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Chapter 239
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The Birthright Series Chapter 240
THE AIR AROUND ME CRACKLED with screams of anguish and my knees turned to water when I recognized Alek's final cries from that awful morning. The sounds rooted me to the spot as I heard the laboured breaths, the groans and whimpers of pain before it startedthe slight crackle of energy followed by his inhuman, bone jarring, shrieks of agony. My chest heaved and I gulped breaths, holding back tears until the sounds grew quiet and I heard his broken whispers to me, his tortured voice shattering my heart. Tears fell, plodding on the thick carpet at those final words.Then it vanished. The room still and silent like when I'd entered.Swallowing, and swallowing again, I shook off the sudden, overwhelming grief and turned to glare at the portrait, dagger itching against my palm. The gaze looked blankly past me.Stumbling on the thick pile carpet, I stiffened my limbs and ignored the portraits, continuing my way around the curving corridor. Those bulging lights continued and I counted two m
The Birthright Series Chapter 241
IGNATIUS THOUGHT THE CASTLE GATES would pose a problemhe hadn't expected to find them open. The Lieutenant studied the open gatehouse uneasily and paused to draw his sword and dagger, then continued up the wide path into the courtyard. Aiming for the first door he spotted, he stopped at a soft throaty warble and looked up. Loushka sat on the roof of the highest tower and peered down at him then made a deliberate motion with her head to the central door, into the tower she sat on. With a nod of thanks, Ignatius moved silently up the stairs and pushed one of the stubbed iron doors wide. After a vigilant look around, he slipped in and let the door close behind.THE SILENCE I STEPPED INTO after all the noise from the shadow creatures felt unnerving. It looked like the first floor; dark wood walls and a thick rich carpet. Again, I could see no one around. Only a few feet before me stood a beautiful blue tank. Large and cylindrical, taller than me by another half easily. The warmth of the
The Birthright Series Chapter 242
COMPARED TO THE OTHER FLOORS this floor shone with light and I couldn't see any wood panelling, instead marbled dove grey stone walls and floors that reflected the light from ornate iron and glass lamps hanging from the ceiling. It felt like stepping into an art gallery, so pristine and modern; but the coppery scent of blood stopped me. I paused in the narrow corridor, ears straining to make out the strange grating sound I could hear. It seemed vaguely familiar, yet set my teeth on edge.Keeping my shield in place I followed the corridor around to the left and around further until I reached an archway. Peering through I saw a spacious corridor with archways into alcoves down either side. From this archway I could count three on the left and two on the right, although it looked like the end one on the left might lead to the stairwell. The archways had elaborate wrought iron detailing over the stone and more lamps hung down. That odd grating noise continued intermittently but I couldn't
The Birthright Series Chapter 243
KASSIE CLUNG TO THE SADDLE when Kerak dived with a screech and Rumal lunged up from a crouch, hurling another spear through the rapthna's head. The ancient dragon bellowed in pain and lashed out with its strong tail, making Phroma and Nesha take sudden evasive action. All the griffons scattered when the dragon roared and snapped, massive wings pumping the air while it shook its head and body, trying to get rid of the spears piercing it.'Phroma and Gredel's turn,' Kerak thought. 'Then we leave!'Kassie kept her eyes on the fight, refusing to look and see how their army did. Loi's hysteria echoed through their link and neither she nor Sian commented, but the feeling of despair at leaving those men reverberated from each girl.Focus! Sian thought sternly while they watched Phroma make a run for the dragon, Gredel sitting high with his crossbow ready.We mourn everyone if we don't succeed, Kassie thought to the girls, knowing her words were true but feeling like a traitor for thinking
The Birthright Series Chapter 244
THE DEAD SHADOW CREATURES MADE Ignatius smile grimly, their charred corpses a sure sign Cat passed this way, and he opened the door, alert for any sign of movement. The brightness of the stone walls and floor made him blink a moment, and he almost missed the warning buzz, feeling something brush past his head as he threw himself to the side. The giant scorpion lashed out again, and again. Ignatius lunged and scrambled to keep out the way, the smooth stone floor proving a hindrance as his boots slid over it.Making a desperate snatch for the bola, he hurled it out and the chained stones wrapped around the creature's tail. It weighted the tail enough that the scorpion couldn't lift it. Ignatius stood, sword in hand and dealt a fatal blow to the creature's head. Retrieving the bola, he jogged down the corridor, eyes searching for the door to the next staircase. The gruesome sights in each alcove didn't surprise him and the different species made him shake his head at the witch's audacity
The Birthright Series Chapter 245
