Hormiz was up early and on a stroll. The cainkin were all at their duties. Ironberries needed harvesting and processing. Branches needed to be crushed into paper. Construction on a new tunnel was at way. Worms needed to be hunted and prepared. Lilith’s City was always active.

Hormiz arrived at Cain’s cell. He instructed the cainkin guards to open the doors and step aside. Cain was blind. His eyes had been gouged out. A beige cloth was wrapped around his head, covering his empty sockets. He looked young and gaunt. Cain wasn’t cursed with death, like Adam was. Cain was cursed with bloodthirst. Chains and shackles kept Cain at bay, but Hormiz wasn’t afraid of him. Cain was the only other person on Nod, apart from Lilith. Few of the cainkin could string a sentence together. They all shared Cain’s curse, and their thirst consumed their minds. Only a few of the oldest cainkin have ever enjoyed original thoughts.

Cain was a miserable wretch. He was given a bucket of blood each day, but his thirst never slacked. The chains never came off. He was kept alive so Lilith could copulate. His entire existence was spent waiting for her to use him. He was also Hormiz’s only friend.

“Hey, old man,” he said to him.

Cain jumped with surprise. “Oh! I thought you’d be… But it’s good to hear your voice, my friend.” Cain turned his chair towards Hormiz. “How was your voyage? I confess, I didn’t think you’d be back.”

“You thought I’d fail?” Hormiz asked dangerously.

Cain shook his head. “I thought you might stay gone. You used to beg me for stories of Eden. I told you it was beautiful. Was it still beautiful? Did you see it? Describe it to me?”

Hormiz sighed. “I spent most of my time in the damn ship. There were no windows. I couldn’t see anything.”

Cain made a disappointed, “Hm.”

“But I did see a cave. It was where we found Samaal. He had freed the Ivory Blade’s Ikon and was raising him like his son this whole time,” Hormiz said bitterly. “But the cave itself was beautiful. It had these bugs that sparkled in the air, and moss that made the walls glow green-blue. A beam of sunlight shined on a tree with pink flowers next to a stream. The air was humid but fresh-tasting. Birds and bats filled the air with sound.”

Cain was smiling widely. “Ah, what I would give to be back on Eden again. Ha! What have I left to give?” He laughed wildly.

Hormiz chuckled. “But I’m loyal to Lilith. Without her, I’m nothing. Had I stayed on Eden, I would have starved to death.”

“Yes, she’s our queen and her mercy is absolute,” Cain repeated, as he’d done countless times before. He waited silently.

So Hormiz added, “I spoke to Samaal, and Rowan, and Zeke, the son they raised instead of me. They claim they want to take me away from here.”

Cain breathed in deep. He said, “I know nothing outside what’s said in this room. But I know if you find a way out, you take it. Wherever you go, it can’t be worse than this.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Hormiz was shocked. The brazen, disloyal ingrate! Didn’t he of all people know there was no way out? Hormiz stormed out of Cain’s cell and crossed the palace grounds for his meeting with Lilith.

He was early and thought he would have to wait, but the cainkin opened the doors promptly as he arrived. Hormiz climbed the stairs to the Grand Dais and found, to his bewilderment, Lilith on her throne looking impatient, and Zeke standing in the center of the Dais. He looked beautiful and soft. There was a feminine prettiness to him. His hair was long and wavy. His eyes were dark brown. He smiled at Hormiz.

“So nice of you to finally join us,” complained Lilith. “Ezekiel, this is Hormiz. Hormiz, this is your new lord and commander. You will follow his orders as though they were mine.”

Hormiz locked his jaw, stiffened his shoulders, and said dutifully, “Yes, Queen Mother.”

“Good. Our wonderful new friend just arrived this morning. Cainkin found him wandering the halls of the palace. He was just sharing with us the conditions of his service. You may continue, Ezekiel.”

“Oh. Uh, hi. Well, I want to see Samaal, and I want you to free the ikon trapped in that gauntlet.”

Lilith smiled sweetly. “I have given a great deal of consideration to your requests. I agree to your terms. However, I don’t know the magic or spells required to free this Ikon. Until the spells can be learned, and until an appropriate vessel is found for the soul to inhabit, the Bone Gauntlet will remain in my custody.”

Zeke bit his lip. “Samaal may know of a spell since he cast it on me. If I can visit him now-”

Lilith shouted an interruption. “You may visit Samaal at a time of my choosing. Until then, you should acquaint yourself with my city. In two bell chimes, we will all supper together, like a family. Hormiz will be your guide and escort you to your chambers in the Upper Suite. Welcome home, Ikon Ezekiel.”

The Upper Suite was Hormiz’s dwelling. Lilith was giving this upstart little shit Hormiz’s bedroom. Zeke looked stupidly happy to see Hormiz like they weren’t mortal enemies. Hormiz clenched his jaw and led Zeke across the palace grounds and up the stairs to the luxurious home that moments ago belonged to him. It had been cleaned and made by cainkin workers. The house meant nothing to Hormiz. He was not sentimental. He would commandeer another dwelling in the palace without issue, but it was the insult that Hormiz resented.

Zeke was fully oblivious. “I’m glad we’re getting this moment alone,” he said.

Hormiz corrected, “We’re not alone. We’re being attended by cainkin, two in the kitchen, and two outside the door. They have a routine and will bring you meals at designated bell chimes. Let me make one thing clear. I don’t take orders from you. You may be everyone else’s favorite, but as soon as Lilith is done with you, I will kill you myself.”

Zeke pressed his lips into a frown. “I’m going to trust you,” he said quietly.

“Why would you do that? I was very clear that’s a bad idea.”

“I’m here to rescue Samaal and bring you both home.”

Hormiz recoiled. “You can’t be serious. That’s impossible.”

“Not if you help me. I don’t know this place. I’ll never find Samaal on my own. Take me to him, and we can all go home.”

Hormiz narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know where he is, and even if I did, I would never help you. I am loyal to my queen.”

“The woman who kidnapped you? What about loyalty to our mother and father?”

Hormiz screamed, “Do not act familiar! We are not brothers! We aren’t even the same species! We have nothing in common!”

Zeke raised his chin. “Only a mother who loves us and wants to bring you home.”

“If she gave a damn about me, where is she now?!”

Zeke bit his lip.

“This is my home! Now it is your home. I suggest you give up these fantasies and do what you are told! Or else Lilith will have no use for you, and I will kill you early!”

Hormiz stormed out of the room.