“But I thought you said it didn’t have the power to hold off that boiling sea of Revenants just now?” Layla blinked as she finished putting her boots back on, zipping them up.
“Reverse psychology, Layla.” Quinn spoke with a dark look in his onyx eyes. “I goaded it into proving its power, not just for our continued safety down there, but to see what it was really capable of. It was arrogant, and so it rose to my deprecation of its abilities, and protected us. Plus, it hates Hunter for mastering it, and welcomes an opportunity to fuck him now. But even more than that… it is happy to be free. Andveryhappy to soon have an army at its command.”
“Could you read its mind, Quinn?” Adrian asked quietly, watching his longtime friend and ally. “Could you see what it wanted to do with that army?”
“No, I could only read some of its emotions.” Quinn answered as he stared Adrian down. “But I believe it may not bode well for the world when all is said and done, Adrian. And it will be even worse for the reputation of Vampire-kind. Which you know I can’t abide.”
Layla felt a dark tide swirl between Adrian and Quindici then, concerning the Vampire’s reputation. To Quinn, reputation was everything – and Layla saw now how Adrian had placed himself to potentially ruin Quinn’s work to improve the reputation of Vampires in the Twilight Realm by his bargain with the Descendant. For a long moment, they held each other’s gazes, as Layla wondered what might happen if Adrian and Quinn ever became enemies.
And then Quindici heaved a sigh, smoothing one white hand over his well-coiffed russet waves. “Let us return to the light. I have had enough of dark tunnels today.”
“Aren’t Vampires supposed to like the darkness?” Dusk quipped now, though his sapphire eyes were evaluating as he watched Quinn. “You never seem to like other Vampires or what they can do, Quinn. And that aura we saw from you down there was like no other Vampire I’ve ever seen with those bright sparks in your magic. Why is that?”
“Because I’m notlikeother Vampires, clearly!” Quinn snapped at Dusk, his eyes flashing with copper-bright heat again before it was gone, though it didn’t spark in his aura this time. “Come. Bring the sleeping Dragon and let’s return. I need a wine. Or several.”
Layla had never heard Quindici be so curt, or seen him so rattled. He was normally deeply poised; and Layla, Dusk, and Adrian all shared a look now, that something had gotten to him about his time in the Thin Ways speaking with Gold-Eyes. But Quinn said no more, only turning away and closing his eyes, sinking into a deep stillness like the endless cool of the grave.
Exchanging a glance, Adrian and Layla shared a thought suddenly – that Hunter’s ancient machinations had left one of their other strong allies severely rattled now, though whether Hunter had ever planned it could not be known. But as they hefted Nimir’s sarcophagus up on their winds again, it suddenly seemed lighter than it had been. And as they moved out into the center of the vaulted hall, Dusk held out a hand, stopping Layla and Adrian.
“Can you feel that?” He spoke as he cocked his head. “Nimir’s heartbeat is stronger here beneath King DuVir’s vaults. So is his breath.”
As Layla opened herself to Dusk’s Crystal Dragon senses through the Bind, she suddenly realized he was right. Inside the sarcophagus, Nimir’s heart beat with a more determined rhythm, his breath flowing smoothy as if he was merely asleep rather than in a coma. As Layla extended her senses, she realized King DuVir’s massive underground plaza coated with micro-diamonds was amplifying the healing resonance trapped inside Dusk’s sapphire coffin, in a kind of synergy like the original cavern they’d found him in.
“Here, put him in the center of the hall.” Dusk spoke as he walked to a spot right in the middle of the space and indicated for Layla and Adrian to deposit the sarcophagus. As they did, the resonance moving through the sarcophagus tripled – and suddenly Nimir heaved a deep breath like he was waking inside his vault. His long black eyelashes flickered, and he shifted position upon his columns of selenite-diamond. Rolling to his side, he curled up with one arm as his pillow.
Then fell deeply asleep again – breathing slowly once more.
“He almost came awake!” Dusk spoke softly as he stared at the man within, amazed. “I can feel his mind now – he’s dreaming. I hate to say it, but I think we should leave his sarcophagus here, if King DuVir’s construction of this place is able to help him. It’s not exactly the most secret spot, but we can keep it protected.”
“Then we should get some backup down here.” Adrian responded, stepping briskly into command mode. “Layla, would you call Rikyava and get her to send down a cadre of Hotel Guards with Forbidden Spears to watch the sarcophagus? I’ll call King Mathii and get some Black Spear Dragons from him, too. Quinn, we’ll probably need a few of your strongest Vamps to monitor the Thin Ways and make sure Gold-Eyes doesn’t pull a fast one. Dusk, do you have any Crystal Dragons you trust who can monitor Nimir’s health and mimic that universal vibration well enough to re-oomph the sarcophagus if need be? Not to mention keep the diamond-pillars active to seal this space until we need it during battle?”
