by Aubrie Nixon
Valessa's eyes widened in surprise. “I did no such thing. I mean you no ill will, Sephera. I know the answers to your questions because I was there when Baleem found you. I know what you are.”
Sephera stared at her in shock and confusion, angry tears stinging her eyes.
“You are Balance, Sephera, born of Light and Dark. Since the beginning, when the Realms were split thousands of years ago, you have died and been reborn time and time again. You are the key to stopping the cycles. Baleem has trained you in the art of Darkness and Light. Never before have you possessed such a balance of both. This time is different. This time you will break the Cycle.” Valessa spoke with such assurance that Sephera hadn’t realized she had stopped breathing.
Sephera shook her head slowly. “That can’t be true. I’m no one. I’m not—”
“You are. I can feel the energies inside of you warring with each other. I watched you die at the hands of the Cycle twice now, and I will not watch it happen again. This time you will break the curse that haunts my people and yours.”
Sephera felt herself start to sway. “You are the Eighth, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am. How did you know?” Valessa asked quietly.
“Daegan. He was the ninth to be sent over. If you’ve watched the Cycle pass twice, that would make you the Eighth.”
Valessa huffed. “I am surprised Daegan told you who he is. He is a fool. He is trying to redeem himself from what he did last time.”
“What did he do?” Sephera asked.
“We each have a duty to fulfill when we are sent to this realm: find the child who will restore balance and rescue our realm.” She motioned to Sephera. “The Light King seeks the child as well.” Sephera made a small noise of exclamation. Valessa smiled bitterly. “Yes, dear girl. The Light King is still very much alive. I am sure you have heard the story of how our realms were split in two?”
Sephera nodded, and Valessa continued. “When the Light King gave his dying breath to cleanse the world of darkness, he did not realize that he would be undoing the balance of nature itself. Separating Light and Dark was a grave error, for one cannot exist without the other. Nature compensated for the imbalance by creating a loophole of sorts—the Cycles. But in doing so, it cursed the Light King with everlasting life. The Dark King is also cursed with life eternal. Neither can die until the world is whole again. Every five hundred years, one of us is sent here to end the cycle, and every five hundred years, we fail. Gregour, the Light King, will stop at nothing to keep our realms separate. Though he was once a good man, grief and power have darkened his mind. He is as cruel and evil as the dark creatures themselves. I have spent my life studying his patterns and disguises. I do not know how he is feeding the Cycles. I only know that it always ends in your death. He was once your father. Now he is nothing more than a monster.”
Sephera felt like she had been punched in the gut. “Are you saying I am the child of the Light King and the Dark Priestess?”
“Yes.”
Sephera looked down at her hands. Valessa had just shattered her world. How long had she seen herself as damaged and unwanted, a thing to be hated and discarded? She’d always felt like there was something horribly wrong with her. But now she felt angry. How could her father murder her—not once, but over and over again? Her mother had died for her, not once, but twice. Sephera had a twin who died within her mother’s womb. She felt a keening sense of grief.
She bit her lip, trying to stifle a sob. “And Baleem? How does he fit into all of this?”
Sadness passed over Valessa's sharp features. “That is not my story to tell. It is his. When we finish with all of this nasty plague business, I am sure he will tell you.”
Sephera wasn’t sure if she wanted to know who Baleem truly was. All these new revelations were smothering her like dirt thrown on a coffin, piling up and burying her whole. She was slowly suffocating. One more shovel-full, and she would break. She closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. She would not let Valessa see her cry. If she was supposed to stop the Cycles and make the Realms whole, she needed to be strong. How was she going to do any of this? She was the Lady of Death, made to ruin and destroy, not save the world. Bile rose up in her throat, and she emptied her stomach over the side of the boat.
Valessa patted her back gently in an awkward attempt to comfort her. “I know it’s overwhelming, dear. You’ll be all right.” Sephera grunted and then retched again. Valessa cursed and scrambled out of the way.
