Page 60 of Sundered By Fate

He clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle the cry that threatened to escape. He couldn't risk alerting Valerian to his presence now, not after everything he'd learned. He just had to endure it?—

The pain intensified, spreading outwards in fiery tendrils until it filled his whole body. Through the haze of agony, he glimpsed images swirling before his eyes, half-formed and disjointed.

Malekith writhing in chains, blood streaming down his back—Sylthris standing before him with a cruel smile?—

And then the images changed, showing Sylthris standing somewhere else entirely, her expression grave. She seemed to be looking straight at Aric, her lavender eyes boring into him with unspoken knowledge.

Aric's breath caught in his throat. What was this vision trying to show him? He had to focus on it, try to make sense of the fragments?—

But the pain was too much. It pounded through his skull like a war drum, drowning out all thought.

He bit down on his knuckles to keep from crying out again. Stars danced at the corners of his vision as he fought to stay conscious. And then, as suddenly as it had come, the pain began to recede.

Aric sagged against the equipment he'd been using as cover, panting for breath. His limbs felt shaky and unsteady as he triedto push himself up. He had to get out of here—had to find some way of deciphering what the sigil was trying to show him.

But before he could move, he heard a voice. "Who's there?" Valerian stood at the doorway once more, his eyes searching the room. "Is someone there? Show yourself!"

Aric froze as Valerian took a cautious step inside. There was no way out except past him; if Valerian found him now?—

He held perfectly still as Valerian prowled further into the room. He couldn't risk using any magic—not when he didn't know what effect it might have on the sigil again.

Valerian paused by the pedestal holding the artifact and frowned down at it. "Curious . . ." he muttered, before shaking his head.

It was only once Valerian left again that Aric finally let himself relax.

Aric waited in silence until he was certain Valerian was gone, then retrieved the satchel and made a hasty retreat out of the research room. He needed to hurry back to his quarters without raising any alarm. But his mind was still reeling from the pain and visions, his body unsteady.

He hurried down the darkened corridors, ignoring the oppressive silence that seemed to close in around him. He turned a corner—and stopped short at the sight of a guard patrol coming his way.

Damn it. The halls were supposed to be clear.

He ducked through the nearest door, finding himself in an abandoned office of some kind. Papers were strewn across the desks, layered with dust. Aric headed further in, hoping to find another way out.

But as he pushed through an adjoining door, he realized he had no idea where he was going. This part of the palace was unfamiliar to him—likely sealed off from use long ago.

He pressed on through the darkened halls, his heart pounding in his ears. The smell of disuse and musty papers clung to his nose as he moved through the forgotten corridors.

But no matter how many turns he took or doors he opened, there seemed to be no end in sight. Panic clawed at his chest as he realized he was hopelessly lost.

If he didn't return to his quarters soon, someone would notice his absence. And with what he'd found in Valerian's research space?—

Aric shook his head, trying to dispel the feeling that he was being watched. He needed to stay calm, keep moving?—

Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the wall ahead of him.

Golden flames flared in his hands. "Who are you?—?"

But the figure moved impossibly fast, her cloak flowing behind her as she glided across the room. Before Aric could react, her hand shot out and seized his wrists.

The flames sputtered and died as she tightened her grip. "There. We can't have you scorching the place, can we?"

Aric stared at her, bewildered—and then went cold. With a smooth motion, she lowered her hood, revealing her face.

"Aric Solarian," Sylthris the Gravewhisper said, smiling wickedly. "I believe it's high time you and I had a little chat."

Fifteen

Aric's shock twisted into anger as he wrestled free of Sylthris’s grasp. "What the hells are you doing here? How did you even?—"

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