“Actually, I have just the man.” Dusk spoke as everyone took out cell phones. “Norbu Gyatso is here, Adrian, the Tibetan Crystal Dragon Clan First. He’s strong enough to be a King, and though he won’t fight, he’ll do protective tasks for us during the battle. Hang on, I’ll call him down.”
As Dusk sent a deep rumble out into the Hotel above, Layla felt an equally powerful one answer it. Through Dusk’s senses, she felt the Tibetan Crystal Dragon monk Norbu Gyatso coming to them now as Adrian and Quinn called their people and Layla put in a call to Rikyava. Within minutes, everything was organized, Desert Dragons, Vampires, Hotel Guard, and Norbu arriving to watch over Nimir. As the watch was coordinated, Layla observed Norbu in his saffron and ochre robes, moving around the sarcophagus in human form with a deep thoughtfulness. In a minute, he was able to mimic that low universal tone the Bind had made; and once again, Layla found herself deeply impressed by the ancient monk as he beamed a pleasant smile.
Then waved Dusk away – taking up the watch on their treasure.
But as they departed, Quinn opted to remain behind to give his Vampires further instruction concerning the Revenants. Walking back out through the diamond pillars, Layla heaved a breath of relief as she, Adrian, and Dusk finally made it back to real daylight. Though their sojourn had felt like days, it was barely mid-afternoon as they traversed the Hotel’s halls back towards her room. They’d had not just one stroke of luck today with Dusk being able to free the Revenants, but also a second one when Adrian had bargained with Gold-Eyes to help against Hunter. But the biggest piece of luck they’d found today was Nimir, alive.
A part of Hunter’s history that Layla believed would play a role in events to come.
But as they passed a vaulted bank of windows with a view out to the Hotel’s rear gardens, Layla suddenly stopped. Outside, she could see Luke, Heathren Merkami, and Insinio Brandfort standing in the rose gardens with the Desert Dragon King Lethou Mathii and a number of others. Changing course to see what was going on, Layla pushed out the nearest door with Dusk and Adrian on her heels, curious.
Stepping into the afternoon sunlight on the gravel promenade, Layla approached quietly, not wanting to break Heathren and Luke’s concentration with whatever they were doing. Dragons and others were watching, including Fallen Ephilohim Archangels in Intercessoria battle-leathers. Heathren and Insinio were in their black battle-leathers today also, their long silver swords upon their backs, while Luke wore jeans and an emerald shirt, King Mathii in one of his long gold and desert-colored embroidered robes. But everyone was keeping their distance as the four stood in a wide circle, deep in trance. Layla frowned as she felt them meld their magics together in the ether.
And as she watched, all four inhaled a tremendous breath and cast their hands to the sky.
A massive dome ofnullax-mist suddenly rushed to life between them – with a roaring bonfire below that twisted with red-aqua flames, matching the mist above. Spreading their arms wide, the four expanded their joined magics, creating a vast dome of seethingnullax-mist and fire all around, though it didn’t touch anyone. It was beautiful and terrifying as that magic danced, etheric currents flowing through thenullax-dome as they swirled through the scalding fire below. Heathren had his seven-layer wings spread wide in the real world now, shimmering with etheric currents as their silver-light filaments flowed in a universal wind. Insinio had the same, though a number of his long wing-filaments reached out to touch Heathren, supporting him rather than support the dome.
At last, Heathren gave a sigh and released his magics with a flick of his hands and wings, letting the dome waft out upon the breeze. As he did, King Mathii swirled his fires out also, while Luke shook his hands with a huff like he’d been punched, looking disoriented. Now that the magical test was over, Layla and her men came into the rose garden, Layla seeing a film ofnullax-mist clear from Luke’s emerald eyes like milky cataracts. As Heathren and the others moved in, they met beside a satyr fountain, Luke stepping forward and almost hugging Layla before he checked himself, then plopped down on the rim of the fountain. Though Luke seemed exhausted, Heathren, Insinio, and King Mathii were collected as they greeted Layla’s group. But though both Ephilohim’s wings had disappeared, retracted back into their spines, Layla could see how Insinio kept his silver-light wings wrapped around Heathren in the ether.
Still pouring angelic support into him.
“That was insane!” Dusk spoke with a grin as the two parties came together. “Combiningnullaxwith etheric magic and Dragon-fire? Brilliant.”
“Our tests this morning have been successful at blending our powers, yes.” Heathren spoke archly as he glanced to Layla. “We will be able to make anullax-shield and extend it through the ether to rip Hunter’s Binds from him when they arrive, like we’d planned. King Mathii is also adept at etheric magic, and will ignite bonfires backed by our Ephilohim power to decimate Hunter’s forces in the first wave. The only question is… how far will we be able to extend these magics as Hunter’s forces arrive? And how long will we be able to sustain them?” This last was said with a pointed glance at Luke.
Who growled at Heathren with a flash of lightning in his eyes. “Yeah, yeah! I know I’m the weakest link. Just give me a minute to catch my breath. We’ve been at this all day!”
