Well, they were wrong.
***
Nicole and Austin crossed the campsite, ignoring the official-looking people who searched through the debris for evidence. They reached the Jeeps and quickly pulled out the necessary equipment—headlamps, flashlights, matches, first aid kits, and a couple of guns, which they strapped to themselves. They joined Coolidge near the hole.
“I’ve made the necessary calls,” Coolidge said, ‘But the government is unwilling to close off the caverns, especially after what we discovered. They’re sending in more people.”
He stopped Austin from heading toward the ramp. “That’s not the only thing. They’ve requested that the members of the expedition team leave. We no longer have permission to enter the caverns.”
Austin frowned, and Nicole rolled her eyes. “We’re not letting that stop us, right?” she asked.
Coolidge gave a short, bark-like laugh. “Heavens, no. I just wanted you to know that you’re technically breaking the law by coming with me.” He gestured back to the Jeeps. “My last three students have already left.”
Austin raised an eyebrow. “Left? Why?”
Coolidge shrugged. “They don’t want to risk being put in federal prison for the rest of their lives.”
Nicole swallowed. “But that’s only if we get caught, right?”
“Exactly. I haven’t mentioned to anyone what the feds told me, but I suspect information will be trickling back soon. If you’re willing to continue, we need to go now.”
Austin and Nicole met eyes. “We’re going,” Austin said.
Nicole nodded.
“Good,” Coolidge said. “Follow me.”
Coolidge strode toward the ramp, with Nicole and Austin trailing.
The front caverns were full of search and rescue people. Some were carting off body parts. Others were searching the city. It was obvious they were realizing that this might be bigger than they thought.
Someone in the city called out, saying they’d found an intact body—something that apparently hadn’t happened yet. Nicole swallowed. Was it Sylvia? Camille? She and Austin looked at Coolidge, but he shook his head.
“Let them clean up the mess and figure out which body belongs to which person. We need to search for survivors.”
Nicole knew right away that he planned to go into the tunnels behind the city. Where else would the coven take living people?
Austin led the way, showing Coolidge where he, Nicole, and Sylvia had gone before.
They’d only walked maybe ten feet when Judith Ann ran up to them, panting, holding her hand to her heart. “I’m coming too,” she said. “Have to recover my father’s stolen things.”
Nicole rolled her eyes, but Austin and Coolidge didn’t seem to have a problem with it.
They continued onward, not conversing. At first, they followed the LED lights, but after a while, the lights ended.
Coolidge and Austin discussed options, and Nicole leaned against the cold dirt wall. The moist air of the tunnels was making her nauseated. She sank to the ground and put her head between her knees, concentrating on breathing in and out, watching dust particles floating in the narrow shafts of light.
“You okay?” Austin asked.
Nicole didn’t respond at first, and he dug out his canteen of water and handed it over. She accepted it gratefully and took a couple of sips before giving it back.
“Just a bit queasy.”
“Understandable,” Coolidge said.
Judith Ann snorted, folding her arms.
Nicole didn’t respond, though she did glare at Judith Ann, eyebrow raised. If she was going to puke, let it be in the girl’s direction.
The others gave her a couple of minutes to get the nausea under control, then Austin offered his hand and pulled her to her feet. The group continued onward.
Moments later, the nausea returned, but much stronger. Nicole grabbed the wall and retched against it, ignoring the splatters that hit her jeans.
“Something’s wrong,” she said, wiping her mouth.
Before anyone could reply, the nausea returned, but this time, it was accompanied by the strongest magical pulse she’d ever felt. She was thrown down the tunnel and knocked to the ground.
Her vision faltered and everything fell black for a moment. Nicole shook her head, her eyesight returning.
She coughed, forcing air back into her lungs. She was so dazed, it took her a moment to realize that Coolidge was checking her pulse while Austin rubbed her hand. Judith Ann stood with hands on her hips, glaring down at Nicole.
“What just happened?” Austin asked. He and Coolidge looked at her in concern, shielding themselves from the brightness of her headlamp. She turned so it wasn’t flashing them in the face.
