The Heart of the Ancients

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  “So where is it?”

  Tark looked back and grinned. “It goes to the farthest ledge that is surrounded by petrified cedars. Elias and Jacob should have everything set. The guard will attack from the other side while the wildlife charges from the center.

  “We are using the Dokkalfar’s own triangle strategy to corner them against the mountain?”

  Rena came from behind. “It would seem so.”

  “That’s brilliant.” I grinned.

  “Timing is everything,” Tark said. “But we’re close enough to see the abyss from the cave. If all goes well, we can be at the fringe of the cedars in no time.”

  I rubbed my palm over my heart. For the first time since I’d left Gavin, hope surged through.

  Chapter 34

  The Emperor

  An unfamiliar, narrow tunnel led to an opening no bigger than a large burrow. Rena and Tark crawled out first, and I followed close behind. Petrified cedars stood before us, rooted in barren soil, their branches stretched toward the dismal sky. The place was quiet, still. Even though a bitter stench clung to the air, not a breath of wind stirred, not a hint of life could be seen.

  I shivered. Death held the land in its grip.

  “Look.” Rena pointed to the left. “There. Just beyond that ridge.”

  I craned my neck, focusing past the petrified trees. Spruce trunks had been pulled from the ground, their needles long since gone. The Dokkalfar had set them up as pyres along the black sandy bank of the abyss.

  Tark took Rena’s hand, his eyes bore into me. “No matter what happens, we stick together, all of us. And Nora.” His voice became a growl. “As soon as you feel your work is done you get back in the mountain. No exceptions.”

  I nodded and looked away.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance as dark clouds rolled in. Surrounded in nothing but muted gray, I began to wonder if this place would ever grow anything with color again. Something flashed overhead, and I looked up. A bevy of Kestrels came from the east, soaring in and out of the heavy-laden clouds. Elaine must have called them.

  “Does Elias know I’m here?” I whispered.

  Rena’s expression grew bleak. “Not yet. Although I have a feeling he soon will.”

  I looked at my best friend, suddenly realizing everything she had risked by defying Elias and helping me get this far.

  She grimly smiled. “You need not worry, my lady. I’ll take care of everything when the time comes. You do what you must, and let me worry about the consequences.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that.

  The air cooled as the sun sank beneath the horizon. We crept between the massive cedar trunks. Fine, white soot wafted around our feet, and I lightened my step, trying to keep from stirring the ash covering the ground. No one spoke as we snuck through the trees, inching our way closer to the tall pyres guarding the abyss.

  The tick of flint hitting stone rapped a few times before a bright spark lit the dead Spruce. Soon, flames licked the night sky. The pungent smell of burning wood choked the air as warm light cast shadows across the desolate land.

  Only a handful of demons scurried around the lake’s edge, igniting the bonfires one by one. Where were the others? Surely the Dokkalfar would have posted guards?

  But as I looked at the tall, lifeless trunks before me, followed by acres of charred evergreen stumps, I knew the answer. Nothing in the southern plains had survived. Mia’s army had killed over half the Alfar warriors, and they thought the Keepers were still on Earth.

  There was no one left to fight. The southern plain was theirs to do as their empress willed.

  Mia must not know that the black flames were gone. If she did, she would have ordered every Dokkalfar alive to invade the kingdom.

  I took a deep breath and exhaled. No. Jabez was right. Mia didn’t understand why or how she could do what she could. Her ignorance was definitely to our advantage.

  “Have you searched for him,” Rena whispered.

  I opened my mind, reaching out to Gavin.

  Nothing.

  “He still must be in the abyss,” I whispered back.

  We could only hope that Mia believed I was either on Earth or dead. If all went well, Gavin would distract her before she sensed my presence. I’d then have a chance to tell him what we had discovered. After that, we’d have to have faith that Gavin would be strong enough to offer Mia a chance at forgiveness.

  “Here they come,” Tark mumbled, as the thick water churned.

  Thousands of Dokkalfar crawled onto the black sand. They lined the entire perimeter of the abyss, dancing around the tall bonfires, occasionally throwing something in its flames. The smell of Bitterroot and death assaulted the winds. White noise screeched in the night as the lake became ominously still.

