Empire of Demons (The Moonstone Chronicles Book 4)

by Sara C. Roethle

  The metal grate leading to the tunnel was nothing but twisted ruin. Alluin could not tell if it was a natural cave-in caused by Elmerah’s fire weakening the supports, or if Egrin had sealed up the secret path into the city. Most likely the latter. The Dreilore had found the place before, slaughtering his uncle and other kin. Egrin knew about it, and he was not the type of man to leave any weakness in his defenses.

  Celen looked over the rubble skeptically. “I can move a lot of it, but if the tunnel is caved in all the way through, there may be too much to clear out.”

  Part of him wanted to just turn and walk away. Even if the tunnel was still stable within, he did not want to once more walk through the secret hideout. He didn’t want to face what had happened. But he had a feeling Elmerah was running out of time. He couldn’t leave her trapped with Egrin.

  “Clear out the entrance, and we’ll reevaluate from there.” He moved away from the rubble to stand near Killian out of the way.

  Killian watched on, his amber eyes shining with excitement. “Celen’s magic is truly amazing.”

  Alluin didn’t have the heart to reply.

  Celen lifted his hands. The earth trembled, then began to move, small chunks of rock and rubble at first, then larger mounds of dirt. His magic really was quite the sight. Not as showy as Elmerah’s, but impressive just the same. He understood why the Arthali were hated—hunted. Just a few powerful witches were as good as an army.

  The earth shook more violently as Celen lifted larger pieces of rubble. Dust clouded the air, making Alluin gag. He could only hope Egrin could not sense the building magic.

  More earth poured outward, then the tunnel entrance was clear. The supports were still stable within. He stepped forward, then stopped as the hairs rose on the back of his neck. The scrape of hairy legs echoed out of the dark tunnel.

  He cursed, but it was too late, the shadowy form of the first hulking spider neared the tunnel’s edge. Egrin had filled the space with Ayperos, or maybe they had gravitated there on their own. It didn’t really matter how they got there.

  The spider hissed, lunging toward Celen.

  He reacted quickly, raising one arm then closing his hand into a fist. The earth shot up around the spider, swallowing it whole, but there was another one to take its place.

  “Alluin!” someone shouted behind him. He thought he recognized his sister’s voice, but he could not turn as the next spider leapt toward him. He rolled away, and the spider let out a hiss of air as it hit the earth.

  He got to his feet, prepared to meet his end, but there was an arrow sticking out of one of the spider’s many eyes.

  “Alluin!” his sister shouted again, reaching him. The other elves he’d left behind came soon after, ignoring him as they fired bows at the spiders, saving Killian just before he would have been crushed. Merwyn hobbled after them, breathing heavily and looking like he might topple over.

  More arrows sailed, Celen made the earth rumble, and then it was over. Dying spiders twitched their limbs in the slowly clearing dust. All was silent from within the tunnel.

  Alluin turned and pulled his sister into a fierce hug.

  Holding her bow out in one hand, she didn’t seem to know what to do with the sudden display of affection. She patted his back with her free hand. “I’m glad we caught you. We couldn’t convince Saida to come with us.”

  “I didn’t expect you to,” he breathed. “I just wanted you out of harm’s way, but it seems I have lured you right into the thick of it.”

  Vessa laughed, then pulled away. “You know me, I’m impossible to keep out of trouble. And I’m not suited to marching with an army of Makali.”

  “Saida found them? How far are they?”

  “They will reach the city soon. We traveled with them most of the way here, they spared us some supplies.” She hefted her bow.

  Alluin let out a weak laugh, glancing toward Celen and Killian. Both seemed unharmed, though Killian had spider silk trailing from his ears. Merwyn moved to stand near Killian, who seemed thrilled to see him. If Merwyn’s odor bothered the Nokken’s sensitive nose, he did not show it.

  Vessa patted Alluin’s shoulder. “Come now, aren’t we here to save your lady love?”

  His cheeks grew hot. Had he been so obvious? He caught Vail watching him and quickly looked away.

