Kai’s face remained motionless. As a thief raised by the mob, deception was a way of life. As natural to him as breathing. And truth was the best shield for deception.
His smile broadened. “That? I got rid of it in case his brothers come looking.”
Alira’s eyes narrowed. “Why would you do that?”
Kai’s gloved hand swept over the carnage surrounding them - body parts splayed in the hot sun, blood seeping into the grass. “What will they think when they see this and can’t find Silas?”
Alira met his eyes, then surveyed the camp. “That he fled? Or was captured?”
Kai nodded. “Either way, isn’t that better than them knowing he’s dead? They’ll waste time searching for him.” He shrugged. “And if they assume he’s a hostage - that’s more leverage for us.”
Alira offered a slow nod. “And how exactly did you make his body disappear without a trace?”
Kai used one of his most powerful weapons - the truth. “You know I have Space God’s Gift.” He raised his chin, chest inflating. “I sent him to an alternate space.”
“An alternate space?” Alira asked. She glanced at Rusk, found nothing, then back at Kai. “I thought you could only move things within a certain range.”
Kai scratched his chin. “That’s true for living things. Different rules for the dead.”
Alira shook her head. “His head on a spike would’ve sent a better message, but your strategy has some benefits. Next time, ask me first.”
“My apologies. I’ll keep that in mind for next time.” He lied.
No way to be sure if Alira believed him or not. But the interrogation was over.
The trio searched the camp with Shadow’s aid. They discovered a few Dusk packages stuffed into an abomination’s shell. Alira stored them in her satchel.
“For research,” she claimed.
A bag of shards lay in a metal chest within the command tent. They split the haul between them - bringing Kai’s wealth to 127 Darkshards. Rusk stole a few pieces of fabric and a steel sword.
After the looting, they returned to Silas’s luxurious tent, giving Kai time to recover his soul essence.
Kai lay on a feather-stuffed mattress covered in soft fabric. Shadow sat beside him. Rusk and Alira sat at a short table, picking at Silas’s leftovers - some kind of meat. They didn’t touch the wine goblet, both smart enough to keep a clear head.
Alira glanced at Kai. “Aren’t you hungry after all that fighting?”
He’d reaped enough souls to satisfy his hunger. His appetite was the least of his problems. He shook his head. “I had a large breakfast. You guys can eat up.”
Her focus snapped back to the plate of cold meat. “Suit yourself.”
Kai studied a letter Renzo had sent Silas. They were supposed to meet near Nivis Village before dark.
He could turn back, wait in ambush, claim his revenge.
His gaze locked on his missing pinky finger. He sighed. Getting the Frozen Tear was more time-sensitive than his vengeance.
It wouldn’t get dark for another day. He had time to meet Renzo on his way back to the Dark Gate. Probably. If not, he’d follow his original plan and catch up with the bastard on Earth. A rushed, haphazard plan wouldn’t work against that slimy snake anyway.
His attention shifted to Alira. “I helped you kill your Ashvale. You gonna tell me where the Frozen Tear is?”
She finished chewing a mouthful of unidentified meat, then turned her head. “You think I won’t keep my word?”
His silence was answer enough. The sound of Rusk’s chewing filled the tent.
Alira sighed. “Your paranoia’s both useful and frustrating. The artifact’s in a nearby cave. It won’t take long to get there. Returning alive is the issue.”
He had the information he needed. But if the creature spared women - she’d make a useful shield.
He sat up. “I’ve almost recovered my essence. Eat up, we’re leaving soon.”
Her attention returned to her meal.
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***
It didn’t take them long to return to the forest path and retrieve their Dark Horses. The ride to the cave was brief. A few weak abominations attacked along the way. None survived.
Kai scoffed as the cave entrance came into view. “Something stole your House’s artifact and camped on your doorstep?” He shook his head. “I don’t know whether to be impressed by the thief’s audacity or shocked by the Nivisaras’ mercy.”
Alira’s jaw tightened. “I told you - we sent people. When most didn’t come back, it wasn’t worth sending more. We hardly ever used the artifact. Why risk the few soldiers we have left?”
Kai couldn’t find fault with her reasoning. He nodded solemnly, then turned to Rusk.
“Wait here. Keep an eye on Shadow.”
He turned back to Alira. “You said the creature lets women live, right? What about wolves?”
Alira shrugged. “How would I know? No one tried bringing a wolf!”
Shadow could be invaluable backup, but it was better to play it safe with these kinds of things. “Alright. Rusk, Shadow, stay here. If you hear anything weird... run?”
Rusk laughed. “Run? You don’t want us to come in and save you?”
Kai shook his head. “If whatever is in there can kill me and Alira, you’ve got no chance. Your best option is running.”
Rusk’s white-gloved hand pressed against his chest. “You wound me, Kai. How could you say such mean things?”
Kai shrugged. “The truth is the truth. She can’t lose,” he gestured at Alira, “and anything that can catch me is worth fearing - it might even dodge your threads.”
Rusk raised his chin, unconvinced. Shadow raised his head and howled softly.
“You too, Shadow.”
