by K T Munson
Sighing heavily, Nanette realized how much she’d blamed on her father. “When he became the Gate Guardian, our life changed in so many ways. I blamed him for my choices. But just like the seeds, it was my decision.”
“It was very silly what you did,” Elisabeth replied, staring at nothing, “but I know why you did it.”
Nanette felt her cheeks burn as she said, “It was foolish.”
“A choice of passion, I believe,” she replied with a sideways glance.
“Fine!” she cried, throwing her arms to her side and her head back. “I am half in love with a demon.”
“He isn’t a demon,” Elisabeth replied with a little laugh. “He is a Det Morian Prince. They are completely different. He is a son of the elements with powers to evoke things by using words.”
Nanette felt her mouth form a circle as she realized her mistake. She scrunched up her face in thought before she asked, “Then why is he ‘wordless’?”
“Those that are within the Divine Court are all blessed, but the Det Mor Clan has always held power because of their ability to conjure things with words,” Elisabeth explained. “From the books I read, it sounds like about fifty years ago in our time Ethandirill attempted to defy his father’s command. I’m not clear on the details, but it was some sort of purge of a specific sect on one of the planets. When he refused to help, they fought, and Ethandirill spoke words that led to his father’s death. His brother, the present king, cast him out. Only when he is within the boundaries of Morhaven can he have the power of his voice, which can only be used in the service of his king. After seeing the tattoos myself, I know at least that that part is true—he can only speak in Morhaven.”
“That’s terrible!” Nanette cried.
“It is,” Elisabeth agreed, “but they will live for hundreds of years while we live but one.”
“I suddenly feel very small,” she replied and gathered her legs to her chest.
“I do, too,” Elisabeth admitted, “and I will not live much longer than a regular mortal, so I cannot comprehend the idea of living for so many lifetimes.”
“Perhaps I made more of a mistake than I thought,” Nanette replied, resting her head on her knees. “Ethandirill seems far too old to be interested in a mere planet-dweller who will exist for so short a time. I won’t stay young for that much longer! How can he possibly care?”
“But he does,” she countered with an amused smile. “He is interested in you.”
“I hope so,” Nanette admitted before she glanced at Elisabeth. “Since I’m being honest, you should, too.”
“About what?” Elisabeth asked, looking confused.
“About Ki,” she responded with pride. “You like him.”
Elisabeth opened her mouth and then closed it. She drummed her fingers against her arm as she stared forward. Nanette waited patiently with her chin resting on her knees as she watched her. There was something soft in Elisabeth’s eyes, and Nanette wondered if that was what she looked like when she thought about Ethandirill.
“I do,” Elisabeth whispered as though she was afraid to admit it aloud. “I’ve never meet anyone like me, and I’m inexplicably drawn to him. It is utter madness.”
“I think he likes you, too,” Nanette replied with a happy bob of her head. “Why else would he have stopped Elsariel?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted, and she sounded distracted. “I wondered the same myself, particularly because he is supposed to be trying to kill me, has tried to kill me.”
“What?” Nanette gasped, her head coming up with a snap.
“Indeed,” she countered with a laugh. “I fancy a man who swears he intends to kill me.”
“What a pair we make,” Nanette laughed as she leaned against Elisabeth’s shoulder. “A married woman in love with a hundreds-of-years-old Prince, and a half demon who is love with her assassin. Those sound like they would make terrible romance novels.”
“You read romance novels?” Elisabeth asked, and Nanette could feel her turn to look at her.
“Can you honestly say you never have?” she countered. After an extended silence she added, “Thought so.”
“It was only one or two,” Elisabeth finally said in defense, and Nanette lifted her head to look at her.
“I like the ones that have happy endings after terrible things happen,” Nanette admitted.
“You’re right,” Elisabeth said, throwing the blankets back as she got out of bed. “If I can’t help my happy ending, I can sure help others.”
“Where are you going?” Nanette asked as she pulled the covers closer around her.
