“Something that will happen again if we can’t stop it, but this time, to the entire world,” the witch says darkly.
I eye her, lips pressed into a thin line. “The Shades?”
“This is why I know of them,” she confirms. “The years I spent in Alramol before it collapsed, and the centuries after when my sisters and I studied its history to make sure it would not be forgotten, I learned of their dark devices.”
“And yet it was forgotten,” Erzur says, her almond-shaped eyes narrowed at the Bloodbane.
“Perhaps by some, but not by us.” The old witch smiles, but there’s no kindness in her eyes.
In the shadows of the city, the old Bloodbane leads us towards the pyramid that cuts into the sky. Verity is practically bouncing from foot to foot, her eyes as wide as coins. I’ve never seen her so excited about anything before, and the sight has my heart stirring. I wish I could bring her to the ancient city of Civisilva, the city that was swallowed by the forest. Verity has a traveler’s heart and a thirst for knowledge. I want to sate it with her.
I’m drawn from my thoughts when Erzur slips a hand around my shoulders. Her fingers dig into my flesh and I cut my eyes towards her warningly. She isn’t bothered and I remind myself that I need to at least appear to tolerate her. I have no doubt she knows that Verity and I have given into our love more than once since our engagement. I’m lucky she hasn’t declared war on Alnembra for my betrayal. I need to keep it that way.
We follow the old witch deeper into the city, to a small building still standing in the shadow of the pyramid. “My search may require a few days,” she says, voice warbling. “This will be a good place to settle.”
“Thal,” I say, an edge of command to my voice. “Chain Sadal to a wall away from windows and doors.”
“It’s too late now, it’s too late now,” Sadal says, humming.
Thal grimaces but takes Sadal’s elbow and drags him into the building. He mutters beneath his breath, a quiet threat to Sadal. Erzur picks at the crumbling doorway and rubs the dust between her fingers. I tie the horses to a post outside when a soft wail catches my attention. I spin, sand spitting out beneath my boots. The alleys and roads around us are empty, save the odd gust of sand-laden wind.
“We must be cautious,” the old witch says cryptically. “Some believe the city to be haunted. And there will be many dangers in the pyramid.”
“Haunted?” Verity echoes, her eyes lit with curiosity.
Erzur scoffs. “There are no such things as spirits. A blade will do well enough against real dangers.”
“How can you say that when you’ve seen demons?” Verity asks impatiently. She scowls at Erzur, distaste clear in her blue eyes.
“Because I’ve seen a demon.” Erzur smiles.
Verity’s scowl deepens. “I’m sure in a few short hours you’ll see a spirit too.”
“We shall see,” Erzur purrs, fingering the dagger at her waist.
Thal returns from binding Sadal inside. “What’s next?” He asks, eyes on the Bloodbane.
I don’t mind relinquishing some leadership to her, after all, she knows what we’re looking for better than I. So, I wait for her to reply, even while Erzur’s judging eyes rove over me. The Bloodbane nods. “Stay in pairs, and search the ruins for glyphs, or perhaps any surviving texts,” she orders.
Erzur slips a territorial arm through my elbow at the mention of pairs and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Verity drifts to Thal’s side and he bends low to whisper in her ear. I wish desperately to hear what it is he said when Verity dissolves into a fit of laughter. My heart pounds jealously, and I know Erzur can sense it.
“I’ll stay with Sadal,” Moritz drawls, looking bored.
He slinks back into the shade of the building while the rest of us disperse through the city. I watch from the corner of my eyes as Verity and Thal head east, already falling into conversation. Instinctively, I lean after them, intending to follow, but Erzur holds me back. Her almond-shaped eyes look almost pitiable, but then they flash with impatience.
“We should spread out,” she says.
I bite my tongue, knowing she’s right. We’ll cover more ground if the pairs go in opposite directions. Gritting my teeth, I let Erzur take the lead. We walk down the main avenue before turning sharply to the left and diving into a maze of alleys. I duck my head into a few buildings that appear mostly intact but find nothing but broken pots and rotted furniture. Erzur swaggers beside me, her hips swinging from side to side in an almost intoxicating rhythm. I drag my eyes away from her and back to our surroundings, looking for any sign of writing.
“I would think a haunted city would be more interesting,” Erzur sighs.
I run my hand over the beard growing on my jaw. “Perhaps you would be more entertained if you attempted to look for glyphs or records.”
She smirks. “If anything catches my eye, you’ll be the first to know.”
We fall into silence, and I’m grateful for it. Erzur has never been easy to deal with, and the pressures of losing Verity, coupled with our impending doom, doesn’t make it any easier. I step into the shadows of a larger building and poke through the rubble inside. Every night, I regret everything that led to driving Verity away. I hear soft rustling from the doorway and realize Erzur has followed me in. I sigh, skin prickling with irritation.
“You know, Altair, I think I may have something that might help,” she says. Her voice is light, and I don’t sense any sarcasm or viciousness in it.
I narrow my eyes suspiciously and push past her back into the sunlight. “What?” I ask, humoring her.
Her hand plays over my shoulder and she turns me
