Volcrian's Hunt (The Cat's Eye Chronicles) (34 page)

The question caught her off-guard. Sora's lips parted. “N-no,” she stuttered, unable to turn away from the woman's luminescent eyes.

“I became the Matriarch of this island more than four hundred years ago,” she said, her voice ringing with authority. “I watched it crash into the sea. And over those years, I have watched darkness come and go from the mainland, lingering on the horizon, yet never spreading. It is a human darkness. A weak, petty thing, like rats fighting in the streets for bread. Something easily crushed, that time itself will resolve.” She continued walking forward until she stood inches away from Sora. Her presence was so powerful that Sora's knees shook.

“But this shadow that rises now, that of the Dark God....” the Matriarch continued. “It covers the mainland in a thick blanket, and is the consistency of tar. It is not something easily dispelled. We are creatures of Light, yet there is a darkness greater than the night shadows—greater than we can penetrate. It absorbs all that it touches. It is evil, young one, of a like that you cannot fathom, because humans are momentary creatures, your lives short and fleeting. You only know the evil of a few decades, that which hardens you, that might throw you out onto the streets.”

The Matriarch shook her head. “No, the power of the Dark God runs much deeper than that. It is chaos. Pure, natural chaos that was birthed with the world, that tore apart the mountains and boiled the seas. It consumes life and destroys it, not because it is hateful—but because that is its nature.” The Matriarch stared at Sora unwaveringly. “Do you understand?”

Sora nodded, barely able to move.

The Matriarch smirked softly. “Then you know why you sound so pathetic. Even if you kill the mage, the Dark God's power will continue to seep into the land. You cannot seal it away with a little Cat's-Eye stone.” Her smirk grew into a cold sneer. “You and the necklace will be destroyed in this endeavor, and the First Race will clean up your mess.”

The Matriarch turned away. Sora pulled in a long breath, released from the vise-like grip of the Harpy's eyes. What was the woman saying? That the Harpies would help—but only after she and Burn failed? Her brow darkened.
Old hag,
she thought.

The Matriarch continued to speak as she returned to her throne, stepping slowly and gracefully up to the dais. It was only then that Sora realized that the Harpy wasn't truly walking on the ground, but a few inches above it; her feet were not touching the floor.

“The nature of the Sixth Race is one of chaotic destruction,” she continued. “It is deeply embedded in every one of them. They mimic people of flesh and bone, but do not be deceived. Inside each of the Unnamed lives a shard of the Dark God. A demon waiting to be released, barely controlled by years of discipline. Their race is vile, their power drawn from death, from the fire and darkness of the underworld. You have brought one to our island.” She sat down fluidly, relaxing back into her chair as though she were discussing the weather. “Why?”

Crash. She was speaking of Crash. Sora's hands grew clammy and hot. Fear constricted her lungs.

“He is our captive,” Burn cut in abruptly.

The Matriarch turned her bright eyes upon him. “Captive?” she asked.

“Yes. We have brought him here to lure the mage to this island. The mage is on a quest for revenge and hunts him tirelessly. It was the only way to make him follow us.”

Sora felt her chest loosen slightly.
Brilliant,
she thought, turning to look at Burn, mentally congratulating the Wolfy.
Just brilliant.

“I see,” the Matriarch said slowly, her eyes looking from one to the other. Sora could tell that she wasn't convinced, and tried not to look away from her.

“For this reason,” Burn said, “I'd ask that you not kill him until the mage is dead. In case something goes wrong, it is the only way to lure him out.”

The Matriarch looked at Burn, then at Sora, then at Laina for a long moment. “I will allow you to carry out this plan on our island,” she finally said. “But we will restrain demon in our prison. He cannot walk free.” Then she nodded to Laina, as though noticing her for the first time. “And what of this halfling?”

Halfling? Sora had never heard such a term before. She glanced at Laina, who had been riveted by the Matriarch the entire time.

The Harpy motioned Laina to approach her. “Come closer, child. I see our blood in you.”

