“No!” Theo almost shrieks. “We can’t go, we need more information. How will we know what to do?”
—When your natures are revealed, they will have the tools you need. Now I must rest, and you must leave—
“But, it’s too much,” Theo says, her voice shaking and overwhelmed. “Why me, Amirene?”
—Love and loyalty—The voice, barely a whisper, fades to nothing.
The glow surrounding Theo flares brighter, breaking into a thousand colors, then settles again.
Amierene is statue-still once more.
“She’s gone. We’re supposed to stop Armageddon, and she just shuts down with a ‘figure it out, kids.’” Theo stumbles back, pressing a hand over her face. “It’s too much.”
Donovan gathers her into his arms.
I’m also annoyed at the statue. This is an appalling lack of critical intelligence. We’ve been presented with a problem of global significance and are told to rely on our 'natures'?
She gave us no context onhowto neutralize the dark essence Obex is leaking into our world. How do we access a Void?
“Listen, pulu, none of us know what we are going to be facing, but whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together. For now, we head back to the Earth Realm. That’s one clear thing Amirene told us to do. Once we’re back, maybe we can get some answers from Validus Vale’s library.”
“He’s right, Tee-Tee,” Donovan says, moving closer. “And that Amirene chick said you had her Lumina-essence, right? So think about it, you’re filled with super-powered goo. There'll be nothing on Earth that can take you down—and if anything even tries, I’ll be there first to get in its way.”
“Only if you can beat me to it!” Max grins. “Remember,I’mthe hellhound.” He gives Theo a wink. “And this hound is gonna behellon your enemies.”
I watch Theo’s eyes drift to Cosmo.
He is staring at his hands, rubbing his thumb over his fingertips as if trying to clean off invisible dust. Finally, he looks up, his expression hardening. “If our realm is using this dark essence, I’d wager everything that my power-crazed father is involved.”
He hesitates for a beat, his jaw working, before nodding once. “So yes, I’m on board. There are no lengths I won’t go to to get rid of my father—permanently,” he growls.
That surprises me. I thought Cosmo Drakeward was being groomed to become the perfect Conclave member. I may have been wrong, seeing as patricide is one of his life goals.
“So, can we please go home now and find Wes?” Donovan asks.
“Yes,” Theo sighs deeply. “Yes, please.”
15
Without any conscious decision, I start to shift back into minotaur form.
My snout twitches, the ring heavy and almost comforting. I already know there is a tunnel under that marble throne, and it will take us back to Validus Vale.
“Ludo?” The nymph calls my name.
—I lead us to Earth realm—I take us home—
Home.
Is the basement where I live home? I don’t think so, not anymore. My home is simply wherever my nymph is.
She pulls away from the men and comes closer, reaching out a hand and stroking my chest. “Thank you. We’ll follow you.” Her head is several feet below mine. The minotaur in me revels in her delicateness.
So tiny and precious.
—Time to go—
My ears pick up a slight grinding sound, and I move behind the throne. The back panel is a heavy stone slab. In my human form, I would not be able to move it, but my minotaur has the ability. I heave at the giant stone until it falls with a deafening smash.
