Heir Of Doom

by Jina S Bazzar

  “What did he tell you?”

  “He told me nothing. I know because… because I know.” I finished lamely. I couldn't tell Diggy about the PSS. I couldn't tell him about the Sidhe. The first wasn't my secret to tell, the latter would probably get me killed.

  Diggy snapped his mouth shut and turned his eyes – now lit with an animal glow – on Zantry. “What happened to Arianna?” He demanded.

  “I don't know,” Zantry said quietly. “When I came back last November, I was shocked to learn she had disappeared and that Cara was dead. I just found out a couple days ago that she died and isn't coming back.”

  Maybe it was the sad tone of Zantry's voice or the raw grief in his eyes, but I think Diggy believed him. “Oh God,” he said and covered his face with his palms. I realized that Arianna had been a person a lot of people had cared about. And still hope she'd be coming back. It made me wonder, no, it made me wish I had known her too.

  “Where were you all this time?” Diggy asked through his hands.

  “PSS HQ, room four hundred eleven. East Wing.”

  At this Diggy's hands dropped like two stones, his expression incredulous. He looked from Zantry to me, adding the numbers in his head. And by the way anger began to darken his expression, no matter how he added them, two and two kept making four. “All this time? But how?”

  “A spelled contraption Remo designed to keep me drained of energy,” Zantry replied with a wry smile, but I knew the pain of all those years would never fade.

  Into the silence that followed, I added, “They used the energy they took from him to power their concoctions, to give an edge to their elite guards by enhancing their senses and abilities and God knows what else.”

  Diggy's hands clenched hard. “Fuck, why didn't you say anything?” Diggy shook his head before Zantry could answer and said, “The hunters…”

  “Wouldn't be able to do anything, seeing I'm a lone-wolf and am no longer in there.”

  “All the power they must have collected…”

  “That they'll never admit to have.”

  Diggy clenched his teeth, but instead of pushing the topic he changed the subject. “Could Arianna be in there too?” My heart clenched at the hope in his eyes.

  “No. I got it from a valid source that Arianna died a few years after I was taken. She's not coming back.”

  “How did it happen?” Diggy whispered.

  “That's what I'm going to find out.” Zantry placed a hand over Diggy's shoulder. “We have to go now, we're on the path with Zeta. We don't have much time left.” Zantry turned, and I told Taz to lead the way.

  Chapter Forty-One

  When Taz paused in front of the warded entrance to the cave, I felt sick to the stomach, even if somehow, I'd known we'd end up here. Instinct, or some bizarre ability to read my shadows?

  I eyed the jagged slash on the face of the mountain, half hidden behind all the boulders scattered around, my stomach knotting and unknotting with anxiety. Not again, oh God.

  Then my thoughts ran in a different direction. If I'd barely made it out of there, which I wouldn't have if Frizz and the band hadn't come to my rescue, how could an eleven-year-old do it? Would I find something left of her inside? Had Mwara's bones been lying there, among all the others, while I was injured and bleeding? And if I couldn't find anything left to prove my innocence, would I be condemned, no matter what I told the clan?

  Who would believe me? Not Logan, not after he'd seen me with Zantry. And no one would believe Diggy, since he'd assumed responsibility to my actions.

  Had she been afraid? I hoped – for her sake – that it had been very quick, at the very least.

  “I'll unravel the ward slowly so the maker won't sense it's gone,” Zantry announced.

  “Do you recognize the signature?” Diggy asked.

  “No, but it's an exceptional work.”

  “It can't be Mr. Drammen's, it doesn't feel like him,” Diggy said, his brow furrowed.

  “No,” Zantry agreed, “He didn't do this one. Remo's ward would have felt… more potent. And more dangerous. But,”

  “What?” Diggy asked, turning to look at him.

  Zantry rubbed a hand over the stubble on his cheek. “I can't think of one single person capable of pulling this off.”

  Diggy frowned. “What about an earth witch?”

  “Hmm-mm. A strong one, maybe. One willing to dip toes in murky waters, if you know what I mean.”

