To Kill a Wizard: Rose's Story (The Protectors of Tarak Book 1) (8 page)

My mouth went dry. I hadn’t really thought of that. Sirena didn’t really have a reason to stay, if she was scared. She had a loving home and dozens of adoring men to return to.

“If you want to leave you can.” A desperate note tinged my words, even though I tried to hide it.

She took my hand in her smaller one. “Remember, we stick together. And besides, I haven’t completely given up on this place.”

“If you’re sure…”

Smiling, she walked to the fire. “I am. So now what?”

I found a water bucket and threw the contents over the fire. It was swallowed with a loud hiss of flames being quenched. I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for the smoke to clear a bit, and then started pacing the room, feeling a need to move.

“Artemay, protect us,” I whispered, wondering if the goddesses could hear me even in this strange place.

“Is it good enough now?”

I turned back to her. “I guess it has to be.”

Grabbing a blanket, I stooped into the fireplace, searching for the row of missing brick. It was harder to find on this side, just a couple inches visible at the very top of the back. But eventually, I got my fingers, wrapped in the blanket, into the crack, and slid open the passageway.

I took a break to catch my breath in the room. “There has got to be an easier way.”

“I’m sure there’s a lever for it, somewhere.” Sirena watched me as she spoke, a small smile on her lips.

I forced myself to smile back. “Wish I’d thought of that earlier.” Wiping sweaty hair out of my face, I took another breath of clean air. “Ready?”

She nodded.

We stooped as we walked through the fireplace, trying our best not to touch the scalding brick. Reaching the passageway, we stood up, and Sirena took hold of the back of my skirt. We passed fireplace after fireplace, known to us by the tiny slit of light streaming into the passageway, and the piping hot brick we turned sideways to avoid touching. At last, we reached number six. We sat down, drawing our knees up to our chest to avoid being burned.

And waited.

The light from the tiny slit just above us sent shadows dancing in the confined space. Minutes of absolute silence ticked by before Sirena shifted restlessly beside me. My knees and legs cramped and ached, and I began to doubt our plan altogether. Was there a better way? Should we have been escaping instead of spying all this time? Would I even be able to speak the name of the Goddess of Travel well enough to open the portal if we were to reach it?

I started to rise when I heard the sound of a door slamming.

“We shouldn’t have chosen all of them!” It was Meisha speaking, and her voice was almost a growl.

Clarissa giggled. “It’s
so
cute how much you value life.”

“We should all value life,” Meisha snarled, and I cringed as something hit the wall. “
Every
life!”

Sirena yanked on my skirt, no doubt gripping it fiercely in her small hands.

“And we do,” Blair interrupted, her monotone voice a much needed break from the tension. “Or else we would not be here.”

Silence enveloped the room, and I stiffened. My own breath sounded loud in my ears.

“The truth is,” Blair continued, “Sacrifices must be made for the greater good.”

“But none of their magic is strong enough, except the girl’s,” Meisha murmured, so quietly I had to lean forward to make out each word.

“So the others will die.”

Sirena squeaked and shifted in reaction to Clarissa’s words.

I stiffened, waiting. Had they heard the noise?

“You monstrous she-demon!” Meisha shouted, apparently still unaware of our spying.

“Stop!” Blair cried, this time her voice was no longer calm. “You might not like what we are, Meisha, but we‘re necessary to the greater good. Now go freshen up. The ceremony will begin soon.”

A door slammed, and I reached out, pressing Sirena forward. We rose and made our way quietly back to Sirena’s room. Once there, we collapsed onto the rug, neither of us speaking for a long time.

“Who do you think ‘the girl’ was?”

I lay on my back, staring up at the candles strung like stars above us. But I wasn’t considering Sirena’s question. Even though my instincts had told me there was something wrong with this place, I wish I’d been wrong. I wish it’d been everything I’d always dreamed of.

“It doesn’t matter. We need to do something or chances are that only one of us is going to live to see tomorrow.”

She paused for a long minute. “Maybe we shouldn’t tell the others.”

My breath caught in my throat. How could she even consider something so terrible?

“We have to tell them, at least to give them the chance to escape.”

“But we’ll move faster.” She argued.

“No.”

“And what if they don’t come with us? What if they tell The Protectors?”

“No!” I shouted the word, sitting up and piercing her with a glare. “We can’t just leave them to die.”

Sirena said nothing more, but her disapproval sizzled between us.

“We should get ready.” I stood up, trying to hide my irritation with her. “It’s going to be cold, and… goddesses’ teeth, I left my cloak in the dining hall.” I knew there were probably more cloaks in Sirena’s wardrobe, but it was my finest one, and I dreaded leaving it behind.

She pointed at her bed. “The servant brought them from the dining hall while you were talking to Meisha.”

I hurried over to find my dark green cloak folded neatly on the bed. It felt wrong to draw it over my ash-covered dress, but we couldn’t waste time changing.

