Shadow Fire (28 page)

He leans his head back on the sofa and closes his eyes. Pain is radiating off him in waves. I can't help but reach out to brush the hair from his face, running my fingers along the lines creasing his forehead.

"I just dropped her off and collected the fare," he continues, his eyes still closed, his face contorted in anguish. "I heard she never even made it to the ruins. She was killed by monsters somewhere along the way."

"I know. Bianca was four years older than me, but she was still my friend. She was a kind soul. Too gentle for the task forced upon her…" I trail off, my throat closing in my grief.

Poor Bianca, all she ever dreamed of was a husband and a house full of children. All she got was a horrendous onus forced upon her, which ultimately led to her death.

"I should've g-gone with her," Taranis says, his voice cracking. "I never should've let her go off with two priests as her only protection. I live with constant regret." He pauses then meets my eyes, his grief raw. "I want to go with you and Zane. You need all the help you can get."

My eyes widen as I gaze into the pirate's soulful eyes. There's quite a bit more to this man than my initial impression of a lustful scoundrel. What surprises me even more is that Zane hasn't said no yet. I expected an immediate and emphatic negative response from him. He's observing Taranis with a strange gleam in his eyes.

"You're a mage," Zane says, staring at Taranis. "Your affinities are water, lightning and wind. Quite helpful for a pirate."

The rogue gapes at him.

"How can you possibly know that?" Taranis asks through a gasp. Zane smirks and leans forward.

"I can read auras. Yours is blue, yellow and green — water, lightning and wind. Your aura pulsates, betraying your magical ability. It's how I can tell you're a mage, a powerful mage at that. I take it you never learned to read auras?"

"No. My aunt taught me the basics — how to cast spells and control my powers to keep them from flaring wildly. If she knew about auras she never said anything to me," Taranis says, glancing away from Zane and meeting my eyes. "For obvious reasons magic was a bit of a taboo subject."

"Why do you wish to travel with us?" I ask Taranis. "It's a perilous journey, to say the least. Do you have a death wish?"

"I like you. Both of you," he says, eyes glazed over in thought. "Perhaps I was moved by your display in the square this morning. I don't even understand, myself. How can I explain it to you?" He pauses, his forehead creased in confusion. "I have a feeling like I have to go. Like it's destined, that if I don't go something terrible will happen…" He trails off, staring at the darkened window, apparently lost to his thoughts.

"You can come," Zane says, breaking the silence. "Is it safe to assume you can use the sword propped up against the bookcase?"

"Quite well, actually," the captain replies, "could probably take you."

"We shall see," Zane says with a deep chuckle. "We'll take our leave now. I haven't slept much the last two days. You and I will start training in the morning." He holds out his hand to me, pulling me up from the sofa. When we reach the door, Zane stops and turns back to Taranis. "I expect you out on deck bright and early."

"Goodnight, Taranis," I call out as we leave the room.

Within moments, we're back in our room. Zane curls up behind me on the bed, and I snuggle against him. The room is dark, the only light through our window from the moon and stars.

"I have to admit I'm a bit surprised you agreed to let Taranis join us."

"He'll be a powerful ally," Zane murmurs against my hair. "Besides, he's right. We do need all the help we can get. Delistaire won't be expecting us to hook up with a powerful mage. It gives us another edge against him."

"Goodnight, Zane," I whisper into the darkness.

"Goodnight, Love."

Lying still in his arms, I listen to his breathing. Before long it becomes shallow and even. Closing my eyes, I allow sleep to claim my exhausted body and mind.

****

Bright light shining through the window awakens me. After a languid stretch, I roll over only to find Zane already gone. I feel exhausted even after such a restful sleep; the rocking of the ship is the most soothing motion I've ever felt. I rise from the bed to peer out the small window at the empty deck below. Where is everyone?

My brush is still lying on the dressing table. Just brushing my hair takes more energy than ever before. My arms feel like lead weights as I pull the brush through my wild coppery mane. Perhaps my body hasn't recovered yet from my impulsive use of magic yesterday. My eyes wander from the bed to the door. Should I go back to sleep or head up to the deck? Curiosity pushes exhaustion aside, the call of the sea too much to resist. I drop the brush on the table and braid my hair with shaking fingers before heading out the door.

