Shadows the color of twilight danced around the tent as Serra channeled magic through the focal point in her hands. She struggled to contain the spell’s pressure, to keep any stray strands of magic from slipping out and alerting anyone outside to what she was doing. The restrained power swirled violently around her, and the dye she’d used to hide her bleach white skin flaked away into the air. Her vibrant blue eyes glowed so brightly they illuminated a portion of the dark tent on their own.

At the center of the ritual sat a long, flat stone. Perfectly smooth except for the etched runes that danced across its surface, it had the shine of a polished gemstone. Serra aimed the focal point at the stone, which devoured the magic out of the air, like some great gluttonous beast might swallow swarms of lesser creatures whole. The shadows around the edges moved toward the center, struggling as if being dragged against their will. Then Serra finished the incantation and the spell and a few moments later, the spell was complete. Before her stood a smooth plane of swirling darkness, with the flat stone at its base. A door of twilight shadows.

She stepped into the construct, closing her eyes and trying to ignore the unpleasant sensation that came from moving through portals. It was as if the world was split down the middle and she had to step over a gap that opened to the dark spaces between the planes mortals called home. She could feel that hungry place trying to pull her off course, but she ignored it and let her step carry her forward. The cold hit her skin first, and then the damp, musty smell of a cave touched her nostrils. She opened her eyes to find her leader waiting for her. Arms clasped behind his back, and his hood pulled down to reveal his face. All along the walls, standing at attention, were her pale qek, her creations, her children.

“Serra,” her master greeted, stepping forward and giving her a thin smile. Serra bowed at the waist, lowering her head, arms at her sides. “It is good to see you.” he said smoothly, dipping his head in response to her bow.

“Thank you.” She replied as she straightened, sincerely pleased by his warm welcome.

“You’ve done good work in the town.”

“Thank you, repairs are well underway and I’ve already pressured the acting mayor to permit us to speak with the villagers.”

“That Dragon Blood Mage,” He said, staring at Serra, glowing blue eyes full of hunger.

“Yes,” she said with a nod.

“What about her? Have you discussed joining our cause?”

“I’ve made overtures, and she has been open to hearing them. If not for the other Mages distrust, then I think she might’ve joined us already.”

“Did I not order you to take care of the other one?”

“Yes, but it has to be handled very carefully. If we fail, or are caught, then we will poison Sigrid against us.”

“Always so cautious,” another voice chimed into the conversation as Lionel entered the room. Most members looked somewhat dignified in their dark robes, but the old man had a paunch that stretched his at the front, and an awkward stride that could only be called bumbling. Serra was certain some degree of his appearance was an act, because his mind was dangerously sharp. “Do you doubt yourself so much, Serra?” He asked as he came to stand next to their master, a half step back so as not to be even with him.

“Doubt myself? No, but I respect Sigrid’s value and the stakes of what we’re trying to accomplish. I advance our plans with appropriate haste and due care.”

“I want this other Mage out of the way in short order.” Their leader responded, frowning. “I have no interest in the games you’re playing with the village. They have become secondary.” Serra had to stifle a gasp. She clamped her jaw firmly shut, and schooled her expression to neutrality, but inside her mind raced. How could he say such a thing? Dangole had hundreds of citizens, most of whom trusted her and her people as saviors. A ripe orchard simply waiting for the pickers to claim its bounty. The sheer number of subjects would advance their goals by leaps and bounds. Her own project would make the next conquest that much easier. Dangole was the point upon which their entire branch of the organization turned. If she could secure the resources here, they would no longer be some piddly little backwater arm of the cult. They’d be a force to reckon with, and their master was willing to smash all her careful planning and maneuvering to pieces in order to get ahold of one Mage? What power could be so valuable?

“Of course. I will make it a priority,” was all she said. Not daring to give the appearance of complaining or defiance. She was, first and foremost, a loyal servant. “I have a plan in motion as we speak. I will return and move things along.” She paused here, took a breath, and carried on. “If we are caught in the process of getting rid of Erin, then Sigrid will retaliate against us. If that happens, you may be forced to intercede directly to capture her.”

“She’s a New Born.” Lionel scoffed. “You freely admit to being unable to handle her?”

“She has a full power set, the Bronze State and combat experience from her previous life. It might be impossible to subdue her without killing her. Master is likely the only one who could do it.”

“So be it.” Their leader said. “If things go wrong, send word and I will move in and take her myself. Now go.” He dismissed her, the gesture a definitive end to the conversation, and an order to leave. Serra bowed one last time and turned back toward the portal she’d opened. Six such portals existed within the room. Side by side, some separated by gaps where a portal had yet to be opened.

She took a deep breath and held it before stepping back into the darkness.

“Demons?” Sigrid asked. She’d risen to her feet when Erin burst into the office and started babbling. Now she leaned over the desk, resting on her fingertips on the wood as she gave Erin a quizzical expression. “Like hellfire and possession demons?” Erin shook her head, puffing as she tried to catch her breath.

“I don’t think so. Just really weird looking and crazy powerful. They put out that magical pressure like we do, but it’s much more intense.”

“And they’re headed for the village.” Sigrid said, her head dropping forward as she leaned her weight down on the desktop. She looked exhausted, and Erin was taken aback. For the first realizing she might’ve underestimated the strain her friend was under. She never stopped pushing forward. Even when the battle against the qek had been at its lowest point, their defenses smashed and their forces exhausted. Sigrid had led them as if there was every reason to expect they could still win. That was how she’d ended up in charge of the whole town, but she was human.

