I felt Alex’s eyes on me as Cicero laid his hand on the door. A few slow seconds passed and the stone rumbled as it slid into the wall. Cicero glanced over his shoulder with a grin, and then stepped into the pure blackness beyond.
With a deep breath I followed, Sonya and Alex right after me. The door slid shut behind us. The glow from the torch-lit chamber narrowed and dimmed into a fine line, and was gone.
The darkness that followed was so thick I couldn’t see my own hand. The air here was damp but a cool breeze brushed over my clammy skin, making me shiver. There was a constant drip—drip—drip echoing somewhere in the distance.
I was about to say something when a light flickered to life. It came from a single torch hanging on the wall to our right. The flame burned bright, casting a soft glow down the stone tunnel, fading into emptiness.
Cicero proceeded forward, and we all followed.
Just as we reached the end of the torch’s golden halo, another began burning up ahead, the flame behind us snuffed out. On and on we walked, torch after torch dimming and glowing as we moved from one to the other. They were lighting on their own and I didn’t think it had anything to do with motion sensors.
What was this place?
There was a strange reverence to the silence: one that sank deep into my soul, overwhelming me with intrigue. The walls felt alive. Life was everywhere, reaching out, wrapping over me and through me. What the source was, I had no idea, but I couldn’t shake the need to move forward. It was becoming unbearable.
My eyes flitted about, watching the shadows dance along the rock. I felt like the walls were watching us, whispering to each other as we passed.
And that’s when I ran in to something.
"Sorry!" I was thankful for the darkness. Hopefully Alex wouldn’t see the blood rush to my face.
He peered sideways at me and continued forward.
Well. He could’ve at least said something.
The cave turned. Up ahead, beyond the glow of the nearest torch, the blanket of darkness lifted with a soft, white light.
Daylight.
We were almost at the end. My need to move forward bordered on irresistible. It was all I could do to keep from running. With each small step, the invisible string pulled harder, gripping my consciousness until I could hold myself back no longer.
My legs moved faster and faster. I walked ahead, brushing past Alex, Sonya, and Cicero. My speed walk turned into a dead run. The light amplified as I ran, pitching headlong toward the opening. I could feel the Del Contes’ eyes on my back, but I was compelled by an insane desire to keep moving. Leaving darkness behind, I ran from the mouth of the cave and was bathed in blinding sunlight.
My spirit was ablaze; my skin tingled as a myriad of emotions engulfed me, drowning out my awareness of self. My surroundings felt alive and I felt connected to all of it. Overwhelmed and dizzy, I sat, closing my eyes. So many feelings pressed against me and I swam against their strong current trying to stay afloat. The world encased me with its life force, holding me in strong, invisible hands. Like my body had returned from a long sojourn, and the world was my spirit, rushing to unite with its flesh. A few long moments passed, the chaos in my mind abated, and I became aware of my own feelings again.
Waves of concern poured over me. Even though my eyes were closed, somehow I knew the concern was Sonya’s. I could feel her approaching. My hand was in hers just as I felt Cicero beside me. Then I sensed Alex.
I opened my eyes and found his at once. They were burdened and heavy, but the joy flowing from him was so pure and potent it was intoxicating.
For a few moments I struggled to push their emotions away so I could find my own again. Once under control, I peered at Sonya, who looked a little worried.
"Are you all right?" Her eyes searched mine.
“I think so.” I stood, releasing her hand.
My senses were acute and powerful, more so than I thought possible, and had connected to this strange place without my permission. The Del Contes said this world was a magical world, but this? They hadn’t said anything about this.
Reaching a new sort of equilibrium, I finally looked at the land before me.
We stood on the rim of a deep, lush valley with a glittering blue river dividing it in half. Magnificent mountain peaks stood all around, their caps like white arrowheads piercing the sky. The valley itself was veiled with giant trees, while exotic wildflowers dotted the rare open spaces, accenting the deep green with splashes of bright colors. Everything here was vibrant, like I was looking at a world in high definition. The air tasted crisper and cleaner, and the light breeze was scented with flowers’ perfume. The thrum of rushing water echoed throughout the verdant vale. Everywhere I looked I felt life—in the air, in the trees, in the rocks—everywhere.
