★★★★★ "Great start to a new series! Interesting characters and a unique storyline set in a world that begs to be explored or in this case survived. Definitely worth checking out!"
Centuries ago, the world fell.
From the ashes rose a terrible new species—the Tangata.
Now they wage war against the kingdoms of man. And humanity is losing.
Recruited straight from his academy, twenty-year-old Lukys hopes the frontier will make a soldier out of him. But Tangata are massing in the south, and the allied armies are desperate. They will do anything to halt the enemy advance—including sending untrained men and women into battle. Determined to survive, Lukys seeks aid from the only man who seems to care: Romaine, the last warrior of an extinct kingdom.
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Erika sat at the bow of the ship. Her entire body shook as she watched the shore grow closer, the lights of Fogmore a lantern in the darkness. She dared not look back to where the Goddess sat in the aft. It felt as though her entire foundation had shifted, as though every part of her world had changed in the last few hours.
The Gods were real!
A God had saved her!
This changed everything. Though she had always believed, she had never…known.
Her eyes fixed on the approaching shore and she tried to focus her mind. In the chaos of battle, she had forgotten about her other troubles, but now they came rushing back. General Curtis would want answers. Erika had found nothing but death in the caverns, and they still did not know what had become of the other recruits. It seemed certain they were dead, though…where then were the rest of the bodies?
And what if there were more of those terrible creatures that the Tangata had woken? Was that why the Tangata had been seeking them? Did they think of those ancient monsters as their Gods? Would they seek out more of them, now that the secret had been uncovered?
Despite herself, Erika’s gaze was drawn to the aft of the ship once more, to where Cara crouched alone on a crate. Not even Romaine, not even her magic, could stand against those monsters. The Gods alone could defeat them. Humanity needed their aid, to discover the source of their power. Could an emissary be sent into the Mountains of the Gods to seek them out?
Excitement touched her at the thought, before reality dragged her back down. Regardless of Cara’s revelation, Erika had failed. The queen would have no more use of her now, other than prying the magic gauntlet from her corpse.
Erika could not allow it.
Her mind worked quickly, another possibility opening itself to her. Gemaho bordered the Mountains of the Gods. Solaris wasn’t far from the hidden site on her map, as the bird flew. And travelling from east of the mountains, they wouldn’t have the Tangata to contend with.
The only difficulty would be smuggling Cara out from under the noses of Queen Amina and her general. They would not allow her to leave Flumeer, and certainly not to go to their eastern rival. Nor would Cara leave without the Calafe warrior.
Romaine himself had lost consciousness shortly after they had begun the journey downriver. Erika was surprised that he’d been able to resist the pain of his wounds as long as he had. She swore, at times the Calafe did not seem entirely human himself. The ship’s medic was tending to him, but it was obvious the warrior would not be leaving Fogmore for some time.
Erika did not have the luxury of time on her hands. She could not wait for him…
She shook herself, irritated to realise she’d grown to like the man’s company. But just because he knew of her heritage now, didn’t mean she could trust him. After all, his people had already betrayed Erika and her mother once, hounding them out of the kingdom after her father’s death. No, it was time she left the last traces of her past behind.
Looking out across the deck, she clenched her fist, but did not summon the power of the gauntlet. Her entire body ached as though she’d been riding for days and she dared not waste what remained of her strength.
Stones crunched and the ship shook beneath her. Erika’s head jerked up as she realised they’d already reached Fogmore. The voyage had passed unnoticed while she’d dreamed. Her doom was already at hand.
No. She forced her mind into action. The general cannot touch you; it’s the queen you must fear. There is still time yet.
Exhaling, she rose unsteadily to her feet and turned to where the gangplank was being lowered. She started to find Cara standing directly behind her. The young Goddess’s eyes had returned to their usual amber. They were wide, anxious. The Tangata had torn strips in her tunic and she sported a black eye where a blow had caught her unaware, but otherwise she appeared unharmed from the battle.
“Are…are you okay, Erika?” Cara whispered.
As she spoke, her wings lifted a little from her back, giving Erika another glimpse of the auburn feathers. The sight summoned memories of their flight across the river, the water flashing past far below, the screams of the Tangata still ringing in her ears.
Erika banished the image and focused on Cara’s words. “I’m okay,” she replied, bowing her head in respect. “Thank you for rescuing me, Oh Great One.”
Red crept into Cara’s cheeks at the words and she quickly looked away. “Please don’t call me that,” she croaked. “I’m…not what you think.”
Erika hesitated, before offering another nod. Whatever the girl asked, it would be difficult to think of her as anything but Divine now. Though…it was clear Cara also was not immortal. Her arm had been broken the first time they’d met. She could be hurt—by the Tangata, and by Erika’s gauntlet. Why was that?
Questions for another time. For now, she pushed aside her confusion, bit back the pain of her broken arm, and forced herself to smile. A plan was coming to her, though she would not survive for long without the Goddess on her side.
“Very well,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. “Well, would you accompany me to shore? I am still somewhat…weak from the magic.”
