Hormiz was up early and on a stroll. The cainkin were all at their duties. Ironberries needed harvesting and processing. Branches needed to be crushed into paper. Construction on a new tunnel was at way. Worms needed to be hunted and prepared. Lilith’s City was always active.

  Hormiz arrived at Cain’s cell. He instructed the cainkin guards to open the doors and step aside. Cain was blind. His eyes had been gouged out. A beige cloth was wrapped around his head, covering his empty sockets. He looked young and gaunt. Cain wasn’t cursed with death, like Adam was. Cain was cursed with bloodthirst. Chains and shackles kept Cain at bay, but Hormiz wasn’t afraid of him. Cain was the only other person on Nod, apart from Lilith. Few of the cainkin could string a sentence together. They all shared Cain’s curse, and their thirst consumed their minds. Only a few of the oldest cainkin have ever enjoyed original thoughts.

  Cain was a miserable wretch. He was given a bucket of blood each day, but his thirst never slacked. The chains never came off. He was kept alive so Lilith could copulate. His entire existence was spent waiting for her to use him. He was also Hormiz’s only friend.

  “Hey, old man,” he said to him.

  Cain jumped with surprise. “Oh! I thought you’d be… But it’s good to hear your voice, my friend.” Cain turned his chair towards Hormiz. “How was your voyage? I confess, I didn’t think you’d be back.”

  “You thought I’d fail?” Hormiz asked dangerously.

  Cain shook his head. “I thought you might stay gone. You used to beg me for stories of Eden. I told you it was beautiful. Was it still beautiful? Did you see it? Describe it to me?”

  Hormiz sighed. “I spent most of my time in the damn ship. There were no windows. I couldn’t see anything.”

  Cain made a disappointed, “Hm.”

  “But I did see a cave. It was where we found Samaal. He had freed the Ivory Blade’s Ikon and was raising him like his son this whole time,” Hormiz said bitterly. “But the cave itself was beautiful. It had these bugs that sparkled in the air, and moss that made the walls glow green-blue. A beam of sunlight shined on a tree with pink flowers next to a stream. The air was humid but fresh-tasting. Birds and bats filled the air with sound.”

  Cain was smiling widely. “Ah, what I would give to be back on Eden again. Ha! What have I left to give?” He laughed wildly.

  Hormiz chuckled. “But I’m loyal to Lilith. Without her, I’m nothing. Had I stayed on Eden, I would have starved to death.”

  “Yes, she’s our queen and her mercy is absolute,” Cain repeated, as he’d done countless times before. He waited silently.

  So Hormiz added, “I spoke to Samaal, and Rowan, and Zeke, the son they raised instead of me. They claim they want to take me away from here.”

  Cain breathed in deep. He said, “I know nothing outside what’s said in this room. But I know if you find a way out, you take it. Wherever you go, it can’t be worse than this.”

  Hormiz was shocked. The brazen, disloyal ingrate! Didn’t he of all people know there was no way out? Hormiz stormed out of Cain’s cell and crossed the palace grounds for his meeting with Lilith.

  He was early and thought he would have to wait, but the cainkin opened the doors promptly as he arrived. Hormiz climbed the stairs to the Grand Dais and found, to his bewilderment, Lilith on her throne looking impatient, and Zeke standing in the center of the Dais. He looked beautiful and soft. There was a feminine prettiness to him. His hair was long and wavy. His eyes were dark brown. He smiled at Hormiz.

  “So nice of you to finally join us,” complained Lilith. “Ezekiel, this is Hormiz. Hormiz, this is your new lord and commander. You will follow his orders as though they were mine.”

  Hormiz locked his jaw, stiffened his shoulders, and said dutifully, “Yes, Queen Mother.”

  “Good. Our wonderful new friend just arrived this morning. Cainkin found him wandering the halls of the palace. He was just sharing with us the conditions of his service. You may continue, Ezekiel.”

  “Oh. Uh, hi. Well, I want to see Samaal, and I want you to free the ikon trapped in that gauntlet.”

  Lilith smiled sweetly. “I have given a great deal of consideration to your requests. I agree to your terms. However, I don’t know the magic or spells required to free this Ikon. Until the spells can be learned, and until an appropriate vessel is found for the soul to inhabit, the Bone Gauntlet will remain in my custody.”

  Zeke bit his lip. “Samaal may know of a spell since he cast it on me. If I can visit him now-”

  Lilith shouted an interruption. “You may visit Samaal at a time of my choosing. Until then, you should acquaint yourself with my city. In two bell chimes, we will all supper together, like a family. Hormiz will be your guide and escort you to your chambers in the Upper Suite. Welcome home, Ikon Ezekiel.”

