The Death Prophecy (The Oracle Series Book 2)

by N. J. Cooper

  Breathing heavily with her elbow throbbing and her head bleeding, Kyla made her way back down the tunnel to the storm grate. Using the flame, she read the word on the door; Inferis-a secret entrance to the Underground Area. Yet, there was a giant guarding it. Frowning, Kyla went to walk back the way she had come when she heard voices. They echoed along the tunnels, reaching her before the bodies themselves. Kyla looked around for somewhere to hide when the Oracle pushed their body back into the wall, next to the giant she had murdered.

  ‘Stay completely still. I’m going to make us blend into the wall, but I am weak and won’t be able to hold it for long. Your scent should be disguised by the giants stench.’ The Oracle breathed before doing exactly that. Minutes later, the voices showed themselves in the shapes of a vampire and a goblin walking leisurely up to their space. She dropped the flame quickly, so it looked like it had come out of the giants hand. The vampire and goblin came over with frowns.

  “Damn Geroff, went and pissed someone off again. This time he must’ve gone too far. Guess we better order a new guard from the giants. Hopefully a better one than this clumsy oaf.” The goblin said moving in quick steps around the body. The vampire frowned and bent down to inspect closer.

  “Lirial is at the vampire gate for the night. Geroff should have messaged her if something was wrong. We should check this out.” The vampire replied, his blood red eyes disconcerting in the shadowed tunnel.

  “Check what out, vamp? These tunnels are unknown to those of the light. What would we be checking for? An assassin who had an axe to grind? Looks like one of the under-grounders took him out and after what he did last time, I’m not surprised. Now c’mon, the others are waiting. The Prince and the Oracle will be in Mons tomorrow and we need to make sure there is nothing for them to find. Like these tunnels.” the goblin squawked in an annoying nasal tone that had her cringing back against the wall. Finally, the goblin and vampire walked away and through the door at the end by turning the dial in the middle of the grate, twice to the left then one to the right. Kyla felt herself being pulled from the vision and helped the Oracle back through, her mind finally releasing from the strain, only to be pushed into a harsh reality that meant her pain was still real.

  ~ 11 ~

  Kyla gasped as she came awake on the bed of the camper, the room dark as Wyatt and Zarek watched on nervously. She cried out as the pain in her elbow became real, leaving the throb of her head a distant annoyance. She went to speak in answer to the hurried, worried questions of Wyatt but her Oracle was still connected and weak. It had Kyla stumbling from the bed to the small bathroom. Black blood fell from her nose and mouth as she heaved into the toilet. Zarek was behind her, holding back her straying hair as Wyatt stood at the doorway with a cold face cloth ready. Kyla finally let go of the Oracle so her body could stop feeling the Djinn poison through her, then leant against the cold tile wall, her arm cradled in her lap as the other wiped the black ink from her face.

  “So, the bad news is that my visions can’t protect me physically anymore. I killed a giant and broke my elbow. Oh, and the Oracle is getting a lot weaker so it’s going to take me forever to heal. Good news though? I think I may have just seen how Byron and his allies have been getting around undetected.” Kyla breathed heavily. Wyatt and Zarek both looked at her then at each other. Their reactions a mix of worry and relief. Kyla passed out seconds later.

  ***

  Kyla came awake, her mind alert. Her eyes flung open, expecting pain to encompass her body. It didn’t.

  A warm hand pressed her body back down onto the bed of the camper.

  “Stay down. It’ll take longer if you move around. And make things harder on me.” A strained familiar voice said. Kyla looked through the doorway to where she could just see Wyatt’s blonde mat of hair poking up from the couch that faced out the window.

  “You can’t use your powers Zarek, we’re not alone.” Kyla tried to push his hands away, but his glare stopped her.

  “I have no choice. We’re almost there and you weren’t healing fast enough. How are you feeling?” He asked quietly. Kyla bit her lip, checking to see if they were being watched before leaning back to check her limbs over. Only a slight ache in her elbow, barely a throb to her head but as she felt passed her mind, she knew the healing had no effect on the Oracle’s dismal state. Kyla sighed.

  “Fine. Thank you. Sorry you had to risk exposure-I can’t heal until this Djinn poison is gone.” Kyla sat up completely as Zarek’s hands fell to his sides. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed they occupied and shrugged.

  “I was careful. Wyatt and I have been taking shifts to check on you. I just used my turns to speed up your healing. Discreetly of course. Anyway, now that you’ve healed, and I have drained more of my father’s life, I’ll leave you to get changed. You need to be in realm colours to attend the meeting with the giants and goblins. We’ll be there within the hour and I need an exact rundown on what the hell happened in your vision before we get there.” Zarek ordered with a tense look on his face that implied he hadn’t yet forgiven her. Kyla nodded then grabbed the clothes he left for her. He left and she had to work to stomp down the urge that made her want to go to him and beg him to forgive her. But he needed time and now wasn’t it. She stood from the bed

  warily, testing her leg strength before pulling the flimsy white curtain across the doorway between the bedroom and the rest of the camper. She cringed at the dress she had been given. Not much fighting ability in a dress but the point was to look as if their visit was routine-even if they knew it wasn’t. Kyla pulled on the tight tan, long-sleeve dress with white heels and lace cardi before brushing shaky fingers through her hair.

