Deep Wounds: Book 11 of the Heku Series

By T.M. Nielsen

A new threat is on the rise and Emily begins to wonder if Chevalier is more interested in being her savior than her protector. The Cavalry strives to keep her safe while she opens a new dog rescue on the property she once stole from the Valle. She continues her quest to find and revive the former Encala Elders, with help from an unlikely source.

Meanwhile, Dain remains in the Equites prison under Chevalier’s watchful eye, at the same time as the other half-heku children begin the long process of integrating into the lives of the heku as they try to break free from the shadow of their famous parents. Emily feels the Equites have finally overstepped and begins a new life on her own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.M. Nielsen
• Release date: Nov 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463947166

T.M. Nielsen

T.M. Nielsen doesn't necessarily consider herself an author. She's an every-day woman who had a story to tell. Never intending to let anyone else read it, she decided to put it all down on paper. What she ended up with is a fascinating tale filling books full of drama, adventure, action, romance, and excitement.When asked why she decided to publish, she stated, "I want for others to be able to forget about problems in life and to lose themselves in my world... the world of the heku. While I write, I laugh, cry, grin, gasp, and my heart races. I want others to experience that too."T.M. Nielsen is a computer tech by trade and lives with her husband and two beautiful daughters. She's the author of Amazon.com's bestselling series The Heku Series and the Dimensions Saga, along with a Heku Series spin-off book called Return of the Encala. She's been listed numerous times on Apple's Breakout Books and on Amazon.com's top 20 in Fantasy.**** From TM ****I updated my books all the time! Check back often for new, cleaner versions. I can't afford an editor, but any time I hear of an error, I fix it immediately.

Book preview

Deep Wounds

Book 11 of the Heku Series

By T.M. Nielsen

Published by T.M. Nielsen at Smashwords

Find us at

http://www.hekuseries.com/

Copyright © 2018 by T.M. Nielsen

Digital Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Emily sighed and rolled over in bed. She glanced at the clock, thinking it had to be well before dawn, but it was almost 10 am. She turned to the window and saw that it was still dark outside, which meant it was storming. She laid on her back and looked up at the ceiling. She was still tired, but she was supposed to go to Grema Coven today and set up video conferencing in their main house. She’d been slowly setting up covens with the ability to remotely talk to the Council.

She liked seeing the different types of covens the Equites had. In the past, Chevalier was very picky about which covens she was allowed to visit, so she hadn’t been aware of the wide variety of covens in the faction. So far, she’d visited a coven made of circus performers, more agricultural covens, a coven full of firemen, and even one that specialized in the fine arts.

Emily’s three dogs Remi, Beretta, and Ruger were all out with the Cavalry already. She kept wondering why she got dogs, when the Cavalry seemed to always inherit them as working dogs once she trained them. She figured she’d get a Basset Hound next because there was no way a Basset could benefit the Cavalry. Their generally low energy level wouldn’t be appealing to the hard-working heku.

After much arguing and negotiating, Chevalier had won out over Zohn and agreed to let her take four guards to Grema Coven instead of the twelve Zohn wanted to send her with. Chevalier understood that four would be easier, and she could take her Jeep instead the conspicuous line of suburbans.

Finally deciding that she had to get up, Emily rolled to the side of the bed and let her feet dangle. It wasn’t until she was upright that her stomach turned, and she felt a wave of dizziness. Without a second to spare, she jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. Just when the door slammed shut behind her, she knelt beside the toilet.

It was less than a minute later that she heard the familiar knock. Em?

She couldn’t answer, and he finally opened the door and stepped inside. She briefly wondered if there was a way to get a heku proof bathroom door, so Chevalier couldn’t come in when she didn’t want him to. The heku hadn’t learned the privacy of a bathroom yet, even after all these years.

I’m surprised it wasn’t locked, Chevalier said, and then knelt beside her. Are you okay?

Emily managed to nod before leaning back over the toilet. Chevalier grabbed her hair and held it away from her face.

Should I get the doctor?

No, she managed to whisper.

Are you pregnant?

Without warning, Emily reached up and slapped him on the arm.

He smiled. That’s a valid question.

I’m not pregnant, Emily said, leaning her cheek against the porcelain.

You’re certain?

Yes

You didn’t have to hit me. His voice was light, and he was obviously toying with her. Even if she’d hit him with all of her strength, it wouldn’t hurt him.

Sometimes you need to be slapped.

Oh? He frowned when she leaned back over the toilet. He reached out and felt her neck. You’re not running a fever.

She couldn’t answer.

That still makes me think you may be pregnant.

Emily managed to shake her head.

You can’t tell this early anyway.

Just shut up, Chev, Emily whispered.

When she laid against the cool porcelain again, Chevalier picked up her wrist and smelled deeply. She pulled her hand away in case he decided to taste it too.

I don’t detect anything.

What’s wrong? Dr. Edwards asked, rushing into the room.

I said no to a doctor, Emily reminded Chevalier.

Nausea, but she doesn’t have a fever.

I wonder if she’s pregnant, Dr. Edwards said, moving closer to her.

Emily reached out and tried to hit him also when he got within reach. She got tired of the heku thinking she was always pregnant. He just smiled and felt her neck.

I’m not catching a pregnancy scent, Chevalier explained to the doctor.

When does that start?

Usually around the third week.

She would have a scent by now, Dr. Edwards said, looking her over.

What? Emily asked.

Don’t worry about it. When did you eat last?

She sighed, figuring she didn’t want to know how the doctor was that in tune with her body. Last night. I had fish.

That’s it then, Dr. Edwards said, standing.

What’s it? Chevalier asked.

She has food poisoning. It’ll be gone by tomorrow.

Food poisoning? Someone poisoned her!? With that, Kralen and Gifford came into the room from the hallway to listen.

No! Dr. Edwards said quickly. It just means the fish had gone bad.

So, no one put poison in it? Kralen asked, making sure.

No, food poisoning is from food that’s spoiled. It contains bacteria or toxins that make mortals ill.

