The Archer & the Flame (Whispers of the Night Ravens #1)

Chapter 17

I sipped the last dregs of water from my canteen as Silas returned to our makeshift shelter, clutching a crudely drawn map of the site. He’d volunteered to take a closer look to help us determine ways to use the terrain to our advantage. What he lacked in artistic talent, he made up for with his attention to detail, his drawing accurately plotting the layout of the camp.

“The sides are just as guarded as the main entrance, I’m afraid,” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. I’d hoped he’d return with better news, but fate was working against us. “Looks like that’s still our best bet.”

“Then we’ll move at nightfall.” I scrunched up my sheet of parchment and tossed it into my pack, its contents now irrelevant. We needed to sneak past the guards to infiltrate the camp, but with so many researchers milling around, it would be difficult to avoid detection.

“What about a glamour?” Silas asked. “Disguise ourselves as researchers or guards?”

“It might work,” I admitted. “But there may be powerful wards in place, if their level of security is any indication. The last thing we’d need is to reveal ourselves by accident.” We’d be sitting ducks. As sure as my aim was, against that many enemies, it would be a struggle to fight our way out.

We sat in quiet contemplation, suggesting ideas to each other and assessing them for weaknesses. It was surprisingly natural to work together. In the handful of missions I had undertaken with a partner, there was always a sense of distance, a hesitation to let down our guard which prevented us from true partnership. But with Silas, it was like we shared a stream of consciousness, one shouldering the mental burden whenever the other needed a moment to recharge.

“We need a distraction,” I mused. “It’s a shame we can’t torch the place.”

“Remind me to never get on your bad side.” He sat up straighter. “Wait, that gives me an idea.”

“Fire and stealth don’t go well together,” I said, not following his line of thought.

“They don’t. But how about the opposite?” A slow smile spread across his face.

His confidence sparked the first rays of hope within me. “Go on.”

“What’s going to happen at nightfall? This isn’t the type of place that winds down. And if you’re working into the night, what do you need?” A flame flickered in his hand. “Light.” He closed his fist, smothering the fire.

I leapt to my feet. “And if they experienced a sudden blackout, that would both provide a distraction and grant us the cover of darkness.” It was exactly what we needed. “That’s brilliant. Can you really do that?”

He laughed as if the question was ridiculous. “Don’t you dare underestimate me. Of course I can.”

It could work. For the first time, I dared to have faith. Maybe we could pull this off.

With a distraction decided, the rest of the plan soon came together. It was far from perfect, but it was enough. At least I hoped so. The sky darkened around us as we ran through it so many times that I had each movement memorised. Only fate could betray us now.

It was time to move.

Silas counted down from five, and I steadied my breathing, waiting for my window of opportunity. My heart thudded in my chest, the only sign of my nerves. I’d learned to ignore the sensation. It was a distraction I didn’t need. Only the adrenaline served me at this stage. There was a lingering unease in my gut at the thought of what was at stake today.

We raced forward as darkness swallowed the research site, crouching in the shadows just beyond the entrance. Its potency was unnerving, like night had smothered all the light in the world. The magnitude of Silas’ power was hard to believe, even as I experienced it. But this was our shot, and I couldn’t falter. Not now.

The guards shouted orders to each other, racing to relight the torches with urgency. Silas was next to me, his eyes closed in concentration as he thwarted their every attempt to restart their fires. Not a spark made it through his control.

The research camp was in disarray, fae scurrying from tent to tent, clutching candles, torches, and anything else they could think of. A complaining crowd surrounded a stressed looking researcher as he tried in vain to light anything with his Blessing. The flames igniting in his palms were immediately smothered, the mob growing increasingly irate.

No one so much as spared a look in our direction, rendering us invisible amongst the chaos. The plan was working exactly as we’d intended.

“This way,” I said, dragging Silas with me. His hand was warm in mine, a reassuring presence that steadied my erratic heartbeat.

We weaved between small, plain tents that were practically on top of each other, venturing deeper into the site. Occasionally, we would duck behind a tent, hidden in the shadows, as panicked fae rushed past.

