Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane) (3 page)

Half the Bringers moved forward to form an arc around the left side of the table on which Esmeralda’s body lay and the other half did the same to Rell’s right, creating a complete circle around the two tables. They joined hands. The deep voice of the Bringer King began a low, melodic chant. Rell’s eyes slid shut, and she focused on the beautiful words, trying to relax. The unknown was sometimes the hardest to endure, but soon the healing would be over.

The smooth alto voice of the Bringer standing at Rell’s head joined the king’s chant, harmonizing. Tremors rippled along Rell’s muscles and her body gave a single jerk. One at a time each Bringer joined the chant, their voices traveling around the circle and merging until Rell was surrounded by the song.

Tightness formed in her chest and squeezed, the sensation quickly crossing from discomfort to pain. Rell’s eyelids popped open and she gasped. Air trickled in and out of her with each labored breath she attempted. It felt as if a giant snake slithered through her organs and vessels inside her body. Rell struggled to keep control and not cry out when the blackness glided up her neck and behind her eyes, attempting to steal her sight.

The oppressive presence sifted through her mind, taunting Rell for her foolish belief that the Bringers would be her salvation. She tried to block out the mocking darkness but could feel her will weakening. A whimper slipped between her tightly pressed lips.

The sizzle of burning herbs hissed to the right of her head and the scent of sage enveloped her. Wind hammered the door against the wood frame, its howl filtering through the cracks with a mournful wail.

Still the Bringers continued, relentless with the healing song that caused the Bane presence to roil inside her. The shadowy manifestation filled her head, attempting to block out the words of salvation from her mind. The chant grew muffled and the words that she was desperately trying to hold onto faded to an indistinguishable drone. With nothing for Rell to focus on, the loneliness her sister had battled so hard to keep at bay slipped forward. The darkness inside Rell slithered around the part of her soul that was still good—the part that still wanted a human life—and tightened.

A chill invaded her body. Driving so deep it felt as if it was buried in her bones. She shivered. A wave of hopelessness swamped her. A cry pushed from Rell’s lips. She was unable to control the anguish coursing through her. She would not make it through the transition from demon to human. Nothing could possibly win against the all-encompassing bleakness.

Her body shook violently, as if wanting to levitate from the wooden platform she lay on. Helpless to aid those who called to her, centuries of souls bound by the same darkness tried to lay claim to her eternal soul. Tormented screams erupted in Rell’s mind. The cries of dark souls screeching to be set free shoved Rell toward the brink of insanity.

Just when she thought all was lost, warmth registered against Rell’s thighs and shoulders. Like grasping for a branch while being swept along a cold, raging river, she focused on the spreading heat, drawing strength from its power. Feminine voices broke past the screams and the dark barrier, reaching for her soul. One voice rose above the rest—Ravyn. With a chant ancient and powerful, she burned a trail through the blackness, lighting a way for the others.

In Rell’s mind, a spiral of fire ignited the Demon Bane’s hold on her and blazed a path down the coiling snake that imprisoned her. The beast writhed and squeezed tighter, unwilling to release Rell’s soul. The table on which she lay began to shake, beating violently against the ground. Though strapped to the table, her body trembled against the force of each punishing strike. A new presence attacked the dense blackness and pelted it with white light. The snake screamed. Its rage lashed out like a barbed whip.

A third figure appeared, walking through the turmoil to where Rell’s soul lay helplessly restrained within the coils of her black prison. Golden threads spiraled from the third Bringer. Each thread wove its way between the coils of the snake and wrapped around Rell. Warmth and loved filled her.

The Bringer’s glowing touch cleared the doubt and chaos from Rell’s mind. She directed her soul toward the light and latched on. The black snake yanked, turning the battle between dark and light into a tug-of-war. Again the two other Bringers attacked, pummeling the snake with fire and white light. Its hold loosened. The golden tendrils heaved one final time and dragged Rell’s soul from the Bane body.

