Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice Read online

  He glanced over his shoulder at her and grinned. “Then we have a truce.”

  She stared at his back. “You said I opened the access to and came through the portal. Where is it?”

  He kept walking. “Look behind you.”

  Erynn spun. She stumbled and swayed at the sight before her. The curved edge of a fiery circle of low flames about four meters in diameter was suspended in midair above where she had been standing a moment ago. Like a burning hoop lying on its side, flames crossed to the center space, the fire spreading a radiant glow into the dark. A wooden ladder rose into the blaze, appearing on the other side, untouched. “How…Why didn’t I see it when I came through or when I stood below it?”

  “Remember? Perceptions? You don’t understand how to see things here. Not yet. That will change with time. Come on. The others are anxious to meet you.”

  She studied the portal.

  How will I get back through all that fire and seal the portal?

  “Erynn, come on. You can return to the portal. Later. I’ll bring you.”

  She followed, but couldn’t help glancing behind as she went.

  Fires burned in oily pits in the ground. Smoke rose, carried high. Socar Batahs and Shifters stayed close to the warmth. They nodded to Tine and gawked at Erynn.

  “Don’t they know it’s not polite to stare?” Erynn unfastened her coat. She wiped at perspiration beading on her forehead. Sweat trickled down the hollow of her back. She glanced at the smoke drawn up and out of the cavern.

  To the surface? Could I use the same path?

  “Forgive them. Most of us have never seen a human.”

  “Have you? Seen a human? I must look…odd to you.”

  “You’re my first. Not odd, though. Your skin shines like your sun. Your eyes are the color of your sky.”

  A Socar Batah crept forward, head down. The body shape, under loose clothing similar to Tine’s except for the color, appeared female, her feet bare. Long dark-brown hair hid her face. Downy-soft fur matching the deep locks falling around her head covered her body. Pointed ears extended at an angle past the top of her head. She extended a tray of raw, rotting meat toward Erynn.

  Erynn grimaced. “Ummm. No thanks.”

  Tine growled low in his throat. “Humans don’t eat inite feiol.” He turned to Erynn. “Sorry. That’s all she has to offer you here.”

  The female backed up quickly, her head still down. About a meter away, her gaze rose to meet Erynn’s. Solid-black almond-shaped eyes glittered in the firelight.

  Erynn gasped.

  “Females of our kind stay underground. Their eyes can’t adjust to the light, and they would be blind, helpless on the surface.”

  Erynn returned her attention to the female. “I didn’t mean to be unkind. I’m sorry.”

  The female grinned. Teeth glittered. “Tuse gala-nin.” Her voice was a soft purr.

  “You beautiful.” At least she didn’t say, “You delicious.”

  “Thanks.” Erynn rubbed damp palms down her thighs.

  “You understand what she said?” Tine asked with a snarl. He frowned. The expression caused his features to crease and tighten.

  “No.” Erynn shook her head. “Umm, she smiled. Didn’t she? So I, uh, just assumed she said something courteous.”

  Careful. Change the subject.

  “Tine, if I can’t get back up the ladder to the fortress, how do I get out of here?” Erynn faced him, her manner authoritative.

  He shook his head slowly. “You don’t, Erynn. I’ll send word to Dhoran. He’ll decide what we do with you.” Tine straightened to his full height. He stepped closer to Erynn. He wrapped his strong fingers around her arm, claws digging into her flesh. “Make yourself comfortable. Dhoran is far from here, on the surface. This could take awhile. But I’m sure he’ll be quite interested in you.”

  They have contact with Dhoran. Not good. But if they can get out, so can I. I hope.

  Erynn’s respirations increased. Her hand rested on the butt of the staser. She thought about bending time, but where could she run in the brief moment given her? She needed to get information about this place and the inhabitants without exposing her abilities.

  My chance will come, hopefully before Dhoran does.

  Socar Batahs and Shifters moved forward from the dark and around the fires. They encircled Tine and Erynn. The Shifters hissed and ducked their heads in Erynn’s direction. Their fear assailed her. She narrowed her exposure to their mounting unease.

  They’re afraid? Why? I’m glad they can’t feel how scared I am right now.

