Sora nodded, barely able to move.
The Matriarch smirked softly. “Then you know why you sound so pathetic. Even if you kill the mage, the Dark God's power will continue to seep into the land. You cannot seal it away with a little Cat's-Eye stone.” Her smirk grew into a cold sneer. “You and the necklace will be destroyed in this endeavor, and the First Race will clean up your mess.”
The Matriarch turned away. Sora pulled in a long breath, released from the vise-like grip of the Harpy's eyes. What was the woman saying? That the Harpies would help—but only after she and Burn failed? Her brow darkened. Old hag, she thought.
The Matriarch continued to speak as she returned to her throne, stepping slowly and gracefully up to the dais. It was only then that Sora realized that the Harpy wasn't truly walking on the ground, but a few inches above it; her feet were not touching the floor.
“The nature of the Sixth Race is one of chaotic destruction,” she continued. “It is deeply embedded in every one of them. They mimic people of flesh and bone, but do not be deceived. Inside each of the Unnamed lives a shard of the Dark God. A demon waiting to be released, barely controlled by years of discipline. Their race is vile, their power drawn from death, from the fire and darkness of the underworld. You have brought one to our island.” She sat down fluidly, relaxing back into her chair as though she were discussing the weather. “Why?”
Crash. She was speaking of Crash. Sora's hands grew clammy and hot. Fear constricted her lungs.
“He is our captive,” Burn cut in abruptly.
The Matriarch turned her bright eyes upon him. “Captive?” she asked.
“Yes. We have brought him here to lure the mage to this island. The mage is on a quest for revenge and hunts him tirelessly. It was the only way to make him follow us.”
Sora felt her chest loosen slightly. Brilliant, she thought, turning to look at Burn, mentally congratulating the Wolfy. Just brilliant.
“I see,” the Matriarch said slowly, her eyes looking from one to the other. Sora could tell that she wasn't convinced, and tried not to look away from her.
“For this reason,” Burn said, “I'd ask that you not kill him until the mage is dead. In case something goes wrong, it is the only way to lure him out.”
The Matriarch looked at Burn, then at Sora, then at Laina for a long moment. “I will allow you to carry out this plan on our island,” she finally said. “But we will restrain demon in our prison. He cannot walk free.” Then she nodded to Laina, as though noticing her for the first time. “And what of this halfling?”
Halfling? Sora had never heard such a term before. She glanced at Laina, who had been riveted by the Matriarch the entire time.
The Harpy motioned Laina to approach her. “Come closer, child. I see our blood in you.”
Laina's eyes widened even more, if that was possible. Sora felt her heart plummet. No, the girl couldn't be mixed with such an arrogant race. It didn't bode well for anyone. What if she started speaking and revealed their alliance with Crash? It would undermine the Matriarch's trust, fragile as it was. They might all end up in prison.
“Your Majesty,” Laina said, bowing awkwardly. Sora winced. She was fairly certain that wasn't the appropriate title for a Harpy Matriarch.
But the Harpy smiled anyway and held out her hand. “You were born on the mainland?” she asked, glancing over Laina's disheveled appearance. Sora wanted to wince at that too. All three of them probably looked ratty and tired, like dogs dragged out of a swamp.
“Yes ma'am,” Laina nodded. At least the girl was on her best behavior.
“How very interesting. I have yet to meet a halfling from the mainland. Welcome to the City of Asterion.” The Matriarch lowered her hand and glanced over Laina with a wry expression. “Would you care for a tour?”
Laina's mouth dropped open. “Would I!” she exclaimed. Then, recovering herself, she cleared her throat. “Yes, ma'am. I mean, I'd be honored.”
“Wonderful. Then I will arrange it for you. Caprion!”
The Matriarch cried out the name like a bugle call. It rang through the air, echoing, echoing....
Abruptly Sora felt a presence at her back. Prickles ran over her skin. She turned, surprised, as a second figure entered the room. He must have been waiting in the hallway. How long had he been standing there?
