a full set of human genes, they eventually slough off their plant stems and grow into a completely human form.”
“So once the dragons are gone and your army is in place, how will you release us?”
Morgan paused and leaned closer, lowering her voice. “With Chereb.”
Samyaza grunted a contemptuous laugh. “What good will my sword do in the hands of a sorceress?”
Morgan patted down the streams of light as if trying to quell his skepticism. “I told you I learned the secret to its power.”
“So will its power destroy this prison?”
“I believe so, yet escape from the abyss might not be enough. We sit here now in the lower realms, thousands of feet of earth separating us from the skies above, but even up there we would be in one of the circles of Hades. There is no way I know for you to return to the dimension of the living. I am able to go there for a short time, because of my unusual status as a wraith, but I think that dimension would be closed to you.”
“Then your plan is not complete,” Samyaza growled. “We are at a dead end.”
“No. I have been listening to Elohim’s prophets in the world of the living. They say a king is coming who will open up the way of escape from this dimension. I will watch for this king and learn how he opens the gateway.”
“What if this king is the only one with the power to make such an opening?”
“Whatever is done once can be done again. If I have to, I will find another king who will pave the way. In the meantime, I must neutralize the force that Elohim has sent to destroy my plan.”
“What force is that?”
“The oracles of fire two girls we spawned here. They have extraordinary intelligence and insight. I killed one of them, so I think we are safe, but I want to make sure.”
“So kill the other one and be done with her.”
Morgan shook her head. “It’s not so easy. Whoever sheds their blood ends up dying. Even one of my stupid giants, a fool named Nabal, died before I could kill him myself. He whipped one of the oracles, and I found him dead in his hovel that very night. Something similar happened to a foolish king I know. A very powerful force protects that girl.”
“Then how did you manage to kill the other one?”
“By the only method that always works against oracles sent by God. Betrayal.”
“I see. A most vicious and effective weapon. But take care. Such a weapon can be turned against you.”
Morgan sighed and nodded. “Well spoken, my love. But I have chosen my weapon, and he has already forged his way into the heart of the second oracle. He will soon be ready to plunge my final dagger into Mara’s heart.”
“Her name is Mara?” Samyaza chuckled. “This will be a bitter pill indeed.”
“Yes, and don’t be surprised if she comes here. She is the one who found you for me, and knowing her curiosity, she’ll be back.”
“I will be sure to listen for her. What is the name of the betrayer?”
“Elam. He is a special prize, stolen from the family of my greatest enemy. The pain his departure caused his father and grandfather was sweet to witness.”
Samyaza laughed again. “Ah, Lilith! Your conniving genius fills me with confidence. We will wait patiently for your plan to unfold.”
“Yes, Samyaza.” Morgan rose to her feet and withdrew Chereb from the leather scabbard. “Everything has been set in motion,” she said, gazing at the shining blade. “Nothing can stop us now.”
The second week of language training had finally ended. As she trudged back toward her hovel, Sapphira laid her hand on her aching head, Mardon’s shouts still ringing in her ears. He caught on pretty quickly, but his patience was as thin as her coif veil. Whenever a new word flustered him, he screamed louder than Nabal ever did. At least Nimrod wasn’t around anymore. He would surely have made the training sessions much worse.
Exhausted, Sapphira slipped quietly back into her hovel, a dim lantern in hand. Paili snored gently, her angelic face peaceful under the glow of the flaming wick. After setting the lantern on the floor, she whispered toward the hole. “Elam? Are you there?”
There was no answer.
She pressed her uninjured cheek against the floor and whispered again. “Elam?”
Again, no answer.
The lantern’s light revealed something new, an object resting in the hole to Elam’s chamber. She reached in and caressed