Legacy of the Blood (The Threshold Trilogy) (47 page)

“Where
are we?”

Ravi
drank in the sight with his eyes. “Home.”

Adesina
then recognized the landmarks of Pevothem. She saw the lone peak surrounded by
a forest and the Rashad grasslands. The city of Yavar was notably absent, which
had contributed to her original confusion.

The
rustle of underbrush brought them around, and they saw an old man walking up
the slope.

It
was L’avan.

He
was still white-haired and his face was still lined, but he was younger than he
had been in the first portion of Adesina’s vision. She estimated that it had to
be at least fifteen years earlier.

“I
suppose we should follow him,” suggested Ravi.

Adesina
readily agreed.

L’avan
had a purposeful gait, but it did not appear that he had a specific destination
in mind. From time to time he would stop and admire the scenery, and occasionally
his path was obstructed and he was forced to turn around.

However,
Adesina sensed something that was out of sight—an invisible force that gently
drew L’avan onward.

After
a while, L’avan stumbled across a small meadow filled with thousands of fragrant
flowers. In the center of the open area stood a building that appeared to be
woven out of fallen branches.

The
old man walked towards it without any trace of hesitation.

The
door stood open, and he let himself in.

“We
have been waiting for you, L’avan,” said a musical voice.

The
building consisted of a single room, and it was simply furnished with a dozen
chairs and a basin in the middle of the structure in which a fire could be
built. Eleven of the chairs were occupied by angelic women, and each had a
large golden-furred feline sitting next to her.

They
were Serraf.

Adesina
frowned in confusion. This was clearly many years after the battle in Zonne.
How could there be Serraf on this side of the Threshold?

“Please,
sit with us, L’avan.”

The
old man did as he was told, but he seemed just as stunned as Adesina.

“I
do not understand. How did you escape being pulled into the Threshold of
Zonne?”

The
leading Serraf was petite, with milky skin and fiery hair. Her grey eyes were
filled with sorrow. “We were instructed to come here instead of joining our
sisters on the battlefield. We were given a different purpose.”

L’avan
passed a hand over his aged eyes. “You have been waiting here for the past
twenty years?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”
he asked in amazement. “Why have you not gone and opened that Threshold again?
You could free all of those who have been trapped.”

The
Serraf shook her head. “We are forbidden to interfere. We have a different
purpose.”

L’avan
looked at each angelic face with the joy of one who has been reunited with
beloved friends. “I am sorry it took me so long to arrive.”

A
Serraf with a dusky complexion smiled. “We led you here when the time was
right.”

He
began to understand. “It was no coincidence that I brought my sons to that
valley to live.”

“Correct.”

L’avan
straightened and lifted his chin, as though physically preparing to accept what
was asked of him. “Why are we here?”

The
leading Serraf’s expression was soft as she looked at the man who had spent so
many years as a faithful servant to the Immortal Ones.

“We
are here to give birth to hope.”

His
brow creased slightly. “What do you mean?”

“The
world is on a dark path, and all those who swore to shepherd this earth are
trapped in another realm. We must begin now to set into motion the events that
will bring humanity back to a path of light.”

L’avan
bowed his head solemnly. “I will do whatever you ask.”

“We
know you will,” said a Serraf with light brown hair that curled around her
face, “but the greatest task will not lie upon your shoulders.”

The
leading Serraf continued the explanation. “The use of
vyala
must not
disappear from this world. It needs to thrive. For that to be achieved, we have
agreed to mix our bloodlines with those of your sons.”

L’avan
stared at them, bewildered. “You wish to…bear the children of mortals?”

“We
will give up our immortality and wed your sons. We have each been chosen for
the likelihood of a loving union with each of your sons,” said a plump, blonde
Serraf.

“Through
our descendants,” said the Serraf with the dusky complexion, “hope will be
brought into the world once more.”

The
leading Serraf took control of the discourse again. “Many years ago, the Serraf
were given a prophecy by the Creator. We were told that it could only be
repeated once by us, and then it could only be passed on once by that
recipient.” She fixed her grey eyes on L’avan intently. “You are the one who is
to receive the prophecy from us, and you are to give it to your sons only upon
your deathbed.”

L’avan
swallowed nervously. “What if I cannot remember it?”

The
Serraf all smiled.

“You
will remember.”

He
did not look reassured, but he placed a hand over his heart in an oath. “It
shall be as you say, Immortal Ones.”