The man was slightly taller than Crash. He had the build of a warrior: wide shoulders, trim waist, muscled chest. He was dressed in a soft white tunic, very plain, with brown leggings and tall black boots. Just like the Matriarch, his wings were hidden from view, a slight halo around his back.
But his face...his face was unlike anything Sora had seen before. It was perfectly symmetrical and beautiful, beyond anything human. His nose was straight and sharp, his jaw square and pronounced, his lips full and firm. His eyes were a sharp violet, a shade richer than Laina's and Talarin's, smoky and vibrant all at once. His hair swept across his brow in platinum waves, falling just below his ears, as though he had forgotten to trim it recently.
He, too, had a presence like the Matriarch, except it was more masculine, louder, as though a raging star of fire had entered the room. Sora's eyes dropped to his belt, and she saw a familiar dagger hanging there, dark against his light clothing. It belonged to Crash. Her breath caught.
“My Lady of the One Star,” he said, addressing the Matriarch with a slight bow. His voice was as pure as river water. Then he turned to the rest of them, regarding the three visitors with a cool facade.
“This is Caprion. He is the Guardian of our city and the General of our army,” the Matriarch said, a hint of pride entering her voice. “He is the first seraphim to be born since the War.”
“A seraphim?” Burn murmured.
Sora glanced at the Wolfy, wondering what a seraphim was. Some kind of special Harpy? A rare breed, perhaps?
“Caprion, these are my new guests,” The Matriarch said, though to Sora, it sounded less than inviting. “Do keep an eye on them while they are in the city. They are not to travel unescorted.” She gave the orders flippantly, as though bored.
“My Lady,” Caprion nodded.
So there will be guards at our door? Sora thought. She couldn't help but feel insulted. The Matriarch had done nothing but mock them since arriving in her chamber. Despite warning them about the Dark God, she obviously didn't plan on doing much. No, the Matriarch would sit back on her throne and watch the show from afar, just as the Harpies watched the mainland.
I should have listened to Crash, Sora lamented. We should have avoided the Harpies from the beginning.
“See that the halfling has a tour of the city. I will dine privately with her tonight.” The Matriarch stood up from her chair. “If you have any needs while you are under our care, please address them to Caprion. He will see that you are supplied with all that is reasonable.”
Wonderful, Sora thought. She eyed the dagger at Caprion's belt again. He must know where Crash is. This, at least, gave her some hope.
The Harpy General turned on his heel and walked back into the long hallway, obviously expecting them to follow. Sora paused for a half-second, wondering if she should bow or say something in farewell, but there was no time to linger. She hurried to catch up to the General, her shoulders stiff with tension. She shared a look with Burn and knew that he felt the same.
* * *
* * *
Caprion escorted them back into the courtyard. The setting sun cast an orange glow across the white walls. He paused outside, then created a strange series of symbols with his fingers, like intricate sign-language.
A cloud of pale light surrounded them. Sora sucked in a sharp breath, hoping her Cat's Eye didn't respond to the magic and deflect the spell. Yet the necklace remained quiet—which was equally disturbing.
Caprion watched her reaction closely, making her nervous.
With a final motion of his hand, he easily raised them all off the ground. Sora's heart hammered against her ribs. She felt as though she were standin
g on solid air. It was unnerving, watching the courtyard drop away from her, yet still having the sense of standing upright.
The three travelers glided quickly over the wall, landing outside of the building on a stone pathway. Caprion landed gracefully behind them.
“That was amazing!” Laina burst out, turning to look at the Harpy General. She seemed oblivious to the danger they were in—or perhaps, after the Matriarch's invitation, she felt more like a guest of honor. Sora watched her in annoyance.
Caprion smiled faintly. “Your quarters are this way,” he said, and turned, leading them down the path.