Coolidge felt her forehead. “It looked like something blew you over.”
Nicole nodded, finally able to breathe. “Magic. Pulse—incredibly strong.”
Coolidge frowned. “I didn’t sense anything.”
Austin cocked his head. “I didn’t either.” His voice held a hint of disbelief.
Judith Ann scoffed. “She’s making it up.”
“I’m not lying,” Nicole said, her face burning.
Coolidge waved her off. “No, no. We believe you.” He helped her to her feet. “What did it feel like?”
Nicole didn’t answer. Another wave of magic had started flowing over her, much gentler this time. It billowed around her, hugging, tugging at her. She took a step toward the source of the magical pulse. It beckoned her closer while images of Sylvia and Camille flashed into her mind.
“I know where to go,” she said.
Austin cleared his throat. “Are you sure?”
“Let’s say she is,” Coolidge said, “because following her lead is better than wandering.”
Judith Ann folded her arms. “Being led to our death by a possessed woman is not better than wandering.”
Coolidge ignored her. “Go ahead, Nicole.”
Nicole nodded, adjusted her headlamp, and led the way. The magical pulse reduced to a string of energy, making it easier for her to discern. It tugged against her heart when she took a wrong turn, and warmed her when she went in the right direction.
They walked for at least a mile. After a while, the pulses led them into a tight tunnel and up above ground into a heavily forested area.
“These trees aren’t native to this area,” Coolidge said, fingering a branch. He motioned for the others to stop, and he and Austin held their hands over the branch. They met eyes.
“They’ve been artificially manufactured,” Austin said, “forced to grow here.”
“What does that mean?” Nicole asked him.
“The print on them is the same as the print on the Agarchs, who must be a lot more powerful than we thought if they can create trees.”
Coolidge nodded in agreement and motioned for Nicole to continue leading the way.
The sun filtered down through a canopy of leaves, casting an eerie glow over the fog that now surrounded Nicole and the others. The woods were quiet, the animal sounds almost nonexistent. A chill breeze gave Nicole goose bumps and she rubbed her arms, wishing for a jacket.
“I didn’t know this kind of forest existed in Southern Utah,” Judith Ann said. “Why haven’t I ever heard of it before? I’ve been to Arches dozens of times.”
“I don’t think we’re in Arches,” Coolidge said. “At least, not any part accessible to casual visitors.”
Judith Ann raised her eyebrows, but didn’t respond.
They walked through the forest for half an hour, passing ruins—deserted cities that resembled those found in the caverns. Nicole led them to an old rock wall with a crumbling archway. The forest broke for a moment, revealing huge, frosted mountains that loomed above. The sun was farther west than it should have been for that time of day. Nicole raised her face, eager to have it warmed by the light. She felt the dankness of the tunnels and caverns leave as the breeze stirred around her.
The group had j
ust walked under the archway when Nicole came to an abrupt halt, staring to the left of her. She gave an excited yelp, dashed forward, and picked up her cello from where it had been leaned against a tree trunk.
She turned, grinning. “It’s fine! The Agarchs didn’t destroy it.” She looked around, but couldn’t see the case anywhere. At least the cello was okay! And she hoped her bow was fine too.
Judith Ann scowled. “I don’t understand what the big deal is with that thing, anyway.”
Nicole ignored her and looked at Austin and Coolidge. “Why is it here?”
Neither of them answered. They were staring at something behind her. Nicole turned and gasped. Will stood under the arch, holding a gun—the one that had been confiscated from Austin.
“The instrument is here for you to play,” he said. “The Agarchs have requested your help.”
“Her help?” Judith Ann asked. “With what?”
“The Shoggoths.”
Coolidge pinched the bridge of his nose, and Nicole and Austin looked at each other. Only Judith Ann seemed clueless, asking what a Shoggoth was.
“Creations of my lords and masters. Shoggoths were once slaves. For thousands of years, my masters used them to till the earth and fish the sea. The Shoggoths revolted. They became dangerous, and my masters were forced to find other slaves.”