You’re saying that the chef fed her rotten food? Chevalier asked, still angry.

I’m sure it wasn’t on purpose. Fish can very easily go bad.

Kralen

Without a word, Kralen and Gifford blurred from the room.

No, Emily whispered. Don’t let Kralen kill the chef.

Can I take you to bed? Chevalier asked her, ignoring her last plea.

Stop him.

He’s just talking right now, Chevalier said, picking her up. He gently laid her in bed.

Don’t let Kralen kill him. Food poisoning happens, Emily said while nuzzling down into the bed.

Not in my palace it doesn’t.

Chev, please.

He sighed and then nodded before leaving orders for Kralen not to kill the chef. When Emily drifted off to sleep, Dr. Edwards sat in the chair by the fire, so Chevalier could return to the daily trials.

Chevalier sat down and turned toward Quinn.

How is she? Quinn asked.

The doctor said she has food poisoning.

Someone is poisoning her again? Kyle asked, standing.

No, it’s from when food has gone bad.

Someone fed her bad food?

Apparently

Is he already dead?

She asked that we not kill him. Emily said this kind of thing just happens.

Not in my palace, Quinn growled.

Chevalier just nodded. I tried that. Kralen will let us know what he finds.

I will notify the coven that Emily won’t be over today, the Coven Liaison Officer said before leaving.

I’m guessing it’ll be a while before she feels better? Zohn asked.

No, he said it’ll probably be tomorrow.

Oh, well that’s not too bad.

They all looked over when Kralen shoved a heku into the trial area with enough force that he was airborne until he landed with a dull thud in front of the Council. The heku scrambled to his feet and turned toward the angry member of the Cavalry.

Kralen’s hands were balled into fists, and he advanced on the younger heku.

Stop, Quinn ordered. You, chef, kneel.

Kralen stopped walking, so the other heku turned suddenly and dropped to his knees with his eyes lowered.

Explain, Chevalier said to Kralen.

He admits that the fish he prepared might have been a little old, Kralen said, glaring down at the heku on the floor.

Old?

The chef nodded.

Kill him, Quinn suggested. We needed Emily today to set up video conferencing in Grema Coven. Now that she has fallen ill, our plans will be delayed needlessly.

I didn’t mean it, the heku said frantically. It’s hard to tell if mortal food is good.

When was the last date of Emily’s prior food poisoning? Zohn asked Chevalier.

Never, he whispered, keeping his stern gaze on the chef.

Kill him then.

I told Emily that I wouldn’t allow Kralen to kill the chef, Chevalier told them.

You promised that precisely? Quinn asked.

Yes, those words.

Quinn instantly disappeared from his chair and had the disembodied head of the chef in his hands. There. Kralen didn’t kill him.

Chevalier smiled and relaxed back in the chair. Good enough.

We need a new chef now, the Chief of Staff said. It’s hard to find them.

What about Gordon? Kralen asked. She likes his food.

We can ask him to come until we hire, but he’s needed at Island Coven, Chevalier explained.

She likes to cook for herself. Maybe we should let her.

No, Quinn said. As a member of the Council and an Elder’s wife, she is to be cared for.

How are they hired? Kyle asked the Chief of Staff. I mean, what’s the application process?

We look for someone with experience with mortal food, the Chief of Staff told him.

Do they cook in their interview?

No

I suggest we have them all make something, Zohn said. Then Emily can taste it and see which she likes.

That’s not a bad idea, the Chief of Staff said. I actually have applicants already.

How do you have applicants for a position that’s not been open for six months?

Covens try to find heku chefs that can move to Council City and work in the palace. It’s good for their coven.

Oh, right.

Do it, Chevalier ordered. Then clean this up before Emily finds out.

***

Emily untangled a nest of wires while she sat behind a small desk in the conference room in a remote coven. It was cold there, so she was anxious to return to Council City. The video conference setup hadn’t gone as smoothly as hoped because the coven wasn’t as prepared as they had claimed to be. Against her wishes, Silas had immediately informed the Council. With a quick trip to the nearest city, Emily got what she needed and was almost ready to hook it all together.

One ice cold Coke, as requested, Gifford said from behind her. The member of the Cavalry from Thukil had become one of her closest friends, and he always made sure she had what she needed when she was at one of the covens. He was always extra particular about how coven members treated her also.

She smiled at him and then took the drink. After a long drink, she set it down and began plugging things into the back of a computer system.

Almost done? Gifford asked, bending down to look.

I should be ready to test it soon.

The Council wants a report on the missing equipment.

There is no missing equipment anymore.

They meant the parts you had to supply that were supposed to be here.

Emily plugged in cords and then turned to the member of her Cavalry. There’s no need to behead someone for that. I’m sure it was just an oversight.

Gifford smiled at her. I don’t think he’ll be beheaded. However, we were assured weeks ago that all required equipment would be here. They even had an extra two days.

They just missed a few things. I’m sure it was nothing.

They still want a list.

No, Emily said. She grabbed a set of crimpers from her bag and began stripping the end off of a long line of Cat 6 cable.

How do you know how to do this? Gifford asked, watching her closely.

It’s just something I picked up when I was programming.

Programmers need to know wires?

No, but I pay attention. After crimping an end on the wire, Emily plugged it into the back of the computer, and the tiny lights on the back of the computer began to flash erratically.

That’s odd. There’s no discernable pattern in the lights, Gifford told her.

Emily looked closer at it. How do you know?

I counted.

You counted those lights?

Yes

I should take you to Vegas.

Gifford smiled. We’re encouraged not to gamble. It’s unfair.

Encouraged or banned with punishment of death if broken?

Encouraged, Gifford replied, fighting back a laugh. You don’t have the heku as pegged as you’d like to think.

She started to say something but finally just shook her head, grabbed her Coke, and stood up. She brushed off her jeans and went around to the front, while Gifford followed her. She sat down at the head of the table and began clicking on things on the computer. Gifford seemed fascinated. Most heku knew nothing about computers, but he was one that was interested in their internal workings.

