Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

Zev sniffed the morning air, searching for that telltale scent of lightning. He couldn’t smell much past the usual pine and earth. They said Lucenna had gone west towards troll territory. He heard Eagon send Olyver to search for them before first light. If she wasn’t back by the end of the hour, Zev would go search for her himself.

His paws sank in the snow as he looked out at the main road through town. Several houses spread out far and wide. Fallow fields and orchards on the west end, and cliffs on south. On the east was a thick forest but he glimpsed a large roof peeking above the trees.

Another gust of wind blew against him and it drew his attention to the wall. They were close.

He winced at the blare of a horn announcing arrivals at the gate. It creaked open and a small unit of mercenaries galloped in with Klyde at the front. Lucenna rode on his horse with him.

Zev tracked their journey across town on the trampled path to Eagon’s house. When Lucenna saw him, she smiled tiredly in relief.

His tail wagged of its own accord, glad to have the final member of his family returned.

Klyde dismounted and tried to help her down but Lucenna ignored his hand and slid off herself. She was dirty and her lilac eyes lacked their usual vibrance.

“I’m all right,” Lucenna said at his worried whine, and she sank against his shoulder heavily. “Gods, I need a bed, and three days of sleep.”

“That is one massive wolf,” Klyde said, studying him. “Is he tame?”

She smirked. “Only with those he likes. Shall we see if he’s fond of you?”

Zev growled. He didn’t particularly dislike the man, but he didn’t trust him either.

“I think I’d rather keep my hand, lass. Come. Let’s get out of this cold.”

Zev’s paws clicked on the porch steps and they went up into the house. He quickly picked up loud voices talking over each other.

“You will let us pass.”

“I cannot.”

“You can’t hold us here!” Cassiel shouted at the mercenaries standing between him and the front door. Dyna was trying to talk him down.

Behind them sat a catatonic Rawn on the couch. He had been quiet since they woke to a land coated in snow. Zev sauntered in and went to lay at Rawn’s feet. It was all he could do right now for his friend.

“What’s all this, then?” Klyde said, announcing their arrival.

Dyna’s face lit up and she rushed to embrace Lucenna. “I was so worried about you.”

“I’m fine. It seems we have bigger problems.”

She sighed. “The lieutenant says we cannot leave.”

“The blizzard is beginning to pick up.” Eagon turned to Klyde. “I tried to explain to them it would be a death sentence if they attempted to leave. It’s too late for them now.”

Zev didn’t like the sound of that. Too late.

His Madness stirred in his mind, but it made no commentary yet. It hadn’t spoken in days.

Klyde crossed his arms and leaned against the frame of the doorway. “He’s right. Troll Bridge is two hundred miles long. It takes about six days to cross on foot. Five days without sleep, because if you did sleep in those freezing temperatures, I guarantee you would wake at Death’s Gate. Our winters are merciless, and nothing like you’re used to. This blizzard will seal the gorge by tomorrow. I’m afraid you’re stuck here until the end of the season.”

Zev heard Rawn’s sharp intake of breath, along with Cassiel and Lucenna’s low curses.

Three months.

That was how much time they would lose at the very least. How much longer would it take them to find Mount Ida and return? Once the snow melted and managed to catch a ship, the voyage alone would take months. He met Dyna’s watery green eyes. They had exactly until next winter to stop the Shadow.

“Which one among you is the leader?” Klyde asked.

At the long pause that followed, they all glanced at their motionless Guidelander. Rawn looked so thin and exhausted under the blanket around his shoulders. His turquoise irises were stark against his bloodshot eyes. Zev nudged his knee.

“Oh. Pardon me,” Rawn answered with a soft rasp. He stood and limply nodded to Klyde. “I am Rawn Norrlen of Greenwood, and these are my companions. Thank you for your assistance.”

“There is no need to thank us,” the captain said. “This was a job.”

At their blank stares, Eagon clarified. “We’re mercenaries. We’re owed payment for services rendered.”

“I beg your pardon?” Rawn repeated.

Klyde chuckled. “You didn’t think my men ventured out there for free, did you?”

They stared at him mutely and Zev decided then he didn’t like him after all.

Lucenna let out a soft scoff, looking at the captain with disgust. “I suppose there is no use in helping someone unless there’s coin in it.”

His gaze flickered to her.

“No one called for your services,” Cassiel told him.

“Lord Jophiel hired us to see to your safety, Prince. He has yet to send the fee.”

“How did he contact you?”

Klyde’s mouth pursed in a thoughtful frown. “Through a mirror?”

Zev canted his head, not sure what he meant by that.

“We had it under control.”

