Page 42 of The Edge of Darkness

“Can you summon Amarna for me please? Quickly.”

Sorscha nodded and popped away. It only took a few moments before she reappeared with the Elder by her side.

“You called, my lady?” Amarna smiled, but it quickly fell when she realized what was happening around her. “Gracious fates, what has happened?” She rushed to Roirdan’s side and ran her hands over his arm, careful not to touch him.

“He’s been poisoned by some sort of venom,” I explained. “We were in Benmoor and Ramil summoned these creatures⁠—”

“Cats,” Roirdan corrected me.

I gave him a pointed look before I continued. “Their teeth were coated in a yellow venom.”

Amarna shook her head as she assessed, using her magic to try and glean anything she could.

“I was thinking we could use the Alatyr to help him—to remove the venom.” It was a long shot, but we had to try something.

Amarna’s eyes flickered. “Mmm, yes, dear, there are ways in which the Alatyr could help. But I’m afraid I do not possess the depth of power needed for what you have in mind. Coaxing a dark force out of a living being takes significant power. And there is no guarantee⁠—”

“I can do it,” I said matter-of-factly.

“Auren.” Niall stepped up and put a protective hand on my arm. “You spent much of your power in Benmoor. If you continue to use more you could risk a burnout.”

“I have to try. Roirdan would do the same for me.”

“Let me do it then. I didn’t use nearly as much⁠—”

“No.” I pushed him back. “You’re still recovering as well.”

Amarna instantly frowned and looked over him with concern before turning back to me. “My dear, even if you could perform this task, each Alatyr is bound to an Elder. I’m afraid you would need an Alatyr that was no longer tethered to—” Her words fell short, and her black eyes went wide as I reached into the pocket of space where I had placed the stone necklace, and pulled it forth.

Maeson’s jaw dropped open. “How did you⁠—”

“I took it from Ramil when you were holding him back with your wall of fire.”

Amarna reached for the stone, and I coiled it into her small palm. “Then it really is true. Afsin no longer lives.” She clutched it to her chest in what looked like a silent prayer before handing it back to me.

Roirdan sucked in a harsh breath, his chest bowing off the bed in pain.

“What’s your plan, Auren?” Maeson asked.

I tried to ignore the worry in her voice. This needed to work. I wasn’t sure how much further the venom would spread before it rendered Roirdan unconscious from pain, or worse . . .

With the amulet in hand, I climbed up onto the foot of the bed, and knelt between Roirdan’s feet.

“I’m going to summon a god.”

“Fuck yeah,” Roirdan managed to grunt out. “Just do me a favor, and make it quick.” He dug his head into the pillow. The veins in his neck bulged as he tensed, the poison spreading from his shoulder and spidering across his collarbone.

I stiffened, trying to remain calm.

“Everyone but my council, step outside,” Niall commanded.

The healers all scurried away.

I looked over at Maeson, who was chewing her lip like she wasn’t sure this was a good idea. “You once said that the Alatyr could be used to call upon the gods.”

She nodded warily. “I did.”

“I have to try,” I said to no one in particular.