The
Serraf stood and encircled the man, holding hands and glowing with the power of
their
vyala
. The leading Serraf spoke, and her voice struck L’avan to
his very soul.

Thus speaks the Creator—listen
well:

Tragic days lie
ahead, born from the pride of my children.

The conflict between
Light and Darkness is far from resolution,

 in spite of what may
seem to be a reprieve.

The Blood of my heirs
shall be wantonly spilt.

The earth shall cry
out in pain and sorrow.

The benighted years
of silence shall only be broken

when the Child of the
Threshold stands on the brink of eternity—

when a life is freely
given in the purity of love.

 Only then will the
path leading to the Light appear.

The Sacrifice will
stand as a bridge between Light and Darkness,

spanning the worlds
and cleansing each of ancient hatreds.

The Sacrifice will
bring both destruction and salvation,

like the purifying
flames of a forest fire.

In the moment of
truth, the Sacrifice shall become the Child of the Threshold,

ushering in the Era
of The Return.

Look, therefore, to
the advent of the Threshold Child.

One who is of this
people yet not of this people.

One who bears all
gifts, Dreams as friends,

sees as the enemy and
shall be called the bird of prey.

This is the one who
stands on the Threshold of a New World.

This is the one who
will save my children from the slow destruction of their atrophy

and lead them back to
the light of their purpose.

***

Adesina
stood dumbfounded in the limbo between her vision and whether she would be
allowed to pass through the barrier. Ravi sat beside her with a stony expression
on his face.

Adesina’s
terrible truth was to hear the full prophecy of the Threshold Child—to be told
what was expected of her.

What
did the prophecy mean?

It
spoke of bloodshed, followed by years of silence. Could that be referring to
the Great Wars and the opening of the Threshold? After all, it had been
centuries since there had been any communication between mortals and higher
powers.

It
spoke of the Era of The Return, and how the Threshold Child would usher in that
period of time.

How?

The
prophecy said that a sacrifice must be made in order for the Threshold Child to
open the doors to the new era.

Adesina’s
thoughts came to a sudden halt.

No,
the prophecy said that the sacrifice
was
the Threshold Child.

The benighted years of silence shall only be broken when the Child
of the Threshold stands on the brink of eternity—when a life is freely given in
the purity of love. Only then will the path leading to the Light appear.

Ravi’s tortured eyes met Adesina’s, and she knew that she was
right. Her guardian realized the truth of the prophecy, and it tore at his soul
to know he could do nothing to stop it.

Adesina was destined to die at the Threshold.

Adesina
continued to linger in the limbo between the barrier and the antechamber of the
Threshold.

How
could she simply accept the fact that her life was about to end?

There
had been a time when she would have given her life for the Shimat order. In
fact, that kind of dedication was expected. It has seemed simpler then. She’d
had no family, no emotional ties of any kind. What did it matter if she died
for a cause that was greater than herself?

Things
were different now.

She
had a husband, a father, a brother, a guardian…she was no longer alone. Her
life mattered to others, and it had come to mean something to her as well. How
could she give that up?

Adesina
carefully considered the words of the prophecy—words that had been engraved
upon her mind.

The
Threshold Child was meant to be the one to bring Light back into the world. It
was promised that the years of sorrow and bloodshed would come to an end.
Humanity would be led back to its true purpose, and the world would be cleansed
of the ancient hatreds.

Did
it matter that she would not be there to enjoy it?

Her
heart knew the answer instantly, even if her head did not.

No,
it did not matter.

The
very people who gave her life meaning would be a part of that new world. L’iam,
Me’shan, E’nes and his family—they would all see the golden future that was
promised.

She
would gladly give her life for that.

Ravi
knew her decision, and a tear rolled down his feline face. Adesina shared his
conflicted emotions as he struggled to do what was right. He was her guardian,
and he had sworn to protect her. More than that, he loved her dearly and would
have done anything to keep her safe and happy. Yet, he knew that he must honor
her choice.

Together
they took a step forward—accepting the truth of what they had seen, and facing
it without fear.

They
exited the barrier, and found themselves standing on the opposite side of the
antechamber. Kendan still knelt near the entrance, and he was relieved to see
them emerge.

“Go,”
he called hoarsely. “I will wait for you here.”

