Pieces of Jade

  A muffled scream and the frantic rattling of chains, coming from the thread I’d been following, sent my already terrified heart pounding fiercely. I twisted my head around and winced as the pounding in my head increased.

  Even in the failing light I could make out the familiar and disheveled form of Clay, his mouth gagged, his hands chained above his head, forcing him to stand. His feet were also in shackles, which rattled as he swayed.

  The door groaned open, bringing in a wave of fresh air that stirred up the sulfur. Two people entered: a guard I recognized and Larissa, a powerful Guardian who was well-known for an eccentric streak that bordered on cruelty. Her long, black curls hung unbound to her waist, her eyes almost as dark as her hair. Her magical essence filled the room, like a midnight cloud obscuring the moon. She tapped long colored fingernails against her lips. Few knew that her nails magically shifted colors to detect people’s lies. Robert, the guard, was swinging a lantern from his arm and its light glistened off the rows of grimy, rusty tools arranged on a table next to the door. Sweat dripped between my shoulder blades as he picked up a sickle and ran its sharp edge against a whetstone.

  Smiling sickeningly, he brought the tip to my ear, allowing the curve of the blade to wrap like a snake around my neck. My breath caught in my throat as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pressed them back against his solid chest. My teeth chattered freely as I sucked in air, trying to shrink away from the curved blade at my throat.

  The swishing sound grew louder, fragmenting toward other locations. It dulled my pain as it called to me, pulsing in distinct steady rhythms.

  Larissa strolled from her place next to the door, walking out of my range of my vision. With a violent twist, Robert spun my chair around in time to see Larissa remove the gag from Clay’s mouth.

  “Let her go,” Clay shouted instantly, rattling the chains that bound him.

  “We won’t hurt her,” Larissa said, with a silky smile. “If you answer a few questions, of course.”

  Clay glared at her fiercely and pressed his lips together.

  “Don’t answer her,” I tried to tell him, but my tongue was still awkward in my mouth and my words made no sense.

  “What did you do to her?” Clay demanded, his face turning red.

  “We numbed her senses. She seems to have a bit of power.” Larissa spared me a glance before returning her attention to Clay. “Where are the three others that were with you?”

  They hadn’t found Pearl, Lafe, or William. Joy leapt in my chest. Clay must have had the same feeling because his eyes snapped to mine and he winked at me.

  “No answer?”

  He shook his head.

  “We shall see if this loosens your tongue.”

  Mumbling a spell and flicking a finger at me, Larissa sent pain blazing through me. Robert lowered the sickle and moved away from me while my body shook, spears of pain lancing every part of me. Bursts of white light exploded in front of my eyes, and a guttural scream ripped from my throat. The cries echoed off the walls like a discordant choir of bells. Clay's furious demands to stop added to the din, and I forced myself to catch his eyes, shaking my head and begging him not to give them what they wanted. Hot, salty tears streamed down my cheeks.

  I tried to reach for my magic, but couldn’t find it. It was like someone had put a wet blanket over the fire of my power, smothering even the tiniest embers. When I was on the brink of unconsciousness, Larissa's manicured finger lowered and the pain ebbed. I could barely think; I was only vaguely aware of my body slumped against the chair, taking in ragged, panting breaths of pure survival. Clay's screams had stopped as well, and aside from my labored breathing, the only sound to be heard was Larissa's satisfied laughter.

  How long could I last?

  Everyone had a breaking point. Inching back up into my chair, I glared at Larissa, hatred flooding my chest. I had never been on friendly terms with her, although she had always been respectful. But Larissa had never been possessed of the nurturing kindness many of the other Guardians had. The easiness of her manner suggested a comfort and confidence that only came with years of practice. How many people had she tortured in this room?

  She stalked toward Clay, the magic building in her upraised fingers. The rhythmic swishing echoed more loudly in my ears and body, one branch quickening slightly. I rattled in my chair, desperate for her attention to return to me.

