Page 50 of Daughter of the Darkened City

Two hours later, they broke through the tree line, climbing up to a ridge. Avenay drew in a deep breath of awe. Peaks of other mountains spanned out in the distance before falling into the sea. Blue skies stretched on and on, trees littering the ground. The ridge grew narrower, and they moved into a single file line, Cyrus behind her and Enid adjusting to be in front of her. Enid still hadn’t given her anounce of attention outside of cordiality and that one errant wink, but her proximity made Avenay feel safer.

A cool wind whipped across her face, sending a shiver along her skin. Bits of rock and sand shifted under her feet and she moved slower. Enid’s hand shot out suddenly, grasping hers.

“Easy,” Enid said.

Avenay’s heart raced at the touch, her mind dipping to the other ways Enid had touched her, all the things those deft hands had done. But it had been nothing.

Just sex.

Avenay had known that when she’d let Enid kiss her, when she’d enthusiastically touched her back. But it still hurt to think about now.

“I have wings,” Avenay said, still not letting go of her hand. “I’ll be fine.”

Enid nodded and looked ahead, but her hand remained in Avenay’s, the gentle pressure crushing in the worst way possible.

They finally descended again, the path widening, and Avenay pulled her hand away. Enid gave a quick glance and nothing more. Avenay wanted something, anything, from her. But that wasn’t what this was. Avenay wanted to be like Enid, able to have casual fun, but Avenay was serious and deep as the darkest pit.

Dryston led them into the wood, the sides of the ground rising up as they traveled on. The forest was eerily silent, no rustling or birds chirping. The path wended, and they came to a clearing. Dryston stopped before them and Avenay tried to peek around, but she couldn’t from his mass of muscles and wings.

“I think this is it,” Dryston said, wonder in his voice.

“Why? Let me see!” Avenay exclaimed, maneuvering around him.

When she did, she stopped dead in her tracks, suddenly understanding why Dryston had. Before them was a wall, carved into the rock face, stretching out beyond. The tall stones rose so high she had to crane her neck to look up. Battlements stood at the top and sides that disappeared into the rock of the mountain. Ivy and vines covered the entirety of it, though a few bits peeked through, uncovering markings and designs on the wall. The setting sun hit it with its full light, revealing intricate carvings.

Enid stepped up beside her.

“Is this it?” Enid asked.

“It has to be? Right?” Avenay breathed.

“Oh my,” Kaemon said as Dryston whistled.

Vasu muttered a prayer in old elvish, making a sign across his forehead.

“It’s a holy sign,” Onora said, seeing Avenay gaze at it curiously. “He recognizes this as a holy site. I’m curious if he can feel the presence of the Holy Mother."

“He can feel that?” she asked.

“Yes. All the acolytes can. It initially requires spell work, but after years of doing it, they are attuned to her vibrations in the world. Spots that she is welcomed and tied into.”

Enid stepped forward from the group, frowning as she examined the stones. “Should we see if there is a gate to—”

A cry split the air, ringing in her ears. All the warriors had their weapons out in an instant, Enid stepping in front of Avenay, her wings spreading defensively.

Avenay had no time to process any of it. She heard a cry from Dryston, then a loud thump. Something was on top of him, snarling and snapping at him. Kaemon lunged forward, knocking the thing off and the forest air filled with a horrifying sound like a strangled cry caught in something’s throat. The beast that had tackled Dryston let out a muted cry, like its voice was raw and scraping over a rusted knife.

Dryston cut it down before it could strike again. Then a swishing in the woods made Enid press Avenay further back against the stone wall. From the trees, a creature emerged. Its face was shaped like a skull ofbark, bits of vines hanging from the hollowed out and black eye sockets. Its body was covered in what looked like moss and wood, patched and worn. It gave a strangled cry, as if something clogged its throat. Sharp teeth jutted out as it sprang forward, chomping and clamping at her, its movement stilted and jarring, its rear legs positioned oddly higher than the front legs.

Cries heralded more, flooding out of the woods. Enid jumped, slicing the creature’s side, and it let out a bloodcurdling scream that filled Avenay’s skull from the inside out and made her gut clench with nausea. Two more came up and Enid cut one down, her sword getting lodged in its side as the other jumped towards her, its jaw clacking aggressively. Dryston knocked it to the side before it could hit, and another came up behind the demon as Enid swiped down, hitting its skull, splitting it in half. More poured from the trees, their cackling and moaning a terror.

“There’s too many,” Enid panted, slashing at one that lunged at her.

The creatures surrounded them, coming from all directions, the warriors creating a circle around her and Vasu. Sword met flesh and bark, hacking and screaming and shouts. Blood splattered on Avenay’s clothes,and she searched her mind for any way should could help.

But then they stopped, heads tilting to listen. Avenay heard nothing, but they began trembling, then whimpered and fled.

“Kaemon,” Enid said, her eyes locked on his.

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