The Call of the Dead: Dragon Warriors, #4

By April Swanson

Beyond the dark sea, the dead are waiting. 

 

In her quest to end the Darkness, Evan Carter must venture to the uncharted North. The other Warriors believe Evan's judgement is clouded by personal feelings, but Evan's convinced she's on the right path. The Red Warrior follows in pursuit, determined to save Evan from her ill-advised plan. But another threat lies in wait. 

 

As the Darkness tightens its grip, Evan must decide where her allegiance truly lies, and what she's prepared to sacrifice to restore peace. Who can she trust? And where, amongst the ice and snow, is the ex-Chief of Swords?

 

THE CALL OF THE DEAD is the fourth book in the Dragon Warriors series. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: April Swanson
• Release date: Apr 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201351229

April Swanson

April Swanson writes fantasy novels with slow-burn romance, mystery and magic. She loves flawed characters, messy relationships, difficult decisions, and things that sparkle. You can sign up for her newsletter at aprilswanson.com

Book preview

—CHAPTER ONE—

The Beginning

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A long time ago in the frozen wilds of the North, in a house made from ice, a man knelt over a woman’s body. His long grey hair hung about his face. The woman on the bed had golden hair, which spread out on the pillow like a halo.

There was blood everywhere.

The man watched the woman’s chest as it barely moved. Her eyelids fluttered. She murmured something.

Inon looked down at the bloodied knife. Why hadn’t she followed his orders? He’d bellowed at the top of his lungs. He’d screamed at her. But she hadn’t listened.

The door burst open and five women entered. They took in the scene before them: their youngest sister lying in a pool of blood and Inon kneeling beside her, knife by his side. The eldest sister flew towards him in a whirl of fury.

WHY? she screamed, as she pinned him to the wall, her hand tight around his throat.

I didn’t mean to, Inon said, his hands shaking, his eyes darting to any space in the room not occupied by women. I didn’t know what I was doing ...

Sara, said Ocesia, pulling the eldest sister away, leave him. We must try to save Hessia.

Beshar knelt by her youngest sister. Hessia? Can you hear me?

I trusted you, Inon, said Erdethe, tears glistening in her eyes.

Get out! Sara screamed at him. Get out of here!

But Inon refused to leave. I must stay with her. She must be with me—

We’ll take her then, said Sara.

I’m not sure that’s wise, said Beshar.

"She’s not staying here with him!"

No! cried Inon. Don’t take her. He grabbed Hessia’s limp arm. Please, don’t do this. Don’t take her from me.

But Sara shoved him back, away from the bed. You are a monster, she snarled. And you will suffer. I will make sure of it.

Hessia wanted to be with me, Inon pleaded.

Liar!

It’s true, Inon moaned, but even he didn’t sound convinced anymore.

We know the truth, Inon Gorik. We know who you really are.

Ocesia, Sellaster and Beshar carefully carried out their youngest sister. Erdethe held the door open and looked back at Inon, the hurt plain in her eyes. Anger flared in him, the same anger that had coursed through him as he’d cut Hessia apart, and he rushed towards the woman he loved.

She should be with me! he cried, but then Erdethe’s fist swung into his face and he flew into the wall where his head cracked against the ice. He slid down, a trickle of blood seeping from his nose.

Erdethe looked down at the man who’d destroyed her sister, and the rage dissolved and left her with nothing but tears.

How could you do this? she whispered.

The five sisters carried Hessia to a safe place, where they tended to her wounds as best they could. Hessia flitted in and out of consciousness. Sometimes she murmured Inon’s name. When she did her sisters soothed her, telling her that Inon was not here, that she was safe. They were looking after her now. They were going to nurse her back to health.

But Inon had butchered her. There was so much blood, too much damage. And she never had a chance.

—CHAPTER TWO—

The Journey North

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In another age, in another land, the city of Collossus spilled across the golden rock. The city brushed the edge of the Gold Sea: the vast desert that occupied the southern tip of Durron. The buildings were tightly packed in Collossus, except for one quarter, the elven quarter, where pristine white buildings hogged the land, and the streets were lined with precious succulents.

Scarlet Raven sat in one of these fine homes, in the residence of Governor Diego Navaar. Every surface in the house was spotless, each piece of furniture beautifully crafted and in perfect condition. Priceless artworks, jugs and vases adorned the walls and bureaus. There was more wealth in Diego’s front room than in the whole of Castle Linnivere. But that was because the elves wielded power over humans, even the Dragon Warriors. (Especially the Dragon Warriors, in Scarlet’s opinion.) Whenever a Warrior died, the elven Summoner selected a replacement. Refusal was not an option.

