by Linsey Hall
My potion vial crashed against the creature’s leg, which dissolved into dust in seconds. He tumbled over, the rest of his body disintegrating.
The boat chugged out into the open river, leaving the tunnel completely behind. Moonlight lit up the night around us, and I spun, looking for more attackers. The jungle was quiet—relatively speaking. Leaves rustled and monkeys shrieked, but there were no more attackers.
I sighed and leaned against the railing of the boat, catching my breath.
The mallet in Maximus’s hand disappeared, and he looked at me. “Are you all right?”
I nodded. “You?”
“That was my idea of a good time.” He grinned, and the sight made my insides twist. I couldn’t trust him—he worked for the Order—but I wanted to. It was weird, too, because I hadn’t trusted anyone except my sisters since my time with the Rebel Gods. Not even the Protectorate people who were my friends. Not really.
To distract myself—and because it was a good idea—I poked into my potions bag to count what I had left. One more disintegration potion, a few paralyzing bombs, a temporary blinding bomb, and the equivalent of a banana peel that a cartoon character would slip on. Not too bad.
I looked up to check the boat’s progress, and gasped.
Up ahead, the river curved to the left in a slow and lazy bend. A massive golden wall sat on the edge of the bend in the river, looking like it loomed right in front of us. The thing was huge, a great circular fortress with walls towering high into the darkness of the night. The first morning light reflected off of their smooth surfaces. I’d never been super into gold, but in this context, I could see the appeal.
My awe must have shown on my face, because Maximus turned to look as well.
“Impressive,” he murmured.
I turned to Eloa. “Can you drop us off here? Then we can try to sneak up.” Maybe a guard had already spotted the boat, but I didn’t want to make it extra obvious by chugging up to the front gate.
“I’m going to drop you off and turn around immediately,” Eloa said. “I hope you weren’t expecting a ride back.”
“We’ll be fine,” Maximus said. “We just needed to find the place. A transport stone will get us out.”
“Not if you’re within those walls, I bet,” Eloa said.
“No, I’m sure you’re right.” I studied them. Walls that big were meant to keep people out. And in. If a thief managed to sneak in and steal something—a bit like what we were trying to do—they wouldn’t want you just transporting out with it. I’d bet a cartload of double chocolate cookies that the place was enchanted to prevent transporting in or out.
“You don’t want to come?” I asked Eloa. “Clear your debts with a little bit of that wall.”
She scoffed. “You can’t take the gold from there, or you’ll be cursed. So no, I won’t be coming.” She turned the boat toward the shore, steering it as close as she dared. “I can’t slow down anymore!”
“Thanks!” I shot her a grin, then climbed up onto the railing and jumped onto the shore. I nearly didn’t make it, my foot catching at the very edge of the soggy earth, but I got a grip on a vine and pulled myself onto firmer ground.
Maximus, of course, leapt onto it like a giant, muscular gazelle.
I turned and waved at Eloa as she pulled the steamboat around and chugged back down the river. I dusted off my hands and turned to Maximus. “Ready?”
He nodded.
We crept through the forest, silent as ghosts. The leaves rustled around us and jungle creatures shrieked, but I ignored them, focusing instead on the pull of El Dorado. I could almost feel it like a living thing. Maybe that was the dragon in me. Not that I had much, but theoretically, dragons had helped create my kind. Or perhaps it was the call of the feather and my psychometros potion.
We reached the fortress wall, which towered overhead, smooth as glass.
“That will be hard to climb,” I whispered.
“There was a gate at the front, but it’s too obvious to try to go through there.” Maximus conjured a grappling hook, this one with an extremely long rope. He stepped back and swung the thing, launching it high into the sky. The hook caught on the top of the wall.
I craned my head back, swallowing hard. “I really hope that thing doesn’t slip off.”
“I’ll catch you if you fall.”
I shot him a sidelong glance. “Pretty hard to do if you’re halfway up, too.”
He smiled, confidence personified. “I’m quick. But you can go first.”
I nodded. There was a time and place to prove my strength. This wasn’t it. I wanted to get in and get my answers without going splat on the jungle floor.
Maximus handed over the rope, and I began to climb, my boots occasionally slipping on the ultra-slick surface of the wall. I vowed that the next potion in my repertoire would be a sticky one that allowed me to climb walls like Spider Man. I grinned at the idea and kept climbing.
By the time I reached the top, my arms ached and my limbs trembled. I flopped onto the flat surface and tried to catch my breath as quietly as I could.
There were no guards on the top of the wall. I guess they expected the giant snake and other monsters to keep people away. Within the walls, everything was made of gold. The morning sun gleamed on a massive fortress that sat on one side. A wide lane led up to it from the main gate, and smaller buildings were scattered around.
Though it looked like it could accommodate thousands, I saw no one on the streets. There was no way we’d be lucky enough that the place was empty and answers were just sitting out for us, but I’d honestly expected more people.
I leaned my head over the edge to watch Maximus ascend. He did so quickly and quietly, racing to the top without issue.
When he appeared at my side, he looked at me. “Not so bad, was it?”
“Could have been worse.”
