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Chapter Nineteen

ARABELLA

A rabella didn’t have to go far into the tunnels before masked shadow fae warriors found her. There were six of them, each of whom carried large torches in one hand and spears in another.

She blinked at them, surprised.

Every other time she’d been summoned, the guards hadn’t carried anything to light the way. They only brought torches when escorting Hadeon, Jessamine, or Breckett. So, why bring them now?

Colton stood at the front of the group of warriors and nodded to the dark tunnels behind him. “The prince asked us to bring you to him.”

Swallowing her questions, she let the warriors lead the way.

Instead of walking through the usual tunnels toward the cavern at the mountain’s base or toward the common areas, they led her down a series of tunnels she hadn’t gone through before. The tunnels sloped ever downward. As they walked, the air grew steadily cooler until her breath plumed in the air.

Rubbing her hands against her arms, her leathers suddenly felt far from suitable for this particular journey. “It’s cold down here.”

Colton made a sound in the back of his throat that might have been an acknowledgment but didn’t turn to her.

As they descended through countless tunnels, not only did the temperature drop, but the shadows changed.

The humming, playful shadows she’d slowly become accustomed to around the other shadow fae changed to something far deeper. The darkness grew so thick that she could no longer see more than a few steps ahead. If it wasn’t for the torches, she wouldn’t have been able to see at all in these tunnels.

Why was the dark different here?

They walked down perhaps a dozen more tunnels, each twisting deeper into the mountain.

Through chattering teeth, she said, “How much longer?”

The guards walked silently for another minute before stopping abruptly, placing themselves on either side of the tunnel. They tapped spears against the ground twice, their eyes fixed ahead.

Colton stood at the end of the bend of this particular tunnel, past the other guards, and said, “The prince is this way.”

Eyes narrowing, she strode between the warriors, who didn’t move as she walked.

As she strode past Colton, she paused, seeing that he—and the other guards—remained where they were. “You’re not coming?”

He shook his head. “This isn’t a place for just anyone. Consider yourself fortunate that the prince has chosen to bring you here. It’s an honor.”

She nodded to the torch in his hand. “Mind if I borrow that? It seems the shadows in this place are a bit… different.”

He passed it to her before turning back toward the other guards. “Far more different than you could ever imagine.” The words were spoken over his shoulder, and he didn’t offer an explanation.

In moments, he and the other guards disappeared into the tunnels, taking the only other sources of light with them.

Exhaling heavily, she turned to where he’d indicated and began walking in that direction. In moments, the tunnel opened into a massive cavern three times the size of the one they’d been training in.

How big is this mountain?

The impenetrable dark receded to the corners of the room.

But rather than mounted torches throughout the room, there were hundreds of candles lighting the space.

Throughout the cavern were a series of flat stones that had been pressed into the dirt.

As she took a step into the room, she realized there was a script carved onto small stones placed in neat rows on the ground.

Gravestones, she realized.

At the center of the room was a long rectangular stone slab.

Prince Arden stood before it, his back turned to her. Leaning forward, his palms pressed against the stone. She noticed then that some of the impenetrable shadows lurked around the base of the stone slab.

Placing her torch in a holder on the wall near the entrance, she strode toward the room’s center, careful to walk around the candles.

“Prince.” She stopped a few feet from him, inclining her head in deference, uncertain whether to bow.

Although they’d never had such formalities during their training, it was clear that whatever this place was, it was akin to a holy place for the shadow fae.

And she wanted to be respectful of their traditions.

Something felt different about this room, this moment.

The air felt thick with possibilities and power.

It was unlike the enchantresses’ earthen magic.

Rather than a warm energy rumbling through the veins of the earth, this felt like shifting icebergs submerged in the northern oceans.

It was the frosty core of the universe. It was the shattering quiet that sucked all light inward until there was nothing left but the unending cold.

This power was ancient. More ancient than the fae or anything she’d felt. Perhaps even more powerful than Magnus. Was this the beating heart of the Abyss? Was this the power that had formed this underrealm?

When Arden still hadn’t turned toward her, she said, “You summoned me?”

He leaned forward, his breath pluming in the air as his back slowly rose and fell. “Yes.” His voice was strangely distant, as though his thoughts were far away. “I want to discuss something with you.”

Ignoring the hammering of her heart, she said, “There’s something I’d like to talk about, too.”

Turning to her then, his eyes locked with hers.

Beyond his irises, there was a lurking pool of inky black. A strange magic surged within him, and there was a twin torrent within the room itself.

On instinct, she placed a hand on the hilt of one of the blades sheathed at her waist as the hairs along her arms stood on end.

It had nothing to do with the cold.

His gaze shifted to the cavern before settling on the stones on the ground.

For a moment, she wondered whether to voice her concern. Could she just be seeing things, or was there another type of dark magic in this place? Had she just been socialized to view all non-elemental magic as having a deep corruption?

Once, she’d believed all demons were evil. She couldn’t let herself see the shadow fae in the same way. Elias had taught her better than that. In addition, Arden and the shadow fae had shown her nothing but kindness. It was past time she started to believe the best in others.

Ever so slowly, she relaxed her stance.

Gesturing to the stones on the ground, she said, “Who were they?”

“Shadow fae who fell to the demons of this realm or who succumbed to time.” Lines formed between the prince’s brows. “This is where we bury our dead.” His hands curled into fists at his sides. “We were forced to flee to the Abyss. The other fae never liked our kind, never trusted our magic.”

For a moment, she thought to ask just how many fae courts there were. What she’d learned of the fae was limited to knowledge the enchantresses had. She imagined she only knew of the most powerful courts.

