Lend Me Your Mind: Chest of Souls, #2

By Michelle Erickson

Brenna Tybar assumed everyone could modify an entire species, raise the dead, and speak with Deity, because she’s done all of those things and more. Yet, even with all her power, she can’t make Talon Ryhawk love her. 

Talon has questions no one will answer. Like why he has to keep moving, what his father does for a living, and what really happened to his mother. The answers he does receive aren’t comforting. 

Odd things have started to happen - the ship he is on sinks, a woman from legend rises from the sea, and he has to keep a secret he never wanted to know. Danger tracks him from the Ammon Islands to the far western shore of Utak. 

Brenna and Talon are worlds apart, but one step closer to powering the Chest of Souls. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Erickson
• Release date: Jul 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536560732

Book preview

Chapter 1:  Day of Sacrifice

The long anticipated Day of Sacrifice had arrived in Sogo. Ketu Modae, a handmaiden to the High Priestess Saro and spy for the Hi-Sha of Eyes, read the note that had been left for her:

Day of Sacrifice is not what it seems – R

She re-read the words and tried to decipher why Raen, the High Priestess’s personal handmaiden, would write such a thing.  All she could do at this point was keep it in mind. 

Raen had already reported that the children and slaves to be sent to the Unknown God were ready.  They had performed the purification rituals and were gathered in the tunnel to wait their turn. 

Under Saro’s direction, all stray children and ignorant people who entered Sogo on a daily basis were taken to the Temple for sacrifice.  In Raen’s estimation, there were more than enough people gathered to satisfy the bloodthirsty population.

The citizens in Sogo knew the number of sacrifices because the Temple workers were ordered to put up a large plaque outside each entrance and change the numbers as needed.  The population took this to be a sign that the High Priestess was on top of things. 

Raen had privately interviewed each candidate for sacrifice.  Each sacrifice was assigned a headband, armband, sash, or leg band according to their worthiness.  She held the list of instructions in her hands.

According to the list, those wearing feathered red headbands had the ability to read, write, or teach.  The number of feathers indicated proficiency.  In this group of sacrifices, the highest number of feathers was six.  The woman who wore that headband could read, write, and teach in four languages. The orange armband signified those who had military training or were tradesman. A sash around their waist meant no formal schooling.  Most in this group were farmers or laborers. The yellow leg band indicated those who had employable skills like weavers, tanners, and masons.  All of the children wore white. 

None of this would be understood by those who came to watch, must less participate.  She wished she’d had more time to prepare for what was coming, but this first Day of Sacrifice would set in motion, everything that was to come.  It would be a relief to have it over.

Raen gave the list to Ketu so she could write every name in the Book of Life that sat on a pedestal in the prayer room.  There were 540 names.  She tried not to shudder, but it was either shudder or throw up.  Father of All, please grant me strength.

*

The High Priestess Saro looked at herself in the mirror as she placed the tiara on her head.  Tasut had given her a brooch to wear and said, Wear this whenever you go out.  As usual, he didn’t say why.  The stone-fisted wonder would know if she didn’t wear it because he always knew.  Drat the man!

She tried not to feel a sense of grudging obligation as she swallowed her pride.  Tasut was not someone to cross.

Her makeup was in place and her skin was completely covered with bronzing liquid to give her a darker look.  On top of the bronzing, she added a special dust said to be made from the shells of oysters.  It gave added luster to her skin and made it glow.  It was a nice effect.  On her eyes, she wore the heaviest, most dramatic makeup.  Daisy-yellow shaded the lid.  Above that curved a stripe of lime green from the corner of her eyes above the lid, to the outside corner of her eyebrow.  To complete the trio of colors there was a white stripe hugging the lime green curve.  Under her bottom eyelashes she had drawn a long black line from the corner of each of her eyes straight up to her temples.  On her lashes, the strained pulp of aloe leaves was used to make them appear longer and then the lashes were darkened with a paste made from the dust of some unnamed mineral. 