  When she moved out into the rest of the camper, Wyatt and Zarek were waiting for her at the table. Wyatt with her journal and Zarek with an impatient tap of his long fingers. Kyla pulled her cardi across her then sat down at the edge of the booth.

  “Tunnels. There are a network of tunnels that lead to Inferis and who knows where else. They were guarded by a giant though, one that I killed because he could see me and attacked. A vampire and goblin were down there as well, so I assume they are all involved. They know we are coming and said something about preparing beforehand.” Kyla explained in a whoosh. Both of them retaliated with wide eyes.

  “You killed a giant?” Zarek demanded.

  “I had no choice.”

  “If they find out, they can have you banished Kyla. That was reckless.” Zarek scolded.

  “And what was I meant to do Zarek? Let him kill me? The others didn’t suspect me, and they’ll cover it up so they don’t have to reveal the tunnels, so it’s fine. Anyway, I think the warehouse is hiding something. That’s why they said they needed to prepare. We need to get up there as soon as possible.” Kyla urged. Zarek rolled his eyes.

  “Don’t be so impatient. We have to do things properly here. We are in their territory; we have to abide by the laws. We attend the meeting, they provide a lunch and we must stay for it, then we will go over the realm reports for this quarter-births, deaths, illegal activity, border crossings-then we go over the maps and I’ll pick where I want to inspect. They will escort us to each place.” Zarek informed.

  “And what if we find something?” Wyatt interrupted.

  “If we find something that doesn’t add up or can’t be explained, I issue them with a meeting scroll. This will appear with my parents as well. It will explain what was found and a time for a judgement hearing. Depending on the crime, they will either be taken into custody to the city dungeons or they will be collected on their date from the Area Dungeons. Then we move on to the next location. We can’t actually follow any leads until we have finished the meeting formally, back at the cave and I have given them a report on my findings and what happened during the visit. We may be stuck with the giants for at least a few days for this visit-especially if we find something at the warehouse.” Zarek grimaced. Kyla let out pent up breath.

  “I only have a week until I’m
not going to be much help to anyone. I have to find something here then leave to get this Djinn, who is killing me.” Kyla reminded. Zarek nodded.

  “I know, that’s why I’m going to choose the warehouse, the next closest cave and the closest goblin tree I can to the meeting cave. That should eliminate a lot of travel time and the lunch should move quickly, or at least provide some insight as to what happened and how Byron got in which I am free to ask.”

  “Okay, but if I find a lead-or have a vision which is what I am hoping for, I need you to tick everything off and we have to get out of there.”

  “I’ll do my duty, Kyla. That’s all you can ask of me. We still do need these reports and I still must act on behalf of my parents. As you already know, this will be my life sooner rather than later.” Zarek bit before looking out the window, a tic in his jaw interrupting his scowl. Kyla sighed at the reminder of how much she had hurt him.

  “I am sorry Zarek. Look, maybe I could talk to the giants then? You can still do your duty as the Prince but maybe I could ask to have a look myself?” Kyla asked but by the way his head snapped back to glare at her, and the intake of breath Wyatt took, she knew it was the wrong thing to say.

  “Kyla that’s definitely not a good idea.” Wyatt stammered. Kyla frowned.

  “Why not?” She demanded.

  “You will not say anything at this meeting, understood? You will stand in the back as if you are there as a witness and not utter even a word under your breath. No interruptions, no opinions and definitely no asking of anything. These giants and goblins are on the High Council-they know the laws inside and out. If they really do have a role in this, then the first thing they will do is say you disobeyed protocol and provoked them. You will be instantly arrested. Don’t. say. Anything.” Zarek growled. Kyla huffed and sat back, folding her arms. Not what she wanted to hear.

  “Fine. But hurry them along. I need to get something out of this, or I’m screwed.”

  “I’m well aware.” He snapped back before sliding out of the booth and going to the back room.

  Ten minutes later as Wyatt and Kyla sat on the couch watching the centaurs pull their camper up the hill from the comfort of the couch, a nervous tingle began to settle in her blood. What if they talked to her? Could she talk back? What if they provoked her? Could she retaliate? What if she found something that she had to act on? Could she wait?

  Kyla chewed her lip as her mind questioned her sanity in coming to a dangerous territory with a prince who was pissed at her and a friend who she couldn’t bear the thought of losing. Kyla watched the trees pass, trying to distinguish them, or any part of the habitat that might look familiar from her passing in the clutches of vampires when Byron had taken them, but it all passed in a blur. The centaurs were fast and seemingly just as anxious as her, to get this over with. When the camper finally slowed, Kyla look ahead to where the opening of a cave loomed. Two average-height goblins were on either side of the cave, light green skin, long pointed ears, scrunched noses, silver armour with bows and arrows, guarding the entrance. Orion and Shemar nodded in greeting; their bodies rigid as they slowed on the levelling of the hill. The goblins snuffed back.