THE BLUE GOO SMELLED FOUL, a sickly sweet you could almost taste, with an underlying tang of acid and decomposition.'Phew,' Sian exclaimed, blocking her nose when they crept past the mess left over from the empty tanks. 'I understand why Cat smashed them, but she could have thought of us behind her.'No one else said a word and Daron, his face tense, kept a tight hold on her hand. The gruesome display of the previous Elementals chilled them all, and then to find the plaques on the bases of the shattered tanks; Sian shuddered.Not happening, she thought, we don't belong in that psychopath's private collection.Rumal made a quiet sound and Daron dragged Sian over there, Sabyn and Loi right behind them. Kassie pointed at the open door through which they could see a stairwell, covered with the charred bodies of strange pale creatures. Sian stared at the talons and weirdly oversized jaws of the otherwise fine boned creatures and gingerly stepped over another, climbing the stairs behind
The Birthright Series Chapter 246
SILENTLY THANKING IGNATIUS FOR LOADING me up with so many weapons, I groped around my armour, hunting for the thin blade of elendite I knew he'd stashed somewhere.'Aha!' I whispered in triumph, slipping the blade out from under the rapthna plating on my lower back. 'Will this be strong enough?''Should be,' Alek breathed the words, his fingers exploring the blade. 'You don't usually carry this?''Thank Iggy,' I whispered, then pushed him back. 'Sit straight, I'd hate to slip.'I felt for the base, following the chain down and gave a tiny laugh of delight when I felt the padlock.'What?''Padlock. I'm not likely to get zapped, am I?''No. This room has crystals that block energy. You have to wear one to be able to use your gift.'I nodded and slipped the blade through the arm of the padlock, inwardly thanking the caretaker at my high school who'd shown me this trick with a screwdriver when I lost my locker key.'Pull the chain tight,' I instructed. It was as easy as it had bee
The Birthright Series Chapter 247
ALEK COULD FEEL HER HEART hammering through their link and knew his pounded just as fast. But it was too late to get between them now. Yakov enfolded Cat into his arms and an angry harsh sound slipped out of Alek's throat when the traitor gently cupped the back of her head, pressing a kiss to her temple. Once, watching the man he'd loved like a father embrace the woman he loved more than life itself, used to touch him. Now, knowing that man was directly responsible for the deaths of his parents and seeing Yakov stand beside that hellish sorceressit made watching him cradle Cat a terrifying ordeal.The tension between their linked energies told him that while Cat didn't understand the full extent of what had happened, she knew not to trust Yakov. Now Alek could only watch and hope her idea worked.'I AM SORRY,' HE WHISPERED in my ear while he held me and I couldn't help the tears that slipped out. For so long I'd ached for Alek, or Yakov, or my Earth dad and their strong, safe embra
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Paiga gasped and Mila stiffened. A glimmer of annoyance flashed in Mama's eyes before she reached for Luca.'Yes, they have. But we won't. We're tied together. We will go in together and come out. You have to trust in us Luca. We need your energy too, please keep the right thoughts in your mind.'Luca swallowed, throat convulsing. He nodded. 'Yes, Aunty Dan'iss.''Listen up everyone!'Uncle Harlon's shout made Mila jolt.'Hush, Mila,' Papa joggled her in the sling. 'You're going to be fine, I'm right here.' He wrapped his arms around her. Heart pounding with nerves, Mila pressed her cheek to Papa's chest, listening as Uncle Harlon gave the instructions.A glimmer of eyes appeared by Papa and a moment later she felt the brief touch of Ery's hand to her head.'Bye Ery,' she whispered. The air within the cave started to hum with energy, all the adults calling theirs up. It made the space warm and comforting. Mila started to doze off.'Hold on,' Uncle Harlon called out. 'Here we
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The conversation seemed easy after that.Ery showed the girls' how to swallow the worms whole. Mila screwed her nose up, grabbing her arms and shaking her head. 'No, no, no!'Paiga tried it. With a grimace, both Mila and Ery watching close, she plucked a wriggling worm up then dropped it in her mouth. Her eyes squeezed shut as she gulped the worm down in one swallow.She opened her eyes and stared at Mila and Ery. 'It tasted good!''Really?''Yes, sweet.'Mila shook her head when Ery offered her the last one, motioning it to her. 'No, you have it.' The mushrooms were yum, and the sparks continued as you swallowed it. It was impressive on Ery with her fine almost translucent skin. Mila and Paiga gasped as the sparks flashed in her throat before another dim flash in her tummy. It made all three of them laugh, the two girls giggling away while Ery coughed her laughter.Next was the flesh and berries. Ery showed them how to peel a piece of flesh away from the main then mush the be
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When the group came across a river, they stopped. After a careful taste test, dipping a crystal necklace in to check the quality, everyone was allowed to drink.Mila and Paiga wrinkled their noses at the odd smell. Like a cup of nellor left out for too long.'It won't hurt you, girls,' Papa said with a smile as he squatted to scoop water to his mouth. 'Drink up.'The two girls' sipped water from their cupped hands, giggling as it spilled out. The adults conversed as the two of them had fun flicking water at each other.An odd sound like a cough made Mila look up, Paiga too.Both girls gasped, stumbling back from the river.'Mila? What's wro-' Mama broke off as she looked up too.Uncle Harlon made a funning clicking noise.The strange looking person that clung to the ceiling with three others responded with clicks and whistles.Mama beckoned Mila and Paiga, and the two girls scampered to her side.'Mama, who are they?' Mila whispered, Paiga crowding close to hear the answer.
