the stone surface of the vessel itself felt cold. Very cold.
‘Hello?’ she said. She was aware of how ludicrous it was to hope to hear a voice coming from an urn, but with all the events unfolding around her she didn’t care. ‘Is there anyone there?’
‘What is it you desire?’ asked a voice, which sounded not from within the vessel or from within the cavern but resounded loudly inside her head. ‘Speak and let your request be known.’
It’s more like a genie than a god, Charlie thought to herself. There was something seductive about the voice, something honey-rich, but at the same time alien and insect-like. As the god spoke to her, she felt a wet trickle of something running down her nostrils, over her lips and off her chin. With a start she realized it was blood. Once again Charlie felt slightly sick, but drawing more upon necessity than courage she voiced what she thought needed to be asked.
‘Do you know why my pendant was made?’
‘Yes.’
Charlie felt the stirrings of excitement. ‘I want to know the location of the Winged Ones’ secret Gateway. I want to know where I have to go to release the Winged Ones back to Bellania.’
‘The Serpent’s Tail,’ the god answered without hesitation.
Ha! This was much easier than dealing with Darkmount. No wonder he hadn’t mentioned this little perk to her before.
‘Where is –’
But the god, pre-empting her question, was already answering. ‘The Serpent’s Tail lies within the Winged Mount’s shadow.’
‘Yessss!’ Charlie punched at the air. She knew where to go now! She knew how to free the Winged Ones and now, now she really was on the path to rescuing her parents. At last she had uncovered the final piece of the pendant’s puzzle. However, one last question remained unanswered. She took a deep breath and clenched her fingers knuckle-white round the vessel before continuing. ‘One more thing: does Edge Darkmount intend to betray me?’
‘Yes.’ Even as the voice echoed within the confines of Charlie’s head she felt as though she had already known the answer. It was, after all, her doubts that had caused her to ask the god the question. All she had really wanted was confirmation.
‘Well done, Charlie Keeper. Perhaps you are not quite as infantile as I had first thought,’ growled a voice right by her ear. ‘Now give me my god!’
23
Greed
Charlie tried to pull away from Darkmount’s grasping hands, but he was too quick and she too surprised by his sudden appearance. His large fingers wrapped round the vessel, overlapping her own.
‘Give me my god!’ repeated Darkmount, a fevered look shining in his eyes.
‘So you can betray me just like everyone else? Not a chance!’ snapped Charlie. Her hands burst into flames as she summoned her Will.
Darkmount, matching her move for move, sang several notes of power so that his palms too billowed with flame. With the urn clutched between their glowing hands, the pair stared at each other with hate-filled eyes.
‘I’ll ask you once more and once more only: give me my god before I snuff out your life!’
In response Charlie grinned mirthlessly. ‘Have you forgotten that my Will makes me just as strong as you?’
‘Maybe it does,’ acknowledged Darkmount, ‘but perhaps you have forgotten that I am more experienced than you, YOU LITTLE WHELP!’
With a roar he released the urn with one hand. Scooping up a handful of dirt, he flung it at Charlie’s face. She countered his move, but it had been a bluff. Lunging forward he slammed his foot down. His heelstrike sent explosions of rock rippling out in circles and Charlie, caught off guard, was sent cartwheeling through the air.
‘Ha!’ said Darkmount as he secured his prize. ‘My god! Once again my god is mine!’
Grinning ecstatically he tucked the vessel inside his robe. Composing himself, he turned to face Charlie as she jumped to her feet.
‘So now, my little adversary,’ said Darkmount as he eyed his foe. ‘I believe the time has come to end your life.’
Digging his fists into a nearby stalagmite, he pulled free a chunk of rock that he fashioned into one of his characteristic clubs. Swinging it in large circles, he began to pace after Charlie with a determined look upon his face. The club thrummed and whistled as it whipped through the air.
WHUUUSH!
WHUUUSH!
Dancing out of reach, Charlie’s eyes widened as Darkmount stepped between a stalagmite and one of the screaming statues.
KA-KRAAACK!
KRAAACK!
Both stalagmite and statue burst apart in a shower of dust and splinters, but Darkmount and the brutal club