Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [134]
On padded feet they trotted around to the rear of the main temple and found a door, closed but unguarded from the outside. Scylla tilted her head, staring at Teg, her dark eyes unblinking. He licked his chops, white teeth flashing when the moon appeared from behind a wisp of cloud. He raised his energy, calling it into his solar plexus, and shifted soundlessly into bipedal form. Scylla braced against the wake, hooding her lids, the feathery tufts of her ears blowing back.
Teg lifted the door latch, slowly pushing it open wide enough to get his arm in. He knew what was on the other side. He could see it as clear as the moon. The guard was unaware, thinking the threat was inside, not out.
As quick as a snake, Teg clamped his hand around the neck of the guard. Her back was to him, her attention towards the row of cells down the hallway. Before air escaped her mouth, he compressed her carotid artery, sending a sleep spell straight to her heart. She crumpled, and he slipped through, easing her body to the floor and catching her sword before it clattered on the stone tiles. He tucked it into his belt and moved down the hall, his booted feet as silent as Scylla’s soft pads. She ducked down a side corridor and he continued on until he came to a door that pulsed with energy. He risked a tap. It was less likely to be heard than a mental call. ‘Mistress?’ he said, his voice barely allowing the air out of his throat.
He had his palm against the door, feeling the spell that bound it shut. The warmth of her energy on the opposite side penetrated his fingertips, sending electricity up his arm.
‘Can you help me lift the block?’ she asked.
‘I can blast this door off its hinges if you like.’
‘I can too, but I thought we’d be more subtle tonight.’
‘What do you suggest?’
‘All I need is a few inches at the bottom. If we work with equal pressure from both sides, it might go undetected.’
He drank the warmth of her humour. ‘Just say when.’
‘Now will do fine, Teg.’
With pinpoint focus he concentrated on the bottom of the door, feeling the force of her doing the same on the other side. Kali worked her spell and he matched it, imagining molecule by molecule her movements, mirroring them as he did.
‘Shield,’ she whispered. ‘It’s working.’
As Teg reinforced his mind shield, expanding it to encompass the door, he felt movement. A gliding sensation passed over his foot, soundless save for a slight rasping. It smelled earthy, like trees after rain. His heart beat faster. Emerging from underneath the door was a long snake, cobalt-blue in the dim hallway light, a splash of red behind each eye. Its black tongue flickered as it slowly wound up his leg. Teg trembled, swallowing hard as the weight of the creature dragged at his clothes. When the snake reached his right shoulder, it looped around his neck, head resting just above his collarbone. He hesitated before daring to stroke her with his fingertips. Cool scales pressed against his cheek. The serpent wound closer to his head, flickering her tongue towards his ear.
Good timing, Teg. There was excitement in her mental voice as she risked mind-to-mind contact. I was running out of ideas.
My pleasure, Mistress.
We best get out of here.
The others?
Unfortunately they can’t shape-shift. Where’s Scylla?
This way. He took in the air, scenting for the Sword Master’s temple cat. Preoccupied with the serpent around his neck and the aftermath of the door spell, he didn’t scent for anything else. He turned a corner and ran smack into another guard.
Teg drew his sword as the guard recovered from her surprise and lunged at him. She wilted to the ground before Teg could block her strike, a tiny trickle of blood oozing from her neck. The serpent snapped her mouth shut, concealing long curved fangs.
So you’re toxic?
Somewhat, Kreshkali hissed, tightening her coils.
Teg took the sword and knife from the body and stepped over it, continuing down the hall. Around the next corner they found Scylla in front of a door, her bobtail twitching.