It took a conscious effort of will for Brak to take the final step across the threshold of Sanctuary.
The gates stood wide open, tall and impossibly white in the thin, chill mountain air. Sanctuary's tall spires reached elegantly for the scudding clouds, shadowing the Gateway and offering him one last moment of anonymity.
He had turned his back on this place more than two decades ago and, despite the loneliness, the guilt, and the hunger for his own kind, he still found it harder than he thought possible to return.
He was not unexpected. That would have been too much to hope for. As he trekked through the mountains he had clung to the idle hope that the demons would not betray his approach. It was the reason he had come on foot--this journey of months could have been accomplished in hours had he asked the demons for help.
As he contemplated that final, irrevocable step, a figure appeared on the other side of the Gateway. Tall, white-robed and smiling, Jerandenan had been the Gatekeeper for as long as Brak could remember--and that was almost a millennium. The Harshini's totally black eyes were moist, and his whole being radiated the warmth of his welcome.
The Gatekeeper opened his arms wide. "Welcome home, Brakandaran."
Still Brak hesitated. "You remember me then?"
Jerandenan laughed softly. "I remember every soul who has entered my Gate, as well you know. And you, more than most, I would not forget. Come, Brakandaran. Your family awaits you. The demons miss you, and . . ." The Gatekeeper's voice trailed off with a shrug, and he smiled that infuriating, calm smile that was already beginning to annoy Brak. And he had not even crossed Sanctuary's threshold yet.
"And Korandellan wants to see me?" Brak guessed.
Jerandenan nodded. "Did you expect anything less from your King?"
Before Brak could answer, several grey missiles launched at him through the tingling barrier of the Gateway. The demons jumped on him gleefully, chattering to each other incomprehensibly, so delighted by his return that they almost knocked him off his feet. He recognised a few of the creatures as he tried to shake free of them, but there were youngsters in the group he did not know. They knew him, though. His blood called to them more clearly than any words were capable of.
Jerandenan smiled indulgently as the demons pushed and pulled Brak until he was through the Gateway, ignoring both his protests and his greetings, which he seemed to be handing out in equal measure.
"You can deny yourself, Brak, but you cannot deny the brethren. They are as glad to see you as we all are."
Brak frowned, and peeled a little demon from around his neck who was hugging him so tightly he could barely breathe. No sooner had he removed one, than another tried to take its place. He pushed it away sternly.
"Begone!"
The demons fell back at his sharp tone, looking mightily offended. He immediately felt guilty for being so abrupt, a fact which the demons were probably counting on. At the first sign of his resolve wavering they were on him again, although this time they gave him room to breathe. Brak turned to Jerandenan helplessly.
"And you wonder why I haven't been back in more than twenty years."
"You are as hungry for the demons as they are for you, Brakandaran," the Gatekeeper said with an indulgent smile. "Don't deny them, or us, the joy of your return."
)
On the brink of death, R'shiel is taken to the Harshini haven of Sanctuary, where crucial decisions are being made. Can the Demon Child's life be saved? On Medalon's northern border, Tarja Tenragan and the Defenders are helpless as Karien threatens war. An alliance with the Hythrun could be Medalon's only chance, but should Tarja trust Damin Wolfblade, Warlord and heir to the throne of Hythria? King Hablet of Fardohnya will ally with whoever seems to offer the most reward. His eldest daughter, Princess Adrina, could prove to be his greatest asset. However, the wayward and rebellious Adrina has her own plans and they do not include obedience ... to her father or her new husband. PerfectBound eBook Special Features! Reading notes, more unpublished illustrations from Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and an excerpt from Book Three, Harshini.
