Void Born Read online

  The ship shuddered underfoot, and Weston hustled across the room, throwing open the door in his rush to get to the sunlight. To walk across the main deck without needing the safety line filled his heart with great satisfaction and joy—until Zak turned from the railing of the deck, his face tight.

  He waited for Weston to hesitantly draw near. “Why is there a receiving party?”

  Weston shouldered past Zak, ignoring his question as he looked over the edge. A lead ball sank in Weston’s gut. Francene’s men stood there, stiff in their jet-black uniforms.

  The moment the ramp descended, Weston rushed down it, his guards at his heels. He angled toward Francene’s captain, Rufus, his insignia flashing in the light.

  Captain Rufus bowed. His eyes scanned the few that had gathered at the side railing of the ship before he turned his attention to Weston. “Lord Everett knows where you went. Count Mendez is dead. We need to get them to my Ladyship’s villa, quickly.”

  Weston’s palms started to sweat, and he rubbed them against his legs as he scurried back onto the Sapphire, his boots thudding against the wood.

  Zak met him at the top of the gang plank. “Well?”

  “We need to get you guys moved, fast.” Weston tried to steady his breathing, but his pulse pounded erratically in his head. Alexander is dead? What the bleeding whales happened?

  Rufus stood right behind him. “Leave your things. We’ll send someone back for them. We have to go, now.”

  ***

  Weston clutched his knees as the steamtrans rolled through Lucrum. Jade, Zak, Garnet, Samantha, and Zaborah crammed with Weston and Francene’s men in the transport, and Krista, her father, her boyfriend and his wheeled chair, Weston’s guards, and the several other crew members rode in the second carrier behind them.

  Jade’s white face and Zak’s steely expression scared Weston almost as much as the thought of seeing his father again. Weston looked out the window instead, hoping for a respite for his nerves. What would he do with Jade now that Alexander was gone? Francene had to have a plan. He hoped. A flash of a poster with their noble family’s colors caught Weston’s eye, and he looked ahead of the road, trying to glimpse another of the paper. What new decree had his father decided upon this time?

  He saw the creamy white paper posted on a signboard, and he pressed his face close to the window in an effort to see it better. The royal wedding bells were unmistakable. As was his own face. And Jade’s. He sank back in the chair, trembling. He didn’t.

  The steamtrans rolled to a stop to allow pedestrians in the road to cross, and another poster glared at him from the wall of a nearby store. Wedding bells at the top, and two regal sketches of himself and Jade, along with the words, “Royal wedding announced!” Weston braced his hand against the window, dizzy. He did.

  “What—what is that?” Jade’s gasp cut through the chatter in the steamtrans, and she turned in her seat to look at Weston, her face drained of all color, and her eyes dilated to the point where he couldn’t even see the blue anymore. “What is going on, Weston?”

  Weston shrank back from Jade’s shock and the wrath that he could see building in Zak’s face. Samantha’s snarl and Garnet’s glare threatened to disintegrate him right then and there.

  “I don’t know, I swear.” Weston pressed against the seat, wishing he could melt into the canvas and be done with everything. He looked out the window, begging for a distraction.

  Ivy-covered white walls rose above the bland colors of Lucrum, and Weston lifted a shaking hand to point. “We’re nearly at Francene’s. She has to know what’s going on.”

  “For your sake, I hope she does.” Samantha stated, her voice deceptively calm for the fire burning in her eyes. “Because if she doesn’t, this will be a trip that you will dearly regret.”

  Weston nodded and broke eye contact, watching as Francene’s villa drew nearer. As if I don’t already regret everything enough.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Ben

  Finn hadn’t been kidding when he’d said that his wise woman friend lived on the outskirts. They’d landed the Phoenix on the edge of Bergen, then half of the crew split to explore the city for a few hours, while Finn led Ben, Raine, Brandon, Geist, and Kerlee along the edge of civilization. Gravel crunched as they left the paved road by the airship port, trekking along the path on a small hill. Brilliant rays of morning light peeked through the surrounding foliage, shining directly in Ben’s eyes. He lifted a hand to block the sun and blinked away the spots.

