The Third Key (The Alaesha Legacy Book 1) (13 page)

Chapter 13

Charles dropped his equipment in his own room, which was set up exactly like Edith's, and they headed down the stairs. Boxy and her companion were sitting on the couches, the man with a full drink in his hand. They were arguing quietly in that strange language.

Charles leaned over, whispering in Edith's ear. "He tends to like his drink and it really annoys her. Apparently that's his third already."

Charles winked at Edith and headed over to the others. "Nach, I'd like you to meet Edith."

The man raised his glass to her. "Ah, the famous Edith.
The
Edith." He stood, holding out his free hand for her to shake. His skin was cold and clammy and upon closer inspection, he was almost gray. He kept her hand clamped in his and leaned closer, peering into her eyes. "I can see why Charles is so infatuated with you."

Edith felt herself go beet red, but Charles seemed to have no issues with the man's forthright statement. "I told you," was all he said before changing the conversation to food.

With Edith's help, he dug through the shelves behind the bar. The counter held a small stove-top unit and an oven as well as a refrigerator. They prepared a small, but tasty meal and they all sat on the couches chatting and eating until the night grew dark outside the carriage. Edith was telling a story about her childhood when the carriage shifted directions subtly. She kept talking for a bit before she realized the others had grown quiet and the mood had changed. Charles was staring out the window into the blackness, his hand squeezing hers tightly.

She placed a hand on his arm and leaned over to look out the window with him. The movement made him jump.

"I'm sorry," she said, moving away.

He smiled and pulled her close. "No, don't be. I was just lost in my thoughts for a moment. Come here. You see that light over there?"

She peered out the window, squinting against the night sky. Far into the distance, she could just barely see an orange glow.

"What is that?"

"That's where the Fifth Key is. The one in Nepal. The woman who has it has been kidnapped and we need to free her. Last we knew, she was still refusing to give up the key, but she won't hold out for long."

"I thought rules governed the keys. How can someone just give them away?"

"There are loopholes in all the rules to allow for unforeseen circumstances. If they've found someone who fits the criteria, and if they can coerce her to hand it over, it's theirs."

"So they own the other two keys too?" Edith worried, confused by the politics and rules of the keys and wondering how they were ever going to get them all back.

Charles shook his head, his hair bouncing with the movement. "No," he said. "The Seventh Key was handed over, which is why they have Antarctica. But the First Key was effectively stolen so they can't use it yet. They need to find a way around what they did. I'm sure given time they can, but we don't plan to give them that time."

A hush fell over the room as they all stared out the windows, watching the glow grow ever larger. The ball of nerves in the pit of Edith's stomach bounced until she felt like she was going to be sick. She stood up and headed up the stairs to her room. Charles followed her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She nodded twice, then shook her head. Her hands were shaking and her stomach was a ball of nerves. She spun and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest as she took deep breaths.

He stroked her hair, shushing her gently. "You'll be fine, Edith. You're stronger than you think. And you're smart. And you're talented with the bow. Everything will be all right. I promise."

She pulled back slightly, meeting his eyes. "Don't make a promise you can't keep, Charles. You have no idea what's going to happen. Things could go horrifically wrong." She pulled the key from its hiding spot. Mags had given her a heavy duty chain so she could tuck it under her shirt. The thing glowed faintly in her hands as she examined it. "What happens to it if I die?"

"It goes to me temporarily until I find a new Keeper." His voice was quiet and restrained. He cupped his hand around her chin and forced her to look at him. "I will not let you die. I promise that and I will keep that promise."

The firmness in his claim and the sincerity in his voice settled some of her nerves. She nodded, the corners of her mouth quirking up slightly.

He glanced out the window. "We'll arrive in a few hours. You should get some rest." He pulled away and turned to the door.

"Stay with me?" The butterflies from the impending battle were nothing compared to those that went fluttering about her stomach crazily when those words came unbidden from her lips.

Charles's hand was on the door knob and he paused, his head tilting back slightly. Edith felt her chest clench, terrified of his answer. How would she feel if he left? But what if he stayed? Would that be worse?

"Get some sleep," he said with a smile before he disappeared out the door and shut it behind him.

Edith felt like crying for a moment, but then she was thankful that he had turned her down. She did need sleep, and she wasn't sure she would have slept with him beside her. She touched a knob on the wall and sent the room into darkness. In no time at all, she drifted off to dreamland.

***

The carriage was rocking oddly, waking Edith from her slumber. Charles sat on the edge of the bed, his hand on her shoulder as he shook her gently.

