by John Corwin
"Can you believe this place?" I said. "They have underwear!" I clapped my hands with delight.
Elyssa looked around warily. "It's the little things, isn't it?"
"Oh, definitely." I bit my lower lip. "I really want some Cheezy Poofs too."
A strange odor tickled my nose. I frowned and looked at Elyssa at the same time she looked back at me.
Her nose wrinkled. "Did you fart?"
That was the last thing I heard before everything went black.
Chapter 20
I snapped awake feeling like I'd just gotten eight hours of solid sleep. My senses were alert, my mind sharp, and for the first time in a while, I was ready to tackle the world.
Unfortunately, four blank walls and a ceiling severely limited my options. Elyssa jerked upright a few feet away and leapt to her feet. "Where are we?"
"That's a really damned good question." I traced a hand along the walls, inspecting each one for a gem, but this room had been designed to keep people in, not let them out. I thought about trying to brute-force my way out of this mess, but experience told me to save my strength. I had no idea what was on the other side of these walls, and I didn't want to exhaust myself trying to blow a hole through them.
"An even better question is why are we here?" I pressed my hand flat against the smooth surface of the wall and pushed. It didn't betray any structural weaknesses.
The minutes ticked past while we paced around the room testing every square inch for a way out. I pounded the bottom of my fist as hard as I could against one wall. If it had been concrete, it would have cracked. I didn't even make a dent.
The wall flickered and became black as pitch. I jumped back. "Did I do that?"
Elyssa pressed a hand to the darkness. "It's still solid."
A glowing sphere illuminated the darkness a few feet beyond the wall, and I realized what had happened. "It's turned from a wall to a window."
Three hooded figures stepped into the circle of light. One of them raised a finger and pointed at me. "You stand accused of being a true follower of Kaelissa, yet you followed Daelissa into Eden. What say you?"
Even though the voice was slightly deeper, I recognized it at once. "Uro, is that you?"
"Speak the truth!" he said.
"You look silly in those robes." I leaned against the wall adjacent to the window and tried to act nonchalant. "Is Lando one of your robed buddies?"
The figure to his right raised a fist and spoke in a feminine voice. "You will answer the question, or pay the price."
"Well, crap! I left my wallet at home. Will you take an IOU?"
Elyssa tugged on my sleeve and whispered, "Justin, maybe you should answer the question instead of antagonizing them."
Uro was really worked up now. He clenched his fists and roared something unintelligible, while the female tried to calm him down. The one who hadn't spoken stepped closer to the window, face still hidden by shadow.
"You speak with a strange dialect." His voice was low and gruff, but calm. "You speak like those reborn in Eden, millennia after the first great war."
Something about this guy made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. He was smarter than the other two, that much was certain. I held up my hands in a helpless gesture. "Yes, I was reborn and raised by Edenites. Even though my memories returned, I gained a different accent."
"That explains much." He folded his arms. "That is why you are such a proud, condescending creature."
"Hey, now, that's not nice."
The dark cowl turned to Elyssa. "Is she also reborn?"
Elyssa didn't have Seraphim powers and wouldn't be able to pass for one if they tested her, so I plucked another lie out of thin air and hoped it worked. "She is an Edenite. My faithful servant."
I nearly cringed at the ferocity that blazed briefly in Elyssa's eyes, but she covered nicely, managing a smile and a bow. "Yes, he is my master." She put a hand to her chest. "Verily, did he save me from the evil ones, and forever am I in his debt."
Talk about hamming it up.
The cowl bobbed in a nod and turned back to me. "Then I ask you this. Does your loyalty lie with Daelissa or her mother?"
Something in his tone made me think this was a trick question. What good did it do me to be loyal to a ghost? What would one of the real Brightling reborn say, especially those who'd been around when Daelissa ruled Eden?
While I hadn't gotten to know many who fit in that category, the brief encounters with a few gave me a pretty good idea. Qualan and Qualas, for example—pure sadists and all-around black-hearted brother and sister duo. If they'd survived, I guessed what their answers would be.