Another
door waited before them, and Adesina hurried forward to fling it open. Every
moment mattered, and she dared not hesitate.

Adesina
burst into the adjoining room with Ravi on her heels. She drew her Blood Sword
from the sheath on her back and looked around the room for her oldest enemy.

Her
heart stopped when she realized that the room was empty.

***

Near
the base of Daemon Mount, in a small cave hidden beyond the main entrance,
Basha gripped the stone floor and shivered in a small pool of her own blood.
L’iam stood in the center of a rune circle which formed a magical conduit to
the Threshold far above their heads.

L’iam’s
vyala
acted as a power source for the spell that the Serraf had put into
place centuries earlier, and the conduit directed that power to where it was
needed. The runes and the conduit provided a way to activate the Threshold
without having to pass through the barriers that guarded it.

Nayati
the Scholar had discovered the hidden cavern with the runes during his years
studying the secrets of Daemon Mount. He had told no one about it, but he had
written about it in his private journal—the book that was now in Basha’s
possession.

Basha
had learned that she need only pass through the wall of fire around the
perimeter of the mountain, and then she could execute her plan to make contact
with demons from afar.

L’iam’s
life was quickly draining away, and the Threshold was now opened enough for the
blood vow between Basha and Cha-sak to be completed.

“You
did not tell me you were being pursued,” came the voice of the demon through
the conduit. “Your enemies have reached the Threshold.”

Basha
was weak from the ritual, but her eyes still flashed with loathing. “I did not
imagine they could get past the barriers mentioned in the book.”

“The
barriers would only stop the feeble,” sneered Cha-sak, “but nevermind that now.
Our contract is complete, and you have the ability to summon me from this
prison. Go beyond the circle of the first barrier and complete the ritual I
gave you. That will enable me to pass beyond the influence of Serraf
vyala
,
and we shall begin our conquest of this mortal world. I will take care of your
enemies here.”

Basha
bowed low. “Yes, Great One, but what of my L’avan prisoner?”

“Leave
him,” ordered the demon. “The remainder of his life is necessary to maintain this
crack in the Threshold through which I may escape.”

“Yes,
Great One.”

The
Shimat woman lurched to her feet and hurried to complete the task that had been
given to her.

Her
new master would not be pleased if she lingered.

***

Adesina
was dumbfounded.

She
found herself staring around the room in confusion, and she could sense that
Ravi was doing the same.

The
cavern was just how she remembered it from her Dream. Dozens of intricate
scenes were carved into the walls, and the center of the room held a dais made
of white marble. The runes and elaborate designs etched into the platform
glowed with the power of
vyala
, and a doorway of light shone in the
center of the circle.

But
where were Basha and L’iam?

Adesina
was the only human in the room.

She
looked up at the shining doorway on the dais—the Threshold. An impossibly black
shadow stepped into view, marring the brilliance of the portal. It was shaped
similar to a man, but larger and without distinguishable features. Wisps of
darkness roiled off of its form, and its eyes glowed red.

An
icy shiver raked through Adesina’s body, and she was frozen with terror.

“Kneel
before me, half-breed,” commanded a voice that was both menacing and forceful.
“I am Cha-sak, Demon Lord of the Shimat.”

The
power of his presence alone made her tremble, and her instinct was to obey
immediately.

Yet,
there was something deep within her that refused to acquiesce. It bore her up
and gave strength to her own voice.

“I
am Adesina, Daughter of the Serraf. I bow to no demon, no matter their title.”

“You
dare to claim equality with me?” hissed the midnight form.

“It
is not a claim,” said Adesina with growing courage. “It is a fact.”

The
ruby eyes of the demon glinted, and then narrowed thoughtfully.

“How
came you to stand before the Threshold, Adesina Serrafdaughter?”

There
was something about the way that he said her name that made her feel extremely
uneasy. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she clenched the
handle of her Blood Sword tighter.

“With
much toil and sacrifice,” she answered shortly.

Cha-sak
leered at her, which seemed much more unpleasant coming from a featureless
face.

“Surely
not much. You are not like that other half-breed. I can sense your strength,
even from this distance.”

Adesina’s
heart leapt. “The other half-breed?”

“The
one whose
vyala
cracks open the Threshold,” the demon said in a
dismissive tone. “You are stronger than he.”

“Is
he still alive?” she asked in desperation. “Where is he?”

