by Linsey Hall
The words echoed in my mind, but I didn't understand them. Believe in what? Myself?
I did, didn't I?
With the wind in my feathers and the world spread out below me, it was hard to focus on anything but the joy of flying. I was high in the air, letting the earth fall away. On a strong gust of wind, I turned back to the shore.
Only then did I realize that it was the Protectorate castle spread out far below me. I had been running across our lawn, headed straight for the cliffs that fell into the sea at the back of the castle grounds.
My gaze was drawn unerringly towards the stone circle. The huge gray rocks speared toward the sky, ancient and majestic. I would always be drawn to that place. Always. I flew toward it, swooping low over the stones and thinking of my mother and all the Druids that had come before me.
Would I be worthy of them?
Believe.
Risk.
13
Wakey, wakey! Muffin’s yowl cut through the haze of my dream. His shriek tore me away from the joy of flying through the Scottish sky. I jerked upright, blinking sleep from my eyes.
We were still in the beautiful cave deep in the depths of hell. The blue light of the pond glittered, highlighting Bojangles, who somehow managed to float on his back in the still water, a blissful expression on his face. Princess Snowflake III watched him with disdain. Muffin sat next to me on the plush green moss, his green eyes glued to me.
We better get a move on. You've been sleeping long enough. He gave me a critical look.
I stretched. "You're right."
Next to me, Lachlan rose, grace in every movement. Briefly, my gaze caught with his, and worlds flowed between us. But now was not the time to discuss last night, especially not with an audience made up of the Cats of Catastrophe.
I could only imagine what Muffin would say, and I knew I didn't want to hear it.
"How far from the shortcut are we?" Lachlan asked.
Not far. It will take us straight to the bottom level of hell, where we should be able to find the Doomsday Stone.
I turned to Lachlan and translated Muffin’s words.
He nodded and grinned, satisfaction on his face. "Good, I'm ready to get the hell out of this place."
"I couldn't agree more." I climbed down off the bed of moss and walked over to the vines that grew along the rock wall of the cave. I pulled down several of the bright red fruits and handed a couple over to Lachlan. We ate as we left the cave, the cats leading the way out of the tunnel.
We stepped outside, and hell was as bad as I remembered. The blood-red sky was as bright as ever, a threatening shade that evoked memories of battle and death.
This way. Muffin flew off, skirting around the edge of the rocks. Bojangles raced after him, followed by a more sedate Princess Snowflake III.
Lachlan and I followed, making quick progress over the uneven ground.
We weren't far from the cave entrance when my comms charm blared to life. Magic crackled in the air, and Bree’s voice echoed from the charm. "The Fates are attacking! They’ve gathered outside the walls. What's your progress?"
Oh shit. Panic made my stomach drop. “We're almost to the Doomsday Stone. Just one more level to go.”
"Hurry," she shouted. "The Fates have gathered their troops outside the castle walls. They haven't broken through yet, but it won't take them long. There are hundreds of them."
Why were they attacking now if they didn’t have the Doomsday Stone? They needed that to make the curse on the tattooed ones permanent. Unless they’d already stolen the stone from hell? Had they beaten us to it?
My gaze met Lachlan's, and I swallowed hard. We never should've taken last night to rest.
We’d had no more magic and had been exhausted beyond belief, but we should have pressed on.
As if he knew what I was thinking, he said, “We couldn't have kept going. We never would've survived, and that would've been worse. We’ll make it in time. Have faith.”
"What's he saying?" Bree asked
“We’ll make it in time, I promise."
"Just hurry. We’ll hold them off as best we can."
"Good luck. I love you."
"Love you back. Be careful."
I cut the connection with the comms charm, and we began to race across the dark ground. I prayed the Fates hadn’t gotten to the stone before us. Muffin flew as fast as he could, and we kept pace. My lungs burned as I sprinted over the rough ground, the sulfurous air making it hard to breathe.
Almost there! Muffin flew faster.
