"I won't tell anyone. I just wonder why you think you can trust me."
"I don't know that myself." Jaycob said. "Maybe it's because you haven't given me a reason to not trust you yet. It's been a very long time since I've had anyone other than Dusty to talk to. He doesn't exactly say much. I'm working on that, though."
"So he's a demon inside that clay thing?"
"Not just any demon." Jaycob said. "A demon who is very special to me. It's a long story, but he gave his life to save me. His body was beyond repair, so I put his soul into this golem. That way, he could always stay by my side. He's my one and only friend."
"If you need to show me something, then go ahead. I'm not busy today. I can't do much work in this rain. My forge won't get hot enough."
"Very well." Jaycob turned his back to Trevor and grabbed the hem of his shirt then pulled it off over his head. "This."
A deep pink scar that was nearly a foot across and stretched from Jaycob's right shoulder to his left hip bone covered his entire back. Trevor studied it for a few seconds. "What happened to you? That thing is huge."
"That's not all of it." Jaycob turned around to reveal the same-sized scar on his chest and stomach. "It went all the way through my body. I was nearly sliced in half."
"Don't tell me your dragon did that to you."
"Aye. This is why I don't like dragons." He traced the enormous scar and closed his eyes. "This is what a single dragon's claw can do to a human. I should have died. It broke nearly every rib, severed my spine, punctured both of my lungs, and was inches from ripping my heart out of my chest. I remember seeing my intestines spilling out into the sand in front of me. Do you know what that's like? To see yourself falling apart?"
"No, I don't. How are you alive after something like that?" Trevor asked, leaning forward to get a better look. "Shouldn't you at least be paralyzed?"
"I thought so too. As I was bleeding out and couldn't breath, I knew I was dying. Then I blacked out. When I woke up, I was on a ship bound for Ka'tayl. It was years later and all my injuries had been healed. None of the crew would speak to me, but I found the captain's log book that said it was fifteen years later. My dragon was nowhere to be found. I never saw Astrin again." Jaycob picked up the parchment from the table. "This is his handwriting."
"But Amari wrote that."
Jaycob tossed the letter down and retrieved his shirt from the floor. "I don't know what to tell you on that front, but I would know Astrin's handwriting anywhere. It's very unique. This letter seems to be him begging me for forgiveness. It's pathetic, actually. He's asking me to go rescue the other dragons from Carvael."
"We could use those dragons for our side in this war."
"You will have to forgive me if I'm not the most enthusiastic about having dragons around."
"I completely understand. Is there any explanation as to why Amari would have that letter then leave?" Trevor asked.
"I suppose it is simply a coincidence. She more than likely had that letter, but left it behind when she heard of her husband's death this morning."
"Amari is blind and mute."
Jaycob pulled his shirt back on and tied the laces tightly. "Truly? When did that happen?"
"You know her, don't you?"
"Aye, I did." He smoothed his red bangs back out of his face. "I knew Xair and Dayxi Nendo from my time in Ka'tayl. Amari was so kind and sweet. She sang the prettiest songs. I think she was attracted to me, actually. It used to get on Xair's nerves a bit."
"Just a question. Have you ever seen your dragon's human form?"
"No. Astrin was never one for being open with me."
Trevor was lost in quiet contemplation for a few minutes before he scratched his bushy beard and grinned. "Is there any possibility that Astrin was a female dragon?"
"I . . . I do not know if that is even possible. Dragons are male and have only male mates."
"Well, is it possible that Astrin was male, but had a female human form?" Trevor asked.
"What are you saying? You're not suggesting that Amari is Astrin. Are you? That's . . . that's impossible. Isn't it?"
Trevor shrugged his shoulders. "You tell me."
* * *
Jaycob placed his hat back on his head to hide his messy hair before stomping through the mud puddles to the tent on the far side of the camp. He threw the tent flap open to see the Ka'taylin man busy at work writing something at the table. "Karixlesminatim, I need to speak with you."
