Gale Season

Chapter Twelve

Arim took Cadmus’ face in his hands and with a burst of light healed him. Aerolus watched, pleased, as his brother’s watery gaze again appeared normal.

“Are you sure you feel up to this?” Arim stared with concern.

Cadmus nodded.

“I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me where you’ve been for the past forty-eight hours.”

“Ah, actually, someone at work got sick, and I—”

Arim held up a hand. “Forget it. I’ll worm it out of you when you’re asleep.” He chuckled at the look of horror in his nephew’s face.

Cadmus turned to Aerolus. “He can’t do that if I maintain my safeguards, can he?”

“Why ask him?” Arim drew a circle in the floor using a bowl of ash that suddenly appeared at his fingertips. “Where do you think he got his ability to read dreams? Not from your mother.”

“From you?” Cadmus croaked, staring from Aerolus to Arim with bug eyes.

“Ignore him.” Aerolus shot Arim a dark look. “We have more important things to do than worry about what floats and sinks in your shallow mind.” Cadmus looked affronted. “Alandra is sitting in Aelle somewhere, and pray the Light she’s well. Because if she’s not, my vengeance will be swift.” And deadly.

He could feel twin storms behind his eyes, winds and thunder begging to be let loose. Lightning burned in his belly, the need for justice like a hunger that gnawed for sustenance.

A darker, deeper void than the one leading to Tanselm appeared on the floor.

“Step through it,” Arim ordered, waiting for Cadmus.

Cadmus took a step forward, then he swore and shook his head. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” Arim said heatedly, his patience seeming at an end.

“No, I honestly can’t. Something won’t let me leave.” He took another step forward and stopped, as if pulled back by a string. “Damn him!”

“I thought it was damn her, as in Ellie Markham,” Arim said dryly.

Cadmus stared at Arim in shock. “You know who she is?”

“Yes, and I’m surprised she’s not here with you now.”

Cadmus swallowed. Aerolus ached to find his affai, but concern for his brother reared. “What is it, Cadmus, that you’re not telling us? Quickly, brother. My future hangs in the balance here.” He stared at the floor.

“As does mine. I can’t leave earth without, ah, protection.”

“Protection? What the hell am I here for?” Arim’s voice rose.

“Djinn protection,” Cadmus muttered, a scowl growing on his face. “Dammit, I pledged my oath I wouldn’t leave this plane without them. It was the only way I could get away to let Darius and Marcus know about the attacks.”

“And when we leave, the Djinn will come for you?” Arim wanted to know.

“I assume.”

“Then let them show themselves now. I’m not leaving until I know you’re not alone.”

Cadmus swore, in several languages. “You can’t do that! I’m not a child. I don’t need a keeper. Fuck! I want to go with you, but I’m bound by my oath. I can at least create a diversion here to distract ‘Sin Garu. I’ll—”

“Be right here, with me.” A voice whispered from Cadmus’ back, and the three Light Bringers threw up shields as they watched Cadmus’ shadow lengthen and stand, turning from shade into a man.

Jonas Chase blinked at them and shielded his eyes. “Nice to see you all again.”

“Not you.” Cadmus groaned. “I thought I’d left you with the others.”

“Glad to see you too, Earth Lord.” Jonas glared at Cadmus but held a hand out to Arim. “Go ahead, sorcerer, verify for yourself your nephew will come to no harm in my care.”

Arim reached out and took Jonas’ hand. Time seemed to stand still as Aerolus’ uncle stared into Jonas’ gleaming amber gaze. Surprised and pleased to see Jonas, the Djinn who’d aided them weeks ago by thrusting ‘Sin Garu into the between, Aerolus knew his brother would be safe while they battled to free Alandra.

“We must hurry.” Aerolus stared at the floor, ready to leave with or without Arim. His senses were telling him Alandra was in danger, more than at any other time since she’d been abducted. “Cadmus, remain strong. And try not to irritate the Djinn as much as you do the rest of us.”

Cadmus scowled. “Sure thing, windboy. A word of advice,” he said, reaching out to stop Aerolus before he could step through the floor. “Keep clear of Lidra. The battle for Aelle must be waged between her and Alandra alone. Do not interfere, no matter what you see.”

Aerolus paused and nodded slowly, not sure he could keep such a promise, but knowing his brother cautioned him for a reason. Cadmus squeezed his arm tight, then released him and stepped back from the shrinking gateway.

“Good luck, Aerolus. Sava’s waiting for you in his tower, Arim. Find him, quickly.”

Arim nodded and looked one final time at Jonas, who nodded, bowing respectfully.

“May your battle be filled with Dark measures, and even darker victory.” Jonas wished them well and jerked Cadmus back from the void in the floor when he would have stepped into it.

“Dammit, get your hands off me, you piece of—”

“And good luck to you as well,” Arim said with a knowing glance at Cadmus. He nodded to Aerolus, and they stepped down together, both ready to fight for what might be the last time.

