by Lexi Ander
Chapter Twenty
"Marduk, your rule over Tiamat's children is at an end. Release them to me and I won't bring trouble to your door. So says the Voice." —King Tristan Janick
Brian Minoa
A couple of miles from Sanctuary, a set of Anunnaki Gates were hidden by some brush. The four-foot stone posts stood about three paces apart. While we waited for Leora to activate the portal, old memories accosted me. As the first of the scorpion-men disappeared between the short pillars, I recalled using the byways on a regular basis to do the bidding of Shamash. To the naked eye there was no ripple effect, distorted air, or gust of wind to indicate a magical doorway stretched between the stone cylinders. But when I strode through, I felt instantly coated in ice and lost my breath between one step and the next.
Each gate was keyed to only three others, so we leapfrogged across continents. With each jump, we put hundreds of miles behind us, and though it made traveling across continents quicker, the endeavor was still exhausting. Once we reached the Halls of the Anunnaki Gates, we would rest for what remained of the night and the following day. Leora wanted us to reach our destination after dark so we would be spending some time at the Halls. As we stepped out of the last gate, the Ophidian Kenwards were waiting, their hard, stony expressions only lightening a small measure upon recognizing Stan.
Breaking away from our group, Stan spoke quietly with the Kenwards, requesting accommodations. While he was preoccupied with them, I glanced around the cavernous chamber. The vaulted ceiling rose high overhead, easily reaching three stories tall. In bygone days, the area had been a tropical paradise and the red stone walls could be seen from the slopes of the closest mountain range.
In the Great Hall there sat twenty-one gates. In the middle of the floor rose a small mound with a large Earth gate at its center. The two pillars reached nine feet high and the stone was beautifully carved with more than cuneiform lettering. That particular gate could go directly to any Earth gate in the world. No need to hop across countries one doorway at a time. But we couldn't return through it because it only went out, unable to received travel in. Surrounding the mound were the ten lesser Earth gates that made up the system of the ways, roads of fast travel from one Earth gate to another across the globe. Along the walls of the Great Hall stood ten other doorways, five to either side of the mound; these led to different planes, such as the underworld of Irkalla and Dilmun, the heaven of the Gods. Unlike the ten unadorned Earth gates, the doorways to other planes were built of different materials, their intricate carvings representing the lands they led to.
Now the once grand city lay buried under sand. Only the diligence of the Ophidians kept the city from disappearing completely. Sometimes I wondered if this part of the past was something we should let go. The problems the Goddess Inanna had brought upon us was a strong argument to simply allow the hall to fill with destructive, abrasive sand.
Stan stopped next to me where I studied a bone-white gate with onyx symbols set into the surface. If memory served me correctly, this was the portal to the Ereshkigal's underworld. "I have secured food and lodging."
I glanced at the Ophidians who led the scorpion-men away. "Did they ask our destination?"
From what I knew, Ophidians were fiercely loyal to Tristan, but I was still hesitant to trust them. We'd been betrayed before, and if we weren't careful, we would be again.
Stan laughed. "They wouldn't be Kenwards if they didn't." He threw his arm around my shoulders, reminiscent of our youth. "Stop worrying. They aren't the ones we need to be wary of. The children of Tiamat shackled to Marduk are who we need to tread lightly around. They are his to command until the three of you free them." That fact was something I was well aware of.
Ushna had made me promise not to spill any human blood, as if he already knew I'd been giving serious consideration to simply killing all of them. Forget figuring out how to kidnap the worshipers and transporting them to another location. Dead, they couldn't return to worshiping Marduk later, causing the asshole God to be a thorn in our side years down the road. It would also be easier to sneak in and dispatch them, then sneak out again, than it would be to transport prisoners. But Ushna forbade it. Reluctant, I'd nevertheless given him my vow.
