The Mercenaries of Ice and Shadow: Calgonian Realm, #2

By Julie Vaid

The Mercenaries of Ice and Shadow have but one goal: aid those facing peril, no matter the cost. 

 

Years after the Assassin Guild War, the Mercenaries, led by Casey and Noriko, continue to focus on helping those possessing the power of darkness. Though the power is no longer as rare as it once was, those possessing it are no less persecuted and discriminated against. Attacks, disappearances, and even murders have become part of normal life for people with dark power. The Mercenaries stand as their one unfailing ally.

 

When the Mercenaries find themselves targeted by the most obstinate anti-darkness organization, Casey and Noriko must journey to uncover the truth behind the persecution. Through unlikely allies and twisted battles, the duo discover how deep the pain of those possessing darkness runs. Will Casey and Noriko be able to find the source of the persecution in time? Or will the power of darkness die out with all those who possess it?      

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Vaid
• Release date: Jun 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798986784830

Book preview

For Karen

One

FIRELIGHT DANCED ACROSS the dark stone walls as Casey shot through the hallway. Thick iron bar doors lined either side of her path, most of them empty. The silence of the air around her made her wary. There must be at least a few guards down here, right? Or had Noriko already gotten to them?

At the end of the hall was a towering wood and iron door with black chains binding it shut. Casey drew a pin from the pouch at her waist and picked it. It clicked open after a short moment, the chain rattling as it loosened.

Casey pulled the door open to reveal a blindfolded and bound young man. He sat on the floor on the far side of the small room. It was dim as the torchlight from the hall faded past the entry, but she still saw his darkness wavering and swirling around him. This was her target, no doubt.

Though it wasn’t as rare as it had been in the past, darkness was still a dangerous element to possess. It was different from the other four elements that made up most Calgonians’ powers. If not mastered, darkness could drive a person to insanity with its pain and negativity. And Casey was the only person in the country with the gift of being able to see it as an aura around someone.

Who’s there? the young man called, his voice quivering as he squirmed in his spot.

Don’t worry, I’m a friend. Casey walked over and crouched next to him. She tore his blindfold off and untied the restraints around his hands.

He turned his head until his onyx eyes found her, causing his disheveled caramel hair to fall to the side. Casey did little more than glance at his pale, sullen face as she focused on her work. He had bruises and scratches all over his thin body, but she would need to wait until she met up with Noriko before she took the time to heal him.

Casey stood once she’d finished untying him and reached down to pull him up by the arm. Stay close and stay quiet, she whispered.

He nodded, his eyes wide with confusion. She nodded back, pulling the hood of her cloak over her long chestnut hair. She turned and strode toward the door then paused. Her bright green eyes shone in the darkness around them as she called her air power to her consciousness. There was no one along her path for now, but they weren’t completely alone. The other guards must have caught on to their missing friends and rearranged themselves. They would need to move fast if they wanted to get out without a fight.

Concentrating, she closed her eyes and sent an icy current of air through the halls until she found her partner. Now that she’d acquired her target, it was time for him to return to her. She soon reached his ever-familiar presence in her mind and swirled bitter cold air up around his body. A signal that could only be hers.

No sooner had she opened her brilliant spring eyes than a cloaked figure appeared in a blur of sage mist in front of her. The boy flinched behind her, but Casey simply nodded to the gray-eyed man. He disappeared as fast as he’d come, shooting down the hallway toward the entrance of the dungeon.

Casey moved down the hallway a moment later, her target in tow, continuously scanning ahead of her with her air. There were guards approaching faster than she’d anticipated. They’d intersect them before the entrance. She could teleport them, but the boy was injured. With his body not accustomed to elemental powers anymore, she didn’t want to put any more stress on him. It wasn’t worth the risk for now.

The musty hallways turned darker and colder the closer they got to the entrance. Casey hoped the snow outside hadn’t turned into a blizzard in the time she’d been down in this dungeon. Being outside Reneir, it felt like winter no matter what time of year it was. Casey had gotten accustomed to coming this far north this past year, though, and was well equipped for it. It also helped that she was used to having ice around her.

As they turned the corner of the hallway, two men clad in silver armor came her way. She scoffed and shot out in front of the boy, sending a spray of ice thorns across the floor and walls toward them.

The boy gasped behind her. Ice? he muttered.

She ignored him, focusing on the battle before her. The pair had avoided her attack and were readying a move of their own. She didn’t give them the chance. Wind slammed into them, scuffing their pristine armor and sending them staggering apart. Giant walls of ice erected in front of each of them further separating them. She moved the ice closer and closer toward the men, pinning them to the stone wall at their backs.