Finally, the sound of a ringing phone came from the speakers, and moments later, the Equites Council appeared.

Well done, Emily! Zohn said, smiling. He adjusted the cameras.

How does it look on your end? Emily asked. She was studying the Council. Where’s Chev and Kyle?

They are out at Banks. Things look great here. Very clear.

Okay then. I’ll show them how to use it and we’ll be back by nightfall.

Check in when you leave, Quinn said from off camera.

Emily nodded and shut the program down.

I’ll go get Lord Ion, Gifford said, leaving.

Stupid name, Emily mumbled to herself. She was always thankful that when she had to teach a heku something, it took only one quick conversation and it was instantly ingrained in their memory. She did notice that the Lord of Grema Coven was extremely nervous, and she assumed it was because he knew the Council would be upset over the missing components.

Emily tried to get into the driver’s side of her Jeep to leave, but one of the Cavalry beat her to it and just smiled while he started it up.

It’s my Jeep, Emily said, watching him.

Yes, and I’d like to get there today.

You all treating me like I drive slowly is getting old, Emily said, crawling into the passenger side. It’s my Jeep.

I have been ordered to stay, Gifford told her when he appeared at her window.

She jerked slightly at his sudden appearance. Don’t do that!

Do what?

Blur up here.

Sorry, he said, smiling.

I realize you all think it’s funny to scare me, but one of these days, I’m going to have a heart attack.

We don’t find it funny.

You’re not allowed to stay. Get in, Emily told him.

Oh? Do you now have the ability to veto Elder’s orders? It was obvious he was toying with her.

Yes, now get in.

I’ll only be gone a few extra days.

You’re going to stay here and kill off this coven, all because they missed a few things.

I’m not staying to kill anyone.

Sure, you are.

Gifford looked at the two members of the Cavalry in the back seat. The three remaining Cavalry were fairly new, having been on the Cavalry only ten years. It made him nervous, but he had his orders.

Emily studied Gifford and realized that he was whispering orders to the others. Stop it and go away.

He smiled and stepped back. I’ll call the Council and inform them that you’re leaving.

She nodded and was slipping on her sunglasses when they left the small garage.

Almost halfway back to Council City, Emily fell asleep while the Cavalry spoke about things that happened long before she was born. It wasn’t until the sound of metal scraping that Emily sat bolt upright and saw that they were surrounded by black Humvees.

What’s going on? Emily asked, grabbing on when one of the Humvees smashed into the side of the Jeep.

Encala attack, the driver said, gritting his teeth. He had a tight grip on the steering wheel, and he was trying to slow down, forcing the Humvees to slow also. They were onto his plan and slammed into the back of the Jeep, propelling it forward.

Emily cried out slightly when the impact threw her hard against the seat belt. She grabbed her phone from beside her, but one of the Humvees smashed into the side of the Jeep, sending it careening down into a ravine.

When the Jeep came to rest on its top, Emily caught her breath and looked around her. The heku weren’t in the Jeep any longer, and she wasn’t sure if they were thrown out during the crash or dragged out by the Encala. She didn’t feel any pain, but blood was dripping onto the top of the Jeep, which was beneath her.

Emily unbuckled carefully and was able to slide out of the Jeep’s shattered side window. It was completely silent. She tried to get her bearings to find out where the road was, but there wasn’t enough noise to ascertain that. She grabbed for her phone again but remembered that it had been in her hand when the Jeep plummeted off the side of the road. She looked around but wasn’t able to find it.

Finally seeing the Jeep’s tracks in the mud going up a steep embankment, Emily started up it to find the heku. When she rounded the top, she saw the familiar blur of fighting. The Cavalry was outnumbered, and the old panic set in that if she turned the Encala to ash and passed out, she would be buried again.

Blood began to drip down her face from a cut on her forehead, but she ignored it and started forward. Strong hands grabbed her from behind and held her away from the fight.

Where are you going, Winchester? a heku whispered into her ear. The angry whisper sent shivers up her spine.

She tensed when she heard him inhale slowly and deeply.

Let me go, Emily ordered.

Or what? Will you turn me to ash?

You bet your ass I will.

When his nose touched her neck lightly, Emily kicked backward and connected with the heku’s knee. Instead of him letting go and falling, his arms tightened, and she almost couldn’t breathe.

That hurt, baby girl, he said angrily. Just wait with me until your guards are dead, and then we’ll take care of you.

Take care of me? she asked.

He nodded and ran one finger up the side of her neck. The Council wants you dead, but I can’t let a little thing like you go to waste.

Perfect, Emily whispered. She tried again to get loose, but the heku restraining her wasn’t going release his tight grasp.

Emily was shocked when the last of the Cavalry fell at the hands of the Encala. The Encala were injured and in pain but still able to walk over to the one holding her.

You were supposed to just kill her, one of them said angrily.

I was going to, the restraining heku told him. However, have you ever smelled her?

No

Do it. You’ll see why I couldn’t kill her.

Emily cringed when the other heku inhaled. One of them smiled broadly at her, and the other began to tense and his hands balled into fists.

I say we have our fill before we dispose of her, one of them suggested.

My thoughts exactly, the restraining heku said, and Emily could tell he was quite pleased. His arrogance was annoying, and the haughty way he spoke to her made her wish Chevalier could get a hold of him for an hour. She wanted nothing more than to wipe the pompous smirk off of his face.

I’m not going to let you feed, Emily said, breaking up their discussion.

One of them walked forward and grabbed her face roughly. You think you can stop us?

Yes

You can’t, he said, and then forcefully kissed her.

Emily struggled to get loose. She knew deep down that turning these six heku to ash wasn’t going to make her pass out, but the ingrained fear was too strong. She could hear Chevalier urging her in her mind to turn them to ash.

One of the heku roughly shoved Emily to the ground as soon as the kiss ended. They were all looking down at her, and she got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that feeding wasn’t the only thing they had in mind.

