Page 64 of Eternal Sacrifice
Angels may be self-righteous pricks, but they weren’t that stupid.
Hot-headed, impulsive actions were usually demon traits.
“I’ll get ahold of Wren. Tell her to prepare to take us into the veil,” I said, knowing that was the next logical step.
Morrigan
Darknightswallowedtheland, but the moon hung bright and full in the sky. Harsh shadows were cast from the skeletal trees of the swamp as we trudged through, sticking to the path made from flickering torches. Justice led the way while Cole strode beside me, his gaze ever watchful. Jace followed behind, sticking close enough that I could feel his breath on my neck every time I got stuck in the mud.
We were back in Andemeron to meet Wren. Justice said she would take us into the veil to look for Jax’s soul.
Sticks cracked whenever we were lucky enough to find ourselves on semi-solid ground. But most of the trip took us through an uninhabited swamp. Wren wanted to perform the spell inside one of their sacred sites. As we approached, a crumbling stone temple appeared out of the shadows, and green torches roared to life.
There was a smell of decay in the air, a wet rot. A weak breeze pushed the humid air around, finding its way into every nook and cranny. Ancient magic practically bled from the walls as we entered a narrow passage that emptied into a large circular chamber. An altar was set in the middle of the space, and Wren stood beside it.
Her lips were pulled into a thin line, and her toe tapped out a nervous pattern. She wore her long white hair with the top half tied back and adorned with braids. The deep caramel tan of her skin hid her expression inside the shadows.
“The dragon with you?” she said, glancing up at Cole, who stood just outside the temple.
“Guard dragon,” I said, smiling with pleasantries I didn’t feel as I stepped toward the circle’s center.
“Any particular reason why demons are suddenly so interested in souls of the veil?” Wren asked as she started to pull items out of a bag slung across her shoulder.
“It’s nothing of your concern,” Justice said, holding up a brown cloth sack with one hand. “All the ingredients you requested.”
“Even the phoenix ash?” Wren said, almost in disbelief.
“Pssh.” Justice waved his hand like the ingredient was as easy to gather as water. “You insult my integrity.”
“You’re a demon,” she said, almost like she thought he legitimately needed the reminder. “Let’s get this started, I guess.” She turned to face me. “Justice says you hope to find a specific celestial soul inside the veil. Do you have anything linked to them?”
“I have a fragment,” I answered, tapping my arm where the crow rune that held Jax’s fragments sat.
“And you know it’s theirs specifically? I’m not looking to summon unexpected beings. While you might be able to withstand their attacks, I am still mortal.” Maternal worry rippled from Wren despite her attempt to bury it under a haughty tone.
“I’ll take care of anything that comes our way,” I answered.
Wren tried to find a few more seconds, stalling rather than moving to perform the spell. She opened the brown bag Justice handed her, peering inside to check the contents before she sighed.
“I need everyone to join hands.” She eyed Justice, who leaned against the wall nearest the entrance.
“Mor and I are going in. Justice and the dragon will be standing guard,” Jace said, offering his palm to Wren.
She took it, stepping into position a third of the way around the altar. I moved into place, grasping Jace’s hand before turning to look at Wren.
“Let’s make this quick,” she breathed before striking out and wrapping her fingers around my skin.
I was instantly pulled into a swirling dark vortex, leaving my physical body as my soul traveled into the veil.
I landed in a hazy place that looked like it was crafted from the remnants of nightmares. The land held a blue-purple hue with an unnatural glow, as if the edges of objects needed help to be defined. The ground was covered in several inches of something shimmering and silver. But it was too thick to be water. It flowed through the rocky terrain like a trickling stream, but made no sound. The air was void of smell, but I could feel a steady breeze blowing through the valley.
“Hello?” I called out. My voice traveled up the surrounding rocks, sounding high in the air. No one answered me except my echo.
I started forward, choosing to go upstream. The edges provided a thin strip of flat ground before sapphire-colored walls defined my barrier. Time had no meaning in a place like this, and my feet carried me forward until the narrow stream opened. A large silver lake sat inside a caldera. The surface was as smooth as a mirror, and I leaned over to see my reflection.
My blonde hair was twisted into a ball on top of my head, but my eyes looked like bottomless pits. My reflection smiled at me, showing pointed teeth, and my hand came up to check I was neither smiling nor hosting a mouth full of shark teeth. The reflection watched me, putting her teeth away behind a knowing smile. Her eyes tracked my movements, and I kneeled on the shallow bank. My hands steadied me as I looked deeper into the pool.
Something appeared behind the reflection, and I tried to peer around myself.
