Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(22)

“You don’t have to do that.” I fidgeted with the end of my shirtsleeve.

“I know, but you’ve been through a lot. It’s the least I can do.” He turned to leave. “Oh, and if you need anything, my room is the next house over.” He pointed to the right. “I have a few things to tend to before I retire for the night. I advise you to stay inside where it’s safe from brunbjorns.” He smiled sardonically and left.

Shaking my head to clear it, I went over to the bed and sat down, eager to read the book. Engraved on the front was the title: The Order of the Krigers. Peeling open the cover, the front page contained sketches of twelve weapons. My fingers trailed over each of them. When I came to the bo staff, a pulsing sensation bloomed in my chest, expanding to my hands and feet. I quickly turned the page. At the top was the title: Known Krigers, followed by a list of names. Reading through them, I felt my eyelids grow heavy.

Blackness surrounded me. Air started to whirl, whipping my hair every which direction.

“Help me, Kaia!” a man yelled.

Hands tried to grab hold of my legs, but they kept losing their grip. I squatted down and reached out, wanting to help the person. Warm, solid fingers found mine. The wind immediately died, and the darkness receded. I found myself sitting on the forest floor, Morlet in front of me, our hands clasped together.

“You did it,” he said, a hint of awe in his voice. “I knew you could.”

“Did what?” I asked, trying to pull my hands away. He squeezed them tighter, keeping me in place.

“You sensed me searching for you. Your own power reached out to help forge our connection.”

There was no way my power did this. “You’re the one communicating with me,” I insisted. I didn’t even know how to use my power. The only time I’d tried was in the pool with Anders, and even then I wasn’t certain what I’d done.

“You mean to tell me you aren’t even aware of what you’re doing?”

“Please let me go,” I begged, trying to pull away from him.

He released me. “You must be a good distance from the capital. In order to find you, I had to use a tremendous amount of energy. Luckily, the block I felt earlier is gone. Did you figure out what it is?”

“I’m not certain.”

“But you have some ideas as to what it could be?” he asked.

We were sitting crossed-legged facing each other. Me, a peasant girl Kriger, and him, the evil king of Nelebek.

Certainty filled me—Morlet couldn’t find out about the medallion. “You told me I could ask the questions the next time we met.”

“Ah,” he mused, “I did. But I wasn’t finished with you when you so rudely disappeared.”

No animals lurked in the surrounding forest. “Where are we?” The air was unnaturally still.

“Somewhere between your location and mine,” he answered. “Would you like to go somewhere else? I can take you back to my castle now that we’ve established a connection.”

“Here is fine, thank you.”

“Are you alone?” he asked, his voice etched with curiosity and something else I couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Like before, my gut told me to keep Anders and Vidar a secret. “No, I’m here with you.”

He reached out, as if to touch my face. I leaned back, and he dropped his hand onto his lap.

“Why do you wear that black cape? Is there something wrong with your face?”

“I never let anyone see me,” he answered.

“Why?”

Morlet laughed. “No more questions from you. Not until I’m done asking mine.” He leaned forward. “My dear Kaia,” he murmured, his face only a few inches from mine. Blue eyes glowed beneath the hood, and I sat mesmerized by the two pools of light. “I want you to come to me.”

A pull emanated from his body, and I leaned toward him.

“That’s right,” he purred. “Come to the capital. I need you, and I have something you need, too.” He placed his finger on my cheek, and desire flooded into me. “I’m waiting for you.”

I wanted nothing more than to do as he said. “Yes,” I replied. “I’m coming.”

Something shook my body, waking me. I was lying with my cheek on the book.

“Kaia,” Vidar said, kneeling next to the bed. “What’s the matter?” His face was creased with worry.

Sitting up, I felt horrible; my hands shook and my head pounded. “Morlet,” I croaked. “He wants me to go to him.” I half expected to see him lurking in the corner of my room.

Vidar sat on the bed next to me, his face turning as white as his shirt. “Morlet?”

“He’s communicating with me when I sleep.”

“First a female Kriger and now this,” he said, gently patting my back. “You’re changing everything.”

I rested my head on his shoulder, welcoming the warmth and steadiness of his body. “The only time Morlet contacts me is when I’m asleep, and the medallion isn’t nearby.”

“Have you worn the medallion?”

“No.”

“So just being near it is enough?” I nodded. “Unfortunately, Anders left with it. He won’t be gone long though. Until then, we need to be careful. I have no idea what power Morlet has over you when you’re in a dream state.”