Page 193 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“I don’t think the Trinity has been in this place in a very long time,” Tharan said.

Roderick stood on the balcony of the ancient temple, spectacles balanced on the bridge of his nose, hand over his mouth, as he tried to decipher the ancient runes carved into the granite.

In the center of the platform an empty bowl made of copper on a pedestal sat filled with the remnants of the fire. Two indentations ran from the bowl into the maze of runes engraved below.

Roderick sighed.

“You can all guess what you have to do.”

“Spill our blood into the giant basin that runs into the maze?” Caiden called back.

“You got it. It says: Here three goddesses formed an alliance, each one granting gifts to their loyal subjects. Only those with sacred blood may enter their domain.”

The knot in my chest burned and I swallowed back the agony. “Let’s get this over with. Whatever is in there we need to get it before Erissa returns.”

My heart pounded and I gripped my dagger tight before running it over the palm of my left hand. I winced as I held my fist over the copper bowl.Drip,drip,drip, the blood fell onto the ashen basin.

Caiden and Tharan cut their palms too, holding their hands next to mine. The blood spilled into the channels before seeping into the runes.

“This better work,” I said through gritted teeth. Both my chest and my palm ached but I couldn’t stop. Not now, not when we were so close.

As the blood filled the runes the ground began to shake.

“Oh Trinity. What’s happening?” I asked, taking Tharan’s hand in mine.

“It’s a stairway!” Roderick called. “The blood opened a stairway.”

Despite the pain in my chest, a mixture of relief and fear washed over me. We’d done it. We’d found the Well before Erissa. Now all we had to do was take the magic.

I looked down to see the bricks of granite transform into a circular staircase leading to a dark abyss. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, whatever lay at the bottom of the stairs would come easily. I looked around at my friends. Each one of them risked their life to be here. We were so close to succeeding, I couldn’t let my fears get the better of me now.

“Amolie, come with us. The rest of you keep guard. Don’t let anyone in,” Tharan said before scooping me back into his powerful arms once again. The knot in my chest began to pulse like a second heart. I took shallow, shaky breaths, not wanting to breathe too deep and have the knot unravel.

Caiden led the way using his lightning to light an old torch, Amolie followed behind. The stairs wound round and round deep into the earth. Caiden used his torch to light a fire which burned around the edges of the staircase, lighting our way. Pictures of the Trinity culling the land lined the walls. A gruesome site I had never truly pictured before.

We descended into the first chamber where a golden book sat upon a stone pedestal. In front of it sat a stained-glass window depicting the Trinity gifting the Fates their power. It seemed to be lit from behind, but surely no light could reach this deep.

Caiden stepped up to the book. “Three trials for three goddesses. Only those who truly believe shall pass.” He swallowed hard.

“Great, just what I was looking forward to,” I said.

“There’s more,” Caiden said. “One for the wise elves, keeper of the eternal knowledge; one for the warrior sylph, protector of the realm; and one for the mortal human, to whom all things are more beautiful because they are fleeting.”

“That can’t be good,” Tharan said.

The pain in my chest beat faster.

The sound of clashing swords echoed from above.

“Shit. They’re here,” I said. “We need to go. Erissa will be here soon. What does it say we have to do?”

Caiden ran his hand over the golden pages. “Prick your finger and touch it to the book.” He took a dagger from his bandelier and pricked his thumb, pressing it to the page. The parchment absorbed the blood like a sponge.

Without another thought we all did the same.

The sounds of fighting grew nearer.

Blood raced through my veins. If we didn’t get through this door now, we’d be trapped like rats.

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