Rhuul's Flame (3 page)

She knew why he wanted it, but it didn’t matter; she’d never tell him where it was. It had taken too much effort to steal it back from Gali’s gang, and she wasn’t about to let those efforts be in vain. “You stole the most sacred artifact of my people, and you’re torturing me so you can take it back? Go to hell!” The racing of her heart gave her a head rush as both anger and fear saturated her blood.

The
nystrum
was the earth stone of her mother’s tribe. It served as a reminder to her people of their connection to life and their role in preserving nature. The stone had many mystical properties and had been safeguarded since the tribe’s creation hundreds of years ago. Gali had no right to put his filthy blue hands on it, let alone take it from the elders. But he’d managed to acquire it during the
Halla
, the pilgrimage taken by the elders once every decade.

The elders were to take the earth stone to the top of the tallest mountain, commune with its energy, and return, prepared to assign new roles and teach new lessons to those in the tribe. Only they never made it to the mountain. Gali and his thugs had ambushed them, binding their powers and taking the stone for themselves.

They didn’t know Avalea and several others were following a day’s journey behind as attendants to the ritual. It didn’t take long for Avalea’s group to find the elders and follow the trail back to Gali’s stronghold. She’d managed to sneak in and find the stone. Everything was going according to plan until one of her comrades accidentally activated a trap, setting off an alarm and triggering the Corri to use the binding tomes around the perimeter of the encampment. Avalea had only had enough time to hide the stone before she ran for her life, but she didn’t make it. Her powers had been bound, and she was captured.

Her eyes were fixed on the rod in Gali’s hands as he inched ever closer. She clenched her teeth and flexed the muscles in her back and belly in preparation for what would come next.

“You Omala and your relics. You think every rock, patch of dirt, and weed is sacred. I could take a shit in your village and your people would probably get down on their knees to worship it.” He circled her, making her muscles tense even more as she tried to mark his progress each time he moved beyond her field of vision.

“You will not use our earth stone to power your secret way gate.” In an instant, her body felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, making her jerk and seize.

“Where is it, half-breed?” He pulled the rod from her side, and she sputtered, her skin burning and stinging.

He kept up the torture for what she guessed was hours, until it appeared he was bored. Each day had progressed in much the same way. Gali would make threats and use the rod until she either passed out or he was summoned for one reason or another.

When Gali left, she let her head fall forward, feeling her tears streak down her cheeks. Her throat burned, the result of her shrieks of agony, screaming her pain to Gali’s unfeeling ears. She couldn’t use her powers to free herself, but she could use a connection to communicate.

Closing her eyes, she slowed her breathing and tried to concentrate. She allowed her mind to reach out, seeking the link to her salvation once again.
“Rhuul, can you hear me? I need your help!”

The ache in her arms had grown into a pain that felt as if her shoulders were separating from her body. She gritted her teeth in an effort to push down her misery. Anything to distract her from her extreme discomfort.
“Rhuul, please. You have to help me.”

“Who are you?”

The sound of his voice in her thoughts brought fresh tears, and a small smile spread her parched lips.
“Rhuul, listen to me. You’re the only one who can help me.”

“Why? Where are you? How do I find you?”

“Head east toward the wastelands, but be careful. The Corri will be patrolling there.”
She could feel confusion in him along with anxiety.
“I don’t have much time. Please, will you come?”
There was no response, causing her heart to sink like a stone in a pond. He wouldn’t ignore her, would he?
“Rhuul, please. I don’t want to die here!
”

“Who. Are. You?”

He was hesitating. Part of her couldn’t blame him; the other part of her wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth for not rushing to her aid right away.
“My name is, Avalea.”
The pages of the books around her turned faster, making loud, fluttering sounds in the empty space. She’d tried to use her powers, feeling the need to extend her feelings to him so he’d know who she was, to make him understand.

She’d never laid eyes on him, but that wasn’t important. All that mattered was their connection, and she planned to use it to lead him to her. But she’d need to prepare him for what might happen.
“The Corri have ways to bind your powers. You won’t be able to rely on magic. They will try to steal from you.”

