Burn the Night (11 page)

“Let them attack. We will defeat them, and then we shall have a personal escort to their leader,” I said, pulling free of his grasp so I could resume walking through the forest.

“Confident with your whip at your side that you can take any of our kind down?” Rowe sneered, but I could hear his footsteps on the soft earth. He was at least following me.

“I will not use the whip against the animal clan,” I growled. “They are simply defending their domain from trespassers. Jasmine and the others were attempting to steal you from me and were aiming to kill me. They would not see reason. Kane’s people will.”

“They already surround us.”

“I know.”

“And yet you’re determined to continue on this suicidal quest because Cynnia asked you.”

“She asked me to fetch you. This small side trip should not be nearly as treacherous.”

“Ha. Ha,” Rowe mocked when he realized I was teasing him. I had little doubt that getting in to speak with Kane was going to be dangerous and tricky. Since the opening of the door and Mira’s attack on Aurora, the animal clan had largely separated itself from the other clans and gathered in the Smoky Mountains, using the rocky and heavily covered terrain as a refuge from the world. And right now Rowe and I were walking right into the heart of their domain.

We continued on in silence, weaving among the trees as we slowly trekked uphill toward the heaviest concentration of naturi. I could hear animals moving closer to us with the click and scratch of claws moving over bark and through the dirt. A knot twisted tighter in my stomach, and I struggled to keep my heartbeat slow and even despite the fact the animal clan was tightening around us, closing in the circle until we would finally be faced with the voice of the squad that had been sent to defend their territory from interlopers.

As we entered a small clearing, a low growl rumbled around us. Standing with Rowe, I picked out several large wolves, a few bobcats, and a pair of mountain lions. Smaller luminous eyes stared out from the darkness, making me think we were surrounded by a large selection of foxes and raccoons as well. Reaching out with my powers, I discovered that most of the larger animals surrounding us were actually naturi that had shape-shifted into animal form, while the smaller creatures were truly animals that may have been summoned to help with the coming fight.

“We’re here to speak with Kane,” I announced, holding my hands out to my sides, open and empty. I wasn’t going to start a fight, and I preferred to avoid one at all costs considering that we were severely outnumbered.

Above my head in front of me, a large owl hooted a couple times before it spread its beautiful white wings and glided down. The white feathers melted away to reveal a man with darkly tanned skin and a shaggy mane of blond hair. It looked as if he would have been more natural in the form of a lion, rather than the unassuming and easily overlooked form of an owl. The moonlight gilded his naked body as he took a couple steps toward us. The animals that surrounded us also took a couple steps closer, shrinking the circle. Rowe shifted his stance, bumping his shoulder against mine as I forced myself to remain as still as possible. They were trying to goad us into acting.

Under most circumstances I would have trusted Rowe not to strike, but to calmly brush off their attempts to strike fear in him. However, the iron collar was inhibiting his powers, leaving him weaker and potentially at their mercy. I had put him at a distinct disadvantage; something I’m sure he was unaccustomed to. If he felt too threatened, I had no doubt he would strike first in an effort to save himself.

Steady
, I whispered to him in his mind while trying to send comforting waves of calm across his brain.

They’re going to shred us before you get the chance to plead your case,
Rowe snapped. Yet, at the same time, I felt him draw in a slow, deep breath.

“We have come to speak with clan leader Kane,” I announced in a strong voice. “Will you let us pass?”

“I know you, Nyx, and the power of the whip that dangles from your hip,” said the gold-haired man. “Great weapon of the queen.”

“And I know you too, Locke,” I said with a slight bow of my head. “The protector of Kane and second-in-command of the great force that is the animal clan. But you have me wrong. I’m sure you already know that I am not Aurora’s weapon any longer. I’ve been branded a traitor and now willingly follow someone who seeks a life of peace on the Earth.”

“And it seems that you keep good company,” Locke taunted. “A traitor traveling with yet another branded as a traitor. Starting a club?”

