“There,” Cera said, stepping back. “That looks gorgeous. But before we leave, we just need to fix your hair and face situation.”
“My face situation?” Ursula bristled.
Cera smiled. “You just need some cosmetic enhancements.”
Ursula’s stomach clenched. At this point, she just really wanted to get off the moon, and submitting to Cera’s meticulous grooming might be the only way forward.
Chapter 10
Cera led Ursula into the heart of the city, along a winding path that curved between humble homes, their facades lit by glowing mushrooms.
In the center of the Grotto was an open cobbled square that reminded Ursula of an Italian piazza. At one end stood a tall building carved from a single pillar of rock, beneath a peaked column that hung from the grotto ceiling, nearly touching it. A giant stalagmite.
Violet light glowed over the swooping runes and sigils that covered its surface—similar to the ones she’d seen in the tunnels, but with pictographs: curling creatures that looked like caterpillars and bats. Ursula shivered at a carving of an eight-legged beast: the Molok.
Cera led her up a flight of sloping steps carved into the stalagmite, and Ursula’s new heels clacked off the stone. At the top stood a pair of oneiroi guards dressed in blood-red cloaks and holding spears tipped with silver axe-heads. They nodded curtly at Cera. I guess we’re expected.
Teetering slightly in her heels, Ursula followed Cera inside the stalagmite building, where she found herself in a single room. An ancient oneiroi woman with long, silver hair and glittering violet jewelry sat on an onyx throne on a dais. It took Ursula a moment to realize that Bael and Kester were standing in the shadows near the dais, and she smiled with relief at the sight of them.
Cera bowed before Bael. “My lord. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting—”
“Cera,” said Xarthra. “The demon’s name is Bael. He is not your lord within the Grotto.”
Cera scowled. “Yes, of course, Xarthra. I forgot.”
If Bael was upset about the lack of honorific, he didn’t show it, instead giving a short bow. “Thank you for brining Ursula here.” He smiled at Ursula, his eyes gleaming with that deep, familiar gray. “We were just making introductions. Xarthra, this is Ursula. She and Kester are here to help us restore the moon to its rightful owners.”
Ursula smiled, nodding as if she had any idea what the hell Bael was talking about.
Xarthra stared at her, tapping the armrests of her throne. “I have heard of your exploits, Ursula. Is it true you defeated Abrax at the Lacus Mortis?”
Ursula shivered, thinking of how she had almost died that day. “I was able to drain his magic, but I’d be lying if I said I knew how.”
Xarthra cocked her head. “A stupendous feat in any case. Abrax poses a great threat to our society. If we are to retake the moon, he must be defeated.”
“Thank you.” Ursula cleared her throat. “Sorry—where exactly are we?”
“I am Xarthra. Daughter of Zeth. Oldest living descendent of the Shining-Haired.” Xarthra’s eyes flashed. “And I will rid the moon of the demons and lead my people to freedom once again.”
Ursula stared at her. “Right. Of course. And Bael and I are helping you.”
Xarthra blinked slowly, retaining her regal bearing. “As you know, Bael has his own reasons for assisting.”
Ursula smiled, nodding again. Of course I don’t know. That would involve Bael having filled me in.
Bael stepped forward into the candlelight. “When I returned to the moon after Abrax stole my wings and attacked my manor, I was lost. Alone. Eventually I would have succumbed to Hothgar and the other lords. But, with Cera’s help, Xarthra showed me a new path.”
Okay. Ursula couldn’t quite play along any longer. “Let me get this straight. You’ve been working with the oneiroi resistance this whole time?”
Bael nodded. “I didn’t see any reason to fill you in. After all, you work for Emerazel.”
Frustration simmered in her chest. “Any of you happen to know which oneiroi planned the attack on my room the last time I was here? The bomb with the note?”
Bael looked confused. “A bomb with a note?”
“An oneiroi on a white bat threw a bomb through my window. There was a note too. It said that I wasn’t welcome on the moon, and that next time they wouldn’t miss.”
Concern furrowed Bael’s brow. “I don’t know who that was.”
