Sands of Deceit: Sands of Eppla, #2

By Janeal Falor

Sands of Deceit

 

Ever since Nikon entered Cassandra's life, she's gone from a peaceful existence to a world of danger and answers she never wanted—except about her parents possibly being alive. Though her parents caused her to go blind, Cassandra still wants to know what happened to them. But with warriors patrolling the streets and targeting members of the rebellion, both she and Nikon are reluctant to take on a perilous search for her family.

 

When warriors are sent to oust the two of them, Nikon and Cassandra quickly find themselves fleeing for their lives. With the rebellion struggling, there's few people to aid them unless they find a way to pull the rebels together.

 

While on the run, Cassandra and Nikon must race to find her parents and help fight against the Reding and Vading's iron rule. Should the warriors capture them, their lives and the lives of those they care about could be forfeit. Too bad the secrets still simmering between them could get in the way of everything they're trying to accomplish.

 

Finding Cassandra's parents, aiding the rebellion, and the most impossible task of all—falling in love—now seem farther away than ever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janeal Falor
• Release date: Jun 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393159025

Janeal Falor

Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.

Book preview

Chapter One

My parents whom I’d mourned for were alive. The very parents who blinded me and left me with a mess of feelings. I had to find them. Even if I was a grown woman who didn’t know how to feel about them, they were my parents. Besides, I had to find out why they let me think they were dead for so long. A couple weeks had passed since Nikon and I had returned to Itpy, and each day increased my desire to search for them.

I believed Antonia when she said they were alive, despite the fact she’d never told me she was Vading of the entire country or how much she hated me. Did she lie about my parents? There had to be a reason, but without my understanding it, her betrayal was a knife in my gut. She previously helped me when I became blind, but then she turned into the leader of the country without my realizing it. No matter the case, if there was a small chance my parents were alive, I would discover their whereabouts.

I wasn’t certain where to start, and my lack of sight wasn’t the only problem. The warriors conducted more raids every week, keeping me from joining the rebellion. Everyone was trying to hide from the Reding’s and Vading’s orders sending the warriors out. There were many in hiding like the Jackal, the background leader of the rebellion—but especially us. If we were caught, Antonia, the Vading, would have me killed or worse, make me a slave because those who were blind and caught were doomed to slavery in the pyramid.

Oh, no. Nikon’s voice pulled me back to the present. We’d finished dinner and had been lingering around the table.

What? I asked.

I know you pretty well now, Cassandra, and I can tell by the look on your face that you’re planning something I’m not going to like.

I tried to wipe the expression clear but wasn’t certain I managed. Not when I wanted to join the rebellion and find my parents this much.

Tell me what you’re thinking, Cass. His warm hands enveloped mine.

The touch of his skin against my fingers, which brushed his calloused ones, brought a peace to my heart. The familiarity of it was a balm I never expected in the first months we knew each other, notably when he’d broken into my secluded hut, wounded to the point of being unconscious. I sighed. If you must know, I was thinking about my parents.

Because Antonia said they were alive.

It was a statement, not a question, but I felt the need to answer. Even though we’d spoken of it before, he’d been distracted with the loss of the plans he’d stolen from the Reding . He’d never even found out what they said. I understand you don’t trust her after how she treated us, and to be fair, I don’t either. If they’re alive, I have to find out. Wouldn’t you want to go after your parents if they were alive but hidden from you? Because they had to be hidden. If they could have told me they were leaving, they would have. I didn’t think that them turning me blind changed their love for me.

Perhaps. There was a reluctance in his tone I didn’t understand.

I threaded my fingers through his. I need to do this, Nikon. I need to discover if they’re in trouble or wasting away somewhere. That they didn’t leave me. And how Antonia learned they’re alive.

I have to admit it’s difficult for me to understand a loving family, but you usually have kind things to say about your parents. Maybe there is something to searching for them, if it would make you feel better.

Finding them would make me feel better, but was it a realistic request? With the Reding and Vading searching for us since we escaped from them, and increased patrols by the warriors in our city, keeping us safe was hard enough without adding anything else. But they were my parents.