“Aye, of course you did.” Klyde looked pointedly at their ragged appearances. “Except you were about to become minced meat, your leader took a dip in the river, and Lucenna was dragged to a troll nest. Without us, whatever was left of you lot would be buried beneath the snow right now.”

Zev beard his fangs. Dyna ran her fingers through his fur, whispering at him to stay calm.

Rawn exhaled tiredly and rubbed his face. “Enough. Arguing will not resolve this. He is right. They saved our lives. We have payment for you, Captain. It’s in my pack with my horse.” At the reminder, distress crossed his face and he glanced at Dyna. “Fair?”

“He’s all right, Lord Norrlen. He’s in the barn.”

Rawn exhaled, his shoulders sinking.

“There was no pack with your horse when we found him,” Eagon said. “It must have been lost when you fell.”

They all collectively groaned. That meant their gold was at the bottom of the cascades. So much for swindling it from the poacher.

“Then, should you find it acceptable, we could barter for something else,” Rawn said. “We have other skills that could be put to use.”

As soon as he said it, Eagon’s gaze instantly fell on Dyna. “Her.”

Zev snarled at the same time Cassiel’s fists flared with blue flames. Lucenna and Rawn also braced. They were severely outnumbered, but he didn’t give a damn.

“Wait, let’s not make assumptions,” Dyna said, holding onto Zev’s scruff and Cassiel’s arm.

“You have been staring at her since last night,” Cassiel growled. “Whatever your interest in my wife, know we will not hesitate to cut you down.”

The mercenaries only looked amused, none bothering to draw out any weapons.

Klyde chuckled and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “My, that was an interesting reaction.” He glanced at Eagon. “What do you want with the lass?”

“She is a healer of some sort, Captain. Last night we witnessed her use magic to treat the elf.” Eagon’s one good eye fixed on him and Klyde’s relaxed expression changed, his jaw tensing. They held a silent stare. “I merely meant we could use her services for trade. Sigrid isn’t fully recovered. We have elderly here and some ill. It would do good to have a healer on hand. And Gale…”

“What about her?” Klyde asked, his voice sharp.

“Oh, don’t you start.” They all glanced up at the pregnant woman standing on the stairs. Gale rested a hand on her belly as she carefully came down. “Both of you must calm down and stop putting our guests on edge.”

“Gale.” Klyde rushed to help her walk down the remaining steps. “How are you feeling?”

“Fat, Klyde. I feel fat. I can’t get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. When I do finally sleep, I’m woken up by bickering. Is that what you want to hear?”

He chuckled and kissed her temple. “If my sister feels well enough to yell at me, then yes.”

Zev sniffed the air, confirming they were indeed siblings. More heavy steps rushed down the stairs as the lad from yesterday came bounding down with a little boy in his arms.

“Klyde!” they both shouted together and threw themselves at him.

He laughed and embraced the boys, and all the tension that had been in the room earlier eased itself away.

“The house is getting a bit crowded now,” Eagon said to Olyver. “Head home and keep an eye on the town in case anyone needs assistance during this blizzard.”

The mercenaries ambled outside to their waiting horses, and the sound of galloping hooves faded away.

“What do you say we get breakfast going, lad?” Klyde asked the boy. “Come help me in the kitchen, Tavin.”

“Keep Evin away from the fire,” Gale said as the boys followed him through the swinging doors. She took Eagon’s hand and they faced them. “I’m sorry if my husband startled you. He isn’t the best at explaining himself. Took me some time to get used to that.”

Eagon’s grim face softened.

“I was a sickly child,” she continued in a quieter voice. “My immunities have always been weak. When we had Evin I nearly died in childbirth. We didn’t expect to conceive again, yet the God of Urn had other plans. But…it’s been difficult for me. I’m always in pain and I can hardly stand most days.” Gale looked back at the kitchen where they could hear her family laughing. “This cannot be the birth that kills me.”

Zev could smell it on her. The weakness. It oozed from her pores like a faint musk—and he also scented the old metallic scent of blood. The kind that only females had, but it didn’t smell right.

Gale’s watery eyes met Dyna’s. “After we saw what you did for your friend yesterday…” Her voice broke. “It was like a miracle. An answer to the prayer we have been waiting for. I’m sorry you’re stuck here, but I….”

“Hush.” Dyna went to her and took her hands. “You don’t need to explain yourselves to me. I’m an Herb Master. I took a vow to treat whoever is in need and I will help you as much as I can. Shall we go upstairs, so I may examine you?”

Gale nodded, wiping the tears from her pale face. She didn’t look well. The couple thanked her profusely before Eagon helped his wife back up to their bedroom and Dyna went with them.

Lucenna sighed, sitting beside Rawn. “What are we going to do?”

