by K T Munson
His legs wobbled slightly as he remembered and whispered, “Milo.”
Duke barked and waved his tail around. Malthael drew his hand back and saw flakes of brown on his dark palm. It was then that he realized the dogs were covered in the same brown substance. He leaned closer. It was blood, and the black flecks were demon blood. Apparently his demon dogs had fought to protect Elisabeth. Her name, and what Milo had planned for her, came back suddenly.
“Where is she?” Malthael demanded.
Nathan and Duke whined as their tails drooped. They looked up at him with misery in their eyes. He fell back onto the couch and put his head in his hands. He needed to remember everything that had happened, but his back throbbed as he tried to focus. He closed his eyes and concentrated, remembering what had happened after Milo.
He recalled falling on the ground and Milo leaving. He heard Elisabeth’s voice and then another female voice. His eyes shot open as he remembered Nanette. She had been there and had seen the knife. She had gone to get Elisabeth, but it didn’t seem that she’d returned. He reached back and touched the wound. His fingers were smeared with blood, but he’d heal. Everything after that was darkness. He looked at the dogs as they sat before him with their ears pulled back.
“What happened?” Malthael asked, completely lost.
The demon dogs glanced at each other before Nathan whined. Duke looked annoyed and shouldered into Nathan. They glared at each other for a moment before Nathan seemed to sigh. Malthael glanced between them, his gaze narrowing as he waited for something to happen. Duke barked at Nathan and they glared at each other a moment.
“Just tell me!” Malthael bellowed, standing up over them, ignoring the throbbing pain in his back.
The light dimmed in the room from his growing anger as the shadows of his rage spread. The demon dogs whined again, and Nathan’s tail shot against the rug and cut two letters into it. Malthael’s eyes widened when he realized it spelled “Ki.” When he looked up, Nathan looked embarrassed and Duke looked triumphant. Demon dogs didn’t like to do things that were considered mortal. Learning to read and write were considered planet-dwellers’ proclivities—likely Elsa’s doing. His girl was always trying to get them to do things they didn’t like to do.
“Take me to him,” Malthael demanded, standing again.
They glanced at each other and were clearly hesitating. Malthael was like a half-demon; he couldn’t transverse the spirit lines without help and could only use the gate. Furthermore, he was injured. Worse, he had enemies that were just waiting for him to make a mistake or travel the lines. Yet he knew in his bones there was more at stake than his daughter’s life if the Black King was allowed entry into their world.
In the end, they could not deny his command. The moment his hands settled on their backs, he felt the spirit line wash over him. It had been so long since he had last traveled along the passages that he felt himself gasp internally. When traveling among the spirits, none of the normal senses worked beyond the feeling that he was floating.
Demons didn’t have souls. They were made, not born. When he’d torn his horns, he had forsaken his immortality, but he had gained a soul, or at least a partial one. It was why he needed help moving through the spirit lines. He could not completely undo the fact that he had been a demon, but he now had part of a soul. Elisabeth was half mortal and had a soul, but her father was a Soul Collector, and his demonic blood put her in tune with the spirit realm. They were different but the same, trapped between two worlds.
When he opened his eyes, he was standing in a forest. It was early morning and the colors of the world streaked across the sky. For a moment he wasn’t sure where he was, but at his feet a very naked Ki slept against a tree. Malthael blinked and then glanced at Duke and Nathan. They stared ahead unabashed; apparently they felt no shame in his nakedness.
“Well, that’s disturbing,” Malthael whispered as he remembered the pile of clothes he had found in his house.
At his voice, Ki was roused. His head came up slowly and he opened his eyes as though coming out of a deep sleep. It took a moment for him to lift his head and look up at Malthael. When he did, he smiled before his head slumped back down.
“Time to get up,” Malthael said and tapped Ki’s foot softly with his boot.
“Resting,” Ki slurred as though he were drunk.
Malthael crouched down and asked, “Where is Elisabeth?”
“Croatoan,” he whispered and tried to lift his head.
