by Bailey Dark
Sadal turns black eyes on us. “Are you prepared to pay the toll?”
Chapter 5
Altair
My eyes are locked on the nape of Verity's neck. Her head is turned away from me, eyes on the dread-inducing bridge in front of us. I study the porcelain curve of her neck and the sharp, staccato rhythm of her heart. She's frightened, though doing her best to hide it. Thal's hand is on the small of her back, a finger stroking circles over her flesh. I close my eyes, breathing deeply as emotions of jealousy, desire, fear, and duty rage through me.
It's clear to me now, more apparent than it was in the thousands of years I've lived, that every action has a consequence. And each action and consequence branches off to a new path. I could have lived hundreds of different lives, different stories. And yet here I am, standing in front of a cursed bridge with the woman I love and a desperate need to save her and the world. I was born a Prince and became a King. I have fought countless wars and defeated a God. And yet, the impossibility of it all is hanging around my neck like a noose. You can’t do this, the scratchy rope says—you are nothing.
I put a single boot on the first step, heart pounding. The noose laughs. An attempt at proving my courage, my worthiness; and nothing more. But nothing happens as I ascend the stairs and I feel a sharp wave of relief. Verity is on my heels, not willing to let me face the danger alone. My heart tugs towards her, an invisible chain linking us together for eternity. Behind her, the others follow until we all stand directly beneath the arch, staring at the long stretch of stone that spans the River Mori. Silence swirls around us, as oppressive as the darkness of the Ether.
Suddenly, the bridge trembles, as if rocked by a quake of the earth. I reach for the arch to steady myself. Verity tumbles against me, almost losing her grip on the magical lantern that gives us some semblance of safety here. I hold her, keeping her upright as the bridge sways back and forth. Fear courses through my veins, and I tug her against my chest. I'm certain the bridge will snap in two with the force of the shaking. I angle my body in such a way that I could push Verity back onto solid ground should the bridge collapse.
But the trembling stops as quickly as it came, and the roar of the river fills my ears. Verity pushes away reluctantly, letting her fingers trail down my chest. Resisting the urge to pull her back into me is excruciating. Her blue eyes meet mine for an instant before she puts a safe, discreet distance between us again.
"Are there visitors on my bridge?" A raspy voice echoes towards us. It's soft but strong enough to overcome the force of the river.
I scan the bridge for any sign of the speaker. Fear shoots through me like a lightning bolt as a massive, wrinkled hand, grips the side of the bridge. The stone cracks and crumbles under the weight of it, but the bridge holds steady. A second hand slaps down on the other side of the bridge. I can see veins of darkness spider beneath the wrinkled, papery skin. The nails are yellowed with age and cracked, crusted beneath with dirt or worse.
I raise my sword as Thal and Erzur do the same, always the ready warriors. A head appears, rising slowly over the walls of the bridge. It’s enormous, fit to match the two hands. The scalp is balding, stringy remnants of gray hair clinging desperately to the pocked skin. Gray, unseeing eyes are locked on my group. Cracked lips part to speak.
“There are visitors on my bridge,” the creature says, answering its own question.
It looms over us and could easily snatch us all up in one hand. I step forward, hand wrapped tightly around my sword. "We would cross your bridge," I roar, putting all my strength behind my voice.
“Visitors must pay the toll,” the creature rasps. I feel it’s gaze pierce deep into my soul. “You have many precious things indeed, Fae King.”
“We brought no money,” I say.
“Value does not always mean money,” the creature snaps. “But you have precious things.”
I run my tongue over my teeth, frustration prickling in my gut. “What do you want?”
“Your most precious memory,” the creatures says, smiling. “Then I will allow all to pass.”
“Just a memory?” I cock a brow. It seems too simple.
“All of it.” The creature leers down at us, its greasy hair swinging from side to side. “It will be mine and no longer yours; I don’t share.”
“Ask for another price,” Serus hisses.
I turn back to the creature that guards the bridge. “What else could we offer you?”
The creatures lurches closer, bringing its maw only a few feet from me. I can smell its charred breath and see its yellowed teeth. I don’t flinch even though my stomach churns. “No other price, fool,” it snaps. “My offer is final.”