Cara licked her lips, eyes flickering to the distant shores of the Illmoor. Though darkness had fallen, Erika had the distinct feeling the Goddess could see the other side perfectly.
“Poor Lukys,” Cara whispered.
“You did everything you could,” Erika murmured, placing a hand on the young woman’s shoulders.
Cara did not react—confirming at least one of Erika’s suspicions. The Goddess had never been afraid of touch—only of someone feeling the wings beneath her heavy cloak.
Gently, Erika led Cara towards the gangplank. It felt strange, offering comfort to this creature, to a literal God. But…there was something distinctly human about Cara’s pain, about her grief. And perhaps it created an opportunity.
Most of the soldiers had already disembarked. Word would have already reached the city of the God they had brought back from the south. Fogmore would be abuzz with rumour. Dozens had already appeared on the shores, ignoring the obvious danger of the Tangata that they had left behind on the other shore. Whispers rose from the crowd as Erika stepped onto the plank, but it was not the Archivist they had come to see.
Gasps spread through the gathering as Cara followed. Her wings lifted at the sound, half-unfurling. An involuntary reflex, Erika guessed, after the way the Goddess had tried to go unnoticed for so long. The crowd drew back as they reached the shore. And who could blame them? The Gods were remembered not just with deference, but fear. After all, they were responsible for The Fall.
“My lord…Goddess…Saviour!”
The whispers grew louder as they stood there, and Cara pressed close to the Archivist. She shuddered as a feather brushed her arm, and had to suppress a scream. There was something unnatural about those wings. They reminded her far too much of the Tangata.
That…will take some getting used to.
“Soldiers, at your stations!” The hairs on the back of Erika’s neck stood on end as a voice bellowed from the top of the slope. General Curtis came marching through the ranks of men and women, his face a carefully controlled mask. “Get these civilians back into the city—there are Tangata about this night.”
He came to a stop before Erika and the Goddess while around them the soldiers leapt to obey. Erika drew herself up as he stood regarding her, resisting the urge to shrink before the rage that glinted in his eyes.
“General,” she said, offering a polite nod.
“The Perfugian recruits?” he asked curtly.
Guilt stoppered Erika’s lips, but finally she managed to blurt out a single word: “Gone.”
“And the magic of the Gods?”
“Lost.”
He gave a curt nod. “As expected.” His eyes flickered to Cara, taking in the auburn wings. His jaw clenched, though to his credit, he showed no other reaction. “Great One,” he murmured, bowing. “The gates of Fogmore lie open to you.”
Cara’s cheeks brightened and she lowered her eyes. Seeing her opportunity, Erika spoke into the silence. “The Great One is somewhat…unaccustomed to human scrutiny. She will accompany me to my quarters.”
The general’s eyes flickered in her direction. “My orders were to take you into custody, should your endeavour prove fruitless.” Erika’s heart lurched, but the general drew in a breath and continued: “But…I am certain the queen would not wish to go against Her Divinity.” He faced Cara once more. “I hope that you might break your fast with us come the morning, Great One.”
Cara flicked an uncertain glance at Erika before offering a nod. Suppressing a smile, Erika linked arms with the Goddess and led her up the slope.
“What about Romaine?” Cara whispered as they walked.
“I’m sure his wounds are already being tended to,” Erika reassured her. The Calafe had been one of the first off the ship, carried on a stretcher. “We can visit him in the morning.”
That seemed to reassure the Goddess, and they continued up the path. The gates opened before them and Erika strode through without looking back. Let the general worry about the Tangata; she had other concerns now. She led the Goddess through the streets, steadfastly ignoring the stares of the crowd as they passed.
She was pleased to find her quarters still empty. Hastily constructed from timber boards, it wasn’t much better than the abandoned cottages back in Calafe. But at least it was private, and would give her the chance to question the Goddess, to figure out her next move.
Pulling open the door, she held it for Cara. “Come on in. You’ll be safe from the stares here. At least until morning.”
Cara hesitated on the threshold, eyes wide, cheeks a bright red, but finally she stepped inside. Erika swung the door closed behind them, plunging the room into darkness. Throwing the latch to keep out unwanted visitors, she hesitated, then decided she had strength enough to summon the magic. The soft light of her gauntlet lit the room.
“So, you survived.”
Erika almost leapt out of her boots as a voice spoke from the shadows. Beside her, Cara gave a shrill cry and leapt sideways, wings snapping open. Something went crash in the gloom—the potted plant beside her window. Heart racing, Erika raised her fist, and a brilliant light cast back the darkness.
The stranger from Gemaho sat at her table, one leg crossed over the other, fingers drumming against the table. A sheathed sword lay beside the woman, as though to say she was not there to fight, though Erika was sure she would have other weapons at her disposal.
Still struggling to catch her breath, Erika lowered her fist. “I am,” she said softly, then paused, before adding: “No thanks to the queen.”
A smile tugged at the woman’s lips. “So I heard.” She uncrossed her legs and stood. “So your quest failed?”
