upward and saw what he imagined the end of the world might look like. The clouds had turned to ash and flame in some places, and to pulsing, throbbing, sickly green in others. In between, like great fractures in the foundation stone of a massive keep, jagged stretches of midnight sky gleamed through.
A howling wind rushed through the trees overhead, stripping the leaves from their branches and uprooting many of them. The winds swirled and sent a spray of water from the nearby falls. The force of the wind knocked the three companions flat. They even shoved Tekthyrios downward from the crush of the violent blast. Myshik cowered and imagined being scoured from the small floating island. Only the protective walls of the grotto had saved him. The thought of spinning out into the maelstrom made him blanch.
'There we go,' Tekthyrios said. 'The sign has come. Helm is dead at last.' He rose up onto his feet again. 'Gather close, you two. We have a journey to make.'
Myshik shifted his gaze between the dragon and Kashada, stunned at the news. Helm, dead? Can this be?
From behind her veil, Kashada's eyes glowed. Without any fear at all, she approached the huge storm dragon and allowed him to grasp her in his foreclaw. As Tekthyrios lifted her into the air, she gave one small, throaty laugh. 'All praise to the Dark Goddess. It has begun.'
Myshik began to dread that he had gotten himself into the middle of such a tangled mess. Whatever Vhok had been chasing, the barbaric hobgoblin could not imagine that it involved the plots of gods. But his father's instructions had been clear. He would see the task through, no matter what. Bring honor to the clan, he reminded himself.
Shrugging in acceptance of his fate, Myshik allowed Tekthyrios to take hold of him as well.
The storm dragon rose up to his full height. 'Come, my little thieves. We have a prize to steal, and a god to steal it from!'
With that, he launched himself skyward.
CHAPTER SIX
Aliisza started awake. A feeling of worry washed over her, though about what, she couldn't figure. Something wasn't right.
She glanced at Kaanyr, still sleeping beside her. He appeared at ease, peaceful, unaware of any danger.
The alu slipped from the covers and dressed, listening for any sounds that might indicate a threat. She fingered Pharaun's ring and scanned the room with its magical energy, seeking anything out of the ordinary. She detected scattered and powerful images, part of the existence and amenities of the room, but nothing threatened her.
The feeling wouldn't go away.
She crossed the floor to the door leading out and pressed her ear against it. There was only silence beyond. She sighed, wondering if her nerves were just a trick of her imagination.
Too long wary of bad dreams, she decided.
Trying to relax, Aliisza turned and headed to the balcony. The storm still raged beyond it, though why it didn't penetrate the interior of the room, she could not say. Nothing actively blocked it, but nonetheless it was as if she watched it through a heavy window or scrying glass. The light was odd, disconcerting. She stepped closer, taking in more of the sky.
Clouds tumbled around, both above and below. They seemed to boil, and lightning raced through them, crackling with purple and green. The storm obscured everything, though Aliisza knew from past experience there was little else out there to view. No land spread out below the great white-stoned city known as Tyr's Court. No top or bottom defined the endless space that stretched beyond where she stood.
Just about to turn back to her bed and her lover, Aliisza felt it. A soft rumble and a quivering vibrated in the stone beneath her feet. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but she had no doubt it was real. The energy to make the mountain rumble would have to be great indeed, and with that realization, Aliisza knew something dire was happening.
'Kaanyr, wake up,' she called, still staring out at the furious sky. When he did not answer, Aliisza turned and strode across the chamber with a purpose born of fear. 'Kaanyr!' she said again, shaking his shoulder.
'Hmm? What?' he asked, rubbing his eyes. 'What's wrong with you?' he snarled, rolling over and trying to yank the covers tighter around himself. 'You wear a fellow out, then won't let him sleep.'
'Something's wrong. The whole place is shaking. Can you feel it?'
Kaanyr sat up, looking at her. 'I've known you long enough not to question that tone,' he said. His voice was gentler, almost concerned.
As she returned to the balcony, he rolled out of bed and slipped into his clothes, then he came to join her. 'What is it?' he asked, holding her shoulders and pressing in close from behind. 'What do you feel?'
'The Court,' she said. 'It's shaking, vibrating. Can't you feel it through the floor?'
Kaanyr stood still and quiet for a moment.
Aliisza felt it again, a soft rumble, as though far below her a part of the rock was cracking or crumbling away. 'There, did you feel that?'
'No, lover, I didn-'
Both of them pitched off their feet and went sprawling across the room as a vicious quake rocked the place.
Aliisza landed on her shoulder. She rolled to ease the impact and wound up crumpled against the base of the large tiled basin where she had once bathed in perfectly heated water and scented oils. She rapped her head against the stone and winced.
'Gods and devils, I felt that!' Kaanyr grunted from somewhere on the far side of the room. 'What the blazes is going on?'
Aliisza found herself earnestly wishing Tauran were there. 'Let's find out,' she said, trying to rise. Another forceful heave threw her off balance, and she hit the floor once more. When she recovered her balance, she realized the room was no longer level. In fact, it was slowly tilting.
'We must flee!' she cried, scrambling to Kaanyr. 'We cannot stay here!'
'I cannot go,' the cambion said, his voice low. 'The angel's magic binds me here.'
'No,' Aliisza said softly, dismayed. She remember all too well a time when she wanted more than anything to launch herself from the balustrade of that balcony, to soar free in the open sky outside, beyond the Court. The magical coercion she had agreed to then had held her there, had prevented her from acting on her thoughts. It had nearly driven her to madness.
'There has to be away to get around it,' she said, thinking aloud. 'Self-preservation has to count for something.'
'Don't you think I've been trying to make that work?' the cambion said, almost snarling. Whatever fleeting moments of gentle affection he had shown during their carnal pleasures vanished in his frustration at his predicament. She sensed that he still blamed her, at least in part, for her role in his ensnarement. 'Just go,' he said. 'Go find out what's tearing the place apart. Find the angel, if you can.'
Aliisza looked at Kaanyr for a moment, trying to get a read on his intentions. His face was clouded with anger and fear, but he seemed earnest. She felt a new sense of respect for him pass through her. Respect, and something familiar and tender. 'Very well,' she said, spinning back toward the door. 'I'll return as soon as-'
A knock came at the portal, cutting her off. She reached for the handle and yanked it open, ready to chastise Tauran for his part in leaving Kaanyr trapped within the chamber, but the words died in her throat.
Micus stood there, accompanied by two of the hound-headed creatures-or archons, as Aliisza had learned. 'You two must come with me at once,' he ordered. 'The High Council has questions.'
Aliisza shook her head and backed away.
'No,' she said. 'Where is Tauran? He should be the one to come for us.'
Micus took her retreat as an invitation to enter the room. He stepped through the doorway and the archons followed. 'Tauran has been relieved of his responsibility for you,' the angel said. He made a gesture to the creatures behind him, and the pair vanished, reappearing just inside the balcony, blocking that egress. 'The High