It
was difficult to read expressions on the shadowy face—nearly impossible.
However, there was an odd sense of emotion that could be gathered if one dared
to look directly into the demon’s eyes.

Cha-sak
was amused and intrigued. “He means something to you. Perhaps he is the reason
you came all this way?”

Do
not give any more information than you have to,
warned Ravi.
The Shimat demons
are liars and manipulators, just like their namesakes.

Adesina
had almost forgotten that her guardian was with her. She was gladdened by the
reminder that she did not have to face this threat alone.

She
repeated her question in a more moderate tone. “Where is he?”

The
jet black hand of the demon waved indifferently. “Far from here. You cannot
save him now.”

Cha-sak
appeared to take malicious delight in the words.

For
a moment, Adesina felt that she would be overwhelmed in grief. She had come so
far and fought for so long. Could it be true that she was too late?

No,
Ma’eve! Do not give up.

Ravi’s
encouragement was like a warming liquid in her mind. The chill of fear melted
away, and she was once again filled with hope and determination.

“I
have done the impossible before,” she stated firmly.

A
pleased chuckled rasped from the demon’s throat. “Is that so? I would greatly
wish to see a demonstration of this ability.”

“I
am not here for your amusement,” Adesina snapped.

“No,”
agreed Cha-sak. “You are meant for something far greater. Perhaps we can come
to an arrangement that would be mutually beneficial.”

The
offer surprised Adesina. She stared at him for a moment before stammering a
response. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing
can stop my return to this mortal world,” exulted Cha-sak. “I have already seen
to that. However, the servant that has sworn to me is weak and lowly. I would
have my vessel be of higher blood.”

“Do
you mean me?” Adesina asked incredulously.

“You
may be a half-breed,” said Cha-sak with distaste, “but you have more worth than
the other. You could stand by my side as my faithful servant, and you would be
honored when I conquer this world.”

Her
brow furrowed in confusion. “You said you already have a servant. Did you not
make a blood vow with Basha?”

Cha-sak
exuded indifference. “Our contract is of a nature that I may terminate it
whenever I wish. She knew so little of blood magic, and she readily accepted
all of my terms—even the ones she did not fully understand.”

An
explanation flowed from Ravi’s thoughts to Adesina’s.

Immortals
can only speak the truth when offering the terms of a blood vow, and it is
assumed that the one accepting the terms fully understands what is being
offered. If Basha asked no questions and made no amendments, Cha-sak could have
made any sort of vow he desired without repercussions.

Adesina
felt pity for Basha. The future of the Shimat warrior looked grim.

“I
swore long ago that I would never serve the Shimat,” declared the young L’avan
queen.

Cha-sak
appeared astonished by her answer. “You do not realize what I can offer you.
You may be strong compared to the other mortals, but I can bestow greater power
than you can imagine. You would be able to bend humanity to your will.”

“There
is nothing you can offer that would tempt me,” replied Adesina with disdain.

“Not
even the life of your precious lover?” sneered the demon.

Her
heart skipped a beat. “Can you promise his life will be saved?”

Cha-sak
hesitated.

There!
He cannot lie when the terms of a contract are being discussed, and he knows he
cannot make such a promise.

Her
thoughts turned to the role she had accepted as the Threshold Child, and she
was filled with courage and purpose. When she had first heard the prophecy, she
had thought that it was her duty to lead her people to a greater purpose. Now
she knew that it was through her sacrifice that the L’avan would find their
true path.

Her
actions today would change the world—even if she never lived to see it happen.
She had accepted that, and now it was her duty to see it through.

Adesina
raised her chin in a gesture of defiance. “I will never serve you, Cha-sak. In
truth, I will be the source of your downfall. I swear it.”

The
demon appeared only momentarily disappointed. “We could have ruled this world
within a year. As it is, my dominion will only be slightly delayed. You cannot
defeat me, Adesina Serrafdaughter. I am destined to be sovereign of all.”

There
was a strange throb of magic from a distance—something Adesina did not
recognize. Cha-sak’s tone took on a hint of satisfaction.

“So!
My new servant
can
follow instructions. I will make use of her after
all.”

He
made a gesture to something standing behind him on the other side of the
Threshold.

“My
conquest begins today, Adesina Serrafdaughter. Unfortunately, you will not live
to see it completed.”

Another
throb of the strange magic transported Cha-sak through the Threshold and beyond
Adesina’s reach.