Page 78 of Echoes of the Raven
It is only when Calierin nears exhaustion that she begins to comprehend something is amiss. Soon the colors of her magic become pale and her speed subpar. Breathing hard, she stops, fists trembling at her sides. Undeterred, she pulls out her sword with azingand takes a step forward, beginning her charge.
Kadewyn, always the more sensible of the two, puts a hand out and stops her. “Something is wrong here,” he says. “She fights with fae speed. How is that possible?”
Calierin cocks her head to one side.
“It could be the amulet,” Kadewyn says. “That or… she has fae blood in her veins.”
Kadewyn is not wrong about that. Although the latter is not the reason Valeria’s performance has outdone Calierin’s, but this could be risky. They don’t need to know Valeria’s parentage.
I position myself to Valeria’s left, with Jago flanking her on the right, and calmly remark, “I believe you are outnumbered.”
For the first time, they appear wary. I can tell Kadewyn knows they miscalculated their odds. If I had to take a guess, I would say they were propelled here solely by Calierin’s fury. She can stoke a formidable fire in anyone’s gut with promises of death and revenge. Just like any good Tuathacath warrior, her tongue can weave an intricate tapestry of rage that will only be unraveled by death. It is a skill sometimes necessary in war, but it can also be a hindrance when a leveled head is needed.
I open my mouth to tell them they need to leave, but before I can say anything, Valeria throws her sword to the ground and takes out The Eldrystone from under her tunic, pulling the chain over her head, and dangling the amulet in front of them.
“This is what your precious leader has always wanted,” she says. “It’s about time he tells us all exactly why.”
31
VALERIA
“I will have that amulet one way or another.”
Calierin Kelraek - Tuathacath Warrior and Veilfallen - 21 DV
My heart knocks hard, making it difficult to breathe. I know I’m taking a huge risk by doing this, but I find it necessary. I inhale deeply several times in order to calm down.
Fighting Calierin was exhilarating. I felt the amulet enhancing my speed enough to match hers, enough to give me the agility I should have inherited from my mother. My blood still sings with the thrill of it all, and I must gather my will to preside over this moment, to let my mind take over the physicality of the battle.
Amidst the intense focus demanded to fight the sorceress, I saw an opportunity to leverage Rífíor’s former allies to gather information. I’ve embarked on this journey with little knowledge of him, and no idea of his true motives. For all I know, he wants to destroy Tirnanog. He has refused to give me answers, but maybe he’ll talk to his own kind. He was willing to tell them where we’re headed. That shows a level of trust.
“Valeria,” Rífíor snarls, “what are you doing?”
I ignore his question. If he didn’t want me to talk to them, he shouldn’t have so casually revealed our destination to this lot, possiblyjeopardizing our plans. Perhaps, he was trying to avoid a confrontation or hoping they would join us, but whatever the case, he should have thought better of it. I don’t want Calierin anywhere near me. Impossibly as it seems, I hate her more than I hate him.
Calierin regards the amulet dangling from my hand with distaste. “So that is what you betrayed us for, Rífíor? You made us believe we could have it and then you abandoned us and let your people die like moles underground.”
Rífíor turns his attention to the sorceress, though I still feel his disapproval radiating in my direction. “I have always looked at the bigger picture.”
“The bigger picture, eh?” the sorceress sneers. “And by that you mean what, exactly? I always suspected you had ulterior motives. You keep secrets and you scheme on your own.”
“I owe you no explanations,” Rífíor bats a hand at the air, “so if you are done with your pathetic display of power, we must be on our way.”
“No.” I shake my head. “For once, I’m with your lackeys. I would like to know more.”
“That is not my problem. I am not here to satisfy anyone’s curiosity.”
“You see… that is what is wrong with you,” Calierin says. “You act as if everyone should follow you, trust you, and why? Because you are special? Nah, you are no better or different than any of us. You are just another stranded fool, trying to survive in this awful place.”
A muscle twitches in Rífíor’s jaw, suggesting he has taken offense. It appears he truly believes everyone should unquestioningly trust and obey him by virtue of… what? His good looks? I hate to agree with this bitch, but I’ve always had the same impression. Maybe the time he possessed The Eldrystone turned him into a narcissist. Except now, he’s no different from any other fae. In fact, he’s less. He doesn’t even have enough espiritu to conjure a glamour.
Rífíor sheathes his sword carelessly. “Gaspar, Esmeralda,” he calls, “let’s pack and get on the road.”
Jago crosses his arms. “Who put this one in charge?”
“No one,” I say. “I’m the only one who gives orders here.”
Rífíor shrugs. “Whatever you say, Princess. If you don’t mind the guards catching up with us.”
