Taste of Darkness (An Avry of Kazan Novel - Book 3) (22 page)

But an odd thing happened. Roots erupted from the ground and
burrowed into his legs, hands, and arms, twisting around Kerrick.

Jael laughed. “How perfect. The forest agrees with me.”

Sharp pain pierced him as the roots bit into his skin.
What the hell?
His vision turned to snow. Soon he’d
get another taste of the darkness, and he feared he wouldn’t find the light
again.

On the edge of blacking out, Kerrick fought to stay conscious
and won.
Huh?
Energy infused him, but no air filled
his lungs. Not wasting time to figure it out, he focused on Jael.

The vines had continued to circle her, but she remained calm,
watching him with keen interest. Only when the vines encircled her neck did she
fight. Too late. Soon trapped, she stared at him in horror.

“How?” she squeaked.

Without air, Kerrick couldn’t talk. Rooted to the ground, he
couldn’t move. But his connection to the living green strengthened and, with a
thought, he commanded the vines to tighten around her throat.

Jael’s magic finally released Kerrick as she thrashed. Air
rushed into his lungs and he pulled in a few deep breaths. The roots retreated
underground. Pain flared anew. Blood ran down his hands.

Kerrick stood and moved closer to Jael. “Enjoying the taste of
your own medicine? It’s rather awful being denied the simple act of breathing,
isn’t it?”

No response. Terror, panic, and fear flashed on her reddening
face. He hesitated a moment—was there another way? He spotted the sword lying
next to her. It was coated with Avry’s blood. She didn’t deserve mercy.

“Goodbye, Jael. I’m afraid there’s no chance of us ever getting
back together.”

CHAPTER 14

I struggled to sip air. The effort ringed my chest with sharp daggers of pain. The light in the distance faded as the tunnel spun. Lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseous, I drifted into and out of consciousness. The water soaked into my robe. Or was it sweat?

Heat burned my skin followed by uncontrollable shivers. The motion was pure torture. Why couldn’t I just pass out? Or die? I really didn’t care which one at this moment. Although Kerrick would be upset and Loren and Quain and Flea and...

Odd? My name. He called my name. Torch light flickered. Or were they spots in my vision? I didn’t have breath to talk. Instead, I slapped the water with my hand. Or was it blood?

Then he was there, shining a much-too-bright light. I squeezed my eyes shut. His hands slid under me, but I squealed with pain when he tried to lift me and he stopped. Part of my brain noted that my right lung must be healing in order for me to have enough air to make that pathetic sound.

Odd asked, “What can I do?”

“Save the...” I gestured to the girl next to me.

“Sorry, Avry. She’s dead. What else can I do?”

“Wait.”

“For what?”

I opened my eyes and met his gaze.

“Oh.” He sat back on his heels. “That’s unacceptable.” Odd took my hand.

He wasn’t a magician, so he didn’t have any power to share, but his presence soothed me. I closed my eyes.

“Do you know about Kerrick’s...er...problem?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for giving the guy a hard time about disappearing. That’s rough. He should be here instead of me. I can’t help you. Well, except to ramble on, trying to keep you awake. Avry, are you still with me?”

“Yes.”

“Good. ’Cause if you die, Kerrick’s going to kill me. Probably strangle me with some vines. Or have a tree fall on top of me. Or feed me to a Death Lily.”

I shook my head.

“Easy for you to say. You didn’t see his face when he couldn’t come in here with me. Too bad that he’s missing out on this...unique smell, and I hear soaking in sewer water is great for the skin. My butt’s going to be baby soft.”

Despite the burning pain, I smiled at Odd’s well-meaning prattle.

A vibration rippled the water. I squeezed Odd’s hand, shushing him. The distant sound of boots clattered on the stone. Odd extinguished the lantern.

“Company,” Odd whispered, letting go of my hand.

I opened my eyes. Blackness pressed on me. As the drumming grew louder a faint light filled the tunnels. Odd stood in front of me. He held his sword, but the tip of the blade pointed down.

“This way,” a voice called.

“Keep up,” another said.

The light brightened, filling the main tunnel and leaking into ours. Would they spot us?

Odd pressed against the wall. “Don’t move.”

That wouldn’t be a problem. The brightness and sound increased in small jumps. Each time I blinked, it seemed they’d hopped closer. A few minutes ago I wouldn’t have cared if I was discovered, but I still struggled to breathe. The searing pain was a good sign. And of course, I didn’t want Odd caught.

When the torches came into view, I flinched. Two priests held them close to the ground, illuminating the obvious tracks of two thousand plus people. Hopefully, they wouldn’t notice the few heading in this direction.

The priests paused, sweeping the torches back and forth. I longed to stifle my rasping. With his dark uniform, Odd blended in. And the filthy muck coated my exposed skin and stained my brown robe black. Perhaps they’d view me as a lump of discarded garbage. It matched how I felt.

