Ghouls and counteracts any tracking spells the Darklings might use.”
“Out of curiosity, why do the Darklings call them Knight Ghouls?” I asked. “We’ve used the term quite a lot since you and Nethissis escaped their clutches, but where is this term coming from?”
Seeley shrugged. “I’m not sure why they refer to them as Knight Ghouls, but I assume it’s got something to do with the fact that they’re trained and loyal to them, albeit by force. Frankly, I think it’s just a way to make their whole operation sound nobler than it actually is.”
“There’s nothing noble about forcing Reapers to eat souls so they can do your bidding,” I grumbled, unable to hide my disgust.
“Do you think we’re safe from my father now, Seeley?” Valaine replied.
The Reaper exhaled sharply, making Nethissis smile. It wasn’t a warm expression—it was loaded with bitterness. “I doubt we’ll ever be safe,” Nethissis said in his place. “As long as the Darklings are out there, operating in public and fully condoned by the empire’s upper echelon, we won’t get to rest much. They’re determined to catch us.”
“To catch me in particular,” Valaine said, her tone serious.
“And all those who’ve helped you,” I reminded her. The Darklings’ cruelty extended far beyond their primary targets. “We’re all in danger, but we’ve made it this far. I trust we’ll reach the west coast and buy ourselves some time while we work on your memories.”
“We’re almost a hundred miles from Orvis already, which is incredible, but the Seniors and the swamp witches are really coming through for us,” Seeley said. It was meant as an encouragement, until he got to the remaining distance. “We’ve got about three hundred left before we hit the coast.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Phantom grumbled, walking behind us with Morning by her side. “I’m not a fan of tight spaces.”
“Ah, right. You spent a long time locked inside Thieron’s Phyla, the stone of life and death,” I said, drawing from my knowledge of the First Tenners and their more recent whereabouts prior to the Hermessi wars.
“And that was as tight a space as you can imagine,” Phantom breathed, reaching a hand behind her. The earth closed up, the tunnel coming down with slow, rumbling rolls of dirt and minerals and stones. “I’m looking forward to reaching the surface again.”
“We all are,” Nethissis replied. “Lumi can’t leave with Sidyan until we get the people to safety. Kailani needs her for the tunnel. Meanwhile, Derek is waiting. I can only imagine what’s going through his head right now.”
“At least our plan is working so far,” I said. “All we can do is keep going.”
Valaine shivered, and I immediately wrapped my arm around her shoulders, holding her close as we walked, listening to the plethora of sounds slipping from the crowd ahead. They were all trying to be quiet, but it couldn’t be helped. Someone was bound to whisper. Another was bound to sneeze. A child had to cry. A Vision horse neighed. We were doing the best we could, but we had no control over the people’s impulses, especially since many of the villagers weren’t used to combat or recon situations.
“You said my father escaped from the blast,” Valaine said to Phantom. “Are you sure?”
The Reaper nodded. “I saw him just before I closed off the tunnel entrance. Another minute, and he would’ve seen me and our escape route, too.”
“What about the others?” Nethissis asked.
“The Darklings, you mean? Many perished, but there were enough of them to survive, too. I’m afraid I can’t estimate what’s left. I do know they’re all the more determined to take us down now. We, the Reapers, would likely survive and get out, but the same can’t be said about everybody else.”
“Is that why you’re all here with us?” Valaine asked. “Because you wish to protect us?”
Phantom smirked. “I’m here to protect you, knowing you’ll do all sorts of foolish things to keep as many people alive as possible. Please don’t endow me with a moral compass. I don’t need one.”
“Well, your motivation is good enough for me,” I said quietly. “So thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Phantom retorted. “I doubt you’ll like me or any of my colleagues much once we bring the Unending back.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“There’s no happily ever after in store for you and Valaine, Tristan. I hope I’m not telling you something new here,” Phantom said, stealing a glance at a pouting Morning. “What?”
“You’re being cruel,” Morning whispered, though I could definitely hear