Chapter 11

With a regal bearing, Xarthra led them toward the cobbled piazza, where violet light gave the dark stone an eerie hue. As they walked, two oneiroi servants bustled up to Ursula and Kester, thrusting cups of water and mushroom sandwiches into their arms. Ursula did her best to tuck the water into the crook of her elbow while chomping into the sandwich, but it wasn’t her most elegant moment. Crumbs littered the top of her cleavage in her strapless gown.

At the edge of the piazza, lined with stone buildings on all sides, Ursula took a seat by Kester’s side on a bench. Kester looked exhausted as he bit into his sandwich.

“Are you feeling okay?” Ursula asked.

Kester nodded. “I’m fine. It’s just that Abrax enjoyed starving me. Between the missing calories and all the running from giant spiders, I’m a tad fatigued.”

Ursula smiled faintly. “I’m just glad I found you.”

Kester flashed her a sheepish smile, his cheek dimpling.

Movement at the far end of the piazza turned her head, and Ursula watched as a pair of guards led a hooded figure over the cobbles. Ursula’s stomach clenched. Those creepy, fluid movements were definitely the movements of a golem.

The guards led the hooded golem into the center of the piazza, where a stone block stood with an iron loop attached to it. The guards tied the golem to the block, then slowly backed away.

“I need volunteers.” From just in front of Ursula, Xarthra’s voice boomed over the square.

On cue, three oneiroi guards in blood-red robes stepped forward. Chained to the cube, the golem strained against its bonds. Ursula’s stomach clenched. She knew how lethal the bloody thing was. She and Bael had barely defeated one, and she couldn’t see how three little oneiroi could fight the beast. Hard to defeat something that can’t feel pain.

Between mouthfuls, Ursula leaned in to Kester, whispering, “I’m not sure this is the best idea.”

Xarthra apparently overheard it, because she shot Ursula a sharp look. “My soldiers are highly trained.”

Before Ursula could reply, one of the oneiroi reached into his robe and withdrew a small dagger. Ursula’s eyes widened. The blade was identical to the ones the golem had used to carve Sallos into a quivering mass of flesh. The oneiroi tossed the blade at the golem’s feet.

Like a serpent striking, the golem pounced on the weapon. Simultaneously, the three oneiroi dropped their cloaks. Ursula had been expecting a trio of men, but these oneiroi were all female. They wore tight-fitting black outfits, each with a small sword at her hip. With a rasp of steel, they drew their swords in unison.

With the sound of shearing metal, the golem ripped free from its bonds. It held its dagger lightly in one hand, then froze completely. Slowly, the oneiroi women approached it, and Ursula’s pulse raced. If Xarthra was wrong—if her oneiroi weren’t a match for the golem—the creature would attack them next. And Ursula and Kester were still stuck in the bloody cuffs.

The hair on Ursula’s arms rose, as a low keening growl emerged from the back of the oneiroi’s throats. Like a pack of wild dogs, they encircled the golem. Ursula’s knuckles clenched around the remains of her sandwich. She was no longer focusing on her food. The golem’s movements looked predatory, almost bestial.

Then, with a shout so sudden that she nearly jumped, the oneiroi attacked.

The golem swung for the nearest oneiroi, but the woman was faster, dodging under the golem’s blade. With a vicious scream, the oneiroi sliced her sword upward, severing the golem’s arm at the elbow. Simultaneously, the remaining pair of oneiroi tore into the golem’s opposite side. In a blur of black cloth and silver hair, they slashed the golem’s free hand from its wrist. Without any arms, the golem had no way to defend itself. An instant later, the three oneiroi had pinned the golem to the ground and pulled back its hood. Ursula shook her head in disbelief. The entire attack had taken less than ten seconds.

Xarthra’s clapping echoed off the cobblestones. “Well done.”

Bael nodded solemnly, but didn’t speak.

A few more oneiroi guards came out, then bound what remained of the golem with rope. Moving swiftly across the cobblestones, the three oneiroi fighters approached Xarthra, heels clacking off the stones. They moved stiffly—almost as if they were fighting against their bodies. They didn’t speak, instead making growling noises in the back of their throats.

The hair rose on Ursula’s arms again as she realized where she’d seen oneiroi like this before. Cera’s blood-crazed brother had acted like this when he’d attacked Bael.

Bael rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. “They won’t hurt you, I promise,” he said. “But you’re going to need to hold out your hands.”

“They’re corrupted,” Ursula hissed.

“Xarthra has trained them to control their hunger. The corruption is what allows them to defeat the golems. It gives them extraordinary strength.”

“Bael speaks the truth,” said Xarthra. “The oneiroi are in control of their bloodlust. In fact, they have made a great sacrifice. For as long as they live, the craving will curse them.” She nodded at the three oneiroi. “They took the curse willingly—to fight for the freedom of their people. Do as Bael asks and hold out your hands.”

Ursula flicked a quick gaze at Bael. She did trust him. Slowly, she extended her manacled wrists. The oneiroi walked toward her, their bodies twitching, growling louder. Hunger flashed in their silver eyes. When they’d moved within reach, all three of them grabbed her manacles. Gritting their teeth, they began to squeeze all at once.

The manacles glowed brighter and brighter, but they were no match for the vise-like grip of the oneiroi. With a blinding flash, the manacles disintegrated. Already, they were moving on to Kester’s golden cuffs.

Ursula rubbed her wrists, loosing a long breath. “Thank you so much.”

As the oneiroi freed Kester, Xarthra reached into her tunic and pulled out a roughly carved obsidian bowl, about the size of a large mug. She crossed to the oneiroi, then knelt and placed the bowl at their feet.

Ursula stared as Xarthra drew a short obsidian dagger from her belt. She tightened her fingers around the blade, then ran it sharply through her palm without hesitation.

Blood flowed into the bowl, and the oneiroi stared on hungrily. When the bowl was filled, Xarthra passed it to the first oneiroi. The oneiroi took the bowl to her lips and drank.

Each oneiroi took a sip of their queen’s blood. As they swallowed, they visibly relaxed, the tension in their limbs softening, eyes lightening to a pale silver.

When they’d finished, they handed the bowl to Bael, and he brought it to his lips.

“What are you doing?” Ursula blurted.

Bael lowered the bowl. “This is how I was able to manage my own bloodlust.”