Ever sat curled up against Arcanum’s mighty belly, his deep breathing soothing her aching soul. Her father had been gone for quite some time and the geysers now signaled the late hour.
Absentmindedly, she picked at a speck of dirt encrusting one of the pale stones surrounding her, wondering if she should just go home, her hope for adventure marred by her father’s protectiveness.
She measured her father’s behavior over the last few years. He’d become so withdrawn. So sullen. Then Fate came along and Ever saw fire in his eyes again. A reason to live. A reason to fight. Then he messed it all up by chasing her away.
Yes, he was very stubborn, and he blamed the shades for his loved ones’ deaths, but not everyone is a slave to their species. His inability to let go of stereotypes was frustrating. Ironically, the literature they’d discovered in the Atlantean library depicted demons as heartless, soul-thirsty beings that terrorized the humans. If they’d only known the truth.
But Fate didn’t belong in the shade category. She was different. A diamond among coal. If only her father had seen it in time.
Ever suppressed a shudder, a sensation she shouldn’t feel considering the atmosphere that cradled her. The Opal Meadows hummed with a calm resonance that should have left her with a feeling of peace. But it didn’t. She frowned, trying to decipher what she was sensing.
Something was brewing in the air, swirling around her with evil intent.
Something was coming.
She scanned the path from which they’d come, a writhing shadow hovered along the plain. An army of darkness thundered across the earth, its beat akin to a thousand pounding hooves.
Panic clawed its way to the surface of her soul. Her infrared blue eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the distant landscape. The sands of the Crimson Desert rolled towards the Great Wall like a tsunami.
What is that?
Her eyes flitted from the sleeping dragon to the looming sand wave. What should she do? She’d surely be seen trying to escape.
Hide under my wing, Arcanum’s gentle voice suddenly sounded in her mind. He’d awakened. Relief washed over her as his coppery scales faded to an opalescent white, merging with the rocks around him.
Ever moved quickly, sheltering herself beneath his slightly lifted wing. He then brought his appendages around his body, pulling the princess close to his body. To the outside world, he’d appear as a huge, alabaster stone.
Though a tad squished, Ever felt much safer. Peering out a slim crack between his back and wing, she could still see the oncoming phenomenon.
What’s going on? I’m afraid, Ever sent the dragon.
He paused, she sensed his trepidation.
Tell me! Please! What is that?
A tremble resonated throughout her body.
The great dragon sighed quietly.
Malus.
“Everyone,” Vrill called for attention from a podium at the head of the room. “I’d like to thank you all for coming this evening to welcome our newest daughter to the family, Aura.” Pride filled his eyes as he waved a hand to his side. Aura beamed, her short blue hair bobbed over her ears, a silver feather pinning back her bangs.
The crowd clapped, the ambiance of the room bursting with good spirits.
Fate took a long look around, the decorated ballroom stealing her breath. Silver and baby blue swags hung from the ceiling, swaying and wavering like an ocean. A strobe light, flickering white and gold, pulsed in the center of the domed ceiling.
The lattice of bones extended all the way up the walls and bowed with the arc of the roof, leaving Fate to wonder how on earth they’d accomplished such a feat. And with just bones and gold twine.
Just…magical. She smiled to herself.
“Hello, Fate,” chimed a voice from behind her. Spinning around, Fate was suddenly face to face with her favorite former Zombie, Aura.
“Hi!” A grin spread across Fate’s lips. “Congratulations,” she said, hoping that was the appropriate gesture for the situation.
Aura nodded, a glint of sadness lurking behind her swirling, galaxy-like eyes.
“Are you okay?” Fate queried.
The necromancer nodded again, though slowly and unconvincingly.
Aura sighed, hugging herself. “I feel a bit…Surface sick.”
“Surface sick?” Fate frowned.
Her blue hair glistened against the soft lights twirling above them like a seventies disco ball. “You know, like homesick, only I miss the Surface,” she admitted.
