Page 11 of Secrets of Avalon

The water in the pool at the center of the chamber ripples suddenly, and from its depths rises a woman dressed like Galadriel from Lord of the Rings. She’s in a sparkling silver gown. Her hair, this bright mix of blue and purple and white, is done up in braids with a small tiara perched on top.

My mind must be playing tricks on me.

She steps out of the pool, right over the short wall like it’s nothing. Like the water wasn’t even six inches deep. And she’s not wet. Her dress, hair, skin–-everything’s dry.

She stares at me for a moment before her gaze drifts around the chamber, taking in all the mess, the blood, the bodies of my family and my enemies.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting quite this when Juan sent for me.” The woman’s voice is laced with a tone of surprise, her fingers absently twisting a large silver ring on her hand. She crouches beside the guide, her movements gentle as she closes his lifeless eyes with a soft touch. “Rest now, faithful one.”

“Who are you?” I ask, my voice strained with a mix of curiosity and desperation.

“Unimportant,” she replies dismissively, her eyes scanning the scene. “What happened here?”

I swallow hard, the weight of my actions pressing down on me. “I lost control,” I admit in a hushed tone. The words taste bitter. “The Inquisitors killed my family. And I killed them.” I brace myself for her judgment, but instead, I find an unexpected expression of surprise in her eyes.

“Why didn’t you kill the Inquisitors before they killed your family?” Her question stings, probing at the raw edges of my guilt.

“If I could control it, we wouldn't be here,” I respond, a harsh, involuntary laugh escaping me as the bitter irony of the situation hits home.

Of course I would’ve protected my family if I knew how to use the power racing through my blood. Instead my unwieldy semi-nuclear magick just continues to wreak havoc.

“My family was trying to get me to Avalon. We followed a map here, but I couldn’t get the door to open.” I use my head to gesture at the large stone door behind me.

“What are you?” The woman steps closer, her presence imposing. “Do you know?”

Confusion swirls within me. What are you? What does that even mean? “I’m human. I was born with magick and I’ve never been able to control it. Who are you?” The question comes out more as a plea.

She waves her hand again. “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re the key to getting this door unlocked.”

“Unlocked?” I echo, my skepticism is mixed with a glimmer of hope. “Is that why it only showed me a glimpse and didn’t let me through?”

Her eyes lock onto mine, glowing fluorescent purple, piercing through the dim, torchlit chamber. “What are you?” she presses, her head tilting to the side like a puzzling border collie. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Melinda,” I say, exasperation creeping into my voice. “You say I’m the key, but it didn’t open.”

“It’s locked from the other side. It can’t be unlocked from here,” she explains matter-of-factly like it should be common knowledge.

“Fucking hell, just tell me what’s going on you weird water-lady. Is that the door to Avalon and if so, how do I get it open?” My patience is wearing thin. My magick hums louder inside me and she sucks in a quick breath, taking a step backward.

Her lips curl into a slight smirk. “Good. You still have fight in you. You’ll need that to survive, but I’m here to help. Put that magick back where it belongs.”

“Fuck you, lady. Tell me what I want to know.” I let my magick spill out a little more.

She drops to one knee, clutching her temple, a grimace of pain etched across her face. Unexpectedly, she begins to sing, her voice weaving a melody both foreign and enchanting. The song wraps around me, lifting the weight of my fears, bathing me in a surreal calmness.

Despite the song, her voice breaks through, speaking to me directly. “You’re asking the wrong questions, Melinda. I can get you to Avalon, but you have to ask me to take you into the water first. I can’t take you unless you do.”

“Please. Take me to Avalon.” I plead from the ground. “Help me.”

She shakes her head. “Ask me to take you into the water.”

“I won’t drown?”

“No. It’s safe with me.”

“How can you get to Avalon if the door is locked?”

“There’s more than one way to Avalon. Do you want my help, Melinda?”

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