It was odd, fear without a bodily response. Walled off as Adda was in her mind, she could do nothing except listen to the even thrumming of her heart and sense the slow deliberate movement when Nex turned once more to the wall.
Was he truly so calm? Or was it just that there was a disconnect between his consciousness and her body?
The second thought stopped all others for a moment. What if there was a disconnect between Nex and her body? Could she use that? Somehow pry his control away?
Shadows moved within the deeper darkness surrounding them, unhappy discontent undulating from where the intruder pushed them around. They were not used to being so disturbed. Interestingly enough, without the constant messages from her senses to distract her, it was easier to focus on what the shadows could tell her.
She knew, for example, that whoever had entered the cave brought a torch. She did not believe that Vou, or any of her creatures, would do such a thing, and that gave her hope. Perhaps some of the Shifters had survived the attack and trailed her. It might even be Scet, come to gather the blades that she had promised him were here. She wanted to turn and run toward him, if only her body would obey.
Then again, it could be the old Alpha, or at the very least, the old Alpha was bound to be with him. Adda couldn't picture that sneaky old Shifter doing anything except surviving the attack.
Nex? Can you scent anyone? Who is coming? And if it is who I think it is, how are we going to get out without death being involved?
Scent...of course.
With that cryptic comment, Adda found her face pressed to the wall. He inhaled deeply, with a panting rhythm, moving from side to side.
Uhm... What was he doing? Personally, she didn't want to be caught in such a position if it was the old Alpha approaching. That would be a quick way to get a spear in the back.
There. Found it. A tone of satisfied pleasure emanated from the words.
Her face lifted away from the wall and Nex pressed at a slight crater. There was a loose stone beneath her fingertips and it moved easily with his touch, revealing a long narrow hollow, upon which lay a familiar shape. One of the glyphs, the imprisonment crystal.
Nex snatched it, and though Adda had never sensed any such thing from the pendant Nex had been in, this one most definitely had a restless consciousness attached to it. She could feel the awareness of the gem, it had perked up as the stone hiding it was removed. Now, in hands of living flesh, it reached outward tentatively.
The shadows that had gathered around them backed away a little. They, too, could feel the power of the gem, and retreated to a cautious distance.
Nex stood, focused on the pendant, long enough that Adda began to wonder if he was communicating with the Quatori within. Whatever he was doing, it wasn't going to save them from the intruder.
Worse, it occurred to her that if someone had survived to enter the cave, likely more someone’s had survived and waited without. It might be dark inside, but should be full daylight by now. They would never be able to sneak away. What if it wasn't Scet leading the survivors? What if it was Illaise? She wouldn't be coming to cuddle, that woman definitely wanted to dispose of her. The more she thought about it, the more trouble they seemed to be in.
Nex?
He still stood, with Adda's body, focused on the symbol...the crystal. So much for taking better care of it. Standing around and waiting for an arrow...or spear to find her wasn't quite an improvement.
The shadows outright fled now. She could feel them gliding past, the sensation almost like a breeze against her consciousness. Light appeared around the rough stone jags that narrowed the cavern into one of the adjoining tunnels.
Nex!
A figure stepped into view, his matted gray hair swinging in the lantern light. He didn't look particularly surprised to see Adda standing in the center of the chamber. Fierce eyes narrowed on the symbol in her hands, the corner of his lip curled up into a snarl.
“You have ruined everything,” the words bit into the cave's silence. Adda couldn't counter them, either.
It felt as though she had ruined everything. At least Nex finally returned to awareness.
Finally. What in all the realms were you doing?
Buying us time.
How did he figure that? As far as she could tell, his inattentiveness had set them up for an unnecessary confrontation.
Indeed, a white object had appeared in the Alpha's hand, a knife of sorts, though not a metal one…bone, perhaps.
“I should have killed you,” he shook his head, bones clacking. “I will remedy that now.”
Something odd happened then…at least it was something that she didn't expect. The shadows gathered around the Alpha. They didn't swirl, or shift, as when Nex, or the other Quatori used them, they flowed smooth and orderly, creating a precise and even barrier around him.
It hurt them, forming so near to the torch. Adda sensed their struggle, and death. The old Shifter was oblivious, however, each shadow ripped apart, he simply pulled new ones into their place.
She shook herself mentally. How was this possible?
“You have retained some of the old teachings,” Nex commented dryly, “but seem to have lost common sense. You cannot use shadows to hide from me. With them, I do not need scent, nor sound to track you.”
Ah...so that was how the Shifters had snuck up on them so silently and taken both her and Scet unaware at the trader's camp. But how was it possible?
“A thousand years of history and tradition,” the old Alpha spat, ignoring Nex's words. “The ways of my people all leading up to this time, where I am to usher forth the prophecy. All lost because of—”
“Because of your mistake, old man,” Nex interrupted, flicking a hand. A solid force of shadows shot forward, but stopped just short of joining the anguish of those within the lantern's brightest reach. The flame flickered and then whisked out. The immediate relief of the shadows in the old Alpha's barrier was almost pitiful, and it made her curious why Nex cared, or rather if he cared.