After a lifetime, they moved on. They streamed past the entrance to our tunnel. Not as many as I’d expected. Had they sent others aboveground? Would they rally their troops to get between the women and the border?

“Avry? Still with me?” Odd whispered.

“Yes.”

“Can I pick you up? We really need to get out of here.”

“Jael,” I said.

“General Jael? What about her?”

“She’s here.”

Odd cursed. “All the more reason to leave.”

“Let me try.” Since there was nothing wrong with my legs, I tucked them under me, then pushed with my arms to straighten. Every inch of my chest flared with such pain, I gasped.

Odd reached under my arms and lifted me to my feet. I yowled. My world spun and my legs refused to hold me up. If Odd hadn’t kept his grip, I would have toppled.

“Guess I can’t carry you over my shoulder,” Odd said.

“No. Give me...a minute.”

“Hell, Avry, you’re gonna need a few days. Sorry about this.” He adjusted his grip, sweeping me into his arms like a baby.

Pain pulsed to my extremities and back again. Noise and sensations faded to a buzz and I might have blacked out. Hard to tell when inside a pitch-dark tunnel.

“Can you see?” I asked Odd once I regained my senses.

“No.”

“Then how—”

“Hush, I’m counting steps.”

Oh. A rubbing sound accompanied a slight vibration along his left arm. His shoulder must be in contact with the wall. Smart.

After a while, I dozed in his arms. When he stopped to rest, I was jolted awake.

“Still with me?” he asked.

“Yes.” I drew half a gulp of air. “And I think I’m past the danger.”

Odd squeezed me to his chest. “Thank the creator.”

I yelped. “Still in lots of pain, though.”

“Oh, sorry.” He relaxed his arms.

“I can try to walk.”

“No.”

“Worried about those vines?” I teased.

“No,” Odd said in a flat tone.

I longed to see his expression. After a few more minutes, Odd lurched to his feet and continued. He navigated with confidence. Impressive, considering he hated tunnels.

Fresh air laced with the scent of living green roused me. Odd slowed, probably thinking the same thing as me. Where was Jael? And what did Kerrick do when the priests had exited the duct? I hoped he’d stayed hidden, avoiding them both. But he might have attacked them in order to protect the escaping women.

My pain forgotten, I worried about Kerrick. “Careful.”

Odd crept to the edge and peeked out, then grunted in either admiration or in disbelief. He stepped clear. The weak rays of dawn shone on the priests all trapped in vines. They struggled and shouted to no avail.

“Your boyfriend’s been busy,” Odd muttered. “Probably exhausted himself.”

Kerrick appeared beside us. Joy shone on his face. “I’ve plenty of energy left,” he said, despite the skin clinging to his gaunt and pale face. He held out his arms.

Odd hesitated before handing me over. Kerrick’s magic swept over me like a healing balm. He squeezed me tight as I snuggled against him, his scent a welcome break from the reek of sewage.

“Thank you,” Kerrick said to Odd in a strangely formal tone.

Odd nodded. “I’d better catch up with my squad. We might encounter trouble before we reach the border.”

“Watch out for Jael,” I said to Odd.

“She won’t bother you,” Kerrick said in his flat tone. “But troops are moving to intercept the women as we speak.”

“How soon?”

“Two days.”

They’d be only halfway to the border with Pomyt. Not good. Unless... “What if they go south to Tobory Realm? It’s shorter and unexpected.”

“Lots of Death Lilys down there,” Odd said.

We both stared at him.

“Will you be able to catch up by then?” Odd asked me.

Already feeling stronger, I glanced at Kerrick.

“We’ll meet you at the border.”

“See you there.” Odd turned to go.

“Odd, wait.” Kerrick set me down.

The leaves under me pulsed with his magic, keeping our connection. Kerrick dug in a pocket and produced a lumpy orange berry about the size of a gold coin.

He handed it to Odd. “Tell the women to collect and eat these. They’re edible and will give them energy. Stay away from all the other berries, most are poisonous.”

Odd tucked it into his pocket. “Got it.” Then he took off.

Kerrick knelt next to me. He pulled a clump of wet hair off my face.

“Why won’t Jael bother Odd?” I asked. “Did you—”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“She said she killed you. And no jail cell could hold her. She was just too dangerous to keep alive. At least now she’s being useful for a change.”

I waited.

“As fertilizer for the forest,” he said.

“Is there a chance she’ll come back like you did?”

“No.”

I searched my feelings. No sadness or guilt, and relief dominated. Ryne might be mad at us, but we’d neutralized a threat.

“You just had to rescue them all, didn’t you?” Kerrick asked, but his tone remained soft.

“Wasn’t my idea.” I told him about Melina. “Besides, it was the right thing to do.”

“It’s going to be a challenge getting that many women to freedom. Plus they’ll need clothing, shoes, and more than berries to eat.”