For clothing and accessories, her upper arms wore bangles but her lower arms were bare.  Two of her fingernails were longer.  Each of these longer nails had separate poisons on their tips, courtesy of Tasut, and the nails were sharpened and painted white to match her gown.  If she needed to kill someone, the nails would be employed as a last resort; the fast-acting poisons on the tips guaranteed a quick but painful death.  The idea made her nauseous. 

She adored the gown she would wear. It had been hanging in her closet for a month, along with many others in various stages of completion.  Made specifically for this occasion, it was pristine white with gold accessories, including a belt made of gold links that clasped at her waist. 

There was a thin transparent cape of white silk attached at the top of her sleeves that stretched across her shoulders and reached the floor.  It flowed behind her when she walked.

Her style would not be what they were expecting after being subjected to Yemet’s preference for black and blacker.  She would have liked the dress better if she were wearing it for any other reason. 

Her hair was pulled up and away from her face.  The dark curls tangled with the gold serpentine chains braided artfully into her hair and cascaded down from the crown of her head to between her shoulder blades.  As she pulled on elbow-length gloves, she admired the tiara with its magnificent sapphire that rested in the middle of her forehead. 

At the last minute, she had decided to have her attendants attired in the very same style dress, but without the cape or gloves and they wore a scarf tied at their waists. 

Inwardly she felt trepidation.  The preparations were very elaborate and she had to be so very careful.  Double-cross or triple-cross?  A very good question.  One she had no answer for – yet.

High Priestess, it is time, Ketu announced from the open door, keeping her eyes glued to the floor as Raen insisted was required.  Saro nodded at the beautiful young woman who had been strangely quiet today.

Ketu was purposefully kept in the dark about the deepest secrets of the household and circumstances would remain so until it was found whether or not she could be trusted.  That might take some time. Today Ketu would hold a white satin pillow and walk at the end of the entourage. 

On that pillow would be a well-trained Shee named Bot.  The Shee was an intentional stab at Nez, who feared them.  The High Priestess smiled.  This was but one of those special stinging slaps she intended to deliver to him at every chance provided.  She had carefully read the laws pertaining to her role as Priestess and nearly clapped with joy.  She legally had jurisdiction over the Temple, its day-to-day running, and over all other matters pertaining thereof.  Thankfully, that included decisions regarding her entourage.  Her eyes sparkled with the knowledge.  Nez, if he joined them, would be last.

Tasut and Jarow met her at the front door.  More than once, she told Tasut it was too ostentatious to have Barracks Commanders with her.  Today she was glad.  It was another poke at Nez’s ego.  When she opened the door, she was gratified to see Tasut’s eyes widen and then narrow in disapproval.  In any other man, this would have been like gasping and shouting.  She felt smug that he couldn’t do a thing about it.  Jarow’s eyes remained in place and he put his hand on his friend’s shoulder as if to calm him.

The walk to the Temple was unusually quiet and extremely crowded.  There were citizens lining both sides of the street from the front gate to the Temple.  Admittedly, it was a short distance but nerve-wracking just the same.  She held herself erect and looked just above everyone’s heads, avoiding eye contact.  She looked through everyone and saw nothing.  She wasn’t sure if the stares were really directed at her or the two well-known men. 

As usual, during sacrifice, the crowds were huge.  Because she was a new Priestess, the crowds were more massive than usual.  Whispers and voices swirled around her as she traveled.  She was going through her speech in her mind when she found she had arrived at the bottom step of the Temple.  She was amazed to see Tasut and Jarow had called men from both floors to stand on either side of each of the twelve steps.  For crowd control.  She glided up the steps, cold, imperious, and every inch the hard-hearted Priestess who presided over sacrificial rights.  Inside, she shook like a leaf. 

She must make no mistakes.  She had to have complete control or all was lost and her plan would come to naught.  To gain control of the population of Sogo, there was a delicate balance to be maintained.  One could not appear too hard, or too soft.  She must be velvet-covered steel. 

