A Hand Weaving Chaos (Book 2 of The Fallen Gods Trilogy)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Gunnar hefted his sword abruptly and looked around, startled. Creigh's horse pranced nervously and he fought to control it. Everyone else remained motionless. No one so much as breathed except the three of them.

"What's happening?" Gunnar demanded. "Why is everyone—"

"Very strong magic," Jill interrupted, pulling her gaze away from where Kachine last stood. Authoritative. Like I know what the hell is going on even though I can't believe what just happened. She couldn't dwell on it now. Looking for answers then would only make her crazy. "Your horse is dead. Get on with me. I don't know how long this spell will last but we're getting out of here now."

Gunnar didn't cast a backward glance as he climbed on behind. Jill winced as Gunnar's hard metal chest plate pressed against her back. Nothing for it now though. They had to get moving.

Casting a quick look over her shoulder, Jill saw Creigh rein his horse in closer. Without a sword or shout raised against them, they galloped the length of the courtyard, through the gate, and into the heart of Valinac. Everywhere, people were silent and frozen, caught in Kachine's paralyzing thrall. From the elegant four-horse drawn carriages down to the last pedestrian hurrying to escape the rain, no one stirred. Watch fires that burned in the city streets paused in mid-flicker. Even the wind and rain were silent, held at bay by Kachine.

"Where's the temple?" she asked. She had to bring normalcy back to the situation. If not for them, then at least for herself. "We need to be well away before the spell stops working."

"Gods, what kind of spell is this anyway?" Creigh whispered in awe as he pushed aside drops of rain frozen in midair. "I've never seen magic of this sort before."

"Didn't you know?" Gunnar's voice mocked. "We've got Arianie's Chosen with us. She can't make wards, but she can stop the rain."

Jill let the sarcasm go, not interested in explaining or fighting him. "The temple, Gunnar?"

"Outside the city limits, hidden in the forest," he said. "Here, let me. You'll never find it." And with that, he took the reins from Jill. She gave them up without protest, tucking her throbbing hands and arms under the wet priestess' robe.

"Tell me, are you reading my mind now, my lady?" Gunnar asked.

"I'm trying not to. I don't think I'd like what I found anyway."

"Shey'na'cala are rare. Few like or trust them. No one wants their thoughts read or their emotions picked apart without their knowledge."

"And I take it you're not one of the few?"

"You take it correctly. I've never met a person who was both Shey'na'shen and Shey'na'cala though. Perhaps that's why you were able to win against Rayna."

"I'm—"

"I know. You're Arianie's Chosen. You've said so before."

With teeth clenched she said, "I have the feeling we're not going to be friends, are we Gunnar?"

"I'm here for Callista, not for you."

And that puts an end to that.

"My lady, how long until the spell fails?" Creigh asked.

No point in lying. "I don't know."

Though she could sense he wanted to ask more questions, Creigh let it go and lapsed into silence. It left the clattering of the horses' hooves as the only sound in the world. Valinac soon disappeared behind them and they rode into the surrounding forest. They traveled a main road, clear of traffic no doubt due in part to both the rain and the spell.