Chapter Four

 

The battle continued for more than an hour before Declan saw Nalini making mistakes and taking too many wounds all over her body. He could feel the dip in her energy and started to send her bolts of his own to help.

“Stop that! Save it for yourself and get out!” Nalini snapped, using the extra energy to behead several more daemons.

Declan was on the verge of contacting Chris through the shengari’ and getting as many siblings as possible here when he felt another shift in the energy.

“My apologies for being so late,” Ashacanna stated as she appeared beside Declan.

“Who the hell are you?” Declan asked, noting the woman had drawn a sword and began to lift it upward.

“I am Ashacanna, the Second in Command to your brother Tristan. Just call me Asha. Tristan sends his love and regards,” Asha said with a huge grin.

Declan was going to ask why his brother had sent her and if she was going to help when she closed her eyes and concentrated on her sword. A blinding white light shot from the weapon and created a shimmering barrier around Declan, Nalini, and Asha.

Declan was shocked to see the daemons scream in fear. Some even fled back through the dark shadow that encompassed the wall in the chamber. Others stayed far back from the barrier as if afraid to touch it.

“Good! I didn’t miss anything,” a large dark man stated as he appeared beside Asha.

“Who are you?” Declan demanded, wondering what the hell Tristan had done.

“I am Dizarion, Second in Command to the Dark Warrior. You know him as the boy, Tiernan Jacobs. Excuse me for a moment,” Dizarion explained before he stepped in front of Ashacanna.

Dizarion raised his hands and walked through the light barrier surrounding them to stand in front of the daemon horde. Declan was shocked to see most of the daemons flee in fear through the wall, leaving only a handful remaining.

“Go back and tell your queen that these two are under the protection of the light and dark warrior,” Dizarion said casually, but Declan could see the large man was ready for war.

“You cannot save the woman! She’s under a curse! You know what that means to us!” one of the larger daemons spat.

Without a word Dizarion raised his hands and shot the daemon with massive bolts of dark power until it exploded into a light dust that showered over the remaining daemons. Two more fled through the wall.

“I am free to destroy anyone that comes near either of them. Your life or your compulsion to kill her, take your pick,” Dizarion growled.

He raised his hands again, and the remaining daemons ran back through the hole in the wall. When the shadows disappeared from the wall, and it returned to the rock it was before, Dizarion turned to Declan and Nalini with a grin.

“Well, that covers tonight at least,” Dizarion said.

“What the hell do you mean ‘tonight’? Didn’t you just tell them that we’re under the protection of my brother and Tiernan? Why would they come back?” Declan asked, watching as Asha helped Nalini to sit on the floor.

He wasn’t really sure what was going on, but Declan knew it was the first time in years Nalini hadn’t died fighting the daemons and he had to know it was over. He moved around Dizarion and knelt beside Nalini.

“Are you all right?” Declan asked.

“I’m doing wonderful and will heal soon,” Nalini replied with a beautiful smile before she looked over at Asha and Dizarion. “Thank you. Even if it is only for one night, it is a blessing to me, and I will never forget your kindness.”

Asha and Dizarion grinned broadly and bowed to Nalini.

“It is our honor to help the daughter of the Guardian Kartikeya,” Asha replied.

“Then answer my damn question! Why can you only help tonight? Will they still be back?” Declan demanded as he stood and faced the two. He was getting really tired of his questions being ignored.

“It’s complicated,” Dizarion began. “A curse was made and a deal struck with the Queen of the Daemon Kyn for it to be done. A curse is powerful, and Mastema would ensure that all of the daemon Kyn abide by whatever deal she struck.”

“What he’s beating around the bush about is that the curse is now embedded in all of the Daemon Kyn and can only be rescinded by the power of Mastema, the Daemon Queen. Nalini was cursed to be killed nightly so any and all daemons in the area or even passing through the realms nearby would be called to assist in killing her,” Asha explained, sadness bleeding from her energy.

“We stopped them tonight, but until the curse is rescinded by Mastema, it will continue nightly because the daemons are being driven to do it,” Dizarion added, hating that such a thing was happening to the daughter of a world guardian.

Declan was furious. “So let’s go find this daemon queen and make her break the curse!”

Nalini shook her head and reached a hand up to Declan. He easily pulled the petite woman to her feet and put an arm around her shoulders to keep her steady.

“It’s not that simple,” Dizarion started to say when Nalini interrupted.

“I’m grateful for the reprieve and do not expect more. You’ve done far more than necessary, and I appreciate it,” Nalini said as tears welled up in her eyes.

“It’s not that we can’t stop it again, we will, and we will help while the commanders are busy elsewhere, but only Tristan or Tiernan can request an audience with Mastema. No one else can find her unless she wants to be found and a deal will have to be struck with her to break it. That’s something Dizarion, and I cannot do,” Asha explained.