  Celen snorted. “Well I’m glad someone finally had the guts to say it.”

  Alluin pinched his brow and shook his head. There was no time to argue, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to. He greeted the other elves who had just rescued him once again, while he still didn’t know their names. But there was no time for introductions now. Elmerah was waiting.

  He turned to his sister. “I cannot tell you what we might find within the tunnel. What might be left.”

  Her expression darkened. She understood. She reached out and took his hand. “We’ll get through it.”

  “When did you become so mature?”

  She smirked. “When my brother took it upon himself to overthrow the Empire.”

  He turned toward the entrance of the tunnel. It was pitch black, but he knew the way well. “Whatever happens, we will make sure our kin did not die in vain.”

  The other elves, including Vail, muttered their agreement.

  “Moving on,” Celen said impatiently. “Elmerah needs us. I won’t have Rissine coming after me once she escapes those Akkeri.”

  Vessa looked a question at Alluin.

  “I’ll explain what happened as we go. Time is short.”

  Vessa nodded, and they walked into the tunnel together. He’d known he would have to face this eventually. He had hoped Elmerah would be with him, but for now, she was the one who needed him.

  The others followed them bravely into the tunnel, and soon Merwyn moved to the head of the line. With even just a hint of light he could see well in the darkness, and could warn of any obstructions or craters.

  Alluin listened to the Akkeri’s steps just ahead of him as he explained to Vessa what had happened with Rissine. Between his words, memories flashed through his mind. His parents had been gone so long he hardly remembered them, but his uncle, and the others he’d been close to . . . he crept through the dark, remembering their faces. The others followed, occasionally offering observations about the Makali army.

  They reached the end of the tunnel with no further incidents. He ran his palms across the surface of the door, accidentally bumping into Merwyn. He tested the handle, finding it unlocked. With the cave-in, no one had bothered to seal the way through. He opened the door without allowing himself time to think, and was glad to find it just as dark as the tunnel had been.

  He took the lead, feeling his way along the wall, cutting a wide path around the room. It might have been easier to walk straight through, but he wanted to avoid the center where the bodies had been piled for burning. He didn’t explain to the others what they were passing, but judging by their silence, they knew. Vail and Vessa had grown close—she had probably filled the other elves in. And Elmerah might have mentioned it to Celen.

  He was overwhelmed with relief to reach the other side of the room where he headed up the stairs. They had been charred and weakened by Elmerah’s fire, and groaned beneath his weight. “Watch your step,” he cautioned the others behind him.

  He reached the top of the stairs and opened another door. The broken windows of the next room let in weak rays of sunlight. The Dreilore they had killed was gone—everything was gone—left to ruin and dust. Dark stains still marred the floor where the elves had fallen.

  A sound behind him drew his eye.

  Vessa held a hand over her mouth, choking back tears. She shook her head, her attention lingering on the stains. “I knew what happened, it’s just—”

  “Seeing it is different,” he finished for her.

  Celen and the others waited behind her quietly, understanding that now was not the time to interrupt.

  Alluin didn’t want to rush her, but— “Time is short. There is nothing
to be done here.”

  Her hand still covering her mouth, she nodded too quickly.

  Vail caught Alluin’s eye as she stepped forward, wrapping one arm around Vessa’s shoulder.

  He nodded his thanks, then walked across the room and stepped outside. While the back street was usually secluded, now it was utterly deserted. He could hear the sound of distant fighting.

  As the others crowded around him, he gazed in the direction of the castle. “Celen and Killian with me.” He glanced at the elves. “The rest of you, find out what’s going on in the city. Once we have Elmerah, we will need to plan a route of escape to Saida.”

  “But we just found you!” Vessa blurted.

  Vail placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s right. Once they have Elmerah, the emperor will come after them. They can lead him to face Malon’s army. We will make sure the path is clear.”

  Merwyn pulled back his hood, revealing his sickly face and nearly bald head. While he was normally looking at his own feet, now he met Alluin’s gaze unwaveringly. “I will go with you.”

