Sacrifice (Catalyst Moon #5), page 39
He snatched his hand away, but the movement was too sudden, and he stumbled back, collapsing at Sarkiss’s feet. Surprise echoed through the crowd; Kali sensed their feelings like her own, but her connection with Stonewall—the highs and lows of their shared hearts—gave her the ability to set aside the onlookers’ emotions. A few people in the crowd gasped, but none moved to assist the Pillar – the former Pillar. Finally, two priests rushed to Baat’s side and helped him up, then escorted him out of the chamber.
Across the room, Stonewall’s eyes flashed with gold fire. To Kali’s shock, he had not moved from his place across the room, but Kali felt his presence as if he stood beside her. I love you, he sent, and with the words came the feeling, crashing over her whole heart. I’m sorry I couldn’t be who you needed me to be, before. But I meant what I said. We’re in this together.
As she collected her staff, she studied the new presence in Stonewall’s mind: this was the Fata he’d told her about. Wild Eyes. Kin, or something like it, to Stonewall. Perhaps Kali should have found forgiveness more difficult, considering this Fata had tried to possess her, but Wild Eyes’s added strength had allowed Stonewall to help Kali stand against Baat. And now, with Baat’s added memories, she saw only a frightened child, desperate to create a better life for herself and her people.
Wild Eyes and Eris would probably get along well. The thought made Kali smile. Together? she asked Stonewall.
Always, he replied, and that warm-blanket feeling settled over her again. Together.
A flash of steel caught Kali’s eye and she whirled to see the sentinel High Commander, sword drawn, armor shining, eyes burning with silver fire from beneath his helmet. “Treachery,” Argent hissed, his voice resonant. “This mage deceived the other Pillars, but she will not fool me!”
Sarkiss raised both hands. “She has been chosen! She is–”
Argent swiped the Pillar aside, toppling Sarkiss into the line of Circle folk, where Milo caught the old glimmer before they fell.
The queen squared her shoulders, her gold circlet somehow made dull in the torchlight. “You may be a Pillar, but you are not above the law!”
The former High Commander regarded her as one would a housefly they were about to swat. “Highness,” he said in a low voice. “Stand back. This matter does not concern you.”
Kali seized his distraction. She dove her focus deep within Baat’s memories, searching for the glowing river of light she could recall now. There! Shining bright, but slender; little more than a filament. Her magic coursed through her veins: raw energy, begging for freedom. Through the lens of Baat’s knowledge, she understood how to wield this new power. With effort, Kali thrust that energy at Argent’s connection to the great Fata river. If she could sever the connection, if she could cut off his power…
But this strange new ability slipped through her grasp like a wet bar of soap. Her concentration snapped. Something hard pressed against her chest and shoved her backward. The silverwood staff fell out of her grip and rolled away, and then Argent grabbed her braid and pulled her upright to face him. Pain ripped through her scalp and she shrieked. Boots clattered on the stones as Tal and Beacon charged over, shouting at the High Commander to release her. But Kali barely heard them, for her eyes were locked on Argent’s as he smiled.
Sweet blood, he crooned in her mind. It is, isn’t it? I should have done this a long time ago. But Tor cannot protect you any longer.
As Argent siphoned away every drop of her energy, all air left her lungs, all blood seemed to drain from her veins; the hope and love she’d fought for ebbed, then died within her heart. When she was empty, he cast her aside. Kali lay stunned, her cheek pressed to the icy temple flagstones, before the warm-blanket feeling descended upon her again.
THIRTY-TWO
Shielded from view using his shadow-magic, Stonewall came to Kali’s side in the space of a breath. Somewhere within him, Wild Eyes exuded a peculiar mix of satisfaction of their merged powers, rage at the Pillars, and a sense of delight so strong, it nearly balanced out Stonewall’s own fury at the High Commander. The feel of his body moving beneath his armor, the sharp intake of breath, the galloping heartbeat; Wild Eyes had never felt the sensations of being alive like this, so her delight—and awe and confusion—fought to distract Stonewall from his duty. No, his desire.
