Rebellion Brews (A Game of Stars and Shadows Book 3)

  Rebellion Brews

  Book 3 of a game of stars and shadows

  Kara Jaynes

  Contents

  1. Stella

  2. Eldaren

  3. Lyra

  4. Eldaren

  5. Sophia

  6. Lyra

  7. Sol

  8. Eldaren

  9. Stella

  10. Eldaren

  11. Sophia

  12. Wilder

  13. Stella

  14. Eldaren

  15. Wilder

  16. Wilder

  17. Sophia

  18. Stella

  19. Eldaren

  20. Stella

  21. Eldaren

  22. Wilder

  23. Wilder

  24. Sophia

  25. Lyra

  26. Sophia

  27. Stella

  28. Wilder

  29. Stella

  30. Stella

  31. Stella

  32. Stella

  About the Author

  1

  Stella

  I step outside the fortress and past the elven guards. Walking around to the side of the base, I soon find myself in the gardens. I sigh, but it’s unsuccessful in reducing my anxiety.

  I carry worry about me like a fog. No longer stressed about my brother, Quinn, my thoughts drift toward the future.

  Eldaren and I finally have a lead in our search for the gaia. If one exists, then I’d wager coin that she could be found on Vashon, an island out in the Puget Sound. I’ve never been there. I like looking at the water, but being in it is another matter entirely. I’ve only been on a boat a handful of times, and I don’t enjoy the rocking sensation or feeling so small, with what seems like endless miles of water beneath me.

  But of course, there’s no guarantee we’ll find anything on Vashon, and with Liberty and the rest of the world in such a state of chaos, I’m not sure how much time we have to search for one. What if a gaia isn’t there? What then?

  And because of a healing experiment gone wrong—Eldaren hasn’t been very clear on how it happened—vampires now stalk the people of this city. The elves have hunted down most of them, but, well, vampires have a way of multiplying their numbers very quickly.

  And there’s Wilder.

  Just the thought of him brings a whimper bubbling up in my throat.

  It’d been Wilder who helped me find the book with information about the gaia. Without him, we still wouldn’t have any leads.

  But the last time I saw him, he’d been fighting for his life—and for mine—against a vampire who’d attacked us on our way back to the base.

  I don’t know if he’s alive or dead, and my stomach has been cramping in panic for the past several days since I’d left him.

  Surely he’s all right. He has to be. Wilder is tough, smart, and he’s strong. At Journey’s Stop, he took down a thug in moments, and he doesn’t show fear when we walk the streets. But I also know other vampires carry the same strength, and every night that passes without my seeing him, my dread grows like thick, choking smoke.

  An elf strolls down a gravel path toward me, and for a moment, I think it’s Eldaren. But this elf’s hair is brown instead of black, and as he draws closer, I see it’s Geldyn.

  He sees me but says nothing in greeting, until I frown and stick my tongue out at him.

  “Good evening to you, too, little pet,” he says, the barest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

  Then he’s passing me, no doubt on guard duty, or carrying out some order given to him by the prince.

  I glare at his back. I don’t like Geldyn; he’s entirely too bossy.

  To be fair, all elves are domineering. Even my servant, Aleere, will chide me if she doesn’t think I’m eating enough or if I leave my room a mess, but Geldyn drives me bonkers, mostly because he made me stay in my rooms while Eldaren was away, even after I turned myself in to the elven base.

  I try to think of something to say that’s both witty and insulting, but naturally, my mind goes blank. It seems to do that whenever I want to sound cool.

  He’s already gone, and I continue my walk through the garden. It’s beautiful, in a melancholy sort of way. With the perpetual rain, the branches of the trees seem to hang, water drip, drip, dripping into the already saturated soil.

  It’s only been just over a week since I’d last seen Wilder, but it feels like an eternity. Is this what people with anxiety feel like? Like they’re drowning in worry all the time?

  I blink, noticing that the sky is darkening. That’s Liberty for you. It never seems light, in the colder months, with the constant fog of rain clouds and pollution, but once evening arrives, what’s left of the sun’s lingering light bleaches away with depressing swiftness.

  Still, I don’t mind the night. It’s a dangerous time, of course; that is when the gangs stir to life, and when sensible folk head indoors. But I like it because I know what it holds.

  Or possibly, what it held.

  Shaking my head, I exhale, and my breath is a puff of white smoke in the fading light. I can’t allow myself to think like that.

  “It’s only been a few days,” I say to myself. “He’s probably just busy.”

  But I know he wouldn’t do that to me. Wilder would come as soon as he could, not a moment later. He wouldn’t want me to worry.

  So if he hasn’t come yet . . .

  I draw another ragged breath. “Breathe, you idiot,” I mumble. “He’s fine.”

  Another elf passes through the garden. He’s at a distance, though, and looks spooky and wraith-like in the shadows as he passes under trees.

  The sun slides behind the horizon, and the world goes dark. I sigh and turn around. It’s time to go back inside. None of the elves approve of my being out after dark, never mind that I’m certain that I’m perfectly safe here in the gardens.