Laina's eyes widened even more, if that was possible. Sora felt her heart plummet. No, the girl couldn't be mixed with such an arrogant race. It didn't bode well for anyone. What if she started speaking and revealed their alliance with Crash? It would undermine the Matriarch's trust, fragile as it was. They might all end up in prison.

“Your Majesty,” Laina said, bowing awkwardly. Sora winced. She was fairly certain that wasn't the appropriate title for a Harpy Matriarch.

But the Harpy smiled anyway and held out her hand. “You were born on the mainland?” she asked, glancing over Laina's disheveled appearance. Sora wanted to wince at that too. All three of them probably looked ratty and tired, like dogs dragged out of a swamp.

“Yes ma'am,” Laina nodded. At least the girl was on her best behavior.

“How very interesting. I have yet to meet a halfling from the mainland. Welcome to the City of Asterion.” The Matriarch lowered her hand and glanced over Laina with a wry expression. “Would you care for a tour?”

Laina's mouth dropped open. “Would I!” she exclaimed. Then, recovering herself, she cleared her throat. “Yes, ma'am. I mean, I'd be honored.”

“Wonderful. Then I will arrange it for you. Caprion!”

The Matriarch cried out the name like a bugle call. It rang through the air, echoing, echoing....

Abruptly Sora felt a presence at her back. Prickles ran over her skin. She turned, surprised, as a second figure entered the room. He must have been waiting in the hallway. How long had he been standing there?

The man was slightly taller than Crash. He had the build of a warrior: wide shoulders, trim waist, muscled chest. He was dressed in a soft white tunic, very plain, with brown leggings and tall black boots. Just like the Matriarch, his wings were hidden from view, a slight halo around his back.

But his face...his face was unlike anything Sora had seen before. It was perfectly symmetrical and beautiful, beyond anything human. His nose was straight and sharp, his jaw square and pronounced, his lips full and firm. His eyes were a sharp violet, a shade richer than Laina's and Talarin's, smoky and vibrant all at once. His hair swept across his brow in platinum waves, falling just below his ears, as though he had forgotten to trim it recently.

He, too, had a presence like the Matriarch, except it was more masculine, louder, as though a raging star of fire had entered the room. Sora's eyes dropped to his belt, and she saw a familiar dagger hanging there, dark against his light clothing. It belonged to Crash. Her breath caught.

“My Lady of the One Star,” he said, addressing the Matriarch with a slight bow. His voice was as pure as river water. Then he turned to the rest of them, regarding the three visitors with a cool facade.

“This is Caprion. He is the Guardian of our city and the General of our army,” the Matriarch said, a hint of pride entering her voice. “He is the first seraphim to be born since the War.”

“A seraphim?” Burn murmured.

Sora glanced at the Wolfy, wondering what a seraphim was. Some kind of special Harpy? A rare breed, perhaps?

“Caprion, these are my new guests,” The Matriarch said, though to Sora, it sounded less than inviting. “Do keep an eye on them while they are in the city. They are not to travel unescorted.” She gave the orders flippantly, as though bored.

“My Lady,” Caprion nodded.

So there will be guards at our door?
Sora thought. She couldn't help but feel insulted. The Matriarch had done nothing but mock them since arriving in her chamber. Despite warning them about the Dark God, she obviously didn't plan on doing much. No, the Matriarch would sit back on her throne and watch the show from afar, just as the Harpies watched the mainland.

I should have listened to Crash,
Sora lamented.
We should have avoided the Harpies from the beginning.

“See that the halfling has a tour of the city. I will dine privately with her tonight.” The Matriarch stood up from her chair. “If you have any needs while you are under our care, please address them to Caprion. He will see that you are supplied with all that is reasonable.”

Wonderful,
Sora thought. She eyed the dagger at Caprion's belt again.
He must know where Crash is.
This, at least, gave her some hope.

