Shadow and Starlight

by Darcy Sherlen

  I tore my eyes away, feeling tears welling up. But I couldn't let these Stalkers see me cry. It would only make the torture more fun for them. Better to let them kill me swiftly. They outnumbered me a hundred to one. I was a gazelle in a lion's den.

  Gwen glared at Zander, and he immediately stopped laughing. “I had a vision, Demetri.” And the Prince stopped laughing as well, raising his palm to silence to room. A vision?

  “Please tell me your vision is worth all this trouble, Gwen,” the Prince said. He used one of his hands to massage his brow, pushing his hair back. When his hand moved out of the way, he was glaring at me. Terrified and alone, I locked my gaze with him. Fear poisoned my veins, making me jumpy as my body prepared to fight. Or collapse, maybe.

  “In my vision, this Red became Queen,” Gwen said.

  The entire room went silent as I shifted from being the butt of a joke to a serious contender. I squirmed under the scrutiny of so many eyes.

  “This puny Red, Queen of Krev? No way.” A skinny man with tattoos strode toward us until he stood next to the Prince. He wore the dark scaly armor, his bands of tattoos imitating the Shadow wrapping around his skin.

  My eyes were wide at the possibility, but part of me couldn't help but wonder if it was my sister she had seen. In Krev, I would never be mistaken for my sister, but perhaps to the eyes of an outsider...

  “There's no way the Reds take her seriously. Look at her size. Not exactly ready for battle like the rest of them,” Zander said. “Every Red I've seen would have been able to take out the three assailants we rescued her from.”

  He was right. Runts were rare. Especially one as small as myself. All we were good for was working the fields and serving. As lower class citizens, most didn't survive long in Krev. If it had not been for my status as princess, I would not have made it long either, but I held my tongue. If they believed I was to become Queen, maybe they would spare my life and return me home.

  The Prince eyed me suspiciously before looking away. “This better not be another one of your virtue quests, Gwen.”

  “No, Prince Demetri, I promise I saw her crowned. She is destined to become Queen.”

  He exhaled slowly. “Keiran.”

  The man with tattoos covering every inch of his exposed body, including his face, stepped forward. “Yes, Prince?”

  “Send out scouts, make sure this is just a false alarm. And then we'll need to figure out exactly where she came in.” He paused to look me in the eyes. “And why she's here.”

  “You think they've found an entrance—” the tattooed man asked.

  “Quiet, Keiran!” Zander said, annoyance in his voice. “Don't go blabbing in front of the Red. She may look useless, but she's still a Red. It could all be a part of their plan. Send in a weak, innocent looking one to throw us off their trail. For all we know, they could be ambushing Empyrea as we speak.”

  Keiran nodded, stepping off into the Shadow at the edge of the room, disappearing from sight. I blinked several times, searching for movement within. The Stalkers could move through the Shadow, teleporting themselves. “That's how you get to Krev. That's your gift.” I whispered aloud.

  The Prince was looking at me again, he didn't say a word, but a shiver of fear ran through my spine as I gazed back at him. I tried to look away, afraid I would become brainwashed into becoming a demon myself.

  “One of them,” said the Prince, smirking. “What's your name, little Red?” When I didn't respond immediately, he continued. “Unless you prefer 'Red.'”

  “Elara.” I heard the tremor in my own voice. My eyes flashed to the swords the Stalkers held at their sides, all around me. The Dark Prince watched me carefully, and under his examination, I felt as though all my secrets were revealed. I had no muscle to hide myself. No Bloodburning to use to my advantage.

  The Prince of Darkness spoke. “Feel free to look around, Elara. But remember, you are in enemy territory.” He turned to Zander. “Prepare to go to the Moirai. Be ready within the hour.”

  “Aren't you going to lock me up?” I asked, knowing how the Stalkers were treated in Krev.

  The Prince's eyes narrowed. “Do you want us to?” I swore I could sense a flash of humor cross his face. Without waiting for a response, he stepped into the Shadow and disappeared.

