EMMERY
Compared to the labyrinth, the Hollow was a damn sanctuary.
As they exited through the strange doorway and Emmery’s senses returned, she studied the obsidian water rippling beneath Dez’s feet with the Whispering Spring’s thrumming power and ominous darkness.
Ahead, a great city stretched, all tall shiny black buildings, glass, and sharp corners. Marbled mountains rose to the sky on all sides, tiny homes slotted into the stone, as if the land warped to accommodate them. A red haze hung over the town like dyingcandlelight and fading embers. And a colossal black iron gate surrounded the city like that of Ellynne’s capital.
Warmth settled inside her as she gazed out over the landscape. “This place feels safe,” she mumbled into Dez's neck. Usually she’d fight to keep her eyes open, to stay on guard, but Destonne’s safety allowed her a moment of peace, though his steps dragged.
“I wouldn’t make such assumptions yet.” The rough, tired words rumbled through her. “Legend says this is only the first level. Where the souls Deimos deems worthy have the privilege of spending their afterlife. But the further down the soul is sent, the greater the sinner.”
Emmery’s stomach soured. “Do we have to descend?”
“Thankfully, no.”
A stretch in the distance, a massive black waterfall tumbled from the sky. It towered over the buildings and seemed to pool somewhere behind them.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. She blinked as if the magic would fade at any moment and the true, vile exterior would bleed through.
“Beauty is dangerous.” A trembling breath quaked in his chest. “I have a sneaking suspicion that, at any moment, this whole place is going to open like some poisonous bloom, and rain terror down on us.”
Emmery glanced up at Dez to find him blinking back something as he gazed ahead. A thing that swam in his eyes. Something new.
As they approached the black gate, it boomed with magic and its sharp edges glinted in the low light. Thankfully no Guardian waited at the gate.
Emmery pulled away from Destonne’s neck, sure he was tired of carrying her. “You can put me down,” she said, her voice full of gravel. “I can walk.”
His arms only tightened and he said under his breath, “Not yet.”
The gate creaked open like it sensed their presence, and Destonne hesitantly crossed the threshold. He paused as if he imagined lightning or some calamitous force would strike them. But when nothing happened, he released a jagged breath of both agony and relief.
“You’re in pain. I can hear it in your voice, Dez.”
His defeated sigh rustled the loose hairs on her forehead as he set her feet back on the ground. The wounds on his chest and arms had clotted, but the burn and claw marks werebad.
She reached for him, but he stepped back like he was … afraid of her. And the way he retreated twisted something ugly inside her.
“I know what you’re thinking, andno.” His jaw hardened and his stare edged insanity. “You truly are reckless. Do you know how close you were to Collapse? Does that mean anything to you?”
She swallowed and her eyes flicked over his blood-soaked face. “Well, I know what it is, but—”
“Don’t summon even a flicker of your magic.” A sharpness entered his words, a tone he’d never used with her. He turned away and cleared his throat. “Reize told me there are healing waters here that funnel from the Whispering Spring. We need to find it. Now.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the fatigue or what they had just endured, but tears burned the back of her throat. “Are you angry with me? I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.”
“No.” His chest heaved, shook, and he pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes. “To be honest with you, Emmery, though I know you think I don’t feel anything, I’m a tad shaken by … all ofthat.”
She was too, however her mind refused to process it, and, instead, tucked it away like a far-off dream.
Emmery glanced back at the trail of blood behind him and for a moment, she wondered how much he could actually bleed, or if that cursed crown gave him some sort of gods willing bend of fate. But a question squeezed between her ribs. What if he died? Maybe his curse or his unmatched confidence had somehow convinced her that Dez was invincible, but now, she didn’t know what she would do if he wasn’t.
“Let’s find the water,” she said. She gently slid her hand into his, slick with his blood. Destonne stared down at their twined fingers and that same look returned, but he blinked it away.
Silhouettes with a smattering of stars wandered past, what she could only assume to be the shadow part of the soul Deimos claimed. But there were others here too. Tangible people with demonic features like Senka or Melantha like wings or horns or claws.
Emmery pressed closer to Dez’s side as they surged into a crowd.
Silence separated them as they clung to each other, not willing to talk about what happened in that labyrinth. Not speaking of the monster seizing Emmery nor the way he reached inside her and pulled her out of that dark, cavernous place. The same way he’d talked her out of her panic that day at Reize’s cottage.