Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Zenith

Our plan is cursed before it has a chance to begin. From over the endless span of water, dark clouds loom ever closer. A storm rolls in along with high tide.

We thought of everything…except the weather.

Hidden in the hilly dunes on the far side of the pier, away from people, I await their signal. Jindal arranged for the three of them to arrive via ship. They boarded a vessel under Princess Suvi's control from one dock and sailed to ours. A short journey. Risky because we're betting the dockworkers won't notice, but less obvious than walking around where we don't belong.

To say I'm relieved to have my feet firmly planted on the ground and not in a rocking boat would be an understatement.

Their vessel wobbles unsteady on swelling waves to its target.

Dockmen try to wave them off. "Wrong dock. We've got no arrivals scheduled. Turn about and reverse course!"

Our crew ignores the order, blaring their horn. Jindal shouts through a speaking trumpet, "We've got wounded aboard. Let us dock and disembark the wounded. Then we'll leave."

The men on the pier scuttle around, the chain of command becoming obvious as they seek permission.

Rahz appears, carrying Anash, who's dramatically passed out in his arms.

I do not love that part. But Anash is the smallest, so I suppose it makes sense.

A green flag is raised and waved. I release the breath I've been holding.

They'll be allowed to dock.

"Get help," shouts Jindal. "A healer. We need a healer!"

This is my cue. With all the ruckus and commotion they're causing, I can fly in behind unnoticed and take down most of them single-handed.

I snap open my wings and soar in a wide arc. Energy courses through my veins. I'm ready to fight criminals. Bad men who do bad things rather than the human farmers and blacksmiths of the resistance.

Rahz cradles Anash, whose midsection is covered in tomato sauce. "Quick, he's losing blood. Help!"

"Get Tauren and Rune," yells a halfling

"He's inland," yells another.

"Do I look like I care, Forice? Go on, get him. And put a rush on it," shouts the first one back.

I swoop in, smooth despite the fierce sea wind at my back. My sword appears in my hand as I land on silent feet.

My training and experience take over. I cut through the enemy, slashing, hitting, kicking. Four men are down before anyone notices my presence.

Then the screaming starts.

"It's an attack!"

Good. I'm ready for them. My muscles are charged with unspent energy I'm raring to let loose.

Another two fall before the first clang of swords rings loud enough to compete with the thunder. No matter. I unsheathe my dagger with my free hand and fight two at once. Then three.

The chaos of battle is where I'm at my most calm. Otherworldly calm. My instincts rule. I feint right, lunge left, and another target falls.

I crouch and strike low. I leap and hit high.

The metallic scent of blood mixes with the acidic smell of the tomato sauce. Both are washed away when a deluge of rain hits the deck, pelting us all.

I use the slick to my advantage, sliding across the boards to take out the fighters pursuing Jindal and Anash as they race to the end of the dock and the underwater cell.

Rahz's magic snaps and crackles in the air.

We may be outnumbered, but we won't be outfought.

"For Talus!" I charge into the thickest group. Must keep them away from Rahz.

There are too many at once. A well-timed strike by a quick opponent sends my sword flying. I spin and jam my elbow into his side.

Close combat. Shoving. Punching. Wrestling.

A kick slams me sideways. I gasp for air and jump to my feet with a roar.

Now they've done it. Rage fuels me. I fight one after another, but eventually, they'll stop coming. We counted thirty-three guildsmen working this dock, and I've taken out at least half of them already.

Rahz's magic tingles my skin. Darkness falls around me, sweeps me into its inky embrace. Shadows so black my hand vanishes right in front of my face. As planned, I drop to the ground and slink away.

In the confusion, the guildsmen fight each other. Growls, grunts, groans. The rattle-breathing of the dying.

"This way," says Rahz, voice calm and so low it can't be heard over the racket, but I hear it because Rahz has spelled it so.

I crawl toward him, out of the fray.

"They've got him, but he's too heavy. They need your help. Go. I'll hold them off."

"You sure?"

"Go."

I race past the shadow, my boots slamming the boards. It's still dark—the storm has seen to that—but normal dark, not magical inky black. Near the end of the pier, Jindal waves frantically.

I don't see Anash. A jolt of anxiety courses through me. "Anash?"

"Is fine. He's in the water. Come."

I hate to think of him tossed around in the churning sea, but he swore on his sister's life he's a strong enough swimmer to handle it. Trusting him isn't easy. But only Anash could swim underwater and hold his breath long enough to secure Talus in the ropes.

"We're ready." Jindal thrusts the rope into my hands. "We need you to lift him."

With all my strength, I heave. Again. Again. Again. I heave, Anash guides, and Jindal directs.

As Talus's mane of stone hair rises above the surface, I suck in a deep breath and heave once more. My first look at my commander's mighty stone form gives me hope. He's just as I remembered. Fierce, proud, powerful.

