WHAT WAS THIS NEW THREAT?
And then, almost in unison, our horses snorted and slowed of their own accord. It was as if they too could feel something evil lurking inside the rolling black clouds, and they weren’t going anywhere near it.
I scanned the unnatural darkness, seeking something out of place, something hidden. I saw nothing, and yet I could swear on the Goddess I felt eyes watching. I let Torak move at his own speed. We moved together through the dark, wondering how far it extended. Would we come out at the other end? We could hear strange calls and scraping noises from the forest. Torak whinnied at things unseen, and I couldn’t calm him. It was hopeless. How could I kill what I couldn’t see? There was no sky, no moon or stars to guide us—
Something crashed through the brush in the distance, breaking branches at it came nearer. Then it stopped. I strained to hear more, but the still of the darkness revealed nothing. Whatever it was, it stayed hidden within the woods.
I knew my companions were watching me. I had to find a way through this darkness. Jon was on the other side somewhere. And I was going to find him.
The magecraft throbbed against my side. Was it urging me to use it somehow, or was this a warning? I didn’t even know how to use the damn thing. I didn’t know any spells or incantations. I had memorized some words in Witchtongue like good morning and thank you. But that was about it. I prayed that my skill with the blade would be enough. It needed to be.
The darkness coiled onto itself and reached out with its rolling, swelling arms, as if it wanted to trap us in. The smell of rot was everywhere, but there was also a faint, acrid smell of something else, something viler and more evil, of something not meant for this world.
“Goddess above, what is that?” asked Celeste. “And what’s that awful smell?”
Tears rimmed her eyes, and she began to cough.
“That’s the devil’s work, that is,” said Nugar from behind us. “There’s something foul and unnatural about it. This is dark magic.”
“This isn’t dark magic,” I snapped. “This is something different. Foul and unnatural, yes, but it’s not dark magic.”
Celeste’s eyes snapped back to me. “What do you think it is?”
I stared into the unholy black clouds. “Maybe something we haven’t seen yet? I don’t know. I don’t like it.”
Nugar stroked his long beard. “Well, whatever it is, in all my life I’ve never seen black clouds move like they know where they’re going. Don’t seem right.”
“It’s coming for us,” echoed Lucas looking madly in every direction and unable to control his fear. I began regretting my decision to bring him along on this trip.
Will and I shared a look. My heart mirrored the panic in his eyes. We might not know what it was, but we knew it wasn’t friendly. The others had seen our silent exchange, and they could easily read the terror on our faces.
Will drew his sword. Its blade glimmered slightly in the dim light. The sound of metal interrupted the silent, stuffy gloom.
“There are things in the dark that can get you,” Will said solemnly. “Everyone, be on guard.”
Lucas’ eyes were wild with panic, and he rambled on about fire magic, and witches, and sorcery.
Everyone was looking around frantically for a glimpse of the devils inside the growing darkness.
Celeste’s bravado had vanished, too. She wasn’t a steel maiden or a soldier, and she didn’t have combat experience. Her strengths were of the intellectual kind, brewing tonics and potions. I’d been selfish. She would have been safer with Fawkes and the other witches. If something were to happen to her now, I’d never forgive myself.
I tore my eyes from Celeste’s pale face. I would keep her safe. I had to.
“Don’t you think it’s strange that it just appeared?”
Celeste’s skin was pale, but her eyes were clear as she turned to look at me.
“It’s almost as if it knew we were coming. Like it’s been waiting for us, and now it’s trying to keep us from getting through.”
She had stolen my own words.
“A darkness that grows is an ill omen,” she continued, “especially one that smells and reeks of death. I’ve seen my share of magic and the supernatural, but I’ve never seen this. Nothing good can come of it.”
I knew she was right, but we couldn’t run away. Jon was on the other side of this blasted darkness.
“You’re right,” I said, trying to still my nerves. “It is an ill omen. If the necromancer priests did this, then their black magic has grown more than I would have thought possible in such a short time.”
“You think them capable of this? Of having such power?” Celeste’s face was ashen. “I don’t even think the witch king or even all the Coven Council witches combined would be capable of such magical strength.”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe I’m wrong, but the way the necromancers’ magic was explained to me, they need to borrow it. They don’t have blood magic. They’re men, humans. Ada and the others never thought they could be a real threat because their power was minimal. They seemed to think that the necromancers’ power wasn’t strong enough yet. But now, with the stone.”
I took in a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe. But it scares me to think of how much power they’ve gained. Could they cast the world into darkness?”
“Goddess protect us if you’re right.” Celeste closed her eyes and mumbled a blessing.
I didn’t want to think of the possibilities. It was madness. How could we ever defeat such a strength?
“This is my fault,” I blurted and wiped at my eyes. I’d been carrying this burden for so long, I could feel it tearing at my soul bit by bit, and I was frightened that it would consume me completely. I should have listened to Rose.
Celeste shook her head. “Elena, don’t be ridiculous. From what you’ve told me and from what I’ve gathered from Fawkes, the necromancers had been plaguing this realm long before your mother was born. How can any of this be your fault?”
“Because I’m the one who stole the damn stone in the first place!”
The words flew out of my mouth, hard and loud before I could stop them. I felt everyone’s attention on me.
“Without the stone, these pricks couldn’t have done this. Or any of it. Can’t you see what I’ve done? How stupid and selfish I was! How I’ve condemned us all!”
My temper flared, but my anger wasn’t directed at Celeste or the men, it was directed at me.
I did this. And somehow I had to stop it.
“They’ll stop at nothing for the chance to kill me. They could have killed me before, but I escaped. They know I’m the only one who can touch the Heart of Arcania stone. I can take it away from them. They don’t want me anywhere near it. If they’re still in Soul City, we should let them think I’m coming for the stone. It’s better that way. It’ll give me the freedom I need to look for Jon.”
I clenched my teeth as I formulated a plan.
“After we take Jon back to Gray Havens we can go back for the stone.”
The words felt wrong somehow because part of me didn’t believe that Jon was still alive. And I hated myself for that lack of faith.
“Elena, don’t do this to yourself,” said Celeste. “These mad necromancers would have figured something out eventually, with or without the stone. It was only a matter of time.”
“She’s right,” said Will as he and Celeste shared a long look.
“Yes, maybe you sort of speeded the process a little,” Celeste continued. “But you can’t blame yourself for these devils. The Goddess knows your heart is pure, and it shines through your efforts. She will not abandon you.”
It warmed my heart that Celeste thought so well of me. She was a true friend. But I knew what an ass I’d been, and of the selfish act that had gotten me into trouble in the first place.
My eyes burned, but I forced a smile.
“Well then, if the Goddess wills it, she’ll guide us through this darkness. Let’s keep moving,” I said, more to myself than to the others. I had at least to voice the courage I so desperately needed.
I tapped my heels into Torak’s flanks, and we trotted forward. The others followed closely behind me. I felt my warhorse stiffen beneath me as we entered the first thin veil of black shadow. I held my breath as I felt its tendrils brush against my face.
Then the darkness shifted, and through it came a familiar gray-white mist.