Sora fell into step behind him, scowling at his back. So far, every Harpy she had met had the arrogance of the First Tier. They acted as though they were each kings in their own right. It reminded her vaguely of her life back at the manor, always aware of her inferiority, always trying to live up to some unattainable ideal. That grated on her nerves.
They passed through a quarter-mile of dense trees, leaving the city proper. After about twenty minutes, Caprion showed them to a large oval-shaped building made of white limestone. Sora thought it resembled an upside-down bowl, perhaps two stories high, chiseled with emblems of the sun and moon. A balcony encircled the second tier. She could see windows spaced evenly apart, made of heavy marbled glass that captured the light. The sun was beginning to set, so the glass was turned bright orange. She could imagine at midday, the windows would become like vibrant prisms, reflecting all sorts of colors. She had never seen anything like it on the mainland.
There was no sign of a door. With another casual sweep of his hand, Caprion lifted them up and set them to the second-story balcony, where a large archway led into the building. They landed on the smooth limestone and Caprion motioned for them to enter. Sora passed beneath the archway into the large dome.
An inner-balcony made of wood circled the upper floor, and Sora could see rooms branching off, connected by simple beaded doors. A winding staircase led to the bottom floor; the ground was paved with wide, smooth bricks of rusty red. A large fountain sat low to the ground, empty of water and collecting leaves. It looked like a ghostly memory, something left over from another time.
“I will post two of my soldiers on the floor below,” Caprion said, leading them in a semi-circle around the second-story walkway. “The only way to leave this building is by flight. If you have need of anything, tell my men and they will assist you. You are not to travel unescorted. If you do, we will find you very easily.” He didn't bother to look at them as he spoke.
Sora considered that; she had a Cat's Eye and could evade their spells, if she could get it to work correctly. She wondered if she would be able to slip out quietly during the night to find Crash's location. She was desperate to see him—but would it be worth it? If she tried to escape, she would lose the Matriarch's trust, as fragile as it was.
Her eyes lingered on the blade at Caprion's belt. Crash wouldn't give up his dagger without a fight, which meant he was still bound by the sunstone...or dead, she admitted. But she didn't want to dwell on that possibility. It's Crash. He'll find a way to survive.
Still, the sunstone had completely debilitated him....
Caprion paused, indicating a series of beaded doors. “These are your rooms,” he said. “Pick whichever you'd like.” He turned to face them, speaking in his melodic voice. “There are many buildings in Asterion that you can only reach by flight. There is no use going off to explore on your own. You will find yourselves...quite limited.” As he glanced over them, his expression was similar to the Matriarch's—as though they lacked some essential appendage.
“What about my tour?” Laina asked.
“I will return in an hour for you,” he said. He arched an eyebrow. “Make yourself presentable.” He glanced over their tattered appearance but refrained from further comment.
Sora watched him turn and walk away. As with the Matriarch, it took her a moment to realize that he wasn't truly walking, but hovering over the ground.
She looked down at two other Harpies in the building, standing next to the silent fountain. They were large men in shining armor with swords strapped to their sides. Their wings were clearly visible, with spans of around twelve feet. She looked at their boots carefully, but if their shadows were any indication, they were standing evenly on the ground.
What of Caprion's wings? she wondered, her gaze returning to the General's back. Only he and the Matriarch hovered as they walked, as though touching the floor took more effort than flying. Would his wings be as wide as the Matriarch's, and just as grand? How powerful? A seraphim Harpy....From his air of confidence, she had the feeling he was a formidable warrior.
“This is wonderful!” Laina said, turning to grin at them. “I'm going to have a tour of the city! Can you believe it? Me! The Matriarch spoke to me....” Her eyes were alight with excitement. Laina whirled toward the closest room, a definite bounce in her step. “I have to get ready,” she gushed. “See you in an hour!”
Sora stared after her as though the girl had gone mad. But of course, Laina's imagination had been fueled by her grandmother's stories, and now she had the full attention of the Harpy Matriarch. Sora shook her head slowly. A halfling.
