Threads of Fate

Chapter 69 ~ In the Name of Rage

    Azael kept one eye on Talarion and the other on Tissaia as they entered what they claimed would be the last training room. Like all the rooms before it, this one was constructed of wood, wall to wall, with several large beams emerging from the floor to support the roof. There were metal training dummies lining the walls and a number of wardrobes which he assumed held weapons or robes of some sort.

    The chamber was dimly lit by candle wheels overhead. There were spots on the floor where wax had dripped and hardened, but he could see no sign of the trap door Lady Astara had mentioned. Azael pushed back a shudder as he recalled the sounds that had followed them from that room.

    Astara had not taken her chance to escape. She'd turned her knife on herself. A part of him twisted in pity for the female and all that she had been through, but the other part of him sang for the justice that had been claimed by her actions.

    He cleared the female from his thoughts as they moved deeper into the room. Talarion was already scanning the floor while Kahari raised her staff and light shone from the clustered crystals within it, brightening the chamber.

    "I don't recall there ever being a trap door in here," Tissaia remarked, coming to stand beside Azael.

    No one answered. Talarion crouched and began rapping his knuckles against the wood, his pointed ears twitching slightly as he listened. He rapped again further to the left and Azael tensed. "There," he pointed out. Talarion knocked once more and a hollow echo made its way back up to them.

    The male flipped the dagger in his grasp and wedged the blade between two floorboards. He rammed it in deeper with a blow from his palm and the boards leapt free, revealing a second layer of wood beneath them. This one, however, was complete with rusted hinges and an old hoop-shaped latch.

    Bits of rust had broken off and stained the wood red, proof that it had recently been opened. Azael pulled away from Tissaia and helped Talarion peel up the rest of the boards covering the trap door while Gaelen peered back out into the hallway with renewed alertness.

    Boards clattered together, not loud enough to cover the din of approaching footsteps. "Shit," Azael hissed, catching sight of the oncomers. Several Lochren warriors had broken away from the fray outside and were rushing towards them. The Cahirim were close behind, but not close enough to intercept them.

    "Go," Gaelen ordered as Talarion heaved the trap door open. The male lunged at the warriors and met them head on. Kahari gave Tissaia a quick nod before following suit, beams of magic pulsing from her hands and taking down targets before her staff clubbed them unconscious.

    Talarion had already vanished down the hatch and Azael held out a hand to Tissaia. She clambered down the rickety ladder and once she disappeared into the gloom, Azael followed. The ladder deposited them in a narrow antechamber which was barred by another hefty door.

    Talarion was already working with the lock. Azael strained his ears, but could make out nothing from the room within. A chill ran down his spine, and he cast a swift glance at Tissaia, reminding himself that she was within his reach should anything happen.

    The lock clicked before Talarion rose. "That should do it," he said. His gaze moved to Azael. "Once we're inside, you focus on getting the book. Leave him to us."

    He only nodded. Talarion turned back to his twin and silently pulled her into his arms. Tissaia squeezed him back, her eyes shut tightly as though she were fighting off tears. From the sorrow that suddenly gripped his chest, Azael guessed he wasn't too far from the truth.

    "I love you," he heard the male murmur. "Always, Sister."

    "Please don't do anything stupid," Tissaia choked out in response. Talarion's arms loosened, but she tightened her own. "I love you too, Brother." Azael barely heard the words that time.