Eventide (Meratis Trilogy Book 2) (9 page)

“If it’s the choice between a natural glen we found in a forest, and a path hallucination conjured by the Sisters, I think I know which I prefer.”

Brady took the first step forward. “The Sisters’ motivations may be questionable, but they want Raul gone as much as we do. I don’t think they’d want to slow us down.”

His words didn’t do much to assuage Jeff’s fears, but when the other three started down the path, he saw no other option but to follow. He also couldn’t ignore the gust of wind blowing him forward. These women were nothing if not insistent.

An hour or so later, the path widened into a lane. Jeff sped up to walk abreast with Cassie. She kept her attention glued on the road ahead, not always easy to see with the moon blocked by the trees. He wanted to ask if she was all right, what she thought of their situation, but his mouth dried up, and no words fit, so he stayed quiet.

“I know this road,” Jayden spoke up after a time.

“Know it well?” asked Jeff.

“Well enough. I used to travel it often when … a long time ago.”

The unfinished explanation spurred Jeff’s curiosity, but Brady cast him a look that suggested it would be better not to push the issue.

Jayden, now that he recognised their direction, paid closer attention to the woods on either side of them, as if looking for something.

“There should be a road marker coming up,” he said. “If I’m right, we’ll be bearing left at the next turn.”

Before he could prove himself right, the sound of hoofbeats pounded the ground towards them. Jeff pulled Cassie out of the way and Brady jumped. Jayden lost his balance in an effort to stay clear and stumbled, taking a knee. He cursed as he got back to his feet, his cheeks tinged pink.

The horse spooked at the sudden chaos and reared back, the cloaked rider tumbling backwards, nearly out of the saddle. He managed to right himself without falling and tightened his grip on the reins. The horse tossed his head, nearly clipping Jeff in the shoulder.

“Idiots!” the rider called out, the voice distinctly female. She fiddled with her hood and cape, which had fallen into her face with the jarring stop.

“Us?” Jayden yelled back. “Maybe you should watch where you’re riding, you fool.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t take up the entire blasted road. This roadway is for people with somewhere to go.”

Finally disentangled, the woman pulled the hood back from her face, a fair French braid falling over her shoulder, the colour almost silver in the moonlight.

Jayden went slack-jawed, and Jeff watched his reaction with interest. “Ana?”

Brady’s eyebrows shot up, but no recognition lit up the grey eyes beneath.

Jeff shifted his attention from Jayden to the woman. She carried a presence that was part beauty and part self-confidence, her back straight and chin held high. Eyelashes so fair they were almost invisible framed large brown eyes that at the moment were even wider with surprise.

“Well, well, Lord Feldall. I can say with absolute certainty you’re the last person I expected to find on this road.” She scanned him from head to toe. “What in mercy’s name are you wearing?”

Jeff wanted to applaud. He guessed from their interaction that it had been a while since this Ana woman had seen Jayden, and yet the black patch and empty right sleeve didn’t appear to faze her. Classy.

Jayden opened his mouth to reply, but the woman settled herself back in the saddle.

“Wish I had time to chat.” She paused. “Actually, no I don’t, to be honest. I assume you’re coming for a visit?”

Through stiff lips, Jayden replied, “Out of necessity.”

“I suppose we’ll meet again soon then. Must dash.”

She clicked her tongue, and the horse took off, a cloud of dust stirring up behind her, leaving the four of them watery-eyed and coughing.

“Who the hell was that?” Jeff asked.

“History,” Jayden grumbled. He continued to stare down the road long after the woman disappeared. “But no doubt you’ll find out soon enough. Come on, let’s go.”

Jeff shivered as the dampness of early morning soaked into his skin, and he pulled his collar closer around his neck. As unpleasant as the heatwave had been back home, he wished he could have transported a few degrees with him to keep the nights comfortable. At least it wasn’t winter again.