Sephera splashed cold salt water on her face to clean off the vomit and then lay back in the boat, letting the rocking motion of the sea take her back to the lake. She imagined herself swimming freely, floating on her back in the cool water. The sun warmed her face, kissing her bare skin as she swam. She drifted peacefully, all her inhibitions and worries gone.
Her nerves calmed and her nausea passed. Once again feeling anchored, Sephera opened her eyes. She breathed slowly and deeply as she scanned the horizon. They had arrived at a small island and were only a few stones’ throw away from the shore.
Valessa eyed her suspiciously, wondering if she would have another fit. “Are you sure you are all right, Sephera?”
“Would you be?” Sephera barked, glaring daggers at Valessa. “Baleem knows, doesn’t he? He had every opportunity to tell me and he didn’t. I had to find out who I am from a monster!”
“A monster? I am no angel, but a monster? Hmm . . . I suppose I have been called worse.” Valessa frowned slightly. “Yes, Baleem knew. I am sure you have many questions. You will get your answers, Sephera, I can promise you that. Just know that he had his reasons. Your master is a good man.”
Valessa tied the boat to a dilapidated dock. “Welcome to the Island of Catacumbe. You’ll find the entrance to the catacombs just up that path. Good luck, Sephera.”
Sephera jumped onto the dock and took off down the path without so much as a glance at Valessa. She hadn’t gone far when she came to a rusted, iron gate that guarded the entry to a small cavern. Taking a deep breath, she opened the gate and stepped inside. The cavern was larger than it appeared to be from the outside. The floor descended into blackness. She reached into her tunic and pulled out a small stone which she attached to a large stick she had found outside on the path. “Lux,” she whispered, and the stone lit up, illuminating the path before her. Sephera gasped at the sheer immensity of the cavern. She stood at the top of a stone staircase that led deep into the ground. She peeked over the precipice and yelped. The staircase descended endlessly into the chasm. She stepped back, pressing her body against the damp stone wall.
“Breathe, Sephera, breathe. It’s nothing to be worried about. Just a deep, dark hole, that leads to almost certain death.” She let out a nervous laugh, said a prayer to the gods, and began her descent into hell.
CHAPTER 25
Daegan woke to his blanket being ripped off. “WHERE IS SHE?” Zadkiel stood glaring over him.
Daegan blinked his eyes and glanced around the room. The sun shone brightly through the window, making it hard for his eyes to adjust. “Where is who?” he asked, yawning.
“Sephera! Where is she?” Zad asked again.
Daegan stood up, pushing Zad aside like he was nothing more than a curtain. Ignoring him, Daegan pulled on his black tunic. He cracked his neck from side to side, before he began to lace up his pants.
“Answer, you fool!” Zad shouted. Daegan grabbed a dagger from his boot, and began to examine his nails. Zad pushed Daegan hard, causing him to drop his dagger. Zad snatched it up and nicked Daegan’s cheek in one sharp movement. Daegan stared at him, surprised by Zad’s sudden act of violence. He wiped his cheek and looked at his finger, which was covered in deep red blood. He cocked his head, smiling at Zad, who looked ready to pounce, dagger in hand.
“I have not seen her, Zadkiel. What makes you think that I have done something to her? She is her own person, perfectly capable of making her own choices.”
“Chantry said that you had a run-in wi
th Sephera in the washroom last night. She said Sephera was quite upset. When Chantry woke up this morning, Sephera was gone. We have been out looking for her for over an hour,” Zad seethed, his eyes wild with anger.
Daegan raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Perhaps she was so shocked at what a real man looks like naked that she went to the local whorehouse to employ the services of one of the men. Those rather carnal desires of hers need to be satisfied in some way.”
Daegan knew he had crossed a line. He was ready when Zad raised his fist to punch him. Daegan was quicker and caught it mid-air. Zad cried out as Daegan twisted his arm. “If you struggle, your arm will break. Listen to me very carefully, Zadkiel. I do not know where Sephera has gone. If you ask nicely, I will help you look for her. But if you continue to accuse me, I will not hesitate to snap your arm. You are trying my patience, and it is not even nine o’clock. Do not test me.” He let go of Zad’s arm and sat down to buckle his boots.