“Give us a moment,” I say quietly as the creature pulls away.
I turn to the group somberly. Verity is pale, lips pinched. Erzur’s jaw is locked tight and her steely eyes are trained furiously on the creature. “I’ll do it,” I murmur. “I should be the one to do it.”
“Yes, good.” Sadal nods.
“Oh, shut up,” Thal snarls, glowering at the Dark God. He looks at me, growing serious again. He may not know my most precious memory, but he knows its subject. And he knows she will be taken from my mind for the rest of my life. “Let me.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Don’t be stupid, Thal. This is for the best.”
“Hold on,” Verity interrupts as Thal opens his mouth to argue again. “Let me pay the toll.”
My lips pull back into a tired smile. “Out of the question Verity.”
“Why?” She crosses her arms stubbornly.
I stroke her cheek, unable to help myself, knowing that soon I won’t remember such a moment ever again. “Because it would kill me to know you lost something so precious. Let me do it, darling.”
Her eyes close as she leans into my touch. “It would do the same for me.”
“Then let me be selfish,” I say.
Verity’s brows knit together and she grimaces. “I don’t want to.”
Thal puts a hand on Verity’s shoulder. “You two are making me nauseous,” he sighs theatrically but I see the pain in his eyes. “I won’t let either of you forget, and then you can end this heart-wrenching display of emotion.”
“Thal,” I say warningly.
He cuts me off, dragging me away from the others. His green eyes are fierce, pained, but determined. “Listen, Altair, as much as I want to break open your skull for the pain you’ve caused Verity, I can’t let you forget the only woman you’ve ever loved. You’re a selfish bastard, don’t stop now on my account.”
“It’s better this way,” I murmur. “If I forget her, my covenant to Erzur will no longer cause either of us pain.”
“It won’t cause you pain.” He stabs a finger into my chest.
“Then I’m still being selfish.” I give him a tired grin.
Thal straightens, looking defeated. “Then make your goodbyes.”
I turn back to Verity and dive deep into her pale blue eyes. Her tongue runs over her lips, anxiously as our eyes meet. Thal is right, in my long, selfish life, Verity is the only person besides Navi and Thal I ever truly cared for after my parents died. Without her, I don't know who I would be. It's been less than a year since we've known each other, and yet I'm already twice the man I was before. I wonder vaguely if I'll go back to who I used to be once I no longer remember her sharp words or sweet laughter.
Erzur gives us this moment. Deep in her black heart, she knows what honor is. I pull Verity into my chest and press my lips against hers. She clings to me, and I feel every beat of her heart in tandem with mine. My hands cup the sides of her face, and I nibble playfully on her bottom lip. She laughs softly but my cheek grows wet with her tears.
“Goodbye,” I whisper against Verity’s lips, so softly only she can hear. “When it’s over, introduce yourself to me again. I don’t want to live without at least knowing your name.”
“I will,” she murmurs, wrapping her arms around me tightly.
Erzu
r’s voice cuts through the moment. “What is he doing?”
I pull away from Verity in time to see Thal step up to the creature. He faces off against it stubbornly and sheathes his sword. “I am ready to pay the toll.”
“Thal,” I shout, voice catching in my throat. I lunge for him, panic welling in my gut.
“Excellent,” the creature purrs.
As I reach him, Thal disappears in a swirl of shadows. The creature wraps him in its enormous hand and drags him below the surface of the river. “Thal!” Verity screams next to me.
She rushes to the wall, stretching out over the boiling water. I hear her heart beating wildly, filled with a fear that is only matched by my own. My eyes rove over the river, searching for any sign of him. I whirl on Serus, eyes flaring with anger. “You never said it would kill him,” I growl.
“You never asked, and I didn’t know,” Serus snaps, hackles raised.
“I swear on all the gods, if he dies, I will flay you,” I roar, sword in hand.
Suddenly, black water sprays over us as the creatures reemerge. It opens its grotesque hand, and Thal tumbles out of its palm and onto the hard stone. I rush to his side and check for a pulse. Water seeps from his drenched body onto the stones, wetting my knees. His pulse is faint but growing stronger. A wave of relief crashes into me like a summer storm and I choke back a cry.