Malthael suddenly understood the seriousness of the situation. It was like a punch in the gut. Croatoan had been cut off from the other five planets. Its gate had been destroyed, leaving only five and a useless sixth dial. Malthael used to turn to it to remind himself of why he had been made and what for. He was to be a servant of the darkness, serving Balor and the Divine Court, but he had chosen the light. More like chosen the grey, to be accurate, but it was better than black. That was where Elisabeth was—facing true evil.
Malthael had faced the Black King and seen him for what he was. If Elisabeth had even one hair on her head out of place, he’d rip Aryan the Black limb from limb. Malthael was about to ask more when Duke suddenly shifted and looked to the west. Standing, he heard voices as men approached. Duke and Nathan moved together to form a small line, but Malthael didn’t want to fight. The longer he spent fighting people, the longer he wasn’t helping his Elsa. She needed him!
“We need to go,” Malthael told Ki.
Ki’s head swiveled around and he looked to his right. “Clothes.” He tried to point with his chin.
“By the stars!” Malthael declared before walking over to root around in a bush. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
He pulled out a pack of clothes and a blanket. He threw the blanket on Ki before helping him get to his feet. His feet mostly just flopped, and Malthael had to carry the boy over to the dogs. With one hand holding his arm around his neck and the other on the boy’s waist, he stood in between the dogs. Still holding his arm, he reached out and touched Nathan’s back.
“Stay here,” Malthael whispered, and they vanished into spirit form. Duke pressed up against his leg to join them.
A moment later, men in black approached. Malthael’s eyes widened as he recognized the man in front. He was younger than the rest, but he was older than Malthael remembered him being. His master, Balor, had been looking for the Black Council, but they had not been found. Their souls had been gone, or hidden, and even now Malthael could not sense them. With a little tug on Nathan’s back, they sunk into the spirit line, but Malthael was shaken to his core. Emera had been right; the Shadow Clan had survived all these years and was behind what was happening. The Black Council, elders of the Shadow Clan, lived.
Chapter 62: Hystera
When they stepped through the gate and out into the clearing, Nanette didn’t know what to expect. She gagged when she saw the crumpled bodies. Some of the hooded men had twisted bodies covered in gore. It was unnatural that they could still be alive but she could see their eyes moving and she had to turn away. She stared at the back of Elisabeth’s head. She wore a fine gown and a matching black circlet embellished with pale grey pearls. Apparently the Black King could create things in Croatoan that could continue to exist on the other planets. That kind of power terrified her.
She had half expected the Black King to return to his earlier female form, but instead he remained the same. His sharp features and dark presence intensified in the soft glow of an evening sun. In Croatoan he had belonged, but here among the green, his dark contrast was severe. Even Elisabeth’s blond hair couldn’t lighten all the black she wore.
“What happened here?” Elisabeth asked, glancing around.
“Two Netherhounds helped our savior escape,” the one named Ra answered dutifully, but he seemed wary of Elisabeth. He glanced to the Black King and added with a bow. “We punished him. Some of our members should be returning with him for your pleasure, my King.”
“How many lives does
he have?” the Black King asked and Nanette suddenly wondered if he had a name.
It was hard for her to imagine that he had ever been anything but what he was. Yet he had to have been born and have lived a lifetime ago. He had been a child once, and had had a mother who’d bore him into this world. The idea struck her as odd as she inspected his features. He had been someone before he had become what he was, before he had become the Black King.
“Hundreds,” Ra answered. His voice betrayed no emotion. Nanette wasn’t sure if he was an expert at hiding his emotions or if he simply didn’t have any.
“Hmm,” the Black King considered, glancing at Elisabeth. “You shall have the first death.”
“He shall die slowly,” Elisabeth said, and Nanette’s blood ran cold at the venom in her voice. “And he will not enjoy it.”
“Elisabeth,” Nanette whispered before she could stop herself.
“I am not Elisabeth,” she snapped, turning back. She took Nanette’s chin in her fingers roughly and forced her head up. Her eyes were dull and filled with a darkness Nanette didn’t recognize. “Call me by my name.”
