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Rumir caught up with Nathos, as did Lucian and Rehema. Over Rumir’s shoulder, I saw the snake's body finally surface, sending sand, broken walls, and pillars flying.
“Is that what I think it is?” Rehema yelled. “Is that the world serpent?”
“Yes,” Nathos answered. “But it’s just a bit smaller to fit in here and guard the door.”
“Smaller?” I yelled.
The brown door was closed now, and Nathos flicked his wrist. It opened to reveal a soft white light beyond it. However, when silver eyes materialized above the door, we all skidded to a halt.
The snake lowered its head, its wide mouth slightly open. It was almost as big as Rumir was in his dragon form.
“Wait.” I wriggled out of Rumir’s arms, and he placed me on the ground. Scales appeared on his face. “You’re bigger than this thing.”
The snake's head lowered to the side to block our way to the door, and my power sizzled beneath my skin. As the snake’s mouth opened, Rumir’s wings sprouted from his back.
“Rumir, you can’t shift here,” Nathos said. “We’re below the white tower. And the snake’s venom is deadly to you. Her fangs can pierce your scales.”
Her?
Behind us, the snake drew closer, creating a circle around us and blocking our way to head back.
“Besides, we can’t kill her,” Nathos said. “If you do that, demons will come rushing through that very door.”
“Then I’m guessing you know how to get past her?” Rehema asked, her bow aimed and ready to fire.
The snake moved to the other side of the door, hissing at her. Behind us, her tail slammed the ground, and fire escaped Rumir’s lips.
"Whatever you're going to do, Nathos, do it now!”
“You were to remain quiet and not wake her!” Nathos yelled. “I can’t subdue her. An Executive of the Imperium put her here. I just helped with the spell. If it wasn't for me, Natalie would still be trapped in her own mind, and she wouldn’t have been the only one.”
"So, in other words, you're useless!" Rumir yelled, reaching behind him. I knew he was going to take out one of his swords. “She can regenerate, right? I only need to cut a few pieces off to buy us time.”
The serpent hissed. Her bright eyes were on Rumir as if she could understand him. However, my patience was wearing thin. I needed to get through that door.
I needed to get home.
I reached out with my mind and connected with the serpent easier than I’d expected. The last time I'd tried connecting with an animal, a florkin at the werewolf festival, it hadn't been this simple.
Her eyes snapped towards me, and I called her forward with a finger.
“Come here,” I growled, and her murderous stare softened.
She lowered her head until she was within arm’s reach. I held my middle finger with my thumb and swatted her on the mouth.
She hissed and pulled back, shaking her head.
“You hit me earlier,” I growled, and she lowered her head again. "I didn't appreciate that. We need to pass, and you're going to let us. Once we do, Nathos is going to return with food for you. Okay?”
Her eyes slid to Nathos, her intelligence not surprising now that I could see into her mind. She laid her head on the ground.
I turned to the others, who were staring at me in shock.
Rehema lowered her bow. “You could have done that earlier,” she grumbled. “I thought I was going to die!”
“She only obeys the Imperium,” Nathos said under his breath. “How did you do that?”
“You said it yourself. You can see Tedara in me, and she stands far above the Imperium. Besides, I'm an Enchanted. I simply mind-linked with her. Now—" I cocked my head towards the door. "We need to get going.”