Erika hesitated, heart thudding painfully in her chest. She found herself holding her breath, unsure how to proceed. Glancing to the side, she saw that Cara was watching her, wings spread wide, ready to flee.
Forcing a smile, Erika raised her hand. “It’s okay, Cara,” she said softly, seeking to reassure the Goddess. “She’s with me.”
The girl said nothing, though her wings retracted an inch. Releasing her breath, Erika faced the Gemaho spy once more.
“Not entirely,” she said in answer to the question. She gestured at Cara. “As you can see, other discoveries were made.”
“My king knew you were resourceful,” her visitor said with a smile. “And what of our offer?”
“I accept,” Erika said at once. “I will go with you to Gemaho.”
“Excellent.” The stranger’s eyes flickered to Cara. “And your…friend?”
“Gemaho?” Cara whispered, looking to Erika. “But they’re your…enemies, aren’t they?”
“Not anymore,” Erika said soothingly.
“But Romaine,” the woman continued, frowning. “We can’t leave him, not after…” Tears formed in her eyes as she trailed off.
“My king will require a demonstration of your goodwill, Archivist,” the woman said softly.
Erika sighed. This wasn’t how it was meant to go. But nor could she ignore the general’s words on the shore of the Illmoor. The queen had already condemned her. She might have fooled them for now, with her claim of friendship to the Goddess, but that could not last. One way or another, the queen would find a way of disposing of Erika, and taking the magic for herself.
She could not go to Gemaho empty handed. That left only one option.
Sucking in a breath, Erika spun and brought up her gauntlet. Realisation showed in Cara’s eyes and she opened her mouth to cry out, but Erika didn’t give her the chance. The magic struck and the scream died in Cara’s throat. With a flash of light, she fell to the ground, and knew no more.
Lukys watched with a mixture of relief and despair as the winged Goddess that was Cara threw the Archivist over one shoulder and took to the sky. His heart soared, glad at least someone had escaped. The joy was short lived as the remaining Tangata turned towards them. Terror rose to take its place.
The others had escaped.
But their nightmare had only just begun.
Rage burned in the eyes of the Tangata. He realised now it had been Cara the creatures had wanted all along. But there was no time to consider what significance the Gods had to the monsters.
Fight, live, kill.
Drums sounded in Lukys’s mind as the creatures crowded them. Beside him, Dale still fought to break free of his captor, but Lukys stood frozen, overwhelmed by the horde of grey eyes watching him.
Suddenly the Tangata released them. Lukys staggered as the hands holding him vanished, swaying on his feet. Before he could look around, a fist struck him in the stomach, driving the breath from his lungs. He doubled over, gasping, even as he heard the thump of Dale striking the ground alongside him. Eyes watering, he tried to straighten, but a second blow slammed into his back.
He screamed as the ground rose to meet him, the broken bones grinding in his chest. Pain wrapped itself around his body as a boot struck him in the side, hurling him sideways. From somewhere nearby, another voice cried out, but Dale was lost amidst a forest of flashing limbs.
Fight, kill. Fight, kill!
Another boot caught Lukys in the side of the head and stars flashed across his vision. He tried to roll away, but the creatures were all around. Falling on his back, he cried out, begging for mercy, but another blow slammed into his stomach, stealing away the last of his breath.
He collapsed to the ground, vision growing dark. Overhead, a sea of faces spun, mouths twisted in anger, yellowed teeth bared, murder in grey eyes.
Kill, kill, kill!
Lukys opened his mouth to cry out, but all he could manage was a whisper. The Tangata retreated slightly, and for a second he thought they were showing mercy. Then one amongst them stepped forward. Sunlight flashed and even through his fading vision, Lukys glimpsed the spearpoint in its hands.
Desperately, he tried to scramble away, but now iron hands grasped him by the arms and legs, pinning him down. A cry came from nearby as others did the same with Dale. Then all Lukys could do was watch as the beast raised the spear overhead.
Death, death, death…
NO!
Lukys wasn’t sure whether he screamed the word or thought it. Only thought it, surely, for he still had not recovered his breath. Yet the creatures around him reared back as though they’d been stung, as if he had suddenly turned into something foreign, something dangerous.
Grey eyes stared down at him, and though their mouths did not move, suddenly it was as though there were a hundred voices screaming in Lukys’s mind, so many he could not make out a single word—though he sensed their rage, their confusion.
All at once the voices cut off. Movement came from amongst the crowd as a new creature appeared, a female. It moved to stand over him, eyes narrowed. The silence in Lukys’s head was practically deafening as the female knelt. He flinched as a hand reached out, expecting death to follow, but the Tangata only traced a finger across his face, touching his nose, his cheeks, his lips. He lay there in terror, hardly daring to even breathe as she inspected him.
Finally she sat back, though her eyes never left him. He realised then how strange her eyes were—still the grey of the Tangata, but somehow deeper, as though this creature carried a great weight on its shoulders. She inspected him for a moment longer. Then a voice spoke in his mind.
Who are you?
Become a paid subscriber to access this entire series from the start, plus many of the other series I have written! You can even take a free 7 day trial to see if my books are for you.