Hunter Hunted E-Book

Richard M. Ankers

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

A world of darkness surrounds Jean and Princess Linka.

The Nordic royalty - albino Eternals of myth - transport their guests deep beneath the Arctic ice, to the legendary city of Hvit.

They are offered sanctuary, but all is not right. Jean's mind is darker than ever, and the world will feel his fury. Renewing old acquaintances, he must solve the mystery of who manipulates him, and the reason behind his parents' deaths.

Aided by Merryweather and the mysterious Princess Aurora, Jean seeks retribution. Trapped between wolves of land and sea, he now fights for more than just himself: he fights for love.

Leseprobe

Hunter Hunted

The Eternals - Book II

Richard M. Ankers

Copyright (C) 2016 Richard M. Ankers

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2019 by Next Chapter

Published 2019 by Next Chapter

Cover Design by Cover Mint

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

Chapter One - Ruby

“Life is a collection of colours when all you've known is night.”

Sir Walter Merryweather

* * *

The trembling fingers were my own, they rattled on the cockpit like bones in a bucket. I stood before a sun I thought never to see and marvelled. Like a giant tomato cresting the horizon, our dying star illuminated the world with colour, the Arctic ice suffused blood-red by its near death. No longer was my world awash in moonlight, but actual daylight.

If not for Linka's steadying grip, my tether to the world I'd left behind, I might have drifted away swamped by such overpowering brilliance, but as her fingers tightened about mine, my confidence grew. If I'd had a soul to anchor, I'd have said she did, but I didn't, a salient fact I'd forever regret.

The Zeppelin we travelled in sped on in silence through a vampire sky, hues of vermillion, crimson, and ruby parting like red wine at our passage. A hushed still settled, and if I'd been alone with my darling, I should have said it a pleasure. The Nordic royalty, beacons of pearlescent light that competed with the weakening sun, a people of myth and majesty, were an ever-present reminder that alone was one thing we weren't. The Nordics stood almost invisible to eyes which sought the delights of the day, almost, but not quite.

The airship's inner tranquillity enhanced the Arctic landscape's barren calm, and for the first time in centuries, as I stood there enveloped in shades of blood, I experienced contentment.

“Look, Jean, the ocean,” Linka gushed, her voice of unconcealed glee shattering my meditative peace.

I resisted her tugged enthusiasms, instead, preferring to stare out upon the ruby plain. Undeterred, she resorted to more direct methods and gave so hard a wrench, she almost yanked my arm from its socket.

“Good grief, an ocean of blood!” I exclaimed. And it was. “I wonder if it goes on forever?”

“Of course not,” Grella's stern voice corrected.

He cut through my rouge world like an out of tune violin at a party making me feel quite stupid. “No, I don't suppose it does. I don't know why I said it.”

“You're just excited,” Linka beamed.

“Am not,” I huffed.

“Are so,” she retorted.

A trail of lavender preceded Narina's berthing at my side, as she whispered iced words in my ear.

“Ignore him, Jean. I was just like you all those centuries ago when first I saw the sun. So much more than one could ever imagine, is it not?”

“It has a certain novelty,” I replied, unwilling to be made a fool of twice.

“Must you tell that old tale, sister? Don't forget, some of us were born to it.”

“Ah, the voice of an impetuous twin,” Narina cooed. “Let me introduce the pair of you to my brothers,” she said, laying a pure, white hand upon my arm.

Narina turned me to the other ruby-goggled Nordics. Linka spun around too, but not without casting momentary scrutiny to my being touched by another woman; there was just a flash of anger in those blazing emerald eyes, but it soon passed.

“These two uncouth fools are my twin brothers Verstra and Serstra.”

The two nodded and grinned as one. The action was a tad unnerving as it was the first time I'd seen the Nordic royalty show any sign of emotion. Even during the slaughter of Vladivar's men, they had remained impassive, predators at work. I returned their nods regardless.

“This is Ragnar their elder brother,” she continued. Ragnar made a point of making up for his brothers' joviality by what could at best be described as a twitched response. “Grella, the eldest of us and future king of our people, you already know.”

“Enough of the pleasantries, sister, we must prepare,” Grella snapped. He spared neither Linka nor myself a single look. The future king, although lacking the bulk of Ragnar, or eloquence of his sisters, was indisputably the man in charge.

“If you would excuse us.” Narina indicated to seats at the Zeppelin's rear; a polite dismissal.

I cared not, I was already quite bored with the Nordics' austere demeanours and glad to be rid of them.

I led Linka to the furthest end of the airship and sat down to peer out of the wrap-around windows.

“Are you well, my love?”

“Hmm.”

“You seem flustered,” Linka stated.

“Not really. You know how it is, five centuries or so in the dark, at last, you get to see the sun, and you can't be left in a bit of peace and quiet to enjoy it.”

