Weryn then pricked his finger with one fang and wrote a symbol in blood upon the wall. The wall shimmered and then disappeared into a shower of sparks. Demos felt himself pulled through a molecule at a time into the gate and beyond. When he could see again, they were standing on a hill above a rolling forest that abutted a series of massive mountains.
At first, Demos did not see any evidence of buildings at all. Every other Ever Dark city had their glorious white stone buildings from the Spire to the palaces of Nightvallen, but here there appeared to be only wilderness until he realized that the city was incorporated into the landscape very cleverly.
Trees were not fenced out of the city by high walls, but were a part of it. Paths wandered through the massive trees that clustered around a large cliff-face. Rather like the cities in Petra, Jordan, Forsworn was carved into the very mountainsthemselves. His heart caught in his throat and he took a step forward.
“It is beautiful,” Elgar whispered. “You will love it more when it is lit up and rings with the sound of Weryn laughter.”
The wind blew and there was a lonely howl on it. There was none of that laughter now. It was desolate.
“There is no one here,” Weryn said quietly. “No one. An abandoned city. Adeadcity…”
Demos grasped Weryn’s shoulder as the big Vampire stumbled backwards. Finding Forsworn like this had shaken him more than all the rest had. It was as if he had come upon Daemon face to face.
“Ryder!” Demos gasped. “I mean… Weryn! Are you all right?”
Weryn’s fangs were out though not in anger, but almost as if in defense, protection. He quickly straightened and pushed Demos away. Not roughly, but with determination. Demos knew it wasn’t personal, but it hurt. Ryder wouldneverhave done that.
What if Ryder is gone and Weryn is all that’s left?
It was a thought that he hadn’t meant to have. He had longed for Weryn’s return. But he had always just assumed that it would be Ryder as Weryn. Ryder as he was inthislife. Not… not this stranger who growled and was touchy and particular.
Do not despair,Elgar said.He is not gone.
“We are not alone, Weryn, I sense three minds,” Elgar said.
“Where?” Sana asked, stepping forward. “If you can send me the image, Elgar, I can get us there.”
“I need Weryn’s help,” Elgar told her and he stood in front of Weryn.
The big Immortal’s eyes flickered to Elgar who looked so slender and slight in comparison. He was swallowed by his oversized clothes. Yet despite Elgar wearing a hooded sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants, there was something noble about him.
“Where are they?” Weryn growled. “What part of my home are they defiling?”
“You will show me,” Elgar said. “While Roan cannot fully hide them from me, he obscures their location. But you are Legion’s Master. A Childe is always connected to a Master no matter the distance of their hearts.”
“Hearts?” Weryn growled. “They wereneverin my heart.”
“You feel the same way about Siban?” Demos couldn’t help snapping.
Weryn turned towards him and there was a wounded look on his face. Demos gritted his teeth. For a moment, all he could see was Ryder.
“You changed your mind about them,” Demos continued.
“Legion is not like Siban.” Weryn turned away.
“Good. Then this is just another War Childe hunt for us,” Demos pronounced.
“We’ve done this before?” Weryn asked.
“So many times. You and me, we hunt all of your War Children down. The ones that cannot keep to the path,” Demos answered.
Weryn’s forehead bunched as if he was trying to remember. “There are many then?”
“You made a lot of really bad people into Vampires,” Demos pointed out. “A lot.”
Weryn lowered his head. “I needed soldiers.”
“You needed killers. It’s different. You know it is,” Demos pushed.
