by John Corwin
Godric and some of the other house heads looked rather smug as I talked them up. After speaking with Dad about this presentation, he'd convinced me to put the Daemos on a pedestal since it would make them lose face if they didn't perform up to the legendary standards I set for them.
The holographic slideshow flickered through images of the house leaders in order of prominence.
"After a long and brutal war, the alliance of Daemos, Arcanes, humans, lycans, felycans, dragons, and Seraphim Darklings assaulted the Grand Nexus, the prime gateway between Eden and Seraphina. Unfortunately, Daelissa's army of Brightlings, Flarks, vampires, and other magically altered humans who'd aligned with her were too strong."
I paused for effect. The room was so quiet you could have heard a mouse fart. "Someone managed to reach the nexus and plucked the Chalon—the key to the nexus—from its socket. It erupted in an explosion of magical energy that drained the light from every creature in the vicinity. The chain reaction traveled through all of the Alabaster Arches, draining anyone near them." I caught a troubled look from Nightliss and my mother. They had been at that battle. "Any Seraphim caught in the blast were turned to husks. Humans and other supers were turned to shadow beings, which consumed the light from anyone they touched. Daelissa and her minions were thought to be husked or dead. For thousands of years, the survivors of the Seraphim War thought Eden was safe."
The ASE switched to a recording taken when Daelissa had destroyed the mansion. Meteors streaked through the air and slammed into the ground, leaving trails of fire in the forest behind the mansion. It zoomed in as the last part of the mansion toppled over to show Daelissa and Qualan burn Moses to a statue of ash. A being of light emerged from the gray remains and ascended into the heavens while Daelissa and Qualan futilely tried to blast it with Brilliance.
Even some of the uppity Daemos gasped at the sight. I saw tears in Ivy's eyes and suddenly wished I'd asked Mom to keep her out of this meeting. Too late now.
I forged ahead. "Daelissa did not die. The fate of Eden lies in the balance." Judging from the grim faces in the room, my point had hit home. "The Grand Nexus is once again operational. Daelissa is in Seraphina as we speak, gathering her army, and preparing to invade. That is why we must act now." I brought down my fist on the table to add emphasis. "We must storm the Grand Nexus and remove the Chalon properly so it does not create a second Desecration. Daelissa will be trapped in Seraphina. Eden will be safe."
"Hell yeah!" Shelton yelled.
Bella covered her face in embarrassment.
I put on my best fierce grin and said, "Are you with me, champions of Eden?"
A roar went up from the assembly. Even the Daemos got into the spirit, pumping their fists. Kassallandra, teeth bared, and fire in her eyes, stood. "The houses of Daemos are with you, Kohvaniss."
Captain Takei stood from his seat at the table near me and saluted. "The Arcanes are here to serve."
"The lycans answer your call!" McCloud stood and raised a fist.
Thomas Borathen, a grim smile on his face, stood and pounded a closed hand to his chest as he looked at me. "The Templars stand ready to serve."
A huge man whose face bore an uncanny resemblance to that of a lion stood. "The felycans are with you."
The assembly burst into cheers.
I raised my hands for silence, and the room grew still. "Let's get down to business."
Chapter 13
Located beneath Chernobyl, Ukraine, the Grand Nexus had remained hidden for millennia. I had never been there, though I'd sent Katie, Ash, and Nyte on a mission to block the nexus with the portal-blocking statues.
Thomas Borathen projected a holographic image of the Grand Nexus. The first thing I noticed was how huge it was. In fact, the layout of the way station was completely different from the standard design of all the other arch way stations. Most were designed with a large cavern dominated by an Obsidian Arch. If it had an Alabaster Arch, it was located in the control room along with rows of smaller arches and omniarches.
Due to the size of the Alabaster Arch known as the Grand Nexus, it had been placed in the same cavern as the Obsidian arch, though there was ample space between the two. The giant circles of silver surrounding each arch were separated by perhaps twenty yards, according to the diagram. The smaller numbered arches, the omniarches, the control modulus for the Obsidian Arch, and the world map were located to the west of the main way station.
