Chapter 24

Senka

The halls were blessedly empty thanks to the paranoia that had spread like wildfire due to Lady Saldan"s death. She was the third unexplained death at court in a matter of weeks, and people were beginning to get suspicious.

I'd spent the morning and the better part of the day trying to piece my memories back together. I remembered Wolfe carrying my limp body to safety, placing me gently beneath the covers of his bed, not mine.

All day there'd been a strange tension between us that I didn't fully understand. It made me wonder if I'd said something I shouldn't have under the haze of exhaustion.

The pain of Lady Saldan's death had hit me harder than usual. Rarely did a death order render me unconscious, but it had happened. Some deaths were easier than others and I'd never quite figured out why.

The method was the same. My shadows would slither into their bodies and shut down their organs, clenching around their hearts until they stopped beating. It happened in a matter of seconds.

I was just glad Wolfe had decided to follow me down into the baths. If he hadn't, I wasn't sure the death goddess herself would have spared me.

My last memory was of Valera"s hands pressing against my chest, the blinding light that seemed to fill the room, and then, as I coughed up water and gasped for air.

"Are you alright?" Wolfe asked me quietly, his voice laced with more concern than I'd ever heard come out of his mouth before. His golden brown eyes studied me intently, as if waiting for something horrible to happen.

"I told you I"m fine, I replied evasively, my eyes darting back and forth, from shadow to shadow. I sent my own shadows out ahead of us, feeling for anyone awake at this late hour, but the way was clear.

When I had finally regained consciousness hours ago, Wolfe probed me with questions about what had caused me to black out. I wasn"t ready to reveal the full truth yet; it was the only secret I had managed to keep hidden all these years.

We carefully borrowed two horses from the stables. Luckily, they were standard infantry horses and not difficult to handle like elhorns. As the moon illuminated Andune with a soft white light, we galloped through the foothills and headed towards the sea cliffs.

I tried to recall what little I knew about the chimera nests, but it wasn't much. The Tonne spent years training and bonding with their chosen beasts up on those cliffs, even living out there for long stretches of time, secluded in nature with their beasts. They were sacred animals, and entering their domain without an invitation was suicide.

As we approachedthe sea cliffs, the air grew thinner and colder. Thick fog, carried by the sea breeze, rolled up onto the cliffs like a ghostly blanket. The drop down each cliff was so steep and high that it appeared as if clouds were undulating beneath us, making it impossible to see the ground below.

The rocks became too jagged to continue on horseback as the path narrowed into a steep trail that led up the side of the cliff.

"We go on foot from here," Wolfe said, keeping his voice low.

Something skittered to my left and I flinched, wanting to reach for my blades. We were far away from the Folklands, but that didn't mean we were entirely safe from them. Creatures prowled in dark places like this, places where they could stalk prey from hidden alcoves and caves.

There were legends and stories told about the rugged coastline and the rolling hills that divided them from the edge of Andune. Legends of the elusive Folk, as they were often called, residing in subterranean dwellings, in trees, rivers, and caves, emerging only to seek sustenance when the sun disappeared.

All I knew for certain was that I wanted nothing to do with whatever had scampered away in the darkness just moments ago.

Dismounting our horses, we tethered them to a nearby tree before making our way up the steep path. My heart thundered as we got closer to the top of the cliffs. I never realized just how massive they were. From a distance, their silhouettes didn't do them justice.

As we broke through a thin layer of fog, I could just make out the shadowy outlines of various cave mouths dotted along the sides of the cliffs. I couldn"t shake the feeling that we were being watched, and that something was lurking just out of sight, waiting to pounce when we least expected it.

Wolfe nudged my arm and pointed wordlessly up ahead towards the flickering light of a single fire that danced across the opening of a cave mouth, casting shadows that seemed to come alive as they twisted and stretched along the rock faces.

"Stay alert," Wolfe murmured, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword.

"Always am." My heart drummed in my chest, each beat so loud it might have echoed off the cliffs, alerting every chimera here to our presence.