She reached the top of the stairs and walked into the Temple, stepping carefully down many more steps to the raised dais, or what she privately called the stage.  Once she was in place, the crowd was allowed inside on first-come, first-served basis.  They began to fill the intentionally smaller theatre.  With no special seating reserved for dignitaries or the Nine, everyone had a chance to be up front.  She hoped that would put yet another irritating knot in Nez’s robes. 

Anyone with weapons, was drunk, or unruly, would not get past Tasut’s men.  If someone did happen to slip by, she had been assured that whoever had botched guard duty would have to answer personally to Tasut. 

Therefore, she had no fear in that regard.  Those soldiers knew better than to disappoint either Commander, but especially Tasut. 

Now standing before the growing crowd, she realized that having Tasut and Jarow flank her as her bodyguards on this day was a powerful move.  She thought back to the moment she had protested the number of men Tasut insisted upon. 

Yemet only had two men, not three hundred, she had coldly reminded him. 

His answer had been compelling: Which is why she doesn’t need them anymore.

Inside the Temple, awaiting her on the raised dais was Nez.  Saro was grateful that she had been forewarned this would be the most likely scenario.  One she had practiced for.  His ego would not allow him to pass up the opportunity, as Minister of Religion, to direct the first sacrificial day of the newly appointed High Priestess. 

She doubted he remembered how she came to be in this position or what she looked like under all of the grotesque makeup.  He never would if she played her role well.

It was in her favor that he wasn’t a man for details, being consumed by his own importance. She hoped his overconfidence had made it unnecessary to review the laws governing the Temples.  Laws he had written and, hopefully, forgotten. 

For his pride, he would receive a social black eye, a very public one.  He would not forgive her for it. Good. Any distress she could cause him gave her enormous satisfaction.  He was the reason she was still in this forsaken city.

As she entered the arena she was conscious that his eyes raked over her with undisguised interest.  She was also aware he saw this as a game and wondered what move she would make next.  Her deepest desire was to keep him off balance. 

To her this wasn’t a game, it was about survival.  Hers.  She cast her own glance over him, hoping it was cold enough to freeze all thoughts about her out of his mind. 

With satisfaction, she noted he’d taken care to wear the robes of his office, something she had expected.  He wouldn’t be able to resist a show of his authority.  She was grateful for the magnificent tiara she wore and the mental acrobatics she had performed this morning.  She was ready. 

She stepped to the front of the dais and raised her hands waist-high, palms up.  The crowd quieted immediately.  Sogoians loved a performance and she had every intention of giving them one.  She had requested that the Temple be designed with acoustics in mind and did not have to raise her voice.

She spoke, This Temple has been re-built in the tradition of the Unknown God.  It has been cleansed of it’s desecration.  Today we gather to re-dedicate this magnificent edifice to the Unknown God.

She lowered her hands now that she had their undivided attention; this was the point they were here for, after all, To prove our obedience to the Unknown God, we shall offer sacrifice as He has instructed.  She nodded to the guards who stood at the gates where all 540 sacrifices were being held. 

Nez, ever the opportunist, shook his head and the guards stopped moving the gate.  He appeared to be enjoying himself immensely.  He addressed the crowds, missing the look of triumph she directed at him.

As Minister of Religion, I hereby give my solemn oath to High Priestess Saro, that she shall have all the sacrifices she requires.  Furthermore, I demand she prove her worthiness as High Priestess of this Temple this day, by bathing in the flames of worthiness, as required by our laws.  He nodded his head at her, the challenge unmistakable. 

She coolly nodded back, her hair standing on end with hatred.  She smiled, but it did not reach her eyes.  I humbly await your example in the flames, as your law commands. She gracefully took a step back and indicated the mute pillars of green flames standing less than a foot to her right. "No one doubts your worthiness, Minister."

Nez threw her a look of irritation. I have bathed in the flames many times, as our citizens have witnessed.  There is no need, his eyes held warning for her.  She ignored it.

Ah, she nodded thoughtfully, I have heard your humility and purity was proven in the Temple of Veesh.  However, that Temple was officiated over by Yemet, who is dead of the plague, as I foretold.  Her eyes mocked his earlier challenge, Would you offend the Unknown God on the very day we dedicate His Temple?  Her brow arched.  The law states that those holding authority may not witness the Day of Sacrifice lest they bathe in the flames of worthiness, she said, and stepped into the flames.