Shadow offered a short whine before lowering his head. Kai crouched to scratch behind his ears.
Alira stood beside the cave mouth. “Are you ready for this?”
Kai stood and stepped toward her. “The way you told it, I’m walking into a death trap.”
“You said you need the artifact. I’d tell you to turn around if I thought you’d listen.”
“You don’t believe in me.”
“I’ve seen you cheat death once. Maybe you can do it again. Or maybe you’re not as lucky as you think.”
Her fear was noteworthy. If he had another choice, he might’ve retreated. But this was Kharon’s instruction - he hadn’t steered him wrong yet.
But that was the best way to run a long-con.
Kharon’s voice intruded into his mind:
Kai had more than a few questions. But he couldn’t start whispering to himself without making Alira suspicious.
“I’m ready when you are,” he said.
Alira released a long breath. “If you die, you can’t haunt me - I told you the risks.”
Kai smirked. “Nothing worth having’s without risk.”
Alira retrieved a bottle from her satchel and applied drops to her eyes. Probably to help her see in the dark.
Kai approached the cave mouth - space shifted. A familiar, unwelcome sensation. A Domain. Darkness blanketed the cave. No sunlight penetrated. Liquid dripped and echoed. Small feet scurried nearby. The smell of damp stone hung heavy.
His instincts screamed danger. But if he could turn back, he wouldn’t be here. He sighed and stepped deeper into the dark Domain.
Darkness was absolute. But Kai was heir to the Darklands. Darkness was his birthright - he saw everything.
Their footsteps echoed. A corridor, two people wide, stretched ahead. They moved forward in silence. It opened into a wide chamber. Various-sized bones decorated the ground. Human skulls among them.
A pedestal stood in the centre, flanked by bones. Grey stone rose from the cave floor, as if the cave itself reached up to cradle its prize. A blue glow emanated from the object on top.
Alira gestured to the pedestal. “There’s your prize.”
Kai glanced at her. “That’s an obvious trap. You can see that, right?”
Alira shrugged. “This whole cave is a trap. We’re in a Domain.”
Kai felt it - darkness pressing down, trying to oppress him. It failed. If this was the Domain’s limit, he could handle it. But he stayed cautious. The creature that created this—
An enormous shadow flew past the pedestal. Kai reacted - grabbed Alira’s shoulder and bent space, emerging a cautious distance from the pedestal. He scanned the corridor they’d come from.
A man-shaped figure stood there. Kai drew his sword. The darkness surged.
Remembering Kharon’s warning, he raised his blade - but didn’t strike. “I’ll let that slide. But attack us again, and it’ll be your last mistake.”
The creature’s smooth voice echoed, “Do not misunderstand me, cretin. I’d never attack such a beautiful lady. You were lucky. I would have freed that beauty from your filthy clutches.”
Kai opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words. He wanted to check Alira’s reaction, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the creature.
Shadow obscured its frame - even Kai’s enhanced vision couldn’t pierce it. It had a man’s voice, but rare abominations could mimic human speech. He stayed alert.
Kai lifted his chin. “I didn’t come here to fight.”
The creature paused. A good sign. Maybe it could be reasoned with.
“Despicable.” It scoffed. “You raise your sword and offer peace? Typical cretin drivel.”
Kai stepped back, placing both Alira and the abomination in his line of sight. Alira looked thoughtful but stayed silent. Probably for the best.
“You attacked first!” Kai retorted.
“How else should I respond to an intruder in my Domain?”
“You stole an artifact from House Nivisara. Probably stole this cave too.”
“Stole? Everything I have is mine by right. Contract or conquest. If you wish to take it from me—”
Kai’s brows furrowed. “Contract? What kind of abomination signs a contract?”
A creature that signed contracts could be deceived. Or reasoned with.
“Wait,” Kai said. “Contract for what? With who?”
The creature scoffed. “How dare you call me an abomination!” Its chin rose. “And why should I tell you?”
“I know a thing or two about contracts,” Kai lied. “Maybe I can help.”
The shadowy creature grew larger. “Help? You are food. Prey. Cattle. I don’t need—”
“Can I ask something?” Alira said.
The shrouded creature bowed. “Of course, my lady. Please, speak your mind.”
Kai frowned.
What’s its problem? Only reasonable with women?
“Did someone contract you to steal the Frozen Tear from my House?”
The creature cleared its throat, straightened, and shrank to human size. “My apologies, fair lady. The contract’s terms prevent me from revealing such details. I can only say I’m here to protect this glowing thing until the designated person arrives to claim it. I hope you’ll forgive my discretion.”
Kai’s frown deepened. The creature’s behaviour was strange. Polite to women, hostile to men, bound by contract. He’d never read about abominations like this.
Made more sense if it was Marked - Cursed to be polite to women. But no Marked could control a Domain like this. Unless Dusk was changing the rules…
“Can you reveal the contract’s other party?” Alira asked.
Part of the shadow faded. A pale, handsome face smiled at Alira. He nodded. “It was a deal with the devious, despicable, magnanimous, and generous Death God.”
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