“A lot easier than I expected, actually. I went down to check it out; you know, to keep it away from my mom, and I might have overestimated my abilities a little. But I took care of it.”
“Alone?”
She glanced around the white nothingness and nodded.
“Where was Corian?”
“I don’t know. Out on one of his weird errands. You wanted him at that first portal, so that’s what he was taking care of.”
“But he’s with you now. And you’re okay.”
Cheyenne shook her head. L’zar Verdys, too panicked to put two and two together. “I’m okay. He’s not here.”
“What?” A sharp, furious snarl escaped the drow, and he closed his eyes to try pulling himself back together. “He knows how important it is to make sure you stay on track. You can’t be left unprotected!”
“Hey, I did a pretty damn good job of protecting myself, thank you.” She wanted to step toward him but still couldn’t move. “And I had tricks up my sleeve that came in pretty handy. I’m fine.”
L’zar’s eyes flew open. “What tricks?”
“The other two abilities I have left, I guess. Whatever telekinetic thing I can do and the black fire.”
“Black fire. Black—” A sharp laugh escaped him. “Fire. You used black fire.” L’zar took a deep, shuddering breath, and that wild, feral grin split his face. “Where’s the Cuil Aní?”
“Not with me. I told Corian that part too.”
“You need to get it, Cheyenne. Find that box and tell Corian if anything’s changed. That’s crucial, do you understand?”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“Is that how you finished it, then? The black fire?”
Am I the only sane person I know? Cheyenne shrugged. “Yeah. That’s how I did it. Finished the thing off and got the hell outta there.”
“Excellent.” Chuckling like a cartoon villain, L’zar wrinkled his nose above his predatory grin and nodded. “That’s good, but we have to be sure. Check the Cuil Aní, Cheyenne. Have Corian bring it to you, wherever you are. Tonight. Use the Don’adurr again as soon as you know what’s happened. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Come on, I don’t even—”
The world spun madly around her, then she felt like she was falling through the sky before her eyes flew open. Cheyenne gasped and doubled over, her head jutting over the side of the bed as she heaved. Nothing came up, but she gave herself a moment just in case. Once her breathing had slowed and the dizziness had faded, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling of her old room.
“I should’ve dumped that stupid potion on the ground.”
She snatched her phone from the bedside table and texted Corian.
Had another visit. Anytime you wanna bring that box over would be great. Call first if you’re gonna show up.
Double-checking to make sure the phone wasn’t on silent, she turned the volume up all the way and put the phone back down on the nightstand. Then she turned over again with her back to the bookshelf and closed her eyes. He’ll call or he won’t. I’ll check that stupid puzzle box tomorrow, but I’m not gonna lose sleep over it tonight.
* * *
L’zar paced back and forth in his cell at Chateau D’rahl, whispering to himself in the darkness of Alpha Block. “It’s been three goddamn hours. What’s taking them so long?”
Some asshole several cells over let out a massive fart. The orc in the cell next door turned over in his sleep with a grunt, the cot squeaking and as his hand and forearm thumped against the stone wall.
The drow glanced up at the red light keeping watch beside the guard tower, then spun around again and paced back across his cell. Something’s not right. Another portal, right there in front of her. If she told him about the fire, he’d know we’re close. He’d get her that fucking box already.
Another frustrated growl escaped him, but he squashed it back down again before it grew any louder. I have to be sure. This whole thing’s a waste of time unless I’m sure.
An inmate fell into a fit of dry, hacking coughs, and L’zar shook his head. “I can’t. She’ll reach out.”
His other neighbor smacked the wall, either in sleep or to get the muttering drow to quit talking to himself.
For two more hours, L’zar paced back and forth across his tiny, useless cell, turning the old crone’s prophecy over and over in his mind. I can’t risk it, not after I’ve gotten this far. Not after twenty-one years of breaking through the veil.
He felt the tug at his core again; had been feeling it since before lights out, when he thought he’d lost another young magical he’d been so sure would make it this time. Not just another one. She’s different. She found me. That’s worth something.
The door to the guard tower creaked open and shut with a bang as the night guard on duty stepped out to relieve himself. The drow heard the man muttering about drinking too much coffee.
But she’s not safe. L’zar spun again and paced back toward the bars. That’s what this is. If Corian can’t find her tonight, it’s over. And I can’t do anything from this fell-damn joke of a hellhole.
When he reached the bars at the front of his cell, the drow slowly reached out and curled his fingers around two of them. Gripping the bars, he pressed his face against the cold iron and glanced at the empty guard tower. He took a deep breath and tried to dampen the urgency overwhelming him, stronger than it had been almost twenty-two years ago.
By the time he opened his eyes again, his rapid breathing had calmed, and he’d made up his mind.
I can’t let her face this alone. There’s still a chance she’ll make it, but not if no one’s with her when the Crown makes her move.
He released the bars and slowly withdrew,
