Shadowstorm (Sorcery and Science Book 6) (24 page)

“It was Chase! That Selpe dog!” he spat.

Two of the soldiers snickered at his outburst, but they were silenced by a hard look from the group’s leader. At least Cameron thought he looked like a leader. He was older than the other soldiers, and he had a fancier-looking pin doohickey on the breast of his uniform.

“How long ago did this happen?” Leader asked.

“A couple of hours ago.”

“This happened
hours
ago, and you only called us in now?”

Morton Corse shoved his sweaty finger in Leader’s face. “Don’t get snippy with me, Sergeant. That Chase is a devious one. Before he stole from me, he drugged me with a sedative. I only just woke up.”

The two snickering soldiers gave each other knowing looks.

“So instead of wasting time loafing around here, go get that artifact back from Chase,” Morton Corse said. “I’ve told you where he lives.”

Leader’s no-nonsense lips thinned into a hard line at the mention of ‘loafing’, but he waved the soldiers out. Their ghostly forms marched toward the door, dissolving into smoky wisps as they hit Cameron’s body.

Cameron concentrated on the artifact and the Selpe spy Morton Corse had mentioned. Memories swirled around him, the voices and images an orchestra of a million passed moments. His mind caught on to one of those million: that of a dark-haired man in a silver-grey suit. He sat alone at a corner table in the lounge of the Red Leaf, sipping from a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold.

A woman entered the lounge, her scarlet satin dress looking more like a nightgown than evening wear. She strutted across the room, her hips swaying and popping as she slinked over to Morton Corse’s table. With a leisurely wink, she pulled him out of his chair, leading him away to a dark corner of the restaurant. The Avan spy not only followed her willingly; he intertwined his fingers with hers. And he was smiling like it was his birthday.

Corse sipped from his water glass, and his head hit the table. The lady in red just kept on talking, giving the Selpe spy a demure wink as he reached into Corse’s inside jacket pocket. He tucked the box into his own jacket, handed the lady a thick stack of Selpe Crowns, then headed for the exit.

“Where are you going?” Everett asked as Cameron trailed the memory out of the Red Leaf.

“Following memories.”

He made it three steps, then stopped. He was so entrenched in the memory by now that he didn’t even need to track it from one physical space to another. He had only to hang on and see where it brought him. Diffused blobs of light popped up all around Cameron, blotting out the street, the buildings, the people…

Piece by piece, things shifted back into focus, showing him the inside of an apartment. The Selpe spy lay reclined on the sofa at an awkward angle. He didn’t move. He didn’t even blink. He was frozen. Whatever had done that to him, it was magic. The aftertaste of Ice Root lingered in the air.

Over the Selpe spy stood a woman in battle leather.
Crystal blue eyes
peered down at him through indigo hair. An Elition. And there was another. Cameron could feel the pulse of Phantom power from beyond the white mist.

“Got it,” said a deep voice. It was muffled in watery echoes.

The Phantom stepped out of the mist, the stolen box in his hand. The woman gave the Selpe spy one final look, then joined the other Elition at the door. They left the apartment and sprinted through Lear, as dark and silent as the night shadows themselves. They stopped in the forest outside the city, not far from where Cameron, Terra, and Everett had made camp the night Jason had found them seven months ago. Except this was happening…ten months ago. Nearly a whole year. He’d already tracked the Xenen artifact through three different people. How many more would he need to follow?

“Ok, Kaia. Let’s see what we have,” the Phantom said, lifting the lid off the slim box. His bronze eyes glimmered when he saw the smooth metal piece inside. “It’s of Xenen design all right.”

“Mysteria was right,” said Kaia. “Cassandra Seadusk is finally setting her machinations into play. It won’t be long now.”

He shut the box and tucked it back inside his backpack. “We need to bring this back home.”

“Cameron? Cameron, are you all right?”

Terra’s voice echoed, distant and faint. He blinked, and the forest began to bleed away.

“I’m fine. Two Elitions took the Xenen artifact.”

He watched Kaia and the Phantom jump into a boat. Their forms lit up in gold halos, they rowed out to sea. Cameron knew where they were heading. The path of memory was ablaze with a lime green streak that stretched forth from their boat, out to an island. His mind hit a wall of intertwined trees and skyscrapers.