Xarthra raised a wrinkled finger. “That was my doing. I sent one of my men to try to scare you away. We worried that your presence—” She paused as she carefully considered her next words. “We worried that you might distract Bael from more important matters.”
“Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Kester interrupted. He looked exhausted, with his hair plastered to his face and smudges of dust on his cheeks.
Ursula let out a long sigh. “Demons and oneiroi are working together to defeat Nyxobas. That’s the long and short of it.”
“Righto,” said Kester, looking down at his cuffed hands. No one but he and Ursula seemed bothered by the cuffs.
Ursula turned back to Xarthra. “Is there any chance you could get Kester something to eat and drink? He’s had a rough couple of weeks.”
Xarthra nodded at the nearest guard, who scurried off. Then, she tapped her fingertips together. “Bael and I will raise an army of oneiroi to defeat the demon invaders.”
Ursula frowned. “What about Abrax’s golems? He has his own army.”
Xarthra smiled for the first time since Ursula had met her. “The golems will be neutralized.”
“Neutralized?” Ursula stared. “I nearly lost my life to one. A single golem killed at least three of Nyxobas’s most powerful demons with nothing but a knife. How are you going to neutralize them?”
Bael scrubbed a hand over his stubble. “She’s not going to believe us unless we show her.”
Ursula lifted her manacled hands. “As much as I want to see the golems straight away, I don’t suppose anyone could help with this situation?”
“Oh. That.” Xarthra narrowed her eyes. “We’ll get there.” Without another word, Xarthra rose and began striding over to the piazza, her movements shockingly smooth for someone who looked so ancient. “And you’ve probably never seen exactly how the oneiroi can really fight, either. Follow me, and I will show you.”
Chapter 11
With a regal bearing, Xarthra led them toward the cobbled piazza, where violet light gave the dark stone an eerie hue. As they walked, two oneiroi servants bustled up to Ursula and Kester, thrusting cups of water and mushroom sandwiches into their arms. Ursula did her best to tuck the water into the crook of her elbow while chomping into the sandwich, but it wasn’t her most elegant moment. Crumbs littered the top of her cleavage in her strapless gown.
At the edge of the piazza, lined with stone buildings on all sides, Ursula took a seat by Kester’s side on a bench. Kester looked exhausted as he bit into his sandwich.
“Are you feeling okay?” Ursula asked.
Kester nodded. “I’m fine. It’s just that Abrax enjoyed starving me. Between the missing calories and all the running from giant spiders, I’m a tad fatigued.”
Ursula smiled faintly. “I’m just glad I found you.”
Kester flashed her a sheepish smile, his cheek dimpling.
Movement at the far end of the piazza turned her head, and Ursula watched as a pair of guards led a hooded figure over the cobbles. Ursula’s stomach clenched. Those creepy, fluid movements were definitely the movements of a golem.
The guards led the hooded golem into the center of the piazza, where a stone block stood with an iron loop attached to it. The guards tied the golem to the block, then slowly backed away.
“I need volunteers.” From just in front of Ursula, Xarthra’s voice boomed over the square.
On cue, three oneiroi guards in blood-red robes stepped forward. Chained to the cube, the golem strained against its bonds. Ursula’s
stomach clenched. She knew how lethal the bloody thing was. She and Bael had barely defeated one, and she couldn’t see how three little oneiroi could fight the beast. Hard to defeat something that can’t feel pain.
Between mouthfuls, Ursula leaned in to Kester, whispering, “I’m not sure this is the best idea.”
Xarthra apparently overheard it, because she shot Ursula a sharp look. “My soldiers are highly trained.”
Before Ursula could reply, one of the oneiroi reached into his robe and withdrew a small dagger. Ursula’s eyes widened. The blade was identical to the ones the golem had used to carve Sallos into a quivering mass of flesh. The oneiroi tossed the blade at the golem’s feet.
Like a serpent striking, the golem pounced on the weapon. Simultaneously, the three oneiroi dropped their cloaks. Ursula had been expecting a trio of men, but these oneiroi were all female. They wore tight-fitting black outfits, each with a small sword at her hip. With a rasp of steel, they drew their swords in unison.
