Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1) (32 page)

He just prayed that the information the Patrol had given him was wrong. The uneasy feeling in his gut said differently.

Chapter 22

V
ARIAN allowed the ghost of a grin to curve his lips. Gaining access to the human city had proved easier than he thought. Timing it with the arrival of a large group of people, mid-afternoon, when the guards were at their least alert, and with everyone too busy herding animals along behind their carts, no one had noticed another figure cloaked against the cold weather slipping through the city gate with them.

After some careful scouting and patience he’d found the temple, the one place Lisella believed there would be someone who knew about Annika seeing as one of the
Lady
’s Light Blades had brought her here.

It was late. The last rays of sunlight had faded over an hour ago and most of the crowd drawn to the temple had gone with the light. From his vantage point between two buildings he watched the last visitor leave. Using the shadows, he slipped in through the wooden door before it closed. The familiar rush of adrenaline coursed through his veins as he scanned its interior.

Thankfully the temple was open in design, no side chapels or areas where someone could hide. And after an earlier foray he knew it had three ground exits and one from the chime tower if you were prepared to climb onto the roof and escape down the side of an adjacent building. Darkness would give him the advantage over any human pursuing him should he need to leave in a hurry.

The shadows were darkest where he stood. The smoky tang of extinguished candles lingered heavily in the cool air. The only ones still burning were those at the altar beneath the rectangular stained glass window. Surrounded by the tawny glow, a person knelt there in prayer.

On silent feet he skirted the rows of benches, his gaze fixed on the human. The charcoal colored robe, while simple in style, was belted at the waist and he knew from his discussions with Hesia that this was one of the
Lady
’s Servants.

The robe couldn’t hide the feminine curves of a human woman. With her back to him all he could see was her long, wavy, black hair brushing the middle of her back and fine-boned wrists and hands as she held them together in prayer. Alongside her lay a wooden staff. His gaze sharpened noting the potential weapon.

With his time within the city limited, he needed to make the most of it to find out about Annika. Making sure the woman was the only one left in the temple, he avoided the last row of benches and came up behind her fast. Her head lifted sharply, as if she sensed him.

“Is someone there?” Her soft, melodic voice sent a strange chill through him. He’d never heard any woman who had a voice so inherently feminine.

Impressed by her skill in hearing his approach, Varian lengthened his stride and came alongside her just as she reached for the staff.

He placed a boot on it. “You won’t need that, Handmaiden.”

She jerked back from him. “You startled me. I didn’t realize anyone was still here.”

As her head turned toward him he realized two things; she was beautiful and, most astonishingly, that she was blind. Her incredible emerald green eyes stared sightlessly toward him, too far left. He stared at her.

The
Na’Reish
never let anyone with such an affliction live. There were no blind or injured among their ranks. Imperfection was seen as an aberration. This human woman not only lived but was also one of their most revered figureheads. If only he’d known she was blind he could’ve pretended to be human but he’d assumed all Servants would be able to see.

He hesitated the merest fraction of a heartbeat, then bent down to grasp her arm and pulled her to her feet before he backpedaled her toward the side of the temple where the shadows were deepest. She was tall, almost eye to eye with him but no match for his enhanced strength.

“What are you doing?” Alarm and fear mingled in her voice. Beneath his hands, she tensed and began to struggle. He pushed her against the wall and used his greater body mass to pin her there, then covered her mouth with his hand.

“Not a sound, Handmaiden,” he murmured. “I won’t hurt you.”

She took no notice of him and heaved against him. Knowing his words weren’t likely to calm her, he held her loosely as she struggled, letting her exhaust herself. Lush curves pressed into him and her scent filled his lungs. She smelt of honey and incense. His body tightened with need. He sucked in a deep breath shocked at the unsettling effect she had on him. Her struggling finally ceased and he felt her trembling. Beneath the forearm he had pressed against her chest her heart thudded erratically.

“I won’t hurt you.” Taking advantage of her and her fear of him didn’t sit well. “Tell me your name.”

He removed his hand from her mouth.

“You expect me to cooperate with someone who attacks me?” She might’ve been terrified but her words were scathing. Brave considering he could easily snap her neck.

“You cooperate, and I’ll let you live.”

Her eyebrows arched high. “Oh, that’s a great incentive to cooperate.” She never raised her voice, just berated him in that calm, melodic voice of hers. “Why don’t you threaten to beat me while you’re at it?”

“It’s a dangerous practice annoying your attacker.”

“You come into a place of peace and expect me to help you?” She shoved against him again then slumped against the wall, her expression anything but submissive. “Your attack is cowardly and low.”

Varian couldn’t help the smile twitching at his lips. Her courage and fiery nature appealed to him. “My apologies, but I had no choice but to approach you this way.”

Her head cocked to one side. “You’re not from the city. Good, I’ll know to tell the Light Blades you’re from the farmlands.”

“Hush.” He placed his hand over her mouth again. “Tell me about Annika, the
Na’Chi
woman. I know she’s here within the city.”

The Handmaiden stilled. He only lifted his hand far enough so he could hear her speak.

“I’ll tell you nothing about her!” she hissed. “She’s done nothing to harm anyone. I won’t see her hurt because of your blind hatred and prejudice.”

Shock coursed through Varian’s veins. She believed he was here to harm Annika?

Kymora wondered at her attacker’s sudden silence and while his hold never slackened, she thought her accusation had astonished him. For the first time she wished she could see.

All she knew about him was that he was tall and incredibly strong. She was held in close to a warm, hard-muscled body. Almost as tall as any man, she’d felt like a child struggling against him and there was an aura of power surrounding him. It was deadly. Dangerous. Provoking him was foolhardy but she’d never liked being helpless and verbally attacking him had been the only option left to her.

