Carrion Crow Read online

  She watched silently as her friend wandered through the maze of flowers and fruit trees, all in full bloom with the arrival of springtime. Just as Adrianna reached out her hand for a shiny red apple Sarai stepped up behind her. “Enjoying yourself?” she asked. Adrianna jumped snatching back her hand and Sarai burst out in laughter. “After all this time and you’re still so easy to startle!”

  Adrianna’s face lit up with a rosy blush. “Shut up,” she mumbled.

  Sarai hooked Adrianna’s arm around her own and steered her around the garden. “I wanted to talk with you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, I wanted to ask you how you’re doing.”

  Sarai’s voice was warm and sincere but Adrianna kept her guard up. “Fine, I guess. I’m not sleeping in the woods anymore or walking for days on end, so that’s an improvement.”

  “Always such a complainer,” teased Sarai with a roll of her eyes.

  “You complained too, ya know.”

  “I dare you to prove it!”

  “I—” but Adrianna paused, Shaun Omri had gone missing shortly after Sarai’s coronation and Novo Myrddin had been banished then as well. Sa remained in the dungeons, Pekka planned to flee, and Fenwick had been threatened into silence so, besides herself, there was in fact no one who could attest to who Sarai was before she was crowned. No one who was close enough was still around. Well, besides Sam, she supposed. But Sam was…she didn’t quite know who Sam was either then or now.

  “Fine, you win, mi suverenya. But I will hold the memories of your loud snores forever.”

  Sarai gave her a smug triumphant smile. “This is why we are friends, Adrianna. I can tease you and you’ll tease me right back. That’s what friends do, they make each other laugh.”

  Adrianna smiled but did not laugh. “Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?”

  The Crown pulled them to a stop and gestured to a bench nestled between rose bushes. Once they sat down Sarai took one of Adrianna’s hands into her own and fixed an anxious stare upon her. “I’m sure Jack has told you already about Sa.” Adrianna’s forehead pinched in worry but said nothing.

  “I knew he wouldn’t lie to you and you’re not stupid, you’d have found out one way or another. I only want to be sure that Jack hasn’t lost his head and is attempting to plan some sort of idiotic scheme. I know you love him but he is still that criminal we picked up in Barnum underneath it all.”

  At the mention of Fenwick’s criminal days, Adrianna bristled. “Jack is clever and he hates being told what to do. But don’t worry, you’ve got him stuck properly between a rock and a hard place. He’s not going to do anything stupid.”

  “There’s something you’re not saying, Adrianna.”

  “I sort of wish he would do something stupid,” admitted Adrianna very hesitantly. She missed having a friend to talk to but walking the line between friend and enemy with Sarai was exhausting. Every night she prayed that Sarai would just wake up back to her old self and that this whole mess was simply a nightmare, but with each day that passed Adrianna was caught wondering if this was always who Sarai had been.

  Sarai fixed her with a very cold look. “No, you don’t, Adrianna.” Her friend’s face fell slightly but she noticed it. Rearranging her own expression into a soft smile she nudged her gently. “I’m only trying to protect you, you know. You’re the only friend I really have and I refuse to lose you, but I am also the Crown and my duties come first. So please, do not force my hand.”

  “Of course not,” smiled Adrianna. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’s fine and if he does get any funny ideas I will try my best to talk him out of them.”

  “Might I ask you…no, I shouldn’t.” Sarai looked away as if embarrassed by her own impertinence.

  “What is it? Friends can talk about anything, Sarai.”

  Sarai turned to face Adrianna and couldn’t help but think that she looked very much like what she envisioned a faerie might look like as the breeze teased the loose strands of her hair and shook loose flower petals that floated down softly around her. “I’m worried I’m being insensitive or intrusive, but I really must know. How is your brother, Eisen?”

  Adrianna’s heart skipped a beat but she quickly recomposed herself. “I haven’t heard from him since your engagement party.”

  “No? Well, you’ve at least heard the rumors surely?” Sarai didn’t want to press her too hard but if anyone had information besides the Whispers it would be her.