“The toll has been paid, his memories of the girl are most delightful,” the creature says, almost purring. “You may cross the bridge.”
“Damn you,” I hiss, staring into its vacant eyes.
The creature sinks back into the churning water without a word. I turn back to Thal as he stirs. He spits up water, coughing violently. “Gods, my head aches,” he groans.
I help him up into a sitting position as the others crowd around us. Verity’s hands twist anxiously. “You’re alright,” I murmur. “Can you walk?”
“Yeah.” Thal nods, holding a palm to his temple. I help him to his feet slowly, careful not to jostle him too much. His sword landed beside him when he fell, and Verity stoops to pick it up. She holds it out to him, biting down on her bottom lip. Thal studies her. “Who are you?”
My heart drops like a stone in my chest, and I feel a wave of nausea. It was her. It was her and he gave her up for me. Just like that. Verity's eyes go wide and she inhales sharply. Solemn silence hangs over us like a heavy fog, even Sadal is quiet. My heart clenches painfully in my chest as Thal looks Verity over casually, the way he did when he first met her so many months ago.
“Are you mute?” He jokes.
“I’m Verity,” she murmurs quietly, disbelievingly. Her eyes dart towards me, filled with guilt, and then back to Thal. “A friend.”
"Verity," Thal says her name like he's tasting it. "What's a girl like you doing in the Ether on a dangerous quest like this one?"
“Do you remember why we’re here?” I ask, tentatively testing just how far the creature ate at his memories.
Thal’s face tightens. “We’re going to stop the Shades.”
“Who is?” Erzur asks.
Thal tosses her an irritated glare. “We are, I just said.”
“We need to get off the bridge,” Serus says from at our feet. “Before Presium returns.”
I urge Thal forward, but he regains his strength quickly. He elbows me as we fall behind Verity and the others. “What are we doing with a Bloodbane witch?”
My eyes rove over Verity's blood-red cloak. "She's helping us against the Shades."
“Bloodbanes are not to be trusted, Altair, you know this,” Thal chides me.
“I’ll explain later,” I murmur.
We fall into silence, draped in the dim glow of Verity’s light. I glance over my shoulder only once to see the creature, Presium, watching us from afar. Anger and guilt plague me stronger than ever. My cousin hardly spares a glance for Verity beyond the occasional distrustful stare. I see Verity wipe at her cheek more than once as she leads us across the bridge and into the Second Stratum.
Chapter 6
Verity
At the end of the bridge, another arch looms. I pass beneath it, grateful to descend the steps leading to solid ground. The darkness beyond the arch is absolute, even the light of my lamp won’t pierce it. I run my tongue over my lips fearfully. The group huddles around me, silent as we stare against the impossible wall of shadows.
“I’ll go first,” I say softly, knuckles white as I tighten my grip on the lantern.
“Don’t leave us in the dark,” Sadal whines.
I cast an irate glance towards the Dark God. He was once so fearless, but now I know that it had nothing to do with his character and everything to do with the power he’s lost. I pass the lantern to Altair, knowing he’ll want to be the last through to ensure we all make it. He accepts it with a nod of encouragement. Our eyes meet, and I know he sees my pain.
Serus leaps onto my shoulder so we can make the passage together. He’s a comfortable weight and a whisper of warmth in this cold realm. Taking a deep breath, I step into the darkness. It wraps around me like a lover’s embrace, trailing over every inch of me. My head spins in directionless circles as I fall deeper into the darkness. Serus’ claws pierce through my cloak and tunic into my skin as he holds on. Suddenly, the darkness spits us out onto dirt and long grass. I land heavily on my chest, face planting. My fingers curl into the dirt, warm from the rays of the sun overhead.
The Second Stratum.
I hear a hiss like the sound of boiling water behind me and turn in time to see Thal emerge from the darkness. He stumbles but catches himself before falling. His green eyes rake over me and I spot a hint of suspicion in his gaze. The last time he looked at me before he gave up his memories, his eyes were filled with a gentle longing. A lump rises in my throat, painful and hard. I scramble to my feet and brush off my leather trousers.
