“But what if these corpses are . . .” Rath trailed off.
“All of them were important to someone,” I said. “But we carry the dead with us in our hearts. These are just shells, Rath. And right now, the Corrupter is using those shells against us.”
Rath nodded, and we focused on the pit. With our magic working together, the bodies went up in flames so hot, they burned white. So hot, we had to back up or risk burning ourselves. It was over in a few seconds. We knew those bodies would be incinerated in such heat. So we released the element of Fire and stepped back up to the edge to make sure.
Blackened earth was all that was left.
I backed away. “Can you close it up, Xae?”
Xae grunted, and I felt the vibrations beneath my feet as the ground drew back together. The paving stones of the street were a mess, but the earth was sealed and flat.
“Well done,” I said, then stopped and listened. All of us did.
Faint sounds echoed to us from different parts of the city. There were more. Which meant we were needed.
“This way,” Rath said and started running.
Xae and I followed and soon enough, we came to another group of the dead. Keltyr was among the Wraith Lords hacking at the corpses, and I took a second to admire the power of his swings and the way his body moved gracefully through each attack. He was efficient and talented, taking out one corpse's legs, then rolling that swing around and down to slash at another body. Only three Wraith Lords battled a group of at least twenty, but they were steadily cutting down the dead.
“Draw back!” Xaedren shouted.
The three Wraith Lords didn't hesitate. They backpedaled in a jaunty clip that brought them in line with us while they kept their swords up and eyes on the dead. As soon as they were out of range, my lovers and I stepped forward.
“Shall we just burn them?” I asked.
“No.” Xae motioned forward and opened the ground. “We might set fire to a building.”
The dead tumbled into the pit.
“You're really improving,” I said to him.
Xae winked at me as we stepped up to the edge.
Prepared for the heat we'd generate, we cast our Fire at the dead, then quickly moved back. A few seconds passed, and we released the magic, checked the ashes, and then Rath sealed the ground. Technically, we had reburied the dead.
“Nicely done,” Keltyr said.
“Thanks,” I grinned at him.
“There's more of them.” Xae smacked my shoulder, then started down the street at a jog, his armor clanking.
The rest of us ran after him.
Xae was right. Congratulations could wait.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The city was cleared, but we didn't head home. Well, not Xae, Rath, and me. While the others faded to the citadel, we went to see the Emperor.
Once there, Agal led us to a dining room where the Emperor sat at a long table, facing a wall of glass. Before him spread a fantastic view of a wooded valley. He didn't look away from the view when Agal announced us, only waved us forward over his shoulder.
“Sit down,” the Emperor said. “Help yourself to some lunch. They always make far too much for one person.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty,” Rath said.
The Emperor's long, purple hair flowed around his broad shoulders, the lavender tips trailing over one armrest. I glanced at those beautiful locks as I stepped around the table with Xae and Rath. He had the prettiest hair I'd ever seen, but the rest of him was imposing. Once we were across the table from the Emperor, we bowed, and then took our seats.
Xaedren immediately started filling a plate.