It was true they might have caused my blindness by putting the magic sand on my eyes, but they probably had the best intentions. If I was to discover for myself, I had to find them. It would make me feel better. Specifically, if they were in danger or… something. Why else wouldn’t they find me? I needed to make sure they were well. Of course, I wasn’t safe from the Reding and Vading myself.

But what if my parents didn’t care about me, like Antonia?

I pushed the thought aside. They were nothing like her.

I understand you want to figure things out with your parents, Nikon said. Perhaps when things calm down, we’ll have a better opportunity.

You’re right. Didn’t mean I had to like it.

You two are the most touchy-feely siblings. Zoe’s scratchy voice coming from the hall was familiar and made me grateful my friend was joining us. Maybe she could get our thoughts somewhere more positive.

To my disappointment, Nikon’s hands left mine. It was for the best, since we were supposed to be brother and sister. No one knew we weren’t, and we should keep it that way. Though if we could tell anyone, it would be our housemates, Zoe and her brother, Kaius.

But there was no reason for Nikon and me to touch other than when we were pretending to be siblings. We hadn’t fallen in love at first sight, and never would since I’d never regain my sight. There was something between us, but it was only close friendship.

How are you doing, Zoe? I asked.

Better now that the day’s over. There was the scraping of the chair on the ground next to me, as she must have pulled it back to sit by me. When she continued, her voice was closer and at my level, confirming my suspicion. Working overtime is hard, and the rebellion isn’t going very well with all these raids. People are scared.

For good reason, Nikon said.

I clenched my jaw. There has to be something we can do. This is beyond anything I expected the government to do, and I expected them to do some pretty horrible things. I didn’t want to think about all the beatings that were going on. I wanted to believe everyone was safe and well. Like Hettie. With all that was taking place, my good friend who kept my hair cut and my mood lifted had been staying away as of late. I hoped she was safe at her work and home.

What can we do about it? Zoe said. If we rise against the warriors, the maveor will likely call in more. We’ll get oppressed even further. We need to find a way to change opinions for good, not only make things better for a short time. Especially if that gets us all arrested. We need more people so that we stand more of a chance against it all.

The room fell silent. The three of us had much to think on.

What could I do? I was a blind woman in a world that didn’t want or accept the blind. No matter how much I wanted to make a difference, trying to do so would make me one of the Reding and Vading’s slaves. Being around Antonia again after she publicly declared how much she hated me wasn’t high on my list of things to do. That meant I had to stay far away from the warriors, markedly the elite ones.

I should go to bed, Nikon said. I’ve got an early morning at work tomorrow. One of my bosses is moving his stall and wants me to help before customers arrive.

The desire to give his hand a squeeze nudged at me, but I didn’t want to invade his space or make Zoe suspicious. Besides, I didn’t know where his hand was.

The chafing sound of furniture moving came from where Nikon had been seated next to me. I stood as well. Might as well go to bed myself. And I need to check on Tewy. He hasn’t made an appearance in a while. My room’s probably a mess.

Zoe gave a soft chuckle. That monkey certainly causes a stir.

I grunted and headed down the hall.

She called out, Goodnight. I will be here with Kaius tomorrow, so we’ll cook dinner.

Sounds good. I made my way down the hall. It wasn’t as familiar as my old home by the waterfall, but I had become so aware that I made my way around without a problem. I missed the simplicity of my life before I was taken away from the waterfall by Nikon’s unexpected appearance and our subsequent flight from the elite warriors chasing him. We hadn’t recovered the plans he’d stolen from the Reding. I didn’t dare bring up the subject with him because I knew how upset he was about losing them in the first place.

Whatever those plans contained, it didn’t seem like a good thing. Why weren’t they where Nikon left them so he could get someone to help him read them? There had to be something important that would make the Reding so angry as to go after one of his most trusted warriors. We would never figure it out. It drove me crazy, but I had a feeling it was worse for Nikon.

At least the high priest didn’t seem to be after us as well. As the intermediary between people and sand magic, he didn’t seem like a threat, but he’d never done anything to contradict the Reding and Vading. Who was to say he’d be any better?

