Earth Bound (7 page)

The next morning, Brianne parried an attack, adrenaline coursing through her. “Is that the best you can do? You’re not even trying.” She had woken at daybreak and it had taken all her willpower not to knock on Talon’s door and demand they start immediately.

Talon smiled lazily, his attack not much more energetic. “I wouldn’t want to wear you out in the first quarter hour.”

“Are you sure? I’d have thought you’d want to get this over and done with and return to your masterpiece you keep telling me about.” She grinned, wanting this training session to last for hours. This was her, not the spy skulking around corners looking for obscure information.

“There’s plenty of time. Are you worried you’ll tire easily?”

“I could have disarmed you a dozen times already, but I was worried I’d damage your ego.”

Talon laughed. “You’re dreaming. I could deal with you in my sleep.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Brianne attacked, thinking that this was the person Garnet had told her about. She’d never seen him so alive. In the name of the Lord and Lady why had he ever quit the army? He was like her, born to be a fighter. A pity he was on the wrong side.

“I don’t need to tell myself anything. My actions speak for me.”

She laughed, joy filling the sound as she renewed her efforts. He was good, matching her blow for blow. The sound of metal rang out in the room, early morning light spilling in through the single window. If she’d had wings he wouldn’t have stood a chance, as it was, she didn’t know who’d win. But even without wings, she could almost fly. Leaping to the side, she spun around and came up on the other side of him, attacking. His blade barely came around in time to block. Then he was attacking her.

There was no time for laughter as she fought back, gliding out of the way, spinning, weaving, even using some of the acrobatic moves she’d learned in preparation for growing wings. He couldn’t touch her. But she couldn’t touch him either. Time trickled away, the daylight shifting across the floor. Then he nearly had her and she ducked and came up on the other side of him. He turned to try and meet her blade, but he was too slow and she caught him across the chest, blood instantly staining his shirt.

Jumping backwards, she lowered her sword. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d block that attack. Maybe we should have used armour.”

He made a flicking motion with his free hand. “Barely a scratch. You’re not giving in are you?”

“If you want to be shredded one scratch at a time I don’t mind.”

He gestured for her to come at him.

Adrenaline still coursing through her, she willingly obeyed, feeling more alive than she had in ages. Their breathing was heavy, their movements fast. Time was measured in the clang of metal. And then Talon stumbled and Brianne barely managed to pull back in time to avoid cutting him again. She reached for him.

He pulled away from her. “Keep going.”

She didn’t let him retreat. Her hand brushed against his cheek. “You’ve got a fever.”

“I’m fine.” He pushed her hand away.

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“Don’t blame me if you’re too exhausted to go on.”

“I drew blood, you didn’t. Don’t try and tell me I’ve lost.”

“It was the first to disarm, nothing was said about first blood.”

“Talon-”

“Damn it, I can do this. Don’t treat me like I’m sick.”

She stepped back from the anger in his voice. “We’ll call it a temporary draw. We can continue tomorrow morning.” She took a wary step towards him. “Let me check your scratch.”

He grabbed her hand before it could reach him. “It’s fine.”

Sheathing her sword in the scabbard she’d hung at her side she nodded. “You better not use it as an excuse tomorrow.” She met his gaze, seeing pain in his eyes. Before he had a chance to react, she reached out with the hand that was still free and tugged at the neck of his shirt. He let her go, pulling away, but not before she saw the bandage wrapped around his chest. “You’re injured.”

“It’s nothing.”

Guilt hit her. “You fought me while you were already injured. Are you crazy? Is that why you quit the army? How bad is it? I didn’t make it worse, did I?”

“Just go.”

“Talon-”

“Go.” He pointed towards the door.

About to argue, Brianne changed her mind when she saw the tremble in his hand. “This match isn’t over.” She stared at him a moment more before she spoke again. “Tomorrow morning.” When he nodded, she strode to the door and left, closing it softly behind her. She stood there, trying to decide what to do and was still standing there when Talon locked the door. She heard a tortured groan and reached for the door.

