Pieces of Eight (The Frey Saga, #2)(26)

I expected him to give me a stuttered reply spoken in a hushed tone or avoid answering all together. He did neither, answering as clearly and normally as if he had nothing to hide. "Francine kept her ability a secret. Not just from Asher but from everyone."

I was speechless, I couldn't even think of a follow up question. But he continued, "She was smarter than anyone gave her credit for and paranoid to boot."

I considered that, remembering her conspiracy theories about High Council and the villagers. I had thought them ridiculous, but, in hindsight, they had more substance than I'd have imagined possible.

As I reflected, I caught sight of a familiar expression on Anvil's face. It hadn't always been familiar, not before I'd regained part of my memories, but I could see his manner, like a reflection now. I'd been impressed when I was younger, the way he'd regarded my grandfather. Such a contrast from the others. Not like Asher was his ruler, but as if he were his equal. No concern, no formality, just himself, calm and undaunted by it all. He would have never bowed to Lord Asher. I found myself smiling at the memory.





Chapter Seven


Out of the Blue





We rode without event for days and I realized I'd started to become relaxed instead of more prepared for the battle we were heading toward. When we stopped for the evening I sought out Ruby for training, even though I knew after a few whip lashes I'd regret it.

But she must have been taking it easy on me because I didn't fare too badly, even besting her twice. She cut practice short, prattling something about Grey, and then stomped off toward Chevelle. I watched her for a moment but a chill caught me as I stood, now motionless. I picked up my pack and found the closest thing to an isolated spot I could to change into some warmer clothes.

Ruby had taken to tinkering with my clothes so the strings of the vest I held were adorned with jewels and feathers. It reminded me of my strategy to sweep the sky each day, which I cringed at neglecting. I stuffed the bejeweled vest back into the pack but the next morning, as soon as we mounted, I found a vessel and closed my eyes, settling into its mind.

Though it had been a cool morning, the sun was bright and the sky was clear. It was embarrassing how long I soared before I noticed something was wrong. I didn't exactly know where we were going, but I had no doubt that wherever council was, it wasn't back up the mountain.

I pulled back to my body and, almost before I opened my eyes, shot out, "Where are we going?"

Five pair of eyes focused on me. Ruby spoke. "Oh."

"Oh?"

"Well, when you were comatose the other night, there was a change of plans."

I ignored her remark about my... episode. "And no one thought they should tell me?" I was irked.

"Gee, Frey, you just go so easily these days, I didn't know if I should." She thought it was funny.

I heard my teeth grind.

Her teasing tone disappeared in an instant. "Frey, please. Trust us."

I waited.

"Fine," she sighed. "We are going back to the castle."

The castle? I had been so far off. We had been riding for days in the opposite direction and I'd had no idea. I didn't know what irritated me worse, the fact that they’d left me in the dark or that I'd been oblivious. And then my brain caught up with my reaction. "Wait, why are we going back to the castle?"

The horses slowed to a walk and I could feel the tension surge. I swallowed hard as I waited for her to form a response. "Freya, Fannie has destroyed a number of Grand Council members. Those who remain are not waiting for her there."

I let that sink in. It hadn't sounded half as bad as I'd expected. I wondered if they were chasing after her now, and where, if they had given up on me for the moment, and then, again, my mind caught up. "How many?"

"We do not have an exact count."

"But several. And... Ruby, I don't have my mind back." I felt my features contort and tried to compose them.

"We will take care of you, Frey. We will find those that remain and-"

"Ruby," I interrupted, "why? Why haven't I recovered? How many of them were in on the binding?"

"It's not how many, Frey. It's which ones."

The information formed a tumult and I took a deep breath as I attempted to find order. Fannie was slaughtering council at random, she'd caused them to scatter or come after her. And we had to find the right ones, those who had twisted the spell through my mind. Then I recalled Junnie's part in the ordeal. She'd shown up, out of the blue, and informed on Fannie. So, she was acting on behalf of Grand Council? But I'd seen her fighting against them at that initial battle, before she'd gone after Asher.

My head was beginning to throb so I drew back in an attempt to not focus. It was near impossible and, in the end, I gave up and returned to the sky to avoid the commotion in my head.

I circled overhead for a while, watching us ride below and contemplating what a peculiar view I had: I was seeing myself. I started to play a game, jumping from the bird to my body, the view from above, the view from below, but the strange flashes made me a little dizzy so I returned to the bird.

I was flying when I was attacked. Large hooks tore into my back, taking feathers with them when they pulled away a second later. I could see the weathered yellow curve of a beak as I was assaulted again, talons tearing into my wings this time. I tried to maneuver clear of my aggressor but it was futile, I was struck again and again, each time the sharp claws tearing out my feathers. I fought to no avail. Somehow I knew it was the loss of my feathers so I relaxed just enough to let the bird have its control, hoping its instincts would guide us better than my efforts. We were being thrashed by the attacker and nothing I could do seemed to be working.