“To Hystera,” Elisabeth said as she started to tug the nightgown over her head. “To see an old man about missing animals.”
“Taking Ki?” Nanette said coyly.
Elisabeth pursed her lips as she pulled a dress from her wardrobe. “I may be attracted to him, but I don’t trust him. This is something I’ll do alone.”
“At least take those killer dogs,” Nanette pleaded.
Elisabeth chuckled. “Netherhounds. And I plan to.” Elisabeth touched Nanette’s arm. “If nothing else, promise me you will give your father a chance when he visits this evening.”
Nanette contemplated her answer before she realized she wanted to reconcile with her father. “I promise.”
Chapter 47: Hystera
Jinq looked out across the plains as Hibrius slept across his feet. He had stayed close to camp, watching the village but unwilling to enter it. Ever since that night he had seen the men and their chanting, he had stayed on high alert. Kerrigan wasn’t allowed to leave, and Jinq had created trip wires in the grass around their tent.
Yet despite his worry, Hipasha had insisted Kerrigan stay and see this through. Troy had agreed grudgingly since Malthael assured them the Seer would be there any day. Yet another day passed and there was still no sign of her. He crossed his arms as Kerrigan dozed in the tent behind him. She rarely slept at night now; it was dark and full of terrors.
Instead, she slept during the day while he kept watch. Cav and Mara didn’t stray far, but Cav seemed to have been as affected as Kerrigan was. If the Seer didn’t arrive soon, he wouldn’t heed what Troy and Hipasha said any longer—he was sending them home. Kerrigan was far too young to be dealing with whatever evil lay in Himota.
Suddenly, he saw a woman appear with two strange creatures to his right. He glanced toward the village and then back at the tree line, wondering where she had come from. Her blond hair was pulled up in a stylish bun, and she was gazing at the village. After a moment, she turned, waving when she saw him.
His eyes narrowed as he waved back very slowly, sure she had not been there before. He expected her to walk toward Himota, but instead she turned and walked toward him. He realized it was the Seer, though this woman seemed too petite and not that much bigger or older than Kerrigan. She wore a fine dress. It was a very odd sight in Hystera, but he knew that long dresses and high collars were common in Ashlad.
He turned his attention to the two creatures with her. They had ram horns, with long doglike or foxlike faces and bodies similar to that of a boar. The most unique thing was their tails, which were elevated and seemed to be made up of sharp dagger-like spikes. He narrowed his gaze and was sure he felt something similar to spirit animals within them.
Hibrius raised his head, smelling the air before standing. He stayed close, but Jinq could feel that he was on edge. The creatures she had with her were very powerful. The panther moved with Jinq when he started walking toward the girl, careful to step over the trip wires.
“Elder Rekis,” she said, in a very pleasant voice, “I’m Elisabeth.”
“Please,” he replied, offering his hand, “call me Jinq.”
“What a unique name,” she said as she took his hand. “I believe you need me for something.”
“I do,” he said, putting his other hand over hers. “We have been waiting for you.”
“I was in the Netherworld gathering information, only to discover that
this was where I was meant to be,” Elisabeth informed him. Her features were serious but pleasant. “Shall we go to the village?”
Jinq glanced behind him toward Kerrigan’s tent and decided she needed to come with them. He turned back to the Seer and said, “I need to wake my companion.”
“Of course,” she replied, waving her arm forward to indicate he could go.
He moved back over the trip wires with Hibrius at his side. He pushed the tent flap aside and found Kerrigan still fast asleep. She was curled up and seemed to actually be resting. Jinq hesitated to wake her, yet she needed to see this as much as he did, and he didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
He moved forward and bent down before shaking her shoulder. “Kerrigan,” he called softly.
Her eyes shot open. “What’s wrong?” she said, wide-eyed.
“The Seer is here,” he said, and she sat up suddenly.
“Here?” Kerrigan asked, pushing the covers back.
“Yes,” he said and kept the smile from his lips.