“That’s why you and the other humans are here,” Coolidge said.
Will nodded. “I haven’t introduced myself to you, Professor. I’m William Stevenson.” He looked at Nicole and Austin, then directed his gaze back to Coolidge. “You’ve brought an intelligent group.”
Coolidge edged himself closer to Nicole, his hand slowly moving toward the holster at his side. “Yes, I have. What sort of assistance can we offer?”
“You? None. Her?” He pointed the gun at Nicole. “Everything. She is to come with me.”
Judith Ann’s mouth popped open and Austin and Coolidge stepped in front of Nicole, both of them pulling their guns.
Coolidge growled. “Not until you explain what’s going on.”
Will stared at him, keeping his gun trained on Nicole. “You’re willing to force me to kill her while you’re attempting to protect her?” He continued, not waiting for a response. “The Shoggoths have attacked my masters and their cities every day for hundreds of years. They’ve destroyed many and have finally found their way to this city, one of the last. But since your group arrived, their attacks have lessened. It took until last night for us to realize what was causing them to hesitate. The Shoggoths seem enchanted by a sound that carries across the time and distance of the caverns.” He looked at Nicole. “Each night since arriving, you’ve played your cello. And my masters need you to play it again.”
Nicole glanced at the others and back to Will. “How long will it take?”
Will shrugged. “Half an hour, at least.”
Nicole nodded. “All right, I’ll come.” She held her face straight, not wanting the others to see the fear she felt.
“No, Nicole!” Austin shouted. “He’s lying. Can’t you tell?”
“She doesn’t have a choice,” Will said. “She comes and you all live. Otherwise, everyone dies.” He glanced at Nicole. “Follow me.”
Coolidge and Austin insisted on going as well and made Judith Ann stay behind. She threw a fit, but ultimately obeyed, and Will didn’t care either way.
After walking for ten minutes, they rounded a wooded hill, and a foreign city surrounded by lush forests came into view. The stone was slashed and scarred. Red liquid dripped from the newer cuts. A rusty, salty smell permeated the air, amplified by the heat of the sun. The road they followed gradually changed in color from dark to bright red as they entered the city, and the stone became slick with fresh blood.
Nicole cringed with every step she gingerly took, trying not to slide on the stuff.
Will strode ahead of them, seeming unaware of the hesitance of his followers.
“It breathes,” Austin said. “The city breathes.”
Coolidge put a hand next to the nearest wall. “Living stone.”
“How is that possible?” Nicole asked.
Will paused, glancing back. “My lords made it so. The city obeys their will. Here, they have no need of slaves or guards. The city sees to it that no one comes or goes unless my lords and masters command it.”
“The city doesn’t seem to be doing so well,” Coolidge said.
Will shrugged. “It will heal itself.”
Nicole grew tired of carrying her cello, and Austin took it from her. The moment it was no longer in her hands, though, the ground beneath her rippled, nearly knocking her down. Everything around them started quaking, and Nicole barely stayed upright.
Will looked back. “Ah. Chivalry.” He murmured something to the wall, nodded, and murmured something more.
The shaking stopped and Will continued forward. Nicole frowned, realizing what this all meant. She and her friends might never be able to leave unless the Agarchs gave permission. Would they, though? Half an hour of playing might well turn into a lifetime of slavery. Nicole took a deep breath, trying to control the panic welling up inside her chest. There had to be a way out, and she had to believe they’d find it.
The road eventually led to a huge palace built into the side of the nearest mountain. The walls of the palace showed extensive damage. Scarred ridges bumped up almost everywhere, and the face of the building was discolored and grotesque. It looked like someone had slashed it multiple times with knives. Nicole couldn’t stand to look at the palace. It was disgusting.
Will paused in front of a set of huge wooden doors and smiled up at them. “The cellist is here.”
The doors swung open. Will stepped up the stairs and entered, beckoning the others to follow.