Her hand curled into a fist, but dropped to her side before it met the door. He didn’t want her in there. His ego probably couldn’t cope with someone seeing him weak. Turning towards her own room, she shook her head at his stupidity. It all made so much sense now. No wonder he was often cranky and left abruptly. But it didn’t help her mission any. Her people wouldn’t care that the General’s son had been injured in battle. She still had to find out something useful and she had no clue how to go about it. What had made them think she could complete this mission? She hoped it wasn’t just her lack of wings because so far that hadn’t done her much good.

At least she should be able to explore unhindered if Talon was going to hole up in his room. She thought of the room she’d tried to search several times now. Maybe this time she’d get lucky and see what was stored inside.

Talon paced the floor as he waited for Lacey to arrive for their second practice session. He’d been an idiot yesterday. He should have stopped sooner. It wasn’t necessary that he win. After a moment he smiled wryly. Of course it was necessary, but he couldn’t last that long without his wings wanting to escape their confines. He’d have to call a halt before he got to that stage today. It wasn’t losing, what had Lacey called it? Temporary truce. He could live with that. Maybe.

But it had been so long since he’d had someone to train with. Even though he’d quit the army, he hadn’t been able to convince himself to stop training. There was nothing like pitting your skills against an opponent and trying to win. But as much as he enjoyed training with her, he couldn’t keep ignoring the fact that he kept finding her in areas she shouldn’t be. If only he could find proof either way. He didn’t want to tell his father when it was only a suspicion. His father would accept that as guilt without looking further.

A knock brought him to a sudden stop and he headed back to the door, swinging it open, his sword in a scabbard at his side. He tried not to return the smile Lacey wore when he looked down at her, but it was impossible. He wanted to drag her inside and demand they start straight away.

“Good morning.”

Talon stepped aside and gestured her in. “What took you so long to get here? Did you have to build up your courage to face my superior skills?”

With a laugh, Lacey stepped inside. “You better be well today because I want you to know it was my superior skills that caused you to be disarmed. No blaming it on old injuries.”

About to answer, his attention was caught by his father striding along the corridor towards his room. At a signal from his father, he waited, Lacey coming closer to stand at his shoulder. Uncomfortable with her at his back, he stepped further into the corridor, standing at an angle so he could see both his father and Lacey.

Barrett opened his mouth, snapping it closed as his eyes fell on Lacey in the doorway. “Have you regained your memory yet?”

She shook her head. “No, sir. Only a couple of vague memories that don’t help at all.”

His eyes were drawn to the sword at her side and he nodded towards it. “Where did you get that?”

Lacey continued to meet Barrett’s gaze. “It’s not mine, sir. I borrowed it so I can continue to train. As soon as the doctors declare me fit for duty I plan to be back on patrol, sir.”

“Who does it belong to?” Barrett demanded.

When Lacey remained silent, Talon answered for her. “I’m working with her.”

“You’re training again?” Barrett demanded.

“No.”

“Then what’s going on?”

“I asked him to partner me while I train, sir.”

Talon looked towards Lacey, surprised by her defence of him, before his gaze returned to his father. “Did you have a reason to be here at this time of day? Aren’t you usually holed up in your office or tearing strips off soldiers on the training grounds by now?” He met his father’s hard look, keeping his expression neutral when a stab of pain shot across his back.

Barrett eventually turned his attention to Lacey. “We’ve narrowed your identity down to three people. Tomorrow morning the mother of one of those soldiers will be here to see you. I’ll bring her to your room.”

Talon watched Lacey carefully, like he was certain his father would be, but he couldn’t be sure if the slight hesitation was panic or amazement. Then she grinned, her entire face lighting up as she clasped her hands at chest height.

“She can’t get here any sooner? I don’t know how I’m going to be able to wait that long. And what about the families of the other two soldiers? When do I see them? Tomorrow?”

