Curse Breaker: Sundered: Curse Breaker, #5

By Melinda Kucsera

Be careful what you promise. Oaths can kill. 

Magic might be stronger when it's broken, but the promises Sarn forged with them are even stronger.

Two conflicting promises bind Sarn. He must satisfy them both even though a monster's chasing him and an evil entity keeps trying to take his soul.

Serving more than one master is not only damned near impossible without magic, it's also deadly. But Sarn doesn't have a choice because his word is his bond, and he gave his word to Death's Marksman and an otherworldly entity named J.C. who just might be the son of God.

Breaking his word is not an option. Sarn must keep both promises or die trying because those promises won't let him break them, not even to save the son he adores.

With the mountain falling down around them and no exit in sight, can Sarn and his son prevail without magic to help them? Find out in Curse Breaker: Sundered.

Curse Breaker: Sundered is the action-packed sequel to Curse Breaker: Falls. Christian Fantasy meets epic fantasy in this fast-paced narrative pitting Sarn and his young son against monsters and mind-enslaving supernatural entities as they try to keep their promises.  
 

Fans of Nicholas Eames, Julliet Marillier, Michael J. Sullivan, Mercedes Lackey, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman will enjoy Sarn's struggle against dark forces to save his son and himself. Get Curse Breaker: Sundered today!


Other Curse Breaker Books: 

Curse Breaker: Enchanted
His Angelic Keeper
Curse Breaker: Darkens
Curse Breaker: Faceted
Curse Breaker: Falls
Curse Breaker: Books 1-4
Curse Breaker: Sundered

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melinda Kucsera
• Release date: Nov 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386350958

Melinda Kucsera

I write fantasy and science fiction novels and short stories usually at sword point. Everyone should have such eager characters......Hello readers!Yes, this is a fictional character speaking to you. My fellow characters just locked our scribe (Melinda) in a tower. She needs to finish our latest adventure.Want to meet us? Hop on over to get our first adventure for FREE: http://www.mkucsera.com/enchantedWe’re eager to entertain you with our magical mayhem. So go download our book! We're waiting for you.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Curse Breaker Series

Curse Breaker’s Companion

Want Free Stuff?

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Get Lost with us

Would You Leave a Review?

The Unanswered Question

Imperiled by Promises

The Price of Free Will

Call in the Guards

Rocks and Ripples Redux

Dangerous Talks

The Devil’s in the Details

This Little Light

Shopping for Demons

What the Bells Say

The Trouble with Paperwork

The Pain of Tardiness

Queens and Bears, Oh My!

Bad Magic

The Only Way is Down

Dueling Promises

Making Monsters

Demonic Pursuit

Snake Attack

Get Out

Ran to the Rescue

Stunning Tentacles

Where’s Nolo

Chasing Darkness

A Run-in with Death

Shut that Portal!

The Trouble with Sisters

We Need a Dirk

A Deadly Encounter

Defend the Innocent

Who Do You Serve?

Second Chances

The Bells of Destruction

A Fiendish Delight

Battle for the Foundlings

Death’s Marksman

Finding Allies

How Can You Fly Without Wings?

Into the Ravine

You Made Me Promise

The Battle of the Tentacles

Sacrifices

The Walking Wounded

Promise Me

Lost and Found

This Death is Not for You

Good Guys Should Stick Together

Come into the Light

O, Guardian, Most Dear

All Souls Fight

Collapsing Shields

Through the Wall

Ladies Love a Good Sword Fight

Bad Rock

Death’s Sword Becomes Her

Would You Please Leave a Review?

Want Free Stuff?

About the Author

Memoriam

I’d Love to Hear from You!

Stay in Touch!

The Curse Breaker Series

His Angelic Keeper Series

Curse Breaker’s Companion

Robin of Larkspur

Divergent Heroes

The Curse Breaker Series

A high-fantasy action/adventure series full of magic and mayhem with a Christian bent.

