Dorlan stands at the entrance while the orc moves in, heading to the stalls and kicks each doors one by one, causing them to slam against the metal walls. When he finds them empty, he walks over to the large mirror and stands in front of the sink with the dripping faucet. He stares into the mirror as if searching for some way out through it and then looks down at the sink. I watch, peeking over Alorn’s coat, holding my breath. If he turns off the faucet, it will take only seconds for the sugar to lose its binding and exposing all of us.
A commotion from outside catches the orc’s attention, but Dorlan ignores the noise and step to the center of the room. The orc spins on him. “What is it, elf?”
Dorlan ignores him and continues to scan the room, his eyes roaming past us, but they flicker back to our spot. I see him reach for his weapon and the orc goes into a defensive stance, his hands on his own blades. I shut my eyes quickly and think of the peaceful clearing of gold and crystal; a place that holds a piece of my heart.
Afraid to open my eyes and give our location away, it is a relief when a minute later I hear the door to the bathroom open and close. I feel Alorn move while Julia and I relax. We make a move to get out of his hold but he stops us when he invades our thoughts.
“Lily, can you go into the drifting state? I need to know how they knew where to find you.” I stare up at him, struck motionless by his request.
“Me? Why don’t you go? I know you can, Tharin told me you can.”
“I would, but can you hold up all of us within this shield if I go into the drifting state?” He arches a brow and waits for my response. I have none. I look at him in resignation and glance at Julia as she nods in agreement with Alorn.
I slip out of the shield and glance back to see Alorn catch me in his arms, holding me up as Julia reaches for my head and places it on Alorn’s chest. I sigh as I face the door to the restroom and make my way over to it. As I pass through it I immediately find the shadow in the corner, hiding just behind Dorlan. I am pretty sure the others can’t see me in the drifting state, but I am not sure about Harlu. He may not only have my ability to drift, but also have Alorn’s and Tharin’s ability to see those in the drifting state.
There are only three booths, including the booth Julia and I shared, along with three tables that seat four each. Before we made our way to the restrooms, the diner was more than half full. Now, the tables are empty and chairs either kicked aside or pushed over quickly as the customers cleared out of the diner when the Ange appeared. I move to look behind the counter to find our waitress and the younger one hugging each other desperately, their faces lowered and hidden from the assassins. Even though I can see them making an effort not to bring attention to themselves, the younger of the two cries onto the other’s shoulder.
In the dining area Janlu has the cook, probably the owner of the diner, in one of the booths, his hand firmly on the cook’s shoulder. The man grimaces as the assassin puts pressure onto his collar bone. The middle aged owner, sandy brown hair and a short beard looks at the elf with nervous eyes, his fear of the strange group surrounding him apparent on his face.
“It’s a simple question,” sooths Harlu, sitting at a table next to the cook. “I only ask what happened to the two young ladies who were here just a minute ago.”
“I swear to you,” the cook pleads, trembling. “I don’t know who you’re talking about. I’ve been cooking all morning and we’ve been busy. It just slowed down about half an hour ago. I don’t remember any young girls.”
“Hmmm,” replies Harlu. He gives the orc a signal and Morlo makes his way behind the counter. My heart stops when I realize he is going after the waitresses. The young girl screams when he grabs her by the arm and hauls her before him. The terror on the her face disturbs me; she can’t be more than sixteen.
The cook quickly tries to rise, but Janlu forces him back into his seat. “Please, don’t hurt my daughter, she doesn’t know anything...please, I’m telling you we don’t know who you’re talking about...please!”
Harlu ignores the man’s pleas and stands in a gentlemanly manner as he takes the young waitress’ hand. “Tsk, tsk, Morlo, that’s no way to treat a lady,” he chastises the orc.
Frightened, the girl lets Harlu lead her to his seat and sits facing her dad, the resemblance is obvious. She looks at the cook, terror in her eyes and even from where I hide I can see her need to rush to her dad’s side. But the fear keeps her in place.
