CHAPTER 39

The moon was red and three times its normal size as I journeyed into the forest, tension burning my shoulders and stomach. Cold mist blew from the north, forceful against my stride. Not knowing how much time I had, I quickened my step, clearing branches with my sword and tripping over the occasional fallen tree.

My warriors were supposed to be close by, but where were they? It was like walking through the valley of the shadow of death. I’d never felt more alone. Or afraid. What if everything went wrong? What if I wasn’t tactful enough to handle Turpis? What if this was a trap from the Council and the demons were luring me there to kill me?

I’d gone over the plan in my head no less than twenty times before I noticed the trees and shrubs growing scarcer. The edge of the forest was near. I paused for a moment to swallow all the air and courage I could.

Deus, I implored, if you can hear me, help me through this.

My legs felt weak, yet I willed them to sustain my weight and walk… Walk to the edge of the forest where an army of Turpis would be waiting for me, their demon queen. I moved to the last line of trees. By the red moonlight, I saw Sendor in human form standing a few feet away. His satisfied smirk sent chills up and down my spine.

“Evening, Your Majesty.” He bowed. “You’re early. And well armed, I see.”

“You tried to kill my newborn daughter when we last met. I wasn’t sure what to expect this time around.”

He laughed an unusual gurgling sound. “Such cognizance. You’ll make a fine queen. Come.” He offered me his arm. “Let me introduce you to your army.”

I hesitated.

“Cold feet?” he asked.

“Not at all,” I said, sliding my hand through the crook of his arm. His overpowering stench of rotten eggs wreaked repulsion in my stomach. How could I have missed it on the night Faith was born? Oh, yes… The labor of birth was what I was focused on then.

We walked across the dirt road adjacent from the forest. I set foot on the barren field, and a multitude of Turpis appeared in the fog like a hellish mirage. Snarls erupted from mouths with jagged teeth. Embers burned beneath carbonized skin. Wicked eyes aglow with fire. The number of demons didn’t look like the swarm of five hundred Frederick estimated.

“I wasn’t expecting such a massive turnout,” I said. “Is this the entire Turpis militia?”

“All of them. We’re but a few heads short of one thousand in our brotherhood. But soon, with your help, we’ll surpass those numbers.”

One thousand! I stopped breathing for a moment. If the demon army didn’t agree to battle the Council, the odds of my own army’s triumph were less than slim. Or altogether void.

“Good,” I said, a fake grin on my lips. Now was as good a time as any to put the plan into action. “Let’s get on with it. Present me as your queen.”

“It pleases me to see your eagerness,” Sendor said, and then turned to view the crowd of demons. “Brothers!” he said, and the Turpis horde quieted. “I present onto you Isis, mother of our future brethren, guarantor of our freedom from the pits of darkness. From this moment forth, you will know her as Queen of Turpis.” He raised my hand in the air. “Warrant your loyalty unto this creature, and she will warrant her loyalty to us in turn.” Every demon, with the exception of Sendor, dropped to their knees and bowed their heads. Sendor turned to me and said, “And now, a toast.”

I sensed movement in the field, and I squinted at the figure walking in my direction. As the shape came closer, I recognized it to be a demon carrying an object in its claws. I watched as it approached, taking swift steps toward me. The demon kneeled at my feet and raised the bowl over its head. Sendor stared at the bowl and nodded once, signaling me to take it from the kneeling beast. I did.

“Drink,” Sendor raised the bowl to my mouth, “and the oath shall be sealed.”

“What is it?”

“Should it matter?” He raised a judgmental brow. “Drink.”

I looked into the bowl filled with dark liquid. Floating by the brim was a piece of something that resembled a dismembered finger. Or a nose? I stifled a screech.

Do whatever you’re told. But resist temptation. I remembered Frederick’s words. You’ll be tested. Turpis don’t play fair, and they’ll try to trick you. But the ritual won’t bind you if your intention is insincere. Madam, remember that only you know how you truly feel inside. Only you know who you truly are.

As sordid as it was, I gulped the contents. It went down—smooth. This was the temptation I’d been warned about. Blood and tiny pieces of flesh shattered my tasted buds. It was delightful. Sating. I couldn’t get enough of it. I’d craved it for so long; it was like floating in bliss. I felt crazed. Eager. Frantic for another taste.

“More?” Sendor offered.

I licked my lips. Yes, I did want more. But Frederick’s words rang in my head: Resist temptation.

“No,” I said to Sendor, my voice shaky, defying the beast’s hunger. I wouldn’t allow myself to be enthralled. I’d never been a monster, and I wouldn’t become one now.