Other books in the Curse Breaker Series:

(Suggested Reading Order)

Prequels

RELIC HUNTER

Main Series

CURSE BREAKER ENCHANTED

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER

CURSE BREAKER DARKENS

CURSE BREAKER FALLS

CURSE BREAKER BOOKS 1-4

(Includes Curse Breaker Enchanted, Curse Breaker Darkens, Curse Breaker Faceted, and Curse Breaker Falls)

CURSE BREAKER SUNDERED

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER HIDDEN

CURSE BREAKER HIDDEN

SPELL OF SHADOW & LIGHT

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER FALLEN

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER: TEMPTED

CURSE BREAKER FALLOUT*

CURSE BREAKER TRAPPED*

CHAOS RISES*

*Forthcoming

Curse Breaker’s Companion

A zany portal fantasy series based on the stories published in Melinda Kucsera’s weekly newsletter. Sign up at www.mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters to start receiving them.

DRAGON SPELLS

ROGUE SPELLS

STORM SPELLS*

*Forthcoming

Want Free Stuff?

So do we! Who are we? We’re the stars of the Curse Breaker series. Just go to www.mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters to claim these awesome bonuses:

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Your email address will become part of the Newsletter-Dragon’s horde. Who is she? She’s the dragon who delivers our newsletter each week. That’s right.

We have a Dragon Email Delivery Service, and it’s so much more secure! She incinerates threats on sight and curious characters. Your email address will be safe in her claws.

Bonus #2:

You’ll get exclusive content, advanced access to extended previews, and our weekly adventure series delivered safely to your inbox by our digital dragon.

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Bonus #4:

You could appear in our newsletter and in a future book. How does that work?

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We don’t use your email address for anything other than to:

That’s all the Newsletter-Dragon allows. All other requests are incinerated on sight along with the requester. She takes your privacy seriously. We, characters, do too, and so does our Scribe, but we prefer that Melinda write our books and leave her newsletter to us.

So, go grab your preview and your FOUR FREE bonuses. Go to www.mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters. But don’t tell our author, okay?

--The cast of the Curse Breaker Series

Dedication

O, Guardian, most dear

I’m sundered and near to tears.

My magic’s barred by fear

and all I hold dear’s

in peril until I clear

this question—but I persevere.

I climb like a mountaineer

to you, whom I revere.

O, Guardian, most dear.

—Traditional Shayarin Prayer

Acknowledgements

Thank you, J.C. We enjoyed adventuring with you again, but could you please, please, please, leave the Adversary at home next time?

We deserve a break from his shenanigans.

Yours truly,

--Ran, son of Sarn, asker of favors

Get Lost with us

Hi Readers,

Thank you for reading Curse Breaker: Sundered. This is the book our scribe wanted to deliver last time, but there was a mutiny (see the bonus story at the end of Curse Breaker: Falls for details).

After Curse Breaker: Falls, we’re ready for sky beams and to dispatch some villains because it's getting awfully crowded on the bad guys (and gals) front. Our heroes (Papa and I) are happy for all the help we can get.

So, um, J.C., if it’s not too much trouble, could you send us some help? Hurry because there’s a monster on our tail, and I’d like someone to take it out, now, please.

Love and hugs,

—Ran, Son of Sarn, writing on behalf of the cast of the Curse Breaker series and our scribe, Melinda K.

Would You Leave a Review?

Yes, we’re fictional characters, but we need reviews too! We exist when you read us. So, every review helps! We love feedback and reviews help other readers to decide if our adventure is right for them. (It is, but they won’t know if you don’t leave a review.) If you’re enjoying this book, please consider leaving a review.

Thank you for reading Curse Breaker: Sundered.

The Unanswered Question

[Earlier Under Mount Eredren]

Something punched through the wall, sending rocks flying. Sarn extended his hand to cast a shield around them, but nothing happened. The green magic he used to make shields, was gone—drained by the black lumir crystal or forfeited when that damned ‘Question’ was interrupted.

