Page 73 of Acolyte (Tempris #2)

-An excerpt from the Della Daily Life

Witnesses have reported hearing strange sounds coming from within the gates of Infinity’s Edge every night this week. One man described the disturbance as “a low growl coming from deep within the earth.” Another woman claimed that at certain hours of the night, “even the ground seemed to shake.”

These allegations come on the heel of Queen Raine’s unprecedented decision to recall all members of the Time Guild to Della, an order which experts say could threaten political negotiations in gate worlds where tensions have been on the rise.

Despite repeated inquiries from the press, representatives at Infinity’s Edge still have not made a formal statement regarding the recall, and when asked about the noise, one official, who has asked to remain nameless, stated, “The Queen has decided to redecorate.”

Early the next day, Kato had come through on his promise.

Five horses were lined up outside the public stables, and the stableboys were finishing with the supplies. The sun felt warm, a welcome reprieve from the lingering morning chill, and there was no sign of rain on the horizon.

For better or worse, they’d be off within the hour.

Ivain leaned against the paddock fence, arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line. “I should never have agreed to this.”

Skye snorted. “Haven’t we already been over this?

” he asked as he finished strapping a bandolier of knives to his chest. He was armed to the teeth this morning, with a sword at his back, two more blades hidden in his boots, a collapsible staff buckled to his thigh, and a set of pistols holstered at his waist—both modified with Taly’s crystal chit system.

“I’m going. There’s no use trying to talk me out of it. ”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Skye snapped, “Then what do you mean?” It came out more harshly than he intended.

Ivain didn’t deserve his anger. He knew that.

They had all been struggling to cope with the consequences of Taly’s actions, and Ivain had taken the rational approach.

He had tried to deal with the loss and move forward despite the grief.

He had tried to encourage Skye to do the same .

Eventually, he would come to see that. Eventually, he would be grateful for the people that had cared enough to try to pull him back when they thought he’d been standing on the brink of something terrible.

Eventually—but not yet. The pain was still too fresh, and Taly was still out there. His… bondmate.

He was still marveling at that word.

Ivain sighed, glancing at the man that stood on the other side of the yard, speaking with Kato. He was slender and fit with moon-white hair and a narrow face, and his fancy frockcoat and white tie looked too clean for a stable yard.

“Ah.” Skye pulled on his coat, smoothing the fabric over his armor. “You don’t trust Kalahad .” The High Lord of Earth’s younger brother, whom Kato had introduced them to earlier that morning.

“Not a lick,” Ivain admitted without shame. “He was a good kid when he was younger, but now—”

“He kidnaps Feseraa,” Skye finished. “Presumably. There are rumors, but no evidence, and Kato claims he’s honorable.”

“Perhaps,” Ivain conceded—grudgingly. “But he’s still been vocally anti-mortal the few times I’ve met him, which makes me wonder why he was so eager to dedicate resources to a rescue mission for a human. I just can’t figure out what he stands to gain.”

“What makes you think he’s trying to gain anything?”

Ivain snorted. “I’ve been around a long time, boy, and I know a snake when I see one. He’s given us three of his strongest mages during the middle of a siege, and fey aren’t that generous. Not where humans are concerned.”

“You were that generous,” Skye pointed out. “You took in an unknown human just because she needed you.”

“I was old and lonely,” Ivain grumbled. “Not to mention, Sarina had already spent half my fortune buying new clothes for the girl before the end of the first week. This Kalahad, however… He’s hiding something. I can feel it.”

Yes, Skye had been having similar worries, but— “We’re not in a position to turn down help right now, no matter the source.”

“Believe me, I understand the variables,” Ivain said, even if he still looked distinctly unhappy. “My sweet sister has explained them to me at length. I am well aware that Kalahad is our only option, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be cautious.

“Watch what you say and do. His men will be watching every move you and your brother make, looking for information that could be used against you. We may be in the middle of a war, but don’t think for one second that’s going to stop those with more ambition than sense from trying to seize power.”

Skye nodded. It was good advice, and while he trusted his brother—something he was still trying to come to terms with—Kalahad was an unknown.

Ivain reached into his pocket. “A gift from Aimee,” he said, pushing a small, nondescript box into Skye’s hands. “She said it will last up to three days once activated. When you get back, we can figure out something more permanent.”

