The unknown woman sat in front of Gregory on his horse, and Trace supported the still unconscious man in front of him. It appeared the Saints had decided to smile upon them for a brief period. No other incidents disrupted their course to Illuma Grand. Siban didn’t know how he would react if Rell acted so rashly again. He stilled his anger. And to think that they’d only just begun the journey.
They entered the gates of Illuma Grand a few hours after sunup, and already the place bustled with activity. Their arrival caused quite a stir. Riding two abreast, the line of Bringers dominated the roadway leading to the palatial structure. The people of Illuma Grand pointed, some touching their chins and whispering, obviously knowing enough about Bringers to recognize Siban and the other Tells’ more visible tattoos.
The white stone entrance of the main building stretched across the grounds, its archways teeming with inhabitants as they filed out to see what the excitement was about. Gregory stopped at the wide steps and dismounted before helping the woman down from his horse.
An older woman’s cry ripped through the air, drawing all attention to her. She pushed her way through the crowd and ran to the young woman who had been attacked by the Bane, enveloping her in her arms. Three men clad in gray took command of the unconscious man and carried him through the crowd and into the first archway.
Siban and the rest of the Bringers dismounted, handing their reins to several more gray-clad men, who led the horses away. Rell stood amongst the activity with her arms wrapped around her like a shield. Siban moved to stand beside her and placed an arm around her waist. Instantly she relaxed.
“What is going on here?” said a large man from the top step.
Though Siban had never met him, he recognized Fromme Bagita at once. Ornately dressed, he wore enough gold around his neck to feed a small village for a year. Though only one of the ruling Bringer Council, the man held himself like a king, which from what they’d been told, was exactly his goal. The arrogant lord had no idea that the true king was already in residence.
While Gregory removed his gloves, he climbed the steps to meet Fromme. “My group and I encountered these two young people on our journey this morning. They had been captured by four Demon Bane.”
Gasps and cries of shock traveled through those assembled, intensifying the din to a dull roar. From the smug look on Gregory’s face, that had been his goal. Fromme’s refusal to believe that the Bane were again rising was well known.
“Calm down.” Fromme waved his meaty, bejeweled fingers in the air. “I’m sure Sir Gregory is exaggerating the situation.”
“He’s not.” The woman they had saved from the demons pushed free of the older woman’s hold. “We were a mile beyond the boundaries of Illuma Grand when we were set upon by Bane.” She walked to the steps and climbed the first three, turning to the crowd. “The Bane are real, and they are after Bringers.” She looked up at Fromme. “They said that Liam and I would make a nice addition to King Vile’s collection.”
Again the outrage of the crowd swelled, sending a wave of anger and fear through Siban. He clamped down on his mental barriers, trying to block out the people’s panic. The emotions lessened enough for him to concentrate on what was happening around him.
“I’m sure you’re mistaken, MaryBeth.” Fromme’s nervous stare bounced around the crowd and leveled back at the woman. “Perhaps you and Liam were sneaking away for an intimate rendezvous.”
The older woman gasped and pushed forward, glaring up at him. “How dare you sully my granddaughter’s reputation. She is a good girl, and Liam is a respectable boy. He has been severely injured but instead of helping him, you cast aspersions at him.” She climbed two steps. “I want to know what you’re going to do about this, Lord Bagita. Too many of our people have gone missing already. What are you doing to prevent the Bane from taking more of us?”
A heavy silence fell over the crowd, all eyes turning to their supposed leader, a man, in Siban’s opinion, who had an interest in nobody’s welfare but his own.
A greasy smile spread across Fromme’s face in an attempt to distract the crowd. “I will meet with Lord Gregory.” He paused and motioned toward their party. “And the rest of his people, and I promise we will figure out a solution.”
Heads bobbed up and down with approval. The people began to talk amongst themselves, tossing out theories and solutions. Gregory motioned his party forward and a path opened, allowing the Bringers to pass. Siban’s hand remained at Rell’s waist and she made no attempt to detach herself from his touch. His ire lessened. It was obvious she struggled with not only her powers, but also with being a part of a now highly visible group. He would not add to her anxiety by stating his piece. What she needed right now was his comfort.
Lord Bagita led them through the marble halls, the click of his boot heels echoing off the high walls. Siban scanned the rooms as they passed them, but nothing registered as odd. People stepped aside but continued to follow them with surprised stares.
The group followed Fromme to the far end of a wide hallway. Two giant doors that looked as if they were made of gold spanned the width of the wall. Without stopping or knocking, Fromme threw the doors wide open and strode inside, taking his place in an oversized chair that reminded Siban of a throne.
Before entering, Gregory stopped and turned to the Bringers. “I need a group to stand guard outside the room and make sure we are not interrupted.” He dropped his voice to a whisper, his gaze leveling on Juna. “See what you can find out from the people about any more missing Bringers. Also I need a group to search the Council Chamber. Juna will know what to look for. You have an hour at best.”
Ravyn nodded. “I’ll go.”
“So will I,” Jade said.
“Me, too.” Rell stepped forward but Siban wrapped his hand around her arm, halting her. She looked at his hold and then at his face. “Let go.”
The statement was laced with determination. Not wanting to cause a scene, he released her and stepped away. Though they were lovers, he was not her keeper, and she seemed bent on reminding him of that.
…
Rell thought that Siban would protest, and from the way he had grabbed her, the thought had crossed his mind. He had let her go, albeit reluctantly.
Though Juna was a powerful Tell, as witnessed by the way she’d bound Rell’s powers this morning, and probably didn’t need her help, Rell wanted to try and make up for her carelessness earlier. Reconciling the anger she’d felt when seeing Nab and understanding the overwhelming euphoria of power when she’d released her mental shields was difficult. Now, an hour after the incident, she could see the danger she’d put herself and the group in. The Bringers fought as one and would have risked their lives if she’d gotten in trouble. She pushed back the twinge of shame and moved to stand beside Jade.
The twins, Odette and Okee, took their post on either side of the chamber, and the remaining eight Bringers filed inside. Gregory gave the women a pointed stared before closing the door behind him.
“The best thing to do would be to head directly to the Council Chamber,” Ravyn said. “We can work our way up from there and speak with the people once we’ve done our search.”
“I agree. I’ve tried to search the chamber twice, but somebody has always interrupted me.” Juna fell in beside Ravyn as they made their trek back down the hallway. “Hopefully this time we’ll turn up something.”
Jade gave an unladylike snort. “We always find something interesting when we visit Illuma Grand. It’s inevitable.”
“That doesn’t sound too reassuring.” Rell looked at her sister and smirked. “Then again, you do have a talent for finding trouble.”