CHAPTER 20
K aelyn set her palm against the cool stone and peered over the boulder. Through the trees, moonlight reflected off the small lake, glimmering on the water’s still surface. Not far beyond the meadow, Mauree’s lake house and the small cottages contained numerous soldiers ready for battle. Along with the Gossum she so despised, Kaelyn recognized many of her kin. A bead of frustration ran down the side of her face, and she tightened her grip on her mace.
“They’ve built up their ranks.” Saar’s rough whisper tickled her ear.
“They’re expecting us.” She peered at him. “Are you surprised?”
The soft moonlight cast shadows onto his features, accentuating the scar across his face. “Not at all. Actually, I look forward to the challenge.”
Kaelyn ran her hand down his arm, enjoying his taut muscles beneath her fingertips. “Remember, our goal is to find Anlon. This isn’t a suicide mission.”
A low growl eased from his lips. “I want revenge for Noeh’s death.”
“As do I, but with some of our troops searching for Gaetan, we’re not full strength. Our number of warriors was small to begin with.”
A flicker of worry crossed his eyes. “This war can’t go on much longer.”
“I agree, but if we don’t find Anlon, I fear the warriors will give up hope. We must find him. In some ways, I pray he’s not here, in the midst of our enemy, in other ways, I pray he is, so we can bring him home.” Kaelyn let loose a long breath. “We’ve stalled long enough. Let’s go.”
Saar tugged her against him and gave her a quick, passionate kiss. “Whistle if you need me.”
She brought her bear’s head whistle to her lips and blew a single soft note.
A moment later he was gone. Noiseless and swift, his shadowed form sped between the trees, other warriors following close behind. According to plan, each would approach from a different angle, searching for any signs of the little prince.
Alone, she slipped between the trees, her boots squishing in the mud along the path. Closer and closer, she skirted the edge of the lawn, staying under the forest’s dark cover.
The distinct astringent smell of Gossum assailed her nose. She clamped down on a growl. From her vantage point, Kaelyn had a good view of the second-story deck, Mauree’s favorite resting spot. Only the deck’s railing graced the scene, resembling a row of bad teeth.
Not far away, along the back edge of the garden shed, a Gossum gripped a loose piece of skin from his arm. He tugged at it. A soft rip, like a Band-Aid from flesh, filled the space between them. He held up his grisly prize, studying the thin film captured between his fingers.
Prickles travelled down Kaelyn’s back, and an uncontrolled shiver racked her body. She unhooked her mace from her belt.
The Gossum stilled. His attention whipped toward her.
Damn…discovered.
She stepped from her hiding spot, twirled her mace, and sprinted toward her enemy. Adrenaline, fueled by hatred, pumped through her veins.
The Gossum met her half-way. His tongue snaked from his mouth, the barbed end snapping near her ear. Warm spittle landed on her cheek.
She swung her mace. The spiked tips embedded into the creature’s shoulder. A loud scream tore from him, and he clawed at her arm. Pain flared from the wound.
He staggered, but regained his composure. Crouching, the muscles in his shoulders and legs bunched beneath his dark clothes.
She switched her mace to her other hand and raised it into the air. With a quick thrust, she twirled her weapon. The rhythmic rush of air resounded in the night.
As her enemy leapt toward her, she crashed the spiked ball, nailing him in the head. He fell to the ground, panting.
Heart pounding, she tugged her weapon free. His dark blood oozed onto the lawn.
Stepping on his neck, she dug the toe of her boot into his flesh. The urge to shove the tip until it embedded in his brain raced through her, but she needed him alive, at least for the moment. “Where is the babe?”
His breathing became irregular.
She had to hurry. “Where. Is. The. Babe?”
“W…what babe?” he rasped.
She increased the pressure, and a gargled sound emerged from his lips. “Anlon, the Stiyaha prince.”
His brow furrowed. “Don’t know.”
“Are you telling me he’s not here?” She leaned forward, studying his expression.
“No child, no child—” Before he could say another word, he disintegrated into a pile of black goo.
A mixture of relief and frustration rippled along her nerves. If Mauree didn’t have him, where was he?
Screeeee!
The cry of a warrior’s sword pierced the air.
Kaelyn’s heart leapt into her throat. The battle was on. She raced around the shed.
On the large lawn, warriors fought against Gossum and the Ursus. Rage, frustration, and fear erupted from her like a cork from a bottle. She let loose a war cry and headed toward the melee.
Movement out of the corner of her eye shifted her focus from the battle. Mauree, wearing her signature short skirt and a sheer blouse, approached the home’s second story deck. Her blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders, but couldn’t hide the dark patch over her eye.
A twinge of retribution flared in Kaelyn’s chest. She’d caused that damage, and she’d do a whole lot more given the chance.
A shout.
A groan of pain.
A tormented scream.
Kaelyn drew her attention back to the battle. Her warriors fought, wrestling with their enemies, but there were too many. If her kind stayed, they’d die.
Hatred burned in Kaelyn’s soul. She gripped her whistle and brought it to her lips. After taking a large breath, she blew through the hole. A loud piercing tone rang through the air.
“Retreat!” The word tasted bitter on Kaelyn’s tongue.
Mauree’s high-pitched titter echoed from the balcony. “Oh, please stay. We were having so much fun.”
“Have no fear, Mauree. You and I will see each other again, soon.” Kaelyn spat on the ground and bolted for the trees, hot on the heels of her warriors. This wasn’t the end, not if she had anything to say about it.