Lord Norrlen rubbed his haggard face. “Our provisions are scarce, nor do we have the proper clothing for winter. Even if we managed to survive the trip out of Troll Bridge, the next town is not for another two hundred miles more. We cannot endure that long in the snow without shelter.”

Cassiel stood by the windows with his arms crossed, watching the snow blow past. “I cannot fly for long in this weather either. Travel is no longer an option.”

They weren’t going anywhere.

What’s the matter, beastie?

Zev closed his eyes at the soft hiss. It was like claws scraping against his skull.

Oh, did you think I was going to leave you alone? No, you’re not rid of me yet.

The fire crackled faintly in the grim silence.

“Perhaps this is good,” Rawn murmured after a while. “Everything occurs for a reason.”

They all stared at him like he had grown an extra limb.

“From the moment I left Greenwood, I have been on the run. Each of us has carried that burden at one point or another. We have been moving constantly, facing enemies at every turn, fighting to endure every day. We are all more than anxious to complete our missions and return home, but it cannot be at the expense of ourselves. Perhaps this is life’s way of saying we earned the rest.” Rawn tried to sound optimistic for them but his dejection couldn’t be fully hidden from his sad, tired eyes. “This will be time to heal and to train. For all of our power and skill, we nearly lost our lives out there. If we cannot fight trolls, then we are certainly not prepared for our destination.”

Those beasts had been the first opponents Zev couldn’t easily take down. Mount Ida was halfway across the world, within a perilous sea, rampant with unknown monsters and magic. Rawn was right. This proved they weren’t prepared for it yet.

“We have other reasons not to be here,” Cassiel said.

At nuance behind the statement, they all glanced over at Zev, then at the scars visible through his fur.

The moon is coming for you, the Madness whispered. Are you ready to accept her light?

He never was.

His body ached from the memory of his bones breaking and reshaping him into the bloodthirsty beast he truly was. Lucenna hadn’t witnessed him change yet, though he had told her about his Other.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Lucenna straightened. “Is that why you haven’t shifted?” she whispered. “Because you don’t want to frighten them?”

Zev made the choice when they were brought here.

“They probably would not react well to learning he is a Lycan,” Cassiel said quietly.

He wasn’t a pureblooded werewolf, and that made him more dangerous than all the rest. If the mercenaries didn’t attack him, they would most likely toss them to the Bridge. He could survive in the wilderness, but his friends couldn’t say the same. It was best the townsfolk think him a domesticated wolf for now.

They went back to grim silence. Zev laid by the fireplace and rested his head in his paws as he watched the fire burn. He was better off this way. On two feet, he couldn’t seem to step out of the dark mist that followed him. In it there was no light. No gods. Only the emptiness of no purpose.

The others, they glowed like bright lights of life. But his was flickering like the weak flame of a dying candle, on its last stretch of wick. It could go out any day if he let it. As a wolf, he could detach from reality.

Lucenna came to sit by him. “Are you all right?”

He wasn’t, but he was trying to be. Ronin said the Madness wouldn’t leave him until he accepted what it was trying to show him. Whatever that meant, he wouldn’t figure it out before the next change.

Lucenna gently ran her fingers over his furred ears. “We won’t tell them until we have to. When is the full moon?” she asked the others.

Cassiel answered, his gaze on the storm outside. “On the winter’s solstice, in a week’s time. It’s going to be a long night.”

“I’ll keep you company,” she told him.

Zev shook his head.

“You cannot be anywhere near him when he changes,” Cassiel said. “Zev is not himself anymore when…it takes over.”

It was possible to control the Other.

He had to learn how to first, but the only ones who could teach him had returned to Lángshān. The only tools he had were his chains. They barely kept him contained, and he nearly killed Dyna twice. It filled him with such wretched guilt every time he caught a glimpse of the long jagged scars on her shoulder.

“Dyna told me what happened…” Lucenna said faintly. “I’m sorry.”

Zev closed his eyes. He was sorry, too. He was so tired of Death following his shadow.

All we know is death, beastie.

“We take care of our own,” Cassiel said. “There are strong trees outside of town. We will see to your restraints.”

Zev nodded his thanks, dreading that kiss of silver. He could already feel its burn. For now, this was what it took to keep going.

Soon after Dyna returned with a worried look on her face. “I will need to stay close by,” was all she said quietly. It confirmed what Zev had suspected.

He gazed out the window to watch the falling snow continue to thicken on the ground outside with no sign of stopping. Its color reminded him of the snowy hill from his dreams and the white wolf looking back at him.

“You must have all wondered by now,” Dyna said under her breath. A wary tension filled the quiet as they all looked at each other with the same thought. “About the people who live in this place.”

It surfaced the question that had been on the back of Zev’s mind since the mercenaries brought them here. What’s a secret town doing hidden in this dangerous place, and how did it get here?