Thomas Reid - The Gossamer Plain

As she slid downward, vanishing into the murky blackness, she lost consciousness.

Aliisza opened her eyes, and stared up at Tauran's face. The angel stood over her, a worried look on his mien. The alu noticed that he was disheveled, his clothing torn, and a bloody gash crossed his chest. Beyond him, she saw the night sky, and she could hear the muted rumblings of thunder. She was still in the storm dragon's lair.

Kael stood beside the angel, staring down with his garnet eyes. Aliisza was in her own body, and it took a moment for the alu to understand. She gazed at her son, getting a closer look at his face for the very first time. His eyes showed an intelligence that reminded her of Pharaun.

They also revealed a deep sadness.

He knows what I did to him, Aliisza realized. Then another thought swept through her: Why am I not dead, drowned? Kaanyr!

The alu sat bolt upright. Her head pounded with the sudden motion.

"Easy," Tauran said, helping her. "You need some time. Switching between bodies can exhaust you."

"Kaanyr," she mumbled, feeling as weak as the angel suggested. "Where-?" She looked around and spotted the cambion lying near her. "Is he-?" she asked.

"He'll live," Tauran said, and she could hear the sternness in his voice.

Aliisza sighed and leaned back. She wondered what the point was. Surely after her betrayal, Tauran would deliver final justice to both of them.

"What happens now?" she asked, gazing wearily at the deva. "What are you going to do with us?" She drew a deep breath, steeling herself for his answer. "Why save us if you only intend to put us to death?" she whispered.

Tauran said nothing for a moment, but a faint grimace crossed his face.

Aliisza stared hard at him. "What? What happened?"

"Your third companion," the angel said. "The priest."

"Zasian," Aliisza answered, feeling rage suffuse her. "The Banite. He used us to come here. He betrayed us."

"Yes. Zasian. But not a servant of Bane." The angel looked away, and for the very first time, Aliisza saw real fear and doubt on his face. "Zasian serves Cyric," Tauran explained. He looked back at Aliisza and his gaze filled her with dread.

"I need your help," he pleaded.