The Immortals: Red Death, #3

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THE IMMORTALS

Red Death – Book 3

Copyright © 2021 Jeff Altabef

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ISBN (EPUB Version): 162253235

ISBN-13 (EPUB Version): 978-1-62253-235-3

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Editor: Lane Diamond

Cover Artist: Orina Kafe

Interior Designer: Lane Diamond

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

At the end of this novel of approximately 114,132 words, you will find two Special Sneak Previews: 1) DEVIL’S DEN by Jeff Altabef, the first book in the multiple award-winning A Nephilim Thriller series, and; 2) THE SPINNER’S WEB by Isu Yin & Fae Yang, the multiple award-winning first book in the Grims’ Truth series of epic fantasy/visionary & metaphysical adventures. We think you’ll enjoy these books, too, and provide these previews as a FREE extra service, which you should in no way consider a part of the price you paid for this book. We hope you will both appreciate and enjoy the opportunity. Thank you.

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eBook License Notes:

You may not use, reproduce or transmit in any manner, any part of this book without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations used in critical articles and reviews, or in accordance with federal Fair Use laws. All rights are reserved.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only; it may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to your eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or the author has used them fictitiously.

Books by Jeff Altabef

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A NEPHILIM THRILLER

Book 1: Devil’s Den

Book 2: Devil’s Dance

Book 3: Devil’s Deal

Book 4: Devil’s Day

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A POINT THRILLER

Book 1: Fracture Point

Book 2: Shatter Point

Enemies of the State – A Short Story

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CHOSEN

Book 1: Wind Catcher

Book 2: Brink of Dawn

Book 3: Scorched Souls

Second Chances – A Short Story

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RED DEATH

Book 1: Red Death

Book 2: The Ghost King

Book 3: The Immortals

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www.JeffAltabef.com

What Others Are Saying About the RED DEATH Series

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RED DEATH (Book 1):

"A complex dystopian story recommended for older teens, its ultimate impact and winding, engrossing story will be welcomed and relished by not only this audience but new adult readers who appreciate the complex worlds and feisty protagonists of The Hunger Games and similar dystopian novels. In the end, it’s more than just a story of teens surviving in their world; but a thought-provoking saga about belief systems and religion, courage, adaptability, greed and goals of ruling humanity, and a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of change that rolls over everyone in its path." ~ D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review, Pick of the Month for November 2016

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RED DEATH (Book 1):

"Where dystopian novels are a dime a dozen, Altabef creates an epic tale that stands out. ... Altabef does a fantastic job of making concepts thought-provoking and delightful to read. Red Death will appeal to a wide audience since it has something for everyone." ~ Maria A. Hughes, US Review of Books (RECOMMENDED)

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RED DEATH (Book 1):

The characters are well-developed, and the plot is fast-paced and riveting, with surprises stacked at every corner. ... This book will take you into lands you’d want to visit. A work of great imagination. ~ Arya Fomonyuy, Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews (5 Stars)

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RED DEATH (Book 1):

"The characters who star in Altabef’s Red Death are thoroughly memorable and decidedly relatable. ... The book is liberally dosed with breathtaking action and real-to-life relationships." ~ Francine Zane, Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews (5 STARS)

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RED DEATH (Book 1):

"Red Death by Jeff Altabef contains dynamic writing and an epic plot-line that will keep you on the edge of your seat....The author has created not just a single city or even a single state; he has created an entire world that is like a MAD MAX version of a mixture of Tolkien’s Middle Earth and Medieval England." ~ Amie’s Book Review Blog (5 STARS)

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THE GHOST KING (Book 2):

I’m just wow, once again I was transported to this world and felt like I was part of it. This book was even better than the first one. The flow of the story is perfection; the characters feel so real. Jeff captured the emotions very well. I didn’t find any errors so once again this shows the editor and the writer both care about the quality of book they are putting out. I can’t say enough about this book. To me this series has become a must read if you’re into fantasy. ~ Karen Teague (5 STARS)

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THE GHOST KING (Book 2):

"In Red Death, Altabef drew a marvelous community of, in a lot of ways, misfits, miscreants and wayward souls that others abandoned. In this, the second book, they begin to come together as their understanding of the Good and the Evil of this world choose sides around a battle that will change their world forever. Fantasy that touches on civility, theology and ethics as well as romance can stall or drive a fantasy. In the case of Jeff Altabef, the brakes are off. A fantastic and challenging read!" ~ Andrea L. Stoeckel (5 STARS)

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THE GHOST KING (Book 2):

Lots and lots of action, and I got surprised many times. As the description mentions, battle is looming – so some characters are going to die, others will get injured. My heart about stopped at the end of the story. What a way to set the stage for the next book. ~ Marie Rice (5 STARS)

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THE GHOST KING (Book 2):

"The author’s words paint a vivid picture of fantasy worlds that seem very real, and his well fleshed-out characters made me run the gamut of emotions while following them in their battles.

