…
The fire had died by the time Rell chanced moving out of Siban’s embrace. As quietly as possible, she slipped back into her clothes and crept to the door. Sending up a little prayer for silent hinges, she pulled the door open. A tiny squeak froze her in her exit. She glanced at Siban, but he didn’t move. Daring another few inches only, Rell squeezed her body through the narrow opening.
All the braziers in the hall had been doused, making it difficult to see in the darkness. She released her Tell and sent it out around her. Bits of information indicating the path to the stairs ricocheted back to her. On silent feet, she wound her way down the steps. A long bolt lay across the door, locking them in. She pushed against it, trying to lift it, but the wood was almost too heavy for her to lift alone. What she wouldn’t have given for some of her Bane strength.
Squatting, she positioned her body under the brace and lifted, doing most of the work with her legs. The rough grain dug into her hands as the barrier lifted. Once above the iron rest she tilted the bolt and rested the end against the stone frame of the door. Inch by aching inch, she lowered it until the end touched the floor.
Tremors vibrated along her arms. She pushed the wood upright and settled it against the door’s archway. After waiting a few seconds to make sure the bolt wouldn’t fall and wake up the entire manor, she inched open the front door and slipped out.
Four of the Bringers were patrolling the boundaries of the grounds. She would have to keep to the shadows and hope that Gregory hadn’t set an extra guard on the building where Icarus was being held.
Continuing to use her Tell, she wove her way across the yard, coming around the backside of the outbuilding. No alarm registered back along her awareness. Only the taint of Icarus scratched against her skin.
After scanning the area one more time, she slipped around the side and through the front, pulling the door closed behind her. A single torch burned on the wall opposite the cell. Deep shadows cast across the floor of the small room and the air was cooler inside than out.
Icarus reclined on the pallet that had been arranged for her while she had waited for her healing. The sight of him at ease took her aback. He slowly rose and walked to the center of the cage. They stared at each other. His eyes narrowed on her and she knew he understood her intent to free him.
He answered her silent announcement. “And how do you propose to accomplish such a feat?”
For the first time since she’d decided to help him escape did she realize she had no way of getting him from the cell to outside the wards. The grounds were warded throughout, though she wasn’t sure how high up the boundaries went.
“It seems your noble deed is thwarted even before you get started.”
“No.” She held up a finger. “I don’t accept defeat so easily.”
Icarus moved forward. “And what will your lover say about you helping me.”
It was a question she didn’t want to answer. “That’s not your concern. Now, let me concentrate.”
Rell had listened to Jade speak the ancient words of the warding. If Rell could remember them correctly, perhaps she could create a path wide enough for him to pass safely through.
She knelt at the door of the cell and closed her eyes. The ancient words whispered from her. A subtle shift in the vibration of the room rippled along her skin. She pressed her hands to the dirt floor and directed her intention at the wards.
What felt like the parting of water spread out in front of her. Hopefully this was the correct way to un-ward. If not, Icarus would be burned the second he touched the ground. Her progress was slow. Each foot of floor required her complete attention. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her thighs ached from squatting and moving. She sensed Icarus’s unwavering focus on her as she worked her way backward. His anticipation was palpable, goading Rell to continue.
When she reached the door, she stood and placed her hands against the wood, continuing the chant. The sensation of clearing seeped upward. Certain she’d done the best she could to clear a path, she opened the door. Before exiting, she sent her Tell outward. Again, all seemed quiet. She squatted again and laid her hands on the area just outside the door. From here Icarus would be on his own. There was nothing she could do if the ward extended over the manor, but she was positive he would take that chance.
She reentered the building and snatched the heavy cell key from the hook near the door. Thankfully, Gregory had said the ward would be powerful enough to hold the strongest demon. Still not meeting Icarus’s eyes, she unlocked the door and pulled it open.
“I think I did it.” Not fully trusting him, she stepped to the side, making sure she stood within the warded area. Though she helped Icarus escape, she wouldn’t chance him abducting her. “But know that I can’t be sure.”
He took two long steps forward and stopped at the entrance of the cell. “Why are you doing this?”
Her eyes met his. “War makes enemies of those who were once friends. It changes people and makes them do what they normally would not. I choose not to look at my enemies as a group, but as individuals. Each Bringer, human, Splinter, and even Bane have their own story. If I can help you, I will.”
“And what of the others?”
She took his question to mean the Bringers. “I don’t plan on telling them that I helped you escape, but they may figure it out.” She inhaled and released her breath. “I’m willing to take that chance.”
Though the emotion flashed across his face, Rell recognized his confusion. Without further questions Icarus lifted his foot. It hovered above the ground. Rell’s breath hitched in her chest, praying he wouldn’t burst into flames. His foot stepped solidly on the dirt floor just outside the cell. Nothing happened.
Again the breath rushed from her.
Icarus smiled and took another step.
“Walk directly to the door. Keep your wings folded until outside. I cleared a small area outside, but I don’t know how far up the wards soar.”
He nodded and edged toward freedom. Paralleling his path, Rell followed him until she reached the door. Before stepping out, he turned to her. It seemed that he struggled to find the right words. Finally he straightened, tipped his head toward her. “Perhaps I will be able to return the favor one day.”
With that, he stepped into the night and launched himself into the sky. Rell remained rooted in place. Doubt beat at her like a swarm of angry bees. But the decision had been made. Icarus was gone and there was no sense in second-guessing her reason or the outcome. She only prayed that she hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of all their lives.
Chapter Ten
Their respite from the chill fall air was over. Rell’s breath billowed around her face as she secured her pack to a small, spotted mare. She’d ridden when she was a young, but that was thirteen years ago and she hoped she wouldn’t embarrass herself.
Last night she’d slipped back into bed with Siban none the wiser to her nocturnal activity. When she’d awoken this morning he’d been gone. She’d quickly dressed and made her way downstairs, but Siban and Luc were missing from the great hall.
Her gaze searched the grounds and froze. Both men were striding across the frost-covered grass, their expressions dark. Rell returned her attention to securing her pack and tried to act natural.
“He’s gone.” Luc stopped in front of Gregory.
“Who?” the king said.
“Icarus. The bloody demon escaped.”
Murmurs circled the group. Rell yanked on the strap of her bag and then turned to face the crowd. Siban had stopped behind Luc and was now staring at her, his look of accusation apparent. She waited for him to call her out to the rest of the group. It was his right and she’d prepared herself for whatever consequences may befall her. But he said nothing.