40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
Ty
After word spread of Ena’s ability to Change, the plan all but fell into place, and two weeks later, they found themselves riding towards the Underworld.
Greya had sent a message to Syrelle, asking her to join them on the outskirts of Aquilo, and Thyla had been sent to Cris with word of their arrival, asking him and whoever else he’d been able to convince of the righteousness of their endeavor to do the same.
Turned out, he had been able to get a significant amount of his Coven’s support, and they’d pressured Northe until she acquiesced in allowing those who wanted to to join them, though she had been careful not to pledge the entire Coven’s, nor her own, support.
They’d met with their witch and stryx allies alike on the outskirts of Aquilo and told them what to expect, then they’d traveled together to the waterfall cave.
They’d left Ladon there with Thyla—just half a day’s ride from the Underworld.
It had been difficult for Ena to leave the baby, but it was necessary to keep him as far from the fray as possible.
Most of their witch allies had stayed behind, too, waiting for word.
But a select few, along with Turner and some of the stryx, traveled a few miles behind them—far enough away that their presence wouldn’t be associated with Ty and Steig—with instructions to wait at the entrance to the Underworld until the time was right for their part.
But despite their backup, and all their planning, Ty knew the real task was up to him, Steig, and Ena. They had to get close to Cole while keeping Ena undetected, and they had to take him out before they could be stopped.
Ty hated to admit it, but he was scared—both because of all the things that could go wrong, and because he knew he was risking the lives of people he cared about.
In the end, keeping them safe would fall on his shoulders—and he would bear the consequences if he couldn’t.
But he also knew it was their best chance.
None of them, especially Ena, would be safe otherwise, and though he hated putting her in danger most of all, she was their most useful asset in this. The unknown entity.
His stomach was in knots as they wound through the familiar canyon leading to the entrance, and he used all his focus to fight against the confusion runes etched on the entrance—concentrating on the path he knew to get there.
Soon, Steig, Ty, and Ena—who’d been squirming cozily in his interior coat pocket on the ride here—arrived at the entrance and dismounted.
“I’m sorry we have to do this,” Steig said as he pulled the imperae collar from his bag, his eyes apologetic as he held it up to Ty.
“It’s a necessary evil. Let’s just get this over with,” he replied.
He felt Ena shift nervously in his pocket as Steig raised the collar to his neck, the cold metal a shock to his warm skin.
And then he felt…nothing. No change.
He sighed in relief.
“How do you feel?” Steig asked, his tone concerned.
“Fine,” he said, looking up at his friend. “The separus rune must have worked.”
He stroked Ena’s sleek body in his pocket with pride, and she responded by curling briefly around him. Thanks to her genius idea, now all he had to do was play his part well, and hopefully, Cole would be none the wiser…
“Okay then,” Steig said. “Let’s get this over with.”
Leaving their horses at the entrance, they started down the wide, dark staircase.
It carried them deeper and deeper into the Underworld, the glowing blue darkrock lanterns lighting their way as their footsteps echoed off the stone walls.
When they came to the main passageway, it was quiet as a grave.
Not that Ty was complaining—the fewer people they ran into, the better—but still, it was an eerie feeling. Where was everyone?
They wound their way through the familiar passages until they arrived at the Great Antre. The cavernous space seemed bigger than ever as he and Steig walked into it alone. He heard voices at the far end—talking and shouting—but then as they got closer, silence.
Their arrival had finally been noticed.
All eyes fell on them as they approached the large wooden Convening table.
Cole sat at the head on the far end in his shining throne, his golden hazel eyes widening as he tracked them.
Zak was to his right, a look of calm composure on his face, and about half a dozen other daemons sat around it—daemons Ty wasn’t as familiar with.
They were from both the upper- and mid-levels, but their faces were all tense, and many of them looked outright scared.
Looking around, he saw that lining the walls of the enormous cavern were more daemons, almost two dozen, who wore imperae collars just like him. He noted with a kick to his gut that Nial, the keeper of the Archives, was one of them and so was…
Lara.
His stomach bottomed out as a surge of rage rolled through him. Her eyes were deadened—devoid of feeling as the imperi’s often were—and her auburn hair hung limp around her shoulders. She was pale, and did not look up at their approach.