They kept a sharper eye out for any other crazed riders on their path, but the night remained still. A few minutes later, they came across the fork in the road, as Jayden said they would, and bore left. In the moonlight, Jeff couldn’t make out the sign of where they were going, but Jayden seemed confident they were headed the right way.

“Do you know this place?” he whispered to Brady.

The scholar shook his head. “But Jayden wouldn’t lead us knowingly into danger. If he knows where we’re going, we should be all right.”

A gate loomed ahead, and Jayden’s teeth flashed in a smile. “Only been six years, but I knew I wouldn’t forget this place.”

“Brothel?” Jeff asked, thinking he recognised the hint of fun memories in Jayden’s tone. He sensed Cassie’s glare at his back.

The warrior’s mouth twisted into a frown. “Watch your tongue, Author. You’re standing in the shadows of the queen’s palace.”

Jeff tilted his head back to appreciate the height of the gate. It loomed at least three times as tall as Jeff, all stone and chains. Guard towers stood on either side and, even though in the darkness he couldn’t see them, he could feel eyes watching him from on high.

“Why would the Sisters guide us here?”

Jayden’s fingers slipped around the edge of his dagger. “I don’t think it was a coincidence we met that rider on the road. After all, the answers would find
us
, they said. The capital must have news.”

Jeff looked from Jayden to Cassie—who appeared as amazed as Jeff felt—to Brady. “So, do we knock?”

Brady shrugged. “I guess we find out.”

He approached the gate, but before he could knock or ring the bell, or whatever other system they had to announce one’s presence, the doors at the bottom of both left and right guard towers opened, and a flood of men came out. Soon the four of them were surrounded by twelve guards, spears aimed at their chests.

Chapter Six

J
ayden released his grip on his dagger, and the other three kept their hands visible.

“They definitely have news,” Jayden mumbled under his breath. Louder, he said, “What’s the reason for this assault? I’m the Lord of House Feldall, on my way home from a reconnaissance mission. We come seeking news and information, not to bring harm.”

“Title or not, sir, we follow the queen’s orders,” one of the guards replied. He pushed back the faceplate on his helmet, revealing an older man well in his fifties, who appeared just as happy to stop them as they were to be stopped. “I’m afraid I don’t know your face. Until we can confirm you are who you say you are, you’ll stay here. Strange folk about, see, and their intentions haven’t all been within Her Majesty’s laws.”

Brady caught Jeff’s eye, and the scholar’s eyebrow quirked. Jeff grimaced. Not even a day and Raul’s minions were already getting themselves noticed? They had to be found before Raul really got started.

Jayden didn’t look assuaged by the man’s explanation. The corner of his lip twitched with impatience, his fingers dropped towards his weapon.

“So what are
your
intentions?” Cassie asked before he could say anything, her service smile pasted on her face. “We’ve been walking for hours, so no matter what your plan is, somewhere to sit would be wonderful.”

The older guard jerked his head, and the guards lowered their weapons, and took a step back.

A younger man stepped up towards them. He had the same long nose and slight downward slant to the eyes as the first man, giving away their genetic relation. “I’m afraid you’ll have to be detained. At least until you can account for your being here, dressed as you are.” He smiled. “But I promise the accommodations will be comfortable.”

“And you are?” Cassie asked.

“Captain Michael Dorning, ma’am,” the older man said, his fingers raised to his brow. “My son, Darcy.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Captain. We follow at your leisure.”

Dorning stood aside to let Cassie go first, and then fell in behind, separating the others. Jayden stared after Cassie with amazement, either impressed by her ability to get on good terms with the soldier, or flabbergasted that she hadn’t demanded they be released. Brady bit his cheek to stop the smile threatening to appear, but couldn’t hide the humour in his eyes.

Jeff allowed himself to be carried with the crowd, disappointed not to be able to see more of the grounds in the grey dawn. He hoped he’d see more come daylight.

He also hoped he wouldn’t be trapped down in a black basement cell again.