The story line is filled with deep love, betrayal, newfound alliances, and unknown truths that come to light. Nothing is exactly as it appears to be. There were a few surprises woven into the tale that I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I would highly recommend this outstanding tale of good vs. evil, darkness and light, which leaves you wanting to read more. You will remember it long after the last page is turned." ~ J.E. Grace (5 STARS)

BONUS CONTENT

We’re pleased to offer you not one, but two Special Sneak Previews at the end of this book.

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In the first preview, you’ll enjoy the First 3 Chapters of Jeff Altabef’s DEVIL’S DEN, the first book in the multiple award-winning A Nephilim Thriller series.

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OR GRAB THE FULL EBOOK TODAY!

YOU’LL FIND LINKS TO YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER HERE:

A NEPHILIM THRILLER Series at Evolved Publishing

In the second preview, you’ll enjoy the prologue and first chapter of THE SPINNER’S WEB. This multiple award-winning first book sets the stage for the broad Grims’ Truth series of epic fantasy/visionary & metaphysical adventures, which is unlike any other you’ve encountered.

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Kirkus Reviews says: "...there’s laudable character development in this installment. ... The authors’ lucid prose frequently evokes the senses. ... A somewhat perplexing but engaging start to what’s sure to be an epic fantasy saga."

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OR GRAB THE FULL EBOOK TODAY!

YOU’LL FIND LINKS TO YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER HERE:

GRIMS’ TRUTH Series at Evolved Publishing

Table of Contents

Copyright

Books by Jeff Altabef

What Others Are Saying

BONUS CONTENT

Table of Contents

Dedication

THE IMMORTALS

Map

Prologue - Thorn

Chapter 1 – Aaliss

Chapter 2 – Eamon

Chapter 3 – Aaliss

Chapter 4 – Aaliss

Chapter 5 – Rose

Chapter 6 – Aaliss

Chapter 7 – Eamon

Chapter 8 – Wilky

Chapter 9 – Wilky

Chapter 10 – Aaliss

Chapter 11 – Wilky

Chapter 12 – Wilky

Chapter 13 – Wilky

Chapter 14 – Wilky

Chapter 15 – Wilky

Chapter 16 – Thorn

Chapter 17 – Wilky

Chapter 18 – Josie

Chapter 19 – Eamon

Chapter 20 – Aaliss

Chapter 21 – Wilky

Chapter 22 – Peter

Chapter 23 – Wilky

Chapter 24 – Rose

Chapter 25 – Aaliss

Chapter 26 – Michel

Chapter 27 – Michel

Chapter 28 – Thorn

Chapter 29 – Peter

Chapter 30 – Wilky

Chapter 31 – Aaliss

Chapter 32 – Wilky

Chapter 33 – Aaliss

Chapter 34 – Aaliss

Chapter 35 – Peter

Chapter 36 – Peter

Chapter 37 – Luke

Chapter 38 – Cassian

Chapter 39 – Aaliss

Chapter 40 – Aaliss

Chapter 41 – Thorn

Chapter 42 – Aaliss

Chapter 43 – Wilky

Chapter 44 – Aaliss

Chapter 45 – Aaliss

Chapter 46 – Aaliss

Chapter 47 – Michel

Chapter 48 – Cassian

Chapter 49 – Aaliss

Chapter 50 – Thorn

Chapter 51 – Aaliss

Chapter 52 – Peter

Chapter 53 – Aaliss

Chapter 54 – Aaliss

Chapter 55 – Aaliss

Chapter 56 – Luke

Chapter 57 – Aaliss

Chapter 58 – Wilky

Chapter 59 – Balor

Chapter 60 – Peter

Chapter 61 – Wilky

Chapter 62 – Wilky

Chapter 63 – Aaliss

Chapter 64 – Peter

Chapter 65 – Cassian

Chapter 66 – Aaliss

Chapter 67 – Cassian

Chapter 68 – Aaliss

Chapter 69 – Wilky

Special Sneak Preview: DEVIL’S DEN by Jeff Altabef

About the Author

What’s Next?