  The Socar Batahs stepped around the anxious Shifters. Their sense of her wasn’t apprehension—just the opposite. Curious, they reached out as if to touch her, but didn’t.

  Tine glanced at her fingers gripping the staser. He leaned in and whispered, his breath hot against her ear. There was humor in his tone. “That wouldn’t be wise. Not yet. Learn how to see first.” He let go of her arm with a forceful push.

  Off balance, she fell against another Socar Batah, who shoved her to the rocky ground with minimal effort on his part. His large brown eyes shone down at her with a fierce burning. Deep-black hair swung around his face. He grinned, showing his teeth. A guttural stream of unknown words issued from him. He laughed, the sound a high, frantic yip.

  “He told you to behave. As if you had a choice.” Tine chuckled and glanced around.

  Erynn’s jaw tightened, biting back her anger. She dropped her gaze. A tingling buzz of static snapped around her.

  Control. This is not the time. Control.

  A knock sounded on Nev’s office door. “Nev, we’re ready.” Maire’s voice was muffled through the barrier.

  Dhoran smiled so the emotion would carry in his tone. “I’ll be right there, Maire.” He slammed his fist against the desk and stood up in one motion.

  General Gaden jerked and lowered his gaze.

  Dhoran hurried around the clutter in the office, confronting the general. He bent forward, his face centimeters from Gaden’s. “Find out what is going on. I don’t care how you do it. I want to know where Erynn is. Why has Jaer gone to Deanaim? What happened to the Interceptors Cale sent?”

  Gaden flinched with each question fired at him. His COM phone beeped, and he reached for it. He slid the clip around his ear, visibly relieved by the distraction. “Yes?” Silence. “What do you mean, gone? How is that possible?”

  Dhoran tipped forward, his forehead touching Gaden’s temple. A low hissing pushed between his clenched teeth.

  Gaden shut his eyes. “They’re headed back? Yes. I want to debrief them personally.” He removed the clip.

  “Well?” Dhoran growled. “What is it?”

  Gaden cleared his throat. “They lost Erynn in Deanaim. Jaer believes the guardians told her where to find the access to the portal.” He glanced up, momentarily meeting Dhoran’s eyes. “Erynn has entered your underworld, My Lord.”

  Dhoran threw his head back and laughed. “I think Nev is about to have a family emergency requiring him to leave the base for an extended time.” He grabbed either side of Gaden’s neck. “Have someone see to a replacement, would you?” He slapped Gaden’s cheek and hurried out the door.

  Chapter 19

  ERYNN GRITTED HER TEETH AND pulled one knee under her. She pushed off the rough stone and stood to her full height. All the while, she stared at the Socar Batah who’d shoved her to the ground, daring him with narrowed eyes and a set jaw to try it again. Whether the outcome was good or bad, no matter what, she would use her abilities. She refused to allow anyone, including the Socar Batahs, to treat her in a violent manner. If he or one of the others touched her again…

  However, no one attempted to force her back to the rough stone. They stepped away, watching her. Quiet yipping punctuated the Socar Batahs’ low growls. Approval drifted from their minds and stood out in their eyes.

  The Shifters scrambled back to the far sides of the fires, taking their uneasiness with them.


  She tugged at her jacket, smoothing the bunched material and winced. She raised her arm and glanced at her hand. A jagged shard of rock poked from her palm. Bloody fluid oozed around the chip’s uneven edges. She plucked the sliver from her flesh, wiped her hand down her thigh, and tossed the bloody shard into the fire. The flames quickly flared a brilliant blue before returning to a blazing orange.

  Shifters hissed and bowed their heads, retreating from the blue inferno. The Socar Batahs kept their gaze on Erynn. A rush of alarmed yips and soft howls flowed among the onlookers.

  “I’ve never seen that happen before,” Tine whispered and frowned.

  Their startled interest in the fierce blue flames quickly changed to wonder. Curiosity swelled from the Socar Batahs like a wave, rolling over Erynn with a faint undercurrent of…respect.

  Tine stared at her, a light smile lifting his lips. “Well played, Erynn Yager. You’ve made it clear your position is not weak or submissive.”

  Erynn spun on Tine, her anger smoldering. “You allowed this. You said I wouldn’t be harmed. Aren’t you in charge?”