The Harpy General turned on his heel and walked back into the long hallway, obviously expecting them to follow. Sora paused for a half-second, wondering if she should bow or say something in farewell, but there was no time to linger. She hurried to catch up to the General, her shoulders stiff with tension. She shared a look with Burn and knew that he felt the same.

* * *

* * *

Caprion escorted them back into the courtyard. The setting sun cast an orange glow across the white walls. He paused outside, then created a strange series of symbols with his fingers, like intricate sign-language.

A cloud of pale light surrounded them. Sora sucked in a sharp breath, hoping her Cat's Eye didn't respond to the magic and deflect the spell. Yet the necklace remained quiet—which was equally disturbing.

Caprion watched her reaction closely, making her nervous.

With a final motion of his hand, he easily raised them all off the ground. Sora's heart hammered against her ribs. She felt as though she were standing on solid air. It was unnerving, watching the courtyard drop away from her, yet still having the sense of standing upright.

The three travelers glided quickly over the wall, landing outside of the building on a stone pathway. Caprion landed gracefully behind them.

“That was amazing!” Laina burst out, turning to look at the Harpy General. She seemed oblivious to the danger they were in—or perhaps, after the Matriarch's invitation, she felt more like a guest of honor. Sora watched her in annoyance.

Caprion smiled faintly. “Your quarters are this way,” he said, and turned, leading them down the path.

Sora fell into step behind him, scowling at his back. So far, every Harpy she had met had the arrogance of the First Tier. They acted as though they were each kings in their own right. It reminded her vaguely of her life back at the manor, always aware of her inferiority, always trying to live up to some unattainable ideal. That grated on her nerves.

They passed through a quarter-mile of dense trees, leaving the city proper. After about twenty minutes, Caprion showed them to a large oval-shaped building made of white limestone. Sora thought it resembled an upside-down bowl, perhaps two stories high, chiseled with emblems of the sun and moon. A balcony encircled the second tier. She could see windows spaced evenly apart, made of heavy marbled glass that captured the light. The sun was beginning to set, so the glass was turned bright orange. She could imagine at midday, the windows would become like vibrant prisms, reflecting all sorts of colors. She had never seen anything like it on the mainland.

There was no sign of a door. With another casual sweep of his hand, Caprion lifted them up and set them to the second-story balcony, where a large archway led into the building. They landed on the smooth limestone and Caprion motioned for them to enter. Sora passed beneath the archway into the large dome.

An inner-balcony made of wood circled the upper floor, and Sora could see rooms branching off, connected by simple beaded doors. A winding staircase led to the bottom floor; the ground was paved with wide, smooth bricks of rusty red. A large fountain sat low to the ground, empty of water and collecting leaves. It looked like a ghostly memory, something left over from another time.

“I will post two of my soldiers on the floor below,” Caprion said, leading them in a semi-circle around the second-story walkway. “The only way to leave this building is by flight. If you have need of anything, tell my men and they will assist you. You are not to travel unescorted. If you do, we will find you very easily.” He didn't bother to look at them as he spoke.

Sora considered that; she had a Cat's Eye and could evade their spells, if she could get it to work correctly. She wondered if she would be able to slip out quietly during the night to find Crash's location. She was desperate to see him—but would it be worth it? If she tried to escape, she would lose the Matriarch's trust, as fragile as it was.

Her eyes lingered on the blade at Caprion's belt. Crash wouldn't give up his dagger without a fight, which meant he was still bound by the sunstone...
or dead,
she admitted. But she didn't want to dwell on that possibility.
It's Crash. He'll find a way to survive.

Still, the sunstone had completely debilitated him....

Caprion paused, indicating a series of beaded doors. “These are your rooms,” he said. “Pick whichever you'd like.” He turned to face them, speaking in his melodic voice. “There are many buildings in Asterion that you can only reach by flight. There is no use going off to explore on your own. You will find yourselves...quite limited.” As he glanced over them, his expression was similar to the Matriarch's—as though they lacked some essential appendage.