The Daath Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Eliza Tilton

  The weight of Lucino’s emerald locket pressed against my skin. Many times, I’d thought of selling the necklace, but I couldn’t. It had one of the most beautiful gems I’d ever seen. If Grandfather ever saw the size of the emerald, he would ask who gave it to me—a conversation that would create too many questions. For now, I hid the locket beneath my dress.

  Grandfather and Ms. Gen talked about the sailors and latest ships arriving at the harbor. Even though my family was back in Lakewood, I felt at home here with these two wonderful people in this lively place. Everything was perfect. I knew Grandfather wanted to find the blue eye, but was it worth the risk of losing this? Watching them smile and laugh, I realized no treasure was.

  Chapter Seven

  Lucino

  When I entered Romulus’s gurgling workshop, I threw the head of the mother and her eggs on the floor. They rolled, landing by his feet, and I smiled when the old man’s pudgy jaw dropped in shock. My body still ached from the poison released when the wenlo’s tail shredded my side, but the biocide I had injected already removed the infection.

  “Find out where she is.” I straightened, holding my dizzy head high. “And do it quickly.”

  “Yes, my prince.”

  Romulus had responded to me with respect in his voice. Pride blossomed in my chest. Even Father wouldn’t be able to deny me now. They’d all remember why they chose me to control Daath.

  I didn’t have time to sit and listen to Romulus grovel or ask a long array of questions about the nest and the fight. Krischa had sent word to meet her under the red crystal bridge. As the Royal Seer, she spent most of her time in the castle. Requesting to meet in the city meant she had very delicate information to share, and it wasn’t for The Council’s ears.

  I left Romulus’ lab. He would call as soon as he found Jeslyn’s location.

  Once I was far enough away, I leaned against the wall, catching my breath. It had been decades since I last fought a creature as deadly as the wenlo, and while I survived the fight, the exertion had weakened me.

  Weakness was not a trait I handled well, justified or not.

  In the dark hallway of my castle, I slid down the wall and sat on the ground, unable to stand any longer.

  The alley bent around the smooth structures of the court promenade, buildings that held the officials of Reptilian City and the main branches of science and research. Reptilians rushed past, heading off to their morning duties. With a hooded cloak hiding my identity, I slipped around the back of the third building and walked down the stone hill.

  If the hour was correct, Krischa would have been waiting for quite some time.

  Our cities were tightly structured with a giant fortified wall protecting each one. The Royal Red City, where I lived, was the most exquisite of all. Made from the red crystals mined in the wastelands, it kept us safe from harsh weather and acidic storms. Neither acid nor hail could penetrate the hard crystal dome. It was one of our most prized minerals and one our brethren most sought.

  The other cities were made of varying metals and stone, each designed to withstand the specific weather changes of their lands, and each uniquely beautiful: The Stone City of Atla, The Blue Hive of Doniva, and The Yellow Forge of Rluskina.

  This stone pathway led to the lower levels of the city, a place full of refuse and cleaner beetles, a place only Romulus would find enjoyable. A large black beetle skittered past. While the beetles did an excellent job of eating the garbage left by the city residents, they were still a nuisance. They reminded me of the small dogs people kept as pets in Tarrtainya.

  Round, silver disks transported Reptilians back and forth across the red crystal bridge that arced over the lower city. The disks sped across the different bridges and walkways that connected to various buildings that provided living quarters, the functioning groups of the city, and the arena, our city’s main form of entertainment.

  A lone hooded figure stood beneath the bridge.

  Krischa’s deep violet cloak covered everything but her pale green face. She bowed her head. “My prince.”

  “I assume you have something important to tell me?”

  “I do.”

  Her golden eyes held many secrets, and I waited for her to share them. “I had a vision about the Kuuni.”

  “Why did you not report it?” All of Krischa’s visions were recorded by The Council, and with the Kuuni being our largest threat, she should have gone directly there.

  “Because the vision contained your human girl.”

  “The human is of no interest to anyone.”

  “But you.”

  Arguing with Krischa was difficult when she possessed the gift of foresight. While her visions were a version of future events, they were not complete. Although, few of her foresights had ever been wrong.

  “The Kuuni are planning an attack.”

  “When?”

  “The vision was unclear, but I saw when our people were fighting, you were with her.”

  “Impossible. I would never abandon my people.”

  “You will.”

  “You speak treason,” I growled, grabbing the front of her cloak.

  Krischa did not waver. “I speak truth. Your feelings for her will distract you during our greatest need. If I file this report, The Council will learn about her and you will be executed.”

  “What do you want?” I released my hold on her and she stepped back, hiding in the cowl of her cape.

  “When you become king, you will need a queen.”

  “And who better than you?”

  “Our people would never accept a human as our ruler. With our combined power we can lead our people into a new era.”

  She moved closer, but kept her head slightly bowed. What she spoke was true. I may be part human, but I was still a Reptilian prince, and Jeslyn could never be a Reptilian queen.

  “What do I get in return?”

  “My silence.”

  “I don’t need a proposal for that.” I snatched her neck and lifted her onto her toes.

