“There are nine pairs,” I murmur.
“Three locations on each world, including Stella Astrum,” Roman replies. “This symbol depicts the angels’ realm. This one is Mortem. And this one is Earth. And here, on the stone.” He points. “Now that it’s assembled, you can see a line of silver energy, currently lined up with the symbol for the gates to Mortem.”
My lips part in surprise, since the stone didn’t have that mark before the weapon was assembled.
Roman continues. “When the weapon is first put together, I believe it’s the most volatile, but if it’s kept assembled and the clasp is turned to a particular location, you can choose where to travel.”
“Are you certain?” I ask. “Did you test it?”
He gives a small shake of his head, his lips pressed ruefully together. “It’s only a theory. I had already taken the weapon apart before I had the chance to study the runes. After that, I didn’t want to risk putting it together and triggering its power during the Elimination.”
My heart twinges that this weapon now carries our hope. It was originally created for the sole purpose of banishing Roman to Hell after his people, the Iron Wolves, betrayed him and killed his family.
His eyes remain as black as night as he studies the stone for a moment before he tips his head back to examine the outlines of the worlds in the mist.
“The Elimination isn’t over, so the gates remain closed.” He turns back to me, his expression resigned. “I thought this weapon might be strong enough to break through, but the power of the gates has prevailed.”
I’m grateful that the weapon isn’t damaged, but its failure to get us through the gates leaves us with few options.
I lower my voice, knowing it’s a long shot as I ask Roman, “When you came to Earth looking for my father, you must have passed through somehow—can you do that again?”
Roman shakes his head. “That was only because the gates were open, and the Demon King wasn’t here to guard them. I had enough power to transport myself alone. I can’t move a group of people through the closed gates.”
“Esta and Crone could be here any minute,” Taniya calls, still in her harpy form as she marches back and forth through the mist, her body glowing. “We need a plan.”
“We need to kill them,” Koda snaps.
I’m not surprised by the vehemence in his voice. Crone was instrumental in encouraging Arga to torment Koda when they were boys.
“Once Esta dies, the Elimination will be over, one power will remain, and the Balance will be restored,” Koda says. “The gates will have to open to anyone who possesses the weapon.” He stares pointedly at me. “Or to the ruler of Mortem, since it’s the King’s—or Queen’s—job to guard the gates of the Underworld.”
“Killing Esta won’t be simple.” Roman growls. “If what she said is true, we have to assume she has the essence of thousands of souls inside of her. Every soul gives her a life. Ending her will take more than a single battle. We’re not yet equipped to take on that level of power.”
“Especially with Crone involved as well,” I say dryly.
“What if we didn’t have to end her completely?” Koda asks, his brow furrowed in thought. “What if we only have to kill her long enough to trigger the end of the Elimination, so that the doorway might briefly open?”
I wait for Roman to shoot down this idea, but his expression is more contemplative than before. “It’s a small chance, but our options are limited otherwise—”
He doesn’t have time to finish speaking before a blast of power slams into us from the side, knocking the breath out of me, and the time for planning is at an end.
CHAPTERFOUR
“The bitch found us,” Taniya snarls, regaining her balance while her harpy’s anger surfaces. “Let’s do that killing thing.”
Esta steps out of the mist that camouflages the end of the bridge closest to the demon city, Zilron. She’s alone, which surprises me, but maybe it speaks to her confidence in her own power. This fight has been years in the making for her, and she must believe she has it all wrapped up.
We’re the last loose end she needs to take care of.
But I also know that she couldn’t kill our father, despite her best efforts.
I’m determined that she won’t kill us, either.
Not if we stick together. Our strength as a pack is the key to our survival, and the one thing Esta would underestimate. She’s never had a pack, only the allies she uses when she needs them. I have no doubt Crone doesn’t care for Esta—I don’t think Crone is capable of caring for anything other than power—and Esta would be a means to controlling Pyra-Mortem.
“Well, well, well,” Esta says as she strolls toward us, so casually that it could appear we’re all meeting up for a nice reunion. “I was right. Crone was certain you’d try to escape to the Wilds, while I was sure you’d try to get off-world altogether. So we split up. She’s searching for you in the wilderness right now. It looks like I’m the one who will have the fun of ending you all.”
Her focus drops to the weapon in Roman’s hands.
