Page 108 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

Torin chuckled. “Who are we kidding? We both know the best-looking Blacksteel is Kellen.”

Gideon had to agree. “That is very true. Have you seen the size of him lately? Baby Blacksteel is more like Bulky Blacksteel.”

Torin’s laugh broke through the trees, and his piercing eyes found themselves back on Gideon’s face. “The kid is massive these days.”

“That he is,” Gideon agreed before he cleared his throat. “Do you think the Fae guards will grant us access to the temple?”

Torin’s gaze flickered with something that looked like uncertainty. “I am not going to take no for an answer.”

“Of course not,” he scoffed. “But they aren’t just going to let us walk right in and search for an ancient relic.”

“I know. But we can tell them that we are looking for something from an old clan. We don’t always need to tell the truth, brother.” Torin turned to finally begin walking again, and Gideon followed. “Besides, I have already had a conversation with the clan about where I want them stationed with whom. I just wanted to run it past you to be my second-in-command for this mission; and when we get back to Huntswood, I want it to remain that way.”

Gideon nodded. “I am on board, brother. When I stood at your side days ago, that wasn’t just because I wanted you to be my leader, but because I would follow you into any battle and be any station you want. Just tell me everything you want me to do.”

Torin slapped Gideon’s back in a show of gratitude. “I need you to find the Library of the Gods within the temple. That’s where I want your team to find something for me.”

Gideon kept his eyes on the ground as his boots crushed whatever was underneath them. “And does it have anything to do with where the Dark Stone might be?”

“You know my mind so well.” His brother’s hand fell from his back. “I am not only looking to see if the Protection Stone is within the walls of the temple, but if there is any information on the Dark Stone too. There must be something in the library that gives us an indication of where its resting place is or how we can retrieve it. That’s what I need you to find. Use Sybil; surely, she can get a feel for the old manuscripts, draw it out somehow.”

Gideon nodded. “When I gave her the old grimoire, she said she could feel its magic, its ancientness, from being in its presence. So maybe I can get her to pull on some of that magic and see if we can find what we are after.”

Torin grinned. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

As the Blacksteel brothers walked on, the clan inevitably caught up. The dense forestry began to thin out, and the moss-covered banks turned into gravel. They were so close to the temple now, and Gideon could see the huge limestone walls.

Torin held up a fist, and every member of the clan froze.

There were no birds singing their usual nighttime song, no animals grazing through the trees, and no marching boots on the stones.

Something was off.

Gideon could see beyond the long gravel path that led up to gilded gates, and where guards normally stood surrounding the temple, it was bare.

The gates should be heavily guarded; it was the most protected temple in the kingdom. Emara made her way to the front of the formation, standing between the brothers.

“What’s wrong?” She looked between them both.

Torin didn’t answer her as he looked above the trees and searched the grounds.

“Something is not right,” Gideon whispered to her.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you see those gates up ahead?”

She nodded, gulping down trepidation.

“Those gates should be crawling with guards.”

“And they’re not.” Her shoulders tensed like she could feel the strange atmosphere slide in and around her bones.

Torin looked at Emara with concern heavy on his brow as he reached up to unsheathe one of his swords. “Stay here. Gideon, cover me.”

Gideon nodded, pulling an arrow from his quiver and setting it into the notch of his bow.

He was ready for anything to unfold. Anything could unfold. The sun was setting on the temple and soon it would be dark. Anything that lurked in the dark was always stronger when the moon was in the sky, and she would be full tonight.

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