This place made me feel to the core of my being; it held a knowledge and wisdom of its own.
It was then I realized my need to press on had left. I had arrived. There was no turning back, not even if I wanted to. No more brown fields, no more fences. No more loneliness.
Just…life. Pure, powerful life.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Sonya said beside me. I'd almost forgotten they were there.
“Yes,” I said, but I didn’t think the word “beautiful” was enough. I wasn’t sure there was a word that could capture the magnificence of this place.
Cicero moved to my other side, his expression curious. "Are you all right to keep going?"
I nodded. "This place is incredible."
“This is only a piece of it.” He grinned, and then his eyes narrowed as he gazed ahead. "Better get moving before someone sees us."
He began walking down a narrow, rocky ledge that hugged the granite wall behind us. Sonya touched my arm and smiled, and continued after him.
Alex remained. He stood fixed, staring beyond with that same weighted gaze, the light breeze ruffling his cloak and dark hair. He looked majestic standing there, as if he were a prince watching over his realm, burdened by the safety of its citizens. Deep down inside, a part of me ached. It was a part that wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him how much I missed him and how happy I was to see him again. I was furious at that part of myself.
His gaze met mine then, those deep green eyes seeming to understand everything I didn’t say. And everything I didn’t want to feel.
I quickly glanced away and hurried after Sonya and Cicero into the veil of dense foliage.
It was much cooler beneath the shade of the trees. Shadows slithered along the ground as light fought to pierce through the barricade above. I glanced up, tilting my head to the green cathedral that walled us in, and felt dizzy. Boughs creaked and moaned as they strained with all their might, reaching out to cradle me in their arms, their leaves rustling in the breeze.
When I looked back down, I realized I was alone. I didn’t see Sonya or Cicero anywhere.
Just as I opened my mouth to call out to them, a hand grabbed me by my cloak and yanked me off the trail. The hand belonged to Sonya, and we were now hiding behind a large boulder with Cicero. Alex appeared right behind me.
“What’s going—”
"What is it?" Alex cut me off.
"Guards. I think someone saw us enter." Cicero’s brow furrowed as he peered off into the forest. I couldn’t see anything but green.
“We’re hiding from—”
"Are you sure?" Alex interrupted me again. His eyes narrowed as he peered around with his father. Sonya held her finger to her lips, motioning for me to remain silent. As if talking got me any answers.
My ears perked. I heard something off in the distance, a sort of muffled patter. Something about the sound was familiar to me but I couldn’t figure out what. The patter was faint at first, but grew louder and louder with each second. I knew that sound. I knew it like I knew my own voice. It was the rhythmic pounding of hooves.
Cicero mumbled something and Alex shoved me on the ground so that I was lying flat between him and Sonya.
The pounding roared in my head, drowning out my racing heartbeat. Whoever was coming was riding hard, and it sounded like there was more than one of them. Whatever they were after, I was about to find out.
The pounding ceased. They were here.
After a few seconds of unbearable silence, I had to look. I lifted my face inches off the ground and peered over Alex. Silver glinted through the trees on the ledge where we had stood moments ago. I counted four riders, and they looked like some sort of guard. They wore breastplates of silver, dotted with greens and blacks, their baldrics holding long swords. The hair on their heads and faces was long and unshaven; their expressions were filled with such cold hatred that my breath stuck in my chest.
They were searching for something.
A fifth rider appeared in my line of sight, but he was different from the rest. His face was hidden beneath a drawn hood and the rest of his powerful frame was veiled in rich, black wool that blended with his velvety black stallion. An enormous silver blade hung at his waist, glinting in the sunlight. He looked out of place in this world filled with color and life. Like the night had delivered Death himself.
