Dark of Winter: A Between the Worlds novel Read online

  They think this is the Dark Court’s play she thought, watching the flames. Is Sal Dark Court? I wouldn’t have thought so, but I don’t suppose most people would peg me for Dark-born either. Still it’s weird that I never once picked up anything strange from him. The times he was in the store his emotions never clued me in that he meant me harm, and speaking of the store he never broke my ward against the Dark Court. I mean in fairness that’s aimed specifically for Dark Court who mean me harm, since I can’t actually ward against something as nebulous as a person’s affiliation…so what does that mean? That he doesn’t mean me harm? Or didn’t anyway? But he kidnapped me, that’s not exactly friendly. So how is he mixed up in this? Unless he’s not Dark Court and he’s just being forced or manipulated somehow. Allie frowned, something about that idea not sitting well with her.

  She turned and stared at Sal then, beyond caring if it was rude. He was sitting in a stiff wooden chair against the wall, near the front door, his eyes fixed on the opposite wall, frowning slightly. She could feel his emotions easily – a mix of anxiety and fear - the magic dampening bracelet seeming to have no effect on her innate ability. And there’s an interesting thought actually. I can’t cast elven spells, and when I tried Sal seemed to know somehow, but I can still talk to Jess and Bleidd easily and there’s no indication that Sal knew. Plus I didn’t feel any tingling in my wrist like when I tried to cast the spell. And I can feel Anna and Sal’s emotions, and shield without a problem. So whatever this charm is its either really limited…or only aimed at Fey or Elven magic. But not innate personal magic, like my empathy or whatever we’re calling my Bahvanshee abilities now, only actual cast spellcraft.

  She turned her gaze to her wrist and the magic device that was tied there. It looked exactly like one of the old friendship bracelets that had been popular when she was younger. Flat, a few centimeters wide, woven from a heavy thread in a mix of greys and browns, with a single white crystal in the middle of the pattern. The crystal was small, about half the size of a pencil eraser, and if she had to guess she’d say it was quartz, but she wasn’t entirely sure. From what little she knew about items like these the woven part of the charm caught the magic when it was being shaped and directed it to the crystal which then dispelled it. Of course she’d never seen one made for a person to wear, she’d only seen them used to protect property, so she was guessing, but the theory seemed sound. It gave her some ideas about how to break it, or more to the point short circuit it.

  She looked back up at Sal and caught him looking at her; he turned away quickly, but this time she decided to push the issue. “Sal, why did you do this?”

  Anna stopped humming, turning to look between the two, then quickly went back to her washing. Sal flushed, “I don’t owe you any explanations.”

  “Yes, you do,” Allie said flatly. “I have never been anything but kind to you. I have done you no wrong. I owe you no debt. I don’t know what clan you’re in and you certainly don’t know mine, so this isn’t some inter-clan thing. I’m not your enemy. So why?”

  Sal glanced back at her, his feelings guilty. “No, you aren’t my enemy. But my father wants you and my life depends on getting him what he wants. And since you destroyed what he was really after you’re the only other option.”

  Allie closed her eyes and took a slow deep breath to calm herself. Definitely the Dark Court. I am so potentially screwed here if I don’t get myself out of this. “So it’s about my grandmother’s book. The book was burned, what makes anyone think I know anything useful?”

  “Because you used magic from it after you destroyed it,” he said simply.

  She gaped at him, unable to hide her shock. “How can you know that?”

  He licked his lips, “Because I saw you using some of it, after the windows were broken in your store, and after your elven friend was shot.”

  Before she could stop herself she laughed, that damned nervous giggling escaping as a wave of near hysteria overtook her. She struggled to swallow it down. “You’ve been stalking me for quite a while then, haven’t you?”

  “Allie,” he said hesitantly, his emotions now a cloud of regret.

  She talked over him, “Well you must be very brave Sal, if you took me knowing some of the things I’ve done with that magic. I’m sure you can imagine what I’d like to do to you right now.”