Together, Jindal and I grab him by bent elbows and yank the boulder of him above the boards. When he's safe, I reach back for Anash.

He sputters and grabs my hand. I pull him into my arms. He's soaked to the bone, cold as ice, and an absolute hero for rescuing my oldest friend. "Thank you." I kiss his ear, his cheek, his mouth and hold him tight to me. "Thank you."

His teeth chatter. "You're welcome. Now let's get out of here."

"We need to wake him." Jindal pushes me. "Fetch Rahz. Hurry."

I don't want to leave my mate. I don't want to leave Talus. But Jindal is right.

I take off and fly toward the looming shadow at top speed. "Rahz?"

"Here." His voice is shaky.

"You're up." There's no time for pleasantries. I scoop him into my arms and fly back.

The guildsmen still standing don't follow. Not as stupid as they might seem.

Someone continues to yell for Tauren and Rune. Whoever they are, if they know what's good for them, they won't come.

Rahz kneels before Talus and places his hands on his stone collarbones. He chants under his breath. I can no longer hear the words because they aren't meant for me. The waves crash, the thunder claps, and the rain smacks the deck.

Talus doesn't stir. The chanting grows desperate. Jindal lays a hand on Rahz's nape, lending him a boost of magic.

Anash wraps his arms around my waist. His tail coils lightly around my ankle. His gaze moves from Talus to me with concern and a question. What if we can't wake him?

But I can't fathom it. We must.

I glance behind us, where guildsmen watch from a distance. They're going to rally. They think they have us cornered.

Time is slipping away.

Bringing Anash with me, I crouch next to Rahz and lay hands on Talus. With all my heart, I open up and let the stone speak to the stone.

Come back. We need you back. Please.

Nothing.

Talus, it's Zenith. Wake up. We need to get out of here.

Zenith?

Yes, yes, old friend. It's me. Release the stone. You're free now.

Tired. Heavy.

That's all right. I'll carry you. Wake, and I'll take you to safety. Then you can rest all you like.

He softens beneath my hands. Anash gasps. The stone doesn't so much crack apart as disintegrate into dust to be wicked away by the swirling storm.

In his gargoyle toga, Talus looks like the man I remember and yet different. Ruddy, sun-kissed skin, long flowing brown hair, eyes to match, but the keen spark of intelligence has dulled. He looks small, though he isn't.

Talus stares at me as if confused. Fear lingers in his gaze. "Zenith?"

"Yes, it's me. I've got you. We're going to bring you somewhere safe."

"Safe." His head lolls awkwardly on his neck, and he tucks his knees into his chest.

"We need to leave," says Jindal. "Now."

The guildsmen have formed an offensive line. Behind it, the telltale sizzle of magic shimmers at their backs. "They have a mage."

"Apparently." Jindal helps Rahz up. "Can you carry him?"

"Yes."

"Then do it, and be ready to portal."

I lift Talus over my shoulder. He's bigger than me and heavier, but I'm strong, and his weight is no burden.

"Jin." Rahz leans heavily on his mate. He doesn't look so good. "I'll have to drain you."

"I know. It's fine, love." Jindal offers a weary smile. "Nothing we haven't done before."

"Might be worse this time."

"Can I help?" asks Anash. "I have a little magic. You can take that too."

"Yes, come here. Jin will show you how."

Jindal grabs Anash's hand and places it on Rahz's nape. Skin on skin. "Touch here. Think of giving. Let yourself be used. Don't resist it. Rahz knows how to stop if it's too much. Trust us."

I don't relish the sound of this. I worry for Anash, but I keep my mouth shut. Seems we have no choice.

"Zenith, grab hold of Rahz. Anash, hang on to him and Talus with your tail."

We form a group huddle, everyone clinging to everyone with only Rahz's hands free. He raises them high.

The enemy approaches, parting to let their mage stalk through their number, front and center. He's fae, dressed in shimmering green and gold, hands held aloft, ready to cast something nasty.

"Hurry," says Jindal.

Rahz tenses, body straining. Purple light bursts to life.

As it's expanding, a rush of red flaming heat engulfs the forming portal and burns it to extinction.

"Again, Rune," shouts someone from the other side.

"He's a true fire mage," says Rahz. "I can't counter him."

"What do we do?"

"I have an idea. It's crazy. Jump sideways off the pier when I say. Move as one. No hesitation."

Another raging inferno of yellow and orange comes barreling our way. Rahz stretches his hands toward the stormy waters.

My guts throw themselves into knots and squeeze. I can't swim. I can't swim. I'll drown, and I'll take Talus down with me.

"Jump!" Rahz commands.

The group moves as one, all except me. I'm frozen stiff with terror.

Anash's tail tightens painfully around Talus and me. He yanks with a strength I hadn't known he possessed. "I've got you."

I shut my eyes tight and go with it.

I hurl myself and Talus into the sea.