Blood Chained (Dark Siren Book 3) (23 page)

Ducking his head, War nodded but didn’t speak. Tears were streaming down both sides of his face.

Shit.
“Warren.” Rhane called his name softly. He wasn’t sure if he should touch him. Debating it, he decided not to. “I should have told you,” he said. “And I am so sorry that I didn’t. If could take it back, I would. I would take all of it back. You would have grown up with your father instead of me.”

“Yeah.” War sniffed. Exhaling deeply, he dried his face a final time. “Yeah,” he said again, but wouldn’t meet Rhane’s gaze.

For a long time, they were both quiet. Rhane waited. There wasn’t much else to say, but if the boy wasn’t ready to leave, then he sure as hell wasn’t going to be the first to walk away.

Finally, War’s chin lifted. A decision was resolute in the hazel eyes rendered fierce with emotion. He stepped closer. Leaning his head forward, he froze. But Rhane was already there, closing the gap, meeting him more than halfway. Clasping one hand across the boy’s nape, he brought their heads together.  When the warmth of War’s hand encircled his neck in turn, Rhane sighed. It truly felt like he’d regained a son.

“I think we turned out okay,” War whispered.

Chapter 33

Rhane walked to his chambers with a much lighter heart. Mending the rift that stretched between him and War was the reason for his uplifted mood, but even after extending forgiveness to Rhane, the boy had still been considerably troubled. Technically no longer prisoners, he didn’t understand why they couldn’t leave Golden Mountain immediately and go home. Rhane had done his best to relate an updated understanding of the tangled web weaved between Warekin, rogues, and Builders, giving War an abridged recounting of events since his “execution” and the mission that followed. War’s freedom remained conditional upon Rhane’s obedience to the will of the Primes. In the end, the boy accepted their people could not be trusted but seemed only somewhat reassured by Kalista’s possession of the statue and the plan to use it as barter to secure their release. War’s persistent edginess caused Rhane to reevaluate his reasoning. He retraced every move he’d made since agreeing to work with rogues at the Mothers’ behest. It was true that the plan wasn’t airtight. Turning over the Heart to his people could not be risked, and orders couldn’t be abandoned without repercussion. If he and War fled in secret, they would be hunted and danger would once again end up on the manor’s doorsteps. Trusting Kalista to do what was necessary was the best option.

Rhane was almost too lost in his own thoughts to recognize a familiar cadence echoing behind him or register the smell drifting upwind.  Spinning around, he came face to face with the last person he expected to see.

River halted. His clear blue eyes were a vault, keeping whatever emotion he felt locked away behind a wooden face and the rigid demeanor of his royal lineage. When he resumed walking, it was at a much slower pace. Rhane kept still. He couldn’t trust his hands or feet. He couldn’t trust his temper.

“Don’t look so surprised, brother. You cast me out, annulled my oath. Where else did you expect me to go?”

Channeling all his energy into the act, Rhane was able to relax his jaw enough to speak. “Knowing the treachery that has taken place behind these stone walls, I expected you to never return here.”

“I am kin without oath, without honor, and without love.”

Rhane flinched.

“Home is all there is left for me. Father and Mother are here. I was welcomed with open arms.”

Rhane snorted. He would hardly call Roma a mother and couldn’t imagine the wretch giving anyone a warm welcome. “What have you told them?”

River’s icy eyes got impossibly colder as he inclined his head slightly forward. “I have not forsaken your trust. I would never betray you.”

“
Again
,” Rhane spat. “You will never betray me again.”

“Rhane,” River uttered the name with soft regret, finally letting some emotion slip through. His lips parted to speak. But then he shook his head, chasing away the thought. “Allow me to take leave of your anger.” Rhane didn’t respond, and River retreated silently with a bow.

When River was gone from sight, Rhane leaned against the wall with one palm supporting his weight and took several deep breaths. River was here. He knew Rhane had recovered the statue and then given it away. If he told anyone, there would be one hell of a reckoning, and War would probably be the first to pay the price. The thought made Rhane sick.

Even though his brother professed allegiance to him, Rhane wasn’t sure River could be trusted. He and Roma had always shared a twisted bond. River incessantly tried pleasing a woman who could never know satisfaction. Efforts to earn adulation from a mother whose heart had become possessed by greed and darkened by bitterness were futile. Roma did love River. However, being her second born, he had failed her in a way that could not be atoned.

