Mask of Poison (Fall of Under Book 1) by Kathryn Kingsley (great novels to read txt) 📕

his head sadly. “Yej had a population of six million. It seems many managed to escape, but…not enough. He surrounds us on all sides, even now.”

“Where are the others? Maverick, Ini, and the rest?” Ember glanced around the room again, wondering if they had managed to hide in the shadows.

“They are leading the evacuation efforts.” Aon looked down at the paper map and gestured for Ember to come closer.

She stepped to the edge of the table and looked down at the large scroll. It was gorgeous. It was both a map of the world of Under and a work of art at the same time. The world was one huge continent with a few smaller islands off the coast.

“We are here.” Aon pointed at a spot on the map with the tip of his clawed finger. It had a drawing of the estate there, with House of Shadows written underneath it in formal and flawless script.

She could see Yej just to the east of the spot where Aon was pointing, barely an inch from the House of Shadows. It gave her a sense of scale, and Under was huge. The far tip of the continent was easily eighty times the distance between Yej and Aon’s estate. “This place is much larger than Gioll. I saw a few of the maps of the old world before I left the citadel.”

“I fear Under is even larger now. We have added some of your world to ours in the collision.” Aon waved his bare hand. “It is neither here nor there. This map is now obsolete. But I hope the important pieces are close enough to where they ought to be that this plan holds true.”

“Why are you showing me a map?” Ember arched an eyebrow at the dark king.

“Because he’s a suicidal asshole,” Lydia shot angrily from where she was sitting. “And this plan is stupid.”

“It’s hardly what I would have wished for, yes, my dear.” Aon sighed. “It is not ideal. But it is the only option we have.”

“Bullshit. I can fly. So can Lyon. I can take us out of here.” Lydia shook her head.

Aon’s tone softened, and for the first time, Ember could hear his feelings for her in his voice. “You will get your chance to do just that, love.”

“But not until he—” Lydia sighed. “Never mind. Never mind. We’ve been through this. Keep going.” She tucked her knee up to her chest and hugged it. “I’m worried.”

“I know.” Aon turned back to the map.

Ember furrowed her brow and watched the exchange. “Why are you showing me this?” she asked again.

“This is the Temple of Dreams.” Aon pointed his claw down to another marker on the map a long distance south from where they were now. It was along the coast. “This is where Lyon, Lydia, and I will go after the confrontation with Rxa is over—if we survive.”

“I feel as though I am being left in the dark on purpose.” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned in a little closer to the King of Shadows. “What aren’t you telling me?”

He chuckled. “A great deal. But if my scheme goes the way I expect it will, your people will be safe, as will mine.”

“Where are you taking the refugees?” She reached out and put her fingers on the edge of the map. The paper was old, but thick and in good condition.

“Somewhere else. I cannot tell you.” Aon left the table to look out the window.

“Why not?” She studied the map. She saw a myriad of names that made no sense to her. But she knew her current position and the Temple of Dreams were important, and she tried to burn the roadways between them into her memory.

“I do not know how well you withstand torture.”

Ember laughed. That earned her surprised looks from Lydia and Lyon. Even Aon turned to look back at her. “Sorry. I thought it was a joke. I have a morbid sense of humor. You need one as a graedari.”

“I suppose you would, indeed.” Aon paused, seemingly pondering her. It was hard to tell, since he wore a full mask. “We will need to take Rxa to the Temple of Dreams. Beneath it is a cage that was fashioned a long time ago to hold a royal captive. I need a sample of his blood to complete the wards required.”

“I’m missing really important pieces to this whole plan.” She shook her head. “You’re telling me only what I need to know.”

“We do not have time for much else.” Aon turned back to the window. “And you’re correct. I am telling you precisely the things you must know.”

It was a warning. Even though the tenor of his voice didn’t change, she knew it for what it was. She looked back down at the map, hoping she might be able to etch it into her mind. “Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.”

“Why?” Lyon asked. “You do not know us.”

Ember shut her eyes for a moment and pictured Ash standing there next to her, a broad grin on his face. He was such a jovial, goofy man. She had adored him. He had been her big brother. She could imagine him slapping his hand down on the table and declaring loudly that it was their duty.

And then promptly asking for a drink and directions to the local whorehouse for a quick one before he died.

She smiled and, opening her eyes, answered the blood-drinker. “A life lost protecting others was a life worth living.”

He smiled back at her, his eyes creasing in warmth. He bowed his head to her then in respect. “Wise words, Miss Ember.”

“It is time to go,” Aon interrupted.

“One last thing, if I may.” Lyon stepped around the table to approach her. “I thought perhaps you might wish for something more formidable than a simple knife.” He extended his hand, and with a gesture, an object appeared in his hand. “You had something similar with you when you arrived.”

She