With a deep breath, I raised Silas’s and my hands and rammed the blade through the siti-hybrid’s face before it could take another step. It wailed a deep, guttural scream, then fell to the floor, black blood oozing from its forehead.
Before any more creatures could enter, we took the sword and plunged it through the keyhole on the first red door. The door let out a loud, piercing cry as if it were in pain. I winced when the high-pitched sound vibrated against the cave walls but continued to the second door. With one last push, Silas and I stabbed the sword into the crimson frame.
A large crack sounded from the doors. Silas spun me around, tightening his arms around my waist as he shielded me with his body. As soon as we turned, the doors exploded into pieces, thrusting us to the hard ground.
I tumbled from Silas’s grip, stars appearing in my sight as pain shot from my leg and shoulder. Lifting my face from the dirt, I found that the siti bodies had disappeared, leaving nothing but pools of black blood.
Chapter 17
“Are you okay?” Silas asked, stroking my forehead.
“I think so,” I replied, testing out my limbs. Pain simultaneously jolted from my arm and my leg. I sucked in a breath, blinking back the tears.
“We need to get you to Claire,” he said as he stood, sheathing his sword, which had now returned to its original silver. Silas wiped the siti blood off his hands and onto his pants, then held his somewhat clean hand out to me. I placed the book in my satchel and grasped Silas’s rough palm. He easily hauled me up as if he hadn’t just battled a dozen monsters.
“Easy,” he cautioned, encouraging me to place my weight on him as I stood. Silas held me tight to his side as we limped back.
I glanced over at him. Save for the previous siti scars on his face, not a single scratch marked his skin. “How are you doing?”
Silas gave a light chuckle, nudging me with his shoulder. “I’m fine. How are you?”
“No, I mean, are you hurt? Is the disease gone?”
He studied his hand where the red splotches had been. “I’m not hurt. At least, I don’t have any injuries I’m aware of. As for the disease”—he held up his hand to my face with a crooked grin—“I’m cured. Nice work, Bellata.”
The crystals around us shined a rich red as they faded back to their original color. Thick black poison oozed from the walls, steaming once it hit the ground. The cave was soon lit with the gems’ miraculous light, leading us back to the Magisters.
“You did it!” Neural laughed, picking me up and swinging me around.
I yelped before he let me go, gently placing me next to Silas.
“I apologize, Bellata. I haven’t felt this strong in years.” His voice had lost its rasp, holding a warm, smooth tone. Neural’s face was completely void of patches, revealing high cheekbones and flawless olive skin.
“I must say, I’m impressed,” Divad added, gliding up behind him, a smile creeping to his otherwise straight lips. Though his green cloak was completely drenched in black blood, the Magister’s creamy complexion was no longer plagued. Divad grimaced at the stains on his cloak. "Those creatures don’t go down easily."
“Come!” Neural shouted, running down the tunnel like a child. “Let us see the others!”
“You must forgive his overexcitement,” Divad said, returning to his controlled demeanor as he sheathed his two swords. “Neural has always loved his people more than himself. It was one of the reasons he was chosen to become one of the Twelve.”
We hurried after him as best as we could and were soon greeted by the sounds of laughter vibrating throughout the caverns. My chest was light, full of happiness and warmth. I couldn’t believe I figured out how to destroy the doors. Maybe I was better at being the Bellata than I thought.
Before we followed Neural further into the cavern, Divad held up a hand.
“There is one thing you must know before you continue your journey,” he said, lowering his hand. “Not all of the Twelve Lands are like Dunsque and Trefair. While we’ve had an alliance, others have had a long period of battle. Prepare yourself; the coming Lands will not be as kind.”
My excitement dulled. I had to stay focused on the task ahead and couldn't get distracted by the first victory.
Silas pulled me closer. “Thank you for the warning.”
Bowing, Divad extended his arm, motioning for us to continue past him.