“Do they still have it?” Everett asked.

“Yes. They do.”

Everett faded in before his eyes. “Where?”

“The fortress of no return,” said Cameron. “Lord Varen’s island.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

~
Cross Trails ~

527AX January 18, Woods Outside Lear

SOGGY LEAVES GURGLED and slumped into the mud beneath Terra’s boots. She was still wearing the clothes Everett had picked up for her in Lear, and they weren’t exactly forest friendly. The smooth brown leather boots were more fashionable than functional, especially the heels. They sank into the soft ground with a vengeance, which made walking in the woods…interesting. On the other hand, she did like the way the outfit accentuated her curves.

“Here is where they stood,” Cameron said, stopping beneath two slender saplings. “Before they left for Lord Varen’s island.”

“And you’re sure the artifact is still there?” Everett asked.

“Yes.”

Everett didn’t look as though he liked the answer, and Terra couldn’t blame him. There was a reason everyone—Selpe, Avan, Elition, or otherwise—was afraid to venture close to Lord Varen’s island. Most people who did were never heard from again. Those few who did return, didn’t escape unscathed. The last person she knew who had tried was
Pyre. He’d barely made it off the island alive. The healers of Rosewater had managed to purge his body of the poisons, but he hadn’t woken up for weeks. And when he finally had, he didn’t remember a thing from his time on the island. It was as though those memories had been wiped away.
Pyre was one of the toughest, most experienced Elitions Terra knew. If he couldn’t handle the Varenese, then it was unlikely anyone could.

“Maybe the artifact is safest where it is,” she said, trying not to feel ashamed at the suggestion. Yes, she was afraid. She wasn’t stupid after all. The Varenese had Elitions. Supercharged Elitions.

“Maybe. It’s certainly well out of Selpe or Avan hands,” replied Everett, pacing. He stopped and looked at them. “But I promised Ryder that I’d find out what happened to our people. I promised myself. These Xenen artifacts are the only clues we have. They’re our only hope at answers.”

Terra took Cameron’s hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked bewildered—at least until she spoke. And then he just looked annoyed.

“Ok, Everett. I will help you. But Cameron is heading back to Eclipse.”

He pulled away from her. “I’m coming.”

“You know what Lord Varen’s island is, Cameron. It’s a deathtrap. I’m not letting you come. It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m coming. It’s my choice.”

“Cam—”

“You’re annoyed with Jason because he wants to forbid you from going anywhere. And yet you try to do the same thing to me. That doesn’t make any sense, Terra.”

“I have years of training. You do not. Please,” she pleaded. “I don’t want you to get yourself killed. I care about you.”

“And I care about you. Enough to tell you that you’re being a complete hypocrite.”

“It’s not the same at all!”

“Actually, it is,” Jason said, stepping out of the shadows. His eyes were hot with dark fury. “And neither of you are going anywhere near that island.”

Terra hadn’t felt his approach. The Triad serum had nearly worn off, and the withdrawal of that jolt to her system was messing with her equilibrium. It was a good thing they hadn’t been attacked lately because she was about as useful in a fight right now as Cameron was.

“Jason,” she said.

He was going to try to drag her back to Eclipse. So, no, she wasn’t happy to see him. Not one little bit. Her heart hadn’t gotten the message; the ridiculous thing was racing and fluttering like a drugged butterfly. Jason heard it. She could tell by the smug glint in his eyes, the only hint of emotion on that expressionless granite block of a face.

“Terra,” he replied, his voice as cold as the Tundra.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Ariella got your message. She told me you were headed for Lear. You’re supposed to be back in Eclipse.” His glare shifted to Cameron. “Both of you.” Growing colder yet, his eyes settled on Everett. “You must have a death wish, Everett Black.”

Terra stepped forward, shielding the others from the hot ice of Jason’s glare. His eyes had phased obsidian, and they were exuding enough menacing energy to cower an entire army.

“Don’t blame Everett.” She stopped close to Jason, so that she was the only one he could see. She wasn’t about to allow him to take out his anger with her on anyone else.

“I shall blame anyone I so choose,” he said, his whisper sharp enough to cut glass.

“Lana will be mad at you.”

This time, his eyes did soften, if only a tad. “Very well.” He leaned forward, his breath crackling against her ear as he whispered, “What have you done to your eyes?”