My stomach contracted, and I turned away from the swarm of demons. The metallic aftertaste of blood and flesh suddenly became nauseating. I gagged. Sendor’s critical stare burned through me. The urge to retch was strong, but the resolve to see my plan through, to save my family, my people, was by far stronger. I fought against my stomach until it settled. When I’d composed myself, I turned to Sendor, sword in hand.

“Bow to me.” I pointed the blade to his head. “Release your reigning power to me or I’ll split your head in two.”

“There’s no deceiving you, is there? I thought for such a young creature, you’d be less observant.” He let out a sick, gurgling laugh. “But alas, you’re every bit the bitch queen we’d hoped to find.”

“Kneel!” I said, anger bursting from every pore. I felt a pull on my skin at the upper half of my face, and I knew I’d woken the less-attractive individual inhabiting me. “I won’t repeat myself, Sendor.”

Sendor studied my features. The malevolent smile on his face reached his eyes. It was then I understood he’d expected a rise from me. Was this the last test—witnessing my inner beast roused? Sendor lowered himself, both knees to the ground, and took my hand.

“My Queen,” he said. “I am your servant.”

I looked down at him with concealed disgust, and then raised my vision to the army of demons in the field. Beyond them, I saw a mass in movement. I didn’t have to guess what was approaching. Clearly, there was no time to spare.

“Then you won’t be opposed to fighting for me.” My question came out as a statement. I pointed to the field beyond the Turpis army. “The Council is coming to collect my head. I order you to fight for your queen.” I pulled my hand from his. “Now.”

Sendor jumped from his knees to his feet. He yelled at the Turpis army in a foreign tongue. In two seconds, bodies collided against one another, and the uproar of battle occupied the formerly soundless night.

“Stay here,” Sendor told me. “I’ll send for you, My Queen.” His appearance changed from human form to the hideous, overcooked demon he actually was. He soared into the air and disappeared behind a cloud of fog and smoke from where violent screams erupted.

From the chest plate of my armor, I picked out a miniature cylinder and stuck it in my ear. I lowered my head and spoke into the silver plate covering my neck and chest.

“Frederick, Frederick, can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear.” His voice came through my right ear, while the clang of metal against metal and frantic shrieks in my left made it hard to hear. I covered both my ears.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“Right behind you.”

I twisted my neck toward the forest, but I saw nothing.

“I can’t see you. Listen, I…” An explosion made me jump. No one told me there’d be those kinds of weapons. “Frederick?”

“Still here.”

“I can’t tell how many enemy deities are out there,” I told him. “Your demon army calculation was way off. Way—off.”

“I know. I’ve been listening in. Let’s hope the Council has enough manpower to take them down.”

“But what if the Council army exceeds your calculation, as well? We need a headcount on the… Frederick, Turpis at seven o’clock, coming my way.”

“We see them. Maintain your position. You’re doing great, madam.”

I hoped the five Turpis wouldn’t take notice of the silver cylinder in my ear. Why did I wear my hair up? Stupid! One of the Turpis beckoned me with its clawed hand, but I didn’t budge.

“Where’s Sendor?” I asked. The shortest of the five demons raised a hand to his neck and sliced the air. “Dead?” I asked, and he nodded. “Are you… we losing against the gods?” The same Turpis shook his head. I wondered if Frederick had seen. “We’re winning?” The demon growled instead of answering my question. It beckoned me again. “Where to?”

“Ne—tttthhhher—world,” the fiend said.

Hell? Pass. “Neither you nor I are going anywhere.” I said sternly. “I have a war to win. Go back and fight. Your queen demands it.”

The demons bared their teeth at me. My throat tensed, and then, much like a reflex, I let out a thunderous roar. The Turpis responded by bowing their heads, walking backward, and then lifting off the ground and flying back into the chaos of bodies and cries of battle.

“What the hell was that?” I heard Frederick’s voice echoing my thought in my ear.

“Well, it wasn’t gas. That’s for damn sure,” Galilea’s voice streamed through the earpiece.

“Why is she here?” I seethed. “Frederick, Galilea is supposed to be with Claire and Faith!”

“We need her,” Frederick said.

“My daughter and mother need her more. Damn it, Frederick! Send her back.” Silence. “Did you hear me?”

“Yes,” he said. “But I can’t do that, madam. The element of surprise is our only chance to win this war. They can’t fight what they can’t see.”

“Fair point,” I said. But wasn’t it cheating? “Frederick, Galilea wouldn’t leave Faith’s side without good reason. What’s happened that I don’t know about? Why did you call her in?”