I was almost to my room when a hand clasped my shoulder. Since Nikon’s footsteps had followed mine, it wasn’t a surprise. I turned toward him, wishing there was a way to help him.

We will search for your parents, he said, surprising me. If it means so much to you to find them, we will, as soon as it’s safe.

Without coming in contact with him, I leaned closer. Thank you.

You’re welcome. Now, it seems Tewy did not make a mess of your room and is, in fact, asleep on your bed.

I giggled and gave a sigh of relief. That’s good. I didn’t want to have to pick up after him, again.

He’s getting better. I think he’s simply bored.

It was a sad contemplation, but Nikon was probably right. It has to be hard on him, not living near a bunch of other monkeys where he can get out and play.

Nikon patted my shoulder before moving away. We’ll figure something out. Maybe I can build him something to play around on out of wood we find outside of the walls of Itpy.

That would be nice.

We’ll make it a plan, then. The boards closer to Nikon’s room squeaked. When he spoke, he was farther away, but close enough that his voice was soft. Goodnight, Cass.

Goodnight.

I went to my room and changed into a nightdress, before finding Tewy in the middle of my bed. I’d have to disturb him if I was going to get any sleep tonight. I crawled into bed, moving him to my side. He gave a soft ooo before curling up in my arms.

Though there were many worries swirling around me, I fell asleep. A lovely but not long enough sleep later, I was startled by rough hands shaking me awake.

Nikon said, We have to go. The warriors are raiding.

Chapter Two

Raid? My sleepy mind cleared. Another?

I jumped to my feet, Tewy in my arms. I clung to him. I had to get dressed, but my sleep clothes would have to do. Just managing to swipe my cane from where I kept it next to my bed, I broke into a run. I heard Nikon breathing beside me but his footsteps made no sound.

As I headed up the stairs, I asked, What about Zoe and Kaius?

We’re here, Zoe said.

I rushed toward her voice, grateful when her arms enveloped me. Stay safe. Emotion cracked my voice.

We’ll be fine. It’s you we need to worry about.

And maybe Nikon, if the Reding has put word out about his escapades.

Nikon pulled me away from Zoe, not acknowledging my words. We have to go.

Be careful, Kaius said in his soft tone as I headed down the hall.

I opened the door to the roof, and Nikon took Tewy from me. Within moments, we were jumping from one house to another, like we’d practiced far too many times.

Had the raids increased because of our dealing with the Reding and Vading, or because the rebellion was getting a footing here?

I tried to keep my landings as quiet as possible but didn’t do as well as Nikon. I could only tell he was with me by his hand occasionally brushing against my free one.

My movements were jerkier than I intended as anxiety flashed through my muscles. The sounds from the streets grew louder. People, shouting and screaming. Crying. Warriors, yelling for them to be quiet and cooperate. Windows breaking. It was too much. Made my chest twist in pain. I hoped they didn’t look up, and if they did, that the night protected us from being spotted.

As we got away from our house and closer toward the less raided part of Itpy, the noise grew more distant. Things were oddly silent by the time we climbed down the ladder to the alley below. I didn’t dare speak and break that silence while we headed toward my hiding spot in the sewer. As we crossed over to the amant side of town, the cobblestone was hard and cool against my bare feet.

I did not want to go back into the sewer. The memory of having to do so before was sharp and disgusting. It was better than being found by the warriors, but not something I wished to repeat. Another thought occurred to me. There wasn’t room for us both in the sewer. I doubted Nikon could fit in it, with how tight a squeeze it’d been for me. I whispered, What about you? Where will you hide?

I’ll find a place. Nikon’s voice was softer than mine.

Then I will, as well. We’re in this together.

We must keep you safe.

I won’t leave you, I said with a stubborn tone.

He sighed. Fine. We’ll hide in the amant alleys until dawn or till the raid is over, but we’re more likely to be caught, since we’ll be out in the open.

I squeezed his elbow instead of speaking.

We passed the amant sewer and entered an unfamiliar area. I was taken back to those first days I knew Nikon, when we left the safety of the territory I’d lived in since Antonia took me there when I became blind.

