Chapter 7

As AJ made his way down the dark alley, he turned over the events of the past few hours in his head. Kevin had been detained in one of the dungeons found in the lower levels of the palace, and his command had been temporarily taken over by General Liam.

Movement to his left brought him back to the present and a dagger found itself in his right hand concealed from view. Stealthily AJ moved into the shadows himself. Staying perfectly still, he waited and sure enough a figure slowly approached his previous position. It looked like a young girl, about 16 years old. Her clothing marked her as a local and there wasn’t anything about her that stood out at all. In fact, she could be standing by you in the street and no one would have given her a second notice at all.

‘Perfect qualities for a spy, if her rashness doesn’t get her killed first,’ thought AJ to himself as he grabbed her, holding his dagger to her throat.

"AJ!"

"One flick and you’re dead, Ryn."

"I almost had you."

"Almost doesn’t count," AJ replied as he released her.

"But you are getting better," he added with a smirk.

"So, what have you got for me?"

AJ had never truly severed his ties with the children who made the docks of Khiranirn their home. Even after he had been taken in by Howie’s family, he made sure to keep track with the local news, too much information never being a problem in the trading world. And as Kevin had once pointed out, having eyes and ears everywhere would only benefit everyone. So it was left to AJ and he had steadily built up a network of contacts that kept him updated.

"Things have been different, AJ."

Ryn had a troubled look on her face as she reported.

"You know most of us don’t have a problem with creeping in the shadows but lately, even we prefer to stay in at night. Everyone was so relieved when General Richardson found Seth but…"

Her voice suddenly dropped to a whisper and AJ had to lean in to hear.

"There are visitors in town. Four men dressed like farmers but anyone with half a brain can tell they’re military trained, mercenaries maybe. Well, three of them at least."

"Explain."

"Well, their build’s muscular and they carry swords and assorted weaponry, concealed though. Tara peaked in their window and saw them laid out. The fourth man though, he’s scary."

"Scary?"

AJ was intrigued. In all the time he had known Ryn, she had never admitted to being afraid of anything.

"Yeah, he’s got a silver streak in his hair but he’s young. Actually, he’s kind of good looking."

At AJ’s raised eyebrow, she hastily added.

"No, something’s wrong though. His eyes, it’s like they’re black ice, like he would kill you without a second thought just because he felt like it. And it’s like when he looks at you, he can tell what you’re thinking."

AJ was now truly worried. Ryn’s description matched that of a wizard and that was the last thing they needed on top of everything that had happened. Unless they were all somehow connected.

"Ryn, has anyone overheard anything?"

"Well, Tara said she heard the three men asking around about the King, trading and Prince Brian." The last said with a slightly dreamy smile.

AJ just sighed to himself.

"Oh yeah. The man with the silver streak. Shawn heard him once asking about Captain Carter."

Warning bells started going off in AJ‘s head and a nagging thought that he was missing something kept disturbing him.

‘Seth’s killings. The King’s poisoning. Nick healing him. Kevin being framed.’

Suddenly, everything clicked in his head and all the air rushed out of his lungs.

"AJ?" Ryn called out but the man had already left, running back to the palace as though his life depended on it.

‘Nick healing him….Nick weakened….Kevin locked away…..Nick alone…vulnerable and unprotected.’

"Nick?"

"Yes, Cole?"

"You want something to drink?"

Nick felt a smile curve his lips as he heard the question. Opening his eyes, he came face to face with Cole who was kneeling by the bed looking at him intently. Before he could reply though, he felt another chill sweep through him. For the past hour or so, the chill had been his constant companion. At first he had thought he was over-reacting but now, he wasn’t so sure. Something had happened to Kevin. He could feel it. If he still wasn’t so weak, he would have gone looking for the older man himself but as it is…

"Cole, could you do me a favor please?

"What?"

"I…"

Nick hesitated, wary of sending the boy off on his on, but as he shivered once again, he made up his mind.

"I need you to find out what’s happened to Kevin. Head for the main corridor and turn left. Find one of the soldiers from Kevin’s command and they’ll help you. Do you understand, Cole?"

Nick had by now slowly sat up facing the boy.