  Alluin felt pity for the small creature, but Merwyn was weak and slow. “You will only hinder us. You should find Saida.”

  “I will look after myself. Saida will find you. Saida will find Elmerah.”

  “But she is with her army,” Vessa countered.

  Merwyn didn’t argue with her. His attention remained on Alluin. “I have faith she will come.”

  “We don’t have time for this,” Celen interrupted. “Let him come.”

  He was right. “Fine,” Alluin agreed. “Let’s go.”

  Vessa gnawed her lip, but didn’t argue further. She knew the hidden ways through the city, she could lead the elves. And he knew the way to the castle. Unable to bring himself to say goodbye, perhaps for the last time, he simply nodded to Celen and Killian, then led the way down the deserted street.

  Saida

  Saida coughed on the thick smoke, scented of burning flesh. Power surged through her. It had been so easy. With Malon beside her, unleashing the magic of the circlets was as simple as breathing.

  “This isn’t right,” she muttered more to herself than to anyone else. Whispers coming from the circlet drowned out her voice, but she knew she was the only one who could hear them. She could not make out the words, but her instincts told her it was a warning. It was not the gods’ will for her to go into battle in this way. Not Cindra’s will, at least.

  The first wave of the assault had ended, and their enemies lay dead and dying at their feet. Even the Ayperos and other demons that had fought alongside the Dreilore. Ancient monsters, defeated like they were nothing. She understood now why Egrin had avoided direct confrontation.

  Malon gripped her hand, his eyes pinched as he peered through the clearing smoke. The Crown of Arcale upon his brow glowed with luminescent light.

  The Dreilore and militia hadn’t stood a chance. She wondered if Vessa and the elves had made it into the city.

  “It’s time to advance.” Malon stepped toward the Makali ranks, pulling her along.

  She resisted, tugging her hand out of his.

  He turned toward her, his confusion clear. Flakes of ash mingled with his silver hair. The next soldiers would be more wary after what she and Malon had done. “What’s wrong?”

  She lifted trembling fingers toward the circlet upon her head, then stopped herself. “Don’t you hear the whispers? This isn’t what we’re supposed to be doing.”

  He stepped close to her. Their warriors were waiting for further orders. The rest of their opponents were now shut up in the city walls. She and Malon would be needed to tear those walls down.

  “It’s just nerves. We are doing what we must to protect Faerune.”

  “But you don’t care about protecting Faerune.”

  He gently gripped both her arms. “But you do. This was not my plan, Saida. This was your plan.”

  It was, wasn’t it? Or had he manipulated her?

  “We can’t let them regather inside. We must attack now.”

  Brosod approached from within the Makali ranks. A small cut on her cheek dripped blood, but she was otherwise unharmed. Even with the circlets, the Makali were needed to keep them from being overwhelmed by Egrin’s sheer numbers. “We await orders,” she said, looking to Saida.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, unable to make a decision. Her skin felt cold. The whispers were nearly deafening. She tried to listen to them, tried to pick any one voice out. She placed her fingers on the circlet, then a single voice became clear, rising above the rest. She needs your help. Go to her. I will guide you.

  Her eyes flew wide. She dove forward, clutching Malon’s arms. “I must reach Elmerah. Something is wrong.”

  “You don’t know where she is.”

  She stepped away from him. “You do what you must, I understand. But this is not the task I was meant for.”

  Brosod realized her intent before Malon did. She lunged for Saida, grabbing on just as she was engulfed in a flash of moonlight.

  One moment she was looking at Malon’s shocked expression, and the next she was standing in a quiet courtyard with Brosod. Manicured shrubs loomed around them, but nothing moved.

  “Where are we?” Brosod gasped.

  Saida’s body trembled. She recognized the courtyard. She had been here before, the day Thera kidnapped her and gave her to Egrin. But this time there were no militia men to drag her inside. There was no one at all. She could hear distant fighting in the city, but the castle grounds were utterly silent.

