by John Corwin
"It's beautiful," Elyssa said. Her hand tightened around mine. "It looks like something out of a fairy tale."
I grunted. "Too bad it's ruled by an evil queen."
Elyssa jabbed a finger forward. "Look there!"
A sleek black vessel perched on a platform near the waterfall, its prow curving down like the sharp beak of a raven, narrow wings jutting from the sides. It was the Ptarn, the Mzodi ship Arturo and Kaelissa had escaped on after the battle in Atlantis. Beyond it appeared to be an unfinished copy of the sky ship.
"Looks like the Mzodi crews are being forced to work." I held a hand over my eyes and tried to zoom my vision, but there were too many people in the shipyard to discern Mzodi from Brightling.
"If the Ptarn is still here, that probably means Kaelissa is in town." Elyssa looked down at the landscape blurring past below. "She could have taken a skyway, but why would you do that if you have a flying ship that can get you across the country twice as fast?"
As we drew closer, details I'd missed earlier came into focus. Most of the buildings facing the sea were pockmarked and blackened. Parts of the cliff and seawall had crumbled into the ocean, carrying buildings with it. Flights of archangels flew sentry around the edges of the city, and hundreds of Seraphim crawled along the damaged buildings repairing them.
A horn sounded in the distance. Blazing wings streaked skyward as more Seraphim took flight and glided out over the ocean. A breath caught in my throat when I caught sight of the reason for the alarm. About half a mile out to sea a glowing rift tore open the sky, and a dark armada of winged creatures burst through it and came toward the city.
The two forces crashed together only a few hundred yards off the coast. Brilliance met scales and flame. Bodies fell from the sky, spiraling a trail of smoke until they splashed into the waters. The dragons looked small, but there were hundreds of them.
One group of archangels in chromatic blue armor dove from above, slicing through a swath of the scaled creatures on their way down. I knew from the color of the armor that their leader was none other than Primarion Arturo himself. After a vicious bout of reptilian carnage, the battle ended and the archangels retreated into the city.
"Looks like the dragon incursions are even worse here than near Voltis," Elyssa said. "This confirms our suspicions that the troop concentration wasn't simply to invade Atlantis."
"That rift was huge," I said. "The ones we saw during our trip to Voltis were tiny—maybe big enough for one or two dragons at most."
"That really makes me wonder something." Elyssa bit her lower lip. "What if the portals to Draxadis were intentional?"
"Whoa, you think Cephus might have reached out to the dragons as allies?" I said.
Elyssa stared at the battle-blackened sea wall. "At this point, it's hard to say who's done what. Fact: Cephus built a crimson portal that he claimed could open a portal to any dimension. Fact: We have no idea how he did it or who helped him. For all we know, Baal or Victus had a hand in it."
"I wouldn't put it past Baal," I said. "I think he's powerful enough to reach any realm from Haedaemos, with a little help. For all we know, he started working with Cephus even before the Alabaster Arch was operational again. Maybe he coordinated with Victus." I threw up my hands in surrender. "There are too many ifs and not enough answers. The only question I can think of is why?"
"If Baal controls Aerianas, Kohval, and the Darkling legions, then the why is pretty obvious." Elyssa waved a hand toward the city. "What better way to draw Brightling troops to one location in order to leave the rest of the nation lightly defended?"
I smacked my forehead. "You're right! Aerianas would never be able to march her legions up here if the Brightlings still manned their posts. Hell, she'd have a time just getting past Guinesea, even with two legions versus the one."
"Maybe, just maybe," Elyssa said, "Kaelissa went to Atlantis with bloodstones so she could recruit the Sirens to help her against the dragons. Once she secured the dragons, she could have marched on Pjurna with impunity."
"You may be right." I looked east. "For all we know, Aerianas is on her way to take Zbura right now. Once she's entrenched there, it'll be impossible to root her out without major casualties."
"We've got to clone Kaelissa pronto," Elyssa said. "I hoped we'd have a few weeks for a mission of this magnitude, but we have even less time than I thought."