“For how long?” she demanded as she jumped into her boots, tugging them on one leg at a time while she hopped on the other leg.
Mara lifted her head, but Jinq patted her shoulder and she settled back down. There was no need to make all of them go to that gloomy place. The elephant would scare anyone away who tried to come to their tent, enough to deter the villagers, he hoped.
“Moments,” he answered as she pulled her wild hair back. “She wants to go straight to the village.”
“Good,” Kerrigan said, slipping a satchel on before reaching over and picking up Cav.
The owl made a noise of protest and tucked his head. She set him on top of the pack, and he quickly fell back asleep as they left the tent together. The Seer turned to them as they emerged, and Kerrigan hesitated. She glanced at Jinq, obviously also surprised by the Seer’s appearance.
“Kerrigan,” Jinq said, stepping past their outer defenses. “This is Elisabeth, the Seer.”
“Kerrigan,” the Seer said with a gentle smile. “What a beautiful name.”
There was something oddly serene about the Seer. It was as though she had seen ugliness and beauty and decided that was the way the world was. She seemed to have an inner peace, which Jinq had to admit was admirable. Yet something was still off about her—something below the surface she wasn’t showing them. Although her smiles were genuine, they were a little sad.
“Thank you,” the young girl said with a soft blush.
As they moved toward the village together, Elisabeth asked, “What can you tell me?”
“There are many things I do not understand,” Jinq admitted. There was no point in lies now. “We have a number of suicides, missing spirit animals, and a group of mysterious men in black.”
“Aren’t suicides against the beliefs of your culture?” she asked, glancing at him.
“Indeed,” Jinq replied, impressed that she knew something about Hystera. “Suicide is considered the greatest sin, even beyond taking the life of another.”
They entered the tree line, and she moved with relative grace among the thick trees. Bamboo could grow thick, and there were patches they had to go around. Yet this far into the plains, it was great for making homes and roofs from. Given how quickly it grew, there was no end of its supply as long as they were careful to plant more each year.
“A unique notion,” Elisabeth commented before she glanced over. “Hibrius is very loyal to you.”
Jinq nearly tripped as they made their way to the clearing. He glanced down at his panther, who was looking in Elisabeth’s direction. She glanced down at him again and smiled, and he nearly choked. He knew Seers could talk to spirit animals, but it was startling to see firsthand.
“Can you talk with all spirit animals?” Kerrigan asked before he could do the same.
She turned to the girl with a friendly smile as she replied, “Why, yes. Although they sense your emotions and extreme thoughts, just as you can theirs, I can understand them just as I understand you.”
“Is it like a voice in your head?” Kerrigan inquired further, her curiosity evident on her face.
“It is more complicated than that,” the Seer said, her face furrowed in concentration. “It isn’t so much words as impressions. Although I do get their names as clear as words in my mind. It is almost…” Her voice trailed off as they stepped out into the clearing.
The tree stood in front of them, and she took a hesitant step toward it. “What is it?” Jinq asked.
Elisabeth gasped as she fell to her knees, leaning back on her heels as she covered her mouth. Jinq came to stand by her as tears filled her eyes. He glanced around, expecting to see something, yet all that lay before him was the clearing and the tree. As far as he could see, there was nothing else.
“What do you see?” Jinq asked, glancing back at a startled Kerrigan.
Her lip quivered as a tear fell down her cheek. “They are all here.”
“Who is here?” he asked, glancing around again but still not seeing anything.
“The animals,” she whispered, her eyes sweeping back and forth, “and men alike.”
“They’re here?” he asked, glancing around, “All of them?”
She swallowed before nodding and answering, “They are trapped. I can hear them muttering something.”
He was about to ask more when Kerrigan stepped forward and gasped. Elisabeth glanced back as Kerrigan turned and ran, leaving them alone as she retched in the woods. Jinq could hear her throwing up the little she had eaten that morning. He walked around the Seer. Elisabeth had drawn something in the sand. Letter by letter, it became clearer.
