“When King Arron sent the humans through the Arch in hopes of finding freedom, he essentially sent them into the path of the Bane,” Ravyn said.
“I’m sure he didn’t know where Harlin had imprisoned the Summoners, or he would not have chosen Inness for the humans.” Gregory walked across the room and held the book out to Okee. “It is of the utmost importance that this book makes it back to the manor before Vile discovers it’s missing. Take Odette.”
Okee accepted the book from Gregory. “I will see it done.” He turned to his twin. “Come.”
Odette nodded, her eyes cutting to Trace. The tall Bringer held her stare for several seconds. With a rare show of emotion, Trace walked to her. “Don’t stop. Get free of the Shadow World at any cost.”
Odette’s blue eyes rounded. Though it looked like she wanted to say something, she merely nodded and reached to press her hand against Trace’s chest. Without the fanfare of more good-byes, the two Bringers exited. Hopefully they would make it to the surface safely.
Siban contemplated Vile’s journal. It could possibly tell them everything they needed to know about how the Summoners had turned to Bane. Something in that thought poked at him. What did they know about the unstable group of Summoners who were also Bringers? They were dark and unpredictable. Even King Harlin had been forced to imprison his own brother and mother. Siban’s thoughts froze, the realization dawning.
“Gregory.” Siban took a step forward, the blood turning to ice inside him. “I know why your great uncle Ander seemed familiar when Magnus shared his memories.” He met the king’s silver gaze. “Ander is Vile.”
Ravyn gasped. “That’s it. That’s why his face was familiar but I couldn’t place him.”
The color drained from Gregory’s face. “That’s not possible. Ander was imprisoned within the Abyss, as was his mother.”
“What if your grandfather didn’t imprison his brother?” Juna laid a hand on Gregory’s arm. “What if he escaped and came through the Arch when the humans were crossing over?”
What Juna said vibrated with truth. Siban looked at Rell. She appeared to be weighing the words as the pieces began to fall in place. Slowly Rell lifted her eyes to Gregory. “What if he was the one who kidnapped your half brother?”
Again, the possibility rang with truth, not just because Siban’s Tell hummed at the statement but because it made sense. Silence blanketed the room, the logic of the situation stunning everybody into silence.
Meran, who had been quiet during the exchange, stepped forward. “Gregory, what if Ander took your brother and claimed him as his son?”
Gregory’s lips tightened into an angry pinch, his head shaking as if not wanting to accept the next conclusion of what she said.
“Icarus.”
A low growl rumbled from Gregory’s throat. “You think Icarus is the bloody king?”
“Impossible,” Magnus said.
“Why?” Rell strode to the center of the room to stand in front of Magnus. “You admitted you’ve never seen Ander as a Bane. You’ve purposely concealed your presence from Vile until it was time to fight the demons. And Gregory, you were not even born when your brother was kidnapped. There would be no way to recognize him.”
“She’s right,” Gregory said. “My uncle has covered his tracks well. There is no way I would have recognized him, and he has been careful to not let us see him. That is why he killed the Bringers left here after the Bane war.”
“That is why he didn’t kill me.” Bile roiled in Siban’s stomach as his memories of being tortured by Vile rose up like an angry beast, threatening to devour him. “He and Sha-hera asked me the same question every day. ‘Where are the other Bringers?’ I had no knowledge of you at the time and refused to reveal Rhys—but he was looking for those who could identify him.”
“This changes nothing.” Juna released Gregory’s arm and moved closer to him, bending slightly so he would look her in the eye. “More than ever we must vanquish Vile. He means to open the Abyss, and with Icarus heir to the throne, Vile will then use him to open the Mystic Arch.”
Siban swore. “I knew Icarus could not be trusted. He’s been playing us to get information for Vile.”
“No.” Rell spun to face him. “He wouldn’t do that.”
Normally he would applaud her tenacity, but in this case it was misplaced. “Rell, he’s a Demon Bane. Of course he would. And just because you want to find the good in him doesn’t change the fact that he’s not.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Meran said. “I’m not convinced Icarus knows of Vile’s treachery.”
“I agree,” said Brita. “He was impossible to read when we captured him.”
Siban grunted his disagreement, but didn’t argue any further.”
Gregory scrubbed his face with his hands and then lowered his arms, looking like a man who just had the weight of the world placed on his shoulders. “Forget Icarus for the moment. If there are other Summoners free then our fate is truly dire. We cannot triumph in a fight against them.”
“We are the Trilation.” Juna straightened. “If anybody can defeat him, it is my sisters and I.”
“I’m glad you’re so confident,” Ravyn said. “But we don’t even know what that means.”
“Then we’ll figure it out.” Juna glared at her. “But we can’t give up and turn back now. Yes, the danger has increased, but so have the consequences of not defeating Vile.”
“Noble words, Juna.” Luc said. “but do you even know how to use this supposed awe-inspiring power?”
Juna sneered. “It will come to us. It’s in our blood.”
Luc rolled his eyes. “I feel much more confident now.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but Gregory cut them off. “Arguing will not get us anywhere.” His gaze swept the Bringers. “Who is willing to journey forward?”
Siban waited for Rell’s response. When her hand lifted, his heart sank, though he couldn’t fault her for wanting to continue on. After all, he was going to do the same. Siban raised his hand.
“At least when we are all killed we can say we didn’t die a coward’s death—a fool’s death, yes—coward, no.”
“Not a lot of comfort,” Luc said, raising his hand.
At varying speeds all the Bringers volunteered to continue. But not before each of the couples exchanged glances, silently consulting with their partners.
“It is decided then.” Gregory paused. “We move forward with our plan.”
“Where do we go from here?” Siban wanted to know exactly what Gregory was planning. “We don’t know where Vile is.”
“The Tells can help with that.” Juna walked to the door, with her sword pointed forward. “It’s what you’ve trained for.”
Rell glanced at him and then trailed Juna out the door. Hesitating only a second, Siban followed her. Time had come for him to fully embrace his Bringer powers. There could be no wavering from here on out. If he wanted to get Rell safely from the Shadow World, he’d have to become the Bringer he was meant to be and take back the life Vile had stolen from him. The Demon King and Sha-hera would pay for all they had cost him. Somehow he’d have his revenge.
The empty passage sent a wave of unease through Siban. “Why haven’t the Bane come to see what the disturbance was?”
“Vile probably knows we are here,” Brita said, joining them in the hall. “I wouldn’t be surprised that he orchestrated this whole thing to draw us in.”
“Agreed,” Magnus said. “The dark powers of the Summoners are unfamiliar to those who refuse to engage in such acts. There’s no telling what they are capable of.”