He knelt beside Kali, keeping his and Wild Eyes’s shielding magic around himself while he checked her vital signs. Her heartbeat was slow, but steady, just like her breathing. If she suddenly disappeared, Argent—and his new passenger, Etia—would recognize Fata magic, and then Stonewall’s task would be that much more difficult. He had to work quickly.
Around them, shouts of confusion rose, but Stonewall ignored them all and reached for his brother along the thread of connection between them, shining and clear with his new sight. Drake? he called.
Sounds like everything’s going to shit in there, came his brother’s response. Need some help?
Please, Stonewall replied.
Determination overlaid Drake’s reply. Just give me a minute or two.
Good enough.
Kali breathed, but she would not wake. Stonewall swallowed his rising panic and wracked his brain. He could get her out, but he had no way of restoring her power.
The new voice in his head made his heart leap. Silverwood grove, Sarkiss whispered. A watery image of the spring accompanied the words. Restore her power… Destroy his, too.
It was as good a suggestion as any.
We’re leaving, Stonewall said to his brother. When you’re done here, meet us in the Circle district – that walled-off garden. He sent an image of Sarkiss’s private grove.
Understood, Drake replied. Good luck.
Stonewall pulled his attention back to his allies. With Fata magic supplementing his perceptions, he could clearly see the ties that bound his friends to one another – and to him and Kali. But two golden threads shone from the sentinels, tying him to two others he could not see.
Sentinels surrounded the room, with a smaller group in silver gear positioned in a tight circle around the dais, where Kali had fallen. Someone was speaking…the queen, Stonewall realized. He shook his head, trying to clear it, and the heated words came into focus.
“…outrageous abuse of power,” the queen was saying. She was older than Stonewall had realized; the once-neat braid in her iron hair had come undone as she pushed between two of her guards, glaring at Argent as she continued her tirade. “You may be a Pillar, but you are not the only Pillar. Call off your sentinels and let us all discuss this transfer.”
But the High Commander—for surely he still had his old authority if he controlled the sentinels—only smiled at the queen; an indulgent smile, the kind one would give to a child pestering them for sweets.
Stonewall glanced beside him, at Talon, Beacon, and Sadira, who’d all come running to Kali’s aid. Stay close, Stonewall sent to them.
Their combined shock rippled over Stonewall, but they inched closer to him, silently, so as not to draw attention.
“An excellent suggestion, Majesty,” Argent was saying. “We shall indeed discuss this transfer. More to the point, we shall discuss the crown’s failure to keep the good people of Aredia safe.”
The queen drew herself upright even as her guards hemmed in around her with their armored forms. “The crown has always abided by the Circle’s wishes, but I see now that change is necessary. Mages did not start this war, but they can end it. Since the sentinels are unable to stop the thralls, the crown will step in. Cede control of the mages to me, and we will end the thrall crisis.”
“Truth is revealed when the tide recedes,” Argent replied. “Using your people’s lives as leverage to gain more power? Such exploitation should be beneath Aredia’s leader.”
Stonewall looked over at Milo and Natanaree, both of whom knelt over Sarkiss. A blinding flare of rage overtook Stonewall’s vision as he stared at the fallen Elder, but he let Wild Eyes’s anger pass through him like water. Strange to perceive this feeling second-hand; from this new perspective, the anger was easier to release.
Mostly.
Milo, he called. Milo’s head jerked up, and Pig leaped onto his shoulder.
Get Sarkiss and the Cipher as close to me as you can, Stonewall said. We’re leaving here, together.
The lad’s lips tightened as he shot Argent a glare, then he bent to Natanaree and whispered in her ear. Soon, now. Sweat beaded at Stonewall’s back as he shored up his focus. Surely Drake’s magic would kick in any second, then Stonewall and his allies would have a chance to slip out. He looked inward, to Wild Eyes and his own spirit, and gathered their combined strength. He needed to find out who the final two threads connected him to – because he would not leave anyone else he loved behind again.
Argent swept a gloved hand around the temple as he addressed the queen. “Too long have the godly people of the Circle been bound by the crown’s bloated governance. You ordered your soldiers to abandon Whitewater City, but the Circle still tried to help those poor souls.”