All he had left was a flickering flame buried deep inside him. When he reached for it, his hand passed right through that white fire—there was no power to grasp or shape. For the first time in his entire life, Sarn had no magic at his beck and call, just his wits. That emptiness was a fierce ache begging to be filled.

Sarn hugged his son, and Ran returned the embrace.

It’s happening again—the m-monster is free, Ran clung to him as another tentacle broke through.

I won't let it get you.

Sarn dodged the falling debris, jinking to evade two more tentacles. Can they sense me or something? Why are they all breaking through right here? There are other tunnels in the Lower Quarters.

Thank Fate, none of the tentacles had eyes. They were stuck feeling about for prey. Hopefully, they didn’t have ears either.

Sarn halted just beyond the grasping tentacle’s reach. J.C.! Where are you?

When the air cleared, a mountain of rubble blocked the tunnel, but there was no sign of J.C. just six tentacles feeling along those broken stones.

J.C.? Sarn set his son down and started climbing, but Ran wrapped his arms around his leg.

When he glanced back, Ran just shook his head. Tears tracked down his dusty little face. They leaked out of a pair of wide, scared eyes. Sarn rubbed his son’s back.

I’ll just see if he’s ok. You stay here out of the monster’s reach, okay?

Ran shook his head, and his little shoulders shook with silent sobs. Torn between staying and going, Sarn shouted for J.C. one last time.

I’m here. We’ve been cut off. Perhaps that’s for the best. Find your brother and help your Queen. Leave the Adversary to me.

I can make a hole. We can still accompany you.

No, I couldn’t in good conscience expose you or your son to the Adversary.

Because my magic is gone?

J.C. didn't answer.

I can still help.

I can still be a hero. Sarn shifted one of the rocks aside but stopped when the ones above it rocked. I never guess wrong. I always know which rock to move.

Because his magic had always shown him which stones would bring the whole thing crumbling down, but that power was gone. Eyes burning with unshed tears, Sarn punched the wall but remembered in time to pull the blow. Without magic, those rocks could break his hand.

In his mind’s eye, a sun-drenched field of valor stretched to the horizon. The shining warrior he’d wanted to be since childhood turned his steed and rode away, taking his dream with him. The image crumpled and faded into the white glow of his pendant.

J.C. sighed instead of answering.

Yes, Sarn was being excluded because he had no magic. Without it, he was useless in this fight. The realization hit Sarn harder than anything he’d seen during that trip through his memories in that ‘Question’ thing.

It is because my magic is gone. You need the kind of help I can no longer give.

It can’t be gone. Ran stared at him in shock. It’ll come back. Last time you just needed to—what did Bear say? —recuperate.

Sarn shook his head. This time was different. He felt empty and dark as if all his light was extinguished. This time his magic was gone for good. I didn’t choose in time. The black lumir crystal hit me when I was still wavering. It took everything but a small ember, and I can’t touch that.

Don’t touch it. That ember’s keeping you alive. You were made to store and shape magic. Without it, your body doesn’t know how to function.

So, there’s a chance I can get it back? Sarn wished he could see J.C.’s face.

Do I want it back? Right now, yes, he did. Magic was useful in a crisis, and he felt naked without it. But once the crisis passed, what then? Did he want to be tied to power and a life of constant danger?

Papa, I want to go, now. I don’t want to stay here. I don’t want to fight m-monsters. I want to go home. Tears washed the dust from Ran’s cheeks.

Whether you want it back or not, finish the trial. It’s called the ‘Question’ for a reason. You must answer it. It’ll hang over your head until you do, putting pressure on the world’s balance.

You mean the cross you bear.

Yes, for my sake, please finish the trial.

How do I answer it?

Do you want it back?

That gave Sarn pause. All the arguments for and against clamored for his attention until he silenced them.

Jerlo, my master, can he bind me to something I don’t want?

