the betrayal with their own eyes. Until then, we can take turns keeping watch.”
“Taking them with us still carries risk. With one failed attempt to enter the city, the other two will run. We are going to lose another entrance,” Drustan said.
Kiora huffed and looked up at the star-spattered sky. Jasmine already knew the location of two entrances—they couldn’t keep losing them like this. “Before we left, you said I shouldn’t worry about this very scenario because the magic would take care of the problem.”
“That’s when I thought there was one spy—not three.”
“Summon my bow,” Emane said. “I will make sure the entrance stays secret . . . and don’t look at me like that, Kiora. It’s the only way. I will only loose an arrow if they run.”
***
KIORA TOOK THE FIRST watch. She leaned against a tree as the camp fell silent. Once everyone was asleep, she lit a small ball of blue light, rolling it back and forth across her fingertips. She leaned to the side and held the ball out to illuminate Emane’s face. His hair fell softly across his forehead and his hand rested on his bow—ready to spring into action, even as he slept.
Drustan’s voice came from the side. “It doesn’t get easier, does it?” he asked softly.
“What?”
“Loving two people.”
She didn’t bother denying it. “Part of me thinks it would be easier if Emane had someone else. Maybe I wouldn’t feel so guilty.”
“Maybe.”
“Not that it matters—he isn’t going to find someone until he goes back to Meros.”
The bugs of the forest chirped and chattered in the darkness, filling the silence between them. Kiora almost wondered if Drustan had fallen asleep when he asked, “Will you be going back?”
Kiora pursed her lips. She stared up at the sky through the branches, letting the blue light on her fingertips flicker out. “I don’t know. Maybe . . . someday. I can’t really see past Jasmine, to be honest.”
“Will you take Alcander?”
Kiora grinned. “That would be an interesting sight, wouldn’t it? Alcander strolling around Meros.”
“That’s not what I was really asking.”
Kiora glanced sideways. Drustan was leaning up on his elbow, looking at her curiously, his face mostly in shadow. “Then what are you asking?”
“He is bonded with you. Are you bonded with him?”
She slid down the trunk and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. “I think I am.”
Drustan smiled. “Good. Someone deserves to be happy.” He shrugged and rolled onto his back. “Even if that means it has to be Alcander.”
Kiora chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Will you be glad to go home?”
“Yes, I will. There are some Shifters I miss very much. And my waterfall,” he mumbled, resting his head on his arm. “I miss my waterfall.”
***
EMANE TOOK THE LAST watch. He shook Kiora awake as the sun rose. “Let’s go.”
Kiora pushed herself up, looking around camp. “Any problems?” she whispered.
Emane shook his head. “Nope. They are definitely planning on getting into the city.”
“Let’s get this over with,” she groaned.
The flight back seemed longer as she anticipated what was to come. Drustan landed outside the entrance that Kiora had instructed be manned from the inside.
She pulled the bubble that was currently concealing their group up and over the perimeter of the entrance, ensuring that none of their threads escaped. Emane dismounted and causally strolled to the side of the stone door, facing the Shifters. He prepared his bow and arrow, but left it by his side—looking as causal as possible.
Kiora walked past him to touch the entrance. Magic flared out, running up and around the edges—the sign to open it.
The stone slab rumbled as it slid to the side. The Shifters’ attention immediately fixated on the sheeting magical protection. Nobody moved.
Drustan, having shifted to human form, pushed to the front. “I will go first to show you what to expect,” he said. As he passed through, the magic seized him. It poured around him, searching, and then released its hold.
Killian stepped forward. He clenched and unclenched his fists as he walked. His breathing was labored, but he bravely stepped into the magic. It reacted the same as it had for Drustan. Once he was safely inside, a collective sigh of relief moved through the new rebels. They relaxed, smiling at each other and gripping one another’s hands.
The next Shifter boldly stepped forward, one of the three in question. The smile on his face was closer to a smirk and his chin was pulled up in the most confident of poses. The barrier stopped him. The colors immediately changed from pinks and blues to blood red.
Kiora cursed—she had truly hoped they were wrong. She turned her head away as the magic melted flesh from bone.
The Shifters cried out, looking about in alarm. The mood changed instantly.
Kiora dismally looked back at them. “I warned you what would happen to any who weren’t really with us.”