“I was getting to that,” he said. “Gemini—Galen and Eryx—circled the battlefield from above. They have a rough estimate on the numbers of the Council army.”

I braced for the bad news. “How many?”

“They think three quarters the amount of the demon army.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but I was so overwhelmed I did neither. Adding up both enemy armies totaled close to two thousand heads against our two hundred. I scanned the field. Contained the inclination to hyperventilate.

I cleared the knot in my throat. “What do we do?”

“Wait until one of the armies has fallen.”

The cries in the field sounded louder. Closer.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. They’re gaining ground,” I said. “I think the Council’s seen me.”

“You’re sure?”

“Pretty sure.” I watched the line of demons battling, attempting to barricade me from the army of gods. “Get everyone ready. We’re moving in. I don’t want them getting any closer to the house.”

“Copy,” he said. “Galilea, activate invisible block. Ayrie, give the signal.”

“Way ahead of you,” Galilea uttered.

“All set.” Frederick said. “On your command, madam.”

“Who’s our first target?” I asked.

“The Council gods, madam. Then the demons.”

Gripping my sword, I closed my eyes for a second. I breathed, fighting the trembling in my chest. When I felt a hand touch mine, I raised my sword, ready to strike.

I sighed with relief when I saw David.

“Did you think I would let you go in there alone?” he asked, and then handed me the shield Eryx had gifted me. “You forgot this.”

“You shouldn’t have—”

“Madam, every second counts.” Frederick’s voice urged via the earpiece. “We’re standing by.”

“Y-yeah. Sorry. I’m ready. I’m ready, now, Frederick,” I said. I glanced at David. He gave me a reassuring nod. I turned to face the forest and lifted my sword, signaling the warriors to ready themselves. Still holding my sword high above my head, I turned in the opposite direction toward the war. The adrenaline coursing in my veins made my skin tingle. I allowed gravity to take control of the sword, and I let it fall.

“Onward!” I decreed.

My heart pounded hard in my chest. The soles of my feet tore into the dirt as I raced across the field. From the corner of my eye, I saw David keeping an even pace with mine. The sound of galloping heels shadowed my own. I turned back for a brief second and caught a glimpse of the warriors, glints of crimson moonlight reflecting off their steel garb and weapons. They were farther behind than I thought. I turned to focus on the battlefront. A bit more, and I’d be there. In war.

“Stop! Isis, stop!” David yanked on my arm. I lost balance and faltered, but he steadied me quickly. I stood looking at him, perplexed. “The army…” He huffed. “Let half of them go in first. Where’s your earpiece?”

I touched my right ear. It wasn’t there.

“It fell out,” I sounded panicked. No wonder I couldn’t hear Frederick anymore.

“It’s okay. Frederick says to stay calm. Just… Raise your sword and point it at the clash so the army knows to continue moving forward. I’ll tell you when we’re cued to go in.”

I did as David instructed and listened to the trampling of feet and rattling of metal become louder and louder behind me. A moment later, bodies whisked past my sides. Winged gods flew overhead. The roar of combat grew louder. I turned to view David.

“Now!” His voice was barely audible over the upheaval.

I darted forward, falling into step with the second half of the army. In a matter of seconds, I was in the middle of screams and explosions and sharp objects intended to take a stroke at any neck in their path. Lucky for me, they couldn’t see me. At least not yet. I wondered how long Galilea’s block would last focused on two hundred and some odd people.

The enemy deities weren’t dressed in the same attire we were. Their ensemble was brilliant white and gold, godlier in appearance. Pretentious, even, taking into consideration what they were here for—to kill my daughter and me.

In the midst of my reverie, I lost David. There were too many bodies colliding against one another, too much blood for me to ignore. My nerves rattled. I took a breath and closed my eyes for a millisecond. I regained my center and calmed when I remembered David was invisible like me, which meant, for the time being, he’d be fine. As I scoured the crowd, filled with swords and bloodied wings, I spied my first target—a young male god who’d just taken off a demon’s head. With the slyness of a panther, I approached him from behind. Using my foot, I kicked in the back of his knee. He fell to the ground. I gripped a handful of his brown curls and pressed the flat side of my sword against his throat.

“You’re going to take me to your leaders,” I said.

“Or what?” he challenged. I pressed the sword against his throat, and he squirmed. A trickle of blood slid down his neck. “They’re not here.”

“You’re lying.” I jerked at hair.

“It’s the truth. They’ve gone in search of the newborn.”