by LJ Andrews
“It’s useless to us,” Blake said, rubbing his neck, “if that curse comes out every time you try to use it.”
“Why create a guide like this scroll and then curse it in such a way?” Maurelle asked, moving in closer to Eldora as if to study her every thought.
“The scroll could kill you. It depends on what is inside your soul and how powerful you are to stop the curse from spreading. But I suppose you’d have to decide if it’s worth the risk. You were wise to test the scroll on this poor fool first,” Eldora said, tapping Vesper’s body with her foot.
“If you didn’t want anyone to find the gateway, I wonder why you created the scroll to begin with.” Eldora’s gaze shifted to the opposite wall and Maurelle smiled. “Ah, I see. You wanted it for yourself someday. So tell me, Eldora, how is the curse of the scroll counteracted?” Maurelle said, twirling the parchment in her palm.
“I know what you’re after, Maurelle, and I believe you have the right to it. Although, you should know it is not the same as it was when I locked it away.”
Maurelle huffed and took a step closer to her. “You’re avoiding my question. How is the curse counteracted?” Eldora pursed her lips and looked at Maurelle with steely defiance. “You’re the same, Eldora—doing everything possible to keep me away from what is mine. Do you still feel some sense of loyalty to Merlin? Is that why you resist me? It’s still hard to comprehend how two of my most trusted mentors could betray me in such a way.”
“For varied reasons, dear. I do not keep you from the gateway because of loyalty to Merlin,” Eldora said, twirling a gold ring around her thin, pale fingers. “He hid the truth from you out of fear of your power, while I did so out of fear for your life. You weren’t ready to possess such things after your father died. You needed to take the time as you have these long seasons to hone your skills and abilities. Such power would have destroyed you at such a young age, especially after such horrible goings on in Cimmerian at the time.”
“I was stronger than you give me credit for. You know what I did to possess that dagger,” Maurelle said darkly.
“A dagger—that’s what we’re trying so hard to find?” Blake asked incredulously.
Eldora ignored him and stood close to Maurelle. “Of course, I do and those actions frightened Merlin, but I saw potential in you. And look at you now. I want you to have the dagger and the power locked inside, but there is a reason I made it so difficult to access the gateway.”
“You’re stalling,” Blake said bitterly. “I think you believe you’re fooling the queen into thinking you’re on our side, but you only came when we retrieved the scroll. You want the dagger for yourself.”
Eldora focused on Blake, a strange darkness cloaking the brightness of her silver eyes.
Blake began crossing the room, reaching out to touch Eldora before she could attack him again, but came to a sudden stop. A sick gurgling rose in his throat, and it seemed as if an unseen being was forcing each joint of his body to bend. His knees creaked and bent until he staggered to the ground with great heaving waves of his shoulders. A slosh of warm, fresh blood spilled over his lips onto the cold stone floor.
“Eldora, stop, NOW,” Maurelle shrieked. She held her hands out trying to block the wicked spell, but Blake heaved more blood.
Eldora wasn’t breaking her focus and Blake was growing weaker with each surge.
“Stop, now!” A burst of dark mist shot from Maurelle’s palms and hit Eldora between the shoulder blades, causing the older Cimmerian to stumble slightly. Blake collapsed on the stones, but the surge of blood spewing from his mouth stopped.
Eldora whipped around toward Maurelle, but instead of rage, her lips curled into a strange smile. “You still have some of the dagger’s power.”
Maurelle took a deep breath and snarled her reply. “I’ve spent many seasons reaching out to those dark creatures with the power to help me train since you stole the dagger from me.”
Eldora chuckled and seemed to float toward Maurelle with joy. “My dear, you never cease to amaze me. I’m disappointed you waste so much time with this worthless Terrenian, though,” she said, glaring at Blake trembling on the floor. “You have a great strength, Maurelle.”
“Tell me why you’re here, Eldora.”