His stomach clenched, and his palms went clammy. He wiped them down on his jeans, but they didn’t dry. Flicking his gaze back and forth, he kept an eye on where they were going, ready to make a break for it if they tried to get him to go down any stairs.

Dorning led them over crunching gravel to a side door and held it open for guards and guests—or were they prisoners?—to enter, then he allowed his men to lead while he took the rear. Four of the guards accompanied them inside, and the others returned to their posts at the gate.

Inside, despite the hour, torches blazed on walls, which gave the corridor a warm, welcoming feel. A stairwell, dressed in red velvet carpeting, appeared ahead of them as they rounded a corner: one set up, one down. Jeff couldn’t catch his breath. What would he do if they threatened to lock him away again? He wouldn’t make it. Not even for one night.

Just as his shirt felt like it was tightening around his chest and throat, the guard started upwards. Jeff’s heart, which had stopped on reaching the stairs, started again, pounding a painful beat against his ribs as fresh air filled his lungs.

Up. There may still be a locked door ahead, but at least it was up. A small comfort.

At the top, they were directed left. One guard opened a door and stood next to the doorway as Jeff, Brady, Cassie, and Jayden were ushered in.

The younger Dorning hadn’t lied. The rooms they’d been brought to were opulent, all plush furniture and gold filigree designs on the walls. A large sofa and two love seats, upholstered in a rich burgundy, dominated the centre of the room around a large round coffee table, the surface encrusted with marble, jasper, and lapis lazuli. Jeff had done his research. He knew what the table alone would cost back in his world. Fortunately for the queen, it would be too heavy to roll back to Maggie.

“Someone will be along soon to speak with you,” Captain Dorning said.

Darcy added, “And I’ll have someone come up with a bite to eat. You look like you should build your strength before the queen’s men start in with their interrogation.”

The words sounded unpleasant, but he said them with a smile directed at Cassie. She grinned back at him, and Jeff heard a new demon rumble inside his head, this one with vibrant green eyes. He frowned and took a step closer to her.

The older Dorning glanced towards him, and he flashed a less flirtatious grin. “Shame I won’t be around to hear your story directly. You look a strange group. Bet it’d be a good one.”

“A grand tale, full of adventure and excitement,” Jeff replied, hoping he didn’t sound quite as sarcastic as he did in his mind.

“No doubt. Make yourselves comfy.”

The Captain nodded at Brady and Jayden, and he and his son left, closing the door behind them. They heard a lock, and Jeff’s anxiety rose again. Trying not to panic, he went over to the far wall and played with the curtains, searching for the divide. Eventually he found it and yanked them open, melting into a puddle of relief at seeing the window behind them. He cracked one open, took a deep breath, and ran a hand over his face only to discover he was trembling.

“Are you all right?” Cassie’s soft voice spoke up.

Jeff turned to face her, leaned back against the wall. “Not a fan of closed-in spaces these days.”

She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze, then started to let go, but Jeff tightened his grip.

“What about you? Everything okay? You’ve been quiet since the woods.”

With apparent difficulty meeting his gaze, Cassie stared intently at his nose. “Your book—and you—failed to mention your relationship with those … women.”

“The Sisters?” Jeff asked.

She nodded. “I didn’t realise you were all so close.”

Jeff made a mild gagging noise. “Trust me, the physical allure wears off pretty quickly once they start messing with your head. If I never had to see them again, I wouldn’t be heartbroken.” He caught the uncertainty in her eyes and adopted a teasing smile. “Hey, you’re not jealous, are you?”

Her night-blue eyes turned stormy, and Jeff pressed his lips together, guessing that somehow he’d said the wrong thing.

Before he could apologise, she released his hand and crossed the room, dropping down on the sofa next to Brady. The scholar had already made himself familiar with the small bookcase in the room and was flipping through pages covered with coloured ink. At a question from Cassie, he leaned in towards her to explain what he was reading.