“I fear no Corri.”
There was anger in his thoughts, boiling like a hot spring, sending small shivers through her muscles.

Her head began to ache. The strain of reaching so far with her mind wore on her, but she held on long enough to share one more thought.
“Please be careful.”
A sharp arc of pain snaked a path over her skull, ending in the backs of her eyes, almost blinding her in its intensity. She couldn’t muffle her scream, aggravating her already sore throat.

The connection severed, leaving her alone with her thoughts in the darkness. “He has to come. He has to.” The flapping of the pages slowed as she dangled in the room. A seed of hope took root inside her, germinating from the first contact with Rhuul and growing into a seedling whose bloom held the promise of freedom. “He will free me. He will make it in time.”

Hope was a strange feeling as she remained encased in blackness, her body racked with pain. The physical torture was only part of her suffering. Her Omala nature compelled her to feel life around her, to tap into the energy of the life force of plants, rivers, and the animals of the realm. In this place, she was cut off from nature itself, and it made her heart ache. A normal Omala would probably have gone insane by now, consumed with the need to feel the connection. But Avalea wasn’t normal. She was special; at least, that was what her parents had told her.

She wasn’t just Omala; she was also half elemental. It was that part of her nature that kept her sane, tempering her panic while fueling her with the spirit of vengeance. Oh, she’d have her revenge on Gali for what he’d done, one way or another.

Those thoughts pushed her focus back to Rhuul, and her face softened. “He will play a part in your punishment, Gali.” She pulled the corner of her mouth into a half smile, laughing inwardly. “I probably look like hell and smell even worse. Not the best of circumstances for a first impression, but he’ll have to accept me.” She laughed again, wincing when her lips cracked. “I may look like the ass end of a wind elemental, but I’m still his
kan’na
.”

Kan’na
. The very idea of it sent flutters through her stomach, even in the midst of the worst predicament of her life. She didn’t want to, but she couldn’t help picturing Rhuul’s appearance, wondering what he might be. “Anything but a Corri. I’ve had enough of them for one lifetime.” Excitement rose in her, like a burst of air rushing up her body. For a fraction of a second, she forgot the pain, allowing herself the indulgence of anticipation. “Today’s as good a day as any to meet my life mate.”

Chapter 3

Rhuul sat up straight, meeting consciousness with swords in hand, and covered in sweat once again. He forced himself to take a few deep breaths, wanting to calm the insistent thump of his heart against his chest. He sent his swords away and stood, running a hand over his head. “This is madness! Why does it feel so real? I don’t know this woman, and yet she calls my name.”

The need to follow her directions forced him out of the bedroom and into the tiny bathroom. He bathed, his mind mulling over the absurdity of his reaction, but he couldn’t help it. The need to go to this Avalea and keep her safe pushed at every part of his being. Not even the logic of his Eidon half was formidable enough to squelch the urgency he felt. “Why is she in so much pain? Why do I care what happens to a stranger? She may not even be real. But if she is … I have to find these wastelands.”

He groaned as he made his way back to his bedroom, where he quickly dressed. “Ghena.”

“Yes?” The fiend galloped in, his muzzle dripping purple juice.

“You and those damned berries. Aren’t you tired of eating them?” Rhuul shook his head as he slipped his arms into his leather vest.

“Is there something you needed?” Ghena pulled the back of his hand over his mouth, licking the juices from his fur.

“I need to go to the wastelands, and I need you to tell me the fastest route to take.” Rhuul pulled his belt tight around his waist and walked out into the main part of the room, heading for the door.

“I will tell you, but the wastelands are dangerous. Many—”

“Corri, I know, and they will learn the true meaning of fear if they cross me.” He didn’t waste another second in the room. He opened the door and plodded out into the hall. The door to the room of the small orgy was closed when he passed by. The only sounds on this trip through the hall came from his and Ghena’s footfalls.

The bright light outside made him squint as he exited the building, but he acclimated quickly. They meandered through the market, where he bought several strips of dried meat, and he chewed on a piece as he eyed flagons at a nearby stall. “I’ll take one of those.” He paid for the container and looped the leather ties around his waist. He didn’t know why, but for some reason, he felt one wasn’t going to be enough and purchased two more before filling the three vessels with water from a nearby fountain. Satisfied with his preparations, he turned to Ghena. “All right, lead the way.”

