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War rolled his eyes. “Well, you’re the god of magic. Get us inside.”

“Consider it done.” Hel cleared his throat and approached the wall again. With his hand resting on the pliable magic, he let the hum of it enter his body, swirling around within him then he pushed his own power toward it silently saying, “I’m a friend.”

“Primevar,”it hissed back. “Primevar. Enemy. Unwelcome.”

Hel smiled and shifted his energy to embody the night, the moons, darkness. “I am Drivaar. Friend. I am the night.”

The solid wall gave way, and he stumbled inside.That was easy, he thought.Too easy.Why hadn’t it worked when he tried it before? Lifting his chin, he peered up at the sky, dark as if no sun existed here at all but was instead lit with streaks of blue and green and purple lights that danced in shimmering waves. Rolling rocky black hills expanded across the land with great waterfalls and lush green-blue grass that glowed with its own dim light. It was unlike any land he’d ever seen. In the distance he made out a cluster of houses and lights shining from a city. Nearby under a poplar tree, a white chariot with two black-winged horses waited; someone was close.

“War, are you seeing this?” With a triumphant smile, he turned back to make sure War had gotten inside and then a cool blade slid across his throat.

“Trespassers are executed in my territory, Hel.”

Hel madea deliberate turn and paused at the entry to the throne room. The little redheaded guard had run in and gotten herself trapped inside as well. The four of them stood near the center, no doubt plotting a way to get out. They wouldn’t until he allowed it.

“What did you do to her!” Thane roared and charged. He looked unhinged, with his hair in disarray, his tunic off center, the panic in his eyes. What fun this was. He slammed into Hel’s wall and punched it. “I swear, if you—”

“Oh, she’s fine. More than fine,” Hel drawled. “Having sweet dreams of me and her together. I’ll go lay her down in bed and perhaps she and I can continue the fun when I wake her.”

Chapter9

THANE

After Hel disappeared, Thane’s mother stepped around a hall corner in her cream nightdress and brown locks left to fall loosely. Thane almost screamed at her not to enter into this room and suddenly, his foot moved across the threshold. He went to shove against the wall and stumbled into the hallway. Whatever magic Hel placed there was gone.

She gave him a strange look. “Thane, dear, about Talon. Might you consider being less harsh on her? She’s been through so much lately and she’s still very young.”

“Mother, you must go to the house in Brightheart. Leave tonight.”

“What has gotten into you?” she peered around him into the throne room. “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t ask why, just go. Have your servants pack for a long stay. I need you to trust me. It’s not safe here anymore. Take Talon with you.”

Her hand pressed against her belly and fear took over her confusion. “Are the pale ones…”

“I don’t have time to explain.” He turned to his three friends. “Go with her and make sure she leaves. Stay away from my wing of the castle. Stay away from him.”

“Thane,” Fennan protested. “You can’t go against him on your own.”

“That is a direct order from your king, Fennan. I better not see any of you near there unless I say so, understood?”

Fennan sneered but grabbed Orlandia’s arm and tugged her along with him. Leif gave him a long look before he silently followed, and yet Piper hung back. She was the only one who got away with being defiant, other than Layala.

“I’m not abandoning you.”

Thane didn’t stay for her argument, and his command didn’t stop her from running to catch up to his pace.

“Thane, the katagas serum did nothing against him.”

“It doesn’t matter. I have to go to her.”

“He’s training her. He won’t hurt her, but you, he will,” Piper said. “And just so you know, Layala feels like you don’t want her anymore.” Her accusatory glare said she didn’t blame her.

“Of course I do. And why would he want to train her?” Piper had said that before, but he hadn’t taken it in until now. His mind raced at the possibilities. He couldn’t remember enough to know why Hel would want to train her. He couldn’t even remember why he was banished to this realm to begin with or who had the power to do that.

“He said her vulnerability is a detriment to him. I don’t know what he wants from her but you’re not going to find out by threatening him.” Piper narrowed her eyes as they rounded the corner. “Where are all the guards?”

“I ordered them to go outside. I don’t need anyone else dying.”