The camp was squalid, the stench of it making me gag. I’d had more pleasant nights sleeping on the ground than the conditions we glimpsed. They’d packed as many as they could within the space, but for what end?

The tents became more lavish and spaced out the deeper we walked. The material they were crafted from was thicker and more vibrant, the living quarters comprising several rooms. Here, the foul odour was less pronounced, though it still lingered faintly in the air. This was evidently where those in charge resided, afforded slightly more comfort than the masses.

It was as Silas had observed during his reconnaissance. The outer edges were of little significance, each layer further inside becoming more important to the camp’s operations.

What we needed was at its heart.

Past the edge of the tents, we found what we were looking for. There was a substantial tent, larger than any other, situated precisely in the centre, surrounded by a vast expanse of uneven pits where the ground had been disturbed. They dominated the land within the camp’s perimeter, likely the reason for the cramped living conditions. Small groups of robed researchers gathered around each pit, taking shovelfuls of earth, bagging them, and carrying them to large boxes. Others took those boxes when full, stacking them into carts.

Out in the open, we were vulnerable and exposed. We needed cover, and fast. A cart, filled to the brim with supplies, offered us the perfect hiding place. I nudged Silas towards it, dropping to the ground and wiggling in the dirt underneath until we were fully sheltered.

A tall man in dark robes paced between the groups, projecting his voice, laced with authority, across the area. His hair was as silver as mine, but fell to his hips, billowing out behind him as he walked. “We’re experiencing a blackout, but do not let this affect your labelling standards. It’s imperative that we’re able to match the analysis with the sample location. If I catch one slip up, you’re out.”

“Gods, he’s even worse than usual,” a member of the group nearest us whispered, a young man with broad shoulders. I leant in closer, straining my ears. Complaining fae were a useful source of information. I poked Silas, gesturing to them wordlessly. He nodded.

“He’s probably on edge, like the rest of them. What’s going on with the torches? They can’t expect us to work in these conditions. I can’t see my hand in front of my face,” another said, his hair dusted with grey specks.

“It’s all pointless. How do we know this is even the right zone?” added a blonde woman, dirt smudged on her nose.

“Didn’t you hear Ridrick? They narrowed it down to a few areas, and this one’s the most likely. Apparently, it used to be a forest.”

The woman laughed. “He said that in the last location, and the place before that. Haven’t you learned by now? They have no idea what they’re doing.”

“Be quiet. Do you want him to hear us?”

“I’m hearing too much talking and not enough digging,” Ridrick said from a distance away.

“What’s so special about these portal remains we’re looking for, anyway? Not that I’m complaining. They’re basically throwing money at us to dig in the dirt all day.”

My gaze locked with Silas’. Portals? They were little more than a myth from before the war, their ancient magic providing shortcuts between territories, and, if the stories were true, gateways to other realms. The curse had rendered them useless, leaving no evidence they’d even existed. Yet, apparently, not everyone believed that.

“Whoever unearths a viable sample first gets a hundred gold coins. I’m not turning that down. I could retire and still have money to spare.”

“If you don’t quieten down, you’ll be lucky to receive your wages.” I flinched. Ridrick had appeared out of nowhere to scold the group. “Now, where are the blasted torches? Podner, I need light over here.” His voice faded as he marched away.

I puzzled over the information, something not sitting right with me. So many resources, all this effort, just to find evidence of a portal that may not even exist?

One thing was for sure. Dorea had been processing these samples when she’d been inflicted with her condition. They were searching for traces of ancient magic. Could that have been what caused her harm?

Silas’ nose scrunched up, concentrating desperately on holding it together. I inhaled sharply. He was going to sneeze and give us away. I clamped my hand over his face, glaring at him. His breath was hot, tickling my skin.

We were paralysed, our eyes wide in matching panic. But then he took a deep breath, the tension leaving his body as the sensation passed. I sighed in relief, letting him go. The group had fallen silent after their scolding. We watched them for a while but they revealed nothing further.