Barrett nodded. “One in the afternoon, but I don’t know when the third family will arrive. We haven’t been able to get in touch with them yet.”

“I hope it is my mother. I don’t think I can wait days to find out. You can’t imagine how difficult it is not knowing who you are.” She turned to Talon, her grin still in place. “I don’t know how I’m going to be able to concentrate to train.”

“Are you getting your excuses ready for when you lose?”

Lacey laughed. “Just trying to match you excuse for excuse.”

“What excuse have you got,” Barrett demanded of Talon.

He answered before Lacey could mention his supposed injury. “Lack of practice.”

“You only have yourself to blame for that. Wasting a god given talent is a sin.”

Talon met his father’s stare, refusing to back down. “It is, which is why I’ve chosen to focus on my painting.”

Lacey took a step into the corridor, drawing both their attentions. “I’m sorry if having you train with me has been such a chore. I’ll let you return to your painting if you prefer.”

Talon shook his head. “It’s fine.” He turned to his father. “Was that all?” It better be. He wasn’t having him chase away Lacey before he had a chance to train.

Barrett nodded, not bothering to speak before he turned on his heel and strode away. Talon stared after him until his attention was caught by Lacey moving back into the room.

A hint of a smile curved her lips. “Ready to be humiliated?”

Talon grinned, stepping into the room to lock the door behind him. “I think you’re talking about the wrong person.” He drew his sword. “You have an hour to try and disarm me, but if yesterday is any indication, you’re going to fail.” Surely he could manage an hour without his wings interfering.

“Fail?” Lacey laughed. “And who was the one bleeding yesterday?” She leapt forward, swinging her sword as she spun away.

Talon continued to grin, feeling alive as he fought her. She seemed half bird as she flew around the room. If he knew how to use his infernal wings he’d show her what it meant to fly. His back tightened and he forced himself to focus on keeping them retracted. But they wanted to break free, wanted to help him soar around the room like Lacey seemed to be able to do without any wings. “This is a fight, not a dance. I don’t think Garnet needed to show you any dance moves, you have more than enough of your own.”

“You poor thing. Do you need your opponent to stay still before you can defeat them? It’s not my fault if you’re too slow to keep up.”

“Slow?” He attacked rapidly, as she kept up her impression of a bird, darting in and out. “You better look out because I’m about to clip your wings and you won’t be flying around the room anymore.” A strange expression crossed Lacey’s face and she faltered. He nearly cut her and barely managed to draw back in time. “Lacey?” He was surprised by the depth of concern in his voice.

“I’m fine. Continue.”

But she didn’t sound fine, and her smile was forced. What had just happened? “Do you need a break?”

She shook her head, meeting his gaze, her expression unfathomable. “Not at all. Why? Do you need one?”

He recognised determination when he saw it. He smiled at her. “Not at all, but let me know if you can’t manage and I’ll let you sit down by a fire for a few minutes. I’ll even fetch you a rug for your lap.”

Lacey’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll show you who’s old, grandpa.” She renewed her attacks, flying around the room with increased energy.

Talon laughed, meeting every attack with all he had. This is what he wanted. This is what his wings had stolen from him. The energy that coursed through him screaming that he was alive. Alive and free. An hour wasn’t going to be long enough.

Brianne paced her room, glancing once again at her locked door. What was she going to do? How had her family expected her to be able to find anything out? If she left the fortress she risked never being able to return. And every time she searched the fortress Talon seemed to be there, stopping her from finding anything important. He had an uncanny ability of turning up each time she found something that might be worth checking out.

A loud rap on her door brought her pacing to a halt. Her stomach flipped and her heart leapt. She’d been thinking all night about how to play out this scene and she still wasn’t certain what to do. Now there was no more time for thinking. Hesitant steps brought her across the room and her hand hovered over the lock.