  Her gaze never wavered, fearless and unafraid, even as my fingers tightened around her windpipe.

  “You won’t,” she whispered.

  I released her slender neck and pushed her away from me. “No, you are too valuable.” Even if I had stayed in Daath, when the time had come, and our presence known, Jeslyn would’ve been replaced. Krischa was a beautiful savage and a powerful ally. “Report the Kuuni’s intentions. The guard needs to prepare for an attack.”

  “And the rest?”

  “The rest keep silent.”

  “While I trust your verbal oaths, I want a soul oath.”

  I grunted. A soul oath would fuse our auras to our words, making the promise impossible to break.

  I held out my palms and she placed hers on top. “I, Lucino Baphum, Prince of the Reptilian Court, swear to marry, you, Krischa Lonias, when I become king.”

  Red mist covered our hands as our auras fused together, siphoning into one another. The bond burned, a reminder of the penalty of trying to break the oath—death.

  A smile formed on Krischa’s perfect red lips. She bowed, then turned to leave. Bargaining for queen was not like her; she preferred the quiet background of politics, which meant only one thing.

  She’d seen much more than she described.

  Chapter Eight

  Avikar

  We stopped the horses close to the base of Nod Mountains. I dismounted Brushfire and patted her muzzle.

  “I’m going to miss you, girl.”

  I leaned my cheek against her warm skin, saying goodbye, then smacked her rear, sending her back to Jericho’s along with the other two horses. Watching Brushfire disappear into the tree line tore at my heart. She’d been with me through everything.

  I prayed this wouldn’t be the last time I saw her.

  “Ready?” Cael aske
d, shifting the large pack onto his back.

  Raven grabbed my hand and gently squeezed. I didn’t want her to be here, yet I needed her. Even if I had left her in Daath, it didn’t mean she was safe; none of us were. Having her by my side strengthened me, and I’d do anything to protect her.

  We were about to travel into a place no one had ever survived. Cael assured us The Order had mapped a specific route through the mountain’s deadly passes and built hidden halfway huts along the way. Anyone trying to follow us without the map or knowledge of the direct path wouldn’t survive, but this was Lucy. She wasn’t human, and if she had the same strength as Lucino, we were in trouble—serious trouble.

  We walked past the last ash trees of Daath and began the climb. The packs we carried made travel slow, and the weight of the food, water, and blankets adding weariness to worry. If we could toss the packs, we’d get a better head start, but Cael said we’d need every single item for the trek.

  The first time I asked my father about the Nod Mountains, he explained they were treacherous; not even the most skilled rangers attempted the climb. From where I stood now, the mountains didn’t seem that steep. Dirt spread over the rocks in a steady incline, clearly hikeable, and giant pines crowded the dense growth. Higher, the foliage blocked my view, though, from a distance, I’d noticed the mountains had white caps. I understood the purpose of the furs, but would we really travel that high?

  Father also talked about the creatures living on the mountains: dangerous and carnivorous beasts. I didn’t think any creature could be fiercer than the white winter wolves, but if a wild beast did come after us, I’d have to be careful. Maneuvering uphill and around trees wasn’t easy; I’d have to be fast and accurate.

  Cael led the way, with Raven in between us. Every few steps, I expected Lucy to pop out and attack.

  Nothing.

  While I covered our backs, Cael was too busy checking Raven and asking if she was okay. Did he know who she was? For a childhood friend who should’ve known her so well, he treated her like a dainty girl, and Raven was far from fragile.

  Sweat pooled at my neck as we hiked through the dense woods. The last rays of sunlight peeked around the treetops, leaving shimmering spots of light behind. My stomach growled. I’d been so eager to get to the market this morning, I’d forgotten to eat.

  Cael dropped his pack on the ground. “We’ll stop here.”

  Raven sighed and slid her pack off her back. Her body tensed as she rolled out her shoulders and rubbed her neck. She was tough and strong, but our packs were heavy, even for me.

  Surrounded by thickly, bristled trees, I still felt we had no cover and too many directions to watch. I scanned the area around us, unease gnawing at my belly. “You sure this is a good place to rest?”

  Cael nodded. “We won’t hit a halfway hut for another day. Until then, this is the best protection we have.”

  “I’ll look for some kindling,” Raven said, rubbing her hands together.

  “Don’t go too far, and be careful,” I told her.

  We were still in the fall season, but the air had grown colder as the suns disappeared.

  Cael opened his pack and laid out his sleeping roll. “We’ll sleep in shifts.”

  “I’ll take first watch.” I unrolled my own pack. “I’m too restless to sleep.”

  He nodded.

  With Raven off scouting, I took the opportunity to ask him a few questions. “You and Raven been friends a long time?”

  “Since we were babes. Our mothers were friends.”

  “Why did you leave Daath?”

  “I’d rather not talk about it.” He knelt on the ground and began to clear a space for the fire.

  “What about The Order? How does someone from Daath know anything about life on the other side? Are you really one of their priests?”