“Let’s go,” I whispered to Silas, sliding out from underneath the cart. I eyed the main tent. If I wanted answers, there was no avoiding it. And with Ridrick occupied with shouting at someone, we had a window.

“Hold still,” I said, tapping my fingers on Silas’ ear. He shivered as the glamour trickled over his skin, coating him. I did the same to myself, unable to suppress a shudder. Wearing one felt uncomfortable, like trying to wear clothes that didn’t properly fit. To all unassuming eyes, we now appeared in the brown robes of the researchers, my bow disappearing from sight.

Silas stared at me in confusion. “I thought glamours are too risky?”

“They are,” I replied. “But we don’t know what’s inside, and I’d rather we blended in, for as long as it lasts.”

Two guards stood either side of the tent’s entrance, with a further two patrolling around it. They hadn’t been visible when we’d crafted our plan, assuming the guards would be focused on the perimeter. To stand any chance of getting inside, we’d need another diversion.

“Any ideas?” I asked Silas, tracking the guard’s movements as we ducked behind a cart.

“Only one, and it’s risky. Are you ready?”

I nodded. A bead of sweat ran down Silas’ forehead, but otherwise nothing happened.

“What are you doing?”

“Be patient.” His breathing grew quick, and for a fleeting moment, light returned to the camp with the extra strain on his power.

“Silas…”

“Now.” Everything went dark again. Suddenly, a crate exploded behind us, soil and shrapnel raining down. The researchers screamed, diving for cover, and chaos erupted once more. Three of the guards surged forward towards the fire, their swords raised as they assessed the threat, the one remaining guard dividing his attention between the tent and surrounding area.

We took advantage of the few seconds his head was turned to slip inside, the tent’s heavy flap shifting no more than it would in a breeze. Mercifully, it was unoccupied, but that could change in an instant.

“Can you give me some light? A dim one. I don’t want to attract any unnecessary attention.”

Silas summoned a tiny ball of flame, far smaller than his flaming sphere had been, letting it hover in the air next to me, providing just enough light to examine my surroundings.

The first thing I saw, which was unsurprising given its huge size, was a grand table, most of the surface taken by a map of Threstia divided into quadrants. A wire square sat on top of it, marking our current position, but it was littered with indents. Beside it, parchment was stacked neatly. I picked up the nearest sheet, a report summarising their results from the previous camp. This was it. There was more than enough evidence here to bring back to Reuben.

Returning the document to the top of the pile, I rifled through the stack, selecting random sheets as I went.

“What are you doing?” Silas asked, not shielding his curiosity.

“This is evidence I need, but I need to be cautious. This way, they shouldn’t discover that something is missing until we’re far away. And if they do, they’ll be more likely to blame incompetence over foul play.”

“Clever.”

I rolled up the parchment, carefully tucking it inside my robes. “I’m known for it occasionally.”

The sound of approaching voices signalled that we wouldn’t be alone for long. I swore, looking around for somewhere to hide. There was nothing. Silas quickly extinguished his flame.

The tent flap opened, and I did the only thing I could think of. I pushed Silas, hard. He stumbled, falling back against the table, perched on its edge once he’d steadied himself. I stepped into his space, leaning over and bracing my arms on either side of him.

And then I kissed him.

We had an audience, and our survival depended on selling the illusion. Luckily, Silas caught on and followed my lead without missing a beat.

The kiss was all-consuming, everything around us melting away. Silas met my intensity and returned it with an eagerness that left me dizzy. The simmering tension between us reached its breaking point, igniting in one surge, his mouth hungry and desperate, stoking a passion that quickly blazed out of control. A low moan rumbled in his throat as I deepened it, needing more of him. It would never be enough.

His hand slipped inside my glamoured robes, reaching my bare back, his fingernails lightly raking down the sensitive skin. I gasped. He took advantage, his tongue skilfully exploring my mouth until my hand fisted in his hair.

I’d never been kissed like this before.