  The Upper Suite was Hormiz’s dwelling. Lilith was giving this upstart little shit Hormiz’s bedroom. Zeke looked stupidly happy to see Hormiz like they weren’t mortal enemies. Hormiz clenched his jaw and led Zeke across the palace grounds and up the stairs to the luxurious home that moments ago belonged to him. It had been cleaned and made by cainkin workers. The house meant nothing to Hormiz. He was not sentimental. He would commandeer another dwelling in the palace without issue, but it was the insult that Hormiz resented.

  Zeke was fully oblivious. “I’m glad we’re getting this moment alone,” he said.

  Hormiz corrected, “We’re not alone. We’re being attended by cainkin, two in the kitchen, and two outside the door. They have a routine and will bring you meals at designated bell chimes. Let me make one thing clear. I don’t take orders from you. You may be everyone else’s favorite, but as soon as Lilith is done with you, I will kill you myself.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Zeke pressed his lips into a frown. “I’m going to trust you,” he said quietly.

  “Why would you do that? I was very clear that’s a bad idea.”

  “I’m here to rescue Samaal and bring you both home.”

  Hormiz recoiled. “You can’t be serious. That’s impossible.”

  “Not if you help me. I don’t know this place. I’ll never find Samaal on my own. Take me to him, and we can all go home.”

  Hormiz narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know where he is, and even if I did, I would never help you. I am loyal to my queen.”

  “The woman who kidnapped you? What about loyalty to our mother and father?”

  Hormiz screamed, “Do not act familiar! We are not brothers! We aren’t even the same species! We have nothing in common!”

  Zeke raised his chin. “Only a mother who loves us and wants to bring you home.”

  “If she gave a damn about me, where is she now?!”

  Zeke bit his lip.

  “This is my home! Now it is your home. I suggest you give up these fantasies and do what you are told! Or else Lilith will have no use for you, and I will kill you early!”

  Hormiz stormed out of the room.

  -8-

  Leaving Zeke alone in a stunning house. A grand harp, a replica of the one Hormiz had played in the dream they met, rested in a corner. The furniture was all the same pressed-wood substance. The walls were all low and artfully sculpted from the stone. The ceilings were all overhangs since everyone on Nod could fly but Zeke. Only the bedroom was fully enclosed to block out light. The bed itself was firm but cozy.

  But Zeke wasn’t tired, so he explored the house and found the kitchen.

  Two cainkin were playing a game with polished stones. Papa’s shadow constructs were an accurate facsimile but couldn’t capture their true colors and essence. They were ashen grey with yellow eyes, and in their eyes wasn’t only hunger, but fear. They were petrified. Drool fell from trembling fangs.

  “So what do people eat around here?” Zeke asked.

  The cainkin gave no response.

  That went nowhere, so Zeke went for a walk. The guards at the door didn’t stop him. They didn’t move a muscle. Zeke didn’t wander far. He just wanted to look around.

  The city was enormous and made Zeke’s childhood cave seem childish indeed. He was near the city center. The outer walls were so far, the crawling cainkin looked like ants. Thousands of cainkin were along the outer wall, or else they were gathered in two processing centers. That’s what Zeke assumed, anyway. Cainkin carried in full bags and flew out with empty bags. Countless other cainkin seemed to be flying by on ineffable missions to places Zeke could only imagine.

  Zeke was overwhelmed and ran back inside. He didn’t know what else to do, so Zeke sat at the harp, closed his eyes, put his ear to the wood, and ran his fingers along the strings until his heart stopped racing.

  “You’re doing it wrong,” Hormiz said.

  Zeke jumped. How long had Hormiz just been standing there, looking grumpy? “Well, I’ve never done it before. Would you teach me?”

  Hormiz shuffled uneasily, but said, “I can try.” He almost looked excited as he opened a drawer and retrieved sheets of paper. He moved a stand in front of Zeke and displayed the sheets on it.

  “Straighten your back. Lean the harp onto your shoulder,” Hormiz told him.

  Zeke did as he was told.

  “Hold your hands like this, here,” Hormiz took Zeke’s hands and his heart jumped. They were close enough Zeke could smell Hormiz’s clean, musky fur.

  “Now, see this dash here? When the dashes go up, you move your hands toward you. When the dashes go down, you move your hands farther away.”

  Zeke tried to follow instructions, but it soon became obvious that he couldn’t read music. So Hormiz explained music theory in passionate detail. He seemed so happy talking about it, Zeke just listened, and tried to absorb as much as he could.