I stiffened my back and puffed out my chest. "Daelissa is dead. Kaelissa is a failure. While I would still gladly follow Daelissa if she lived, the only loyalty I have is to myself."
Uro and the female turned toward each other. I wondered what expressions hid beneath their cowls.
"That is not precisely what I wanted to hear," the seraph said, "but it sounds like truth to me."
"To hell with your truth," I shot back. "Why are we here?"
The seraph slid back the hood and I was shocked to see the guard from earlier who'd broken Uro's precious TV. It was all a show—pun totally intended. Without the armor and the helmet, I was taken aback by how regal he looked. He wore thick blond hair combed down in a Caesar, but with a sharp point instead of a flat line. His black beard was groomed into a point that ended several inches from his chin.
I hated to admit it, but he looked like a magnificent bastard.
"I am Ontidam, a Brightling reborn by our dear Daelissa."
I didn't recognize the name, but hundreds of Brightlings and Darklings had been husked by the explosion of the Grand Nexus during the First Seraphim War. The Seraphim called it the First Eden War, but Shelton referred to it as Supernatural Mega Crap Storm Uno.
That meant the odds were good Ontidam didn't recognize me either. "Did you fight in the first war?" I asked.
"Briefly," he replied.
That didn't help me much. I needed to place him so I could tailor my own story to fit. "Were you among the original rulers of Eden?"
"No, I was in the imperial army, called to serve when the Edenites rebelled." Ontidam shrugged. "I was there for the last battle and close to the initial blast when the Grand Nexus exploded. The next thing I knew I was a toddler in a nursery with other reborn, new children appearing every day. Within a month, I began to remember the horrors of the first war, only to find out I had been brought back to fight in the second great war."
"Talk about a short childhood," I said.
"Indeed."
The shortest of the three figures pulled back his hood to reveal he was indeed Uro. He raised a hand. "Master, what shall we do with them?"
Ontidam held up a hand without even turning to the other seraph and asked me a question. "What is your name?"
I'd been thinking about that very question for the last few minutes. I'd given some thought to saying I was Fjoeruss. After all, I bore a very slight resemblance to him, and Kaelissa hinted he might even be my many-greats grandfather. On the other hand, he was probably famous enough that Ontidam had seen him at some point and would quickly realize I was not him.
The other option was to make up a name, and as Elyssa and my friends often pointed out, I sucked at names.
Elyssa bowed in my direction and saved the day. "Why, he is Justias of course."
Ontidam frowned. "I do not recall that name." He tilted his head slightly and looked at me. "Then again, I served with many."
"I was in the second wave," I told him. "I was there for the start of the war, but being husked and reborn cost me many of my memories."
"As it did me," Ontidam said, a smile replacing his frown. "Tell me, brother, would you support the downfall of Kaelissa?"
I nearly blurted out a yes, but had to reframe the response from the perspective of a haughty Brightling reborn. "That depends on who is to take her place."
Ontid
am laughed. "Of course, brother."
I prodded him for more information. "I assume you wish to rule?"
"No, not I." Ontidam pressed a hand to his chest and shook his head. "Nor do I support that dog, Arturo, who has forgotten his true queen and serves Kaelissa."
That wasn't the answer I'd expected. I couldn't hide the curious note in my voice. "Then who?"
"We are here to pave the way for the true savior of Seraphina, and the ruler of Eden." Ontidam spread his hands and looked up as if praying to a god. "We serve Daelissa's chosen successor, Victus."
I felt my jaw drop and my heart skip a beat. I opened my mouth to say, "Are you freaking kidding me?" but Elyssa grabbed my arm and bowed. "Victus is a worthy candidate."
Her quick thinking jerked me out of my shock and back to role-playing. "Ah, Victus." I faked a smile so hard it hurt. "You prepare Seraphina for him?"
"Yes," Ontidam said. "He has already destroyed the Darkling nation, but left the fate of the Brightling Empire in our capable hands."
