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I gag and then retch until there’s nothing left but acid in the pit of my stomach. The light hovers above the water, and I summon it to me. A few feet above my head is another tunnel. The freezing temperature of the water that clings to me causes my teeth to chatter and stiffens my joints. Thankfully, the armor I wear was crafted with care of the elements, or I’d get ill from the cold. I scale the stone wall, sliding my fingers in between slimy cracks until I can steady my grip and pull myself up.

By the time I reach the tunnel, I’m winded, but there’s light up ahead. I creep along the walls until I come to a stop just outside what looks like a central chamber. Dozens of tunnelspepper the dome-like walls. Pillars tower overhead, breaking up the light that shines through a crack in the ceiling. The ground is dark and moist with an unknown sludge that sticks to my boots as I tiptoe out of the tunnel. Approaching, I see that the pillars are carved with ancient runes and pictures of battles won and lost, beautiful and faded around the edges over time. I keep moving, counting my steps and noting the direction in case I get lost.

A growl, low and menacing, bellows through the tunnel, and I follow the sound to what looks like a dragon’s horde. Piles of gold and jewels reach the ceiling. In the corner is a large figure, swathed in tattered cloth. Six great horns protrude from his brow, arching upward like the branches of trees.

Though he appears broken and scarred, he stands to his full height, nearly reaching the top of the pillars. Black eyes stare at me as he doubles over once again, dropping down on his hands. I hear the sound of bones popping and cracking, reforming themselves until he’s only a foot or so taller than Pyre. He stands up. The creature before me is now a man, with skin as pale as the snow atop the mountain, features sharp enough to cut diamonds, black hair that brushes the floor as he walks, and a body that ripples with tight muscle.

He’s stunning.

He lifts his head in a way that speaks of imperial blood.

“Who... are... you?” he rumbles, voice harsh as though he hasn’t used it in some time. I stand tall, not willing to cower before this stranger even as darkness permeates off him in waves. “Answer me…”

“My name is Eilish.”

“I know... no Eilish.”

“No, you never knew me,” I say. “But I’m known as Lady Eilish Inoa Fulthain, daughter of Gildlorthoine, the Lost King of The Succubae…” I pause but he doesn’t appear to recognizehis name. I take a deep breath and continue. “And daughter of Maeline Fulthain, Healing Light of The Angels. I’m the leader of the Rebel Lords of The Vindication.”

My mouth feels dry with fear, my tongue thick as he walks toward me. For a moment, there’s softness in his eyes.

“Maeline…”

“My mother.”

“She is gone,” he groans. “Taken from me.”

“By the Cockatrice—”

The words barely leave my lips as Gildlorthoine, my father, barrels toward me with a murderous look in his eyes. I dodge him, climbing up the pillar as he engages in some internal struggle. He drops to his knees beneath me and lowers his head in his hands.

“Years of waiting for answers… years of fighting whatever army sought to enslave the Incubus King...” he says and his voice trails into silence. His thoughtful expression blanches and he faces me with anger. “I thought you had died with them, or the Cockatrice had killed you to spite me,” he cries. Then he grows quiet again before a suspicious expression overcomes his face. His eyes grow wide with the delirium of insanity.

“You are not Maeline’s daughter! You are not mine!”

It’s as if there are multiple people living within him, using his face to reveal their expressions. He’s been here for so long, I imagine his solitary life has taken an immense toll on his sanity.

I’m not able to consider the subject for long because Gildlorthoine rams his horns into the pillar and it begins to crumble beneath me. I jump and roll as I hit the ground. He runs toward me, but a burst of light knocks him back. The force of the magic is much greater than my own.

I turn to look behind me, to see where the magic came from and that’s when I see him.

Silvanus.

Gildlorthoine climbs to his feet and goes for Silvanus’s throat. I block the attack with my magic and the elusive god turns to look at me as though seeing me for the first time. But I know such isn’t the truth.

I know Silvanus deeply...intimately.

Silvanus turns his head, keeping me in sight even as he watches my father closely. “You defend me, fair creature?”

“I always will.”

***

PYRE

Incubus Cave

The stream of complaint that hovers in my ear sets my teeth on edge. Though I can’t see, I sense the restless spirits that dwell here. They call to me. I reach through the ground, feeling for the souls until they latch on. I carry them within me, looking through their eyes as the others search my gaze.