  “Saida,” someone whispered from a nearby shrub.

  She and Brosod turned. Brosod hefted her spear as a young man in servant’s garb revealed himself.

  Saida stepped back beside Brosod. “Do I know you?”

  The young man appeared momentarily confused. “Oh. Hold on.” His dark hair turned red, and fox ears flicked forward.

  “Killian!” she gasped. She never thought she would be so relieved to see someone she barely knew. Gesturing for Brosod to lower her spear, she hurried toward him. “Where is Elmerah?” She really had heard the voices in the circlet. They had not led her astray. If Killian was here, Elmerah must be nearby.

  Before he could answer, more footsteps sounded, drawing her attention toward three cloaked figures.

  Brosod lifted her spear again, then lowered it slightly as the figures neared.

  “So much for covertly sneaking into the castle,” Celen said, pulling back the hood of his cloak.

  “I don’t think there’s anyone here regardless.” Alluin turned his attention to Saida. “Words cannot express how glad I am to see you. Egrin has Elmerah. We’re trying to find her, but it doesn’t seem like there’s anyone here.”

  She knew it. She knew the voices would not lie to her. They had brought her to save Elmerah. “Many were sent to fight my army at the gates,” she explained, “but it’s still too quiet here, as if everyone has been sent away. Where is Rissine? Does Egrin have her too?”

  Alluin glanced at Merwyn, who kept his hood pulled forward. “Rissine was taken by the High King of the Akkeri not far from here. She used him as a distraction to help the rest of us escape. I do not know what she has promised him in return.”

  “Only one thing he wants,” Merwyn muttered.

  She was surprised that the mention of the High King caused no fear within her. He seemed such a distant threat, something she would easily face when the time came. “We cannot worry about that now. We will search the grounds for Elmerah. Rissine can take care of herself.”

  Feeling numb and distant, like she wasn’t fully within her body, she reached into her belt pouch and withdrew the compass. She stared down at it for a moment, thinking of Elmerah. The dial turned, pointing toward the castle.

  “She’s here,” she breathed. “We need to help her.”

  Celen looked toward the castle. “Do we just walk right in?”

  “Have you got any better ideas?” Alluin asked.

  Saida had already turned t
o start walking. The voice coming from the circlet had sounded urgent. Whatever Egrin planned to do to Elmerah was happening now. Perhaps she was a fool to leave Malon behind, but she couldn’t very well entirely abandon their army. It was not her place to join them, but perhaps it was his. Perhaps these were the roles they were meant for all along.

  Alluin jogged to catch up to her side. “I hate to ask, but where is Malon?”

  She kept her eyes on her compass, making sure it did not change directions. “Outside the city with our army. They will soon breach the walls.”

  They reached the entrance with the others following close behind.

  “Alluin,” she gasped, realizing something. “Your sister headed toward the city to find you.”

  “And she did. I had hoped she would stay with you where she would be safe,” he admitted. “I suspected you would not take her offer to sneak into the city.”

  She was still alive then, not another death on her hands. It was a small relief. “I almost did take her up on it. I probably should have.” She reached for the door, the same door she had gone through when she had been imprisoned. She tugged the handle, but it was locked.

  “Stand back,” she ordered.

  Brosod was the only one who listened. Celen cursed at the bright flash of light as Saida obliterated the lock. The door swung inward.

  She glanced at Alluin as he lowered his hand from shielding his eyes. Even though he was without magic to defeat Egrin, she was glad he was with her. They had started this together, and now they would finish it.

  She checked her compass, then stepped across the threshold into the quiet hall. “This way.”

  She hurried down the hall with the others following close behind, not at all ignorant to the fact that she and Brosod were the only ones carrying any weapons. And if they went up to the second floor, Celen’s magic would be useless.

  When they found Egrin, if Elmerah was incapacitated, it would be up to Saida to face him. Malon would not be there to save her this time.

  Could she best the king of demons with only one of the circlets?

  They were about to find out.