Underlord

By Chanda Hahn

Kira Lier thought she had escaped Underland and the monsters within, but her freedom was only an illusion, an extravagant lie created by the Underlords to keep her imprisoned. To break free and find Zeke and her friends, she teams up with Allyn, a mysterious young mage with a dangerous past.
When a bounty is put on their heads, she becomes the hunted, for the Underlords won’t let her slip through their grasp. She has been chosen by the Fates to save Underland because their world is dying, and their only hope lies in Kira surviving the deadliest game... the Labyrinth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chanda Hahn
• Release date: Sep 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463182055

Chanda Hahn

Chanda Hahn is a New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author. She uses her experience as a children's pastor, children's librarian and bookseller to write compelling and popular fiction for teens. She was born in Seattle, WA, grew up in Nebraska and currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and their twins.

Book preview

Prologue

Come ’ere fish, the hunchbacked man sang out as he lowered his recently repaired net into the water. Fish fish. His fingers gnarled with age and his mind addled from years of overindulging in booze made fishing with a rod almost impossible, but below the docks, there was still the rare mudcat.

The water level—dark, still, and rank as any sewer—was lower than this time last month, which was strange. Their river had never been this low before, but it wouldn’t stop him from his favorite food. It meant he had to fish hanging down from the ladder instead of sitting at the end of the dock.

’Ere fish, he mumbled again as he scoured the blackish muck for movement. When he saw a dark shadow move below the surface, he swung in an arc and lifted the net out of the water, howling his joy at his catch! FISH!

Scrambling up the ladder, he wasted no time killing the mudcat by slamming it against the dock. His hunger drove him to bite into the middle and chew in delight, but his joy turned to disgust as he spat out the meat and looked at the black ooze that was pooling out of the inner fish.

Fish b-bad, he spluttered and flung the mudcat back into the water, watching the dead fish float to the top. Bad fishy. He sniffed and sat on the edge of the dock, looking forlornly along the water. H-hungry. He wiped at the tear in his eye and listened to his stomach growl. It had been a week since he had eaten; he was out of freedom tokens, and the food at the market was rotten or exorbitantly expensive. He had no choice. He was desperate, and his stomach was deciding for him.

He waddled to the slave market and banged on the gate, waiting for the keeper to let him in. If someone bought him, they would hopefully feed him, and so what if he had to go to the games? At least he would die with a full belly.

Raz, the man-sized Doberman, came to answer the rattling on the gate. He tugged on his jacket as he looked at the hunchback, giving him the once-over. He growled a warning through the gate. Go home, Fisher! There’s nothing for you here.

Fish bad! the hunchback grumbled, looking down at his feet.

Yes, it’s bad. So’s the crops, Raz agreed. Nigh everything has gone to rot.

H-hungry. Fisher patted his stomach to convince Raz he would indenture himself for tokens.

You’re not the only one. But c’mon, Fisher. You can’t fight. You had your time in the games. Retire.

Fisher pounded his chest, showing off that he was still strong, had won his freedom and only fallen on hard times. He saw the pity in the hard-nosed Raz and didn’t like it.

Raz sighed. You were a legend. I repeat were. But you ain’t worth nothing, and I don’t even have the heart to sell you as a feeder.

Labyrinth, Fisher said, breathing out, his breath foul from lack of food.

Raz withdrew from the stench. Geez, Fish, you can’t think to enter. You wouldn’t survive.

Fisher became frustrated and shook his head. Labyrinth bad! he struggled to explain, but his deformed mouth and paralysis of half his face made speaking hard for him. Fish bad.

Raz became irritated. No Labyrinth is good, he said, imitating Fisher.

He shooed off the man, but the hunchback reached through the gate and grabbed Raz’s jacket collar, his strength not diminished like his dexterity. Labyrinth dying.

Raz barked out an order, and a one-eyed giant came to his aid. Stepping up to the gate, he reached for the lock. Fisher recoiled, knowing he was the one, years ago in his prime, to have taken the giant’s good eye. Hoping he wouldn’t be recognized, he lowered his head and shuffled off down an alley.

As we waddled away, he mumbled, B-bad f-fish. Bad Lab-Labyrinth. Both d-dying.