With the sound of shearing metal, the golem ripped free from its bonds. It held its dagger lightly in one hand, then froze completely. Slowly, the oneiroi women approached it, and Ursula’s pulse raced. If Xarthra was wrong—if her oneiroi weren’t a match for the golem—the creature would attack them next. And Ursula and Kester were still stuck in the bloody cuffs.
The hair on Ursula’s arms rose, as a low keening growl emerged from the back of the oneiroi’s throats. Like a pack of wild dogs, they encircled the golem. Ursula’s knuckles clenched around the remains of her sandwich. She was no longer focusing on her food. The golem’s movements looked predatory, almost bestial.
Then, with a shout so sudden that she nearly jumped, the oneiroi attacked.
The golem swung for the nearest oneiroi, but the woman was faster, dodging under the golem’s blade. With a vicious scream, the oneiroi sliced her sword upward, severing the golem’s arm at the elbow. Simultaneously, the remaining pair of oneiroi tore into the golem’s opposite side. In a blur of black cloth and silver hair, they slashed the golem’s free hand from its wrist. Without any arms, the golem had no way to defend itself. An instant later, the three oneiroi had pinned the golem to the ground and pulled back its hood. Ursula shook her head in disbelief. The entire attack had taken less than ten seconds.
Xarthra’s clapping echoed off the cobblestones. “Well done.”
Bael nodded solemnly, but didn’t speak.
A few more oneiroi guards came out, then bound what remained of the golem with rope. Moving swiftly across the cobblestones, the three oneiroi fighters approached Xarthra, heels clacking off the stones. They moved stiffly—almost as if they were fighting against their bodies. They didn’t speak, instead making growling noises in the back of their throats.
The hair rose on Ursula’s arms again as she realized where she’d seen oneiroi like this before. Cera’s blood-crazed brother had acted like this when he’d attacked Bael.
Bael rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. “They won’t hurt you, I promise,” he said. “But you’re going to need to hold out your hands.”
“They’re corrupted,” Ursula hissed.
“Xarthra has trained them to control their hunger. The corruption is what allows them to defeat the golems. It gives them extraordinary strength.”
“Bael speaks the truth,” said Xarthra. “The oneiroi are in control of their bloodlust. In fact, they have made a great sacrifice. For as long as they live, the craving will curse them.” She nodded at the three oneiroi. “They took the curse willingly—to fight for the freedom of their people. Do as Bael asks and hold out your hands.”
Ursula flicked a quick gaze at Bael. She did trust him. Slowly, she extended her manacled wrists. The oneiroi walked toward her, their bodies twitching, growling louder. Hunger flashed in their silver eyes. When they’d moved within reach, all three of them grabbed her manacles. Gritting their teeth, they began to squeeze all at once.
The manacles glowed brighter and brighter, but they were no match for the vise-like grip of the oneiroi. With a blinding flash, the manacles disintegrated. Already, they were moving on to Kester’s golden cuffs.
Ursula rubbed her wrists, loosing a long breath. “Thank you so much.”
As the oneiroi freed Kester, Xarthra reached into her tunic and pulled out a roughly carved obsidian bowl, about the size of a large mug. She crossed to the oneiroi, then knelt and placed the bowl at their feet.
Ursula stared as Xarthra drew a short obsidian dagger from her belt. She tightened her fingers around the blade, then ran it sharply through her palm without hesitation.
Blood flowed into the bowl, and the oneiroi stared on hungrily. When the bowl was filled, Xarthra passed it to the first oneiroi. The oneiroi took the bowl to her lips and drank.
Each oneiroi took a sip of their queen’s blood. As they swallowed, they visibly relaxed, the tension in their limbs softening, eyes lightening to a pale silver.
When they’d finished, they handed the bowl to Bael, and he brought it to his lips.
“What are you doing?” Ursula blurted.
Bael lowered the bowl. “This is how I was able to manage my own bloodlust.”