Only recently had Scarlet been reminded of that power imbalance, when she had been arrested in Collossus for visiting the black market, where humans illegally traded in magic. Governor Navaar had been able to break Scarlet free on one condition: that she protect him on his venture to the Gold Sea, to seek a cure for the Darkness.

Scarlet had been recuperating at Diego’s house ever since their return, when Pyrros had rescued them both and flown them back to Collossus. Scarlet had written to Skye as soon as she’d had the strength to hold a pen, and now the return message sat in her lap. Scarlet had read Skye’s letter over several times. She thought her own letter had contained some pretty outrageous reveals (‘We met the Mothers, and they told us to stop the Darkness, a guy called Inon Gorik. And get this—turns out he’s aeran too, and he’s after the Mothers’ dead sister.’), but then she’d read Skye’s response ...

According to Skye’s letter, Inon Gorik had been at Castle Linnivere, restored to physical form by an elven queen. And now he’d gone north with the help of the Blue Warrior.

‘Inon told Evan that the Mothers cursed him, never to die, and that he must journey north in order to break this curse. He promised not to assimilate minds for the duration of the journey,’ wrote Skye, ‘which is why Evan claims she is acting as a protector of Jerran. But I’m afraid her motives are not so selfless.’

Scarlet had hissed a few choice words when Skye mentioned Evan’s affair with Inon Gorik. Scarlet knew the Blue Warrior had been through a lot recently, but that didn’t mean she could chase after the Darkness just because she was feeling a bit bereft.

Skye’s letter brought one good piece of news, however, and that was concerning the restoration of the Black Warrior.

‘Tristan has recovered fully from his ordeal,’ wrote Skye. ‘Though he does not share details of his experience with anyone.’

According to the letter, the Darkness himself had released Tristan, to spare Evan from infection.

‘I do not deny there is some form of affection on Inon’s behalf,’ wrote the Gold Warrior, ‘but I believe his behaviour reveals his propensity for obsession, rather than a good and kind heart. When you travel north, please bring Evan home, before she is irretrievably snared in Inon’s grasp.’

Not a problem, thought Scarlet. She’d happily save Evan from her own stupidity.

‘The Mothers have provided us with hope,’ wrote Skye. ‘I need not remind you how important it is for you to enlist the aera in the fight against the Darkness. Without their power we have no choice but to kill the victims, repeating the tragedy of the Dark War. It is my utmost desire to end the Darkness without further death.’

Scarlet would never forget her meeting with the Mothers in the Gold Sea (even though she’d been gravely ill at the time). They’d asked her and Diego to travel north, to seek the power of the aera—and to protect the spirit of their sister, Hessia.

‘Scarlet, you must not fail.’

And that was the end of Skye’s letter. There were no get-well-wishes, no friendly words of comfort: only orders to be followed. Scarlet folded the letter just as Diego returned. The elf appeared in the doorway, dressed in a deep-cut black tunic, his shining dark hair knotted on top, revealing his pointed ears. A jade pendant nestled between his collarbones. He did not smile at her upon entering the room—smiling was not something they did in each other’s company—but nodded curtly instead.

Well? said Scarlet.

You have been cleared of all charges of illegal magic, he replied.

Scarlet relaxed. Only then did she realise she’d suspected Diego would renege on their deal.

That’s that then, she said.

Unspoken words hovered between them, memories of their journey together in the Gold Sea: the insults and violence and brushes with death. Scarlet’s arm still bore the scars of Diego’s attack. When she undressed at night she made a point of not looking at them.

Are you well enough to travel? said Diego.

I’m fine, she said, rising out of her padded chair to prove the point. I’m good to go.

I have already made preparations, said Diego. I have secured a boat to take us north.

Her heart sank. A boat? A boat will take too long. You need to do magic.

Diego shook his head. Last time I tried, I nearly succumbed.

‘I will take away your shame,’ the Darkness had promised him, and he’d almost believed it. When Diego was young his mother had punished him for freeing a human prisoner. It had been one moment of weakness, yet Diego still bore the scars.

We’re not in the Gold Sea anymore, Scarlet reminded him. And Inon promised he wouldn’t assimilate anyone during his journey north.

You trust the word of the Darkness?

Scarlet faltered, but countered quickly. Last time you tried magic, you were practically standing on Inon’s bones.

We are still at the edge of the desert, Diego replied calmly. I will not risk it.

Scarlet let out a groan of frustration. You can do this! Just hold the Mothers in your head. Keep your focus on them, and you’ll easily ignore the Darkness.

Easily ignore? I assume you have never heard his whisper in your ear. I wonder, what would the Darkness say to you?

He’d offer me the blood of a thousand elves.

Scarlet—

We can’t waste time arsing around on some boat. It will take weeks for us to get there. You’ve got no choice but to do magic—unless you want me to ask another elf to help out? I don’t mind—you pointy-eared bastards are all the same to me. But the Mothers asked the both of us. So it might be a good idea if we do this together.