“Now,” says Harlu looking at the girl’s face and then at her name tag. “Becca, is it? All right. Now, Becca, you were serving this morning, correct?” She nods her head quickly. “And did you serve the two girls at…let’s see,” he turns toward the last booth Julia and I had occupied, “at that booth there, correct?” She shakes her head no. “Ah, see,” he says turning to the cook. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” He smiles turning back to the girl. “So, if you didn’t serve them, I am to assume that the lovely lady behind the counter did?”
“I don’t...I don’t know,” she cries, looking at her dad for help.
Before anyone realizes, the hooded woman is in front of the girl and her hand whips the girl’s head backward with a loud slap. She hits Becca so hard I think her head would snap off. Again the cook struggles to get up, but this time Janlu knocks him closed fisted back into the seat. The cook is now openly crying along with his daughter.
“Stop it! Stop it, please!” cries the waitress from behind the counter, now standing and yelling at the group.
Morlo reaches over, grabs the woman by the hair and pulls her over roughly. The poor woman lands hard on the floor. The orc pulls her up by the hair, bringing her to sit in a chair next to Becca. Immediately Becca reaches for the older woman who grabs her desperately, holding Becca tightly to her. Here the family resemblance is even more obvious – the older woman must be Becca’s mother.
“Oh,” sighs Harlu as if put upon.
Harlu takes another chair and sits in front of the waitresses, looking exasperated by the scene before him.
“So much drama over a small love tap.”
He looks at the hooded woman and says, “You play too rough, my dear.”
“They were here, but we didn’t see them leave...please, it’s true,” pleads the mother, holding onto Becca for dear life.
“She’s telling you the truth,” adds the husband, still bowled over by Janlu’s punch. “Please, we don’t know who you’re talking about or where they went.”
Harlu lifts his feet up and places them on Becca’s lap and the girl flinches, but doesn’t move to push them off her.
“Ah, this is boring. I suppose my sister has learned to use her abilities, and they may already be out of town by now.”
He lays his head back staring up at the ceiling and for a moment no one says a word. The room becomes quiet, except for Becca’s quiet weeping. Harlu’s head snaps up and he stares directly at the corner I’m standing in. I freeze and cast my eyes elsewhere. I calm my breathing and clear my thoughts as I try to keep my focus away from him. With only Alorn, Julia and me, we are no match for the five of them. Maybe Alorn can take a few out, but with them working together they would take him down eventually. I continue to keep my focus outside the diner hoping for someone, anyone to call to for help.
I hear Harlu sigh heavily and Becca cries out. I look over at the girl and see Harlu digging his heels into her thighs and I feel my anger boiling. Both of Becca’s parents react too, but Janlu knocks the cook back down, this time sending him to the floor and the woman assassin yanks hard on the mother’s hair causing her to give a painful yelp.
Enough. I can’t take this anymore.
I pull the air from the room, sucking it like a vortex, and with the force of my anger I blast the air back out into the diner shattering the windows outward in a million pieces. Along with the broken glass, everyone who is in the diner is thrown out into the street. Screams and cars screeching fill the air and I stare out at the scene shocked. Crap.
I stand heaving
and notice movement from the restroom area. Julia and Alorn move quickly past me and around the counter to the back rooms. I watch the warrior elf carry my body slung over his shoulder and he glances back my way indicating I follow quickly.
I come awake bouncing against Alorn’s back and I look out toward the streets as the Ange slowly shake off the effects from the blast. I anxiously look for the cook and his family and see them thrown further away from the assassin group. I sigh in relief when I see Becca’s mom reach out to her as people run to their aid. The cook is laying flat on his back, but he moves his hand carefully to his head, trying to rub at his eyes.
As soon as Alorn feels me move, he places me on my feet but doesn’t wait. He drags me after him and Julia as we make our way to the back of the kitchen. Once outside, Alorn looks down at me and asks, “Are you hurt? Can you keep up with me?”
“You mean in elf mode?” I reply.
He raises a brow at me, “Elf mode?”