My stomach twisted at the thought of a prolonged war for Zbura. With the dragons occupying the Brightling legions in Cabala, Aerianas could have her way with the other Brightling cities.
The skyway reached the city and a cloudlet detached, drifting down into a wide plaza where dozens of Seraphim rushed around as if they all had somewhere to be five minutes ago. Inquiring minds wanted to know a lot, but our encounters in Novus had taught me a valuable lesson. If we started asking questions, people would quickly realize that we weren't from here and ask questions of their own.
On the upside, nobody gave a second glance at the two newcomers wandering through town.
I scanned the heavens and spotted the archangels in the chromatic blue of Arturo's personal squad. Their helmets obscured their faces, making it impossible to determine if Arturo was among them, but I figured they were heading back to base and that was probably where Kaelissa was right this minute.
I took Elyssa's hand and pulled her along. "This way."
We rushed down the streets, keeping the archangels in sight until they dipped down toward tall walls surrounding an imposing tower with several domed buildings around it. Crystalline obelisks guarded the four corners of the compound and the air rippled as the archangels glided over the wall.
Must be a shield.
Soldiers in crystal armor patrolled the streets circling the walls, and pedestrians gave the perimeter a wide berth. A seraph guiding a platform loaded with food was questioned and searched when he approached the gates to the compound. The gate flickered away and two Seraphim in gray livery took the platform inside.
I stopped a safe distance away and stayed in the shadow of a mini-mansion shaped like a lighthouse. "I'd be willing to bet my eyetooth that Kaelissa is in there."
"So much for letting her guard down." Elyssa sighed and quirked her lips but her eyes never stopped scanning the environs. "Looks like this is going to boil down to good old-fashioned detective work."
I raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"We'll need to case the place. Find out if she ever leaves." Elyssa looked at the odd assortment of mini-mansions rising along the circular street. "I wonder if we can rent some space to set up shop."
The crystal road encircled the walled compound, providing a wide border that couldn't easily be monitored from just one side. Some of the nearby buildings rose high enough to give a view over the walls, but none were so tall as to give a bird's eye view. Even if one of them suited our needs, there was another problem.
"I don't think they post roommate wanted ads in these parts." I stepped in front of the lighthouse-shaped mansion. "We need someone familiar with the lay of the land."
A group of soldiers hurried our way. Their crystal armor triggered chilling memories of our encounter with the first army Daelissa brought into Eden with her. We'd suffered terrible losses to them before finally discovering how to overload their magic-absorbing armor. In the end, they'd simply been the city guard from Zbura, not even the proper army.
A pair of soldiers broke formation and approached us. "No civilians are allowed near the citadel, by order of the empress," one said. "Leave immediately or be arrested."
"Apologies," Elyssa said. "We did not realize this was part of the forbidden zone."
"It extends to this road and the domiciles around it," the soldier said. "The buildings will remain off limits until the empress leaves for Zbura."
"I hope Her Highness is well," Elyssa said. "When will she depart?"
The soldier's eyes narrowed. "Leave now."
I took Elyssa's hand and backed away, bowing. "Of course, good soldier. We'll
be on our way." We walked down the narrow street between the lighthouse and a house shaped like an origami swan and emerged in a plaza filled with the thrum and bustle of Brightlings going about their daily business. A crowd gathered around a chorus of singing Seraphim in one corner. Others sat around a bubbling fountain sipping amber liquid from crystal goblets and conversing like a bunch of yuppie mall rats.
"I should have realized something was wrong when I didn't see anyone else near the citadel," Elyssa said. She stopped and looked at the forbidden residences. "On a positive note, I think that means we don't have to worry about inhabitants. The lighthouse looks like the tallest one. Maybe we can squat there."
I glanced at the house in question. "I wonder if the doors are locked." I led her to a table near the fountain and sat down so we could look around without appearing conspicuous.
A seraph bearing a decanter of amber liquid approached two females at a table behind us. "More nectar?"
