Fog & Feathers

 

Prologue

The cold fog lingered along the dark damp cobblestone trail. The coppery smell of fresh blood filled the air. Excruciating pain was radiating my body in crashes of white-hot lightening. My eyes were riveted to the man standing over me. His caramel colored eyes were illuminated beneath his half mask in the gaslight lanterns that marked the garden path.

A cold smile bloomed on his full lips. “You’ll be the best one yet little sparrow,” he promised seductively. He shifted his weight and the light reflected off the hand ax that was dripping with my blood.

How had I gotten here? My mind racked trying to recall. Catherine Princeton, daughter of the current governor Robert Princeton, had called a gala in response to the serial killings that had been plaguing the capitol city of Wind Rose. I was obligated to attend and being unattached I was passed from one vulgar man to another the majority of the night. Being passed into his arms, I felt dizzy instantly and he offered to walk me out for some air. He drugged me somehow. My brain could not connect the dots just yet but it was no doubt him, the serial killer of Wind Rose.

“Butcher Bird,” I groaned and he chuckled.

“Such a silly name but then again given the journalists pension for dramatics, I guess I can’t blame them for bestowing it upon me.” He knelt down pulling my left arm further away from my body. “It really is like clipping a bird’s wing in a way.” My eyes followed the move with horror watching the disembodied limb.

His eyes came back to mine with that same damnable cold smile. “You are the strongest one yet, twenty two women have howled in pain as I cleaved away their pretty wings but you,” he continued when I didn’t speak, “not a scream…not even a whimper. I guess that should be expected from the legendary daughter of the late elite guardian Anton Montoya. The name alone carries such power.” He chuckled again and my eyes narrowed.

“So your name is powerless then,” I surmised exhaling hard past another wave of pain.

“No Kitami it’s not,” he growled squatting down at the top of my head blinking those empty eyes at me. “My name means victory of the people, Nicodemus, and in the end little sparrow I will be victorious.”

“He’ll kill you for harming me,” I promised flatly gritting my teeth.

“Ah yes you did mention that,” he chuckled. “Whom I wonder do you believe will come to rescue little sparrow? Your family is long dead, supporters of the fallen Monarch. It’s a new era now.”

“Kitami,” Joseph’s bellowing roar echoed over the courtyard and all noises of the Princeton Manor gala stopped.

“Him,” I breathed seeing the fury explode in his eyes. My lips lifted into their own cold smile. Waves of darkness stole my sight away from his retreating body.

 Chapter One:

 The sound of metal grinding and scent of motor oil woke me groggily. Blinking my heavy eyes, I tried to focus. Joseph’s strong jaw was silhouetted in the dim light of the strange space. He had me wrapped in a cloak and was carrying me deftly in his left arm. Joseph had been my guardian since I was a baby. He was my father’s apprentice and second bodyguard to the Monarch Allor, until the second siege overran the capitol taking Allor’s life and a democratic rule was instated under President Bencroft’s stead.

I remember standing at Joseph’s side, my hand in his as my parents walked out the front door of our home. My mother’s pale blue eyes sparkling with tears as she glanced back at me telling me to obey Joseph and be good. I never saw them again. Joseph never spoke of what happened. He was nineteen that day, barely a grown man and had a ten-year-old ward but he never hesitated or made it seem like it was a burden.

“Joseph,” I breathed. His slate gray eyes came down to mine gently. “Where are we?”

“Getting aid mistress,” he soothed.

“In a hospital?”

“No, not quite,” he corrected smiling. “Trust me mistress this is for the best.”

“I always trust you,” I promised closing my eyes from a wave of nausea doing a quick assessment. “I’ve lost a lot a blood.”

“I know mistress.” He shifted me opening a door. The noise and scent got stronger.

“Who in the hell sent you,” a voice bellowed over the metal grinding.

“Murkowski,” Joseph answered in a short clipped response. A loud crash assaulted my ears.

“Shit,” the muffled curse followed.

“What was that?”

Joseph looked down at me. “It appeared to be the engine from the new Aston Mist.”

“You’ve got a good eye,” the mechanic admitted stepping out from the back room. I tilted my head watching the petite woman with curiosity as she wiped her hands on her gray coveralls. Her short black hair was spiked in all directions. She blinked her bright blue eyes at us as she pushed the goggles up into her hair. “It needs a refit along the compression hoses to handle the steam levels at high acceleration.” She paused looking catching my gaze. “Looks like you need a refit too huh Lady?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she shrugged absently. “Come on Guard Dog bring the lady back this way.”

Joseph bristled against me angrily. “My name is . . .”

