Scent of Magic (23 page)

Kerrick jerked awake, gasping for breath. He glanced at Danny, checking that he was safe. The boy had curled up against Kerrick’s legs and was sound asleep. After that first night, they hadn’t bound Danny to a tree, and he’d actually listened to Kerrick and kept close.

He leaned his head back, trying to work the kinks from his shoulders and arms. His ribs protested with painful jabs, and the rest of his body ached. The tree’s rough bark rubbed against a raw spot on his spine. Every night since he’d agreed to help Noak to save Danny’s life, the tribesmen had secured Kerrick to a tree. The irony of his situation was not lost on him. He’d done the same to Avry, so he couldn’t complain. At least Danny was alive and well. For now.

Damn boy was too much like Avry. He couldn’t follow a simple order. Instead of fleeing with Zila, he’d stayed behind to rescue Kerrick. The fact that he hadn’t a clue how to go about it hadn’t stopped Danny.

Remembering the deal he’d made with Noak five days ago, Kerrick closed his eyes briefly before he scanned the sleeping northerners. The tribesmen had hunkered down for the night. Their discomfort at being in the forest continued, despite knowing there would be no more attackers. No more
human
attackers. From the comments made by a few of the warriors, Death Lilys had grabbed a couple of them. And ufa packs had tried to surprise them, but the tribesmen were skilled hunters and had dispatched them as easily as Kerrick’s army.

Grief consumed him. So many dead. And he’d been forced to tell Noak that his tribes would face no resistance this side of the Nine Mountains. The northern realms would be decimated. Kerrick wondered what would happen if the tribes clashed with Tohon’s dead army. It would be interesting. Maybe they’d kill each other. A nice thought, but in battle there was always a loser and a winner. Who would Kerrick root for? Or even fight for? Tohon or Noak?

He hated to admit it, but Tohon would be his choice. Even though he was mentally unbalanced and a megalomaniac, Tohon wasn’t trying to commit mass genocide. In Tohon’s warped mind, he believed his efforts to unite the Fifteen Realms were of the purest intentions.

Kerrick spent the rest of the night drifting in a half doze. Noak woke him at dawn. He had a couple of his “generals” with him. Danny roused but was smart enough to keep quiet.

“Tell me of this...sickness that killed your people,” Noak ordered.

“What do you want to know?”

“All.”

“It began five years ago.” Kerrick told him how it had spread and killed two-thirds of their population. Over six million people gone. “The last known case in the Fifteen Realms was three years ago.”

“Your magic healing not enough?” Noak asked.

“No. Our healers couldn’t cure it. Not without dying themselves.”

Noak considered. “Will it sicken my people?”

“I hope so.”

The leader kicked Kerrick in the ribs. Intense pain radiated through his chest. He panted with shallow breaths, hoping to ease the daggers of agony. Distantly, he heard Danny yell.

By the time Kerrick recovered, Noak held Danny in a tight grip. Noak didn’t need to say a word. Just touching the boy was enough of a threat.

“I don’t know if your people will get the plague,” Kerrick said. “We think it spread from person to person by touch. But some of us, like me and Danny, never sickened. We don’t know why.”

“How did it kill?” Noak asked.

An odd question. Kerrick described the symptoms. Memories of Avry suffering through the final stage still haunted him. He’d give Izak his realm if he could just see her one more time.

Noak exchanged a glance with one of his men. “Did your magic healers die?”

“Yes.”

“All?”

“All.”

Noak left with his warriors, dragging Danny along. Kerrick shouted, but they ignored him. The leader handed the boy over to another, and Danny disappeared.

Fury burned deep inside Kerrick. The branches of all the nearby trees shook with his anger. The tribesmen cried out in alarm, ducking and covering their heads with their arms. Except for Noak. He stared at Kerrick as if waiting for him to break his word. Kerrick wouldn’t. The branches stilled as he wilted.

He’d save his strength for later. If they harmed Danny, he’d bring the trees down on them all.

CHAPTER 12

I followed Noelle outside my tent. Four soldiers waited to escort me to Jael. No one said a word as we walked. Instead of going to her tent, they led me to the manor house. Noelle disappeared. Still surrounded by the guards, I sat in one of the parlors, nervously waiting. The minutes turned to hours, and the sun rose. After a while, I dozed in the chair.