The main way station was shaped like a hub with four corridors radiating out to a ring around the entire complex. I had to blink my eyes a couple times when I saw the measurements for each of those corridors. I'd been worried about fitting an army into the nexus, but the place looked as if it would easily hold our forces.
I realized Thomas had been talking for the past few minutes and tuned back in.
He traced a laser pointer around the outer ring. "The external corridor is much smaller than the main corridors. Jeremiah's information suggests it is also blocked by rubble from the first war. Since we only have images of the south corridor"—he indicated the bottom corridor—"that is where our forces will enter and congregate. Scouts will patrol the perimeter on flying carpets and deliver intel should we need to adjust our positioning."
Thomas continued to detail the assault and the responsibilities for each faction. Thanks to all the information left by Jeremiah, we had precise details on the layout and size of the nexus.
"Is everyone clear on their assignments?" Thomas asked when he finished his briefing.
Godric Salomon stood. "Commander Borathen, your knowledge of battle tactics is renowned, but entering enemy territory without a clear understanding of their numbers or capabilities entails undue risk, wouldn't you agree?"
Thomas regarded the Daemos, his expression neutral. "I would not say it is undue risk. We already have an excellent assessment of their capabilities because we captured their head strategist." He flicked an ASE into the air. It hovered and projected a three-dimensional image of a tall metal rod. Four copper rings were evenly spaced along its length, which terminated in a copper orb at the top. "As I said earlier, one of our greatest concerns are these magic interdictors which could render our Arcanes powerless. We have been busy making tokens which allow spell casting while inside an interdiction field, but at this late date, we won't have enough to go around." Thomas braced his hands on the table and leaned forward. "This makes the Daemos role more important than ever. If there are interdictors, it is up to your people to take them down."
Godric swelled a little, running a hand through his lustrous platinum locks like a preening girl. "I had thought as much. House Salomon has imparted wisdom to leaders throughout the ages. I am glad to have helped." He sat down next to Gwyneth. She pursed her lips and tilted her head up.
She's looking so far down her nose, I can see her boogers.
I looked at Dad. He met my gaze and rolled his eyes.
"We thank you for your wisdom," Thomas said. "Are there any further questions?" He waited barely two seconds before banging his fist on the table and declaring, "This meeting is adjourned. The arch operators will send you to your rally points so you can gather your forces."
The room broke into a multitude of conversations. I felt a hand on my shoulder and glanced left to see Dad.
"Are you loving Daemos politics yet?" he asked.
I sighed. "Godric has a way of inserting himself into everything. He didn't give Thomas a single suggestion but acted like he'd just won the war by opening his big mouth."
Thomas apparently overheard me. He turned to us. "One must often suffer fools to execute a campaign."
My father barked a laugh. "Reminds me of the first Seraphim War."
"Perhaps you'd be willing to share a tale or two," Thomas said.
I masked my disbelief with a straight face. Elyssa's father had at one time despised all demon spawn because he'd believed they'd lured Templars into a trap at Thunder Rock and slaughtered them. As it turned out, Vadaemos, the suspected culpri
t, hadn't been responsible. Daelissa had framed him in an attempt to sow discord in the Overworld Conclave. Thomas had accepted that not all Daemos were evil, but this was the first time I'd seen him actually be friendly to any Daemos but me.
"We have a few hours while the troops assemble," Dad said. "I know a great place here in Bogota where we could grab a cerveza and talk about the old days."
Thomas nodded. "We have twelve hours before the troops will be assembled, and another ten before the attack commences. I could use a brief respite from duty."
Dad slapped him on the shoulder. "I'll lead the way. Let me tell my wife where we're going."
"I'll do the same and meet you outside," Thomas replied.
Dad headed toward Mom and Ivy.
Thomas turned and extended a hand toward me.
I recovered from the shock of him and my father planning a boys' night out and accepted his grip.
"I don't know how you united the Daemos," Thomas said, "but I am very impressed."
