Page 77 of Where Darkness Falls

“I’m sorry,” I reply. “I wish she were still here to see you.”

Virgil clears his throat. “Thank you,” he croaks. “I’ll be with her again one day.”

“Until Eternity,” I say.

Virgil tilts his head, nodding in agreement. “Until Eternity.”

“Alright, mates,”Riordan growls. “Brace yourselves. We’re nearly there.”

“Home, sweet home,” Virgil sighs.

I nearly choke at the sight before me.

There’s a looming, wooden drawbridge that’s guarded by two sentries in obsidian armor. The bridge runs across a small body of dark water, but it’s what is past the drawbridge that catches my attention—a gargantuan, onyx palace. The steeples seem to rise into Eternity as the darkest mist I’ve ever seen swirls around them.

The high walls are made of dark stone in various shapes and sizes, with flying buttresses cascading toward the vaulted roofs. Though there are large windows throughout the structure, nothing about it feels like an open invitation. Every ominous detail feels like a trap, intriguing enough to lure one within its walls, only to imprison them.

A chill runs down my spine when the cool touch of a dark presence caresses me. It feels as if phantom hands are roaming over me—assessing me. This doesn’t feel at all like the shadows of the Cadre, but rather something sinister.

Welcome, Chosen Daughter,a dark, otherworldly voice enters into my head.

I shiver at this strange connection.

Saoirse—

Suddenly, loud wails and shrieks sound from all directions, as if they’re circling us. Emyr’s shadows fan out, and the attack stops as suddenly as it began.

“Bloody nuisances,” he growls.

As he calls his shadows back, the cool touch returns—more aggressive this time. It’s nefarious—immoral, even.

What in Holy Celestae is that?I ask, horrified.

It’s the Drakhul,Saoirse growls.It senses you and desires to… study you.

Is it alive?I ask.

It is, and it isn’t. It’s a form of ancient darkness. Though it has spread its poison throughout the kingdoms of Zulgalros and Malvoria, it’s strongest when near its source,Saoirse replies.

What is the source?I ask.

Not what, but who,she replies coolly.

Is it Tiernan?I inquire.

She doesn’t respond.

We’re nearly at the drawbridge when Emyr leans in, his helmet brushing against my hair.

“Welcome to the Palace of Nightmares, Rosey.”

“General Emyr,”a sentry yells. “Cadre! Welcome back.”

“Thank you,” Laisren replies. “Lower the drawbridge.”

“Y-Yes, Second Commander,” the other sentry stammers, cranking the lever for the bridge.

Maeva shivers as she glances down at the river below. Whether it is from the height or the chill of the Drakhul’s presence being stronger here, I am not sure. I don’t utter a single word to her, but my grip on the reins instinctually tightens. Maeva’s body leans in closer to mine as we move across the bridge. I find myself leaning in to her touch as well, hoping that I might give her some level of comfort.

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