Dawn of Chaos and Fury by Melissa K. Roehrich - 15

12

S ky-blue eyes slammed into her the moment she entered the tiny room above the tavern they’d been staying in the last several nights. Corbin was downstairs waiting for the food they’d ordered, while Eviana had come back upstairs to pack up their few things. As soon as they were done eating, they were going to be on their way.

They’d made it over the border and a few miles into the Serafina Kingdom before Corbin’s power had started to give out. It was exactly what they’d expected given he was having to expend more to keep them dry and fight the current. They’d slowly come to the surface, doing their best to watch the shoreline and make sure they weren’t spotted. Then they’d all donned sweatshirts with deep hoods to hide their faces, walking until they came to a decent-sized city. Passing two small towns along the way, they kept moving. Gossip spread like wildfire in small towns. No, they’d needed a small city large enough that they wouldn’t be noticed. Where they could easily slip to the seedier parts of the city and bribe someone for silence, room, and board so the two could recover their power reserves. For a moment, she’d thought she was going to have to figure out a way to drag them up the two flights of stairs because they were so exhausted. If she could feel anything anymore, she probably would have felt guilty for making them expend their power then walk for hours. They both collapsed onto the only bed before she’d even shut the door. Lange had slept for two days straight. Corbin had slept for four.

And she’d sat in this tiny room, in a chair next to the window, planning their next moves.

They’d stayed a few extra days to allow them to recover as much as possible. There was still a ways to go to get to the Dreamlock Woods, not that the males knew that yet, and once they got there, they’d need every bit of that power they’d just spent the last days restoring.

“Where’s Corbin?” Lange asked tightly.

“Waiting for our food,” she answered, already striding for her pack.

“You left him down there alone?”

“Can he not handle retrieving food and bringing it up the stairs?”

“That’s not what I mean ,” he gritted out, standing from the bed.

For the first time since this had started, Eviana felt a trickle of…something. She didn’t know what, but Lange was imposing as he towered over her. His eyes were narrowed, pale hair falling into his face, and the air in the room stirred, despite the window being closed.

“I don’t know what the worry is then,” she replied, turning back to her packing. “Unless you know something I don’t?”

She waited for him to answer, but he said nothing. She wasn’t surprised, but she was disappointed. Or perhaps more irritated than anything.

“If you’re packed, you should pack his things,” she said, double and triple checking all the various weapons she’d stolen. “We leave the moment⁠—”

“I’m going to help Corbin,” he said tightly, and she spun, finding him already striding out the door.

Interesting.

Maybe she didn’t need to be disappointed after all.

Zipping her pack shut, she hoisted it onto her back. Then she finished packing Corbin’s few things before picking up the packs Lange had left behind. If her suspicions were correct, they wouldn’t be coming back up here.

She took her time descending the stairs, but Lange grabbed her arm, dragging her out the door and into the small alley where the entrance to the rundown establishment was. He shoved her up against the wall, no one around to pay them any mind. Even if there was, no one would do anything, but all Eviana could think about was the casual way he touched her without thought. No one touched a Source. The sensation was jarring.

“What did you do?” Lange hissed, mere inches from her face.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied calmly, holding his stare.

“Bullshit,” he spat, shoving her lightly again before stepping back and running his fingers through his hair. “Corbin is gone , Eviana. I know you did something.”

“How can you possibly know that?” she asked, her tone bored as she set the other two packs down before straightening her coat and readjusting her pack. Toeing Lange’s bag on the ground, she added, “Here. I grabbed these for you.”

“Just when I think we’re developing some sort of odd trust⁠—”

“Don’t ever think that,” she interrupted. “The only person you can trust in Devram is yourself, and even then, it’s all lies you tell yourself to make it to the next day, hour, or minute.”

He stared at her, and she had no idea what he was thinking. To be frank, she didn’t care.

“I know you had no one in that fucking house,” Lange finally said, each word sharp and filled with a fury she hadn’t known he was capable of. But she saw it now. She felt it as the wind picked up with every syllable that fell from his lips. “I don’t know what horrors you’ve experienced. I probably can’t even fathom them, and I’ve faced some pretty fucked up shit, Eviana. But by the gods, you can’t assume every single person who crosses your path is out to hurt you. You could have a friend if you tried. We’re not the fucking Legacy.”

Her head canted to the side at his words, and she didn’t know what he saw on her face, but he took a step back from her.

“Take that fucked up shit you’ve experienced, little wind-walker, and multiply it by fifty,” she replied, lacking the venom of his tone, but he straightened anyway. “Then do it every godsdamn day for decades. I considered it a good day when it ended with blood on my hands rather than my own blood being spilled. I hoped for the days that found me on my knees rather than on my back. I breathed a sigh of relief when it was Valter whose bed I shared at night rather than another’s. You speak of friends? They’ll sell you out the moment they believe it will gain them something, even for something as small as extra rations at a meal. Ask me how I know that. Ask me why you were moved to the Celeste Estate. Ask me which of your friends knows what you truly are.”

