The Channel (The Gifted Book 2) (43 page)

The sound of a small force approaching drew his attention away from the portal. He stared at the door. Mani was in trouble. They were after him.

Pelyn positioned himself between the portal and the table, ready to grab the diamonds as he and Mani made their escape.

The door exploded inward, revealing the tall blond woman he’d been hunting, her glare a mixture of agony and anger, her aura blazing with power, barely in check. There was no escaping the aftereffects of taking the energy from another. In that instant, he knew he would never see Mani again.

Rage and pain coursed through Pelyn's body as he realized he'd just lost the most important person in his life. His heart told him to stand and fight, to avenge his friend, but when he caught sight of who followed her, his mind took over, logic reigned. He would not last long against gifted sword wielding warriors.

"It's over," she stated.

He stood a little taller, a little straighter; refusing to appear defeated, and almost laughed at the irony of the scene. He'd been trying to capture or kill the Libraim's channel for years and now was his chance.

Pelyn clenched his teeth and tried to hide the pain and anger in his heart. "It's only just begun." He swept his hand over the table and plucked the diamond from the wall before stepping through the window.

The opening turned solid again, marking his escape.

2
Family

Rhea tried to run after the fleeing man, but the hands of her companions stopped her. She struggled to free herself. "Don't! He's getting away!"

"Rhea! Another time," pleaded Taulin as they watched the opening turn white.

Rhea shrugged out of Taulin's grip and spun to face those who'd joined her in the cave. Daen and Randell stepped around her, their brows furrowed as they headed for the solid white slab in the middle of the cave wall.

Gaibel appeared next, holding Kalaub’s hand, confusion dancing in her eyes.

Lanne skidded to a stop as she took in the wood splinters that had once been the door to the cave.

Rhea pivoted to face the solid white surface. "I don't understand." She watched as Daen touched it tentatively.

"It's cool and smooth." He stepped back. "It's as if a marble slab just dropped into place."

Rhea glanced around the cave, taking in the black runes painted on the sand-colored walls, highlighted by torchlight dancing over them. She studied the stone table with its etched surface.

"This is the place," Rhea murmured. "This is where I saw him when I looked through the veil. It's daylight here," she looked at her watch, "and in the other world. This isn't possible."

"What is not possible?" Kalaub asked, stepping further into the cave.

Rhea stared at the white smooth panel before them. "The veil between Luxatra and the world of shadows; how can he ..." Her voice whispered of uncertainly. "It's daylight in both worlds. Unless the moon is shining brightly in the world of shadows, the veil cannot be crossed."

Kalaub moved into her line of sight, and pointed to the white surface. "That is a portal. It does more than just connect with the openings in the veil."

Rhea forced her gaze upon him, her brows furrowed.

"Pelyn pulled me through an opening in the veil and into this very cave eighteen years ago." Kalaub glanced at the portal. "Others on the island have passed between portals, without the use of the veil."

Kalaub's words battled for Rhea's attention, her thoughts were now on her aunt, the queen who had put her in charge. Rhea was supposed to capture the dark-haired man. She’d failed.

It was no wonder. She didn’t grow up in this world. She wasn't experienced in hunting and capturing the bad guys. Oh, sure. She'd watched her fair share of cop shows, but that wasn’t anything like this.

Her stomach roiled with guilt as she watched Daen push on the unyielding white surface that blocked their way.

Gaibel placed her hand on Rhea's shoulder. "Terrwyn. Daughter."

Rhea closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath.

Gaibel tried again. "Rhea."

"I failed." Rhea swallowed hard. She could feel everyone’s eyes upon her. Her cheeks started to warm as she imagined what they must be thinking of her. She'd been so sure, so confident, yet so wrong.

Gaibel took Rhea's hand and gave her a gentle tug, turning her away from the white window. "You did not fail."

Rhea forced herself to meet Gaibel's eyes.

Commander Gaibel Gaulette of the Taulomi realm wasn't the one looking at her. Her eyes were those of a concerned and caring mother.

"You did not fail," she repeated sternly, pulling Kalaub closer to her side. "You rescued your father and the others."