  Diggy grunted. “There are a few that moved in this last decade or so. People try to steer clear of them. They give out the wrong vibes. We have some members keeping an eye out, but we've never caught any questionable deed.”

  Zantry mulled over his words. “Maybe,” he conceded, “But this doesn't feel like a group effort.”

  “What about you? Can you do it?”

  Zantry's lips twitched, maybe with amusement, maybe with annoyance. “I can, yes. But I didn't do this one.”

  I frowned at them, standing there, legs braced apart, watching the darker shadow between the smooth boulders, debating about the origin of the work as if they hadn't been accusing each other of treachery not too long ago.

  I turned to my loyal followers. Found the one I wanted. “Taz, did Mwara go inside there?”

  “Yes.” It replied, dashing any hope that we might be wrong.

  “Ok. Is she alive, inside there now?”

  Taz didn't answer, something I've come to learn meant he didn't know.

  “He'd probably be able to tell once the ward is down.” Zantry observed.

  God, could she still be alive?

  “Maybe you should stay behind,” Diggy suggested, no doubt reading the horror in my eyes.

  I stiffened. “Why?”

  Diggy paused before saying, “Someone should go back and tell the hunters what we found here. Bring reinforcements.”

  “Well then, that person can't be me, being that I don't know how to travel the leeway.”

  Zantry snorted out loud, and Diggy's jaw clenched. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he wanted to spare me the horror, if that wasn't outright concern for my safety.

  “We'll go in together,” Zantry said. “We're both more dominant than the creatures of this land, they'll know to steer clear of us, and because Roxanne is with us, they won't dare attack her.”

  “Then you go and warn the hunters.”

  Zantry snorted again and shook his head. “I don't think so. If I go and tell them that we found Mwara trapped inside a warded cave, and that I left you and Roxanne to guard the entrance and let's go that everyone will follow my lead?” He asked in a reasonable tone. “They think I killed Arianna, too, Vemourly, they will never believe a word I tell them. If anything, they'll think this is a trap. And if you go, and Roxanne's time is up, you'll be held accountable for her absence.” He pointed in the direction of the planets and added, “We're standing in Zeta's path, which means a minute here is an hour there, you know that. Her time is probably already up. We can't risk going back now empty-handed.”

  “How did she get through the ward?” I wondered out loud.

  Both men turned to look at me, but it was Diggy who replied. “Our young have auras similar to those of humans because they haven't yet developed their alternative forms. If Mwara tried to disguise her aura to keep trackers off her trail, she'd have passed for human when she went in.”

  Which meant the only thing keeping her in there wasn't the ward, but the inability to run – that is, if she was still alive.

  “He's right. We'll go in together,” I said to Diggy.

  Diggy rubbed a palm over his cheek before exhaling. “Shit,” He muttered. “You sure?”

  I took a deep breath, gave him a cold smile that had made scientists cringe before. “I'd rather die in there and have Archer and the entire clan believing I ran and hid, and keep them wondering for the rest of their miserable lives where I went to.”

  “That's my girl,” Zantry said with a chuckle.

  I turned to Taz next.
“Is there another entrance into the cave?”

  He stretched his thin legs, beat his wings. It took him a long while to answer. “No.”

  “I'll unravel the ward bit by bit. If I do it right, there's a big chance whoever put it there won't know it's gone,” Zantry said and moved closer to the gap in the mountain-face. Diggy stepped beside him, scanning the gap – the ward I couldn't see. It was strange, knowing someone standing right in front of you could see something you couldn't.

  He pointed at the corner of the entrance, down low. “That one looks weaker.”

  Zantry slanted his head, examined it. “Hmmm.” Then he pointed to the top, way off the entrance. “That one, it's steady and solid, but it shouldn't be there. Zomos aren't right runes for strong wards. I think there's where I should start.”

  Diggy glanced to where he pointed. “Wouldn't the stray energy alert whoever put it there?”

  “Probably, but I'm not letting the energy loose.”

  Diggy tensed at that, and I wondered what Zantry's words meant.