Come on. Casey cocked her head to the side toward the tunnel entrance ahead of them.

Two more guards sprinted toward them from the depths of the dungeon. The boy turned to face them, his skin emanating an odd black and green mist. Casey immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him toward her and their exit. The mist stung her skin, sending a burning electric bolt down her spine.

No, it’s not worth the risk to your health. We need to get outside. She pulled him along as she ran toward the exit.

A moment later, the pair emerged into the snowy night, freezing air paling Casey’s face. She turned toward the guards at their heels, ushering the boy behind her. But her caution wasn’t necessary. Two daggers flew out of the darkness, diverting the guards’ attention back toward the dungeon entrance. Casey glided backward, gently nudging the boy along behind her. The cloaked figure from before appeared out of the shadows, wielding an obsidian sword, striking both men with a single swing. The figure spun to face Casey, slate eyes sparkling in the moonlight, and winked. She chuckled softly then half turned toward the boy.

May I teleport you? she asked, her voice now melodic.

The boy couldn’t tear his eyes from the shadowy figure darting between three guards. It looked like a dance, how smooth the cloaked figure wove from opponent to opponent. Noriko could easily handle himself; she wasn’t worried. Casey put her hand on the boy’s shoulder, causing his shocked gaze to fly to her face. He managed a nod.

With that, a rush of frigid air enveloped the two, and they disappeared. No sooner had she exhaled than they both reappeared in a warm room with a crackling fire in the corner. The place was made of multicolored stone and light brown wood. In the center was a table with four chairs and before the fire was a little white fur-lined couch. There were two doors leading to bedrooms on the right wall of this main room.

Casey swung her cloak off then hung it on a hook on the door to the cottage behind her. Make yourself at home. We’ll be staying here for the night. She walked past her awestruck charge to stand before the dancing fire.

You’re . . . the Mercenaries of Ice and Shadow, the boy muttered after a few moments.

Casey turned to look at him again. He hadn’t moved, but his eyes were now wide and his mouth agape.

That’s right, Breylan. Your father hired us to bring you back to him, Casey replied.

My—my father did what? Breylan hissed.

Casey furrowed her brow as her eyes narrowed. What’s the matter?

Breylan staggered forward until he reached the table and dropped into one of the chairs. He stared down at his hands for a moment, opening and closing them.

Casey sighed and walked over to sit next to the boy at the table. She didn’t say anything, simply waiting for him to answer her question.

He looked up at her with glassy eyes, his mouth set in a grimace. But, Lady, my family cannot afford such a thing. For him to hire an organization as prestigious as your mercenary group . . .

Casey gave a musical chuckle. Oh, that’s all you’re worried about?

His face flashed surprise then astonishment, his mouth falling open a little.

Relax. We didn’t charge him any money. Casey smiled. Are you in pain? Allow me to heal you.

Casey hadn’t been one to do anything strictly for money. The purpose of starting the Mercenaries of Ice and Shadow was to help people, not to make a profit off those in need. No client was ever required to pay anything to them, though many did. The Mercenaries also acted as information brokers, selling information to other organizations or groups of people. It was enough to keep them going.

Breylan must’ve still been in shock over the situation, as he continued to stare at the table. After a moment, he nodded, and Casey set to work healing his injuries. She found multiple bruised bones and fractured ribs. Letting out a slow breath, her blue healing mist intensified around her patient.

What happened to you? she asked after a quiet moment.

He slumped forward, a small sob escaping his lips. Tears welled in his eyes, which he desperately moved to wipe away as soon as they came. Casey said nothing and pretended she never saw the tears in the first place. He winced in pain at his movement.

All right, try to relax. I’ll be done soon, Casey instructed him as she continued to work. She found more bruises and scratches as she went. It was a wonder how he’d been able to keep up with her while they’d escaped. Those possessing darkness weren’t able to learn healing abilities like those of other elements could. To have been trapped in a dungeon with these injuries for so long must’ve been excruciating for him. And to try to fight like he had was even more absurd.

You shouldn’t try to use your darkness with injuries like this, Casey commented.

He stiffened, sitting up straighter. I don’t possess darkness, he insisted, looking up at her.

His eyes might be lighter than the deep black of most dark-powered people she encountered, but he still possessed it. She’d seen it swirling like smoke around him earlier, though it had faded now.