He stared at her, mouth pressed into a thin line, until he finally said, “If there’s not even an ounce of trust between us, after all these days you’ve forced us to spend with you, then you’re no better than the Legacy who did those things to you.”

“You’re right,” she answered simply. “I’m not. Now, we should go before we’re too late to save your lover.”

“I’m going to kill you when this is over,” Lange muttered, stalking past her and snatching the two packs she’d dropped from the ground. “I’m going to kill you and dump your body in the river and make Corbin bury it in the bottom so not even the fish can eat it and become poisoned.”

“Surely you can be more creative than that,” she said, having to take two steps to his one to keep up with his long strides.

“Give me time, bellana . Give me time,” he muttered, stopping for a moment as a gust of wind swirled around them. “Which way do we go?”

“What did the winds tell you?”

“You keep saying that shit⁠—”

“And you keep feigning ignorance,” she interrupted. “I would love to hear another delightful monologue from you about the merits of trusting people, but I’m afraid Corbin’s life depends on you proving me right.”

“A dagger. Multiple stab wounds,” he muttered, as he stretched his neck from side to side, summoning another gust of wind.

“I recommend deep into the thigh. It is one of the most painful, but I will stay awake for the repeated stabbing.”

“Or in the ass so you feel it every fucking time you sit down,” he snarled, turning left and leading the way.

“Much more creative than just killing me and sending me to the bottom of the river.”

“You are…” He shook his head, never finishing the thought. Instead he became quiet and focused, following silent instructions that only he could hear.

She was pretty sure he didn’t know exactly what he was, but she’d guessed he was getting a grasp on his powers now that he’d finally had time to actually sit with them. Selection years were chaotic. It was when Fae were supposed to master their magic, but they were never truly given the chance to discover their depths. Their classes were kept to the basics, and even the advanced courses kept them busy mastering only specific skills. And once they were assigned to their kingdom and duties, they were kept busy in other ways. Why would the Legacy want a Fae to understand what they were truly capable of?

Only those who became sentinels were given that kind of training—other than Sources, of course—and the privilege of that training came with chains of its own. The average Fae didn’t know that sentinels were forced to bear loyalty Marks that gave a Legacy complete control over them. Not quite as extensive as a Source, but…

Lange had been destined for that life. Valter had already been planning it as soon as he’d learned of the male’s heritage. Corbin’s fate, on the other hand, hadn’t been decided yet. Valter had still been debating what to do with him.

But with days of sitting in the Raven Harbor house, the days in the car, the river, the tavern, she’d given them that time to let their magic breathe. She needed them to tap into all of that power to survive the Dreamlock Woods and what would come after, and if she had to push them to their limits to get them there, then that was what she would do.

Lange started to turn another corner before he was suddenly lurching back and shoving her hard into the wall. She swallowed her cry of surprise, glaring up at him, only to find him glaring at her.

“I am going to ask you this one time, Eviana,” he said, his words too controlled. “Did you sell Corbin out to the Serafina Kingdom?”

Shock and dread slithered down her spine, but she showed none of it when she asked, “What?”

“There are Serafina sentinels up and down this entire street,” he hissed. “And if I’m right, Corbin is in one of the transport units. So I’m asking you again: Did you sell him out to the Serafina Kingdom?”

“You said you were only going to ask once.”

“I swear to every one of the fucking gods⁠—”

“No, I did not sell him out to them,” she snapped. “Why would I do that?”

“I don’t know, Eviana,” he drawled. “I don’t know what we’re doing, why we’re here, or anything else that goes on in that fucked up head of yours.”

“This was not what was supposed to happen,” she said, ignoring his barbed words. “I paid the male at the tavern to kidnap him and take him to a truck that would take us farther into the kingdom. The coin should have been more than enough to buy his silence. I just needed you to find him so we could sneak into the truck too. None of us want to walk that far and getting the three of us in there would be noticed.”

Lange stared at her. He just…stared, and then he started laughing, pressing his lips tightly to keep the sound from slipping out.

“Why is this amusing?” she asked. “If Corbin is caught⁠—”

“If?” he said in disbelief around his huffs of silent laughter. “Hate to break it to you, bellana, but he’s already caught.”

That male at the tavern had sold them out.

“That fucker,” she snarled.

“Somehow, I know exactly how you’re feeling,” Lange replied dryly.

“This is not the time for your whining,” she replied, shoving up her sleeves. “I need you to take these off.”