"Hello, sleeping beauty." He smiled at her, his eyes glinting in the light.

"Mmm," she mumbled incoherently. She sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. "How long have I been out?"

"About three hours. We'll arrive soon and we need to be prepared to move quickly. We cannot let the horses stay on the ground for long. It's too dangerous for them."

Edith nodded and looked around. It was still dark outside. There were no stars and she could not tell what time it was.

"What's the plan?" she asked as she undid her ponytail and bound her hair back up into a bun.

"Let's head downstairs and we can discuss it with Boxy and Nach."

Edith crawled out of the warm bed, wishing she could have stayed there forever, and picked up her pack. She pulled the dagger and its sheath out and attached them to her hip, then she lifted the bow and settled the quiver into place.

"Badass," Charles said, grinning. He winked at her and wiggled his eyebrows. She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile from stretching across her face. "Come on." He held out a hand and she took it.

Down in the main room, Boxy and Nach were gearing up as well. The man was armed to the teeth with guns and knives. Several belts of ammo were strapped around his waist and across his chest. On both hips, he had long swords, and knives were attached at various positions down his legs. On the couch behind him sat a machine gun. He picked it up, testing its weight while watching Edith out of the corner of his eye. He was a walking arsenal and she was glad he was on her side.

"Stop showing off, Nach," Boxy chided. “And put the ammo belts away. You know you can't reload with them.” He pouted and slid the heavy equipment off as she finished getting ready.

She was geared simply. A longbow was slung across her shoulder, a single quiver of arrows on her back. On one hip hung a long, flat sword through a single loop of steel and attached to her opposite ankle, on the outside of her knee-high hide boots, was a sharp, deadly-looking dagger with a red jewel in the handle. Her long, flaxen hair was pulled back in a tight bun that made the angles of her face even sharper. As Edith watched, the woman reached back and pulled the pins out of her hair. They weren't pins at all, they were small, curved daggers.

"Come here, child." Boxy had caught Edith staring. With cheeks turning pink, the girl did as she was told. "Sit on this stool."

Edith sat down and felt the woman start to tug at her hair. A few moments later, she was told to rise. She reached back, feeling around her head. Her hair was in a tight bun similar to Boxy's, and there were things sticking out of it.

"Be careful when you remove them or put them back in. They aren't as sharp as your dagger, but if you move too quickly, you can still hurt yourself." A slow smile crawled across the woman's face. "Trust me, it is not fun to be careless with them. And because they are fairly dull, they are not meant to be used unless absolutely necessary. They are a last resort. You will need to put force behind them in order to be effective with them. You are not aiming to simply cut. Either maim or kill. Anything less will be insufficient."

The calm way Boxy instructed Edith on using the deadly knives scared the girl. The enormity of what she was about to do Pressed in on her. Her heart started beating faster and her chest tightened. She couldn't breathe. She was suffocating, and the world was closing in on her. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Charles knelt down in front of her and put a hand on her cheek.

"Breathe," he said as his thumb stroked her skin. "Just breathe."

She inhaled at his command. The air filled her lungs. It steadied her and slowed her heartbeat. Her hands still shook, but she opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile.

"Shh, you're all right." He picked her up and carried her to the couch, where he sat beside her as he stroked her cheek and hair. "Just breathe. You'll be all right."

The world stopped spinning. Her head no longer felt like it was going to implode. She leaned forward and rubbed her face with her hands.

"Maybe we should leave her in the carriage. We can't afford a liability."

Edith shot a glare at Nach, but she couldn't disagree. She was a liability. Maybe he was right. Maybe she should stay in the carriage where it was safe, where she wouldn't have to shoot at anyone.

"No." Charles and Boxy answered at the same time.

"She comes with us." Edith was struck by the woman's defense of her. After all, what had she done to earn such trust? "The girl has a purpose. To leave her behind is not an option."

Nach bowed and retreated to the other side of the room. Charles nodded his thanks and received a nod in return. He checked outside the window. "Almost time. When the carriage lands, we need to exit quickly. Get into the trees as fast as possible. Those in the other carriage will be going in the front. We need to get to the back without being seen. Edith, I want you right behind me at all times unless I tell you otherwise while we're out there, all right?"

She nodded, still not trusting her voice. Her heart thumped in her throat.

"Keep your bow at the ready, always loaded. Boxy, you'll take point. Nach, rear. Any questions?"