  A loud bell rang out, and the two cainkin servants brought in plates of food. Zeke was scared to eat anything here, but he was hungry. Hinata’s scrambled breakfast felt like a long time ago.

  The food was mercifully simple. Something savory wrapped in a doughy crust and a side of sweet and spicy sauce. Zeke didn’t dare ask what the meat was. Instead, he asked, “Why are you teaching me music if you want to kill me? Why do you hate me?”

  Hormiz shifted uncomfortably. “Our Queen Mother ordered me to be your friend. I don’t know why I hate you. I just do.”

  “Bullshit! You’re jealous. Admit it! You wish Rowan and Samaal had raised you instead of me.”

  “Fine, I admit it! I wanted what you had!”

  “Then let me give it to you!”

  “You can’t! You have nowhere to go, nowhere you can hide where she won’t find you! And if not her, then Adam. It’s him or her, and you’re here, so choose! Live in service to Lilith, or die in service to her!”

  That scared Zeke, but he said, “You’re wrong. What Lilith is doing is wrong. And I am going to take you home.”

  “Then do it! Stop talking and do it!” Hormiz dared him.

  Zeke bit his lip. He wasn’t sure he could. But he put his hand on Hormiz’s shoulder and closed his eyes. He focused on Nohu Mangrove. Nothing happened. He tried to focus more. Still nothing. Hormiz’s shoulder was distracting. His muscles were like steel, yet his skin was so soft.

  “Okay, I haven’t completely mastered moving through space. I usually have to meditate for a while,” Zeke cringed at how pathetic he sounded. He almost cried seeing the look of disgust on Hormiz’s face.

  Then, oddly, pity. “Like I said. This is your home now. It’s not so bad, really. Adam can’t reach you here. And if you prove yourself to Lilith, she’ll reward you.” Hormiz put his hand on Zeke’s shoulder. “And maybe I won’t kill you.”

  Zeke thought Hormiz was terribly confusing. Music theory made more sense. They spent more time practicing the harp. After a while, Zeke asked about the game he saw the cainkin playing earlier. Hormiz said it was called War Tactics, and involved sacrificing cainkin, cities, and angels to defeat the opponent’s Adam. Lilith was the strongest piece on the board. Hormiz taught Zeke a few rounds and crushed him everytime.

  Finally, the bell chimed again, and Hormiz led Zeke to another dais, this one with an enormous table. Strange and various foods were laid out, a few even looked appetizing. Lilith was sitting at the center of the table with a stiff smile locked on her face. She was so naturally unsettling, Zeke couldn’t tell if she was pleased or furious. Around her, the air shimmered magnificently.

  “Both of you, sit,” Lilith’s order sounded friendly.

  They took chairs next to each other and opposite Lilith.

  “So, tell me about your day,” she inquired.

  “I taught Zeke to play the harp and War Tactics,” Hormiz responded.

  “I was asking Ezekiel,” Lilith said. She turned sweetly to Zeke and said, “Forgive him his obsession with music. But at least he’s introducing you to our culture. Tell me, did you enjoy War Tactics?”

  “Um. Yeah, it’s a fun game.”

  “A game? Hm. And have you won a round yet?”

  “Not yet. Hormiz trounced me every round.”

  “This is good. I shall make you a wager. Every third bell, we will have supper and play a round of War Tactics. And if you can defeat me, I will take you to Samaal.”

  Zeke knew he had no choice but to say, “I accept.”

  “This is good. Now, Ezekiel, I’d like to know exactly what you can do for me. Can you move my army to Eden?”

  “I don’t know,” Zeke had a sinking feeling.

  “Can you activate the mirror gate and send my army through that?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe?”

  “Maybe?”

  “Maybe. I’ve never opened a mirror gate before. In theory, I think it’s possible.”

  “You say you moved yourself here through space. Why can’t you move my army the same way?”

  “I don’t know. Getting here seems to be easier than leaving.”

  Lilith smirked. “That has always been the case. Perhaps things can be summoned here. It’s time for a demonstration of your usefulness to me. Summon something.”

  Zeke knew if he failed this test, his welfare was forfeit. So he closed his eyes and concentrated. Soon his fingers wrapped around the handle of his longknife.

  Lilith reached over to take the longknife. Zeke didn’t want to give it to her but knew better than to resist. She appraised it and found it satisfactory, saying, “This is a fine gift for your queen.”

  Zeke could only nod. After supper, cainkin cleared the table and brought the pieces to play War Tactics. Lilith dominated him.