More from Jeff Altabef

More from Evolved Publishing

Special Sneak Preview: THE SPINNER’S WEB by Isu Yin & Fae Yang

Dedication

For Red Death Nation, I’m sorry for the long wait, but I hope you take these characters home and keep them for a while.

Prologue – Thorn

Snow swirled at an unrelenting pace, a tornado of frozen daggers, pelting Thorn’s hair, stinging his eyes, and plastering wet jeans to ice-cold legs. The blizzard raged so intensely that he’d barely been able to see his hands in front of his face in the daylight. Now that night blanketed the mountain, all he could see were fat snowflakes that made everything freezing and wet and miserable. He’d stopped wiping the snow off his jeans or his jacket. Why bother? And the cold didn’t bother him the way it had a few months earlier, when he’d chattered his teeth so fiercely he chipped a tooth.

They sat in a circle without a fire to warm them. His father would not permit one on this night. The young Kline children whined about the cold.

Robbie, the older of the two at nine, said, It’s so cold, I can’t feel my fingers. Why can’t we have a fire?

Thorn’s father kept his voice level, but Thorn heard the anger smolder just under the surface. We’ve come too far now to alert predators to our locations. It’s just for one night. Stop being a baby about it.

Jason, only seven, said, It’s not fair. My bones are freezing. Let’s make a small one. No one will see it. Please?

Thorn’s father shot both children a murderous glare even they could not misinterpret, so they scooted beside their mother, diving under her arms for protection.

It’s just the one night, she said, and pulled the young boys close. Tomorrow we’ll be in Eden and everything will be better. You’ll see. You’ll sleep with me tonight, and we’ll be warm enough, and we’ll be safe from... predators.

Thorn held his breath, hoping his father wouldn’t launch into one of his rants about predators. He didn’t want to hear another hours’-long tirade on all the dangers they faced. That’s how his father saw the world these days. He classified everyone and everything as either friend or predator, and almost everyone and everything ended up firmly in the predator category. He immediately placed strangers, of course, as predators. Thorn had heard the rant so many times, he could repeat it verbatim.

He wasn’t the only one who hated to hear his father rage against predators. His mom also bristled whenever his father went into one of his tirades, but Thorn knew his father had kept them alive, and, as much as he or his mom might hate it, his father was right. They simply had no choice. To stay alive, everything and everyone had been converted to friend or predator—they had no other way to view the world from now on out. And everyone and everything started as a predator unless proven otherwise—simple, easy, necessary. He just didn’t want to hear it again.

Their small group, ten in all, had finished eating dinner in silence, a cold can of pork and beans for each. Cheryl told stories about Eden, making it sound like an oasis, which, despite the miserable conditions brought on by the blizzard, added a smile of sorts on their faces. Their collective spirit had risen higher than at any point since the Red Death had swept through the world—everyone but Thorn’s father, who scowled into the night, the expression forging canyons into his craggy face. He never smiled, but Thorn had seen this scowl before. It ran deep and angry, and it meant bad news.

Why is he so angry?

At last they had reached Eden, the one place they had a chance to be safe and survive the plague. They’d spent the last four months traveling through the mountains in search of the hidden base. They had met Cheryl and her two children early on, a week after they left the city for the mountains. Cheryl told them about Eden and Thorn’s father reluctantly let the three join them. She had worked there a few years earlier. Among their group, only she knew of its existence, and doubt had crept into the others over the trek, though no one dared to voice this doubt out loud. They so wanted Eden to be real—needed it to be real—they suppressed their mounting worry, fearing that if they voiced their concerns, it might somehow make them true.

Thorn had overheard his parents arguing about it only a week earlier in hushed tones. His father had told his mom that she must accept the possibility that they might never find Eden. Most of all, Thorn remembered his mother’s agonizing reply, her voice close to tears.

It’s the only thing keeping me going, Jim, she’d said. Without it, you might as well leave me behind and take the kids.

At least Thorn didn’t have to worry anymore about whether they’d ever find Eden. Cheryl had been proven correct, and Eden waited only a few hours away, down the tight mountain pass and behind a sturdy concrete wall.