I pushed harder, managing to keep up. Bojangles was far ahead, racing across the rocky ground and leaping over boulders. Princess Snowflake III ran right behind him, a white blur against the dark landscape.
Muffin stopped in front of a cluster of black rocks. I joined him, looking down into a gaping black hole. The edges were made of jagged black stone, each looking sharp enough to cut.
We've got to go down there.
"Can't say I'm surprised." I began to climb immediately, scrambling down the rocks. I did my best to stay away from the sharp edges, but couldn't avoid them all. The rocks cut painfully into my palms as I climbed. Fortunately, my jacket protected my torso and arms from any damage.
Lachlan followed, moving quickly and gracefully down the side of the tunnel. The cats had no problem avoiding the sharp edges. But then, they were cats.
Farther and farther we climbed, and the air grew colder and the smell of death stronger. Eventually, ice began to cover the rocks. At first, it was a relief. It was smooth and cool and felt good against my wounds. But soon, I started slipping. My foot lost its hold, and I slid down several rocks. Somehow, I managed to grab one and stop myself from falling farther.
Lachlan looked down at me, concern in his gaze. “Let me go first.”
“So that I can fall on you and force you down?”
He’d make a great mattress if you fell all the way.
“No.” I kept climbing, scrambling down the icy rocks as quickly as I could. But soon, they were too slick from a combination of my blood and ice. Even Lachlan lost his grip above me, managing to stop himself before he took me out on a dangerous slide down the tunnel.
"I'm going to try to melt some of the ice." Carefully, I fed some of my heat into the freezing stuff. It began to melt, cold water flowing down around my boots. The jagged rock surface was revealed, and I gripped it, wincing. But this was better. At least this way, I wouldn't go on an uncontrolled slide down to the tunnel.
Princess Snowflake III began to help, blowing her fire on the icy rocks and clearing the way for Lachlan.
Together, we climbed slowly down the rocks as the air became colder. Soon, I could see my breath in front of my face. Every inch of me was freezing except for the part that was covered by my jacket. Whatever magic the Seamstress had imbued it with, it worked.
By the time we reached the bottom, I was shaking and exhausted. My hands were bloodied and aching, and my muscles screamed.
I turned to face the bottom level of Hell.
"It deserves its name." Lachlan's gaze was grim as he surveyed the terrain in front of us.
Slick blue ice covered the ground, looking like a deadly hockey ring. Whirling snow fell from the sky, carried on a biting wind.
"I would almost prefer a hell that is hot." I pulled up the collar of my jacket.
Not in Dante's Inferno. Muffin’s gaze turned serious. This is the part that I never come to. It’s horrible.
“That’s the truth. Let's get a move on." I started forward, and Muffin took the hint.
He flew ahead, leading us across the icy terrain. I'm not sure where the stone will be, but I have an idea.
"Where?"
The worst part of hell, of course. Where the Devil resides.
Lachlan looked at me. "Translation?"
"He's leading us to the Devil."
"Literally?"
Literally. Muffin turned back, his green eyes glinting with warning. But we must be very quiet. If we're lucky, we
won’t wake him.
Oh, perfect.
Bojangles ran ahead of us, sliding over the ice. But even he didn't show his usual joy. Princess Snowflake III trudged along, her long fur blowing in the wind. She was so white that she nearly disappeared amongst the blowing snow.
We moved as fast as we could, racing across the icy ground. I tucked myself against Lachlan, his warmth protecting me from the howling wind. The snow was so strong that it stung where it hit my skin. The slick surface of the ground nearly made me fall a dozen times, but desperation helped me keep my footing, along with Lachlan’s strong grip.
We couldn’t afford an injury. Not now.
A crashing sounded from up ahead, and I looked at Muffin. "What's that?"
I don't know. I don't come down here enough, and the landscape is ever changing. But I bet a pound of tuna it's not crashing gold.
"No, I imagine not." I translated his words for Lachlan.
Finally, I caught sight of what was creating the noise. There was a massive ravine cutting straight through Hell. It stretched at least one hundred feet wide, blocking our way, and plunged down into the depths of the earth.