  Still, Zantry didn't move. He scanned the ward a few minutes more, making me fidget and shift from foot to foot. I rubbed my palms together, blew on my fists. Had it gotten colder?

  “That one.” Diggy said, pointing on the middle. “I noticed it the last time but didn't recognize it. What is it?”

  “Fragrac,” Zantry replied, frowning.

  Diggy angled his head to the side. “Never seen it before. Looks more like a cross between sifron and lax.”

  “That's because it's a combination of the two. It's used to contain, or kill if or when it's breached. It's mostly used for darker workings. I've never seen anyone use it outside of practice, and mostly on sketches for summonings.” He fell quiet again, then stood straighter and said, “If by any chance the owner of the ward is in there, take Roxanne and search for the kid. I'll keep whoever it is busy until you find her.”

  “Zantry,” I protested.

  “The moment you find the kid or any valid proof of Roxanne's innocence , shift and leave. Don't wait for me.”

  “Zantry–”

  “Alright,” Diggy agreed.

  “I'll tackle the zomos. It's the one out of place and the least threatening.” With that said, he raised his left hand, and I felt the energy he exuded, a soft humming like static. It reminded me of Remo, with an exception: Where Remo's energy bit and burned, Zantry's felt warm and soothing.

  His right hand stayed motionless beside him, his fingers relaxed.

  The left hand gathered energy, the right released. I narrowed my eyes at him. Shouldn't he be using the right? I made a mental note to ask him about that later.

  If there was a later.

  I watched as he traced a symbol in the air, his hand twisting, lifting, dipping again. His motions were fluid and sharp, a maestro without his orchestra. Then he punctuated the air in front of him with his index, closed his fist. And pulled.

  There was a small pressure in the air, but nothing else. That's when I realized Zantry was absorbing the energy of the ward. He worked like that for over half an hour, sketching symbols and punctuating and pulling, his right hand relaxed beside him.

  Neither Diggy nor I spoke anything, and the small pressure lessened, until it disappeared. Zantry lowered his hand, rubbed the nape of his neck with the other. “Alright,” He began, but his next word was interrupted by a small explosion. Everyone was flung back in the backlash, even frizz and the band.

  I lay dazed for a moment, nauseous and scared shitless. I knew something had gone horribly wrong. Unraveling a ward bit by bit didn't cause small explosions. Zantry's face appeared above mine, his eyes searching. “You ok?”

  “What was that?” I asked.

  “Fail safe.”

  I sat up and looked around. Frizz and the band were up, Diggy shaking his head. No one seemed to be hurt.

  “So does this mean that you just rang the bell?” I asked lightly.

  Zantry smiled, his eyes cold. “Yeah, let's hope there's nobody home.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  I sat up and looked around, expecting something or someone to jump us out of nowhere. Diggy reached inside his jeans pocket and withdrew a small cylindrical tube. He shook it once, pressed his thumb and slid it down, left, right. The tube lit , grew, formed a small sword, the blade polished black.

  “If we find the ward's owner in there,” Zantry said to him, “I'll keep him occupied while you search for evidence and get Roxanne out of here.”

  Zantry looked down at me, extended a hand and helped me stand, but instead of taking a step back, he took one forward and placed his palms on my cheeks, his thumbs brushing the corners of my lips. His eyes were warm, confident, unafraid, and the frisson of energy from his circling fingers had my nerves settling. His lips touched mine once, a warm quiver of energy shooting from him to me. He pulled back, but left his hands cupping around my cheeks , a tender, comforting touch.

  “Keep your shadows around you,” He murmured, “Give them the command to attack anything not friendly. If you and Vemourly are separated, have them bring you out at once. I'll find you.”

  I nodded, my mouth too dry to speak. He released my face and turned, and I grabbed his hand. “Be careful,” I said, afraid for him.

  “Always.” He squeezed my hand. “I won't engage longer than I have to. The moment you guys find Mwara, or any evidence you can use and leave, I'll be right behind.”

  * * *

  Like Zantry had suspected, the moment the ward was down, Taz was able to determine that Mwara was inside and alive.