“I suspect there'll be plenty of time for that soon.”

“There better be, I've dreamed of this all my life.” I swept my arm across the ruby vista to emphasise the fact. Or to be more exact, the view that was solid ice to my left and churning red waters to my right. “Do you think they're following the conjunction of solid and liquid to achieve our destination?”

“We are,” Ragnar interjected in a voice like rolling thunder.

“I wasn't asking you,” I hissed.

“He was saving you the effort,” laughed one twin.

“I don't care. It is impolite to eavesdrop on private conversations.”

“We can't help it, good ears,” replied the second twin.

“What if I discussed matters of an intimate nature?”

“But you weren't,” the twins said in synchronicity.

“Wasn't I?”

Whether Narina sensed my bristled hostility, who knew, but she was quick to intervene. “Ignore them, Jean, they can't help their natures. And in polite answer to your unasked question, yes, we are. At a certain time and angle of entry, we are able to pinpoint our home. It cannot be located by any other means.”

“You shouldn't have said that, sister,” Grella growled.

“Oh, hush. Our guests will not be leaving anytime soon, and as you well know, Hvit's position will have changed long before then.”

“Yes, but…”

“But, nothing.”

Ekatarina span from the craft's controls in support of her sister and gave her kin a barely concealed glare. I felt the chill of her gaze even from behind her goggled exterior.

“Princess Linka, we shall be – landing, forthwith. Please be ready to move when we say so,” Ekatarina said, returning to earlier formalities. I was not even spared a look.

I didn't care for my companions, nor the pause in our landing arrangements. Their eccentricities had already worn thin. I observed them with general disinterest as they went about their business in spectral personae. They glided from control to control without giving Linka or myself any further attention. Speaking in hushed whispers the six did their best impersonations of porcelain dolls at the Zeppelin's controls. Only the pomade of lavender, which still circulated, marked the Nordics' earlier graceful passage. It was far too sweet for my tastes.

I soon got to ignoring their luminous closeness and stared out over the bloodied waters. They had somewhat calmed since I last looked, a swilled glass settled. If I hadn't known better, I should have said us surrounded by a world of ruby glass.

Linka snuggled against me in silent pleasure seeming less concerned of our hosts than I. Her nearness calmed me, and for a while, I lost myself in the horizon and relaxing, ruby expanse.

The bleeding sun soon sank back into its reflective home and I found myself saddened by its passing. In less than an hour, there was only a slit of boiling blood peeping above the waves. One side of the Zeppelin had returned to total darkness, whilst the other simmered in crimson. I still loved it, though. There was enough light left to keep the uninformed Eternal at bay, whilst still giving the enlightened the pleasure of a dawn, or sunset, I was lost as to which was which having never seen either. I could have sat in pleasant happiness for the rest of my years, my love at one side, shrouded in night, the sun I had thought to never see, glowing at the other. However, as per usual, my pleasure was not to last.

“Princess, if you will.”

Grella had approached to less than a yard with a stealth I would not have thought possible. I prided myself on not being caught unawares least of all by those I had once thought legend. It was most disconcerting, and I chastised myself at my laxness.

“Have we reached Hvit?” Linka bubbled, jumping to her feet.

“We have, Your Highness.”

“Oh, goody,” she enthused.

“If you would stand by the doorway and prepare to jump when instructed.”

“Of course.”

“You too, Jean,” he added, almost as an afterthought.

“Did you say jump?”

“Yes. We shall not be landing.”

I did not pursue the point, but was reluctant to be dragged to my feet when Ragnar opened the Zeppelin's door. His action caused a blast of freezing air to invade the craft's stagnant innards, which swirled about in direct competition with the Nordics' own scents. I hadn't realised just how stale the lavender-infused interior had become until the freshness sought to banish it.

I was about to say as much to Linka when the whole craft lurched to port submerging us in darkness before making a slow and steady arc back toward the sun.

First out were the two princesses, who adjusted their goggles to an assured fit and leapt from the craft in tandem.

“Now you,” Ragnar ordered.

Linka gave me one of her extra special smiles, an immense lightening of the load on my heart, then jumped into the night after the other ladies, myself in hot pursuit.

The distance to the ground was about thirty feet, nothing to an Eternal, and we landed as inaudible snowflakes. To my annoyance, so did the twins, one to either side of us. Ragnar landed next with less grace. His greater bulk displaced enough snow to leave a crater of sorts, although I suspected most of it for show.

The Zeppelin continued to nosedive towards liquidity. Down it plunged, and for a moment, I feared for Grella, until he launched himself clear of the hurtling machine landing with a crack at the point where ice met water. The Zeppelin followed him down in serene departure. There was something phantasmal about its demise. The airship drifted another half mile, dipped its head to the horizon, then disappeared beneath the becalmed ocean with more of a kiss than a splash. I would miss it in my own way.