  Would this wise woman have some insight for him? What could he ask her that would help him to figure out how to get home—without revealing that he was a Void Born? How long had he been gone now? Did time from home to here even move the same? Had the military already told Sara he was missing? Did they assume he was dead? Had she already buried him and mourned?

  Ben’s heart squeezed. She’d think she was alone in the world.

  He had to get back. Family didn’t leave family behind.

  Which meant he had to somehow make the most of this side trip on their mission.

  “Ann may have some ideas for you,” Finn said to Brandon as they walked. “She’s been alive longer than even me, and I trust her advice. And if she doesn’t have anything useful, and we end up chasing Lucio even further than expected, maybe we’ll get lucky and stop in Golar for a day.”

  Brandon hit the back of his hand against his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that? Lasim is the best for med-tech.”

  “Exactly.” Finn clapped his hand on Brandon’s shoulder. “I’ll do all I can to help you with your sword problem, so long as it’s secondary to finding Lucio.”

  “Of course.” Brandon dipped his head. “And thank you.”

  The last day of travel had been the most interesting Ben had experienced yet. Once everyone was aboard the Phoenix, Ezekial followed Finn like a bloodhound seeking its next meal, while Roska followed Ezekial like a puppy who’d found its new master. Eventually, Finn sequestered himself in his room, shutting out all the curious looks and whispers behind his back. Raine remained tight-lipped about any information on her grandfather.

  It was maddening and intriguing, this sage and swordmaster duo, and Ben’s curiosity burned brighter with every interaction.

  A glimpse of color caught Ben’s attention. Ann’s home was nestled within a towering copse of trees that shaded half the squat building, and a garden of vegetables spread along the south side of the house, with apple trees lining the north side. A strong—but stooped—woman, lugging a basket teeming with produce, rounded the corner of the house. The wide brim of her hat lifted, and she froze at the sight of them, her basket dropping from being propped on her hip to hanging by her knees. A carrot tumbled out. She lifted a gloved hand to shade her eyes. “Flint?”

  Finn’s smile froze in place, and he huffed a small laugh. “It’s Finn, Ann.”

  “Oh!” Ann smiled and shifted the basket to her other hand. “Finn, it’s been so long. And guests,” she exclaimed. “Dear me, I need to get the water going for tea.”

  Raine hustled forward, the blue skirt of her tunic rippling in the air as she held her hands out. “Let me help you with that.” She transferred the basket from Ann’s trembling grip to her own firm grasp, then knelt to retrieve the lost carrot.

  “Oh, thank you, blossom. Thank you.” Ann swept before Raine and opened the door, waving at Finn. “Come in, come in.”

  Finn looked over his shoulder, making eye contact with Ben, then the others. “Try to be helpful.”

  Ben nodded while the others made noises of affirmation. He blinked to adjust his eyes to the darker room. It was small, but well-kept. A long counter surrounded by cabinets served as a kitchen. A cook fire with glowing coals sat just beyond. Firewood was stacked nearby in a bin. Two chairs and a simple pine table were pushed up by a wall, and a short hallway that presumably led to a bedroom yawned just beyond. Dried and drying herbs hung from strings, and a corner hutch full of labeled bottles sat to the righ
t.

  Raine looked around, then gently set the basket on the counter by a bucket. She started pulling the carrots out, laying them in a neat row on the aged wood.

  Ann shuffled to the well-worn counter and tipped the bucket toward herself. She clucked her tongue as she shook her head. “I’m sorry, I need to fetch water from the well. Such a poor hostess. I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Apparently, being on the outskirts of town meant well water for her, and not the piped water he’d seen in Doldra. Then again, this was his first time in Perennia. Who knew what was different here. Ben stepped forward, lifting a hand. “I can—”

  “Allow me, ma’am,” Kerlee interjected over her fretting, laying his hand on her arm with a warm smile. “Just point me to the well, and I’ll get however much water you need.”

  Ben closed his mouth and rocked back on his heels.

  “Oh, aren’t you a honeysuckle.” Ann beamed and patted Kerlee’s cheek with her wrinkled hands. “It’s just out the back.”

  Honeysuckle? Ben swallowed his mirth. He’d have to remember that nickname and share it with Briar when he got back. Kerlee’s eyes crinkled as he took the bucket from Ann. He shot Geist a look before he disappeared out the back door that Ann pointed to.