Since returning to Tristan and Ushna, I'd discovered the amount of rest I needed was much less than the average Lycan. Tristan had speculated Tiamat's blood caused this difference, and I agreed with his assessment. So whenever everyone retired for the evening, I allowed old memories to clash with the present. I did so again tonight, and I spent the remainder of the night walking the corridors like a restless ghost, retracing footsteps to places I'd once sought sanctuary. The further I went from the bustle of nighttime activity, the more the corridors darkened until the torchlight became further apart, leaving large sections in heavy shadow. But I didn't need the light to see by, my dragon pushing forward to lend me his eyes. Even then, I really didn't need his help. Past memories mixed with the present, showing me the way. The momentary confusion was such that I often anticipated seeing a small face peek around a corner and giggle any second. But I was only met with disused hallways thick with dust, my footprints all that disturbed the fine layer of sand on the floor.
Stopping outside a door, I pressed my palm to the smooth, aged wood and pushed gently. The small room held two cots, just as I remembered. The once luxurious bedding was long gone but I could see in my mind's eye how decadently appointed the space used to be, smell the incense perfuming the air, and hear the sound of a little boy's crying.
Once upon a time, when they acted as the royal guard watching over the Lycan kings, I'd been one of the Ophidians. Serving King Bahram as his bodyguard was one of the harder reincarnations to remember. I spent my days standing close to Bahram; knowing he was supposed to be a part of the relationship with my Twin Flame but not being able to claim him had been torture. Worse yet, on one of the earlier assassination attempts, my Twin Flame had taken the arrow meant to kill Bahram. We'd held Ushna between us as he passed away. At the time, a part of me had died with him. Ushna had taken my laughter and my hope with him.
The night Bahram was murdered, I'd been guarding his Twin Flame, who he'd bonded and had children with in secret. Inside, my jealousy ate at me. Even though Bahram had found his Twin Flame, I still believed he belonged to me. After ordering my men to take his Bashert to safety, I helped Corey track down the person who'd poisoned Bahram.
Corey had been devastated to discover his elusive Twin Flame turned out to be the one who'd murdered his brother. I'd insisted Corey leave while I questioned the traitor, but he refused. After wringing all the information out of him I could, Corey stepped in and whispered something into his ear before taking his life. Knowing what I do now, I speculated Corey would never forgive his Twin Flame.
Both of us had been devastated by the loss of Bahram. Together we'd followed the information taken from the assassin. The God Mithra had approached Bahram about a group who called themselves the Servants of the Glorious One. It was they who were responsible for taking away the last person who'd mattered to me, and I made sure they felt my pain as I returned the favor. Between us, Corey and I spilled enough blood to change the hue of a river. My heart had turned to stone, and I could grasp no reason why I should care about the rising number of deaths by my hand. I was the one who started a new branch of the Ophidians dedicated to their own assassins: the Vikrum.
Eventually, Corey turned the welfare of the Lycans over to the Council of Five before he left in search of something to put an end to the Servants of the Glorious One. I still wasn't sure he'd known what he was looking for. Several years had passed before I returned to Bahram's Twin Flame, vowing to watch over Bahram's children for the rest of my life. Keeping them safe became my whole focus. Here, in the Halls of the Anunnaki, was where I brought them first. Then we split the children up. Hiding them individually was easier than hiding them together. I stayed with the heir, keeping in contact with Corey until we both came to the conclusion tha
t it would never be safe to reveal them to the public.
Even though those dark years were long gone, I remembered them like they were yesterday. Sometimes, when I glanced down at my hands I was surprised they weren't stained red from the amount of blood I'd spilled. That incarnation tainted my soul, as well as my perception of current events. Back then, we'd hardly known nor understood the danger stalking us. Now, we were clearly aware of who our enemies were. The temptation to step away and start slitting throats rode me with seductive whispers. I'd be damned if I allowed the Goddess Inanna, Daniel, or the God Marduk to steal either Ushna or Tristan from me again.
For the first time, we had a chance to go on the offensive instead of merely reacting. I was well aware my choice to accompany Leora on this mission terrified Tristan, but I couldn't pass up the chance of delivering a blow to the arrogant bastard who'd allied himself with Inanna. This was our opportunity to weaken him significantly, and I refused to send a group of scorpion-men I barely knew to get the job done. This was something I had to do myself. Tristan didn't understand the driving need I felt, but it wasn't something I could explain without revealing the murderous bastard I really was. But Ushna must sense something amiss, otherwise he wouldn't have extracted that promise.