Sirena pulled her black cloak on, opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Silently, we walked across the hall. When we entered, Bethenny and Yara had changed. Their long gowns were the color of gold, and they spun and danced in the expensive attire. Joy lit their faces as the light material drifted around them like clouds.

I envied them.

Yara stopped when she saw me, a silly smile on her lips. “Do you see our gowns? There are more in the chests than I’ve ever seen in my life!”

I crossed the room and took her hand. She swayed slightly, but her eyes locked onto mine. “Yara, I’m sorry, but we need to go.”

She stared blankly back at me. “What?”

“Sirena and I heard The Protectors talking, heard Blair. We’re going to die tonight at the ceremony. We need to leave.”

Bethenny came towards me, pushing between Yara and myself. “Liar!” she shouted, although the word came out slurred. “If you want to leave, then go, but we aren’t going with you.”

Anger leapt inside me, but I forced myself to remain in control. All that mattered right now was getting Sirena, Yara, and… Bethenny, if she wished, to safety.

“Tell them,” I said, eyeing Sirena.

“It’s true,” she glared at the angry red-head. “We aren’t going to line up like sheep to the slaughter. We’re leaving now, and anyone who wants to come can.”

“Please,” I begged, staring at Yara. “Please. I promise we’re telling the truth.”

Yara’s eyes were solemn. “You’re sure about what you heard?”

I nodded.

“All right.” Her gaze met mine. “I trust you.”

Yara picked up a dark cloak and placed it around her shoulders, concealing most of her new dress. Then, she turned to Bethenny.

The other girl blinked and seemed to come to life. “Don’t listen to her.” She sneered, advancing on us. “Every single one of you knows she comes from a family of liars.”

I flinched at her cruel words.

But before I thought of a good response, Sirena came to stand directly at my side. “Don’t.” The word was a threat.

Bethenny didn’t back down. “Old man Tuie dies, and not long after, they show up claiming to be long lost cousins. But funny how he never mentioned them to anyone.”

“So what!” Sirena said, putting her hands on her hips. “That doesn’t make them liars.”

But Bethenny wasn’t done. “Her dad claimed to be a farmer, but Brotlee’s dad had to show him how to work a field. How do you explain that?”

Doubt flashed in Sirena’s eyes. “That doesn’t mean anything.”

Bethenny stepped forward, crowding us both. “My Ma says they’re traitors to the crown.”

Sirena slapped her.

The sound echoed through the room.

“Don’t you dare speak that vicious lie, or I’ll cut out your tongue.”

I looked between the red mark forming on Bethenny’s cheek, and the frightening expression on Sirena’s face. Shocked.

Bethenny’s hand clenched into a fist. “Mark my words, Rose, you’ll lead us all into trouble. The Protectors will slice your throats and throw you off that bridge, a fitting end for a traitor and her friends.”

I caught Sirena’s hand before she could strike again, my body trembling. “Let’s go.”

If we were leaving Bethenny behind, the last thing we wanted to do was anger her more. Turning on us all would no doubt bring her limitless pleasure. And what was more, there was a frightening ring of truth to her accusations that left my stomach flip-flopping all over itself.

Just more questions I didn’t have the answers to.

“You’re all fools,” Bethenny muttered, glaring.

“Maybe,” Yara said, as we gathered at the door. “But, you’ll keep this a secret right?”

Her chin tilted up. “I’m no squealer.”

That was enough for me. I opened the door.

Peering out and seeing no one, I dashed down the hall. Many times I wasn’t certain which way to go, but Sirena always seemed to know. A few times our group ran into servants, but they walked past us, their expressions unchanging.

When we at last entered the courtyard, a chill washed over me. The darkest part of night had come, and with it, a bitter cold. I ran down the cobblestone path until I reached the bridge made of glass. My breath puffed out before me, but none of us spoke.

I eased my pace as I crept across the bridge, with me in the lead and Sirena’s hand clenched in mine. Snow drifted down on us as we pressed on, and icy winds clawed at our exposed faces and hands. A few cries and sounds of fear came from the girls behind me, and I knew we were all thinking the same thing. Would a breeze eventually sweep us to a gruesome death below?

At last, I spotted land ahead. The tension building beneath my skin eased. I looked back at Sirena, smiling, and she responded with a smile of her own.

But then, she looked around me. Her smile faltered and twisted into a look of horror.

My necklace flared to life, blazing painfully against my flesh, and bringing with it my own sense of terror.

Turning back, I froze. Not twenty feet in front of me stood a line of grim faces. Blair, Clarissa, Meisha, and Bethenny waited. Clarissa laughed at our looks of terror, and I heard gasps from behind me.

“This is unfortunate,” Blair said, crossing her arms before her chest. “But, we all make mistakes. If you should rethink this choice and come back with us now, we will forget your poor behavior.”