“What are they serving for breakfast?” he asked, as if nothing had happened.
Zad stared at him in disbelief. “You are just like her,” he scoffed before heading out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Daegan smiled. It was true he and Sephera were similar. If Zad had meant it as an insult, Daegan didn’t take it that way. To be compared to the Lady of Death was an honor. It amused him how easily he could get under Zad’s skin. Zadkiel must have really hated him if his words had caused him to anger so quickly. The boy had attacked him and even managed to cut him. Daegan was impressed. He was beginning to think that anything involving Sephera was Zadkiel’s weakness.
He had to admit, however, he was a bit worried about her abrupt disappearance. It wasn’t like to her to leave without eating breakfast first. He grabbed his weapons and bag and made his way to the tavern.
* * *
The room was full of patrons. He sat down next to a disheveled Chantry, who was deep in conversation with Zad. They ignored him. Brenner was the only one who offered him a greeting, nodding slightly.
Any leads on our missing Sephera? Daegan sent his voice over to Brenner telepathically. The mage almost fell off his stool. Daegan chuckled coolly. Don’t be so surprised. Did you really think no one would notice your silent conversations with Sephera?
Brenner's jaw tightened. I was not concerned with anyone noticing. What does alarm me is that you share the same skill and did not think it was important to tell either of us about it.
Dagean smiled over his poached eggs and cider. It is not something I share with people whom I have just met. However, time is of the essence, dear Brenner, and for some reason Sephera has gone missing. I figured now would be an opportune time to reveal this useful skill to you.
Brenner nodded slightly in a way only Daegan could see. I cannot feel her. I have tried to reach out. This morning she sent something down our link, but it was weak. She must be out of range.
Daegan stared at the mage, eyes narrowed. Sephera would not go that far away without telling someone where she was going. Something was off.
“No one has seen her,” Zad murmured to Chantry, shaking his head. “She must have left before sunrise this morning. I asked around town, but no one has seen anyone matching her description.”
“She will turn up Zad. She wouldn’t just leave without telling anyone, especially after just getting back. She’s probably just exploring the village, looking for something sweet to eat,” Chantry said kindly, taking his hand.
Brenner shook his head. She did not just wander off. I felt her presence leave. Either she planned on going somewhere far from here, or she was taken—I would guess the latter. A strange energy lingered in her room this morning, one that does not feel like hers or Chantry’s.
Daegan let out a breath. “She would not just wander off, Chantry. After talking about nothing but him for two days,” –he jerked his head in Zad’s direction– “I do not think she would let him out of her sight, especially with his little accident at the ruins.”
Zad cleared his throat loudly. “So what are you suggesting, Daegan—that she was taken, without Chantry noticing, and with no signs of a struggle?”
“Unless she went willingly,” Deagan replied, crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair. “Whoever took her must have something she wants, or perhaps they threatened to hurt you?
“Her weapons are gone,” Chantry noted. “Who would take her and allow her to bring her weapons?”
Someone who needs her services. Whoever took her needs her for something, Brenner mused, his brow furrowed.
That mage who attacked her in the woods—did you know her, Brenner? Daegan asked suddenly, his heart beating quickly in his chest.
Brenner’s face went pale, and he nodded. Valessa. I knew that third energy I felt was familiar. She tried to cover her scent, but it was her. It was the same scent from the woods where Sephera was attacked. He stood quickly, knocking over the stool.
Chantry jumped at the commotion. “What did you do to poor Brenner, Daegan?” she asked accusingly.
Daegan arose and looked down at her. “I believe he has just determined where Sephera went, and, by the looks of it, it is not good.” He walked away from the table.
He followed Brenner out of the tavern, Chantry and Zad at his heels. Brenner had given Dorjan Sephera’s tunic to sniff, hoping the dog could track her scent. Daegan rolled his eyes. That mutt was as useless as Zadkiel. He was about to trek off on his own when the pup ran off toward the harbor, barking wildly. The group took off running after him through the busy streets of the village. The hound arrived at the last dock and began chewing frantically on a rope that was tied there. When he couldn’t move the thing, he barked at it ferociously, as if it were a snake.
