Page 94 of Hell's Secret Omega
Beside Mezor, Cyrus gasps. “It will destroy him.”
“It’s not over,” Mezor says grimly.
Hollows leap over the edge of the pier, and as they follow the King, Kalad’s body sinks into the water. The Hellspring begins to roil, whipping into a whirlpool. The pier is torn away from the shore, spinning in the center of the lake for a moment, until with a series of splintering cracks it’s ripped apart and swallowed by the churning water. A foul wind rises off the surface of the water, making the torches flicker wildly. Pebbles on the shore clatter toward the water’s edge, drawn in by a strange magnetism. Mezor feels a sinister call urging him toward the lake.
“We need to leave, or else we’ll be pulled in.” He lifts Cyrus into his arms.
Cyrus grabs his shoulder. “It’s Kalad!”
A figure begins to rise from the Hellspring. It’s the same size and shape as Kalad, but beyond that it bears little resemblance to his brother. Pronged horns as black as the water itself spring from its crown. Its face is carved into a cruel grimace. Its eyes are blue as flame, with none of Kalad’s gentle intelligence behind them.
As it emerges, the lake level drops. The King—what’s left of him—is pulling the Hellspring into himself, holding it in his veins. Black water drips down the entity’s massive body only to be sucked back into the whirlpool. With great strides, it drags itself out of the lake
Mezor turns away. “Kalad is gone.” This creature is not his brother. It’s borne of evil and will sow destruction in its path, just like the King.
As they reach the entrance a roar shakes the cavern, pained and confused. The figure crawls up the steep shore, half-shaped, its movements jerky. Mezor’s heart twists in spite of himself. But there’s nothing more he can do for Branok.
He looks down at Cyrus. “Choose now. Across the bridge to Earth? Or into the wilds?”
Cyrus doesn’t hesitate. “The wilds.”
They flee as the creature staggers out of the cave. For a moment Mezor wonders if it will follow them, but the thundering footsteps fade as he carries Cyrus deeper into the mountain. The creature is heading to Earth—to the Seraphim Wall, to finish the war Branok started.
He doesn’t stop for breath until they’re free of the Court.
Chapter 51
CYRUS
In the King’sempty hideout, Mezor sweeps the map away, sending the pieces that represent the world trees scattering across the floor. He sets Cyrus down on the table. Cyrus’s stomach sinks as Mezor collapses to his knees in front of him.
“Forgive me.” He hangs his head. His shame is visceral on Cyrus’s tongue.
Cyrus scrambles to the edge. “Get up.”
Mezor’s shoulders shudder, but he stays on his knees. “If you’ll have me, I’m yours. Forever. If you won’t have me…” he lifts his head and his eyes glow. “I’ll watch over you from afar. Wherever you go, I’ll keep you safe. Just say the word.”
“Stop!” Cyrus’s eyes grow hot. “You big fool. I’ll have you. I’ll have you until our souls decay and we become one with the aether.”
Relief steals his breath—his or Mezor’s, he can’t tell. Mezor cups his cheek and wipes the wetness that seeps from the corner of his eye.
“Then we’ll muddle through this together.”
“I think—” Cyrus begins, swallowing back a hiccup of hysterical laughter. “I think for now I’ll muddle, and you’ll follow.”
Mezor bows his head again, but this time he rests his forehead gently on Cyrus’s thigh. His warm breath is a balm to Cyrus’s soul—proof of life.
“Tell me what to do,” he murmurs.
This time Cyrus can’t hold in the hiccups. “Hold me,” he gulps, sliding off the table into Mezor’s embrace. “Just hold me.”
Cyrus wakes in the dark.Disoriented for a moment, he flails, gasping, until his body remembers it’s not drowning. He sits up. Jolts of adrenaline run down his limbs and coalesce into an uneasy ball in his stomach. He dreams about the Hellspring now, has nightmares of the dark, cold water sucking him under. Of his flesh dissolving before his eyes and his soul absorbed into a vortex. He squeezes his eyes shut and presses the heels of his palms against them, pushing until he sees lights.
It’s over. You’re safe.
A gentleek-ek-ekbrings him out of his self-pity. He rolls away from Mezor’s side and rises to his feet. Since leaving the Court, Mezor sleeps more often—normal, restful sleep, not the eternal kind. But he’s out of practice and his sleep is shallow, so Cyrus takes care not to disturb him.
Ekko is perched on the cliff above, watchful. He, too, has vowed to protect Cyrus in his own way, and every time Cyrus lays eyes on him his heart is newly grateful for Ekko’s friendship. Though he flies freely across Hell, he always returns to Cyrus.