Chapter One

Wake up!

Kira’s eyes flew open in the dark and cold room; her arms flailing upward prepared to fight, her heart racing because she received a powerful psychological slap in the face. Pin prickles danced across her skin as she became aware of her surroundings and struggled to recollect what had transpired. A white silk sheet slid from her shoulders as she sat up and glanced around at the other sleeping bodies. She was one of hundreds asleep on marble beds in an underground crypt.

Red poppy petals littered the stone beds, the flowers themselves embedded all along the cave ceiling. Every few seconds, another petal would float down to lie among the others, creating a snowfall of red petals that looked like blood.

Where was she?

Who were these people?

And why was she here and not back home?

Then she remembered the dream.

Kira stepped down off the marble bed, and a warm breeze touched her skin.

Why are you awake, daughter of man? a deep and pensive voice asked. The rumble and timbre bespoke an era of wisdom, and she detected no hint of danger from the speaker, only curiosity.

I don’t know, Kira spoke as she searched the darkness for the speaker.

No one ever wakes. Unless Hypnos allows it.

Well that hardly seems fair. Maybe you should email him, Kira answered and stepped backward, bumping into another marble bed. She stumbled, and her elbow hit the sleeping form.

Do not disturb those that slumber! the firm voice warned from somewhere above her.

Kira looked up as dirt fell into her eyes, blinding her. The owner of the voice was moving around the cave, and she perceived by the intense heat and the hint of sulfur she smelled whenever the voice spoke that she was facing off against a dragon.

Who are you, oh mighty guardian? Kira asked, instilling a title of respect on who she believed to be her one chance of escaping.

I am Colchian. I watch over those that rest, the dragon answered.

And why are they here?

Because Hypnos deems it so. The dragon uncoiled itself, its long neck peeking from the caves hidden in the ceiling and descended before her. His ancient amber eyes mesmerized Kira. What are you, Kira Lier, that you defy the gods?

A teenager. Kira smirked. And we’re not known for following orders well. Especially when they come from self-centered liars. But I never told you my name? She narrowed her eyes.

Colchian avoided her last question since he was more transfixed by her first statement. What is a teenager? What race is that, for you must indeed be powerful? The dragon seemed even more perplexed by her ability to defy an order.

The human race, from the good ol’ U S of A.

Fascinating. But it is a shame that you must pay my price.

Whoa! What? Kira snapped as she backed away from the dragon. The crypt no longer seemed as dark as when she first awoke. Her eyes had adjusted, and the torches on the far walls cast small pools of light along the floor. Enough now she was able to distinguish Colchian’s golden scales from the rust-colored cave walls. He would sneak through hidden caves and drop on her from above before disappearing again into the shadows.

The scant dropping of sand and chunks of stone gave her little warning before he would reappear again. It was unnerving to play hide-and-go-seek with an indeterminable-sized dragon. She slipped and scratched her arm on the corner of a stone crypt.

Ouch! she hissed as blood seeped from her wound.

I smell you, daughter of man. Your blood calls to me.

Kira covered the scratch with her hand and held her breath. Her blood pounded in her ears.

Your fear excites me, the dragon hissed. His head moved lower and brushed across Kira’s back. She dropped and flattened herself to the ground before crawling behind a crypt and looking along the ceiling for a hidden shadow. A whimper of distress passed unbidden from her mouth. Was she still dreaming?

You cannot leave unless you leave something belonging to you behind. That is my price.

What do I have that you want?

An arm or leg would do.

She imagined Colchian licking his lips. Isn’t there something else? Don’t dragons like gold or jewels?

Do you have gold or jewels? he queried as his claws raked across the stone, and her mind imagined them raking across her flesh.

She didn’t, and before she could reply, Colchian spoke, I thought so. The left leg will do nicely. She heard the eagerness in his voice and trembled.

There has to be something else you would want besides my flesh? How about a riddle? Kira asked.

What use do I have for riddles, for there is no one to tell them to?

I uh…I uh. Well… She was panicking for fear of running out of time and wits. Why don’t you wake them up then?