Arden strode forward and knelt before a stone with script in a language she didn’t recognize.

“When the fae wars began, we were hunted down by the other courts and slaughtered.” His fingers lingered on the stone. “The Twilight Court queen convinced the other courts to rally and take us out, claiming we were a threat to their existence. That we possessed dark magic.”

“I’m sorry for what happened to you,” she said, her voice gentle.

The prince stood and walked to several more stones, touching each in kind.

“Some died from injuries sustained during our final battle with the other fae courts. Others died from exposure or from wounds inflicted by the demons in this realm.” His voice was distant as though lost to memories and time.

“Far too few died of old age. But those who did… They died knowing they’d never again see their homeland.

My…” His voice faltered as he knelt before another stone.

Unlike the others, this one had some designs around the name.

It was clear someone had taken great care to memorialize whoever rested beneath the earth.

“My mate died on our journey here. She was protecting me from a demon.”

Turning, he looked at her, his eyes welling with tears. “I know what it means to be separated from your mate, and I don’t want that for you, child.”

She swallowed thickly, able to imagine all too easily Elias throwing himself in harm’s way to protect her—and then having to live through the ages without him.

Coming to stand before her, the prince brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s one of the greatest hardships to be blessed with a long life and then have to live through the years alone. Without the one who gives our existence meaning. It’s because of that that I want to help you.”

Thoughts swirled through her mind, but she latched on to one thing. “I’m thankful for all that you’ve taught me, but if I have any hope of saving my mate before it’s too late, I need more than control. I need power.”

The prince nodded as though expecting this. “And that’s why I’ve brought you to this place. The place where we discovered our true power.”

She blinked. “What?”

“The fae courts were right to fear what we could do with our magic—what we might become.” A cold fire alighted in the back of his eyes. “It wasn’t until we came here that we learned the true possibilities of our magic.”

Slowly, he rose and turned to the stone slab at the center of the cavern.

Frowning, she said, “I don’t understand.”

“When we came to the Abyss, we were desperate for enough power to protect ourselves,” he said.

“We were dying far too quickly. More and more of us fell with each demon attack. We knew we’d soon perish if we didn’t find another way to fend off the hordes.

That’s when we found the mountain.” He gestured to the cavern and then to the stone at its center. “And the one who inhabits it.”

Suddenly, a dark wind swept across the cavern, extinguishing her lantern on the far wall and all the candles throughout the room.

Instantly everything fell under shadow. While she could still see sections of the cavern with her shadow fae abilities, other parts of it were under an impenetrable black.

Just as she’d felt when she journeyed through the gateway and first came to the Abyss, a presence hovered around her and settled on her shoulders.

Her mind reeled.

A knowing smile played over the prince’s lips. “He’s called the Everdark, one of the greater demons.”

The presence moved from her shoulders as she shook her head.

No, it wasn’t possible?—

Before she could finish the thought, power blossomed around her so vast that she nearly passed out from the assault on her senses.

Her knee scraped against the ground as she gasped, sucking in air. “What have you done?” she demanded, her enchantress instincts surging to the surface. “Alliances with demons are dangerous— especially greater demons.”

Arden raised a brow. “Given who your mate is, I thought you’d be more… understanding.”

The presence billowed out into the room. As she breathed, the air grew thick, and her lungs became heavy, unable to bear the weight of this strange presence.

This demon.

“Elias showed me that not all demons are evil,” she managed, still struggling to breathe. “But he’s not a greater demon. They created the demons that plague the mortal realm. So many have died because of what they’ve spawned.”

“Oh?” His tone sounded like he was placating a foolish child. “Are your hands clean of blood, niece?”

That one word struck her harder than a blow ever could.

He knew.

“The Everdark told me of our blood ties,” he said, answering her unspoken question.

Face flushing as she struggled to take another breath, she said, “How would a demon know about my lineage when I don’t?”

He gestured to the stone slab before them. “Ask him.”

For a moment, she hesitated, her eyes lingering on the impenetrable dark hovering at the base of the unnatural slab of stone. It was far too angular, too perfect in dimensions to have been chiseled by hand.

This was made with magic.

And it was the perfect shape for a body to be placed atop it.

A sacrifice.

Arden believed he’d discovered true power, which meant that this greater demon could either make bargains or bestow power on others.

Elias was different , she thought. This demon could be different, too .

Didn’t she owe it to Elias and her family in Shadowbank to at least hear Arden out? She was desperate for power and allies. If she turned down the opportunity to speak with the Everdark, perhaps the prince wouldn’t consider allying with her or marching against Magnus.

But the idea of speaking with a greater demon filled her with dread. The parts of her that were an enchantress railed at the very notion of speaking to one rather than immediately seeking a way to end its existence.

As she took a step toward the altar, a single conviction filled her. She’d do anything for her mate.

Even ally herself with a demon.

Then she was before the slab of stone. No, not just stone, she realized. It was an altar.

They worshipped this demon.

“Lie down,” the prince said somewhere behind her. “Offer yourself to him.”

Lowering herself onto the stone, she immediately felt the cold through her leathers.

Show me what you can do , she thought. And if you don’t have a way to help Elias, I’ll kill you myself .

The impenetrable shadows in the corners of the room swelled before moving toward her. Swallowing back her fear, she forced herself to remain still as the shadows descended. A strange pressure surrounded her body—first her legs, then her stomach and chest, until it was everywhere.

Then a voice as deep and unfathomable as the Abyss entered her mind.

Hello, granddaughter .