  Geist coughed. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

  “Oh, no need, no need,” Ann waved a hand as she tossed a log from her woodpile onto the cook fire. “I get by as is.” She winked over her shoulder. “I’m fairly spry for a hundred-and-two year-old, you know.”

  Was she joking? A quick glance at Finn only showed him smiling gently, and Raine shrugged when she made eye contact with Ben. Geist closed his mouth, blinking.

  Finn sat in one of the two chairs and gestured to the stacked wood. “I’m sure you could use more firewood, Ann. Let the lads help with that.” He looked back at Geist and where Brandon stood awkwardly close to the wall, his arms crossed. “The two of you could split and stack a cord, at least, right?”

  Geist nodded and started toward the door. Brandon’s eyes stayed on Ann. “Did you need me here to ask?”

  Finn shook his head. “If she needs to see you, we’ll call you back in.”

  Geist opened the door to reveal Kerlee on the doorstep, bucket in hand. Geist stepped back to let him through, then motioned for Brandon to walk out first. Brandon’s lips thinned, and he grabbed the hand axe resting by the wood pile, then stepped out into the brilliant sunshine.

  Raine accepted the water bucket from Kerlee and poured it into the kettle that Ann held out. She flicked a strand of black hair from her shoulder and gestured to the remaining chair. “Why don’t you go ahead and sit, Ann? I can get the tea started for you.” She filled the basin with the last of the water in the bucket. “Kerlee, can you fill this again, please?”

  “Coming right up.” Kerlee lifted it from her fingers and disappeared out the door.

  Ben drummed his fingers against his arm. Everyone had helped or was actively helping in some way, and he’d done nothing at all yet. Surely there was something he could do to help the old woman. Or ask her what she knew about Void Born.

  “I assume this isn’t just a social call, dear.” Ann settled in her chair and steepled her fingers, raising a white eyebrow at Finn. “What can I help you with?”

  Finn rubbed a hand against his forehead. “Lucio is still alive, has a bloodstone, and wants to take down the barrier.” He jerked a thumb to the door. “The quiet one, Brandon, has a pseudo blood-bond that I want to help him break. I’m hoping you have some sort of clue or idea where I can find information on any or all of that.”

  “Oh, Finn.” Ann patted Finn’s hand where it rested on the surface of the table. “You remind me so much of Flint.” She smiled, her eyes distant. “Always so helpful to those in need. So dedicated to your cause.”

  Ben quirked his lips. Finn insisted that Ann would be helpful, and maybe she would be, but she might not be as mentally there as Finn expected her to be. Not if that answer was anything to go by. Maybe it’d be better to not ask her anything. Who knew what she’d say to the wrong person.

  Kerlee hauled in the bucket of water and set it on the counter where light streamed in a window. He slid it back to rest by a small stack of dirty dishes. “I’m going back out. I saw some weeds that I can pull out for you, ma’am.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Raine moved from cupboard to cupboard, pulling out mugs as she found them and opening tins. She sniffed one and wrinkled her nose, her eye twitching.

  “Tea is in the cupboard to the left, blossom.” Ann called out, not looking back at Raine. She rubbed her hand against her dirt-stained apron. Ann’s voice dropped, heavy with memory. “So. Lucio’s still alive, then?”

  “Indeed.” Finn’s jaw tightened. “And from what I’ve gathered, he hasn’t changed any.”

  Ben lingered, despite the urge to go outside and help the men with Ann’s chores. Maybe he could find something to do in the house to help that would allow him to listen in, learn as much as he could about their quarry.

  A soft sigh escaped Ann.

  Ben turned on his heel, surveying the shelves of bottles. Sara had once called him the dusting master. Maybe he could offer to clean and organize Ann’s herbs.

  “And why are you here, dear? Do you need a cure to an ailment as well as the one outside?”

  Ben whipped his head back. Was she speaking to him? He touched a finger to his chest, and she nodded. “No, I’m just here to help in any way I can.”

