Empress of the Underworld Read Online Free PDF Page A

does all she can. She has mighty powers, but there are many Underlings. No matter how many we capture, it seems there are always more. They’re as clever and wicked as any being in Nuworld.”
    â€œWhat do they want?” Abbey asked.
    â€œAs I said, they want to kill the empress and all the nobility. They want to take over all the riches of the Underworld. They serve the Dark Lord. He promised them all sorts of things if they would come under his banner.”
    Abbey said nothing for a while. At last she said, “That sounds like an old story. Ever since we came to Nuworld, Goél has sent us to people in trouble like your own.”
    â€œYes, we have heard much of that. We have heard the song about the Seven Sleepers.” He looked down at her and smiled. “It still seems passing strange to me that so much could rest upon such a beautiful young woman, so tender and gentle. Like a princess.”
    Abbey flushed. His praise sounded sweet in her ears, but she said modestly, “I’m the least of the Sleepers.”
    â€œNevertheless, to be a Sleeper is an honor, isn’t it?”
    â€œOh, yes, it is.” Abigail could not help thinking that only yesterday she had been complaining about being a Sleeper. But somehow this handsome young man, with his winning ways, had softened her.
    Lothar was quiet for a time. But when they came in view of the house, he put a hand on her arm. “Stay a moment.”
    When she faced him, he asked quietly, “Have you made your decision? Will you go back with me and help save my people from the Underlings?”
    â€œOh, Lothar. I don’t know. It’s so hard to choose.”
    He did not urge her further. “Yes, it must be,” he said. “That shows you have character. Why, most young women, if they had the opportunity to go to the Underworld and have all the jewels, silks, and other beautiful things there—they wouldn’t hesitate a moment.”
    â€œOh, I’d love to go, but I’m not sure it would be the right thing to do.”
    â€œYou must decide.” Lothar shrugged. “You must come voluntarily or not at all. But you must make your decision now. I must hurry back. Even now the Underlings may be in revolt and the empress’s life in danger.”
    Abbey’s mind seemed to go into some sort of frenzy. More than anything else in the world, she wanted to go with Lothar. The very idea of the gold, jewels, and luxuries he had drawn for her made her want this. On the other hand, something kept nagging at her—a doubt that she could not set aside.
    She said, “I just can’t make up my mind, Lothar. I wish I could. If I had my own way, I’d go in a minute.”
    Lothar shrugged again. “Well, perhaps it’s not important that you go. Are there other young women in your party?”
    â€œYes, there’s one. Her name is Sarah.”
    â€œIt might actually be better if she went instead of you.”
    Abbey turned to look at him. “Why her instead of me?”
    Lothar smiled. “She cannot be as beautiful as you.”
    Again Abbey’s face glowed, but she asked, “What does that have to do with it? Is it better for a homely girl to go instead of a pretty one?”
    â€œWhy, surely you’ve heard of the powers of our empress?”
    â€œNo, I told you—I’ve heard nothing about the Underworld.”
    Lothar laughed. “Everyone knows about the power of the Empress of the Underworld to make women beautiful.”
    Instantly Abigail’s total attention was riveted on Lothar. “To make women beautiful, you say?”
    â€œWhy, yes. Of course, you are already beautiful. And this other girl, this Sarah, if she goes—I hate to tell you this, but after the empress touches her with the strange power she has—” he shook his head “—she’ll be far more beautiful than you, I’m afraid.”
    Abbey thought, That’s not