  Cael stood. He was big, tall with a set of broad shoulders, and my age, possibly a year or two older. “You ask a lot of questions. What about you? How do you know Raven?”

  “She’s my—”

  “This should be enough.” Raven dumped a pile of twigs on the ground. “One of you can start a fire.”

  “I’ll do it,” we said in unison.

  Raven raised one eyebrow. “What’s with you two?”

  “Nothing.” Cael smiled. “Avikar and I are just getting to know one another.”

  Oh, come on . . . is he serious? The dumb smile on his face made me want to wallop him something good.

  “Good, because if Jericho was right about this place, we’ll need to work together.” Raven narrowed her gaze at me.

  What? We eyed one another before she turned away. I didn’t know Cael, and it was hard to trust someone you just met—especially a guy who was awfully friendly with my girl.

  I pulled out a flint and striker from the pack and squatted in front of the kindling.

  “I’ve never been this far.” Raven gazed out at the trees.

  “We used to talk about climbing the mountains when we were little, remember?” Cael broke off a piece of dried mutton and handed it to her.

  Thanks, I wasn’t hungry. I struck the flint faster until it sparked, then carefully blew on the tiny flame.

  “Yeah, but I never thought we’d actually do it.” Raven bit into the mutton, smiling at Cael.

  I fanned the flame more, but kept it low enough that the smoke wouldn’t be a direct signal to us.

  “Avikar, eat.” Raven nudged me and handed me a piece of her food.

  “Thank you.” I slid away from the fire to sit beside her. “How long until we reach the other side?”

  Cael poked the fire with a nearby stick. “A week, if we don’t run into any altercations.” He pulled the stick back and eyed me. “Why is Lucy after you?”

  Raven agreed not to tell Cael about my sister’s kidnapping and the fight with Lucino. He thought I was a horse trainer brought in from the other side. I didn’t want to tell him the whole truth, but if he was risking his life for us, I had to give him something.

  “I killed Lucino.”

  “What?” His mouth dropped open and the stick fell out of his hands. “How? Why?”

  “It’s a very long story,” I said.

  “I think we have some time.” Cael folded his arms.

  “Well, I’d love to hear more about The Order.”

  We glared at one another, neither speaking first.

  “Maybe we should get some rest?” Raven touched my arm. “I’m tired.”

  I wrapped my arm around her waist, hugging her. “Okay.” I kissed her cheek and stood. “I have first watch. You can use my blanket too.”

  Her eyelids fluttered and she yawned. “Thanks.”

  She lay on the bedroll and I draped the blanket over her.

  Raven and Cael fell asleep. This time, I walked around. I had learned my lesson back in Raswood forest when I almost fell asleep and we were nearly eaten by wolves. The woods were quiet; an owl hooted here and there, but there were no other noises. I found a tall tree and climbed. I hated climbing, but it would give me the best vantage point. As long as I didn’t think of falling, I’d be okay.

  I set myself in between the branches, making sure I had a steady hold.

  Don’t look down.

  Idiot. I had to look down. I had to look everywhere. I breathed in deep, wiped the sweat off my hands, and focused on my surroundings. A quiet night with a cool breeze. No signs of a fire, or Lucy.

  But she was coming for me.

  Maybe not tonight or tomorrow, but soon.

  Blood covered everything, my hands, my shirt. A gaping hole spread across the center of my stomach.

  I shouldn’t be alive.

  I put my hand through the hole, feeling air. A snake crawled onto my hand and I threw it off. Another one replaced it, then another, all slithering in and out of the hole and u
p toward my face.

  Hundreds of snakes swarmed around me, and no matter how many I shook off, more followed.

  Snakes wrapped around my neck, smothering me.

  “Get off!”

  I opened my eyes, my body jolting as I reached for the tree, but I wasn’t on it anymore. This was Cael’s watch, not mine. I’d fallen asleep near Raven.

  Cael squatted next to me. “You all right?”

  I grabbed the front of my shirt, searching for the hole. No hole, no snakes. I pulled my knees up and dipped my head in between them, catching my breath. It used to be dreams of drowning that haunted my nights, but snakes?

  Why would I have a nightmare about snakes?

  The serpent sculpture in Daath, and Daath’s guardian snake . . . of course . . . .

  “You all right?” Cael asked again, this time nudging my leg.

  “Fine.”

  With my head between my knees, I couldn’t see his face, and I was glad. Once I had my breathing back to a normal pace, I relaxed and stood. I wasn’t going back to sleep, not tonight.

  Clouds blocked the moon, leaving us in darkness. Raven slept on her bedroll across from the fire. “Isn’t this her watch?” I remembered her saying she’d take the last one.

  Cael stood, his gaze focused on Raven. “Let her sleep. I can take the watch.”

  “She’ll be mad.”

  “Because I let her sleep?”

  For all their history, he didn’t know two licks about my girl. “I guess you’ll find out in the morning.”

  He looked back at Raven, and I assumed he debated whether to believe me or not. I secretly grinned as the image of Raven walloping Cael for treating her like a girl erased the memory of the nightmare.

  Chapter Nine