Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane) (21 page)

“I didn’t escape, my boy, I was never imprisoned.” Vile slid onto the throne and folded his hands over his stomach. “An illusion. Another Summoner took my form and my place.” He shrugged. “After that it was simple.”

“Simple, how?” Gregory moved to stand next to Icarus. “And why take my brother.”

Icarus’s gaze settled on Gregory for a few seconds before returning to Vile.

“Harlin was vain and told no one of his acquiescence to imprison me in a warded cell. I bided my time, watching Arron grow incensed with my brother’s treatment of the humans. I knew it would only be a matter of time before he took action and overthrew Harlin. The Summoners aided him in his fight, though he never knew this. We were still outcasts and imprisoned in the Abyss for all your father knew. Our presence had to remain a secret.” He pointed to Icarus. “That’s where you came in. You were just an infant and the apple of your father’s eye. Fortunately your mother died giving birth to you, leaving your raising to wet nurses. When I had you kidnapped, I thought Arron would die of heartbreak. He nearly did.” His expression turned dark. “Then the human bitch arrived pleading for his help with the Bane.”

“But you are the Bane,” Juna said. “How is that possible?”

Vile cocked his head. “You look very much like your mother.”

Juna took a step forward, raising her hand, but Rhys captured her wrist, holding her in place. “Where is she?”

Vile waved a hand toward the wall of ice. “Let’s just say she’s been my guest for quite some time now.”

“Have you killed her?” Ravyn joined the line. “Or have you made her Bane?”

“Neither.” The Demon King’s brow furrowed. “I would never hurt Phillipa. I love her.”

“Love her?” Ravyn shook her head. “You are incapable of love.”

“Do not pretend to know me, girl.” He stood and strode to the wall of ice, stopping next to a woman, who Rell could now see bore a striking resemblance to Juna and Ravyn. He stroked the smooth surface near the woman’s face. “I have loved her for an eternity.” With surprising gentleness, he kissed the ice covering her cheek. “And she would have loved me too if not for your father.” He let his hand slide down and away from the wall. “He lured her away with promises of happiness and a family.”

“Which they had.” Meran moved to stand next to her sisters. “But you destroyed that.”

“Yes, I did.” Vile walked to stand behind his throne and laid his arms on the back, resting his chin on them. “Now she will be with me forever. And you will join her.”

“Over my dead body,” Juna said.

“Oh, you may try to free her as you did the girl.” He shrugged. “But I’m sure you’ve already discovered that a body is of little use without the soul.”

“I beg to differ with you, Uncle.” Icarus stepped back and looked at Rell.

Siban released her hand and with slow steps she walked forward. Vile’s gaze drove into her and for a fraction of a second she was positive uncertainty and fear flashed in his eyes. He straightened and skirted the chair.

She stopped next to Icarus but didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes on Vile and her grip tight on her sword. “Remember me?” Her words sounded much braver than she felt. “Daughter of Bowen Kendal?”

“But how?” The demon’s gaze tracked along the gathered Bringers. “This has never been done.”

Nobody spoke, all unwilling to reveal the healing ritual that had restored her.

“Perhaps my brother wasn’t as much of an idiot as I believed.” Excitement edged Vile’s voice. “I’m sure you will share your secret with me eventually—after you’ve experienced my methods of persuasion.” He pointed at Siban. “Ask the dark Bringer. I’m sure he remembers all too well the pleasures of being my captive.”

Rell turned to look at Siban. Even if she hadn’t felt his rage, his hard expression would have revealed his barely contained anger. She wanted to go to him, to calm him as he had done for her so often since they’d begun their journey. Giving in to the urge, she approached him and placed her hands against his arms. At first he didn’t look at her, his gaze fixed on Vile. She released her Tell, letting it flow over him, willing it to drive away his pain. Slowly he lowered his eyes and after a few seconds, he nodded.

Before she could shut the barriers of her mind again, the screaming she’d heard in the tunnel erupted, the howls of anguish exploding in her. She stumbled but Siban caught her. With great effort she slammed her mental barriers and the cries ceased. A sensation of lies swamped her before she successfully blocked it all out.

“Ah, I understand now.” Vile tapped his finger against his chin. “It was you who released him. That was a miscalculation on my part. I can see that now.” He settled back on the throne. “I’d thought to drive the Bringers from hiding by turning a helpless girl. I knew they’d find out, but I hadn’t counted on the girl being a warrior.”

The words he spoke fueled Rell’s determination to never fall under Vile’s control again. She would die, fall on the immortal weapon by her own hand, before she would allow the Bane to take her.