Beside him, Steig’s breath quickened and the arm holding Ty stiffened. Fuck, he had noticed her too. He silently willed his friend to keep his shit together. They had to stay focused now, no matter what. For her sake. For all their sakes.
His eyes returned once more to Cole’s as a look of supreme pleasure danced across the man’s face.
“Well, well, well,” Cole said, drawing their attention as he stood up from his throne. “My son-in-law has returned, and with my nephew, at long last!”
His exclamation echoed around the chamber, but was met with a tense silence as he plastered his face with a deranged, feline smile. He was gaunt—like he hadn’t been sleeping, or eating—and Ty’s unease deepened. He’d never seen the man like this. He looked unwell and…volatile.
“Where are Ungar and Jace?” he inquired, glancing behind Steig at their notable absence.
“My deepest apologies, my king,” Steig said, lowering his head in deference.
“But they were captured by Occidens witches. I, myself, barely eluded capture, but to my great advantage, because traveling solo as I did allowed me lure the traitor into a meeting with me, leading to his long-awaited capture.”
Cole watched them both, his smile dropping.
“I have to say, Steig, you all were gone so long, I thought you had abandoned the mission. And I am surprised you were able to get him into a collar alone,” Cole said, his eyes darting down to the collar around Ty’s neck and then back up to his face, which Ty did his best to keep impassive, just like the rest of the imperi.
“It was not easy, my king, but in the end, I prevailed when I was able to distract him enough to get the upper hand,” Steig said, just as they’d rehearsed.
“Distract him? How so?” Cole asked, arching a brow.
“By killing his witch,” Steig replied.
Gasped whispers echoed around the table as Cole’s smile widened again, and he burst out in deranged laughter. “Excellent news!” the man proclaimed. “Well done, boy. I didn’t think you had it in you. Truly.”
Steig’s eyes darted to the wall where Lara stood, unflinching.
“Ah, you noticed my daughter’s current predicament, have you?” Cole asked sadistically as his laughter died down. “I found out she was spreading rumors about me, you know. Telling others I needed to be removed from the throne. A treasonous offense. Putting her in a collar was a mercy, really.”
Ty felt Steig clench his fist beside him.
The man was enraged—Ty could feel it seeping off him.
But he swallowed it, keeping it barely in check.
“I understand, my king,” he said, his shaking voice belying that statement.
“I hope this long-overdue gift makes up for any disrespect my wife, or my extended absence, has caused.”
Cole stood all the way up and walked around the table, making his way towards them.
“And my other nephew? Where is he?” he asked, circling around them like a man inspecting his new horse.
He was closer now, but not close enough.
The only weapon Ty had been able to sneak in was his dagger, and for that, Ty needed him right in front of him.
He’d only have one shot to get a killing blow in before the others reacted.
“I believe they split up, my king, to evade capture,” Steig replied. “There was no sign of him, and since it was difficult enough to subdue the traitor, I wanted to return with him right away.”
“I understand,” Cole said, backing away again and returning to sit on the near edge of the table.
“I cannot tell you the joy it brings me to finally see him in a collar. There is so much suffering he has to pay for.” His voice was dark and threatening, and Ty felt the man’s rage flourish. “After all he has done to our people.”
“I couldn’t agree more, my king,” Steig replied, playing his part.
“Oh, really?” Cole asked, looking at Steig in challenge. “That’s good, because I believe his punishment should begin now. Don’t you?”
Steig was silent for a beat, as was the rest of the chamber, wondering where Cole was going with this.
“Oh, Lara,” Cole called, turning to where his daughter stood against the wall. “Come here, darling.”
Ty kept his eyes to the ground, but he felt Steig look towards his wife, fear radiating from him as her footsteps approached them.
“I think your wife should be the first one to teach her cousin a lesson. What do you think, Steig?” Cole asked him, his golden hazel eyes watching Steig’s every reaction. He clearly wanted any excuse to put Steig in a collar now, too, and he was pushing him.
Ty willed his friend to resist. He could endure this—he had to. They still needed him to come closer.
Steig swallowed. “Whatever you think is best, my king,” he gritted out.
Cole chuckled sadistically. “Good. Lara, I want you to hit him as hard as you can,” Cole commanded offhandedly before returning to his throne.