He spoke again, his voice...her voice...devoid of emotion. “You were the one so eager for your place in history you chanced bringing one such as me to your village, and then sought out your secret. As if I wouldn't follow.”
“You shouldn't have followed, shouldn't have been able to,” the Alpha snapped.
“And you have lost as many of the old teachings as you retained.”
Adda sensed the shadows coiling, not Nex's doing, and then something was passing through the air, away from the old man. She didn't have time to register what it was.
Nex slid smoothly sideways, slipping between shadows so that the object whizzed past without striking. It clattered against the stone behind them.
Nex continued to move, melding between shadows, dancing along the cavern floor with a cadence reminiscent of a timed dance, each foot in its place. Adda focused on the feeling beneath her feet, how the stone alternated from rough-edged lips to even-textured flat stretches eroded by some long ago stream. His movements were amazing really, never faltering. Maybe his connection with the shadows provided such a knowledge of the simple lines and undulations of the ground that movements became almost thoughtless. Like walking through one's sleeping quarters at night.
So attuned was she to what her feet sensed, as well as the shadows around them, that she felt the tremble before the loud crack that shook the cavern floor. Stones toppled below them, a forewarning that the cave hadn't settled from Nex's abuse yet.
Nex? It might be a good idea to leave this place.
He didn't quite acknowledge her, but the new-found focus he exuded was worrisome. She found herself regretting her desire for action. She might not be Quatori, but she had stalked prey many times and this felt the same.
Nex was going to kill the Alpha.
Adda didn't want that. Despite the man’s unfair and violent attitude toward her, she didn't want his death. Or, at least, she didn't want to be responsible for it. Even if, technically, Nex was in control of her actions, it felt as though the old man's life would be on her hands.
Don't kill him.
Adda couldn't feel Nex's surprise the way she usually could, in the back of her mind. She did feel her own eyebrows raise and his movements hesitate, just a fraction.
You would have me spare his life? He seeks to end mine, and cares not for yours.
That's no reason to kill him.
It seems like plenty of reason to kill him.
Everyone is trying to kill us, Nex, do you plan on ridding the entire forest of life?
Nex did not answer. Since she didn't know his thoughts, or whether he was even still listening to her, she switched strategies.
He could be useful.
His disbelief of her statement came clearly to her.
Give him the symbol and let him try to keep it from your sister, they can distract each other.
Nex shook his...her head. I cannot leave it here, there are worse things for Vou to discover.
Right. Worse things. What is worse than another Quatori?
Wry irritation filtered to her.
Then run, she urged. Leave him behind. It is well within your capabilities.
He will follow, Nex argued. Leaving him to do so is not an act of wisdom. Somehow, though, his voice had softened, become thoughtful.
Yet you haven't killed him yet. What game do you play, Nex?
Not a game. A bargain.
No. Our last bargain did not turn out well for me. I will not give over my body.
Truthfully, Adda had no idea whether she still had the option to fight it. She felt miserable and trapped. Nex had coerced her into giving him temporary control, but what if she never got it back? She wasn't sure how the rules of possession worked.
Not even to save his life?
Adda hesitated, thoughts flying through her mind. This was his bargain? The old Alpha's life for her own? Maybe she should have just left Nex to his own devices instead of speaking out. At least then she might pretend she had no choice. Now, though, the decision rested with her.
Adda knew what was right, yet she couldn't bring herself to say the word. For a moment, she hung, undecided. Was she willing to give her life for this man?
No.
Interesting.
Shame threatened to overwhelm her. How was she any different from Nex? How was she better?
Fortunately for you, my bargain has little to do with this body...at least not yet.
Adda didn't like the way that sounded. Too much like his little trick after they had finished with the shadows, and if he wasn't aiming for full possession, then she had to assume whatever he was aiming for would be worse. But, if she could save the Alpha's life without sacrificing her own...shouldn't she?
What then?
Forsake the Dragon and bear. Head toward the temple, alone.
What temple?
It matters not, just follow the directions I will give to you.
Well I say it does matter. I will not make any more trades with you without full information.
Or, at least as much information as she could draw from him. No doubt he would keep important points from her. His goals did lay opposed to hers, as he had so eloquently put it. But some information, even false information, was better than nothing. At least with some clues she might decipher his motives on her own. Why are we bargaining, anyway? You are the one in control.
Nex didn't answer for a moment. My energy is nearly spent. You will regain your autonomy soon, regardless of any attempt otherwise on my part. I would rather save my strength than fight it. Vou will not give up so easily. As for the temple...it is an old Quatori worship site. There were clues to its location in the paintings.
Ah, the collapse of the tunnel made sense then. But what good was the temple for Nex? He wouldn't go through so much trouble without a reason, of that Adda was certain. There was something there that he wanted, more than he wanted possession of her body. She kept her thoughts to herself, though, trying to place the puzzle pieces together.
Another shifting of rock deep within the cavern promised she didn't have time to deliberate. Acceptance was the only option.
Fine. She relented at last.