Jez and his friends did their best to remain discrete, but with the masters of knowledge, protection, and destruction all gathering in the summoners practice house, they couldnt hide the fact that something was going on. Before long, it seemed like the eyes of half the Academy were on them. The adjutants with Besis and Fina werent given any details other than to be told to be ready in case an unknown summoned being escaped.

Rather than use one of the partial circles carved into the ground, Linala made one from a variety of different colored sands. The runes that had been drawn on it seemed to shift under Jezs sight, and it made him dizzy if he stared too long. As she got into the focal point, Besis walked up to her.

Are you sure youre strong enough for this?

She raised an eyebrow. Do you think you can accomplish a summoning based purely on a name? This likely wont be an imp. This may well take everything I have.

Thats what I mean. Not a handful of hours ago, you were in a sick bed. Its been half a year since Sharim fled. What does it matter if we take another day for you to recover?

It could make all the difference in the world. Jezreel is right about the stakes. She met Besiss eyes. Dont worry. I can handle a single summoning. Just be ready to act in case it gets away from me.

Besis inclined his head and backed off. He lifted his hands, and Jez could feel the power welling up inside of him. Jez prepared to call his crystal sword but instead closed his hand around his gold-veined blade. Osmund shrouded his hands in flames. Lina vanished from sight, and Jez could imagine her being ready to craft an illusion that would aid them in battle.

Linala began the summoning, and other runes appeared in the air, pulsing with yellow light in a pattern Jez couldnt quite see. Linalas voice maintained an odd cadence, and after a few seconds, a ball of light appeared in the center of the circle. Master Fina tensed, and one of his students, a burly girl with arms as big as tree trunks raised her hands. Jez expected fire to blossom from her fingers, but her control was too great, and she just kept herself in a ready position.

Enki.

Linalas voice seemed to echo a thousand times. The runes glowed brighter and the light in the center expanded until it was vaguely human shaped, though it never truly solidified. Linalas eyes widened, but she showed no other signs of surprise.

Who are you?

The voice coming from the light sounded pained. It was thin and reedy, as if coming from the other side of a thick wall, and it seemed on the verge of crying out in pain.

You are Enki? she asked.

Leave me be. Do not taunt me by showing me your world.

Taunt you?

Every moment in the abyss is an agony, but to touch your world, even in such a limited fashion, makes my pain that much worse.

Youre in the abyss? Youre a demon?

That has no simple answer.

What do you mean?

It was not only the afur who rebelled. I am Enki the betrayer. Enki, imprisoned in the abyss.

Youre a demon that rebelled against the abyss? Linalas eyes darted towards Besis. She kept her arms raised, though she seemed to be having trouble keeping them in place. She was breathing heavily, and Jez worried she would pa.s.s out, but she spoke in a strong voice. There have always been rumors about that.

The light dimmed. Release me. I do not wish to be here.

Wait, Jez called out. Linalas eyes flashed to him, and he took a step back, but he felt the lights attention fall on him. Jez took a deep breath. Do you know about Sharim?

Sharim. The light brightened, and pure emotion ran over Jez. It wasnt joy or anger or sorrow, but a combination of all of those and a thousand others. It was the raw stuff of emotions. His mind had no way to interpret it. He fell to his knees. Linala staggered, but everyone else went to the ground. It was at least a full minute before anyone had recovered. I know of the creature who calls himself Sharim.

He wants to escape from the abyss.

We all want to escape.

But he has a plan.

The light dimmed again. Yes.

Do you know what it is?

The pain. The touch of your world has brought it anew.

Im losing him, Linala cried.

The light screamed in absolute agony and hopelessness. The sound didnt just bring tears to Jezs eyes. It ripped them out, and they poured down his cheek. For one instant, he understood how this being felt, shut away from even the possibility of peace, and even that brief moment nearly broke him. The light vanished, and Jez wasnt sure how long it was before he could sit up again. It was only then that he realized everyone had been affected. The adjutants of protection and destruction were picking themselves off the ground. Lina had gone visible again. Even Master Linala wiped tears from her eyes.

A demon who rebelled, Besis said. Is that even possible?

There have always been stories, Linala said, but I thought them nothing more than that.

He knows about Sharim, though, Jez said. Can you call him back?

Maybe.

What do you mean maybe? Jez asked. We know more about him now. That should make it easier.

Provided he wasnt lying. She narrowed her eyes at Jez. I dont suppose this has shaken any memories loose.

Jez shook his head. Most of the masters thought he, like Osmund, was a limaph. Their unique heritage granted some unusual powers, and a few knew things they had no way of knowing. Jez had used that excuse more than once.

We need more information, Linala said. If we cant contact Enki again, there are a few other sources I can try.

A Shadowguard might know about Enki, Jez said, especially if he took part in some demon rebellion.

Linala smirked. Do you happen to know one?

Jez nodded. As a matter of fact, I do, but I dont think we should try to summon him. He might take that badly. We should just call him.

Call? Besis asked. How does one call a pharim?

Jez smiled. I just need to use the speaking stone.

CHAPTER NINE.

Rather than having everyone ascend to the top of the central spire, the masters had dismissed their adjutants and had had the large sapphire that the Academy used as a speaking stone brought to the summoning chamber. Now, they all stared as the person Jez had contacted activated the speaking stone in Rumar Keep. Villias face appeared in the crystal. The stone tinged her face blue. Her raven black hair framed features that seemed to belong to a woman in her thirties, though in reality, she was much older. When she saw him, she sighed.

Jezreel, I told you, theres nothing I can tell you about the abyss.

Its good to see you too, Villia, Jez said. Thats not what I wanted to know.

