“Can you kill the female?” he asked.
Ka’ya shook her head. “The male is protecting her,” she answered in a soft voice.
“I’ll draw him away. The moment you get a clear shot, take it,” Alexandru instructed
“Are you crazy?” Ka’ya exclaimed, glancing over her shoulder for a brief second before returning her gaze to the Gondas when they snapped their jaws.
“We don’t have much choice, the fog is closing in,” Alexandru reminded her in a tense voice.
“How do you plan on leading him away?” she snapped.
“I’ll think of something,” Alexandru stated.
Ka’ya watched with a mixture of horror and frustration as Alexandru stepped around her. She wanted to reach out and pull him back, but couldn’t with the bow ready to shoot in her hands. A silent groan escaped her. There was no way she was going to lose him again.
When he had fallen down the side of the cliff, she had felt a rush of emotion that she had never experienced before. It had been more than fear – there had been an intense wave of grief. The power of it reminded her of when her father had been forced from the village and she had felt powerless to stop the mob.
“Please – I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered under her breath.
A shiver ran through Ka’ya. The mist was closing in. She could feel the cool vapor swirling around her. The Gondas behind her were beginning to fight to get to the front. She refused to be distracted by them. Her focus had to remain on the massive female.
She watched Alexandru approach the male. It snapped its massive jaws at him. The sword in Alexandru’s hand swirled in a mesmerizing motion. It was obvious from the grace and pattern that he was a master swordsman. She had seen only one other man who could control a sword like that – her father.
The male Gonda started forward, but quickly pulled back when the tip of his nose broke through the mist. The creatures could only live for a few seconds without the life-giving moisture. Even that brief exposure caused their skin to shrivel. The male roared with rage at Alexandru and used its claws to gouge long, deep cuts into the rock.
Ka’ya didn’t want to think of what those claws could do to Alexandru’s flesh. Ignoring the ache from holding the bow ready, she drew in deep, steadying breaths. The female was focused on Alexandru.
“Watch out!” she warned.
The female Gonda rose up, balancing on her thick tail, and flapped her long wings. The maneuver caused the rising mist to rush forward in a wave that engulfed Alexandru. The moment it did, the male surged forward.
Ka’ya’s lips parted in shock when Alexandru moved – or at least, she thought he moved. One second he was walking toward the male, twirling the sword, the next he was gone. She knew he was there and that he had attacked because the male froze in mid-strike. Blood seeped from the hollow sockets where its eyes were and a fraction of a second later, its severed head leaned to the side before it and the body fell over the edge of the cliff.
Ka’ya reacted the instant she saw the dark red vein on the female’s chest. Her fingers opened on the string, releasing the arrow. She didn’t have time to see if the arrow struck true or to locate Alexandru. The mist had finally closed in behind her – and so had the other Gondas fighting to rip her apart.
8
The swirling sword created a low hum. Faint images danced through Alexandru’s head with each twirl. This time, they came without the pain. He didn’t try to analyze them, there was no time, he just let them flow through him. His body not only knew how to handle a sword – but what to do.
Adrenaline was surging through him and he could feel power rising within himself. Time slowed down until every detail became crystal clear to him. He saw the male’s claws raking across the rock, its large mouth snapping, and the sweep of its tail as it positioned itself between him and the female.
The female’s head tilted. He deduced from the way the female was moving her head back and forth that she used a combination of sonar and infrared heat detection to pinpoint his location. Two more females, smaller than the one in front of him, were positioned along the edge of the cliff. Three more circled in the mist nearly thirty feet below.
Alexandru turned and struck out with a blurring speed and accuracy the moment the alpha female fanned the mist toward him. The tip of the sword in his hand ran up the long, thin red line of the male guarding the female. It sliced through the leathery flesh and opened the vein from chest to chin. Alexandru swirled to avoid the alpha female when she snapped at him. Holding the hilt between both of his hands, he brought the blade under the male’s chin and sliced upwards. The force of the blow severed the male’s head from his body.
He spun and bent backwards when a female along the edge of the cliff attacked. Thrusting upward, he drove the sword through the chin of the female and up through her skull. He pulled the sword free and rolled when the second female struck. His thrust this time and pierced through the hollowed eye sockets and the brain of the creature.
Behind him, he heard the sound of Ka’ya’s arrow being released. He turned his head and watched as the arrow flew through the air. The huge female was focused on him and barely had time to protect herself. She raised her left wing at the last second. The arrow, true in its aim, would have struck the female’s heart if not for the last second defense.
The arrow embedded into her thick forearm. The female screamed in rage, her voice echoing across the valley, and she snapped her twin tails again. Instinct told Alexandru that the enraged female was sounding the attack. His gaze moved to Ka’ya. She had turned her back to him and was fighting a Gonda that had come up behind her with nothing more than her bow and a long knife. She rolled under the creature and drove the short blade down the creature’s vein before twisting away.
“Ka’ya!” Alexandru shouted.
His hand was already in motion when she turned. Her eyes widened even as her hand rose to catch the sword he was throwing to her. Her fingers wrapped around the handle and she turned in an arc, slicing through the head of a Gonda that was about to attack.