"I'm not entirely sure either," I said.
He leaned toward me and lowered his voice. "The battle of the nexus will be our greatest challenge yet. We will spare nothing to close the gateway."
"I understand."
"Good." He paused as if considering something and finally voiced it. "If anything should happen to me, I want you to know that I'm glad Elyssa has you."
My next breath caught in my throat. Thomas Borathen wasn't one to get sentimental. "I'm so glad to have her too," I said.
He laid a hand on my shoulder. "Take care of her, son." With that, he turned and left.
Elyssa came up to me a moment later, her forehead wrinkled. "Something strange is in the air." She looked at our fathers as they left together. "Since when does my dad go drinking beer with anyone?"
I shook my head in amazement. "Since when does he call me son?"
Elyssa gripped my arm, her eyes lit with delight. "Are you serious?"
I nodded. "I'm a little freaked out."
"Me too." She blew out a breath. "We have twenty-two hours until operation commencement and I, for one, would like to spend it alone with you."
"Date night?" I said. "Gross adult activities?"
She pressed her soft lips to mine, pulled away, and smiled. "Oh, yes."
"I've been dying to investigate the pocket dimension here at La Casona." I pulled her closer and kissed her again. "With how often we've been here, it's amazing we never checked it out."
Elyssa's face lit with a delight smile. "There are some awesome—"
My phone buzzed.
We glanced at it. There was a text message from Lornicus. Fjoeruss will speak with you. Please meet me at this address in one hour. The golem obviously knew I had access to an omniarch because the address was in Shanghai, China. He'd included the picture of a spacious lobby with marble floors.
Elyssa and I exchanged concerned looks.
"How does Chinese food sound?" I asked.
She sighed. "It's never ending, isn't it?"
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. "I can ask him for more time."
"Absolutely not." She seemed to steel herself. "If there's even a remote chance we could recruit Fjoeruss, we need to take it."
"Don't get your hopes up." Even as I said that, I imagined his armies of gray men fighting alongside us. I had no idea how many he had, but even they would pale compared to what Fjoeruss himself might be capable of. Realistically, I knew just getting him to help me teach the Darklings how to feed on both Brilliance and Murk was a long shot. "Let's go tell my mom where we're going."
Elyssa narrowed her eyes with suspicion. "Maybe we should bring some backup."
"That would probably be a deal breaker." I held up my hands before she protested. "Don't worry, I'll figure out something. Maybe we could leave the portal open with a rescue force ready to rush through at a moment's notice."
"That would be a good idea."
I found Mom talking to Elyssa's mother, Leia, with Ivy standing to Mom's side. The three were laughing about something but Mom and Leia broke off with guilty looks when they saw us.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Did you really throw your poop at the monkeys?" Ivy said with a giggle.
I felt my face grow hot.
"Ooh, this sounds interesting," Elyssa said. "I definitely want to hear this story."
"No." I shook my head vehemently. "You really don't."
Ivy, unfortunately, obliged. "Justin went to the zoo when he was three and he saw a monkey throw poop. So he reached into his diaper and threw his poop right back, but he missed and got it all over some man's pants." She burst into fresh giggles. "And then he starting yelling, 'stinky monkey!'"
Elyssa, Mom, and Leia all exploded with laughter.
I buried my burning face in my hand and shook my head. "Most embarrassing story ever."
Leia gave me an understanding look. "About as embarrassing as the time when I left four-year-old Elyssa in the bathtub so I could grab shampoo from another bathroom. She decided to run naked downstairs with her toy sword while her father was speaking with his lieutenants."
"Mom!" Elyssa said, her fair skin turning pink.
Leia shook her head. "To top it off, she declared that she was her father's little ninja."
It was my turn to laugh.
"I did something like that when I was living with Jeremiah," Ivy said. "He and Bigmomma wouldn't get me a puppy, so I snuck out of bed when he had guests over and told them I'd blast them to ashes like Daelissa taught me if he didn't get me one. I blew up the dessert table just to show them I was serious." She grinned. "It was funny." Her face turned sad. "I still didn't get a puppy."