  Tine’s forehead rose, making his eyes even larger. “Were you? Harmed? The challenge had to happen eventually. Better to get these formalities out of the way at the onset.” He tipped his head, his brow creased. Tine grinned. “You believe I’m in charge?” His gaze darted behind her. “Interesting.”

  “Formalities? What formalities?” Erynn continued to stare at him, her tone low. “Never mind. I don’t plan to stay long enough to learn your ways.”

  Tine chuckled. “Oh, Erynn. You still don’t grasp your situation, do you?”

  She bit back the retorts that jumped to her mind, keeping them from springing to her lips.

  Don’t argue. Don’t confront. Get information.

  She took in a long, slow breath. “Why can’t you survive on the surface? The cold?”

  “No. We could adjust to the cold. It’s the sun. Ultimately, the light would kill us. Perhaps you haven’t heard the stories, not being an inhabitant of Arranon. More generations ago than I can count, life on Arranon was given a choice. To live on the surface in the light and cold, or below in the warm dark.”

  Erynn nodded. “I’ve heard that much. But why does that prevent you from returning to the surface?”

  “The choice was a binding contract, Erynn. Entered into and agreed upon by our ancestors above and below.”

  “A bond? With who?” Erynn asked.

  “With Arranon.” Tine shifted on bare feet, gazing behind her. “Drom, the one who challenged you, is ready to leave for our trialath, our village.” Tine leaned in to Erynn and whispered, “He believes he can feel the sun this close to the surface. Makes him nervous.” He ducked his head and hid a smile with his hand.

  “Wait. Where are we going?” Erynn held the tremor that hit her body from invading her voice. “You said you would take me back—to the portal.”

  “And I will.” Tine dropped his head, his tone insistent. “But now we have to go.”

  Drom tapped Erynn’s shoulder. He swept his arm out and pointed past the last fire.

  Tine nodded. “Drom wants you to walk with him.”

  Erynn’s attention drifted from Tine to Drom, and to Tine again. “Doesn’t he speak?”

  Tine pushed at the small of Erynn’s back, urging her forward. “Get moving. It’s an honor to walk with the cabrawth. And yes, he can speak, but not in a language you would understand. Now go.”

  “Bo nahl ven.” Drom’s deep voice echoed in the cavern. His brown eyes crinkled around the edges. He smiled and stepped in next to Erynn on her right. He grabbed a torch from a Socar Batah who held two of the flaming batons and strode away from the oily pools of fire. His long dark hair swung with his smooth, rapid gait.

  Tine hurried behind, pushing at Erynn, urging her to keep pace.

  “Tine?” Erynn glanced back. Socar Batahs followed Tine single file, Shifters bringing up the rear.

  “Go. We can talk more later.”

  Away from the fires, a path angled down, the dark before her a solid barrier. Three Socar Batahs went ahead, torches held high, lighting the way. A meerat scurried in front of them. The Socar Batah on the left bent forward, reached out with a lightning grab, and snared the small creature. He stuffed the squealing, shrieking, wiggling body into his open mouth and chewed. Blood dribbled down his chin and from the corners of his mouth. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and licked his fingers.

  Erynn tore her gaze away, but not fast enough. The sight burned into her mind.

  She glanced back at Tine, and he shrugged.

  Think of something else. Concentrate on the predicament you’re in.

  The vernacular Drom spoke wasn’t Comhra, the ancient language of Arranon. The female Socar Batah’s words were, though. Tine appeared to understand Comhra, Drom’s dialect, and the predominate language of the surface. Yet, Tine obviously wasn’t the leader here—Drom was. She stared up at him. Drom was a little taller than Tine, with a heavier, more muscular body.

  Tine poked her shoulder.

  She jerked and glanced back at Tine. “What?” she mouthed.

  Tine gave his head a subtle shake and frowned. “Don’t stare at him,” he whispered.

  Erynn turned her attention straight ahead. She watched the graceful movements of the three in front of her. Muscles rippled under their gray clothing. Flat, bare feet padded softly against the rough stone of the path. Long hair swayed with a gentle motion. Their actions were hypnotic.