Without even looking up from the notebook, Karix motioned to the small pile of blankets in the corner where Liam was sound asleep, still with tears on his cheeks. "What do you want now? Haven't you caused enough trouble around here? I know you hate me and all dragons, but if you're staying in this camp, you will have to deal with my presence. My mate serves King Jaylen. You can hate me all you want, but the second you insult my little mate, we become bitter enemies. You had no reason to say what you did to Liam."
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm not here to argue or fight with you, Karix. I have questions."
Trevor and Nimiel entered the tent as well. "We all have questions."
"About?"
Jaycob took the feather quill away from him. "Amari."
"What about her?"
"She's a dragon. Don't try to deny it. All signs point to that."
Karix's purple eyes narrowed as he yanked the pen back from Jaycob. "Yes."
"What?" Jaycob asked. "You're serious?"
"You told me not to deny it, so I didn't. Amari is Astrinalix's human form. Now you know."
Nimiel shook his head in disbelief, scattering slowly falling black rose petals to the floor of the tent. "What? Why haven't you said anything until now?"
"You never asked."
"Did Xair know?" Trevor asked.
"More than likely, no. It was best that way. Astrin wanted to give up his dragon form and instead be human permanently. He was so afraid to hurt anyone after what he did to his rider. You'd know all about that, wouldn't you, Jaycob?"
"Aye."
"You abandoned your dragon."
Jaycob scoffed. "Abandoned him? He's the one who betrayed me, not the other way around."
"A dragon will never betray their mate."
"If you only knew half of what Astrin did to me, you'd-"
"I'd what?" Karix asked. "Feel some minuscule scrap of sympathy for you? Never."
Nimiel stepped between the two of them and spread out his wings. "Can we not kill each other? We've all had more than enough death today already. Karix, how did this work between Amari and Xair?"
Karix took a calming breath then turned back to his work at the table. "Astrin knew that Xair was my son and he became fond of the boy when Xair was still an infant. So it's no surprise that he took on a form that would be pleasing to Xair and married him. Astrinalix gave up being a dragon long ago. If we do find Amari, I would suggest never mentioning this to her. She doesn't need to know that everyone has discovered her secret."
"Then why would she leave this note and risk us finding out?" Trevor asked.
"There's no telling. Astrin is a very temperamental dragon."
"But Amari is so quiet and calm."
Karix wrote something down in the notebook. "It's a facade. Even Xair couldn't see through it. But yes, Amari is actually Astrin."
Trevor smoothed his beard as he put his thoughts together. "And Astrin is a male dragon."
"Yes. But Amari is female, no doubt. Dragon gender is not like a human's. We do not mate in the ways of humans generally. We are reborn through our mates, our Dragon Knights. It is a form of reincarnation. We simply identify more with your perceptions of masculinity than of femininity, so we call ourselves male. That usually only comes into play once we choose our human form. As you can tell, I identify as male. Astrin chose to identify as female while in human form."
Trevor nodded his head. "Interesting."
"It is the way of dragons. We were not made to explain ourselves to humans. Now, if you all will excuse me, I
have some of my son's final wishes to carry out. In case you have forgotten, I watched as my son was killed earlier today. I would appreciate some time to deal with this alone. Contrary to popular belief around this camp, I cared for my son greatly and I would have done anything to save him. Now, leave my tent before you anger me more."
Chapter 6
Silk sheets and soft wool blankets caressed Jaylen's skin as he slowly stirred awake on the cushioned bed. The scent of jasmine and citrus was both calming and invigorating after a full night's sleep. He stretched his arms out and smiled with the feeling of being completely well rested. He had no nightmares, no waking up in a cold sweat, and no more voices that plagued him. Rolling over, he reached out for Zeriel, but his hand fell on the untouched pillow. Jaylen had grown so used to having Zeriel in his bed that he forgot about leaving him behind in Vilyron. He opened his eyes to stare at the empty side of the bed. It was sad, but it was necessary. After all, Zeriel had betrayed him. Zeriel had betrayed Xair.
There was soft knocking on the thick wooden door, then it opened and Carvael stepped inside the room with a silver tray in his arms. "Good morning, Jaylen. Did you sleep well?"