Edith had a million and one, but she kept her lips sealed. Now was not the time to state her misgivings. It was too late for that. Way too late. She checked the dagger at her side. She drew it from the sheath and tested its blade as Charles had taught her to do. She sheathed her dagger and pulled an arrow from one of the quivers, examining it like she had the dagger. It was made of a lightweight metal with feathers unlike she had ever seen before. The feathers gave gently as they passed the string and bow, causing the least amount of friction possible. The tip was sharp and barbed. She made to touch it, but Charles grabbed her hand.

"Poison," he said in warning.

Frowning, she looked again. Indeed, right there nestled in the barbs lay a thick green goo.

"It's in the bottom of the quivers, so whenever you stick the arrow back in, it will be reapplied. Retrieve your arrows whenever possible."

Edith looked at him quizzically. "Nothing spilled out when I laid the quiver on my bed."

He smiled his endearing smile. "Magic, my darling. Magic."

She raised an eyebrow skeptically but didn't have time to question him further. Out the window the sky was growing light and she could see the mountain looming near.

"No acts of bravado today, please. We don't need heroes. There will be no songs of glory. We just need the key and Shardha. Get them both and get out." He handed each person a long, thin whistle attached to a leather cord. "Once we are in the clearing, call the carriage."

Edith took the whistle from him and placed it around her neck. She tucked it down safe beside the key inside her shirt. She would only need it if the others didn't make it. Terrifying thoughts began to overtake her again and she pushed them away. They would make it. They had to. They
all
had to.

The carriage shuddered momentarily and Edith stumbled, bumping into Charles. He caught her in his arms and their eyes locked.

“You're amazing, Edith Myers,” he whispered.

She smiled and blushed, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear.

"It's go time." Nach gave a battle cry as the carriage touched down and he leapt out the door. Boxy rolled her eyes and followed.

"Stay close," Charles said before following the others. Taking one last deep breath, she stepped outside. She would meet whatever came head on, but to what end, she did not know.

Chapter 14

The wind whipped around her as Edith climbed down the steps from the carriage. Tiny balls of ice pelted her skin painfully. She pulled the jacket she wore tighter around her, trying to block out some of the chill. A light layer of snow blanketed the ground and she could see footprints leading off into the woods. Charles took her hand and they followed the trail.  As they neared the entrance to the cave, they could hear fighting off to their right.

"Sounds like Veth is in," Boxy said as they approached. "We need to move quickly."

"Ready?" The question was for Edith and no one else. Charles locked his eyes on hers, his concern for her safety palpable.

She nodded, raising her nocked bow as evidence.

"Silence from here on in," the wispy woman said, her eyes narrowing at her companion.

He raised his arms and gave her a look like he didn't know what she was talking about. Rolling her eyes, she pulled her sword from her belt and stepped carefully from cover. The distance from where they stood to where they needed to be was short, but wide open where anyone could spot them. The woman was alert, her head twitching as her eyes darted every which way. Edith could even see Boxy's ears move, listening for even the slightest sound.

At Boxy's signal, Charles started to move. He stepped soundlessly through the undergrowth, his broadsword drawn and at the ready. Edith tried to follow his every step, but she felt like an elephant crashing through the jungle with as much noise as she was making. She kept her bow up in front of her, pointing it everywhere but at her allies. Her heart raced at the thought of accidentally shooting one of them and her hands began to shake slightly. She took several deep breaths to try to calm her nerves. The crack of a twig made her jump and she spun, aiming her deadly weapon at the noise. It was Nach, grinning with his hands in the air. His eyes were wide with laughter and he brought a finger to his lips. She snarled at him and turned back to follow Charles across the clearing.

They made it to the cave without incident. A tiny crack was in the hillside, covered by branches and snow, a hidden doorway barely large enough for one person to squeeze through. Boxy  moved away the camouflage, careful not to rustle the branches too much or knock down the ice that was hanging over the edge. She ducked down, slipping out of view. The others waited outside until a thin hand shot through and beckoned them in.

Charles went through, sword first, and Edith's heart thumped loudly at the thought of him in there where she couldn't see him, facing any number of unknown dangers. She quickly followed, but discovered she couldn't fit through with the bow beside her. She took out the arrow and led with it, point out. Then she slid through sideways, drawing the bow in behind her. As soon as she was in, Charles grabbed her wrist and pulled her down beside him. They knelt behind a natural half wall of stone. Charles caught her attention and pointed two fingers at his eyes. Then he pointed them down the cave. She could just see a body down there, leaning back against the rough wall. It was humanoid in shape, but much taller and broader than any human she had ever seen. Whoever it was was standing up, head bowed, arms crossed. She wondered if he was awake until she heard a loud rumbling that could only be a snore.

