Dark Burden

Scene 5

Donahue eyed the strange woman walking at spearpoint.

"You never told me your name."

She kept her gaze forward as she shuffled through the sand. "Maybe I'll tell you later."

They continued in silence. He had let so many die and had called them friends. How could he have been so blind?

In the distance, he caught the first glimpse of the tower where Gallagher would be hiding.

Donahue had never seen him. No one had. He could speak, touch, and even move objects, but he had no physical form. The woman had said they couldn't cut him down, but they could imprison him.

They passed the tents and houses to approach the looming tower. Children peeked through doors at the noise.

The company dismounted but kept their spears aimed at the woman. She stared at the bricks surrounding them.

"What now?" Bram asked.

Recalling the manipulation tactics Gallagher had taught him over the years, Donahue quickly derived the appropriate words and raised his voice to the top of the tower.

"My Lord! I have defeated the lights. The man fled, and the woman is defenseless! With her as a hostage, no light can ever threaten us again. Come, let us celebrate our victory!"

Silence.

Where was Gallagher?

Donahue turned to his comrades. "Give me her sword then tend to the wounded."

Bram handed over the special weapon as the others dispersed to their dwellings. Believing Donahue, they no longer viewed her as a threat.

The sword felt lighter than expected.

Donahue pointed to the tower door. "Let's go."

Without a word, she went before him into the structure as though she really was his hostage.

Maybe Gallagher would appear at dusk. The last rays of light clung to the horizon.

They climbed the spiral stairwell to the council room. Donahue gestured to the ring of twenty wooden chairs around the curved wall. "Have a seat."

She glided into the closest seat and crossed her ankles. Slender and pale, she hardly looked like a champion of justice.

He leaned the weapon against the far wall and turned to face her. If Gallagher watched from somewhere, he wanted to appear convincing. But before he could derive fake interrogation questions, she smiled at him and said, "The deception isn't necessary."

For sitting in an enemy's headquarters, she remained remarkably calm.

"My friends already searched this place. The shadow isn't hiding here."

Her use of "friends" unnerved him.

Seeing his discomfort, she added, "You didn't think we came here alone, did you?"

"How many of you are there?"

The smile vanished. "Donahue, what do you really want?"

He just stared into her eyes. Those piercing, blue eyes.

"I'm glad you've accepted what you are. You could come with us. I can show you how to use the full extent of your powers."

He took a deep breath. She paused.

"I think I've had enough people telling me what to do."

A faint smile returned to her perfectly shaped lips.