Queen's Shadow || Kingdom at the End of the World - Book II

[7.2] Belly of the Beast

Lord Fane's messenger could not be trusted.

Ira came to this conclusion some hours before dawn, after a long night of following the woman's lead through land that grew more barren the farther they walked. Orlova had not spoken a word since her jaunty salutation. Ira would appreciate the quiet were it not for the impeding sunrise and Orlova's apparent disinterest in her charges' safety.

"Is she not a vampire?" Ira asked Valeri.

The man shook his head, then nodded. He appeared disorientated. Soon, he would not be able to walk at all.

"We will rest here," Ira decided.

Valeri agreed. He was swaying on his feet. Zenith nudged his side, offering the vampire something to lean against. Ira studied their surroundings through narrowed eyes. There was no easy shelter in sight. Flat, frost-bitten earth stretched as far as she could see, the horizon lost behind a veil of pale fog.

"What are you doing?"

Ira swung out. The tip of her blade grazed Orlova's lapel as the woman danced out of reach, laughing. Ira had not heard her approach.

"Good reflexes, your lordship," the woman teased.

Ira sheathed the dagger without replying. She held the woman's eyes, her own gaze cold.

Orlova clasped her hands to her chest, feigning hurt. "My, why glare at me so, Miss Hale? All I did was ask a simple question!"

"Then let me ask one in return," Ira said. "How far away are we from Chervnik?"

Orlova smiled. "The Red City is always moving, Miss Hale. Any guess of mine will simply be that – a guess."

"Then we must impose on your time," Ira said flatly. She tested the earth's give with the heel of her boot and then knelt, unconcerned by Orlova's amused stare.

Valeri offered to help; Ira had him stay where he was instead, trusting Zenith to fend off any unwanted attention from their guide. She did not share Valeri's weakness against the sun due to her mixed parentage. She had however seen sunlight consume a vampire's skin like fire did old parchment. It was not a death she would wish to many.

Orlova watched Ira dig for some time before speaking. "May I suggest that you dig over there, instead?"

Ira looked up from her work. Orlova pointed to a spot some distance away. She had lost her demented smile, as well as the mad glint in her eyes.

Ira studied the patch of dry earth. She was curious about the woman's purpose; had she been alone, she might have taken Orlova on her challenge. As it were, she could not abandon Valeri to the woman's uncertain mercy and would therefore need to proceed with caution.

"After you," Ira said.

Orlova took the lead readily. Ira wondered if the woman had been testing them all along, then dropped that particular thread of thought entirely when the ground under Orlova gave in, swallowing the woman whole.

Ira turned to Valeri. She had enough time to grab the man's arm before the earth under their feet shifted, growing thin and insubstantial, like mist.

They fell for a long time. Ira kept her eyes open against the sting of loose dirt and wind, and found walls on either side of them, curving every few feet to guide their descent. Not a natural formation by any means. The surface disappeared rapidly from sight. The air grew warmer, rich with the scent of iron.

When the world tilted again, Ira was prepared. She guided Valeri into a controlled roll that cushioned their impact with even ground. They were in a large, circular space that curved upwards, like long-necked bottle. Orlova was already on her feet. Ira remembered Zenith, and turned her eyes to the ceiling, wondering if the horse would still be waiting for them once they left Chervnik's halls.