My stomach turned. We’d come too far to turn back. Perhaps, I could use my magic to free us.

But the only name I knew for certain was the Goddess of Fire, and I couldn’t see how starting a fire would do anything but momentarily distract them. It wouldn’t give me enough time to actually escape, especially with my friends.

And besides, then they’d know my secret.

“What now?” Sirena squeaked behind me.

The sound of my heart pounding filled my ears. “I don’t know. Give me a second to think.”

The world was closing in on me. I couldn’t give up, but I couldn’t escape.

Clarissa smirked. “What a hard choice. Go back to a warm castle, or get thrown to your deaths.”

Sirena grabbed my wrist, her nails digging into my flesh. “But we heard you were going to kill us anyway,” she accused, her voice shaking.

Blair’s eyes filled with guilt, then widened with false shock. “Of course not. Why would we go through all the trouble of bringing you here just to kill you?”

Sirena drew closer to me. “I don’t want to die.” She sobbed the last word.

Fear clouded my vision. “Let me think!”

I needed to risk it. The last time I’d been in danger I’d learned The Goddess of Fire’s name. Surely this dangerous situation would allow me to speak another.

“Perseia!” I screamed.

The women looked at me, eyes wide.

“Perseia!” I tried the Goddess of Destruction’s name again, changing the emphasis of each letter. “Perseia, Perseia, Perseia!” I experimented with intonation, volume, and tone, but still, nothing happened.

Clarissa cackled. “Did you take a bump to the head or something?”

Blair silenced her with a snap of her wrist. “Don’t you see?” Her gaze was calculating. “She has power over the Goddesses’ names.”

The shock on Clarissa’s face would’ve been comical, if I wasn’t fighting for my life. “No. That’s impossible. Only two Protectors in all of—”

“Silence,” Blair ordered. A tender smile curled her mouth. “It’s okay, Rose. I can teach you how to use your powers. I can teach you to be one of the most powerful women in this world.”

“What do they mean?” Sirena’s voice held pain and confusion. “What are they talking about?”

I wanted to turn around, to face her, but I couldn’t risk taking my gaze off The Protectors. “I’m sorry, Sirena. I should’ve told you.”

She was quiet for a moment. “Then, you always knew you’d be Chosen.”

Guilt ate at my heart. “No. Sometimes women with powers aren’t Chosen. I thought it gave me a better chance, but I wasn’t sure. I promise.”

Clarissa smirked. “I’m sure she trusts you a lot right now.”

Blair’s hands curled into fists. “This is too dangerous. She’s going to get hurt.” She turned to the smirking blonde beside her. “I want you to end this now, without violence.”

For a minute I thought Clarissa might argue, but then she nodded.

But I couldn’t let them win.

“
Promethia
!” Fire blasted from my fingertips, but never reached them.

It licked at an invisible wall before vanishing.

Blair dropped her hand. “Wonderful.”

Meisha crossed her arms over her chest. “We can test her abilities later. Clarissa?”

I held out my hands, waiting for her attack.

Clarissa laughed softly, a familiar sound like the chiming of bells. “Come on, Yara. Rose can’t possibly defeat all of us.” Her voice was soft as silk, beautiful and comforting all at once. “Come home with us. Where you’ll be safe.”

Movement came from behind me as Yara eased around me.

“No!” I cried, reaching out for her. “Don’t do this. You can’t possibly trust them.”

“We tried,” she said, shrugging.

“We aren’t beat yet.” I willed her to believe me.

She shook her head. “I don’t really know what’s going on, but maybe you’re wrong.”

“I’m not.”

Her gaze slid from the valley below us back to me. “I’m sorry.”

Then she turned and walked away, to stand beside The Protectors.

Sirena grabbed my arm as she maneuvered in front of me.

Fear clenched my heart. Not her too!

“This can’t end well.” She paused, tears in her eyes. “Maybe we really are wrong.”

“But—”

“Rose, I’m not brave like you.” She took a deep breath, and tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m going back with them.”

My heart rung, a lonely bell.

“No,” I whispered, the word dripping with betrayal.

Tears streamed down her face. “I’m your best friend. If you tell me to stay, I will.”

I blinked in shock. “I can’t just tell you what to do.”

What if I really was wrong?

“I just want to be safe.”

I knew what I’d heard. I knew what I felt, but I couldn’t tell her what to do. Her life was too valuable to me. It had to be her decision.

“Choose for yourself.”

Her gaze darted from me to the women.

“Sweetheart, let’s go back in the castle where it’s safe and warm.” Clarissa’s tone was that of a loving mother.

Sirena squeezed my hand and then released it, before leaving me standing on the bridge. Alone.

“Now you.” Clarissa smiled at me, her lovely face blossoming into something inhumanely stunning as her attention turned to me. “Let’s stop playing this game.”