Page 36

Khaos

I ’m losing it.

Inside, Fury is a raging beast, growling and clawing to be free.

My control is splintering, and I know that soon, it will shatter into a thousand pieces. I haven’t felt this close to the edge for many years.

I glance up and find them all watching me with varying levels of concern. No doubt they can see the wolf in my eyes.

“You need to control yourself,” Thanouq says, his voice low.

Yeah, fucking great plan, asshole.

I take a deep breath, clench my jaw, and slowly rise to my feet, each movement slow and deliberate. I stalk out of the kitchen, retracing our steps to the front door and then outside into the moonlit night. Fury calms a little once we’re in the open. I stand looking around me. The house is at the end of the village, and beyond it is a path leading to a forest. I head that way. Once among the trees, I drop to my knees.

This hasn’t changed anything. Deep down, I always knew he was dead.

But a small part of me had hoped.

He was more father than brother to me. Every good memory I have of my childhood includes Khendril. There certainly hadn’t been any more after he left. My life had descended into a hell that it had taken me years to crawl out of. At times like this, I know I could fall so easily back into that place.

Why?

Why had he left?

Why hadn’t he taken me with him? I would have followed him anywhere. But he never gave me the chance.

I throw back my head and howl.

Finally, when I have myself under control, I get to my feet and head back to the house.

I need to talk with the Crone. Hecate. My mind reels at the implications. Hecate is a figure from our legends. She must be as old as my father. She certainly spoke as if she knew him.

As I approach the house, the door opens, and she steps out, her gaze settling on me. She nods. “Prince.”

I hate the way she says that, her tone dripping with scorn.

“Tell me about Khendril,” I say.

“What do you wish to know?”

“Sixteen years ago, he left without a word. I never heard from him again until that final message. Why?”

“Because I asked him to.”

I grit my teeth. “Tell me why. I need to understand.”

“Maybe he got fed up with being a second-class citizen, expected to do your father’s dirty work.”

“The guardians keep the worlds safe. They protect everyone.” But even as I speak the words, doubts form in my mind. I’ve started to question the role of the guardians and the way they are treated. But my father will not countenance any change.

“The guardians are nothing but slaves,” she snaps. “Bred to do your father’s bidding.” Then she sighs. “Khendril left his post because I told him a truth. A truth that has been shrouded in lies for so long that the lies have become reality.”

“And he believed you?”

“Oh yes, I can be very convincing, and I needed his help. And that of the others who came with him. He selected them himself.” A look of sadness flickers across her face. “They’re all dead now. They were good men.”

“Could he be imprisoned somewhere, unable to get back?” I ask. “Are you sure he’s dead?”

“I’m sure. He wouldn’t have sent Amber to you if there had been any other option. If he’d had any hope of surviving. No, he’s dead.”

“My brother died for her. Help me understand,” I say. “Who is she that Khendril would give his life for her?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Then what can you tell me?” I snarl.

She considers me for a minute. “I will tell you a truth that may make you look at your world a little differently.”

“The same truth you told Khendril?”

“Partly.” She purses her lips as she studies me. “What do you know of the shadowguard?”

“They are Lucifer’s army. Made in Hell to fight the guardians.”

“And their origins?”

I frown. “Some sort of demon spawn.”

She snorts. “The guardians are half-breeds, half Astrali, half human. They have the ability to shift but—”

“I know this. Why are you giving me a lesson in things I already know?”

“Patience, prince. They were denied the right to immortality, which your father could have granted them.”

“That’s not possible.”

“It was within his powers. He chose not to.”

Is she telling the truth? I don’t know.

“Many of them were not entirely happy with this, something Lucifer became aware of. He offered them an alternative—change their allegiance and he would grant them immortality. And so the shadowguard came into being.”

My mind is reeling in shock. “I don’t believe you.”

“Why would I lie?”

“Maybe you believe it, but it can’t be true.”

“Lucifer perverted the old magic of Vortex, creating dark magic that drew them to Hell and twisted their souls. They lost their ability to shift, but now they live forever. Though I’m sure they regret that decision.”

“How do you know this?”

She looks away for a moment. “I have lived a long time. I’ve learned many things.”

Not really an answer, but I suspect it’s all I’m going to get. “Did Khendril believe this?”

“Of course.”

“If that’s true, then my father must be told.”

She laughs in genuine amusement. “You think he doesn’t know?”

That stops me. Would he keep something so huge a secret? Not only from me but from everyone?

I glance at her, and it occurs to me that we are alone out here in the night. I have my orders. I’m supposed to take her back to my father. The girl is secondary. I could knock Hecate out and head for the nearest mirror. There are others. But why does he want her so badly? What other secrets is he keeping?

“How do you know my father?” I ask.

“We go way back, your father and I. He’s the one who called me the Crone.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“No, it doesn’t.” She considers me for a moment. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you. But not tonight.”

I sense that I’ll get no more from her, and my mind is still in shock from her revelations about the shadowguard. I think I’ll put off taking her for a little while. I clearly have a better chance of finding the truth here than back at my father’s palace. He’ll have to wait for his crone. Just one more question.

“Why do the shadowguard want Amber?”

“Stick around, Prince, and maybe you’ll find out.”