  “Actually, I don’t think you’d really hurt me,” he said softly. “In contrast I know exactly what my father would do. And in this situation I did what I had to do to ensure my own safety. Believe it or not I am sorry.”

  Anna had given up any pretense of washing and was watching the exchange wide eyed from her position by the sink. Allie throttled down her anger that he so quickly dismissed her as harmless, her jaw working as she locked eyes with the young elf. You watched me curse Cory, something that almost got him killed. You freaking watched me use death magic to heal Bleidd. But I’m not scary you little weasel? Let me get free of this and we’ll see how harmless you think I am. He finally looked away, giving up under her glare, his eyes going to the floor. And when he did she had a flash, a memory from her childhood: huddled behind her mother’s skirt as one of her mother’s cousins punished someone. She couldn’t even remember who he was or why he was being punished, but she remembered his screaming and the sound of the riding crop. And her mother’s voice, “It’s alright darling, don’t cry. He’s just a male, and the world is full of men after all. If Gryssarlin kills him it won’t matter.” And next to them, her brother Adarius, an adult nearly three hundred years old – triple Sal’s age – looking down the exact same way Sal was looking down now.

  She shuddered remembering it now, her hand going to the swell of her belly as she thought reflexively of her own son. “I believe you Sal,” she said her voice husky.

  Sal’s eyes shot up, his expression suddenly skeptical. Anna’s head went back and forth between the two of them. Allie kept speaking, “Whether you believe this or not, I understand why you had to do this, if that was the position you were in. I’m just sorry – for both of us – that it came to this.”

  “What does that mean?” he asked, suspicious.

  She sighed, shaking her head slightly, “That your father should have let the book go when it was nothing but dust and ash. Taking me won’t get him what he wants.”

  “Because your lover’s in the Elven Guard you mean? I doubt that will matter much to my father,” he replied, but his voice was uncertain.

  She debated what to say, how much to tell him. The Dark Court and the Light were both games of strategy to those who chose to play in them. While Allie had never wanted any part in either that didn’t change the fact that growing up for 10 years as her mother’s only daughter had taught her some lessons that were burned into her mind. First and foremost the adage ‘the three coins of the Dark Court: pain, blood, and knowledge.’

  She sighed. “Sal, despite you being a total shitweasel here, despite the fact I’d very much like to kick you square between the legs right now and leave you weeping on the floor, despite everything I still like you. Gods only know why.” Allie paused to gather her thoughts, Sal cringing slightly, and Anna smothering laughter with one hand. “And because of this inexplicable liking I’m going to tell you a few things, because I suspect that if you don’t know and your father finds out some other way he will vivisect you. My being pregnant is the least of the details that you missed while you were stalking me this past year.”

  Now he looked truly alarmed, leaning forward in his chair as she spoke. She took another deep breath, not wanting to tell him everything but not wanting to stand there and watch as his father – who she could now guess was the one who was on the way here – literally took him apart. Again she heard that remembered screaming in her mind. “The Elven Guard commander I live with isn’t just my lover, he’s my wedded husband. This child has been pledged to his clan as part of our marriage contract. Also I am a member of the Elven Guard myself, and my husband’s brother is the Captain of the Gua
rd in this Holding.”

  “Holy Goddess,” Anna muttered, looking grim. “Next ye’ll say they belong ta the ruling clan in the Holding here.”

  “Clan Firinne, yes,” Allie said. Sal sat back looking slightly panicked. Which he should since she’d basically just told him that instead of taking some obscure bookstore owner that no one would really care to come looking for he’d taken someone with connections that mattered. Just the fact that she was in the Guard would mean he’d have the entire Guard after him for this, on principle. The fact that her child – who she had purposely not mentioned was male – was pledged to her husband’s clan as part of her marriage contract also meant that people would be looking for her. Who would be looking and how hard would depend on exactly who the child was pledged to and how well connected they were, but that was a detail; what mattered was that people would be looking. Already were looking.

  Anna was really upset now, “What have ye done Salarius? We’ll lose our heads for this when the Guard finds our place.”