As we stepped through the entrance of the cave, I could feel the warmth of the fire radiating towards me. However, it did little to calm my stomach, which was filled with rolling unease. The cave was spacious and cavernous, furnished with wooden tables and chairs.

The only source of light came from the fire pit in the middle, with smoke escaping through a hole in the ceiling so that it didn"t fill the entire space.

And there he was. Prince Bazaan looked up from his perch on a log near the fire, sharpening one of his twin curved blades, his orange-yellow eyes meeting mine briefly before trailing over the length of my body.

"Senka, Wolfe," he greeted us, a wicked smirk playing on his lips as he took in the sight of my tight black riding pants. My cheeks flushed, and I narrowed my eyes at him, refusing to let him get under my skin.

"We"re here as promised," I clipped. As if I had any other fucking choice but to agree to this.

"Have a seat," Baz said, gesturing for us to sit by the fire. He had the look of a man who had full confidence that I'd show up tonight and never once thought I'd refuse him. He was an arrogant bastard.

As we settled by the fire, the warmth seeped into my chilled bones, offering some respite from the cold sea air that still lingered on my clothes. Baz"s orange-yellow eyes flickered between us.

"Did anyone see you leaving?"

"What do you think?" My voice was as dry as the windswept cliffs outside.

Baz sighed, setting down his blade with a soft clink before giving us both his undivided attention. He looked exhausted up close, as if he hadn't slept for days. The fire crackled in the center of the cave, casting dancing shadows that seemed to move with a life of their own.

"Alright, let"s get down to it then. Obviously, your presence here means you've agreed to join me, and in return, I've agreed to not have you executed." His words fell heavily between us, and I narrowed my eyes, my fingers curling into tight fists.

He rose from his seat by the fire and walked over to a stack of leather harnesses and ropes piled neatly against the wall. Next to them was a row of six leather saddles.

"Before we can leave for Saltburn, the two of you will need to learn how to ride a chimera. We"ll need to fly there if we want to make the journey in a week instead of months."

My chest tightened as I realized what he was asking of us. Nobody, save for members of the Tonne, were allowed to ride the sacred chimeras. Some had tried and failed miserably, getting themselves torn apart before they even managed to saddle one.

"There"s no way we can all fit," I mused aloud. The saddles were significantly larger than elhorn saddles, but there was still only enough space for two people.

"That's why we're?—"

Baz"s words were abruptly silenced by the echoing sound of heavy footsteps reverberating through the cavern. Instantly, our group of three tensed and reached for our weapons. Wolfe and I stood, our backs pressed against the warm glow of the blazing fire behind us, casting long shadows against the rough stone walls.

A figure appeared in the entrance, dressed in black riding gear and a cloak with the hood pulled up over his head. He lowered the hood once he was past the threshold of the cave, and the firelight danced across his pale hair.

I casually lowered my daggers. "You're late," I clipped out. Glancing at Baz, I gestured between them. "This is Cross. He's loyal to me, and I asked him to come along because I don"t fully trust you yet."

It was unlikely that I would ever trust the prince. Not when a single word from him could have me and my friends swinging from the gallows before the sun rose.

Baz eyed Cross warily, clearly not thrilled by the unexpected addition to our ranks. Cross stared at the prince, white eyes betraying no emotion. Then, he moved closer to the fire, casually greeting Wolfe and I with a nod.

"Are you blind?" Baz asked Cross. The question was a practical one, and something Cross experienced often. People saw his pale eyes and assumed he was blind, but they had no idea just how much he could see.

"I'm a seer," Cross replied curtly.

"A seer," Baz echoed with raised brows. "Your kind are rare." His jaw was rigid and his shoulders tensed as he studied Cross with shrewd, calculating eyes.

"I wonder why that is." Cross's cold glare was stark enough that his distaste for the royal family was made clear.

Seers were one of the many types of god-bloods whose blessings were both feared and coveted by those in power. Some had been purged from the world, their abilities deemed too dangerous to exist freely. Others were forcefully conscripted into the service of the emperor, their gifts used for his gain against their will.

Baz turned to me. "Seems you've been keeping more secrets than I realized." His eyes swept over me slowly. "You and I will discuss this later."

