The Summer Marked Read online

  “Who is this?” I glanced over my shoulder at Gareth and Lachlin.

  “That is the late King of the Spring Court. He was the best bowman in all the four kingdoms—not too shabby with a sword either.” Lachlin crossed himself. “May he rest in peace.”

  I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what Spring had been like before its downfall. Before the young looking king, his whole life ahead of him, had perished. Before his people had resorted to hiding.

  “Have you seen anyone out this way recently?” Gareth leaned over the counter to examine a silvery blade that Lachlin held up.

  “No one except for a few families that are hidden in the woods. No signs of any Winter troops or the queen. But you’ll want to be careful nonetheless. We’ve had a lot of bandits along the roads between Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Not sure what kingdom they hail from, but they’ve caught a few unsuspecting travelers in the last couple of months. Everyone is trying to survive, but they don’t realize taking from one another isn’t going to help any of us live to fight against Winter.”

  “Hmm…we’ll keep off the main road at night then. Salome, come here a moment, I want you to try to wield this for me.” Gareth held the short sword out to me.

  I took it by the handle and stared at the strange markings etched into the blade. A sun, a flower, a leaf, and snowflake. It wasn’t too heavy and it fit perfectly in my hand. The silver on it glinted beneath the flickering candlelight.

  “Does it feel all right? Is it light enough for you?” Gareth came to stand behind me, his hand covering mine on the hilt. He helped me swing it around for a moment.

  A strange vibration crept along the length of my arm, a low humming sounding in my ear. As if the sword were singing to me. I closed my eyes. Warmth spread through me, followed by the scent of flowers and rain. Like the first signs of spring after a long winter. Words I didn’t understand to a song I didn’t know popped into my head.

  “Yes, it’s perfect,” I said.

  I opened my eyes once more to find Gareth watching me closely.

  “What did you just say?”

  “That it’s perfect,” I said.

  “Before that.”

  “Nothing.” I raised a brow at him.

  “Salome, you just sang something in the old language. Something about bringing Spring back…”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I was holding the sword and all of a sudden, I thought I heard music. I didn’t realize I’d said anything.” Great. Was the sword haunted? Or maybe I was going crazy?

  “What kind of song?” Lachlin came around to stand with us.

  Gareth peered at him. “The Song of the Four Kingdoms.”

  Lachlin sucked in a deep breath. “We haven’t heard that since…since…”

  “Since what?” My legs suddenly felt like jelly beneath me. Jeez, why was everyone acting so strange?

  “Since before the kingdoms fell,” Gareth answered. “It was our anthem before the Fall of Faerie. It was outlawed after Grisselle had demolished our lands and killed our people.” He handed the weapon to Lachlin. “We’ll take it, but can you get a belt and sheath for it?”

  He gave a quick nod, then scurried away, searching his shelves. Once he had the belt and sheath, he wrapped the sword in beautiful blue canvas material, then slid it into a wooden box, which he secured with leather strips.

  Gareth reached into a pouch tied at his side and took out some gold coins, which he handed over to Lachlin.

  “You don’t need to be paying me that much.” He stared at the money.

  “Take it—you can use it to help some of your people get more supplies. It looks like your food wares are low. At least this will allow you to barter with some of the Summer merchants.”

  “Thank you, friend—I wish you and your betrothed a safe journey. Hang onto this girl, lad, there’s something about her. I can sense it—”

  “As can I.” Gareth patted him on the back.

  A few minutes later we stepped outside, where Adaba stood waiting for us. Once Gareth secured my weapon in Adaba’s saddle bags, we led our horses back out to the road. Up ahead, I caught sight of a small caravan of carts. It looked as if these people had packed up all their belongings in a hurry. They were resting beside the path, letting their horses graze.

  “Gareth? What’s wrong with them?”

  “They’re refugees, displaced by the war. They were likely run out of their homes by trolls and goblins.”

  The elfin children’s eyes looked sunken in. Their clothes, dirty and tattered. The parents didn’t fare much better. Loose clothing hung about their frames, fatigue painted their every movement. These were not a people who held out hope for something better. And it broke my heart.