Lights—faint and orange in color, but light nonetheless—flickered in the distance. Light meant life; it meant people still lived in Eden; it meant hope. When the snow let him, he stared at those lights until the swirling white flakes obscured them again.

He wondered what they’d find there—hot meals, running water, a safe place to sleep without keeping one eye open for predators, human or animal. Frozen butterflies swirled in his stomach at the thought of a refuge. Without Eden... well, there was no without Eden, as far as he could tell.

His father saddled next to him and spoke in a low, somber voice, Thorn, walk with me.

Thorn’s mother frowned. When the Red Death took over the world, Thorn’s father made his son and daughter change their names. It was his way of explaining to them that the world had changed and would never go back to the way it had been. Thorn was born Thomas Michael Jacobson. Now he was Thorn and his sister, formally Susan May Jacobson, had been transformed into Rose—Thorn and Rose, two new people born out of desperation, in desperate times, on the edge of starvation and freezing to death.

He rose slowly, wary of this walk with his father. Their walks always turned into teaching moments, and he suspected he wouldn’t like this lesson. He’d much rather hear another story about Eden from Cheryl, but he couldn’t refuse his father, not before the plague and certainly not now.

His father wrapped an arm around his shoulders and led him down a thin deer path away from the others. When they traveled far enough that the others couldn’t hear them, he settled on a fallen tree and nodded at the spot next to him, where Thorn obediently sat.

His father’s voice sounded determined and somber at the same time. We’ve been through a lot since the plague took over the world six months ago, Son. It was sure to happen. We treated the world so shabbily that it was bound to fight back. Either you fight back or you die. The planet wasn’t ready to die so it fought back. Remember that, soldier.

Thorn’s father had been a captain in the Army, and to him Thorn had become a soldier. Thorn tried to remember if his father used to call him a soldier before the Red Death, but even though the plague first appeared only a few months ago, he couldn’t recall. That time—the before time—felt like a faraway dream. It didn’t matter anyway. They could never return to the way things had been.

Yes sir, Thorn answered.

You’re a capable young man, Thorn. Your mom underestimates you. You’re twelve, but there’s strength in you. You know how to shoot and hunt and how to survive. I’m proud of all you’ve learned over a dozen years. I’m proud of the soldier you’ve become.

Thorn didn’t like the direction this conversation headed. His father never offered praise unless he followed it by something hard. He tried to read his father’s face, but a swirling veil of snow hid it. Thank you, sir.

Tomorrow is a big day for us. Tomorrow, I’m going to lead the other adults down this path and to that compound they call Eden. We’re going to knock on their door, so to speak. I don’t know what will happen, but I doubt it’ll be good.

Cheryl used to work there. She says they’ll welcome us.

His father smacked Thorn’s thigh and dug his fingers into his leg until it hurt.

I know what Cheryl says, Son. There’s nothing wrong with my hearing. You’ve got to separate what you want to believe from reality. The two are almost always different. Only a fool doesn’t recognize that difference, and I didn’t train a fool. Do you think they’ll really welcome us?

Thorn shrugged. He didn’t know, and certainly didn’t want to risk saying the wrong thing, so he kept quiet.

It’s possible, but if I were guarding that door, I’d shoot us dead. They won’t know if we’re infected by the plague, and all it takes is one—one of us infected, and the entire community would be wiped out in a few days. How could they take such a risk? No soldier worth his salt would allow it.

Then why go? Thorn’s heart jumped. If they’re going to shoot you, you can’t go. We need to do something... else. I....

Thorn slowed his voice as tears weighed it down, and his father slapped him across the face—not hard, not to draw blood, but hard enough to stop any tears from forming or falling. That’ll be enough of that. This is an enemy I can’t defeat, Son. Maybe I could live on this mountain for a time with your mom and you two, but your mom would never last. She needs this hope, this fairytale, or she would have died months ago. She’s not strong like you and your sister. I swore an oath to protect her the moment we married, and a soldier doesn’t turn his back on an oath like that. This is your mom’s only chance at survival. As unlikely as it is, I’ve got to take it for her. You understand, don’t you?

Thorn nodded because he didn’t want his voice to betray the emotion in him, and he’d rather not get slapped again.

Good, and now I want you to swear an oath to protect your sister. Right here, right now. She’s only ten and she’ll need you to look after her if this plays out the way I think it will.

I swear... I’ll protect her.

You’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe?

Yes sir.