I do not possess the power to wake them before their time. Only an Underlord can. He lowered himself in front of her, now blocking her path.

Colchian’s head pushed toward hers, and his pointed, snapping turtle-shaped mouth opened, and the end was here. She was dragon chow.

The great dragon inhaled. She squeezed her eyes, her hands raised to fists to fight him off, but he paused. Crooking his head to listen, his black, beady eyes studied her before pulling back. He comes, Colchian warned, his voice filled with fear. Like a dog cowering before a master, he slithered back into the caves above and hid.

Kira, in a moment of panic, ran back to her table and lay down upon the stone-cold bed. She heard voices, and the door on the other side of the crypt swung open.

Your sheet, girl. Those under Hypnos’s spell do not move, Colchian whispered from above.

Why was he helping her? Did he think they would punish him if she awoke? She grabbed the sheet and slipped it over herself and lay down again. Kira wasn’t sure what to do with her arms since crossing them over her chest like a vampire seemed out of the question. She laid them at her side and closed her eyes.

Kira focused to slow her breathing and stare at the back of her eyelids. Colchian moved deeper into one of his many caves somewhere above her head, his claws digging and hiding farther out of sight. She wondered what was so terrifying that a mighty dragon cowered in fear.

Even with her eyes closed, she sensed the Underlords approaching, and the hairs on her arm stood on end. She fought the desire to yawn and fall into a deeper slumber, an effect from being close to Hypnos. Just when she almost dozed off again, she remembered how dangerous it could be.

The Fates say this is the end unless someone can retrieve the heart, Hermes spoke.

We’ve done all we can. Even Thanatos failed in his efforts to retrieve it, Ares said.

And the girl, you think this girl has a chance? Hypnos muttered. Of all the champions we’ve gathered, it shocked me when you brought her here, Ares.

You should have seen her fight. Even for a human, she’s surprising and strong-willed. Ares chuckled. I would put her in my army any day.

Hermes was becoming excited. The Fates think she’s the one they have foretold to save us. Just think, it all could come down to a human girl.

Shush, Hermes. Must you talk so much, Ares growled.

The last time Kira had seen Ares, his long dark hair was in a man bun, and he wore all black, the epitome of a bad boy biker or leader of a rock band. Hermes was the opposite; polished, hair in a gentleman’s cut, and dressed to impress and please the masses. She had never seen Hypnos, and she peeked through her lashes to gaze at the God of Sleep, but he wasn’t in her line of sight.

Must you talk so little? I say you two have become quite the reclusive bunch these days. Always brooding, always moody. Not even the games are fun for you anymore, Hermes whined.

The games can’t distract us from the darkness that is plaguing our land. We have to send every champion we have into the Labyrinth. There’s not much time for discretion. We need everyone we can spare for the Labyrinth. Sweep the gamblers market and take those that have any fighting ability. Gather the Paladins.

The Paladins won’t like coming out of retirement, Hermes grumbled.

Who said they have a choice. If they don’t come, kill them. Ares’s voice rose in volume. It seemed the anticipation of death excited him.

Someone touched her arm, and she had to keep from jumping.

It’s a shame that the odds are against her. Such a pretty thing, Hypnos spoke near her.

Never get attached to humans. Their lifespans are like insects to us. But they have their uses, Ares agreed.

Kira struggled to not flinch and keep her eyes closed as a hand stroked her cheek. Hypnos leaned close and whispered under his breath, How can he be so obsessed with this human? The pressure on her face lessened, and Hypnos moved away. The group moved to discuss someone a few slabs over. Kira opened one of her eyes and saw them prodding a man with light brown hair. She saw Hypnos from the back, his close-shaven dark hair and strong shoulders covered with a cape.

The Underlords turned back around, and she closed her eyes and waited.

After what seemed like hours, but was only minutes, they left, the doors scraping closed behind them. Kira was up running toward the exit, but she missed it by seconds as it almost closed on her fingers. She pushed, pulled, and swore, but the door didn’t budge.

Aaah! Kira screamed in frustration. She wasn’t strong enough to open the door, trapping her in the crypt with a cryptic dragon.

Ssso, where were we? Colchian chuckled, his laughter echoing around the chamber.