  We crept closer, the large cedars serving as natural camouflage. The platform the Dokkalfar had built now jutted over the abyss. Tark motioned for us to stop. His eyes blanked, and Rena edged toward me. Ash stirred to the left as unicorns, and other large predators took their positions. Beyond the petrified cedars, silver flickered among the burnt spruce trunks, and I knew the guard was getting into place.

  Now we wait.

  Hours passed as a chill settled around us. Cold seeped through to my bones, and I clenched my teeth to keep them from chattering. Emotionally detached, I watched the flames snap and crackle, wrapping around bits of broken spruce. The night would soon be over, and Gavin and Mia still hadn’t shown up. Appalling images ran through my mind ... Mia whispering to Gavin, her hands possessively touching him, the hopelessness in his eyes before her flames surrounded him and they disappeared.

  Gavin had changed so much the last time Mia held him captive. If he made it out alive, would he be able to make his way back to me? His constant struggle to resist the power of hatred was already difficult. But after this, after he had used it to kill a childhood friend, would he be strong enough to turn from it? My mind snapped shut as endless possibilities played out, and I focused once again on the fire, watching the flames flicker to nothing but embers.

  Rena nudged my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts, and she pointed to the lake. The black water grew restless, and the Dokkalfar shuffled into rows. The moon broke through the clouds, the amethyst light shining on the seven leaders as they emerged from the depths. The first from the abyss stood and rested his palm on his sword’s hilt, which was fastened around his hip. Mia’s army didn’t move as the others came forward, each with a similar sword, and made their way to the lake and onto the platform.

  The rasp of metal against metal hissed as the leaders drew the swords from their sheaths. As soon as they held them above their heads, the Dokkalfar knelt en masse.

  Thick muck lapped onto the bank as the black waters became choppy. I crossed my arms, and hope and dread filtered through the numbness around my heart.

  Two figures crawled from water and onto the blackened shore. One smaller, dark as pitch with ice-blue eyes, the other taller and dressed in an oil-soaked robe. She took the hand of a tall, lean figure, the front of the deep hood still covering his face.

  Gray ash floated from the petrified cedars as the waters stilled.

  My breath caught as Mia led the tall figure through the crowd and onto the dais. She stood at the end of the platform beneath the mountain’s ledge. The abyss shone like polished onyx, its surface oddly peaceful.

  Mia’s shallow eyes victoriously gleamed, and realization caused a sharp pain to run through my chest.

  I’ve dreamt this before. This was the nightmare Gavin had refused to tell me about. This—

  “As Jayril has foretold,” Mia shouted across black waters and ruined land. “We have harnessed a power that rules both darkness and light.”

  I shivered as the vision and reality simultaneously played in horrific clarity.

  The Dokkalfar cheered, but Mia faced the figure dressed in black. Her hand slipped under his robe, resting over his heart. She leaned in, saying something to him.

  My
stomach churned as her voice whispered in my mind.

  “It is time to take your rightful place, my love.”

  I grabbed Rena’s arm, keeping my eyes on the platform.

  Mia turned back to the crowd. “And now, a new era begins. One where darkness rules all creation. My clan. Bow to your new leader!”

  “All hail the Emperor!” The Dokkalfar shouted.

  The figure pulled off his hood. Gavin’s eyes, empty pools of lifeless green, blankly looked over his troops.

  My hand flew to my mouth, smothering a cry. His gaunt face didn’t look like my mate, but even more disturbing was the lack of reaction. He stood like a living corpse.

  “She’s broken his spirit,” I whimpered, dismayed.

  Rena pulled me close, her arm wrapped around me, but I couldn’t turn away.

  The Dokkalfar chant grew louder and louder, and Gavin’s eyes mindlessly swept the petrified cedars and the burnt ruins of the southern forest.

  I struggled, trying to contain the energy that wanted to help, demanded to be set free. But a sliver of power escaped from his stone.