We stopped far from the edge, inspecting the skinny ice bridge that crossed the gash in the earth. A massive pendulum swung from the ceiling above, smashing into the bridge and breaking it into a million pieces. More ice formed, growing to recreate the bridge. But seconds later, the pendulum smashed it again.
"There's not enough time to get across." Lachlan's gaze was grim.
If only I could turn into the Battle Crow once again. I closed my eyes and tried, imagining myself as the huge black bird. I could almost feel the wind in my feathers.
But nothing happened. I didn't shift.
Believe.
The word played in my mind. Believe? In myself?
Risk.
Risk what?
"I can slow time just long enough to get across." Lachlan's words cut through my thoughts. “But we’ll have to be fast. I can only do it for so long before time forces itself forward and I lose control.”
I looked at him. "Do it."
I’d worry about the Battle Crow later. This was more reliable, and we were in a hurry. With the castle being attacked, there was no time for me to figure out my stuff.
Slowly, Lachlan approached the bridge, his hands raised as magic surged on the air. The forest scent of his power cut through the reek of death, the first relief that I'd had in this horrible place.
Lachlan's magic flowed from him, and I felt the air begin to change. Subtly at first, and then the pendulum creaked to a stop. It hung suspended in midair, a visceral threat.
Lachlan held out his hand. “Hold on. The path will be slippery. And we only get one shot."
I reached out and gripped his hand.
Bojangles led the way, sprinting across the slick surface of the skinny bridge. Princess Snowflake III followed, her stride quick and sure.
Muffin flew near my head, his green gaze on mine. I'll keep you from falling.
Somehow I doubted that he would be strong enough to keep me upright if I fell off the bridge, but I appreciated the thought. "Thanks, pal.”
"Let's go." Lachlan led the way toward the bridge.
I didn't dare look down as I stepped onto the slippery surface. It was only eighteen inches across, so skinny that one misplaced footstep would send me hurtling over the edge and plummeting into the dark depths of hell.
My heart thundered as we began to cross. The ice was slick beneath my boots, and every footstep felt like it might be my last. My skin was so cold from the snow and fear that it had gone numb.
Keep it up! You're doing great! Muffin fluttered alongside me, his cheery voice totally at odds with our nightmare surroundings.
The wind plowed into us, nearly blowing me off my feet at times. Lachlan's warm grip felt like the only thing tethering me to the world.
"When this is all over, I'm never going near heights again." But the dream flashed in my mind, bringing with it the image of me jumping off the cliff at the Protectorate castle.
I prayed it wasn't a premonition. I really didn't want to do that.
"We’re almost there." Lachlan's voice was strong and sure. Heights didn't bother him, apparently.
I pretended that I had some of his bravery, and honestly, it kind of helped. Foot in front of foot, I kept going, focusing only on what was ahead of me.
We were almost to the edge when Lachlan's magic snapped. Time forced its way back to life, and the pendulum creaked.
It's coming! Muffin’s panicked meow cut through the air.
Bojangles and Princess Snowflake III were already on the other side, and both of them turned their wide gazes to the pendulum behind me. They shrieked, their loud meows cutting through the air.
I glanced back at the pendulum in time to see it swinging toward the bridge. It would crush the slender ice structure in seconds.
"Go!" I screamed.
Lachlan gave up his careful pace and sprinted ahead.
I followed him, my heart thundering as I raced across the bridge. The ground was slick beneath my feet, and every footstep threatened to send me to my death.
We were only five feet from the edge when the pendulum slammed into the bridge. It shattered, falling out from beneath my feet. I gripped Lachlan's hand hard, and he jumped. His free hand gripped the side of the cliff, and he held on tight.
"Try to find a foothold!" Lachlan's voice echoed through the ravine.
I struggled to find a place on the wall that I could cling to. Muffin’s paws pressed against my butt as he tried to push me up against the wall. It helped, if only a bit.