  Without a second thought, I slipped some bread and cheese from my saddlebags and made my way toward them.

  “Hi,” I said.

  The adults instantly reached for weapons, until they saw that I’d brought them food.

  “I mean you no harm,” I said.

  A little girl came forward, her mouth gaping open. “Mama, it’s a human…a real, live human.” The child glanced at me, curiosity getting the best of her as she reached for a hunk of bread I held out to her.

  “Beatrice, what’d I say about taking food from strangers,” the elfin man said.

  “Our food is fine,” Gareth said from behind me. “We hail from the border of Summer.”

  I turned to see that Gareth had also brought some supplies over for them. The small group of travelers circled us, taking all that we offered them. And in that moment, I wished I had more to give.

  “Thank you, it’s been days since we’ve been able to kill any game for meals,” the elfin man said.

  “What happened?” Gareth watched the kids run around our legs.

  “Trolls, about two weeks back, attacked our village. Most of the people perished in fires or were taken as slaves. We managed to escape through some of the tunnels. We waited until they left our homes, then went back in to salvage what we could. My wife has family near the mountains. We’re hoping they can take us in until it’s safe for us to return to our village and rebuild. And with this food, you’ve renewed our hope.”

  “I’m glad we could help. We wish you safe journeys.” Gareth waved.

  “You as well,” the man said.

  The female elf peered down at me, tears in her eyes. “Thank you for your kindness—we’ll never forget it.”

  I offered her a smile and gave her hand a squeeze. “You’re welcome.”

  “Hey, Da, Mama, look. There’s a flower growing.” The child pointed at the gate for the flower garden I’d gone into earlier. And there, on the edge of the fence, was a beautiful red rose.

  Gareth’s eyes widened. “Weren’t you just in there?”

  “Yes, but the flowers were all dead…”

  “Not anymore.” He reached for my hand, squeezing it tight. “The light is returning. After all these years, it’s awakened.”

  Chapter Four

  Kadie

  My teeth ground together as I searched for the right road. I’d forgotten how out of the way Club Blade was. With a sigh, I turned my brights on and squinted. So much for my wonderful homecoming. My parents didn’t want me. Salome was in some sort of trouble. And now it was frickin’ snowing. I switched the windshield wipers to high. My happy world dissolved around me.

  You just need to find Salome.

  At last, I saw the hidden track obscured by the trees. I flicked on my blinker and turned down the desolate road.

  Shadows plagued the way ahead while limbs scraped the side of my vehicle. I took a deep breath. Maybe coming here alone wasn’t such a great idea. Salome would so owe me for this—a large tub of chocolate ice cream and some movies to start with.

  Stop being childish. It’s just a road with trees, not flesh eating zombies.

  The lane twisted with more curves than a porn star. Soon, I came to the familiar covered bridge, which looked like a gaping mouth waiting to swallow me up. T
he boards creaked as I drove over them, sending me bouncing in my seat with each bump. On the other side, the forest surrounded the road in front of me like a dark tube. I kept following the serpentine road as it narrowed, trying to ignore the oppressive darkness beyond the headlights.

  After a few minutes, I pulled into a clearing, where several cars sat already parked. The purple neon sign flashed Club Blade. The violet rays made the black brick building look even more sinister, if that was possible.

  Please let me find her right away so we can get out of here.

  But no matter how uninviting and edgy it seemed, I was going in.

  I found a parking spot near the back of the lot and shut off the engine.

  I glanced down at my day old rumpled jeans and stained t-shirt. Okay, I might just be here for a few minutes, but it didn’t mean I wanted to look like something straight out of a trash can. Yeah, if I went dressed in this, I’d get turned away at the door.

  I reached inside, unlocked the back door, swung it open, and tugged a box labeled “dresser” to the edge of the seat. Without wasting time, I ripped it open and rummaged through until I found a black lace thong, matching bra, and a sexy red halter dress. Once I had my things, I shoved the cardboard box back inside.