Grella did not bother to watch it leave. He had already spun around and was striding towards us, his brilliant, white cloak billowing out behind him. I, in turn, walked the opposite way, as close to the edge of an ocean as a hydrophobe dared. The transition from dark to light was magical. It was hard to imagine how one could transcend the boundaries of such metaphysics in a matter of steps.

“Why do you watch it disappear, it is only a possession, a toy?” Grella asked as we crossed.

“I wasn't, I was watching the sun,” my terse reply.

“Then, why do you watch the sun?”

“Because, I wish to.”

“Why do you wish to?”

“Why do you not?”

“It is unnatural. Eternals desire the dark, deepest night. The sun offers security, nothing more.”

“Is that not cowardice?”

“It is sense,” growled Grella.

“Then, I am glad to possess none.”

“Hmm, yes.”

“What?” I spat, but Grella had already reached the others.

“It is time for us to descend,” Narina called.

“Where is the entrance?” I returned, as I skidded my way over to them.

“Why, here, of course.” And with a tap of a white booted foot on the ground, a sliver of glasslike ice popped up catching the last red rays of the sun. “Right here,” she added, as the Nordics removed their glasses.

The sweet smell of lavender ushered forth from the slit-like hole almost overwhelming my senses.

“Hvit is down there?” I queried, a tad nonplussed, whilst wafting my hands before my nose.

“Yes, silly,” Linka giggled. “They told us their city lay under the ice.”

“I thought they were speaking metaphorically.”

“Metaphorically?” the twins said in unison shielding their eyes from the distant wedge of sun.

“Yes, metaphorically. I thought it would tower over us in some kind of clear dome, hence, under the ice.”

“You read too much into things people say, Jean,” said Narina gliding to my side.

I noticed Ekatarina was quick to do the same to Linka. Narina laid her hand upon my arm and escorted me to the others.

Grella stooped to lift the ice door up, which was set on a pivot. He opened it with a creak just far enough to allow us entry. The obsidian interior came as somewhat of a shock after the advent of real light in my life. Ragnar rumbled through the doorway and descended straight down into the depths. Grella spared a moment to cast serious eyes about the landscape before following him. Ekatarina went next leading Linka below, my love giving me a reassuring smile before passing into the darkness.

“May I have a moment please?” I asked my shepherdess.

“Of course, but do not tarry.”

“I won't.”

“The doorway will close behind you of its own accord.”

“I understand,” I acknowledged, as Narina bowed her head and descended after the others in sparkling flecks of luminescence.

I needed to look at that wedge of sun one more time, it moved me in a way nothing else ever had, not even Linka, nor my once beloved Alba. I watched ruby borders pulse with cosmic life and felt something trickle down my cheek, most probably stray sea spray.

Turning my back on that segment of light was as hard a task as I had ever accomplished. I stepped back into the darkness bearing a frown and a heavy heart.

Fortunately, my senses were as acute as ever: someone, or something, observed me. A quick glance left revealed nothing, but I did not turn away. That's when I saw them. It was but a fleeting glimpse, a moment in time, but two blue eyes peered out from the demarcation of night and day. I stared back, unblinking. The whole confrontation lasted a fraction of a second, but those eyes seemed to stare for a lifetime. Twin, sapphire orbs gazed from an incorporeal shell, calculating, making a judgement. Then, with a blink, they vanished.

I stood there a minute more, sniffing at the air, narrowed eyes questing, but the flash of blue had absconded. Whoever, or whatever controlled them, had fled. I did not like it one bit. And much as I tried to convince myself of imagining things, I knew the encounter real.

My descent into Hvit was slow, not because of the darkness, I could see perfectly well in the blackest of holes, nor for fear of slipping on those treacherous steps of ice, but because of the trapdoor that closed, then reopened in my wake. I watched the faintest sliver of ruby illuminate the tunnel before me until it evaporated into the darkness, eclipsed.

The abyss swallowed me then as I hurried after my love.

Chapter Two - White

“I wondered where you'd gone, my love.”

“One last sniff of fresh air before the descent into Hell,” I replied.

“This is Hvit, not Hell.”

“Thank you…Verstra?”

“Serstra,” he corrected.

“Any chance of the pair of you wearing name tags?”

“I don't think our mother would be too happy about that,” the other twin replied.

“Parents can be such a chore.”

“Indeed,” Grella mused. “Please be careful, these ice steps can be perilous at times.” He cast back a withering look from below to make certain of my attention.

“Might I ask how far we descend?” I threw it out as a general question and then gave the tunnel the once-over in preparation for an answer: steps about as wide as an average man lying down; tunnel about the same in height, which accounted for my stooped posture; the whole thing of a polished, black finish.

“Can't you save your questions for later, darling,” Linka teased, taking a playful grip of my proffered hand.

