Frey Saga Book II: Pieces of Eight Page 13

Geesh.

  I was, actually, not thinking when the first strike fired, because I was shocked that Ruby's whip cracked not at me, but precisely at Grey's face. The split leather tip would have kissed his right cheek had he not vanished a fraction of a second before it made contact.

  I started to gasp but before I'd drawn in the breath, Rhys' staff had reached forward and twisted Ruby's whip from her hand. She spun to plant a kick in Rider's chest but he threw his hand forward and tensed before she connected and she was flung back, landing low on her hands and feet a few yards back, like a cat set to pounce. Grey appeared suddenly, in the middle of the fray, and hurled his fists forward. I could almost see the force that flew from them as it impacted Rhys and Rider's chests, tossing them backward and nearly off their feet.

  Someone was behind me and, without meaning to, I spun with my arm wide as I turned, heaving energy to block the assailant. When I saw Ruby pitch back, she was smiling and I realized I'd known she intended attack. I watched as she landed softly but, before I had a chance to speak, I felt it again, coming for my back, and I spun left, this time thrusting my right hand forward in the spin, under my left arm. I saw the energy hit Grey's chest and push him backward just as Rhys approached my side and the ground came from under my feet.

  Before I hit the floor, I used the same force to push against it and straighten myself. I was very near regaining my footing when I was hit again, this time not prepared, and fell backward only to be shoved by some unseen force to standing. I was facing Rider now, several yards back, as he launched his fist forward. I knew what was coming for me and, unable to make time to find the others and a safe escape, I threw my own energy out in response. The two must have collided because, just a breath in front of me, the air seemed to explode.

  "Very nice, Elfreda," Rhys commented and I realized they'd all returned to their relaxed postures. And then my legs collapsed.

  I heard a few snickers as Ruby helped me to my feet and pulled a stool over. I was sitting down before I noticed Rhys was helping Rider to his feet. "What happened?" I asked, confused.

  "You defeated him," Grey explained.

  "How?"

  "You overpowered him," Ruby said, but I couldn't tell if she was still annoyed or merely stunned. My mind tried to catch up with the mêlée I'd just not suffered through.

  "How could I?" I almost whispered.

  "What do you mean?" Grey asked.

  "I mean, how could I have? I don't have near what anyone else has."

  Though my voice was hushed, Rhys answered from where he stood. "Elfreda, you are of the most powerful line in the north."

  I stared blankly at him, but Ruby seemed to understand. Probably because she'd read the flippin' diary. "Freya, though you are merely half elf, your mother was of the strongest line of light and dark. The magic that allows their rule may be lesser in you than your kin, but it remains stronger than most..." she glanced at Rider with an apology in her gaze as she searched for the right word, "others."

  I sat silently as her words sank in and then took me to ideas that were wholly new to me. My mother's diary had said that Asher had taken Vita for her strength, and rumor of a unique power. My mother had been chosen as his secondary over Fannie, not merely because of her features, but because she'd hidden her gift from him. And then he'd had Rune train me. I thought of what I'd learned of the events that brought council to my mother on that unspeakable day. I examined the differences in the accounts that didn't come from Chevelle. Ruby had said the rise of the north, not the rule. And Rhys had called it "the issue of northern rule." They'd made it sound as if the north had been poised to take over everything before the conflict.

  I stopped, chiding myself for having an overactive imagination. But then I remembered what I'd heard just this morning when I'd asked Rhys about Junnie. The new council.

  "Frey," Ruby placed a hand on my shoulder, "are you all right?"

  I didn't think I was. All the training, all that stupid we're trying to protect you crap, it was all because people were trying to kill me, and it made sense now.

  "Frey?" Ruby questioned again.

  "Yeah," I said, forcing a smile, "I think I overdid it. I'm going to go to my room."

  "Okay," she said, moving to come with me.

  "No," I assured her, "I'm okay to go on my own." She didn't look like she agreed, so I faked humor. "Ruby, I just defeated my guard." She was piqued, which made Grey laugh, but, when I realized that it was true, my stomach turned and I hurried out before they could see me go pale.

