The King's Gate

by K T Munson

“‘Blood calls to blood,’” Nanette recited.

  All eyes turned to Selene. She and Kerrigan huddled around a paper as they rattled off words, working together to make a list. Then Nanette glanced between Ki and Malthael to see if they had gathered the same meaning she had from the words.

  “I think we have that part of it,” Nanette said dryly seeing the expressions on their faces.

  “So we agree on that.” Malthael’s brows furrowed. “Now for the rest of it.”

  “Didn’t he say that ‘blood calls to blood on the hour of need?’ What do you think the rest of it means?” Nanette asked.

  “No, he said ‘…on the second hour of need.’ Why be so specific?” Ki asked.

  A silence fell among them as they all tried to figure out the riddle. Obviously, there was something important about the word “second,” but Nanette wasn’t sure what it could mean. What could the point of the rest of the sentence be? There had to be a hidden meaning.

  “I think that’s all of them!” Selene said, which made Nanette jump.

  Selene held up the paper and brought it over to Malthael. He slipped on his reading glasses. Nanette had to curl her lips together to keep from chuckling at the sight.

  “This is a very extensive list,” Malthael said, sounding impressed.

  Selene blushed. “As I said, I like word games. I had very little else to occupy my time.”

  Malthael read through the list. “I don’t see anything,” he said as he passed the list to Nanette.

  Nanette scanned it. Malthael was right; it was an exhaustive list. She read through it twice before taking it over to Ki. She hadn’t seen anything that stuck out. He took it silently before doing his own review.

  “What if it isn’t that complicated?” Ki said, holding the paper out.

  Nanette took the paper back. “What do you mean?”

  “Ethandirill wouldn’t have known Selene would be here to help us or that she was good at rearranging letters,” Ki replied. “The messages are for us, so they would have distinct meaning to Malthael and I.”

  “So ‘be lithe’ and ‘be clever’ have to do with the Netherworld?” Malthael asked.

  Ki seemed to consider that for a moment. “Perhaps. It makes the most sense.”

  “Can you say it again?” Selene asked. “Perhaps it will help us to hear it again.”

  Ki nodded. “‘Your heart must have a home, a new home, a place your heart holds dear. It must connect each part of your heart to its two halves and make a home that is between each. Blood calls to blood upon the second hour of need. Be clever.’”

  “That had to be exactly what Troy said.” Nanette shifted in surprise. “Or impossibly close.”

  Ki gave her a half smile. “I have a very good memory.”

  “Why the second hour?” Selene asked. “That seems very specific, while everything else has been vague.”

  Nanette frowned, trying to work it out. “We noticed that too,” Malthael said.

  “What if it is a reference to time?” Selene asked. “Like a specific time when we should do whatever it we are supposed to do.”

  “That’s it!” Ki suddenly cried, jumping to his feet. “It was a word exchange!”

  Nearly everyone in the room said, “What?”

  “Lithe for Light and clever for Change. In two light changes in the Netherworld Ethandirill is going to act, and we have to have the bridge done by then,” Ki exclaimed, causing everyone to fall silent.

  It didn’t leave much room for error on their part. The tension in the room was palpable. “We need to get started right now,” Nanette said.

  All at once, everyone sprang into action. “What do you need, Ki?” Malthael asked.

  “I need to go back to my old home and find an old scroll that has the ritual.” Ki’s eyes shot back to Malthael. “There is another issue I’ll need to discuss before I go.”

  “I can get Duke and Nathan to take you. What can you possibly need to discuss before you go?” Malthael demanded, his voice full of emotion. No one in that room was rational when it came to Elisabeth.

  “A demon offered his help,” Ki said. Malthael’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “His name is Katallan.”

  Malthael’s face twisted into a scowl. “Ishtar’s Hunter?” He took a fighter’s stance. Nanette’s stomach twisted. “I think you need to tell me exactly what happened.”

  Chapter 18: Lyreane

  Malthael studied the cottage he hadn’t seen in years. Despite the serenity of the place, he felt only the guilt of his past choices. Serena might have lived if he had made different decisions. With great effort he reminded himself that the past was as good as history and he should focus on the future.