  Gavin’s eyes flickered to life; realization flashed in his expression, followed quickly by sheer misery. Surrounded by death and destruction, he fell to his knees. Mia possessively rested her hand on the back of his neck. The Dokkalfar roared, triumphant.

  Rena’s grip tightened around me as she leaned close.

  “Warn him,” she whispered.

  My breath shook as I focused with all I had. Opening my mind, I concentrated all seven streams on the message I needed to give.

  “Gavin, Mia must be in the abyss when she dies.”

  Both Gavin and Mia whipped their heads in our direction. His eyes desperately searched for me while she sniffed the wind. Gavin grabbed her wrist and stood, towering over her small frame. Tension eased from her shoulders as he leaned down, muttering something in her ear.

  Tark stepped between the trees, and Gavin spotted him. He pulled Mia to his chest, turning her from us so she wouldn’t see. She nuzzled close, her hand dipping beneath his robe.

  Tears prickled at the intimacy of it all, the way she wrapped her arms around his waist, her body melting into his. Gavin’s hand stroked up and down her back, and bile rose in my throat.

  There’s one other thing ...

  His hand stopped, waiting.

  Mia must be given a chance to be forgiven. And you must offer it before you kill her.

  Gavin scowled and shook his head no.

  Mia squirmed, putting a few inches between them, trying to see his face. His grip tightened, keeping her near.

  The energy won’t weaken enough to seal the abyss unless you do.

  Hatred blazed in his eyes as conflict marred his face. He tilted head to the sky as if he were praying for strength. Finally, a wisp of understanding flooded my heart. An instant later it was gone.

  I love you.

  Gavin turned away.

  I tugged on Tark’s jacket. He knows, I mouthed.

  Tark’s eyes blanked.

  Warrior cries, screeches, pure whinnies and a thousand other sounds exploded in the night. A plume of ash billowed around cedar trunks as the Alfar and animals charged toward the abyss. Shrieks of disbelief rose, and the Dokkalfar scrambled.

  The demon leaders jumped from the platform and into the crowd, drawing their swords. The others cleared a path as they headed toward the black water.

  My heart sped. Those swords called to the depths of evil. If they unleashed whatever was down there, we didn’t stand a chance.

  Screeches high overhead echoed as the Kestrels swooped down. Their great wings stirred up the dying embers of the pyres, catching fire to the demons standing too close. Enraged, the Dokkalfar charged, but the Kestrels dove, their long talons grabbing hold of the swordsmen before they reached the black lake.

  As soon as the seven were contained, the Kestrels rose high in the night sky, keeping hold of Mia’s guard.

  White noise rose to a deafening roar as the Dokkalfar attacked anything close by, but Gavin raised his hand overhead, and they grew silent. Stunned, Mia’s army turned toward the dais. Gavin tightened his grip on Mia’s waist.

  “Kneel.” His deep voice, threaded with hatred and malice, sent a shiver down my spine. Thousands of black bodies fell to their knees.

  “What are you doing?” Mia screeched. She turned to the demons surrounding the abyss, shouting orders that they stand and fight, they defend their new home.

  The Dokkalfar didn’t move. Mia sneered, her eyes glittered with arrogance. She flicked her wrist as she did when the flames engulfed her and Gavin.

  Nothing.

  Gavin drug Mia toward the end of the platform as the Alfar and animals attacked. Shrieks of pain rent the air as the outer rim of the Dokkalfar died.

  My heart raced; I finally understood. It was only a matter of time before the Dokkalfar started fighting back. There were still too many. Even with the Alfar and the animals, Mia’s army outnumbered us twenty to one. If Gavin went into the abyss now, he wouldn’t be strong enough to make his way out, and I wouldn’t be able to get to him in time. The sounds of war muted, leaving only a pulse thundering in my ears.

  Gavin always knew he’d have to die with her.

  His eyes, so anguished and telling, found mine. He tightened his grip on Mia as he stepped toward the edge of the platform. She shouted, fighting to find a way free.

  “No,” I muttered, running from out of the trees and toward the abyss. “No!”

  As soon as my scream rang across the field, the Dokkalfar shifted their focus, all eyes turning toward me.

