Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1) (42 page)

“The
Na’Reish
outnumber us, Councilor Witham.” Kalan’s calm voice restored a modicum of civility to an escalating situation. “What we must address is our survival.” His gaze swept the room, taking in everyone. “This Council once hid from the facts and now we’re all paying for it. Have the respect to face the events that led us here rather than deny them, and let’s consider the options before us.” He paused a moment to let his words sink in. “Candra and the
Temple Elect
are right, we can survive with help from the
Na’Chi
.”

There were protests from Elamm and Nyon, and the brawny warrior even leapt to his feet to argue Kalan’s point. A few of the Light Blades in the room joined in. The cold feeling that had crept along Annika’s spine settled at the base of her stomach. It saddened her to see that the Council were still unwilling to accept the truth. She wondered if Kalan had anticipated this level of opposition to his plans.

“They’re not interested in surviving,” Varian muttered. “They still think they can take on the
Na’Reish
alone.”

“Change is never easy,” she replied, meeting his gaze.

“And do you think if these leaders reject change that Kalan will ignore their wishes? Look around you. He has few supporters, Annika. Not enough to effect and secure the future he sees for his people. If he ignores them now how long do you think he’ll remain as their leader? Once he’s gone will the safety he promised us exist anymore?”

Annika rubbed her arms, trying to dispel the grim picture he painted for her as the arguing continued. She could see Kalan trying to restore order to the room, his hands raised, a frown on his drawn face as the Councilors ignored his efforts.

She closed her eyes. His people needed him, now more than ever. It didn’t matter that they were still afraid of the
Na’Chi
, of her. The greater threat came from the
Na’Reish
and any attack her father might initiate if he ever got wind of this unrest. Kalan needed to focus on that.

Perhaps she could go with the
Na’Chi
, give everyone the time they needed to cope with their new situation, maybe Kalan could convince the new Council of his plans later. But even as she considered the idea, she knew he’d be unlikely to agree, not when she relied on his blood for her survival. He’d have to choose between her and his people. She knew what his heart would decide and that was something she refused to let him do, not when it would cost him everything he held dear. She couldn’t do that to him.

Annika clenched her jaw tight as tears burned in her eyes. For the first time in her life she’d found true acceptance and love and now circumstance was forcing her to choose between happiness and the survival of a people.

Annika stared at Kalan across the room, her heart aching so hard she thought it would break. He’d given her his friendship, acceptance, and a thousand memories she’d always cherish. Letting him go would mean watching her own dream die but she was willing to sacrifice that for him. She loved him too much not to. But
Lady’s Breath
, why did it have to hurt so much?

The consequences… well, she’d survived withdrawal once. Perhaps, with the
Lady
’s blessing, she’d succeed again.

Swallowing hard, she linked gazes with Varian. “It’s time the
Na’Chi
left.” Her voice sounded as hollow as her chest felt. “Let’s go.”

His eyes narrowed at whatever he saw in hers but made no comment. He spoke quietly to Lisella and the other
Na’Chi
then as one they headed for the door.

Tears made their way down Annika’s face as she followed them. She looked neither left nor right, nor back toward the man she loved more than life itself.

Had she, she doubted if she’d have had the strength to leave her heart behind.

Chapter 31

A
NNIKA was gone. So were the other
Na’Chi
. The voices around Kalan faded as he stared at the empty seats where they’d sat. How long had they been gone? Heart pounding in his chest, he glanced toward the doorway and saw only the two warriors standing guard. Where were they? What were they doing?

One possibility occurred and it sent a wave of fear shooting through Kalan. The blood drained from his face and he shot from his chair so fast it kicked out from under him to scrape across the stone floor.

“
Mother of Mercy
, no!”

Kymora turned in her seat to face him. “
Chosen
, what’s wrong?”

There was no time to waste.

Kalan slammed his fist against the table. The sharp sound drew the attention of every Councilor, new and old, seated there. His action also silenced the arguments from the Light Blades to his left.

Without a word he unbuckled the belt around his waist then gently set the leather-sheathed dagger in the middle of the table.

“Kalan, no!” Candra gasped, her gaze widening.

Benth paled to the color of his hair. “What are you doing,
Chosen
?”

“Find another to lead you.” His voice was hard, impatient, but he didn’t care.

Gut instinct told him Annika and the
Na’Chi
were leaving. If they left the city… he shuddered. They’d use all their skills to evade detection, and he had no assurances that their final destination would be the caverns. Not after what they’d witnessed today.

His gaze lifted and surveyed everyone in the room. “I’m tired of your dissention, your fears, and your attempts to exile the
Na’Chi
and Annika. I’ve done everything I can to follow the
Lady
’s will and give you a choice of how we move on from our mistakes.

“A new Blade Council, a plan to survive against the
Na’Reish
, a way to build our numbers. But even now you refuse to acknowledge the need to change.

“How can you expect me to lead you when you’ve asked me to choose between the two things I love most in this world? You people are my soul and I’ve done as my faith and honor demanded and led you into our next Journey, but without my heart…” and here his throat tightened, “… without Annika, I find I can’t continue.” His voice dropped, deepened with anger. “And while you argue the
Na’Chi
are leaving the city. Annika included.” Heads turned to discover the empty seats he’d seen several heartbeats ago. He inhaled a slow breath. “I choose to go with them.”

The Inner Chamber erupted into a second round of chaos; this time it included his warriors, not just the Councilors. Ignoring all pleas and cries Kalan left the chamber, his long stride changing to a dead run as soon as he made it to the corridor.