“Very well.” Eldora sighed as she sat on a wooden chair tucked under a small table. “The dark power entrapped in your dagger has grown in its prison. It has created a force so powerful, so dark, it will surely encompass anything with light once you open the gateway to retrieve it. The curse of the scroll is nothing compared to what is behind the barrier. Merlin predicted it could happen and wanted to destroy the dagger completely, but I insisted on locking it away”
“You planned to use the dagger for yourself after it was sent away.”
Eldora smirked and sighed as if wandering to a distant memory. “I wanted to learn from the power your uncle had locked inside−to grow my own abilities. I think Merlin saw through my intentions and he insisted on the cursed scroll, which I created and he created the key to counteracting the curse.”
“I knew Merlin my entire life, Eldora, and he was not known for being fearful, even of dark magic like Ronan created. What possibly could have happened to my dagger that frightened him to the point of creating such a prison?”
“It is a legendary force of dark magic that has scoured countless universes, leaving nothing but pain in its wake. And now I believe it has overtaken the world in which we placed the dagger. The ancient name is called the Black Dawn,” Eldora said in a low, dark voice.
Maurelle raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You’re certain? I’ve heard of it before.”
“Probably in history lessons,” Eldora said nonchalantly as the dark fearful tone left her voice. “Legend states the dark power of the Black Dawn created every dark creature in the Hemisphere— their emotions, their purpose. In a sense, it is the core of darkness’s existence.”
“There is no telling if the legend is even true,” Maurelle said, bending down and helping Blake to his feet. His face was pale, but his dark eyes glared murderously at Eldora.
Eldora smiled back at him. “Feeling better?” Without offering him an opportunity to respond, she turned back to Maurelle. “I wouldn’t tell you this if I didn’t believe it were true, Maurelle. That scroll is a guide to the gateway and is the only true guide to your dagger. I created several useless copies, but this one holds a special connection to the dark magic in the dagger so it could never be recreated. Even if someone copied this scroll exactly, it would never lead them to the gateway. Look how the parchment has blackened,” she said as she unrolled the parchment. “It has been happening over time and it is proof the magic has changed within the dagger−becoming more powerful over the years. I assure you, when the gateway is opened you will unleash the Black Dawn.”
Maurelle paused and scrutinized Eldora. “The darker the power the better. I appreciate you warning me but I will handle whatever is to come.”
Eldora scrutinized Maurelle with her fierce eyes, then released a stiff laugh from somewhere low in her throat. “I didn’t come here simply to warn you about the Black Dawn.”
“Then what is it you want?”
“I want you to allow me access to the Black Dawn’s power after you’ve used it to destroy Terrene. I want to study the curse for myself.”
Maurelle’s eyes narrowed. “Why would you need access to such a power?”
“I have many enemies, my dear. I have never been brave enough to use the dark powers of the Hemisphere to defend myself against them. You were courageous enough to access the darkness in your youth and you will have your power when you find the dagger. I simply want to have the Black Dawn.”
Maurelle smirked and joined Eldora at the small table; Blake followed close behind.
“I don’t understand why you are asking my permission? You created the scroll as a guide to the gateway, yet you’ve never found Merlin’s key to counteract your curse. What is stopping you?” Eldora shifte
d uncomfortably. Maurelle smiled. “Ah, I see. You cannot access the gateway on your own. As you said, Merlin was privy to your desires for the dark elements. Tell me, Eldora, what kind of blocking spells did Merlin put in your way?”
Eldora stood in fury. “I cannot access the Black Dawn without you because the curse originated from your dagger and I need you to allow me to use the curse. I do not see your hesitation; the power is yours to accomplish your mission. Why not allow me access once you’re finished?”
Maurelle shook her head and laughed wickedly. “I don’t think that is true. You can’t even find the gateway because Merlin has kept you from ever finding his key. Speak true, Eldora.”
Eldora took a deep breath and smoothed her long robes. “So is this your answer, Your Highness?”
