Powers of the Six (45 page)

The corner of Nolan’s lip came up. “And I’d rather be called Nolan.”

She hesitated. “My family called me Kat before the Rol’dan.”

Her name fit her well. “Well then, Kat. Could you please help Greer with restoring the injured?”

She gave Greer a side-glance. The Guardian still made her nervous. “Certainly,
Lord Nolan
.” She stressed the words, a teasing air in her voice.

“Thank you,
Kat.
” Nolan shook his head and left them.

A multitude of eyes followed him, parting the way. And worst of all, Nolan couldn’t block the resounding awe from their minds. It shouldn’t surprise him, as much as Nolan hated to admit. He’d defeated their king.

As he headed toward the castle’s keep, Nolan caught sight of a Rol’dan barracks and the practice field. He froze, his heart pounding at the sight of two figures: one kneeling, and the other lying on the ground.

Nolan stepped toward them, not daring to use his Perception; he wished to hold off the truth as long as possible. Without any Speed, he made the slow walk across the field. One way or another, by blood or by bond, one of his brothers was no more.

Nolan received his answer as soon as Alec turned.

Only one heartbeat.

Only one breath.

Kael was dead.

Alec limped toward Nolan. A large gash ran diagonally across his face, starting at his forehead, slicing across his nose and through both lips. Blood dripped from the wound, covering the side of his face in a gory mess. It would make the scar on his cheek seem like a small scratch.

Nolan knelt. Kael looked comfortable, at least: His legs were straightened, his arms neatly folded across his chest, and his eyes closed. If he hadn’t known any better, Nolan might have thought he slept; however, the wound in his chest and the blood-soaked grass told a different story.

Nolan gently picked up Kael’s hand, heavy with the weight of death. It was calloused and still warm. Nolan cupped it, remembering when these hands had been larger than his, when they had helped him haul in his first net of fish, or when they had playfully socked Nolan in the shoulder.
My big brother
.
That’s how I’ll remember him
.

He put Kael’s hand down, leaving his own to linger on it for a moment.

“I’m …” Alec said. “I’m so sorry.”

Nolan turned and found Alec staring at the ground.

“The colored lights in the sky stopped him—both of us, actually,” Alec said, his voice hitching. “I tried to keep fighting, but he wouldn’t. He smiled at me and at those nightforsaken lights like they were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“So I ran him through. He just stood there smiling, and I ran the idiot through, straight into his back.”

Nolan didn’t speak. He couldn’t. All moisture left his throat.

Alec raised his injured face, and for the first time looked Nolan in the eye. “I should’ve listened. I should’ve gone to Galva with the others. I should’ve been there when they brought Taryn to her parents. The only thing I proved was that I’m no better than a murdering Rol’dan.”

“You
have
been better, Alec,” Nolan said, breaking out of his shock. “Kael was cruel.”

“I murdered him, Nolan. Not self-defense, but
murder
. How is that not cruel? I wanted him to curse me and spit on me as he died. Instead, he said he was sorry about Taryn. He told me the better man had won. He turned out to be a better man than me …”

“Now stop, Alec—”

“No! I should be the one lying here. By Brim, it should have been me days ago if Taryn hadn’t been stupid enough to save me. And what kind of friend am I? I killed your brother, for Brim’s sake! Leave me be, Nolan. I’m no friend to you.”

“You’re right. You’re no friend.”

Alec’s face jerked toward Nolan. He stumbled back a step.

“You’re more like a brother.”

His emotions surged, going first to shock, then to denial. “I’m nothing.” Alec yanked his sword from the ground. “I have to go.”

“Where?”

“Crows, Nolan. I don’t know. Away from here.” From his expression, Nolan knew he meant,
away from you.

“Don’t go.” Nolan’s eyes stung. “We need you here.”

Alec snorted. “You don’t need me.”

“
I
need you.”

Surprise flared in Alec’s emotions. He quickly hardened his expression.

“I’ve already lost one brother,” Nolan whispered. “Please. Don’t let me lose two.”

