Moving surprisingly swiftly considering his weak state, he launched toward the door. He pulled at the handle, swinging it wide open before Tejus could stop him.
An impossibly strong wind hurtled into the room and sent books and cushions flying about the place, battering themselves against the walls and ceiling.
I watched, half rising to my feet, as my brother stepped into the room.
Ruby
I moved closer to Ash, and he reached down to clasp my hand. Beyond that, I was petrified. My first instinct on seeing Benedict was to run over and hug him. It had been swiftly replaced by a kind of grotesque horror—the twist of the malevolent smile and the glaze across his eyes sent shivers running through my body. Whatever that thing was, it wasn’t Benedict. It might have looked like him in every way, but there was an unnatural and animalistic slyness about him that was far removed from the Benedict I knew and loved.
The furniture was flying about, and I ducked my head as a huge book came flying toward me. I grabbed Yelena with my spare hand, making sure that the girl was standing out of harm’s way. I didn’t even think she felt me move her—she was fixated on Benedict, her body as pliant as a ragdoll’s. Julian had been thrown back into the other corner of the room when the door burst open, and he stood, staring at his friend.
We watched, open-mouthed, as Benedict slowly raised his hand toward the wall on the far side of the room. The gray stones—centuries old—started to shift and rattle in the mortar. Dust started to cascade down the wall, then got swept up and blown in our faces. I shielded my eyes as they started to water, and through the blur of tears, I saw Tejus collapse—hitting the floor hard, with a heavy thump. Hazel jerked, almost as if his hurt was hers, but didn’t move from her corner of the room.
Clearly Benedict had been syphoning off him, and apparently found him unsatisfactory. I held my breath, knowing that one of us would be next.
Yelena opened her mouth in a silent scream.
At the same time, the stones in the wall blew apart, sending shards ricocheting off the walls and skidding across the floor. A large piece catapulted toward Hazel, who bent double in pain as it slammed into her.
I looked back at the wall, and once the debris and dust cleared, small, bright stones of different tones and hues flickered in a pattern like Christmas tree lights. I didn’t know if it was my imagination or not, but the stones looked as if they were humming and moving of their own accord—like they were alive.
Ash pulled me backward, moving us aside as Benedict started to walk across the room. Yelena was panting heavily now, her body growing limp as if it were an effort to stand. I let go of Ash’s hand and held her to me, trying to keep her upright. The malevolent smile was still plastered across Benedict’s face. Suddenly I felt unaccountably angry, and it took away the fear that had been pounding through me ever since I’d laid eyes on Hazel. I wanted to wipe that smug smile off Benedict—or the entity’s—face.
How DARE you!
I was sick of fending off disasters, constantly under attack, from one evil of Nevertide to the next. I jerked forward, forgetting myself and the fact that I was next to useless against the power of the entity. Ash grabbed hold of me around the waist, tightening his grip.
I watched, frustratingly helpless, as Benedict reached up and took one of the bright stones from the wall. When he touched it, it shone brighter than the rest—a sickly yellow light that bathed us all in its glow. With perfectly measured and relaxed movements, Benedict pocketed the stone in his robe. Turning, he walked back across the room and disappeared through the doorway. I heard the clunking of his footsteps on the stone staircase that led to the tower, and then nothing.
Julian slammed the door shut. Yelena’s body gave way, and Ash caught her before she fell to the floor. He carried her over to the sofa and placed her on it. Tejus started to rise as well, using the wall beside him to balance.
How did he even get here—by bird?
Not able to wait another moment, I pulled the door open and hurtled up the steps to the tower.
Breathless, I reached the top in record time, but as I looked around I saw nothing, not even a tell-tale shadow in the sky that would indicate he’d escaped with a vulture. It was as if he’d completely disappeared into thin air.
Is that even possible?
Under the control of this mysterious entity, maybe anything was possible.
The wind had died completely, and the night was silent. I was about to turn around and go back inside when I heard the scatter of small stones coming from below me on the tower.
I leaned over the balustrade, and looked down. In the moonlight, I could just make out a dark figure, scuttling down the wall as if it was no effort at all. I leaned a little further out, disbelieving. Suddenly it stopped, looking up at me, Benedict’s face pale in the moonlight, with a smug, evil smile, staring right back at me.
After a pause, he continued his journey. As I turned away from the side of the tower, I couldn’t help but think Benedict had just lost any part of him that was still human.
Rose
An hour later, our joy at finding the portal was becoming short-lived. Corrine and the other witches were doing all that they could, but the thick, tar-like substance wasn’t budging. Corrine was getting tired, her face gradually losing its color as she did everything within her power to force it open.
The sea was becoming choppier as the sun started to set. The waves were leaping up and smacking against the floats of the sea plane and soaking the interior. I could taste sea salt in my mouth, making me thirsty. Caleb clutched my hand tightly—he hadn’t let go since the discovery of the portal. I had naïvely thought that all our problems would be solved the moment we saw the portal, but when had anything been that simple? Especially when it came to the supernatural—there was always an unexpected cost, a trick, a hidden motive.