My head was shoved back down and my eyes locked with Alex's, his face rigid with warning, his eyes flashed with violence.
One of the riders jerked his horse around and started in our direction. The others followed him. My heart thudded in my ears. The rider stopped in front of the boulder we were hiding behind, his horse raking at the ground.
I held my breath.
"So he was wrong,” the soldier barked in a gruff voice.
“Keep searching,” answered a deeper, velvety voice. The black rider. “Considering the current circumstances, you should not be hasty to give up.”
His voice unnerved me. It touched my newfound awareness with a stiff chill.
"We're wasting our time," said a third. "There's no one here."
“My Lord is never wrong,” growled the black rider.
Everything went silent and I felt smothered by the anxiety of my companions. I didn’t move. I didn't breath. I didn't even dare to blink.
The silence menaced.
A stiff breeze barreled through the forest and the trees bended and creaked loudly in response.
“Search the grounds, and stick to the main road,” barked the voice. “I shall notify my Lord at once.”
Leather reigns snapped, horses whinnied, and the riders vanished down the trail. All but the black rider.
He lingered there, just on the other side of our boulder. There was a darkness to him—a malevolence that made my soul recoil. Ice-cold fingers touched me then, searching and sifting through my thoughts. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I shut my eyes tight, fighting against the strange invasion. Another gust of wind ripped through the forest. At once the chill ceased, the rider spun and rode off after his companions.
The moment the guards were out of sight, the Del Contes were on their feet, their concern and anxiety overpowering. Running from guards didn’t seem like something any honest person would do. Which made me wonder, what if my dad’s role in this other world was bad? I hadn’t thought of that. What would I do then? But I saw those guards, how dark and frightening they were, and I was still shaken by that voice. It didn’t matter whether or not Dad was good or bad. I needed to see him, to know that he was safe from men like them. And to know that he was alive.
Sonya tugged on me to move. The shadows in the forest were much deeper than before. I glanced up. Thick clouds loomed overhead, just visible through cracks in the green barrier. These clouds were darker and more menacing than anything I’d ever seen—not the sort of thing you want from a storm.
We strayed from the path this time, winding around huge trees and thick underbrush. The wind gained strength, ripping through the forest, nipping at my damp skin. I kept seeing movement in the corner of my eye, but every time I looked, all I could find was a rock or pile of shrubs.
Then I bumped into something.
Not again.
"Sorry.” My cheeks burned hot. And, unfortunately for me, Alex noticed this time.
He lowered his mouth to my ear. "You know, if you wanted me closer, you could've just asked. It'd be a lot less painful for both of us."
My eyes narrowed. “Like you know anything about pain.”
His lips formed a tight line and he stepped aside. When I walked on, I felt his eyes burning into my back.
You got your wish. You wanted him to say something last time.
That’s it, conscience. If you don’t keep quiet I’ll tie you to a tree and leave you there.
The breeze continued to beat at my hair and cloak. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to contain my body heat, hoping that wherever we were headed wasn’t much further.
My teeth were chattering by the time a solid gray structure came into view. The roof was made of thatched coverings and the walls were composed of neatly laid stone. Ribbons of smoke rose and curled from the chimney and my spirits lifted at the prospect of a warm fire. Soft light flickered behind one of the beveled glass windows, shadows moving beyond. Someone was inside. Was it Dad? Was he safe?
The front door creaked open, and my heart sank. It wasn’t my dad. It was a young man about my age, maybe younger. His light-brown hair was a disheveled mess and his hazel eyes held an awareness that contrasted with his youthful features. He wore a loose-fitting tunic that looked slightly large for his skinny frame, and the extra fabric of his tan breeches was tucked into tall leather boots. If this was the style, no wonder the Del Contes wanted us to wear cloaks.
The boy halted right before us and even before he opened his lips to speak, I knew the news wasn’t good. His apprehension was strong.