Nanette felt tears threatening as she whispered, “Elisabeth.”
The back of Elisabeth’s hand struck the side of Nanette’s face before she could react. Nanette stumbled and fell to the dusty ground. She put a hand to her cheek and looked up at Elisabeth in shock. Rage filled Elisabeth’s eyes.
“Say. My. Name!” Elisabeth enunciated each word. She could have commanded it, but still she held back.
“You are Elisabeth,” Nanette told her defiantly as she looked up at her. She lifted her hand to strike again as Nanette added, “There isn’t any Elsariel. All of you is Elisabeth. You have to accept that.”
Elisabeth hesitated a moment as though surprised. Nanette saw something flash in her eyes—and Nanette swore she saw Elisabeth’s softness. Then it vanished. She smiled wickedly and said as sweet as poison, “You’re wrong. I’m Elsariel. There is no Elisabeth anymore. I don’t need you anymore. Go back to Ashlad and wait for me. I’ll call you when I want you again.”
Nanette stood and walked back toward the gate before she knew what to do. When she went through the gate, she half expected to end up back in Croatoan, but an order was an order. She stood blinking at the green walls of the under sanctuary.
Perhaps Elisabeth wasn’t lost! Nanette was elated at that thought.
When she looked back, she was surprised to see solid stone. As eerie as that was, Nanette hurried up the stairs. It took a few tries to get the slab to swing open, and when she rushed into the room she stopped cold. Nanette nearly fell back when she saw Malthael holding up a cane. She raised her arms to block him. Her eyes immediately darted to a very naked Ki as he drooped against the center table. The blanket he had on did little to cover anything.
“Oh!” Nanette gasped before averting her eyes. Compared to Jason, Ki was all toned muscle and an impressive set of man parts. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she purposely looked everywhere but at him. She’d have to remember to tell Elisabeth later.
“You!” Malthael called, lowering the cane. Then he demanded, “How did you get here?”
“Elisabeth ordered me back here.” Nanette couldn’t keep the astonishment from her voice. “And somehow that worked.”
“You saw her?” Malthael demanded, his expression desperate.
“I just left her,” Nanette said, glancing over her shoulder.
The demon took a step forward, but Ki called in a hoarse voice, “Malthael.”
He turned back with a desperate look on his face as he yelled, “We know where she is! She is back in Hystera with the Black King. I will not leave her to her fate and the whim of Aryan the Black.”
Aryan? she thought. That seemed like such a nice name, but there was nothing nice about him. His soul was as black as tar, and he seemed as cruel winter—unforgiving and harsh. He was toxic, and his toxicity was infecting Elisabeth.
“If we rush in, we will be no good.” Much to Nanette’s relief, Ki managed to pull the blanket further around him.
“He is right!” Nanette called instantly, remembering her reaction. “Elisabeth needs you alive. You are the only one who can bring her back. Elisabeth surfaced when she heard you were in trouble.”
Malthael hesitated. He clearly wanted to rush into things, but his common sense was kicking in. Nanette turned back and pushed the slab closed. She had to put nearly all of her weight behind it. When she turned back, Malthael seemed resolved to their reason.
“Elisabeth isn’t our only concern,” Malthael admitted.
“The Black King,” Ki agreed. “Now that he is whole, nothing will stop him.”
“If you are part of the Shadow Clan, you can,” Malthael told him as Ki sunk into a chair.
“How?” Ki demanded, leaning forward, and Nanette made herself look at only his face.
“I don’t know, but only the Shadow Clan can bring him back and send him away,” Malthael said. Suddenly, Nanette remembered something Elisabeth had said.
“He isn’t whole,” Nanette whispered. “He isn’t whole!”
“What?” Malthael demanded. “Ki just told me before you got here that the last half-breed was taken and that the Black King took Elisabeth’s shard.”
“A sliver of it remains within her,” Nanette declared.
“You’re sure?” Ki asked, looking hopeful.
