“Ah,” the old witch muses. “I have heard of such a thing, but it is ancient magic.”
“How do I make one?” I ask the wizened witch.
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. You must see this cobweb cage yourself and attempt it,” she says. Her eyes are filled with regret and sympathy.
I bite my lip, fear making my heart thrum. I don’t want to go back to the Ether, least of all through the Second Stratum. “Is that the only way?”
“I’m afraid it is,” she murmurs.
I close my eyes and breathe out slowly through my nose. “Is the only way to the Third Stratum through the Second?”
“That would be a question for Sadal,” the old Bloodbane says, her robes rustling as she turns to the former Dark God.
Sadal curls his lips as he becomes the center of attention. “And why should I help you?” He asks.
Altair is across the room in the blink of an eye, just a blur of motion. He slams into Sadal, pinning him against another column. He holds a dagger against Sadal’s throat and growls low and dangerous. “You help us, or I end your pathetic life sooner rather than later.”
“Well that would be a mercy, wouldn’t it? Since I’m going mad,” Sadal chuckles. His eyes go sharp. “I want my power back.”
“Over my dead body,” Altair snarls. “We aren’t negotiating. This is an I ask, you tell relationship—understand?”
“Nothing you can do to me will compel me to help you further.” Sadal grins.
“Perhaps I can be of use,” Serus murmurs, rising from his position in my lap.
“How?” Thal asks, his brows furrowed with confusion.
Serus ignores Thal’s question. I watch as Serus approaches Sadal and sits casually in front of him. Sadal’s eyes widen and I feel a pulse of electricity from Serus. “Serus has an affinity for the mind,” I say softly, apprehension coiling in my gut. I wouldn’t want to be in Sadal’s place. I remember all too well the moment I first met Serus, how he played with my mind and memories.
The tension breaks when Serus flicks his tail. Sadal’s body writhes in Altair’s grip and tears pool in his eyes. I almost feel sorry for him, wondering what darkness Serus could be poking at in Sadal’s mind to make him look so pitiful. When Sadal is gasping for air, choking back sobs, Serus breaks his grip on Sadal’s mind. I feel a wave of relief as Serus slinks away, chewing on whatever he stole from Sadal’s dark thoughts.
“Serus?” I ask.
His eyes cut at me, and he disappears into the shadows. Sadal shakes, sweat glistening on his forehead and he takes a deep breath. "I know a way to the Third Stratum. It will take us through the Second but only for a short time," he pants.
“Why are we even bothering with this?” Erzur snaps. “Going into the Ether is foolish. Didn’t this girl just prove that?”
“Hey,” I snap. “I found out more in there than we did during this entire journey.”
“And you almost got yourself killed.” Erzur narrows her eyes at me. “If you had, you would have doomed us all while you laid yourself to rest. If what the witch says is true, then we need you—as much as it pains me to admit.”
Her words strike true and I feel a wave of guilt. I dip my chin, hating that Erzur of all people is right. “I won’t do something like that again,” I say stiffly.
She purses her lips. “You certainly proved your use though.”
I narrow my eyes with surprise, trying to discern a mocking tone in her voice. But she seems sincere. At my side, Thal snorts. “Did that hurt, Erzur?”
“Ha.” She rolls her eyes.
“Can we focus, please?” Moritz snaps. His usually stony face is twisted with anger. “We have a horde of evil, demonic creatures pressing against the veil that separates our worlds.”
Erzur curls her lip. “Only you would be frightened hundreds of years before there’s cause for concern.”
“The time to plan is now,” Moritz says coldly. “Anyone who says differently is a fool.”
“You –—” Erzur hisses, leaning towards him and reaching for her curved blade.
“That’s enough,” Altair roars, his booming voice echoing off the walls inside the pyramid.
I inhale sharply at his tone, fear lancing through me. His eyes settle on me and he dips his chin. “It seems to me that we have little choice,” he says, voice lowering to normal volumes. “We must go into the Ether.”
Chapter 2
Altair
“You are such a blind fool,” Erzur snaps. “Always rushing to the aid of your Bloodbane lover. She has you twisted around her little finger.”
I bristle, cold anger flowing through my veins like power. I narrow my eyes at her and close the distance between us. “What is your point, Erzur? And tread carefully.”
She lifts her chin stubbornly but doesn’t shy away from my black gaze. “All those months while she was in Sadal’s grip and you don’t think she considered betraying you? What if this is all part of a plot to release the Shades? After all, we seem to be relying on past enemies lately.”
“I would never betray Altair,” Verity says fiercely, rising from the ground to confront Erzur. “Never again.”
Erzur curls her lip and my temper flares. I cross the short distance to stand at Verity’s side. She straightens, radiating authority. “We’re going into the Ether to stop the Shades. You can come if you like, Erzur, but you’re more than welcome to stay behind,” I say coldly. “Don’t call her a traitor. We’ve already discussed how much her sacrifices mean to me.”
“Yes, yes, we have,” Erzur mutters, glowering at Verity.
"I think," Moritz says, his calm voice cutting through the tension, "It would be wise to search for alternate solutions. There must be a way to bolster the veil, to buy us more time for something more permanent."
“I agree.” Erzur looks as if the words put a sour taste in her mouth.
I glance at Thal
