Heirs of War (18 page)

"I usually sit and try to concentrate on them," Sheridan explained. "I don't know how to explain, I can just find them. Like I'm drawn to them somehow."

Ariana leaned back, folding her legs like she had seen Sheridan do and gesturing for her to do the same. When both girls were mirror images of one another, she slid her fingers on top of Sheridan's until their palms were touching one another. She then closed her eyes and did her best to send whatever power they think she might have to Sheridan. Part of her hoped it would work, just so the poor girl would be left alone. The other part didn't want to be responsible for what happened to her supposed family members once Kellen got to them.

Sheridan closed her eyes again, working to steady her breaths through the sobs still escaping from her. She tilted her face back, as though she were staring at the ceiling through her closed lids. Ariana sat as still as possible, waiting for any sign their attempt at joining powers—powers she happened to know nothing about—had worked. Suddenly, Sheridan’s hands jerked away from hers as the blonde girl seemed to look around for someone behind them.

"Well?" Kellen asked expectantly.

Sheridan stood up and brushed off the back of her dress. "I wasn't alone. Isauria was there."

Kellen gave her a puzzled look. "That's impossible. Those with your gift aren't able to see one another."

Sheridan shook her head. "She was there. And she saw me. It was all I could do to get out of there fast enough before she realized something was up."

As
Kellen thought this over, she paced. "This must be the Prophecy. Together, the five are supposed to be more powerful than what we've seen before. This must carry over to their gifts as well." She placed a hand on Sheridan's cheek, using her thumb to wipe away the traces of the girl's tears. "You've done well, Sheridan."

"I have?" Sheridan asked with uncertainty.

Kellen dropped her hand and walked a few steps away, her back to both girls. "Yes. We know now they must be back in Anscombe. If they were still in Dhara, Isauria would not have been able to see you." She started to walk away, calling back over her shoulder to the remaining guard. "Bring the girl. I think it's time to show her to her new room."

Ariana jerked her arm from the reach of the guard, narrowing her lavender eyes to slits. "I can walk on my own," she said through gritted teeth. She brushed past him, not bothering to make sure Kellen was okay with this plan as she stopped beside her. "Lead on, Queen Bitch."

Kellen turned to face her captive, her movements slow and graceful. She calmly backhanded Ariana, splitting her lip open. "You will learn to respect your betters," she said in a serene voice. "And I will so enjoy teaching you."

Ariana wiped the blood from her lip and
scowled up at her captor. "Or maybe
I'll
teach
you
just who your betters are."

Kellen looked genuinely amused by this idea before turning and gliding down the hallway. Ariana spent the first part of their walk shooting daggers into the back of Kellen's head, but once they reached the top of the stair
s leading away she became distracted by her surroundings. The hallway of the dungeon was lined with cells and much the same as the open room she and Alec had been in. It was dark, dank, and musty—all the cliché things a dungeon should be. The stairs were much the same though they grew significantly cleaner the farther up they went.

Despite herself,
Ariana was awestruck. The first level above the dungeon showed no sign of the horrors happening below. This room was the size of the gym at her school with more windows than she could possibly count, some of them reaching from ceiling to floor. The whole room was full of light, a stark contrast the darkness she had experienced. There were chairs positioned here and there throughout the room, mostly edging the walls and looking more decorative than anything. Large paintings lined the walls, some consisting of Kellen and what Ariana guessed were her family members while others portrayed more mythological scenes. With what she had experienced so far, she had to wonder how many of the creatures portrayed were myth and how many were a part of this new reality she had found herself in.

"Do you like what you see?" Kellen asked genially. "My home is quite exquisite. Once you've earned my trust, I would be happy to give you the tour."

"Just trying to figure out the best way to burn it down," Ariana said snarkily. "Think I'll start with those massive curtains."

Kellen chuckled. "My dear, you've been in Dhara. There's no need for posturing. You know nothing of your power or how to harness the elements, so short of placing a candle
flame underneath my curtains...well, I believe the term is 'empty threats.'"

"If I'm so powerless," Ariana said as she followed her escorts up another flight of stairs, "then what do you want from me?"

"I didn't say you were powerless," the woman corrected as she stopped in front of a set of elaborately decorated wooden doors. "I said you didn't know how to wield your power. But I do."

An involuntary chill shot up Ariana's spine, which caused Kellen to raise her chin in satisfaction. She wrapped her arms around herself as Kellen opened the doors dramatically and swept into the room. Alec stood on the far side of the room, pacing the floors with his elbow resting upon the arm wrapped around his torso
and tapping his lips in thought. A look of pained relief spread across his face when he noticed Ariana standing just outside the door. She rushed into the room and threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight.

"It's all right," Alec soothed. He pulled away, holding her face in his hands, and his gray eyes filled with concern. "Did she hurt you?"

Kellen tsked at his question. "I'm disappointed, Alec. I wouldn't bring any harm to the gift I am offering you. Not until after you have received it, of course."

“I’m fine,” Ariana assured Alec though she gave him a puzzled look. She couldn't help but notice how he had reacted
when Kellen had referred to her as a “gift” and a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach formed. She began to think she hadn't known the half of what a hell this place could be, but she had a feeling she would soon find out. "How about you? Are you hurt?"

"No." He released her and pointedly stepped away from her.

Ariana noticed the distance Alec put between them. She tried to ignore his chilly demeanor and instead took the time to look around the massive room, letting out a low whistle as she did so. There were two large armoires on either side of the room made from mahogany and in the center of her new dwelling was probably the biggest bed she had ever seen, complete with white drapes pinned to the dark wooden posts at each corner.