The memories were frightening, but oddly, the current moment wasn’t so bad. Perhaps it was because I’d come to trust Nikon. It made stepping out into the unknown less terrifying. Didn’t stop my worries that the warriors would find us, but tempered them with his comfort.

Nikon led me into what I suspected was the amant side of town. At some point, we moved next to a wall. He leaned up against it, next to me. It had to be clean and safe if he was doing so.

I followed suit, and the waiting began.

At first, I was tense and jumping at imagined noises, but soon I became more relaxed. I was sleepy. I wanted the night to be over. Wanted to hear that no one from the rebellion got caught and that our housemates were fine. Tewy jumped on my shoulder. I reached up to run my fingers through his fur. The familiar feel of his fur against my fingertips was comforting, and I eased closer to him.

As time passed, Tewy moved from me to Nikon and back again several times, before leaning his head against mine and curling his tail around my neck. If I had to guess, he’d fallen asleep or was trying to. Just as well, since he brought attention down on us before with his sounds. Of course, that was only because Antonia trained him to do so. What else did she do, that I was clueless about?

My legs grew weary of my standing here, but I persisted, ignoring the burn. I held my cane loosely but tight enough to whip it out and turn it into my fighting sticks. My eyelids grew heavy, and I couldn’t stop yawning until Nikon nudged me.

I think it’s safe, he said.

You think? It was too quiet on this side of town to hear the cries well from the odiosom part where we lived.

The morning sun is dawning. It’s safer to leave than to stay.

I didn’t feel the morning warmth yet, but he’d see it. You think that will end the raid?

We’ll be cautious, but yes, I do.

I stretched my aching muscles, causing Tewy to give a protest and jump off my shoulder. Let’s go, then.

Taking his elbow with my free hand, I let him lead me back the way we came, the heat of the day finally starting to hit me. The turns weren’t familiar, until the odor of sewage came to me, and he said, We’re at the amant sewer.

From here, I had a pretty good idea of where we were. The sewage faded, replaced by the scent of dirt. Nikon had to go to his job if the sunlight was beginning to show, but I didn’t want to go home alone, without being sure if it was safe. Still, he couldn’t afford to lose his job, and I’d be fine. I had to be.

Do you need to get to work? I asked.

No.

But—

Not yet.

I left it at that. If he wanted to see me home, I wasn’t going to push him any further. I hoped we didn’t pay for it later.

We climbed up the ladder and made the many jumps across the roofs, before finally reaching ours.

Before I could ask if it was safe, he said, There are no warriors on the streets, just a few odiosom.

The others of our kind, who either couldn’t fall in love or simply hadn’t set their gaze on the right person who was their match. If they were out and about, things must be safe again. I should get going, and I could either rest or make more shawls. Nikon wouldn’t get that opportunity, and I was loath to part from him.

Zoe and Kaius? I asked.

No sign of them yet, but this late in the morning, they may already be gone.

I’d spend the rest of the day worrying over my friends until I knew they were fine. Though they should be. They were cautious, despite being the ones who led us to the rebellion. We needed people to fight against the amant’s rule. Just because the amant fell in love and the odiosom didn’t, it shouldn’t mean that the former ruled over everyone else. And to enslave the blind? My temperature rose and made me want to punch the closest thing that wasn’t Nikon. I had to think of something else.

Are you leaving, then? I asked him.

I need to.

I didn’t hear him move. Of course, he could be so silent that I didn’t hear him, but usually he made a little noise for my sake. I said, It’s been rough, dealing with raids so often.

It has, and I don’t think they’re going to end any time soon.

Should we leave town? Not that I knew where we’d go. We’d made a home for ourselves here. Friends and access to the rebellion too, despite the fact it had gone into a slumber as of late.

I don’t think we’ll find things any easier, unless we go live in the desert outside the Reding and Vading’s reach.

Tewy jumped on my shoulder and tugged on my hair. He probably wanted to get breakfast. I wasn’t hungry—not after the night’s events.

Do you think we could survive in the desert? I asked.

Nikon was quiet so long I didn’t think he was going to respond. Do you want to go? he finally asked.