Emily kicked out when two of the heku each took one of her hands and pulled her down against the cold dirt. She missed the heku she was aiming for, and he blurred forward and trapped her on the ground with his body.

His lips met hers again, and she tried in vain to kick him.

Stop struggling, he said, looking down at her. He smiled and then reached down and tore her bloodied t-shirt in half.

With the heku’s hungry eyes on her, she felt herself start to panic more. She had to turn them to ash, or she risked getting assaulted and murdered by them.

The second the heku on top of her unfastened her jeans, she squeezed her eyes shut and turned them all to ash. Scrambling to her feet, Emily re-fastened her jeans and saw movement out of the corner of her eye. One of the Cavalry was now moving slightly. She ran over to him, unsure if he was alive or she was seeing things. They were still too far down into the ravine for the traffic above to notice them, and she saw that she wouldn’t be able to climb up the embankment.

Hey, Emily whispered, kneeling beside the heku.

She was relieved when he sighed softly. She looked over the deep gashes on his arms and torso, and she wondered how to get them out of this. She quickly went through his pockets, but she didn’t find a phone.

Trying to find out if the others were alive, Emily went to the two quiet Cavalry and found no signs of life in them. She patted down their pockets hurriedly and again found no cell phones. She now had no vehicle and no way to contact Council City for help.

The live heku gasped slightly, so Emily returned to him. Please heal.

His lips parted moments before his eyes opened slowly, and he looked over at her.

Come on, heal, Emily urged. We have to get out of here in case more Encala come.

He frowned slightly and managed to sit up with her help. She could tell that he was in a great deal of pain, and an odd odor came out of the wounds on him that didn’t seem to be healing.

Where are we? Emily asked, looking into the trees.

Three hours out, he managed to pant.

We’re three hours out of Council City?

He nodded, and she could tell he was studying her head wound that was still dripping blood into her eye.

What did they do? he asked finally.

Emily looked down at her blood saturated bra. They didn’t do what they had planned.

How far… did they… get?

She forced a smile. Not very far. We need to get going. Can you stand up?

He nodded and stood slowly, leaning on her for support. She fought to keep her legs from buckling out from underneath her with his added weight.

Putting an arm around his back and a hand on his chest, they began the long, arduous walk toward safety. She kept far away from the roadway. She not only wanted to avoid any incoming Encala, but a passerby was sure to call for an ambulance, and she had no way to explain to a mortal what had happened.

Emily kept a close eye out around them. Her head injury was no longer bleeding into her eye, but she was certain the Encala would be out looking for them. The heku she was helping wasn’t healing very quickly, and she was worried about the bloody gash across his chest. She wasn’t sure if he had a heart any longer, and the amount of ongoing pain he was in made her wonder if he was going to live or not. She remembered being told that removing the heart of a heku would kill them slowly and painfully.

The sun set, and things got to be cold. Emily’s skin was goose-bumped and freezing, but her internal body temperature was high from helping the heku to walk. She was out of breath and wishing they would come across someone who could help them. They were still quite a ways out of the safety of the Equites property, and they were moving extremely slow.

The heku wasn’t speaking any longer, but his feet still continued to move, giving them at least some forward progress. Emily could see her breath, and her teeth began to chatter, the colder it got.

Lady Emily, the heku whispered. He slowly sunk to his knees on the frozen ground.

Don’t stop now, she said, and tried to pull him back up.

It’s too late.

No, it’s not.

You need to get yourself to safety, he said, looking up at her with tired eyes.

I’m not leaving here without you.

You can send help back for me. You need to get to the city.

Nope, Emily said, pulling on his arm again. This time, he stood and leaned against her when she started forward.

It’s too dangerous. If an enemy finds us out here, you can’t get away.

I don’t care. I’m not leaving you.

You really are too good to us, he said, almost sounding sad.

Why do you say that?

You treat the heku like family.

You are my family. Emily almost fell when her foot hit the ground improperly, but she righted herself, shifted the heku’s weight, and continued on.

I appreciate you not leaving me behind.

Stop talking, Emily said to him. You’re barely able to make it as it is. Save your breath.

He nodded, and they continued on. Her arms and back were aching horribly. The heku’s added weight was more than she was used to, and her knees felt like they would buckle out from under her at any moment.

I see the forest, the heku said at long last.

Emily looked into the dark and saw nothing even remotely familiar. You’re sure it’s our forest?

Yes, we’re almost to the woods outside of town.

Should we head to the road and try to find a heku? Emily asked him.

He sunk down to the ground again and leaned against the frozen dirt. Let me rest.

Emily knelt down beside him and lightly touched the front of his blood encrusted shirt. Do you have a heart right now?

He nodded and shut his eyes against the pain.

Then what’s still hurting? Why aren’t you healing?

They took something, he said, looking up at her with his dark eyes.

What do you mean?

He meant to take my heart, but he took something else.

What?

I’m not sure, but I’m not healing.

Emily leaned down and heard the distinct thump of his beating heart. She hadn’t believed that he still had it.

You will heal though, right? Emily asked him.

Yes, I think I will. Now that we’re this close to Council City, you need to go ahead and get help.

I can’t leave you here. What if the Encala find you?

I don’t hear them.

So? They can still be around. I won’t let them kill you.

I can’t go on. Please, go get help.

She sat back on her feet. Do you really need me to get help, or are you hoping I’ll make it to Council City before the Encala behind us reach us?

How did you know?

I know how heku think, Emily said, standing. She pulled on his arm. Up you go. We have to get to safety.

They will be here soon. They are moving slowly in the dark, though I don’t know why. They will overtake us.

If I leave you here, they will kill you.

I may already be dead.

Not as long as you’re talking.

Please, Emily, he said, taking her hand. You’re important to this faction, and you need to get to safety. They are really close.

Emily eyed the blackness behind them. I could just turn them all to ash.

Don’t risk it. I don’t know how many there are.

Are there more than a hundred?