“What do you think, Lexa, is she or is she not a suitable queen for the Dark King of Tanselm?” B’alen nodded to Lidra lying still beneath the dark canopy of leaves in her inner court. The dais and several tables still stood where they had only hours ago when the council had debated Alandra’s homecoming. He still found it intriguing that only weeks here had passed while an entire year flew by in the magicless plane where the Storm Lords had hidden.

“You’re kidding me, right?” His sister sounded amused. At least she’d lost that rosy glow of innocence that had been so vexing when they’d first found her.

B’alen sighed. “She is pathetic, isn’t she?” He and Lexa studied Lidra, aware an Aellein blood drinker, while rare, was not entirely a new creation.

“What did you do to her?” Lexa stared at Lidra dispassionately, no fan of the Aellei in the first place.

“A bit of this, a bite of that,” he mocked, grinning at the sight of Lidra’s glowing form bathed in darkness. He’d fed too long, had ingested too much of the Aellein queen’s magic. But she’d been so very tempting. Even in her downward spiral towards madness, she retained her beauty, her need for youth and grandeur her last handhold to sanity.

“Next time finish her off so I don’t have to witness such waste.” Lexa looked peeved, her pale eyes blinking like stars in the shadows. “I have a feeling we’ll be seeing the Light Bringers soon.”

“But of course, sister mine,” B’alen said with a buoyancy he was far from feeling. Much as he longed to finally kill Arim and his hated kin, he couldn’t quite extinguish his fear of the notorious sorcerer. “I look forward to dealing with them all, especially with you by my side.” He laughed as her face darkened, and watched her walk away without another word.

He knew Lexa well enough not to trust her. Oh, she’d told him what ‘Sin Garu had been doing, but not until the last possible moment, when it seemed his brother had lost his way.

Her allegiance shifted with the wind, floating one way then another. The key to Lexa was knowing what made her tick. Unfortunately, he wasn’t so sure anymore. Once he’d commanded her obedience to the letter. But now, now he didn’t know where she went when she left their stronghold on Malern. He would have asked his brother, but he hesitated to give ‘Sin the impression he wasn’t as in control as he ought to be.

He still held sway over the queen, however. He toyed with her, sending her a command she readily obeyed. Both appalled and aroused, he glared at Lidra’s sultry face as she played with herself for any passerby to see. He saw Lexa shaking her head from the queen to him before she disappeared into the woods. Disapproved, did she?

One thing he did know about his uptight sister, she had a history with Arim, one that he intended to use to his advantage should the damned sorcerer finally show his face.

B’alen watched Lidra bring herself to orgasm and nodded to several of his wraiths standing in the shadows. They dragged a hapless Aellei with them, an immature Der still sparkling with the bloom of youth. The young warrior stared with helpless fascination at the writhing queen, forced to lie prostrate beneath her as she wormed atop him.

Watching with amusement as she fucked the pretty, younger man, B’alen waited for his favourite part of the act to unfold. The young man cried out and spent himself inside the queen, and as he caught his breath, he closed his eyes. Not seeing the sharp treat Lidra held within her gums, he shot up and flailed when she took the first bite out of his neck.

A sloppy blood drinker, Lidra ate as much flesh as she drew blood, a disgusting combination that drew delighted laughter from the wraiths as she ate her lover to death.

B’alen sighed and shrugged, this enjoyment growing tedious while he waited for Alandra to be brought to him. Tired of Lidra, he wandered away towards the Aellei’s dungeon, an ostentatious display of how prettied up a dungeon could be.

Just as he approached the entrance, the doors opened to reveal Alandra le Aelle guarded by half a dozen Der warriors led by Zartic.

Zartic’s eyes widened when they met his, and the captain bowed his head, causing his men to do the same.

Pleased, B’alen bowed back. “Captain, were you perchance escorting the princess to see me?”

Zartic nodded immediately. “Yes, my lord.”

“Then it seems I’ve saved you a trip. Take a few of your men and clean up the queen and her new plaything. The council should be gathering in a few hours, and we want Queen Lidra to look her best.”

Zartic’s lips pressed tight, but he said nothing, acquiescing to B’alen’s demeaning task. Well, wouldn’t the Der captain be in for a surprise. B’alen smiled wickedly. Normally her majesty’s ladies took care of the queen, but in Lidra’s current state of mind, she’d see the help as no more than dessert. At least Zartic knew to keep his mouth shut, and he’d treat his former lover with care enough to preserve her illusive dignity.

“And speaking of queens,” he murmured as he stared at Alandra, who was studying him as intently. By Dark’s own breast, she was stunning, a paler version of Lidra, but one more lively, absolutely vibrant with a winsome grace and deep-rooted sensuality.