  6

  The dreary wasteland of Asphodel suffocated me. I never realized anything could be more desolate than the desert. The twilight skies prevailed, despite the time that had passed within the castle. The canals were busier than they had been before, as though we had arrived at night, and it was now morning. Boats streamed by, some people gawked at me, while others went about their lives, oblivious. Everyone bowed to the Prince. To each other, they shouted, hellos and prices and well wishes. I watched in amazement, shocked to see Stalkers acting so normally. I quickly reminded myself what they became when they entered the Shadow.

  Thana waited in the canals in front of the castle. Keiran and the Prince had returned quickly, and we all walked toward the boat. I was lucky enough to be escorted by a snarling Keiran. As we traversed the narrow bridge, I wondered if he would shove me off the edge.

  Gwen stepped onto Thana's boat first, followed by me. I received a nudge in the back for taking too long. Keiran sneered to claim the venture, as though he was daring me to retaliate. The Prince boarded with Zander at his heels, his bird companion nuzzling his neck.

  “I expected this pettiness from Keiran, but you two as well?” Gwen said as she noticed the men. “It's crowded enough without the three of you. Just Shade there.”

  “Look, if you think we're leaving you alone with the Red, your gift isn't as powerful as I thought,” Zander said. Keiran nodded in agreement as they flanked the Prince, who stood at the center of the boat.

  The words flooded from my mouth: “You can stop talking about me like I'm not here, or not even human. Though I don't know what manners I expected from Stalkers.”

  “You aren't human,” Keiran said. “You're a Red. You're nothing to us, but still we've been nothing but nice to you, even offering you protection. Despite the fact that you're our enemy.”

  “Only because I may be of use to you.” Nobody responded, but Gwen gave me a small smile laced with pity.

  Keiran ignored me, continuing. “Let's be honest. She'd be dead in ten minutes out there.” Nobody disagreed.

  The boat began to move, Thana using the long stick to propel us forward. “Gwen is right. You three are cumbersome. Plus the extra.” She jerked her head toward me.

  The Prince didn't respond, instead focusing on the canal ahead. He glanced to the two flanking him. “At ease, it's a small Red, not an army.”

  Zander hesitated before moving to a bench to sit next to Gwen. Soon, the two were locked in a conversation. Keiran remained standing near the Prince, occasionally flicking his eyes toward me.

  For whatever reason, my eyes were caught on the Prince. Demetri. Why was it so odd that he had a name? I had always envisioned him as such a soulless monster, the man who had stolen the lives of so many in Krev. A murderer.

  But he seemed only a man. And a young man at that. His brow furrowed in thought. What was his true age? Did the Shadow make them all immortal, or just him? Those in Krev had Blood give them long life, but nobody lived more than a hundred Tides or so. The Prince of Darkness had lived for at least five hundred Tides. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword as his head turned back to look at me.

  I panicked the moment our eyes met, guilty, as though he could read my thoughts. I looked down to the tangle of my hands, and then out at the waters. A cramp formed in my neck before I felt it was safe to return my gaze to him. Our eyes met once more. This time he broke eye contact, looking straight ahead. The boat sliced through the waters, the skeletal Thana showing no fatigue.

  “Where are we going?” I dared to ask.

  “To the Moirai, the Seers of Fate,” Gwen answered. “We need them to convince these idiots that you're not here to kill us.”

  “Or spy on
us,” Keiran added.

  “Well, she's gotten plenty of information, thanks to you, Keiran,” Zander said.

  The boat stopped and everyone hopped down. The twinkling lights of the town could be seen in the distance, though there were no longer any boats nearby. We were on a dark bank, a cliff rising above us. Firelight flickered from within the cave.

  “Thana, are you coming?” Zander asked.

  She shook her head. “I don't like the sisters. Make my skin crawl. I'll stay out here.”

  “Funny, considering they probably fear you more than you fear them,” Zander said. Then instantly turned when Thana glared at the comparison.

  “Careful, Zander, she'll send you to a frozen mountain again,” Keiran laughed. But a glimmer of terror crossed Zander's face as though it had not been a pleasant experience.

