“Yes, I’m sure the event would have been memorable. Anyway, this is good.”
“Good?” Cabrina asked. “Oh, I don’t think so. I’m going to be an old maid at this rate.”
“I am older and have not been with a man. Am I an old maid?”
Cabrina waved her hands in desperation. “Oh no, not at all! I didn’t mean that.”
Vorea grinned. “I am not offended. I consider it a compliment.” She shivered. “The thought of a man touching me makes my skin crawl.”
“I rather like the idea,” Cabrina said.
Vorea frowned.
“Then on the other hand, I suppose virtue is a higher calling.”
“Indeed.” Vorea extended her hand. “Come, Cabrina, we have much work to do.”
Chapter 45
Narelle reclined on the couch in her private lounge as she read a romance novel by candlelight. A night owl by nature, she savored the time after Cadrin went to bed. It was her moment to relax and let the cares of the day melt away into a bottle of wine and a story of tawdry passion thinly wrapped in some ridiculous plot.
She had just finished her second glass when a knock at her door startled her.
“Yes?”
“It’s Brom. My lady, there is someone here to see you.”
“At this time of night? Who is it?”
“Drox.”
She stood and clapped her book shut. Her red wine swished in the large glass after she sat it on the table. “Don’t let him in, Brom.”
“I didn’t. He is waiting for you outside.”
She tied the robe to cover her nightgown and proceed to the front door. She dismissed Brom before opening it.
“Narelle, I must see you.”
She closed the door behind her. “Why are you here?”
He looked at her bare legs. “Aren’t you cold?”
She pulled her robe tighter. “Of courseI’m cold. Why did you risk coming to my home?”
“It can’t wait until morning. I just spoke with Vorea. She wants me to take Lahara immediately.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her it can’t be done with the forces I have. And that’s the truth.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Drox’s expression intensified. “You should have seen the look in her eyes. She was livid.”
“Vorea is a spoiled little brat,” she said. “She didn’t get her way.”
“That won’t be enough for her.” He folded his arms. “Narelle, you are in danger.”
She smirked. “I was in danger the moment you marched into town, Drox.”
Drox’s grin quickly faded. “How can you be so coy when your town is about to be razed?”
She softly blinked her eyes, channeling her seductive magic into her hypnotic gaze. “Because you’re not going to let that happen.”
Drox looked away. “No, I…”
She returned his attention to her.
He walked a few steps away from her. “Not now. Look, I came here to warn you.”
She tugged on his arm. “Don’t leave.”
“I can’t resist. You know that.”
She smiled. “Mm-hmm.”
He turned and ran his hand through her hair. “You should be using this time to prepare. Why are you doing this?”
“What if this is the last time we’ll see each other?” she asked.
“If I do my job right, it won’t be.” He leaned in closer and lowered his voice, though no one was around. “We’ll have to take the square, and the mayor’s house. But I’ll keep my men out of the old village on the east side of town. You’ll be safe there.”
She held his face in her hand. “That’s not what I want, Drox.”
“It will have to do.”
She strengthened her gaze.
“Your eyes…” He couldn’t look away. “Maybe I… I can keep them away from the square. But not for long.”
She was using all the charm she could muster, yet he didn’t budge. “That’s the best you can do, isn’t it?” she asked.
He sighed heavily. “Yes. I am sorry to disappoint.”
She loosened the tie on her robe. “You never disappoint.”
He gripped her shoulders. His gaze drifted to her cleavage. “Why must you insist on seducing me so? I care for you.”
She shook her head. “We are not speaking the language of love, Drox. I need to know you will perform.”
He grinned. “I thought you said I didn’t disappoint.”
She chuckled. “Yes, well, not in that department.” She kissed him. “But this is a matter of life and death.” She took his hand and placed it on her breast. “I can’t take any chances.”
Drox looked around, then picked her up. “Where?”
She motioned with a nod of her head. “Inside.” A flicker of doubt flared in his eyes. “Don’t worry, my husband is fast asleep.”
“I thought you said you couldn’t afford to take chances?”
She kissed his neck. “Drox, you’re worth the risk.”
Chapter 46
Vorea walked down the hallway with purpose. She had never seen benefit in doodling about. Her legs were meant to carry her from place to place, not standing around enduring idle chit-chat. Each click of her heels against the marble floors was made for a reason.
Cabrina struggled to match her pace. “I can’t tell you what an honor it is for you to include me in your ritual.”
“The honor is mine, Cabrina.”
“That’s very nice of you to say. Can you tell me what we’ll be doing?”
“All I require is your presence.”
“Maybe I should fetch some supplies from my room, I—”
She motioned behind her with a slicing gesture, cutting her off. “Further discussion is not necessary.”
She regretted the words as soon as they left her lips. She had lost her temper, and she needed Cabrina’s eager cooperation. She cursed herself, then made certain she wore a mask of sincerity before turning to her.
“I am sorry. I know you are eager to participate.”
Cabrina wrung her hands. “Oh, High Priestess, there is no need to apologize to me. I was foolish. I’m sure you have a lot on your mind right now.”