There was no doubt that Jehsi had known of River’s return to Golden Mountain, and yet he had not told Rhane. He and his father were crossing a tightrope stretched over a pit of ruin. Being on the same page at all times was crucial to survival. Needing to know why Jehsi hadn’t told him of his brother’s homecoming, Rhane pushed off the wall and headed to his father’s chambers.

Situated near the center of the mountain, Jehsi’s quarters were fairly modest in comparison to the pretentious dwellings of his fellow Primes. Rhane entered Jehsi’s outer chambers and was about to announce his presence but the sound of two voices stopped him. One belonged to Roma. She sounded angry, but that wasn’t unusual.

Rhane wanted to turn away. An argument between Jehsi and his mate was a private affair, something to be respected out of reverence for his father, and avoided out of distaste for his mother. But several words had already reached Rhane’s ears, luring him closer even as pain threatened the base of his skull, demanding that he retreat.

Jehsi’s voice was a harsh whisper and came from deep within the inner rooms of the dwelling, most likely near his sleeping furs. “Don’t test my endurance on this. I’m warning you.”

“River has finally returned to us and still finds no favor in your eyes. You have always chosen that mongrel over your own son,” Roma retorted fiercely. “Because of him I will never rule as Mother.”

“Is that really Rhane’s fault? Certainly you share some of that burden.”

“My only burden is listening to you and sparing his wretched life.”

Jehsi’s voice burned with quiet fury. “Rhane is also my son. Time is long past for you to accept that.” His tone softened. “I forgave you. I claimed him. Forgive yourself. Be once more the beauty I fell in love with.”

“I’ll never forgive him.”

“Roma, please—”

Rhane back away, reeling as the pain in his head spiked, gripping his skull relentlessly. A memory flashed to the surface of his mind, traveling along ruined pathways to bridge something lost in the past to the present. He saw his mother, bending over him as he kneeled on cold stone. The executioner’s blade pressed against the back of his neck. Her lips moved, brushing his ear as she spoke. Roma had always found much pleasure in his suffering, and in that instance, her joy nearly overflowed. As he felt his heart breaking in the memory, the pain in the present became so great, Rhane gasped. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and retreated further. The agony immediately subsided. Back in the corridor, he staggered beneath the weight of the revelation, blind to all else beyond the memory. At last he understood why Roma had tried to murder her infant son. He knew why he had endured so much torment at the will of her hands and why she could never love him. 

“Mothers be chained,” he whispered.

But the knowledge was too much.

Rhane fell to his hands and knees. Retching violently, he heaved until his stomach was empty. He pressed his fists against his eyes, ashamed of the tears that were there, furious that Roma had won. She had finally broken him.

Rhane begged his trembling body to respond, to lift him from this beggar’s position. He could hear footsteps approaching.

No.

It was Jehsi, coming to discover who had crossed his doorstep. Rhane couldn’t face his father like this. He couldn’t see him like this.

Reaching out to the only thing that could ground him, Rhane imagined Kalista. He held onto her gray eyes and loving smile as her hand reached out for his. She turned away when he didn’t rise, ghosting into the passage. Shoving to his feet, Rhane followed the phantom image, and for the first time in his life, ran away from his father.

Chapter 34

Kali exploded from a troubled sleep, clutching the covers to her chest as she screamed York’s name. A moment later, he burst through the door of the bedroom she once shared with Rhane. His eyes were already more animal than human and glowed in the darkness as he transitioned to a wolf skin. Orrin slid through the window in full canine form, nearly invisible in the shadows. She almost didn’t see the other, smaller figure moving silently behind him. Water dripped from both their coats, drenched by a powerful rainstorm that soaked the night.

Probably the first to perceive there was no actual threat inside her room, Bailen bounded onto the bed and stretched his giant furry head across Kali’s legs. The rest of the kin took their cue from the canine and relaxed. Battle skins melted away to reveal human forms wearing pajamas. Except for Matthias. He was stark naked, of course.

The entire scene had unfolded in mere seconds.

York’s expression was an even blend of confusion and concern. “Kali, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“It’s Rhane,” she gasped. Her breathing was reduced to frantic panting. Only Bailen’s weight kept her from leaping out of the bed. “He’s been hurt. We can’t wait any longer. We have to go to him now.”

“Whoa. Kali, slow down. Take it easy.” York left the doorway with movements that were still somewhat tense and jerky. He sat at the edge of the king-sized bed. “First of all, you scared the shit out of me.”