The building that had been turned into a dormitory for the
Na’Chi
was eerily empty. All that remained were the bed pallets and scattered crates of supplies given to them on their arrival. Packs and blankets and people were gone.

Ignoring the cries of Arek and others as they pursued him through the compound, Kalan headed into the city. With every pounding step, his mind filled with the emotions and memories of his time with Annika.

Her laughter. The many colors of her eyes. Her touch. The uninhibited way she loved him. Every incredible kiss.

Merciful Mother
, he couldn’t live without her.

He needed her. He loved her. More than he ever imagined possible. He couldn’t picture life without her.

And that’s what she risked by leaving him now. Her life.

“Fool
Na’Chi
!” The curse ripped from his lips as desperate anger drove him faster through the city streets, his boots thudding on the cobblestones.

His hurried passing drew startled and puzzled looks from the city folk but he ignored them, his thoughts and mind focused on reaching Northgate as quickly as possible. It was a gamble to assume the
Na’Chi
would head there but it was the closest exit to the trail into the mountains where the caverns were located. The fastest way out of the city.

Finally the huge wall came into sight. Breath sawing in and out of his lungs, Kalan spotted a large group of cloaked people almost through the double gates.

“Annika!” His shout turned heads. A familiar blond one caught his attention. Relief almost brought him to his knees. “Annika, wait.”

Three young
Na’Chi
scouts blocked his way. Kalan’s temper sparked and his fists clenched. Just for satisfaction’s sake he was tempted to engage them but held back. His anger wasn’t aimed at them but those coming up behind him. “Varian, tell them to stand down. I just want to speak to Annika.”

The dark-headed scout made his way through the group of
Na’Chi
to stand beside his warriors.

“Perhaps,” he said in his usual, stoic voice, “she doesn’t want to speak to you.”

Chest heaving, air hissed in through Kalan’s teeth as he fought not to plant his fist in the young man’s face. “Why not?”

The
Na’Chi
’s eyes flickered, the dark flecks changed to green. “Don’t make this any harder for Annika than it already is. She’s made her decision. Let her go.”

“And let her die?” Kalan took an aggressive step forward. “I think not.” The rear guard of four tensed. He let out an aggravated breath. “I’m not here to stop her. I’m coming with you.”

“Oh, Kalan, no!” Annika’s cry came from a huddle of
Na’Chi
. He whispered a prayer of thanks as she pushed through them, her face pale, her eyes red from crying. “What have you done?”

Another tear tracked down her cheek as he tried to angle his way past the scouts. Varian gave the order to let him through.

“
Mother of Mercy
, what possessed you?” Kalan snatched Annika in against him and buried his head against her shoulder. “I nearly lost you!”

“Your people need you, Kalan.” Her violet eyes shone with tears as she pressed a hand to the side of his face. “You can’t abandon them.”

“I can and I will.” His anger flared. “I’ve done what I can for them. If they can’t see past their fear or place their trust in the
Lady
then that is their choice. If they want me as their leader they accept the Journey we share. There’ll be no side trails or detours.”

“Don’t you tell me what I can and can’t do!” Candra’s outraged voice echoed through the street.

They turned to discover a large crowd of people hurrying along the thoroughfare, the Master Healer in the lead, shaking off a very upset Councilor Elamm from her arm. Relief filled Candra’s face as she caught sight of him. She pivoted on her boot heel and stabbed a finger at each of the new Councilors and the Guild-representatives following in her wake.

“Less than one day in your seat and you think that we can remove those who remind us of our mistakes and all will be well.” She snorted loudly and shook her head. “As I said in the chamber, you can do without me as well.”

She dusted her hands as she joined the small group gathered in front of the gateway.

Benth, looking every year his age, his face red from exertion, led Kymora along the street. As they reached the back of the crowd, he shoved his way through then took a moment to catch his breath.

“Kalan, you were right to remind us that the
Lady
has always guided your hand. There may have been times I found your decisions difficult to understand but you’ve never given me reason to doubt your leadership. Now is no different.” He guided Kymora over to join them then pinned the crowd with a glare. “If you can find another leader more suited than Kalan, then may the
Lady
favor your choice.”

The remaining Councilors glanced between themselves, and the expressions on their faces were priceless.

“While I don’t speak for all my warriors, unless Kalan remains as the
Lady
’s
Chosen
, my service to this Blade Council is also finished.” Arek’s declaration caught everyone by surprise.

Kalan’s heart lifted as Arek met his gaze. He nodded to acknowledge his decision.

“Your hatred for demons is legendary!” Nyon’s confusion was laced with astonishment. “You’d side with the
Na’Chi
?”

“Since reading Zataan’s journal I’ve discovered I was wrong about many things, least of all my beliefs. Annika and the
Na’Chi
don’t deserve my hatred. They’ve done nothing to earn it. Nor are the marks on their bodies and the color of their eyes reason enough to hate them. Until they give me one, I’ll follow Kalan.” He turned to face Varian. “If you’ll accept me I’d like to train with the
Na’Chi
as a scout.”

“You’d follow my orders?”

Arek’s jaw tightened. “Yes.”

“Then there’s hope for you yet, Light Blade.” Varian’s eyes gleamed even though his expression remained stoic. “I look forward to training you.”

Somehow Kalan doubted the first few weeks for either man would be easy.

As if Arek’s declaration was merely the stopper in a flask, more and more of the Light Blade Commanders and their Seconds came forward to join them, clearly stating their intentions. Kalan sent a swift prayer for forgiveness for dividing
Her
people heavenward; yet he couldn’t help but feel fierce satisfaction as he watched his people choose.