He flipped the rope onto the other side and made sure the hook was anchored, then slid down into the main compound. I followed as quickly as I could, landing on silent feet. We were tucked behind a small building—maybe a house or a shop. Tension thrummed across my skin as I listened for any approach. It was so damned quiet here.
Maximus gripped the rope and flicked his wrist, and the hook dislodged, plummeting toward us. He caught it, easily avoiding the pointy bits, then made it disappear.
Conjuring was one thing, but making the items that you conjured vanish was even harder. Demigod power wasn’t to be taken lightly, that was for sure.
Silently, we edged around the building. There was no one on the narrow street, and the surrounding buildings seemed empty. My heart seemed to thunder in my ears. These people could be allies of the demons and their monster. In fact, they likely were.
“This place is creepy,” I murmured.
“It’s been a long time since its heyday. But there are people here. The streets are clean, the walls free of vines.”
He had a point. Someone worked hard to keep the jungle from devouring this place. But there was an eerie feeling to the air here. Something not quite right. Not entirely dark magic—though there was some of that—but not light magic either.
The only word I could think of was strange, and that didn’t quite do the trick.
Together, we crept down the quiet street, sticking to the edges of the buildings. Wariness prickled across my skin as we walked, and I realized it was far too silent within the walls of El Dorado. The jungle was so loud that the sound should penetrate even here. Except it didn’t.
Why?
When we reached the main central lane that led up to the enormous fortress, I couldn’t help but stare in awe. This had to be more than all the gold in the rest of the world put together.
I edged back toward Maximus, not wanting to step away from the cover provided by the building, and murmured, “We should check the back. See if there’s a way to sneak in.”
He nodded. Before he could speak, a shout sounded.
Crap!
I peeked around
the side of the building, looking down the long lane that led to the main fortress. Two dozen guards stomped toward us. There’d been no one there before.
I lurched backward. “Go!”
I spun to go the opposite direction, hoping to lose myself amongst the narrow lanes and little buildings. Surely there was a nook or cranny we could hide in.
But there were guards there, too, standing right in front of us. My heart jumped into my throat. They had stony expressions, and each wore a long golden cloak. Their swords were the same solid yellow metal and held high, ready to kill.
How the heck had they snuck up on us so quickly and silently? We’d only been standing here for a few seconds. Time had to be slower, or they were unnaturally fast, because we’d definitely been alone just moments ago.
I looked behind, and the first group of guards already stood at our backs, having arrived with insane speed.
I shot Maximus a glance, my question clear. Fight or fake it? Because flight wasn’t an option—not surrounded on all sides by dozens of guards and solid gold walls.
Maximus stepped forward. “We have come to make a sacrifice to the gods of El Dorado.”
Fake it, it was.
Because who the heck were the gods of El Dorado?
The guard in front frowned, his blunt face clearly confused. Maximus just smiled, attempting to look non-threatening. It didn’t really work. I’d have to tell him that a guy his size always looked pretty dangerous.
The guard gestured for us to turn around. I did so, hoping that he intended to march us up to the big fortress instead of stab us in the back.
Fortunately, it was the first, less deadly option. The guards fell in around all sides as we marched up. Maximus shot me a glance, and the intent was clear. Keep an eye out for a chance to slip away. We probably wouldn’t find one, but right now, it was as likely to work as anything, since we had no idea where to find information about the demons and their monster.
We moved quickly up toward the main fortress, which towered ominously overhead. Sweeping golden stairs gleamed in the light of the morning sun.
We began to climb, our footsteps soundless on the gold. Massive double doors swung open to greet us, and we stepped into a high-ceilinged entranceway that was done entirely in gold.
Honestly, it was all getting to be too much. Clearly no one had told them that gold was more of an accent piece.
“You will meet with the Great One.” The lead guard’s voice echoed off the walls.
He spoke English? I wouldn’t expect that so deep in the jungle, but maybe he recognized that we were foreign.
I shared a glance with Maximus. He gave a pleased little nod. I couldn’t help but agree. It was better than the dungeons, and a guy like the Great One would probably have answers.
Whether or not he’d give them to us was another thing altogether.
The guards led us into a similarly decorated room—all gold, natch—where an old man sat on a huge throne. His bronzed skin was heavily creased, with the light from the lanterns gleaming off of it, and his long white hair shined like fresh snow.
The weird feeling that had pervaded the outside of the town was even stronger in here, and it was emanating from the man. I tried to suppress my nerves as we approached. It wouldn’t do to show weakness. Or disgust.
The throne was the only thing in the room, and the old man the only living person except for a slender woman who stood against the back wall, her gaze avid with interest. She was much younger than the man, with straight black hair and a gold robe that didn’t look natural on her.
In fact, she didn’t seem to fit at all. Though she was dressed the part and looked the part, she definitely didn’t seem to like it here. A permanent scowl seemed to have dug a line right between her eyes.
“They are here to make a sacrifice,” the guard boomed, distracting me from the woman.
Damn. He hadn’t forgotten about that. I debated what I would give up, and didn’t like my options. I needed my potions for defense, and the knife strapped to my thigh was a gift from my mother. More lucky talisman than anything, but I didn’t want to give it up.