Confused, Fate said, “But I thought you couldn’t remember anything from your former life. That’s what Vale told me.”
She paused, then responded, “That’s what they told me too, but something inside of me knows that this existence is different. Almost…wrong.” She stopped, glancing around, then whispered, “I don’t think I’m supposed to remember…but I do.”
Fate’s insides grew cold. So she wasn’t the only one who felt like…an abomination. Something unnatural.
Fate gave her new friend an encouraging smile, uncertain as to how to ease her discomfort. She linked arms with the necromancer and the two moved towards a long buffet table draped in white linen.
Bowl after bowl and platter after platter stretched the length of the table. Foods of every color, shape and size lay in waiting for some hungry patron to dive in. Fate eyed the food with envy, her human side wishing she could participate. A growl from the dark side of her soul reminded her she should visit Vrill’s Nexus again. And soon.
Worry clouded her thoughts. Her hunger had come on so fast this time. She’d only touched the Nexus a few hours before yet she was already nearing famishment. Her thoughts shifted to the promise of finding a cure. Finding something to satiate her morbid hunger. Elder Goretus thought there might have been a way. Hope rose inside her. Glancing at Kane, who stood stoic across the room with his gaze locked on her, she realized she was likely welcome within the walls of the demon city again. She could go back, speak with the old shaman, and maybe…
A thunderous boom tore through the air, followed by the floor shuddering. Aura clutched Fate’s arm as they watched the entire south wall of the ballroom pulsate violently. Heaving to and fro as if out of breath, bits of the wall of bones began to burst forth, spraying and shattering upon the marble floor.
Necromancers and shades staggered with the earth quaking beneath them, fleeing to the opposite side of the room, expressions of shock painted upon their faces.
Fate shielded Aura from falling rubble, pulling her across the room towards the gathering patrons. As frightened as Fate was, she guessed that Aura would be far more terrified, a newborn to this violent world.
The wall gave one final exhalation, spewing chunks of debris in all directions. Dust and sand rolled into the room, obscuring the cause of the ruckus.
When the cloud settled, all Hell broke loose.
Reunion
Kane shoved his way through the panicked crowd, his eyes locked on Fate as she guided a frightened necromancer from harm’s way. He had to get to her. Had to protect her. Nothing else mattered.
Splinters of debris rained down, biting at his face, his shoulders, and back. Pushing the pain aside, he tried to ignore the cries of fear and chaos around him. They all knew what this was. They all knew who was coming. Only one being had this much power. Only one being had the motive.
Most of the patrons fled the room, rushing the French doors, pushing their way through. Kane didn’t blame them. Part of him wished he could follow their lead. Escape.
But he couldn’t. He had to face her.
Everything had been leading up to this moment. He realized it was futile to resist. Destiny had a way of finding those who ran from it.
With the wall torn apart and gaping like a deep crevice, Kane waited. Knowing who was going to cross that ravaged threshold at any moment. Reaching Fate’s side, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief. The Queen was here for Fate, he was sure of it. At the very least, he would fight to keep her safe. Or die trying.<
br />
Fate tried to still the tremble occupying her body, by the expressions of those surrounding her, it was obvious they knew who was coming. She didn’t want to see. Didn’t want to acknowledge the truth. All of this was her fault. If she’d only gone to the Queen, maybe all these people would still be safe.
Aura wept quietly beside her. Her life possibly over before it had even begun. A painful lump formed in Fate’s throat, tears pricking her eyes. She could have prevented this. All of this.
Maybe she still could.
A cool wind kissed her cheek, Vale suddenly behind her. He’d wisped to her location, silent, undetectable. Kane growled beside her, his blue eyes firing at the shade.
“Calm yourself,” Vale hissed at Kane. “I can get Fate out of here.”
Kane stiffened. “You? How?”
“I can wisp her to another location,” he stated.
The demon prince contemplated a moment, then ordered, “Do it.”
Vale moved to slide his arm around Fate’s waist. “No!” she yelled, pushing his arm away. “I can fight!”