It’s all right, she began. You don’t have to hide it from me. I’m here to rescue you, remember?

He relaxed, his muscles losing the tension of earlier.  How did you know?

I can see it, she replied, not looking up from her healing work.

Darkness can’t be seen unless you’re in an attack, he countered.

You could say I have a special gift courtesy of an old friend that allows me to see darkness all the time.

Breylan was quiet, letting the implications sink in. Casey watched him with soft eyes and said nothing further. He’d answered enough questions for now.

Thank you, Lady, Breylan said as Casey finished her healing a few minutes later.

You’re welcome. She smiled. And please call me Casey.

Before he responded, the gray-eyed cloaked man appeared at the entrance to the cottage, a green mist swirling around him.

Case, I’m back! he exclaimed as he flung his fur-lined hood back away from his face. He shook his dark hair, sending snowflakes falling to the ground. The cold water soaked into the concrete floor beneath his feet, making a small puddle.

Welcome back, Ri. Casey’s face lit up as she walked toward him.

He scooped her into his arms, lifting her off the floor, and squeezed her against him.  As her boots touched the floor again, he placed a kiss on her forehead. She giggled.

Breylan, this is my husband, Noriko, she said, turning back to the boy. Ri, meet Breylan. She gestured with her hand between the two.

It’s a pleasure. How are you feeling? Noriko walked past Casey to the table and offered his hand to Breylan.

I’m all right, Casey healed me. Thank you both for saving me. He shook Noriko’s hand, nodding to him.

Casey walked over and sat at the table next to Breylan while Noriko swung his cloak off his shoulders and hung it next to hers on the door. He joined them at the table, sitting next to Casey, a curious sparkle in his eye.

So then, Breylan, who captured you? I’d like to know who we may be up against during our journey back to Elane, Noriko asked.

Breylan dropped his gaze to the table, fidgeting with his hands. I’m not sure. Just some gang, I didn’t catch their name, he mumbled.

In this area, it was probably Night’s Claw. They’re always after anyone with darkness, Casey guessed.

Breylan shifted in his chair, his mouth turning down into a grimace. Casey’s gaze flickered to him, then back to Noriko.

They’re known to have connections to the Royals as well. That’s probably how they came to use that dungeon, Noriko pointed out.

Breylan hunched forward, running his hand through his hair.

Breylan, relax, Casey said quietly, placing her hand on his arm. As I said before, we’re here to help you. We just want to get all the information we can in order to protect you best. Noriko doesn’t care if you possess darkness either.

Ah, is that what has you so nervous? Noriko asked. Well, don’t worry. One of our closest associates has power over darkness and I’ve always believed her to be the strongest of us. Darkness may have its downsides, but it’s an honor to have a Calgonian power, no matter which one it is.

Breylan sighed. I know. It just feels more like a curse right now.

They let the conversation fall there, Casey wishing the boy some peace for the rest of the evening. Breylan dozed off at his spot at the table as time passed, so Casey ushered him off into one of the bedrooms before he fell asleep. Once left with Noriko, she spread a map across the table and studied it.

How did everything go today? Noriko asked, joining her standing around the table, hooking his arm around her shoulders.

Fine. And you? Thank you for taking out so many guards before I got there, she replied.

Of course, love. They were weak, anyway. He grinned.

I was thinking we should stop to check on Gia on our way back, Casey said, looking down at the map.

Sure, he replied. I’m happy to go wherever my lovely wife goes.

Casey crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, turning to face Noriko. I’m serious. You saw how scared Breylan was about us knowing he has dark power.

Yes, well, I would deny it too if I’d just been captured because of it, Noriko replied. But Gia has spent her whole life hiding her darkness. She’ll be fine.

She sighed. You know I worry.

He hugged Casey against his side. Yes, I do. But Cai is with her, and you know how he worries.

She laughed. All right, fine, you win. But we’re still stopping to check on her.

Wouldn’t have it any other way. Noriko chuckled.

ONCE BREYLAN WAS WELL enough to travel again, the trio headed south. Their goal was to bring the boy back to his family in Elane. The small research town wasn’t far, about a day’s journey. Breylan was in higher spirits, excitedly asking about their mercenary group and their unique powers. Casey gladly obliged him, while Noriko guarded them and scouted their path.

She was at ease traveling with Noriko. He was the best protector there was in her eyes. She never sensed a soul even with the full range of her air power when he was with her. Yet he was never gone from her range long enough for her to worry about his safety. They had gotten the arrangement down to