  Ki was searching the area to make sure everything was safe and Malthael was waiting for Selene and Kerrigan. Nanette had graciously offered to stay back and watch Troy. None of them wanted to leave him alone, but all of them had wanted to be involved in Elisabeth’s rescue. Malthael knew she had wanted to be there as much for Elisabeth as for Ethandirill, but she had no part to play. With A.J. watching the gate in Ashlad and Nanette keeping an eye on both Troy and the Gate in Hystera, Malthael could focus on his daughter’s rescue. With the exception of one little distraction—Katallan.

  It had been a long time since he’d seen Katallan. He still remembered the crown of horns and his bright red skin, but everything else had been lost to the years. Ishtar only employed the best, and Katallan was the most effective hunter. He could track down man-made demons and find what ailed them in a short time. Malthael didn’t know what surprised him more, that releasing a demon had given Katallan trouble for an extended period of time or that Elisabeth had freed a man-made demon. Being of the high order meant that Katallan’s favors were worth almost as much as those they served. Malthael knew because he had once held the same power as Katallan now had, the only difference being that Katallan was Ishtar’s son. More importantly he was Balor’s son, which is where he had gotten his special eye.

  Very few knew that Ishtar had borne a child of half-demon heritage; he counted himself among the few. But what was the best way to use this knowledge?

  When Kerrigan and Selene finally appeared, Kerrigan had her hands on Nathan’s and Duke’s backs. Selene was behind her, holding the younger girl around the waist, her head buried into Kerrigan’s shoulder. The transportation by Netherhound didn’t sit well with mortals, even when holding onto someone with Arawn’s blood. It was much easier for Elisabeth because of her father’s nature—she was already half spirit anyway.

  “That wasn’t so bad,” Kerrigan said.

  Selene opened her eyes and lifted her head. When she did, her face instantly turned green. Covering her mouth, she shot away from Kerrigan and the dogs, rushed past Malthael, and threw up everything in her stomach next to the small pond that rippled in the sunlight.

  Kerrigan winced. She rushed over and held Selene’s hair back. Frowning, Malthael turned away to give Selene some privacy. He made it a few steps when Ki reappeared from behind the house. Malthael watched the younger man move—like a predator. Malthael had seen enough in his life to recognize one. Ki’s movements, efficient and agile, matched the movements of the tiger, the Kemshi, beside him.

  Despite his upbringing and what he was, a killer. Elisabeth loved him. Malthael didn’t need to hear it, he knew it. Elisabeth wouldn’t have been so determined to find him at her own peril otherwise. That was enough for Malthael. Elisabeth never made hasty choices, and she never put her trust in undeserving people. Even Milo had wanted what was best for her, no matter how misguided his intentions.

  “Everything is clear,” Ki said, glancing toward Selene and Kerrigan. “I’ll go and get the scrolls.”

  Malthael heard the hitch in his voice. “Your family won’t be there.”

  Ki’s face hardened as Duke and Nathan brushed past Malthael. “Where are they?”

  “Elisabeth told them to find the deepest, darkest hole and crawl into it because if she ever saw them again, th
ey would long for the hole she was offering them,” Malthael said and saw the shock melt away into a crooked smile.

  “She has been busy in my absence,” Ki said as Nathan and Duke stood on either side of him.

  “She was busy because of your absence,” Malthael said.

  Ki paused when going to touch the Netherhounds’ backs. He studied the demon’s face, and an understanding passed between them. Malthael was making it perfectly clear that he knew and, as of yet, did not object.

  “I will endeavor to deserve her.” Ki nodded his head, a bow of thanks, before he reached down for the hounds.

  “See that you do,” Malthael replied, his arms crossed. The instant Ki’s hand touched both of their backs, they all vanished from view.

  When he’d been a full-fledged demon, he had been able to detect his hounds, but since he’d amputated his horns, he no longer could once they vanished. Ashley yawned before lying down in the sun. Apparently, he knew they were going to wait.