"Yes, please." One of the seras splayed her hands and the seraph spread his fingers in return. Ghostly white essence drifted from her fingers and into his. A white gem on a gold band around his wrist glowed softly. The sera lowered her hand and the waiter filled the goblets.
Elyssa's eyes tightened as she scanned the other people around us. "Is that a method of payment?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"Most of the patrons have the gold band," I noted. "Very few don't."
"Was that soul essence?" Elyssa asked.
I watched the waiter return into a nearby shop where he pressed his hand against a large glowing globe behind the counter. The light in the gem on his band winked out as the energy shifted into the larger vessel. "If it is, it's the creepiest monetary system ever."
"Agreed." Elyssa shuddered. "It looks like something demons, not angels, would do."
"I don't see anyone using gems." I observed the crowd, watching how others paid waiters, but most did it the same way the females had paid for their nectar. A sera in a blue fur coat was the only exception to the rule, leading me to wonder if gems were for the wealthy.
The same waiter from earlier approached our table. "Would you like a drink?"
I managed a smile. "Not right now, thanks."
He frowned. "This area is for patrons only. You'll have to leave if you don't order food or drink."
I thought about getting up and leaving, but at the same time, this was a brand new experience for us. Paying for two drinks won't hurt. "Fine. We'll have two glasses."
"How would you like to pay?"
Rather than whip out the gems right away, I decided now was a good opportunity to find out a little more about Brightling economics. "What methods do you take?"
"The usual, good seraph—essence, gems, or services." He raised an eyebrow. "Which do you prefer?"
I reached into the pouch on my waist and took out a couple of the aetherite gems Illaena had given me. "Um, how much?"
The waiter's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open a fraction. "Sir, that would be more than enough for all the nectar you wish to drink."
"How about food as well?" I said.
The waiter looked at my wrist. "You have no band stone? We can only return the excess amount with essence."
I didn't have a clue what made these aetherite gems so valuable and really didn't want to make a big deal out of it. Already, the seras at the table next to us were watching curiously. I shrugged and played it off. "I don't care. Just get us food and nectar and keep the excess payment."
"Ah, you must be with the empress's retinue." The waiter's surprise vanished and he bowed deeply. "It is an honor to have you dining with us today." He filled our glasses and set the decanter on the table. "I will return with the best meal in all of Cabala." With that pronouncement, he spun on his heel and headed into the restaurant.
The Brightlings at neighboring tables began murmuring with excitement, some casting uneasy glances our way.
I groaned. "So much for keeping it on the down-low."
"We're apparently not very good at keeping a low profile." Elyssa took a sip of her drink. Pleasure flashed through her eyes. "Oh my. This is the best wine I've ever tasted."
I let the golden liquid roll onto my tongue. Tart and sweet, it seemed to melt into my taste buds, sending a warm flush through my skin. I swallowed and felt the warmth travel down to my belly. "Wow. I think I like angel wine."
"They didn't have anything like this in the Darkling lands," Elyssa said. "It's more like normal wine down there."
I nodded toward a group of richly attired Brightlings chowing down on some kind of roast. "That, and there are definitely more carnivores up here."
"Vegetarians versus carnivores." Elyssa grunted. "It's no wonder the Darklings and Brightlings don't get along."
"I wonder if they've always been that way, or if all Seraphim were vegan back in the day." I looked around and noticed plenty of meals using glurk, quintos, and other vegetables I'd grown to hate during my time here, but most of them were served as sides with meat.
A trio of angels with harps began playing and singing for a couple at a table near the fountain. Their voices harmonized perfectly as they sang a tale about an ancient Seraphim king.
"Sure beats a mariachi band," Elyssa murmured in my ear. "I know we're supposed to be all business out here, but this is kind of romantic."
I pecked a kiss on her nose. "Yeah, it is."
Over the next hour, we enjoyed a meal of tender white meat served over a bed of greens and finished off the decanter of nectar. My senses buzzed with pleasure by the time the sun went down and the soft white glow of cottony wisps illuminated the square.
"How was your meal?" the waiter asked me.
"Excellent!" I patted my belly. "What kind of meat was that?"