Lange looked from her to the bands on her wrists, then back to her again. She watched him debate it. Could see him warring with himself.

“If we have any chance of saving Corbin, you have to take them off,” she said, lifting her hands a few inches higher.

“You’ve repeatedly told me not to trust you.”

“You shouldn’t,” she agreed. “But you can trust the winds.”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “You keep saying that like you know something, but the winds know everything and nothing.”

“The way I see it, you can leave these on me and know for sure you will never see Corbin again. Or you can take these off, perhaps have the same outcome, or maybe have another night with him by your side,” she said.

“I have a feeling I’m going to regret this,” he muttered, reaching for the band on her right wrist.

“Undoubtedly.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.”

He shook his head, mumbling something she couldn’t make out as he slipped the band over her wrist, then did the same with the other.

And Eviana took her first full breath in months.

Her eyes fell closed as she felt her magic rush to the surface. The tips of her fingers tingled, and the power in her soul yanked and thrashed to be set free. She could hear every rustling leaf on the boulevards and feel every root of every tree and flower and everything in between.

Rolling her shoulders back, she opened her eyes to find Lange staring at her, and he made a show of slipping the bands into her pockets.

As if she’d ever let him put them back on her. It would be the last thing he’d ever do.

She slipped past him, peering around the corner. He hadn’t been lying. There were dozens of sentinels and at least ten transport units.

“What are they all doing here?” she asked, more to herself than to him as she debated their options.

“They were tipped off we were here,” Lange said quietly at her side.

“By who?”

“That I don’t know.”

“Do you know which vehicle he’s in?”

He was silent for several seconds, and she let him concentrate as she watched the sentinels. It wasn’t until she saw Lev, Lady Isleen’s Source, that true dread set in. If the Serafina Lady was here, they had definitely been discovered. Which she’d anticipated, but she hadn’t anticipated the Lady getting here so quickly. She’d thought they’d have more time. A miscalculation on her part.

Unless she sent Lev ahead of her.

Then they might have a chance.

“I don’t know which one exactly,” Lange whispered, sidling closer to her. It was such an odd sensation to have someone so near that she hadn’t been instructed to pleasure or torture. “But it’s one in the middle of the bunch, which makes sense. It’s fucking surrounded.”

“I have a plan,” she said.

“I’m afraid to ask what it is.”

“The same one from before,” she replied. “I’ll be the distraction. You find the truck.”

“Eviana, no⁠—”

But she was already striding out from around the building they’d been shielding themselves behind. Within seconds she was surrounded, and despite her power straining with the need to protect her, she let them come. Because she was still a Source, and even if she was perceived to be on the run, everyone knew touching her, hurting her, without her Master’s permission would still result in unfavorable consequences.

“Show your Markings,” a sentinel barked, already pulling a set of black bands from his hip.

She showed him the only one that mattered: the Arius symbol on the back of her hand.

“You’re to be detained by order of the Lords and Ladies of Devram until your Master can come collect you,” the sentinel continued, taking a step towards her.

“ I will handle her by order of Lady Isleen,” came a sharp, low command.

The sentinels stiffened, all eyes staying on her except for the one who had been speaking. He turned as people parted to create a path for Lev to stride through, giving him a wide berth.

Stunningly attractive, as all Sources were, his blond hair was perfectly styled around his arched ears. Sharp features added to his allure, and he wore a wool coat and scarf. While it got warmer the farther south they went, the winter chill still reached them here. Deep blue eyes swept over her, and his lip curled in disgust.

“The Arius whore in our kingdom,” he sneered. “My Mistress will be very interested to speak with you before your Master gets here.”

“It will be a waste of everyone’s time,” she replied. “We all know I cannot betray my Master’s secrets, no matter how much she tortures me in my dreams.”

“Are you going to come with me willingly?” he asked, a dagger of ice forming in his hand.

Eviana glanced at it, unimpressed. “I’m surrounded, Lev. It’s not as if I can go anywhere else.”

“I’ll take her from here,” he said, jerking his chin in a command for her to come to his side.

And like the good little Source she was expected to be, she did. She fell into step beside him, and it wasn’t anything new. How many times had she walked beside other Sources a step behind their Masters and Mistresses? The new Sources were still figuring it out. She’d watched them gang up on Tessa. She’d watched their pettiness as they shared words with one, only to backstab the same to another. But the Sources of the rulers? They’d shared tables at events for decades at this point. They’d sat in Tribunal meetings and stood behind thrones for hours. There weren’t friendships by any means, but there was an…understanding that could only come from experiencing many of the same things. It forced a different kind of bond, although one that was just as unwanted. They’d faced horrors together, which is why she wasn’t surprised when the moment they rounded a truck and were away from prying eyes, Lev turned to her and looked her over far more carefully.

