Chapter 28

I stood out of the way as the room filled with many large people. We were in the armory, assembling to take our places at the tunnel. I felt sick. My stomach was filled with knots. I looked down at the jacket I wore, still amazed I was given something this nice. It was brand new made just for me. I liked that it was black, keeping clothes clean isn’t one of my talents. The sleeves were loose but fitted enough to not interfere with the use of my bow. It had several pockets, inside and out, and a small pouch set in the back to not get in the way of the quiver case. I was given gloves too, the right was made with a thicker leather strip with two fingers padded to resemble a finger guard. The left glove had of rubber material on the palm, so my grip on the bow wouldn’t slip. I’d never seen, or had, items like this before.

Elder Arian had brought me a quiver with my new stun arrows in it. They were very interesting, and truth be told, I couldn’t wait to shoot someone and see how they worked.

“Fits good.”

Rafael was standing in front of me, clad head to toe black leather, with half the armory strapped to his body. He looked dangerous and really, really good at the same time. I bit my lip so I wouldn’t blurt that bit of information out.

He glanced at my wrist.

“It’s off.” I told him and watched a look of relief come over his face.

He nodded as his expression changed. “I, ah, had Mitz put extra, uh,” he held his hands open in front of my chest, then jerked them away, “padding in the front so-so if you have to lean….” He shrugged, “so-so it’s more comfortable for you.”

I gave him a half smile. “Thank you.”

He nodded a few times.

Chase stopped beside us. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smooth one?”

Rafael gave him a blank look.

Chase held up his hands in supplication. “Leaving.”

Clearing his throat, Rafael looked back down at me. “Oh,” he suddenly dropped to one knee in front of me, “I had them add a few lined knife pockets.”

I froze as he lifted the cuff of my pant leg and took one knife out of the strap on my ankle, then he did the same with the other.

Standing up slowly, he gave me a steady look, I noticed his eyes were a darker blue. “Right here.” He murmured quietly as he slipped the knife into a pocket I didn’t know was there. It was on a seam, or so I’d thought it was a seam beside the zipper. “You should be able to access them quickly.”

I looked down at it, then touched it. “Wow, that’s easier then bending down to get them.”

He nodded again, his gaze flicking to my mouth a few times. “Did Beth give you your earbud?”

I nodded and touched my ear. “Yes.”

“We’ll all be connected once we’re over there.”

“That makes me feel better.” I confessed.

“I need you to wear this.” He held up the necklace with his pendant. “Any from here will know you, and respect who you are while you’re wearing it.” There was a vulnerable look on his face.

I nodded, then turned and lifted my braid out of the way.

Rafael reached around and slipped it around my neck, I could feel his hands brush against my skin.

“Just bite her and get it over with.” Quinton said with a smirk as he stopped beside us.

I scowled at him. “A man with secrets should be nicer.”

Quinton blanched. He glanced to Rafael, then walked the other way.

“I thought your blocker was off?” Rafael looked confused.

I shrugged. “It is. Everyone has at least one secret, right?”

With a big grin on his face, he looked over at Quinton. “I like your style, Kara.”

Everything and everyone in the room stopped when Victor walked in.

“Ready?” Rafael asked me quietly.

“Not at all.” I confessed.

Crissy came over and handed me two bars. “Protein bars.” She nodded, then looked at my feet. “Are you wearing socks?”

I looked at my boots. “Yes.”

She smiled. “Good. Socks are good.” She turned and went over to Victor.

I looked up at Rafael.

He shrugged, “No idea.”

“She’s interesting.” I reached behind me and put the bars into the small pouch.

“That she is.” Rafael reached over and picked up my bow where I had it leaning against the wall. He held it out to me. “Let’s go.”

I followed Rafael up the second flight of stairs. 

“Who knew something like this was under the city.” Paisley said in a hushed voice over the group call.

“This used to be the hub of the city.” Victor told her.

Rafael stopped and turned to look at me. He motioned to the railing. I went over and looked down. It was a good vantage point.

He touched the ear bud he wore. Then reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a large carabiner on a strap. “I don't trust the railing.” He clipped the one end to my belt, then grabbed one of the bars the railing was anchored to and yanked on it. When it didn’t budge, he clipped the anchor end to it.

“We're in place at the main tunnel.” Michael reported.

Rafael touched the ear bud again. “Give me a minute to get there.” He touched my cheek. “Kara's in place.” His eyes asked if I was okay.

I nodded. 

Dropping his hand away he looked to Bart.

The large man nodded.

“No one will get near her.” He said in a gruff way.

“On my way to you.” I watched Rafael run down the set of stairs leading toward the tunnel.

“No one without the silver crest leaves the tunnel, Kara.” Autumn’s tone was even.

“Got it.” I answered, watching Rafael disappear into the dark tunnel. I looked at the silver patch on my shoulder. It was a moon and sun and I was glad they’d come up with a way for me to know who was with us and who wasn’t. Shooting another royal family member and rendering them unconscious probably wouldn’t end well.