He nodded.

She froze when dark figures came out of the shadows behind them. The Encala had arrived, and she heard a soft hiss from the member of the Cavalry behind her.

Stay back, Emily said angrily when they approached.

Or what? the front one said. You’ll turn us to ash like you did the others? We owe you for that. Maybe we’ll bury you for good this time.

Stop it, the heku beside her growled at them.

Emily couldn’t breathe. Hundreds of heku were coming out of the trees, and they all wore the red of the Encala. If she turned that many to ash, there was a chance that she’d fall unconscious soon after.

Where’s your shirt? the closest Encala said, smiling while his eyes ran down her.

One of your cohorts overstepped, and now he’s ash.

He was taking what is rightfully his. You had no right turning him to ash for it.

What he did had nothing to do with his rights! He has no claim to me.

You owe the Encala, and he was only getting some of that back.

Emily stepped back some when the front Encala walked toward her. His eyes were fixed on her toned abdomen. You’re going to die today, but you’re first going to repay the Encala for what you’ve taken.

I’ve taken nothing! I’m trying to get William back.

We don’t care about William. What we care about is the extermination of the Encala in your name.

Emily had an internal fight. She hated to leave the injured member of the Cavalry, but she felt like she had only limited time to get away from the advancing, angry Encala.

The front Encala finally stepped up in front of her and lightly ran the back of his hand down her blood-soaked cheek. She gasped slightly when he grabbed a handful of her hair and wrenched her head back, so she was facing him.

His lips met hers, and she struggled to get away from him.

Leave her alone! the lone Equites yelled angrily.

The Encala gently pushed her to the ground and shoved his knees between hers when he knelt. He looked down at her in the moonlight and smiled. You’ll enjoy this.

After tearing her jeans from her body, she shivered in the cold night air. It slashed at her exposed skin like tiny pins.

See this, another Encala said. Watch and learn, sweetheart.

Emily looked over and saw the Encala knelt with the Equites’ head in his grasp. He was smiling at her, and she knew any resistance and the Encala would remove his head.

She felt kissing along her neck, and her skin crawled at the feel of cold, unfamiliar lips. She looked around and tried to figure out what to do. She was about to be raped in front of over a hundred Encala, who would surely kill her afterward.

When the Encala leaned up and unfastened the button on his pants, Emily began to struggle. He had a look of pure maliciousness and a hungry gaze that sent panic through her. She could turn that many to ash, but she was already tired from the long journey and the cold. If she fell asleep, she would be at the mercy of any heku who happened by, be it friend or foe.

Once the Encala removed his pants, Emily started to scream. He was ready for her and being cheered on by the watching Encala.

Emily’s eyes grew wide when the Encala screamed, and she saw only blood dripping out of where his member used to be. Fighting erupted around her, and she quickly scrambled to her feet. She moved to the injured Equites.

Who is it? she asked frantically.

The Cavalry came, he said proudly, but his eyes slowly slid shut.

No, wake up, she said, and put her hand against his face. Come on, please.

When he didn’t move, she put her ear against his chest, but she heard nothing.

Please, heal, she begged him, as tears came to her eyes. She shivered in the cold. Her entire body was numb but slowly beginning to warm. She knew she was hypothermic and had to get to warmth, but she couldn’t leave him.

Before she could even react, hands grabbed her, and she was blurred quickly away from the fighting.

No!

We have to get you warm, Kralen said to her. She relaxed some in familiar arms.

Is he dead? she whispered. He was injured badly, but I almost had him home.

Yes, he’s gone. There’s nothing you could have done to save him.

She buried her cold face into his shoulder and held on, hoping to get some warmth from him. She knew immediately that she was in the palace when the frigid cold turned to comforting warmth. It made her shiver worse, and she wasn’t at all surprised to see Dr. Edwards waiting in her bedroom when they arrived.

He looked over her quickly. Put her in a warm bath.

Kralen nodded and carried her into the bathroom, where a servant was running a hot bath. It was already steaming and filled the bathroom with muggy air.

Kralen put her down and steadied her. Can you get in by yourself?

She nodded and tried to answer, but her teeth were chattering too hard to actually speak.

He smiled and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving and shutting the door behind her.

It had all happened too fast, and when the realization hit that she’d been attacked and saved by the Cavalry, she broke down into tears. Amidst crying, her frozen fingers worked at her clothes, but she wasn’t able to get them to work properly. She couldn’t feel them, and any attempt to grab the blood-soaked fabric was futile.

Do you need help? Chevalier said from behind her.

Just the sound of his voice made her feel safe. She lowered her head into her hands and continued to sob. His strong arms wrapped around her, and she felt him lightly kiss the top of her head.

When her crying subsided, Chevalier gently tore off her frozen clothing and lifted her into the steaming water. It burned her body, and she gasped slightly before settling down into it.

Where else are you injured? he asked, and began inspecting the cut on her head that had covered her in blood.

When she tried to answer, she found only sobs escaping again.

Chevalier kissed her forehead lightly. You’re safe now. We killed them all.

Emily wiped the last of the tears from her eyes while Chevalier put more hot water into the bath.

Where are the others? she asked him.

Your guards?

She nodded.

They didn’t make it.

Emily sighed softly.

Em, did he…?

No, she whispered. She could still feel the Encala’s rough hands against her frozen skin.

It looked like he did, Chevalier said. He was trying to contain his anger. When he’d appeared in the clearing and saw the Encala moments from assaulting Emily, his temper raged forward, and he’d done the fastest thing he could, remove the offending appendage.

He didn’t. Neither did the first.

That happened twice tonight?

She nodded, ashamed of what had occurred.

One of the ashes we found?

Yes

I’m proud of you for stopping them.

I couldn’t ash the big group. There were too many of them.

Screaming was the best thing you could do. Mark heard you.

He, Emily started, but then she buried her face into her hands again.

Chevalier lightly rubbed her back. I know.