Tohon’s laughter followed me as I ran through the dark corridors of his castle. Sweat poured from my skin as I flew around the corners in a complete panic.

“I’m coming for you, my dear,” he called.

The soles of my feet stung, and pain stabbed my side, but I didn’t slow.

“You can’t escape.”

I turned left and slammed into a wall of the dead. They grabbed me. The feel of their cold flesh sickened me as I shuddered in horror. Caught in their trap, I couldn’t move. They turned me so I faced Tohon.

Flushed with anger, Tohon slapped me.

I woke with a jolt. My right cheek burned with pain. But I didn’t have time to interpret my dream. In the hallway, Jael barked orders and discussed plans, but when she entered the room, she waved everyone out, including my guards. From the fire that burned in her eyes, I guessed she didn’t want anyone to witness my murder. I jumped to my feet.

She studied me for a moment. “I’m not quite sure what to think about you, Avry. Are you a miracle, a liar, an oath-breaker, a traitor or a spy?” She held up a hand. “Don’t answer. I already decided that you’re all of them in one package. Impressive. Very impressive.”

“I can explain.”

“Oh, I’m sure you have plenty of excuses. I have no desire to hear them, but I do need to decide what I’ll do with you. My instincts tell me to kill you now before you become a bigger problem.”

Fear curled in my stomach. I braced for her attack.

“However, as Sergeant Irina you have made quite the impact, both good and bad. Your disappearance would cause some ill will, and I’m sure that brat Ryne knows who you really are and would make a stink.” She paused. “Plus, we’ll need your healing magic once Tohon strikes. Did you forget the promise you made to my mother-in-law?”

“No. I said I’d return to help, and I’ve been training your soldiers since I’ve arrived.”

She laughed. “Estrid meant your help in the
infirmary
.”

“And she will get it as soon as the fighting starts. You can’t deny that I’ve been an asset to your army.”

“Regardless, you’re working in the infirmary as of now. You’re also under house arrest. I’ll have Noelle fetch your belongings and tell your lieutenant you’ve been reassigned.”

I was in midprotest when she pulled the air from my lungs in one quick gesture. Fighting to stay conscious, I used my magic to counter hers and was able to take a few breaths. Until she increased her power. My legs gave out, and I flopped back in the chair.

“You’re not strong enough, and Kerrick isn’t here to help you.” She tapped her fingers on her full lips. “I’m tempted to finish this, just to upset Kerrick, but your death would cause problems for me right now.”

I grabbed the chair’s arms to keep from sliding to the floor. Black-and-white spots swarmed in my vision.

Jael leaned close. “Don’t ever relax. There will be a point where it won’t matter if you live or die, so I’d suggest you do everything you can to keep me happy.”

The desire to wipe that superior smirk off her face swelled. I gathered all my energy and concentrated on breathing, managing to suck in a couple lungfuls of air before she shut me off.

“This isn’t making me happy,” she said.

My grip slipped. I slid to the floor. The need to breathe burned in my chest.

“Jael, stop.” Estrid’s commanding voice filled the room.

Yes, stop. But the encroaching blackness wouldn’t stop.

* * *

A magical touch woke me, sending me a rush of energy. Kerrick! I opened my eyes and met Flea’s concerned gaze. Disappointment pierced my soul, and I squeezed my eyes shut and rode out the wave of heartache.

“Avry, are you all right?” Flea asked in a high-pitched squeak.

Once again I looked at him. He cradled my head and shoulders in his lap. His fingers pressed on my neck as if he’d been feeling for a pulse. Voices argued from somewhere behind him.

“I’m fine. It’s just... Flea!”

“What?”

My cry silenced the others. I glanced over his shoulder. Estrid, Jael and Ryne stared at me. Not wanting to share my realization about Flea with Estrid and Jael, I said, “How did you know I was here?”

He blushed. “I...uh...had a bad dream. You were in trouble and well...I—”

“He woke me up and insisted we come here,” Ryne said. “And a good thing, too, or she would have killed you.” He glared at Jael.

“That was not my intention,” she replied.

“And just what was—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Jael snapped. “Avry’s mine.” She glanced at Estrid. “She’s ours. She made a promise to return after healing you and work for us in the
infirmary
. She’s an oath-breaker, and I was exercising my right to punish her.”

Ryne turned to me. “Is that true?”

Flea helped me to stand. “I did promise to return.”

The prince gave me a significant look. One that said he could work something out. I shook my head slightly.