Eyes?
It took her a moment to realize that he could see the remaining glimmer of the Triad serum. She was too busy reaching around his back… She dropped her hand before it made contact. She wasn’t going to hug him, no matter how much she wanted to. Stupid, stubborn, control-freak Phantoms didn’t deserve hugs.

“Just an experiment with a serum,” she told him. “It should wear off soon. Don’t worry.”

“I wasn’t worried.” He lowered his voice further as he leaned in closer. “It looks good.”

“Good? As in pretty?”

He stepped back. “Yes.” It almost looked like it hurt him to admit it. “But we were discussing your reckless disregard for your own life.”

“No,
you
were discussing it. With yourself.”

He turned back as Ariella burst through an opening in the trees and scraped her feet to a stop. Two humans ran in behind her. One was the scientist from the airship that had flown to Evergreen to rescue Hayden and Ian Selpe. She was petite, athletic, and wearing a belt with a dozen dangling pouches. The second was a Selpe spy Terra had seen once before, about a year and a half ago at Hayden Selpe’s birthday party in Orion. Ariella had convinced her friends to come.

“Ariella, perhaps you will have better luck reasoning with her,” Jason said.

Terra circled around him to give her kindred a big hug that was part joy, part pain. “I’ve missed you.” Seeing Ariella again reminded her of the life she’d given up.

“And I you.” Ariella set her hands on Terra’s shoulders, her smile fading when she saw the single heavy tear. “Are you all right?”

No, she wasn’t all right. Ok, so she’d made her decision. She’d known running off to join a band of rogues would make her one too. But knowing something and living it were two different things. She missed Ariella. She missed a lot of people from her old life.

“I had to leave,” she said, her voice shaking in her throat.

Ariella gave her a smile as warm and reassuring as the arm she wrapped around her shoulder. “Come on. Let’s take a moment to catch up.”

Hand-in-hand, they walked deeper into the woods, not stopping until they were well out of sight.

* * *

527AX January 18, Woods Outside Lear

Ariella sat down beside Terra on the lumpy rock, waiting for her to speak. And for a few moments Terra said nothing. The two of them stared out across the pond, listening to the nocturnal hum, watching the insects dance across the water.

“I’m sorry,” Terra finally said, wiping the back of her hand across her cheek. The last remnants of the serum had drained from her body, taking what was left of her energy away with it.

“You should never be sorry,” replied Ariella. “Not after what you’ve been through.”

“I am.” Terra looked down at her hands. “All the betrayals. All the lies. Even to you.”

Ariella set her hands on Terra’s cheeks, her smile more forgiving than Terra deserved. “It’s been awhile since we’ve talked.
Really
talked. Since that mess with Winter’s Gate—and then the mess with Aaron—we’ve hardly spoken. Not like we used to.”

“I know, and I’m sorry for that too. I felt guilty that I never told you who I am. We’re kindred. There aren’t supposed to be any secrets between us. And certainly not a secret as big as that.”

“
There’s no need for forgiveness, Terra.” She’d tacked on Terra’s true name with some difficulty. “There was no wrong done. King River had you keep your true identity concealed, and for good reason. I would be a fool to feel even the slightest bit of anger on account of a little lie that was intended only to protect you.”

“You forgive too easily.”

“You’d do the same.”

“Are you pretending to be someone else?”

“Not that I know of.” Ariella grinned. “Though I am adopted, so you never know. I don’t remember my birth parents.” She put on a grave face. “So, now that you’re done blaming yourself, let’s chat. Jason wants me to talk some sense into you.”

“Surely he must know that’s impossible.”

Ariella snorted. “He does seem to be overestimating my powers of persuasion. It’s not a magic I possess.”

“Then tell me what you’ve been doing instead.”

“You mean, what
Jason
has been doing,” she said, her violet eyes ablaze with impish delight.

“I suppose he was there too.”

Ariella laughed, then her face turned serious. “Jason came to King River. He told us that the Selpes are experimenting on Elitions.”

“So are the Avans.”

“Yes,” said Ariella. “These experiments are a pestilence that must be wiped out. For the good of all of Elitia.”

“It won’t be that easy. We tried to end the experiments centuries ago. And here we are again.”