The sound of metal clashing echoes through the air on deck. In the center of the ship Zane and Taranis are sparring while the crew watches from a safe distance. Neither man seems to be holding back. Skirting around the fighting men, I reach the stairs up to the helm and scale them. Several pirates are leaning up against the railing overlooking the deck. When I appear they move aside to make a space for me in the middle.

"How long have they been at it?" I ask the group of men.

"Half an hour or so," a red-haired pirate replies. "You want in on the betting pool? It's not too late."

"I'll pass thanks."

Only a moron would bet against Zane. Although I have to admit, it appears Taranis is putting up a good fight. He rushes at Zane with a series of furious swings, which are all parried with ease. When he leaps away, Zane charges him. Taranis manages to parry all but one swing. This one he blocks with the large silver gauntlet on his left forearm. Zane takes a step back and lowers his sword.

"Had enough yet, pirate?" he asks laughing.

Taranis is staring at him in cool silence, but his breathing is a bit labored. When the captain rushes him, Zane drops to the ground and knocks him down with a leg sweep. Taranis sprawls on the deck but doesn't lose his sword. Zane leaps to his feet and moves to place his sword at the rogue's throat. Taranis manages to block the strike with his gauntlet before leaping back to his feet.

"I guess not," Zane observes.

Taranis gazes up at me with a leer and a wicked smirk. I don't even have time to gulp before he vaults over the rail to seize me around the waist. My shriek is somewhere between a cry of surprise and a laugh when Taranis pulls me against his side, pointing his sword at Zane.

"Drop your sword, mercenary," he commands.

"Why would I do that?" Zane asks scowling. He's obviously not happy with the direction of the fight. For my part, I lean against Taranis, trying hard not to laugh.

"I have your woman," Taranis declares. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to see her harmed."

"I know you won't hurt her, pirate," Zane says, exasperation apparent in his eyes and his voice.

With a smirk, I glance up at the pirate's jubilant face. I have to agree with Zane. Taranis is as harmless as a puppy.

"Now either get back down here or surrender," Zane yells.

"What if I do this?" Taranis asks, pulling on my braid and baring my neck to him.

His lips start trailing feather light kisses up my neck. I'm too shocked to do anything but stand in his embrace.

"Oh, that's it!" Zane shouts, running toward us. "You're a dead man!"

"Sorry my gorgeous beauty," Taranis says laughing, "gotta go!" He leaps off the railing just as Zane reaches my side.

"Are you all right?" Zane asks, cupping my cheek. I try to keep it in but to no avail. My laughter rings out, and I'm doubled over by the force of it. "I'll take that as a yes," he mumbles before he takes off running after Taranis. "You may as well surrender, pirate! Where are you going to run? This is a ship!"

"You'll never catch me, old man!" Taranis yells from the boom of the aft sail.

"Old man? I'm twenty!"

Zane stops in the middle of the deck, staring at Taranis. Then he extends his arm palm out toward the rogue. A torrent of water rains down soaking the captain. The drenched pirate manages to keep his footing on the boom, pushing his sodden hair out of his face.

"So that's how we're playing this, huh?" Taranis shouts.

The pirate flings his arm toward Zane and a violent gust of wind sends him flying into the cabin door. Taranis leaps down from the boom, stalking toward the fallen mercenary. Zane rises and appears to prepare another spell.

"Enough! Both of you!" I cry, throwing my arms in the air.

Bright silver light shoots from my fingertips, sending multicolored prisms raining down around the two men. Reaching out, I catch one of the prisms on my palm. It disappears when it touches my hand, leaving nothing behind but pleasant warmth. When I glance back up, everyone on the ship is staring at me, most with mouths agape.

"Oops?" I say, my cheeks flushing from embarrassment. Zane starts laughing and soon Taranis joins in. Then the rest of the crew relaxes.

"Come here, Love," Zane says.

I trudge down the steps and walk up to Zane, expecting to be chastised. He takes me in his arms, and I collapse in his embrace.

"You're already quite powerful. Now if we can only teach you control. Remember I told you light magic wields itself?" I nod. "It's attached to your emotions making it incredibly easy to have an unfortunate accident." I nod again, hiding my red face in his shoulder.