Charles pointed to her bow, then pointed to the guard. Edith cocked her head questioningly and he did it again. As realization started to dawn on her, Edith shook her head. Charles nodded vigorously. Edith pointed at Boxy, thinking to herself
Boxy has a bow, let her do it.
Charles's lips pressed together. He was getting irritated. He pointed to the tip of the arrow, then Edith, held up three fingers, then pointed to the man against the wall.

"Now," he mouthed.

Edith looked around Charles to Boxy, pleading for help, but the woman just stared at her. This was her first test. They were waiting for her to fail. Or succeed. Clenching her teeth, Edith closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and counted to three. Then she opened her eyes and nocked her bow with the arrow in her hand as silently as she could. She rose to her knees and rested the wooden platform on the stone wall. Charles assisted her in nocking the other two arrows, adjusting the side grooves just a touch. Her hands shook and the arrows bounced slightly on the platform. The man against the wall shifted, a snort coming from his direction.

Edith tried to remember what she had learned. Charles's voice echoed in her head. Slow, deep breaths, shoulders relaxed, clear your mind. Focus only on the target. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly, release.

She did as he had commanded so long ago in the training room and before she consciously knew it, the three arrows shot from the bow. They streaked away from the group at a deadly pace and reached their intended target in no time at all. The tracks on the bow angled them just enough so all three hit in nearly the same spot. The man's hand came up, grasping at the objects buried in his neck as his gargled cries echoed through the room. Boxy rose and dashed across the ground, closing the distance in a flash. As he slid to the floor of the cave, the woman raised her sword over her head, thrusting downward in a swift motion. The blade sank deep into the man's chest and he slumped over, never to move again.

Edith watched with eyes wide with horror. She felt numb. Her mind was a complete blank. All she could think about were her arrows sticking out from the man's throat. Charles cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at him. He gave her a soft smile.

"Good job," he whispered. He took her hand and rose, dragging her to her feet. She followed weakly, her grip on the bow so tight her fingers began to hurt.

Nach dragged the guard back into the room and hid him behind the stone wall. He returned, passing Edith her blood-covered arrows. She took them gingerly and shoved them back into the quiver so she didn't have to think about them anymore. As Boxy crept toward the door, loud footsteps echoed from the hall outside. Charles grabbed Edith's hand and pulled her down against the wall, just inside the door. She clung to him tightly, her heart thudding in her ears. Two men ran by the door, weapons drawn. Neither stopped to check the room or noticed the guard missing. When their footsteps had faded, Boxy rose. Following her closely, the rest of the group stepped out into the open cave.

That far back, the cave was narrow, just wide enough for two men to walk abreast. The sounds of battle echoed from far off, muted by the moss growing on the stone. They headed away from the sounds. The information the advisers had gotten from Alex indicated the Keeper of the Fifth key was being held near the back of the cave. Several small hand-carved rooms stood off to either side of of the main hall. Boxy checked in each as she went by. Only one had an occupant and Boxy silenced the sleeping woman before she could wake.

They followed the ever narrowing cave around a sharp corner. By the time they reached a wooden door at the end, they were walking single file. Edith felt the walls pressing in on her. If they were attacked, the battle would be fierce and brutal. Just as she was thinking she was glad that she was not on either end of the small procession, something whistled as it flew by her head. She watched as an arrow slammed the door. It took a full second for its meaning to sink it and by then Charles was shoving her to the ground.

"Stay down," he said, his voice even and calm.

She fumbled for an arrow and managed to get one set in the bow as more arrows flew overhead. Nach was firing his machine gun with one hand and knocking the arrows away with the other. He would simply wave and they would be deflected, as if he were carrying an invisible shield. She almost laughed at herself when she realized he probably was doing exactly that.

"This way." Boxy's lilting voice floated to her and she felt Charles's hand on her shoulder. Edith raised her bow, releasing an arrow in the direction of their assailants before ducking underneath him to follow Boxy through the door to a small chamber. The two men retreated, Charles throwing knives from his belt to drop the attackers while Nach deflected the arrows. Edith could see a pair of short, gray creatures standing on top of several bodies. They released a triplet of arrows each. Nach shut the door just in time and the arrows thudded into the wood with deadly ferocity. Shouts sounded through the wood, but Charles helped Nach bar the door with a heavy beam.

