Page 9 of Acolyte (Tempris #2)

-From the personal notes of Azura Raine, High Lady of Time

Her name will be Talya, and she will be just a girl, chosen because she was unlucky enough to be born when I needed a champion.

His name will be Skylen, and he will be just a boy, chosen because he was unlucky enough to fall in love when I needed a sacrifice.

I hope that one day they will be able to forgive me for the things that I have done. For the things that I will force them both to endure.

Skylen Emrys, future Duke of Ghislain and acting commander of the Gate Watchers, leaned against the parapet of the compound wall, staring out into the gray haze of morning.

It had been five days since the attacks began, and the city of Ebondrift spread out before him—a broken husk.

The winding streets were littered with rubble, doors of nearby buildings hung askew, windows had been broken.

Just below, what used to be a bustling market square lay in ruins, a few tatters of smoke-stained cloth the only hint at what had only a week before been a colorful sprawl of canvas awnings.

The situation had only grown worse since Taly went missing.

They were being attacked nearly every day with lethal precision, and the leadership was still fractured on whether to stay or go.

The holdouts wanted to stay in Ebondrift, but, as Skye had continued to argue, that wasn’t an option.

Their supplies were rapidly dwindling, and, as last night’s battle had once again proven, their walls had been breached.

The skirmish had been brief but devastating. The shades had somehow managed to infiltrate the underground tunnels beneath the compound, and due to a mistake in the guard rotation that Skye still couldn’t explain, the entrance beneath the keep had been left unguarded.

The first few minutes were a slaughter. Since the lower levels of the keep stayed warmer in the winter months, mortals and magicless—those more prone to disease—had been assigned to the undercroft.

Almost twenty men died within the first few minutes, and the shades were already slicing through the mortal camp by the time a nearby contingent of mages was able to push back the swell of undead.

Skye and a few others had spent the rest of the night clearing out the tunnels and trying to find out who had dismissed the guards.

The search had been fruitless so far. Despite Kato’s suspicions and Taly’s abrupt departure, there were still traitors in their midst. Which meant that even if Taly was in league with their enemy—albeit unwillingly—she wasn’t the only one.

“You look like shit.”

Skye snorted, turning to face the dark-haired woman trudging up the stairs behind him.

Even after five days of trying to restore order in a world gone mad, Eula was a sight.

Her hair was coiled neatly around her head, and despite the dark shadows beneath her eyes, her scaled leather armor was clean, the sword at her waist polished to a shine.

When faced with conflict, some people crumbled. Eula, however—she just worked harder and longer and worst of all, she made it look easy.

Skye picked at a streak of dirt on his sleeve. After spending all night down in the tunnels beneath the keep, he’d only had enough energy to wipe away the blood before redonning his armor and preparing for the day ahead.

“Good morning to you too,” he said, forcing a smile.

“I thought you said you were going to try to get some sleep after last night,” she chided, coming to stand beside him.

Skye grimaced. “You’re right. I did say that.” And, to his credit, he had tried. But just like every night before, he couldn’t bring himself to go back to a room and a bed that still smelled like her . Taly. His friend and the woman that always seemed to be leaving him behind .

“Skylen,” Eula said, and he had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He knew that tone. All the women in his life had somehow mastered that tone. “We have a long day ahead of us, and you’re our commander. We need you at your best.”

It wouldn’t matter, Skye almost said, but thankfully didn’t.

Eula was just doing her job, trying to account for the variables they could control.

And if she wanted to believe that a few hours of tossing and turning might make any damn difference, he saw no harm in letting her.

The journey to Ryme would be long and dangerous, and they weren’t ready.

But the longer they stayed, the more they opened themselves up to further sabotage, maybe even another attack.

By now, they were both tired of building funeral pyres, each one larger than the last.

“I’m fine,” he said.

“No, you’re not,” Eula immediately replied. “You’re thinking about Taly. You’re wondering if you did the right thing.”

Skye’s jaw clenched, and he leaned forward, watching as the first of the wagons began rolling out of the gates. He’d told Eula the same thing he’d told all the others—that he had sent Taly to find the relay. It was a lie, of course. But nobody had questioned him. Not to his face, at least.

“It might have been a mistake,” Eula said after a moment, misinterpreting the guilt in his expression.

“But I believe in Taly. She’s smart, tougher than anyone gives her credit for, and she’s good with a gun.

I’d bet good coin she’s already found her way to Ryme, and when she finds out how much you’ve been worrying, she’ll laugh herself silly. ”

Skye attempted a smile. He hoped, but he knew she wasn’t going to be there.