“Eldora, you were once my friend, my teacher, but you cannot conceal how you’ve assisted the Deshuits for many seasons against the Trinity. Perhaps you have helped the Ponderi? Why would I give you an opportunity to access such a power if I could have it for myself?”
“Very well, but I warn you, Maurelle, it will overtake you. And as to where my loyalty lies…it rests with the highest bidder.” Eldora smiled and winked in Blake’s direction before stepping into the long hallway and slamming the thick door.
“I’m going to kill her,” Blake said in a raspy voice once she’d left.
Maurelle glared at him. “She almost killed you. Know your place, Blake. Although you have a remarkable ability there are people much stronger than you.”
Ignoring his surprised look at her fury, Maurelle rushed from the room, slamming the door in frustration and determination to discover the gateway before Eldora.
Marie sat in a corner clutching her knees to her chest and watching Laura release sobs sporadically against the bars. She hadn’t moved since the queen had thrown her in the cell and had never taken her eyes off the rock-dagger lying in the center of the cell.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Marie said finally.
Laura let out a trembling breath and met her eye.
“Even though you deserve it for what you did to my son.”
Gulping down her emotion, Laura wiped her eyes. “You don’t understand what my husband was like. He would have killed both of us; at least Killian was out of danger in jail.” Laura paused and studied Marie for a moment. “If you were alive, where were you while he was growing up?”
“We left him to protect him from this,” she said, pointing out the damp cell. “I’m not sure it was worth it because he’s still stuck in this mess.”
“What is this place and who…who is that woman?” Laura whispered through a small hiccup.
“There is more to your world than you know. And that woman is no one to underestimate. She’ll kill us both in an instant to get what she wants.”
“But what is it she wants…”
Marie didn’t hear any further questions as a familiar voice came from the hallway. She stood quickly, ignoring the painful jab of a stone cutting across her side.
“Eldora?” she called out. “Eldora, is that you?”
The thick door creaked open and the stunning Cimmerian woman sauntered in slowly. Laura gasped in the corner. Eldora smiled and made her way toward their cell.
“Marie, what a pity to see you in such a state.”
“Eldora, what are you doing here? Please tell me you’re not working with Maurelle. We trusted you.”
“Relax my dear. I’m here trying to discover how close the queen is to finding the gateway.”
“Then it’s true. Merlin hid another relic; do you know where it is? Does it really belong to Rhea?”
Eldora held up a hand and chuckled. “So many questions. I do not know much about this relic; I do believe one exists and it was what destroyed Merlin. If it exists, then it is the key to unlocking what Maurelle is after. Maurelle seeks something beyond our Hemisphere filled with darkness you cannot defeat, Marie.”
“But, Eldora, if we find Merlin’s relic…that should be enough to stop Maurelle.”
“One man’s power is not enough to stop the queen; she is too powerful.”
“Eldora,” Marie hesitated before continuing, “the Ponderi has all the relics, and Infinium activated in Killian.”
Eldora’s eyes brightened and her interest in the conversation notably peaked. “I knew you left the power with your child, but neither you nor Owen mentioned it activated. When did this happen? When did the Ponderi find all the lost relics?”
Marie smiled. “So many questions, Eldora.” Her smile faded as she saw Eldora’s desperate expression. “Why did you say you were here again?”
“Marie, I told you. I need to find out how close the queen is to the gateway. Owen has reached out to me and wants to speak. I will meet with him and speak with Killian. I can help him use the relics and Infinium together and we can get you out of here. We can use all this power to stop the queen from getting to the gateway first.”
“Or stop her from opening it altogether. You just said it has a darkness we can’t defeat.”
“Of course,” Eldora said quickly. “But with all the relics now found and Killian’s power, we may be able to stop her.”
Marie smiled and held out her hand, and Eldora clasped it in her palm. “Thank you for your help Eldora. We couldn’t do this without you.”
When Eldora pulled away, her lips curled into one last smile before heading toward the door.
“Eldora, when you meet with Owen, please offer my love to my family.”
