Ikelos (The Ephemeral: Book 2)

Chapter 14

"I'm just saying, all these stupid shrubs shouldn't grow if the sun's gone."

"Mason."

"Can't you just zap all the thorn bushes? You're Siren's human weed-killer, right?"

I sighed, debating if I should just tie Mason to a tree and retrieve him on my way home.

We'd spent most of yesterday recuperating and planning our next steps. Thankfully, Harmon had taken the time to correct our aged map, and he'd sketched out our new route through Rhea. He'd mentioned that the service tunnels and passageways beneath the kingdom were our best shot at reaching the palace undetected. Unfortunately, the closest access point was located in the center of Primm, a Rhean village, and we had no idea what to expect upon arrival.

The Rhean villagers may not have supported Godric in his mad attempt to annihilate our people, but that didn't mean they were allies. We needed to tread carefully—and that meant sneaking into the village at night while most of them were sleeping.

Fewer spectators. Fewer risks.

After several miles of prickly undergrowth and deep patches of snow, we reached a lookout with a proper view of our first Rhean obstacle. We only had about 800 yards left on the downhill stretch, which was splendid news for my tender knees and ankles. Beyond the slope of the mountain lay a long, flat horizon shrouded in fog, and in the center of the valley, a cluster of buildings.

Ten days in, and we'd finally reached civilization.

"That's Primm?" Mason asked.

"Apparently."

"I thought it'd be..."

"Creepier?"

"Yeah."

Honestly, it looked a lot like Belgate, should Belgate ever tear down its stone walls and historic stadium. Wood smoke billowed out of chimneys, dogs barked at birds and passerby, and a spattering of glowing lights gave the village a warm, inviting aura.

From this distance, Primm appeared completely normal.

"Let's get a bit closer," I said. "Scope it out before nightfall."

We hiked down to the hazy valley, and all around us, towering pine trees gave way to mossy junipers and hardy sagebrush. But as the meadow enveloped us, I realized it wasn't moss that clung to the vegetation.

It was a thick coating of spiderwebs.

Anxiety swelled in my gut, and I crouched to observe a juniper swathed in silky threads. The web trailed all the way down to the tree trunk and onto the ground, where a network of thin fibers carpeted the soil. Further west, the entire valley was swallowed in webs—an eerie sea of gossamer.

Patrons. How many spiders crawled within this ocean?

I glanced over my shoulder at Mason, who stood several feet back, his arms crossed over his chest in blatant defiance.

He shook his head. "Nope. No way. I draw the line at demon spiders."

I shot him an impatient look.

"Spiders, Alex. They're already monstrosities."

"Mason, let's go."

The welt didn't budge.

"The quicker we move, the quicker it's over," I insisted, buttoning up my crimson cloak. "Come on. There's no turning back now."

I flipped my hood over my head and pushed on, knowing Mason would follow. Together, we wandered through the field of woven drapes and netting, deathly quiet. We knew the consequence of disturbing demonic insects all too well.