Nicole recognized the room as soon as she stepped inside. It was a replica of the one with the shriveled Agarchs back at Arches, only this one was much, much larger.
She turned, looking. Thank goodness—the alcoves here were all empty. Maybe they wouldn’t be granted the honor of meeting the Agarchs face-to-face.
Her hope was short-lived. Moments after she and the others arrived, a side door creaked open, and several Agarchs entered the room.
Nicole felt herself both intrigued and disgusted by these creatures. Their many root-like legs propelled them forward, and the antenna sticking out from the top of their tubular bodies twitched and flitted through the air. They were at least ten feet tall and four feet wide.
She felt a magical pulse flood over her, accompanied by feelings of pleasure. They really had wanted her to come.
The Agarchs seated themselves in the various alcoves that lined the rooms, and Nicole counted. Nine Agarchs. Eleven empty alcoves. Where were the others? Probably dead, dissected by Howard.
Speaking of Howard . . . what had happened to him? And the rest of the people?
She quickly forgot her question when a weird sound filled the room. A sort of clinking or clacking, similar to the sound that fingernails make when hitting keys on a piano, but much, much louder.
Will stepped forward and bowed. “Yes, as requested.” He grabbed Nicole’s arm, pulling her toward the center of the room, then took the cello from Austin and handed it to her.
“They want you to play.”
Nicole looked down. “I need a chair.”
As she was speaking, the stone of the floor rippled and rose, forming a stool. Nicole shrieked and jumped back, giving a nervous giggle. She took a deep breath, hand on her chest. She’d made it this far without having an emotional meltdown—she could do this.
Nicole sat on the provided seat and glanced at the others. Austin and Coolidge looked worried. Their gazes flitted between her and the Agarchs, and she wondered if the men sensed something she didn’t. To her, the room felt peaceful. Of course, the Agarchs could very well be messing with her emotions—making her feel comfortable.
“I also need a rockstop,” Nicole said to Will. “There’s no way the endpin will stic
k to this floor. It’s too smooth.”
Will frowned. “What is a rockstop?”
She pulled out her endpin and pointed at it. “It’s something that keeps this from sliding all over while I play.”
“Ah,” Will said, though Nicole could tell he didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. However, the city seemed to know what she needed, and a divot appeared in the stone in front of her.
Nicole got her cello in position and stared at Will.
He motioned to her instrument with jerky movements. “Well?”
“Where’s my bow?”
He knitted his eyebrows. “Your what?”
“My bow.”
“The stick?”
Nicole glared at him, though she knew her reaction was a little over the top—most non-musicians didn’t know the various parts of instruments. “Yes, the stick. It’s incredibly expensive, and without it, I can’t play anything spectacular. Not like what you’ve heard, anyway. It was with my cello back at our campsite.”
The Agarchs started tittering and swelling, and Will glanced at his feet, clearly chagrined. “I didn’t realize you’d need it. I know right where it is. I’ll be back.”
Nicole bit her lip, hoping he’d find it—hoping he wouldn’t be gone long. She turned to the Agarchs. Without eyes or a proper face, it was impossible to tell if they were looking at her or not.
“Um . . .” she started, glancing at her friends. “Can we get a place for them to sit?”
The chair beneath her vibrated slightly as the stone floor rumbled, forming a long bench for Austin and Coolidge.
They sat, sending her grateful expressions.
“Well,” Nicole said when the silence grew uncomfortable. “I guess I could pluck something.” She’d learned many songs over the years that didn’t require a bow. Unfortunately, none of them were very expressive—not like the songs she played in the shed—and they weren’t long.
As soon as she started plucking, one of the Agarchs approached, its antennae squirming toward her. Nicole shied away and stopped playing, but the Agarch grabbed her chair with one of its root-like legs and gave it a hard shake. The creature tittered something at her, the sound of fingernails on keys filling the air around her. She felt the magic she’d sensed earlier filling her soul, asking politely, begging, then threatening to destroy her and those she loved if she didn’t keep playing.
Discern (Mosaic Chronicles Book 1) Page 22