by Amy C. Blake
Regin steadied him. “There is more at stake than myself alone.”
Did that mean Regin had a family? Maybe kids? Levi opened his mouth to ask but shut it at the dwarf’s glare, harsh and determined. Levi sighed. Regin would never release him as long as he thought Deceptor would harm those he cared about more than some scrawny redheaded kid idiotic enough to disobey the Prince of Terracaelum.
God, please. I’ll never disobey again. Just show me a way out. I know I don’t deserve help, but please . . .
He straggled along behind his captor in silence, the prayer chasing around his mind over and over. He had no weapons and no friends. He had no idea where they were going, and his strength was seeping away.
If God didn’t rescue him, he’d be dead.
Because there was no way he could defeat Deceptor on his own.
No way at all.
After what felt like hours, Levi heard a trickling sound. He strained both ears and eyes, but it wasn’t until later that the sound increased to a rushing. A stream? A river? Could it be an underground feed to the river that flowed east-west across Terracaelum?
His shoulders straightened. What if he somehow managed to dive into the water? Then he could swim with the current until it broke free of the caverns and . . . He shot a glance at Regin, trying to blank his features so the dwarf wouldn’t notice his sudden excitement. If he could swim out, he knew he could find his way back to the castle. He’d be saved. Thank You, God.
“Come. The bridge is this way.” Regin jerked his wrist toward the left.
The dwarf’s grip hadn’t loosened the entire time they’d walked, but maybe—
“Once we cross, you mustn’t look into any side passages or tunnels. In fact, ’tis safest to keep your eyes tightly shut.”
“Why?”
“Basilisks. They will not approach the bridge.”
Levi stared at Regin, his jaw hanging wide. “You mean those monsters that kill you if you look at them?”
The dwarf’s nod was matter-of-fact.
“How am I supposed to tell where I’m going?” Panic made his voice shrill.
“Trust me to guide you.”
Yeah, right. He was definitely jumping into the water. Basilisks and Regin were too much to deal with. Especially with Deceptor to face . . . if he survived that long.
The torchlight illumined a stone bridge that crossed a fast-flowing current at least ten feet wide. The light striking the water threw glittering shafts upward into the shadows. Levi stepped onto the slippery arch. Regin marched him along, apparently not bothered by the waters racing away below. Thankfully, no rails lined the bridge. Levi eased toward the edge, keeping his motions casual.
When they were more than halfway across, his heart slammed into double-time at the sight of the yawning blackness that was their destination. If he didn’t make his move now, he might never get free. Sucking in a deep breath, he threw all his weight to the right while jerking his arm upward as hard as he could. His wrist slipped free. Regin bellowed.
Without a backward glance, Levi used his momentum to propel himself over the side. He splashed into the icy water, and his breath left him in a whoosh.
He fought to the surface, fending off the shock waves the frigid river sent through his body. He slurped in a huge breath and blinked the water from his eyes. He caught a glimpse of Regin standing on the bridge with his arms folded over his chest and a look of near-satisfaction on his face. Then the current yanked Levi out of the circle of torchlight.
For a long time, he struggled to keep his head above water, unable to maneuver anywhere but where the current shoved him. Not that he wanted to swim to shore in the black cavernous depths. Or that he could even see the shore. Completely blind, he could only gasp the tiniest breaths and pray the river would carry him from the darkness.
Just as he began to tire in the ice-cold water, the darkness around him changed. Something jagged sliced into the top of his head, then he saw tiny pricks of light overhead. Several seconds later, his sluggish brain registered that he’d flowed out from underground, and the lights were stars. How many hours had he been underground? How many days? He no longer knew and barely cared. Fatigue crept through his mind like a slow-acting poison, drugging him so he forgot he needed to swim to shore. Soon he closed his eyes, needing a short rest.
Before his head went underwater, a gust of hot wind blew into his face, warming his frozen nose until it burned. His eyes burst open. Dark blots passed in a dizzying stream. Nausea gripped his belly. Was he carsick?