Another knock, then a voice spoke quietly and she strained to hear the words. “I’m so nervous that I couldn’t have done this on my own. What if she isn’t my daughter? How do I continue to wait and wonder? You have my eternal gratitude for coming with me, Holy Father.”

Relief rushed through Brianne as she realised how she could play this scene. This was her opportunity to apply to read the archives. Surely she’d find something useful there. Before she had a chance to unlock the door, a familiar voice destroyed her plan.

“It was providence that I returned from communing with the Lord and Lady when I did.”

No. It couldn’t be. But how many times had she heard him preach about abominations, particularly in the last couple of years. His voice haunted her nightmares. Her gaze searched the room as she stepped away from the door, the next knock sounding louder and more impatient. She had to get out of here somehow. Her initial search had shown her what she already knew. There was only one exit and the Supreme One was at it, ready to accuse her of being an abomination. What was he doing here?

Her gaze stopped at the narrow window and she quietly dashed across the room as her door shuddered. It looked like they were going to break it down. She looked out the window to the drop below. With wings she could have made it. Beyond the fortress was the city wall, the Feronian Mountains rising up in the distance. The door shuddered again. She had to do something. Anything was better than waiting to be caught. She looked down and this time noticed the narrow ledge that ran below her window and across the wall towards Talon’s window.

She could make it. The journey looked easier than climbing to the top of her favourite rock pillar. Clambering over the sill, she pressed herself against the wall, her fingers searching out holds in between the stones. She inched along, keeping her gaze trained on Talon’s window as it came closer. Her heart beat loudly and she fought the urge to turn and see if they’d breached her door and were looking out the window. Then she was climbing in Talon’s window and landing on his floor to stare open mouthed at him prone on the floor, black wings spread out about him. This was impossible.

“Talon?”

His head rose and he stared at her, his face drawn by pain. “No.” His word was a plea and his head sank again, his forehead pressed to the stone floor.

Thinking of the black feather she kept in her belt pouch, Brianne crossed the room. Kneeling before him her hands reached out to touch the side of his face and then his back where his wings emerged. Heat rose from his body, her hand feeling cold in comparison. “You’re killing yourself.” Her words were soft.

He raised his head to look at her. “I’m dead no matter how you look at it.”

“I can help you if you’ll help me.” She continued to speak quietly, her hands kneading his back around his wings. “You’re keeping them retracted too much. It’s poisoning your body.” There was a pounding at Talon’s door, neither of them paid any attention.

“I can’t spend the rest of my life hiding in my room so I can leave them out. How do you know it’s poisoning me?” He continued to stay pressed against the floor, only his head raised. He groaned. “And how did you learn this? The pain’s going already.”

She drew her hands back and watched as he sat up, keeping her voice quiet. “Hide me. Tell them you haven’t seen me and I’ll help you.”

“How do you know about wings?”

She didn’t have time for this. Barrett was bellowing Talon’s name through the door, warning him he’d break it down if he didn’t let him in. “Please.”

“Who are you, and don’t tell me Lacey or you don’t know. Don’t give me any more lies.”

“Brianne Devin.”

“And who in the Infernal World is that?”

“A Caelian.”

Talon drew back from her, swearing.

Brianne reached for him. “Please. At least give me a chance to explain myself. You can always hand me over to them later. Talon, please. I can help you.”

He stared at her a moment longer before he roared, “What? I’m busy painting. Come back later.” He rose to his feet, his wings retracting.

“Talon?” Brianne rose also.

“Set the canvas up.” He pointed to the canvas leaning face first against the wall near an easel.

Barrett continued to bellow demands through the door, slamming something against it so it shuddered.

She put the canvas on the easel, wincing at the splash of colours randomly slashed across the painting. No wonder his father didn’t believe he was an artist. Talon pushed her to the side, his shirt on and half buttoned, to splash some more random colours across the canvas.

He turned to her. “Get in the trunk at the foot of my bed.”