"You, my daughter, saved our lives." Kalaub spoke softly.

Rhea looked from Gaibel to Kalaub. She'd wanted to find him, wanted to save him, as did his sister, Queen Jauline. She remembered that, now, as the two people she never thought she would know were standing before her. How could she have ever thought she wouldn’t want to know them? She could barely breathe as her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Gaibel and Kalaub reached for her at the same time, enveloping her into their arms.

Rhea welcomed the embrace and the tears flowed. Tears of joy for having found them, tears of sadness for having not known them, tears of guilt for thinking she was okay with not knowing them.

Rhea’s gaze fell on Lanne, who held her hands pressed to her chest. The woman’s eyes glistened as she crossed the small space and slipped into Daen's welcoming arms, the man her friend loved dearly.

The sounds of voices and shuffling feet broke the reverie in the small space.

The first to step past the splintered cave door was a battered and tired looking woman. Faces drawn, their bodies frail, three feeble men and two women filled the cave entrance.

Rhea gently stepped away from her parent's embrace but then paused as Randell approached the first woman. She considered the woman again and remembered the photo of Raisal that Randell carried.

With bright eyes, the woman scanned their faces. "Well? Did you get them?" The bitterness in voice was unmistakable.

"He got away. I'm sorry," said Randell.

"And what of Mani?" Her brows furrowed. "Pelyn's right hand?"

"Who's Mani?" Daen asked.

"He's not any better than the beast himself," the woman snapped, glancing towards the cave entrance. "He's got shoulder length dirty blond hair. Wears a beard. Whatever you do, don't get close to him."

Rhea and Daen exchanged knowing looks.

"He can pull a person's energy, can't he?" Rhea asked.

The woman’s frail body shuddered as the brightness in her eyes faded into pools of terror. "They both can."

"That's why we were captured," explained Kalaub. "They ... fed on of us. Sucking the life from our bodies. It made them appear youthful."

"Daen and I were attacked by a man in the stairwell. He tried to ..." Rhea forced herself to breath steadily as the memory threatened to make her sick.

"He tried to kill us but she fought him, and won." Daen’s admiration was obvious.

The woman's eyes widened and there was a low murmur from the others hovering near the cave entrance. "Well. At least we are free now." She peered into Randell's face. "Who are you people?"

"I’m Randell Young. This is Rhea Gaulette Baurden, Gaibel Gaulette, and Lanne Gaulette."

The woman squinted as she looked from one face to the next. "Just because you look like Gaulettes ... I've been fooled before." She looked sternly at Kalaub. "Is it true?"

Kalaub nodded and wrapped his arm around Gaibel. "Raisal, this is the woman I told you about."

Raisal looked at the three women again and nodded, before turning her attention to the young man standing before her. "You said your name is Young? That is not a Luxatran name."

Randell's lips curved upward. "You're right."

No one spoke as Raisal moved closer to Randell, her eyes dancing over his face.

Randell bent slightly to meet her gaze.

With a shaky hand, she reached up to touch his hair, slowly gliding her fingers over his jaw.

Randell encased her hand in his. "I am your great-grandson."

Her eyes filled with tears. "How can this be?"

"It's a long story." Randell smiled warmly.

"Is he gone?" A long limbed man dressed in nothing but rags entered and pushed past the others who were blocking the cave entrance.

"Dorak. It's all right." Kalaub motioned for him to come closer. "Pelyn is gone and Mani is dead."

The mix of bewilderment and relief on the prisoner's face was comical.

In spite of herself, Rhea began to laugh. A soft chuckle emanated from behind her as Daen and Lanne joined in.

Randell, still holding Raisal's hand, looked at his friends and joined in as well.

"Was it something I said?" Dorak asked.

Taulin shook his head. "No, sir. We're just glad to have made it this far."

"That doesn't tell me who you are," mumbled Dorak as the laughter subsided.

"This is true. Come, I will explain." Taulin motioned for the tattered men and the rest of the freed people to follow him, leaving the others to their reunion. He offered his arm to a woman as she swayed on her feet. "May I be of assistance?"