Queen Solasar’s voice echoed through the massive temple. “Our world is broken, Argent. I see that now. But you are not the one to mend it.”
“Our world is not broken,” Argent replied. “But there are too many broken people leading it; corrupted souls who wish only to bolster themselves on the backs of godly folk.” Argent frowned down at Kali’s unconscious form and Stonewall called upon every moment of training not to lunge at the High Commander. If he struck now, he’d be cut down in a second and all his friends would surely be killed.
Argent gestured to Kali’s prone form. “The evidence is in this very temple. This mage is an admitted murderer and a liar; this heretic makes a mockery of our sacred Nox. She admitted her guilt before me and the previous Pillars, before a member of the Circle betrayed her oaths and stole her from the grip of justice.”
“Liar,” Natanaree said, jumping up to face Argent. “You knew thralls could be cured, but you called for their slaughter! How much innocent blood is on your hands?”
“Traitor,” Argent shot back, thrusting an accusing finger toward the priestess. “You have turned your back on the One and all the gods, so they will treat you in kind.”
He gave a signal and one of his sentinels lunged forward, slicing at the Cipher’s abdomen. The crowd gasped as she stumbled back, hands pressed to her stomach, where a line of blood began to stain the white side of her robes.
Milo caught her before she fell, and gently pulled her to his chest, trying to shield her and Sarkiss from further harm. He shot Stonewall a look of pure terror and Stonewall swore inwardly. They couldn’t wait for Drake’s aid any longer. They had to leave, now!
All flames in the temple died. A few startled shouts sparked across the room until a sense of calm slipped in like a latecomer, sidling through the crowd, loosening tight shoulders and jaws, slowing frantic heartbeats. With his own senses and through Wild Eyes’s magic did Stonewall perceive these things, and he nearly laughed in relief. Good work, relah.
We’ll drink to me, later, Drake replied. After you get the hell out of there!
Don’t you stick around, either, Stonewall shot back. Get Eris and Atanar, and anyone else with you, and get out of the city.
Not without you, came Drake’s stubborn response. Eris and Nat agree with me; you’re outnumbered. We’re staying here, to see this through.
Stonewall swore, but he had no time to argue. No one was paying attention to Kali, so Stonewall called upon his abilities again, and extended his shadow-shield around his allies. Get ready to run, he said to the others, but those last two threads of connection still glowed, although he could not see to whom they led.
The queen’s soldiers bunched closer around her, urging her to leave, but she stood her ground. “You can only keep people caged for so long before they will break free – by any means necessary.”
The two final threads of connection pulsed, then the sentinels shifted closer and Stonewall looked into Flint’s eyes. Within his arm’s reach now, she squinted beneath her helmet as she studied the spot he and Kali occupied. Rook stood close by. The thread of friendship between her and Stonewall was thin, but his Fata-sight also showed him the shining thread that bound the two women’s hearts. Keeping his shield up, Stonewall tugged Flint’s arm to draw them both into his protection. They both gasped upon seeing him, but Flint understood his intent, and grabbed Rook’s hand in reassurance.
Now they all could leave.
The sense of calm was already fading as the crowd began to come to their senses. Screams sounded in the darkness, fabric rustled and metal scraped, and footsteps clattered toward the temple’s exit. But each moment, Argent fought back Drake’s calming magic.
Stonewall felt the hailstones of fury before they struck. Glowing thrall-eyes sparked to life beneath the royal guards’ helmets as they closed in around the queen. Their demonic screams pierced the air. Even more stars burned through the temple as every other royal soldier present started shrieking. The new thralls’ dark fury lashed at Stonewall’s heart, obliterating his concentration and blinding him to the chaos, but Wild Eyes knew how to shield them from the mental onslaught. Stonewall’s vision cleared and he reached for his magic once more.