“Yes, I am,” I admitted, causing his eyebrows to jump unexpectedly before his head fell back with laughter. I didn’t crack a smile because I wasn’t joking. It wasn’t in my nature.

“And you wish to kneel before Kane and ask that his people protect you and this traitor when Aurora comes for your heads at long last?” Locke said when he saw I wasn’t joining him in the great joke that he thought I’d made.

“Rowe is no traitor,” I bit out, taking a step closer to Locke so my body was between the two naturi. “He sacrificed everything that he ever was, sacrificed his place among our people so you could now stand on the fresh earth and be wrapped in the warm powers of the Great Mother. Rowe is no traitor,” I repeated. “He’s your savior and should be afforded the respect he has earned.” Locke stared at Rowe over my shoulder, his full lips pressed into a firm, unyielding line as he weighed my words. To my surprise, he gave a soft grunt and nodded to Rowe, giving what little approval that I could extract from the naturi. I had to win them all over one by one, pulling them away from Aurora’s twisted way of thinking. In the heat of battle, many had clung to her skirts, but now that the powers of the earth once again flowed through our starved bodies, our people were starting to think differently. They were a little more open. Cynnia may have set a series of tasks ahead of me, but since looking on Rowe for the first time since Aurora’s betrayal, it had become my own personal quest to win him back some of his former honor and glory, as he deserved.

“You make a valid point, Dark One,” Locke said, putting my teeth on edge as he used a nickname I seemed to be cursed with for the rest of my life. “I am willing to allow Rowe to pass so long as he immediately leaves our domain and does not return.”

“And me?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.

“You have crimes to atone for,” Locke said, a vicious grin spreading across his handsome face.

“You have slaughtered a number of the animal clan over the long centuries. You have attacked and struck fear in the hearts of our people when you swore to be our protector.”

“While I know that you will not believe me, I took no joy in those acts, but was simply following the orders of my queen, as I swore to do. That reason does not absolve me of my crimes, but it does at least explain my actions.”

“Convenient answer. Blame it on the queen and wash your hands of the matter,” Locke sneered.

“The blood of our people will always stain my hands, and I will pay for those crimes, but now is not the time. Would not Kane like the chance to strike out at the true source of your anger and isolation? Would not your great leader like to take a shot at Aurora?”

“How do you know that we don’t already plan against her rule?” Rowe snorted, stepping forward. “While the animal clan has always been the strongest fighters among our people, you will not get as close to her as you may hope. You need help, and Kane knows it.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t be hiding out in the mountains, but marching across these great lands to take the battle to her.”

“You were told to leave,” Locke snapped as he balled his fists at his sides.

Rowe shrugged. “Nyx comes before you, offering you a chance to strike at the one that used you as her dogs of war. Wouldn’t it be in the best interest of your people to allow Kane to hear her plan?

Besides, wouldn’t your leader take more joy in watching her slaughter than just receiving her head after the battle is completed?”

Your assistance is less than heartening,
I murmured in Rowe’s brain while keeping my face perfectly blank as Locke considered my fate.

If you die now, I may never be free of this damned collar
.
Furthermore, I would prefer it if Locke
and the others don’t discover that you have me on a short leash
.

After more than a minute one corner of Locke’s mouth finally quirked in a half smile. “You make an interesting case. Things have been quiet recently. I’m sure that Kane would appreciate a little entertainment, particularly if it means killing not only a sister of the queen but also the Dark One.”

“Thank you,” I murmured through clenched teeth. I knew we would not be welcomed with open arms, but I had not expected this level of hostility. Too much time living quietly with Cynnia had made me forget how much I was hated by the rest of our people. Many wanted to see my head on the end of a pike just as badly as they wanted to see either Cynnia or Aurora dead. If I did not believe so completely in Cynnia’s vision, then I would have said it was time for another family to rule over the naturi, while Aurora, Cynnia, and I faded from existence and memory.

“You will be led to Kane, where he will decide whether you are to be given an audience or just killed,” Locke said.

“And my reprieve?” Rowe inquired.