I nod. “Yeah, you know...when you guys go at top speed in a blink of an eye.”
He stares at me for a moment before shaking his head and say, “Yeah, elf mode. Can you keep up?”
“I don’t know if I can go for very long, but I’ll try.”
He nods and pulls Julia to him. He looks down at her and says, “Hold on.”
~ * ~
Chapter Four
~ Tharin ~
The shadows shift with the movements of the trees and the bystanders mingling within the park. I pay close attention to the shadows that don’t move, watching for hidden threats.
“Tolan, any sign of Alorn?” I stay focused on Alorn, not wanting to get distracted by my concern for Lily.
“No, Tharin. Either they haven’t arrived, or they’re within a thela,” replies Tolan, concern lacing his words.
“Have the dryads of this area responded yet?”
Tolan reached out to the trees ten minutes ago and they have not responded. My fear is that Alorn, Lily and Julia have been delayed by the Ange.
“Not yet. They’re talking among themselves. I sense their call, but they’re using the ancient language of the Druids. I can’t make out what they’re saying.”
This area of the park is open, splattered with trees and a variety of bushes and wild flowers. Natural architected walkways manipulated by man to enhance nature’s beauty, as if nature needs any help, lead to several paths. I don’t know if this is the area where Alorn would end up, but I feel the call of the boab tree, the Giga Jumulu; her real name forgotten in the fathoms of time. She will reach out to Lily, pulling Lily to her. There is a possibility Lily’s shields have become stronger and will dull the old boab’s pull, but I am taking a chance Lily’s sensitivity to the boab’s pain will bring her here.
I glance to where the Giga Jumulu is located; a barrier to keep the humans at a distance surrounds her. Mellis is standing close by looking for the boab’s dryad, but unlike Si’i who was bound by Alorn to deliver a message, the dryad for the boab is not so obligated. Ziri has hidden himself in the nearby gum tree grove, waiting quietly.
“Mellis, has Alorn answered any of the spheres?” I ask, trying to keep the worry out of my thoughts.
No answer. I turn back to where he was standing and he’s gone. Damn it.
“Mellis, this isn’t the time to go off sightseeing, where are you?” Still no answer.
I am going to have a serious talk with Mellis when I get my hands on him.
“Ziri, Mellis is missing, find him.” No answer.
Mellis going off on his own is one thing, but Ziri. Not likely. I alert Tolan and he is at my side instantly.
“I’ve lost contact with Mellis and Ziri.”
“What?” Tolan glances discreetly around him.
“As annoying as it is, Mellis never takes off without reason,” I say as I scan the area. “We have to assume Ziri is with him. There is no way Ziri would be taken without a fight. We would have heard something if that was the case and Ziri is no easy target. I’m sure he’s with Mellis.”
Tolan nods. “We’re sticking out like sore thumbs with our coats.”
He is right, but our coats are our sheathes for our equipment and weapons. Discarding them is out of the question.
“Can you get us into a thela?” I ask.
“Maybe with the trees outside the botanic area,” answers Tolan. “We should find help there.”
“Tharin, we’re at the patch of gum trees. Alorn, Lily and Julia are here,” comes the welcome thoughts of Mellis; my earlier annoyance forgotten at hearing Lily is with him.
I send a quick thought to Tolan and he makes a u-turn catching up with me in a few seconds, his pace matching mine.
The gum trees are planted close together giving us ample areas of seclusion, but I send a quick command to Tolan to find us a thela to accommodate everyone. Once we jump the rope barriers, we take off and before I know it, Lily comes into my line of view. I slow my pace, and my breathing, as I watch her with her head lowered, speaking with Julia quietly. I sense Tolan slowing next to me as well. Like me, he seems to hesitate as he nears Julia, but watches her closely. I let Alorn’s approach distract me as I pull myself together after seeing Lily for the first time since she left Velesi. My anger at her leaving without telling me returns and I let my time with Alorn temper my emotions.