“What the fuck are you thinking, Eviana?” he hissed.

“Is Maya here?” she asked.

He shook his head. “She sent me to collect you. Something to taunt your Master about. We are to bring you to Sanal.”

“Is Valter there?”

“I suspect he will be by the time we get there.”

She nodded, clasping her hands in front of her. “Do you know where he is now?”

“If Maya knows, I was not privy to the information, but I cannot be a part of whatever this is, Eviana,” he said, sliding his gloved hands into his pockets.

“I understand.”

“And if you attempt to escape, I will have to stop you.”

“I would expect you to try. I will not ask you to lie to your Mistress, Lev,” she said.

“I want to know nothing of your plan.”

“I wouldn’t tell you anyway.”

His smile was flat as he held her stare, then he dropped his voice to scarcely more than a whisper. “I don’t know why you think you will not be caught. The punishment for this… Will you even survive it?”

“Maybe that’s the whole point,” she mused. “None of us truly care about survival anymore, do we?”

“I can’t help you,” he said again.

She only nodded.

“There were reports of two Fae traveling with you. We have one detained.”

She said nothing, but she held his stare, telling him everything he needed to know.

His voice a touch too loud, he said, “You’ll ride in the transport truck with the other. No use wasting numerous vehicles and sentinels when it’s just the two of you.” He paused then, and she could only assume Lady Isleen was speaking to him down their bond. “Your third companion. Where is he?”

“Trying to break the other one out,” she answered.

“By Serafina,” he muttered. “Come on.”

She followed Lev past four more trucks before they went to the back of the one in the center, where they indeed found Lange trying to figure out how to open the back doors. She hadn’t bothered to tell him the truck was warded and it would be impossible.

“May as well join your friend,” Lev said darkly, removing a glove and slicing his palm with his ice dagger. Pressing his bleeding hand to the door, it sprang open.

Corbin sat inside, his eyes going wide when he spotted Lange and Eviana. “Fuck,” the male muttered with a sigh.

“In, Fae,” Lev barked.

Lange was muttering curses under his breath as he climbed into the back of the transport unit, sitting on the bench seat next to Corbin.

“The unit is warded against magic, so your power will be useless. There are bands in the bins beneath the bench. Have them on before we get to Sanal. If they’re not, the consequences will be unpleasant,” Lev instructed. Then he turned to Eviana. “Enjoy the ride. I have a feeling it will be the most luxurious thing you’ll experience for quite some time.”

“Fuck off, Lev,” she snapped, ignoring his outstretched palm and climbing up into the transport unit.

“It’s cold back here,” Lev said, holding up the glove in his bare hand. Then he tossed it at her feet as she sat opposite Lange. “Stay warm,” he added with a sneer.

She held his stare as she made a show of placing her boot atop the glove and grinding it into the unit floor.

Lev smirked, slamming the door shut, and she immediately relaxed, tipping her head back against the wall of the truck and letting her eyes fall closed. She knew the males were watching her, but she didn’t care. Not as the transport unit started, everything vibrating around her.

He hadn’t taken her pack.

It wasn’t until the vehicle lurched forward that one of them broke the silence.

“So we’re dead, right? That’s how this ends?” Lange said.

Eviana sighed, opening her eyes as she slipped the pack off her back. She bent, picking up the glove. She’d scented the blood immediately, and she turned it over in her hand until she found the smear of red she was looking for.

“It’s a possibility, but it always has been,” she said, carefully placing the glove in her pack. She wouldn’t need it for a while yet.

They were still quite a ways north of the Dreamlock Woods. The transport unit wouldn’t go through them. Instead, they would go around the woods, passing by the Serafina Estate on their way to the Serafina Kingdom capital. They still needed to enter the Estate through the woods, but now they could get so much closer. This was actually safer for all of them. It meant less time being hunted by their nightmares.

“And I needed to remove your bands, why?” Lange asked.

“You did what?” Corbin demanded, twisting to gape at Lange.

“You’ll be grateful you did when we get there,” Eviana replied, dropping her head back and letting her eyes fall closed again.

No one said another word for nearly any hour.

“About the stabbings,” she said suddenly. “Another good place is the lower back where the kidneys are. Even a Legacy feels the lingering effects for days.”

“By Sefarina,” Lange muttered, shaking his head and letting it drop back, his eyes falling closed this time.

“Do I even want to know what this is about?” Corbin asked, looking between the two of them.

“No,” Lange said, sitting up once more and rubbing at his brow. “You do not.”

“Then what’s the plan now?” Corbin asked as Lange settled into his side.

“Now we rest up and fill our reserves,” she said, flexing her fingers as her power ached to be used. “We’re going to need every last bit of them.”