Page 116 of Shadows of Ruin

“I can use my summoning magic on your mother’s coffin, so we don’t have to disturb too much of the earth or the magic here,” Hale said. “If there is any risk to the grave being destroyed, I’ll stop.”

“Thank you.” I gave him a small nod.

“I’ll use my earth magic to get through some of the extra layers on top,” Corbin explained. “As gently as possible.”

The care and respect the two of them displayed for my birth mother warmed in my chest. Their love of a woman they didn’t know was because of me. Because of what this moment meant for me.

The numbness I had been worried about seeping into me and staying didn’t stand a chance. I knew that now. Grief would not consume me. There were too many people to live for.

Corbin rarely displayed his magic in front of others. As a private person who preferred to work alone, it had taken most of us years to witness him at work. I had only recently seen him in action in my garden the past few years. I knew he hated being a lesser Fae, but his magic was extraordinary in my eyes. His attention to detail and care for nature always made me appreciate his talents.

Concentrating on the ground, Corbin carved shallow lines through the earth, moving clumps to the side. After a few moments, he nodded toward Hale, who took it as his cue to summon the coffin.

They moved carefully, respectfully, as promised. Hale’s body strained with his magic, as Corbin continued to move mounds of dirt. Suddenly, with a loudthud, a massive double-wide white marble coffin appeared.

“They’re together,” I said, my voice cracking.

Ian and Kade moved forward and stood on the left side, readying to use their combined strength to open the tomb.

“Are you all right?” Kade asked. When I nodded, he instructed Ian as well as Storm, who joined him by the coffin’s lid. “On three,” Kade instructed. “One, two, three.”

They pushed the top cleanly off.

I prepared myself for the stench of death to fill the air, but instead, the scent was masked. I stepped forward. Even if it was only bones, I would see my parents.

The skeletal remains of my mother and father lay together, hands clasped side by side, in purple and gold robes. The colors of Brookmere. While only bones lay before me, whoever buried them did so with care and compassion. I could feel their love of each other, and the way they were positioned so delicately side by side.

I let out a shaky breath and stepped forward, falling to my knees beside the coffin. Resting my head on the side, I whispered a prayer to the Fates, hoping their souls remained together in whatever came next. A gentle breeze sweptthrough the room, caressing my neck in response. Willing myself to stand, I knew I must continue the journey started for me at their deaths.

Raising my head, I searched the coffin for the journal. It should have been plainly visible.

Only there was no journal there.

“What’s that?” Kalliah asked.

Storm reached into the casket and pulled out a small scroll. Not a journal, but it was something. He handed it to me, and I unrolled the delicate paper, reading it once to myself first.

My heart sank. It didn’t make sense.

“What does it say, Lana?” Kalliah asked.

I looked up at all of their expectant eyes, so eager to find an answer, even if we had no idea what answer it was.

Anger coursed through my veins as I gripped the scroll in my fist. I thought this path would lead to something of value, something to save Brookmere. Instead, we got a dead end on the only lead we had for this ridiculous mission.

“Are you okay, Little Rebel?” Kade whispered, sending his shadows to my waist in an embrace.

I took a deep breath and read the words so hastily scrolled upon the weathered parchment.

“I must protect the secrets of Atheria. Only one shall be brave enough to end our blight, and she must always look to the light. Search in the realms of nowhere and nightmares for answers you seek, for the royal blood’s journal cannot be obtained by the weak.”

The stupid text sounded like a riddle and reminded me too much of Vivienne’s or Cassandra’s nonsense. It reminded me why I loathed seers.

“Well, that is less than helpful,” Ian stated. “Let’s take the parchment and get out of here before we attract too many eyes. We can regroup once we are out of Valeford.”

Everyone murmured in agreement. Hale, Ian, and Stormshifted to move the coffin lid back when a flicker of gold flashed in the corner of my eye. “Wait,” I said, stopping them. Squinting, I peered into the casket once more.

Again, a small flash of gold flittered in my vision, on top of the regal robes.

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