“B’alen Van Nostren, I presume?” she asked softly.

Staring at her mouth, he wondered how soft her lips would feel around his cock, if she would milk him as hard and as often as her aunt had before he drank her blood.

“In the flesh.” He walked around her, taking in the power that fairly thrummed with each breath she took. Excitement flared within him as he realised how very close he was to finishing with this mess and recapturing Tanselm.

She was a small thing for such a powerful creature, but she had a woman’s body. Full breasts and a round backside made him ache to take her now, to fulfil the destiny to which he’d been born.

He reached out and would have grabbed her to him when she danced out of reach. Grinning, he bared sharp teeth accentuated with eight sharp fangs, four on top and four on his lower jaw. The trepidation he expected from the frail girl didn’t appear, making her that much more interesting.

“So, you’re familiar with my kind?”

“With what? A blood drinker? A Dark Lord? Or a morbid, pathetic sorcerer so afraid of his own brother he tried to have him killed?”

B’alen blinked, astonished at her lack of respect. “I think there’s been some mistake,” he growled, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her to her knees. “I am B’alen Van Nostren, your future king and ruler of Tanselm. Beg for mercy, that I allow you to show me the respect I am due.”

She looked bored, stoking his anger. “Respect you’re due? How can I possibly respect a male who cannot stand up for himself? You used your brother’s small setback as the bottom rung in your ascension to power. And what strength is there in a man who cannot beat a simple Storm Lord?”

Her words kindled his fury. “You should be asking ‘Sin Garu that very question. He had his opportunity twice, first with the Prince of Fire, and again with the River Prince. But both times he failed to do what I have done with one simple mind leech.”

“Who, Queen Lidra?” she asked with humour, as if the pull on her neck didn’t pain her, when by rights he knew it did. “She’s been in thrall to her sex for a millenium. Nothing you’ve done thus far is impressive in the least.” She shimmered and an image of Lidra took her place.

“So, you would turn me into a blood drinker?” she said, and if he hadn’t known better, he would think he held the queen. “I can fuck for days without end. What more is a bit of bloodletting? It’s only a matter of time before my true heirs succeed me.”

“That’s enough, Alandra,” he said, jerking her to meet him eye to eye.

She shimmered back into herself, her violet gaze filled with disdain. “As if your strength wasn’t already in question, there’s also the fact you’re not nearly as attractive as your brother.”

He gritted his teeth, determined to make this little bitch pay for what she said. Lidra had mentioned how disagreeable Alandra was, and now that he’d witnessed her offensive nature, he had less interest in bedding her for pleasure than to show her who was in control.

Freeing himself from his trousers, he felt his body freeze when she began laughing.

“Please tell me there’s more than that to play with.” She glanced at his turgid length with amusement. “At least the Storm Lord had a cock to make me whimper.” She glanced up at him with smoky eyes.

B’alen had heard enough. He no longer knew why he’d sought out Alandra. All he could think of were ways to make her pay, and dearly.

“The council won’t start for a few hours yet,” he said quietly, his anger palpable. Her lack of reaction completely baffled and frustrated him. “We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, Alandra. I think it’s time I showed you just what you don’t understand about me. I’m not as nice as you’d think.”

Alandra kept her cool when inside, her heart threatened to burst from her chest. This had to be the most outrageous bluff she’d ever pulled in her life, and though the danger brought it to a new level, she couldn’t help feeling a tad amused at the Dark Lord’s obvious vanity. And they said the Aellei were too proud. Ha.

She glanced subtly at the weapon between his legs, dismayed to find it so hard, and so near her. Sweat trickled down her back, and she prayed she could continue her glamour. That B’alen hadn’t yet realised she was without clothes was something in her favour, at least. But she had no idea how much longer she could maintain a carefree face, not when she could feel his anger leeching into her being like venom.

The power in her grew exponentially, but it was so Dark, so negative. She had to fight to hold onto herself even as she drew the tendrils of strength she would need to fight this bastard and live.

Aerolus would come for her, that she knew. But she needed to do her best to smooth his way. He had no idea all three Dark Lords were in attendance in Aelle, and she clearly recalled how difficult just ‘Sin Garu had been to defeat.

Thinking of B’alen’s brother, she only hoped he hovered nearby and had heard her comment about B’alen trying to have him killed. It wasn’t true, not that she knew of, but then, ‘Sin Garu didn’t know that.

As B’alen shoved her to the ground and bared his fangs, ‘Sin Garu appeared, thank the Shadows. And she never thought she’d thank her maker for a Dark Lord’s help.

“Brother, what are you about, you rascal?” ‘Sin Garu grinned, and Alandra distractedly noticed there was little difference between the Dark Lords. As they stood close, she could see ‘Sin Garu was slightly taller, his skin a touch more white. But they both possessed the same colour eyes, the same facial structure, and the seething, malevolent energy that showed them for the demons they were.