  At her words Adrianna bowed her head. Was that shame upon her face? Sarai refused to get too hopeful. “I’ve heard about his army,” she admitted. “I’m worried about him and I don’t know how to fix all this. Everything is such a mess!” Sarai reached out and wiped the gentle trickle of tears from Adrianna’s olive-toned cheeks.

  “It’s alright. We’re friends, Adrianna. You can tell me anything.”

  Adrianna bobbed her head and took a steadying breath. “I think he’s just angry at everyone. This army of his is just a rash decision, he’s lashing out at those who’ve wronged him. But he doesn’t understand! You helped me. Of course you kidnapped me first, but then you became my friend and he doesn’t understand that. And then something must have happened between him and the Whispers because he seems upset with them as well. I think it’s because they wouldn’t come after me and take me from you.”

  Sarai looked at Adrianna carefully. “He’s acting alone, then? Just him and whatever scum he can scrounge up? He’s going to get himself killed.”

  At that Adrianna broke into another sob. “Don’t you see? He’s stuck in this suicidal mess and it’s all my fault! I don’t want it to be my fault!”

  The Crown wrapped her arms tightly around her weeping friend. “It’s not your fault, Adrianna. He’s made his choices and you have to let him go. I’ll protect you. I’m building a new home and I’ll take you with me. I’ll protect you, Adrianna,” she murmured in her ear. Her brother was a hotheaded idiot. Without the Whispers, without any real armies on his side, with only a band of fools willing to support him he would surely die. She knew Eisen would die because she would be the one to kill him. No one took what was hers.

  Once Adrianna had calmed down she pushed away and looked embarrassedly at Sarai. “Thank you, Sarai. That means everything to me but—”

  “But what?”

  Adrianna took a deep breath. “I’m not ready to turn against him just yet. He’s my brother, after all. He’s family. I have to at least try and change his mind.”

  Sarai’s gentle comforts turned to burning ice. “Family can be found in the most unlikely of places. Choose a side,” she snarled before tearing through the garden angrily.

  Adrianna sat there for another five minutes in silence replaying their conversation as her heart steadied itself. A dark-clad figure sat next to her and she turned to see Jack.

  “Are you alright?” he asked quietly.

  Adrianna rolled her eyes and muttered, “I deserve an award for that performance.”

  Jack smiled and held her hand. “Real tears, I see. My, you’ve really missed your calling.”

  “Just get me back to my room so I can wash my face. I look disgusting.” She made to stand but Jack didn’t budge and their linked hands jolted her back down onto the seat.

  “Disgusting is not a word that could ever apply to you,” he chastised her sternly.

  Adrianna snorted. “You’re such a flirtatious liar, Jack.”

  “Not with you,” he shrugged.

  “Hmmm,” she mused. “Well I’m going to my room to freshen up.” Releasing his hand she stood up and made her way out of the garden and down the main hall. Just before her feet could ascend the enormous stone stairway her legs were knocked out from under her causing her to squawk out an embarrassing little yip of surprise. Jack carried her all the way to her bedroom before dropping her unceremoniously onto her bed where she rolled laughing.

  Reality slammed back into her. “I made her angry.”

  Jack slouche
d in the plush chair beside her bed. “She’s always angry.”

  “No, I mentioned family and she turned ice cold. I’m serious, Fenwick. She’s going to do something.”

  “Then we stop her.”

  “How? We don’t even know what she might…” Adrianna’s eyes grew wide as she turned to Jack and her fear snapped tight in their bond.

  “What is it?” he asked quickly trying to control Adrianna’s fear welling up inside of him.

  “Don’t the Whispers consider each other family?” she asked quietly. Jack’s jaw clenched tight but made no response. “We’ve run out of time for Sa.”

  “No,” refused Jack.

  “Think about it,” Adrianna persisted. “Sa’s been tortured for weeks with no progress. Eisen won’t save her. Nox might have told the Whispers by now but even if they left immediately they won’t get here in time, not by tonight. It’s going to be tonight. I can feel it, Fenwick.”