Maximus strode forward as if he owned the place, and I hurried to catch up, trying to make my stride look just as confident as his. I wasn’t sure I would manage, but damned if I wouldn’t try.
The Great One squinted at us, a vaguely annoyed and confused expression on his face. Magic radiated from him, ancient and powerful. I sucked in a shallow breath, trying not to get too deep a whiff. It smelled like a river, and not the fresh kind. His power brought with it the sound of beating drums and the feeling of water surrounding me. I stifled a shudder—it felt a bit like drowning, really, and it sucked. The taste of his magic was a bit moldy, and his aura a pale green.
He had all five signatures, but what was he?
Powerful, clearly, but there were no clues as to his magical species.
“You come to make a sacrifice?” Though wispy with age, his voice echoed with power. “For what?”
“We’d like to gain knowledge,” Maximus said.
The old man’s gaze traveled over us. “Then what will you sacrifice?”
My mind raced. Potions or blade? One was practical, one sentimental.
But which?
I shifted to step forward, but Maximus’s hand touched mine lightly. I glanced up. He gave me the most imperceptible shake of his head, then stepped forward, reaching into his pocket.
My heart did a funny little flip.
He was trying to spare me from giving something up.
Maybe I could trust him a little. But he worked for the Order. Indecision warred within me.
When he was only a few feet from the powerful old man, he handed over something tiny. I leaned left to try to see, but couldn’t.
“What is it?” the man asked.
“A coin dated to the year AD 98. The last thing that I possess from my past. Very valuable to me, and very valuable historically. It’s the only one in existence that hasn’t been melted down.”
Okay, that was impressive. Though I doubted he could truly know that it was the only one, I liked the spin he put on it.
The man nodded, seeming pleased.
Then he leaned around Maximus and looked at me. “And from you?”
Damn.
At least Maximus had tried.
I stepped forward, my mind racing. When I reached him, I still didn’t know what I’d give him. But my hand did. I reached for the pouch of potions at my side. Clearly, my mind was offline and my heart was making the decisions. But I couldn’t give up the gift from my mother. It was the only thing I had from her.
I removed the feather and handed over the bag of potions. “It’s full of some of my best potions.”
Interest lit in the man’s eyes. “Potions, you say?”
“You’re interested in them?”
“Very.”
Hmmm. I stocked that away for later. Maybe we could take a peek in his workshop. Who knew what I could learn from a guy like this. I frowned. Probably some evil shit, now that I thought about it.
He set the offerings on the edge of his seat. “What information do you seek here? What knowledge?”
I held up the feather. “This feather was once here. We’d like to know why.”
Understanding gleamed in the man’s eyes, and a bit of excitement that made me shiver. His voice trembled with it. “So you’ve seen it? The monster?”
“Just a glimpse. We’re hunting it.” Had I given away too much information?
He leaned back. “Ah, now that’s a shame. Such beauty should be allowed to fly free.”
Uh-oh.
Maximus growled low in his throat. “That beast has killed innocents.”
“Beasts must hunt.” The man waved his hand, his golden robe fluttering. “It’s the nature of the world.”
“It’s killing too many,” I said. “Why was it here? Did it come from here? Did the demons come from here?”
“Neither the demons no
r the beast came from here. But they did seek help from me.”
“And did you give it?” Maximus asked.
I thought I already knew the answer.
“But of course. Just as I aid you, I aided them.”
He probably enjoyed aiding them even more. This guy was too creepy, and so was this place. And the fact that he was spilling his guts to us wasn’t a good sign. That’s what serial killers did before they killed you, right?
From behind the man, the younger woman watched with interest. I couldn’t read anything on her face, but I thought just maybe she disapproved. Then again, that permanent scowl made her look disapproving of everything.
“How did you help it?” I asked.
“The beast is rising and growing stronger. It came here and made an offering in exchange for a potion that would allow it to feed. It had been bound, previously. I fixed that.”
Fixed? That wasn’t the word I would use.
This man was too in love with the beast and the demons that were using it for their evil deeds. There was no way he’d just tell us how to stop it. It was clear now that we’d have to find that out on our own. And also manage to not get killed by his guards.
I glanced at Maximus, trying to convey this with my eyes, but he was already speaking.
“I understand your perspective, Great One.” He was clearly trying to sound impressed by the old man’s logic, and it almost worked. If I hadn’t known how badly he wanted to stop the creature, I might have believed him. “You are enlightening me.”
Oh, he was full of it.
The old man nodded, clearly pleased. Ego was getting in his way. “I’m glad you see reason.”
“I most definitely do.” Maximus’s shoulders dropped so slightly I almost didn’t notice. As if he were tired. “We are exhausted after our long journey. Is there a place we might rest and take respite?”
“But of course.” A shifty gleam entered the old man’s eyes. He waved his hand, which I noticed were tipped with golden claws, and the guards behind us stomped to attention. “They will show you the way.”
I nodded my thanks, then turned to accompany the guards. Would we run for it now, or hope that we actually were being shown to a private place to rest? It’d be better to sneak out than break out, and Maximus clearly agreed, because he followed the guards without argument.