Alexandru focused his attention on the alpha female that was trying to pull the arrow out of her forearm with her mouth. Once again a feeling of power rose up inside him. This time, he embraced it and let his instincts take over. He could feel his teeth and fingernails lengthening.
The female sensed that she had met another predator – one more dangerous than herself. The female’s hackles raised and she began snapping her tails continuously in warning. Alexandru knew that if Ka’ya didn’t get out of here soon, there would be too many for them to fight.
“Ka’ya, run!” Alexandru roared.
This time it was Alexandru who struck. He ran forward and leaped when she snapped at him. A snarl of rage escaped Alexandru. His body rotated in midair and he landed on the curve between the alpha female’s shoulders.
The female circled, twisting her head to the side so she could snap her jaws at him as she tried to throw him off. Alexandru bent and dug his nails just above each shoulder. Rolling to the side to avoid the whip of her tail, he dragged his sharp nails down her shoulder, opening the flesh before his feet hit the ground and he pushed off to do a forward roll under the alpha’s body.
He saw Ka’ya approaching from the side. The other Gondas were feasting on the two dead ones that Ka’ya had just killed. It wouldn’t take long for them to finish off the carcasses and resume their attack.
Alexandru saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. The female had turned her attention toward Ka’ya. Swinging around, the alpha aimed the deadly tip of her tail at Ka’ya. Alexandru flew forward and wrapped one arm around Ka’ya’s waist at the same time as he grabbed the end of the female’s tail.
Without enough space to stop before hitting the side of the cliff, he braced for impact. As he turned, Ka’ya spun around. Her arm rose, the sword grasped in her hand slicing through the end of the female’s tail. He dropped the piece of the tail he was holding. It fell to the ground, twit
ching and flopping on the rocky surface, darkening it with red blood. In the background, the female howled with pain and jerked back, closer to the edge.
“I need you to get to the safety of the valley floor,” he gritted out.
“Alexandru….” Ka’ya’s wide eyes told him that she was shocked by his changed appearance.
“Go, Ka’ya. There are too many. Think of your brother,” he instructed.
“I—” Ka’ya started to protest.
“I will find you,” he promised. “Go now. The others are coming.”
Alexandru released Ka’ya and briefly touched her cheek before he turned away. The female hissed at him and waved her damaged tail in the air. The female’s wing came down, curving in an effort to protect her chest. Alexandru saw the arrow still sticking out of her forearm and a plan formed in his mind. A sardonic grin curved his lips.
“Time to die, bitch,” he growled, leaping forward to attack once more.
Ka’ya paused in uncertainty. She stumbled forward, her heart pounding. One second Alexandru was holding her, the next he was gone – vanished – only to reappear in front of the female Gonda. Her body shook and she ran her trembling hand along the rock behind her to steady herself as she slid past the female. Behind her, the Gondas were still feasting on the dead.
Alexandru’s words echoed in her ears while what she was seeing was forever seared into her mind. This was not a man – he was a beast – something made of magic. There was no doubt in her mind that wherever Alexandru came from, it was not from her world.
Ka’ya may not have traveled to the ends of it, but she had met with people who had over the years. Even her mother’s family had traveled far and wide before returning to the village. She loved the stories her mother had told her when she was little; yet, she had never told her of someone like Alexandru.
Tears burned her eyes when she saw Alexandru hit the female. The blow drove the female over the side of the cliff, scattering the other Gondas, and clearing the path for Ka’ya to run. Her cry was smothered when the female reached out and grabbed Alexandru at the last second, pulling him with her into the dark mists below.
The Gondas behind her screeched in fury, reminding her that she wasn’t safe yet. Breaking into a run, she navigated the slippery path at a reckless speed. The Gondas, unable to keep up on the ground, took to the air. She sliced through three of them before she broke through the mist and onto the lower section of the trail nearly fifty feet from the forest floor. She didn’t slow until she reached more level ground and the safety of the canopy.
A soft sob escaped her. The sound surprised her since she couldn’t remember the last time she had cried. Raising a shaking hand to her cheek, she felt the unfamiliar dampness on it. She impatiently wiped the tears away.
Following the path, she broke through the trees to a wide, shallow stretch of a river. She picked her way across the rocks to the edge of the water and sank down. Laying the sword down on her right side and her bow on her left, she leaned forward and scooped up a double handful of water. She stared down at her reflection in the water for a moment, seeing her light green eyes staring back at her.
“Is he so different from me?” she asked herself. “Do I not have a touch of magic inside me? If….” She stopped and drew in a deep breath. Splashing the water on her face, she washed off the dirt and blood. When she was finished, she sat back and stared across the water. “If he is a beast, then what does that make me? We are different.” Ka’ya glanced up at the sun streaming through a hole in the mists. “Please, Goddess. Please help Alexandru.”
The sound of rocks shifting behind her sent a rush of adrenaline through Ka’ya. In a graceful turn, she grabbed the sword next to her, rose, and swiveled on her heel. She blinked, shook her head, ran her hand over her eyes, and blinked again when she saw a woman walking toward her.