Thorn’s father patted him on the back. "I knew I could count on you. Tomorrow, you and Rose and the two young Kline kids will wait up here and watch what happens. You’ll have all the provisions we have left, the tents and such. We’ll leave the assault rifles and handguns with you, and I’ll lead your mom and the five other adults down the pass to Eden’s door. It’ll be far for you to see, but you’ll know what happens. If they welcome us, I’ll come back for you. It’ll take a full day, because I’ll want to make sure it’s not a trap, but I will come for you. Set up camp here.

If they murder us in front of that door... well, you’re to take your sister and climb back up that mountain and find yourself some allies.

What about Robbie and Jason?

You’re going to have to be smarter than that if you want to survive, soldier. Are the Kline children going to be any help to you, or will they be a drain on your resources?

A drain, sir.

Yes, and can you afford two drains siphoning off your precious food? Is that a way to protect your sister?

No.

Kill them that first night. Don’t let your sister see, and use the knife. A gunshot might alert predators to your location, and that would spell trouble. Understood, soldier? It’s no different from the Smiths.

The Smiths had been a family of three who joined them two months earlier, after Thorn’s mother had insisted. They quickly proved to be useless and, his father had decided, a drain on their joint resources. One night, they just disappeared. The next day, Thorn’s father explained to the group that they must have gone off on their own. No one had questioned him, no doubt because no one wanted to know the truth. Thorn only knew because he’d helped his father dispose of the bodies.

Yes, Father.

Good. I’ve only kept the boys around this long because we needed their mother to find this place.

The snow intensified and the cold swirled as if driven by a mind of its own. Thorn thought it lucky; his father couldn’t see the tears frozen on his face.

His father looked back up the mountain. Once you’ve climbed the mountain, head due east. You’ll run into a town there. It’ll be big enough that more than one gang will be running it. Try to observe them before you join one, if you can. You need to pick wisely. Understood?

Since the Red Death killed those in their early twenties and older, gangs of young people ruled the towns and cities. Thorn had seen the reports on the Internet when they first fled to the mountains—the rioting and violence. The Internet didn’t work anymore, but he imagined the situation had only gotten worse. Nothing else made sense, and everything since the plague began had just kept getting worse.

I’ll be careful. It’ll be like junior high school.

His father chuckled. Junior high school? I guess it will. Your mom gave me such grief about our constant moving around. It seems that being an Army Brat might pay off in the end. Either you’re a leader or you’re....

Thorn dutifully answered. A loser.

That’s right, and no son of mine is a loser. With any luck, someone will develop a cure for this plague in a few years and you and your sister can live a long, full life. His father leaned close to him and lowered his voice. Don’t tell your mother we had this talk. She’s a good woman, but she’s no soldier, not like you and me. Deal?

Yes sir.

The morning brought the sun and blue skies. Thorne, Rose, Robbie, and Jason huddled on a snow bank and watched as the six adults made their way down the pass. Thorn gave their one pair of binoculars to Rose. He didn’t need it to see clearly. Strange, but his senses had improved over the last few weeks, and he’d become physically stronger than before.

A lot stronger.

He watched as the adults wound their way down the narrow pass that led to the compound. A massive concrete wall stood between the narrow strip of land and Eden, atop of which a half dozen people had gathered on the ramparts, all armed with assault rifles slung over their shoulders.

Thorn reported the situation to the Kline boys, and when they whined, he told them it didn’t mean much. Of course, they were going to be armed. Eden was a military base, so naturally they’d be armed.

He looked past the concrete barrier and found a number of buildings beyond—a smallish one amongst what looked like an orchard, the fruit trees in neat lines, and a large one in the far distance toward the river, where most of the people must live. It looked big enough for lots of people.

Plenty of room.

When the six had made their way down the pass, a voice called out from the ramparts from an unarmed man who wore a green beret and looked very much in charge. State your business!

Cheryl stepped forward, I’m Cheryl Thompson, Colonel Jacob. I used to work here as a researcher two years back. I led a team researching cancer cures. We’re looking for sanctuary.

Cheryl Thompson... I remember you. Follow the lit path. Don’t deviate from it. The pass is mined. You’re welcome here.

A winding path in blue lights suddenly appeared in the snow. The path led from the six adults to the door in the concrete wall.

Rose tugged on Thorn’s arm. What’s going on? Why did the snow light up?

Thorn spoke loud enough for her and both boys to hear. The way to the door is mined. If they walk along the path, they’ll be okay.

That’s good then, right? Robbie asked, hopefully.