“Elder Segos, we are entering at this end, now.” Victor said quietly.

“As are we this one.” The elder replied.

I glanced back to Bart he was checking both sides of the stairs. Giving me a nod, he moved over and looked down below us.

“What the...”

I frowned trying to figure out who had spoken.

“Are those mages?” That was Leone.

“Romulus, we have a situation.” A voice I didn't know said.

“Situation?” That was Romulus.

“It is like a mage’s convention down here.”

I figured that must be the mage that was with our team.

“He's not kidding.” Daxx said.

“What is wrong with their eyes? Shouldn't they be purple?” I recognized Quinton’s voice.

“Hold. What color are they?” Romulus asked.

“Still purple, but with a white glow.” Rafael informed him.

“Oh, damn.” 

“Oh damn?” Quinton asked.

“Like I stepped in something, or oh gods that’s really bad?” Chase asked.

“The latter. They're probably low-level fledgling mages.” Romulus said.

“So good for us?” Daxx asked.

“And they’re channelling a more powerful mage, I was trying to add.” Romulus sounded winded. “Each one you take out makes the remaining stronger.”

“How is that fair?” Bethany asked.

“Change of plans cupid. We're going to need you and your stun arrows down here.” Chase said. “You can take out more with your shots then we can with a sword.”

I didn’t pause to think or ask questions. “On my way.” I unclipped the rigging and started for the stairs Rafael had taken. Bart ran alongside me.

“You are her second skin, Bart.” Rafael said in a low tone, “or the only thing you’ll ever guard again is the toilet at the guard house.”

I looked up to see his brows furrow.

“Captain.” Was all the large man beside me replied.

“Yeah, no pressure, Bart.” Alona said.

Someone snorted into the mic.

“What are they doing? The mages?” Romulus asked.

“Fifteen in a circle facing outwards.” The man answered. “One in the middle. Guards all around them.”

“We’ll deal with the guards.” Michael said.

“Shit. Okay.” Romulus sounded like he was struggling. “The middle one is the strongest, he’ll be controlling the rest. You need to take him out.”

“They are holding people here, but we can’t get to them.” I recognized Elder Drusla’s voice. “They’ve warded it.”

“Cowards.” Someone hissed.

“This ward is replenishing with each layer I unravel.” Romulus said. “You need to distract the puppet master.”

“The what?” Quinton growled.

“The mage in the middle.” Romulus answered with a strained voice.

“Right.” Paisley said.

“Babe?”

“Arius if you tell me to go hide somewhere in a safe corner, I’m going to get cranky. Bethany and I are our best chance right now.” Paisley said quickly.

I kept running through the dark tunnel I’d watched Rafael go into.

“I was going to say, see if you and Beth can distract the mages once we engage the guards.” Arius said with amusement in his voice.

“Oh. Okay.” Paisley answered.

Bart put his hand on my shoulder to slow me down. I saw the others crouched along a wall and moved slowly toward them. Rafael motioned for me to move beside him. I did quickly. When I reached him, I looked to where he pointed. Down a ramp there was a large opening and a circle of men with their hands held out like they were meditating, only they were standing with their glowing eyes wide open. A shiver ran down my spine.

“Why aren’t there guards up here?” I asked and looked up at Rafael.

“That’s a good question.” Michael said.

“The mage is really struggling here, family.” Emil’s voice was in my ear. “Perhaps you could work on that distraction?”

Troy nodded. “As soon as Kara is ready, we’ll rush when her arrows start flying.”

Rafael moved over, so I was closest to the wall. “Can you kneel and still aim?” He asked. “You’ll be less visible.”

I nodded and got down on one knee. Setting my bow down, I took the case off my back and rested it against my knee. Picking up the bow, I pulled out an arrow and nocked it.

“Sixteen mages, twenty arrows.” Daxx said. “You’ve got this, right?”

I nodded. “Say when.” I raised the bow.

“Let us try to slip down the other side of the ramp. As soon as they see us, let them fly.” Rafael said moving away from me.

I nodded again. There was no time to think or be nervous.

“Bart you stay with her.” Chase said.

I heard blades clearing cases but didn’t look away from the target I’d selected. Drawing the string back, I took aim and held. I was going to have to clear some of the mages in the outer ring to get to the one in the middle.

One of the guards below jumped, and looked up the ramp. I released the arrow. Grabbing another, I nocked it and had just enough time while I drew back to see the first man I’d hit was laying on the ground. I aimed at the next and released. He went down.

I could hear the clash of metal but didn’t dare stop to see if everyone was all right.

I repeated the process three more times before the mages were on to me. The next arrow hit some sort of invisible barrier.

“They’re on to me,” I said to no one in particular.

“Find a new location.” Daxx grunted.

I picked up the case and got up, moving to the other side of the tunnel. It was darker over here. Dropping down, I grabbed an arrow while trying to keep track of how many I had left. I took aim at one of the mages on the far side with their back to me, then released it. I hesitated long enough to see that it took him down.

