Chapter 15
Sneakingoverthestonewall of the fortress into a scene from one of his worst nightmares, Connor hardened the walls blocking out his fears over Celina and the children’s safety.
Beside him, Rodric’s agitation was a physical presence.His energy swirled with slow, stalking intensity.Much the way Neka moved when she hunted.A leopard who had complete confidence that he was about to take down his prey.
The only difference was that Connor’s warrior training gave him a lot more control over his emotions.Even so, they were brimming at the surface, constantly fighting to get free.
He had quite a lot of worry to suppress as they infiltrated the facility.Beyond Celina, Veda, and Opal in enemy hands, Daya was involved in the coming battle.He pushed the feelings into his magic, using the energy to bolster his strength and power.
Everything except his concern for Daya.She was positioned up high near the back wall of the fortress, where she could observe and guide the hawks without becoming vulnerable to the enemy.Theoretically safe and hidden against the glow of moonlight.Mentally linking with the birds left her unaware of her own surroundings, completely defenseless while she ‘rode’ with the hawks.What he wouldn’t give to link with the three of them.To belong with them.
Beginning their sweep, he moved with Rodric toward the barn.To their left, Cass and the other hunter, Sev, were working through the guardhouse.The four of them would move steadily through the fortress in a line, protecting their backs from attack until they reached the main keep where the children were being held.
The night was still and quiet, with nothing to mask their movement.He cleared the barn quickly, nearly retching when he saw that one of the stalls was set up with chains and a blanket for holding a small child.Opal, his instincts said.Unfortunately, she was nowhere to be seen.The need to find her and Veda thundered in his veins as he stepped outside and returned to Rodric’s side.
The glint of a wing caught his eye as one of the hawks hovered near the far side of the fortress, rolling twice before disappearing into the shadows.Two enemies waited in the courtyard.Ember reappeared, sending a rush of air across the back of his neck as she brushed by him.
Signaling to Rodric, he changed course, slipping silently into the shadows between the mountainside and the keep’s wall.He paused when he made it to the courtyard and assessed the open space he’d viewed from high above on the mountainside earlier in the day.They had marked the dangerous hidden alcoves and where the heaviest shadows would accumulate.
Past the stonework and the makeshift training field, he could just make out Veda’s small form.Two men were evenly spaced from her, giving him a tough setup.Speed would be necessary to ensure her safety.
Trusting Ember to alert him to any additional men lying in wait, he wrapped his body in shadow and moved toward the closest opponent.Walking among the shadows required constantly pulling and releasing as he moved to keep himself hidden.It was a visual trick, not a physical one, and he only used it when there was no way to approach an enemy using normal tactics because of the toll it took on his body.
Reaching the first man, he released his cover and gripped the man’s head, wrenching it with a snap to break the neck.Dropping the broken man, he remained visible, drawing the attention of the second.Thankfully, the man turned away from Veda to follow Connor’s movements, stepping forward with vengeance.His scream of rage split the air, blowing their plan of silent attack to pieces.
Wincing, Connor adjusted his balance and brought his blade up with a twist of his wrist.Ankle sized trenches appeared in the dirt in front of his opponent, causing the man to stumble.Taking the opportunity Daya presented to him, he attacked, driving the man to the ground.
Ember screeched at him, and he spun toward the sound of her call to see her harrying a third man who had started out of a shadow.The man lifted his blade to the air, trying to fend off the bird.
“Up,” Connor ordered Ember.Sweeping his sword in a broad arc, he brought the last man to an end.A swift kick sent him to a heap on the ground.
Heaving with effort, Connor moved his gaze around the yard in assessment before giving a soft command.“Guard, Ember.Watch my back.”
Turning, he gave his full attention to the little girl huddled against the wall.Hope and terror drifted off of her in waves, her brown eyes huge in the dimming light.
It took a second for recognition to hit when he knelt in front of her.Undeterred by the battle gore or the violence she’d just witnessed, Veda launched herself at him and clung with everything she had, her body trembling.
“You came back!”Tears streamed down her face as she cried into his shoulder, words pouring out between gasps of hiccupped breath.“They said you were dead.But you’re not.You came back for us.”
“Always, Veda.I will always come for you,” Connor murmured the only promise he could make as she wrapped her arms around his neck.“I’m sorry it took me so long, but I’m here now.You’re safe.Are you injured?”
“No, but everything hurts,” Veda sobbed.“My arms and legs are tingling like they’re on fire, and my head is humming.I don’t know what’s wrong.”
He bet he knew.Jaw flexing painfully, he hugged her tighter, wishing he could protect her from the onslaught of magic being forced on her.Shield her until she was ready.She was weak and scared, fighting the foreign invasion of magic with the little strength she had left.
Furious, he bled his anger into the earth as he would his magic, sending it straight to Hannelore.More than ever, he wished he could have a word with the mountain.
“It’s going to be okay, Veda.We’ll find a way to help you.”One way or another, he would make sure of it.“Just breathe for me.Let it be for now.”
Regardless of her decision, coexisting with the mountain’s magic was the only way to mitigate the painful symptoms.
A tremor ran through Veda when he started to stand up, and she tightened her arms and legs around him.“Don’t leave me!”
“I’ve got you, sweetheart, I promise.”He held her close and pressed a kiss into her hair right above her temple.“But I need to use my sword to get rid of that chain.”
“Okay.”She clutched his guardian necklace in her palm as he set her down.“I’m ready.”
Thankfully, the chain was very light and only secured around one of her ankles.His sword was made of the highest quality Rokan steel.A precise, heavy swing freed her.
