Page 83 of The Onyx Covenant

Kieran looks away, unwilling to meet my gaze. Whatever he experienced in that dream cottage with the illusion of Aria, it’s affected him deeply.

“We’ve wasted enough time here,” Theron states.

“Such confidence,” the creature mocks. “As if the maze will simply yield its secrets because you demand it.”

“Maybe not,” I say, standing straighter as strength returns to my limbs. “But we’ve already passed one of its tests. The fountain showed us where to find the moonstone. And now we’ve faced the Whisper Willow and emerged with our minds intact.”

“Two shrines found when most find none,” the creature acknowledges, sounding almost impressed despite herself. “Perhaps you will survive this labyrinth after all.”

“We’ll survive,” Theron states, his arm still protectively around my waist.

The creature smiles her terribly sharp-toothed smile. “We shall see, wolf of shadow. We shall see.”

As we turn to leave, Kieran still unsteady on his feet but determined to continue, the creature calls after us.

“Follow the chains that shimmer silver, like tears of the veiled moon. They will lead to what you seek.”

I glance back, but the willow-woman is already melting into the branches of her tree, becoming indistinguishable from the hanging chains.

“Can we trust anything she says?” Kieran mutters.

I look at the fading form of the willow-woman, her essence returning to the tree. “I’m not sure we have much choice.”

The silver chains hang motionless now, no longer swaying. In the eerie glow of the dark moon overhead, they cast thin, spidery shadows across the ground.

“Rachel,” Theron calls out, glancing around at the several entrances into the clearing we’re in with the tree. “It’s safe to come out again.” Theron snorts. “If she’s hiding, how is she meant to battle?”

I take in the several shadowed exits that branch off from our current position. The maze stretches in multiple directions, each opening a black maw of thorns and uncertainty.

“We should split up,” Theron suggests, his eyes scanning the various exits. “Cover more ground.”

“Great idea,” Kieran drawls, leaning heavily against a section of wall where the thorns are less dense. “Let’s all wander alone in the murder maze. What could possibly go wrong? And you two can’t split up for long, remember?” He points at his own manacle.

Despite the situation, I almost smile at his sarcasm.

“Just to check the entrances,” Theron clarifies, giving Kieran a hard look. “Yell if you find anything.”

We each take a different opening, peering into the darkness beyond. The entrance I choose seems to curve sharply to the left after only a few feet, making it impossible to see further without actually entering. The air from within feels colder, carrying a faint metallic scent that reminds me of old blood.

I’m about to turn back when I catch a glimpse of movement deep in the shadows—a hunched figure pressed against the far wall where the path bends.

“Rachel?” I call softly, stepping just inside the passage. “Is that you?”

The figure stiffens but doesn’t respond.

I take another cautious step. “Rachel, it’s Lyra. You’re safe now. Kieran is safe.”

As my eyes adjust to the deeper darkness, I can make her out more clearly now—knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around them, head bowed. She looks small, vulnerable. Nothing like the confident Umbra girl who sneered at me during training.

“Rachel, are you hurt?” I move closer, moonlight from behind me spilling just far enough to illuminate her face as she looks up.

Her face is flushed, but a small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. She struggles to stand, and I notice her flinch as she straightens.

As she rises, her shirt rides up slightly on one side, revealing a strip of pale skin across her waist. There, livid against her flesh, is a fresh wound—a clean slice that’s still an angry red.

I freeze on the spot, unable to stop staring at the wound, a familiarity rising through me.

Rachel notices me staring and quickly yanks her shirt down, covering the injury. Her eyes flick past me toward the main chamber.

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