  Demetri led the way, followed by Gwen and Zander. Leaving Keiran behind me, his hand on the hilt of his sword. In the short walk, I kept checking back, afraid he might snatch me or stab me. Each time I earned seething hatred from his eyes, egging me to step out of line. Give him reason to draw his sword.

  An orange glowing light drew us deeper into the cave until the Prince came to a stop. The fire in the center of the cave burned brightly, revealing two gorgeous women. Their similar appearance claimed relation. Their hair was purple, though not as bright as Gwen's. Tight scandalous coverings revealed their perfect bodies, gems and gold chains glinting. They writhed so slightly, dancing around the fire as they seemed to slither closer. Neither showed any emotion as they looked the group over.

  The two forms split, around either side of the fire, revealing a third had hidden behind them. A grotesque woman, her appearance vaguely comparable to the others. Dark circles around her bulging eyes, her gray skin reminding me of death. She wore the same scantily-clad outfit as the others, though adorned by finer jewels.

  The Moirai.

  “The Prince?” said the beautiful woman on the right, her voice sweet, gentle. “What have we done to deserve the honor?”

  “Oh, you only seek answers, not our company,” said the one on the left, her voice raspy and cruel. “They forget us so easily, until they need us for something.”

  The woman in the middle said nothing, remaining almost entirely still. Her eyes clouded over, locked on the Prince, and I wondered if she was alive. The Prince bowed, setting a sparkling stone at their feet.

  “Oh! What a treasure. The emotion tied to it,” the Right squealed in delight.

  “Your payment is accepted, Prince,” said the Left.

  “Moirai, this is important. Will you tell us—” he began.

  “A Prince will always think his troubles are greater than the problems of others,” the Left screeched. “You are not here to ask questions. You are here to get answers. Do you want what you seek? Have you not a prophet among you!” The beautiful woman wailed, echoing in the cave. “Why do you burden us, Prince?”

  “My prophet saw this Red become Queen of Krev.”

  The two woman laughed in unison, sweet and sour, smooth and rough. An untuned symphony.

  The Right spoke, “A Queen, indeed. But she will bring you to the brink of death. You must decide if she is worth the risk. The girl is important, but the stars are hazy. Her future, flexible. Bring her forward, her delicate thoughts are lost among you.”

  I was pushed forward to the front of the group, no longer hidden. The heat of the fire hit my face, and I felt my head tingling. I looked up, finding myself gazing into the clouded eyes of the third woman.

  “Is she dangerous?” Keiran asked.

  “She doesn't look dangerous to me.” The Right said as she slithered around me. “Curious, what secrets you hold.” My mind was drawn to the thought, as though guided. The lack of the ability to heal, the only secret that kept me safe from the Stalkers. The fact that my sister would become Queen of Krev, though by birthright, it should have been mine. And that must have been what Gwen saw. But I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe I would be Queen. “Are you prepared to face the consequences of such lies, Princess of Krev?”

  “I told you she was lying,” said Keiran.

  The voice brought me back to reality. I broke away from the stare, blinking away the feeling of the trance. I had forgotten I was not alone.

  “So she is a Princess?” Demetri asked, stepping forward.

  The Left began to screech, and Demetri backed away before she had to say a word.

  The Right continued, “You must prove yourself if you wish to stay here.”

  “Why would I want to stay?” I asked. I wondered if I had even spoken it out loud.

  My thoughts churned on how to become Queen. The only way to take Bryony's place was the prove I was stronger than her. How would I ever beat Bryony in a fight? I had no power. I snapped out of my thoughts, feeling the familiar tingle around my head. The gaze of the Moirai had returned.

  “Have you not already been granted power, Princess? Are you not to become Queen?” The Right said, so sweetly.

  The two women turned to Gwen, drawing nearer to her. “What a curse to know everyone's future but your own, Seer. You weave a dangerous path.” The Left laughed wickedly, and continued, “Do you think of your sisters often? Or only when you remember you've stolen a piece of their gift from them? That you abandoned them and your duties.”

  Wincing at the insult, Gwen turned her head away from them.

  The Right moved forward, only a few feet from Gwen. “You would have been the One.”

