Page 180 of As Above, So Below

Mortals are already too easily tempted by the thought of immortality. If they were to learn about the horrors of the hells…

Rowen seemed especially grateful I refused to divulge further on the topic. He appeared uncomfortable through most of the conversation and questioning, but he had been more willing to support than some of the others. I don’t know what his contract entails, but it’s clear he believes this may be when Netharis will call in his dues.

As we continued, Cyran, Ryc’s Captain of the Guard, joined. Followed by Riordan, Fenryn’s Captain of the Guard. Once the kings had sent word to their kingdoms to send their forces, it wasn’t long before the room filled with fae, male and females alike, listening to me speak.

Generals, commanders, captains…

And in a matter of minutes, the whole of Ollora was brimming with fae, with more ferrying in still. They congregated in the courtyards, the great rooms of the castle, the surroundinggrounds, even in the city streets.

Castle staff brought us lunch, and then dinner. As the sun began to set, the library filled with fae preparing to lay down their lives. They strapped on armor, filled quivers, and a few prayed to their favored god or goddess.

To my surprise, the soldiers, the Captains, the Lieutenants were easier to convince. Without much effort they were ready to save Ollora, to help Ryc, and to try and keep me alive.

The guilt alone was enough to kill me.

Maps were unfurled on every table within that library as they developed their plan of attack. Where garrisons would be posted, what weapons would be used—

It forced me to warn them demons are not honorable. This is not going to be a war like ones they’ve fought in the past. They need to be ready to fight with everything they have, because demons are bloodthirsty creatures and they won’t care how they spill blood, or whose.

Someone, I can’t remember who, one of the many voices in that room asked if the god of death would be among the demons.

I laughed.

No, he wouldn’t.

Not unless he wanted Gaia and her fleet of nyraphim to contest him.

Another asked if I would be fighting, and before I could answer, Ryc did on my behalf.

No.

His reasoning had been logical, but it left me riddled with anger all the same. I would be their target, and the demons would likely swarm my location once it became known, making it impossible to reach and dispatch leaders, commanders, and isolate archdemons.

And again, Ryc would not entertain the possibility of my death.

I expected as much.

My death lies outside the realm of acceptable, and he would hear nothing more on the matter. While his determination sung to my heart, my mind whirled with the darkness of our reality.

A reality that will shatter him, I’m sure.

My death is all but guaranteed.

Eve found me following dinner, and it was then she quietly informed me of Artemise’s response to my letter. The plan is a go. Both Artemise and Celesta are more than willing to begin the ritual as scheduled. My arrival needs to be timed just right. With a narrow window during the penumbra, I have to spill my blood willingly into Celesta’s hands.

In exchange for my blood, I requested Celesta help me in taking the bloodstone dagger across realms. She’s agreed to the request, with surprisingly little hesitation according to Eve.

The hardest part of the ordeal will be my return to the hells. I have to stop my heart. And I’m not going to ask my mother, regardless of our estranged relationship, to kill me.

No. I’ll have to send myself. Which means there are a few other loose ends I need to tie up before the eclipse.

Celesta will get my blood, I’ll return to the hells, and with any luck I’ll free myself from Netharis. What she does with my blood, I don’t care. I hope it serves her the way she needs it to.

She’s my safeguard should I fail.

Her desire for vengeance rivals that of Netharis’ desire for control.

All of it is foolish.