Edith turned from the door. They were in a small natural chamber. A trickle of water ran down one wall, forming a thin stream across the floor. Boxy stood in front of Edith, her sword out and pointing toward the far end of the room. A body lay at her feet. Edith followed the woman's gaze. Tied to a chair was the Keeper of the Fifth Key. The woman was old, Edith thought. At least in her seventies. She had long tangles of white hair and leather skin that had seen too much sun. Tattoos trailed up her bare arms and neck. Her head was pulled back, her blind eyes wide as they focused on nothing and everything all at once. The silver blade of a knife was digging into the woman's throat, causing blood to trickle down the wrinkled skin.

"Boxy. A surprise, to say the least. I expected Edlaner." The woman who spoke had her long, thin fingers wrapped tightly through the old woman's hair and her skin was as black as night. Her shimmering white hair flowed in waves, cascading down her back and shoulders to run across the floor. She could have been Alex's twin.

The woman's dark eyes jumped to Edith. "You have brought me another key? How kind of you." She narrowed her eyes, examining Edith with deadly interest. "This cannot be the girl my brother has told me about. Dana, is it?"

Charles stepped forward, growling. "Lay a hand on her and I will cut off your fingers and stuff them down your throat."

The laugh that echoed through the room was scratchy and made Edith's ears hurt. "My, my. I thought this girl belonged to my brother, not the adviser. He does not keep me very well informed." She leaned forward slightly, an odd smile on her face. "No, you are not Dana, are you child? You are a new Keeper. Interesting. Nethoil was not lying when he said he had the key but lost it. No matter. I shall have it one way or another. Just like I shall have this one."

She pressed harder on the blade, drawing a gasp from the old woman. Blood trickled from the wound, sliding down to disappear under the furs.

Boxy took a step forward, her sword at the ready.

"Stop!" the dark woman demanded, pointing her weapon at the approaching enemy. Boxy froze, raising her hands in the air in mock surrender.

"Let her go." When Boxy spoke, Edith felt a warm wind blow across her exposed skin. She desperately wanted to answer Boxy's request and wished the old woman was in her care so that she could release her. More harsh laughter broke the spell.

"Oh, Boxy, you are an entertaining one. Do you really think such parlor tricks will work on me? I am older than even your mother. You are no match for me." She raised a hand and pointed it toward the group. She flicked her wrist and Boxy went flying. The thin woman hit the wall hard and crumpled to the floor, groaning.

Nach jumped forward, his machine gun raised. "No!" he shouted, swinging the weapon as he lunged toward the dark woman.

A vicious smile drew across her face and she threw her hand out, palm forward. Nach skidded backward, his feet leaving deep troughs in the dirt floor. He slammed into the door and thumped to the ground as his gun flew away from him, firing a short burst of bullets as it clattered against the wall.

The woman stepped forward, blocking the Keeper. "Charles, would you like to have a go? Or maybe your pretty little friend? What is your name, darling? Hmm? I like to know everyone before I kill them. It gives their death a personal touch." A wicked light glinted in her eye as she took another step.

Charles stood next to Edith, his sword drawn, but he did not advance. Edith nocked her arrow, pointing it directly at the woman's heart. The woman advanced again and Edith released the deadly projectile. She allowed a small smile as she watched it fly straight and true. It was going to hit, she just knew it. Edith allowed herself a tiny hope as the arrow closed the distance quickly. It was nearly there. The very tip of the arrow brushed the woman's exposed skin, and then it simply stopped moving.

Edith's jaw dropped. The arrow just ceased all forward motion, frozen in midair, right at the vile creature's heart with the point resting against her chest. Then the projectile crumbled into dust.

The woman was still smiling and she cocked her head at Edith. "Nice try, darling. But a simple arrow will not hurt me. I love how you got so excited though. I could hear the blood rushing through your veins from here. It's so much fun playing with my prey." The woman's hand went to her chest where the arrow had made contact. She frowned and brushed at it as if brushing away a mosquito, then forced a smile back to her face. "Charles? Still so quiet? Going to let your girlfriend do all your fighting for you?"

Charles remained perfectly still next to Edith. She hazarded a glance at him. His gaze was locked on the dark woman, his sword tip pointed in her direction, but he made no attempt to attack her. Edith wondered if the woman had somehow put a spell on him. At a loss for what else to do, she pulled another arrow from the quiver, setting it on the bow.

"Again? You've seen what I can do." The woman was rubbing harder at the spot now. Across the short distance, Edith could see pale green veins blossoming across the ebony skin. She walked in a circle around the old lady, grabbing her hair and pulling it back. "You're not going to try anything, are you?" A cackle erupted in the room. "No, of course not. You don't fight." She dropped the woman's head and stepped back in front of the chair.