  “Done already, Larissa?” I choked out. She startled at the sound of her name and wheeled around, her eyes glinting with suspicion. She raised her hand at me and cast, slipping a magical muzzle over my mouth. Then she cast again, a jolt of agony convulsing through me. I opened my mouth to scream, but the seal over my lips silenced my cries.

  Clay paled. “Stop! I’ll answer your questions; she doesn't know anything.” Larissa seductively caressed Clay’s cheek, leaning in close to him. “Such a handsome face. I would hate for Robert to have to destroy it.”

  Clay jerked his head sharply away. “Ask what you want.”

  “Why did you sneak into the palace?” Her voice lost its silky purr and changed to a deep alto of authority.

  “We wanted to steal the Emmía’s blood,” Clay lied smoothly.

  Larissa frowned as she examined her black nails and her mouth puckered. “Do not lie to me.” She slapped him harshly across the cheek, filling the room with the clatter of the chains that held him fast.

  “How did you get through the barrier?” she demanded.

  Clay met her gaze and answered truthfully. “We came through with Dorian, the Hound. We were covered by a spell so no one could see us.”

  Larissa looked down at her nails again and I watched the color change to purple. Larissa's face blanched and she let out a gasp. “It isn’t possible. There is no such spell! Which Guardian helped you?”

  Clay stared mutely at the wall, and Larissa slapped him again. He squared his shoulders, spitting at her, his saliva red with blood. His eyes flashed silver, frosting over with an iciness I had never seen before.

  Larissa paced around him, considering, and tapped one of her long, talon-like nails against her lip before starting a new line of questioning. “Who are you?”

  “Clayton Fredricks.”

  Larissa examined her hand and nodded to herself. “Are you a citizen of the kingdom?”

  The vein in Clay’s neck pulsed. “No.”

  She ran a finger along her nails watching them closely. “Another lie. Who are your people?”

  “I have no people. My family is dead.”

  “Stop lying,” she said, studying her nails, and I saw them change to black in an instant. She pointed toward me and Clay burst in with an explanation before the pain could begin again.

  “I do have a sister-in-law. A widow. My brother is dead.”

  Again Larissa glanced at her fingers. “You lie; your brother lives.” Clay and I exchanged looks again. I fought the trembling of a smile despite our circumstances. Larissa pursed her lips for a moment. “Who is this woman?” She gestured toward me.

  Clay hesitated before admitting, “Sheridan. She is my sister-in-law.”

  Larissa looked at her nails, now a deep purple. Amusement flooded her face and she looked at me and laughed. “Indeed? Tell me, what do you know of her and her people?”

  Clay raised and lowered his shoulders. “Nothing.”

  She scoffed at him. “You know she is a witch.” Clay went silent. “Is your brother much older than you?”

  “A year.”

  “Is he as handsome as you?”

  “Some would say so.”

  “Then he married her for her magic.”

  “No.”

  She considered that. “Then why would a young, handsome man marry her? Surely you don't expect me to believe that he married her of his own free will?”

  Clay shook his head. “The ship’s crew insisted that only a married woman could remain on board, and he volunteered to wed her.”

  The Guardian raised an amused eyebrow. “So, you
’re a sailor?”

  Clay closed his eyes at the slip of his tongue, as if it were a physical blow.

  It didn't escape Larissa's notice. “A sailor and a member of the kingdom. Did you learn your trade here at the Academy?”

  I could see his jaw tightening. “Yes.”

  “Did you graduate?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don't recognize you. Were you dismissed from the navy?”

  His nostrils flared and his chest heaved. “No.”

  My mind stumbled on that new piece of information. He not only graduated from the Academy, but had been part of the navy? Had he known my father, or the Admiral? When he’d met the Admiral during the battle, they hadn’t seemed to know each other.

  “Do you know anything about the Emmía’s location?” Larissa pressed, looking like an animal narrowing in for the kill.

  “No,” Clay answered. “I fear she might be dead.”

  Larissa stared at her nails, her expression confused. “Hmm . . . and how long has this woman been a part of your crew?”

  “A few weeks.”

  “Why did you trespass into the kingdom today?”