His gut said no because then he would be bound to a lie. And I can’t lie.

You already know the answer to that.

That’s what I thought. Sarn ground his teeth.

Then at some point in my screwed-up teen years, I wanted normalcy. I wanted a life without magic. Do I still? Sarn started as an unexpected answer welled up from the bottom of his soul.

Until you know what you want, you’ll stay as you are. I’d like to help, but this is a decision only you can make. Thank you for all your help. Be safe my friends. Whatever you decide, you have my support.

Thank you. Sarn pushed off the mountain of rubble and knew what he had to do.

What about the many-armed m-monster? Ran’s grip loosened just a hair, but it was enough to free Sarn’s leg. He scooped up his son and hugged him.

J.C. didn’t answer. Maybe he’d already left on his mission.

I think we’re taking it on again.

But we can’t, not without Bear or the Queen Tree. Or we’ll lose.

Because you have no magic, rasped Sarn’s conscience.

Then it’s time I find out how resourceful I can be. I’m not endangering my son. Sarn tightened his grip and turned to assess his options by crystal light. Not having glowing eyes would take some getting used to—if this state is permanent. I’m not convinced it is. Nothing in my life has been set in stone, so why should this be?

Another tear rolled down Ran’s cheek. I want Bear. Why isn’t he here?

I know. I wish that sarcastic ghost was here too, but he’s not— Sarn stopped as a familiar fuzzy head reared up. A tentacle had wrapped around Ran’s favorite toy, and it receded, taking Bear with it.

Rat Woman brought him to me, Ran said with a shrug while Sarn stared at the surreal tableau.

Rocks and ripples, Nolo murmured in the back of his mind presaging a familiar lecture about the ‘little things' in life, and why Sarn shouldn't neglect them.

I'll bet he never envisioned this scenario. Sarn shook his head and refocused on the equally bizarre conversation.

Rat Woman was here? When did you see her?

How long was I trapped in that 'Question?' Evidently, long enough for allies to come and go and someone to release not one but two deadly threats. And I no longer have the power to stop them. But Bear was another story.

Insect Man was here too. They tried to save us from the shadow-creature and the staring people, but the black mist made them fall apart. I hope they're okay.

I hope so too. But Sarn couldn't worry about them right now.

He set Ran down out of the tentacles’ reach. Stay here while I rescue Bear.

Be careful.

Sarn nodded.

Without magic, ‘careful’ was his new watchword, and it lasted all of five seconds. Five tentacles, each about as wide as a tree trunk slithered over rocks and twisted banners. The third one from the left dragged Bear closer to the hole it had entered through. Sarn patted his pockets, searching for anything that might hold an edge then remembered his pendant. When he tried to lift its leather thong over his head, it choked him until he let go. Damn, there went plan A.

Plan B was more dangerous, but he was out of options. So Sarn went into a slide and stabbed the tentacle with his pendant when he passed by. It dropped Bear and patted the ichor-spewing hole he’d drilled in it, bumping two other tentacles while he scooped up Bear. Three tentacles whipped around as Sarn rushed back to his son. He dodged the first two and leaped over the third.

You did it! You saved Bear. Ran’s eyes shone with joy as he hugged his only toy.

The stuffed thing looked less ratty, and its fur seemed fuller and softer than before. In fact, Bear wasn’t even dirty from rolling in the dust, and he’d acquired a silver ribbon that shimmered in the crystal light. Did that spirit guide's body receive an upgrade when I wasn't looking? Sarn shelved that question for later when six tentacles weren't searching for him and his son.

Yes, Bear’s safe now.

Sometimes the smallest actions make the biggest difference, Nolo said and in Sarn’s mind’s eye, his other master tossed a rock into a calm pool, rippling its surface to make his point.

It was time to test that theory because, without magic, ‘small things’ were all he could manage. But according to Nolo, if he did enough ‘small things,' they'd pile up into something big. Perhaps their cumulative effect would be enough to shift the course of the future.

