Casstiel; Born of Lightning, page 10
Wren didn’t bat an eyelash.
Right, so moving on then. “Where have you been Wren?”
It was a long-drawn-out few seconds before Wren finally answered. “C-Casin …” His voice was raspy.
Mihel thought about all the times he and Tirah had attempted to include Wren, to draw him out, but it had never once worked. Casin had gotten his hands on their brother at a young age and warped his mind against them. “Casin had you doing something?” Of course he did, Casin always had Wren doing something for him.
Wren gave a little nod.
“What was it?”
“Del … iveries,” Wren answered, giving another little cough and licking his lips like he was parched.
Mihel poured a jug of water from the pitcher on his desk, then handed it over. “Here, drink this. Looks like you can use it.”
Wren accepted the water and quickly drank it, then leaned forward and set it on the desk, though he refrained from looking Mihel in the eye.
“What kind of deliveries were you doing for him?” Mihel asked.
Wren just shrugged, meaning he didn’t know or that he wasn’t going to tell Mihel.
“Can you tell me where?” he asked.
“Dif … different bases, all … over.”
“But you don’t know what you were delivering?”
Wren shook his head just as a knock sounded at the door.
Mihel pushed to his feet, went over, and opened the door to the female who oversaw things for him, which felt weird, but it was what it was. He accepted what she held out to him. “Thank you.” Then he closed the door and, turning back, watched his brother.
He really hoped for their mother’s sake that Wren wasn’t so deep down the “Casin mind-set” that it was too late to help him. But from the lack of response, he didn’t have a good feeling about it. He’d have liked to tell his brother about Tirah and their mother, but he couldn’t. Not without giving away which side of this war he was really on.
Mihel sighed. “I know that you and Casin were close.”
Wren remained silent, though he hunched a little more into himself. Mihel leaned back against his desk and pinched the bridge of his nose. He always felt like he was beating his head against a stone wall when talking with his brother. “Casin and I were never close, though I know you were, and I’m sorry for your loss.”
Wren’s fists clenched in his lap, then relaxed. Curious.
“Wren?”
Mihel waited for his brother to meet his gaze, but when he did, the blank void in Wren’s blue eyes surprised him that it was a moment before he could continue.
“We haven’t been close, either, but we are brothers.” He held Wren’s gaze, but the other male didn’t so much as blink. “I want you to know, if you ever need anything, or even just want to talk, I’m here. I’m a good listener.”
Wren didn’t nod or acknowledge him. He just seemed to wait until Mihel broke eye contact. Mihel reached over, grabbed the bag he’d set on his desk, and held it out. “You look like you might be hungry, and since the kitchens are closed, I had something prepared for you.”
A flash of surprise crossed Wren’s face as he accepted the bag and quickly met Mihel’s gaze for a fleeting second. Then he stood up.
Mihel watched Wren leave, then he went over to his door, but before he closed it, he peeked his head out into the hall.
Wren opened the bag as he walked and pulled the food out. Then he slowed and stopped. Mihel heard the paper being unwrapped. He thought his brother was going to take a bite, but instead, after a long moment, Wren went over to the trash bin and dumped the package before hurrying away.
Mihel closed his door and looked around the office, then his gaze landed on a sheet of paper on his desk. He picked it up and grimaced.
Council member Estan, who Mihel had never met before, had stopped by earlier. Mihel was aware that his father had been friends with the man, which was one reason not to like the guy. After congratulating Mihel on his new position, the man had hinted that there were some who were not happy with who was sitting on the Ilyium council. When Mihel had asked why that concerned him, Estan said that maybe Mihel could apply for a seat on the council.
“I don’t know,” Mihel had answered.
“Just think about it. We could use some fresh blood,” Estan had said.
Mihel couldn’t help but wonder why Estan wanted him. Could the guy be one of the good guys? He was in cahoots with dear ole dad, so that wasn’t likely. Still, it was odd and as much as he detested the very idea, it was worth considering.
With a sigh, Mihel went around his desk, opened a drawer, and slid the paper inside. The last thing he wanted was to remain here, never mind sit on the council. However, he knew that if he hoped to make any changes, this could be the way.
Then he thought about the party Estan said some of the others were having. The guy has seemed disgusted, though he could have just been testing Mihel.
It didn’t matter, with the info he had, he had to tell Zales. Even if it got him killed.
CHAPTER 23
Visitor
* * *
Ashara closed the book she’d just finished and sat a moment. Though not all slaves were taught how to read and write, the commander had insisted she learn. Ashara had been thrilled, though she didn’t dare let on as she was aware he only wanted a more educated slave who could teach their children. But she’d never before read a book, and as she thought back over the story, a smile lit her face.
Finally, knowing her daughter and mate would be arriving soon, she got up, and put the book back on the shelf where she’d gotten it. There were only a handful of books up there, and she was just thinking she needed to get Tirah to bring her more, when the front door opened. She turned, expecting it to be Tirah and Saber, or Aries. Possibly even Skye, though the girl didn’t seem to be comfortable around Ashara. However, the stunning female who had entered wasn’t anyone she’d expected.