“Hey! Hey you!”

Rhuul looked up, his eyes widening. A short, curvy beauty of a woman with red skin sauntered over, a smile spreading her full lips.

“Do I know you?”

“Yes, well, no, not really. I mean, you sort of know me. Uh, met me, briefly, when I was a little indisposed.” She offered a nervous grin, her gaze avoiding his.

She was gorgeous, he’d give her that, but in the span of a few seconds, he’d decided she was the most annoying individual he’d ever met. “Is there an actual answer in there somewhere?”

“What? Oh, oh, yes. The answer is yes and no.”

“I don’t have time for this.” Rhuul went to step around her, but she moved with him, still smiling. “Move.”

“I just wanted to thank you, that’s all. You were right; it was all about the money.” She stepped aside, nodding.

Rhuul lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head in confusion. “What are you talking about? I’ve never seen you before, let alone talked to you.”

The strange woman was mute for several moments, tapping a finger against her cheek. “Oh! Who was I when you met me?” She stepped back into his path, as if she wanted to force him to know who she was.

“Have you been drinking, or are you just crazy?” Rhuul looked to Ghena for an explanation, but the fiend was too busy laughing to be of any help.

She shook her head and giggled. “When you recognize me, say stop.”

Rhuul was about to walk away when the woman morphed in front of him, changing from a short vixen to a tall, orange-skinned … male?

“By the gods!” Rhuul took a step back and opened his hands. He didn’t know what was going on, but he’d be ready to attack if needed. The creature in front of him continued changing into other beings, leaving him at a loss for words.

Ghena coughed and spoke in a calm voice. “This is a Bruna. They’re shape-shifters.”

He’d heard of Bruna but had never seen one in person.
At least I don’t think I have.
It wasn’t the fact that this Bruna changed forms; the level of detail between each body was unbelievable, down to the unique stitching in the clothes. This morphing was intriguing, but he needed to get going. “I—” Before he could finish, the Bruna became someone he recognized. “Stop!”

“Ah, so this is who I was.” Standing in front of him was the man he saw beneath the writhing women in the inn. “I owe you a favor, stranger. Those females would have robbed me blind if it wasn’t for you. They were definitely making it worth my while, though.” He winked and looked down at his own hands, as if he wanted to get used to them.

“How very lucky for you. Excuse me.” Rhuul sidestepped again, and clenched his teeth when the Bruna moved with him. “Block my path once more and I’ll—”

“Where are you heading? I owe you a favor, maybe I can help.”

“I do not need your help. I am just fine with—”

Ghena moved between them, looking up at the Bruna. “We’re going to the wastelands.”

The little fur ball volunteered their plans too easily for Rhuul’s liking, and he glared at him. “Where we are going in no one’s concern!”

“The wastelands? You’ll need an escort to keep the Corri away. Let me take care of that for you. It’s the least I can do.” The Bruna didn’t wait for an answer. He morphed again into a tall, blue-skinned Corri male with three white Mohawks running down his skull. There were multiple piercings in his left ear, and an intricate white tattoo was on his right shoulder. “Shall we?”

Rhuul looked at Ghena and then to the Bruna, turned Corri, in front of him. “Very well. What do we call you?”

“I’m Talloc. I’m from Ulanar, a town not too far from here. Did you know that Ulanar has the best—”

“Talloc, do me a favor.” Rhuul motioned for Ghena to lead the way and followed when the fiend skipped off.

“What’s that?” Talloc walked alongside him, his gaze moving over the crowd in the market.

“Don’t talk.”

* * * *

Rhuul followed Ghena beyond the outskirts of Kref. The landscape changed around him; the blue silt that passed for soil turned into sandy, crumbly earth, dotted with rocks and dried lavender grasses. After a short distance, the azure of the earth changed, taking on other colors like yellow, pink, and tan as they journeyed on, with Talloc just ahead of him.