Page 97 of A Crown Without Mercy

“How is it possible?”

“Only the Acherons and the Guild know its secret. It has been this way since the end of the war. For security reasons, they grant the only outside communication to those who serve the crown, such as the Barouqe Warriors.”

“I had no idea,” Calista replied.It explains why I couldn’t get a hold of Sylvana the night she didn’t come home.

“Stay here and let me know if Mira returns. I have called upon the Legion, and they are headed here as we speak. We will go in search of them,” Cadell said.

“I’m coming with you. We both know she’s not coming back tonight.”

“I think it would be best for you to remain here.”

“Absolutely not. I need two minutes to change and if you don’t take me with, I will go on my own.”

Cadell stared at her and how she tilted her head to let him know she would not waiver.

“I’ll be waiting outside. I assume your mare is in the barn?”

“Yes.”

As they headed outside the Legion’s stallions were galloping down the road. She mounted her mare and they met the warriors halfway.

Cadell placed his fist to his heart and nodded. “As you know, Laurent and Mira are missing. I can only think of one place they would feel safe for the night. I would assume they have headed for our country estate.”

“Then we have no time to waste,” Leodion replied.

Their stallions thundered down the winding dirt road; once the trees thinned, they slowed and then came to a stop at the edge of tree line.

“It’s awfully dark in there,” Cadell stated.

“I assume they wouldn’t light the lanterns if they were trying to be discrete,” Markus replied.

Cadell kicked his stallions’ hindquarters, and they trotted across the field. He looked down and noticed multiple sets of fresh imprints. “Leodion, someone else has been here.”

Most of the members of the legion spread out in a defensive position while the rest dismounted and walked around the area.

“It looks like they headed away from the manor,” another stated as he studied the tracks.

“Shit!” Cadell mounted his stallion, who broke into a gallop toward the cottage. “Laurent?”

“Mira?” Calista yelled.

“We will surround the manor,” Markus said as he motioned for a half of the warriors to head in opposite directions. Meanwhile, Leodion had dismounted his stallion along with a few others, all of whom followed Cadell.

Cadell slowly opened the door, cautiously walked in and they spanned out. “It doesn’t appear as if anyone has been here.”

“I can’t sense anyone,” Leodion stated.

“Laurent?” Cadell called out.

“Mira, if you are here, come out right now!” Calista demanded.

“They have not been here,” another stated as he appeared from around the corner.

“The tracks in the field. I fear someone has taken them,” Cadell stated.

“It appears so,” Leodion agreed. “We followed one set of tracks here and there are multiple tracks heading in the opposite direction.”

“Cadell, please tell me they are going to be okay,” Calista stated.

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