It took a while for her to warm up enough to relax, and she was soon warm and cozy in the hot water. Chevalier stayed with her. She was still frightened and anxious, and he hoped his presence would calm her down.

Dr. Edwards wants to see your head, Chevalier told her. He dipped a washcloth into the hot water and began washing the blood off of her face.

How bad is it? she asked, looking up at him.

The cut is pretty deep. Was that from the Jeep wreck?

Yes

Did they hurt you anywhere else?

No

He reached behind him and took a stack of clothing. Emily wasn’t sure where it’d come from, but she didn’t really care, as long as it was warm. Chevalier helped her out of the bath and dried her off before helping her get dressed.

Dr. Edwards, Quinn, and Mark were waiting in the bedroom for them. She was embarrassed at first but realized that the Cavalry had just seen her in only a bra and panties, so the nightgown wasn’t revealing at all.

Mark was looking her over closely, and she could tell that he and Chevalier were in a conversation.

Can we get you something to eat? Quinn asked her.

Emily shook her head and sat down beside Dr. Edwards, who immediately began pushing her hair aside to see the cut.

How bad is it? Chevalier asked after a few minutes.

I think stitches will be needed to close this.

Is that okay? Chevalier asked her.

Emily couldn’t seem to do more than nod, which surprised them all. Just in case she changed her mind, Chevalier sat on the bed and pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his strong arms around her, and she laid her head against his chest while Dr. Edwards patched her up. When he was done, she crawled under the covers and looked out the window into the dawning light.

Will you eat? Please? Dr. Edwards asked.

I’m not hungry.

Out, Chevalier ordered. He thought Emily probably needed rest more than anything.

Emily sat up when the door closed, and she saw Chevalier was the only one in the room. Please, don’t leave.

He smiled and crawled into bed with her.

***

We’ll take eight guards, Mark assured her.

Emily shook her head and stayed sitting in the bay window in her room.

Kralen said they have a new line of Rubicons available.

No, Emily said.

Mark sighed before trying again. The Elder thinks it’s a good idea.

I don’t want a new car right now.

It’s been a month since the attack.

I’m aware of that.

You’ve done this enough to know that the best thing to do is get out of the palace.

Nice, Emily snapped.

What? Mark asked. It’s true.

I don’t feel like going out right now.

Sitting here won’t do any good. You need to get out and see that the Encala aren’t going to attack you.

So you say.

No, I know. After we paid them a visit, I don’t believe they’ll bother you again.

Emily looked over at him. Chevalier led another army to them?

No, he didn’t want to leave you. I led it.

How many of the Cavalry did you take?

Mark smiled. All of them.

What’d they say?

Scared the shit out of them to see us coming. They denied it, obviously, and assured us it won’t happen again.

You honestly believe them?

Yes, I do.

Well, I don’t. I’ve heard that before.

You need your own vehicle or you’re going to feel trapped here, Mark told her.

Emily just shrugged yet again.

You have the Aero, but it’s getting old, and you need something more versatile than the truck.

Then you go get me a Rubicon.

No, you need to pick out your own vehicle.

I don’t want to go, Emily said, looking up at Mark.

Fine, I guess I won’t pester you about it.

Thank you.

If you change your mind, you know where to find me.

That I do, Emily said, and she watched Mark leave.

She looked out the window at the cloud filled, dark sky, and decided she wanted to visit Dain. It was nice having him so close yet confined enough she didn’t have to worry about him breaking any laws or killing anyone. She hated that he was in pain, but she fully planned on fixing that as soon as she could. Chevalier refused to visit his son, but she often went down to check on him.

Ma’am, the two prison guards said, bowing to her.

Good morning, she said with a smile. She immediately headed over to see Dain. She avoided Adam’s cell as much as possible. She’d visited him once, and that visit took her days to get over. She could still feel his piercing eyes boring into her soul. She continued to have nightmares about that one heku and often wished he would die so he wasn’t living in the prison of the palace she lived in.

Dain was in too much pain to say much, but his eyes met hers.

Good morning, Emily said from the tall window into his bricked-off cell. Chevalier had put a step-ladder in there, so she could climb up to see him.

His lip turned into a snarl.

Megara came to see you. Did you talk to her?

Dain barely shook his head ‘no’.

I figured you might.

Jeep, Dain managed to hiss.

What about my Jeep? Emily said, before it dawned on her that he’d heard her conversation. Stop listening in on me.

Mark’s right.

Stay out of it.

Leave him. The pain in his voice was leaving slightly. Now that he was angry, the rage overcame some of the anguish he was feeling from the electrical current.

Stop it, Dain, Emily said angrily. He didn’t have to say a name. She knew he had swapped from speaking of Mark to trying to get her to leave Chevalier.

He sent the Encala.

Dain, that’s stupid! Chevalier wouldn’t do that.

Control, he growled, and he tried to lock her gaze.

Don’t do that, Dain! You try to control me way more than your dad does.

He just watched her.

Your dad isn’t manipulating things to keep me here.

Dain nodded. She took a moment to study him. The constant pain seemed to age him.

I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Dain sighed and nodded, then watched Emily disappear from the window.

Emily angrily walked up the stairs and turned to the nearest member of the Cavalry, Tell Mark to bring Silas and Gifford, and we’ll go shopping for a new car.

He nodded and disappeared to follow her orders. Chevalier heard her and came down the stairs. You decided to go and get a new Jeep?

Apparently I need a new vehicle.

I agree. You do.

Well, I’m going.

What changed your mind?

Your son, Emily said, and dug through her purse.

Dain or Allen?

Dain did.

That surprises me, Chevalier said. Everything he heard from Dain was either angry, complaining, or threatening.

He’s under some misguided impression that you hired the Encala to attack me, just to keep me inside the palace walls.

That made Chevalier’s temper flare. How dare he!?

Well, it’s not true, and I’m going to prove it by leaving without you.

If you aren’t ready to leave the palace, then don’t let him force you to.

I am ready.

Just be careful. Do you need my credit card? Chevalier asked, and started for his wallet.