A wistful smile pulled at his ebony lips. “Fate...you have to go, you are too important. She can’t get her hands on you.”
“Me? What about you? She’ll kill you just for being her son! For being alive! You have to live, if not for me, than for the demons,” she cried. Panic held fast around her heart, her anger towards him evaporating in the midst of the chaos. She didn’t want to leave him. He was part of her now.
His arms folded around her, chin resting on her head. The beat of his heart throbbed against her ear. She couldn’t leave him. She wouldn’t.
From the gash in the wall, the sound of rubble crunching beneath feet sliced through the stillness of the ballroom. The shades and necromancers, those that remained, braving the unknown, held their breath, their eyes wide and full of fear.
From within the midst of the dust clouds parting like a misty white curtain, a figure emerged.
“Kane,” Fate whispered beside him, her voice quivering as she wrapped herself around his arm. “Is that…her?”
Kane frowned.
It was not his mother.
The shadowy figure stumbled forward, cloaked, hunched and ragged. Loping through the rubble, she made her way to the center of the room—where she immediately fell. Face shielded by the hood, her breath came in rasps.
Fate heard Kane suck in a staggered breath, then he uttered, “The Oracle.”
Fate took a step towards her, to help her, but was halted when another presence loomed within the abyss. Larger, louder, it thundered into the ballroom. Out of the swirling dust emerged two enormous cats. The saber tooth felines, hulking and twice the size of an elephant, entered through the torn portal, their lengthy claws clacking against the marble floors. Crimson dripped from their pointed canines, eyes of ember panning the room, narrowed and gleaming with predatory malevolence. Steel harnesses upon their backs, they moved forward, pulling a formidable golden coach.
Fate glared as the coach glided into the center of the room. All eyes were upon it. Even though the windows were draped in dark fabric, she was certain she knew who was inside.
The Oracle scuttled out of the way, the gilded spokes of the coach nearly slicing her in two. Now huddled against a large slab of rubble, the prophetess cradled her head in her hands.
The cats growled and snarled at the crowd, scarlet drool sliding off their teeth and tongues.
Then the coach stopped. Two shades, dressed in royal tunics, approached the door and released the stairs. Eight more shades appeared, weapons in hand, positioning themselves four on either side of the door, their eyes cold and cruel as they focused on their duty. Movement around the other side of the carriage caught Fate’s eye, dozens upon dozens of shade warriors stood guard, waiting for any sign of trouble.
Fate’s heart beat wildly against her chest. Why was the Queen here? What did she want? Was she there to collect her heir? Sidling herself closer to Kane, she held her breath as the shades nearest the carriage door reached out—and opened it.
Her eyes slammed shut. She didn’t want to see the Queen, this wayward underground mother that so desperately called to her. Fate yearned to cover her ears, not wanting to hear that voice again. That dark temptation.
The coach stairs protested as someone descended them. Fate had to look. Forcing her eyes open just a slit, she peered around Kane’s hulking body.
She stifled a gasp.
It was Ever, but older. Radiant and sublime.
Her ocean blue eyes sang to Fate. Called to her. The calm that resided within them soothed her. Beckoned her.
There was no resistance. Fate felt herself fall with every step the Queen took towards her.
“Come to me, my daughter, come to me!” the velvet voice rang through her thoughts.
“Yes,” Fate’s consciousness replied. “Yes, mother.”
A sense of completeness overwhelmed her. The hollowed out crevice where her soul had been torn from her body suddenly pooled with purpose.
She’d found her way home.
She’d found her master.
Kane took in a breath, readying himself to confront his mother. There she stood, before him, her long hair trailing to the floor like a silver veil. Blue eyes twinning his own, she scanned the ballroom with a regal air. Her sight swept over him once, then quickly returned. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, he saw relief in her stare.
“Kane,” she spoke, her voice embracing him like velvet, stirring nostalgia from the days of his youth. “I’m surprised to see you…alive.”