“Why this elaborate ruse, Avry?” Estrid asked, gesturing to my sergeant’s uniform.

I explained what I’d been doing and my reasons. Jael tried to interrupt, but Estrid shut her down with a clipped “Let her speak.”

“And I planned to start working in the infirmary when Tohon attacks,” I finished.

“It doesn’t matter what you—”

“Jael, I’ll handle this,” Estrid said. “Attend to the army.”

Wow. Estrid treated Jael like a troublesome daughter-in-law. Didn’t she fear her power? The air seemed to vibrate with Jael’s fury, but she reined in her emotions, nodded to the High Priestess and strode from the room.

“She’s dangerous,” Ryne said into the silence.

Estrid agreed. “We need her.”

“And she needs you to defeat Tohon. Once he’s no longer a threat, she’ll—”

“Come after me. I’m well aware of her plans, Ryne. The creator will protect me from harm.”

“And if the creator doesn’t?”

“Then it is my time to go.”

I studied Estrid. Did she really believe that? Was her fervent demeanor and the passionate glint in her eyes all an act or true devotion? I couldn’t say for sure.

“What about Avry?” Ryne asked.

“She stays here.”

I clamped down on my protest when I saw Ryne nodding in agreement.

He caught my look. “You’ll be safer here.”

“Safe from Jael?” I asked. That was hard to imagine.

“Safer,”
he corrected. “And safer from Tohon’s soldiers, as well.”

“I feel
so much
better.”

Despite my sarcasm, he smiled. “Good.” He turned to Estrid. “Can I assign a guard to protect her?”

“She’s secure inside this house. It’s well guarded,” Estrid said.

“I can defend myself,” I said, annoyed.

Ryne waited.

“All right. Avry, you’re welcome to stay in the same guest room as before, or there’s a smaller room next to the infirmary that’s not in use.”

“I’d rather stay closer to my patients.”

She nodded, as if expecting that answer. “Good.” She left.

I rounded on Ryne. “Why did you insist on a guard? You know he can’t protect me from Jael, and if Tohon’s soldiers get this close, we’re done.”

“It’s for my peace of mind.”

“About what?” I asked.

“That you won’t take off, for one.”

“That makes no sense. Where would I go?”

“What if there’s news of Belen? Someone spotted him in enemy territory. Would you stay here or go search for him?” He saw the answer in my expression. “We can’t risk you encountering Tohon’s soldiers again, Avry. You’re too valuable.”

I’d heard that before. “And your other reason?”

“Tohon’s spies. They’re here, and we’ve no idea who they are. When Tohon learns the truth, you’ll be too tempting for him to resist. The way this camp is set up, a couple men wearing Estrid’s uniform can easily get to you.”

“They can try.”

“And they’ll know all about your defenses. Why take the chance?”

“All right, I’ll stay put for now, but Flea—”

“Stays with you. I agree,” Ryne said.

“Hey!” Flea said. “I’m not—”

“Going to let anyone sneak up on Avry,” Ryne finished. “I need you to protect her.”

Flea stared at Ryne as if seeking his true intentions. I also wondered if Ryne really believed Flea could guard me or was he protecting the boy from battle. Despite his reasons, I was glad for Flea’s company.

“But I faint at the sight of blood,” Flea said.

Then again... “Nice try, but I know better. You helped with Belen. His blood was everywhere, and you didn’t even flinch.”

The boy pouted. “Why can’t Loren or Quain baby...er...guard her? And I’ll stay with you.”

“Because you know when she’s in trouble,” Ryne said. “If you didn’t wake me...” He didn’t need to finish.

But his comment reminded me about Flea’s touch. Striding to the doorway, I glanced out, looking for eavesdroppers. Satisfied we had enough privacy, I returned and pulled Ryne and Flea close to me so they’d hear me.

I explained about the energy from Flea and how I’d thought Kerrick had returned. “The Death Lily said Flea had potential, so he might be developing magical powers.”

Ryne frowned. “But you said you fed Flea to a Peace Lily.”

“Not that Lily. The one that tried to eat him before.”

“The one you saved me from?” Flea asked.

“Yes.”

“But magicians are born with their powers,” Ryne said.

“Except healers. He could become a healer.” I paused as another thought bubbled to the surface. “If you think about it, Flea’s resurrection can be considered a birth, so he could become a mage.”