"What's with the luxury accommodations?" Ariana asked as she walked over to the bed and began picking at the silk sheets.

Kellen inhaled deeply and looked around the room. "I wish to ensure all your needs are taken care of, Ariana. Alec, do you accept my gift?"

"Your
gift
," he spat out, "is the only way you can ensure I go nowhere. Do not try to mask your manipulation as a kindness."

Kellen nodded contemplatively as she made her way to the door. "Very well. I will have to give my gift to someone more appreciative. Perhaps when my son returns—"

"No," he shouted as he took a step forward. "I accept."

Kellen pursed her lips. "Yet I still do not hear how grateful you are I would offer you such a wondrous prize," she said as she gestured to Ariana.

Ariana paled at the implication. "What are you talking about?"

Alec stepped in front of her, bowing extravagantly. "Thank you, Lady Kellen, for your most gracious gifts. I accept with unending gratitude."

Kellen placed her finger under his cleft chin, guiding his gaze to hers. "That is more like it. I expect you to make use of your gifts while they are still here, do you understand? You know I am not a patient woman and I expect you to treat our new guest well."

"Yes, my lady," he said, dropping his head once more, "I will make sure Ainnir Ariana's needs are taken care of at all times. Might I ask you to indulge us with some privacy?"

"Of course," Kellen conceded. "I will give you time to woo her if you'd like. Judging from her reaction, I doubt the gentle approach will work."

Ariana
hugged herself tight and backed away from Alec. She felt betrayed. She met Sheridan’s eyes, who looked like Ariana felt. Sheridan threw an anguished glance to Alec before following her mother and the guards from the room.

Alec closed both doors
simultaneously, gripping the knobs with his hands as he sank to the ground in front of them. He pressed his forehead to the metal. "You must change," he said, his voice shaking.

Ariana’s jaw dropped
. "What? The outfit I've got on isn't sexy enough for you?"

He turned so he could see her. "What are you talking about?"

"You think I didn't get all that?" she shouted. "You just accepted me as a freaking gift. And let me tell you, if you expect me to be cooperative, you have got another thing coming!"

He closed his eyes as if trying to gat
her patience. "Ariana, you don’t know what you’re talking about."

She grabbed a candle stick holder from beside the bed. "Oh yeah? My Dad's best friend taught me how to fight, so bring it on!" She
shrieked as one second she was ready to fight and the next Alec had her pinned against the opposite wall, one hand on her throat and the other on the arm wielding the candlestick holder. She hadn't even seen him move. "How did you do that?"

"If I wanted you," he growled, "I could have taken you already. Now we do not have time for this, do you understand me?"

She nodded, her fear still evident in her trembling voice. "What are you going to do to me?"

He released her slowly, though he still stood close. "I'm going to get you out of here, if you'll let me."

***

The park Isauria found herself in was nice. She had memories of playing in one similar to this from her
childhood. Only she wasn’t experiencing her own memories right now. Somehow, she had landed in Zelene’s. She knew it was her, even though the Zelene she had met was Ariana’s age. She had known even before the older man—Varrick—had called the young red-headed girl by name, scolding her for swinging too high.

It was a nice autumn day, but yet the playground was empty of anyone else other than the man and the young girl. Isauria was on one of the swings, her toes dragging against the sand as she watched Varrick chase young Zelene across the grass.
He caught her, tossing her up in the air and catching her as if she weighed no more than a football.

Isauria skidded to a stop
when she saw a young blonde woman appear. She was dressed like someone from a renaissance fair. Her skin was kissed by the sun and she had a natural pout, currently arced into a frown as she eyed her surroundings. The woman’s eyes scanned the area until they fell on Isauria.

“Isauria?”

All she could manage was a nod, struck speechless by the sudden appearance of someone who could actually see her. She had been drifting through memories for what felt like days, a constant spectator—or specter—to those around her.

“My name is Bianca,” the woman continued as she took a seat on the swing beside her. “I am the paion of Anscombe.”

“What’s a paion?”

“A healer. I use my affinity for the Earth element to heal the ailments of those who come to see me.”

Isauria nodded her understanding. “You were talking to my Dad before. About how to help me.”

Bianca seemed taken aback by this, but quickly
masked her surprise. “Yes, I suppose you were watching him as we spoke.”

Isauria
shook her head. “No, I couldn’t see you. I could feel him touching my hand, but I couldn’t see him. Only the girl.”

“This girl?” the paion nodded her head toward the child now making a mud-pie in front of the swing set.

“No, that’s Zelene. I saw Ariana.”

Bianca straightened at this, opening her mouth to speak and then closing it as if she couldn’t decide which question to ask first.

Isauria laughed at the healer’s confusion. “That’s not a good sign. I was sort of hoping you could explain this all to me.”

“Sorry,” Bianca composed herself and bowed her head in agreement. “There is much to explain to you, though it does seem you have already begun to understand your gift and how to use it.”

“Only because of what you said. You were right. Once I saw that painting, everything hit me at once.” Isauria’s emotions welled up in her chest. “I saw her die. My mother. Kellen tortured her for days, and then she just killed her.”

Bianca placed her hand over Isauria’s as it rested on the chain. “I am so very sorry for all you have witnessed, Isauri
a. But you can control it.” Her astonishment was evident and looked around with wide eyes. “More than you should be able to, from what I understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you say the child is Zelene?” Bianca paused as her patient nodded. “How do you know this?”