“I don’t care what your name is son,” she interjected coolly. “Plausible deniability, you are Guard Dog and she is Lady, that’s all I need to know. Now come on before Lady passes out again.”

She walked away and I felt Joseph’s hesitance before he followed her into the back. “What should we call you then?” Joseph rumbled while I looked around at the chaotic space. Parts and mech-tech was lying around everywhere.

“Folks call me Tinker, what with the name of the place being Tinker Toys I figure even an ex-elite guard could solve that one,” she replied with a smirk at Joseph’s bristling. She moved to a center table running her arm down it scattering massive chunks of metal effortlessly.

I stared in awe as she glanced back at me flexing her left arm. “Don’t look so shocked Lady. I make things a hell of a lot better than a broken wing. Now lay her down here and let me take a look at what Butcher did.”

“How much will this cost?” Joseph questioned setting me down on the table so my wound was available for her inspection.

“We’ll hash price later after I see how much works need to be done,” she said pulling her goggles down and tugging a rolling light closer. “This is going to hurt Lady.” She removed the cloak and I saw the impressed look flare in her deep gaze as she inspected Joseph’s bindings.

Joseph rounded the other edge of the table taking my hand in his as she systematically cut away the cloth. “Holy Mother,” she gasped. Joseph’s firm hand came to my chin forcing my inquisitive gaze into his gentle stare.

“Not this time mistress, you don’t need to see this,” he insisted.

Tinker stood up moving around the workspace gathering tools, parts, and sterile cleanser. Her moves were precise and meticulous as she worked cleaning out the wound. Flares of white-hot pain kept exploding through me. “He must have really liked you,” Tinker breathed grabbing forceps.

“He seemed to,” I admitted closing my eyes to Joseph’s fierce look.

“He taunted you didn’t he lady?”

“Yes,” I exhaled past another wave of pain as she began connecting metal to bone. “Did he taunt you?”

“Nope,” she muttered. “Of course I was his first known attack and he wasn’t nearly as efficient as he’s gotten in the later years.”

“How did you survive? The papers say there have been no known survivors,” Joseph queried.

“I didn’t,” she admitted darkly. I tilted my head catching her steadfast stare. “He got both of my ‘wings’ as he calls them. Murkowski found me bleeding out and took me to the Old Tinker, my predecessor who taught me the mech-tech arts down here in Mech Alley. Tinker fixed me up but I died on the table. He jolted me with an engine battery, the crazy old coot. Murkowski thought it would be best at the time not to admit to surviving the attack. As the years went on Old Tinker passed away. I just took up the slack.”

“How many years ago was that?”

“Ten little lady,” she answered returning her gaze to the work. “That Butcher isn’t new just because he only started attacking Wind Rose this last year. He’s been a torment on almost all the continents of Genoa and there’s nothing anyone has been able to do to find him, let alone catch him.”

She turned on a drill and anything else I would have said went to oblivion as the pain seared blackness over my mind.

“Not even a whimper,” she whistled, “he’s going to be very angry he lost you.”

Terrae Moon Trilogy: Book Three: Sunata Sunset

 

CARPE NOCTEM

Chapter One

 

The caravan to Leones was made up of Tzar, Nekoda, Mihos, Exodus, Velenti, and two other men I didn’t know besides myself. We were to travel by tarpon for the first part of the journey. One of the men tried to give me a lift on to the massive brindle colored tarpon but I shook him off jumping up easily.

The tarpon snorted pawing the ground so I caressed his large shoulder soothingly. “You’ve ridden before milady?” Velenti questioned approaching easily on his ebony stead.

“Yes. Renik had me leave Fortis on a tarpon named Thunderclap,” I admitted glancing over at him. His eyes were patient but there was an ache there, an ache I caused. “We should ride,” I muttered looking away.

“Yes mistress,” he agreed moving to lead position with Tzar and the man named Faro. Mihos and Exodus flanked my sides leaving Nekoda and the last man Teliko. They kept an easy trot through most of the forest but my body was rigid with tension and soon the tarpon I was on was getting antsy.

“Mari,” Mihos called firmly. Glancing over I saw the intensity in his eyes. He urged his tarpon forward whispering in harsh tones to Velenti who looked at me questioningly. I don’t know what they saw in my eyes but Velenti nodded moving aside as Mihos waved me forward.

I dug my heels in urging the lumbering giant into a run. Mihos was at my side in a blink then he was passing me. A thrill of excitement flooded my body as I lowered myself down. “You want to run... then run,” I cooed caressing the giant beneath me.