“Thad.” Cicero nodded once.
The boy called Thad nodded in return. “Sir.” His voice was scratchy.
“Where’s Alaric?”
The boy’s gaze flashed to me. “Gone, sir.”
Cicero stepped forward. “What do you mean…gone?”
“He left this morning. He said there was no time to waste. Someone helped the Pykans through the portal.”
I felt the sharp anxiety of the Del Contes, but knowing my dad had come and gone turned my heart to lead. “Where’s my dad?”
“Quick, inside,” Sonya said as she looped her arm through mine and pulled me after her.
Thad stole a few glimpses of me as he led us to the cottage. Thunder cracked above, rumbling throughout the valley as large droplets began falling, and my sense of despair expounded. Since I’d been told about this crazy place, the one hope I’d clung to had been seeing my dad. Without him, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep it together.
We reached the protection of the porch just as the clouds unleashed their fury. Rain fell in a curtain behind us, blurring the landscape as we walked through the doorway.
Dad wasn’t here.
Everyone scattered but I stood in the foyer, frozen with anxiety. What should I do now? I was in a strange world with no one I could trust. My dad was here—somewhere—but I had no possible way of finding him. Not one clue where he could’ve gone. Even if I knew, how in this world would I get there?
Quick patter echoed from somewhere. There was a blur of movement and then a large mass of grey fur lunged at me. Its paws landed on my chest, shoving me against the wall, and lavished my neck and chin with dog drool.
“Egan!” Thad’s voice reverberated down the hall.
Egan dropped his paws. His tail whipped behind him as he paced at my feet with his tongue lolling out of his mouth. The grey streaked his silky fur like the shadows in drifting snow and his eyes were like two shards of blue ice. He looked like winter on four legs, assuming winter also had a long and slobbery pink tongue.
“Sorry about that.” Thad chuckled as he strolled into the room. “Egan gets excited with company. Especially pretty girls.”
My cheeks warmed as I reached over and scratched Egan’s soft neck. He nuzzled his wet nose into my palm. “What kind of dog is he?”<
br />
Egan licked my fingers, careful not to leave any piece of skin dry.
“Akita. And an ornery one at that.” Thad stuck out his hand before me. “I’m Thad.”
There was a childlike vigor to him that I liked. Maybe I could trust him to help me.
“Daria.” I shook his hand with the one not dripping with dog drool.
“Your cloak?”
“That’s alright. It’s keeping me warm.”
A drop of water fell from my cloak and slid down my back. I shivered.
“Right.” Thad grinned. “Hand it over. I’ll get you something dry.”
He held his hand open in expectation. I sloughed off my damp cloak and handed it to him. He took it away, and I noticed the room for the first time.
The walls were made of stone and dark wooden beams, the view beyond the windows smeared from rainwater. A fire crackled and blazed in the corner, the warmth slowly seeping into my skin. Candles sat in sconces upon the walls; their light diffused in golden halos leaving no space left to darkness. This place was comforting. And even though I wasn’t sure what was happening, I felt safe here, like these walls would protect me at all costs from the unknown world beyond them.
Thad grabbed a wool blanket off the couch, and threw it at me. I managed to catch it as it fell to the floor.
“Make yourself at home, Daria.” There was something knowing to his smile that matched the intelligence in his eyes.
He started to walk out of the room and halted mid-stride. Egan crouched at the door, growling with a spine of hair standing on end. Thad’s brow furrowed as he strained to look out the smeared window. I couldn’t see a thing, but his eyes narrowed in concentration and I felt a surge of his anxiety.
“Oh, hellfire,” Thad said beneath his breath. “Alex!”
Alex rushed into the room. His eyes fixed on the window, then me. He rushed to a corner in the room, lifted the edge of a rug, and loosened a floorboard beneath it. “Get my parents,” he said over his shoulder. Thad didn’t need to be told twice, and Egan stayed crouched at the door, snarling.
Gaia's Secret Page 6