A fresh smile appeared on Locke’s face as he turned his gaze on the one-eyed naturi. “Revoked since you’ve decided to remain at her side. Your life is now back in Kane’s hands.” He then returned to the form of an owl and took to the skies again, flying high overhead for a moment before wheeling around toward the east.

You are becoming more trouble than you are worth,
Rowe grumbled silently at me as we started walking. The other naturi in animal form drew closer to us, ushering us forward. Our escort continued to snarl and growl, keeping us moving at a brisk pace for fear of someone taking a nip at our legs should we slow too much.

You were facing death at the hands of Aurora when I grabbed you,
I replied as I stepped over a log. I jerked my right leg forward as I brought it over the next log, narrowly escaping a fox snapping at my ankle. Its sharp little teeth scrapped along the sides of my leather boot.
Now you’re complaining that
you face death at Kane’s hands. Is there really any difference? Death is death, is it not?

I find it more likely that I will escape death at Kane’s hands but be stuck with this damned collar
because you will be killed before I acquire the key.

I’m beginning to understand why the Fire Starter is so determined to kill you.

To my surprise, Rowe looked over his shoulder and flashed a wicked smile. For the first time, I wondered if the naturi was actually teasing me. The Rowe that I grew up with had always been a ruthless killer and brilliant fighter, but in the last months that I’d known him on Earth, I also discovered he had a somewhat unique sense of humor. Was this all a game to him? Did he have some secret that he was hiding away? A chill swept down my spine as I wondered who I should fear more: Kane or Rowe.

Nine

R
owe and I trudged nearly five miles through the woods in silence. Only the sounds of the occasional broken branch and the growling of our guards echoed through the dense forest. At the end of our march the dancing light of a fire peeked between the trees, beckoning us forward. My stomach twisted into knots, but I maintained my outward calm. I would not be deterred from my mission. I would not disappoint Cynnia. I would bring back Rowe and win over the animal clan. It was our only hope.

Besides, my dear younger sister still had the more difficult task ahead of her.

As we came into the clearing, I paused and blinked a couple times as my eyes adjusted to the bright light of the torches spread about the area. A coyote snarled once and clamped briefly onto my left calf to goad me forward. Without making a sound, I pulled my leg free and continued with Rowe into the center of the clearing.

At the far end, Kane sat on his throne hewn from a giant boulder. The leader of the animal clan was a large man with a massive barrel chest and legs like tree trunks. His body was wrapped in a large bearskin, while his large bare feet were smeared with mud.

The leader of the animal clan always had to be the strongest. He was frequently challenged by other members of the clan in battle. Unfortunately, until Kane, the leaders of the animal clan had not been known as the best strategists in battle. The clan was known as great melee fighters and was usually the first sent into battle against any enemy. It wasn’t until Kane rose to power that the group realized exactly how poorly they had been treated by the royal family.

Unfortunately for me, the animal clan had been the most vocal against Aurora’s decisions, forcing me to strike against them to protect her sovereignty. They had the most reason to hate me, and I had a dark feeling that I was going to feel the brunt of that hatred tonight.

Our guards had backed away from us, leaving Rowe and myself standing alone in the circle. I glanced around to find many of the naturi changing back into their natural form, while others settled on the ground, still in animal form. Their expressions varied from distaste to outright hostility. Only Kane looked somewhat amused by our presence. Locke took up his position on the right side of Kane’s throne with a smug look on his face. Without a doubt, their minds were already made up against me. I had to find a way to not only get out of this alive, but to convince them to take a big risk on a young naturi with a dream.

“I am honored that you have granted me this audience, lord of the animal clan,” I said with a bow of my head. I again held my hands out to my sides with my palms open to show that I held no weapons and offered up no threat. At my side, Rowe said nothing as he folded his arms over his chest and glared at Kane.

The leader of the animal clan gave a deep chuckle. “We have been short on entertainment recently, and right now, only Aurora’s head carries more value to me than your own.” Suppressing a sigh of frustration, I pushed forward. “Locke granted Rowe safe passage through your domain so long as he doesn’t return. Will you honor that offer?”