The Light Bringer placed a gentle hand on Nalini’s shoulder, and her wounds and cuts began to rapidly disappear. Even her sari repaired itself where it’d been cut by the daemons claws and weapons during battle.

“What kind of deal?” Declan asked worriedly, unsure what a daemon would want of his brother or Tiernan.

Dizarion shrugged his shoulders and threw his hands up in the air.

“Most of that will depend upon what original deal was struck with Mastema for the curse, to begin with. The benefits would have to outweigh the previous reward for her to even consider it,” Dizarion replied as he tried to hide his doubt from his energy.

After what Mastema had done to help Tiernan recover his relic of Grascad, he doubted that the daemon Queen would be feeling generous. Especially since Tristan, Tiernan, Asha and he had been cutting a swath through the daemon horde since the Dark Warrior had reunited with the Light Warrior in this realm.

“I cannot allow them to make a deal with the Daemon Kyn Queen to break the curse. Whatever she would ask would be far too much for my conscience to live with. Neither warrior can be compromised in such a fashion for the benefit of only one. I can handle this until my father returns.” Nalini’s stubbornness was in full force and throbbing through her energy as she spoke.

Dizarion studied the walls of the battle room before he spread his arms and sent out a wave of dark energy. Ashacanna copied his movements until the room was ringed by darkness shot through with bursts of bright light.

Declan was shocked at the power displayed by the girl who looked no more than 17 and the man who looked a lot like a young version of his brother, Mikal.

As quickly as it started, the dark and light blinked out of existence the moment the two warriors lowered their hands. The air in the chamber no longer felt oppressive or hopeless and Declan looked at Nalini to see if she noticed a change as well.

“What did you do?” Nalini whispered, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted from her.

“We’re hiding your energy. It will only work for maybe a day at a time, but we will return before the daemons come for you at midnight to ensure they leave you alone until the commanders can come up with a permanent solution,” Asha explained with a girlish grin.

Nalini began to argue, and Declan put a hand over her mouth while Dizarion spoke.

“We’re under orders, and we will follow them against your will, daughter of the Guardian of War,” Dizarion told her with a smile before he turned to Declan. “Tristan and Tiernan have recommended that you take her to your Talunaha. Your Xaratia’s power will be able to help hide her energy and make it more difficult for the daemon Kyn to find her.”

Declan was shocked. Not only because they knew of the dark pyramid in the Alaskan mountain, but they also knew of the Xaratia within it.

“We aren’t supposed to bring anyone there but one of us,” Declan muttered, unsure what else the two warriors knew about.

“Oh, please,” Asha snorted. “Mates and children are the exceptions to that.”

“That’s a good point,” Dizarion said as he looked curiously at Nalini. “I wonder if the Dranovian mark of protection placed on mates would also help hide her energy from them.”

“Ah, now there’s a thought. I’ll ask Tristan when I return. Until then, go to your Talunaha. We will be there when needed,” Asha promised.

It was all the information Declan needed to finally get her out of here. He turned to Nalini and took her hands in his own.

“Let’s go pack your things, and you can show me the way out of here,” Declan whispered, hoping like hell she’d put aside her stubbornness.

His hope dipped and swelled as he felt the riotous emotions that were pouring off of Nalini.

“Please go with him. It is more important than you realize,” Asha whispered.

Nalini nodded her head and moved into her sleeping chamber to gather her belongings. Declan followed her, not only to make sure that she was packing but to get his sword and his own packs before they left.

He watched Nalini move slowly around her room as she gathered items and packed them into a beautifully woven silk bag. Her energy was running rampant with sadness, confusion and a thread of hope.

As she moved past him, Declan couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and pulling her into his arms. He sighed heavily as Nalini’s arms went around his waist and her head rested on his chest. He squeezed her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

“Thank you, for coming with me. There’s no way I could leave without you. Are you ready?” Declan whispered as he stroked her back.

He felt her nod and took the bag from her hand as he pulled away.

“Show me this other way out?” Declan gave her his most charming grin and was rewarded when she smiled back at him and nodded.

Nalini preceded him out of the chamber and Declan was surprised to see Asha and Dizarion in the middle of an intense staring exchange. It was pretty obvious they were having some kind of serious discussion through the shengari’ or however they communicated, and he wondered what they were speaking about.

“There you are! Let’s get out of here,” Asha said with a forced smile as she turned to them.

Dizarion didn’t bother to smile or say anything, he just turned down the first tunnel Declan had come down and walked out of sight.

“Is everything all right?” Nalini asked, noticing the tense energy between the Light Bringer and Night Walker.

“Yes, everything is fine. We just received information from our commanders regarding another issue and were discussing it. I really hate to rush you, but we need to see you safely to the Talunaha before we can return to our commanders, so we need to leave,” Asha explained before she followed Dizarion down the tunnel.