  The hope I felt was overshadowed by dread, a sinking horror of what she must be going through.

  Taz lead the way, following after Mwara's scent or energy, or whatever it was he sensed of her. The cavern was still the same, except now with the light I could see it better. There wasn't any trace of my blood on the ground, and I wondered about that. The ceiling, like I had figured was vaulted, the walls wide and smooth, unless you touched it. Then it turned pourousy, a land so dry, even the rocks felt its effects.

  A downward slope led us to the three caves, where Taz hesitated a moment before following the narrow tunnel on the left. Behind him went Zantry, me, Frizz, Diggy, and the remaining shadows. A few yards later, we encountered another division in the cave and Taz took another left, this tunnel smaller, the walls closing in on me, making me want to gasp for breath.

  We turned right, left, meandered straight for a while, and took another left. On and on we tramped, until Taz stopped inside a small chamber, unsure. There was an opening that lead to the other side, and beyond that sat a heavy darkness, the light unable to penetrate through.

  The attack came without warning, without sound, without preamble. One second we were examining the darkness, the next chaos erupted.

  The lights went first. Next, a mass of dark claws and fur fell on us. I'm not really sure where they came from, if they jumped us or if they fell off the ceiling, or closed from behind us, but suddenly we were swarming with creatures, creatures that had featured more than a few times in my nightmares. They bit, scratched, hooked their long claws into flesh.

  I kicked one, slashed at another trying to chew a path through my jacket to the flesh underneath, shrugged another off my shoulder. Ahead, I could barely make out Zantry's dark silhouette, about half a dozen creatures attached to him. I opened my mouth to shout a useless warning when all of a sudden the creatures were expelled away, and I felt the offensive bite of his energy for the first time. A creature jumped me out of nowhere, coming straight at my face, but frizz tackled it, ferociously ripping into flash with claws and teeth. I don't know where Diggy was, the lighting was too dim, the room too small and the creatures too many, still coming by the dozens.

  Shrieks, horrible and piercing came from the creatures, either dying or feeding, even off their fallen comrades.

  One grabbed my leg and before I could kick it, a dark blade flashed and cut it into half. Diggy struck another one before it cou
ld land on my back and I sliced one before it could grab his thigh.

  Frizz snarled when a creature dug claws into his wings and I reached for it, hooked talons into it and flung the shrieking creature into the darkness. I could barely see a foot in front of me. We need the light, I thought with a sinking heart. “They're sensitive to light,” I shouted, but I don't know if anyone heard me above the chaos.

  “Lights, Akinzo, lights,” Diggy yelled.

  “Not working,” Zantry snarled. “Something's blocking it.”

  A creature grabbed on to my leg, claws digging in, another one to my arm, chewing cloth. Before I could pull either away, a third grabbed on to my other arm, its claws piercing skin where the previous creature had been chewing. Yet another one went for my other leg, its teeth cutting deep into my thigh. I gasped with pain, going down to my knees, dislodging the creature chewing at my leg. It adjusted, going for my hip next.

  “Roxanne!” Zantry shouted, and a moment later the creatures attacking me were blown away. He helped me to my feet, his eyes glowing an electric blue. “Stay with me,” he said and turned, giving me his back. He shouted something to Diggy, and after a moment, he too was pressing his back to my other side, both men cocooning me with their bodies.

  Then he snapped something, his voice full of power, and with a ferocious snarl, frizz and the others began moving backward, as if some invisible force was pushing them back against the three of us. When they were all circling us, Zantry raised his right arm high and began circling it round and round, round and round. Static began building, filling the small chamber, the scent of ozone almost masking the metallic scent of blood. The creatures began to scurry backward, trying to escape whatever Zantry was conjuring. The pressure built and built, until every hair on my body stood at attention.

  With a shouted word, Zantry released the pressure, and a burst of blue fire circled us in all directions, eating anything without it. The creatures dying shrieks and the stench of burning flesh filled the room, the sound reaching a painful crescendo. A long moment later the horrible noise began to die down, until nothing remained, not even the ringing fire.