She met his gaze, brown eyes seeming sincere, but she didn’t know for certain. What choice did she have? With a nod, she strode to the trunk that would either be her death or her salvation. Once she was pressed against the clothes in the bottom of the trunk, Talon threw a light blanket over her and closed the lid, plunging her into darkness. A shudder went through her as she heard it lock. Panic closely followed. She took deep breaths, closing her eyes as she tried to remain calm. It felt like she’d stepped willingly into a trap.

“What?” She heard Talon demand again.

“About time. What were you doing?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Painting. How am I ever meant to get it finished with all these interruptions?”

Brianne wished she could see what was going on when the silence dragged out, then was glad she couldn’t since that meant she was hidden.

“Sorry, Holy Father, I didn’t realise you were there. My apologies. I would have opened the door immediately if I’d known.”

“And yet you would not for you own father?” The Supreme One asked.

“The Lord and Lady say we should worship them with our talents and yet everyone continues to interrupt me.”

Brianne couldn’t help smiling at Talon’s words. She could imagine how annoyed the Supreme One was. He might be completely cloaked but he still managed to convey his feelings with his tone and the way he held his body.

“Enough of this insolence. Have you seen the girl?” Barrett demanded.

“Lacey?”

“Yes Lacey. Have you seen her?”

“Not since last night when we all dined together. She has a tendency to get lost in the fortress. Have you looked around for her?” Talon asked.

“Of course I’ve got people looking for her, but her door was locked from the inside.”

“Did you check out the window? Maybe she got sick of not knowing who she is and jumped.” There was a pause before Talon said, “I’m sorry Mistress, I didn’t realise. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Brianne wondered what the woman had said or done to cause the apologetic tone in Talon’s voice. It was frustrating not knowing exactly what was happening out there.

“You will help find her,” Barrett ordered.

“I’m in the middle of painting. Surely you have enough lackeys to run around after you. What about Bellamy?” Talon’s words were met with silence.

Brianne remained cramped in the trunk, wondering what was happening. She could hear nothing. Were they gone? What was he doing? Was he planning to leave her in here forever? Then she heard the click of the lock and the lid was thrown back, the blanket dragged from her.

She sat up to stare at Talon, his shirt still half buttoned. He remained silent, his eyes roaming over her as if he was trying to figure out all her secrets. A glance around the room showed they were alone, the door closed and hopefully locked. Her gaze returned to Talon who continued to watch her.

“You owe me some answers.”

Rising to her feet, she stepped out of the trunk. “Let them out. Don’t keep your wings retracted until you’re half blind with pain.”

“I can’t risk keeping them out all the time.”

“You can’t risk not letting them out. I was serious when I said you’re poisoning your body.” She continued to watch him.

“It’s only been the last few months that I’ve had control over them. I can keep them retracted more so I’m not spending most of my time in my room. I can’t live the rest of my life shut up in here.” He made a vague gesture to his room.

“You’d rather die?”

After a moment he unbuttoned his shirt, letting it drop to the ground. His eyes closed and he threw his head back as his wings burst free. More minutes passed before his eyes met her gaze. “How do your people survive this pain?”

“There is no pain when you’re not feather poisoned.” She reached out to touch his wings, drawn by the dark feathers she longed to own.

He grabbed hold of her hand before she made contact. “You better be telling the truth.”

“You don’t know how lucky you are. I’d give anything to have wings.”

Talon laughed, a harsh abrupt sound. “You’re the one who’s lucky. I’d give anything to be rid of them.”

With the one hand still trapped, she reached out with the other, her fingertips connecting with his skin. Heat radiated from his shoulder. “You can’t keep retracting them. They’re killing you. Can’t you feel the heat of the poison burning through you?”

“Didn’t you say you were going to help me?” At her nod, Talon continued. “Then you can start with telling me what you’re doing here.”

Brianne lowered her hand, wishing now that she’d spent the time in the trunk planning what to tell him.