Ashara recognized the female from when she first arrived in An bell. What was her name?
“Oh, I didn’t realize …” the tall female glanced around before her gaze lit on Ashara once again with disbelief. “You’re staying here?”
“Ah, yes,” Ashara said, suddenly intimidated by the other female. “It’s … Shayaira, right?”
“Yes.” Shayaira’s initial surprise was replaced by a flash of anger before her features settled into a mask of indifference. Then she continued over to the kitchen, set her basket on the counter, and looked back at Ashara. “I keep the pantry and cooler stocked here.”
“Oh,” Ashara didn’t know what to say, but went over to help unload the supplies.
“I also take care of the place.”
Ashara, uncomfortable with Shayaira’s tone and assessing gaze, busied herself putting the supplies away.
“I’m surprised Cass is letting you stay in his home. Do you know him well?” Shayaira asked when the basket was empty.
Ashara put the last few items in the pantry, then turned back around. “No, not really.”
Shayaira seemed perplexed, then she turned and walked across the living area to the hallway.
Ashara watched her, wondering where the female was going, then unable to resist, she followed silently.
Shayaira went first into Aries’s, then Skye’s room, and tidied up. Ashara wished the ground would swallow her whole when the other female went into Cass’s room. The room she’d slept in and remade the bed. Ashara slipped back into the living area just before Shayaira came back out.
She looked at Ashara and there was calculation and possessiveness in her gaze. “Watch yourself. I’ve been caring for Cass and his young since Maya died, and I know him well. He’s not interested in any more attachments.”
“I’m sure he appreciates it,” Ashara answered, not sure what else to say, but it was clear the other female seemed to think she had a claim, though on what, Ashara wasn’t sure.
“Huh.” Shayaira snorted softly, picked up the empty basket, and started for the door. She had just pulled it open when she turned and looked back at Ashara. “I’m sure you are eager to get your own place. I’ll let you know when one comes available.”
CHAPTER 24
Brutal Slaughter
* * *
Cass was helping dry the morning meal dishes and thinking about Skye and Ashara. His daughter had been avoiding him, and though he’d already introduced Ashara to Shennta and a few others, he really needed to get her out and meet more of his fellow villagers.
He was about to suggest just that when Zales’s voice filled his head.
“I heard you’ve been helping with cleanup at the Cade Lake site.”
“Yes, it’s a nasty mess,” Cass replied.
“That’s what I heard. I meant to make it over there and help as well, but I’ve been busy with the Dorsey ruins,” Zales said.
“We’ve got it covered,” Cass said, thinking of the crew working on cleanup. They were a good bunch of hardworking males and females.
“Good, that’s good,” Zales said.
Cass got the impression he wanted to say more. “What’s up?”
“I meant to stop by earlier and talk about Skye, sorry.”
All of Cass’s senses went on high alert. “What about her?”
There was a long pause before Zales answered. “Has she talked to you?”
Cass frowned and guilt raised its pathetic head. “No, not really. We fought when she first got home, and I’ve been trying to keep calm about it all, then with this job …” He ran a hand through his hair. These village cleanups were brutal, but they needed to be done, and fast. Still, he really did need to have that conversation with his daughter.
“So she didn’t tell you where she was?” Zales asked and again there was that hesitation in his voice.
“No, why?” A premonition of dread shot up Cass’s spine. Skye had come home unharmed, so he’d assumed nothing had happened. Could he have been wrong?
“Look, I’d rather have this conversation face-to-face. Are you alone?” Zales asked.
“I’ll meet you outside. How far away are you?” Cass asked.
“I’m here now. Meet you outside,” Zales said.
Cass glanced at Ashara and Aries as he dropped the towel he was using on the counter. “I need to go talk with Zales.”
“Is everything all right?” Ashara asked, and he realized his tone must’ve tipped her off.
“Sure.”
Ashara smiled and his heart skipped a beat. “Go. We’re good, right?” She looked at Aries who smiled his assent.
Cass forced himself away, and his concern returned as he went out to find Zales leaning up against the rock wall of his dwelling.
His friend looked much better than the last time he’d seen him. “You recovered?”
“I did.”
“I get the impression this isn’t good. Where was Skye holed up?” Cass asked.
“It is, and it isn’t. Want to go for a little trip?”
Cass glanced back at the door and hesitated. “I’m supposed to help Ashara shift into her dragon this afternoon.”
“Tirah and Saber are on their way here to see her, and I can’t put this off any longer,” Zales said.
“All right. Let’s go.”
Zales flew beside him. “Skye promised she’d tell you. She begged me to wait so that she could, but I guess she changed her mind.”
Cass thought about how she looked when she arrived home that night, then later after she caught him almost kissing Ashara, and wanted to groan. “I think she tried, but with Ashara there, and as angry with me as she is …”
“Yeah, well, you need to know where she was, and what she did,” Zales said, then grew silent as he led Cass to the remnants of what looked to have been a brutal slaughter.
As his friend landed and shifted, Cass followed suit, taking in the body parts scattered everywhere, along with a large pile of ash.
“That was a wagon,” Zales said, walking around.