Lachlan grunted as he pulled us upward. I managed to find a handhold in the ice, and gave it everything I had, straining to pull myself up without letting go of Lachlan’s hand. It got easier when I found a foothold, but my stomach still felt like it was going to jump out of my throat.
Together, we scrambled up the cliff face. It should have been impossible, but somehow we made it. At the top, we flopped against the flat surface of the ice and gasped.
I took only a second to catch my breath, and then I climbed to my feet. Lachlan joined me, his face grim.
"Let's go." We spoke the words in unison. If the situation hadn't been so dire, I might've smiled.
Together, the five of us hurried across the slick ice of hell. The wind continued to howl and the snow flew. But there was something else in the air here, a feeling that tugged at my chest.
"I think we're getting close." I squinted, trying to see through the howling snow, but it was impossible. There was nothing but whiteness ahead of me.
Lead the way. Muffin’s meow cut through the howling wind. In all this snow, I can't see where we’re going. Can you feel it with your Druid sense?
I closed my eyes and focused, begging my Druid sense to answer the question: Where is the Doomsday Stone. It could usually help me answer questions, and I hoped it could help me answer this one.
Something tugged in my chest, and I followed it, my Druid sense coming to life and helping us navigate through the snowy terrain. Hopefully this meant that the Fates hadn’t beaten us to the stone.
The wind howled as we pressed onward.
When a scratching sound came from my right, I tilted my head, trying to hear it better. "Do you hear that?"
"There's something there." Lachlan squinted into the distance. "Can't see what it is."
Nothing good. Worry glinted in Muffin’s green gaze. Be ready.
We picked up the pace, somehow managing not to fall. But the scratching noise didn't go away. Something was approaching. My heart thundered in my ears.
Princess Snowflake III hissed, her gaze glued on the distance. Bojangles arched his back, orange fur sticking up.
When the figures appeared through the snow, my heart dropped. There were dozens of them, each shaped like a giant crab made of ice.
They scuttled forward, becoming easier to see. They weren’t crabs. Not exactly
, at least. They were ten-legged beasts with giant fangs and horns. Their eyes glittered with blue fire, and they snapped their massive pincers.
Hell beasts! Muffin hissed.
I called upon my magic, digging deep to find the fire within me. It swelled out of my chest and ignited in my hand. I hurled the fireball at the nearest hell beast. It exploded against its glimmering blue form, and the creature blasted apart.
Lachlan hurled a jet of water at one of the hell beasts. At first, it seemed like a dumb idea. But it was so cold that the water froze in midair. By the time it hit the hell beast, it had become a spear. The weapon plowed into the creature and both shattered. Shards of ice flew in every direction.
“Nice,” I said, continuing to throw my fire.
“I thought that might work.” He threw another spear, achieving the same effect. “Glad I was right.”
Together we hurled ice and fire at the monsters, taking out one after the other.
Princess Snowflake III charged, blasting her fiery breath at any creature that got in her way. She moved so quickly and so ferociously that she took out a dozen of them in less than a minute. Bojangles followed, plowing into them so hard that they broke into hundreds of pieces. Muffin did the same, attacking from the air and yowling his battle cry.
But there were so many of them! They kept coming, wave after wave. Dozens upon dozens. Never ending.
I looked at Lachlan. "This isn't working. They'll never stop coming."
"We need to outrun them." His magic swelled on the air, and a moment later, he shifted into his black lion form. I leapt onto his back, crouching low over his neck and hanging on to his wild mane.
"Cats! Retreat!"
Princess Snowflake III yowled as if she were pissed at being asked to leave her prey, but she did as I asked. We had to keep going, and she knew it. The cats raced toward us, joining us as Lachlan began to race away from the giant ice monsters.
I turned around, sending blasts of fire at them as we retreated. It held them off long enough that we could gain some distance. But they kept chasing us, their numbers continuing to grow.
We could keep our distance from them, but if they kept following us, we wouldn't be able to stop and retrieve the Doomsday Stone.