Come on. Let's go see what else we can do.

But the m-monster—

That was a concern, but a grim determination fired Sarn, leaving no room for doubt. I’ll think of something.

‘Rocks and ripples’—those two words echoed in Sarn’s mind as he scooped up his son and ducked under tentacle number four, which had decided to probe the ceiling. Through a square-cut hole, it explored an air duct. Tentacle number five snaked over the ground investigating rocks, so he stepped over it then turned sideways as tentacle number three shot past him. It struck the wall showering them with pebbles as Sarn hurried around the next bend.

***

For what happened immediately before this book, just grab book 4:

Curse Breaker: Falls

https://melindakucsera.com/curse-breaker-falls/

Imperiled by Promises

Be careful what you promise.

Even the best intentions can demand more than you can give.

***

Magic might be stronger when it's broken, but the promises Sarn forged with them are even stronger.

In the fifth book of the Curse Breaker series, all his promises come due, and Sarn must satisfy them all.

Serving more than one master is not only damned near impossible without magic, it’s also deadly.

But Sarn doesn’t have a choice. He must keep them all despite the monsters chasing him. The promises won’t let him break them, not even to save those he loves.

Clean fantasy goes epic in this action-packed thrill ride.

***

For Carolyn K., keeper of the only promise that matters. RIP sis. Sorry this book is more than two months late. Life got in the way.

The Price of Free Will

[Now]

Farewell for now, my friends. J.C. touched the pile of broken stones separating him from Sarn and his son. They were good people who’d done more than enough. I won't imperil them any further.

J.C.? Ran called. The tyke wasn’t ready to give up just yet. Neither was his father.

Rocks grated as they slipped and slid. Sarn must still be trying to break through, but he couldn’t while his magic was bound by the Question. I didn’t realize how young he is. I needed to get inside those menhirs and their cordon, and Sarn was the only way in. Then he offered to help me, and I couldn’t say no. He and his son were so earnest. J.C. sighed.

Of course, Sarn’s habit of hiding under deep hoods had helped scale his age up. So had his brilliant green eyes. Their constant glow had highlighted the scar bracketing his left eye and left much of his face in shadow, adding to the effect.

Oh well, what was done was done, and they were clear of it now. Those helpful rocks blocked their way. J.C. patted them in thanksgiving and turned, grateful for their presence.

Now to deal with the Adversary and his latest scheme. And on the way, meet a mortal who’ll volunteer to help me because the Covenant granted mankind self-determination. So those were the rules of engagement, rules He’d died to uphold.

You can tempt mortals all you like my Adversary, but I died to ensure you could never make them do your will. They must choose who they follow. And that thought made J.C. smile because the Adversary still didn’t understand the full measure of what His most precious blood had purchased for mankind. Neither did most mortals, but one day they would.

So J.C. lifted his cross and headed toward the echoes coming from somewhere ahead. He stumbled as those voices grew to a deafening roar. So many cried out for help—too many to count as their faces flashed before his eyes. He tried to locate them, but He couldn't get a fix on their location or what was happening. Their pain slammed into Him, and he teetered as His cross swelled from the weight of their terror. It threatened to crush him.

Overwhelmed by their pain, J.C. dropped to his knees and choked on their tears, but He could do nothing to stop what was happening. That was the price of their free will. He could just be a comforting presence reaching out of the darkness to embrace the hurt and the dying, and a voice calling the just to stop the slaughter.

Dimly, He was aware of footsteps and the cold ground under his hands and knees as he crawled. Blood ran down his face as thorns pricked his forehead. Nails punched through his hands and feet, but He kept going because He must.

Light flared around Him then voices echoed from somewhere close by or maybe He was slipping away to be with His people in their time of need. Something flew past his head then J.C. heard a curious voice on a different frequency then humans used. There were other sentient races sharing this land, but they usually hid when He was about.

You’re hurt. I’ll fetch friend, Nulthir. He’ll fix you, said the creature as it flapped away.

