To Kill a God by C.S. Wilde

Chapter 20

A fleetof pitch-black nightbringers stood between the mainland and Lunor Insul in a clear preparation for war. Mera shrunk next to Bast, shivers going down her spine as she observed the iron beasts in the far distance.

His strong arm wrapped around her, bringing her to him. “They can’t harm you, kitten. They’re too far away.”

Sure, the ships weren’t in the Marauder’s route, which meant they weren’t an immediate threat, but they might become a major headache later. Ponting to the vessels, she frowned. “The fact they’re here can’t be good news. We have to stay low.”

As soon as the Marauder docked in the Night island’s port, Bast hurried out of the ship, claiming they had to visit Corvus. Mera couldn’t agree more, but her hart wanted to winnow with her, and she couldn’t leave Beta Three behind with a crew of Sidhe and two warlocks who glared at him as if he was an abomination.

“I can’t predict what winnowing might do to the thing,” Bast said pointedly, the message clear.

Better not risk it.Especially considering Beta Three’s plasma core.

So they threw a blanket over the automaton, took a magic carriage to the palace, then went on foot.

Bast led the way through the mighty halls of the Night Court palace, and Mera quickly followed. Beta Three tried to catch up, but he was too slow—he hadn’t been built for running.

“Walking on land is more difficult than anticipated,” he stated, staring at his metallic feet while he took slow, uneasy steps. “My systems will need a moment to catch up.”

“Can’t you fly?” Bast grumbled ahead.

“I can propel myself underwater, not into air.” He gripped the edges of the gray blanket that covered him. “Not yet, at least.”

“Give him time, Bast. He weighs less underwater.”

“Correct. Do go on,” the automaton urged. “I will be fine.”

“You heard the thing.” Bast sped up, nearly jumping up the stairs that led to the throne room.

They soon reached a big, heavy door with silver engravings depicting the history of Lunor Insul. The wood creaked loudly when Bast pushed it open. Their boots thumped against the marbled floor, while Beta Three’s heavy steps rang faintly from the base of the staircase.

Swiftly jumping from his ivory throne, Corvus rushed toward them, a certain relief shining in his cat-like eyes. He went to hug his brother, but stopped at the last minute, as if he’d caught himself off-guard. Instead, he bowed his head politely at him, then at Mera. “I’m glad to see you’re in good shape, Detective. How was your vacation back home?”

“Definitely not a vacation, dickwart.”

“Ah! I’ve missed your colorful vocabulary.”

“And I your shenanigans.” Waving a hand dismissively, she hid the grin that wanted to take over her lips. “Look, we have a problem. Azinor is attacking my people. If he seizes power over Atlantea, Tagrad won’t stand a chance.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“Their technology, broer,” Bast muttered. “It’s beyond anything you can imagine.”

“I see.” Worry filled Corvus’ gaze. “First things first, however. I spoke to the council yesterday. Tagrad is ready for war, but the councilors still demand Mera’s trial. News of her return will soon reach them, though fear not, we’ll stick to my plan.”

“What plan?” she prodded.

“Lunor Insul will provide sanctuary to you. If the council opposes, they’re free to go to war with us.”

She turned to the landscape beyond the throne room’s marbled arches, narrowing her eyes at the fleet of nightbringers placed between the mainland and Lunor Insul. “They’re here for me?”

“Of course not, Detective. They’re for Poseidon, in case he decides to show his ugly face.” He raised his shoulders. “Things could always change, of course, but that’s future Corvus’ problem.”

“I can’t let you risk—”

“Thank you, broer.” Jolting forward, Bast trapped the Night King in a hug. “Thank you.”

Corvus hugged him back awkwardly, like he couldn’t remember how hugs worked.

Unable to believe they were going ahead with it, Mera blinked. “I appreciate what you’re doing, but I can’t let you risk your entire island for me.”

Stepping back, Corvus frowned at Bast. “Why is your hart speaking as if she has any say in this?”

He shrugged, giving her a naughty grin. “No idea.”

Unnerving, silly nightlings!

“Worry not. There’s a method to our madness, Detective. See—WHAT IS THAT THING?!” Corvus pointed to Beta Three, who’d just stepped in the throne room. Somehow, along the way, he’d lost his blanket.

Raising her palms, she silently assured the Night King that there was no danger. “This is an Atlantean robot. An automaton, actually. We brought him to convince the council to join forces with Atlantea.”

Corvus’ yellow eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets as he assessed the machine. “Danu in the prairies. Is this thing alive?”

Beta Three approached them, the cogs in his kneecaps whirring loudly. “I’m afraid a yes or no answer wouldn’t suffice.”