B’alen refastened his breeches and gritted his teeth, ignoring Alandra, as if she didn’t lie just underfoot. “Teaching a sorry melea a few manners.”

“A sorry whore, hmm?” ‘Sin Garu leant down and lifted Alandra gently to her feet. Doing so put that much more negative energy rushing into her. “A royal whore at that. Sorry, Princess, but your aunt requested your presence in the courtyard. A dozen of the Aellein council members have rallied early.”

He turned to B’alen with a questioning look. “Seems there’s a rumour the queen’s gone mad. The Aellei have gathered to hear her out, and to investigate Alandra’s previous claims that Lidra has sold out her people to the Dark Lords.” He laughed. “A ridiculous notion, hmm?”

B’alen finally looked worried. Apparently, Lidra was much more important in his scheme of things than she’d gathered. “Fine. Take her back to the cell and keep a steady guard over her.” He glared suspiciously at his brother. “No, have Lexa do it. I’ll deal with Lidra and the others.”

With a backhand so sudden she was caught full in the face, B’alen forced Alandra to stumble back, away from him. She would have cracked her skull had ‘Sin Garu not held her arm.

“Easy, brother. No reason to hurt your future bride, now is there?”

B’alen grinned, and Alandra knew real fear. The monster was strong enough and enraged enough to kill her and half her people before anyone could counter him. And ‘Sin Garu only added fuel to the flames.

“I apologise if I offended you,” she said stiffly, cradling her sore jaw. Her hands met blood, and she prayed he hadn’t knocked out a tooth. Just the thought of appearing gap-toothed before the council was enough to make her feel faint. But the brutality she’d face if B’alen actually won his battle scared her silent.

He leaned closer, his anger somewhat tempered by her sudden apology. “You’re right, Alandra. I’ve been way too lenient for too long.”

He rubbed at the blood on her cheek and brought it to his lips. The minute his tongue tasted the red liquid, his eyes lit like blue flame. “We’re going to be together soon, Alandra. Never fear,” he mocked and disappeared with a soft whoosh.

“That wasn’t pleasant,” ‘Sin Garu murmured and dragged her back into the dungeon. She stared, bemused, as she noted his looks sliding into Zartic’s image.

“What? Zartic?”

“Keep it down,” he said in a muffled voice as he reached behind him into a small bag. He tossed her a thin, light brown shift. “Hurry up and put that on.”

She sighed as she did, glad to finally free some of her magic from that ridiculous glamour of clothing. “Are you really Zartic, or is this another Dark Lord game?”

He shrugged. “Look at me and see.”

Focusing easily, she noted the Shadow caressing his aura and knew him to be an Aellei. His true face appeared, a mess of bruises that had yet to heal, and she knew he’d deliberately shared the sight with her.

“B’alen’s work?”

He nodded. “As we speak, he’s on his way to meet his brother for some much needed family time. Sava’s waiting for you. And if you don’t hurry, we’ll have a major war on our hands.”

“War with Sava?”

“He mentioned Light Bringers have been spotted in Aelle. And I don’t think they’re here for me.” He frowned and rubbed his tender chin. “At least, I hope they’re not.”

“I’d go with you, but I’ve lost my charm.” Aerolus, you maddening man, when the hell do you think I might get that back?

“Use the back trail to find Sava and your Light Bringer allies. I’d go with you, but Lidra will get suspicious if I’m not back right away. I left for a brief call of nature, and she’s exceedingly difficult to please of late.”

Alandra nodded, too grateful at her chance to escape to question him further. Aerolus was here, for her, and he was walking into a trap. She had to warn him.

Concern for her love blocking all else from her mind, she fled the dungeon and immediately shimmered into a pixie, flying along the path to freedom.

“That was almost too easy,” Zartic said to the woman gliding out of the dark corner of Alandra’s cell.

“Desperation will do that.” As will love, Lexa thought bitterly. “So Lidra’s waiting for her, as we planned?”

He nodded. “And your brothers are gearing up for a major face-off in the clearing. I dropped a few hints to the most intelligent of the wraiths I could find.” He grimaced.

Lexa laughed. “I know that was hard. But you gave them enough evidence to point both ‘Sin Garu and B’alen at each other, hmm?”

“Yes, mistress.” He bowed his head respectfully and started when she cupped his chin in her hand.

“Take your reward, then, Der captain,” she said huskily, looking deeply into his face. With a breath she took away his pain, his scars and bruising, leaving him untouched, at least physically, from her brothers. “You’d best disappear, along with the rest of the Shadren, until the Dark Lords finish killing one another.”

She smiled, aware Zartic stared at her as if entranced.

“What of Sava and the Light Bringers?” he murmured, staring at her mouth.

Arim’s haughty face lingered in her memory, and her eyes lit with anticipation. “Leave them to me.”