“I think there are many things you have miscalculated, Uncle.” Icarus spread his wings, sending the Bringers scattering.

Vile laughed again. “Do you mean to battle me, Icarus—or should I say Icarus Drake Stewart from the House of Cameron.”

“I know only Icarus.” He crouched. “You took the rest from me long ago.”

Vile stood, spreading his wings, their barbed tips pointing forward. “You will lose, nephew. I have taught you all you know, but not all
I
know.” The sentinels in front of the black obelisks moved forward. “And you and your friends will replace my comrades in the Abyss.”

“You cannot open the Abyss, so your threat is mute,” Icarus growled.

“Oh, but I can.” He smiled, baring his fangs. “Now that you’ve so generously brought me the Trilation.”

The three sisters glanced at each other and then lifted their swords. “We will never open the Abyss.”

A knowing smile spread across Vile’s sharp mouth. “We shall see.”

Chapter Nineteen

Icarus launched himself at Vile at the same time the Demon King attacked. The two demons clashed in the air, ripping at each other’s flesh.

Siban grabbed Rell and spun her to face the back of the room. “Stay close.”

“Protect each other’s back for as long as you can,” Gregory shouted. “Juna, take your sister’s and try to free the Bringers.”

“How?” She crouched next to him, ready for the attack from the encroaching Bane.

“You’re the Trilation. Use that.” He stepped in front of her. “We will hold them off as long as we can.”

“I hate to break this to you, but we don’t know what we’re doing,” Juna argued.

“Come on.” Meran grabbed her sister’s tunic and pulled Juna toward the wall of ice.

Siban shifted his attention to the imminent attack. Unlike his time imprisoned within the Shadow World, he was at full power and ready to fight. Anger rolled through him, igniting his Tell. Tremors raced through him and pooled into his hand. “Use whatever Bringer powers you have!”

“I plan to,” Rhys said.

Before their eyes he shifted to a black dragon. Siban pulled Rell with him, barely dodging the spiked tail of the dragon.

Rell produced a glowing ball and hurled it at the nearest Bane. The demon waved his hand, sending the orb to crash against the wall. Chunks of rock erupted, leaving a giant hole. “It’s not working.”

Siban thrust his hands forward, and again the Bane repelled his attack. The black dragon roared, spreading his wings to shield them from the demons. The beast opened its mouth and loosed a stream of fire that spread across the line of Bane.

A few were caught in the attack, their screams horrific and piercing. Most launched themselves into the air, narrowly avoiding being incinerated.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Luc said. He shifted into his golden dragon. The powerful legs of the creature bent and pushed off, sending its body into the air after the escaped demons.

Rhys joined him.

“I will remain here and fight. Our attack will be stronger if we don’t put all the Shields in one place,” Gregory shouted.

Those on the ground created a circle, their backs to the inside and released a volley of fire and energy balls at the demons that engaged in the fight on the ground.

Icarus and Vile slammed into the walls, sending chunks of stone falling down. Siban dove out of the way and barely missed being struck by a hunk bigger than his head. Though they tried to keep their formation together, little by little the Bane drove them in different directions. Rell managed to stay next to him. Siban opened his Tell to her and she to him. Together they worked as a single unit, attacking repeatedly, fueling each other’s fighting instincts.

A demon landed in front of Siban and slashed at him with its deadly talons, raking his chest. Fire burned along the gashes and blood seeped through his leather tunic. He stumbled backward and knocked into Rell, falling to the ground.

“No!” She spun and as the demon’s talons snaked out to finish the job and impale Siban’s chest, she trust her hand out. Without thinking, she shouted some ancient words of power. The demon froze.

Siban struggled to his knees, one hand pressed to his chest while the other gripped his sword. How Rell was immobilizing the demon he didn’t know, but questions would wait.

“Stab him!” Her hand began to shake and sweat beaded on her forehead. “Hurry.”

Siban drew back the Immortal sword and thrust it forward, piercing the center of the Summoner’s symbol. Rell released her hold and staggered backward. Siban pulled his sword free. He gained his footing and caught Rell around the waist. They needed to get away from the demon. Despite the pain searing his chest, Siban pulled her toward a huge carved statue.

The demon convulsed several times. A black shadow formed behind it. Rell slapped her hands over her ears when the wails once again erupted. Thunder rumbled, sending vibrations along the ground like the ones in the passage near Vile’s chamber. The statue they stood behind rocked, the giant stone scraping along the black floor.

Siban yanked her back against the wall. The cries grew louder. The black shadow behind the demon grew wider and denser. Wind rushed through the hall with a furious blast, pelting them with debris. Wrapping his arm around his face and covering Rell with his body, Siban shielded them from the punishing shards of rock.