Mom looked mortified, but quickly covered with a smile and a total change of subject. "We were going to get some food in La Casona. Would you like to join us?"
"Actually, we have to pay someone a visit." I felt the lighthearted moment slip away. "Fjoeruss."
"Fjoeruss?" Mom said in a shocked voice. "Why in the world would you see him?"
I told her about my plan to help the Darklings feed. "I suspect with all his talk of balance and gray he might know how Darklings can feed on both the light and the dark."
Mom's eyes grew worried. "Perhaps, but he never gives information for free."
"I'm hoping it'll be an even exchange of information." I squared my shoulders. "I really have no choice but to try."
"We need backup in case," Elyssa said. She turned to her mother. "Can you arrange for a rescue force in case things get hairy?"
"Of course," Leia replied, her usual reserved expression back in place.
"I'll be standing by as well," Mom said.
Ivy piped up. "Me too!"
I hugged my little sister. "Now I feel safe."
She kissed my cheek. "I won't let anyone hurt my brother."
We met Mom, Leia, Ivy, and a squad of Templars at one of the omniarches twenty minutes later. It was time to enter the wolf's den.
Chapter 14
I opened the portal using the picture provided by Lornicus.
The golem stood on the other side, a friendly smile on his square-jawed face. He wore a black suit with a red tie and his silvery hair was slicked back. "Mr. Slade and Miss Borathen, how pleasant to see you again," Lornicus said in his nerdy voice. He looked past me at Mom and the Templar squad. "My, my. Were you expecting a trap?"
"Just precautions," I said, and stepped through with Elyssa by my side.
He nodded. "You have nothing to fear so long as you behave."
I looked at the massive atrium stretching around us. A twisting shell of glass encased walkways that wound between plots of grassy earth, each with neatly sculpted trees and bushes. Rounded columns with glass elevators vanished into the upper section of the superstructure where I imagined offices must be. I whistled. "Fancy digs."
"Thank you," Lornicus replied. "It was an exciting project."
"Does Fjoeruss own this entire building?" I asked.
&n
bsp; "That is not what you came to discuss," Lornicus said. "Let's save further questions for the meeting."
I pshawed. "Geez, you'd think I just asked whether Fjoeruss prefers boxers or briefs."
"All information is valuable, Mr. Slade." Lornicus led us toward one of the elevators.
I decided to keep further remarks to myself.
We stepped inside. The golem slipped a card through a reader. The doors closed and the elevator zipped upward. As we rose, the glass car offered a stunning view of Shanghai as the last rays of the sun touched the city. Two impressive skyscrapers loomed next to this building, one shaped like a wedge with a rectangle cut from the top, while the other looked square and dull in comparison. We soon rose higher than the building's two neighbors, and the view vanished behind a blank gray wall. A moment later, the elevator stopped with a ding.
The doors slid open to reveal a wide, round office with clear views of the city in all directions. Short walls made of what appeared to be dark mahogany boasted tapestries and paintings. Glass cases held vases and other decorative pieces. I wondered if some of those dated back to ancient times, or if they might even be magical artifacts.
Mr. Gray—Fjoeruss—stood by one of the windows looking out at the city. He turned to face us and offered a brief nod to Elyssa. "Good day, Miss Borathen." He looked identical to Lornicus, but unlike his golem assistant, his voice was deep and commanding. "What did you wish to discuss, Mr. Slade?"
I held back a shudder. Seeing a man who looked identical to my friend Cinder was always unsettling, especially knowing this man—this Seraphim—had created him. "I need your help."
"Perhaps you could be more specific." Fjoeruss motioned toward a set of four leather divans spaced around a table. "Have a seat."
He's certainly being friendlier than I expected. Elyssa and I sat down. Fjoeruss sat across from us, but Lornicus remained standing next to the elevator doors.
I leaned forward, bracing my arms on my knees. "As you know, Seraphim have an affinity to either the Brilliance or the Murk."
He raised an eyebrow. "Of course."