The moment she did, the stone in her tiara flashed, forming a shaft of white light that hit Nez in the chest. Pale-faced, he fell to his knees and stared at her.

It was unexpected and therefore entertaining.  The crowd gave a collective gasp and sporadic applause, which grew in volume as Nez rose stiffly from the ground, murderous rage in his eyes.

According to your law, she spoke to Nez from the flames, you must leave or become a sacrifice yourself.  There are many things the Unknown God would like to discuss with such a dedicated servant.

The crowd loved this barbed exchange between the two and it was so quiet that even those waiting to be sacrificed were holding their breath.  Nez and Saro’s voices weren’t loud, but carried to the farthest corner.  Nez turned to her, smiling, but she noticed his smile was forced and his eyes troubled.  I regretfully admit that I have not had time to perform the cleansing ritual, he bowed to her as if to acknowledge she had won this round.  I withdraw myself now, that I may join you in another ceremony at a later date. His tone was clipped and his eyes icy.

The Unknown God will not be mocked, prepare well, she warned in a stern voice.  Suppressing the urge to gloat, she walked out of the flames.

The crowd roared their approval.  Nez wasn’t a man to inspire anything but fear.  She fought back the urge to sneer as he left the Temple, his stride angry and his face stone-like. 

Once again, she nodded to the guards who opened the gates for the sacrifices. She stood next to the altar made of rare white Terisian marble and dipped her hand in the sand that was cradled there.  She turned and threw it behind the dais.  It scattered in a long strip.  To the fascination of the crowd, violent green and yellow flames erupted from the sand to raise eight feet high and fifteen feet wide.  Back by the gates where the sacrifices stood, the children who were old enough to understand began to scream, the women to cry, and the men to fight against the militia who had been ordered to this duty by Nez himself. 

There will be nine sacrifices each minute for one hour, as a symbol of the hearts of the Nine who rule this city.  May the Unknown God accept these sacrifices as a token of my commitment to Him.  She imperiously signaled for the guards to throw in the first sacrifice. 

Winning the first go-round with Nez had been as exhilarating as it had been frightening.  It was the first time she had enjoyed the rush of power.  It won’t be the last.  With that promise to herself, she faced forward.  She had no desire to watch the sacrifices, but a driving need to watch the crowds. I won!  I did it!

*

Ketu kept her eyes on the ground, sickened by the display.  The horror of the adults was enough to make you weep, but the children, oh the children!  Keeping a tight grip on her emotions, she discreetly backed into the foyer, trying to hold herself together.  Once out of sight, she silently wept and shook as she listened, her back against the wall.  What did Raen mean when she had written ...it isn’t what it seems?  How could it be anything else? 

Just as the High Priestess ordered, the sacrifices lasted an hour, nine people at a time.  The screaming was so loud, she wondered if she would ever hear again or even want to. 

After the last sacrifice was made, Saro, the wicked woman, stepped forward and the crowd became mute, hoping for more.  She humbly bowed her head and said, Praise be to the Unknown God. Then her cool gaze rested on the crowd as her hands came together in prayer form.  Sacrifices will resume in one week’s time. 

The crowd collectively gasped and then cheered.  Ketu cynically noted that they did not stop to wonder who she would sacrifice.

Ketu followed the High Priestess’ entourage home in silence, carrying Bot, who kept wiping Ketu’s tears away and stroking her shoulder.  Ketu was grateful she was last in line and Tasut’s men were trained to keep their eyes scanning the crowd.  She didn’t want questions when she reached the Villa.  She wanted a place to hide her tears and plot revenge.  Such evil!

Bot leaped off the cushion when they reached the front of the Villa and headed for the gardens, where she had a nest of her own. 

Ketu continued up the paved path to the Villa, hating the idea that she had to serve a murderess.  Her tears dried as she plotted the assassination of her employer.