"There's nothing to discuss." I waved him off as I took a seat by the fire again.

I tensed again as more footsteps echoed from the mouth of the cave and two other men strode in with no hesitation in their gait. They were dressed in black riding leathers, just like Baz, and their eyes were fixed on our group with an air of quiet observation, taking in the three of us as if assessing the potential threat to their prince.

"This is Hadeon and Andros," Prince Baz said, gesturing towards the pair. "They'll be training you on chimera etiquette." By the badges on their chests, I knew they were members of the Tonne. Both were tall and leanly muscled, with scars on their faces, just like Bazaan.

Hadeon and Andros nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions unreadable as they sized us up. Baz stood and clasped both men by the forearms. I could instantly feel the deep connection between the three men. Men who'd fought side by side in battle. Men who relied on one another to work as a unit. An unstoppable force of nature.

We followedBaz and his warriors as they led us from the cave and up a treacherous path that led to the very top of the sea cliffs, where the wind blew in a frenzy, making it hard to keep my feet planted firmly on the rock. There, nestled among the jagged rocks, was the chimera nest.

My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of them. At least forty chimeras roamed the cliffside, their majestic bodies illuminated by the moonlight. Some slept, while others groomed themselves or feasted on their latest catch, usually a gull or a large fish.

The power emanating from the creatures was palpable as they perked up and carefully watched us as we approached. I had no doubt in my mind that if Baz and his men were not here with us, we would have been dead already.

Don't get too close without permission. Chimeras may be tamed, but they are still wild animals at heart, and they've been known to have a taste for human flesh," Andros said.

I shivered, my eyes going to the massive teeth of a dark brown beast currently tearing into the flesh of some large animal. Wolfe kept pace beside me, his golden eyes scanning the beasts. From the corner of my eye, I watched as Cross kept one hand on the hilt of his blade.

As we reached the center of the nest, a magnificent midnight black chimera sat on her haunches, tall and regal, with her eyes pinned on the prince. She was a thing of beauty.

It was my second time seeing her up close. Close enough to note the way the moonlight shone off of her scaled talons, making them almost glitter. Her fur was thick and coarse, her mane wild and magnificent.

"Xyla is my personal mount," Baz said, gently running a hand along her sleek flank. "I raised her from a pup, and we"ve been a pair since I was a child. You"ll need to earn her trust before she allows you to ride her. Senka, you"ll ride with me on Xyla. Wolfe and Cross will need to take another."

Heat rolled through me at the thought of spending hours upon hours trapped on a saddle with my body pressed up against his. From the look in his eyes, I could tell his thoughts echoed my own.

Was this a calculated decision on his part? Given enough guidance, I could easily ride solo within the next two weeks. After all, if I could handle an elhorn, I could handle a chimera.

Hadeon stepped forward. "I've agreed to lend you my own mount, Guilly. She's strong and reliable, but if you disrespect her, she'll rip your head from your shoulders before you realize the mistake you've made."

Hadeon"s piercing cerulean gaze scanned each of us separately, a striking contrast to his short, dark brown hair and stubbled beard. He stood tall and broad-shouldered like Baz, but not quite as imposing as Andros, who had long black hair pulled back into a braid and a smooth-shaven face marked with silver scars.

A stunning chimera with soft, cream-colored fur, golden brown eyes, and wings in varying shades of brown walked up behind Hadeon and gently nudged him with her large head. One of her curling horns was broken off at the tip.

Baz started to speak when a sudden commotion erupted around us. We all turned as the dark shape of a distant chimera came into view, flying at breakneck speed from the direction of Andune.

We all tensed, instinctively reaching for our weapons as the chimeras on the cliffs rose to their feet, their growls echoing through the air.

Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones.

Prince Baz, Hadeon, and Andros drew their matching twin curved blades, while Cross and Wolfe unsheathed their swords. My hands gripped the daggers I"d brought along, thankful for the comfort of their weight and familiarity.

Bazaan's men eyed me with raised brows, clearly noticing the comfortable, natural way I wielded my blades, something unexpected for the lady they still thought I was.

