Page 3 of Releasing Darkness

“One will face fear…”

“Both must succeed…”

“To bring together what is near…”

Listening to their melodic voices made her head swim, the dizzy feeling growing with each passing minute. She feared that she would pass out if she didn’t leave soon. She swallowed thickly and blinked twice to clear her vision.

“What can I do to help?”

“There is one trapped…”

“... in the prison…”

“... War must be freed.”

She gasped and took a step forward. “Which prison? How can I save him?”

“The mate of red…”

“... the captor’s daughter…”

“... must return.”

“Where can I find her?”

“Send your guard…

“... to the Earthly realm…”

“... with a missive.”

“She must choose…”

“... she must guide…”

“... she must let loose…”

“... the pain he hides.”

She swayed on her feet as her head swam. Their voices came from all sides, seeming to resonate inside her skull. She knew she was out of time.

“Payment?” she croaked out through her closing throat, knowing that one didn’t see the Fates without paying a fee.

“The price…”

“... has already…”

“... been paid.”

She stepped back, edging toward the entrance to the cave, hoping for some clarity to enter her mind as their words penetrated. She looked down, finding herself holding the small pouch filled with precious gems that she had pilfered from the palace. In confusion, she looked back at the three women who she could no longer clearly see. They no longer looked like beautiful young maidens, and neither did they look old. The only impression she could garner was of three very ancient beings as they sifted their hands through bundles of thread. “Who paid the price?”

As one, their response rang out, making her head ache and throb. With a distressed cry, she lifted a hand and pressed it over her forehead. She stumbled and turned, heading back to the entrance. The encounter began fading quickly from her memory until only the words they had spoken remained. Their last word repeated over and over in her mind as she collapsed into her waiting guard’s arms.

“Everyone.”

Chapter

One

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