Laughter, hugs, and tears of joy streamed down the faces of the citizens of Dunsque and Trefair as they rejoiced, thanking the Heavens for their cure. Thousands of empty red cloaks scattered the ground, no longer needed.
Is this what all of Decim would be like if we defeated Ophidian?
If.
I ignored the comment.
“Getting beat up again?”
Claire stood across from me, leaning to one side as she fisted her hands on her hips. Not a single splotch plagued her beautiful bronze skin.
“I told you I needed you to stick around to heal me,” I replied, my lips twitching. Silas released me, and I showed her the wounds on my calf and shoulder.
Claire instructed me to sit. While she coated my wounds with her healing salve, Neural and Divad approached us. Divad held both his scimitars while Neural grasped a golden spear.
“Bellata,” Neural said, his voice booming over the chatter of the crowd. A little girl with charcoal ringlets and a wide grin stood beside him, gripping his hand tightly. Behind them, Divad stood with James and Lord Farmount, both healed of the morb.
Neural bowed his head. “How can we ever thank you?”
The coolness of the salve danced through my muscles, healing my wounds.
“The only thing I can ask for in return is your allegiance,” I said, standing. “Darkness has descended on Decim, and we must defeat it. We need all Twelve of the Magisters to fight alongside Eman in order to save our realm from Ophidian.”
Neural gave a hard nod, releasing the girl's hand before striding toward me. Divad followed, and both Magisters knelt. They raised their weapons to the Heavens and said, “We, Neural Barringer, Magister of Dunsque, and Divad Miscure, Magister of Trefair, swear on our almes to fight with you until there is no life left within us.”
The blades and spear glowed white. The magic of the iuram reached out to me, and I grasped each weapon. Hot, pulsating power flowed from their weapons into my heart, solidifying the oath. We were another step closer to defeating Ophidian.
Adrenaline tingled through my body as my heart pulsed with delight. Three of the twelve Magisters had allied with me.
“Now, there isn’t much time,” Neural said. “You must continue your journey. Come, we will give you any supplies we can provide.” He quickly turned, his cloak flowing through the air as his spear evaporated out of sight.
After Neural had packed us with additional rations and some of Dunsque’s prized jewels, he and Divad led us through another tunnel that took us outside.
“Thank you again, Bellata.” Neural squashed me against his chest. “I don’t know how many able bodies we can round up, considering we lost so many to the morb,” he explained, releasing me from his tight grip. “But we will do the best we can.”
“Thank you, Neural.”
While Neural offered more jewels, in my peripheral vision, I caught Divad take Silas off to the side. With my curiosity piqued, I strained to hear their discussion, but the distance was too great.
Silas wants to know everything about you but has secret conversations with Magisters?
My jaw tightened before I joined the others.
At the opening of the cave, Claire pointed at the height of the sun. “How much longer are we going to stay here?”
“I’m sure they’ll be done soon,” James comforted her. Claire scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Lord Farmount was the farthest one away, standing outside the cave near the cliff’s edge. His back was to us as he faced the Shalley Mountains. It was the first time he had been uncharacteristically quiet, and then I remembered what he had sa
id by the river. Were we really being followed?
Silas and Divad returned to where Neural and I stood.
“Ready?” Silas asked as he sauntered toward me. One hand was placed on the sword’s hilt while the other’s thumb hooked casually in his pocket. I sucked in my lips, trying to keep my jaw from dropping as I memorized every feature on him. I didn’t remember Silas being so handsome and confident.
“Yes,” I breathed, turning away so he wouldn’t notice my embarrassment.
He angled his head. “Are you okay?”
Not trusting my words, I nodded and hurried to the mouth of the cave.
“Finally!” Claire said, throwing her hands up. “I lived in the darkness for too many years. I’m ready to get out into the light again.” She joined Lord Farmount outside, followed by James. Silas went next. Before I left, I turned to face the two Magisters one last time.
“We will be there when you need us,” Divad said firmly, placing a fist over his mended heart before he bowed.