No, I have money, Emily assured him.

His eyes narrowed. You won’t let me buy you a car?

I have my own money.

I’m aware that you still have money that Sotomar put into an account for you, but I have more, and I want to buy you a car.

No, Emily said, watching him.

You used to let me buy you cars.

I’m buying this one.

He sighed and nodded. He hated fighting with Emily over money, and he wasn’t ready to do anything to irritate her today. Call for me when you get back.

I will, she assured him, and then went out to meet up with Mark, Silas, and Gifford.

Gifford was still quiet around Emily because he blamed himself for not being there when the Encala attacked. Emily found out later that he’d offered to stay at Grema Coven to handle some things and was angry that his choice led to not being there when she was assaulted. Emily didn’t blame him and wanted to help him get over it.

Where to? Mark asked her.

Emily tossed him the keys to Chevalier’s Humvee and crawled into the passenger seat. Just find a Jeep dealer.

You’re not going with anything faster? Silas asked from the back seat.

No. I have the Aero for that.

That Aero needs to be retired.

It’s still in good shape.

It’s old.

Mark started up the Humvee and pulled out of Council City. We should stop for dinner on the way back.

Sounds good, Emily said stiffly.

Silas smiled and massaged her shoulders. Calm down. This is supposed to be a fun outing.

I’m not tense.

You are very tense.

Relax, Mark said. We’ll get you a new car and then have dinner. Nothing will happen.

You can’t assure me of that, Emily said. It seems like it’s those small outings that turn bad.

It won’t, Gifford whispered. He sounded ominous, and the hair on the back of Emily’s neck stood up.

Are you going to kill anyone I talk to? Emily asked, and turned to look at him.

He shook his head and continued to check the cars around them.

Great

What? Silas asked.

Gifford is going to kill someone.

He’s fine.

No, he’s not! Look at him.

Silas glanced at the heku beside him. He’s just being cautious.

It wasn’t your fault, Emily said to the guard from Thukil.

His jaw tensed.

You couldn’t have known the Encala were waiting for me.

Let’s not talk about this now, Mark said. He pulled into the Jeep dealer and shut off the Humvee. Let’s just pick out a vehicle and go.

Easy enough, Emily said, and hopped out of the Humvee.

At the first sight of the expensive SUV, several salesmen came running out of the dealership toward them. Emily sighed. She hated this part of the process. The first one to get to her was a younger man who was fresh-faced and eager to shake all of their hands.

It’s nice to have you out at Miller Jeep Dodge, he said, focusing his attention on Mark.

Mark turned toward Emily. She wants a Rubicon.

Great choice! Our new models are over here. They followed the hyper young man over to a row of shiny new Jeep Rubicons. Do you know what you’re looking for?

Yeah, I want a blue Rubicon with upgraded tires, sound system, and hard-top, Emily said, stopping at the closest dark, blue Rubicon.

That one’s fully loaded, the man told her. It’s considered Moab ready.

Where’s Moab?

Utah

Then why do I care?

It’s just how we think of it. Moab is rough, rocky terrain, and the Rubicon is made for just such an environment.

What’s your name? Emily asked the young man.

Dean

Here’s the deal, Dean. I want a dark blue, fully loaded Rubicon with upgraded 26 tires and hard top. I want the four-door model, and I don’t want the hassle of bartering for it. I am paying cash, and I won’t be playing games. Can you do that or not?"

He stammered a bit before nodding. Yes, yes I can do that.

Mark just grinned. He could tell from Emily’s tone of voice that she wasn’t in the mood to be messed with.

I’m going to test drive it, and when I get back, have the paperwork ready to sign.

Yes, ma’am. He seemed out of his league but anxious for an easy sale.

Emily got in and waited for the salesman to retrieve the key. He handed it to her, and she drove off with Mark beside her, and Silas and Gifford in the back.

Why are you getting the 4-door? Silas asked after a few minutes.

Because I always have guards with me.

That didn’t stop you from getting the 2-door before.

With my previous Jeep, I was under the impression I would go out mostly alone.

Oh

Now I know that’s never going to happen, so I might as well prepare for passengers, Emily said, hitting the highway.

It was so hard sitting in the back of that Jeep.

I bet. You all have those long legs.

This rides well.

I like it, Emily said, and picked up speed in it. Gifford?

Yes, ma’am?

Stop it.

Stop what?

Stop sulking.

I am not sulking.

Yes, you are, and if you don’t stop, I’m going to pull over and let you out.

Mark stifled a laugh, and Gifford watched Emily carefully.

Is that understood?

Yes, ma’am.

Stop with the ma’am thing too.

I can’t. You’re a ranking officer in the Cavalry.

With that, Emily slammed on the brakes and swerved to the side of the road, barely missing an approaching Prius. Mark had to brace himself against the dashboard to keep from hitting his head on the dash.

Is that the problem? Emily said, turning in her seat. You’re sulking because a ranking member of the Cavalry was assaulted while you weren’t there?

It’s more than that.

Yeah, well I quit the Cavalry.

You can’t quit the Cavalry, Silas said, smiling at her.

I did.

I’m sorry, okay? Gifford said. It’s hard when you’re injured.

It wasn’t your fault.

Gifford just nodded, so Emily started back onto the freeway.

Within the hour, she pulled her new Jeep into the palace’s garage and shut off the lights. Silas and Gifford got out of the Jeep, while Mark pulled Chevalier’s Humvee into its parking space. As requested, Silas also alerted Chevalier that they were back.

Chevalier came into the garage and walked toward the Rubicon. I liked the green one.

I needed a change, Emily said, going to meet him. I figured red would get me kicked out of the Equites.

That it would have.

Chevalier stopped at the back of the Jeep and studied the tire cover.

Emily looked over at it and smiled. Like it?

No

It’s funny.

I’m so glad that it amuses you, Chevalier said, trying not to smile.

Kyle met them out in the garage and went to see what they were looking at. He read the tire cover out loud, Humvee rescue unit?