By the time the next evening rolled around, I'd reacquainted myself with the abandoned city surrounding the Halls of the Anunnaki. Even with the Ophidians guarding the gates, this place was still dangerous and I'd discuss what to do with the city with Tristan and Ushna. More importantly, I'd search for a way to lessen Marduk's power without murdering his worshipers. I'd spent part of the night going through the archives, and thought I'd found the answer, but I wouldn't know for sure until we entered Marduk's temple, Esagila. I'd also stumbled upon something interesting: Marduk's origin was very different than the one humans had written for him, imbuing him with traits belonging to other Gods. We'd always known Marduk claimed power he didn't have, but removing the human worshipers could have a bigger impact than we'd anticipated.
With these new revelations held close to my chest, I was impatient to continue our journey. If the glances Stan shot me were any indication, I didn't hide my barely controlled excitement very well.
"Are you going to tell me what you have planned?" Stan drawled, settling his pack more securely on his shoulders.
"I'd rather show you. Besides, I could be wrong."
Stan squinted. "If you're planning some crazy ass stunt, I have no qualms about hogtying you and taking you back home. Tristan and Ushna would be devastated if something happened to you."
I shrugged, brushing off his worry. "Everything will be—"
"Don't be an asshole," Stan snapped. "Those two wouldn't be the only ones to get hurt. Gregori, Jory, and I… When we lost you the last time… Yeah… And Ushna almost gave up. You don't get to do that to us again." Stan's eyes shone suspiciously, and his voice was raspy.
I understood all too well what Stan was saying. I, too, had outlived those I loved, in more than one incarnation, and the anguish had consumed me. I wouldn't want anyone to experience the same, especially not someone I loved.
"I will be careful, I promise."
Stan's fierce frown darkened his expression, but he finally nodded, although the tension didn't leave his shoulders. That didn't surprise me. Even though travel would be more expedient using the largest of the Earth gates, I didn't want the Kenwards privy to our final destination. We had only one more gate before we reached the outskirts of Hillah in present day Iraq, but the Kenwards wouldn't know that. The ancient city that at one time had housed an estimated two hundred thousand people was now just scattered, broken mud-brick buildings and mounds. Ages ago, the Euphrates river had bisected Hillah, but its course had since changed, washing away the western portion of the city. What still stood lay to the south, deep below the highest mount: the temple Esagila.
We wouldn't enter Hillah. Instead, under the cover of night, the scorpion-men would take us to a warded entrance. "We'll travel underground the rest of the way. The city housing my people lies a level below the temple. There are many who have duties on sacred ground. Allow us to handle our brethren, and we'll get you inside safely."
I wouldn't have disagreed, but Leora produced spelled cuffs. I went on the defensive immediately, and Stan pulled the red cowl around his head, covering his face with the exception of his eyes. My dragon roared to the forefront, ready to transform and deal with these traitors. The scorpion-men surrounding her dropped to their knees at my growl of warning, but Leora held steadfast. She lowered her gaze, reducing her challenge, but she didn't cower.
"You have ten seconds to explain yourself," I said, aggravated when Stan took a position between me and them. I was a dragon; a few scorpion-men wouldn't cause me to break a sweat. Stan's palms rested on the pommel of his sword and the grip of his 9 mil.
"Your Highness, inside the tunnels you won't be able to hide. Everyone will scent the two of you." She raised her gaze to meet my eyes. "They will smell Tiamat's blood in you. We were sent to retrieve the person Marduk sensed being born. We'll take you directly to the chamber to wait his desire… Which happens to be next door to the prayer room."
Her explanation made sense, but to be bound on enemy territory—could I bear it? Our weapons would be taken and we would be defenseless. I'd chastised Tristan for being foolhardy, and here I was, considering handing myself over for the chance to be next door to the human worshipers. Our plan, actually Leora was the one who devised the plan, was to steal away the humans, or so she said. Stan and I were last-minute additions to the infiltration party, but I couldn't help being suspicious. Had the hunter hoped one of us would join then so they could return with what Marduk had wanted? On the other hand, Leora was correct. The children of Tiamat were enhanced. Even though their demi-God blood had been diluted over the last couple of millennia, their senses would still be much stronger than a human's. They'd scent me even if for some reason they didn't sense the power rolling under my skin.