Tolan ignores Alorn altogether, walking past him and eyes focused only on Julia. I watch as she lifts her head, spotting him as he approaches. Her eyes widen and she takes a step away from Lily, planting her feet. As for Lily, her eyes are locked on me, but I give Alorn my attention as he nears. I keep my eyes on him and have this weird feeling he is about to roll his eyes. That would be a first for the warrior. There is something else there. A fleeting, unfamiliar look in my cousin’s eyes. I let the moment go, knowing Alorn would share his concerns with me when he was ready.
“We need to map out a plan to return to the tower,” I say to Alorn. “Let’s catch up later.”
Alorn remains quiet and it is his silence that makes me turn to face him. Again, the same strange look comes over him but before I can question him, he lowers his eyes, bowing slightly and walks away. I watch as he leaves, suddenly concerned by his odd behavior. Has something happened since I last spoke with him? I know Phoris’ death affected everyone, but out of all of us, Alorn internalized his feelings the most.
I let out a sigh and am about to turn to Lily when next to me she says, “Is everything all right, Tharin?”
I look down at her as she stares after Alorn. I place my hand on her shoulder until she turns to me. Without hesitation, I ask, “Why did you leave me, Lily?”
By the look on her face, I realize that wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
She sighs. “Tharin, I left because I wanted to get the key from Julia for you. I also wanted to find my friend. I needed her.”
“Needed her? I was there if you needed someone,” I reply.
“No, you weren’t. You were with Kalis,” she counters.
Talk about being cut at the knees. She turns away to stare after Alorn once again.
I sigh heavily, changing the subject. “You don’t have to prove anything to me by going off on your own; especially for something that would put you in danger.” I let my anger return because I still feel the sting of her remark. “Don’t take off like that again.”
Lily takes a breath, lifting her chin. “Listen, you may be Tharin Lunar, the future king of Velesi, but I’m not married to you yet. So stop ordering me around.” She stares at challengingly.
I don’t care. She is here, in front of me, close enough for me to grab hold of if she decides to run from me again.
“Listen,” I say, folding my arms as I look down at her. “You may be Queen Lilianethia of the Willow Clan, but you are my betrothed and when I say that you’re never to leave my side, you will do as I say.”
I see the fire in her eyes and the determined set of her mouth. She points a finger at my chest, a habit she has, and says, “I don’t c
are who you are or what I’m going to be in your life. I will leave whenever I feel like it.”
She turns to go, but I catch her by the arm. She attempts to struggle from my grip as I pull her to me, catching her lips with my own. She is still for a moment, and a moment is all it takes as she leans into me, allowing me to support her weight. I savor the moment, and a relief overcomes me that is so great it almost knocks me off my feet. And my world is right once again.
The kiss becomes intoxicating and I feel her move against me, unknowingly invoking a desperate need. I pull upward without disconnecting physically; her innocence will be my undoing. She seems to sense my retreat and she holds on tighter, grabbing at my coat refusing to end it. With an effort that becomes a physical pain, I release her lips and hold her tightly. She buries her face into my chest, a sense of confusion and frustration running through her body as she trembles against me.
“Don’t ever leave like that again, Lily. I’m asking you…please. You scared the hell out of me and I would never forgive myself if something should ever happen to you,” I whisper in her ear.
She doesn’t answer, but continues to tremble, nodding her consent.
“I love you, Lily.”
Her arms snake around my waist, holding onto me as if her life depended on it. This feeling of belonging, of needing to keep her safe overwhelms me and despite the fact she hasn’t said the words yet, I give in to her.
“Tharin, where’s Ziri?” Alorn’s alarmed thought intrudes.
I look up, scanning the area. Mellis is sitting against a tree with his eyes closed. Tolan and Julia are in an intense conversation of their own several yards from us; and although he reached out to me, Alorn is not within my sight.
“Mellis, do you know where Ziri is? Wasn’t he with you?” I ask.
I watch as he lifts his head, turning toward us. Mellis looks about him and then back at me, shrugging his shoulders. I let go of Lily, but hold onto her hand.