And not just that—his wife, the mother of his children, Sara, would be killed.
The guards were continuing their fight against the men, and somehow a fire erupted, lighting up the center of the courtyard in a blaze that rivaled Mordred’s fiery eyes.
They walked quickly back toward the large door of the Monster King’s office, and Jason opened the door. The rusty hinges creaked loudly.
Mordred walked in first, but a slithery voice called out, “Don’t you want the numbers, Lord Jason?”
Jason looked over his shoulder at the Captain, “I’ll be back in thirty minutes. Give it to me then.”
He went to turn, but the Captain said, “No one arrived with you today. And yet… You leave with another.” It was not a question.
Jason wasted no time, walked through the door, and locked it behind him. He stared at Mordred, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
The Captain knew.
He could hear the Captain rage as he shouted, “Betrayer! See if he took Mordred!”
“It’ll take them hours to get word to Tievel, unless he comes here first. We must gonow.” Jason walked to the mirror and looked back at Mordred, holding his hand out for him to take. “Together?”
The door started banging loudly.
Mordred grasped his hand, and they walked through the mirror together. Like they were two halves of the same shield—one a simple human doing what he could to save the world, and the other a weakened god—leaving the angered screams of chaos behind.
Chapter 40
Seda
As the blackness faded, they heard insects scattering as they opened their eyes to a dark ravine filled with dense plants. Mimicking a deep wound where sunlight could not touch, even in daylight, the cliffs surrounding them reached for the fog blanket above. The dark gray rockface was rippled and scarred with ridges, resembling a tomb that blocked escape for anyone who tried to flee. The only exit within this chasm was a steep set of stairs at the far side, etched into the rock.
They went rigid when a low chorus of moans began to echo through the narrow void from the opposite side.
“I don’t like this, my moon-flutter,” Elco said.
Seda walked up to him and pressed her forehead against his. “We have to do this, Elco.”
“Which way?” Roya asked Kalon, slowly extending her claws as the eerie anguish reverberated around them.
“Toward the sound,” he said, nodding his head in the direction of the moaning.
Cahir flared his magic at his palms and took the first step.
Kalon held out his hand, stopping him. “No magic works within her lair.”
Seda felt the unwanted scales of fear wrap around her throat like a wet serpent.
“What do you mean? How’s that possible?” she choked out. She knew only how to wield her power. She had no other defense besides the small knife she wore on her hip.
“Witchcraft,” he replied. “There’s a reason why I couldn’t transport us inside. It’s all blocked off.”
“Knowing magic wouldn’t work inside would’ve been nice to know before you brought us here,” Roya seethed in response, causing the small form of Suza to bristle.
Kalon glanced at Roya before shifting his gaze to Seda. “Would it have made a difference? We need the stones.”
We. Was he truly part of this with them?
Cahir growled. “You don’t give two fucks about us getting the stones. How do we know you won’t just steal it from us once we leave this place? What’s truly in it for you?”
Kalon’s eyes flicked to Seda briefly before looking away, focusing on the space ahead where the rock face curved, blocking their view of La Uma’s entrance.