  “Hmm.” Ann leaned back, her eyes suddenly sharp, analyzing him. How did she go from seeming slightly out of it to becoming so keen? Ben shifted under her scrutiny, and his dog tags clinked. How did those slip out? He tucked them back under his shirt, hoping she hadn’t actually seen them. Something about her focus on him made his nerves tingle. Almost as if she could see through him. Like she’d be able to just know at a single glance that he was Void Born. Her brow lowered. “Where are you from?”

  Ben swallowed hard, aware of Raine’s eyes on him and Finn’s turned head as they listened for his response. “I’m, uh, not from around here.”

  Ann glanced back at Finn. “Interesting company you keep. Are all your friends this vague?” She tapped her fingers against the table as she looked at him, her eyes pausing over the hidden dog tags, the sword that still felt odd on his hip, and his military-issue boots that no one had anything like. Her lips quirked, and she waved a hand at Ben before he could say anything else. “It’s of no concern, dear, just the curiosity of an old lady.”

  Ben tensed when her gaze turned away from him. What had she seen? An awkward man who didn’t say much? Or a potential Void Born to report?

  Raine used a hot pad to lift the bubbling water kettle off the fire, and she poured it into the waiting mugs. She set one each before Finn and Ann and pointed at the five left on the counter. “You can come get yours, Ben.” She offered a quick grin, at ease, as if Ann’s questions and Ben’s awkward answers weren’t out of place. “I’d say it’s too hot to hold quite yet.”

  “Thanks.” Ben crossed the room and leaned against the counter in an attempt to look relaxed. Innocent. Raine plucked a dirty plate off the counter, dunked it in the water, and started scrubbing at it.

  “As for your query, Finn.” Ann picked up the mug and blew on the steam. “I haven’t been in the city too much recently.” The jovial light in her eyes dimmed. “We had a Void Born lynching last week.”

  The plate slipped from Raine’s hands and clattered in the sink. She murmured an apology, her shoulders tense. Ben forced the air out of his lungs in a semblance of normal breathing even as his stomach clenched. He knew people feared the Void Born, but somehow he’d not expected a lynching.

  Finn’s face darkled.

  Ann tapped a finger against her thin lips as she turned in her chair to look at Ben. “Not that you’re Void Born, of course, dear. I didn’t mean to imply anything. But you need to be above reproach wherever you go. While you’re here,
if someone asks you something as innocuous as my question, you’ll want a complete, detailed answer.” She turned to Finn. “Superstition is running rampant, and anyone with mixed blood isn’t well received right now.” A bitter smile crossed her lips as she gestured to herself. “Even if only a quarter of their blood is Elph. There’s just too much prejudice.”

  So she was part Elph. No wonder she lived on the outskirts, where she wouldn’t run into many people. Ben’s heart squeezed despite his trepidation. She was alone out here in more ways than one.

  “Is there anything we can get for you from the city while we’re here?” The words left Ben’s mouth before he even knew he was thinking them. He grimaced. Just what he needed. To go into a city that had lost it to the point of killing someone because they feared them. At least it wasn’t Antius, where Lance had warned him not to go. He looked at Ann out of the corner of his eye. She seemed perceptive. Maybe too perceptive for him to be hanging around in her kitchen. And she could use the help.

  Raine paused in her dishwashing to look at him, her brow lowered and eyes inscrutable. Ben focused on Ann and knelt so he wouldn’t be towering over her. “I mean, if you haven’t been to town recently, there must be things you’re low on. I can go to town for you and get whatever you need.”

  And maybe he could hear some of the rumors about Void Born, maybe even talk to someone who knew a lot and was talkative, if he was lucky.

  Every line on Ann’s face crinkled as she smiled at him. “What a honeysuckle you are. Yes, please.” The table creaked as she braced her hands against it to stand. She pulled a pad of paper from a drawer and returned to the table, jotting a small list. “Here, dear.” She tapped her pencil against her cheek. “And there may be some books in the library that could be of use for blood-bonds and anything similar, Finn.”

  Finn perked up. “Books would be helpful. I wouldn’t have much time to peruse them, but I’ll look at what I can, while I can. Especially if they’ve been written in the last twenty years or so. What Brandon has been through is something new, that I wouldn’t have considered possible. I need a fresh perspective.”