Yep, Emily said, proud of her joke.

My Humvee can outperform this little Jeep any day, Chevalier said, taking her hand.

No, it can’t. It’s too heavy.

That’s just what I told you.

I’ll race you.

No

Why not? We’ve raced before.

It’s too dangerous. With that, he led her into the palace and up the stairs.

Since when?

It just is. Do you like your new Jeep?

Yes

Don’t be mad that I won’t race you, okay?

I’m not. I just wonder what’s up.

He reached down and kissed the top of her head. Nothing’s up. I want to keep you safe.

I’ll find out if you’re hiding something from me, she said, and walked into their room. She turned to see if Chevalier was going to shut the door, but he wasn’t there, and guards were positioned outside of her room. Great.

After an hour of trying to think of something to do, Emily decided to go to her house and check on things. She didn’t visit it often, but Chevalier had assigned a heku to check on it daily. She still liked being in there, and she suddenly felt like getting away from palace life for a bit. After finding Ruger, her Kuvasz, she put a leash on him and headed out to her house in the city.

The drive was short. Chevalier was in some type of meeting that couldn’t be disturbed, so she was able to leave fairly quickly, although Mark insisted she take guards. The house was dark when she arrived, and before she could stop him, Gifford blurred out of her Jeep, opened the front door, and had the entranceway lit up. She just smiled when she walked past him into the house, and he bowed and shut the door behind her.

Emily took a deep breath and listened to the quietness of the house. She loved the small glimmer of normalcy it gave her, although sometimes it got too quiet. She dropped her purse by the front door, kicked off her shoes, and went to see about dinner. After finding nothing, she ordered a pizza and went to pick a movie.

Late into the night she laid in bed and thought about Dain and Chevalier. Things weren’t improving between them, and over time, their relationship was becoming even more volatile. She knew that Chevalier wanted Dain banished again. He’d explained how Dain would never learn from a short sentence. He explained over and over how Dain would always be a menace to both human and heku and had to be confined forever. He tried to make her understand how he would be better off banished for eternity, but she’d immediately insisted that if he put her son below the ground, she would have to take drastic action, though she refused to elaborate on what exactly.

The closet door caught her eye, and she smiled and slipped out of bed. Having this tiny, secret room felt childish and petty, but she always felt a small rush of excitement that she was in a place no heku knew about other than a few Encala. She barely fit through the opening, and every time she squeezed through, she wondered how Andrew managed to fit through it. Inside was a well-stocked bar, some movies, a TV, and overstuffed recliners.

Emily poured herself a drink and then smiled when she saw an old pack of cigarettes hidden under the counter. She hadn’t smoked in years, but it was still something she craved when she was stressed. Smoking seemed to go with drinking though, so after taking a sip of her cocktail, she lit a stale cigarette and took a long, pleasurable drag.

What are you doing? Andrew asked, irritated.

Emily jumped at the sudden voice and immediately hid the cigarette behind her back like a child.

Why are you smoking again?

None of your business, she said, and then took another puff.

It’s vile.

Then you can leave.

He smiled and shook his head. I don’t want to leave yet.

Emily shrugged and sat in her chair. What brings you here? I thought the Encala had it out for me.

Some do, he said, and sat beside her in another recliner.

I don’t appreciate almost being sexually assaulted by someone from your faction.

Andrew visibly cringed. The Council didn’t approve that.

Right

Listen, they don’t like you, but they do still hold true to some laws. They would never approve of such things.

She shrugged again and took another drag off the cigarette.

Andrew’s nose wrinkled. That really is gross.

Says the blood drinker.

What has you upset?

Nothing

Then why the cigarettes?

I like them.

I realize mortal addictions are life-long, but you can’t give in to those urges.

Says the blood drinker.

You said that already.

Emily rolled her eyes. It’s one cigarette.

Just because I’m here.

I still haven’t ascertained why you’re here.

I wanted to see how you are holding up after the attack. I was furious when I found out what they tried to do.

Why don’t you ditch the Encala and come live here?

Andrew laughed, and then he realized she was being serious. I can’t do that.

You’re afraid they would find you?

No, I’m on the Council.

So

So, I can’t just abandon my post and disappear.

Why not? You don’t like this new Council. William was your friend, and he’s gone. They hate me. I wish Chevalier would finish what he started and get rid of the Encala.

I wish you wouldn’t say that.

I already did, Emily told him. She got up and refilled her drink.

Are you about to get plastered again?

No, I can’t risk someone calling Kyle and telling on me.

I had to.

You didn’t have to do shit.

Andrew gently took her hand. You scared me that night.

I hate that you’re an Encala, Emily whispered. They are my enemies right now.

Not all of us.

Fine, one person in the entire faction doesn’t hate me.

I’m slowly trying to work the Council into changing their views about you.

It can’t be done.

It can. That’s one beauty of being immortal. We have all the time in the world to get that alliance back.

Join me here. I can protect you from the Encala.

No

I know the Equites will leave you alone, even unfactioned.

No

Stop saying no! Your Council hates me. Your faction is trying to kill me. Leave them and stay here with me. By now, Emily was angry, so she was practically yelling at him.

Andrew reached out and took her hand. Listen to me, Emily. That’s not how things are done. I won’t leave my post. The Encala need me.

No, they don’t! Any heku can do your job.

That’s not true. I’m damned good at my job.

Anyone can do it. You just have this power ego going on from being on the Council. It’s stupid. You need to leave them.

I don’t have a power trip.

Yes, you do. Everyone on the damned Councils has an inflated ego! Every bloody one of you. You get in that position of power, and your heads grow larger than your tiny brains!

Emily, I’m starting to get mad, Andrew said through clenched teeth. You don’t know what you’re talking about, and if you don’t stop yelling, the Cavalry is going to end up in here.

Yes, I do know what I’m talking about, Emily said, standing. "I’ve about had it with the heku and their Councils! I’m tired of watching heku I care about become power hungry and too absorbed