  “The Whispers won’t abandon one of their own. They’re on their way. Pekka is on our side and with her help, even if the Whispers don’t come, we can get Sa out. It’s almost simple.”

  “They keep changing the guard with an irregular schedule to remain unpredictable. The Whispers might be close but they’re not here. Even with Pekka’s help, we can’t do anything. It would be suicide to try.” Adrianna massaged her temples trying to sort through options and facts.

  “I’m not about to just sit here and give up, Adrianna. I’m not going to lie down and not try.” Jack jumped up and paced the room fervently. “If your brother would have just set aside his vendetta for one moment Sa would already be free!” he roared.

  Adrianna sat very very still. Fenwick, even as Jack Cromwell, was always so composed, so controlled, that seeing him roiling with such untamed emotion frightened her. Finally she found her voice. “I know and I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He stopped midstride and something like shame clouded his eyes. He shook himself. “It’s not your fault,” he murmured apologetically.

  “If you want to try and break out Sa, I’ll go with you,” promised Adrianna. “Pekka and you are strong fighters and I can help Sa in case she’s…in case she’s unfit.” She could see the concentration in Jack’s face as his mind switched into strategy mode. “Nox said he’d come back as soon as he talked to the Whispers so he could be back by tonight and he can help with the gate. It’ll be dark, if we’re fast enough, quiet enough, we can get in and out of the dungeons and be halfway out of the gates before they can even raise an alarm. You’re a master at this, Fenwick. We can do this.”

  Deep down Jack knew it was futile, but he couldn’t do nothing. “I have to return to the barracks, I have new recruits to train this afternoon. Be ready. Pack what you need. We’ll move at nightfall.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Sarai looked forward to her evenings. Sometimes she wouldn’t even lift a finger but would sit for hours watching little Medusa loll around half-unconscious bound to a chair. These sessions were immensely therapeutic. Today, however, Adrianna had struck a sickened chord inside of her. She knew she shouldn’t have been so harsh with her; she needed to keep her on her side and against her brother.

  But then she’d mentioned family and the old corrosive memories roared up within her. Sarai looked at Sa, she was fully conscious now with only the healing wounds from their last session marring her skin. Oh, and a fresh red handprint from where Sarai had smacked her hard across the face. A friendly greeting compared to their past times together.

  “You were my sister once,” she reminded her casually as her eyes danced over the small form of her prisoner. “You were all family.”

  Sa lifted her defiant gaze to meet Sarai’s and looked almost bored. Sarai growled and Sa had the gall to smile. “We were never family, Cass. Family doesn’t betray one another. They don’t tie them to a chair and beat them to within an inch of their life.”

  “You did. You betrayed me,” seethed the Crown furiously. “You and the other Whispers took away my dreams, my conquests, my family!”

  “You’re crazy, Cass,” replied Sa in an infuriatingly calm voice.

  “I am Sarai Morrigan, Crown of the Three Kingdoms, high ruler of Oneiroi,” she shouted indignantly.

  Sa chuckled amused by the Crown’s proud words. “No, no you’re not, Cass. You may be many things but you are not poor Sarai Morrigan. You can pretend for your subjects, but you cannot pretend for me. I know you.”

  “You’re right. I am more than Sarai ever was. I am Cassandra Böcklin, Titus’ apprentice, blessed with full magic and the one he called Feuer. Everyone should fear me,” she hissed out darkly.

  Sa fidgeted in her seat trying to find a more comfortable position, which was hard to do with her hands and feet bound so tightly to the chair. “Yes. Yes, Cass. Remember who you are.”

  “I have never forgotten.”

  “Then you should recall what Israfil told us all those years ago. Feuer will face Eisen and only Leitfaden can release this world with new strength or doom it to chaos and fire.” Sa’s face had gone cold.

  “Eisen is no match for me and my armies. And Leitfa remains at my side,” sneered Cassandra arrogantly. She walked past her, every step perfectly regal, and motioned for Pekka to open the cell.

  “You can’t win, Cass,” Sa called over her shoulder. “She’s too good to let you.”