"Don't be upset, Ashlyn," Taranis says, stroking my hair. "Your light show was quite amazing and no harm was done."

Zane fixes him with a dark glare, but the captain ignores him and continues to play with my braid.

"I'm really tired," I murmur, "and hungry."

"All right we'll get you some breakfast then some rest," Zane says, picking me up in his arms. Taranis opens the cabin door, moving aside so Zane can carry me through.

"Bring her to my room," Taranis says. "She'll be more comfortable there."

Taranis opens the door to his quarters, and Zane releases a loud sigh before carrying me through the doorway. He places me on Taranis's soft bed.

"I'll have Hanna bring us some breakfast," Taranis says before leaving the room.

Zane climbs onto the bed beside me and pulls me into his arms. Snuggling back against his firm chest, I close my eyes, just to rest for a moment… perhaps two...

Chapter Twenty-Three

What Happens on the Pirate Ship…

Soft talking awakens me. Cracking an eye open I scan the room. Zane and Taranis are across the room by the bookshelf speaking in low voices.

"She never taught me how to heal," Taranis says. "I don't think she knew how."

"Well it's not difficult. Only water and light can heal," Zane says. "You gather your energy and force it into the person you wish to heal. Ashlyn picked it up immediately."

"Yeah but you said light magic is like, really easy to use," Taranis grouses.

"I'll slice my arm so you can practice," Zane says. There's silence for a few moments.

"Aww, man, you're gonna get blood all over my new rug," Taranis whines.

"Heal me before that happens," Zane demands. "Focus. Imagine the water entering my wound." There's more silence, then Zane hisses in pain. "Not real water, you moron! The energy of water."

Curious, I sit up to see what happened. Zane's arm is covered in water. Pink droplets drip from his forearm, soaking into the rug beneath him. I stifle my laughter and wait to see what'll happen.

"Ugh! Maybe I'd be better at this if you explained it clearer," Taranis says scowling. Zane picks up a dagger from the desk beside him and slices the captain's arm. "What in blazes did you do that for?"

"I'll heal you," Zane barks. "Pay attention."

He places his hand over the wound on the captain's arm. There's a soft blue glow and by the relief on Taranis's face, I assume the wound healed.

"Now you try again," Zane orders. "My arm's starting to hurt quite a bit."

"Okay, I think I got it now," Taranis says, closing his eyes. He places his hand above the wound on Zane's arm. Soft blue light glows from his palm then fades. "I did it!"

"Pretty good," Zane says, inspecting his arm, "now you just need more practice."

Taranis has an evil glint in his eyes. I'm about to warn Zane when the captain pulls a dagger from his boot and grabs at him.

"Not on me! Find someone else," he demands, shoving Taranis away. Stepping forward, I place my arms around Zane's waist and lean into his back. "Not on her either," he adds when Taranis glances in my direction.

"I would never harm such a beauteous angel," Taranis says in mock outrage. "I'll just go up on deck and see which of those scalawags need healing. Someone's always hurt. I swear I have the clumsiest crew afloat." He heads to the door.

"Wait. Before you go I have a question," I call out to his retreating form. The captain stops and turns around.

"What is it my lovely goddess?" he asks with a bright smile.

"It's about your crew. Why are there so many teenage boys with you?"

"They're mostly orphans and orphanages suck. My parents feared and avoided me due to my magical abilities. Hanna, my nanny, basically raised me from infancy. I know what it's like to be completely unwanted by everyone. So Hanna and I take in the older boys from the orphanage, offer them food and shelter in exchange for their work on the ship," he says with a shrug. "Most of these boys have no family at all. Hanna and I are the closest they have. Many would end up turning to a life of crime. This keeps them out of trouble."

"But you're pirates," I say, my mind swimming in confusion. "Isn't that basically a sea bandit — a criminal? How can a pirate possibly stay out of trouble? Wouldn't it kinda defeat the whole purpose of being a pirate?"

"Nah, we may call ourselves pirates, but we'd never rob or harm an innocent." His lips curl up at the corners, and his deep blue eyes crinkle around the corners. "Think of us as sea mercenaries." He bows his head then exits the room.

"He's an enigmatic person, isn't he?" I murmur. "Do you think he has multiple personalities?"