The Twilight City Page 28
“Balor’s balls, but that bastard really did do something to the foundry,” Yosrick said.
“Not just something, but something terrible. We need to aid the wounded.” Idrimel unsteadily climbed to her feet. She helped the gnome up.
“Sol bless us, for this is the work of Shaol.” Athyzon made a sign to ward off evil.
“May Sol bless us all, Brother,” Idrimel replied.
***
Moments after the explosion, the hillside shuddered beneath Nera and Endira as if some distant earthquake reverberated through it before going still—completely still.
The sudden silence that had overcome Nexus was an ill thing, smothering the city beneath it under a dark pall. The ground lay silent and calm beneath Nera’s feet for the first time in her life. The entire city seemed frozen in stunned anticipation and dread, and throngs of people crowded the streets below, all staring at the ominous pillar of smoke rising from the ruined foundry.
Nera didn’t know who might be behind such a shocking attack, but she had a suspicion. She couldn’t help but think of the fiend in the sand-colored cloak that had once accosted her. Later, she had glimpsed the boy Osric speaking with the creature. She made a sign of warding against evil.
She looked around in confusion, not knowing what to do. Her whole world had changed in the past several days. Arron was dead, and she had been betrayed by her guild and was now a penniless fugitive. Her newfound friend, a man she had come to care about, had disappeared, likely dead. Her options were extremely limited.
All the talk of Nexus’ impending doom had come to pass. The Machine had stopped.
Nera sat on the side of the hill overlooking the smoking shell that had been the heart of the city, head in hands, ears ringing in the oppressive silence, and fought back despair.
Dark times ahead… Sabyl help us.
Author’s Note
Thank you for taking the time to read my book! If you have a spare moment, please take the time to leave a review and spread the word to your friends. Reviews and word of mouth are really important for independent authors to find an audience. I invite you to visit my website for news about future stories and to leave a comment there if you like.
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The adventure continues in Nexus of the Planes Book 2: Doors of the Dark!
Also by Gregory Mattix
Nexus of the Planes
The Twilight City
Doors of the Dark
Dawnbringer
Extensis Vitae
Extensis Vitae
Extensis Vitae: The Shattered Land
Extensis Vitae: City of Sarx
Extensis Vitae: Empire of Dust
Extensis Vitae: The Complete Series
Obsolescence
Seren1ty
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank everyone that made this book possible. First, I’d like to thank my awesome beta readers: my brother, Tim, for all the time spent reading drafts, finding typos, and providing helpful feedback; also to Chris for reading drafts, giving feedback, and helping me brainstorm ideas for the series. Also, I’d like to thank Mona and Mom and Dad for all the help and support along the way.
Thanks again to all my readers for taking a chance on an independent author.
About the Author
Gregory Mattix grew up in the blazing heat of the Arizona desert. He obtained a degree in Business Administration at the University of Arizona, served in the military, and lived overseas for a time. He currently lives in Colorado with his wife and works his day job in the sprawling government machine that aims to keep America safe. He daydreams that one day he can quit the day job and write full time. He is the author of the Extensis Vitae and Nexus of the Planes series.