I’m sorry, but I can’t wait for your friend. They’re calling from a pit that became their tomb. I must roll away the stone and freed them, so they can fly to My Father in heaven.

Blood welled from the holes in his palms and dripped on the ground as J.C. pushed to a stand. He held fast to the wall and his bloody fingers found every crack and crevice that could serve as a handhold. Under his sandals, the mountain groaned. It had sensed his presence and was now waking up to the dangers stalking its uncounted miles of tunnels.

Sleep, friend, your turn has not yet come. I pray it never does.

At his words, the mountain stilled, and it drifted back into dreams of the days of old, when mages summoned mountains to fight for them.

With a heavy heart, J.C. put his back to the rubble pile and the allies Thing had gone to fetch. It was too dangerous for them. Tentacles snaked across the ground, pawing over everything in their path. While others probed the middle distance. Each tentacle moved with a purpose independent of its mates. How far did that independence extend? Was each tentacle driven by a separate mind, or were there multiple monsters controlling groups of them?

What are you searching for? Can you sense Me? In case they could, J.C. passed them with care and hoped Sarn and his son found somewhere safe to hold up until the Adversary was contained. Defeating that beast must be His priority.

As He shuffled along, a black mist lapped at his sandal-shod feet, seeking elemental magic to eat. Since his magic was divine rather than tied to any one world, it should have done nothing more than hide the ground and the tentacles feeling around for prey. Instead, that rising fog sucked at his feet and slowed his steps.

My power comes from belief. You can’t take my power. But that fog was taking something he needed just as much—the energy to move. He wasn’t here as a spirit but in a body. Unfortunately, bodies needed rest and sustenance. Two things J.C. had deprived it of because He’d been too busy chasing after the Adversary. That deprivation was now taking its toll and making him vulnerable to the colloidal black thing climbing up his quivering legs.

With his body so depleted, it would take too long to navigate the tunnels between himself and the Adversary. But all other ways are closed to me. So He lifted his cross and tottered onward toward the trapped souls calling His name. I will ransom you, my people. Don’t lose heart. For that is how the Adversary sneaks in.

Call in the Guards

I think that worked a little too well, Iraine said wryly as she flattened herself against the wall beside Nulthir to keep from getting trampled.

She would have melted into the shadows thanks to her dark complexion, if a collection of religious symbols weren’t glowing on her skin. Those marks of faith had prevented her from turning into a mindless drone, so they were a boon even though they made her conspicuous in the dark.

All the guards with Nulthir glowed with symbols, some due to their own faith and some because he’d marked them with runes against mental coercion, like the one he bore. But his rune was under his clothes because his mother had inscribed it on his base chakra at birth with indelible ink. Nulthir fiddled with the curvy pendant hanging over his heart. It was the old rune for dawn, and its light was fast-fading because he had no magic to fuel it with.

You think? Under the sweat and stinking grime, Nulthir caught a familiar scent and sneezed. Are you carrying pepper?

So what if I am? Iraine winked, and Nulthir shook his head.

Only Iraine would carry spices around with her. Though in the past, those spices had come in handy, especially the salt and capsaicin.

At least we freed them, she said.

Are you sure that was us? Huwain shouted over the screaming denizens running all out for their lives. Holy water is some powerful stuff, but only in the hands of a true religious, and I’m just a guard.

He ducked his head though whether that was out of discomfort over discussing his religious beliefs in the middle of a supernatural crisis or to better protect his bare head, Nulthir couldn’t tell in the uncertain light. All he had was a dim glow of the symbols that shone on the breasts or foreheads of his people and others caught up in the hysterical flow of the mob. But his subordinate had brought up an important point.

You think someone else freed them. Not a question, just a statement touching on a rather frightening fact. Who has that power?