  He worked the muscles on his neck and pressed his lips together.

  “You’re only causing her pain,” she said, waving her finger at me and sending a jolt of pain through me.

  With hate in his eyes Clay answered. “To rescue a prisoner.”

  “Which one?”

  Another agonizing wave shocked me. I shook my head at Clay, begging him not to answer, but he lowered his head. “Pearl, the Emmía’s sister.”

  “And why do this for the Emmía?”

  When he didn’t answer right away, she jolted me again.

  “Because I love her,” he said through clenched teeth. “Sheridan told me they had Jade’s sister and I came to rescue her.”

  Larissa glanced at her purple nails and her eyes narrowed malevolently. She spun on me, her eyes regarding me with a sudden suspicion.

  “I knew your name sounded familiar,” she said after a long pause. She gave Clay her attention once more. “This woman is a burden to you. No doubt she used her magic to seduce and control your brother, and convinced you to break into the kingdom. You will not be held fully accountable for your part in the crimes committed since you acted under her enchantment.” She came to stand in front of Clay again and leaned in to purr into his ear. “I could rid you of her, for you and your brother.”

  Clay leaned away, appearing repulsed. “No.”

  Larissa's sultry smile melted into a grimace of loathing, twisting her beautiful face into something barely human. She glided toward me with lethal agility and grabbed a dagger from Robert's sheath, placing the blade sharply against my throat. “If she knows nothing, maybe I’ll just kill her now.”

  I shook my head at Clay again, and winced as the sharp blade sliced at my neck, drawing blood. The pulsing thrums returned to my ears, my senses.

  “Stop it! Don’t hurt her!” Clay struggled wildly against his restraints, perspiration soaking thorough his shirt, blood trickling from his wrists.

  The pressure from the knife held firm as Larissa's face became incredulous. “You care about her.” It was a statement, not a question, and her voice held nothing but amazement.

  A sickening thought trickled through my mind. To save me, Clay would tell her everything he knew, but my whole story was a lie and she would kill him for it.

  “Tell me,” Larissa asked, her voice full of interest now, “does her ‘husband’ care about her, love her, old as she is?”

  Clay started to shake his head, but stopped when he saw her nails darken. He squeezed his eyes shut as if in pain and then admitted, “Yes! He loves her!”

  “And what about you? Do you care about her?”

  “Yes.”

  “I must admit, I’ve never been so astonished!” She laughed. “It’s good you care for her, since you claim to love her enough to risk your life.”

  Clay looked as if he’d been slapped and I winced at her brutal announcement.

  “Are you in love with your brother’s wife? Do you lust after her?”

  Clay shook his head, not bothering to answer.

  “Answer me!” She cast a spell and my skin stung like a swarm of angry yellow jackets was assaulting me. Larissa unwound the spell that bound my mouth so Clay could hear my screams of pain. I bit my tongue, trying to bear it without a sound, but a whimper still escaped.

  Clay twisted in his chains. “No, I don’t lust after her. I’m not in love with her.”

  Larissa eyed me carefully. “Interesting. He thinks he’s telling the truth.”

  Clay snorted. “I’m not lying.”

  Clay's reaction only fueled Larissa's enjoyment, and she let out a high-pitched giggle. “He doesn’t believe me.” She pressed the blade firmer against my throat. “Tell me, does he fancy himself in love with you?”

  I pinched my lips together in silent refusal, but the knife dug deeper into my skin, drawing blood, which pooled at the base of my throat. One branch of the pulsing energy, nearer than the others, surged toward me, its tendrils clawing almost jealously at me, asking me to direct them.

  “If you don’t answer, I will slit his throat and you can watch him die.” She tilted her head to the side. “You know, I remember your husband. I had fun with him in this room. I remember the way his screams echoed. It was beautiful.”

  I swung my head to stare at Larissa, barely noticing the blade pushing further into my skin. She’d been the one to apply the flames that burned his flesh—the one who’d put that look of despair into his beautiful eyes?

  I wanted . . . needed to hurt her, to make her pay.