Cole could read the worry in Nick’s eyes but was unsure about leave Nick alone. Something was telling him to stay, but seeing Nick so uneasy he decided to ignore the feeling and just make sure he hurried back. Leaning in to give Nick a hug, he took a chance and gave Nick a quick kiss to the cheek. He was rewarded with one of Nick’s full out smiles that just lit up his whole face. Reassured, he hurried to his task but as soon as the door closed behind him, Cole felt a cold wind blow past chilling him to the bone. He was frozen to the spot, knowing with every inch of his being that he should stay.

Scolding himself for acting like such a baby, Cole made to move away then just as quickly turned, deciding to take a quick look, just to reassure himself.

And he felt his heart stop when the door he had just closed refused to open.

"Kevin, would you please calm down," pleaded Howie as the older man paced the cell like a wild animal.

"It just doesn’t make sense. Why would someone frame me for the poisoning?"

"Political reasons perhaps?" suggested Brian.

Both Howie and himself had decided to stay with Kevin while Mat and Allyne resumed their duties.

"No. Everything seems to be happening all at once. It’s almost as if ever since Seth died on us, we’ve been forced to react to one thing or another."

Kevin growled under his breath, hating the feeling of helplessness he felt. Almost instinctively, he reached out for Nick, calming almost immediately at the touch of his…friend? Lover? …Mate? Yes, his soul-mate.

The feeling of contentment returned at Kevin’s realization but just as quickly a frown creased his forehead. He could feel Nick’s confusion and realized that he didn’t know yet about Kevin’s arrest.

"Brian, Nick doesn’t know about what’s happened."

"I’ll let him know. You, try to calm down. You’re not doing anyone any favors running yourself ragged."

Brian waited for Kevin’ s acknowledging nod before leaving.

Howie added once Brian had left.

"Hopefully, AJ will be able to tell us something when he gets back."

Once Cole had left, Nick gave up any pretense of trying to sleep and just sat up resting against the headboard. He hated being so weak he couldn’t even get up to walk across the room but knowing he had saved his father more than made up for it. He just wished the chill would leave him. In fact, it seemed to get worse once Cole had left.

A cold breeze blew in from the balcony and Nick suddenly wished his sword was within reach. An icy caress to his cheek caused him to jerk away and the next thing he knew, he was being held down by a man easily almost twice his build. The man’s face was expressionless and once he had secured Nick, he looked up to the other side of the bed.

Nick, following his gaze found himself looking into the blackest pair of eyes he had ever seen. Just as Nick was about to call for help, the man who had a silver streak in his hair spoke.

"Don’t."

A perfectly normal tone, no raised voice and yet Nick found himself obeying. A presence was felt in his mind. Cold, so cold. He felt it consuming him. Nick tried to shield himself but in vain. And just like that, he lost all control.

The large man released him and moved away, but Nick found he could no longer move. He still felt his body, could still feel the silkiness of the sheets beneath him. And when the man leaned down to stroke his cheek, he felt the cool fingers and shivered despite himself.

"So beautiful."

Nick felt his right hand being picked up and watched as the man sat by his side pulling a sheathed, jeweled dagger from within his robe. As the man pulled the dagger out, Nick could see the substance coating its surface and felt his heartbeat quicken in response.

Catching Nick’s eye, the man spoke.

""My name is Luke, Nick."

At Nick’s surprise, Luke smiled.

"Yes, I know who you are and what you are capable off. Which brings us to what I am about to do. I’m a wizard, Nick. A rather gifted one at that. Trained in the dark arts and one of the first spells I mastered was the binding spell aimed especially towards Drakes. Once I’m done, you’ll no longer have any access to your powers and will be as susceptible to my ‘suggestions’ as anyone else."

This last was said with a smirk that sent a feeling of foreboding down Nick’s spine.

"Although I suspect that even bound, your mind will be a challenge for me to manipulate."

Smiling, Luke pierced Nick’s hand with the tip of the dagger and began dragging the blade across his palm, Nick’s blood beginning to stain the bed. Slowly, Luke began tracing an intricate pattern that included Nick’s entire right hand to above his wrist, the cuts steadily growing deeper. As the substance coating the dagger mixed with Nick’s blood, a burning sensation began to spread across his body.

At Nick’s choked cry of pain, Luke looked up.

"Just so you know, this is going to hurt."

And as the blade pierced him once again, Nick couldn’t help the silent scream of agony his mind resonated to all those he loved even as the welcoming darkness eventually claimed him once again.