“I'm inquisitive by nature. You never know when such facts could come in useful. Plus, I would rather like for my feet to reach terra firma.”

“Pfft!” huffed Ragnar.

“Pardon, have you something to say?” I snapped.

But Ragnar did not reply, and I was too weary to press the point. Once again, it was Narina who came to the rescue.

“Your feet will touch nought but ice whilst in Hvit, Jean. The staircase would have to go an awful lot further than it does to reach the sea floor.”

“Sea floor! You mean the whole city is built of ice, not a rock in sight?”

“Not a rock, brick or wood beam in sight. From the doorway downwards, the whole structure is of solid ice.”

“I can't say I find that reassuring. And is it me, or can I hear music playing?”

“You can.”

“Oh no, it's Rimsky-Korsakov, isn't it!” I groaned.

“Sounds that way,” replied one of the twins.

“Does that mean you shan't be dancing with me, Jean?” Linka pouted.

“For you, my little cauliflower, I should dance even to Rachmaninov.”

“Thank you, I think!”

“You're welcome. Is it necessary for it to be played at such a volume, I have delicate hearing and prefer the quiet?”

“Jean, stop asking so many questions.” Linka punched me on the arm to emphasise her objection.

“What have I said?”

“The answer lies in the sea,” Narina responded with yet another Grella glare for an accompaniment.

“How very cryptic.”

“Not really,” she said, taking my hand and easing me over to the wall. “Put your ear to the ice and listen.”

I gave her one of my best scowls, but did as asked. At first, I heard nothing and thought it some kind of practical joke from those who I expected it least of. But the more I listened, the more I realised there was another set of sounds running parallel to the music.

“Ah, I see by your look you hear them.”

“Hear whom?”

“Orcas.”

And right at that moment, as I looked out into the pitch darkness, I perceived something looking back. For a moment, I thought it whomever had regarded us above, but I was wrong. The eye was massive and set in front of a flash of white. The giant orb studied me, appraised, then vanished into the darkness. Instinct jerked me away.

“Don't be scared,” Ragnar rumbled from his position ahead. “The ice walls of Hvit are impenetrable. You're quite safe, little man.”

“Surprised is not the same as scared,” I growled back.

“Now you know why we play the music, Jean,” Narina gave a kind smile. “We do it to drown out the whale song. They watch us, you see.”

“Watch you!”

“Do not worry, little man, it is only to this level. Orcas cannot swim much deeper.”

“My name is Jean, not little man. I'll accept it once, forgive it twice, but I'll not be so lenient a third time.”

“Princess, I suggest you teach your pup some manners,” Ragnar boomed.

“That is enough!” Grella bellowed taking a step between the pair of us. “Jean is our honoured guest. You will treat him as such.”

Ragnar, far bigger, and at first glance more powerful than his older brother, backed away down the stairs without another word. The act left Grella's seniority undisputed.

“I apologise, Jean, it is so rare that we entertain guests.”

“I thought you said you never have guests,” I snapped back glaring after he who had slandered me.

“Did I?”

“Yes.”

“Well, either way, I apologise.”

“Apology accepted,” I replied, but it wasn't.

“Are you well, Linka?” Ekatarina retook Linka's hand and led her away down the staircase. “You look a little pale.” I heard her add.

I would have objected, but couldn't help noticing the glance Grella cast over my shoulder. It seemed I wasn't the only one who knew us stalked from above.

Seeing my eyes upon him, Grella gave a slight nod, one last quick glance, then followed his companions into the abyssal depths. The twins had long since vanished, I suspected to warn of our impending arrival. A cursory look behind of my own to nothing but enforced night, and I set off in pursuit of the departing prince.

* * *

The staircase finished at an abrupt, right-angled end. There, I trailed Linka and the others through a passage draped in pure, white silks. The whole length of the thing seemed curtained for decoration, but I suspected the Nordics despised the whale's eyes upon them as much as I, and had decorated accordingly.

Along the passage we travelled, I in quiet observance of Linka's and Ekatarina's incessant chatting, Narina never far from my side. She was quite the distraction. I blamed her proximity for being caught unawares when Grella led us out of the enclosed space and into a hall that would have swallowed Vladivar's courtroom whole, possibly even that of the late King Rudolph's palace. The ceiling stretched away into the heavens behind a chandelier of such magnitude I almost thought it a miniature sun, so many candles did it hold. They lighted the area in eerie, flickering shadows that matched and accentuated the water which flowed all around the chamber's exterior walls. Music washed through the room, although there was no apparent source for it, and there tapping her fingers to it, sat upon a throne of brilliant, blue ice, reclined the chamber's sole occupant.

“Mother,” hailed Grella, closing the distance between he and the distant figure. He bowed low to her, then rose and kissed the hand that never once stopped tapping upon the great throne's arm.