  My gaze roamed over the lot. Good, no one’s looking. I whipped my t-shirt and pants off, tossing them on the passenger seat, then tore off my dirty undergarments. Snowflakes hit my bare skin, melting on contact as if my body was a giant bonfire. I shivered.

  The frigid air would probably chap my ass cheeks right off. But as Mom always says, beauty is pain. I tugged on my thong then finally shimmied into the tight red dress. Once I adjusted my girls, I reached back into the car for a pair of black heels.

  I did a breath check in my cupped hand then grabbed my purse from the vehicle. I felt inside my black tote, snagged a hair clip, and then secured my hair in a twist. With a quick dab of Crimson Kiss lip gloss, I was ready to go.

  Showtime.

  As I neared the building, the steady thump of music beat in time with my pulse. The bouncer barely gave me a glance when I moved toward the entrance—unlike last time, when they checked to make sure Salome and I were on the list.

  Nervousness washed over me. This was almost too easy. Maybe this was a sign I should turn back around. I mean, why would they all of a sudden just let me in like this? And why wasn’t Salome waiting outside for me? Unless her and Gareth already made up?

  No, you came all this way, you need to go inside and have a look around.

  Warm air whooshed against my cold skin as I pushed inside. Strobe lights pulsed flashing at a dizzying rate. Foggy wisps floated across the dance floor. I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of incense. Already it made me heady.

  Okay, search for Salome, Gareth, or Simeon. If you don’t see them then you can leave.

  I pasted a confident smile on my face and sashayed the hell out of my ass as I made my way through the club. My gaze flitted across the room. Couples danced, pressed so close together, you’d need a crowbar to pry them apart. People sat in corners, kissing, while others drank and laughed. Typical club scene. But no Salome or Gareth. I wavered. Maybe she’d sent another message and it just didn’t come through? Shit. Okay, you’ve come all the way out here, you can’t just give up.

  I caught sight of the bartender wiping down the counter. Maybe he might know something. So I made my way over to him and perched on a stool.

  The music changed to something slower. Kind of New Age, yet ancient at the same time. The low drumbeat beckoned me. Made me imagine drinking and bonfires. Okay. So didn’t need my mind going there.

  What the hell’s wrong with me?

  I swallowed hard.

  Stay focused. You’re here for one thing. And one thing only.

  “Hey, is Gareth working tonight?” I batted my eyelashes at the bartender.

  He gave me a quick once over, his gray eyes stormy. “Who wants to know?”

  “I’m Kadie. Gareth’s dating my best friend, Salome. Although I’m surprised you don’t remember me.” I leaned closer.

  He smirked. “Sorry, don’t recall you. But Salome, she’s that small blond girl, right? Had a few people up-in-arms last time she was here?”

  What the hell? So he remembered her, but not me? “Yeah, that would be her.”

  “Hmmm…”

  “So, have you seen her or Gareth tonight?”

  “No, but that guy down there, might be able to help you. He knows a lot about Gareth.” The bartender pointed down the counter.

  My eyes came to stop on a hot guy leaning against the bar. His pale blond hair stood in messy tufts, shocked with blue highlights. Dressed in black from head to toe, his tall frame loomed over everyone around him.

  Holy hell. I didn’t come in here for a guy, but I sure as hell wouldn’t mind leaving with that one.

  He raised his head, gaze meeting mine. He glanced away from me, then to a tall dark haired guy leaning against the wall. Maybe this guy was gay—which was too bad. Damn, just my luck.

  A moment later, he caught my eye again, and this time he pushed away from the counter and sauntered toward me. Even from here, I could almost smell his confidence as if it were cologne.

  “Well what do we have here?” he said in a voice that was both deep and sexy.

  I stood straighter, sticking my chest out. “A good time, if you play your cards right.”

  Salome would cringe if she heard me use that line. Hell, I almost cringed myself and probably would’ve had he not been so hot. But if this guy had information, I was going to pour on the charm like nobody’s business to get it.