Silence enveloped her. The sound of the wind beating at the door and the chanting was no more. Rell floated toward the ceiling and hovered above her demon form, which now lay lifeless. Three golden ropes wound around her thighs and neck. The lines connected Rell’s soul to the three Bringer women standing below her.

Now free of the demon, the darkness’s hold vanished. A sensation of freedom overtook her. There was no more pain, no sadness, no regret. She wanted to stay like this forever.

The three women skirted the large table, where Rell had laid in her demon form, and moved toward her human body. She glided with them until she hovered above her small human form. The urge to yank free from the golden ropes seized Rell. There would be discomfort and weakness once she was human again. Only Siban’s hopeful face weakened her resistance. The freedom her battle-weary soul was experiencing would have to wait until it was
her
time to pass through the Veil. This was not the day.

With a different chant, the women slowly lowered her soul until it hovered mere inches above Esmeralda. Six more Bringers stepped forward and laid their hands on the motionless flesh of her human body. A new heaviness moved along Rell’s soul, pressing her down—down—down.

Blackness encompassed her. The chant from a single Bringer woman filled her ears. Rell didn’t understand the words, but they welcomed her. Though bereft of her soul’s lost freedom, the chant ignited hope inside her. Had she made it?

The singing dimmed and finally stopped. A firm hand pressed against her forehead.

“Rell?” Whether from the woman’s voice or the touch during their battle to free her soul, she recognized the Bringer who had possessed the golden tendrils that saved her. “Can you hear me?”

Her eyelids felt like iron weights, and it took all of Rell’s effort to open them. She blinked several times trying to bring the room into focus. Three sets of pale blue eyes stared down at her with concern.

Then Siban was there, crowding in to bend over her and clutch her hand. “Are you all right? Can you hear me?”

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her throat felt dry and raspy, her breathing labored. The smallest action took a great amount of effort. Tremors rippled through her body as her sluggish blood started pumping more quickly through her veins. She wiggled her toes, which sent a cold push of blood up and into her heart, causing her to shudder and convulse again.

King Gregory moved to Rell’s side, gazed upon her for a few seconds, and then nodded to somebody beyond her vision. Her mother and sister stepped forward.

“This will be over in a few seconds.” Jade lifted the thin fabric of the chemise Rell wore to just below her breasts. “You’ll be much stronger after Gregory brings you to full power.”

Unable to speak, Rell watched the man raise a dagger. Her heart beat faster. If not for Jade’s words of assurance, Rell would have believed Gregory was about to kill her, and the weakness of her body would have prevented her from stopping him.

“In death there is life.” He made a sign in the air above Rell’s body with the knife. “In sacrifice, return.”

More voices joined the chant. Again the hiss of herbs and their scent wafted around her. The three women who had returned her soul to her body laid their hands along different parts of Rell’s legs and torso. Warmth flooded her.

“All barriers destroyed and evil be spurned.” Gregory pressed the cold blade against the bare skin next to her heart. “No hindrance remain, from our blood be renewed.” Without warning, he made a shallow cut. The pain stung along her upper rib but was nothing compared to what she’d already been through. “That which was taken, settle in those who Bring true.”

Like a torch touched to dry timber, her body exploded as if on fire. Heat raced through every vessel, filling it with strength and burning away the cold chill of death. Rell gasped and arched away from the table but firm hands held her down. Siban’s low whispers helped keep her rooted in the present when her body and mind threatened to shatter into a thousand fiery sparks.

The sensation of choking pulled at her throat. She gasped, her eyes growing wide as panic gripped her. A white vapor spilled from her mouth and hovered above her face briefly before descending to cover her. A searing sting burned just below her bottom lip and the cloud evaporated, leaving her alert, but not completely free of pain.

Willa’s hand smoothed back her hair. Rell exhaled heavily and let her body relax against the table. Her throat still burned from thirteen years of inactivity.

“Water.” The word rasped from her.