Declan and Nalini stood there and looked at one another for a moment.

“Do you think they’re lying?” Nalini whispered.

Declan snorted and shook his head.

“There’s no telling. My family is very complicated, and it doesn’t surprise me that my baby brother is giving those two fits,” Declan admitted as he led her through the tunnel that had told him Nalini’s story.

“It’s hard to believe your brother is the Light Warrior. I don’t think anyone expected him to awaken as a child. And the Dark Warrior too? Things are much worse than I imagined, aren’t they? Wait, tell me why you were here,” Nalini insisted as she stopped in the middle of the tunnel.

Declan sighed and rubbed a hand down his face trying to combat the exhaustion beating at him.

“We really don’t have time for this right now. I promise I will tell you anything you want to know when we are safely at the Talunaha.” Declan gripped her elbow and started walking down the hall again. Nalini pulled away from him.

“No, why were you here?” Nalini demanded as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Declan threw his hands up in the air in frustration.

“I was looking for a special flower that can stop beast death. I don’t know what it looks like or where it is or if it even exists. Now, can we go?” Declan asked as he gestured down the tunnel where Asha and Dizarion had disappeared. 

“You thought it was here? Are you speaking of the Brahma Kamal?” Nalini asked, refusing to go anywhere until he answered her.

Declan was beyond frustrated with the stubborn woman and leaned down and picked her up in his arms before striding down the tunnel after the two warriors. He wasn’t the least bit surprised when Nalini began kicking her legs and fighting to get down.

“I can walk on my own!” Nalini snapped, unable to fight the steel-like arms that held her tightly.

“But you weren’t, and we need to go. They need to go back to my brother, and we need to get to the Talunaha. Although cute and charming when not in life-threatening danger, your stubbornness is unwanted when it impacts the lives of others,” Declan growled as he held her more tightly.

He wished he had kept his mouth shut the moment he felt shame run through Nalini’s energy before she ducked her head against his chest. Declan kissed the top of her head as he left the tunnel and glanced at the rope he’d left hanging from the crevice. He looked around the room for the other entrance or Asha and Dizarion. Seeing no one, he gently shook Nalini in his arms.

“Honey, where’s the other entrance?” he asked, hoping that keeping his voice gentle would soothe her ruffled pride.

“On the other side of the rope is an outcropping. There’s a small opening that leads to the side of the mountain. We’ll need gear to get out,” Nalini explained. “Please let me walk now.”

Declan gently set her back on the floor, but instead of letting her go, he scooped up her hand in his and led her over to the outcropping. He was a little surprised at the dark hole that was exposed behind the rock. Declan was just starting to remove his pack with the climbing gear when Dizarion and Asha appeared beside them.

“No need for that,” Dizarion said while Asha grinned broadly.

Moments later, Declan was grabbed by Dizarion and Nalini by Asha, and they were thrown through the hole in the mountain. The cold night air hit Declan in the face, and he looked down at the dizzying darkness beneath them as Dizarion flew them through the air to the top of the mountain.

Declan looked behind him to make sure Nalini and Asha were following and was relieved to see they were with Asha’s brilliant wings spread out. He expected Dizarion to put him down when they reached the top of the mountain, but the Night Walker never stopped until they reached his cloaked ship.

Dizarion set Declan down on the ground and waved a hand, removing the cloaking on the ship as Asha set Nalini down beside Declan. Dizarion opened the door to the transport and gestured inside.

“We need to go,” Dizarion stated.

Declan ushered Nalini into the ship and ignored her gasps of surprise as he moved into the cockpit. He looked behind him as Dizarion closed the hatch and Asha took a seat in the dining area of the small transport.

“Sit here,” Declan suggested and pointed to the co-pilot’s seat as he sat down in the pilot’s chair.

The safety straps immediately wound around him leaving Nalini wide-eyed with surprise. Declan watched as she gingerly sat down in the seat and gasped when the harness came across her stomach and chest.

Declan initiated the pre-flight check, in record time and lifted off the mountain. He smiled at Nalini’s gasp of surprise at the aerial view of the mountains she’d been living on for who knew how long. He was just glad she was leaving and never coming back as far as he was concerned.

“We’re looking at an hour or so to get to the mountain. Are you familiar with Alaska? It’s actually a lot like here,” Declan asked her.

He smiled at the way Nalini was pressed against the glass, staring at the moonlit mountains and rivers of her home country. He felt her sadness at leaving but her excitement as well.

“Do you like to travel?” Declan asked, hoping she would since he and his brothers were generally all over the planet.

“I love it. I just haven’t done much of it for years,” Nalini admitted.

Declan noted they were at a safe cruising altitude, one much higher than planes were usually at and he set the automatic controls and switched off the safety features. Nalini’s eyes widened when the straps holding her to the seat were suddenly released but quickly pressed herself back against the glass.