This was just a small setback, I reassured myself. It happens all the time.
It just didn’t usually happen when my children were involved.
I heard the crackle of a radio. Corrine had stopped spelling the portal and was trying to get into contact with the other team.
“Mona? Mona? Can you hear me?” she asked over the waves.
“I can hear you—everything okay?” Mona’s voice sounded unnaturally high over the radio. “Anything happened yet?”
“No,” Corrine replied, “it’s not budging. I’ve tried everything I can think of.”
There was silence over the line, and I looked worriedly up at Corrine. She shrugged.
“Okay,” she replied. “At least we’ve found it—that’s good news. Now we just have to find a way to get it open.” I could hear the determination in her voice, and smiled. We really needed a bit of perspective—it was good news. “Has it got a cover over it, like a translucent cover?” Mona asked.
“No. It’s like black tar—looks almost like a live organism… seems to be moving of its own accord.”
“I’ve never heard of anything like that,” Mona replied faintly. “Don’t touch it. We’ll come over to you, we might have better luck shifting it if there’s more of us.”
Corrine nodded. “Okay—meet us on the mainland and we’ll regroup.” She cut the radio and turned to me, her expression as disappointed as I was sure mine was. “I just can’t figure out how this has happened,” she said. “Unused portals have been known to get a bit sticky with age, but I’ve never seen anything like this.” She peered back down into the portal, and we both watched the hypnotic movements of the tar. I could see why Mona had advised us not to touch it—it looked like it would swallow us whole, like quicksand. It wasn’t an appealing thought.
“Let’s get back,” Corrine murmured eventually. “Mona and the others will be there soon.”
The plane changed direction, and soon we were hurtling back to the mainland.
“Do you think it could be spelled by witches?” Caleb asked Corrine.
She shook her head. “I doubt it – I’d be able to tell.”
>
We were silent the rest of the way back, all of us looking out of the sea plane windows, watching the endless ocean—all racking our brains as to what, or who, could have caused a portal to get blocked in that way.
I was glad that we’d found it, but wished it didn’t throw up more questions than it answered. I also had an overwhelmingly ominous feeling… what kind of dimension might our children be locked in?
Tejus
Ash and Julian were bent over the sofa, attending to the small human girl. Hazel remained in the corner, sitting among the debris, still wearing the bedsheet clutched to her tightly.
What had I done?
I still couldn’t comprehend how it had happened. The minister had told me that it was the marriage ceremony that created the change, a specific part of the marriage ceremony. How could he have got it so wrong? He had claimed it was the moment that the body, mind and soul were declared as one. I had assumed he meant theoretically—that the words and ritual of the ceremony would somehow make that true. Obviously I had been wrong, but did that mean that Hazel and I had become literally joined somehow? That she was as much a part of me as I felt I was of her?
There was no denying that I had felt something shift inside me—a moment when she had looked up at me, her eyes clear and honest as they met mine, and I’d felt myself mentally pour into her, holding nothing back. Was the transformation as simple as that?
Does it even matter?
I had ruined her. How would she love me now, when she had become a mind-hungry leech, all because she’d fallen for the wrong man—the wrong species? I felt morally bankrupt. Not only did I feel corrupt, but I felt like I had corrupted another, someone who was inherently good. The only creature I had ever learned to love more than myself.
I can’t bear it to be this way…
I strode toward her, but she scurried up to her feet, desperately warning me back. I knew she wanted me to, but I couldn’t just let her sit there, feeling like she was all alone in dealing with this.
Before I could touch her, she dashed past me, running into my bedroom and slamming the door shut. The others looked up in surprise, but I barely registered their glances. It was only when Ruby, coming down from the tower, tugged on my robe to get my attention and then scowled at me while gesturing to the slammed door, that I felt I should try to explain something.
Ruby shoved a piece of paper and some lead in my direction.
I hastily scribbled down the best I could, ‘You need to speak to her—when you can. I’m sorry.’
Ruby snatched back the paper and rolled her eyes at me. I didn’t know what else to say, and in all honesty I was sick of this farce. I wanted them all to leave.
Ruby tried to open the door, but Hazel had locked it from the inside. She struggled for a few moments and then gave up, slumping against it, dejected. Ash gallantly went to her side, and I turned away.
I was about to order them out when the small human groaned. She struggled up on the sofa and looked around the room, noticing the devastation that Benedict had caused with wide eyes.
“What happened?” she asked croakily.
It’s over.
I sighed with relief. The final plague was over. I didn’t know what this would mean in terms of the entity’s rise, but for now I was grateful that Hellswan had survived it – barely.
The others all started talking at once, Ash trying to reassure Ruby, and Julian trying to explain to the young girl that it would all be all right.
“Tejus, what is going on with Hazel?” Ruby asked me, cutting through the noise. Everyone fell silent.
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait until she wishes to tell you.”
“What did you do to her?” she yelled, her cheeks heating up as she glared at me.