Sigrid looked up at her, her slit pupil’d eyes had turned a dark crimson.

[Mostly human anyway.]

“We need to get Serra in here, Liam and Kiran too. Arthur, if he’s willing. If we’re going to fight these things.-” Sigrid started, but Erin cut her off.

“Kiran said to run. To evacuate. He said none of us are a match for these things, probably not even all of us.”

“Erin,” Sigrid said, shaking her head. “We have a couple hours at most based on what you told me, and I have hundreds of people here. There’s nowhere for them to go, and even if there was. There’s no way to get them all out of here. We don’t have enough time.”

A soft tapping came at the door, and Sigrid called to enter immediately. Erin wasn’t pleased to see that it was Serra, and not her friends, whom she was expecting at any moment.

“Mayor Sigrid,” Serra said with a bow, “Erin.” She added, giving her a polite nod.

“Good, I was just going to send for you,” Sigrid told her. Serra shot a quick glance at Erin and said.

“Then the timing is fortunate. How can I be of service?”

“Have you ever heard of a Winter Demon?” Sigrid asked. Serra’s eyes went wide, her mouth falling open slightly. “By that reaction, I assume you have. We have two of them bearing down on the village. Following the trail that the retreating qek left. They’ll be here in a few hours unless we get lucky and they wander off in a different direction,” Sigrid said, her tone making it clear how unlikely she found that last part to be. Erin couldn’t disagree.

“I see.” Serra said slowly, and Erin was certain that if it wasn’t for the orange dye that the mages used on their skin, the woman would’ve gone pale at the mention of the creature. “What’s your plan?”

“We don’t have enough time to get everyone out of here. I want to get everyone who can reasonably be called a fighter and confront the creatures outside the village. For just a moment Serra’s expression betrayed her, and Erin knew she didn’t like Sigrid’s plan. It wasn’t surprising. Kiran and Arthur both had insisted the creature would be beyond the forces Dangole could muster, and Sigrid was going to muster them, anyway.

“Of course, I will notify my people. We will join your forces when you are ready.” Without another word, Serra left and Erin was dumbfounded. Could she have been mistaken? She was certain of what she’d seen. The look in Serra’s eyes when Sigrid had said what she wanted to do. This was going to be a suicide mission.

“Well, that was easier than expected, at least,” Sigrid said. She began to sit back in her chair, and then looked down at her desk, frozen midway. Then she stood and marched around the edge and toward the door. “And you know what? It’s about time for Dangole to manage itself. Let’s get things in order for these monsters. If we’re still alive afterward, Dangole will have to choose a new mayor. I didn’t die a soldier so I could become a politician.” and together they marched out of the room.

Halfway to the gate, everyone caught up with them. When Sigrid told them what her plan was, Kiran and Arthur both protested vehemently, urging her to focus on getting out of their way.

“I intended to. Kiran, you take your Monster Hunters and begin to organize an evacuation. Get everyone on the road south and keep them moving until they reach the Academy City outpost. Have them pass on the word about the demons if they make it there, otherwise we’ll send someone to bring them back once it’s safe.” Then Sigrid turned to the other First Tier. “Arthur, you’re not a citizen of Dangole, and you are a prince. So I can’t give you orders, but I would ask for your help.”

Arthur looked into Sigrid’s face, his vision never wavering as he considered it.

“My father would say that my duty to my family demands I retreat from this conflict.” He said slowly. “But my honor weighs more heavily on my conscience. I am the second son. I will help you slay this demon. I request that should we survive, at least one of you will travel back to Strath with me, and listen to what my father has to say.”

“Done,” Liam said with a casual shrug. “The more I hear about these Academy fellows, the less I want to meet them, and being the guest of some royals sounds pretty cushy.”

“Good,” Sigrid said, “and thank you.” she added, with a nod to Arthur. She didn’t ask Liam and Erin what they were going to do. That was obvious. If Sigrid was going to meet this threat head on, then there was no way that either of them would do less.

“I’ll fight as well.” Kiran said, turning to Cheddar. “Start evacuating people.”

“But-”

“Now.” Kiran said, his voice iron. “You’re acting commander of the Hunters until I get back Cheddar. Now is your chance to prove yourself.” The two men exchanged a look, and Erin could see clearly what passed between them. First Tiers didn’t come back from fighting demons. Kiran was giving his command to the large man.

“Yes sir,” Cheddar said, giving his best salute and then he ran toward the guardhouse. Within a few minutes, the alarm had gone out, Monster Hunters running through the streets telling people to grab essentials and to gather near the gate.

“I’ll go speak with the rest of my men.” Arthur said. “I will not force them to fight a demon, but I’ll give them the option.” There was no doubt what they’d choose. From what Erin had seen, they were all intensely loyal to the prince.

“He’s not so bad.” Kiran admitted as Arthur jogged away. “I still don’t like him, but you have to respect a man who’s willing to fight a Winter Demon.” Kiran’s voice was tight with fear, and the attempt at banter sounded flat and unconvincing. In the entire time they’d been fighting what seemed an endless horde of qek, Kiran had never seemed this afraid.

She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. He glanced at her, and some of the color returning to his face.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “We’ll figure something out.”

“Let’s go,” Sigrid said, pointing toward the gate. “Serra’s people should be coming to meet us any time. Let’s not be the last to arrive.”