“Well, it’s the only way for them to pass as mind-bent.” Heron shrugged. “As Maras, we are capable of detecting changes in a creature’s behavior, and right now, I can tell you that both Hera’s and Cynara’s heartrates have increased. They cannot lie to me, and they certainly won’t be able to lie to the others. If I clear their memories of this meeting altogether, they will have nothing to lie about.”
“He’s right,” Hera said, though she clearly disliked the prospect of another memory wipe. “Especially since we’ve told you about the archives. We cannot risk it. Do it.”
“Look for old Iman Lemuel,” Cynara added. “He lives on the third level; he has a small bookstore on the ground floor of his house. He’s well known to the people there, so you won’t have trouble finding his place. We know he has some ancient texts hidden somewhere in there.”
“But try visiting him in the morning, as he’s usually out during the day, and leaves his niece in charge of the library. I don’t think she knows about the archives,” Hera replied. “He likes to paint, and is always out and about, looking for the perfect landscape…”
“Thank you both.” Heron gave them a warm smile, then stepped forward, and I could see his eyes flickering gold as he mind-bent them. “You won’t remember us coming here. You won’t remember talking to us, nor will you remember the fact that you know you’re being mind-bent. My friends and I will walk out of here, and, shortly afterward, you will forget this meeting ever happened.”
The sisters nodded slowly, their pupils dilating and their expressions attaining an eerie kind of serenity, as Heron motioned for us to leave. We reached the corridor and closed the door behind us.
“I really hope they don’t get into any trouble because of us,” I murmured as we went down the stairs and left the inn behind.
“Chances are slim to none,” Heron replied. “They won’t remember anything, so there’s nothing for them to be aware or afraid of. They’ll be okay.”
Fiona stepped in front of us, bringing Heron and me to a halt.
“Let’s be smart about this,” she said, pursing her lips. “Let’s get to Lemuel’s bookstore first. Avril, you can pick up his scent from there, then take Heron with you and track the old Iman to wherever he is. There’s no point in waiting until morning.”
“I agree.” I nodded. “Time is of the essence here.”
“Besides, that way we handle Lemuel, and you get to do your fancy dinner with Vincent.” Heron grinned, and I playfully smacked him on the shoulder.
My reaction made him chuckle, and Fiona gave us a half-smile in return. She wasn’t in the best of moods, but, given everything that had happened, I wasn’t sure what to blame it on.
“You okay, Fi?” I asked softly.
“Yes, mostly,” she said. “I’m just getting more worried about the whole mind-bending thing. We’ve been so busy with the daemons and then the explosion that we haven’t had much time to properly look into this. I guess Heron and Jax were right that we can’t fully trust the Exiled Maras.”
“Honestly, I wish I was wrong,” Heron muttered, glancing over his shoulder at the inn. Lights were flickering in the windows as the evening set in, casting shades of purple and violet across the sky. “I wish they were all innocent and all we had to worry about was daemons, but… turns out we’re not that lucky.”
Indeed, we weren’t lucky at all. We’d already suspected that there was something off about the relationship between the Exiled Maras and the Imen, but only now were we finally beginning to peel away the layers of secrets over this picture-perfect city.
It wasn’t perfect at all. Imen’s minds had been repeatedly erased. Memories had been replaced with false knowledge. There was something terribly off in this city, far beyond the daemons’ recent targeting of its people.
And we were going to get to the bottom of it, one way or another.
Harper
(Daughter of Hazel & Tejus)
We raced across the plains, our indigo horses ridiculously swift, as always. The tall grass and cloudy skies allowed us to blend in a little better as we passed through small bundles of trees to avoid making a straight, clear line.
The idea was that daemons could be watching from the gorges, and they could potentially see us coming in. If we made the most of our surroundings and the trees nearby, we could avoid detection. We reached a cluster of rocks just five hundred yards away from the stream leading into the Valley of Screams, and Jax urged us to stop.
We pulled our horses into the shade as the sun set behind the limestone giants ahead, turning the sky purple with streaks of white clouds gathering. The air felt more humid than usual, signaling potential rain.
“If it rains, it’ll work in our favor,” Jax said as he pulled out the map, spreading it against the vertical wall of one of the rocks. “It’ll wash over our tracks, making it harder for daemons to track us.”
I looked around, using my True Sight to detect any enemy activity, but all I could see were wild animals grazing through green patches in the nearby gorges. Jax analyzed the map carefully as we gathered around him.
“What are you thinking?” Hansa asked, squinting at the sinuous lines of each ravine.
“I don’t think it’s wise if we take one of the central routes through the gorges this time,” Jax replied, pointing at the stream line. “We’re doing recon and don’t want to be detected at all, so I was thinking we could try one of the less traveled paths. What are your thoughts, Caspian?”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Caspian replied from my side, then placed his index finger on a gorge closer to the ocean side, about one mile to the south from our position. “This could be a good entry point. It’s somewhat secluded, and narrow enough for us to make good use of crevices to hide in, in case daemons come along. We could set a trap here, three hundred yards away from the pond. The area is dense with trees, and there’s a clearing in this spot that could help with laying the trap.”