  As I wandered down the corridors, I'd forgotten where I was going. When it finally hit me that I was lost again, I heaved a sigh and began to pay attention to my surroundings. I made a few lefts and then some rights until, eventually, I recognized a hallway. I wasn't sure exactly where I was, but I knew I'd seen it before. I went further down to the small, plain-looking door but when I tried it, it was stuck. I glanced left and right but had no idea where else to go so I pushed against it with magic until it finally gave, opening into damp darkness. I flicked a flame over my palm and directed the fire forward to light the cellar.

  I couldn't figure how I'd been so certain a storage cellar was the right door, but as soon as I'd decided to give up and keep walking through the maze of corridors, I spotted a large metal plate leaning against the back wall. I stepped closer to examine the embossed design and, when I reached out to run my fingers over the snake that seemed to writhe in the beak of the hawk, I found myself grabbing the entire sheet instead, pulling it loose from the gear that lay at its base.

  I tossed it aside and stared directly into a tunnel.

  Chapter Ten

  Findings

  Before I could stop myself, I stepped into the passageway and hurried down the steps. I'd brought the flame with me, though I couldn't see more than a few feet ahead. Somehow, it didn't slow my feet. They were confident, as if they knew the way, and I followed them without doubt, stepping faster and faster as I approached... what? Where was I going?

  My question slowed me just before I broke through to sunlight. As I stepped from the passageway and around the large gray stones, I became cautious. I cleared the rocks and surveyed the land below. No one was in sight so I glanced up behind me to be sure I couldn't be viewed from there. I couldn't even see the entry to the tunnel now, the stones masking it perfectly, but I knew where it was.

  I spun and leaped down to the flat rocks, running low toward the path. It wasn't long before I'd found it and was able to pick up speed on the smoother surface. I sensed that I was close just before I heard the barely perceptible pad of paws hitting stone, matching my pace.

  I stopped instantly and turned to find a massive silver wolf, watching me as he ran, leaping from stone to stone. Only a few strong strides and he was to me, his massive paws landing with a muffled thump on the tall rock that hovered beside the trail. He stared down at me and, though I wasn't precisely afraid, I knew I'd been caught. And I didn't even know where I was going.

  I just stood, looking back at him, both of us as unmoving as the stone surrounding us for a long moment. And then I heard them.

  Great. I smirked up at the wolf as Chevelle, faster than I would have believed possible, closed the distance first and grabbed my arm from behind, spinning me to face him.

  His agitated interrogation began with a few choice expletives and ended in a gravelly, "What were you thinking?"

  I had no idea how to answer, because I hadn't been thinking. But as I looked into his eyes, I didn't even attempt an explanation because just below the anger, I could see something else, relief. Rhys, Rider, and Grey were watching us and I couldn't help but glance at them, which caused Chevelle to ease his grasp, though he didn't let go, and turn to escort me back up the path.

  I hadn't the slightest notion of how far I'd gone until the walk back to the castle. I was exhausted, though I was unsure whether it was the intense practice session, or getting caught. Chevelle still had a hold of my arm when we accessed the castle through a
concealed entryway and, while this one wasn't a tunnel, I wondered how many of them there were.

  Ruby was waiting on us at the door. "Well no wonder she's uneasy around us," she chided as she spotted his grip on me. His gaze narrowed on her and I could see that he was still genuinely angry. I didn't know if it was compounded by her reminder of Grey's comment or if it was merely that he'd left me alone with my guard and they hadn't guarded me.

  I was disappointed when they led me to the dining area, because I really only wanted to go to bed, but I didn't complain. I sat quietly as a servant brought out trays full of meat and when I realized it was one I'd never seen before, my stomach twisted. What had I been thinking?

  "What is it?" Ruby asked and I became aware that I was shaking my head in disbelief. At myself.

  "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry." I swallowed hard. They stared back at me, mystified. I kept talking. "I was just walking and I got lost and then I was outside and... I'm sorry." No one spoke. "I won't do it again," I promised.