No. Those were trees, and he was the one whipping past, dragged by the racing water. He had to get to shore, had to find the strength to swim. He flailed his arms and legs, but nothing happened. Did he still have arms and legs? Help, God! Panic clouded his vision.
Fight, a voice murmured in his ear. Battle the current.
He forced his arms and legs to move, forced himself to try to get out of the rapid stream. Gradually, he moved toward the right-hand bank.
But the water grew rougher. Swirling bubbles popped and splashed in his face as the current sucked him along. His willpower waned, and exhaustion weighed him down.
Thunder filled his ears—louder than the rushing river. He glanced around, sputtering and spitting as the rough waves forced their way into his gaping mouth.
Down he went, into a chute of wild wetness, like a giant water slide. The meager contents of his stomach shot into his mouth but his teeth clenched too tightly to allow them escape.
His freefall propelled him underwater then outward on a tidal wave. The icy spray bulleted his face.
Suddenly his immediate surroundings calmed. He blinked at the water falling from the sky a dozen yards to his right, its noise still thunderous in his ears. Bobbing in the gentler swells away from the waterfall, he sucked in much-needed oxygen. Overhead a half-moon shone its sickly rays. To his left spread an endless expanse of light and shadow.
Glistening colors surrounded him for the merest instant. The northern lights?
Then came silence.
Had he gone deaf? No, he could hear the water gurgling and bubbling as his arms arced feebly beneath the surface.
The waterfall. It was gone. Vanished. And he was in the middle of nowhere, tired and frozen. He had to swim, but to where? His mind clouded again until he felt detached from himself, as if he were merely reading about the effects the freezing water had on someone else.
Slowly, his eyelids drooped. His feet and hands stopped moving. He began to sink beneath the black surface, knowing his lungs would fill with liquid, and he would drown. His family and friends would never find out what had happened to him. He’d never get the chance to make amends with his parents. All because of his stupidity.
A mild, foggy sadness filled him. I’m sorry.
Suddenly, with a sucking sound, water frothed into a whirlpool beside him. A large dark monster emerged from the deep. The fog left Levi’s brain. His arms and legs flailed under the powerful stimulant of terror.
The thing rose until it towered a good ten feet above. It bent its massive horse-shaped head toward him. Brilliant green eyes and long teeth reflected the moonlight. Jaws wide, it swooped down on him, dribbling hot saliva on his upturned face.
His mouth opened in a silent scream.
10
The Lake Monster
Levi woke to something rough chafing his cheek. Eyes closed, he took mental stock—pain, plenty of pain, told him he was still alive. That creature . . . His mind sharpened to full alert. Was he inside its belly? Couldn’t be. The redness behind his swollen eyelids told him it was light, and he heard water splashing somewhere nearby. Opening his eyes to slits, he saw sand.
Where was he?
More importantly, where was the creature?
Keeping his movements slow, he lifted his head and peered around. He was lying on the beach, and the sun was either rising or setting, he couldn’t tell which. He didn’t much care. All that mattered was the monster had gone.
He eased into a si
tting position, legs outstretched, too stiff and sore to bend. He worked his aching jaw, and sand crunched between his teeth. Water. He forced himself to stand, and when his swirling vision settled, staggered past a weathered pier until he came to a natural stairway. He stared at it a moment, at the way the sandstone steps snaked upward to brown buildings on a ridge, buildings almost hidden by oaks and pines, and it dawned on him where he was.
Castle Island. But how had he ended up here?
Levi gingerly began the climb. When he reached the camp cabins, he searched for an open door or window. After a fruitless hunt, he discovered a spigot behind the dining hall. He curled his swollen fingers around the handle and worked it until water trickled out. He fell to his knees and drank like a dog lapping water from a hose.
Thirst quenched, he pushed himself upright and stumbled up the path toward the castle. He arrived when the sun was halfway up the eastern sky and settled against a tree trunk, face toward the empty horizon. He fell asleep waiting for the castle to appear.