  When I step back into the entry hall of the base, Aleere is there. The young woman looks to be maybe sixteen, but who can say, with elves? She hands me a stainless steel cup with a wool sleeve. “You look chilled,” she says, her voice lilting, the elven accent thick on her tongue.

  I hadn’t thought much of it, but she’s right. I am cold, and sipping the drink, I sigh in satisfaction. “What is it?” I ask. It’s delicious; hot chocolate, but not quite.

  “Barley and cocoa,” she replies. “Careful, it’s hot.”

  “Really? I didn't notice,” I say sweetly, and grimace when Aleere's eyes widen. “I'm being sarcastic,” I say.

  “Ah,” her expression clears. “I’ve forgotten that's a common trait with humans. You don't say what you mean.” She steps forward and wraps a shawl around my shoulders. “I'm glad you came in when you did, I was about to come after you. It wouldn't do if you caught a cold.”

  “I'm a human,” I say, “not a glass doll.”

  Aleere blinks. “Of course,” she says. She tilts her head. “Glass dolls cannot catch cold.”

  I roll my eyes heavenward. “Very observant.”

  “I try, Stella.”

  Biting back a smirk, I step further into the entry and up the stairs that will take me to my rooms.

  The drink is pleasantly warm, and though it heats my stomach, it does nothing to ease the anxiety in my gut.

  2

  Eldaren

  “My prince.” Geldyn bows low from the waist, his face impassive. He says nothing further, waiting for my command. That is the elven way, of course. We never say more or less than what is needed. A lot of confusion and strife are avoided that way. I wish humans were the same in that regard; women, in particular. They manage to speak an awful lot without saying what they
mean at all.

  Including Stella.

  I inhale sharply through my nose and shove thoughts of her away. I don’t have time to think of my future mate right now.

  “I need you to go somewhere for me, Geldyn,” I say.

  Geldyn doesn’t reply and merely waits. My cheeks redden when I realize I just spoke like a human, saying more than was necessary. “Go to Vashon,” I continue, “and scan it specifically for enchantment.”

  Geldyn tilts his head, gold-flecked brown eyes narrowing in thought. “I do not believe I am familiar with that place, my prince.”

  I nod once. “Not many of you are.” I feel a flicker of satisfaction. I only learned of it very recently, but it makes me feel important to know something he doesn’t. “It is an island, in the Puget Sound.”

  Geldyn is skilled at masking emotions, but I can read the perplexity in his gaze. “My prince?”

  I am all too aware of the orders I’d given five years earlier: ignore the islands. Focus on Liberty. It had made sense at the time. The islands were too small and from a brief, overhead glance in our sky ships, still had forest sprawling all over the land. They were too healthy, for all things considered, to put our attention on. It’d been Liberty, a sickened, twisted monster that we’d gone to help.

  But now I wish I’d at least studied the surrounding islands. A gaia, potentially within my grasp for the past five years, is enough for my ears to burn hot with shame. What else have I possibly missed?

  With a start, I realize Geldyn is still waiting for an answer. I turn and shuffle the papers all over my desk into a tidy pile. “I have reason to believe that a gaia may be hidden on that island.”

  “By the fires of raeg,” Geldyn breathes, and shock paints his face. “Is that the information Stella found?”

  I frown at him. “I don’t recall telling you that I’d put Stella on the job,” I say sternly.

  Geldyn bows his head. “You did not, my prince,” he says. “But when she stepped out of the rain that night, holding a strange book, unwilling to divulge the information she’d found to anyone but you, I wondered.”

  “Yes, well,” I say, “we don’t know for sure there is a gaia located on the island, and I don’t want you making contact with any of its inhabitants. I would prefer you weren’t seen.”

  Geldyn nodded. “Then I shall go at night.”

  “Yes,” I agree. “Scope out the island and test the levels of magic there, and of what sort it is. Take as much time as you need, and report to me in person.”

  “Very good, my prince.” Geldyn nodded. “When would you like me to leave?”

  “Tonight,” I say. I chew the inside of my cheek for a moment before I realize what I’m doing and stop. “While you’re there, you might as well look for signs of civilization. If a gaia truly dwells there, will he be in a society of sorts, or does he live alone?”

  Geldyn gives a nod of assent.

  “Don’t tell anyone what you’re about,” I continue. “Take a couple of men with you who won’t ask too many questions.”

  “So, not Sol,” Geldyn says, and we share a brief grin.

  “Not Sol,” I agree. “Maybe two of the younger recruits.”

  Geldyn doesn’t respond to this, looking at me with expressionless eyes.

  “What is it?” I press.

  “I don’t have much patience for the trainees, my prince. They will get in the way.”

  Anger stirs in my gut. “It’ll be a good experience for you, then,” I say, just barely keeping the snarl out of my voice. “Someone needs to teach them how to behave.”

  Embarrassment tints his cheekbones, and he hastily nods his head. “As you command, my prince,” he says. “I shall take the two youngest recruits with me and teach them as we go.”