Jumping back, the Night King squealed in a surprisingly high pitch. “Aagh! It speaks! What sorcery is this?”

Before Mera could tell him there was no magic involved, a wailing bell resounded around the entire island; an alarm similar to the one from when she’d stopped the tsunami.

Corvus and Bast stared at each other, then hurried past the open arches of the throne room, stepping onto the thin balcony that surrounded the domed space.

“Citizens of Tir Na Nog, this is an important announcement.”

The voice boomed throughout the sky and Mera instantly recognized it. Colin Asherath, the councilor of the fae borough. She’d heard the same voice while holding down the giant wave.

“As our nation prepares for war, we thank you for your sacrifices and your service. It is because of you that Tagrad is ready to face its greatest enemy.”

Loud huzzas came from down below, echoing across the entire island.

“Sadly, we must report that at eight-hundred hours yesterday, the spell that protected Tagrad from sirens was destroyed. The protection zone is gone.” Gasps echoed throughout the castle—no, throughout all of Lunor Insul. “Please avoid panic. Your local leaders will be handing out further information. Stay put, and follow their commands. Our fleet is ready. We will triumph.”

With that, he silenced.

“That’s why the nightbringers are here,” Corvus muttered, anger slowly replacing his shock. “We’re on a fucking island and they didn’t bother to tell us the protection zone went down. We’re an easy target!”

He hurried toward the ivory throne inside, climbing up the steps to the dais. When he pressed a panel on the seating’s left side, the carvings opened into a smooth, marbled surface. Setting his hand on top of it, Corvus closed his eyes, muttering words Mera couldn’t understand.

A cloud of night and stars bloomed around him nonstop, but something inside the throne sucked his power the way a vacuum swiper would clean a dirty floor. Corvus’ muscles clenched, his teeth grinding, until all the darkness puffing from him was gone. The Night King then forced himself up, but toppled backwards instead, falling off the throne’s stand.

Bast winnowed at the last minute, catching his brother before he hit the floor. “Kura, Corvus!”

“Is he okay?” Mera asked.

A pulse suddenly ripped from the castle, making the walls shake with a loud roar. It spread throughout the entire island, rumbling loudly before it reached the water. The buzz of magic thrummed in the air as a dome went up around Lunor Insul, enclosing it from one moment to the next. The magic flashed purple whenever sunlight hit it at the right angle.

The barrier was awfully similar to Atlantea’s. Magic and technology. Same result in the end.

“This should buy us some time,” Corvus croaked.

“Shut up, you baku. You should have done this with a healer in here.”

A weak chuckle thrummed in his chest. “I should have.”

“Hang on.” Bast set a hand on Corvus’ forehead, the darkness flowing out of him and into his brother, but Mera’s hart wasn’t a healer. There was no telling if that would work, and even if it did, he would be left as weak as Corvus. Maybe even worse.

Worth trying, though.

Stepping closer, she pressed both hands on Corvus’ chest. Blue wisps glimmered from her palms before venturing inside him, except Mera wasn’t a healer, either. The magic flowed from her the way water flowed downriver. She couldn’t explain why or how; it just did. Soon enough, however, the voices inside her whispered, wanting to pull energy from Corvus instead of giving it.

“No,”she snapped, and surprisingly, they silenced.

It took her and Bast a while to help him, but eventually, Corvus felt strong enough to stand.

“Much obliged, Detectives.” Right as he settled on his own feet, the phone she’d once given him rang from his pocket.

The Night King looked at the screen and growled. “It’s Colin.” Excusing himself, he walked toward the staircase, heading to another room, but not before barking at the councilor. “Fuck you, fuck your ancestors, and fuck your council! Lunor Insul is surrounded by water, you suket! We’re the most vulnerable, and you…” His voice dimmed, until it vanished completely.

Mera stayed sitting next to Bast, who hunched over his knees, both of them not ready to stand. Both somewhat defeated.

“How did he reach the magic core that fueled the protection zone?” she muttered, watching the arches that broke through the throne room’s walls, studying the horizon. “It’s in the mainland.”

“Well, he has visited before.” Bast rubbed his brow with the balls of his hands. “Halle. Now any of his sirens can waltz into Tagrad.”

Lunor Insul might be safe for now, but the rest of the country didn’t have a shield, not anymore.

A cold, numbing sensation squeezed Mera’s heart. Every time she expected Azinor to act one way, he did something completely different. She couldn’t predict his next move; couldn’t catch up to the prick.

“Sometimes, I feel like he’s already won, Bast. Like he beat us, and we haven’t even noticed.”