Alec fidgeted, avoiding Nolan’s gaze. Finally, he met his eyes. “All right. I’ll stay. But only because you asked me.”

Nolan nodded. It wasn’t much, but it would do for now.

The sun finally broke through the horizon, and orange and pink hues glowed over the walls of Faylinn. With the morning light, a caw sounded overhead. Slowly, the sky filled with circling black birds. Another call drew attention to a crow perched on the edge of a barracks, staring at Kael’s corpse, waiting to have its fill.

Nolan’s stomach lurched. He reached to his holster, his fist closing around the cold steel. With a flick, he threw his last spike. A shower of black feathers erupted over the rooftop.

Chapter Thirty-Six

SOLDIERS PARTED, making way for Nolan as he carried the body of their general. Shock pulsed from them and around them, filling the entire crowd. Nolan blocked their thoughts as best he could; it was hard enough dealing with the warring emotions battling within his own mind.

Everything had gone better than he’d hoped; he never believed he’d actually defeat the king. But the death of his brother, after he’d hoped for his freedom, crushed any happiness he had.

Alec limped behind him, a shell of his former self. From the moment he’d broken through the trees in the village holding Taryn’s limp body in his arms, he wasn’t the same. Shame and sorrow oozed from him, making Nolan’s sadness seem small in comparison. Nolan wanted to comfort him … somehow. But he just couldn’t. Not with how much his heart ached.

The main entrance to Faylinn Castle was large and lavish, but not gaudy. Antique paintings and precious gem-inlaid heirlooms adorned the gray stone halls.

Nolan continued past the hanging treasures, needing no directions; the Stone of Healing called, showing him which way to go. He would mourn his brother, his cousin, and his friends later. Right now, a whole battlefield of lives needed him to be able to heal.

As they continued, a set of huge wooden doors, at least two Guardians high, loomed ahead. They stood open wide.

The smell of blood permeated the throne room when they entered. Against the wall, Emery and Maska stood, their backs pressed against the wall, their necks secured with shiny, silver bands. Hakan and Vikas hovered, trying to figure out how to free them. None of them had noticed Nolan and Alec enter.

Nolan carried Kael to the center of the throne room underneath the light of the new morning sun. He stepped around the dark stains on the floor and gently set Kael’s body down.

Alec lingered in the doorframe, staring at the dried blood. Trepidation and foreboding hung from him.

“It won’t budge,” Vikas said, his voice echoing in the chamber.

“Maybe we can use a sword or something,” Hakan suggested.

Vikas slid his sword out and attempted to pry the band loose from Emery.

“Won’t that cut Emery’s throat?” Nolan asked.

Vikas and Hakan whipped around.

Hakan broke into a huge smile. A large gash ran across Hakan’s forehead with traces of dried blood caked on the wound. Bruising covered a portion of his face, disappearing into his dirty beard. The front of his blood-soaked tunic was torn, revealing almost as much hair on his chest as his beard.

Nolan scanned the room and his chest tightened. “Where’s Megan?”

“Resting,” Hakan said. “She was hurt pretty bad.”

Nolan relaxed.
She’s alive!

Vikas sheathed his sword. “Sorry, Emery. The collar won’t budge.”

“Here. Let me try.” Nolan closed the distance and stepped in front of Emery. Emery cast him a feeble smile. His clothes were torn, his face was bruised and sunken, and his lips were cracked and bleeding. He’d aged, somehow. Nolan summoned Strength, and light flared in his eyes. He grabbed the band and pulled; it resisted him, only slightly. With a flick, the metal groaned and broke.

“By Brim’s light,” Hakan said. “Did you just … ? How can you … ?”

Nolan forced a smile. “It’s kind of a long story. I’ll tell you later.”

Emery released a breath and touched his raw neck. “You have no idea how good it is to see you, Nolan.” He took a step, but his feet buckled as if he’d forgotten how to walk.

Nolan caught and steadied him. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

Maska grunted as he struggled against his own bonds. Sorrow flickered behind his gaze. Nolan hesitated. Was Maska actually sad? Nolan freed him, and he nodded in thanks.