As was her habit, the High Priestess paused before opening her chamber doors on the second floor and dismissed Ketu for the night.  Ketu kept her eyes on the ground the entire time to hide the hatred in her eyes.  Once she heard the door close, she sought the widow Raen.  She had to know what that note meant.  She made her way to Raen’s room.

Raen was kind, though strict, and forewarned the servants when they should leave the High Priestess alone.  Her chamber was empty, but she found a note laying on Raen’s pillow. 

I will be attending Saro upon her return.  R

Ketu could hardly wait until she was a fully-trained Eye.  Right now, she would have to be content with reporting this day’s activity to Loni, who would tell Mari.

The screams of the children still echoed in her ears as she pulled the small marble box from its hiding place under the bottom drawer of her dresser. 

She contented herself with a vow that the High Priestess Saro would die at her hand and she made an effort to gain control over the tears that had been shed since they left the Temple. 

She touched the small marble box near her bed and said the prayer needed to release the spell that bound it.  The box began to glow and she made her report to Loni Ryn, second in command over the secret women’s organization called Eyes. 

Chapter 2:  Bad News

Loni spent the first moments of Ketu’s report shivering with horror.  She had seen a lot through her calling as second in command among the Eyes and dealt with numerous children as matron of orphanages, but she wept at the thought of leaving Ketu in Sogo at the Villa with that wicked woman. 

Though she desperately wished it could be otherwise, there was no other choice.  Ketu was the best among the Eyes and must remain in Saro’s employ.

Loni put the box away, wiped away the tears, and calmed enough to realize that her orphans needed her more than Saro needed to die – at the moment.  Loni’s pale green eyes were burning with vengeance as she left to make her report to Mari. 

*

Mari was studying the training charts and lists for the Eyes.  She knew Loni was approaching by the sound of her footsteps.  There was comfort in that sound, but also purpose.

Loni entered the corner bedroom and told her, Ketu said the High Priestess has ordered every child in Sogo to be rounded up, and if their parents put up a fight, they’re taken as well.

Her mind broke away from her work.  "She did what!" Mari felt frozen, looking at her sister for a hint of teasing that she already knew didn’t exist.  Loni never teased about children.

The horror Mari felt at what the High Priestess had done equaled what she felt a few weeks ago when her eight-year-old daughter, Brenna, raised the dead.  The idea of throwing people into fire for entertainment pushed bile into her throat, nearly strangling her.

Her vision blurred as she looked out the window.  This newest orphanage, Mekken House, was fit for habitation because it was abandoned not out of neglect but fear.  Everyone left because the Lost City where the Legend of the Mek took place was less than a mile away. 

The location wasn’t ideal, but no one would look for children here within the shadow of the notoriously haunted Lost City. 

Zaya, one of the Eyes, had remembered the house because she had taken refuge there on her way to Acha.  In all likelihood, Zaya would take up the post of Matron at the Mekken orphanage until they could find a married couple.  If a Mek really did reside in the Lost City, and Mari knew it did, it was content to leave them be.  In a strange way, it protected more than threatened them. 

The housing was originally meant to be a temporary refuge, but Mari knew it was now permanent until Sogo fell. She had the distinct feeling that things were being helped along by divine hands.  If she had her way, the orphanage wouldn’t be so close to Sogo or the Lost City, but for now she was grateful they had a place to put the children. 

She was making preparations to transport those who chose to quit working in the Wesvalen brothels she and the Eyes destroyed, to this location.  The number of children they had rescued from life on the streets and brothels of one city had climbed to twenty-seven with no end in sight.  Some of them would need to cross the border into Acha. It wasn’t a comfortable situation, but it beat the alternative.

Mari blinked away the tears she felt forming and took a deep breath.  She had seen Yemet at work in the Temple of Veesh and only Lyon’s firm grasp had stopped her from obliterating the woman.  Yemet’s insanity had been revolting but familiar.  Now Saro had chosen sacrifice by fire. Mari wasn’t sure which fate was worse.

What are you going to do, Mari? Loni’s voice pulled her back to the task at hand.