“Would you like a tour of the ship? I could use a cup of coffee,” Declan suggested as he stood.

“Can I have some coffee here, please?” Nalini asked, not moving from the window and the view below.

Though he’d seen the view more times than he could count, Declan moved to stand behind her and looked down at the brilliantly lit world beneath them. His breath almost caught at the beauty of it all, and he couldn’t remember when he’d become so used to seeing it that the awe had worn off. Declan reached out and gave her shoulder a squeeze, grateful that she’d brought back that feeling to him.

“I’m going to assume you like cream and sugar,” Declan said with a grin as he left the cockpit.

“I do!” Nalini called out.

Declan smiled as he headed into the dining area where Dizarion and Asha were having a cup of coffee. Asha jumped up from her chair, poured him two cups and set the cream and sugar beside them.

While he was adding the cream, Declan noted the tension was still going on between the two warriors and wondered at it.

“Are you guys heading back to the kids after we get to the Talunaha?” Declan asked.

“No, we have just been told we are to remain by the side of the daughter of Kartikeya and you until Tristan and Tiernan order otherwise. They are currently busy, but as soon as they are able they will be requesting an audience with Mastema to permanently fix this,” Dizarion stated, apparently unhappy with Tristan’s orders.

“What could stop Tristan from being here to handle this? I know my brother, there has never been a time that family did not come first. Is he safe?” Declan asked. He wasn’t sure what his brother was into, but he was worried.

“We aren’t at liberty to discuss the missions of the warriors, but Tristan is safe. There isn’t much that can escape his power, so you’ve no need to worry about his safety. His main concern right now is keeping his Guardian’s daughter and his brother safe,” Asha assured Declan, though it didn’t make him feel any better.

Declan stirred both cups of coffee as he absorbed what they said and what they had left out. He was just getting ready to ask another question when Nalini came into the room. He handed her a cup of coffee, and she took a sip as she looked over the rim at Asha and Dizarion.

“Your warriors are concerned at what my father will do when he awakens and finds out what happened, aren’t they?” Nalini asked as she sat at the table with Asha and Dizarion.

Dizarion snorted and ran a frustrated hand down his face.

“Your father is the Guardian of War. What would you do if you found out your precious, only child was being tortured nightly for millennia? Yes, correcting this situation is high on their priority list,” Dizarion admitted with a dramatic nod.

“Millennia?” Declan asked, staring at Nalini with accusing eyes.

“Didn’t you know? Her father was one of the original Guardians who fought for Terra and helped it to recover from the anomalous war. She was born of a Prime warrior that Kartikeya fell in love with after the poles had shifted,” Asha explained as Nalini looked away.

“You’re thousands of years old? When did your father leave the physical realm?” Declan demanded, wondering just how long she’d been going through the daemon death nightly.

“My father has been gone for 3,537 years, 7 months and 22 days,” Nalini whispered, her head bowed.

Declan was silent and still. Only his eyes blinked periodically as he tried to process what she’d said.

“What the fuck?” Declan suddenly roared in rage and turned on Asha and Dizarion. “Why the hell did you guys let this happen? Who left the world helpless all this damn time and allowed that to happen to her?”

Nalini stood quickly, moved to Declan’s side and placed a gentle hand on his chest.

“Look at me,” Nalini said, her soft voice holding a commanding edge until he did as she asked. “No one could have stopped this, and no one could have come to my rescue. They are only children who have only just come back here. They are not responsible for what’s happened since the guardians were called home.”

Declan looked ready to explode, but her hand and the calming energy Nalini was sending him kept him from it. Instead, he growled in frustration and ran a hand through his hair.

“Why did all the guardians leave? Why was no one here to help you?” Declan asked.

Nalini shrugged a delicate shoulder and gave him a beautiful smile.

“It is not my right to question the One God and the reasons for recalling the Guardians. For me, it isn’t the dying that bothers me so much. I’m immortal, I will still live. It’s the repetitiveness of it without reprieve and never having the ability to escape it. That is by Sanika’s design and no one else’s,” Nalini explained, hoping the response would help calm Declan’s anger.

“All of them were recalled? At the same time? There was no one left to help? No wonder why the world has gone to shit! Now we’re stuck with a bunch of kids who haven’t awakened yet!” Declan was incredulous at what seemed to be a considerable lapse in foresight.

“There’s more to it than that. Nothing is as it seems and that would apply in this case more so than any other you’ve dealt with,” Dizarion warned evasively.

Declan raised a brow at the night walker’s comment and noticed that Nalini and Asha were looking away from him as if they all knew something that he didn’t. It pissed him off.

“What the hell aren’t you telling me?” Declan demanded as the three looked down at their coffee cups.