  Selene was still green around the edges when she came to stand beside them. She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. Kerrigan stood attentively at her side. Malthael noticed an interesting emotion in her expression but kept the observation to himself.

  “I remember this place,” Selene said as they stood outside the cottage. “My grandparents lived here.”

  “Why didn’t your parents live here?” Kerrigan asked

  “We did for a time.” Selene hesitated. “I was taken not far from here,” she finally whispered.

  Malthael raised his eyebrows. He knew what happened to those who were kissed by the sun on Lyreane. So few were born with blond hair that it was the curse of few and a heavy burden to bear. Lyreani kings would have treated her like an object, and he could tell she hid the scars, withdrawing into herself whenever a memory became too painful. The isolation had driven her into desperation, resulting in a hastily made deal and new challenges. Malthael knew Elisabeth would understand what it was like to be hunted for what she had been born with. He only hoped that she would open up to someone before the strain of silence and pain became soul crushing.

  Kerrigan took Selene’s hand. They all stood there quietly watching the cottage as the spring light warmed the chill of the morning. The snow was gone, but the temperature still dipped at night. A soft rumbling started up, which caught Malthael’s attention. Ashley was sound asleep and was softly snoring.

  After a moment’s pause Kerrigan giggled, promptly joined by Selene. Malthael chuckled as the overgrown cat continued to snore. By the time Ki returned, they were all laughing loudly, covering their mouths with their hands in an effort not to awaken Ashley. Ki’s expression told Malthael that they appeared as crazy as he assumed they did.

  Ashley rolled to his feet. “Enough of that,” Malthael said, he ruffled the oversized cat’s fur. “We have work to do.”

  Chapter 19: Lyreane

  Ki scoured the words of the scroll laid out in front of him. It had taken him two days to get everything assembled. The instructions included a complicated incantation that would take a lot out of him, but Ki had to believe he could do it. But there was something he didn’t want to tell the others: if he was successful, the cottage would forever be stuck between the two places. The tether he was establishing was permanent, much like another gate, and he knew of no way to sever the link later. He had started making the marks in the dirt, but now he hesitated to finish the ritual; it would require a guardian to stay on the property. But unlike a regular

  gate guardian, this being would essentially be restricted from leaving.

  “Your face is doing that thing.” Kerrigan’s voice broke through his concentration.

  His head snapped up. “What?”

  Kerrigan gestured toward her face to illustrate her point. “Your face is doing that thing it did before when you and Malthael had bad news. What is it?”

  His eyes narrowed on Kerrigan. She was right, he wasn’t cloaking his emotions and expressions like he used to. Not so long ago, it had been second nature to him. Now, assaulted with all the new emotions that had disrupted his previous existence, it was as though he’d completely forgotten his training. Ki was becoming comfortable trusting others, which, well, shocked him.

  “Come on.” He rolled up the scroll. “I might as well tell everyone at the same time.”

  “Good, because I was sent to tell you lunch is ready.” Kerrigan walked ahead of him without waiting. Apparently she was as hungry as he was.

  When they entered the little cottage, the cold of spring immediately vanished. The hearth crackled with a warm fire, and comforting sounds emanated from the kitchen. Freshly cooked food filled his senses, overriding all others as his stomach reminded him, loudly, that it needed attention as much as the scroll in his hand.

  “Can you grab an extra fork?” Selene called from the dining area.

  “Sure,” Kerrigan replied, going to the kitchen.

  Ki inched around the corner. It was strange seeing Selene and Malthael talking normally in such a serene setting. They had all been through so much, and despite the tragedy and cruelty, they had all endured. Food was spread across the table—food primarily from Ashlad, which Malthael had gone to retrieve.

  Kerrigan joined them a moment later with an extra fork in hand. Malthael and Selene welcomed her to the table. Ki stared at them, at the way they gathered. Why was it that Elisabeth and Malthael always had food together? When he had been hunting her, he had seen it regularly. The first time they’d met, he had sat with them, though this ritual of theirs hadn’t made sense. But now, finally, it did. It was an expression of unity and comradery. It was supposed to provide comfort in the face of the unknown.