Two Shifters near the middle of the group began to change, sprouting wings as they turned to flee. Emane pulled up his bow. His first arrow exploded forward and caught one of the fleeing Shifters in the back. The second arrow was dispatched close behind. The Shifter it was aimed at threw a bubble, but it was too late—Emane’s arrow found its target. The Shifter’s bubble dropped almost as soon as it went up and he collapsed to the ground with a
thud
, an arrow protruding from his neck.
Erina, who had warned them of the trio of traitors, turned to face the jittery group. “You know as well as I do the magic spoke true. If you are truly here for the Solus, you have nothing to fear.” Turning, she smiled at Kiora. She threw her shoulders back and walked into the magic. It searched her, and she walked unharmed into the city.
The rest of the Shifters were allowed into the city, much to Kiora’s relief. Once everyone was through, she looked back at the two dead bodies sprawled across the ground.
“It had to be done,” Emane said.
“We can’t leave them here.” Kiora looked around. There were many large stones similar to the one she had pulled back from entrance lying around. Kiora used her magic to pull one up on its end. “We can use this,” she said.
Emane picked up the first Shifter and laid his body at the base of the large slab. He did the same for the second, laying him next to the first.
Kiora flicked her wrist and the rock fell forward, burying the bodies beneath a nameless headstone. “Let’s go,” she said.
Alcander was waiting for them just inside the magic. “Have the Guardians arrived yet?” she asked him.
“No, not yet.” He glanced down the hall at the line of Shifters. “You came home with more than I thought you would.”
“You need to have more faith,” Drustan said. “Kiora has a strange and marvelous effect. You of all people should know that.” He gave Alcander a deliberate, one-fingered poke in the chest. “Her effect on
you
has been nothing short of miraculous.”
CHAPTER SIX
Surrounded
EMANE VOLUNTEERED TO WAIT for the Guardians, mainly because he wanted time alone. He had thrown himself into training because it needed to be done, but also because it was a legitimate excuse to be clear of Kiora for most of the day. He was rather impressed with his ability to fake acceptance, but he had his limits. In an attempt to keep his feelings to himself, he spent all his time with the Taveans. Although not nearly as cocky as Alcander, they were still a proud species that tried his patience, despite his constant efforts at lightheartedness.
The cracks around the doorframe lit from the outside and Emane hurriedly moved to open it. The stone was large, and meant to be moved by magic—of course. He threw his shoulder into it, grunting under the effort. It finally slid forward.
Malena and Leo fluttered in, passing through the barrier.
They were just as bright and beautiful as he remembered. He turned to shove the stone back into place, but Malena did the work for him with a simple wave of her hand.
Emane gave them a shallow bow. “It is good to see you again.”
Malena fluttered forward. Her blond hair hung perfectly between two shimmering wings and her smile was radiant, exposing tiny, perfect teeth. She gave him a delicate kiss on the cheek. “It is good to see you as well, Prince Emane.”
“How are my people?” he asked as he brushed the dirt from his hands and pants.
“They are well,” Leo said. “Worried about both you and Kiora.”
“And my father?”
“He is worried as well,” Malena said.
“But they are safe?”
“They are. We have kept the Fallen Ones at bay and hope to be able to return your people to their homes soon.”
“Good.” Emane motioned for the Guardians to follow him and headed toward the city center.
“Where is Kiora?” Leo asked.
“I hope she is sleeping,” Emane said. “Although, somehow I doubt it. She hasn’t been doing much of that lately.”
“I am not surprised.” Malena shuddered.
“The state of this world is worse than we understood,” Leo said, flying to the side of him. “Coming through the pass and feeling the loss of good threads was painful. I can only imagine what Kiora must be feeling.”
“That isn’t even half the problem,” Emane said as the tunnel opened up, exposing the city. “She has been through more than I ever thought she could handle.”
Alcander jogged up the steps, stopping in front of Malena and Leo. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“You must be Prince Alcander,” Malena said. “Eleana spoke of you.”
“King Alcander,” Emane corrected.
“It makes no difference—you may call me Alcander.”
Malena looked around the city. “Where would you like us to work?”
“Come.” Alcander waved, leading them toward one of the larger rooms that ran along the perimeter of the city’s center. “Drustan has been waiting for you.”