“Me too,” Rion muttered sleepily and leaned into Orrin. The larger kin immediately shoved him off.  His soft voice carried above the pounding of Kali’s heart. “How do you know Rhane is in trouble?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. A dream, only it wasn’t. I saw him as clear as day. He was kneeling outside of his father’s chambers within the white halls.”

Now York really looked baffled. “Was he hurt?”

“He was
crying
.” Tears sprang from Kali eyes as she recalled the anguish in Rhane’s. “They’ve done it. They’ve broken him.”

Bailen whimpered pitifully. York stood, dragging a hand through sleep tousled hair. “Aw hell.” Everyone in the room stirred nervously through a lengthy silence. “Kali, we can’t. Whatever Rhane’s going through, he’s gonna have to cowboy up. We just don’t have the resources to go into Golden Mountain with guns blazing. Don’t forget about War. Rhane is still counting on us to get him out alive.”

She knew he was right. “York,” she whispered miserably. “I’ve never seen him like that.”

“I’m sorry, kiddo. It worries me too.” He blew out a sigh. “I know the waiting game sucks, but Cixi has delivered the statue to the rogues. It’s going to be Wesley’s move next.”

Kali nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but in the same instance, a terrible fracas erupted downstairs. Thundering wind and the sound of splintering wood was followed by the horrifying shriek of a creature unknown to her ears.

Bailen flashed to his feet, growling like a demon, and the other kin sailed into motion, barreling through the door and down the stairs. Kali was forced to the rear by Orrin’s restraining hand. Caught in the moment, she had forgotten her training. It was reckless to move ahead of her guardians. One day soon she would be strong enough to not need protectors, though Rhane would probably always want her to have them.

When her socked feet finally touched the stair landing, she could see what had made the awful noise. Kali already knew it was bad because Orrin had shifted again onto all fours as they reached the hallway.

Down below, the kin had surrounded a twisting, flaring funnel of red light. The luminosity was dynamic. Ever-changing, it never held the same shape for more than several seconds. Then the creature attacked. Tentacles of light reached out toward the kin, snapping and cracking like whips of menace. York’s mountainous wolf jumped back as one of them sailed toward his head, but he wasn’t fast enough. Blood welled from the gash, pouring down his left ear. The black wolf’s lips peeled back in an angry snarl, swiping a colossal paw at the red brilliance with little effect. Another tentacle whipped out, snaking up the stairs like lightning, to wrap around Orrin’s brown wolf. He was slung over the banister before anyone could react.

Overwhelmed by fear and charged with anger, Kali screamed.

The sound ripped through the air, penetrated the walls, and shook the very floorboards. Groaning and trembling as it shifted, the staircase vibrated beneath her feet. Several of the kin whined, flattening their ears to block out her wail. As the scream wore on, the red spiral began to shrink. Its brightness darkened until at last, the light was gone and another form took its place.

“Wesley,” Kali whispered.

“What have you done?” It was Wes, but he was nearly unrecognizable in her eyes. Gone was the charming guy with the kind face and inviting smile. She had never seen him like this, distorted by rage and shaking with emotion.

There was no point in denying his question. “You wouldn’t help me, so I did what I had to.”

Red light flared around him. “Giving the statue to the rogues was a foolish, childish thing to do. How could you be so selfish?”

She was startled by his harsh words but didn’t waver. “I just want them back, Wesley.”

“I can’t bring them back to you!” he practically shouted. “I thought you understood what was at stake. That statue unlocks technology rogues will use to change the very DNA of humans. They’ll create more creatures like themselves. Those will end up as sacrifices for the monster they worship when Blight is summoned from slumber. Every changed human will be fed upon. Every higher life form—rogues, kindred, even your precious Warekin—they are all mere fodder to Blight.” A bitter laugh barked from his lips. Then his voice softened as he seemed to speak to himself. “After the fields are burned…what then? The ark could fall into human hands. Then we’re all screwed.” His shoulders slumped in defeat. Rage diminished, he began to be more like the old Wes. “How could you do this, Kalista?”

Because I didn’t have all the facts
, she wanted to scream. Her head was spinning. She’d known about Blight and the threat it presented but truly believed she and Rhane could find a way to stop whatever monster rose from those tombs. But hordes of humans transformed by alien technology? It was way out of her league and scope of understanding.

York called to her in thought.
Just blink twice and I’ll rip his throat out.