Levi’s eyes flew open as two rough hands gripped his arms and yanked him to his feet, smacking his head against the tree trunk.
“What—?” The toes of his shoes scrabbled for purchase on the grass. His mind whirled in dizzying circles as he tried to understand what was happening.
“Do you think this is funny?” a harsh voice demanded.
Levi somehow managed to plant his feet, blinking repeatedly at the hot pink flower inches from his crossed eyes. With a slow, painful shake of his head, he looked up to meet the fiery green blaze of Mr. Dominic’s glare.
“What are you doing out here?” Mr. Dominic gave him a little shake.
Levi swallowed, trying not to puke.
“We’ve been searching for thirteen hours.” The director’s strong fingers bit into Levi’s upper arms. “Thirteen hours. And you’re here? Taking a nap under a tree.”
“Tobias, stop.” Mrs. Dominic put a restraining hand on her husband’s forearm. “Can’t you see something’s happened to him?” She placed cool fingertips to Levi’s brow. When she pulled them away, blood dripped onto the grass.
Levi frowned at the crimson drops. Had she cut herself? She should get a bandage.
The director’s grip loosened as he bent and studied Levi’s face. The fire in his eyes still smoldered, but his voice gentled. “What happened to you?”
“I—” Levi tried to make his mouth form words, to explain that his stupidity was what happened, but his tongue wouldn’t do what he wanted it to. The ground tilted upward, his knees gave way, and he sank into unconsciousness.
“What happened to the boy?”
Levi felt like he’d been strapped down under a tarp. He couldn’t move, couldn’t even open his eyes. Yet he knew that deep voice, currently hoarse with anxiety. It was Dr. Baldwin’s.
Did that mean he was in the castle? In the infirmary?
Safe?
“We don’t know.” Mr. Dominic’s words were quiet, no longer harsh, though he had every right to be angry. “Will he be okay? Do I need to contact his parents?”
“I won’t know for certain until he wakes up,” Dr. Baldwin replied. “However, I think he’s simply exhausted. He has multiple bruises and cuts, and it appears he hit his head a few times, so we’ll have to watch for a concussion.” A long sigh filtered through the air. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
I’m okay. Levi tried to move, to open his eyes, to speak, because they sounded so worried. And Mr. Dominic sounded so guilt-ridden. It’s my fault. I was such an idiot, going down into that cellar. He managed to push a grunt from his sore throat.
“Did he make a noise?”
There was a shuffling sound, followed by heavy breathing in his face. Horrible breath.
He groaned this time and tried to turn away. Had to escape that stench.
“He’s coming around.” Dr. Baldwin’s excited words exhaled more of the rancid fumes.
Levi wrenched his head to the side, his eyes popping open. “Ugh. Brush your teeth, will you?” His voice came out a raspy whisper.
The dwarf’s hairy face pulled back a few inches. First his mouth dropped open, then he grinned. “Guess you’re feeling better.”
“I was.” His nose wrinkled, and even that small movement hurt.
Dr. Baldwin puckered his lips and blew out a narrow stream of air. “Better than smelling salts.”
Mr. Dominic released a short bark of laughter. “I’m just glad it worked.”
When Levi attempted a smile, his bottom lip split. He licked at it, but his parched tongue only scratched the spot. “Can I have water?”
Dr. Baldwin adjusted his pillows and held a cup to his mouth.
The tepid liquid burned as it went down. He choked but kept drinking until the doctor pulled the cup away. “Thanks.”
The doctor nodded and moved to the sink.
Mr. Dominic sat on the edge of the bed. “I need to apologize.”
“Why?” Levi’s voice still croaked, but not as much as before.
“I was too rough with you earlier.” The director looked down at his big hands gripped in his lap. “You had me scared, disappearing like that. I was afraid you’d broken one of the rules and gotten yourself into a dangerous situation.” He shook his head. “I thought we’d lost you for good.”
“I did.”
Mr. Dominic cocked his head to the left. “How’s that?”