  Steed snickered and Grey shook his head and then they both went back to eating. Ruby stared at me blankly for a minute and then grabbed an apple from the tray in front of her and disregarded everything else. I turned to Chevelle, my gaze restating the apology.

  He stared back at me.

  I had that feeling again, like he was about to reach out to me, or confess something, but he didn't. And when he didn't take his eyes off me, I flushed and had to turn away. Rhys was pouring wine and I snatched up a glass and downed it before I could think better of it.

  It wasn't long before the flow of spirits and food loosened up the atmosphere and everyone began private conversations. I still felt ill at all that had happened so I didn't eat much and I was so drained that I didn't know how much longer I could hang on, but I wasn't about to ask to go to my room, considering that was how it had started. So, I just sat quietly beside Chevelle and sipped my wine.

  Ruby had moved to converse with Grey and Steed and the others had started to mill around the room when Chevelle finally stood. Relief washed through me when I thought I'd finally be able to sleep but, when I followed him from the table, he stopped just a few yards away. I ran into him.

  "Oh," I said, and realized my tongue was thick.

  He steadied me. "Don't you learn?"

  I thought he may have been teasing but I flushed at the memory of my last episode with too much wine. "Sorry."

  He put his hand under my chin and tilted my face up to meet his gaze. "So you said." I smiled at him and he winced. "I've missed you, Freya." His voice was low and husky and I found myself leaning into him, brazen with drink.

  I stepped forward, wanting to push him toward the door, but I was off balance and when he tried to secure me, we simply ended up turning enough that I could see the others in the room. I'd forgotten we weren't alone so I reached up on my toes to whisper to him instead.

  That was all it took. With a compulsion so strong it might have been addiction, he found my lips and drew me against him without regard for anything else. It was so fierce that my legs gave way and, though he didn't free his grip in the slightest, he pulled back from the kiss to check my wellbeing. It sobered me. "Why would I have ever denied you?" I gushed. And then I realized I'd spoken aloud. And that I hadn't sobered at all.

  His face went colorless, expressionless, as he dropped me from the embrace. When my feet hit the floor, I kept a hand on his chest to stabilize myself. "Who told you that?" His words were acidic.

  My eyes inadvertently flicked across the room to Steed before I'd even realized I'd done it. The only thing that tipped me off was Chevelle's hand flying out behind him. I followed it with my eyes and stared in disbelief as Steed was lifted from the ground and hurled into the far wall, his body not simply making the dull thud that I'd expected, but a stifled crunch as well.

  I stood, looking past him at Steed's body on the floor, when, without even glancing behind him, Chevelle pushed straight past me and out of the room. I could see that Steed was stunned, but judging by everyone else's reaction, not going to die, and I spun before good sense could prevent it.

  He was halfway down the corridor but I caught him easily, seizing his arm when he didn't automatically acknowledge me. He didn't turn to me, only looking down at me as he waited for me to speak. His face was the stern mask, calm as always, but I could see his chest rise and fall as if it were an effort to breathe.

  "Why?" I pleaded. He didn't answer, clearly confident in his actions. "How do you even know someone told me, that it wasn't just something I remembered?" I snapped.

  He leaned toward me then, his face excruciatingly close to mine as he answered, "Because that is a memory you would never have."

  My grip went limp at the intensity of his response and the moment I'd released him he resumed walking. I stared after him as he reached the end of the corridor and disappeared from view.

  When I finally turned to go back to the dining area, Ruby was watching me from the doorway. I sighed.

  "It wasn't intentional, Freya," Ruby explained as we walked back into the room.

  Though Chevelle had never actually looked away from me, I was pretty sure he'd hit his mark. "It looked like it to me," I said.

  She laughed. "Not that. That was intentional. And a very nice strike, if I do say so-" she broke off when she saw me staring at her wide eyed. She shook her head. "Anyway, what I meant was Steed didn't intentionally mislead you. He simply did not know."

  I moaned.

