Chapter 733: Stronghold
Ahbi released us at the base of the prison tower, the bottom of the steps a familiar sight I'd climbed twice and, hopefully, would never have to again.
My thighs trembled at the memory of all those stairs.
Quaid grinned at me for my choice.
"Perfect," he said, speaking in a whisper and, for the first time, I remembered using mental connections and any magic, really, would trigger the stronghold's protective magic. Not to hurt us or anything, at least not here, from what Gram told me. But would trigger warnings of the Brotherhood we were around. The veil was different, the power contained inside it, so riding it wasn't an issue. But any overt, outward magic could create some serious problems.
Good thing one of us was thinking.
"I thought so," I whispered back. "Didn't think there'd be much activity here." At least, hoped. Who knew if the Brotherhood thought some back way into the prison tower was important just because the Enforcers hadn't?
Piers's face screwed up in a desperate scowl before he shook his head. "I can feel them," he said. "But I can't see where they are."
Trill reached for his hand. "Let me."
Risky. I almost warned her against it. But she wasn't alone, Owen connecting with her, then Apollo gripping his brother's fingers tightly. Owen's eyes turned black as the Zornovs eased their way into Piers's mind.
Trill closed hers a moment before turning and opening them again, eyes glowing with iridescence as she focused on Quaid.
"Here," she whispered.
He touched her cheek, a spark passing between them. Quaid frowned, nodded. Looked at me.
And his expression wasn't what I was hoping for.
"I know where they are," he said. "You're not going to like it."
And looked up the stairs.
Damn it.
"You're kidding me, right?" I rubbed my thighs and winced in anticipation. No way could I ride the veil up there without alerting every single Brotherhood member we were around. If they didn't know already. The amount of protection magic built into the top of the tower didn't allow any energy to go undetected.
I really hated Piers right about now.
We trudged up the steps, Quaid taking the rear while I led, drawing on the innate strength of my alter egos to keep me from collapsing. I'd given up running in the last year or so, gotten a bit flabby, if truth be told. No more. As soon as I got home, I was starting again.
And never stopping. Because, honestly, since there were more than enough times my power wasn't available to save me in the past, running was a skill I really needed to keep up in my line of work.
Trill hissed at me about three quarters of the way to the top. She eased past the others, the rail-less steps just wide enough for her to make it to my side.
"Someone's coming," she whispered. The echoing sound of approaching feet reinforced her warning. Quaid made his way to us at the same moment, leaning past her.
"I've been waiting for this," he said. "I'm going to try a trick. Just hold still."
Um, what?
Before I could argue, he had turned, whispered down the line. Everyone froze, backs to the wall as Quaid pressed one palm to the stone and closed his eyes.
Melting from sight as though the very stronghold absorbed him.
Trill was next, Owen, with huge eyes. Apollo. Piers. I looked down at myself, felt cool rock even through my temperature numbness, felt my body solidify, quiet, still.
As stone.
Just in time. A dozen black-robed sorcerers entered the base of the tower, looking up the stairs. I could see them still, as though through a haze of dust. They talked among themselves, too far away and muffled from the rock's embrace for me to make them out clearly. Felt the brush of emptiness over me, but I was stone, nothing to see here, move along.
We must have triggered some kind of alert, maybe mild, but enough Belaisle thought to send some of his goons to check. They talked another moment before leaving, their footsteps echoing until they passed through the arched stone doorway and were gone.
Quaid waited what felt like forever before releasing us. I started counting part way through the pause, my mind's compulsive need to know how much time passed reaching fifty before my body limbered and I stepped away from the wall with a deep breath of air.
Turned to Quaid and gently bumped his shoulder. "Nice job."
His smirk was as familiar as the chocolate of his eyes. "Varity actually taught me that one," he said. He patted the wall with some affection. "No magic involved, at least, not mine. The power of the stronghold likes us for some reason, wants us to be part of it. She said she stumbled on it when she was a trainee, trying to hide from one of her instructors." I snorted, unsurprised. "Nice to know the old boy still recognizes Enforcers."
It had to be hard for him. But if I had anything to say about it, the Enforcers would have their plane back again. And soon.
But not today. Today was about rescuing some idiots.
Right.
The last bit of climb was easier, thanks to the brief rest playing rock. I wasn't a panting mess at the top, at least. Stepped aside for Quaid who eased the door open and peeked inside.
"Any way you can use that rock trick to get us around?" Would be slick.
He shook his head. "Have to be stationary," he said. "Shhh."
Did he just shush me?
Grrr.
Oh. Someone was coming. Okay then.
The door closed softly under Quaid's hand, only the barest crack remaining. I peeked through it, my head tucked under his chin, watched as a pair of Brotherhood sorcerers passed.
"Here's the thing," I said, turning to the others with my voice hopefully only loud enough for us to hear. "I have no idea what the stronghold will do to me if I try to open the veil in there." My thumb jerked over my shoulder toward the circle of cells just beyond the door. Quaid shrugged, shook his head. No help there. "So, the plan is, get to Piers's friends. Fighting is physical only, no magic." So sucked. And yet, I assumed the sorcerers might be in the same boat. The protections around the stronghold were pretty formidable. Still, it might just serve to feed the Brotherhood during an attack. I had no way of knowing.
This was so risky it just screamed a Sydlynn Hayle caper.
"Once we have them, I'm going to try to open the veil." Knowing there were a million go-wrong variables, from the stronghold attacking and destabilizing the Node through Ahbi to being attacked myself, to the Brotherhood becoming super-powerful because I unleashed the power of the stronghold all swirled in my head, argument piled on argument while I went on. "And we haul ass." I pinned Piers with a glare. "One shot, this is it. We fail and it's all over, sunshine. Your friends are on their own."
He grunted as though I'd slapped him, but nodded.
Like I'd ever leave anyone behind.
Damned honor and crap.
"Here we go. Stay together, and remember, no magic."
Trill moved up beside me, hand holding Owen's. "We'll let you know when it's safe," she whispered. Paused. Shook her head, again. Then nodded with a soft whistle of released air. "Now. Go."
And we were going. Into the curved stone hall, Quaid beside me, Trill close behind, Piers passing cells, looking inside even though I knew they were empty.
Knew exactly where the Steam Union sorcerers were being held. The only logical place.
My old cell loomed before us around the corner, a pair of Brotherhood sorcerers talking in front of it. Didn't see us, fortunately, Quaid holding Trill back as she popped around the curve.
Piers peeked, turned to me and made an okay sign with his finger and thumb in a circle. I'd guessed right. Good for me.
Trill's eyes flew wide as she spun and poked me at the same time.
No translation necessary.
We were about to have company.
***
