Page 17 of Midnight Kingdom

“Morrigan, may I speak with you for a moment?” I ask politely. There was a time when I would have considered her my mentor and my friend. I rely on that old bond now. She nods and leads me to the far side of the room, the side overlooking the gardens below. She pulls the wooden shutters closed, to hide me from view of those below… if there is anyone below.

Her hands tremble as she takes hold of mine and breathes deeply.

“When we were at the temple a long time ago,” I begin. “You spoke of a day of reckoning. You spoke of a day you witnessed in a vision. I need to know if that day came on the wings of the war or if that day has yet to come.”

“There is always a day of reckoning, Cambion,” she insists. “When one day passes, there is another on the horizon shortly after. Destruction and pain is simply a way of life.”

I frown. “That isn’t an answer and you know it.”

“Perhaps not, but it’s all I have at the moment,” she replies. “I’ve been in this tower since Baron’s death. I’ve tried to reach those who are able to listen, those like Eilish and Revenant. But I had no idea any of them had truly heard me until I saw Eilish walk up that staircase.” She grows quiet for a few seconds as she eyes the staircase in question. “My power was all but depleted by Theren and Variant,” she says as she looks up at me, her eyes imploring. “But what little strength I still have left is muffled by the wards in this room.” She takes a deep breath. “As much as I wish I could accompany you to freedom, I know I cannot.”

“Why does Variant keep you like this?” I insist. “Why not treat you like any other prisoner?”

“I don’t know, Cambion.” She sighs. “Variant’s logic and morals are twisted to fit whichever narrative suits his purpose at the time. He’s unpredictable. Which is why you must leave me here. He sees me as his pampered pet, something he can use for his own entertainment. If you don’t leave, you’re putting yourselves and your cause in danger.”

“We’ve put ourselves in danger coming here, but we did it because we need you. The people need you. We can’t lead a rebellion without hope and you will give the people hope.” I take a deep breath. “We need to begin forming an army again, Morrigan. We need recruits. And the only way we can hope to gain those recruits is to show them we have something Variant doesn’t… you.”

Morrigan reaches out and touches my cheek. “So much sacrifice and sorrow for a future that’s still unknown.” She shakes her head and pauses. “Do you remember the days when the world was simpler? When scholars like you and I could study the arcane arts in the peace of our temples?”

“I don’t remember such peace and, regardless, now I don’t believe in it. Not until Variant is removed from the throne and the balance is restored.”

Morrigan’s lips curl into a sultry smile. “You’ve grown wise, Cambion.”

“I had a wise teacher.”

“Had?”

“You’ve been gone for a long time, Morrigan. I’m not the young scholar you once knew. But, I still feel the same sense of duty and obligation that comes with the throne. Wemustright the wrongs, reestablish the balance, and bring justice to the realms. We owe it to ourselves and to our people.”

Morrigan kneels down and brushes her hand along the floorboards. I watch runes appear as glowing sigils in the air. I struggle to read them before they disappear. “Nothing short of a miracle will allow me to leave here, so unless you have one of those in your pocket, then it’s best you leave the way you came in. And quickly.”

“Funny you say that,” I utter with a faint smile. “One of our allies is a bit of a miracle worker.”

“Your allies?” she asks with narrowed eyes.

“Yes, he’s the one who was able to grant us access into the castle and he’s found a way to get us out.Allof us, Morrigan, that includes you.”

“Who is this ally?”

“His name is Pyre. I don’t know much about his magic, but I’m certain Revenant can explain it.” I glance back at the others and notice the worry in their gaze. “As soon as we leave this place and make certain we’re safe, that is.”

“Pyre?” she questions with a shake of her head. “I don’t recognize the name.”

“You wouldn’t. He fought with us in the war.” I take a breath. “The point is that his magic is strong enough to release you from this prison, these wards.”

“I doubt,” she begins but I interrupt.

“It’s at least worth a shot?”

She’s quiet for a few seconds but then nods her agreement.

***

BARON

The Castle in the Sky

Cambion and Morrigan return after their private conversation beside the window. The way the elf appears to place all his trust in her makes my skin crawl. I know she was his mentor at one point, but that does very little to remove my suspicions. Sure, she raised me from the dead and perhaps I should be thankful, but it’s difficult to celebrate someone whose answers come with a certain air of convenience that causes my breath to hitch. Breath I don’t even possess.

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