Keys to the Demon Prison

"It’s like Bodwin the Bold," Doren agreed cheerfully. "He faced his executioners with a smile on his face and tipped the headsman. We may be doomed, but why not enjoy ourselves? It will lessen the victory of our adversaries."

"I like that," Seth said. "I’m going to smile at the demons. I really am. You guys watch me."

"I’m glad to be off that ship," Kendra said. "At least we’ll die on a tropical island."

"I kind of like Warren’s plan to not die," Vanessa said. "Any of you have last messages you want me to deliver?"

"You’re all nuts," Trask chuckled.

"This beats letting it gnaw at us," Warren said. "I bet I’ll be the last one standing."

"You wish," Seth said. "That will be Bracken. I bet he takes some demons with him."

"And I won’t?" Warren exclaimed.

"Maybe a little one," Seth laughed.

"Not many weapons can harm a greater demon," Bracken said. "Seth’s blade is our best by far. My horn can do it. Warren has the adamant sword, and it should pierce most demonic hides. The swords we took from the Gray Assassin will cut demon flesh. Trask has both at the moment, but he should give one to Vanessa. I saw her mind. She’s very talented with a blade. The rest of you should hang back and take up our arms when we fall. And, for the record, if you want to place bets on the last of us standing, my money goes on Hugo."

"No," the golem rumbled. "Not last. Hugo save Seth. Hugo save Kendra."

Tears stung Kendra’s eyes.

Newel raised a hand. "How do I get added to that list?"

This time everyone laughed, even the golem, stony shoulders shaking.

The banter continued for a time, fueled mostly by Warren, Seth, and the satyrs. Eventually the conversation died. Kendra felt glad they had acknowledged the danger and tried to laugh at it. The peril remained the same, but the camaraderie had helped lighten her mood.

Walking behind Bracken, Kendra tried to imagine how she could help in the final battle. If they didn’t find any astrids to transform, she doubted she could contribute much. Everyone else was better than she was with weapons. Besides, Torina had used all of her phoenix-feather arrows, leaving none to appropriate. Based on what Bracken had said, regular arrows like Kendra had brought would only annoy the demons. Maybe the Fairy Queen could grant her some sort of weapon. She would definitely ask.

They reached a second lagoon, this one sheltered by spiny reefs. A jumble of fallen walls, arches, and columns cluttered the crescent-shaped beach. Scattered architectural remnants continued inland among the trees. Farther inland loomed the bulk of an immense stone dome.

"The first hints of dawn remain an hour away," Bracken said. "The shrine is not far off."

Bracken led them inland from the beach through a grove of tall palm trees. They passed a headless statue of a horse. Up ahead, Kendra saw a large ring of pillars connected by arches. In contrast to the other stonework they had found, the impressive circle of archways appeared perfectly intact.

"Is that the shrine?" Kendra asked.

Bracken nodded. "The rest of you may want to wait here." He took Kendra’s hand.

"You don’t need me," Kendra said.

"I need all the help I can get," Bracken said, coaxing her forward. "We have a lot to ask."

Hand in hand, Bracken and Kendra approached the wide ring of connected pillars. Passing beneath an engraved arch, Kendra found the ground paved with stone. Shallow steps led down to a circular pond with a small island in the center. A single delicate arch spanned the water to the island. They walked to the near end of the fragile bridge, where Kendra hesitated.

"What are we going to ask the Fairy Queen?" she asked.

"You’ll see," Bracken replied. "Let’s wait until her majesty can help shield our words. Nagi Luna keeps prying."

"Can the Fairy Queen block the Oculus?" Kendra asked.

"Not really, but she has ways of encouraging Nagi Luna to gaze elsewhere. Come."

He led her onto the narrow arch. Without his hand to hold, Kendra would have worried about her balance, but he felt so stable that she crossed without difficulty. The moment she set foot on the island, Kendra sensed electricity in the air, as if lightning were about to strike. The fine hairs on her arm stood up.

"Do you feel that?" she asked.

"Yes." Bracken led her to the tiny statue of a fairy beside a golden bowl. They knelt together, and powerful aromas washed over them. The desert during a rainstorm. The inside of a decaying log. Honeycombs dripping with sweetness.

So it has come to this. The words arrived with a flood of conflicting emotions. Profound sadness. Deep exhaustion. Simmering wrath. Tender concern.

"We both saw it coming," Bracken said simply. "I did everything in my power to prevent this."

Try as we might to postpone them, days of reckoning inevitably arrive.

"Is this going to be the end of the world?" Kendra asked.

It could be.

"I’ve been in touch with Agad," Bracken said. "He will arrive as planned. You have received my messages?" Yes. I agree with your assessments.

"You can talk to her away from the shrines?" Kendra asked.

"Not really," Bracken said. "Without my third horn I can’t hear her. But she can hear me. I counted on that." Kendra stared at the little fairy statue. "Can you help

us?"

I must help you. The realm where I rule is connected to your world. For all its splendor and beauty, my kingdom is an extension of your reality. Without the terrestrial influence of the shrines, my unspoiled realm of light would eventually fade.

"Are you prepared to go all the way?" Bracken asked.

Emotions warred inside the Fairy Queen, and Kendra momentarily experienced them as if they were her own. Hesitation. Doubt. Concern for her realm. Concern for her subjects. Concern for the world. Concern for Bracken, specific and desperate. A desire to hide. A desire to rest. And an old hatred, a yearning for vengeance that had quietly smoldered for years.

Only as a last resort. It would be a desperate gambit.

"It’s our only choice," Bracken said. "It’s why this shrine was placed here. Their final obstacle."

What if I open my realm to you and your friends? Kendra, Seth, even the golem. We could find a way to shield ourselves.

"Open your realm to us?" Kendra asked. "Wouldn’t that make your realm vulnerable?"

It might be safer than open battle.

"This is unbecoming," Bracken said. "Do not give utterance to these fears. My presence makes you weak."