He smiled proudly. "Tender loin of dragon, sir."
My mouth dropped open. "Damn, I didn't know dragons were so tasty."
"Indeed, the green ones are the tastiest." The waiter bowed and left.
Elyssa scooted her chair closer to mine and leaned her head on my shoulder. "I could learn to like this."
I sighed contentedly. "What's to learn? I already like it."
Loud chimes echoed in the distance. Patrons hurried away or looked up in fear. Massive spheres of light streaked into the sky, casting dancing shadows on the plaza until the city lit like the noonday sun.
The angels with harps switched to a lively melody and the choir of angels across the plaza chanted a warlike song about a mighty empress who defended the light of Seraphina against the darkness of evil.
Scores of archangels lifted off from the citadel, blazing wings cutting a path toward whatever threatened the city. I didn't have to guess what came our way.
It was surely dragons.
Chapter 28
Scores of Brightling soldiers in crystal armor marched through the plaza and headed toward the sea wall. Elyssa took my arm. "This is the perfect time to check out those buildings."
I hesitated and looked to the west, but the buildings blocked my view of the horizon. "It feels strange to run away from battle."
"This isn't our battle to fight." Elyssa stood up, sweeping her gaze across the area. Of the few remaining people left, none paid attention to the residences.
"It will be if our plan works."
Elyssa gripped my hands. "One battle at a time, Justin. Even if we wanted to help, do you really think Kaelissa would let us?"
I shook my head. "Probably not. Besides, we're just a drop in the bucket compared to her legions."
Elyssa's gaze grew distant, as if an idea had occurred to her. She shook it off and headed between two of the restaurants at the edge of the plaza. We walked down the narrow alley and came out behind the lighthouse. A knee-high wall was the only thing guarding the back entrance.
I switched to demon vision and surveyed the neatly cropped blue lawn. While there was nothing keeping anyone from walking across the grass, dim white beams of energy crisscrossed the entire outside of the building.
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"Your eyes just went wide, Justin." Elyssa nudged me with an elbow. "What do you see?"
"The house is protected by a barrier." I described it. "Give me a minute." I followed the weave of magic back to its terminus—the door gem. I took out Nookli and flicked to the hacking spell Adam had given me. "I hope this works."
Elyssa looked back and forth, eyes wary for anyone coming. "Hurry up. I got your back."
I jogged across the lawn and stopped a few feet from the door gem. I wondered what would happen if something touched the barrier around the house. Would an alarm sound? Would it disintegrate the object? There weren't any twigs handy for a quick test, so I kept a safe distance and hoped my arcphone didn't have to touch the gem.
Thankfully, Adam had made it easy enough for an idiot to use his spell. Touch here to lock onto target gem. Device must be within two feet. I touched an icon shaped like crosshairs. A beam of soft red light emitted from the LED camera flash, sweeping back and forth until it locked onto the door gem. The light narrowed and increased in intensity.
A Jolly Roger flag icon complete with skull and crossbones faded into view on my screen. Just below it said: Gem locked. Touch to start hack.
I did as instructed. Code flashed across the screen and two skeletal pirates began sword fighting in the background. He really adds some flair to his hacks. I turned back to Elyssa. "It's running."
"Any time estimate?" she asked over her shoulder.
"No." I tried to remain perfectly still, but even if my hand wavered, the laser remained locked onto the gem. As long as the phone stayed within two feet, it would do its job. That meant I couldn't move—or did it? I channeled a weave of Murk, crafting it into a makeshift tripod with a flat shelf on top. It was a bit crooked and ugly, but it worked. I set my phone on top and tied off the weave, giving it enough power to last for a few minutes.
Elyssa cast a critical eye at my lopsided work. "I don't think you have a future in sculpting, babe."
The western sky lit up with fireworks. Explosions boomed. Overhead, a flight of archangels mowed through a cloud of flying reptiles. Smoking bodies spiraled down onto rooftops and smacked wetly in the plaza. One of them thudded in the yard just a few feet away.
