Chapter 12 #3
“Yes, it is terrible. Out there in Lymbo, starved of food and with no means to replenish their magic, those poor creatures are neither dead nor alive. We call them remnants.”
Neither dead nor alive? I shudder. “Can they be saved?”
Eldrath shakes his head. “Most are too far gone. And they’ve made surface travel between the Dark and the Light highly dangerous.
Nearly impossible. Trucks and tanks quickly lose power if they go far past the shield, and only dragons are able to fly through the dead air of Lymbo. ” Eldrath gestures toward Zogar.
“That’s why Gabreal is filling Lymbo with remnants.” Zogar’s hands squeeze his thighs again. “To prevent passage between the two worlds.”
“I agree with that conclusion,” Eldrath says. “And that’s why the resistance movement has been trying to alert you and your kind. Because you can cross Lymbo.”
“Also, Zogar can open and close the veil,” I add.
“Exactly,” Eldrath says.
“What kind of crimes did these remnants commit?” I shift in the chair, and it adjusts to my movement.
Eldrath closes his eyes for a moment. “Alas, most committed no real crime beyond displeasing Gabreal. Some were members of the resistance. Some spoke out against demon rule.”
“Oh.” I drag in a breath. “That’s terrible.”
“Why aren’t the resistance members on Lucian’s shadow council?” Zogar asks.
“Some are.” Eldrath uncrosses his legs and finishes his drink.
“Who?” Zogar asks. “Which ones?”
“That’s not for me to share.”
“Why the fuck not?” Zogar’s frustration is building again. I fear if it’s not released, he’ll explode.
Eldrath seems to notice but remains unaffected. “Please recall what I said about trust,” he says calmly.
“If you don’t trust this resistance, then how can you know their intentions?” Zogar asks angrily.
“I never said I don’t trust the resistance,” Eldrath says.
“You don’t trust the shadow council?” Zogar’s voice is a near growl.
“As I said earlier, there are some whom I trust more than others.”
Eldrath acts like he’s being open, but he speaks in riddles. I set down my empty glass on a shimmering side table and consider all that we’ve learned. It’s hard to know if we can even trust Eldrath, and yet my every instinct says that we can.
“How can you tell whom to trust?” I ask him. “Are some superi species naturally more trustworthy than others?”
Eldrath turns toward me. “Of all superi, demons and mages are the most difficult to trust.”
“Why?” I glance toward Zogar.
“Because demons and mages are masters at disguising their true intentions, even from the Fae and Aletheiasaurs.”
“What are Aletheiasaurs?” I flick my gaze toward Zogar, expecting him to react to Eldrath’s implication that mages can’t be trusted.
Eldrath folds his hands on his lap. “Aletheiasaurs are lizard-like creatures. Their scales change color in the presence of lies.”
“Oh.” My mind swirls with wonder and many more questions. “Are they big lizards? Small? Do they live in this city?”
Eldrath smiles. “Yes, many live in this city. To you, they’d appear part human, part lizard.”
“We’ve wasted enough time,” Zogar interjects. “Where do I find Gabreal, and how do I kill him?” Zogar shifts forward, about to stand. “Whether or not he’s the one who entrapped my people, he must be stopped.”
Eldrath holds up his hands. “Slow down.”
“I will not slow down.” Zogar stands. “This matter is urgent. My people’s lives are at stake. The integrity of the veil is at stake.”
His body vibrates with tension and anger. My husband carries the weight of the entire world on his back, and that’s far too much for any one person to bear. It’s not his responsibility to right every wrong in the world.
My mind drifts back to Saxon telling me as much, back when we very first met, and I wanted to save that poor servant girl from the King of Khotor’s cruelty. No one person can right every wrong. Not even Zogar.
Eldrath stands. “Zogar. I’m not trying to diminish your urgency, nor the transgressions committed against your people.”
“Transgressions?” Zogar says angrily.
Jumping up, I take Zogar’s hand, stroking the fleshy pad at the base of his thumb. My husband looks down toward me, and some of his anger melts.
“Eldrath is trying to help,” I say softly.
Zogar nods, then turns to Eldrath. “I will leave this resistance in your hands,” he says. “But I must find this Gabreal.”
“I would advise against that.”
“I reject your advice.” Zogar’s hand shifts in mine. “Respectfully.”
Eldrath studies my husband for what feels like a very long time, and I continue to stroke Zogar’s thumb pad. I started doing it to calm him, but feeling the power housed even in this small part of my husband also calms me.
“I don’t know where to find Gabreal,” Eldrath says. “Not precisely. But if you insist on looking, I can get you access to the world below.”
“I insist,” Zogar says.
A shiver races through me. “Below what?”
“Below everything.” Eldrath sweeps his hands to his sides. “The demons created another city that lies below the capital. It extends well beyond the city limits. Access is not only restricted, it’s costly, but I can assist you—”
“I have funds,” Zogar growls. “I will not be held under anyone’s debt.”
Eldrath raises his palms toward Zogar and leans back in his chair. “Your choice,” he says. “Let me know when you’ve found your hoard and we’ll discuss this again.”