Tilting her head, she studied the vivid purple haired and strangely dressed figure as she approached. The woman was waving her hand back and forth in front of her, trying to push a huge, colorful feather away from her face. The bobbing feather was attached to a bizarre hat that actually looked like it was alive. She was wearing a lavender dress adorned with white lace and white ankle boots. The only thing that kept her from toppling over was the matching white trimmed lavender sunshade that she was using as a walking stick.
“My word but I swear the Fates picked the worst time to ask me for a favor! The final race of the Belmont is about to begin,” the woman said with another wave of her hand. “Will you please turn your butt around? Your feathers are driving me crazy!”
Ka’ya was about to reply that she didn’t have any feathers when a bird stood up on the woman’s hat and turned in a circle before settling back down. Its tail feathers now cascaded down the woman’s back. Ka’ya snapped her mouth closed when the woman gave her a bright, assessing look up and down.
“That’s much better. Oh my, I do believe I’m slightly over dressed,” she mused.
“Who… What… are you?” Ka’ya asked in a hesitant voice.
“What? Oh, I do apologize. I’m Topper, love, Alexandru’s great-aunt. Where is the boy?” she asked, gazing around before she turned her violet eyes back onto Ka’ya. “You haven’t drowned him, have you?”
Ka’ya shook her head. “No, he….”
Ka’ya’s voice faded and she looked up at the mist-covered cliff above the trees. Her throat tightened and tears burned in her eyes again. Pursing her lips together, she turned back and gazed in silence at the woman. The woman was stroking a small strand of her hair and had a thoughtful expression on her face.
“Oh! Yes, well. I’m sure he is fine. The boy is an excellent fighter and bounces as well as any werewolf. When he shows up, can you let him know I popped in to make sure he was fine? I guess Tory is beside herself and it isn’t good to be upset in her condition. Now, I really must go. I have stakes on a 50-1 odds race and I have been informed by someone who should know that my horse will win. Give Alexandru my love,” Topper replied.
“But…!”
Ka’ya glanced back toward the cliff before turning to glare at the woman. She jerked back several steps when she saw that she was alone. Once again, she could feel her mouth hanging open.
“I’ve gone mad,” Ka’ya whispered, raising a hand to rub her eyes.
She gazed around her for several minutes before a shiver escaped her. The lonesome howl told her that the wolfhounds had sensed her presence. She turned when she heard the sound of splashing behind her. Lowering her sword, she slid it into the scabbard at her side before raising a hand for the alpha to come close.
Ka’ya knelt on one knee and wrapped her arms around the alpha’s neck. She turned her head and buried her face in the warm fur. The other two wolfhounds whined and pressed close to her sides.
“Thank you. At least I know I’m not dead if you are here by my side,” she murmured, stroking each of the wolfhounds before standing. “We need to set up camp.”
Walking back to the edge of the river, Ka’ya bent and picked up her bow. She would need to gather materials to make more arrows. Drawing in a deep breath, she glanced up at the cliff. The entire upper level of the valley was covered in mist. Pain pierced her when she realized that there was no way Alexandru could have survived.
“Please, Goddess, let the woman’s words be real and true,” she whispered.
She reluctantly turned away from the cliff and focused on her own survival. She would be no help to Dru or her mother if she died. The knowledge did nothing to ease the pain in her heart, though.
9
An hour later, Ka’ya had a fire going with a small fowl roasting on a spit over the flames. The wolfhounds were settled around her. She sat on a log and skillfully made shafts from the thin branches from a particular type of tree her father had shown her when she was young.
The process soothed her. Her mind felt shattered and confused. Neither of those emotions was familiar to her. She placed the knife she was using down on the log next to
her and blew off the shavings on the shaft. She lifted the shaft and eyed it, checking to see if it was straight before she lowered it and ran her fingers along the wood.
“You know, a man could get some wild ideas watching you do that,” a tired voice commented from the shadows.
The wolfhounds scrambled to their feet in surprise. The alpha released a soft warning growl before whining. Ka’ya slowly lowered the shaft and placed it next to her knife. Rising to her feet, she ran her trembling hands down along her side.
“Alexandru,” she breathed.
Alexandru stepped into the light of the fire. Her gaze ran over his face. Deep lines around his mouth and eyes told of his exhaustion. The front of his shirt was ripped and she could see the stain of blood on the front of it. She quickly stepped around the fire and held her hands out to him when he swayed.
“I told you,” he said, leaning heavily on her when she wrapped her arm around him.
“You told me what?” she asked.
She tilted her face to gaze up at him in the flickering fire light. She could feel the fatigue threatening to buckle his knees. Guiding him over to the pallet she had made, she tenderly helped him to sit down on it. A surprised gasp caught in her throat when he pulled her down beside him.
“I promised you that I would find you,” he said in a slurred voice.
“Yes, you did,” she replied, turning to face him. “Let me look at your wounds.”
“They hurt, but they’ll heal,” he said.
“I’m sure they do,” she chuckled.
Gently reaching forward, she brushed the opening to his jacket aside and lifted the bottom of the shirt he was wearing beneath it. It was destroyed. Three long rips down the front went from the collar down to almost the end. The fabric was saturated with blood.