I looked up at him, quietly fascinated by his profile—the blade of his nose and deep-set jade eyes creating an extremely attractive ensemble with his lips and slightly sharp chin. He gave me a brief sideways glance and caught me staring. I immediately shifted my focus to the map, holding my breath. I knew his eyes were still on me.
“That sounds like a good plan.” Jax nodded, then rolled the map up and stuffed it into his backpack.
We got back onto our horses and rushed over to the south side, where the narrowest of the gorges awaited. Caspian was right—the ravine was stuffed with large trees and shrubs, perfect for us to move through without being detected.
I stayed at the front as we entered the Valley of Screams, with Caspian by my side. Jax and Hansa stayed behind us, followed by Caia and Blaze. I briefly scanned the area and noticed a cave opening about fifty feet away in the right wall. The wind whispered past our ears, carrying with it the promise of darkness and rain. Birds chirped from the tree crowns stretching overhead, and I caught glimpses of deer and boar-like animals shuffling across the path ahead.
“There’s a cave there.” I pointed toward the west. “We can use it for the horses.”
We reached it in a matter of minutes, our mounts trotting cautiously as we inspected every inch around us. I wouldn’t be able to see the daemons, but I could capture movement in branches and shrubs whenever it happened and trace it back to a wild animal. If there was nothing to trace it back to, it would mean we had company.
For the time being, however, we were okay. We got off the horses, and I guided them into the cave, while the others watched. I took hold of Caspian’s horse and looked into its beautiful, sapphire-blue eyes.
“All of you stay here,” I said softly, stroking its neck. “Do not flee unless you’re under attack. Stay hidden, out of sight. Protect the others. Only come out if the coast is clear, and if you need to feed. We’ll be back soon.”
The stallion neighed and shook its head in response, then nuzzled my face with a huff, making me giggle.
“I
have to say, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of watching you do that,” Caspian said. I turned around and found him gazing admiringly at me.
“Thank you… I guess,” I murmured with a modest shrug.
“Okay, let’s move forward now,” Jax said, and we continued on foot.
Not ten minutes later, we came across a creepy but good sign that we were in the right place. Imen skeletons were scattered between the tall pine-like trees, the bones cleaned and yellowed by the passage of time.
My stomach tightened as I got closer to one, realizing that I was looking at what had once been the body of a teenage Iman girl, judging by the shape of the hip bones and the locks of brown hair beneath the skull.
“There are definitely daemons in these parts,” Jax muttered as he stared at another set of bones. Strips of clothing were still wrapped around parts of the skeletons, and moss had grown on the sides of their skulls.
“They’ve been here for years.” Caspian frowned. “No one bothered to take them away, or bury them. Judging by their clothes, they don’t belong to the same group or tribe. My guess is that this is a feeding ground for hunter daemons without caves.”
“So there will be some lurking around, you think?” I asked, then shuddered as a chill ran down my spine. I moved closer to the middle of the road, and closer to Caspian, who nodded.
“We’ll need to move forward a little and get to the clearing I showed you. We can lay a trap there, but we’ll need bait. An open wound, something to spark their interest. They are drawn to the scent of blood, in general, like any other predator,” he said.
Several moments passed as we looked at each other, until Hansa slowly raised her hand.
“I’ll be the damsel in distress,” she said with a smirk, making both Caia and me chuckle.
“Oh, please, you’re neither a damsel, nor ever in actual distress,” I replied.
“You’re a freaking warrior,” Caia added.
“Come on, I can do it,” Hansa shot back, amusement flickering in her emerald-gold eyes.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Jax frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.
Hansa rolled her eyes, then slowly shook her head and stared ahead.
“You keep underestimating me, Jaxxon Dorchadas,” she retorted. “How much more will it take for you to understand that I’m not someone you can try to ‘protect’?”
“I’m only expressing concern for—”
“Don’t,” she interrupted Jax. “I’m perfectly capable of acting as bait, and you know it.”
Something strange happened—something I’d never seen before. Jax didn’t fight her on this any longer. His shoulders dropped as he conceded, his gaze fixed on her. The dynamic between them had changed. It was all there, particularly in the way they looked at each other. There was muted affection and a sliver of resentment.
“Okay, it’s settled then,” I replied. “Hansa will be the most unconvincing bait we’ve ever had, and that’s it.”
I walked toward the clearing, followed by the rest of our team. Caspian kept himself close to me, and I occasionally stole glances at him as we moved between the trees. The sky darkened above as evening gradually descended upon us with cool winds, nocturnal insects buzzing all around.
“How are you faring after last night?” I asked him after a couple of minutes.
“I’ll be fine,” he replied, keeping his eyes on the path ahead. “Half of my household died in the explosions, but there is no time to mourn. All I can do is keep pushing and help you bring those responsible to justice.”
“I’m… I’m truly sorry,” I murmured, an invisible string tugging at my heart. “Were they friends, family?”