Not really, but I want us to be safe.

A scuff came from around our feet. He said, We could go, but it would have dangers of its own. There’s no saying we’d be any more likely to survive out there than we are here.

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Too bad Antonia knows where my old home was. It was peaceful there. If lonely.

It was. And if I’m honest, I’d like to go back at some point, to figure out if we can discover what those plans were about.

The plans he couldn’t read because he struggled with glyphs, and I couldn’t read because I couldn’t see. Not to mention that we had to have them in the first place. Do you think we should go to my old home now? It seemed like a bad idea.

No. Theodore will have the place watched if he thinks I’m going to return. With my luck, he’s placed a neczar there. One of those monsters or the high priest.

It took me a moment to remember Theodore was the Reding. Nikon seemed familiar with him, which was to be expected since he’d been Theodore’s right-hand man. Still, hearing Nikon use the Reding’s first name so casually was a tad disconcerting.

Are neczar real? I asked. The creatures of nightmares that were mostly human, but with the head of a beast.

More real than I want to admit. The high priest controls them. He’s worse than Theodore and Antonia. If the rulers have included him in their plans, your waterfall home probably won’t ever be safe, but maybe in a couple years they’ll stop looking for you.

A shiver ran through me. Too many powerful people knew about me. That’s unfortunate. I wanted to go back.

You don’t like it here? It makes sense, but I’d hoped that it would get better.

I shrugged. I’m happy. I like Zoe, Kaius, and Hettie, and I enjoy being around other people. I lowered my voice. And I want to help with the rebellion. People don’t deserve to be treated like slaves because they’re blind, or as a lower class because they haven’t fallen in love at first sight. It’s not fair. I want to do something about it. Too bad I couldn’t figure out what.

I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you to a better, happier place when I took you from your home.

Don’t be. We’re where we need to be, even if it’s difficult sometimes. Despite missing my idyllic home by the waterfall, my words were true. Forgive yourself for coming into my home back then. If you hadn’t, I would have never met you, and that would be unforgivable—even if I wouldn’t have known it.

Rough skin brushed against my cheek, his hand moving in to cradle my face. I’ll try to. It is easier since it led me to you.

I leaned into his caress, warmth spreading outward from my stomach. There was so much I wanted—my parents, to help the rebellion and for the rebels to succeed, a good life for the blind and the odiosom—but all I needed in this moment was to stay with Nikon.

Unfortunately, he should leave. We should pack you a lunch to take with you.

I packed one last night. His fingers traced my jaw before withdrawing. But you’re right. I need to get going.

I followed the sound of his footsteps going downstairs while I headed to my room. I quickly got dressed in day clothes and sandals before going downstairs. No sound coming from Zoe and Kaius. Either they’d already gone to work, or they were sleeping after the night’s events.

We ended up in the kitchen, where Nikon shuffled around, probably getting his aforementioned lunch and something for breakfast. I wasn’t hungry, but sat at the table anyway. Tewy curled up on the wood before me as I ran my hand over his fur. He snored softly. The night had been rough on all of us.

Got everything I need. I’d best be going, since I was supposed to be there by now, Nikon said.

Have a go—

The front door banged open. I gasped, ready to race out the back, but Leo’s voice stopped me. Zoe and Kaius have been captured.

Chapter Three

What do you mean they’ve been captured? I asked at the same time as Nikon said, The warriors?

Leo was out of breath, huffing for air. Yes. The warriors captured them during last night’s raid. I’ve been looking for you two everywhere. I thought you might have been taken as well. The warriors were searching for someone who made Cassandra’s shawls. They found Zoe and Kaius here and took them.

I was going to be sick. How could I have led the warriors here? I should have realized Antonia would recognize my work, but I hadn’t thought she’d ever see them. I splayed a hand over my chest to stop the pain spreading there.

Didn’t matter what I had or hadn't thought. The warriors had taken our housemates. I’d never forgive myself for leading the warriors here.

Where are they? I asked.

They were taken to the Itpy jail. There was an undercurrent of anger in Leo’s tone.

We have to break them out.