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With that entertainment gone, Mila went back to focusing on her feet. Pull one knee high while keeping balance and drop it. Each step seemed to make her head go lower. But she kept going, with Mama and Papa pulling her along. Finally, after what felt like hours and hours, Uncle Gydon said they could stop.'Take your rest, I'll be waking you in an hour to keep guard,' he motioned an uncle. 'Then you take an hour watch and wake the next. You get five hours rest. Make the most of it.'Papa and Mama and several other adults had bags with clothing. It all got pulled out and spread around the group, trying to provide a little warmth and comfort. Mila curled up between her parents, her head against Papa's chest. It seemed so cold and strange she didn't think she could sleep.Then she closed her eyes.'Mila, lovey, wake up.'Mila stirred at Mama's voice and the gentle touch of her hand on her back. She sat up with a jaw-splitting yawn. Blinking, she peered around in confusion.'Mama, a
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The air smelled cold, and something else, something Mila found familiar but out of place.'Mama,' she whispered. 'What's that smell?''What smell, lovey?''It smells like,' Mila paused, considering. 'It smells like the kitchen, when cook has fresh rabbits.'Mama didn't say anything but she looked at Papa.'I smell it,' said another voice from within the circle.'Me too.''Carrion?''Perhaps. The scent will carry when the air is still.'Not understanding what "carrion" meant, but glad that the adults appeared to have solved the smell, Mila relaxed a little, nose wrinkling at the sharp edge of that scent.Minutes ticked by as they covered good ground.'We're close,' said the man leading them. A screech flashed past overhead, the group twisting, following the sound.A man shouted.Mila's head snapped in the direction of the shout, just in time to glimpse the man's boots vanishing as something, something with enormous black wings, snatched him up!Shrieks of terror rang out
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Everyone moved. It surprised Mila how many people were here, but so many seemed to be missing too. Mama took her hand. On her other side was her younger cousin Paiga. Normally she annoyed Mila, with all the questions she asked, but the scared expression in her eyes reminded Mila of Addy. She offered her other hand to Paiga, who took it with a tentative smile.The group began to walk.Mila hadn't realized until now how tired she was. She stumbled over the riverbed the rocks stubbing her toes as she held Paiga and Mama's hands. It made tears run down her cheeks, but she didn't stop. On and on, picking her feet up, tripping, Mama's hand stopping her from falling. Paiga tripped and Mila managed to hold her arm high enough to stop her cousin from hitting the stones.'Thanks, Mila,' Paiga sounded like she felt. Ready to cry. So very tired.Around them the adults talked. Mila listened.'Where do we go?''The hidden caves. We can keep underground nearly all the way to the coast.''The
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Papa's energy sparked in alarm then Mama's too. Mila twisted to stare back at the way the sounds came from and spotted a bobbing light. Torch light.Mama and Papa kept low and began to move again, almost crawling. Mila crunched up against Papa's back, squinting at first then kept her head down to avoid the lower branches.The sounds of those approaching grew. Papa moved faster, Mama right behind. They scooted up higher, scrambling, and tucked against cold stone. Not a moment later the torches bobbed past, following the track they'd been on.The bobbing lights moved closer then away, and closer again. The voices, questioning but too quiet to make out the words, sounded near.Crouched against the narrow stone ledge, Papa and Mama held hands. The soft touch of their energy surrounded all three of them.The bobbing lights came closer, close enough that Mila saw the faces of those who held them. Five DeNaga men, armed with swords, axes, and clubs.Mila shivered at the sight of the
The Birthright Series Chapter 386
Now the puzzle looked a third smaller than when she'd stared, but instead of one beginning point to work from there were three. She regarded the three pieces while chewing on the inside of her cheek. Two circular and one rectangle. The rectangle had a large circular opening, about the size of the smaller circle. Mila focused on the larger circle and turned it around, looking for the switch. It looked different to the previous circles she'd worked with, the markings running out from the centre like a starburst. One line caught her eye. With a finger Mila traced down it then jolted when something clicked. She froze. Heart pounding in her ears, she watched the circle break apart, opening at all the lines of the starburst. With another click it moved into motion, each piece folding down on itself and merging with the next. A moment later a tiny gold ball like had been in the first puzzle piece hung before her eyes.Excitement ran through Mila when she realized how the pieces went togeth
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An array of squeals, bells, rattles and shrieks rang out. Face white Papa reached for them as something flashed out from amongst the lock trap, winding around his leg, wrenching him off his feet as it wound back in the blink of an eye.Mama gripped Mila tighter, her voice breaking on a note of despair, 'ZAYCK!'In the centre of the ceiling held by his ankles, hung Papa.Mama's energy holding Mila clutched even tighter as Mama set her on the ground then stood and reached out with both hands toward the lock, her energy glowing. Mila stared, waiting to see what happened.Mama stretched her energy out, probing gently.It touched the first puzzle piece. A clattering of chimes and screeches rang out, sparks flying.In the centre of the room, jerking like a fish caught on a line, Papa made an awful shriek.Mila dropped, hugging her knees to her forehead, stomach and mind sick from that sound.Papa was the bravest, strongest man in the world.He couldn't be caught, be hurting.Who wo