The statue swayed more violently, the base lifting from the ground. With a groan, the monolith toppled forward, crashing against the ground. Siban looked over his shoulder at the demon he’d slayed. Hands extended from the interior of the black hole, grabbing the Bane and pulling it slowly inside. The demon fought their clawing grip but couldn’t break free and disappeared within. A rumble rocked the ground and the black hole disappeared.

When he released Rell, he dropped to the ground again. Weakness shook his muscles. He touched the blood running down his chest and reached a hand toward her. “Rell.”

“Siban.” She eased him to the floor and looked around. “Jade!”

Darkness tinged the edge of his vision. He fought his weakening state. If he died, who would protect Rell?

Suddenly Jade was there, her hands pressed hard against his chest. He coughed, tasting blood in his mouth. None too gently, Jade shouted the ancient healing words. Sparks of heat raced along the gashes. Her voice grew louder. Like stitching a wound, the skin around his injuries drew together, meshing into long, angry, red welts.

Strength returned and his vision cleared. After another few seconds, Jade released him. “There, now be more careful.”

His body hummed with energy and though he didn’t need their help, Jade and Rell drew him to his feet. Before he could thank Jade, Ravyn screamed, drawing their attention.

“Go help Gregory,” Rell said to Jade.

Rell and Siban raced across the hall to the wall of ice. The three sisters battled two Bane. Ravyn hurled balls of fire, while Juna drove them back with her sword. Jade joined the fight, grabbing one of the demons by the arm.

White light flowed from her and into the creature. Ravyn gripped its other arm, sending fire along the demon’s skin. The creature yanked, jerking the two women forward. Meran shoved both hands against its chest and released golden light into the center of its body. The demon shrieked and convulsed but the three women held tight.

“Move!” Juna rushed forward. They released their hold and with a hard thrust, Juna buried the sword into the demon’s chest. She pulled it free and leveled a kick at the symbol, sending the demon toppling into the deep gorge.

Rell faced the other Bane and again lifted her hand, holding it in place. Not waiting this time, Siban rammed his sword through the Summoner’s chest and continued to push the Bane backward until it toppled into the gorge to join the demon that Juna had slayed. The familiar rumble of the Abyss as it claimed more prisoners rippled through the chamber.

Jade turned to Rell. “When did you learn to do that?”

Rell shrugged, her eyes wide. “It just happens.”

“Well done,” Jade said.

“There’s too many of them.” Ravyn nodded toward the end of the hall. Two more demons filtered through the open doors. “We can’t free the Bringers and fight.”

“You concentrate on them.” Siban wiped his hands against his pants and repositioned his sword. “And we’ll protect you.”

“How are we going to get out of here?” Meran asked. “The door is blocked and we can’t carry them all the way back through those tunnels.”

“There’s a light above. It might be an opening.” Rell pointed to the ceiling. “At least some of us will be able to get free.”

Nobody spoke for a few seconds, then Juna said, “Come on, sisters, let’s find out if being the Trilation is worth more than opening the Abyss.”

The three set their hands against the ice and closed their eyes.

“Doesn’t it burn?” Jade asked.

“No,” Ravyn said. “It’s cold but doesn’t burn.”

The fight above them drew Siban, Rell, and Jade’s attention. Vile and Icarus remained locked in a deadly battle, each demon tearing at the other and delivering unforgiving blows.

“Why don’t the Summoners use fire?” Rell asked.

“Maybe it’s not their power.” Siban watched as a demon engaged Rhys’s dragon. Its attacks were punishing but not deadly. Rhys easily defended himself. Trace had also transformed and though he fought several Bane, they didn’t attack as one. “It’s almost as if they are baiting us.”

“Perhaps Vile has given them orders not to kill us,” Jade said.

Rell shook her head. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

“I thought the same thing.” Siban looked to where Magnus, Gregory, and Brita defended themselves. “Watch, the Bane attack halfheartedly, as if they’re only trying to keep them occupied.”

Ancient words flowed from the three sisters and a low hum vibrated along the ground.

“They don’t approach us.” Jade pointed to a line of Summoners beyond Gregory. “They line the far end of the hall but don’t move. They’re just observing.”

“But why?” Rell glanced upward and then back to where the other Bringers easily held off the Bane. “Perhaps it’s a trap of some kind.”

“Not a trap.” Siban faced the three sisters. “A diversion.”