Within seconds, a goblet of water appeared before her. Willa and Siban helped her to a sitting position and Jade held the edge of the goblet to her lips. The cool liquid soothed her burning throat. Rell coughed when her reflex to swallow threatened to rebel. Another sip—each cell of her body absorbing the first trace of drink in more than a decade.

She brought a shaking hand to her mouth and wiped. “Thank you.”

Nobody spoke, all eyes trained on her as if expecting her to do something—anything.

The woman named Meran approached. “How do you feel?”

Her emotions were too chaotic and contradictory. Happy that she’d made it through the healing. Grateful for a chance to live her human life again. Yet bereft over losing the nearly indestructible demon body that had protected her soul. Rell sighed. “Human again.”

Every person in the room seemed to relax, the tension melting into joyous chatter. What she said was true. She did feel human. Her muscles quivered with weakness and Rell couldn’t help but lament the loss of the strength her demon form had possessed. The skin she wore felt awkward and foreign. It was smooth and soft, so unlike the taut, thick hide of the Bane. Though her hair cascaded down her back, there was no burden of the small, weighty horns. But the thing she tried hardest not to miss was her wings. Now earthbound, she would no longer know the freedom of flight.

She looked at Meran. “I felt you during the struggle. You helped me.”

The young woman’s smile held a hint of the ethereal, as if she knew more than most and was among them for a higher purpose. Rell recognized Meran’s strength. She’d experienced it firsthand. Never would she underestimate this petite Bringer.

“I’m a Redeemer. It’s my duty to save souls—sometimes from the brink of the Abyss.” She indicated Ravyn and the other Bringer woman. “My sisters Ravyn and Juna were there too. We are the Trilation. Three to battle the darkness.” She shrugged. “You were our first successful attempt.”

“I’m very happy you succeeded.” Rell glanced at the other sisters. “I owe you my life.”

“You owe us nothing,” Gregory said. “It is us who owe you. This is a great day for the Bringers. We would not have known if the conversion would be successful without your cooperation. You were strong as a Bane and will be even stronger as a Bringer.”

She
had
been a strong Bane, but not nearly the strongest. His praise left a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach. The line of Bringers blocked her view of the other table. “What happened to my demon form?”

The quick glances exchanged between some of the Bringers were not lost on her.

“Come.” Siban held out his hand. “We will say good-bye to her together.”

She hesitated only a second before accepting his hand. With an arm around her waist, he helped her stand. The Bringers parted to reveal the table on which she’d lain at the beginning of her healing. Her steps shuffled forward until she stood at the edge of the wooden slab.

As if created by a master sculpture, her demon form appeared to be only sleeping. No longer the pearlescent green, the skin had turned gray. When Rell reached out to touch a talon, the claw crumbled to ash. She jerked away. Like a row of children’s blocks that had been lined up and then pushed over, the ripple moved along the demon body.

First the hand she’d touched, then the arm and shoulder. The ash dropped and lay in neatly formed piles. Rell didn’t move, only watched as the body that had been
her
for thirteen years, disintegrated into gray powder. She wanted to scoop it up, to try and stop its destruction. Logically, there was no reason to want the reminder of all she’d been through, but the demon body had been a part of her—had protected her in a ruthless world.

When the last trace of her Bane form had fallen to ash, Rell turned away and looked at Gregory. “What now?”

He inhaled and scanned the crowd of Bringers. “Now we train.” He paused. “We have more Bringers to save.”

Chapter Three

Rell stared at herself in the mirror. The black wool-and-leather pants and tunic Ravyn had given her hung loose on her thin frame, but she liked the ease of movement that the clothes allowed her.

It had been three days since she’d retaken her human body—three days to become accustomed to its weaknesses. When she’d first been shown her image, she’d looked about sixteen. Meran had told her she would change until she matched her present age and then grow older almost imperceptibly from there on. Rell appeared to be around eighteen years old now. Still fresh-faced, but she no longer possessed the childlike roundness.