She gave him a half smile. Sorry, its all youve wanted to talk about lately. Her eyes flickered to Osmund. I see youre back.

The larger boy inclined his head. It was an interesting couple of months.

I imagine so, if what Ive heard is true. Now, what was it you wanted, Jezreel?

I need to speak with a Shadowguard.

I would think that would be easy for you.

He cleared his throat and eyed Linala and Fina, though neither reacted to Villias statement. He shook his head. Its complicated. None of the Shadowguard can be contacted except for those standing watch over the most powerful of demons. The only one I know is doing something fairly important, and I think it would be a bad idea to just summon him. Since youre right there...

Villias eyes widened. You want me to contact Shamarion. You know hes standing guard over Maries.

Suddenly, Shamarion stood next to Jez. There was no flash of light or crash of thunder. He simply appeared, towering over everyone but Osmund. His robes shimmered blue, and he had the sun-tanned skin of someone who spent their life outdoors. He had shining white wings on his back, and a crystal sword hung from his waist. His eyes were as blue as the sky on a clear summer day.

You wish to speak to me, Luntayary?

Linala raised an eyebrow at that, and Jez avoided meeting her gaze. Its Jez.

The Shadowguard inclined his head. Yes, of course. Jez.

He drew out the name, as if struggling with it. Jez turned back to the speaking stone and said goodbye to Villia before ending the transmission.

How did you get here? Jez asked.

I went Between.

Jez rolled his eyes. I guessed that. I mean how did you know we needed to speak to you?

Shamarions eyes flickered to the crystal. The traitor spoke my name as well as that of my charge. How could such a thing escape my notice? What do you need?

Linala stepped up next to Jez and cleared her throat. Shamarion glanced at her but returned his attention to Jez half a second later. She stepped forward.

Excuse me, lord Shadowguard. I am Linala, Master of Knowledge of the Carceri Academy.

Linala, Master of Knowledge of the Carceri Academy, I was not speaking to you, Shamarion said without looking up. What did you want, Jez?

He stumbled over the name again, and Jez smiled. He glanced up at Linala before answering. I heard a rumor that there was once a rebellion of demons.

Shamarion inclined his head. Long ago when the race of man was still new upon the world, the demons discovered that humans knew more than just rage and hate. It intrigued them and some decided to change.

What happened to them?

They were destroyed.

All of them?

I dont know for certain. We have no ability to see into the abyss, but they were not cast into the mortal world like the traitors among the pharim. They must have remained in the abyss, and there, they could be destroyed. Why do you ask?

We made contact with a being who claims to be a demon who rebelled. He says hes imprisoned in the abyss, and that hes been tortured.

Shamarion hesitated. Such a thing is not impossible. He didnt sound very sure of himself. If any would torture their own kind for century upon century, it would be demons. How did you find this being?

Linala cleared her throat again. Shamarion glared at her. If you are going to keep interrupting, perhaps Jez and I should speak privately.

Her face flushed, and she spoke through clenched teeth. Thats not necessary, but I do think some of the others should leave before you answers that question.

Shamarion narrowed his eyes but shrugged. It makes no difference to me.

Jez eyed her. Im going to tell Osmund and Lina whatever happens. They can either be here when I hear it, or I can tell them later. Its up to you.

Osmund smirked, and Lina tried to hide her smile. Linala glared at them, and they both avoided looking her in the eyes. Finally, Linala turned her gaze on Besis. The protection master only smiled, and Linalas face reddened.

You really do need to learn what it means to be discrete, Jezreel, she said. If I thought our guest would talk to me instead of you, Id send you away as well. We got his name from living shadows.

Shamarion nodded. Ah yes. If anyone would know such things, it would be they. If they have spoken plainly and told you these things without speaking in riddles, then you can trust it is true.

If Enki is trapped in the abyss, how do we get him out? Jez asked.

You cannot free something from the abyss.

But I saw Sharim make at least two circles to permanently summon a demon. Is there some reason we cant do the same for one who the demons are holding?

Shamarion shrugged. Im afraid thats more your area of knowledge than mine, Lady Mage, he said finally meeting Linalas gaze. Is such a thing possible?

She pursed her lips. Im not sure. Permanent summonings are dangerous things. Maybe.

Shamarion returned his eyes to Jez and let out an exaggerated breath, which was doubly interesting because pharim didnt need to breathe. This is why I spend little time with mortals. They never know what theyre doing.

She scowled at him and turned to the destruction master. Fina, would you mind clearing this dust away?

Of course.

The burly man inclined his head. With a flick of his fingers, a gust of wind picked up the dust Linala had drawn in and carried it out through a window. Not even a speck remained behind, and it had been so tightly controlled that Jez hadnt even felt a breeze. Hed known Fina was strong, but hed never seen such precision before. He knew it shouldnt surprise him. Fina wasnt the destruction master for nothing.

Thank you, Linala said.

She pulled a handful of white dust out of a belt pouch. She let it fall to the ground as she walked, creating a new circle from the pearlescent sand. Then, she knelt, and her fingers moved around it in precise movements, drawing runes in the sand. Every once in a while, she would stop and murmur a few words, and the sand close to her would shimmer and change colors.

When she was done, the circle was comprised of the seven colors representing the seven dominions. Runes covered every inch of sand. In many cases, they had been drawn on top of each other, but rather than interfering with one another, each rune complimented the ones it had been drawn upon. It was impossibly complex, and Jez couldnt believe Linala had constructed it in seconds. It didnt look exactly like the one shed used before, but he didnt know enough about this level of summoning circle to be able to understand the difference.