I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this person wasn't the real Ontidam, but a dolem just like Issana and the others. Victus's devious planning had gone far deeper than I could have imagined. In fact, his minions might have already taken over the Brightling Empire had not Kaelissa suddenly taken an interest in picking up where her crazy daughter left off.
I pretended to think about it. It would be out of character to agree too quickly. "What makes you think Victus a worthy successor?"
"He is no Seraphim, but he has the powers of a god." Ontidam once again looked up in prayer. "Victus can create life. He is powerful in the magical arts and the sciences of mortal men. He has already set in motion plans to unite all the realms under one rule."
That plan sounded ambitious even by Victus's standards, but I pretended to be convinced. "Yes, I heard tales of his powers. I even saw him summon creatures from the nether realm, Haedaemos."
My inside knowledge of Victus's abilities lit a fire in Ontidam's eyes. "Truly, you have seen his works?"
I nodded. "Yes. Even though it pains me to admit it, Victus is more powerful than me."
That last statement seemed to seal the deal as far as Ontidam was concerned. He looked at Uro and the third hooded person. "I believe Justias would be a worthy addition to our effort."
Uro frowned thoughtfully then added a nod of his own. "Agreed."
The third figure lowered her hood to reveal a face so familiar, it didn't even surprise me. The third mystery person was yet another Nightliss look-alike, albeit taller and thicker than my dearly departed friend.
"I am not so certain," she said. "There is something he is not telling us."
I frowned and tried to deflect. "She does not look like a Brightling."
Ontidam smiled. "Ah, you are very perceptive, Justias." He put a hand on the sera's shoulder. "Bliss is a Darkling."
I hated that name, because this creature brought anything but bliss to my thoughts. "Why do you consort with Darklings?"
Bliss's eyes burned with anger, but Ontidam replied before she could. "Though Daelissa despised Darklings, Victus showed us that we must unite with our brethren if we are to overcome Kaelissa. Even now, we prepare a Darkling army to help us in our quest."
I wondered if he knew that said army had just sealed up the Northern Pass and wouldn't be joining them anytime soon. Then again, why would Kohval seal the pass if he had co-conspirators up here in Guinesea?
I played the role of haughty Brightling and grimaced. "A Darkling army?"
"Do you really trust this seraph?" Bliss asked Ontidam. "I think he is hiding something."
"Oh, I am certain of that," Ontidam replied. "But that does not mean he cannot serve our goals."
I glared at Bliss. "I would be foolish to trust you so quickly."
"And we would be fools to trust you," she shot back.
"You would be wise to accept my help." That kind of logic made me feel like a fourth-grader trading insults on the playground. I turned back to the other two as if I was done with Bliss. "How many support the cause?"
"Over a hundred," Uro said proudly. "This island is fertile ground ever since Kaelissa removed the legions."
I tapped a finger on my chin, trying to look like I was large and in charge despite being locked in a cage. "Are you killing those who are with Kaelissa?"
Ontidam waved off the suggestion. "No, nothing so crude, brother. We simply blank their memories and send them on their way."
Bliss locked eyes with me. "As we should do with you."
I bared my teeth. "Why does this Darkling insist on insulting me?" I turned my gaze on the others. "Why do you bear her presence?"
"Because they need me." Bliss jabbed a finger to her left. "Who do you think is the liaison with the Darkling army?"
I grimaced with disgust. "I still cannot believe you would allow a Darkling army on Brightling land."
Uro waved his hands reassuringly. "It will be a united effort. It is time to end the animosity between Darklings and Brightlings so we can unite under the rule of Victus."
I pursed my lips and paced back and forth. Victus's plan was as ingenious as it was insidious. How many minions had he placed here to see his will done? No true Brightling would ever consider allowing a Darkling army to invade Guinesea, but Ontidam, a Brightling who'd fought in the first war and the second one had the clout to make something so unlikely a reality.
I offered a curt nod. "I see the wisdom in this plan."
"It is very wise," Uro said fervently. "We will take over Guinesea from within, and avoid bloodshed. Then we will continue our efforts in other cities until the empire is ours."