Ekatarina and Narina followed their brother's lead. A kiss to the royal fingers, then each took up a position at either side of their mother.

“Your Majesty,” Linka curtsied. “I would like to thank you for saving us. I'm not sure we can ever repay you.”

“You can't,” came a clipped response. “I trust my children have looked after you well.” She spoke with an air of the untouchable. I dare say she had good reason to. The woman was magnificent. She was everything that her albino daughters were and more. Cheekbones chiselled from marble stood against skin of milk. Eyes like burning pyres blazed from beneath alabaster, silken hair that flowed almost to her waist. Dressed all in white, she made for an exact replica of her children. Only an abundance of ermine trimmings and a tear shaped ruby the size of a fist that hung from a silver chain around her neck separated she from they. The jewel drew my eye, as it did Grella's, who stood to one side admiring it.

“Impeccably,” Linka replied to a question I'd long forgotten.

“Good. One should always remember one's heritage and act with due accord. You are of royal blood child and are also one of the few enlightened.”

The queen addressed Linka, but fixed her eyes upon me. It was unnerving, I'd never seen anybody stare so long without blinking.

For some unknown reason, I took it upon myself to stamp upon the clear floor in response. I put it down to nerves.

“Might I ask what you are doing?” said the queen addressing me.

Linka gave a look of such frustration that I had no option but to stamp harder still.

“I am testing the strength of your floor, Your Majesty.”

“Serena,” she instructed.

“I dislike the water and am reassuring myself that this place is as strong as your son claims it to be,” I babbled.

“What if the floor breaks because of it?” she sneered.

“I hadn't thought that far ahead.”

“If I told you it would not, would you believe me?”

“I would be obligated to.”

“Then, allow me,” she said, standing with the aid of her daughters' hands. She stepped, or rather eased herself from the throne, glared all the more, then stamped.

The action caused such an impact it almost knocked me off my feet, and I had to catch Linka before she, too, fell. Shock waves echoed around the room eclipsing the music that still played on.

“Reassuring enough?” she smirked.

It was, but I was not about to cow-tow to an obvious demonstration of her power. “Somewhat…Serena, but I doubt it will ever truly ease my mind.”

“You are a troubled man?”

“I am a man with troubles.”

“So I have heard,” she said, returning to her seat.

“Whom have you heard that from, might I ask?” But the queen was already in some kind of discussion with Ekatarina who glided from the room via a large, ice, double door, and ignored my question.

“I am sorry to hear of your father's…death, Linka.”

“Thank you, Queen Serena.”

“I had known him a long time. I even danced with him once many aeons before my family left for these more peaceful climes.”

“My father danced?”

“Oh yes, perhaps your mother's stifling influence prevented him from showing you.”

“My mother!”

I saw the steam rise from Linka's head, but luck was on our side. Ekatarina reappeared at that moment followed by a throng of her albino brethren. The queen's underlings, attired in simple, white trousers and shirts, blouses for the women, all trimmed with azure strips across the cuffs, hurried to serve. The entourage bore large silver trays, which held glasses and carafes of slopping, red liquid.

“Time for a toast,” Serena called out as I slipped my hand into my love's own. I felt her trembling ire, so kissed her cheek to calm her. It didn't work. “I think we'll have the lights dimmed,” Serena added.

I don't know what I expected to happen; a flick of a switch; the lowering of the chandelier to have its candles snuffed, or something more mundane. What happened was more dramatic.

Serena leant from the throne, eyed the chandelier with chilling intensity, and then slapped her palms together with a force that dragged her pure-white cloak over her head from the vacuum. The chandelier swung so far up in the air I thought it sure to fall; the candlelight obliterated, but not light per se. Each wall morphed from a touch of gold to a neon blue that sparkled across the Nordics' clothing like cerulean raindrops on snow. Serena gave a crooked smile before she sat back down and resumed her finger tapping.

The lesser Eternals hurried to provide her with a glass of blood, as the tinkling chandelier realigned itself. Once attended to, they furnished the rest of the Nordic royalty including the twins and Ragnar who had inveigled his way back into the throne room, Linka, and myself, with drinks of our own.

“To old bonds, and Hierarchical loyalties.”

“Hear, hear!” shouted all.

I couldn't even be bothered to raise my glass. The blue walls were far more interesting, as they lighted sections of the ocean beyond. I thought I should see mythical creatures swimming about the place, but much to my disappointment, I didn't.

A sip from my glass brought me back to the real world. It was awful. I'd half expected the crimson liqueur to imbue me with blistering speed, or superhuman strength, or to at least reinvigorate. No such luck. The stuff coated my tongue in a thick gloop, then slid down my throat like…well, thick blood.

“Good stuff,” Linka commented, then punched my arm when I appeared to give my drink more attention than her.

“Do you mind,” I exaggerated, “I almost spilled it.”

“I'll spill you in a minute.”