  Gwen flung her shoulder back as the Right tried to touch her, glaring at the woman in the middle. “We are three, not one. I could never do what you have done. Your sisters no longer even have names, Moirai.”

  “Impudent girl! Selfish and naive!” the Left screeched. “PRINCE! Go! Leave this place!”

  I felt a hand on my shoulder, pulling me back as the scene unfolded. Gwen stood strong, inches from the screaming sisters. Zander pulled her back, though she resisted.

  The Prince stepped in front of Gwen. “Give me the answers you promised me.”

  The Left hissed, “The answers have been given. GO!” The rest of us were already backing away, the Prince not far behind as the Left continued. “Wretched beings! LEAVE US!”

  The screaming dulled as we exited the cave. “Nice going, Gwen,” Keiran mumbled.

  The Dark Prince rushed at me. “You're a Princess of Krev?”

  Gwen moved toward us, “Demetri, calm down.”

  “Yes,” I said. Gwen stared at me in wide-eyed shock. “Or...I was.”

  “We should get back to the castle, make a plan,” Zander said, eyeing the unchanging town in the distance. Everyone began to climb onto the boat, but my feet remained firmly on shore.

  “You said you would take me home. You said you would let me leave,” I said to Gwen. She looked away guiltily as Keiran began to laugh. The Prince already began to board the boat while Zander tried to harry Gwen along.

  “She doesn't know!” Keiran laughed hysterically, crippling over in his laughter. “The Red thinks she can just walk out! You can't leave!”

  Gwen jumped forward. “Keiran, enough.” She touched my shoulder and I shrugged her off. I was stuck here with the Stalkers. My heart sunk as Gwen comforted me. “We'll get you to a Gate, Elara. You must be patient, it is so far away.”

  “How long until we get there?” Until you let me free? I eyed them suspiciously.

  Keiran laughed cynically again, Gwen shooting him a fruitless glare. Keiran continued, “Don't you guys see the irony that she is upset when we have been trapped here for—”

  The Prince spoke, his tone serious. “Keiran.” His laughing stopped instantly. “If you keep this up, you can meet us back at the Keep. Things are turbulent enough without you causing problems.”

  Keiran looked upset, “What if she calls an attack?”

  The Prince said nothing, but he silenced Keiran with his gaze before turning back to the shore. “Gwen, you've told the Red enough. Get on the boat.”
<
br />   “But the Moirai—”

  “The Sisters delight in deceiving. With all their truths spun into deception, I wonder why we bother coming.” Gwen moved to the boat, but I remained firmly planted, arms crossed. The Prince strode up to me. “You'll get home when we are able to get you home, and you'll be thankful for that.”

  I opened my mouth to object, Gwen staring in curiosity. Zander shook his head, containing a laugh. The Prince stared down at me, with a look that it was rare for someone to disobey him. I scowled to make sure he knew I wasn't happy about it, climbing onto the boat. He waited until I had boarded to join us.

  Thana let a whistle escape through her teeth before turning the boat back toward the city. Soon, we flowed with the water down the river.

  It was a wide river outside of the city, the lackluster blue twilight making it hard to see the banks once more.

  As the boat came close to one bank, Keiran spoke, giving me a sidelong glance. “They say these fields were burned by the Reds, long ago. They used to be part of Asphodel.”

  I couldn't see the end of the scorched earth, just endless black plains, fading into the fog. “Keiran,” the Prince warned.

  It was the first time I had seen someone disobey him when he continued. “I reckon there's an entrance back there, one that even the Prince here hasn't heard of.” Keiran gave a look of glee at the Prince. I could only wonder what expression his face held, as his back was to me.

  I looked out over the plains, willing the boat to get close enough. He had called it an entrance, but an entrance was an exit, was it not?

  The boat began to move away from the bank, and I began to panic, my time depleting. I jumped from the boat into the icy chill of the water.

  “NO!” Thana screamed like a banshee before my head dipped underwater. I flopped my arms toward the shore, kicking my legs, never having been in such a large source of water. “Back to the boat!” Thana scream persisted when my head surfaced.

  “Elara!” Gwen yelled. “Help! Go get her!”