I spread my hands and smiled. "Well, brother, I can't very well help you trapped in this cage."
"Of course not." Ontidam channeled a sphere of crackling Brilliance and let it drift menacingly toward the invisible wall separating us. "I must warn you, however, that if you plan deception, it will be short lived. I am not to be trifled with."
I held up my hands like someone surrendering to the cops. "Understood."
Uro looked up at Ontidam. "Shall I free him?"
Ontidam turned to Bliss. "Are you convinced?"
"I would keep him in that cage until we know what he is hiding." She folded her arms across her chest. "We should blank his mind and be done with him."
"I think he will be an asset." Ontidam nodded at Uro.
Uro stepped forward and touched his palm to the invisible wall. The air pressure dropped ever so slightly and the darkness outside lifted, revealing a large chamber. I stepped out and splayed my fingers toward Ontidam. "Well met, good seraph."
Ontidam replied in kind. "Well met, good seraph."
We weren't alone in the room—not even close. Over a hundred robed figures stood at the edges of the chamber, some of them with cowls still hiding their features. There was no way out of this mess except to put on an Oscar-winning performance. "How may I serve?"
"There are less than a thousand civilians on this island. I have seen every one of them and interviewed many in this very room." Ontidam looked around the room. "Does anyone here recognize Justias?"
My nerves went tight as drums. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Elyssa tense as if preparing for an attack.
No one raised a hand.
Ontidam nodded as if he'd expected it. "In other words, Justias, you are new to this island."
"So what if I am?" I countered. "I've made no secret of it."
"You began asking questions about Kaelissa the moment you arrived." He turned to Uro. "Specifically, you asked if she was in Zbura or elsewhere."
I shifted into a wide stance, an attempt to look big and unafraid despite the flutters in my stomach. "Your point?"
Ontidam spread his hands palms up. "It is exactly why I thought you a worthy candidate to interview, Justias." He smiled. "I believe you did not want to know Kaelissa's location to worship her, but to assassinate her and claim the throne yourself."
Chapter 21
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Holy crap.
How in the hell had Ontidam surmised all that? It took everything I had to keep my jaw from hitting the floor. I stared blankly at him and thought desperately about my response, but Elyssa came to my rescue.
"Assassination is too crude for my master." She bowed slightly toward me. "Apologies if I speak out of turn, but they should know the truth."
Uro's eyes widened. "Justias, do you mean to challenge Kaelissa to the ancient Challenge of Ascension?"
I didn't know what that was, so I did what every wise man in the movies does and answered a question with a question. "Do you think I should issue the challenge?"
Ontidam's forehead furrowed. "There is no guarantee Kaelissa or Arturo would abide by the outcome." He looked me up and down. "Provided Justias is even powerful enough to overcome her challenger."
I puffed out my chest and tried to look as confident as possible. "I am more than capable of overcoming any champion Kaelissa puts in my path."
Once again, Elyssa stole the show. "But that is not his plan."
A susurrus of robes whispered throughout the chamber as all attention shifted toward her.
Uro raised his nose to look down on her, but he was too short to even make a dignified attempt. Condescension dripped from his voice as he spoke. "What is his plan, child?"
Elyssa's jaw tightened, but she covered with a bow. "Master, may I tell them?"
"Of course." I flicked my hand as if I was totally cool with it, all the while thinking, What in the hell is she talking about?
"The Mzodi have in their possession a gem—a bloodstone—which can control minds." Elyssa pressed a finger to her forehead. "The bloodstone will allow Justias to control Kaelissa and force her to transfer power peacefully. Seraphina will be a neatly wrapped gift for Victus when he arrives."
Hey, that's a great plan! Even though the Mzodi had destroyed the bloodstones and didn't have another in their possession, these guys didn't know that. I also began to understand why Elyssa was pushing the assassination angle. If it looked like my goals aligned with Ontidam's then they might cut us loose to work on our own instead of trapping us here indefinitely.