“Ah, back to your rambunctious best, my little sea-turtle.”

“I'll sea-turtle you.”

“You have such delightful dimples when pretending to be angry.”

“I'm not pretending,” she pouted.

“How do you like the blood of our mammalian cousins?” came the cool voice behind the hand that had materialised upon my arm.

“It is superb, Narina,” I lied, turning to her. I thought it rude even by my standards to tell her the precious liquid I consumed was at best an average beverage.

“That is good because tomorrow you'll be helping us replenish our supply.”

“What about me?” Linka interjected.

“Oh, of course, I meant the both of you.”

“Hmm,” Linka scowled.

“Do you think there's any chance of me getting a change of clothing? I'm not fit to be seen with attired like this.” I gave my tattered garments a shake to prove the fact.

“That has all been taken care of.”

“It has?”

“It has.”

“Thank you in advance, then.”

“You are most welcome. You will find new apparel laid out in your room. For you both,” she added, giving Linka the once over.

“Thank you,” a grudging Linka replied.

I took another swill from my glass and looked around the room that had become quite the hive of verbal activity. Only Serena, who sat aloof on her throne, remained in non-discussion. She eyed me through the crowd, or so I imagined. I could no longer see her but still felt those burning, ruby eyes boring deep into my skull.

“You seem distracted, Jean,” Narina stated.

“Just a tad tired, that's all. It takes a lot out of one being almost drained to death by a lunatic royal. No offence meant, ladies,” I added, as a courtesy.

“None taken.” Linka punched me even harder than normal, in fact, very much harder than normal. Her drink had done her the world of good.

Narina looked at the pair of us as though we were children, or worse, then gave a glacial stare into the depths beyond the ice walls.

“They watch us from afar,” she said.

“Who?” I asked, unable to see anything in the neon gloom.

“The orcas.”

“Are you sure, I can't see a thing?”

“Very.”

“But they are just fish.”

“Never that, my friend. They are closer to us than you think.”

“If you say so.”

“You will see tomorrow. For now, though…” Narina broke off to clap to someone from within the crowd. A young-looking Nordic girl hurried over and bowed to her princess. “Please escort Princess Linka and Jean to their room.”

“Yes, Your Highness, as you will it,” the girl replied, bowing again.

“Good day to you, Narina, or is it night? I'm quite lost.”

“Always night within the city, always day at the door.”

“Glad you cleared that little mystery up.”

“Good night, Narina, and thank you again for everything,” Linka said with the required decorum.

There was no response as Narina returned to her mother's side, whilst we were led through a small doorway opposite the one we'd entered from. I slipped a glance to Her Majesty, as I passed her, but for once, her eyes seemed elsewhere.

No sooner had we left the chamber than the sound of voices dispersed and the tones of Tchaikovsky took over. The blue ice soaked up all the residual noise of the throne room with an immediacy I would not have thought possible. In an instant, all was still, and the three of us very much alone.

The girl led us along an arrow-straight corridor passing doorway after monotonous doorway. Many minutes elapsed before we came to one last room facing straight back whence we'd come.

“We have prepared this room for you,” said the girl.

“Thank you,” Linka replied and walked in through the open doorway. I followed, giving the girl a smile before closing the door on her.

“Thank god for that.”

Linka chuckled.

“I was about ready to bang my head against the walls,” I joked, as I looked upon the bland magnificence of the room. Four large walls draped in white silk with a large double bed and a single, gigantic wardrobe met my gaze. Laid out upon the bed were a set of white silks for my darling and a matching set in black for myself. “That's a surprise,” I said nodding to the clothing.

“They must have known you were coming.”

“Yes, they must,” I agreed. “At least the curtains will keep out that infernal blue light.”

“I quite liked it.”

“You would, my awkward princess.”

“I'll give you awkward…”

Before she could finish, I'd grabbed her in a hugged embrace, much to her squealed protests. “Got you alone at last.”

“About time,” she huffed.

“Certainly is.” I kissed her forehead. “Have I ever told you what beautiful eyes you have?”

“Not enough.”

“Well, you have. They're like ancient forests full of life.”

“Ancient!”

“In a most beautiful way, my cherub. However,” I said releasing her to slump onto the bed, “just one thing before I ravage you.”

“Who says I'll let you?”

“A higher authority, my love. There is an inevitability about it to which you would be wise to acquiesce.”

“Really.”

“Yes,” I laughed, as I lifted a curtain from the floor: water. I was less than happy about the fact, but before complete panic set in decided to check the other walls. Linka watched on amused. Two more abutted water, the third was frosted, and I presumed adjoined other rooms. It availed a degree of privacy but very little in the way of watertight reassurance. “We are three ways surrounded by sea and furthest from the exit.”

“Five,” corrected Linka.

“Five?”

“Above and below.”

“Sleep may be an issue,” I grimaced.