"Very." A deliciously sweet scent filled Jaylen's senses and he looked over at the silver tray on the dresser. "Cinnamon buns."
"They're still your favorite, right?" Carvael asked as he pulled the blue silk curtains open on the large window to allow the golden mage-glow to fill the room. "I had the servants make them for you. I do hope they meet your expectations. Eat up. There is also bacon, buttermilk, and apple juice. You look so skinny, so I brought you an entire dozen of the cinnamon buns."
Jaylen smiled and absentmindedly traced the black X on his bare chest. "Thank you so much."
"It's no problem. We need you to be strong and well-fed. You deserve these things, Jaylen. You often forget the royal blood you carry in your veins. Noblemen like yourself should never have to sleep on tattered quilts on the floor." Carvael smiled as he opened the oak armoire that was filled with silks, lace, leather, and velvet, all adorned with pearls, diamonds, gemstones, and golden buttons. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of procuring you some clothes. There are formal tunics and tights for any public appearances you have to make and for wearing around this palace. I spared no expense for you. Then we have cotton and leathers for your training. They are breathable and light so you won't sweat too much and they will move with you. Then over in that trunk against the wall are your new black chainmail hauberk and coif, a set of studded leather pants, knee-height leather booths reinforced with steel, and a leather baldric for combat. Oh, and there's something else."
Jaylen slid out of bed, his bare feet touching the soft carpet covering the wooden floor. He watched as the archangel slid the top drawer of the dresser open and pulled out a bundle of fabric. "What is that?"
"Your old one was broken, so I searched out the best one I could find. It has been tailored to fit your strength, height, and grip."
Jaylen gasped as the fabric was unwound to reveal the silver longsword. The blade was engraved with long wispy angel feathers all the way to the polished tip. Sturdy white leather wrapped around the hilt. The pommel was one solid round sapphire the size of Jaylen's palm. He had never seen a more beautifully crafted weapon. He picked it up and swung it, feeling its lightness and the superb balance.
"What do you think? Did I get the specifications correct?"
"Yes, it's perfect. I don't know what to say."
Carvael took the sword from him and leaned it against the wall. "There is no need to thank me. Think of it as a welcome home present. Your other present is out back in the stables. I found Pegasa for you."
Pegasa? The winged horse had managed to go back home to be with her foals.
"Do not worry so much. What kind of angel would I be if I took a mother away from her babies? They are here as well. They have their own field to run and fly in. They're happy. The foals will be trained alongside Pegasa. You can go play with them if you'd like."
Jaylen stared at the piles of clothes, not knowing where to even start. "What is the plan for today?"
"So eager, are you? Not much on the schedule for this morning. This afternoon, I would like for you to address the troops with me. My angels and demons will love to see their new commander. Don't worry about getting dressed right now. Sit down and eat before your breakfast gets cold."
He ran then jumped onto the bed. "Thank you, Carvael."
Carvael placed the tray down in Jaylen's lap then smoothed the hungry boy's hair. "Welcome home, my dear boy. Welcome home, Finalis."
* * *
Zeriel pounded on the stone door with both of his fists as the hoards of angry-looking demons circled around him, licking their lips and cackling under the shadowy light that swirled in the red glowing sky. The spherical obsidian building was situated directly under one of the many clear platforms that hovered overhead and were filled with red and orange lava. A crystalline tree topped with tiny yellow blossoms stretched its glittering branches out in all directions to take in the smoke-filled air, its roots noticeably breathing underneath the scorched dusty ground. Zeriel covered his mouth with his hand in an attempt to not breath in the noxious mixture of burning flesh and sweet gingerbread cookies. He hated Hell.
When there were no answers from inside the building aside from the tortured cries of some poor human, Zeriel knocked again. "Hey, open up in there. Its me, Zeriel. I need to speak with you. I brought payment."
The door creaked open to reveal the tall incubus with blond hair, orange robes, and a silver tin whistle hanging on a cord around his neck. He flashed a bright all-knowing smile. "Well, well, well. I was not expecting to find a weathered angel on my doorstep."
