Page 62 of Bound By Wishes

“Stay there,” I warned, my heart pounding faster than it ever had in my entire life.

“Sayyida, what are you doing?” Ranen's voice echoed through my mind, laced with tight concern. “I can feel your fear from way out here.”

I swallowed hard, my gaze locked onto the coilingserpents and their glistening scales. I cautiously waded through the wriggling mass, each movement tightening the knot of unease in my stomach. By some miracle, they didn’t strike, merely slithered away as I passed.

“Sayyida?” Ranen's voice carried a sharp edge of warning.

“I know what I’m doing,” I replied, but my voice trembled, betraying the uncertainty gnawing at me. Or at least, I hoped I did.

The serpents coiled around me, their scales brushing against each other with a dry, rustling sound. With my heart in my throat, I eased forward. They began to move out of my way as though they recognized something within me, an unspoken connection that pulsed through the blood in my veins. Their eyes, cold and unblinking, watched me in a way that made the hair at the back of my neck prickle.

As I approached the phantom cobra, it began to coil, its sleek body tightening with lethal grace. The air grew thick with tension as its hood fanned out wider, exposing the intricate silver markings that shimmered across its scales. Every muscle in its body seemed to ripple ready to strike, and its eyes locked onto mine. The cobra swayed back and forth in a mesmerizing rhythm, as if trying to hypnotize me. Each move pulled at my senses, tempting me to surrender to its silent, deadly dance.

“Cal!” Malik called behind me, his tone quivering.

“I’m okay,” I assured him, never taking my eyes off the serpent that was trying to lure me into a trance.

With each sinuous movement, the cobra's scales gleamed like liquid metal, catching the light andreflecting shades of silver and pearl as it tried to pull me deeper under its spell.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, my voice steady despite the thunderous pounding of my heart. I extended my hand, bringing it inches away from the cobra’s deadly fangs. One strike, and it would all be over in a matter of minutes, but I held my ground, refusing to let fear dictate my fate.

The cobra shifted, and a wave of dizziness swept over me, leaving me drenched in sweat. My vision blurred as it moved closer, its cold, smooth nose brushing against my trembling fingertips before its forked tongue flicked out, tasting my skin. The serpent then rose, its powerful muscles coiling and pushing it upward until it hovered just above my hand. I held my breath, muscles locked in place, as it twisted around my arm. Its scales were cool and slightly ridged against my skin. As it coiled around my arm, the scales created a slight friction that sounded like the soft rustle of dried leaves.

It continued to loop around my arm until it gracefully slid across my shoulders, around the back of my neck, and then slithered down the other arm. The cobra extended its neck, holding its position with a poised elegance. Its beady eyes locked onto mine, as if inviting me to take hold.

Good sense begged me not to touch it, but something stronger than me was guiding my actions. With trembling hands, I grasped the cobra just below its flared hood. Its muscles tensed in my sweaty palms as its sinuous body fell away from my arm. The serpent's form solidified, transforming into a magnificent staff. The once hauntingly beautiful snake was now precious metal. Its surface gleamed with a blend of silver and pearl, capturing the serpent’selegant scales in radiant detail. The menacing eyes that seemed to see through my soul were now black diamonds that sparkled with a mysterious brilliance.

I lowered the staff to the ground, the rounded tip gently touching the floor. The thousands of serpents dissolved back into shimmering mounds of treasure and gold.

“Did you see that?” I asked, wide-eyed, turning to Malik, who was still frozen in place, clinging to the throne.

“I saw, and I still don’t believe it,” he replied, his gaze shifting nervously over the floor. He carefully lowered one foot to the ground, as if expecting it to transform back into a writhing mass of vipers at any moment.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the staff in my hand. Its power seemed to hum against my skin, calling to me like a long-lost lover. Every subtle vibration felt like a whispered promise, drawing me closer to my heritage and its intoxicating magic.

“I assume you're not dead yet,” Ranen growled, his agitation clear in his tone. “Care to fill me in on what just happened?”

“I have it,” I said breathlessly, still in shock.

“Have what? The scepter?” Ranen demanded.

“It’s not a scepter,” I said, lifting the staff toward the light. Its silvery pearl essence gleamed, and the black diamonds sparkled. "It’s a staff,” I clarified.

“I don’t remember anything about a staff in the old scrolls,” Ranen argued. “Are you sure you have the right thing?”

After everything that had just happened and with the power seeping through the staff in my hands, I was certainwe had found what we came for. “Yes,” I replied with conviction.

“Very well, Sayyida,” Ranen relented, his tone softening. “Now get out of there before something else happens.”

“We’re coming,” I promised.

I walked back toward the entrance, glancing behind me when I realized Malik wasn’t following. His eyes were fixed on a towering pile of coins.

“Do you think something bad will happen if I touch it now?” he asked.

I smiled and returned to him. “I don’t think so. Not now that we have the staff.”

Malik reached toward the gold, and I held my breath as his fingers brushed against the pile. A soft clinking sound filled the air as a few coins tumbled to the ground, but nothing else happened and no snakes reappeared. He looked at me with a playful smile on his face, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he shoved coins into his pockets.

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