"Brace!" Baz called out, his voice barely audible over the sound of the approaching chimera. As it neared, its powerful wings beating against the wind, Hadeon and Andros fanned out on either side of us, Wolfe and Cross following suit, moving as if they were one single unit.

The speckled gray and black chimera"s heavy landing shook the ground beneath our feet, kicking up dust and rocks. Its rider, another member of the Tonne with black hair and a thick beard, looked as weathered as the cliffs around us. As Baz called out his name – Orin – I noticed a limp form draped over the saddle behind him.

My heart lurched with dread.

"Emore!" I cried out, rushing towards his prone body. My heart was in my stomach and fear slithered through my veins, causing my shadows to rise up inside of me, ready to strike at anything that posed even a hint of a threat.

As the chimera let out a menacing growl, I stumbled back in fear. But Cross was by my side in an instant, shielding me with his body. He wrapped his arm tightly around my waist, holding me close to him.

Orin cradled Emore in his arms, his face hidden behind a mask covering his mouth and nose. He laid Emore on the cold ground, and that"s when I saw it.

"Blood..." I whispered, horrified, my eyes following ton the trails of crimson dripping from Emore"s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Panic clawed its way up my throat as I realized what I was seeing. "This is Red Sam."

"Get back," Cross hissed, his grip on me tightening as he tried to drag me backwards, even though every part of me wanted to rush for Emore and check for a pulse. His skin was pale and there were dark circles under his sunken-in eyes. He looked like a corpse.

"Orin, what happened?" Baz demanded.

"I found him stumbling through the Boneyard," Orin explained hurriedly, his eyes never leaving Emore"s face. He pulled down his face mask to reveal a man about a decade older than the rest of us. "He was heading in the direction of Andune."

At the mention of the Boneyard, I blinked in surprise. It was once a bustling city, but its original name had been long forgotten or perhaps I simply never learned it.

Three hundred years ago, Red Sam had laid waste to the city and in an attempt to eradicate a disease, the entire city was burned to the ground with the help of a fire wielding god-blood, leaving only the charred remains of its people behind forever. Some believed that the fires were so intense that the ground still smoldered beneath the surface.

Why did Emore got to the Boneyard? I pulled away from Cross"s embrace and locked eyes with him, both of us coming to the realization that this was the reason why Emore had not delivered the death orders. Where was he going instead? Had he somehow decided to betray the underlord?

"Stay back," Baz ordered, his eyes darting between Emore and the rest of us as he pushed forward. "Red Sam spreads through touch and bodily fluids." He glanced at Orin. "Did you touch him?"

Orin shook his head. "No skin-to-skin contact. He's been out since I picked him up."

Baz nodded. "Go wash up just in case."

Orin nodded once before retreating into the darkness in the direction of the caves.

"Hadeon," Baz said suddenly, gesturing for the warrior without looking at him. "Can you move him to the caves safely?"

I frowned at the dangerous request. Did he really expect his men to risk their lives by coming into contact with Red Sam?

Hadeon held out a single hand, and with the flick of his wrist, Emore's body lifted from the ground. My eyes were wide as I watched the warrior guide Emore's body through the air, following in the same direction that Orin had walked in.

So the Tonne were all god-bloods then, I guessed. It made sense. I didn't have time to think on it before Baz was in my face, his breath brushing over my skin as he hissed, "I'm starting to think your personal circle is a bit too wide for a Lady of the Ashwater, Senka."

"I would back away if I were you," Wolfe's low growl cut between us. Cross approached from behind the prince too, and I watched as Andros slowly drew his blade again.

It was bold of Wolfe to openly threaten the prince. Bold enough to have him killed right there on the spot if Baz ordered it. But instead, the prince's lips quirked into a wicked smile as he said, "It's a long flight to Saltburn."

Emore suddenly gasped for breath, his eyes snapping open. A guttural scream tore from his throat as blood sprayed from his mouth like a gruesome fountain. We all jumped back instinctively, our faces twisted with horror and fear.

Hadeon moved faster now, leading Emore through the air, towards the caves. The rest of us followed closely behind, and even the chimeras kept their distance.