She still hadn't told Killian who would be waiting when they arrived.
"Killian," Ella panted, "there's something you need to know."
"What is it?" he said.
"I read the book the Primate found at the Pinnacle. The portal destroys anyone who tries to cross. Only one of the Evermen can enter."
"Then how did you cross?"
"I read something in the book that gave me an idea, and I found a way. You have to understand… I had to come and get you..."
"What are you saying?"
Ella saw the stone archway in the distance. "Stop," she said, dragging Killian to a halt.
"We can't stop here!"
"There, just ahead, it's the portal. The beacon will tell us when it opens. Before we get there, I have to tell you how I crossed."
"Then tell me!" Killian said in exasperation.
"I read in the book that I could step through the portal if I crossed with one of the Evermen by my side. I can cross back to Merralya, for example, with you beside me." Ella looked into Killian's eyes and took his hand.
"So you crossed with one of the Evermen? I don't understand."
"To come here and bring you home, I had to find someone with your powers, someone who shared your blood, and the blood of the Evermen. I had to find… your parents."
The blood drained from Killian's face. "You found my parents? Please, tell me, what you found. They told me my parents were dead. You found them?"
"Wait," Ella said. "Please, you have to hear the rest. Listen to me. Evrin told us, after you crossed, that you are his descendant. That's why you have the powers he once had."
Killian looked away. "So that's why he was looking for me, back in Salvation, when we destroyed the machines at Stonewater. He wasn't just looking for someone to help him…"
"He was looking for you," Ella finished.
"I think I understand now. You're saying that Evrin crossed with you."
"No," Ella said. "His abilities were taken from him long ago, when he helped our people fight the Evermen and gain freedom. Killian, to bring you back I had to find your parents, for I knew that either your mother or your father would share the powers you inherited from Evrin."
"Ella, what did you find?" Killian whispered.
"Your father. His name was Lord Aidan. He had red hair and blue eyes, just like you. By crossing with him, I was able to come here to get you."
"He's alive? But you speak about him as if he's dead. Why did you say it like that?"
"He is dead. I'm sorry Killian. He died more than twenty years ago." Ella held her breath.
"Than how did you…?" Killian suddenly pulled away, so that he was no longer holding her hand. "You didn't. Not that."
"I'm sorry. It was the only way."
Killian looked over at the stone archway. He started to stride towards the archway, walking on the paved road with brisk footsteps so that Ella was forced to scurry to keep up.
A figure appeared out of the mist, standing next to the archway with his back slightly hunched.
The resemblance between Lord Aidan and his son was unmistakeable, yet his pallid flesh and white-eyed stare beside Killian's youthful vigour was disturbing.
Killian stopped and stared, and Ella saw raw emotion cross his face.
"Has the portal opened?" Ella asked.
"It has not," said the revenant.
"Then we'll have to wait."
Lord Aidan spoke again, and Ella noticed his speech seemed laboured. "I do not have long. It grows difficult to stay in this world. A feeling of rage overcomes me. I do not understand it."
Ella saw how much fainter the runes on the revenant's skin had become, and if anything the redness in his eyes was stronger.
"Ella," Killian said, and there were tears streaming down his cheeks. "I need to speak with him."
Ella bowed her head. "Of course. I'll wait over there."
As she turned and left, she heard Killian as he walked towards his father and spoke. "My name is Killian. I… I am your son…"
39
GUIDING his revenants with soft words, Renrik the necromancer had Miro bound hand and foot and then carried to one of the tents where Renrik and his fellows created more warriors for the Lord of the Night.
Miro was laid on an iron table so that he was on his back, staring up at the ceiling. A revenant cut through the bindings on Miro's wrists, but before he could surge forward two more warriors pinned his arms above his head. His wrists were then bound, one to each corner of the table.
Miro's legs were then given a similar treatment, until he was splayed on the table, his chest heaving and body tensed as he wondered what lay in store.
They left him alone for hours.