He took off in a fast run passing Mihos in a blast of air that made me laugh. We ran north towards the setting suns breaking a clearing I sat up raising my arms. The tarpon reared up to his hind legs neighing loudly. Squeezing my thighs I hung on enjoying the feeling of flight that thrilled my senses. He dropped down running faster and faster until the entire world blurred around us, behind us.

It was like running from everything, every bad decision. I let him run until Mihos whistled a shrill noise. The tarpon slowed to a trot and I fell forward breathing hard. “You ride like you fly,” Mihos purred sidling up next to us. I tilted my head spilling the tears that gathered.

“How did you know I needed to run?”

“My blood is coursing in you doyenne,” he said with a dangerous smile, “but some thing’s a cat can just smell. Your tarpon and you needed that freedom but we are approaching the first camp of night fall. Are you going to be all right camping out?”

I sat up straight narrowing my eyes.

“I’m not challenging you Mari, or trying to imply that you are too ladylike or dainty to be in the wild,” he smirked. “I simply meant you’d have to share a tent with a few of us. Is that going to be a problem?”

“How many is a few, and who?”

“Four to a tent,” Velenti answered from behind us. “It’s your choice which three you want with you my mistress.”

“Although we’d like to have two of our men with you just in case,” Mihos confided.

“Why?”

“In case of attack,” he offered with a shrug.

“Mihos,” I warned.

“The Leones are worried sleeping beside you will provide a temptation that their beasts will not refuse,” Velenti answered. “Take Exodus, Nekoda, and Mihos, the rest of us will sleep in the other tent tonight.”

“Velenti,” I called but he trotted on up the path. I watched him go with a stab in my heart. Almost all the words along his back had faded away.

“Is that ok with you Mari?” Mihos queried.

“Yeah I guess so,” I muttered urging my tarpon forward keeping pace behind Velenti once more.

Terrae Moon Trilogy: Book One: Mare Incognita

 

QUID PRO QUO

Chapter One

 

Exodus took care of everything as we left Aquilo making sure I was safe and secure on the ship before dawn so no one would get the chance to touch me. I curled back down into the carved out bed letting memories lap over the present and the past.

          
            A man was above me removing my clothes, admiring my breasts. His face was obscured in shadow and fog. “Mari?” a voice called but that wasn’t my name. Casana, that’s what he called me. “Mari, are you ok?” Exodus asked nervously bringing me back to reality.

“Yes is everything all set?”

“They were surprised to hear you already boarded and didn’t want to say any goodbyes. It took a lot of convincing to Iko and Genji not to come aboard,” he admitted, “but they finally agreed when Oreb spoke to them.”

“I bet,” I muttered. “How long will it be until we reach Torvoso?”

“We’ll arrive before dusk,” he said setting out a tray of fruit. “Please eat something. You look ill.”

“I don’t do well in boats, the swaying,” I explained rolling over snaking a piece of fruit eating ate it absently. “Bread is better if you can find some.”

“I will,” he promised looking over me worriedly.

“I’m ok Exodus you don’t have to worry so much now,” I promised.

“Can I touch you?”

“No.”

“Then you’re not ok Mari,” he sighed shaking his head. “I wish you’d tell me what he did to you.”

“No you really don’t,” I retorted rolling away from him. “I’m going to sleep for a little while longer.”

“Ok Mari. I will lock the door and go check in with the captain.”

“Who is captain?”

“Pontus,” he answered giving me on last look before exiting and locking the door. I curled down into the bed feeling numb. I was glad Avian wasn’t captain though. It was one trouble I didn’t want.

I shut my eyes replaying the memory of the man above me trying to see more of him but it was too faded. “Who are you?” I sighed miserably. “How am I supposed to find you?”

The images shuffled over my mind too fast to understand. The coppery taste of blood slid down my throat. I sat up fast grabbing a cloth pressing it to my nose tilting my head back. A man wearing glasses stuck in my mind. His bright blue eyes blinked at me as he looked up from navigation maps. “Right,” he spoke so vividly through my mind.

“Mari,” Exodus gasped coming to the bed. “You’re bleeding again. Here let me see.”

“No I’ve got it,” I muttered dropping my head back further pinching at my nose. I wiped at the blood checking to make sure it stopped. “What’s going on?”

“I brought you some bread. We’re leaving port now,” he explained holding out the roll to me.

“Thank you Exodus.”

“Did you have a memory of something?” he asked sitting on the far end of the bed.

“I think so,” I sighed digging into the bread.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I saw a man. I think he was a navigator but he had eyes like us,” I explained looking into his bright blue gaze. “You said Casana left with a half brother is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe it was him,” I breathed.

“So you think that maybe you are Casana?” he questioned. I gave a slow nod.