“It looks like there was a boat tied here,” Chantry remarked.
Zad examined the rope carefully. “It isn’t a very large rope, so it couldn’t have been a very big boat. It would have been large enough for two people to fit comfortably in, which means she couldn’t have gone very far.”
Daegan turned to a nearby fisherman. “Sir, is there an island near here that a small fishing boat could reach in a few hours?” he asked as kindly as he could muster.
Despite softening his voice, the man still looked frightened. “Y-y-yes, sir,” he squeaked, “but ‘tis not a place you'd want to journey to. ‘Tis haunted and full of evil.” The man shook Daegan off before tottering away.
“Just the place where a crazy old bitch would hide an item,” Daegan said cooly.
“I’ll find us a boat,” Chantry called cheerfully, countering Daegan’s gloominess.
Daegan clenched his fists, trying not to punch something. If something happened to Sephera . . . He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. “We need to get to her quickly. That third item will not be easy to find. I fear that her quest is a dangerous one.”
Zad looked at him, quiet despair in his eyes. He too was clenching his fists, his knuckles white.
Chantry returned and led them to a small boat which could only hold four people. “I can stay here. You will need the extra seat for Sephera if—I mean when—you find her. I wouldn’t be much use anyway, with my leg,” she whispered sadly. “You need to hurry. I didn’t exactly ask if we could borrow this boat.”
Zad and Brenner looked at her in shock, and she shrugged. “I’ll wait at the inn and try to decipher what exactly the second item is supposed to be used for. Hurry back, all right? And stay safe,” she said as she gestured hurriedly for the trio to get into the boat.
Daegan, Brenner, and Zad clambered into the small boat and began to row away just as an irate fisherman came pounding down the dock, fist raised high.
Daegan smiled to himself. “I have got to admit, that girl is one of a kind.” He laughed as Chantry kicked the man between the legs and ran off, Dorjan running at her heels.
Brenner smiled nervously, but Zad ignored the show altogether, anxiety etched across his face like rivulets of rain on a muddy hill.
“We will f
ind her, Zadkiel. She is a strong woman. She knows what she is doing. She will not let anything defeat her,” Daegan said.
“That is exactly what I am afraid of,” Zad replied, staring steadfastly at the horizon.
CHAPTER 26
Sephera stopped to catch her breath as she finally reached the bottom of the staircase. She wasn’t sure how long she had been walking, but she guessed it had taken her at least two hours, maybe more. She shook her head as she thought of Zadkiel. He was probably tearing apart every inch of that village searching for her. She smiled at the thought of it. Though she didn’t need saving, the thought of him scouring the earth to find her made her heart flutter. She made herself a promise. She didn’t care what happened. If he somehow found her, she was going to kiss him. She bit her lip nervously, shaking back the silly thought, and peered ahead.
The passageway was made of stone walls and wooden archways. Cobwebs hung thick from the corners, and a layer of pristine dust coated the ground, untouched by human footprints. It looked like no one had been in the tunnel in centuries. She stepped forward, one hand on her curved blade, the other holding the stone torch. She proceeded with extreme caution, hoping that Reina would have had the decency to at least place her traps further down the path. She came to a fork in the path. Which way . . . which way . . . she thought. She closed her eyes and listened, hoping to tune into any helpful energies that might lead her where she was supposed to go.
Nothing. “All right then, I’ll take the left tunnel. Hear that, Reina? I’m going down the left path!” Only the echo of her own voice answered.
As soon as she stepped into the tunnel, she knew she had picked the wrong one. Her world flipped upside down as a rope snatched her by the ankles and yanked her feet up to the ceiling. Her weapon and torch clattered uselessly to the floor below.
“Damn it!” she swore. She tried reaching for her sheathed dagger, but just as her fingers touched the hilt, it too fell to the ground below. “No weapons? Seriously, Reina?” Sephera yelled. She growled angrily, arms crossed as she hung there. “Fine. You want me to prove myself to you? Watch and learn, you old hag!”