Page 85 of Cosmic Power

Luther continued down the hall with his hand still locked tightly around Void’s arm, his purple eyes scanning everything around him, taking note of the various fae beings gliding in and out of the adjoining rooms. As much as he didn’t want to, he needed to talk with one of them to figure out where exactly Zamorra and the other prisoners were being held. But he needed to be smart about it.

If their society worked how he thought it did, the armoured warriors would be the force that policed their laws, and the colour of their armour would distinguish rank. Being that he was dressed in the silver armour, Luther guessed he outranked those in the bronze.

He made a beeline towards one of the bronze-armoured warriors who was walking up the large circular staircase. “Remember, keep your mouth shut and let me do all the talking,” he hissed to Void, who, for once, didn’t put up a fight. He just nodded in acknowledgement.

“Halt,” Luther commanded, his voice deep and harsh.

The bronze-armoured warrior froze and turned to face him. His eyes darted down to the floor instantly and he bowed his head. “Commander,” he greeted.

“The prisoners from the other world, where are they?”

His brows lowered in a slight frown. “They are in the King’s tower, where all the prisoners are kept, Commander, as you know,” he said, keeping his eyes down.

One thing Luther knew about the fae was they were beyond ruthless. He couldn’t let this warrior talk as if he didn’t know something he was obviously meant to know. He had a part to play, and the success of their mission depended on how well he played that part.

Trusting Void not to do anything stupid, Luther let go of his arm and grabbed the warrior’s throat, lifting him off the ground, letting his feet dangle in the air.

“Was that disrespect I hear in your tone?” Luther asked darkly.

The bronze-armoured warrior shook his head feverishly, his eyes still looking at the floor. His arms stayed limp at his side, not even trying to fight Luther off. “No, Commander. Never.” His voice was shaky and filled with fear.

“I should hope not. Or I will make an example out of you. Now, take me to the King’s tower,” Luther ordered, lowering him to the ground.

“But Commander, only the Royals are allowed in the King’s tower.”

“You think I don’t know that?!” Luther boomed, his voice echoing in the wide open space. The warrior shivered, hunching in slightly. “Take me to The King’s tower. Now, or I’ll rip your head from your body.”

“I-I apologise. Right this way.” He spun on his heels and made his way up the staircase, moving at a quick pace.

Luther and Void followed.

He led them up four flights of stairs and then pivoted right, walking across a long bridge that connected to another castle. Arched windows were every ten feet or so, giving an unhindered bird’s eye view of the land before them. It was a beautiful sight. One that, if Luther had the time, he would have stayed to admire.

Once they reached the other side, the bronze-armoured warrior led them up another five flights of stairs before walking across a long hall. With every step they took, more and more supernaturals and fae disappeared until it was only them that remained. He came to a stop before a floor-to-ceiling double door surrounded in an ornate gold framework, his head down and hands clasped behind his back.

Luther didn’t even look back at him as he pushed his way through the door, slamming it shut behind him and Void.

“Holy shit,” Void breathed, flicking his white hair out of his face. “I can’t believe that worked.”

“Me either, to be honest,” Luther replied. “Alright. From what he said, neither of us are meant to be in here. Which means if we come across any of the fae, we’re done for.” He pulled a sword from his back, rotating his wrist and spinning it through the air. “From this point on, we kill anyone we come across. We can’t risk getting caught.”

Void nodded, pulling a dagger from his waist. “Gotcha.”

They quietly made their way through the tower, their steps light and weapons at the ready. At every entryway they paused, listening for footsteps or conversation. When they heard none, they continued on, checking every room before moving onto the next.

Luther didn’t think it was possible, but this place was even more ostentatious than the last. Everything was covered in different shades of gold. The floor was gold. The furniture was gold. The walls…all gold. Jewels, diamonds and gold trinkets littered the tables. Ten-foot statues stood tall throughout the space, glittering and sparkling in the sparkling light from the golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Void ran his fingers over the jewels, biting his lip.

“Don’t even think about it,” Luther hissed, looking over his shoulder.

Pulling his hand back, Void scowled. “I wasn’t—”

“Yes you were. You’re—what did you call it? An opportunist?”

Void’s brows slammed down in irritation. “You remember that?”

“I remember everything,” Luther said, looking forward and continuing on.

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