She faced Loni with limited options spinning in her mind.  Ketu isn’t a full-fledged Eye yet.  No one is trained well enough to kill Saro – yet. Mari felt helpless but determined to find out more from Loni.  At the time Ketu went to Sogo, I felt it more important to get someone into Saro’s circle of influence.  I had no idea... her voice trailed off.  Hindsight was perfect, but that did them no good now.

Let me kill her! Loni said fiercely, her pale eyes sparked with anger.

Mari knew it would be a mistake to send Loni and was grateful she had a valid reason to keep her where she was.  You can’t go. You’re the best at helping the women leave the brothels.  I need you to continue the wonderful job you’re doing with the raids.

It was true. Since their sister, Haddy, left Ryn House, there had been an increase in productivity.  Mari had managed to destroy seven more brothels using three different teams of Eyes.  It was a good training ground for the future assignments they would receive. 

Mari let the horror leach out of her that she felt at the atrocities that had been committed.  She felt calm as she said, I’ll do it myself.

Loni folded her arms and frowned.  Mari, be reasonable.  Everyone in Sogo thinks you’re dead, especially the Council.  If you were caught, all would be lost.

"I am being reasonable, Mari assured her.  There’s no one else ready to send.  The High Priestess will not be an easy target.  I’ll have to plan very carefully."  It wasn’t her only reason for going.  She had heard from another source that Tasut had taken Saro as a lover.  It was absurd, but she had to go and see for herself.  Summoning Tasut would be like summoning a rock.  Pointless.

She shook her head to clear the ugly thought and looked at Loni who looked worn and weepy.  Since Haddy isn’t around, I feel safe leaving Brenna here with you.  Lyon was leaving for Sogo anyway to deliver the hay he’s loading.  It’ll let us get close enough to the Temple and I can see for myself what is going on.

*

Brenna, wrapped in bent light and standing in the hallway, smiled. She had tip-toed down the stairs a short time ago and didn’t know the people they were talking about, except Tasut, and she didn’t like him even if he was Talon’s father. 

She had always wanted to see Sogo and now she could!  Her mind raced with what had to be done.  First, she had to bribe Mee and get in the wagon before her parents found out. 

Mee was an easy bribe.  Some crab, some instruction on where to hide, and all would be set.  Still wrapped in light, Brenna took an apple from the kitchen table and put it in the pocket of her dress.  She un-bent the light once she was back in her room and poured her dirty clothes out of the basket.  She went outside to the crab pool, caught some crab for Mee, and put them in the basket. 

Mee was anxiously waiting in the tree Brenna had told her to climb, and whisked down as soon as Brenna called up to her, I’ll leave them down here for you. Don’t let any get away and remember to wait until you see the wagon go before you eat the crab.  Her Shee nodded as she stood looking into the basket, her paws clenched tightly together and her attention riveted.  Brenna wrapped herself in light and climbed into the wagon she knew her parents would be taking.  She tucked herself under the wagon seat under the hay.  Her mother had said something about using the hay to get close enough to a Temple.

Within the hour, Lyon and Mari left for Sogo, a mere fifteen miles away from Mekken house.  Blithely unaware of their stowaway, they planned their disguises while Brenna, under the hay, was taking an unscheduled nap.  Her plan was to pop out of the hay and yell Surprise! when they reached the city.

Lyon had filled the large wagon with hay.  It was a commodity appreciated by the butchers who worked near the Barracks.  Few farmers lived close to the city and the animals needed enough to eat before they were slaughtered.  Mari had told Lyon that she would check on the new High Priestess while he did his work at the Guild. He dropped off Mari and left for the Barracks.  He tied the horses to one of the wooden posts embedded into the ground by the animal pens in front of the ugly prison-like building.

In disguise, he left the wagon to catch up on work at the Assassins Guild.  It bothered him that the numbers of unauthorized assassins were climbing.  Most of these untrained threats were directed at Tasut. 

His appreciative eyes followed Mari, dressed as a flower seller.  She now had a full basket of flowers over one arm and was heading toward the Temple.