Echo Soul Seekers

polluted and the fish are all dying. But Cade won’t care. Violating the Lowerworld will not only result in profit for him but will also ensure that the Middleworld will soon fall to ruin—just as he planned.
    When my fellow travelers crowd into the shaft, I slip free of their ranks and hide among a grove of burned-out tree carcasses. Stealing a moment to observe the goings on while I decide my next move.
    There’s no reason to take any chances. If I’ve any hope of helping these people—of getting them out of here—I have to make it back to the Middleworld, where I can consult the elders and come up with a much better way to handle this.
    When the entire group disappears inside the mine, Cade looks around with a creepy self-satisfied grin.
    A creepy self-satisfied grin that fades the instant he tips his nose in the air and captures my scent. Whirling in my direction, his eyes deep, opaque, and fathomless, he says, “Do you know what I find most fascinating about ravens?”
    I swallow hard. Slip the athame into my hand. Watching as he snaps his fingers and raises his arm, smiling in triumph when a moment later Raven, my Raven, obediently lands on his finger.
    “Not only can they be trained to come on command, but they’re also exceedingly gifted at mimicry. They can repeat all manner of sounds and phrases with absolute perfect pitch. For example—” He peers at Raven, cooing softly when he says, “Go ahead, tell Santos what you know.”
    Right on command, Raven’s purple eyes glimmer as he croaks, “The Seeker loves the Echo.” His voice a perfect match for Cade’s.
    I remove the sheath from the blade, keep it close to my side.
    “Cute, huh?” Cade gives Raven an affectionate tap on the head. “Of course, we’ve only just started, got a ways to go still.” He releases Raven, watching him lift into flight only to land on a branch just a few feet away. The sight of it causing Cade to make a face of distaste. “He’s so nosy.” He shakes his head and returns his attention to me. “How did you stand it?”
    He strides toward me, as I grip the hilt tighter. Fingers pressing into the smooth black wood, ready to use it at the first opportunity. Allowing myself to exhale only when he stops a few feet away.
    “But then you’re not here to watch stupid pet tricks, are you? And surely you’re not seeking a job, or at least I should hope not. It’s mind-numbing, soul-crushing work that wouldn’t even begin to utilize your many talents and skills.” He tilts his head, runs his tongue across his front teeth. A move so lurid, so obscene, I have to force myself not to react. “It’s not exactly what I had in mind when I approached you about working together. So, why don’t you just admit it, Santos, you’re here to see me.”
    He shoots me one of his smug grins, and before I can stop myself, I say, “You’re completely delusional!” I step free of the tree, seeing no point in hiding when my cover’s been blown.
    “Am I?” He regards me carefully. “And yet you can’t stop thinking about me—what’s up with that?”
    I roll my eyes in reply. “You can’t do this. Despite what you think, the Lowerworld is not yours to control.”
    He smirks. Looks all around. Gesturing to a surrounding landscape that would seem to beg otherwise. “Perhaps you should take another look,” he says, observing all the damage and destruction he’s caused. Clearly pleased by the bleak state of wretchedness he’s single-handedly wrought.
    I ready the blade in my hand. One eye fixed on the army of Richters keeping a close watch on me, the other on Cade.
    “I’m guessing you’ve come here to kill me.” He smiles patiently, like you do with a very slow child.
    I clamp my lips shut. Refuse to confirm or deny.
    “That’s the second assassination attempt in one day.” He runs a hand through his hair, his lip curling as though amused by the idea, while my own reaction is anything but.
    If I’m the second attempt, then Dace was the first.
    It also means he failed.
    Failed in the way of the prophecy?
    My body stiffens. My heart fails to beat. Aware that the game has just changed, and yet there’s a part of me that refuses to believe it.
    If something did happen to Dace, surely I would have felt it. Surely I would’ve sensed it in some way.
    Wouldn’t I?
    “I always forget what a newbie you are.” Cade slips behind a mask of chagrin. “So, allow me to give you a little piece of advice that might spare us