“Where’s Garrick?” Alec asked. He came inside the chamber, still staring at the bloody floor.

The others’ eyes jerked toward him. Their emotions were more than shocked. The last time they’d seen him, he’d been dead. Even Maska’s bronzed skin went pale.

“Alec?” Emery said. “For the light of Brim … how did you—”

“I didn’t,” Alec said. “Taryn came after you were captured.”

Emery started to smile, but it quickly faded. “Dear Brim, tell me she didn’t.”

Alec didn’t answer. “Where’s Garrick?” he asked instead.

“He’s dead,” Nolan said softly. “I saw him during the battle. He was a Dor’Jan. He’s resting now, at least. The stones released his soul, as well as most of the other Shay powers Alcandor stole. Except for Healing. I didn’t have that stone. Speaking of … I need to find it.”

Emery’s brows furrowed. “You released his powers? Nolan, how?”

“Like I said, it was the stones.” Nolan circled the room, and the Healing stone pulsed.
Where is it?
I can feel it.
Nolan stood in the center of the room. “It should be right here.”

The sun sent his answer; the light of Healing shone directly on him. Nolan flinched, more surprised than anything. He relaxed as the Shay of Healing worked inside him. Green lights danced, filling Nolan with Healing power. Nolan panicked when his feet left the ground.
What will happen when I gain all the powers?
But something inside him, perhaps the Shay of Healing, told him all would be fine.

When the light diminished, everyone stared.

“Nolan?” Emery finally asked. “How are you?”

The other Shays had left him in pain—thrashing, head hurting, unable to function for days. But now … well … he didn’t feel anything. Maybe it hadn’t worked. Maybe five powers were all he could hold. There was one way to find out.

He strode across the stones, his footsteps reverberating in the large throne room. Before Emery could object, Nolan touched his cheek, and the Shay of Healing responded.

Pleasant warmth filled Nolan until small points of pain shot through his body. His arms. His legs. Scrapes and cuts that must’ve been covered by Emery’s clothes. Aching bruises swelled on his face and his throat. Then the discomfort faded, covered with a soothing warmth.

Emery met his eyes. “Thank you, friend.”

Nolan nodded. The Healing still thrummed inside him, making him unable to speak. He turned toward Hakan and, before he could object, Nolan touched his leather-worn cheek. Pain shot though Nolan’s senses. Several cuts. Cracked ribs. Crows! His injuries were worse than Emery’s.
Doesn’t the man feel pain
? Nolan suppressed a groan when he finished, relaxing as the soothing warmth took its place again. He exhaled. Healing would take some getting used to.

Hakan grinned. “Thank you, lad.”

Nolan smiled. “Glad I could help.”

“Where is Alcandor?” Emery asked.

“Malik is taking him to a dungeon.”

Emery’s brow furrowed. “Malik?”

“Jared’s nephew … er, sort of.” Nolan shook his head. “You’ll have to see for yourself.”

Lieutenant Kat Connelly entered, Nolan’s bag flung over her shoulder. “It’s done, my lord.” She handed the bag to him. “Greer will be here shortly.”

“You’re done already? They’re all healed?”

She winked. “We work fast.”

Nolan ran a hand over his chin, relieved. He hadn’t been looking forward to healing a field full of victims. “How many dead?”

“Too many,” Kat said. “Most of them Dor’Jan, but some Rol’dan as well. Most weren’t fatal wounds, but they’d bled out before we could reach them.” Her eyes traveled across the room, meeting the body of Kael. “For the light of Brim …”

“He’s dead,” Nolan answered her silent question.

Alec tensed, fresh guilt oozing from him. Nolan swallowed back the lump forming in his throat; his own grief wouldn’t help Alec now. He eyed Alec’s slashed face, and dread welled up inside him. A horrible, raw-looking wound. Hakan’s injuries weren’t half as bad, and they’d been painful. Nolan squared his shoulders, flared his Healing, and reached for Alec.