She nodded. “I do, but that is no excuse.” She gestured ahead of them. “Now, let’s proceed, shall we?”
Cabrina uttered not another word until they reached the laboratory. After they entered, Vorea lit additional sconces and large pillar candles. In the increased illumination, Cabrina spotted her gazing bowl and handed it to her. A twinge of embarrassment bubbled from within her. It took her by surprise. She was not used to feeling any kind of shame for her actions.
“Thank you,” she said. “I… I must have dropped it.”
Cabrina shrugged, apparently accepting her poorly constructed excuse.
This doesn’t matter. To the task at hand.
She untied her robes. “We will perform this ceremony sky clad.”
Cabrina removed her clothes and folded her arms across her chest.
She shook her head. “Confidence, Cabrina.”
Cabrina rested her arms at her side. “Sorry. It’s just a bit cool in here.”
She gathered several vials filled with oil and herb distillations and escorted Cabrina to her altar. “Please lie down.”
Cabrina sat on the stone surface. “Wow, that’s cold.” She guided Cabrina on her back. “What is the purpose of this ritual?”
“We need an army.”
“Isn’t Drox rooting out the corruption in Lahara?” Cabrina asked.
“Yes, but he doesn’t have enough people to do the job.”
“It must be dangerous.”
“It is,” she replied. “The leadership is useless against it. In fact, the mayor’s wife is a Skilla.”
Cabrina lifted from the altar. “Really?”
She guided her back down. “Yes. What a horrible wench. There’re no telling what seeds of discord she has sewn through the
city. I fear she’s joined forces with Niv’leana and her desperate pack of followers.” She paused. “If my cousin knew the wretched deception that Skilla was capable of, she might see things differently.”
“How do we raise this army?”
“With magic, of course.” She sat next to Cabrina on the edge of the altar. “And you have a very important role to fill. You will lead that army.”
Cabrina pointed to herself. “Me?”
She nodded. “I can think of none better suited for the task.”
Cabrina grinned from ear to ear. “I don’t think I’m worthy of such responsibility, but I will do my best.”
She wagged her finger. “Confidence.”
Cabrina raised her chin. “Confidence.”
She carefully poured a thin line of pink salt around Cabrina’s body, then anointed her with oil. She cast a circle with her athame and called on the dark and necrotic forces to bless her work.
“Will we call the elements and forces of light to aid us?” Cabrina asked.
“Not this time.”
She recited the spell, written in an ancient tongue, directly as indicated in her grimoire.
“For the dark forces gathered here, do you come of your own free will?”
“Yes.”
“For the dark forces gathered here, is your flesh unspoiled by lust?”
“Yes.”
“For the dark forces gathered here, will you lead this necrotic army?”
“I… am.”
She laid the tome on the edge of the altar and stood next to her. “You will valiantly charge into battle, driving out corruption and evil over our entire continent. Through your prowess, you will bring harmony and unity to all our peoples.”
In one smooth motion, she picked up her athame and plunged it deep into Cabrina’s heart.
Her body arched as she let out an otherworldly scream. She could feel the chaotic and forceful rhythm of Cabrina’s failing heart. Her screams were muffled by blood as it pooled in her throat. She gasped for air. Her skin paled as her blood poured from her wound and open mouth.
In Cabrina’s last moments, she couldn’t speak. It was clear she was screaming, but her petrified gaze could offer only deathly silence.
“I respect your sacrifice.”
There was no way to be sure that Cabrina heard anything. Gradually, her cold stare melted away, leaving her focus on an unknown point in the ceiling. She waited for death, and surely it came with a whisper.
An ethereal form appeared above her body. It had no defined shape yet was clearly separate from the air in which it hovered. She recited the final incantation, binding the spirit to her will. The fierce wraith-like warrior now possessed the full force of necrotic power from the spell.
“Thank you, my loyal champion, for your gracious sacrifice. “Go and raise our army. Our will be done!”
The apparition vibrated, then condensed into a faint blue glowing orb. It hovered over its previous host, pausing with a palpable sense of loss. After a moment of hesitation, it floated into the air and passed through the ceiling.
The tips of Vorea’s hair were now red, stained with Cabrina’s sacrifice.
A thorough washing should take care of that.
Guilt overtook Vorea as she stared at Cabrina’s naked, lifeless corpse. She hadn’t merely dropped the bowl of water. No, she had thrown it in a fit of rage. She was almost moved to tears from the weight of this horrible lie so callously delivered to her most prized adept. She could have told her the truth, and yet she selfishly chose to cover her shameful loss of temper.
She took Cabrina’s cold, lifeless hand. “I am sorry for lying to you,” she whispered.
It offered little solace.
The innocence had come from within.
Chapter 47
Niv’s boots crunched through a fresh layer of morning snow. Freezing fog hung heavily in the air, limiting her visibility. She stood next to Dailen, bundled tightly in her cloak, and gazed over the ridge line.
“What did you want to show me?” she asked.
“Foul magic is afoot.”
She squinted and saw nothing but mist. “How can you tell?”
