Powers of the Six (17 page)

“Over here!” Nolan motioned toward a heavily decorated wagon. Rol’dan banners draped the edges, and gaudy, rainbow-plumed horses shifted on their reins.

Alec gawked at Nolan with a sour expression, one that obviously said,
You can’t be serious
.

“You don’t have a choice.” Nolan prodded. “Besides, do you think it’s a good time to bring attention to yourself?”

The jailbreak would happen soon. Conflict pinched his face, the war between stubborn resolve and wise judgment. After his brief internal battle, he cast Nolan a glare quite similar to Kardos Deverell and climbed into the wagon.

The remaining passengers boarded and, with a crack of a whip, the wagon began the slow procession through the streets of Alton. A robust cheer erupted from the mob as they followed along, all trying to get a glimpse of the fortunate few. The only people who remained with Nolan were the families of those who returned from failing the trials; they hugged their children as they led them back to lives of mediocrity.

Nolan smiled at the happy reunions, that is, until he spotted a man standing alone. Unlike the others, his solemn face paled.

Kardos Deverell stared at the retreating procession as if it were a death march. Nolan took a step toward him, not knowing what he’d say. But he needn’t worry, for a body blocked Nolan’s path.

Nolan looked around the annoying person only to see Kardos stomping off. Nolan had a feeling the man was making straight for the pub to drown his sorrows.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” a voice said, “but are you Nolan?”

For the first time, Nolan focused on the woman in front of him. He inhaled sharply. Several weeks earlier, he’d admired this girl when he’d sat in Aunt Bonty’s pub.

“W-what did you say?” Nolan stammered.
What is she doing here?

“Are you Nolan?” She bit her bottom lip, waiting.

In the pub, her hair had looked plain brown. Daylight brought out reddish tints in the thick, brown locks. She wore it down today, and it made her prettier than before, if that were possible. His eyes fixed on her mouth, and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I made a mistake.” She turned to leave.

“Wait!”

She faced Nolan again.

“Yes, I’m Nolan. We haven’t met before, have we?”

“No. We have a mutual friend.”

Perhaps Aunt Bonty had decided to play matchmaker? But it made little sense since she already had her mountain man, didn’t she?

She leaned toward Nolan. The fragrance of violets or some other flower scented her skin. His pulse increased. She put her face near his ear, and her breath sent a shiver down his spine.

“Emery told us you would return,” she whispered.

Nolan jerked back. “Emery?”

She shushed. “We have little time.”

“Did you say Emery?”

Her nose wrinkled, annoyed. “Please, can you come with me?”

“The duke will be expecting me,” Nolan said. “But I can meet you outside the manor once I’m finished.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting.” She peered around, as if someone was watching, and headed toward the nearest street, blending back into the meandering crowd.

Who was she? Was she one of Emery’s friends? Even if she was, how in Brim’s light had she spoken with Emery? Nolan was, of course, telling the truth when he’d said the duke would expect him. But his pitiful excuse had been more to give him time to think. The duke had enough to keep him busy with the manor bursting full of Shay Rol’dan. That, along with the preparations for the feast tonight, would mean Duke Ragnall would hardly miss Nolan.

If Nolan wanted to find out more, he’d have to meet with her. He only hoped he wasn’t stepping into a trap.

Chapter Fourteen

NOLAN LEFT THE MANOR. The sun was veiled behind the clouds and cast eerie shadows on the stone-lined streets. He’d gotten so used to the light at the tournament, he’d almost forgotten the dreariness of Alton. Hopefully, if the escape went well, he wouldn’t have to put up with Alton’s gloomy skies for long.

He’d reported to the duke earlier, then spent the next several hours hiding in his room having a heated argument with himself about why he shouldn’t meet this mystery girl. He’d lost, although he knew it probably wasn’t the smartest decision.

He searched the faces of the thinning crowd, almost hoping she wasn’t there. Just as he was about to change his mind, he saw her. She leaned against a broom shop painted gold. Taking a deep breath, he stepped toward her.

“Thanks for coming.” She pushed an amber lock behind her ear.

He nodded, his voice now missing.

She motioned and led Nolan into the marketplace and down several busy streets. With each step, doubt prodded him. They’d planned an escape, and here he was, risking everything for a pretty face? She looked over her shoulder and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She appeared worried, somehow.

They wound through at least three district colors before coming upon Aunt Bonty’s pub. The pub was crowded—much like the last time Nolan had come. Several card games were in progress, and each chair was filled. Aunt Bonty’s had a reputation for good food and service. The smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread permeated the room, and suddenly, Nolan remembered he hadn’t eaten since arriving in Alton. He’d been too nervous. He glanced at the bar longingly, but thoughts of food fled. Kardos Deverell sat slumped at the bar, surrounded by empty mugs.

The girl gently touched Nolan’s arm, her fingers icy cold. “This way.”

Nolan nodded, took a final glance at Kardos, and followed her up a flight of stairs, leaving the lively pub activities below.

The hallway to the inn portion of the pub was clean and well maintained, though it filtered little of the noise. Gradually, the pub’s bawdy laughter joined with music. Somewhere close by, a stringed instrument played a sad, dissonant song. The music grew louder as they continued down the hall, and then it stopped. A door opened, and a monster of a man with a long matted beard blocked their view. Nolan blinked. It was the mountain man from the pub. He was a lot taller close up than from across the room.

The man’s eyes flared orange. Nolan tensed, not quite believing what he’d just seen.
He has Perception?

“You all right, lass?” the man asked.

She nodded and went inside.

Nolan lingered in the hall, all of his fears coming back in a rush.
This mountain man has a Shay?