Thal’s hand strays to the sword at his hip and he studies our surroundings with a sharp gaze as the others emerge. Erzur and Sadal make the crossing together, Erzur’s hand wrapped tightly around his arm. I look at her appraisingly. The woman drives me mad with her arrogance and her territorial claims of Altair, but she’s not completely stupid. She knows well enough not to trust Sadal. She frowns at me, but it doesn’t diminish her beauty.
Altair is next, striding out of the shadows with ease. A tightness I hadn't noticed in my chest eases at the sight of him. The darkness drips off of him as he clears the portal. He takes us all in, accounting for each one of us.
“This,” he murmurs, pausing, “Is not what I expected.”
“The Second Stratum is by far the most pleasant,” Serus agrees. “It’s why the Shades settled here—it reminds them of what they desire so much in the world above.”
Sunlight, fresh air, soft grass, rolling hills and looming mountains. Bodies. They want everything we have now and won’t stop until they get it. I look at Sadal curiously, at his pursed lips. There was once a point when he sought to raze the ground and kill everything that walked across the continent. Which would have left nothing for the Shades. His black eyes flick towards me, vicious and intense. I don’t look away.
“Something you want to say, oh lover of mine?” Sadal purrs.
I narrow my eyes. “I’m trying to decide how evil you truly are.”
“There are all sorts of evil in this world, Verity.” Sadal grows serious. “Not everything is clear on the surface—you don’t know how deep the water goes.”
“Lover?” Thal cocks a brow.
“Ignore him,” Altair growls, shoving past the Dark God. “He’s nothing more than a broken trickster.”
Sadal laughs. His chains jostle as he shrugs. Erzur shifts restlessly. “Can we move along? I don’t want to be in the Ether longer than I have to.”
Sadal saunters to the front of the group, followed closely by Altair and Erzur. Sadal leads us through the long grass into a thin forest. My eyes rove over the forest, darting between trees in case I see any signs of the Shades. But the forest is e
mpty, silent. There aren’t even any birds flitting from tree to tree. My stomach churns with anxiety and I reach for the dagger at my hip. This place doesn’t feel right. But then again, nothing in the Ether feels right.
Suddenly, a hand clamps down on my wrist and I inhale sharply. I whirl towards my attacker, bringing my leg around to catch their knees. They sidestep swiftly, but the hand tightens on my wrist and I feel a flash of pain. Thal squeezes tighter and I bite back a whimper. He studies me. "That was an interesting move," he murmurs.
It was a maneuver Thal taught me when we rode with the soldiers, hunting for stray demons. “I had an excellent teacher,” I say through gritted teeth. “Can I have my arm back?”
“Sorry.” He drops me like a hot poker, pursing his lips. “I’m still distrustful of the Bloodbane.”
I open my mouth to deny that I’m a Bloodbane—an old habit—but I stop myself. I am a Bloodbane. I was born a witch and have a knack for ancient magic. There’s no use denying it anymore. “You have nothing to fear from me,” I say, lacing my voice with sincerity. “I don’t mean anyone here harm, except perhaps Sadal.”
Thal’s lips quirk into a roguish smile. “Seems we have at least one thing in common.”
“Verity?” Altair calls to me. I glance at him, concern twisting his handsome features. The group has stopped, waiting for us to catch up. “Are you alright?”
“It seems you have my cousin wrapped around your little finger,” Thal muses.
I lift a hand towards Altair. “I’m fine.”
Thal and I rejoin the group as the sky glows orange. The clouds above are a deep purple. “We should make camp for the night,” Sadal says, glancing at the sky.
Erzur’s brows raise. “I didn’t know time passed in the Ether.”
“It gives the illusion of passing,” Sadal explains. “But it’s not safe to travel at night.”
I think of the Shades' gnashing teeth and too-wide mouths and shudder. We stop in a small clearing, trees on all sides. I want to build a fire to keep the darkness at bay, but I know any kind of light would attract the Shades and other wicked creatures towards us. I can't even light a match tonight. My stomach churns as we set up camp. It's just a jumble of sleeping mats laid close together and a series of tripwires to sound an alarm and wake us if anything approaches. Serus paces beside me, feeding off the nervous energy and thoughts of the group.