Do I even want to know? Yes, he needed to know but just what was he supposed to do with the answer? Congratulate the man? Why does everything in this place swing toward the magical side of the spectrum? Why can’t only mundane problems fall into my lap? Nulthir rubbed his shoulder. It still smarted from when that bearish man had slammed into him.

Begging your pardon sir, but there’s only one man who could do that—our Lord and Savior.

What are you saying? Lurston asked. He sounded less groggy though he kept rubbing at the rune Nulthir had traced on him. Are you saying He’s here?

Nulthir caught Lurston by his wrist. Stop it. That rune cut you loose from whatever was controlling you. Until we know more about what’s going on, leave it in place. That’s an order corporal.

Yes, sir, Lurston said in resignation.

Look, I just call ‘em like I see ‘em, and what we saw is only possible for one man. Huwain shrugged and slunk deeper into cover, such as it was.

What if he’s right? Iraine asked right before she darted into the stampede.

Iraine? What the hell are you doing?

Iraine! Agalthar echoed his shout, but the lithe woman didn’t acknowledge either of them as she vanished into the crowd.

Did that voice get her?

I don’t hear it. Do you? Nulthir scanned the crowd for Iraine’s dark head, but she was gone.

He hurtled over the boulder he’d been sheltering behind and nearly crashed into his best friend as Iraine appeared with three men in tow. Nulthir smiled as a fourth guard linked up with them then a fifth. His squad was now twelve members strong, but the five Guards trailing Iraine weren't sporting any glowing sigils, religious or otherwise.

What had happened to that dark voice and the compulsion it had cast? Perhaps we silenced it.

Draya saluted smartly as she hopped onto the boulder. Sir.

I thought you were on leave, corporal.

I was, but now seemed like a good time to return to active duty. So when Sven’s squad passed my door, I joined up. I can always go back on leave after the current crisis is over.

What my sister-in-arms means is that she was bored to tears at home with the kids and couldn’t wait to escape them. Iraine slung an arm around the other woman’s shoulders.

Draya just smiled. Some people joined the Guards because the Guards were always hiring, and some joined because they craved adventure. Regular paychecks and the opportunity to save people were additional bonuses. Then there was the last group—women, and men like him who’d joined to uphold law and order.

Sven’s down here too? Nulthir asked. Other than Draya and Yazi, the rest were all part of his squad, which was still two Guards short of its original compliment. With luck, they were making their way to the nearest Guard post to report in.

Gare nodded and pointed to his mate, a lumbering giant named Yazi who loved to shoot things. The former Ranger had transferred to the Guards after an incident in the Enchanted Forest. An incident he'd refused to discuss despite the rampant curiosity of his fellow Guards.

Yazi is in his squad. We found each other in the crush, Gare explained.

Yes, but we lost others. They just tranced out and walked away from their posts. I’ve never seen such a thing before. It was beyond eerie. Yazi shuddered, and Gare patted his arm.

How did you end up here? Where was Sven when you last saw him? Agalthar asked as he climbed over a collapsed column to join them.

I don’t know, Draya said. One minute I’m following Yazi and listening to a particularly bad joke. And the next, a wall of screaming people are coming toward me. I had no choice but to run.

So, you ran into my back? Yazi shot her an aggrieved look.

How do you know that was me? It’s awfully dark down here. It could have been anyone.

So, neither of you know where the rest of Sven’s squad is?

No.

Where were you right before you were here?

We were descending a staircase into the Lower Quarters, right? Yazi glanced at Draya, who nodded.

That’s how I remember it though I’d love to know what happened in between then and now.

No, you don’t. Trust me on that, Lurston said, and Iraine mimed throwing a rock at him.

Before Nulthir could digest everything he'd just heard and formulate a plan, he felt a familiar presence touch his mind. Nulthir raised his fist, and Thing dropped onto it. Claws bit into the leather of his padded gauntlet as his little friend settled.

The Shining One needs help, Friend Nulthir, Thing broadcasted, making everyone jump.