  The chair creaked as I rocked back and forth, the rope chafing into my skin.

  She giggled. “I asked you a question. Does he fancy himself in love with you? If you don’t want to answer, I could try the Guardian Flames on Clayton.”

  “Yes!” I shouted. “He thinks he’s in love with me.”

  “What?” Clay asked. I couldn’t meet his eyes, so I stared at Larissa.

  “What is your name?” she asked me sweetly.

  “Sheridan,” I answered promptly.

  She didn’t even glance at her nails. “No, your full name?”

  “Jade Sheridan Crawford,” I said, knowing I could no longer lie.

  A smiling Larissa blew some powder in my face. I blinked as it settled along my lashes, tickling my nose and coating my tongue. My skin rippled and tightened. The age spots vanished, my fingers smoothed, their nails softening. My gray hair thickened, coloring back to blonde. In the space of a few heartbeats, I was young again, no longer in disguise.

  Clay gasped, shaking his head. “No.” His blue eyes widened; his eyebrows rose. I met his gaze for a second before glaring at a cackling Larissa.

  She dropped the knife and walked toward Clay, then patted him on the cheek. “You’re the man who started all this trouble.” She kept her eyes on him, but her words were directed at me. “It makes perfect sense that you ran back to him. But he didn’t want you, so you took his brother instead? Stupid, spoiled little girl. First you abandoned your people. Then you bring these pirates to steal from us? Did your time in the Wastelands somehow turn you into a savage?”

  “I came to rescue my sister.”

  “Too bad you failed. She’s under lock and key in the tower.”

  “Is she?”

  She moved to me, crouching low so we were eye to eye. “The king has issued you a pardon. All is forgiven. You can return home.” Her smile twisted cruelly. “And James misses you.”

  It was everything I’d once wanted, what the Jade who had fled the kingdom would have wept to hear, but not anymore. “I don’t require their forgiveness. And this is no longer my home.”

  “Don’t believe these . . . savages.” She pointed toward Clay. “They will fill your mind with lies.”

  “If only their words were lies.”

  “You’ll never escape; you’re t
oo weak. But if you cooperate, your family will be left alone. If not, they will be hunted down and killed like the savages they are. When we find them—and we will—I will personally torture everyone you love: Pearl, your parents, your newfound friend the pirate.” She spat the word out like a bitter taste. Her nostrils flared and the pulse at her neck raced. “They’ll feel my power; I promise!”

  She hit me again and blood trailed from the corner of my lip. The energy I’d felt earlier surged again, its tendrils shooting directly from where Larissa stood, beating so strongly it overshadowed everything else. My ears heard its rhythmic beating and my eyes studied Larissa’s throat, her pulse keeping pace with the cadence in my core, perfectly in synch. Was I feeling the blood flowing through her veins? Blood magic had always been my strongest gift, unable to be bound. Could I control it? I concentrated on that point, felt at the tendrils, testing I tried to stop her pulse, to shut off the flow of her blood, but it was like holding back a river, bowling over my attempt.

  She brought her hands together, not quite touching, and a small fire appeared between them. I knew that spell. Once formed, her Guardian Flames would burn her victim’s flesh slowly, searing through one layer at a time.

  In my mind, I called to her blood again. I couldn’t stop it, but maybe I could divert it. Pushing gently, I directed it outward, away from her vitals. Her flames wavered, but her heart compensated, speeding up, and the flames between her hands grew. I pushed with all I had, sending blood to her fingers and toes, anywhere but her heart. Her expression faltered and she clutched at her chest, letting the flames evaporate, as her heart struggled to fight on without blood.

  “What’s happening?” She asked, folding in half. “I can’t . . . I . . .”

  She dropped in a heap. I felt toward a wide-eyed Robert, and found the threads that were his. I reached out to his blood, and soon he staggered as well, his fingers dropping his sword to claw at the skin over his heart. His fear-filled eyes turned to me before he fell to the floor, next to Larissa.

  The only sound was Clay’s harsh breath. “Did you do that?”