Chapter 12
At the simple wooden table in Cera’s home, Ursula sat across from Cera and Kester. To her right, Bael leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, the candlelight wavering over his perfect features. Kester still hadn’t managed to fill his stomach, and he sipped soup from a large mug. The domestic scene should have been relaxing, but tension gripped Ursula’s muscles. She couldn’t stop thinking about what Abrax had said about her mother’s death.
Kester finished his soup, leaning back in his chair. “Bael and I just followed the glowing path until we got to the Grotto. Honestly, I could have done it myself.”
Bael slowly opened his eyes, narrowing them at Kester. “It is easy to get lost in Cavern of Night. You really have no idea.”
Kester arched an eyebrow. “I’m a hound. I don’t get lost.”
Bael snorted.
Ursula pinched the bridge of her nose. “Okay, enough with the competitiveness. Anyone know what happened to Zee?”
“No,” said Cera. “I was able to flee the Drake’s warren in the chaos of Abrax’s attack. Zee didn’t make it out with me. She’s either with the dragons still, or she’s found a way out.”
Kester’s lips curled wistfully. “She’s extremely resourceful. My money is on an escape.”
Ursula blew a strand of red hair out of her eyes. “Should we try to find her now?”
“No.” Bael’s eyes darkened. “We must help the oneiroi. We have to wait here until we are ready to attack Hothgar.”
“And when will that be?” asked Kester.
“A year at least,” said Bael.
“A year?” Kester rose abruptly, nearly knocking the table over.
Bael nodded. “We need to recruit more oneiroi to the cause. At this point, our army isn’t big enough to defeat Abrax and the rest of the demon lords.”
“So we’re just going to wait down here in this pit?” If Kester had had any of Emerazel’s fire, his eyes would have been blazing.
“It’s the safest place,” said Bael. “Abrax has no idea how to find us here.”
Ursula shook her head. “I’m with Kester. I know you made a promise, but we can’t hide here for an entire year.”
Bael’s jaw clenched. “What do you propose that we do?”
“I’m going to Mount Acidale.” Ursula hadn’t even realized the full extent of her plan until the words were out of her mouth.
Bael’s eyes widened. “That’s absurd. It’s far too dangerous.”
“I agree,” said Kester. “You can’t go there.”
Ursula straightened. “I’m not asking your permission. I want to find my family. I need to find out who I really am.” She looked sharply between the two men. “Abrax told me about the Battle of Mount Acidale…”
She let the sentence trail off into what was now a deathly quiet room.
Bael studied her intently, his slate-gray eyes unreadable. Kester’s face had paled. They did know something.
“What did Abrax tell you?” asked Bael.
“He claims that you’ve been lying to me. That you knew who I was the moment you met me.”
A line formed between Bael’s straight eyebrows. “That’s not true.”
Kester cut in. There was steel in his voice, but also sadness. “Her mother was a member of King Midac’s senior guard. The one who killed the queen and tried to murder the king.”
Bael’s eyes whirled with shadows. “You knew this all along and you kept it from Ursula?”
Kester gripped his water glass. “Emerazel forbade me from telling her. I had no choice.”
“You killed Ursula’s mother.” Bael’s voice was pure ice.
Ursula’s stomach lurched, and she wanted to be sick. Abrax was telling the truth.
A clang of metal interrupted them, and Ursula jumped—Cera dropping a spoon to the floor.
“It was the middle of a battle. Death was all around us. I saved the king’s life from an assassin who had been brainwashed by shadow demons.” Kester glared at Bael. It was as if Ursula wasn’t even in the room. “I did my job. Besides, it’s not as though your hands are clean. I heard you were the one who recruited her.”
“What’s going on?” Ursula demanded.
Bael’s eyes were black as the void, his entire body stiff with rage. “If you weren’t Ursula’s friend, I would tear your arms from their sockets and feed your corpse to Molok. I don’t know who recruited Ursula’s mother. It wasn’t me.”
Kester shook his head as he drew an obsidian blade. Bael’s eyes twitched in recognition. “You didn’t think I was armed, did you, demon? Maybe you shouldn’t leave blades lying around. Come over to that table and I’ll carve out your heart”—he lowered his voice to mimic Bael’s—“and feed it to Molok.”
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