“Oh, sleep's one thing you will have to do without.” Linka grinned like a she-wolf, and patted the bed.

“Ah, well, duty before oceanic obliteration, I suppose.”

“You suppose right.”

* * *

So started my first night in the submerged Nordic city of Hvit deep below the Arctic sea. It was better than death, but not much.

Chapter Three - Neon

“That better be angels disturbing my heavenly peace.”

“Oh, Jean, how can you be grumpy after a night like that.”

“I wasn't grumpy until now. I've been disturbed.”

“You are disturbed.”

“You'd think there was a war on or something. Who the hell's making such a racket this early in the morning? It is morning, isn't it?”

“Who knows?” Linka replied.

“I'd have said who cares, but it's obvious someone does.”

“Do you want me to take a peep?”

“No, don't worry, I'll do it.”

“My hero,” Linka purred.

“I know, but I have an alternate reason for my heroic act.”

“Really.”

“If one of us is to give the Nordics a violent look of intent it's probably best it's me. I'd hate to ruin your angelic image.”

“That can't be ruined, I am an angel.”

“Not after last night you're not.”

“Ah, but only you know.”

“I may sing it to the world, my love.”

“I didn't know crows could sing?”

“Raven, my dear, and of course they can. Not well, that's all.”

I jumped out of bed to avoid Linka's swinging fist, slipped into my brand new jet-black trousers and opened the bedroom door. Princess Narina stood there in full white, silk splendour, her fist raised mid-strike.

“Oops, sorry, Your Highness.”

“It is I who should apologise, Jean. I was about to knock.” Narina made an undisguised once-over of my open-shirted frame and continued. “You are requested to hunt.”

“Is that the same as commanded?”

“Jean,” came Linka's chastising tones from the bedroom.

“My apologies, Princess.”

“I much prefer Narina.”

“You have my apologies, Narina,” I said giving a low enough bow to expose Linka's uncovered form. Narina never even twitched. Instead, she watched me all the way to my lowest sweep and then back up again, as I did her. I suspected our reasons were different, though, as her ruby, unblinking eyes took me in. “How long have we got?”

“Now,” she replied without hesitation.

From the exodus of pale shapes streaming down the corridor, and the clopping of booted feet on ice floor, we were already the last.

“Do you mind?” I asked, indicating for her to look the other way with my finger. She did not. Narina stayed exactly where she was. So, I did what any self-respecting Eternal should, I shut the door in her porcelain face.

“That was very rude, Jean,” Linka chastened. She hopped out of bed with a shake of her head spilling out hair like ink on a desktop in the process and dressed post-haste.

“Aww,” I sighed.

“What?”

“You look even more beautiful when you're mad.”

“I'll give you mad,” she laughed, jumping clean over the bed in one bound, fist poised to punch my arm.

Not only did I avoid her blow, but had donned both my boots before she landed.

“Are you ready, my little pumpkin?” I winked.

“I am,” she replied. Her look of amazement said different.

I buttoned up my black shirt and swept the matching cape over my shoulders, as Linka did her snow-white one.

“You look almost Nordic, my dear.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“I doubt it.”

“Well, I'll take it as one. The princesses are stunning, after all.”

“Not to me, my love. I'll take your raven locks and emerald innocence over their bland albinism any day of the week.”

“Hush, Jean, they'll hear you.”

“So what.”

“So everything,” she hushed. “Just be more discreet.”

“I'll try, but I cannot promise.”

“That's something, I suppose.” She raised one perfect eyebrow, kissed me on the cheek, and then led us from the room.

Narina waited in the exact same spot I'd left her. She gave a nod to Linka, a wide-eyed stare to me, then whirled away down the now deserted corridor. She moved with effortless grace across the slick floor, her trailing skirts covering her feet so that one might have thought she hovered.

Down the corridor past the innumerable doors we went until exiting into the empty throne room. There was an eeriness to our echoing footsteps multiplied ad infinitum as they were. I did not like it one bit. And, for the first time, I noticed the music had stopped. The throne room sat in chilled austerity full of nothing but hollow echoes.

However, I had no chance to dwell on the matter. Narina ushered us out the other side of the blue-tinged hall at speed and headed towards the staircase in complete darkness.

We had caught up with the rear of the party by the time we exited the stairs into the half-light of the Arctic world. The low sun appeared as an ancient, red god brooding and ruddy-cheeked, as I took that last step out into the wan daylight. I was the last of Hvit's occupants to do so, or so it seemed.

Like a melee of snowflakes, the Nordic peoples gathered ahead in an arc about a central point that was their queen. Serena stood motionless looking to the ocean, for a reason I couldn't fathom, one fist raised to the claret sky. Her regal presence dominated the proceedings.