“What is ‘Croatoan?’” Jinq asked, looking at the Seer.
She glanced up at him, her eyes sharp as she answered in one word. “Blackness.”
Chapter 48: Ashlad
Ki watched as a lesser demon that looked like a plant-dweller conversed with Malthael. His eyes narrowed as Malthael seemed to start yelling, but Ki couldn’t hear him. Glancing at the ceiling, Ki moved along the banister before sliding down a level. He squatted as he looked down at them.
“You were supposed to be watching her!” Malthael snapped, pointing toward Elisabeth’s room.
“She can literally disappear through the floor!” the lesser demon replied.
Ki frowned as he realized they were fighting over who was to blame for Elisabeth’s sudden disappearance. The woman was as slippery as an eel and had been acting as though nothing had happened. A sense of serenity that Ki had never known seemed to have descended upon Elisabeth. There was something beautiful and haunting about her now that Ki had never seen before, and it moved him.
The look in her eye that morning had captured his soul and held it hostage. Whatever Elisabeth had been before she went into the Nether, she had come back as something more. It sung to Ki’s spirit and passed beyond simple mortal flesh. No words had been said, but an understanding had passed between them. His mission no longer seemed worthy in comparison to her.
Yet here he stood, hiding in the shadows as she continued to fight whatever evil existed in the world. He looked down at Malthael as he stalked away, likely in search of something to locate her with. The other demon punched the wall, and the stone was smeared with blood before he left. This household rallied behind her, yet Ki felt her disappearance more deeply. She didn’t need him anymore; he had guided her in and out of the Nether. His job was done.
Stepping back off the thick railing, he glanced up at the gargoyles. It was strange to have them within the house. Yet nothing about this place made much sense. He moved toward the study now that he was assured Malthael had gone in that direction. He needed to retrieve at least one of the keys to give to the Keymaster and buy himself time.
He walked down the hall of tapestries, his footfalls nearly silent in the still passageway. Malthael couldn’t know about the second key that Riku wanted, but he already knew about the first. Ki hadn’t told him and therefore hadn’t broken the term
s of the contract, but he could demand the return of what was his. When Ki had died, his clothes, belongings, and the key had all been left behind.
He nearly opened the door and walked in, but instead he paused and knocked. After a moment, he heard Malthael growl, “What?” Ki opened the door and Malthael blinked in surprise, “What do you want?
“You have something of mine,” Ki replied, stepping all the way into the room. “Our agreement.”
“Oh right.” Malthael stood and pushed off of the wall where the passage led down to the gate. “And you want it now, I imagine.”
“Yes,” Ki responded and saw thinly veiled anger pass over Malthael’s face.
He pulled out the book of keys and tossed it roughly on the table behind him. He heard the keys rattle inside and cringed, but Malthael hardly noticed. Clicking it open, Malthael rifled the book open to the box of keys, then spun it around and thrust it toward him.
“Take your blasted key,” he grumbled and walked away.
He reached in and wrapped his fingers around the key, the one with the screaming woman, as he asked, “Where did she go?”
“I don’t know,” Malthael replied, heaving a heavy sigh, “but I am planning to find out.”
“She is stronger than you think,” Ki said, putting the first key in his pocket. “She could have let Elsariel out for destructive purposes in the Nether, but she used it only once to defend.”
“Of course she is strong!” Malthael snapped. “But how long do you think she can be strong before it breaks her?”
“With you by her side?” Ki asked rhetorically, before adding in all seriousness, “A lot longer than you think.”
Malthael stopped at that, and his eyes narrowed. Ki met his gaze without flinching as the demon seemed to consider his words. Malthael had not lived that long without being astute. The demon had to be as quick as a whip to have survived.
“Do you still intend to kill her?” he finally asked.
Ki already knew the answer. He realized he’d always known. “Not if it isn’t necessary.” The words filled him with a sense of peace.