He forced a nod, unable to find his voice. She didn’t appear as he’d expected. Her skin was supple, soft and beautiful, not the aged, corpse-like complexion she should have if she’d indeed touched the scroll and aged one thousand years.
But she didn’t look old, she looked radiant. Her ivory skin, the luminous, albino skin Ever had inherited, gleamed as though she were no more than two hundred years old. Snow white horns wrapped round the sides of her head, coiling into perfect seashells. She was lovely. Just as he remembered her to be.
Her lengthy golden gown trailed behind her as she glided towards Kane. Warm cerulean eyes searched him, bore into him with a sense of fascination. His mother’s arms enveloped him, her familiar scent winding around his heart. His memories.
The Queen then pulled away, turning to one of her shades. “Maxim, take two guards and search the palace…find the scrolls.” A devious smile played on her lips. “And bring them to me.”
Maxim nodded, gathering two guards and leaving the ballroom through the French doors.
Weakness moved through Kane. They’d most certainly find the scrolls in the upstairs room. His mother—the Devil—would soon be in possession of four of the pages of the Devil’s Bible.
“How did you find us?” he asked, referring to Fate and himself.
His mother waved a nonchalant hand towards the Oracle lying broken on the floor. “She struggled valiantly, but in the end, I got the information I needed.” Her smile was sweet, eyes ice-laden.
How? Kane wondered, How is it that she has done such evil things?
His mother smiled warmly at him. For a moment, he was lost in her smile. Her warmth.
Then he felt a tug behind him.
His mother, the Devil, had Fate.
“No!” Kane snarled, slapping his mother’s hand away from Fate, who appeared to be in some sort of trance, following the Devil with glazed eyes. Fate turned and growled, low and guttural, at Kane. A protective, predatory growl. She flashed her fangs at him, placing herself between him and his mother.
“Fate?” he uttered, gazing into her hate-filled stare. “What have you done to her?” he yelled, eyes shifting to his mother.
The Queen laughed light-heartedly. “She’s a shade,” she stated plainly, “I own her.”
Kane shook his head. “But, you haven’t aged. You didn’t touch the scroll…you don’t need her body.” Confusion coalesced with anger. Why di
d she need Fate if her own body was perfect? All this time he’d assumed his mother needed an heir to possess because she’d been cursed by the scroll. Aged a thousand years. Why would she still need Fate?
A smug smile adorned his mother’s face. “I don’t need to possess her, my son,” she said, then feigned puzzlement. “You mean to tell me you don’t know?”
Kane felt weak. More he didn’t know. More the demon elders had not divulged to him. More secrets. He shook his head, his world caving in around him.
The Queen genuinely laughed, a velvety tinkling that resonated throughout the bone ballroom. All eyes shifted from her to Kane, then back to her. The necromancers. The shades. They all wanted to know.
“Oh, my dear son,” she said, nearing sincerity. “What have those demons done to you.”
“What are you talking about?” Kane’s brow blistered with fury.
“She’s not just heir to the Devil’s throne,” his mother explained, a soft smile tracing across her ivory lips. “She’s the key.”
“To what?” he asked, breathless.
She tilted her head childlike, blue dancing with amusement, then whispered. “To the Crystal Pyramid.”
Dreams
The world was hazy. Like a dream.
Fate could only make out certain words being spoken around her. They all blended together. Mumbled. Incoherent.
All her memories from the Surface had been erased, yanked from her consciousness. Even all she knew of Dark World seemed submerged in black water, swirling and thick as tar.
Her body moved as though she were a puppet, on its own volition. Or someone else’s. Where was she? Why was she here?
An urgency plagued her, like she had a mission. A purpose that sat just beyond her reach. What was it? Why couldn’t she remember?
The girl. The girl with brown hair suddenly reached through her thoughts, broke through the veil clouding her mind.
The stars, she cried softly, remember the stars.
Dark World (Book I in the Dark World Trilogy) Page 25