Seems like it.

As the six approached the concrete barrier and the door, Thorn’s father glanced over his shoulder toward the mountain. Thorn saw the expression on his face, the long lines cast downward. His father clearly expected the worst, but he always expected the worse. Thorn prayed that he’d be wrong, that they’d find sanctuary in Eden. He swore that if God granted him this one prayer, he’d never ask for anything again. Never.

Thorn scanned the ramparts and his heart jumped. Four of the soldiers aimed their assault rifles at the adults below them.

Colonel Jacob waved at them to stop. I’m sorry, but there’s no admittance. We can’t know for certain that you’re not infected, and we can’t let you leave to tell others about us. He made the sign of the cross. Go with God.

Thorn grabbed his sister and said, Look away.

She elbowed him in the ribs, and he let go.

The soldiers opened fire and mowed down all six innocent people. They fell, the snow painted red around them. His father and mother lay dead in the snow, his father’s arms wrapped around his mother’s body in a futile attempt to protect her.

One last gesture... and they were gone.

Thorn glared at Eden and Colonel Jacob, You’re going to regret that. One day I’m going to come back, and you’re all going to pay for it.

The Kline children started crying.

Rose handed him her father’s knife. There’s no reason to wait until night, and be quick about it.

Thorn hesitated.

She held out her hand, which had a bandage on it. If you’re chicken, give it to me and I’ll do it.

Thorn sighed, swallowed a small lump in his throat, and tightened his grip on his father’s knife. No tears came this time. After what he’d just witnessed, he wondered if he would ever cry again.

He steeled his resolve and moved toward the weeping siblings.

Chapter 1 – Aaliss

When the battle against the Bloody Wolf Tribe started, Aaliss knew the Creator had cursed her. She knew it as certainly as she knew the sun would rise in the morning.

Too many people close to her had died or been hurt for any other explanation to make sense: her parents perished from a fire when she was young, Piers murdered at the hands of the High Priest, Wilky had disappeared to the Ghost Rider’s realm, and Michel tussled with the Reaper due to a slice from a poisoned blade.

She’d used that curse as fuel to dispense punishment in the battle, swirling like a tornado of death, killing with reckless abandon. Blood had rained from her sword as fiercely as the storm around her. She even killed Rolf, the massive chief of the Bloody Wolf Tribe, and defeated the Shades that had helped him.

She had killed the darkness, and when Wilky returned and brought light with him, she thought the Creator had lifted the curse. Against long odds, they had defeated the Bloody Wolf Tribe in the Battle of the Three Tribes. Michel recovered from the poison that threatened to take him; Eamon survived the shield wall; and Wilky returned from the Ghost Rider’s realm a grown man. He’d brought light and magic and a dozen knights on horseback that helped secure the victory. His men called him king and he looked whole and strong, a version of himself she would have thought almost impossible only a week earlier.

Still, she needed to return to Eden to prevent her murderous uncle from destroying her people. The monster believed he had the correct cure for the Red Death. He thought it consisted of a simple combination of a particular mushroom, flower, and water, but he failed to realize he also needed the almost invisible micro-bugs that live on only some of the mushrooms to complete the cure. He didn’t have Wilky to tell him, so his plan to secretly slip the cure into the Sacred Drink during the Eden Day celebrations would end in catastrophe... unless she stopped him.

Although not the forgiving type, Aaliss thought she might forgive the Creator after all. She wanted to return to Eden to punish her uncle anyway, and now she had good cause. When she returned, she’d set things right and kill her uncle for his traitorous ways, and with any luck, that worm Jonas. Afterward, she could live her days with Eamon in a new world, one where they could defeat the Red Death and free the Soulless and the Edenites from the disease. They might even live in Eden, or the Stronghold, or anywhere. They could seek the life they deserved—the two of them, Eamon and her—free to be happy.

But the Creator was not done with her yet. It turned out her reprieve was only temporary, only a twisted joke to catch her off guard, and a nasty trick at that. The Creator wanted her to see this future, this white light filled with happiness, only to rip it away from her. He was truly cruel, and one day she’d find a way to repay him.

A twang from a bowstring, and the fired arrow, had changed everything. An arrow, Cassian’s arrow, had plunged into Dermot’s heart, killing Eamon’s brother, the King of the Butcher Tribe. That one fateful act threw everything into turmoil.