“Positive,” she replied and felt very confident about her answer.
Chapter 63: Hystera
Elisabeth curled up tightly in the endless field of light and snow. She had frozen herself in her mind, unwilling to leave her prison. She had taken a life, pulled a soul from a body before its time, and damned herself. Milo had betrayed her, and Malthael had lied about her father’s existence. She was somewhat aware of what was happening, but it was like a far-off, dull ache. She ignored it all as she tried to sleep in her world of snow and ice.
The snow crunched, and she opened her eyes. A panther stared at her as she lay on her side; his breath came out in crystalized fog. She recognized him immediately. He was Jinq’s panther. Pushing herself up, Elisabeth stared deep into his dark eyes.
“What do you want?” she demanded, unhappy about having her sleep interrupted.
He said nothing but continued to stare at her. She quickly grew impatient under his gaze and lay back down. She closed her eyes and pulled her legs further to her chest, trying to cover her feet with the edge of her pale blue and white dress. The world needed to leave her alone; she no longer wished to be a part of it now that Elsariel had sent Nanette back to safety.
The snow crunched again, and when she opened her eyes the panther’s face was mere inches from hers. Unmoved by his sudden closeness, she glared and whispered, “Go away.”
Before she could react, an owl screeched and landed on her hip. She knew he was Kerrigan’s owl and refused to look at him. The panther lifted his head as the owl turned toward Elisabeth. The bird made his way up her side, his talons digging in just enough to remind her that he was there. When he reached her shoulder, he bobbed his head to see her better.
Glaring at him as well, she whispered, “Why won’t you leave me alone?”
The bird cocked his head to the side at an impossible angle. It clicked at her before jumping off and flying over her shoulder. The panther turned and followed its feathered friend. With a heavy sigh, Elisabeth tried to close her eyes again. Then she heard Malthael’s voice.
She pushed herself up and looked around the endless field of white. At the base of a mountain, the panther and owl waited. Without hesitation, she stood and ran after them. Her bare feet hardly felt the cold as she ran. Mountains lined the horizon as she followed them through a snowy pass. Her arms and legs moved in tandem as she ran toward Malthael’s voice.
“Elsa,” she heard more clearly as she followed the animals out of the mountains.
She paused at the edge of the snow. The fields of white turned to fields of green. If she re
entered them, she would have to face herself. Glancing back, Elisabeth longed to return to the ice, snow, and solitude. If she was alone, no one could ever hurt her again. She could be safe within her own mind.
“Elsa!” Malthael’s voice was more urgent this time.
Turning forward, she realized she had hidden long enough. This time her feet hit the ankle-tall grass without hesitation as she ran into the fields. The panther and owl were out ahead, leading her. Her dress flowed out behind her in ribbons of blue and white. They ran for what seemed like hours until she came to a field of white. Flowers of snow white bobbed in a friendly summer breeze.
In the center, a woman played a strange instrument and sat completely still. She wore deep blue robes that were similar to Elisabeth’s. Her hair was long and as pale as black as night. When Elisabeth stepped into the ring of purple flowers, the woman plucked at a string and hummed softly. Elisabeth came around her and found that she was looking at Nanette.
“Elisabeth,” Nanette said with a smile, “you need to accept who you are.”
“Where is Malthael?” Elisabeth asked.
“Do you know why he calls you Elsa?” Nanette asked, plucking at the instrument.
“Because he loves me no matter what I am,” Elisabeth declared without hesitation. She knew exactly what Malthael felt, as he had told her many times throughout her life.
“Why can’t you do the same?” Nanette asked as her fingers struck a soft melody. “Why can’t you accept every part of you?”
“Elsariel is not a part of me!” Elisabeth yelled before turning around and running from the circle.
“You can’t run away from the truth,” Nanette called, still plucking at the instrument.
Elisabeth didn’t return to the mountains. Instead she ran further away from them, hoping that she might find her papa. She wanted to ask him why he’d lied and then forgive him. None of it mattered as long as he was alive. She had seen too much death.