  Zarek came through from the bedroom then and her jaw dropped. He wore white pants, with a white coat that was held together by big, gold, emblemed buttons. A gold chain went to a pocket that held four gold badges and a tassel. A white cape flowed out behind him with a gold lining. He was in Prince mode. A side she had never seen, and she had to be honest; it was intimidating. His hair was slicked back, his face stoic, his blue eyes taking on a darker, firmer shade than she was used to. Zarek took a deep breath and looked at them both. Wyatt had already changed into tan dress pants and a vest with a white-collar shirt and awaited Zarek’s orders.

  “We’re here. Orion will go in first, then me, then you two, then Shemar. Don’t break formation. Watch out for any sudden movements. Don’t react to anything that happens. Just stand there. They are not allowed to talk to my witnesses directly, only me. Orion is the only one allowed to speak on my behalf, understood?” Zarek questioned. Kyla and Wyatt nodded, already practicing their expected silence.

  Moments later, Orion opened up the door of the camper, letting them out onto the small patch of grass at the opening of the cave. The goblins visibly narrowed their eyes as the three of them came out, their long fingered, bony hands clutching their bows tightly. Orion shut the camper door behind them, then stood in front of them, leading them into the cave in formation, Zarek nodding towards the goblins as they entered. They walked through the dimly lit cave entrance, rounding a rocky corner to where the cave opened into a large space, with hard-packed dirt floor and high ceilings. A conference table sat in the middle, with two huge chairs sitting next to two smaller ones. Opposite those, were three normal chairs with folders laid out in between the pre-set place settings. Everything was so silent, Kyla jumped as the cave rumbled in time with the four heavy feet that stepped towards them.

  “Prince Zarek. Welcome.” The male giant said as he knelt down in front of them. The woman to his side, repeated his actions. They both had the same greying, black curly hair on their heads, with wide pale green eyes. Freckles were on their chubby cheeks as their ears stuck out passed their curls. They had bulging noses, but their physiques were not the bloated type she had expected or remembered on Geroff. These two were fit, broad, muscular. Intimidating. They both had bare feet but wore white cut off pants, white sleeveless button up shirts with gold buttons and the woman had a gold headband.

  “Elder Egen. Elder Ulga. Thank you for having me. Do you have the reports ready?” Zarek asked as the Giants stood. Ulga nodded and pointed to the table.

  “Yes of course. We can discuss them further over a hot meal. Our son, Pogan has created a delicious gumbo for us to share.” Ulga grinned broadly, revealing gapped teeth. Zarek stepped forward but Orion stopped him and looked around the cave with narrowed eyes. Everyone halted except the Giants, who positioned next to their chairs waiting to be followed. Orion whispered in Zarek’s ear, but Kyla couldn’t make out what was said until Zarek spoke.

  “Egen. Where are Elder Timmin and Elder Lorrin? They were requested for this meeting.” Zarek asked looking around. Ulga blushed under her skin as Egen’s huge square jaw clenched.

  “They are running late, unfortunately your Majesty. Forgive us. You know goblins can be a little unreliable.” Egen replied, taking a seat. Zarek walked forward on Orion’s cue as they all sat. Kyla wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she was getting impatient, she needed to get to that warehouse, and she had a feeling the goblins being late was not a coincidence.

  “Fine, we shall start without them. We have some important questions after the previous trespassing incident.” Zarek leaned forward with his fingers clasping on the table. Shemar and Orion took a step closer in to crowd his chair.

  “Yes, well. As we told the King, we had no idea of any of that. We didn’t sense nor catch him in our area and were just as shocked as you, to find out someone had got through. The vampires especially, you know we despise those creatures.” Egen bluffed. Kyla’s fists clenched against her thigh. What benefit did Byron have for them that made risking banishment worth it? Did they really think the realm would be better off in the hands of Onyx? Considering they were lying to the Prince; the answer was obvious.

  “And did you record the trespassing? From what I understand, you and the Goblins weren’t too cooperative when the centaurs searched the area for leads.” Zarek questioned. Ulga cleared her throat to interrupt.

  “We recorded everything. It’s all in the reports your Majesty. We just didn’t see the need to investigate further. We are sorry for not cooperating but as you can imagine, after having our territory compromised, our kind were very on edge. We were under the impression-we were safe from things like that happening.” Ulga turned the guilt on Zarek who narrowed his eyes back. Kyla sat straighter, biting her tongue against the manipulative comment. She was close to breaking when tw
o goblins came cackling in the entrance, stopping abruptly upon seeing the Prince. They went to their knobbly knees.