  Malthael noticed him on the threshold. “Won’t you join us?” he called over.

  Despite a desire to join them, he decided against it. His eyes drifted to an empty chair on Malthael’s left, reminding him that Elisabeth wasn’t with them and that it all depended on him to make sure she made it back. He tightened his hold on the parchment, and a deep longing filled him. All of them looked at him as he hesitated to answer. The room suddenly felt too small.

  “I’ll take some with me.”

  Malthael opened his mouth, but Selene shot up from her chair, cutting him off. “You have important work to do. I’ll bring you out a plate.” She picked up a dish and started filling it.

  Muttering his gratitude, he hurried from the cottage. Once outside he took a deep breath. He had felt trapped inside, like the walls had been slowly closing in on him. It took him a moment to realize that for an instant everything had seemed normal without Elisabeth there. Yet without her, everything truly was still wrong. Broken even.

  Shaking the feeling off, he returned to the markings on the ground and unfurled the scroll. It described the process to connect the Netherworld to a point on a planet. The Shadow Clan had used it to attempt to bring the Black King back from Croatoan. It only hadn’t worked because King Nauberon had severed the connection between the Netherworld and Croatoan after the Keepers of Hystera had trapped the Black King on the ruined world.

  Ki could see the notes the Shadow Clan had made when they’d discovered the reason for their failure. But how had Ethandirill known? It stumped him. Ethandirill wouldn’t have left such an important task to chance. So where was he, and how was he getting his information?

  The door to the cottage opened, but he continued to focus on the diagrams and notes, searching for some way to ensure the cottage wouldn’t become a permanent connection. The crunch of gravel underfoot drew his attention to Selene, who had a heaping plate of food in one hand and a fork in the other.

  “Here you go,” Selene said, holding out the plate.

  As he carefully rolled up the scroll, he studied her. Despite Selene looking so much like Elisabeth that they easily could have been sisters, Ki could sense underlying differences. Elisabeth had an innate elegance that he had taken for granted. Slowly, he returned the parchment to the sealed carrier and then took the it
ems from her. Her eyes were fixed on the markings that covered the ground.

  “Where am I going to be?” Selene asked, leaning to the side to see all of the designs.

  “You won’t be anywhere.” Ki scooped a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

  She looked confused. “But I thought my blood was needed.”

  Ki nodded and swallowed. “Your blood will need to be, but you won’t.” He pointed at her with his fork.

  She looked stricken. “How are you going to get it out?”

  “I’m going to make your nose bleed,” Ki explained, with a smile that he hoped was reassuring. Selene looked even more horrified, and her hand went to her nose. Seeing her expression, he put his fork down. “There are sensitive vessels in your nose that will cause it to bleed quite easily. I’ll irritate one to get the blood out and leave absolutely no trace that it happened.”

  She spread her fingers to cover her entire nose now, as though to ward his words away. “Won’t that hurt?”

  Ki shrugged. “It doesn’t hurt at all.”

  She looked no longer horrified, but still skeptical. He returned to his food, shoveling it in as quickly as he could chew and swallow. Selene smiled at him. For a moment, from the way her eyes shined, it reminded him of Elisabeth’s smile. Slipping a stray hair behind her ear, she turned back to the cottage. When she was nearly to the door, she paused, her hand hovering over the knob.

  “You didn’t say, ‘It doesn’t hurt.’ You said, ‘It won’t hurt.’ How do you know it doesn’t?”

  Ki shrugged as he swallowed the most recent bite. “It was how my family took blood when I was a child.”

  Selene’s eyebrows shot up. “Your family?”

  Ki stopped chewing. He’d forgotten that Selene didn’t know much if anything about the Shadow Clan or what he was. She probably didn’t even know that he used to hunt Elisabeth, though unwittingly, and that he had blood on his hands. When he didn’t answer, not exactly sure how to, she cocked her head to one side. It was an implied question about his silence.