A loud
crack
sounded from the wall of ice. The images of the frozen Bringers wavered and were replaced by dark figures. Fingers scraped along the inside of the wall and anguished cries filtered through the ice. Another crack sounded, followed by a thunderous roar.

“Stop!” Siban raced forward and yanked Ravyn’s hands from the ice. “Those are not Bringers.”

“What are you talking about?” Juna’s hands remained on the ice. “Our mother is inside.”

“Look.” He pointed to one of the dark figures. Its body slithered along the inside. For a fraction of a second an eight-pointed star pressed against the ice. “The Summoner’s symbol.”

A small fracture appeared in the structure and traced a disjointed path upward. The three sisters stumbled away from the wall.

“This isn’t a wall of ice,” Meran said. “It’s the Abyss.”

“He tricked us into opening it.” Juna turned and sprinted toward Gregory, shouting at them.

Siban grabbed Rell’s hand. “Come on!”

The five of them raced across the black expanse behind Juna and engaged the demons Gregory and the two others had been fighting.

“We have to get out of here.” Siban swung his sword at the closest Bane. “Get the dragons.”

A low groan radiated from the Abyss and the walls vibrated. Tremors undulated across the floor, sending the fighting Bane running toward the entrance of the hall.

“I’m going to help drive back the Bane from above.” Gregory spun, transforming to a dragon and launched into the air.

“Maybe we can stop the Abyss from opening,” Meran said.

“How? We didn’t even know we were opening it to begin with.” Ravyn turned to Brita. “Do you know?”

The Tell shook her head. “We were not given that information, but as the Trilation you should be able to project what you want.”

The three sisters joined hands again and turned toward the fracturing structure. They closed their eyes and raised their hands.

“They’re coming back.” Magnus crouched, readying himself for the new wave of Bane sweeping toward them. “It looks like they mean to stop the Trilation.”

“And I mean to stop them.” Rell looked at Siban. “Let’s vanquish these bastards once and for all.”

“You read my mind,” he said.

The first wave hit, bringing three demons to one Bringer. Siban hacked at the Bane, sending energy balls as quickly as he could manifest them, with little effect.

“Use your Tell,” Brita shouted. “Concentrate your powers into your attack.”

Siban let the barriers of his mind crumble. His Tell rushed through his body and down his arm. Energy pooled in his hand as he drove back one of the demons with his sword. When there was a brief lull, he sent his intentions into the orb and hurled it toward his opposition. It sped across the hall and blasted into a Bane. The demon exploded into a million glittering sparks, but another demon quickly took its place.

Wind swept through the hall and the glittering bits began to swirl, gathering into a violent vortex. The fiery sparks spun, sucking several of the Bane into it as it swept along the hall. With a violent roar, the vortex rammed through the floor, opening a giant gash in the floor and disappeared.

More Bane converged and again the Bringers attacked with a barrage of fire. Slowly they gained ground, forcing the demons back. Another crack rented the air and a loud groan rumbled from the Abyss.

“It’s not working.” Ravyn’s voice raised above the cacophony of battle. “What do we do?”

“Look,” Meran yelled.

Siban chanced a glance. From the ceiling thousands of imps crawled down the cavern wall toward the Abyss. He spun, hurled an orb and stabbed a charging demon with his sword. Another vortex formed, spinning toward the opening of the hall. The Bane fled, trying to avoid its path.

“What are they doing?” Juna shouted above the roar.

With a reprieve in the fighting, the Bringers turned to watch the imps. Their black bodies clung to the wall of the Abyss, covering it. The wails from within grew, as if angered by the creatures’ interference.

“I think they’re helping,” Rell said.

“No!” Vile’s bellow resonated through the hall. He dove toward the gathering imps, but Icarus landed on top of him and spun, sending his uncle crashing into one of the towering statues.

Vile slammed into the stone, decapitating the sculpture, and dropped to the ground. Quickly righting himself, he sent a blast of fire at the imps. Their squeals of pain filled the hall, the smell of their burning flesh billowing to choke Siban.

He coughed and covered his mouth with his sleeve. “We need to get out of here.”

“What about the Abyss?” Ravyn asked.

“There’s nothing to be done about it now.” Magnus waved at the battling dragons. “Pray that the imps know what they are doing. If not, I’m sure we’ll know about it soon enough. Best that we’re not here when and if it opens.”

One by one the dragons landed. Siban shoved Rell onto Luc’s back along with Jade. Juna and Brita climbed onto Gregory, leaving Siban to ride Rhys and Magnus on Trace. He held out his hand to Meran, but before she could reach for him, Icarus swooped down and plucked her from the ground. The demon shot skyward toward the light at the top of the hall.