  “No,” Allie said forcefully, “You won’t.”

  Anna looked at her, obviously ready to lecture her about why they were screwed, but Allie reassured her. “You had no idea who I was when I was brought here, and you’ve been nothing but kind to me. I will not stand by and see you hurt for helping me. I’m not stupid, I know he paid you, or offered something, in exchange for letting him stay here with me. Plenty of lesser Fey make extra money or barter favors like that, even the Elven Guard will stay in private homes when traveling if they need to. You didn’t do anything criminal in that much. And once you realized I was here unwillingly, well really what could you do to help me that wouldn’t put me in danger? When it comes to it I will argue for you.”

  Anna’s eyes glinted again and she inclined her head in a respectful little bow. “Ye are a clever one, aren’t ye girlie? I’m thinking I’m glad I took a likin’ to ye right away.”

  Allie rolled her eyes but she smiled as she did it, and she could feel the tension leaving the other woman. Sal was a different story. “You think this information helps me? My only hope was to get you to redeem myself for the failure of the others who had tried to take you before. When he finds out that we’ll have the whole Elven Guard down on us now, he’ll probably send my head to them in a box as an apology.”

  Allie met his eyes, feeling his fear, “Then you need to find a way to make the information work to your advantage.”

  “To my advantage!” he squeaked. “How can this possible be to anyone’s advantage but yours?”

  “Don’t be angry with me Sal, I didn’t ask to be kidnapped and I don’t have to be telling you this right now. I could have kept my mouth shut and let you swing when your father finds out anyway. But I’m choosing to tell you to try to help you.”

  “Why help me when I’m the reason you’re here?” he said bitterly.

  “I told you, because for some reason I still like you. I always did since you first came into my store,” Allie said patiently. “I am angry with you right now, but not angry enough to set you up to be tortured.”

  “And I suppose if I let you go right now that would repay your kindness,” he snarked.

  “I suppose if you told me I could walk out that door right now I wouldn’t be stupid enough to do it, since I don’t know where I am or how to get anywhere familiar. And I don’t fancy my odds in the Wildlands, pregnant and wandering,” Allie said flatly. “And speaking of pregnant, given that your father and anyone else for that matter can’t lay a single hand on me in violence, or hurt me in anyway, I think my odds are better to stay here and wait to see how this plays out for the moment, thanks.”

  Anna gave her another approving look and small nod. Sal opened his mouth then closed it again, his emotions vacillating between anger and something like gratitude. Finally he nodded slightly, his features settling into a thoughtful expression. Allie turned away, staring at the fire, and hoped she had chosen the right information to give and the right things to withhold. Gods I hate this political crap she thought to herself, I can’t get rescued fast enough.

  **********************************

  Bleidd stood uneasily in the field behind the house they’d found the previous night, Jess’s Elven Guard squad fanned out around him. The Guards were following the tracks that led towards the illegal gateway, much to Bleidd’s frustration, instead of letting him lead the way by following the pull of his connection to Allie. Procedure, Jess had said, and while Bleidd knew it was true it still irked him. Or maybe that was the dull throb of the headache in his temples, reminding him that deciding to get wasted this morning after months of sobriety had been a profoundly bad choice.

  His eyes followed Jess as the blond elf walked slowly ahead studying the ground. I don’t deserve him he thought morosely he’s as worried as I am about her, about finding her, and instead of helping I’m giving him another thing to worry about. His self-reproach was interrupted by Brynneth resting a hand on his shoulder, his voice low in Bleidd’s ear.

  “I could help you if you’d like.”

  Bleidd turned, trying not to wince as the bright sun reflected off the snow, studying the healer’s dark eyes. “Help me, how so?”

  “I could heal you, if you’d like,” Brynneth said, his demeanor, as always, calm. Bleidd’s eyes narrowed. “I would ask nothing in exchange, except that it would give me something to do. I am somewhat superfluous at this point, unless someone is injured or we find Allie and she needs my care.”