"Krivel, I don't normally ask backstabbing, evil, demented, twisted, sadistic-"
"Okay, okay. I get the point. I'm a bad guy. Why don't we cut out the chit chat and get to the reason you are begging for my attention?"
"Krivel, I do not approve of what you've done to Xair, but he's gone now and you are the one person in this awful place that I at least know the name of, so I came to ask for your help."
The demon shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you are Fallen. You can stay here as long as you want. There are other fallen angels over that way past the sand pits. They're a quiet bunch. Need a place to stay until you can figure out housing?"
"No. I didn't come down here to live here. I came to ask for your advice."
Krivel held open his door and cackled. "Come on in, Zeriel. This is truly entertaining, you know? An angel asking for my advice. Pardon the blood. I haven't had a chance to clean up from my party last night. Things got crazy."
Zeriel walked along the mirrored tiles that made up the flooring in the circular building. Blood splatters covered the carpeted walls where flails, riding crops, and chains hung from hooks from floor to ceiling. Empty whiskey and rum bottles littered the furniture that appeared to be made of human skin. "Are those chairs-"
"Yep. Northerners have the sweetest-smelling skin. But my favorite is my Ka'taylin skin pillow."
Zeriel's stomach turned. "Uh . . ."
"I'm joking. Damn, Zeriel. Just because I'm a demon doesn't mean that I'm into all that. You angels have such perverse notions about what it means to be a demon. I would never kill my little human pets. They're too fun to torment over and over and over for eternity, or at least until I get tired of their begging. Then I'll just rip them open and eat their souls. Those chairs are unicorn skins."
"Unicorn skins. You skinned a unicorn?" Zeriel asked, looking around at the bizarre paintings on the spherical ceiling that depicted hundreds of different torture techniques and devices.
"Thirty. I bred the entire herd. The legs of the chairs are made from their horns. One of them gored me in the side, so I made him watch the rest of his herd be slowly cut up into little tiny pieces."
"That's . . . that's awful."
Krivel spun around and pointed to himself. "Demon. It's what we do." H
e sat down on one of the chairs and patted his hand on the one next to him. "Sit, sit. Would you like some caramel cake? I also have my special strawberry rum."
"No. I came here on business, not whatever this is." Zeriel sat down then narrowed his eyes at the demon. "I need to know a way to get into Carvael's palace."
"Which one? There are at least ten I know of personally. Each one has its own security, its own varying guard rotation, and a score of other factors like moats, hell hounds, and hoards of undead to contend with. This is not a venture to be taken lightly, you know?"
"I am aware."
"Also, what makes you think that I would willingly help you go against Carvael?" Krivel asked, pulling the lid off a small plate where a caramel-covered sponge cake sat next to a bottle of thick strawberry rum.
"Because I know you don't really want Eternal Eclipse to take over Hell. You value your freedom down here far too much to give it up for Carvael's orders and laws."
Krivel crossed his legs and sipped his strawberry rum. "True. I know where Jaylen is most likely being held. It's an above-ground complex that was only recently built. I have the construction plans, actually. There shouldn't be too much in the way of security because Carvael put a barrier up around it to prevent most things from entering or leaving. You'll need one of my special amulets that negates his magic. I've been a very busy little demon."
"Good. I'll need your help with that then."
"So you're not mad about Xair?"
Zeriel crossed his arms on his chest as his wings rose instinctively. "Oh, I am beyond angry. But I have more important things to take care of at this moment."
"Like your Master?"
"Yes. I need to find Jaylen, and I believe he has decided to join Eternal Eclipse."
"Why would little Demon Snack do something like that?" Krivel asked.
"Because he blames Sola for letting Xair die."
"Ah. He wanted divine intervention, but nothing came. Well, we can't all be miracle workers, eh? Jaylen will have his time for miracles. I do not hold any hatred towards you or Jaylen or anyone else in your little Vilyron camp. My fight was with Xair for what he did illegally and immorally to some of my demon brothers. He took away their bodies to force them to serve him without a way to live their own lives. Who does that? I'll tell you who. Psychopaths. Xair Korvin was a power-hungry psychopath."
Angel of Darkness Books 6-10 Page 44