I forgot everything. Who I was, where we were. The only thing that mattered was that he didn’t stop. I craved more, the urgency of my desire robbing my senses.

Someone cleared their throat. We broke apart, facing our audience. Ridrick had entered the tent, joined by a woman with grey hair and stern eyes, wearing the same robes as him. They were flanked by two of the guards, their swords pointed at us.

Ridrick had turned a concerning scarlet colour. “What exactly is going on in here? It may be dark, but we’re not blind.”

My hand shook. It was all over.

“You’d better have a good explanation for cavorting in a restricted area, otherwise you’ll both be cast out at first light,” Ridrick finished.

I released a shaky breath as Silas’ hand slid into mine.

“I’ve resisted kissing her all week. Can you blame me for taking advantage of the blackout?” The tips of my ears tingled at the admission, and I was certain they’d turned pink. Was it true? Had he wanted to kiss me once we’d become friends?

I couldn’t respond, only able to catch my breath.

“They’re just young, lovesick fools, Ridrick. They’re not the first to be caught in a compromising position,” the woman next to him said. “I seem to recall you were once involved in a similar incident.”

“That was different. I would never show such disrespect for my supervisor’s office. How did they get in here?” Ridrick spluttered, his eyes narrowed suspiciously at us.

“There was no one guarding the door. We thought it would finally give us a chance for privacy.” I skirted the fine line between truth and lie, the words catching in my mouth, difficult to speak.

“Is this true? Did you leave your posts?” The woman shot an accusatory look at the guards.

“For a brief moment. There was an explosion. We thought the camp was under attack.”

“I’ll be having strong words with your commander. You should be attached to your post at all times. I don’t care if the whole camp is on fire.” She looked at Ridrick. “What was it?”

“A box of soil overheated.” He looked sheepish. “It’s not the first time it’s happened. Hazard of the job.”

I squeezed Silas’ hand in silent thanks at his quick thinking, him returning the gesture.

“I’m surrounded by imbeciles,” she muttered under her breath. She fixed her steely gaze on us. “Are you hiding anything from us? Anything you wish to confess?”

The parchment burned a hole in my pocket, and for a moment, I swore she could see it.

“We’ve answered your questions truthfully,” Silas said, and I had to admire the way he’d answered an entirely different question naturally enough to evade notice.

“Ridrick, search the tent. Check if anything is amiss.”

He nodded, prowling around the room and leaving no corner untouched. As he reached for the stack of parchment, my heartbeat faltered. But he merely examined the top sheet, moving swiftly on.

“Judging by your silence, I take it everything is in order.”

“It is,” he confirmed bitterly.

She sighed. “I’m not paid enough for this.” She addressed us directly with a stern look. “Do you promise not to do it again?”

“Yes,” we said in unison.

“Very well.” She pointed at Silas. “You, come with me. I have a cart that needs loading, and you appear to have some free time.”

Her gaze moved to me. “You go back to your patch. We’ll need to work overtime to make up for the delay.”

Ridrick opened his mouth to protest, but she shook her head. He thought better of it, promptly closing it.

Doing anything to raise the woman’s suspicion would be asking for trouble.

“Yes, of course,” I said.

My gaze met Silas’ in silent apology. He knew, just as I did, that my priority would be smuggling the parchment out of the camp. But it hurt to leave him here without a plan for his escape.

He had surprised me at every turn. If anyone could do this, it would be him. It was new to have a partner I trusted so implicitly, who always had my back. I liked it.

I strode out of the tent like I belonged, moving through the site without being questioned, everyone remaining distracted by the blackout. I retraced my steps, blending into the shadows to mask my presence when I reached the overcrowded living quarters.

I crept forward, barely able to breathe. The guards had lit one flame, and had crowded around, attempting to light other torches from it, a sign that Silas’ influence over the camp was weakening. I sneaked past, then ran towards our earlier shelter, finding a vantage point where I could look out for him.

“Come on, Silas,” I prayed. “Come on.”

He had to escape. I couldn’t do this without him.

And after the way his lips had felt on mine, there was no chance I would.