She smoothed her hand over her cheek. Even though she appeared nearly the same as the day she had been taken, the face that stared back at her was practically a stranger. Soon she would look her full twenty-eight years. She sighed, a twinge of vanity pinching her. Most women had the luxury of aging gradually. She would gain ten years within the next month. At least from that point on she would have centuries to grow used to her appearance.

Her finger traced the single black line running from her lower lip to the dip above her chin. The stark Tell tattoo lay dark against her still slightly gaunt complexion. Though she looked young, her soul felt old.

A knock sounded at her bedroom door and Jade peeked inside. “Good morning.”

Rell turned from the mirror and smiled. “Good morning.”

“You’re up early.” Her sister strode across the room and wrapped Rell in a brief hug. “How are you feeling?”

It was a question Rell had been asked a hundred times over the last three days and one not easily answered. Physically she was getting stronger. Her coordination was back and her spirits as good as could be expected, but there were nuances she dared not share with the rest of the Bringers—a heaviness that still stirred within her soul.

She shrugged. “Better—stronger. I think I’m finally getting used to being human again.”

Jade perched on the edge of the bed. “Is it very different from being a Bane?”

“Yes, but it’s difficult to describe.” Rell joined her sister on the bed, wondering how much she should share. Already she’d put Jade through so much. The last thing she wanted was for her to worry even more. It was difficult enough with Siban never more than ten feet away, hovering over her like a mother hen. “The body of a Demon Bane possesses so much power, but it’s dark and there was very little remorse for the things I did.” The concern in her sister’s expression spurred Rell on. “But I don’t feel that anymore. When I think of the emotions I had as a demon, I have a hard time reconciling them with my new life. Most Bane are reactionary.” She paused. “Except for Icarus—and Vile. Their actions are very deliberate.”

“Gregory explained a bit about the Bane before you were returned to your human form.” Jade shifted to face her more fully. “He said that the demons who can steal souls and command the forces are Spoils, the original Bane. There are also Deceivers and Enticers, but these demons can’t steal souls. The rest are human who have been converted and are really just mindless soldiers.”

Rell nodded. “That makes sense. I wonder what Sha-hera is.”

“I’ve seen her and her army nearly lure an entire shipload of men to their death. I suspect the Captain of the Succubus army is an Enticer.” Jade shook her head. “She is one nasty piece of work.”

“And deadly.” Rell gave an exaggerated shudder. Though she’d tried to stay out of the succubus’s way in the Shadow World, encounters with Sha-hera had still been too frequent. Close to Vile and at odds with Icarus, Sha-hera had set herself between father and son, hoping to grab Icarus’s power when Icarus was banished.

A comfortable silence stretched between them. Since her transformation, Rell had spent very little time alone with her sister and there were still things that needed to be said—apologies to be made. “Jade.” She covered her sister’s hand with hers. “I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for everything I put you through.”

Shame over so many betrayals swamped her. Not only had she kept the truth about their mother still being alive a secret, but she’d helped Icarus lure Luc and Jade into the Shadow World. Memories of those dark days threatened to crack Rell’s will.

Her sister’s expression softened. “You don’t have to apologize—”

“Yes I do,” Rell said, cutting her off. “I
need
to say these things so you know that I understand what I did.” Jade’s lips tightened into a thin line, but she didn’t reply, only gave a single nod. “After I’d been turned into a Demon Bane, I was more scared than I had ever been in my life. My mind was not right, battling to accept what I’d become and the loss of my family and my human life. I remember thinking that if I couldn’t accept my demon form, there was no possible way mother would accept me.” She swallowed down the memories of those first chaotic hours. “You were still a child, innocent and accepting. I needed somebody to see that I was still Esmeralda.”

“I understand.” Jade gripped Rell’s hands and squeezed. “Don’t torture yourself.”