Kali swallowed and was extra careful not to bat an eye. “We can still win this if you help us. Free Rhane and War. I promise you, we will fight.”

Wes shook his head. “If you don’t care about the human race—your own family—why should I? Let them burn.”

“Damn it, Wes—” she started. And then something happened Kali could have never prepared for.

Bailen began to change.

Dark fur melted away into very human skin as the canine form—known to Kali for so long—unfolded to stand on two legs. He was a head shorter than her, barely in adolescence, shoeless and wore only linen trousers. A lean but muscular build was emphasized by the bronze tan of his bare torso.  His face was an attractive but boyish mixture of strong and soft features. Bailen’s hair was the same as his fur, long and silky. And his eyes—he had his mother’s eyes.

Dizzy with joy, shock, and despair all at once, Kali retreated a step, and in the same instant, reached out for him. Everyone and everything stopped. The outside world ceased to be. She could only see her child—the son she had never known.

His name died in her throat. Only on the second attempt was she able to speak it. “Bailen.”

The boy looked past her, directly at Wes. “Is it truly beyond your skill to free them, Builder?”

Kali wasn’t an expert in Warekin youth, but Bailen sounded way too mature for his age. His words carried authority far beyond his youthful appearance, and his presence was almost electric. No one could look away. Even the powerful Builder was rendered as speechless as the rest of the room.

“Despite what you and the others wanted me to believe, your true ambition was never hidden from me. I ran, but I am here now. All that your cause aspires to achieve now lies within reach. Have you the courage to take it?”

Wes frowned. “Don’t you dare taunt me, boy.”

A mocking smile replaced Bailen’s impassive expression. “Of course. I should have learned not to poke dragons from you.”

Whether from shame or anger, Kali couldn’t guess the source of the red hue spreading rapidly across Wes’s face. Looking away from Bailen, he nodded stiffly to Kali. “For the sake of our friendship and the trust that was once shared between us, I will try to bring Rhane and the boy back to you. But I can make no promises.”

“Thank you, Wes,” Kali said. Though, she was completely thrown by the sudden one-eighty in his attitude.

Nodding again, he turned to leave through the manor’s ruined front door. Just beyond the threshold, he stopped. “Kali…you probably won’t see me again. It’s safer that way.”

“Okay,” she whispered. Keeping both eyes on Wes, she reached for Bailen’s hand to make sure he was still there—to make sure he still had hands and not paws for her to hold.

Only when Wes was gone were the skins put away. Orrin and York took positions near the doorway. Orrin faced the drenched darkness outside while York considered the room.

Rion hadn’t moved. “Is it just me, or did he finish that last part through his ass?”

“We’ll get to that later,” York said. He studied Bailen with curious eyes. “Right now there are more pressing matters to discuss, and I’ve got a feeling we’re already on borrowed time.” He folded his arms. “Kali, I’ll let you ask the questions.”

Still holding onto Bailen, she looked down at the boy and chewed her lip. She had no idea where to begin.

Watching her as intently as she watched him, Bailen relieved her dilemma by speaking first. “They’re going to take me soon. Promise you’ll come for me.”

Kali squeezed his fingers and tried to conceal the anxiety in her voice. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll protect you, Bailen. I always will.”

“It’s already done.” He shook his head, stretching those large gray eyes that held Rhane’s shape but possessed every fleck of her color. “They have to take me.”

“You said you ran away from them. Why would you show yourself now? He didn’t know who you were. None of us did.”

Bailen glanced at York. Then his gaze shifted back to Kali. “He wasn’t going to let them go,” he said, and brushed away a thick lock of hair curling onto his forehead. His tone was eerily non-emotional, almost reminiscent of the manner in which River often spoke. “He will now. He wasn’t sure before. But now he is and they all will know. Builders will need us both.”

It felt like her head was spinning. The kid was talking in riddles. “You and Rhane?”

Bailen nodded. Kali just wanted to pull him close and never let go. She wanted to ask a million questions, to learn everything about him and be there for him as well—in the way she never had a chance to. But first things first. Acquiring information was slightly more important than satisfying any newly budding maternal instincts. Considering the boy’s mannerisms, he might not have been too keen on being smothered with human affections.

“Why do they need you, Bailen?”

“I can’t say anymore.” He touched her face, stroking her cheek softly as Rhane always did. Kali closed her eyes. It was the most human thing he’d done. “And I can’t stay like this.”