“It’s not fine!” yells Lincoln. He inhales a long breath, composing himself. “We have to look at practicalities here. I agree with Xavier. Any other discussions that don’t center on war are a waste of time. Even worse, they will make our people question our resolve.”
I nod, unable to form words. My sweet Maxon left to be tortured by Armageddon for years? The King of Hell tore the wings off Dad’s back every day. What will he do to my baby? I set my hand over my mouth, suppressing in a sob. Lincoln wraps his arm around my shoulder.
“Myla and I need some time alone, Xavier.”
Dad nods. “I’ll be in the war room when you’re ready. We’ve a lot of planning to do and not much time.” Arching his great golden wings, he leaps off the balcony’s edge and slowly circles toward the ground. Normally, I love it when he exits this way. This time, I feel nothing but sadness as I watch him slowly glide downward.
A long silence follows.
“We need to talk about this, Lincoln. There has to be another way.”
“There isn’t, Myla. We must join Xavier in the war room.” He gently kisses my head. “Or perhaps I’ll join your father while you get some a rest. Things will seem more clear after you’ve had some sleep.”
Lincoln’s words echo strangely through my mind.
Sleep.
Dream.
Dreamscape.
Nefer.
An idea begins to form. Nefer tried to kill sneak into Hell and kill Onyx. Maybe she’d have some ideas on how to take down Armageddon, too. I have to ask.
I nuzzle into Lincoln’s shoulder. “Actually, I will take a quick nap.” And contact Nefer while I’m at it.
“Good. I’m sure it will help.”
“I certainly hope so.” As the words leave my lips, I can’t avoid the uncomfortable feeling that Nefer is my last and only chance to really save my son. My smiling, innocent, happy Maxon. My throat tightens with worry and grief.
Please, let her be able to help.
Chapter Fourteen
It took Anubis all of a nanosecond to agree to my dreamscape with Nefer. This time, when I conjure my virtual-Arena, the circular wall of slithering vines were already there, along with me, Anubis and Nefer. Kiya sits on Nefer’s shoulder, his long tail swaying over her upper arm. The sympathetic looks on all their faces say they already heard the news.
I inhale a shaky breath. “I guess you know why I called you all here. My son Maxon was taken by Armageddon.”
“Your child never crossed my gateway,” says Anubis. “I’d never have allowed your boy into Hell. Armageddon must have found a powerful magician.”
My throat tightens as I picture the geisha in white robes dripping with blood. “He did. So strong, in fact, that she allowed my child to be pulled out from Antrum itself.”
“Who would have imagined it?” Nefer shakes her head. “Antrum hasn’t been breached in that way since the days of Aethelwulf. I’m so sorry.”
“I know what you seek,” snarls Anubis. “I have friends in other realms. Together, we will track down whoever this witch is. You’ll have your revenge.”
“I don’t want revenge. I want to save my son.”
“Oh, my poor Myla.” Nefer twists her hands anxiously at her waist. “If your child’s with Armageddon, then his mind is already gone.”
“I’m afraid Nefer is right,” says Anubis gently. “You must prepare yourself for the inevitable. He’ll be broken beyond repair.”
My eyes flare red with demon rage. I am not giving up on Maxon!
“My child’s mind is protected right now, and he will stay protected for the next twenty-four hours. He’s linked with a Grand Master monopsyche.”
“A Grand Master?” Nefer purses her lips, impressed. “Then your son does have a chance.”
“Exactly. And I’m not going to waste that opportunity. I’m going to kidnap Maxon out of Hell and you’re both going to help me.” I point to Nefer. “First, you’ll tell me how you broke into Hell.” I gesture toward Anubis. “Second, once I get in, you’ll sort me straight into Armageddon’s throne room.”
Anubis frowns. “I’m not sure I can—”
“Shut it, Anubis. You owe me and you know it.”
“Fine, Great Scala.”
Nefer’s shakes her head. “It’s not so easy to navigate through Hell. I trained for my mission for two-hundred and fifty years. Before that, it took me a hundred years to find Kiya and earn his trust.” Kiya lets out a little squawk of agreement. “I snuck into Hell with fifty warriors. All of them died.”
Despair presses in around my body, heavy as a cloak of stone. This is so impossible, Myla. Why do you keep pushing?
And then, I remember Maxon’s smiling face. I return my attention to Nefer.
“How did your warriors die?”
Nefer’s eyes darken as she recalls the memory. “To reach the throne room, we went up a secret passageway that protected by the Veil of Fire.”
I turn the words over in my mind. The Veil of Fire. That doesn’t sound so tough. I look over Anubis from head to toe. He’s a badass demigod. I can’t imagine a little veil holding him back. “Can you pass through it?”
“Sure,” says Anubis. “But why would I want to? I’ve no desire to treat with Armageddon.”