She looked into his handsome face, one corner of her lips curved up as she placed her bony hand on his arm. She gladly leaned against him when she took her first step away from the cave, using him as a cane.

"Kalaub. Can you tell us anymore about this portal?" Daen had returned to examining the solid white surface as Taulin was leaving.

"No, except to say Pelyn used it frequently, especially over the past month."

"I saw him take something from the table when I came in," said Rhea. She stepped closer to the large stone slab resting on a pedestal in the middle of the cave.

"Yes. He uses some kind of crystal I think. I've not seen them up close but some of the others might know more." Kalaub glanced towards the cave entrance.

"Raisal, do you know how the portal works?" Randell asked.

Raisal's lips pressed tight in a straight line as she stared at the solid white surface. "It's the only way on and off this dreadful place."

"We came by ship." Randell bent to Raisal's line of sight. "We can get you off the island."

Raisal took a shaky breath, her shoulders dropped slightly as she nodded.

"Obviously, there is much to learn," said Gaibel, moving towards the cave entrance. "Come. Let's discuss this further after we tend to those we've just freed."

Kalaub started to follow, extending his hand to Rhea, his expression hopeful.

Rhea hesitated just long enough to glance around the cave at her friends. It was time to open her heart, she thought. Slipping her hand into his, they walked as a family for the first time.

~~~

Pelyn's body trembled as he worked his way through the tunnel leading away from the portal cave he just used to escape. He'd grown up with Mani, married his sister. They'd shared the same gift, an extremely rare occurrence. Now he was gone. His grief battled with his anger, each emotion wanting to control his next move, his next thought.

He stumbled out of the tunnel, onto the road that would lead him to the camp where his two generals waited. They would ask about Mani. How would he answer?

As he walked, his fingers curled into fists of rage. He'd wanted to lash out when he'd seen her, but there was no way he could have taken on all of them.

He swore he would have his revenge, soon. When he was in control of the realms, when he had the hidden powers that awaited him, he would take everything she ever loved. He would watch her suffer before taking her gift, taking her life.

The distance between the tunnel and the entrance to the warrior camp provided the time he needed to think, to focus, to plan, and to calm his nerves.

The ache in his heart was familiar, reminding him of when he’d lost Daunal, his wife, a lifetime ago. He couldn't help believing the island was a fitting place for Mani to die, so close to his sister’s final resting place.

By the time he reached the entrance to the camp, Pelyn had captured his grief and tucked it away. In time, he would have his retribution. When the generals asked about Mani, he wouldn't give them any details. He would only say, "He's not with us anymore."

3
Memory

When Rhea reached the end of the trail, she found the surviving captives talking excitedly amongst themselves.

Sentran warriors from the ship stood watch over two of Pelyn's guards who were sitting on the ground. She was surprised there had been any surviving guards, given their resistance.

Commander Nauylor, leader of Sentran's northern region and charged by Queen Jauline with Princess Terrwyn's security, stood in the middle of the garden, pointing and ordering. "You, start filling those tubs with water. And you two, take the enemy guards to the cells."

"Where are the cells, sir?"

"I'll show you," Rhea said as she approached. "Follow me."

"Rhea! Wait." Daen ran towards her. "We need to ... clean up in there." He found Taulin watching. "I could use your help."

Taulin raised a brow, but with one critical look at Daen, he simply nodded and headed towards the kitchen.

Rhea shuddered and swallowed hard as she remembered what still lay in the stairwell.

Taulin hesitated before following Daen. "Rhea?" His voice caught in his throat as if her pain had suddenly become his.

She pulled her eyes away. "I'm fine. Thank you for helping Daen."

Taulin glanced to where Daen and the prisoners had disappeared, not wanting to leave her.

"Go Taulin." Her gaze pleaded.

~~~

Taulin shook his head, trying to shake off his desire to hold her, to take her pain, and he didn't even know what had happened. She was starting to get under his skin.

A cry of anguish echoed through the house. Taulin sprinted into the hall. Pushing past the Sentran warriors and the enemy guards, he came to an abrupt halt at the entrance of the stairwell. At first, he didn't know what he was looking at. His eyes met Daen's.