The royal guards-turned thralls struck the queen, their blades descending into crimson-painted steel, then turned to face the crowd. The former audience screamed and scrambled away from the gold-plated guards. But the sentinels’ eyes remained flat and dim; their spirits did not resonate in Stonewall’s mind. They felt like nothing. They formed a line before Argent and urged the panicking civilians behind the sheltering wall of their bodies.
“Chaos shreds our world,” Argent called, his voice echoing over the panicking audience. “Magic turns our own people against us. Lawless renegades ravage our traditions, hoping to crush us into subjugation. Even your queen denied the truth, and her denial cost her dearly. But I refuse to surrender to those dark forces. For my first act as Prime Pillar, I will form the Legion of the One and fill its ranks with those pure of heart to defend the world of balance and order we have created. On this first day of my rule, this dawn of our new era, I swear to you… the Legion will stand between you and the chaos, and we will fight!”
The sentinels moved as one. Dark gray armor drove into the wall of gleaming gold as the sentinels assaulted the royal guards-turned-thralls. The new thralls shrieked their fury until the last seconds of their lives, when only confusion remained. Each death assaulted Stonewall’s senses, and only through years of combat was he able to shut his mind against the tumult of battle.
All his allies were together. He picked up Kali and reached through Wild Eyes, to the Fata’s source of power: the great river of souls. Joined as he was with the Fata, he touched the river easily and gasped as energy poured into him. Stonewall pictured the silverwood grove again, and the world around him and his allies began to shimmer, then fade.
Stonewall—and Wild Eyes—brought his allies through the fabric of two worlds, out of the temple and into chaos.
* * *
Flint gripped Rook’s hand like a lifeline as the world changed all around. Stonewall – alive? But I saw him fall.
As it had in the past, Stonewall’s travel-magic made Flint’s insides tumble but she welcomed the nausea. At least this discomfort was familiar. One moment, she and the others were crouched inside the great Temple of the One; the next, they were outside, tearing down the temple steps as quickly as they could with three incapacitated folks.
Ahead of her, Milo glanced back. The little raccoon still perched on his shoulder. Like Stonewall and Talon, he carried someone else: an ancient fellow Flint had never seen before. One of the Pillars. One of the other Pillars, for Kali had taken on the role too.
But Flint could not understand how Commander Talon could also be here, carrying the injured Cipher priestess. Sadira kept close, one hand on the Cipher’s stomach as she worked her healing magic. Beside Flint, Rook caught her eye and they both glanced behind them. There was no sign of Argent or his sentinels, but no doubt they were rallying and would be on Flint and the others’ heels within moments.
Anxiety snared Flint’s mind. She was foolish to abandon her post, to abandon Argent… All he wanted was loyalty. Surely, that wasn’t too much to ask?
“Mira.” Rook squeezed her hand, and the strange anxiety faded. Flint shook her head to clear away the unwanted, lingering effects of Argent’s magic.
Whatever Stonewall was doing kept them concealed as they rushed down the stairs, but apparently a group of ten people was too large to hide for long. Stonewall’s shielding magic died by the time they reached the base of the temple steps. Here, a throbbing drumbeat swelled as the ribald crowd thickened, snagging Flint and her allies, trying to sweep them away in the tide of celebration. Flint ignored them—and her own racing heartbeat—and focused on their mission.
“They can’t hear the screams in the temple,” Rook said in her ear.
“They can’t hear anything but those sodding drums,” Flint replied, glancing over her shoulder. Argent and his mind-magicked sentinels would be searching for her and the others. “But that won’t last long.”
But the farther that Flint and the others moved into the city, the more people didn’t seem to realize anything was wrong at all. When they turned a corner and left the view of the temple behind, the crowd was in full revelry, ignorant of anything but their own enjoyment.
“Reminds me of Heartfire,” Beacon murmured beside her as Stonewall, in the lead, slowed his pace to better work his way through the celebrating crowd.
Flint couldn’t help her smirk at the mender. “We were in Parsa last Heartfire, remember?”
He lifted a brow. “There’ve been other Heartfires in my time. Nice gear, by the way.”
She flushed beneath her helmet. “Long story.”
He glanced over at Rook. “I imagine you’ve got a couple of those to share,” Beacon said.