Eldora paused by the door, and turned and smiled sympathetically. “Of course, I will, my dear.”
When she left, Laura released a breath of relief. “That is good news, right? She will help get us out of here.”
Marie turned. Her expression was as if her skin had hardened to stone. “No, she won’t. She wants to find the relic for something else; I just don’t know what. Now I must defend the gateway she spoke of from two extremely powerful people. We’re on our own.”
Chapter 6
Connor’s Secret
Killian and Mercedes leaned against a steel bar lining the glass elevator as it raced diagonally through the Praetorium toward the clinic.
The doors dinged open and people in white lab coats bustled back and forth helping injured recruits who took training a step too far, or those with other ailments.
“The clinic used to be so quiet. Now it’s always full,” Mercedes said as she jumped out of the way of a determined nurse with two needles in each hand.
“Miller insisted on making sure every member is as healthy as possible,” Shannon said from behind them. She smiled and pushed her strawberry blonde hair off her sweaty forehead. “We’re busier than ever, and I’m afraid I’ve had to treat some of my own staff because they’ve worked themselves into exhaustion. Recruits are sent for every minor ailment. Before the attack, they would use the first aid carts and avoid coming to the clinic. But enough complaining—are you two here to see Connor?”
Killian wrapped an arm around Shannon’s shoulders and gave her a reassuring pat. “Yes, he wanted us to meet him. He said it was important.”
Shannon rolled her eyes and laughed. “Everything Connor does is of the utmost importance, at least in his mind. He’s in the back, just through those doors.”
She pointed toward a sliding glass door built into the glass rooms of the clinic. Behind it they could see another steel door concealing Connor’s lab.
As they passed the beds full of Ponderi members getting treatment for cuts and bruises, Mercedes stopped at a bed with the curtains pulled around, hiding the patient from view.
“What is it?” Killian asked.
Mercedes either didn’t hear him or chose to ignore the question as she slipped a hand through a small part in the curtains and stepped behind. Killian heard her release a gasp, then followed.
His heart dropped when he saw the patient. A Cimmerian recruit lay propped up against several pillows. His pale, porcelain skin was bandaged all o
ver his face with dark, burgundy blood seeping through the crisp white wraps. The silver streaks in his short black hair were colored red from cuts across his scalp. One arm was casted and splinted across his chest so it could not move and both legs had bloodied bandages wrapped from his ankles to his knees, as if someone had slashed every inch of skin along his shins.
The boy tried to open his swollen eyes and peer at who had entered his small space. He smiled when he recognized Killian. “It…was supposed…to just be…training.”
The boy’s voice was raspy and the exertion of speaking sent him into a coughing fit. When he caught his breath, he winced and relaxed against his pillows again.
“This happened during training?” Killian asked in disbelief.
“Who did this to you?” Mercedes whispered.
The boy glanced at her, and Killian thought he was trying to smile as he shook his head back and forth.
“You aren’t going to give up their names are you?” Killian answered for him.
“You…were friends with…Sophia, right?” the boy said.
Killian winced as memories of spunky, kind Sophia blasted through his mind. Mercedes nodded, taking the young Cimmerian’s hand and answering for Killian. “Yes, we both were.”
“She is…was my…cousin. She…really liked you guys.”
Killian hung his head and stepped next to the hospital bed. “What’s your name?”
“Tynan.”
“Tynan, this isn’t your fault. I hope you know that.”
Tynan’s eyes glistened through the puffy skin. “I wish everyone knew that.”
His voice was quiet and sounded exhausted. Killian met Mercedes’ eye and motioned for them to leave. She sniffed and kissed Tynan’s cheek before they left him to rest.
“Killian, this has to stop,” she said with ferocity once they’d stepped far enough from Tynan’s bed.
“Cimmerians are being targeted,” he admitted. “We’ll do all we can to protect them, but how do we change prejudice when everyone was so affected by Maurelle’s attack?”
Mercedes shook her head and glanced at the floor as they pushed through the steel door leading to Connor’s work space.