Page 20 of When Monsters Rise
Iclosed my eyes and sank deep into that place inside me that connected to theMorningstarpower.Thedoor waited, firmly closed yet shimmering with the residue of power thatIwas unable to block completely.Thisresidue fuelledShemand through him the troop of watchers under his command.
IwishedIcould do more.Feedall the watchers power, but to do so could drain me.Possiblyeven kill me.
This…this would have to be enough.Iopened the door a crack, controlled and slow, body trembling as the power pushed through in a steady, eager stream.Easy.Controlit.Letit out.
Myfingers heated, andKabielcried out, the sound one of pain and pleasure combined.Myvision blazed white as the sharp stream of power channeled through me and intoKabiel.
“Rue!”Shem’swarning had me slamming the door closed.
Myhand slipped fromKabiel’scheek, and my knees buckled.
“I’vegot you.”Shemscooped me up. “Kabiel?”
Iblinked away the black dots in my vision and studied my handiwork.Hismandibles were gone, as was the leathery look to his skin, which was now a rosy hue.Hispale eyes were no longer cold and hungry.Nolonger the eyes of a predator.Theywere filled with intelligence and gratitude.
“Ifeel…better,” he said.
“Good,”Shemsaid. “Nowhave a vision.”
Kabielsnorted softly. “Itdoesn’t work that way,Shem, and you know it.Thevisions come to me.Ido not go to them.”
“Thenyou’d better hope they come quickly,”Shemsaid. “Becausewe’re running out of time.Weneed the fourth relic piece before we storm the city to claim the final piece.”
“Andwhat if your secret entrance has been compromised?Gabrielhas not come.MaybetheDominionhave him.Maybethey know of the passage.”
“Youhavebeen listening in,”Shemsaid dryly. “Yes, all possibilities.Butwe’re running out of options.”
“Agreed.”Kabiel’sgaze dropped to me and softened. “Iwill find you as soon asI’mguided.”
Butthere was something that had been niggling at me for a while now, and it came to the fore, suddenly prompting me to ask, “Didn’tyou see it?”
Hefrowned. “Seewhat?”
“Thefall of heaven?Thefracture of theMorningstar?”
Shem’sgrip on me tightened. “Kabiel, you don’t have to dwell on it.”
“No.”Kabielclenched his jaw. “Iwish to answer.Idid not see it.Infact,Isaw no visions for months leading up to that moment.”
Novisions when he was filled with celestial light, connected to his power with such a dramatic event looming.Thatmade no sense unless…
“Thedjinn?Maybeshe did something to block it?”
“Djinn?”Kabiellooked confused. “Whatdjinn?”
Shemlet out a ragged sigh, and it hit me that maybe he’d already made this connection but was trying to avoid talking about it.
Ipeered up at him, noting the tightness around his mouth. “I’msorry.”
“Don’tbe,” he said gruffly. “Youhave no reason.”ThentoKabiel, “Priyanawas no human.”HefilledKabielin onJilyana, which wasPriyana’sreal name.Shewas the djinn theDominionhad hired to betrayShemand trick him into fragmenting theMorningstar. “Itwas my fault.Ifell prey to her lies.Ibrought this on us.”
“No, brother.TheDominionare the villains here, and they will pay with their lives.Gonow.Iwill come to you onceIhave news.Oncethe power grants me a vision to guide us.”
Shemnodded. “Verywell, butIshould take the cargo with me now.”
“Areyou worriedI’lldevolve and make it impossible for you to get to it?”Kabielsaid dryly.
Whatwere they talking about?