Linka followed Narina towards where her mother stood. I didn't, though. I couldn't. Unseen eyes were upon me. They froze my nape, so intense was their icy glower. So, whilst kicking out at the ice, I made a surreptitious circling of my position casting my eyes about as inconspicuously as possible. Like all such actions, I suspected it made me look more conspicuous than ever. Two complete revolutions later, I had revealed nothing. But those eyes were out there, I did not doubt it.

In an attempt to give myself something else to think about, I returned my attention to the motionless throng. All eyes were to Serena whose own were on the rolling, ruby waves.

“There!” she screamed, as a pair of black fins rose from the water like the dark sails of some bygone mariner's boat. “Follow me,” she commanded.

Without another thought, Serena launched herself into the water in the orca's wake. As one, the Nordic peoples followed her into the ice-trimmed ocean. Plop after plop of departing Eternal marked the submergence of an entire race. With them, caught up in the excitement and general melee, went Linka.

I, on the other hand, seemed to have taken several inadvertent steps back from the hubbub, therefore widening the distance between myself and the water. It would be a cold day in Hell before I took that descent. My thoughts had already turned inward back to the city's dark embrace, and my feet were quick to follow, the halls of Hvit a safer place to summarise the pros and cons of immersing myself in such a lunatic endeavour. But before I made the doorway, I felt myself grabbed by both arms.

“Get your bloody hands off me!” I growled to my antagonists. Two quick glances confirmed it the grinning forms of Serstra and Verstra. The pair held me pinioned. “I would advise you to let go, my friends, or we may have an altercation, royalty or not.”

“Gladly,” said the two, as one.

And they did, but only at the point of swinging me backwards then forwards at so great a velocity that I flew through the air like a broken bird for fifty yards or more. The attack took place with such speed, I'd only concocted about ten separate murderous endings for them by the time I flapped into the water. Within moments, I'd sunk beneath the blood-tinged waves.

I saw the water erupt above my private nightmare as the forms of the twins shattered the ocean's ruby skin. More fish than Eternals, the twins looked at my floundering form, grinned the bare-teethed gape of sharks, before gesturing to each other and swimming off at pace into the ever darkening depths. I watched them go as the seawater entered my mouth; my throat; my lungs. It felt as though my innards were being quick frozen, not that it hurt, or even sent a particular chill, but my fear was no less for it. I hated the water. To have it enter me was worse than any torture, a true violation of self. I flailed about but found no purchase in that liquid environment. All I achieved was to swallow more sea and sink ever lower into what appeared a war.

Time lost all meaning as I slid down through the depths. The snow-white forms of the Nordics swam hither and thither, as a patchwork of fast-moving, gaping maws complete with full sets of wicked teeth struck for them. I wasn't even sure who was the hunter and who was the hunted? Not that at that particular moment I could have cared less.

Before I could give it any more consideration, two orcas hurtled past swimming for the surface as though their lives depended on it. Hot on their heels, speeding up from below like shooting stars in reverse, a shoal of Nordics pursued the black and white blurs. Caught up in the melee of their pale limbs, I tumbled over and over in the churning water, not knowing up from down nor left from right. Nobody gave me a second glance as I drowned; nobody cared, as the dark depths rose toward me.

Somehow amidst the chaos, I flipped myself back over, so my steady descent availed me a view of the sun through the water. I'd waited so long to see it. I could've slipped into the afterlife, or whatever awaited Eternal kind beyond our non-lives, with a degree of pleasure, basked in its glow, despite my circumstances, but it was not to be. The unmistakable forms of the elder Nordic princes surged into my immediate view both clinging to an orca's tail. I could not understand what they attempted until their mother sped towards them from within a cluster of her people. Only when talons like sharpened knives struck for the creature's eyes did I see the true ugliness of the hunt. They sought to blind the beasts and drown them.

* * *

Those were the last images I saw as I floated beyond my vision's limits. An Arctic oblivion reached out toward me like a comforting shroud of night. It wasn't such a bad way to go, or so I thought, even peaceful. If I could have seen Linka one more time, I should even have been happy, but I knew I would not. She wouldn't have seen my falling from the chaos of the battle above. A distinct faux pas in my choice of attire allowed for a seamless blending with the obsidian depths. If I hadn't known better, I'd have said it more than destiny how the Nordics had laid out black clothes the previous evening. Or I could have been overthinking things, a not unusual trait, as I prepared to meet my doom.

The last of what little oxygen remained in my lungs dispersed as tiny bubbles and an Eternal lord became one with a midnight sea.

* * *

I wondered how I'd know if I was dead? As an Eternal, I felt no murderous change in temperature, so doubted if even a descent into a fiery Hell would've told on me. If purgatory was my destination, then I may have already been a part of it, a weightless existence in absolute night was no worse than a weighted existence in the same. And, if Heaven, which I doubted, was my designated destination, then surely white light would've consumed me, wouldn't it?