I agree, but—

Let’s get this straight, Scarlet snapped. You won’t use magic to help the Mothers, and you wouldn’t use magic to save my damn life. But you were happy to use it to maim my arm. Have I got that right, or am I missing something?

Diego didn’t answer. Scarlet’s emerald eyes blazed as bright as her red hair. She stood, unflinching, while she waited for the elf’s response. But it never arrived.

Why do you make it so easy for me to hate you? she said.

Diego heard not anger in her voice but sadness, and it cut him to the core.

But still he could not articulate a response.

You’re a coward, said Scarlet.

He could not argue with this. His mother had said the same thing.

‘You are so weak, Diego—’

He turned and abruptly left the room. The front door banged shut as he left the house altogether. Scarlet let out a breath once he was gone. Her hands were shaking, curled into fists. She should leave now, seek out Pyrros and find another way to reach the North. But instead she returned to her comfortable chair and sat there until night fell, until she heard the door close once more.

When he reappeared, he said nothing, but held up a long gold chain.

What’s that? she demanded.

It was made by another governor, said Diego. An associate of mine.

Not a friend? That’s right—you can’t possibly have any.

I understand why you are angry with me, said Diego, but I will not risk becoming a pawn of the enemy. He knelt down and arranged the gold chain into a circle on the floor. As soon as the circle was complete, its centre vanished, and a black hole opened up in the middle. This is a portal, Diego explained. It will take us to the North.

Scarlet eyed the black hole dubiously. But this thing is magic.

No magic is required once it has been made.

So you got someone else to make this for you? Must have been embarrassing.

Diego did not respond. He already knew what Scarlet thought of him. I must warn you, he said. The portal will work only once. There will be no return journey.

To prove this wasn’t an issue, Scarlet got up and walked straight to the shimmering gold circle on the floor, and peered down at the gaping void in its centre.

So we jump? She glanced up and caught Diego’s eyes, which sparkled in the gold light. His strong jaw was set tight, his deep brow furrowed. But his gaze was curious, as if searching for a chink in Scarlet’s armour.

But she met him with her usual combative expression. Well? she said.

Wordlessly he stepped into the circle. She watched as he fell into the bottomless black pit.

I’m coming for both of you, she thought, and then with one last look around the plush comforts of the Navaar residence, she jumped in after Diego, and disappeared.

***

On a storm-beaten rock in the middle of the North Sea, a great blue dragon slumbered, its spiked tail curled around itself. Far from where the dragon slept, Evan Carter sat on the bare rock, shivering, her arms hooked around her legs. She glanced at the dragon, remembering all the times she’d slept next to Visketh and the other water dragons, warm in their cavern.

Had she made a mistake in leaving Jerran? Such thinking was pointless—she’d committed herself already—yet she couldn’t banish such thoughts. She and Inon would travel north and break the curse that had been placed upon him by the Mothers, permitting him to die at last. And then the Darkness would be gone. And Inon would be too. She was here because she was doing her duty as a Dragon Warrior, to protect the people of Jerran. That was what she told herself, what she clung to.

But there was something else troubling her. Were her actions motivated by more selfish desires? She couldn’t deny she wanted to see Ramon again, to tell him she regretted dismissing him on the beach at Rondal. But what would he say, if he knew what she’d done with the Darkness? When she was with Inon she felt something—she couldn’t pretend otherwise, no matter how much it made her hate herself. And she’d been alone for so long. The emptiness yawned inside of her.

Being with Inon numbed the pain, even though she knew it was wrong.

But he had to die. She wouldn’t stop until the curse was broken.

Inon stood at the edge of the rock, his long grey hair streaming behind him in the bitter wind. They’d had no time alone since leaving Castle Linnivere; each night since had been spent in the company of dragons. Evan was grateful for Visketh’s presence, to act as a barrier between them.

Inon turned around and saw her shivering, teeth chattering, her lips tinged with blue. He came to her, paused for a moment, and then sat down and put his arms around her.

She held her body still, resisting the urge to relax into him. She had to stay strong ...

But her resistance did not last the night, and she fell asleep in his arms. Inon kept watch over her, eyeing the dark waves that lay between here and his home, where Hessia was waiting.

—CHAPTER THREE—

A Palace of Ice

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Beyond dark waters and white shores, a glittering ice palace stood among snow-capped mountains. The palace’s tall spires glinted in the weak sun. Its icy walls were pale blue, almost translucent. This ice did not melt in the sun, however. This ice did not freeze your hand if you touched it. Because this ice was made from magic.

On the fifth floor of the palace, in an iridescent room where soft white rugs graced the ice-blue floors, the ex-Chief