Kira moved to the nearest wall and unhooked the torch, swinging it toward the ceiling so she could face her adversary. The torch annoyed Colchian, and he hissed his displeasure.

Is that who they are, past champions and Paladins they are sending into the Labyrinth? She moved back toward the stone beds. Kira glanced at the sleeping person who the Underlords were discussing. He was a young man who looked a few years her senior. Maybe if she woke up him, they could open the door together.

Her hand moved to shake the sleeping man, but it displeased Colchian.

Don’t touch those that slumber!

Yeah yeah, I know. But I realized something. You can’t harm me.

No, you’re wrong.

No, I think I’m right. I wonder what Hypnos would say when he learned that his guardian that never sleeps is eating champions.

You wouldn’t dare tell him.

Kira was using the long dialog to brush the poppy petals off the young man. She gave his shoulder a shake, and his head wobbled from side to side.

I think I would, she challenged.

Then I think the game makers will be short one champion. Colchian’s mouth opened, and Kira saw the spark of fire build deep in the back of his throat. She grabbed the man, who was in the direct line of fire, pulling him off the podium; she ducked behind the crypt as the blast of fire flew over her.

The jostling was enough to rouse him from Hypnos’s spell. He blinked up at her scared face as she covered him from the fire.

What’s going on? Where am I? For being in a deep sleep, he seemed to be coming out of it fast. Should she take the chance to wake the others? Did she have the time before being roasted alive, or would her attempt endanger the others that were asleep?

Not now, Kira hissed. We’re about to become dragon kabobs if we don’t move. She had to hand it to him because he read the seriousness in her voice, looked up at the dragon crawling across the ceiling toward them, and sprang into action. This time he grabbed her and rolled them both out of the oncoming blast of dragon fire.

The heat brushed against Kira’s leg, and she knew there would be a burn. They both scrambled to their feet, him pulling her behind as they rushed for the door. Colchian’s roar of fury echoed behind them.

Push! Kira screamed, throwing her shoulder against the door. Her companion did the same, but the door didn’t budge.

It’s sealed by magic! he said and drew a sigil on the door. It glowed purple and sank into the door. A second later, the lock clicked, and the door swung open. They both slipped through and pushed it closed as another blast of fire hit it. He drew another sigil, and it sealed before the force of the dragon’s body hit the stone door.

Kira backed away, unsure of what to do now. Will it hold?

It will hold. He didn’t seem concerned by the one-ton dragon attacking the door.

How did you do that? she asked while glancing over her shoulder. The noise they had made must have alerted someone to their whereabouts.

He flashed her a grin. Magic.

She stopped and looked at him for the first time. He was tall—taller than Den and Zeke—strong, muscled upper body. His light brown hair was long and out of style, but his eyes were the palest sky blue. His nose a little too pointed for his face, but overall, he was attractive in an odd sense. Her pulse quickened.

She was about to ask his name when Colchian slammed against the door a second time, and she jumped, screaming in alarm.

It’s okay, he soothed, touching her upper arm. He can’t harm you. His hand lingered there as he too seemed to study her. Colchian’s mighty roar continued, and the dragon scratched and dug at the sealed door like a dog trying to get under a fence. He could escape—he dug the caves in the crypt, so it was only a matter of time. Her companion didn’t seem worried about the dragon; he rubbed the back of his head as he surveyed his surroundings. He looked confused, his brows furrowed in concentration, but then his handsome face lighted up.

This is Olympus Tower. Sorry, my memory is in a bit of a fog.

Shush! Kira placed her finger to his warm lips as she listened to the sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs. The dragon alerted the guards. We need to go now.

Kira motioned for the man to follow her down the hall the opposite direction of the running footsteps. He kept up, running right behind her. When a torchlight coming from ahead appeared, he pulled her behind a marble statue of a large minotaur. He forced her against the statue and leaned himself close, his arms on either side of her. Pressed against his chest, she could hear the rapid pace of his heartbeat.

Armed Olympus guards in their white uniforms ran toward Hypnos’s crypt. Well this has been an interesting reawakening. Kira looked up into his amused eyes. I would have to say I’m enjoying myself.

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