  She remembered the story Zander had told her. The Socar Batahs and Shifters had lived in peace with the surface inhabitants for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Dhoran changed the dynamics of this tranquil co-existence with his hunger for power and his burning desire to rule both realms.

  Tine tapped her shoulder again. He pointed forward when he got her attention. “The transition station.”

  She realized she’d been staring at the ground, lost in her musings. The tunnel ahead narrowed. The air glowed a pale blue and shimmered like gently sheeting water.

  Transition station?

  She hesitated.

  Drom grasped the back of her coat and shoved.

  A dry, hot wind blew over Erynn. Static popped like an electrical storm around her. She rocked back. Her head tipped. She watched the ceiling of rock passing above her. Falling, she reached out.

  Tine steadied her. “The first time one transitions is rough.” He called into her ear around the rushing wind, pushing her upright. With his arms around her waist, Tine supported her weight. “Take a deep breath,” he ordered. The soft fur of his cheek brushed her face.

  Air sucked from Erynn’s lungs. Her chest squeezed, rebelling against her attempt to pull in needed oxygen. Her heart pounded a frantic staccato beat. Sparkling pinpoints of white light danced before her eyes. The flashing radiance didn’t come from the Anim Blath this time.

  Tine shook her, his voice firm, loud. “Breathe, Erynn. Breathe or you’ll die.”

  Drom turned and studied Erynn. He slapped her hard across the face. The burn of his claws seared her cheek. He bared his teeth, growled, and spoke something to Tine. His unknown words were a distant confusion of mumbled utterances. Drom grabbed Erynn’s jacket. He jerked her from Tine and lifted. Her feet barely touched the rough stone.

  He was close. Close enough that she could smell the rotted meat on his breath.

  No, I can taste it.

  Her stomach wanted to revolt. His lips were about to touch hers. Her arms seemed to weigh more than an Interceptor, but she raised them anyway and pushed at Drom’s chest with weak, tingling hands.

  I need air.

  The realization stabbed into her fractioning thoughts. Dark fingers moved at the edge of her awareness, folding over her mind.

  Air. Now!

  An icy wind swirled around her, cooling the heat of panic. A fresh breeze teased her nose, slipped between her lips, found passage into her constricted lungs, and filled them.

&nbs
p; Erynn gasped, coughed, and gasped again. Her throat and chest loosened. Chilled air passed into every cell of her body. Drom’s face blurred. The murmuring of the Socar Batahs faded. An inky blackness like a dense cloud enveloped her.

  Whispers landed feather soft against her ears. She waved at them as she would a buzzing centinent that annoyed her.

  Quiet snickering and giggles ensued.

  Erynn bolted upright.

  Small figures scurried out of sight, into shadows and past an open door.

  Her body ached. She rubbed at tender points on her ribs and arms. Erynn glanced around. She sat on a raised wooden bed covered with soft furs in a small room with walls constructed of seamlessly piled stones. The craftsmanship amazed her. The ceiling consisted of small logs secured with dark pitch and leather straps. Beautifully crafted wooden chests sat along the wall opposite the bed. Empty sconces made of a heavy metal in an intricate design bracketed an opening into another larger room. A fire burned in a stone hearth, giving off a faint light.

  Erynn pushed off the bed and stood up, balancing with her hand on a bedpost. Her legs held her weight with only a little protest. She gazed down. Clothing similar to the Socar Batahs’ replaced her thick coat and flight suit. “How…When…No. Who dressed me in these?”

  They weren’t gray like Drom and Tine’s, or brown like the female in the cavern beneath the fortress wore. Hers were dark, a deep-blue or green. The color was hard to discern in the gloom. The material was thin and light, soft to the touch. No need for warm clothing here. Her clothes, the ones she’d been wearing when she arrived, were nowhere to be seen.

  Soft boots of a supple tan leather sat at the foot of the bed. She slipped her feet into them, folded the cloth of the pant legs inside the tall boots, and tied the crisscrossed straps around her calves.

  She stepped into the room beyond. Identical seamless stone walls and ceiling adorned this space. Substantial furniture made from heavy wood and covered with thick furs sat in a semicircle around the hearth. The fire crackled and snapped. There were no windows. A bulky door of small logs lashed with leather strapping and anchored to the stone with ornate metal hinges and handle was opposite the fire.