He shivered. “The chill in the air.”
She shrugged. “It’s winter.”
“No, this is the icy touch of death. Vorea is using necrotic magic.”
“The magic of the dead?”
“The soul moves on, but the flesh remains. With necrotic magic, it can be reanimated.”
“Why would she do that?”
“She is raising an army.”
She thought of her love. Her friends. They didn’t benefit from magical camouflage. They were vulnerable, fighting against the dangerous magic of Vorea’s ceaseless ambition.
“I should be there.”
“That is not part of your story,” Dailen replied.
“How do you know?” She pointed to the city. “My friends are down there. How can I sit idle while they need me?”
Dailen turned to her. “That is your ego talking. Their survival doesn’t depend on your presence. Have faith in their abilities.”
She stomped her boot into the snow. “I won’t let my friends die!”
Dailen appeared unmoved by her anger. “If you abandon them, they will surely die.”
“I’ve already abandoned them.”
“They are counting on you. Don’t you see? They are fighting to give you time to learn how to defeat Vorea.”
“I could use my magic to defend the city. I could save lives.”
“Vorea is a brilliant woman, but she is now tampering with magics she barely understands. She is desperate. Now is our chance to strike.”
She gestured towards Lahara. “Then let’s go, Dailen!”
“Let us not repeat her mistake.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “As I told you, we can isolate you from the flow of time.”
“This doesn’t seem right.” She sighed. “I want to be with them.”
“I know you’re worried about them. But right now, the best way to help is to trust me.” He extended his hand. “The sooner we get started, the better.”
There seemed no alternative, and no time for hesitation. She took his hand and followed him to his hut. She sat on the couch across from him.
“The magic to slow time requires considerable concentration and power. I will lead, but you must follow. You must devote all your effort into accomplishing our task.”
He removed his sandals, then folded his legs. He pointed to her feet. “Take off your boots. They’ll be very uncomfortable.”
After she did as he asked, she assumed the same posture.
“Close your eyes. Imagine you are outside the hut. Focus your efforts on halting the snowfall.”
She pictured the hut in her mind, slowly circling it from above. She tried to fix her perspective, but her imagination couldn’t keep still. The more she forced her visualization to conform to her wishes, the less control she had. She quickly grew frustrated and opened her eyes.
Dailen remained in meditation, so she didn’t want to disturb him. She took a deep, cleansing breath, then resumed her task. She relaxed control over her mindscape, allowing the vision to do as it pleased. It was soon clear that she was no longer imagining—she was witnessing the current state outdoors.
Tiny snowflakes meandered through the air in no hurry to reach the ground. Even the slightest gust of wind carried them far off course. She homed in on one, focusing her intent on slowing its path. Despite much effort, the flake still fell to the ground. She selected another, and another, until finally she managed to slow one’s fall.
And then, after a few minutes of practice, the snow stopped.
She opened her eyes. Dailen smiled. “You did it.”
She pointed to herself. “Me? I was helping you.”
Dailen chuckled. “I was resting my eyes.”
She felt a warm sensation on her chest. The amulet glowed brightly.
“Now the learning begins.”
Chapter 48
The priestess’s solemn words of eulogy cut through the morning fog. The sobs of family members stirred thoughts of Cadrin’s own mortality. His friend had died, and yet he could only contemplate his lack of legacy. The freshly dug grave was already collecting snow. He swallowed hard and lowered his head as final prayers were uttered.
He wondered if Narelle would grieve his death. Oftentimes, when they were together, she seemed a thousand leagues away. In those cold, distant moments, was she dreaming of the child they couldn’t have?
The priestess closed her book and embraced the family. He looked toward his house and wondered why his wife missed the funeral. She barely knew his friend, but she could have offered her support. He sighed, then returned his gaze to his friend’s headstone.
A ray of sunshine streamed through the fog, illuminating the gravesite. But it was soon obvious that something was wrong. The rays weren’t golden yellow, but instead tainted with a vile shade of green. The snow adopted this color, then turned dingy brown. The ground rumbled beneath his feet. He grasped a nearby headstone to keep his footing.
A blue apparition appeared over his friend’s grave. The snow melted, and the gravesite heaved as the casket rose from the ground. He froze in fright as he saw his friend emerge from the coffer. The pale and bruised body, dressed in fine clothes, stood on its own two feet. It looked at the shocked attendees, then at Cadrin, then walked into the fog.
One by one, other corpses did the same, though many were far more deteriorated. The putrid smell of decay filled the air as the entire cemetery was reanimated. The dead army quickly shoved aside any who dared stand in their way.
Drox made his way to the square as the alarm bell sounded. A dozen cadavers marched through the market. Few offered resistance, as the sight of departed loved ones and friends was enough to send most scurrying for cover.
Drox gathered a handful of his men and led the charge into their horde, giving the order to dispatch the foul beings. He pierced one with his blade, yet it still marched toward him, unshaken by the mortal cut from his sword. He kicked his assailant, putting some distance between them, but it bought only a few seconds at best. The undead attacker resumed his unflinching charge.
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