“I’m not torturing myself, and I’m not making excuses for my actions. I had no control over being turned Bane, but by taking you away from our home when I knew mother still lived, I purposefully inflicted that same life on you. I forced you to live in the Shadow World with me. It was no place for a child. Cold, lonely, and dangerous. If the demons had discovered us, you would have shared my fate.” She paused. “I knew it was wrong, but after a while the thought of living alone was unbearable. I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that mother was alive. For that I will always be sorry.”

“I won’t.” Jade leveled her gaze at her. “If everything we’ve gone through had to happen to bring us to this point, then I’d gladly live it again—even father’s death.”

Her sister’s answer surprised her. “Why would you say that?”

“What’s happening between the Bringers and the Bane is so much bigger than us, Esmeralda.” Jade’s use of her human name bit at Rell like a raw sore. No longer did she feel like Esmeralda. That girl was dead. “Not only have we both lived in the Shadow World, but you were a Demon Bane. You have more to offer the Bringers than anybody alive. You know how they think and feel, what they’re capable of physically.” She cocked a brow. “You and Siban may be the best secret weapons in the Bringer arsenal.” Jade touched her finger to the spot below her lip, indicating Rell’s Tell tattoo. “And since both of you are Tells, together you may be doubly effective. None of us who grew up on this side of the Arch have yet learned our full potential, but now there are those who can teach us.”

Rell thought about it. Being a demon was still fresh in her mind, but perhaps over time the memories would fade—she hoped those memories would fade. “You might be right, but the price we’ve paid thus far has been steep.”

“And bound to grow steeper before this war is over.”

Siban stuck his head into the bedroom. “Breakfast has been set in the Great Hall. Are you hungry?”

She sighed. “With the meals mother and Delphina keep feeding me, I won’t stay thin for long.”

“But there’s no getting around it.” Her sister stood and tugged Rell to her feet. “Best to eat and not have to listen to either of them harp at us.”

“You’re probably right.”

In the hallway Siban placed a hand on her back, guiding Rell down the stairs with Jade in the lead. He’d been her constant companion, only leaving her to sleep. Though sweet, his hovering made her feel pinned in at times. Being around people, and him specifically, would take some getting used to. Hopefully Siban would realize she wasn’t as delicate as he believed.

The smell of bacon and the din from the household full of Bringers reached her before they’d turned the last corner. Noise and so many people set her nerves on edge. Their flowing conversations were like webs she tried to avoid. Besides Jade’s presence, her life had been isolated in the Shadow World. The ability and desire to engage in senseless chatter had been lost.

As if sensing her apprehension, Siban’s arm slipped more firmly around her waist. He led her to the end of a long table. “Sit here and I’ll get us food.”

She eased onto the bench next to the oldest of the three Bringer sisters, Juna. She was deep in conversation with Gregory, which gave Rell a chance to observe the two of them. Where Juna’s sisters emanated kindness and caring, she carried herself like a hardened warrior. Though she strongly resembled Ravyn, the older Bringer had none of her sister’s carefree or compassionate demeanor.

Harsh whispers between Juna and Gregory reached Rell’s ears. The two appeared to disagree about what the Bringers’ next move against the Bane should be. Rell settled her gaze on Siban, but her attention was fixed completely on the conversation next to her. She wondered if Juna was King Gregory’s woman. He certainly allowed her far more freedom in speaking her mind than seemed normal for a king.

“Then leave them here to train.” Juna’s whisper rose in volume. “I will take the others to the Shadow World. Letting the Bane get any stronger than they already are is foolish.”

“You’re not thinking with your head. If you go into the Shadow World, who will train the others? You’ll do your mother no good if you get captured by Vile. I can’t allow it.” Gregory took a bite of eggs, chewed, and swallowed. “Besides, you need the others. They know the Shadow World far better than you do and none of them are yet ready for that kind of mission.”

The woman bristled at his tone. “I am able to take care of myself.”

He snorted and shoveled in another mouthful of eggs.

“You think I can’t?” Juna placed her hands on either side of her trencher and leaned toward him, her voice coming out in an angry hiss. “After everything we’ve been through?”