I turned toward the tower. I wanted to get away from them—I didn’t need Ruby’s judgment adding to the guilt I already felt. I needed to speak to Hazel alone, to tell her that the cravings would eventually pass, that she would in part return to normal…as normal as she could now be.
“Don’t leave!” Ruby bit out. “I want to get to the bottom of this, and my friend’s not speaking to me. I need answers now, sentry.”
I bit my tongue. I had no idea what to say, and it certainly wasn’t my place to tell them about Hazel’s transformation. I wasn’t sure I would even know where to begin…
“You have to wait,” I snapped.
“What about the stone?” the small human asked, breaking the brief silence that followed. “What happens now that Benedict—the entity—has taken another one?”
“And the apocalyptic signs are finished,” Ruby whispered. “What does that mean?”
It occurred to me that I had never felt more responsible for the people of Hellswan and the humans in my care—and never felt more at a loss as to how I could fulfill that responsibility, now that I was no longer king.
“I don’t know what it means. The material Hazel and I read indicated that the apocalyptic signs were just a warning system—not that it automatically meant the entity would rise…but the ministers have been wrong in the past,” I murmured.
Very wrong.
“Why don’t you know?” the human replied angrily. “You’re the king, you should know some of this! How are you supposed to protect your kingdom and all your people if you don’t know any of this?”
I couldn’t help the smirk that twitched across my face.
“Actually, I’m not the king—Ash is.”
The bewildered silence that greeted my remark was satisfying. Ash’s paling, disbelieving face turned to mine.
“What?” he asked.
My smile faded. I didn’t exactly like Ash, but I was handing him more of a curse than a blessing. For a moment I questioned my decision—was this boy able to rule Hellswan?
“You heard me,” I retorted.
“I did,” he replied slowly, “but I want to hear it again—and know what you mean.”
The bafflement of his expression had turned into determination. I remembered why I had thought Ash would be capable. He wouldn’t be plagued with the uncertainty I had faced, the burden of my family’s name. He would rule with fresh eyes—a mind that was less jaded than mine.
“You need to discuss it with the ministers,” I replied. “It is best that they induct you. Although, take the advice of ministers with caution. Memenion will be helpful to you also, should you need it.”
I strode over to the door of my living room and held it open. Enough was enough.
“And I’m afraid that is all I can tell you. Please leave—I want to be alone with Hazel.”
“I’m not sure you should be,” Ruby muttered, glancing balefully in my direction.
Eventually they left. Ash walked out in a daze, with Ruby almost having to guide him to the hallway. I shut the door when the last one was out.
“Hazel?” I called as softly as I could through the bedroom door.
Only silence greeted me.
Ash
“I don’t understand why he couldn’t give me more answers than that,” I muttered to Ruby as we made our way down from Tejus’s tower. “It’s not like the ministers are exactly forthcoming.”
She took my hand, nodding along with my complaints, but a small smile crept across her face.
“What?” I asked.
“Aren’t you excited?” she asked, squeezing my hand.
I returned her smile. “Honestly, Shortie? I’m terrified.”
“You don’t need to be,” she said. “Well…maybe for the trials…” She trailed off, and I could practically see her brain going into overdrive.
“Stop worrying.” I laughed at her.
“You started it. I was excited for you . . . ”
We entered the belly of the castle, and things seemed to have calmed down. The ministers were no longer behaving like headless birds, but now it was worse. Every time we passed one of them, they would stare at me, eyes practically popping out of their skulls as they looked me up and down,
and then took in the group of humans behind me.
“Why aren’t you speaking to them?” Ruby whispered as we passed another pair of ministers.
“I want to find some I know better…most of these ministers don’t know their ass from their elbow.”
“Do you think any of them really knows what’s going on?” she asked.
“Nope.” I grinned. “Maybe that will work to my advantage.”
We turned a corner in the main hallway; I was trying to find my way to the main council room, hoping that I would find Qentos. He was possibly the world’s biggest fool, but he also seemed honest…as far as ministers went.
“Ashbik?” Lieutenant Ragnhild stood in our path, smiling pleasantly at our group. Now that Commander Varga was gone, I supposed Ragnhild was left in charge of the guards. I had never really spoken to him—he was quiet, kept to himself, and didn’t really socialize with any of the other guards in the mess hall. I didn’t know if that was because he was naturally shy, or because he was just stuck-up.
I guess I’m going to find out.
“Lieutenant Ragnhild,” I acknowledged. “Can I help you?”
“I bring word from the ministers. May I speak freely?” he asked, looking at Ruby and then over to the rest of the humans.
“Yes.”
“Very well. The internal ministers of Hellswan have agreed that you are to be named king, but we will need to clear the decision with the Impartial Ministers—we will need their say-so before the coronation can take place, and before you are permitted to take part in the Imperial trials.”
I swallowed.
This is too much…
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” I managed.
Ragnhild made a move to leave. Tradition would have me as a servant bow to him, and him bow to me as a king. But I was not either of those things at the moment…