Skye quickly pocketed the box. “Understood.”

“And— ”

“I know.” Skye watched as Kato began to approach, followed by four other Highborn fey Skye only vaguely recognized. “I’ll make sure I’m alone when I set out to look for her.”

Because while Kato might’ve known what Taly was, the other members of their party didn’t. He would need time to create the simulacrum, time to find her, and then time to get her disguised before integrating her into their party.

“Skylen,” Kato greeted. “Lord Castaro.” And then he began introducing the men and women trailing behind him.

There was Lord Kalahad Brenin—the High Lord of Earth’s younger brother.

Followed by Asher Venwraith—a lanky man of middling height with pale blond hair and grass-green eyes. According to him, he was the second son of nobody cares, and his only notoriety stemmed from his very distant relation to the High Lord of Water.

Then came Carin Fenmar. Her eyes were a startling shade of carnation pink, and her hair was the color of pale honey.

She stood just a step behind Asher, shoulders hunched, arms wrapped tightly around her body.

The shirt peeking out from beneath her leather armor looked strangely shabby compared to the newness of her gear.

The last man Skye knew by reputation only: Vaughn Adamaer.

He had a hooked nose, and his hair had been shaved at the sides.

He kept rubbing at his chin, like there was still some kind of pain there that had yet to fade.

The man’s most striking feature, however—the one that sent a chill slithering down Skye’s spine—was his eyes .

Deep-set and hooded. Yellow . They had a sickly gleam, and it was a struggle not to look away.

“Vaughn,” Kalahad said, throwing a pained smile to the yellow-eyed shadow mage at his side, “was put in charge of my protection detail.” Neither one of them looked too happy about it.

“My older brother—Shards bless his soul—will one day worry himself into an early grave, and despite my insistence that I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself, he insisted that I take his Captain of the Guard along with me. Now, I give him to you.”

“That’s very generous,” Ivain said, his expression schooled into that perfect mask of serene indifference that some nobles never truly mastered.

“Sire,” Vaughn said gruffly, ignoring Ivain and Skye as he turned to his master. “I must insist—”

“You insist on nothing.” Kalahad crossed his arms imperiously.

“My brother may have sent you, but you’re mine to command.

We still have literal months until the first predictions say we might be able to escape through the Aion Gate, and until that time, this village needs hope.

It needs a beacon. And that girl—that human the villagers have dubbed their Savior— she will be that beacon. ”

“It is noble of you to pledge your men to rescue a girl you barely know,” Ivain said. “You have my gratitude .” The last word felt forced, but Skye had a feeling he was the only one that noticed.

Kalahad smiled at Ivain. “I only seek to help support the morale in Ryme. For better or worse, we’re all in this together now, and it pains me to see so much fear and hopelessness. Although,” he added. “you do raise a fair point. We know very little about this girl.”

Kalahad looked to Skye. “The two of you were close, yes?”

Skye gave a slow nod. He felt Ivain shift beside him. Kato just sighed.

“What was she like?” Kalahad asked. Too eager.

The man was far too eager. “I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve been dying to meet her.

Ever since I heard the Vale transmission.

I hear she’s a smart little thing. Resourceful, surprisingly ingenious, pretty too.

” A merciful pause. “For a human, that is.”

The words shouldn’t have gotten underneath his skin so quickly, but the blatant curiosity, the interest in the man’s eyes coupled with that stitch of arrogant dismissal had something deep, something primal bubbling to the top and—

“We can’t thank you enough,” Kato said hastily, clapping a hand to Skye’s shoulder. That thing inside him quelled . “Taly was very dear to us all, and we’re looking forward to having her home.”

“You should’ve asked sooner,” was all Kalahad said in reply. Skye wanted to slap that smile right off his face.

Kato and Kalahad exchanged a few more friendly pleasantries, and when they retreated, both Asher and Carin trailing along after them, Ivain said, “I still don’t like him.”

“Me neither,” Skye muttered, glaring daggers at the man’s back. “But help is help.”

Ivain loosed a heavy sigh. “I would go with you if I could.” There was regret in his eyes.

“We both know you can’t.” The Gate Watchers were already spread too thin, and while Skye’s death would be felt, the village would recover. If they lost, Ivain, however—the entire island would be lost.