I smiled. “I’m sure you’re up to it.”

“Well, first things first.” He picked me up. “You lost weight.” He scowled.

“The food was awful. I’m going to write a letter of complaint.”

His scowl eased. “After you’re healed.” He turned.

“Where are we going?”

“To a safer location.”

“What about the priests?”

“They can hang out here for another day and give the women a head start.”

He carried me to a small campsite and laid me on his bedroll, then wrapped me in his blanket. Lighting a fire, Kerrick stared into the flames for a moment. The bright glow highlighted his exhaustion.

“How bad is it?” he asked.

With the energy he’d already shared, I no longer gasped for breath. My left lung functioned normally, but the right was still punctured. And my ribs... Pretty bad. “I don’t want you to deplete your strength—”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“On my own, I’d need a week to heal.”

Kerrick stretched out next to me, pulling me close. “Good thing you’re not alone.”

His magic soaked into me. The pain eased and I relaxed, falling asleep in his arms.

* * *

The snuffling of a large creature woke me. Darkness surrounded us. The fire had died. I drew in a deep breath. My right lung no longer wheezed, but my ribs protested the motion with tweaks of pain. Better than the fire that had stabbed deep with every movement.

A soft whinny sounded close by. Confused, I scanned the surroundings as my eyes adjusted to the dim moonlight. A black horse-shaped shadow pawed at the ground near Kerrick, who didn’t wake at the slight noise. The stubborn man had poured every ounce of strength into helping me.

Disentangling myself, I stood and returned to my normal coloring. The horse didn’t shy away. I recognized him as the large russet male Kerrick and I had ridden on the way to Chinska Mare. Had he followed Kerrick? A couple feed bags sat by the fire ring. Kerrick must have kept him.

“What’s the matter, boy? Are you hungry?”

The horse bobbed his head. Taking that as a yes, I opened a feed bag and held it while the horse munched. When it was empty, I dropped it next to the others and noticed my pack. I stared at it in amazement. How did it get here? Had I carried it with me despite my injuries?

I sorted through the contents. My boots, travel clothes, and a few other necessities like soap remained inside. The desire to bathe pulsed through me with a sudden intensity. Stiff with dried blood, mud, and sewage, my tattered robe resembled a discarded rag. My skin itched and muck caked my hair.

Reluctant to wake Kerrick, I turned to the horse. He seemed intelligent and hadn’t run off despite the ruckus. “Water?” I asked.

The horse glanced at Kerrick, then walked away. Slinging my pack over my shoulder, I followed him, hoping he wasn’t heading to the aqueduct. Moving almost without sound, he led me to a clean spring. He dipped his head and drank. I waited until he’d finished before ripping off my clothes and wading into the cold, waist-deep water.

An ugly red gash marked where Jael’s sword had punctured me. Deep purple-and-red bruises spread out from the injury. Careful of my ribs, I sat down and dunked my head, then scrubbed every inch of my body twice. I considered a third rinse, but my teeth chattered and my hands were numb.

I climbed from the pool. The horse watched me as I squeezed the water from my hair then shook off as much as I could.

“Thanks,” I said to the horse.

“Humph.”

Was that... No. “Kerrick?”

He appeared next to the horse, looking drained. “Imagine how I felt when I woke up and discovered my horse had stolen my girl.”

I laughed. “I’m sorry, Kerrick, but it was love at first sight.”

“I can understand that. I’m loving what I’m seeing right now.” He leered.

Oh. I grabbed my travel clothes from my pack. Before I could put them on, he closed the distance between us.

“Not so fast.” Kerrick kissed me.

I warmed immediately, wrapping my arms around him. But a familiar foul odor intruded and his stiff shirt scratched my skin. I broke away. He’d gotten dirty carrying me.

“What?” he asked.

“You stink.”

He glanced down. “It’s my only shirt.”

I dug through my pack, producing his other shirt. “No it isn’t.”

“Ah. I wondered where that had gotten to.”

“I was keeping it safe for you.”

“Mighty nice of you.” He cocked his head to the side. “How about a deal? I’ll get washed up if you join me?”

Tempting, very tempting. “Do we have time? We have to meet the others.”

Kerrick glanced at the horse. “Hux is fast, but with two of us... Ah, hell.” He kicked off his boots and pulled off his soiled shirt and pants.

“Hux? You named the horse?”

“Yeah. Avry, meet Huxley.”

Huxley snorted and moved closer.

“Hello.” I scratched him behind the ears. “What happened to your reluctance to having a big noisy creature around?”

Kerrick grabbed my soap and plopped into the pool. “I’ve been training Hux how to be quiet.”

Huxley nudged me with his nose, pushing me closer to Kerrick. Then he headed deeper into the forest.

“Hux thinks we have some extra time,” Kerrick said, laughing. “We’re not going to get another chance for a while.” He splashed me. “Come on in, the water’s—”