This close to him she detected a combined scent of an earthy muskiness and cold winter’s air, as if he spent a lot of time outside in the elements. The heat of his hands burned through her robe, and a tingling began in her skin where he touched her.

Her chin lifted. “Why do you want to know about Annika?”

“I ask the questions.” His voice was rich and deep. It resonated with confidence.

“Then I won’t answer.” Now that her initial fright had subsided, Kymora wondered if his threats had been used only to ensure her compliance. He hadn’t hurt her. Even when she’d struggled he hadn’t harmed her. He hadn’t touched her inappropriately and while he still restrained her, the hold wasn’t painful. “It seems we’re at an impasse.”

“If I let you go, will you cooperate?”

She shook her head. “No.”

He grunted. “At least you’re honest.”

Suddenly she was released. One moment he was hard up against her, the next he was gone. His sudden move to free her was stunning given the circumstances. Curiosity rather than fear kept her stationary.

“Is your staff a weapon?” His voice sounded farther away. She heard the slight scrape of wood on stone. She tilted her head toward the sound.

“I know how to use it as one.”

There was a deliberate boot step then she felt the cool length of it pressed into her hands. “I trust you’ll restrain from using it on me.”

His tone was firm, slightly cold, as if warning her against the rash move of attacking him physically. A shiver ran down Kymora’s spine. She had little doubt he could defend himself.

She curled her fingers around the smooth wood. “Are you hoping this will regain my trust?”

“Is it working?” Just a hint of amusement colored his tone.

Heart thumping, she drew herself up to her full height, incensed but perplexed by his gall. “Not in the least.”

“I don’t intend harm to Annika.” His sigh was drawn out and she listened as he moved away from her then back again. Was he pacing? “I want to know if she’s safe.”

“What?” Of all the reasons she’d envisaged for his attack on her this hadn’t been one of them.

“I need to know if she’s safe.”

“Why?” She couldn’t hide her confusion.

Silence met her question. It lasted so long she began to worry he’d slipped away without her knowing.

“Because if someone like her has been given sanctuary then there’s hope for me.” His quiet reply was so close to her that she flinched. She hadn’t heard or sensed him moving.

His warm hand took one of hers and brought it to the side of his face. Beneath her fingertips she felt the hard angle of his stubbled jaw, the soft caress of his hair against the back of her hand then the slightest of raised textures on his skin. She frowned and brushed her fingers back and forth over the small, irregular shapes. They ran up to his temple, then down the side of his neck and disappeared under his shirt collar.

Her breath caught.

“Do you understand now?” he asked.

“You’re
Na’Chi
?” Kymora felt him nod. A frisson of shock raced through her. The
Lady
’s words now made so much more sense. “
Mother of Mercy
, how many more of you are there?”

He backed away from her so quickly her hand was left touching air. “I’m not telling you anything more until I know Annika is safe.”

“She’s fine. She’s been granted sanctuary by the
Lady
’s
Chosen
.” Kymora tapped her way toward the sound of his voice. “Who are you? Are there other
Na’Chi
?”

Again he remained silent. So many questions crowded her mind. How had he entered the city unnoticed? Why hadn’t Annika mentioned the existence of other
Na’Chi
? Why had they come to Sacred Lake? She could feel his tension and knew he was a hairbreadth away from leaving. Not that she blamed him, the risk of discovery drove him, but approaching her in the way he had spoke of a need too great to be ignored.

“Before Annika arrived, the
Lady
spoke to me during a visitation.
She
said,
Her presence is necessary. She threatens all we know but must be welcomed. As do those who come after her. My children must survive. Her
words didn’t make sense then, but now they do.
She
predicted your arrival.” Her heart began beating twice as fast. “Our meeting isn’t by chance.
She
also told me to be prepared for my fourth Journey. I’ve little doubt that it involves you.”

“Fourth Journey?”

Kymora heard his confusion. “The decisions a person makes in their life determine the paths we take into the future. Everything you’ve done up until now has guided you to this meeting here. If I’m to help you, you need to claim sanctuary.”

“Like Annika did with the Light Blade?” She nodded. “Will this protect me from death?”

“Unless you harm someone, it will.”

Kymora heard a ragged, indrawn breath. “Then I ask for sanctuary.”

“And I’ll do everything I can to help you…” She smiled, liking the warmth that flowed through her. She doubted his trust had been easily given. “My name’s Kymora.”

Another short hesitation then, “And I’m Varian.”

“You won’t regret this, Varian.”

“I hope not, because if there comes a time that I do, I’ll kill you.” She shivered, knowing he was a man of his word but the threat was delivered with such heavy reluctance she knew his regret was genuine.

“Where do we head from here then?” she asked softly. “I’ll be guided by your needs, Varian.”

There was another uneven inhalation. “I think it’s time we talked more about the
Na’Chi
and a human slave called Hesia.”

The name was one Annika had mentioned in conversation before. She inclined her head. “Shall we sit down? I’ve a feeling this might take some time.”

As Varian took her arm to guide her to the nearest bench, a soft breeze brushed her cheek and the scent of new fallen rain and fresh flowers filled her lungs. The familiar buildup of energy around her widened her smile.

“MY CHILDREN HAVE ARRIVED, HANDMAIDEN.” The gentle voice in her mind was filled with joy. “YOUR JOURNEY HAS BEGUN, KYMORA. THE FUTURE OF ALL MUST BE MADE SECURE. TREAD THIS PATH WISELY BUT CONFIDENTLY.”

Her
presence faded.
Her
words gave Kymora hope and faith and assured her she’d made the right decision.