“Romulus, our mage is laying unconscious on the floor.” Quinton said.

I hit another and he dropped to the floor.

“Almost,” Romulus paused, “it’s down. How many are left?”

“Too many.” Michael grunted into the mic.

My next shot hit another barrier. “I have to move again.” I got up and ran halfway down the ramp, spotting a break in the wall. “Bart, stay low.” I ducked into the crevice and looked out. Hooking the quiver on the clip at my waist, I grabbed an arrow, took aim and released. I ducked back into the hole in the wall hoping they wouldn’t see me.

“He’s down.” Bart reported.

“I zapped one to the cells.” Daxx reported. “Puppet master’s strings will be broken there.”

I hit another one.

“Alona!” Daxx said loud in my ear.

“Got him” Alona hissed out a breath.

“Criss, you and Bronx follow Michael to check out that tunnel.” Daxx instructed.

“Okay.” Crissy answered hurriedly.

My next two shots hit their barriers again. “Move back up.” I told Bart. We ran quickly. If I could keep them guessing where I was, I might have enough arrows to finish the last six.

“Six left.” Bethany said.

I managed to take out two more before one of my arrows completely vanished while in flight. “Five arrows left.” I told them as Bart and I ran back to the hold in the wall. “Last one vanished.” I added, so they would know what I was up against.

“We need backup.” Michael said. “Eight guards in the tunnel heading to you.”

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as I nocked the next arrow. Leaning out, I found a target and released it.

“He’s down.” Bart told me.

“Leone, behind you.” Rafael barked.

I took the next shot and watched as we moved to see the mage go down.

“Beth, see if you can hit him.” Paisley said.

“Trying. He’s deflecting it.” Bethany said breathlessly.

“Thanks, babe,” Arius said.

“Back to work beast and watch your back this time.” Paisley answered.

“Arius, there’s a giant down here.” Quinton sounded like he was running.

“On my way.” Arius answered.

I tried to stay close to the wall and take out another, but the next two arrows vanished again. “Last arrow.” I informed the others. Gritting my teeth, I let the last one fly and watching, hoping it hit. It did and he went down.

“We have women on their way out.” Elder Drusla reported.

“One mage left.” Paisley said in a strained voice.

“He’ll be strong.” Romulus told us.

“No shit.” Daxx growled.

Now that I had no arrows, I slipped the quiver onto my back and slung my bow over my shoulder. The sound of metal on metal and grunting and scuffling registered in the earbud. I hadn’t heard it when I was focused on shooting. I wasn’t sure what to do, I had no skills in hand-to-hand fighting. I watched Autumn spin and kick a man in the head, he fell back. She hit him again, then punched him in the face.

Daxx’s guard went flying to the ground. I saw her step in front of him and glare at the remaining mage. He’d done that without touching him. With a growl Daxx charged for the mage. Three men blocked her.

“They know magic doesn’t work on me; they’re blocking me. I can’t get near him.” She pulled out a second blade. Her guard was back on his feet right beside her.

I started running down the ramp, Bart right beside me, his sword held out in front of us.

The mage raised his hands again. I looked down at my wrist as I ran, wondering if it would help if I could hear him. Probably not, I decided. Bethany’s red flashes arced off his darker ones. The whole area glowed orange. Freeing up my hands as I went, I adjusted the bow so it was well out of my way. If I timed it right, I could get there, and have one of my knives in my hand before he spotted me.

“He’s doing something to deflect my freezing him.” Paisley said with a growl. “I’m afraid if it bounces off whatever he’s doing I’ll hit one of you.”

“Keep trying, babe. If you’re not looking at us, it shouldn’t take.” Arius was out of breath.

“Ok, I hope you’re right.”

I ducked around a short wall, later I’d stop and freak out knowing I was underground, running into a fight.

“I can’t keep him occupied much longer.” Beth said sounded frantic.

“They’re purposely keeping those of us with the port boxes away from him.” Leone growled.

“I’m out of arrows, but if I get close enough, I can disable one of his hands.” I ducked as I sped past Troy and a very large man trying to chop each other to bits.

“I’m not,” Chase grunted, “opposed to you chopping off the hand, cupid.”

I didn’t want to chop off anything. I also didn’t want to let him continue what he’s doing. I slid on the damp surface, pulling the two knives out of the hidden pockets. The mage was still waving his hands around. I glanced quickly to Beth, she looked like she was in pain. I moved quickly along the wall, he turned and saw me just as I was about to throw the knife. The knife left my hand. I kept moving, hoping whatever he was doing, he couldn’t do if I was running. A bright light flashed in front of my face. Something moved over me, and I fell forward.

My hands were freezing. Huffing out a breath, I blinked to clear my vision. My hands were in snow. I looked slowly around me. I was in snow. There was no snow in the tunnel. Getting to my feet, I turned every direction. As far as I could see there was nothing but snow. “Where the fak am I?”