  “Good,” I say, coldly. “I am glad that you see the error of your ways.” It always angers me when grown men see the trainees as a nuisance. How will they learn if we do not teach them?

  It also stirs up memories I’d rather forget.

  “Is there anything else?” Geldyn asks.

  “No,” I say. “Leave, scan, and report back to me. Don’t take more than a week.”

  “Yes, my prince.”

  He leaves after that, and I am alone in my study, staring at the door that has closed behind him.

  We are potentially very close to finding the gaia, or just as far as when we first began our search. I very much hope that we’ll find what we seek on Vashon. All of this time, though, and we’d never heard anything. What if the gaia has gone the way of myths and legends?

  My fingers curl into fists, and I inhale and exhale deeply. Five years isn’t a long time. It’s not uncommon for an elf to live for over a thousand years. Half a decade is brief for us.

  But it isn’t for the Earth, with the state she is in. And it’s not a short space of time for humans. And with vampires now infecting the city, time could be running short. I have to hurry.

  If I can’t do the job I’ve been sent here to do, it will be easy enough for Father to send someone else to take over. The thought is enough to press panic down on my heart, constricting it.

  But no, he wouldn’t. He’s never done that to any of his sons, not even to—

  I turn and stride out of the room, hoping to leave that memory, far behind. It won’t do to dwell on the past. On him.

  The brother that my family no longer speaks of.

  I will do what must be done. Heal the planet. Save these people. Nothing more. Nothing less. Stay focused, Eldaren. Do what you must.

  3

  Lyra

  “Well, I’m off.” I stroll through the gates of the base and flick my fingers at the guard. “See ya.”

  The elf blinks but otherwise shows no emotion.

  “Don’t be so surprised,” I say, rolling my eyes.

  I mean it as sarcasm, so I’m perplexed when the elf’s face flushes a faint pink at my words.

  Elves are weird.

  I stroll down the street, doing my best to look casual. Which means I probably do. I’m good at pretending. The truth of the matter is, these elves have me on edge. They’re crazies, down to the man. They look so human but are anything but. I don’t get it. I don’t want to.

  I turn and drift down a side alley. Drifter is a good title for me. I’m not one to stay in any one place for long. It just doesn’t feel right. I am less of a Drifter than some. Some people don’t even stay in the same city, preferring to travel up and down the west coast, but that’s a little extreme, even for me. I prefer to stay in Liberty, and sometimes the scattered communities beyond, but I haven’t been further than Portland since I was a child.

  I shudder at thoughts of the other city. Liberty has its problems for sure, but at least we’re not completely feral. Maybe it’s something in the water, but Portland’s been a chaotic war zone between rival gangs, crumbling government, and violent civilians for as long as I can remember. Not for me.

  My steps become more sure the further I get from the elven base. I know with the unlikely turn of events that fate has chosen for me, I will almost certainly new orders of some sort.

  And the leaders of the Colonials don’t like to wait.

  I head toward one of the smaller tent communities, my senses heightening. Liberty isn’t safe, even in daylight. More than one person has found themselves in unsavory situations because they weren’t paying attention.

  Most of the people I pass are the typical desperate souls of Liberty, but I pass a few gangsters, too. I wish I couldn’t tell some of them on sight, but being a Drifter means I don’t have the luxury of choosing my acquaintances, stars curse it.

  Turning down several streets, I soon find myself in a sprawling tent community that’s near the market. There are three that encircle the market, and this one is the smallest and poorest. I know many of the people here and smile and wave at those who greet me. This place is as close to a home as any I’ve ever known.

  Walking through the chaos of tarp and molding canvas, I
soon arrive at what looks to be the wealthiest of the inhabitants of this community. And that word is a stretch.

  The tent is large and dyed purple, with beaded curtains hanging down across the zippered door. It’s also patched and faded in several spots and bleached from several years of Liberty summer sun.

  “Vera,” I call.

  No response.

  “Vera,” I say again, louder this time. “It’s late. Get up, or I’m outta here.”

  A thump and shuffle sound, and with a zip, the tent door opens. A woman in her late fifties peers out. Her suntanned face crumples in a smile when she sees me, and she pushes long black hair, streaked with gray, out of her eyes. “Lyra, my pretty little princess, it’s so good to see you!”

  “Hey.” I flick my fingers in a casual wave. “Good to see you, too.”

  Her smile is immediately replaced with a frown. “That’s it?” she says, her voice indignant. “You have nothing else to say? You ungrateful little weasel. You don’t get to disappear for weeks on end and then say ‘good to see you, too.’ Where have you been?”

  “I’ve been busy.” I shrug noncommittally but put my hands up in a defensive gesture when her face darkens. “On business, you know. For them.” Sort of true. Kind of.

  “Ah.” Vera’s expression clears. “Yes. About that. Well, you’d better come on in.” She steps away from the entrance. I walk through and into another world.

  It’s not actually another world, but it feels like one. The tent has been split into two rooms with a blanket serving as a divider, and this side is a collection of plants, crystals, books, silks, and several cats. Real cats.