Another man with dark red hair stood by the open window. He set a lute against the wall and turned toward him, his eyes flaring violet. Then an Empathy Shay searched Nolan. His heart thundered; his breath quickened.

The redheaded man’s Shay extinguished. “Don’t be afraid.” He motioned with his hand. “Please, come inside.”

Before Nolan stood not one, but two non-Rol’dan with the power of the Shay. Or were they? Maybe they were part of the Rol’dan after all. He eyed the girl, wondering about her power. Had that Daren fellow ratted out Nolan and Alec’s plan? Were they testing him now? Nolan met the girl’s eyes. He wanted to trust them. Emery told him he had friends; they could be them.

With a deep breath, Nolan entered. He’d come this far already. The mountain man shut the door and motioned to a worn table set with four mismatched chairs. “Have a seat, lad.”

Nolan took a deep breath, eyeing the large man. He had smile wrinkles around his eyes—a friendly face. Resigned, Nolan sat. The man with red hair, whose expression was more serious than the other man’s, took another seat across from him. His green eyes bored into him before he finally spoke.

“What’s your name?” the man asked.

“I thought you already knew my name.”

He ground his teeth. “Your
full
name. We need to make sure we have the right person. We’re risking a lot bringing you here.”

“Nolan,” he answered. “Nolan Trividar.”

“And your profession?”

“Personal scribe for Duke Ragnall.”

The man flared his Empathy, prodding Nolan’s mind, probably searching for truth. Nolan let him, though he hated how it felt. Invasive. Rude. Finally, the Empathy withdrew.

“You know why we brought you here?” the man asked.

Nolan hesitated. If they were Rol’dan spies, his words would condemn him. “You brought me here because a mutual friend has found himself in a difficult situation.”

The man grunted. “I was able to talk with Emery briefly.”

How?
Nolan thought.

“I made an Empathy connection with him from his prison window. As you might know, those with Empathy can link minds, as long as they can see each other,” he said and shifted on the chair. “He told us about you. And, for some reason, he trusts you. However, I need to confirm you’re this Nolan he speaks of. If you’re him, then you’re hiding something of importance—something that defines you more than most realize.”

Nolan swallowed.
My Shay power.

“My gift isn’t as powerful as Emery’s,” the man continued, “so I can’t verify it like Emery can. But I can still sense your intentions in meeting us here, and they seem to be honorable, I suppose. So if you want to help us free our friend, I need you to show us your power.”

Nolan would rather strip naked than show his Shay to three strangers. It was bad enough he’d already shown Emery and Alec. He glanced at the girl. She smiled.

He swallowed. Maybe not naked, but still … Revealing his power was something very personal. Unfortunately, it was the only way to gain their trust.

With a long sigh, Nolan released his Shay. As if taking off a constrictive tunic, he let it expand. He looked each one in the eyes, blue light shining fully, and then he hid his Shay and looked away.

“I’m sorry,” the man said. “Emery told us of your special situation. I can sense your discomfort and also your understanding. You know why this was necessary.”

He nodded, still unable to meet their gaze.

The man sighed. “My name is Flann McCree. This is Hakan, and my sister, Megan. We’re a few members of the same clan, so to speak. As you can see, we have no ethnic boundaries—”

The large man, Hakan, snorted a laugh.

Flann glared at Hakan and then continued, “Our group consists of those with gifts, and their friends and families. If anyone resists the responsibilities of the Rol’dan, their families are also at risk.

“We asked you here because we’ve spoken to Emery. He has a plan for escape. He insisted you would be a part of this as well. Tonight we’ll free him and escape in the dark.”

“Tonight?” Nolan straightened. “At night?”

Flann’s expression flattened. “He believes it’s the only way to put enough distance between us and the Rol’dan.”

True. No sane—or insane—Rol’dan would follow us. But how are we supposed to walk around in a dark forest full of Dor’Jan?

“Hakan will guide us in the darkness with his Perception,” Flann answered.

Nolan’s eyes drifted to Megan, who twirled a strand of hair.

Is she a Shay user or a family member?
Nolan wondered
. Flann said Megan was his sister, and she
’s
not shown any power. She’s quite pretty.
Nolan ran his hand over his chin, realizing he was probably getting as shaggy as Hakan.
Maybe I should’ve cleaned up a bit …

Flann’s expression changed. Before, it had been stern, but now, a fierce glare stabbed, one only a protective brother could give. Nolan held his breath. If he would be hanging around Empathy users, he’d have to pay attention to his thoughts.

“Well, tonight doesn’t give us much time,” Nolan said, forcing Megan from his mind.

“No, it doesn’t,” Flann said, still scowling.

“There are two others,” Nolan added.

“Rol’dan initiates?” Flann asked.

Nolan nodded.

“Emery hoped you would find others.”

“What gifts do they have?” Megan asked.

“Alec has Speed and Taryn has Healing.”

“Speed could be useful,” Flann said. “Can he fight?”

Nolan’s mouth quirked. “He can hold his own.”

“If things get difficult,” Flann said, “I’m afraid we might depend on his Speed. Even so, it will still be a challenge to get to Emery.”

A memory twanged. Nolan slid his leather pouch off his shoulder and shuffled inside it. He’d nearly forgotten. Finally, his hand closed around something cold and hard. He pulled out a key. “Would this help?”

“What is it?” Flann asked.

“The key to Emery’s prison tower.”

Hakan gave a guttural laugh. “Crows! Where’d you get that?”

“Let’s just say it was a gift from my brother.”

Flann almost smiled. “Yes, I believe we can make this work. We’ve heard of a banquet tonight, in honor of the new Rol’dan?”

“Yes,” Nolan said. “That’s right.”

“It’d be a perfect distraction. All we need is a way inside without alerting the guards.”