“How will you know when I need you?”
A ball of light popped from his fingertips, and the sparks immediately spun toward me. The strength of the power raced through my heart. Divad closed his palm and placed his hand by his side, dissolving the light.
“We are connected by our iuram. Until we fulfill our oath or die, we will be connected to you.”
Neural gave me a reassuring smile and led me to everyone else. “Be careful, Bellata.”
As we strode away from the Magisters, our group was quiet. Whether from exhaustion or astonishment, I wasn’t sure. Although my lips were silent, my thoughts were whirring, unable to forget Divad’s warning: the coming Lands would not be as kind.
Chapter 18
As soon as I forgot about it, the ticking returned. But this time it was different. Its ring was louder and faster than before. Was it warning me of something coming? The loud tick-tock blurred my vision, elevating my anxiety as I tried to focus on not falling off the side of the mountain. Ahead, Silas led the group. His shoulders were hunched, and his strides were long and hard. Something was bothering him. It had to be what Divad had said to him.
The ticking rattled through my mind, and my foot slipped. I saw the bottom of the mountain coming into view before I was jerked back.
“Keep your head, Adelaide,” Lord Farmount scolded, clenching my forearm. He didn’t release me until I found my footing.
“Thank you,” I said, scurrying past the edge and onto safer ground.
Just then, a bolt of blue light shot the rock beside us, shattering it to pieces.
“Duck!” Silas yelled before we all dove to the ground.
Lord Farmount breathed softly beside me; his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders as we waited. Shards of gravel bit into my face as we pushed ourselves into the ground. I risked a glance at Claire and James, who were huddled in the dirt, but I couldn’t find Silas.
Tendrils of terror punctured my thoughts, and I lifted my head higher, trying to find him.
“Keep your head down,” Lord Farmount hissed, pressing his arm into my shoulder blades.
I wriggled out of his grasp. “I can’t see Silas. I need to make sure he’s okay.”
Shimmying on the ground, I made it behind another boulder. I squinted, peeking around it. A body with a head of blond hair was curled on the ground, motionless. The pebbles surrounding me scattered beneath my boot as I jumped up and sprinted to Silas. His hand clutched his left arm as his body convulsed violently. Who had struck him? And why?
“Silas, Silas look at me,” I said as I knelt beside him, holding his face in my hands. Though my vision was still blurred, that blue lightning looked exactly like the blonde woman’s from the cages in Barracks.
Silas turned his head toward me, his pupils dilating, expanding until his irises were consumed by black. Was he going to lash out again?
“A-A-Ad—" he stammered.
Lightning burned the ground next to me, and I screamed, lunging out of the way. I glanced over my shoulder. Standing on the landing not forty yards away was the blonde woman from Ophidian’s Realm.
James ran and stood between the woman and us, gripping his axe. In a few moments, she sent another bolt, and he deflected it.
“Can we move him?” James asked.
I placed my hands on the sides of Silas’s face. “I’m here, Silas.” My pulse thundered between my ears. “Can you move?”
Slowly, Silas moved his hand away from his arm. The heat from the lightning singed away the sleeve of his sweater, revealing a large, white scar carved into his skin. Running from his shoulder all the way to his fingertips, it was as if the actual bolt had lodged itself into Silas’s arm. Sparks of blue scattered off his arm as another bolt crackled above.
Static clung to the air around us as the woman unleashed a rain of lightning. James shielded us from as many bolts as he could, but there were too many.
“We need to get out of here!” Claire yelled, darting away from the lightning. A large bolt hit right where she had been, and she screamed, dashing to my side.
“Run!” I told her, motioning to James. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Claire quickly grabbed James’s arm before they fled from the lightning.
“Silas.” I gently shook him, trying to get a response. “Silas, I’m going to try to carry you, okay? I don’t know if I can lift you alone. Can you walk? I need you to help me. You’re going to be okay.” His eyes rolled back as his body continued to jerk.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I slung his uninjured arm around my neck. I stumbled under Silas’s weight when he let out a groan. Turning, I found Lord Farmount grasping Silas's waist and slinging his other arm around his own neck. Why was he helping me?