He exhaled and set his spoon down, turning to look at her. “Your abilities are not in question. It’s your logic. I will not risk your life unnecessarily. That is a promise I made to your father.”

She stood and glared down at him. “I don’t need your protection anymore, Gregory. I’m not a child.”

Rell watched the king, as he in turn watched his second-in-command stomp away. To the unbiased observer, his admiration for the woman was more than apparent. His silver gaze tracked to Rell, but she didn’t look away.

“She’s very stubborn,” he said.

“She thinks you see her as a child.” The words slipped out unbidden. Her brow cocked in question. “Do you?”

A smile tugged at the corner of his sculpted mouth. “What do you think?”

“No. If anything, I’d say your feelings are quite the opposite.” She held his stare. “Maybe you should tell her.”

He gave a bark of laughter. “And lose my edge completely. No thank you.”

At that moment Siban arrived with their food, putting an end to her and Gregory’s conversation. Piles of eggs, bacon, and crusty bread were stacked high on the square wooden slab. Her stomach growled in response to the delicious smells.

“I hope you’re hungry.” Siban slid the plate onto the table in front of her.

“Not
that
hungry.” She pointed to the food. “You’re planning on helping me eat this, yes?”

He gave her a sheepish grin and plucked a piece of bread from the tray. “I am.”

Nearly half the slice went into Siban’s mouth. Rell’s eyes widened. “Maybe I should eat my portion now before it’s all gone.”

He chewed and smiled, making him look like a happy boy. She shook her head and picked up a piece of bacon. The savory aroma made her mouth water. After all the revolting things she’d eaten as a demon, she’d never get tired of delectable cooked meat.

Gregory rose and walked to the front of the room to stand near the blazing hearth. The crackling fire framed his large body. His black hair gleamed from the flickering flames and his close-cut goatee lent a hard edge to his features. He was very handsome and looked every bit a king.

Rell leaned toward Siban. “I think he’s sweet on the Bringer named Juna.”

Siban’s eyes widened, his gaze skating to Gregory. He swallowed. “He’s got his work cut out for himself.”

“Good morning,” Gregory said, cutting off the rest of their exchange. The conversation from the other Bringers stopped and everybody turned their attention to their leader. “I thought it best to explain what to expect in the upcoming days. Please, continue to eat. I’ll make this as brief as possible.”

An unladylike snort issued from behind Rell. She craned her neck to see Juna leaning against a stone pillar a few yards away, arms tightly crossed in front of her chest. Rell returned her attention to the front of the room.

“Two of the Bringers from my party.” The king pointed to a burly man and a statuesque woman sitting at the opposite end of the table. “Magnus and Brita, will instruct those of you from this side of the Arch on the Bringer history. It is lengthy and politically convoluted but I promise you will not be bored.” Quiet laughter rippled through the room. “I have a list of tasks, training, and posts that I’ve delegated to each of you. This will create a flowing schedule that will make the best use of our time while we train, prepare for our upcoming mission, and provide a constant watch to the manor.”

“What is our next mission?” Luc asked between mouthfuls of food.

Gregory crossed his arms and spread his legs in a more relaxed stance. “We are going to rescue the other Bringers from the Shadow World.”

A low rumble of approval rolled through the crowd. Rell glanced at Juna again. The woman appeared more alert, less angry, her gaze fixed on Gregory. A sensation of anticipation and expectation emanated from her.

Siban followed the direction she stared and he smirked. “She hopes to lead the mission.”

“You feel it too?”

He nodded. “Like she bashed me over the head with it.”

Rell turned back to her food. “It’s going to take a while to get used to these Tell powers.”

“If we ever do,” he said.

“Juna will be leading the training sessions,” Gregory continued. “She is my second-in-command. Please go to her with any problems and questions if I’m not available.”

Rell repressed the urge to smile. The king’s placation was obvious even if she hadn’t been a Tell.