  The Crown sighed. “Then I’ll just have to find a way to blacken her heart like mine.”

  Sa spat on the floor. “Curse you, Cassandra! You are left with nothing but darkness in your heart and you would make an innocent join you in such misery? You are lost.”

  Cassandra slowly walked back and kneeled before Medusa until their faces were mere inches apart, both equally clothed in pure loathing. “Well, how about I give you a chance to help her?” From the sash around her waist she extracted a small bottle of hemlock, holding it up so the candlelight could dance upon its surface as the liquid splashed around in the clear glass for Medusa to see.

  “You can’t kill me,” growled Sa.

  The Crown clenched the prisoner’s face in her left hand and ice slowly spread to the girl’s face freezing deeper and deeper. “No, you’re right. I can’t,” nodded Cassandra in agreement. “But, if you choose to drink this then it just might work.”

  “You think me weak?” spat Sa angrily.

  “No, I think you’re loyal. Foolishly loyal. Always have been, actually.” Cassandra pursed her lips slightly. Sharply she pulled her hand away and the ice faded leaving Sa gasping in painful agony. “With you alive and refusing to give me any useful information I see no point in continuing with our current arrangement. Perhaps if I bring Adrianna down to watch as we…talk. Or even have her join in on the fun? I’m sure this would get something useful out of you and even if it doesn’t I’d still have the pleasure of watching.”

  “She would never do it.”

  “I have magic. I can make her do anything I wish.”

  “It would only turn her against you.”

  “No, I don’t think so. She might hate me for making her do it, but she would hate herself even more for obeying. She may be strong but she’s not a soldier trained for blood. And if, after tiring of you, I were to tie Jack to this chair. Well, that really would break her, now wouldn’t it?”

  Sa’s breathing hitched. It would destroy Adrianna. The girl had a strong spirit but who could stomach such a thing? She’d become hollow. “You can’t,” she choked.

  “I can and I will,” she snapped. “Or you can drink this and spare everyone the mess.” Cassandra could see the hatred radiating from Medusa and it thrilled her. She thrust the small bottle into Sa’s bound hands before straightening up and walking back to the cell door. “It is entirely up to you, my sister. You have until tomorrow to decide.”

  The door clanged shut and left Sa alone with her roaring thoughts. She clenched the bottle tightly not even worried about shattering it as her Whisper strength remained drained from their last s
ession. Time had run out. Jack had only managed to get her a note via Pekka informing her that word had been sent to the Whispers. But she knew they would not arrive in time. Cassandra had greatly tightened security after Jack’s first visit and any attempt on his own to break her out would be suicide. Even with Pekka and Adrianna’s help the odds were woefully against them. Sa growled in painful frustration. Jack would be loyal enough to try it anyway.

  Sa reflected on her time in Oneiroi, she’d lived here over a thousand years. Despite her long life she felt suddenly afraid to leave. How could things have gotten so horrible? Worse was knowing that it was not the first time, nor would it be the last. And yet this seemed to have topped them all and Sa had managed to get caught in the thick of it.

  If only she’d refused to join Sarai’s little rebel group traipsing across the island. She could have. Perhaps if she’d turned down their offer she’d still be basking on the beach in Llyr, or at least training with her fellow Whispers in Silvanus.

  But she could never turn down Jack. He’d asked her for her help, and even though she knew his world had shifted with Adrianna as his center, she couldn’t refuse him. She’d made her own choices and she would do so tonight. She would not be the cause of Adrianna’s misery. She would not be the reason for Jack’s torture. She would not be the fool who allowed her friends to be captured trying to save her. She would command her own life and would escape Cassandra’s clutches the only way she could.

  Slowly Sa raised the bottle to her lips and pulled out the little cork with her teeth, spitting it out across the room. By the blood of Jesu bring my soul rest, she prayed. Then she drank. Her body spasmed, resisting the poison but she strained to control her mind enough to allow the liquid to do its job. Her body felt heavy, distant. She had to let go. Her limbs hung useless, her chest filling with lead. Let go.