“I told you we were being followed,” Lord Farmount muttered. He glanced at me and scowled. “What? It looked like you needed a hand.”
The air grew heavy, charged with another lightning storm. The bolts danced around us, practically singeing our feet as we ran. The ticking grew louder in my mind, pulsating with vigor. My vision blurred around the edges, making it nearly impossible to see. Panic lodged in my chest as I gasped for air. What was happening to me? Had time run out? Had I already failed?
The sound of rushing water flowed from just ahead. The Flum River. I remembered reading a report from The Barracks Conversation of a man that had been struck by lightning while swimming. His lifeless body was found, floating in the murky water. An electric bolt snapped at my heels. Lightning and water never mixed well, so, maybe, if we could make it across, the blonde woman wouldn’t be able to follow us.
As we neared the river, Claire and James stood at its edge, staring at the harsh, choppy waves. The waters had elevated, gushing faster and deadlier than before.
“Any ideas of how to cross?” I asked.
Claire shook her head. “I was hoping you would know.”
Another bolt struck a few meters away. I bit my nails, trying to think of a solution when a cold power tugged at my heart.
“Take Silas.” I motioned to Claire before I reached into the satchel and grabbed Eman’s book. My vision immediately cleared as I opened the glowing pages. A new text emerged on the page.
All that glitters is not gold
Give, and the river will do as it is told
I gritted my teeth, vowing to demand a book from Eman that was more straight forward. A streak of blue flashed next to me, and I jumped away.
Slamming the book shut, I pressed it against my forehead and shut my eyes, trying to ignore the insistent ticking piercing my brain. Give. Give what? What did I have to give?
I breathed deeply as another bolt zapped, causing Lord Farmount to let out a string of curses.
"He's okay," Claire deadpanned.
Ignoring the comment, I opened my eyes and searched through my satchel. There had to be something to help us in there. As I moved aside another bottle of Claire’s green salve, something twinkled. Next to a bundle of linkslock was the
bag full of crystals Neural had given us from the Dunsque caves.
“‘All that glitters is not gold,’” I mumbled before taking out a ruby.
We didn't have any gold, just jewels. Hoping the ruby was enough, I sent a quick prayer to the Heavens before tossing the glittering crystal into the churning rapids. The waters immediately calmed, and square, gray stones rose from the surface. The stones connected to one another, forming a bridge.
I dropped my hands to my sides, still clutching the book. It worked.
Another bolt landed too close to James.
“Get across!” I yelled. Claire and Lord Farmount darted across, carrying Silas between them. James ran to follow but stopped halfway.
“Hurry, Addie!” he yelled. His eyes were wild as he looked over my shoulder. The bolts were hitting closer.
I started toward the river’s edge but stopped. My heart pulsed, recognizing a strong power behind me. Balling my hands into fists, I turned and faced the blonde woman from the Seven Choices.
Chapter 19
“Addie!” James screamed again, but my boiling blood muted his words.
I focused on the woman in front of me. How did she find us?
An arrogant grin split her red lips as she twirled a bolt of lightning between her slender fingers.
“Did you miss me?” she purred, her voice smooth as silk. “I know someone who did.” She flicked her blue eyes in Silas's direction as she toyed with the yellow gem around her throat.
Silas dancing with this woman, holding her close, flashed in my memory. A growl rumbled in my throat, but I swallowed it.
No, it wasn’t real.
Are you sure?
Another memory, the one where Silas and this woman had a happy life together, stabbed my heart.
It wasn’t real.
Positive?
But this woman was real. Did that mean other things in the Seven Choices were real, too? Did Silas have a relationship with her? An image of Silas embracing this woman and kissing her created an emerald shade over my vision. I blinked it away, squashing the jealousy. Focus, Addie.
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