Page 62 of Fallen Angels

We take a turn ‘round a corner an’ I near swallow my tongue when that freaky ass necromancer be standin’ right there, lookin’ at me all scary-like with hims mask over his face. I stand up as tall as I can soze he don’t thinks I’m scared or nothin’.

“Everything is in place for you to make your entrance into the castle,” he say. “But, first, there is something I ask you to do.”

“Something?” Vamp-Bat ask.

“Before you reach the castle, proper, I wish for you to take shelter within a dilapidated structure that was once a library. Wait there until sunset.”

“Why?” Pretty ask an’ I be thinkin’ it be a good question.

“It will be easier to break into the castle with shadows on your side,” Masky answer.

“And what is the purpose of us waiting until sunset in the library? Why shouldn’t we just wait in the Veil, where it’s safe?” Cambion asks.

“There is something within the library I believe you should all see,” Masky answer.

“Okay,” Dragan say as he face Masky. “And how will we know what it is you want us to see? Or are you going to tell us?”

“You’ll know when you find it,” Masky answer real secret like. “And once you do, you can carry on with your task.” He takehisself a big breath. “You’ll see flashes of red light. When you do, move toward the light and move as fast as you can or else you risk getting caught in the spell, yourselves.”

“What kind o’ spell is it?” I demands, crossin’ me arms against me chest as I shakes me head. “I ain’t goin’ nowheres lest I know.”

“It’s a spell similar to the possession wards surrounding the palace, but muchmuchstronger.”

“Much strongers how?”

Masky face me with them glowin’ white eyes an’ it’s alls I can do ta keep lookin’ right backs at him.

“The spell will trap the guards in their minds and they’ll be motionless for about an hour. Get as close to the far end of the castle as you can before the spell wears off. Once inside, move towards the North Tower. Get in and get out as quickly as you can.”

“The spell will trap all the guards’ minds?” Cambion ask.

Masky cock his head to one side like he ain’t sure what his answer should be. “There are those creatures who are more susceptible to magic and those who are less,” he say.

“What?” I ask.

“Do the best with what you’ve been given,” he say, pretty grumpy like.

“And when we finish our task, you’ll be ready to see us back out again?” the vamp ask, studying Masky with this weird sort of awed look on his face. I ain’t never seen that expression on the vamp befores.

Masky hand him a weird lookin’ ball er orb er somethin’. It be small’s enough ta fit inside Vampy’s palm.

“Crush theOluriand it will open a rift to the Veil,” Masky explain.

“TheOluri?” Pretty repeat.

“This globe,” Masky correct hisself an’ then he look down at it likes he’s introducin’ it ta all of us.

“Where will the rift take us?” Pretty ask an’ she gots that same expression ridin’ on her face—like Vampy and Pretty both got theyselves a crush on Masky-man.

“To my home in the Veil. The rift will close less than a minute after it opens.” The necromancer’s hands be shakin’ like he a damn junky, lookin’ sorta like the vamp when he were in love with that fuckin’ rock. Masky grab onto Vampy and say, “Be very careful with theOluri. It is very dark and forbidden magic even for a necromancer like me.”

“What the fucks is that globe thing?” I ask, my voice all high and squeaky ‘cause I don’t wants to get captured again or blown the hell up by that glowin’ ball thing.

“It’s a piece of my soul that’s tethered to the Veil,” Masky answer like his answer make sense. It don’t make no sense to me though.

I hear Pretty gasp over my shoulder. She move closer to Masky and touch hims arm. Gargoyle and the others don’t seem to likes that much. Actually, neither does Masky ‘cause he take hisself a step back.

“Casting the first spell to get us into the castle already drained your magic,” Pretty say in a real concerned voice. “And you’ve already severed a piece of your soul… Pyre...”

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