His psychic pet/flatmate was a mishmash of mammals with a bit of owl thrown in the mix to give the mostly harmless creature wings, and the ability to turn his head one-hundred-and-eighty degrees, so his large, dark-adjusted eyes could plead with Nulthir and his squad simultaneously.

What’s a ‘Shining One?’ Iraine clambered over the rocks in time to scratch Thing’s furry belly, and his little friend squirmed with pleasure.

He’s here, Huwain said in a reverent tone. We have to help Him, Captain.

Help who?

I don't see anyone besides us and that crowd. Draya steadied herself on Yazi’s broad shoulders and shook her head before dismounting.

You must help Him, the Shining One.

I will if I can. Nulthir tossed Thing back into the air, and his odd little friend took wing. Nulthir glanced at the crowd. He was torn between staying and going. I need to know what they're running from. It was his duty to guard them.

But the Shining One needs you, Thing said into his mind alone, tearing him further.

The crowd bunched up as it pushed into the tunnel feeding into this cavern, and echoes of falling rocks almost drowned out their screams.

Everyone stay down while we figure out what’s going on, Nulthir ordered.

His squad hunkered down amid the rubble at the widest point in this cavern. Behind their position, the crowd desperately tried to exit. Everything in front of them was lost in deep shadows. Anything could be hiding in there.

We must do something. Iraine touched his arm.

Agreed, but if we wade into that panicked crowd, we’ll get trampled, and that won't help anyone.

We need a better plan than that, Agalthar said.

I second that.

Though, Iraine didn’t like it any more than Nulthir did. She'd joined the Guards to make a difference and to get official sanction to beat up the bad guys and gals. Lately, there had been a troubling upswing in the numbers of ladies taking up deadly professions like murder. What that said about society as a whole, Nulthir didn’t dare speculate on especially not while in Iraine’s company.

The Shining One, Thing muttered as he flew in tight agitated circles within the glow of Nulthir’s pendant. The dawn rune was the brightest light down here, but its nimbus contracted a little more every moment they lingered.

The echoes of large, heavy things crashing into each other intensified. Was whatever lay beyond this point collapsing? Could the whole place be coming down? No, surely that wasn’t possible. Those Litherians built their strongholds to last through the ages. Parts of it might fall but not the whole thing. Magic isn't the only thing holding it up.

If they were still under the stronghold inside Mount Eredren. They might not be anymore. Nulthir had gotten so turned around over the last few hours, he had no idea where exactly they were right now. Nor was the rolled-up map in his pocket any use until he could cast a location rune, run into a landmark, or question a native, because he’d used the rest of his personal store of power to shield his most vulnerable Guards from that fell voice earlier.

Anyone know where we are? Nulthir asked, not really expecting a response.

Under the mountain? was the sarcastic reply from Gare of all people, but he ignored it.

Yazi’s husband had boundless patience and good cheer usually, but Gare was worried he and his mate might not escape this alive. It was clear in his slanted black eyes, so Nulthir cut him some slack. Besides, Gare was an old friend from his prison guard days.

What is that? Draya pointed, but Nulthir just shook his head as a dark blur shot through the darkness ahead and to the right.

At least it was nowhere near the slow-moving crowd. He was grateful for that. He'd seen enough death today. But they thronged the only exit leaving Nulthir and his Guards to face this new threat.

Whatever it is, it’s fast. Agalthar said.

It wasn't Thing because Nulthir felt the wind of his little friend’s passage from behind and to his left and heard his alarmed chirping. That dark blur crashed into something hard, and the tell-tale sound of rocks striking more rocks—or the cave floor in this case—resounded. Something was trying to break through. And we might be in the way.

Bang! The thing struck again and again. Is it hammering against a wall? Nulthir wished the entire right side of the cavern wasn’t blanketed in deep shadows, so he could at least guestimate how close that thing was to them, and what lay between it and them.

Anyone have a light? Agalthar asked, "anyone other than our captain. No offense, but I don’t think we should risk our only