  Even though I was certain I'd heard bones breaking, everyone, including Steed, assured me he would be fine. And he didn't seem terribly irritated by my triggering the incident. However, finding out that everyone had heard the comment that caused it was about all the humiliation I could stand. "Ruby, will you conduct me to my room, please?"

  She laughed. "But you are so much fun when you're cracked, Freya."

  I let her have that one, but only because she agreed to let me go.

  As we made our way to my room, Ruby asked, "So, where, exactly, were you going today?"

  "I don't know," I answered honestly. "I just started walking and the next thing I knew..."

  "But why did you go outside?" she persisted.

  "I'm not sure," I hedged.

  "You mean you were standing in a doorway and didn't think, hmm, maybe I shouldn't be doing this, maybe I shouldn't walk out this sealed door-"

  I cut her off. "Sealed?"

  "Yeah, and that's the other thing, how did you break-" She stopped short. "You didn't know the doors were sealed?"

  Uh oh.

  She came to a standstill and narrowed her gaze on me. "How did you get out, Frey?"

  "I really don't know. There was just this passage and-"

  "Passage?" Her pitch rose as she interrupted me. "Where?"

  I considered the network of corridors and shrugged. "I really can't say." For a moment she looked as if she were contemplating violence, so I continued. "I was lost when I found it." She huffed. "I was searching for the way back to my room or anything I recognized when I saw it."

  "What do you mean 'it'?" she asked.

  "The door." She waited. "To the storage room." She leaned toward me. It freaked me out. "There was a storage room in the hallway and I felt like it was right and I looked under the plate with the bird and the snake and I just went in. I won't do it again."

  "A bird and a snake?"

  I was relieved when her intensity came down a few notches. "Yeah, a big metal plate with a hawk on it, the snake in its mouth. You've seen it?"

  "Yes, I've seen it, it's your crest, Elfreda," she answered caustically. "Damn it, did you not think this was important?"

  I took up her tone. "How was I supposed to know? You don't tell me anything."

  "Because you go out like a lame duck every time I try."

  I wanted to be offended but she wasn't wrong, so I just glared at her, my jaw tight. She bit down on her words as well, but still shook her head as she whirled around and continu
ed toward my room. I stomped behind her until my head started to throb, which was only about three steps, and then I felt my shoulders droop and I was suddenly too heavy to carry myself.

  "Frey," Ruby was impatient as she stood in my doorway, waiting on me. Geez, we'd been that close?

  I didn't remember going to sleep, but I couldn't forget my dreams. They were so unreal, not at all like my usual dreams. But they were just as uncomfortable. Ruby and I were arguing. You didn't tell me, she'd said. Yeah, well, apparently I've had some trust issues, I'd yelled back. The room was spinning around us, filled with anger and bitterness. And then Fannie was there, joining in the quarrel, but it wasn't the new Fannie, not the murderous beast set on revenge. It was the old Fannie, Aunt Fannie, cursing me for the mundane and insignificant. And then Ruby faded and Fannie began to violently attempt to persuade me of her theories of high council's conspiracies. She was vehement, ferocious, and she started to distort, her shape deforming until it resembled a great dog, and then shifting into a cat, but not the frightening lion, a smaller, less menacing version that melted away into the thin carcass of a snake. A dead snake that curled and writhed as if it lived. I could hear her words echo through my mind, disgust evident above all else. It must be brought to an end, it is a perversion, brought on by lust for power. And it struck me that, though I knew it was her, it didn't sound like Fannie, didn't carry her unadorned style. And it didn't sound as if she was speaking of council.

  So, when Ruby woke me before I was ready, I was a little testy. "What?" I complained. She didn't answer so when I opened my eyes, ready to convey my grievance, I was surprised to see Chevelle standing beside her. She smiled archly. I sat up too fast and my head spun. Neither of them reached out to steady me.

  When it cleared, I peered up to give at least one of them a dirty look. But something was wrong.

  "What?" I asked, unease waking me fully.

  Chevelle knelt to eye level. "We need to know where the storage room is."