Did I put not only my fate, but that of Tristan and Ushna, on the line by trusting Leora? If we were unsuccessful, and Tristan faced Marduk supercharged by his new worshipers, there was every chance Tristan would fail and the Lycans would vanish from the face of the Earth. But there was one ace left up my sleeve I'd forgotten about. The dragonets. They hadn't been visible so far but if Ushna trusted them to protect us, then so would I.
Leora patiently waited for me to decide. I hoped I'd make the right choice.
"Stan." My friend stiffened, his fingers going white around the hilt of the sword. "Hand over your weapons."
"Brian, we don't know—"
"No, we don't. But I will give them the benefit of the doubt until they betray my trust," I replied, even as I handed over my own sidearm and sword.
Visibly, Leora relaxed. "Your trust is not misplaced, this I vow." An electric zip snapped at my exposed skin.
"So witnessed and felt. The binding of the pledge lives," intoned the group in unison.
Tristan had told me of this phenomena when we were in Stasis waiting for Tiamat to send us to be reborn. I'd even watched a couple of news reports where the humans scrambled to uncover why their vows had weight now. The magic in the world around us had lain dormant for many centuries. After Shamash sent us to assist the Formorians against the Tuathe de Dannan, the strength of Earth's natural magic had declined. We Lycans kept our abilities, but only the very strongest of humans retained the capacity to wield magic.
Something had happened to awaken the magic and, now active, the consequences could be detrimental to those who ignored the old ways. There were many branches of natural magic, but the deadliest was the passive magic that ascertained an individual's truth and intention. When a vow was given, the person's word became similar to a physical binding. If they broke their vow, then the following curse, depending on the weight of the vow, could be quite deadly. The magic found a way to expose the person and their secrets, revealing their true character to everyone. When an indi
vidual broke faith, there was no way to bypass the consequences. I'd seen the brief news reports on the phenomena, and I imagined the humans were feeling the effects of their actions.
Stan followed my lead, but he ground his teeth when Leora snapped the wrist cuffs onto him. I bumped him with my shoulder to get his attention. "Why are you so uptight? You're an Ophidian. What I remember of them tells me you can incapacitate this lot of scorpion-men with your pinky." It was an exaggeration, but barely. Stan was deadly.
Rolling his shoulders, Stan tested the cuffs. "Back in college I was magically bound. I became an Ophidian so others would never wield such power over me again."
I was unaware the incident affected Stan that deeply. "You aren't defenseless, my friend."
He glanced at me, his eyes glittering with the lethal iciness Ophidians were known for. "No, I am not."
Leora snapped the cuffs on me and the sense of my beast lessened, as if an invisible wall had been erected between him and me. My skin crawled when I glanced down to see the rust colored shackles, recognizing them as the ones used to restrain Gods. I lifted my lip in disdain, unwilling to give away the extent of power the device held over me.
"I am truly sorry we need to do this," Leora whispered to me before stepping away. I prayed to Tiamat her words weren't a precursor to deception.
Briskly, as if she was used to giving commands, Leora organized her party with me and Stan situated in the center. It was slightly reassuring that the person closest to me carried my weapons. When I glanced to Stan, he too was guarded by the one who held his possessions.
I have never been one to flounder in my purpose, but I did have a few seconds when I felt as if Tristan and Ushna stood next to me, Tristan's worried expression boring into me and Ushna's stern one almost seeming disappointed. Perhaps I only saw displeasure there because I knew what it cost Tristan and Ushna to let me go on this expedition. A part of me had wanted to stay with them, but if I did and something went wrong with the mission, I'd blame myself for the failure. Besides, Tristan and Ushna had their own task to accomplish: bringing the last of our warriors home. Concerned with Tristan's tender heart when it came to our people, I prayed to Tiamat they were safe.