Chapter Seventeen

Just before moon rise that evening, there had been a knock on the outer castle door. The empress looked up from her infamous spellbook, listening as one of the servants answered it. She just waited a couple of minutes for the known knocking on her office door...

"Come in."

"Someones' here."

"Salem?"

"Yes, his mate, too."

"Send them in, bring coffee."

"Of course." She replied, dashing off.

The empress sat there in her favorite chair, worried. She was as prepared as could be, that's all she could do in the situation, and she knew it. There was one little ray of hope, a slight chance that Spencer and Magellan had made it back; but it was doubtful. As soon as she finished that thought, Ambrosia escorted her visitors in along with the pot of brew.

"Thanks, that's all we need."

Nodding, she quickly left the office.

"Salem, Pandora come, sit."

They nodded, taking the two chairs across from her. The empress poured a cup for each, waiting a few minutes to let it cool and let them get comfortable.

"Now tell me has there been any word from your father, or his friend?"

"No, we're worried about them both."

"I'm sure I would be, too.... I'll get my multi-dimensional crystals ready."

"How will those help?" Salem asked.

"If you know how to use them, you can see into any dimension in existence." She replied, taking a sip, then walking over to the shelf; she grabbed the crystals and placed them on the desk.

"Give it a good few minutes, I'll see what I can, but it might not be clear." Then she got started.

Intently focused, going deep into a visual trance, seeing a thick black fog. Ten minutes later, it still hadn't cleared. A few minutes later, the hybrid spoke up.

"Do you see anything?"

"A fog of evil, darkness, nothingness."

"Do you see my father?"

"No I don't, but I sense he's fine."

"What do we need to do?"

After a silent moment sipping the mug, she gave him an answer.

"Prepare for a less than wanted adventure."

He gave the empress a dark glare before speaking his mind. "Is it because they're vampires?"

"No, it's because I've never dealt with that much evil in one place before... Besides you are a halfling vampire and we're friends."

"Yes, forgive me for being a supernatural village idiot."

"It's okay. We need to go to the underworld and make sure they aren't being enslaved or tormented."

They sipped in silence for a few cups before the hybrid turned to her... "When do you think we should go?"

"I think the first thing tomorrow morning. The dark ones are weaker during daylight hours, it'll give you two time to prepare."

They nodded, staying another hour over coffee, discussing battle pland and magickal items to bring along.