“They were both,” he sighed. “Some were cousins of mine, but most were servants. They’d been with my House for years. Few people know what it’s like inside House Kifo, but one thing I can guarantee is that no one wants for anything in my house. I look after my own, and their extended families. They’re irreplaceable, and we’ll all have to learn to live without them. But we will live. No matter what.”
I nodded slowly, but there was something in the way he spoke that made me think there was an underlying statement there. Caspian was so full of secrets, I had a hard time not picking up on the details he slipped into his every sentence. He was trying to tell me more about himself and his world without actually saying anything. That had to be quite the feat, and I knew by that point that he would eventually open up to me.
His aura was a mixture of gold and green whenever he was close to me, and, while I’d yet to figure out exactly what that meant, it felt positive and… nice. The looks he gave me were different, too. There was warmth in the jade pools of his eyes. The tension between us was gradually subsiding, replaced by something else—a thickness in the air that I wasn’t sure how to interpret, for the time being. Caspian was a creature who required some patience to fully understand; that was the one thing I was absolutely certain about.
And I had already decided that I would take my time and let him come to me. He wanted to share his secrets, and I’d made it my mission to earn his full trust for this. It turned out that Jax and Hansa weren’t the only ones whose dynamic had changed…
Harper
(Daughter of Hazel & Tejus)
About an hour later, we’d all assumed our positions in hidden parts of the clearing. Hansa was out in the open, sitting in the very middle of the path with a self-inflicted cut on her thigh. Silvery blood dripped from it, gathering in the dust beneath, as she leaned onto her hands and waited. She was getting bored, occasionally clicking her teeth just to break through the silence.
We’d used ropes and trees nearby to set some snare traps. There was a wide circle around Hansa, buried in the dirt, ready to snap as soon as a daemon caught the scent of her blood and got close enough for Jax to pull and release the trap.
Caspian and I were hidden behind a slab of limestone just forty feet away, with our backs against the stone and one of the snare ropes in my hands, waiting for a daemon to come by. My True Sight was constantly on, and I looked around, expecting to see the air rippling sooner or later.
Blaze, Caia, and Jax were somewhere on the other side of the path, holding onto their own lengths of rope. Half an hour had gone by with no sign of hostiles. We knew it was going to be a waiting game, though.
Caspian was standing so close to me that I could smell his fragrance of choice—a nose-tingling mixture of musk and spices that made my stomach tighten with delight. I casually looked up and found his gaze on my face, intense and cloudy. He lowered his head so slowly that I barely registered the movement until I realized that our lips were mere inches apart.
I held my breath. Time stopped as we looked into each other’s eyes, and waves of gold emanated from him, subtle shades that persisted in my field of vision. My heart thundered almost painfully with anticipation, until my senses came back into focus. Raindrops started falling, almost instantly evaporating as they hit my face.
Caspian blinked several times and seemed to regain his composure. What is going on here? What… What is this between us?
“I thought about that one question,” I whispered, trying to steer myself back into reality. Hansa was still out there in the middle of the path, and I needed to stay sharp. Caspian seemed to smile with just his eyes as he waited patiently for me to continue. “Have you ever spoken to daemons? Do you know any daemons, and have you ever been to their underground cities?”
“That’s more than one question.” He smirked.
“They pertain to the same topic.” I rolled my eyes. “Come on, man, after all we’ve been through, I deserve some answers! We all do!”
He thought about it for a couple of seconds, then let out a muted groan in surrender. “Yes, I’ve spoken to daemons.”
I froze, the entire picture of him suddenly revealed anew, now brighter, more nuanced, at such a revelation. He looked away, and I registered the change in his expression: his gaze darkened, and his eyebr
ows pulled closer together.
“Yes, I know plenty of daemons,” he breathed. “And yes, I’ve been underground, too. It’s why I suggested this side of the gorge in the first place. There’s an access tunnel not far from here, but it’s hidden with a cloaking spell, and we’ll need a live daemon to open it.”
“That means… Wait, cloaking spell,” I murmured, putting two and two together. “Swamp witch magic, right?”
He nodded.
“They’re very resourceful,” he muttered, his disdain obvious. At least I knew he didn’t have a good relationship with the daemons…
“The original cloaking spell requires the blood of someone who was in the protected space when the magic was first cast,” I remembered. “In this case, however, assuming it has to do with using slightly different ingredients from Neraka, it needs a live specimen. Correct?”
“That’s right. Hence why I thought laying a trap was a good idea,” he replied, the corner of his mouth twitching. “You and your team continue to surprise me in a most positive way.”
Something heavy weighed on my chest as I stared at him, a mixture of frustration and… well, attraction swirling through me. I liked Caspian. A lot. More than I’d originally thought possible, but he was so secretive at a time when any sliver of information could make the difference between life and death. I was conflicted.
“I can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever share your secrets with us. With me.” I let out a long, tortured sigh, just to relieve some of the tension gathering inside my ribcage. “I honestly think you’ll be the end of me and my team if you keep hiding these things from us…”
My burst of honesty was inevitable. I’d known I’d cave in at some point and just voice my thoughts to him, and I actually felt a little better after I let it all out. But Caspian continued to surprise me. He gripped my chin with his thumb and index finger, and turned my head for me to face him.