“I opened the cellar door. I disobeyed you and went down.” A shudder coursed through him, and a slow ache began in his temples. “I barely made it out alive.”
The director’s face paled. “What happened?”
“How did you end up south of the castle?” Dr. Baldwin asked sharply at the same time.
“Um . . .”
Mr. Dominic made a calming gesture with his hand. “Start at the beginning, son. Tell us everything.”
Levi took a deep breath and told them what happened, all but the part about the hideous creature on the lake. He wasn’t sure exactly why the monster bothered him so much, more even than Regin and Deceptor. Maybe he’d hallucinated it.
Dr. Baldwin gripped the cup so tightly his hand shone white through the glass. “You washed down the waterfall into the lake?”
“How did he survive the drop?” Mr. Dominic’s voice was a breathy whisper. He was looking at the doctor, so Levi didn’t try to come up with an answer.
Dr. Baldwin shook his head. “The cold water is all I can figure. It must’ve . . . drugged him until his muscles were relaxed, so he didn’t shatter . . .” He turned to Levi. “How long were you in the river before you fell?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It must’ve been close to an hour, I’d guess. But how did you not drown?”
Levi shrugged as a numbing fear crept into his heart.
“Lake Superior is much colder than the river.” The doctor touched Levi’s forehead. “I don’t know how you survived, much less how you made it to back to the castle.”
Mr. Dominic released a long, shuddering breath. “The Great Emperor of the Universe spared him, that’s all we know for certain.” He patted Levi’s arm. “We’ll praise Him for saving your life, and you’ll show your gratitude by obeying the rules.” He fixed him in a stern glare. “Or else.”
Levi gulped. He hadn’t considered punishment—not that he didn’t deserve it.
“Stay away from the cellar from here on out. Am I making myself perfectly clear?” Mr. Dominic raised both eyebrows and waited.
“Yes, sir, I’ll stay away. I promise.”
“Okay, then.” The director rose and moved toward the door.
“Da—” Levi stopped himself just before he called the camp director Dad. Must still have a foggy brain. “Mr. Dominic?” He waited for him to look back, then said, “I really am sorry.”
The director offered a small smile. “You’re forgiven.”
Levi returned the smile and snuggled deeper under the covers.
11
Nightmare
s
Levi startled awake. Darkness pressed in on him. His heart pounded, his chest heaved, and his eyes darted back and forth. Was he underground or in the water? Was that hideous sea creature hovering in the night, ready to pounce?
At a loud snort, he flinched. The pale moonlight seeping through a crack in the drapes revealed Dr. Baldwin asleep in the chair beside Levi’s bed. The infirmary. He relaxed against his pillow as he remembered the dwarf rousing him several times throughout the afternoon and evening as a precaution against concussion.
Gradually, his heart rate settled, and he tried to calm his mind as well. He should be asleep; it was the middle of the night after all. But each time he closed his eyes, nightmarish visions filled his mind . . . first Regin’s albino eyes, then Deceptor’s silvery-blue ones, and finally the sea monster’s poison green glare.
Not wanting to face his tormentors again, he eased to a sitting position and stretched his sore limbs. His neck and back popped, and his head throbbed. He scooted to the edge of the mattress, silent so he wouldn’t wake the doctor, and tried to decide what to do. He wasn’t about to leave the room, not even to visit the library. He’d learned his lesson about going off on his own, scaring the staff half to death. Besides, his nerves were too raw to wander the dark castle right then.
Levi stood and gripped the nightstand until the room stopped swaying. He crept to the window, pulled back the edge of the curtain, and peered out. Was the monster out there somewhere? Had he imagined it?
Something swooped at the glass. His heart skittered into double-time. Then he realized it was only the trees swaying in the breeze. Clouds flitted across the moon, making shadows creep across the lawn and up the stone castle wall.
Gooseflesh broke out on his skin, more from the darkness than the chill. He pulled the blanket from his bed and wrapped himself in it, pretending the warm cover was his mom’s arms embracing him, sheltering him from the nightmares as she’d so often done when he was little.