  His eyes glittered. Just like every other guy, he’d soon be falling all over himself trying to get in my pants. If nothing else, I knew how the male species worked.

  “Why don’t you join me for a drink?” He leaned over, his breath cool against my now warm skin.

  Now should be the time I mentioned I was underage. But tonight, I didn’t mind throwing a few back, as long as I got what I came into the club for.

  “Sure. And I’m Kadie by the way.” I let my hips sway in time with the music.

  “Etienne.” He placed his hand at the small of my back, leading me to the bar.

  God, he’s so hot. And his name. Talk about yummy. Forget the drink; I wanted to gobble him up. No information? No problem. There were other things he could give me…

  Etienne ordered our drinks, and the bartender didn’t even bother to card me. Which seemed kinda strange.

  “So tell me, Kadie…” Etienne handed me a goblet filled with ruby colored liquid. “How did you find Club Blade all the way out here?” I noticed him shift his attention back to where the tall dark-haired guy had stood, only now the wall was empty. Was he trying to make that guy jealous or something?

  Not wanting to seem unsure of myself, I smiled. “My ex-boyfriend and one of his friends brought me here once. And I’m kind of looking for someone.”

  His long fingers grazed my arm, sending chills across my skin. “Hmm…maybe I can help you out. What are their names, I might know them?”

  “Simeon and Gareth. Although, I’m really here to find my friend Salome,” I said, then realized I’d never gotten far enough with the guys to get a last name.

  The dark haired guy appeared at my side, his chocolate-colored eyes sparkled like a lit fuse. His lips curved into a broader grin, revealing perfect white teeth. “Simeon and Gareth of Summer—such a pious man, don’t you think, Etienne?”

  Etienne’s grin melted away and he stiffened beside me. “Teodor, what a nice surprise.”

  “Couldn’t let you have all the fun, now could I?” Teodor’s gaze slid over me like I was a piece of meat and he was a butcher.

  I shivered. Something about him scared the hell out of me. Chills snaked over my skin, and I rubbed my arms.

  “So, tell me about Gareth and Simeon,” Teodor said.

  “I haven’t seen Simeon since before I went away to college and Ga
reth’s dating my best friend.” I downed my drink. Sweet and tangy, it instantly warmed me. “But I’m actually more interested in finding my friend.”

  “Are you now?” He smiled once more. “Here, let me get you another one.” Teodor took my empty glass and headed over to the bar.

  Fuck. Where was she? I scanned the room once more for Salome. Still not seeing her, I slid my cell from my bra and checked to make sure I didn’t have any other messages from her. But there weren’t any. Maybe she’d went into the bathroom or something. I’d give her a few more minutes to show her face—unless something had happened to her. Damn.

  “Look, maybe you should leave now,” Etienne whispered when Teodor was out of earshot. “You seem like a nice girl, Kadie.”

  “Then you obviously don’t know me very well,” I teased as my stomach clenched with uneasiness. Maybe he was right, maybe I should just get the hell out of here. But then I’d be back to square one. I really needed to find Salome. I just had to stick it out a little longer to see if these guys really knew anything. Maybe it was time to turn on the Kadie charm.

  But just then Teodor came back, holding out a drink for me.

  “A special drink, for a special lady.”

  At least I’m not the only one throwing around cheesy lines tonight.

  I wasn’t going to get any information from them by giving them the cold shoulder, so I finished my cup and set it on the counter and turned to Etienne. “Aren’t you going to drink yours?”

  He chuckled, then handed me his goblet. “No, go ahead.”

  I picked up the goblet by the stem and tossed it back. Etienne watched me, and his gaze slid down my throat until it reached the low neckline of my dress.

  I have you now.

  “So, about Gareth and Salome, have you seen them tonight?”

  I downed the rest of my drink and let Etienne take the cup from me.

  “No, Gareth hasn’t been in the club for months now. But enough of about him.” He placed the glass on a nearby table then tugged me toward him. “Let’s dance.”