He knew because she wasn’t really his scout.

She wasn’t heading for the relay. She had left him behind, lied to him about why, and all the evidence that had come out since then…

Kato had discovered spells inscribed on her arm, a web of shadow magic hidden beneath a glamour so complex, it was nearly undetectable.

And while he didn’t know the substance of those spells, there were so many terrible things a shadow mage could do to another person.

Ways to take away their free will, to make them act against their family and friends.

To erase the memories of those trespasses.

Taly was working with the enemy. He truly believed that, as much as he believed that she had been forced into the role unwillingly.

And while that distinction might not matter to the people who had lost their homes, their families, demanding that blood be repaid with blood—it did to him.

Which is why he had lied for her. Protected her.

And once they made it to Ryme, once he delivered these people to safety, he would be free to go find her—and bring her back kicking and screaming if that’s what it took.

“As for your brother,” Eula went on, “he’s still convinced Taly is a traitor.”

“Still?” Skye asked. He had done everything he could to assuage his brother’s concerns. He had told so many lies.

Eula nodded. “Yes. I’ve been told he’s been questioning the ensigns, and even though I don’t think it was his intent, rumors are starting to spread. About you. And Taly.” She gave him a meaningful look .

Skye swallowed, turning back to the market square down below. “I see.”

“Yes,” Eula sighed, frowning as she followed his gaze. The first of the wagons were being wheeled out of the compound gates, only half loaded.

Skye said, “Rumors have brought down entire households, and we can’t afford to be divided right now. Is this going to become an issue?”

Eula shook her head. “Surprisingly, no. I think it may have actually increased your popularity among the ensigns. Taly is a beautiful human, and you’re a Highborn noble—they think it’s one of those cheap coppershop romance novels, and for now, I don’t see any problem giving them something better to talk about than the army of corpses trying to beat down our door. Your brother, however…”

“You think there’s a problem?”

“Yes… No… Maybe?” Another sigh. “Kato—he means well, but there’s too much anger there.

Too much misguided loyalty. He’s convinced himself that Taly is a threat to this island and this organization, and I’m not sure what it’s going to take to change his mind.

I’m afraid that if he keeps poking at this issue, he might do some real damage.

Something more severe than a bit of gossip. ”

Skye pressed his lips together. Kato’s suspicions were valid, and a part of him respected his older brother’s attempts to do what he thought was right. It was honorable, if inconvenient.

Eula placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’re going to get through this,” she said, though Skye couldn’t be certain if it was for his benefit or hers.

“Let’s get these people back to Ryme, and then, once we’re safe, once we find Marquess Castaro and start trying to sort through this mess, I’m going to help you find your girl.

Even if she didn’t make it to the relay, she’s still a damned hero for trying. ”

Skye snorted, leaning against the parapet wall as he watched Eula make her way down the walkway, towards the stairs. “Taly’s not my anything,” he called out, “and I’m pretty sure she would skin you if she ever heard you refer to her as belonging to anyone for any reason.”

Eula gripped the staircase railing, smiling over her shoulder.

“Maybe,” she said. “But I have a feeling that, in this case, she might not mind.” That smile widened in a way that made Skye distinctly uncomfortable.

“Just a bit of friendly advice—the next time the two of you decide to go at it between the library stacks, be a little quieter. That’s how rumors get started. ”

Skye cleared his throat, resisting the urge to tug at his collar when he felt his neck start to flush. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, not bothering to come up with a lie. He was done trying to pretend he wasn’t in love with his best friend—the girl he had known since she was six and he was ten.

A clamor rang out from inside the keep, followed by a shout. They both looked towards the sound of the commotion.

Skye asked, “Is that—”

“Yup.” Eula sounded tired. It was the Riette sisters—the final two holdouts of the Gate Watcher leadership still arguing to stay at the compound. The youngest was becoming increasingly hysterical, demanding to speak with the “damned person in charge. ”

That was Skye, and he felt a stark sense of relief when Eula gave a weary shake of her head and said, “I’ll take care of it.

You just make sure you’re ready for today.

Take whatever time you need, do whatever you need to do.

I know it’s been hard, especially with Taly not here and Kato trying to stir up trouble.

I know you weren’t expecting to become a leader so soon.

But you stepped up when we needed you, Skye.

And you’ve done well. As well as anyone could’ve done with the same shit situation.

Leaving is the right decision. Don’t let anyone make you doubt that. ”

“Thank you,” Skye said, and meant it.

Even if it did little to stop him from doubting.