  “And you believe I am in need of healing?”

  Brynneth inclined his head in a shrug, “I am an adept healer, I can sense pain in others if I am physically close to them.”

  Bleidd considered that. He had known, of course, that higher ranked healers had some limited ability to sense pain so he shouldn’t have been surprised that Brynneth was picking up on his discomfort, although his pride wouldn’t quite let him admit it was pain. And if he could have that discomfort eased without being in Brynneth’s debt, that seemed like a wise choice, possibly even a way to compensate for the morning’s poor choices. He turned and looked for the others. Jess and the younger dark-haired Guard, Tashlin, were painstakingly tracing the steps of Allie’s abductor across the field. A dozen feet ahead of them the squad’s mage, Mariniessa, was standing slightly to one side studying some of the magical traces left by the Border Guard.

  Bleidd nodded slightly, “Alright, if it would make you feel more useful Brynneth then I would welcome any aid you might be able to give me.”

  Brynneth’s lips curved into a small smile and he also nodded slightly, then without another word through the hand resting on Bleidd’s shoulder he began channeling healing energy. Bleidd’s eyes closed, relief flooding through him as the tension in his neck and shoulders eased, his head stopped pounding, and the nausea he had been trying to ignore subsided. The difference was so profound it was shocking and Bleidd found himself yet again vowing to himself that he would never make that same mistake.

  A moment later, as Brynneth was finishing, he heard Jess in his mind, his voice concerned, “Is everything alright Gadreene?”

  He opened his eyes – the light no longer making him cringe – and found Jess subtly turned towards him, his eyes fixed on Brynneths’s hand where it rested on Bleidd’s shoulder. Bleidd responded gently, “Everything is fine Commander. I am doing Brynneth a favor by giving him some healing work to do while you three act as bloodhounds.”

  Jess’s countenance transformed instantly from worried to mischievous, “Oh how kind of you then to so generously aid him. I would hate for him to have nothing at all to do besides guard the rear as we work.”

  “Do not fear, I am sure he is keeping an eye out for any dangerous chickadees or blue jays. We wouldn’t want anyone to get bird crap on their lovely uniforms after all.”

  Bleidd watched Jess’s lips spasm as he fought not to laugh at that, before the other elf quickly turned back to his work.

  The timing proved ideal as less than ten mi
nutes later they had reached the barrier between mortal earth and Fairy, and the site of the illegal crossing point. The barrier itself was an ephemeral thing, visible as a slight distortion in the air a dozen feet ahead of them and a persistent feeling of being pushed back, as if the air was thicker here. Anyone with magical talent, trained or innate, could see or sense the barrier but only trained mages of a certain level could create an opening and guide people through the cross-over point. Bleidd could see the distortion in the barrier where the illegal gateway had been, its presence a scar on the energy here.

  Mariniessa walked parallel to the border for a bit studying the area. When she spoke her voice was thoughtful, “Crude, but obviously effective for all that. Did they catch the mage who built it?”

  “No,” Jess said. “He was either tipped off or had some means of detecting the Border Guards approach before they arrived. When they came last night he had already fled.”

  “Hmmm,” Brynneth said, tilting his head as he too studied the energy. “If he can breach the barriers then there’s no telling where he is or even what world he is in. The Border Guard will have a difficult time catching him.”

  “Indeed,” Jess agreed. “Although that is their problem more than ours at the moment.”

  “It would have been useful to question him.” Tashlin put in. “To find out what he might have known about who took Aliaine and what her state was when she passed here.”

  Jess inclined his head in a shrug. “Useful but not necessary. We know she is in Fairy and her car was found here. It is unlikely that she was brought here and then taken elsewhere to be brought through to the Holding, and in any event, whoever did cross this point with the mage was carrying something heavy enough to have been a person.”

  “Yes, the tracks tell that much for certain,” Tashlin agreed.

  “Well,” Jess said reluctantly, “we have learned as much as we can here. Bleidd, does the trail still lead north east?”