Now, gazing upon the slain Dermot, she realized the darkness that had threatened the land before the battle hadn’t been vanquished. In fact, it seemed that the stench of evil had only grown worse.

Grief-stricken, Eamon gently laid Dermot down on the wet grass, one last victim claimed by this battlefield. His knuckles white, he turned to Orion, the Chief of the Orion clan. Bring Cassian to me.

Eric the Honest and two of the King’s Guard flanked Eamon, their hands underneath long cowhide coats undoubtedly resting on the hilts of their swords. The fragile trust between the Butchers and the Orions teetered on the edge of chaos, threatened by this treacherous act.

Orion turned to a knot of his warriors, all dark-skinned and wide of shoulder. Find Cassian! He will have to answer for this crime. He turned to face Eamon, his face grim. Prince Eamon, this was not my doing. I had no hand in it.

Eric, the captain of the King’s Guard, stepped forward between Orion and Eamon, a threatening tone simmering in his voice. That’s King Eamon now.

And at that moment, Aaliss understood exactly how much had changed with the strike of that arrow, and it was more than she had realized. Eamon was now king, and as such he’d return to the Stronghold and lead his people. Jillian would go with him. He’d be forced to carry the King’s sword, the Sword of Power, at his hip, and that would weigh him down forever.

Wilky, as if sensing Aaliss’s thoughts, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder—a simple act, but one that demonstrated just how much he had changed. The young Wilky, the one before he went to the Ghost Rider’s realm, would never have touched her. He never touched anyone.

Balor stepped between Eric and Orion, using his rather large barrel-shaped body to separate the two. He wore the white robes of a priest of the Flame God, which matched the color of his hair. In the battle he’d carried a sword, but now that the fighting had been completed, he exchanged his sword for his priestly staff. I don’t see Cassian doing this. I’ve watched him fight, and I’m an excellent judge of character. He’s no coward. He’d never kill Dermot with an arrow from the trees. There must be more to this story.

Orion wore a fur-lined deer coat that he left open, and crossed his arms over his muscled chest. I once trusted Cassian above all others, but this is his arrow. I’m sure of it. He pointed to the tree line on the left with one thick arm. The arrow came from those trees. That’s just about two hundred strides away. A long shot. Only a handful of my best archers have the skill to make that shot. Cassian could make that shot.

And just like that, things became even worse for Aaliss than she’d first thought. She had suddenly been plunged between two of her friends, Cassian and Eamon. She agreed with Balor. Cassian would never murder Dermot, but she also knew that Eamon never liked Cassian and would seek swift justice for Dermot.

A commotion erupted from the direction where Orion had pointed. The group around them parted and Lucian, Cassian’s half-brother, led two other Orions toward them. The two dragged an unconscious Cassian between them. They stopped a few feet before Orion and dropped Cassian, face first, in the mud with a thud.

Lucian bowed his head to Orion. We saw him among the trees, my chief. He shot the arrow that killed the Butcher King.

Orion looked grim. You will swear to this at Cassian’s trial before the Hunter God?

Lucian glanced over his shoulder at his two friends who had dragged Cassian. We all will, right?

The others nodded.

We will have the trial tonight in Orion’s Sanctuary, Orion proclaimed. Justice will be done.

Eamon took the Sword of Power from Dermot’s hip. Only the king of the Butcher Tribe could wield the ruby-jeweled sword. That responsibility fell to Eamon now as the next in line. He pointed the tip of the blade at Cassian. I don’t care where you have this... trial, so long as it ends with his head on a stick. He turned to Eric. Bring Dermot back to his tent. We’ll protect his body and return him to the Stronghold to bury him properly.

Eric and another member of the King’s Guard carefully lifted Dermot’s lifeless corpse and stalked off with Eamon trailing after them.

Aaliss moved to follow them, but Wilky grabbed her arm and held her back. We should talk.

Wilky led her a short distance away. He wore a long black leather coat with an image of a dragon embroidered on the back in red thread, plain black leather pants, a white shirt, and a sword at his hip. His jet-black hair fell straight to his shoulders. An odd necklace with bits of bone and gems hung around his neck on a leather strap. He walked with a kingly grace, one full of confidence and authority—a grace that showed his comfort ruling over others.

Who is this king? What happened to Wilky?

Michel, Balor, and P’mina joined them, and when the group was alone, Wilky looked at Balor. I agree with you. This act would take a dark soul, and Cassian is surrounded in light.

Balor glanced