“I don't like it,” Sora said softly, after Laina had disappeared. “She's too trusting.”
“I agree,” Burn replied. He hesitated, and then added, “I'll have a quick word with her. Make sure she understands the gravity of the situation.”
Sora nodded. “Do you think the Matriarch is trying to use her? Get more information out of her?”
Burn let out a long, slow breath. “The Harpies are very intelligent,” he said, “and long-lived. I wouldn't doubt it. I just hope the poor girl doesn't get used and thrown away. I don't think Harpies are especially fond of halflings. They are a proud race.”
Sora had to agree. It made sense—why would someone as domineering as the Matriarch take interest in a half-human girl, unless it was to pry information out of her? Laina had played directly into her hands.
It made her somewhat sad. She couldn't imagine what the girl must be feeling. To be an orphan for so long...and then to discover that she was part of an ancient race, even if it was only by half. What would Laina do to find a sense of belonging?
She sighed, reining in her thoughts, forcing herself not to worry. Laina was young, but her heart was in the right place. She wouldn't betray them so quickly.
Sora walked through the open archway into her room, in search of a bucket and washcloth.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THE WIDE ROOM beyond had a huge window that opened out onto the balcony. A bed with white, gauzy curtains sat against the wall farthest from the tub. The mattress was lumpy but not completely uncomfortable, and free of bed bugs.
After bathing in a large white tub, Sora dressed in an outfit of white silk that had been left out. Her clothing was both intricate and simple: a white undershirt made of sheer mesh that conformed tightly to her skin, a pair of white breeches and tall white boots, made of butter-soft leather, clasped at the knees, and a long white robe, similar to the silken nightrobe her mother had worn on summer nights. The robe tied at the waist with a thick, silvery sash. Once the ensemble was put together, Sora felt quite comfortable in the light, airy fabric. She found a hairbrush laid out next to the bed, carved of bone, and brushed her hair. Then she pulled her hair back in a fishtail braid.
Sora stood in front of the mirror for a moment, looking at herself. She barely recognized her own face. Her hair was lighter than before, bleached by the sun. There were fading bruises along her cheekbone, and her jaw stood out far more than it used to. She looked tan, hard and lean. More than that, her expression troubled her. She tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. The smile looked forced, somehow. Insincere.
Goddess....Since when had she become so hardened? She looked far more like a warrior than she felt.
Just then she heard the sound of voices in the hallway.
Sora shouldere
d her staff and stood just beyond the beaded curtain, listening. Caprion's unmistakable voice rang through the domed building. “Klaren will escort you around the city tonight. Please remain in her line of sight at all times. Afterwards, the Matriarch has invited you to dinner.”
“Thank you!” Laina replied. “I feel honored!”
Sora could sense Caprion's smile, the vague crook of his lips, without even seeing his face.
The seraphim continued to speak. “Burn, the Matriarch would like you to accompany Laina on her tour of the city, but you will retire before dinner. We will have a separate meal served to your room.”
“I thought the Matriarch only wanted Laina to see the city,” Burn rumbled, a deep croak compared to Caprion's rising tenor.
“She often changes her mind,” the seraphim murmured. There it was, that smile again. Sora grimaced, imagining the Harpy's expression.
Burn's silence was his only response.
A series of footsteps passed by Sora's door. She could see the faint outline of silhouettes through the beaded curtain, including one with large white wings. She closed her eyes briefly. Good, they would be leaving her behind. Maybe she would have the opportunity to sneak out after all. She had to locate Crash....
“Ahem.”
Sora took a surprised step backwards. Caprion's face suddenly appeared through the beaded curtain. She was shocked by his sudden appearance, the way he looked at her with his vibrant amethyst eyes.
“You're coming with me,” he said directly.
Sora felt her skin tingle. The power of that voice....She found herself stepping forward, not even questioning. But then she shrugged that compulsion off, relying on a small tendril of her Cat's Eye.