  “Gavin, no!” I screamed, stumbling forward. Tark grabbed me from behind, keeping me from falling. Rena crouched in front, ready to defend.

  Elias ran from the blackened evergreens, his expression murderous. He and Elaine darted through the petrified cedars, making their way toward us.

  Unicorns galloped in our direction, their white coats and silver manes contaminated with the soot and ash of war. What was left of the Elite Guard followed Elias and Elaine, and they formed an outer perimeter around the unicorns.

  The battle raged on, and, helpless, I stood, watching Gavin grab Mia by the back of the neck. His harsh face turned bitter as he said something that made her stiffen. She shook her head, trying to get away. He muttered to her again, and she fought, her movements growing desperate. He kept his grip firm and steadily made his way toward the end of the platform hanging over the abyss.

  “Gavin!” I cried.

  Tark wrapped his arm around my waist, keeping my back firm against his chest as the first of the Dokkalfar reached Elias and Elaine.

  Silver gleamed as Gavin took Cali’s blade from his robe. His eyes hardened to faceted stone; a deadly snarl crossed his face. The dark energy radiating off him was so intense, the Dokkalfar closest to the dais broke from the offensive and headed toward the platform.

  Mia struggled, clawing and biting, but Gavin’s grip tightened as he held her to his chest. The sharp blade reflected the moon’s light; he raised the knife above his head. His tormented cry echoed across the abyss, and he swung the knife downward, embedding the blade in Mia’s back.

  The Dokkalfar army whipped around, stunned. White noise bellowed as the entire battalion ran in Gavin’s direction.

  Shrieking, Mia struggled, trying to escape. Black ooze ran down Gavin’s arm, and she feebly writhed, trying to get away. Gavin raised the bloody knife and stabbed her again. He twisted the hilt back and forth. Only when she grew still did he jerk the blade from her flesh. Mia’s body slumped forward, her head rested on his chest.

  The crack of whips snapped through the air as the lower guard kept the Dokkalfar from reaching the platform.

  Gavin stumbled toward the end of the dais, Mia’s body fell back, draping over his arm.

  Gavin’s eyes found mine, his expression anguished. Profound sadness engulfed me, settling in the space around my heart.

  I struggled against Tark
’s firm hold. Please ... There has to be another way.

  Gavin took in the battle raging around him. His features became that of a warrior as the first wave of Dokkalfar broke free, charging onto the dais.

  Howling in rage, loss, and bitterness, Gavin jumped from the platform, plunging the knife into Mia’s heart before they disappeared into the inky waters below.

  I screamed, releasing the energy from Gavin’s soul stone, the power so strong the Dokkalfar closest to us burned where they stood.

  Mia’s army panicked. Afraid to go into the abyss yet scared to stay, they darted back and forth. Dust plumed like angry winged beasts as some fled into the Petrified Forest, some ran into the scorched stumps of the evergreens, and some held their ground and fought.

  The black waters churned, but Gavin’s torment still ripped through me, and I knew the power in the abyss had weakened to the point it could no longer block his emotions.

  Gavin wasn’t dead yet, but if we didn’t do something soon, he would be.

  Tark’s fingers dug into my arm. “Listen to me. You promised. Your work here is done. The Keepers will get him out. You’re going back into the mountain.”

  “Not without Gavin,” I whimpered, pulling away from him. “And once we get him out, who is going to close the portal?”

  Tark growled. “That will have to wait.”

  He reached for me again, but I threw energy around me, keeping him at bay.

  “It can’t wait.” I sobbed. “You know that as well as I do.” I turned and ran toward the now still waters of the abyss.

  “Princess! No!” Tark shouted. Elias and Elaine broke from the fight and started our way.

  That hideous hissing white noise rose to a fevered pitch as the Dokkalfar that hadn’t fled charged toward me. Blue flames engulfed them as soon as they hit the shield, cremating them where they stood, and the others backed away.

  Gavin’s white-hot agony ripped through me.

  Arrows whizzed overhead, and the deadly crack of whips snapped around us as warriors came from all sides. Rena darted through the burning corpses, stopping a few feet away.