“It keeps adding up that way,” I murmured. “Exodus . . .” I trailed off shaking my head.

“What is it Mari? Whatever you need you know I’m here to help,” he insisted.

“I know you are,” I promised. “Could you just lay with me for a bit I feel like I haven’t slept at all?”

“Of course,” he murmured. I shifted over finishing the roll before sliding down beneath the covers. He moved carefully in behind me. I reached back grabbing his arm pulling him to me fighting tears. “Ah Mari,” he breathed cuddling around me warmly. “You’re in so much pain.”

“It will pass,” I whispered.

“Please tell me what he did,” he begged tugging me in closer to his serene touch.

“I can’t Exodus,” I sniffed as the tears fell. “I just can’t.”

“Ok . . . shhh . . . its ok,” he soothed. I shut my eyes tightly fighting past the fear. Exodus wouldn’t hurt me. He’d never hurt me like that. I had to trust him. Soon sleep took me back but it was a warm safe thing.

Terrae Moon Trilogy: Book One: Serpent's Bay

CARPE DIEM

Prologue

“If you want to save the lives of every woman in this village you will do as I say,” the snide voice of our temple master replayed through my mind. I looked over the Sterncastle deck at the blackening sky nervously. A storm was coming up the Busillus Waterway echoing off of the Aeterno Mountains with deafening thunder claps.

I cast a look at the shear mountain cliffs that surrounded us trying to judge if rocks would tumble down beneath the harsh winds. “Mistress Casana,” Tobias, captain of the Abyssus, called over the rushing noise. “We’re approaching a split in the waterway do we go left or right to the sea?”

The choppy water sliced against the bow swaying us but beyond it I saw the peninsula dividing the waterway. I turned letting the wind cut through my linen skirt as I marched into the navigation room. “Jeddah where are the waterway maps,” I demanded of the hunched over man who was flipping pages frantically.

“I know Casana, I know,” he rumbled, “nothing shows a divide in the waterway it should come right from the Celestial sea.

“I need an answer now,” Tobias snapped, “right or left.”

I breathed out closing my eyes tightly trying to use my intuition alone to guide us. “Right,” Jeddah declared and I blinked at him. His glass magnified brown eyes hit mine sharply.

“Are you sure,” Tobias grunted, he didn’t like Jeddah from day one but I had to trust in my guide.

“Yes Captain if Jeddah says right we go right,” I said firmly turning to look at his sea weathered face. His gray eyes were hidden beneath wrinkles and thick facial hair. He scowled pressing his lips into a firm line before walking out of the room silently.

The ship listed to the right sinking my stomach in the move. “Everything will be ok Casana,” Jeddah murmured standing up slowly.

“I know Jeddah thank you.”

I walked out of the navigation room watching Tobias direct the ship down the narrow curving passage. The ship slowed as he barked orders. I went past him catching his foul expression before going down to the main deck. Many of the men glanced up watching me with leering eyes as I made my way to the Forecastle deck.

“I’d ere on da side of caution if I were you miss,” the gruff voice of Rojen replied.

I glanced into his unreadable eyes. Something dark and dead lurked in the sailors depths. “I need to be close to the bow when we reach the heart of the sea Rojen.”

“Aye I know,” he shrugged dissolving back into a fog that rose up against the ship. The cliff walls made for strange weather. I continued my assent to the deck watching the black water slap against the bow violently.

In the distance the orange glow of torches cast strange shadows up against the gray mountain. I opened my mouth to call back to Tobias but was struck silent by the sight of men falling down from the heavens. They dropped in like wraiths, demons cast from darkness and fog. My heart fluttered like a trapped bird in my chest threatening to break out.

A man appeared from the mist towering over me. “Well, well,” he cooed. “What do we have here?”

Lightning split the sky illuminating his haggard face and empty stare briefly to my eyes.

“You’re trespassing in the Serpent’s Tail. All trespassers become property of Serpent Bay,” he reported.

“Please we meant no ill will,” I stammered. “We were traveling the waterway to the Celestial Sea we did not know it split into your territory.”

“Casana,” Jeddah’s scream cut through the night and I flinched stumbling backwards. I caught the fighting on the main deck as he tried to push past his captors. I opened my mouth to call to him but the glint of the blade hollowed me. Lightning flashed showing Jeddah’s empty scream as the blade drove through him.

“Jeddah,” I cried launching myself past the man and over the railing. I fell in a tumble catching Jeddah as he slid off the sword. “Jeddah, Jeddah don’t die,” I called trying to get him to focus on me but his eyes were losing their shine. 

“Casana,” he breathed going limp against me.