Cass’s bad feeling grew worse. “She did this?”
“She doesn’t remember.”
Cass frowned. “Why? I mean, I know they’re our enemy, but she’s not cleared to fight yet, and she knows better than to attack alone. What was she thinking?”
Zales told him about the young male dragon that Skye had carried away, and suddenly Cass understood. Still, the fact that she’d engaged the enemy all alone terrified him.
“What did you do with the body?” Cass finally asked.
“I’ve had it taken for a proper send-off.” Zales looked weary as he faced Cass once again. “That’s not all.”
“There’s more?”
“Yes.” Zales shifted into a midnight black dragon.
Cass shifted and flew beside his friend until they landed a little while later, Cass glanced around but didn’t see anything. He shifted back into his human form and looked at Zales who had done the same. “What am I looking at?”
Zales gazed out in front of them. “There’s something down there, not sure exactly what. I brought Mihel here, but he didn’t know either.”
Cass studied the landscape. “You think it’s another base?”
“No. It’s definitely Ilyium, but I don’t think it’s a base. The area isn’t large enough. I’m thinking it’s something else. Maybe one of their labs,” Zales said, jaw tense.
Anger, along with power surged through Cass as he studied the area. Dark clouds gathered as the urge to wipe every Ilyium from the face of Tartaria swept through him. His fists clenched and thunder rumbled in the sky.
“Cass,” Zales said.
Cass didn’t pay attention to his friend. Raw energy tingled through him as he prepared to break down the enemy’s cloaked dome.
“Cass.” Zales grabbed his arm just as a flash of white-hot lightning struck, then he jumped away and rubbed his singed fingers, muttering under his breath.
Snapped back, Cass scowled. “What in Hades were you thinking? You looking to get your ass fried or what?”
“You can’t just attack. There might be innocents in there,” Zales said.
Cass stared at what he knew was an Ilyium compound of some sort.
Zales sighed. “We have no idea what or who they may be holding in there.”
“If it’s an Ilyium lab, our enemy is in there.”
Zales growled. “C’mon, Cass, get your mind straight. If I’m right, there are supes in there, maybe more dragonkind, maybe young …”
All the energy drained right out of Cass as he realized what Zales was saying. He couldn’t attack the place. “We need to find out.”
“We do, but discretely, without alerting anyone,” Zales agreed and looked at him. “I’ve tried and had a few others try to crack their ward, but we weren’t able to do so. Can you use your power and see if you can penetrate their ward without letting anyone know we’re here?”
“I have no idea. I’ve never tried.” He usually just destroyed the invisible, protected domes. Cass descended the hill and began to walk around the whole area. He kept himself cloaked and drew on his magic to tell him exactly where the Ilyium compound was. Zales walked in silence beside him. Once they’d made it back to just below the area where they’d started, Cass drew on more of his power and pushed it at the spell, keeping the place concealed and impenetrable. Nothing happened. He drew on more and pushed again. Again, nothing. He dropped his hands, confused.
“What’s happening?” Zales asked.
Cass shook his head and looked at his friend. “It’s not working. I can usually short-out their spells, but this one is different, I can’t seem to crack it.”
“How are we going to get in there?” Zales muttered.
Cass tried again, but to no avail. He finally took a deep breath. “I have no idea, but it must be important. I want to get in more than ever now.”
“Yeah,” Zales agreed.
“Why was Skye here?” Cass studied the empty space, perplexed. “How did she know about this?”
“She followed someone who was snooping around Saber’s mountain,” Zales said.
“What?”
“She described the guy. Says he looked a little like Mihel and Ashara. She claimed that he felt harmless,” Zales said.
“Felt harmless?” Cass repeated.
“Her words.”
“Demons,” Cass swore, wondering what other powers his daughter was beginning to manifest, and how they’d affect his wild-souled dragonette and everyone around her.
“Anyway, I think it was Mihel’s brother, Wren. Ashara’s youngest son.” Zales stared at the expanse of nothing but dry-ass scrubland in front of them.
Cass ran his hand through his hair, pissed Skye had been trailing one of the Ilyium. It didn’t matter that it might be Ashara’s son.
CHAPTER 25
Trust or Not
* * *
Cass entered his home, with Zales behind him, and found Aries on the couch beside Ashara. Tirah and Saber were getting ready to leave. “Skye here?”
“Not anymore. She came in from training, took one look at us, and left again.” Saber said, looking lost. “I went after her, tried to talk to her, but she just said that she was over me and then took to the sky.”
Cass swore under his breath, then sighed heavily. “Thanks for trying.”
“Shit, I feel like I’ve failed her,” Saber said, guilt heavy in his voice. Cass knew Skye was like a daughter to him, someone he’d loved and cared for since she was four years old.
“Welcome to my world,” Cass muttered.
Saber shot him a commiserative look, then glanced at Zales and back. “You saw what happened, and where she went?”
“I did,” Cass said. “You’ve been there?”
Saber shook his head. “No, but Zales told me.”
Cass wasn’t surprised.
“What did Mihel have to say about it?” Saber asked.
At her son’s name, Ashara stood and came over to them. “Mihel? You saw him?”
