Page 32 of Of Withering Dreams
Heights were not something I enjoyed. I gulped, my breath sticking within my throat, an unpleasant flutter somersaulting in my gut. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply and then blew out slowly through pursed lips. I opened my eyes, taking in my surroundings. The soles of my feet planted firmly into the stone.
Embered sphere torches hovered along the spiral-like ramp, descending along the pit’s walls. Conchoidal fractures glistened whenever the firelight met their gleaming surfaces. I swiped at the lantern mark on my hand and allowed the snuffed lamp to float to the ground.
As I moved down the spiral slope, I kept close to the wall. Every so often, another archway would present itself. Nestled within were stairwells, tunnels, or barred cells of various sizes. This seemed like a dungeon. I paused to examine an empty chamber, wondering if the voice that led me here was imprisoned.What if it’s a trap?A line of determination settled across my lips. There was only one way to find out.
I tightened my fists, ready to march forward, when distant voices rang through the air. I sucked in a breath, peeking over the edge of the chasm. Three people were swiftly rising through the center of the shadowy cavity.What the Ancients?I thought as I rushed to the next archway, tucking myself into the shadows.
“He does not appear to know,” a deep baritone rumbled up the carved walls.
“That means nothing, Lucan,” a melodic but caustic voice responded.
Melina and Evergryn’s Elder, Lucan Craven.My scar itched, my gift scratching at the surface. I grimaced.Not now! Calm down!I swiped my palm over the scar, willing it to settle.
“Certainly. I’ll have to resolve the problem if the imbecile figures out how to use his gifts properly. We can’t risk ascension after all our efforts,” Lucan snarled. They were closer now. Pyrian Elder, Ryboas Ash, was with them, his pallid lips sealed tightly. The thick disk of amber glass on which they stood rose, its edges writhing with swirling inky power.
“There will be no ascension. I’ve seen to that, as you know,” Melina purred.
Lucan dug his cane into the glass with a grumble. “The girl is notable as well, eh? Another new pet, Melina? How tedious.” A scathing smirk pushed his cheeks wide, his wrinkles digging into his skin.
Melina tittered, “Now, now, Lucan. Just because you don’t have anyone to play with, there’s no need to be sour.”
He sniffed, his mouth stiff as he mumbled, “At least I didn’t slaughter my own fated.”
Her eyes flashed, and she snarled, “That’s because you’ve never had one. I believe I’ve been clear that the topic of my khorda is off limits.” Both male Elders shifted, putting more space between them and Melina. She brushed her hands over her hips. “Anyway, back to my new pet. Her ember is wild, like her mother’s. I can’t deny it intrigues me, and the reaction she pulls from my darling commander … it’s too much to disregard.”
A small gasp escaped my lips, clamping my palm over my mouth. The Elders’ attention snapped in my direction. I froze, my feet stuck in the shadows. I didn’t think they had seen me, but my presence was no longer a secret.
“Ah, what have we here?” Melina’s words slithered toward me as the translucent platform drifted near the ramp’s edge.
RUN!The otherworldly voice tore through my mind, my aura bursting over me as I whimpered. It was enough to snap me into action. I turned into the tunnel, sprinting as fast as my legs would carry me, paying no attention to the directional choices I made … as long as I went up.
Up.
Turn right.
The pressure dissipated.
Up.
Corner left.
The air warmed.
My aura lit the way, vibrating through the murky shadows as I ran. I didn’t sense anyone following me, but the notion that I’d never find my way out clawed at my chest, turning my breathing erratic. As soon as the thought passed, I took another right up a steep incline, and a hazy, oblong halo glimmered ahead of me. My sob of relief rent the air.
As I approached, my forehead scrunched in concentration. I coaxed my ember through my arms, placing my palms in the center of the glowing outline, my hand meeting cold rock. My energy seeped into the stone and a sparking fissure swept up the middle, creating a person-sized crevice. I bolted through as the opening sealed immediately upon my exit.
I bent forward, one hand propped on my upper thigh, the other on my chest, willing my breath and heart to stop galloping. Blooming pink incandescence danced over the stage, stretching for my toes. My eyes flew up, realizing I was in the Great Hall. The sun’s rising hues lined its moon-phase windows. I had exited from the back of the obsidian throne, not an inch of intricate design out of place.
It was still early; breakfast was not yet being set up. Not wanting to loiter any longer, I hurried to my room, closing the door as Gavrel opened his. If he noticed, I didn’t hear him call out to me.
I slumped against the door for several moments before a brisk rapping rattled the cool metal.Gavrel?My heart pumped briskly against my ribs as I opened the door.
Bleary emptiness met me, the hallway uncannily silent. I leaned out, checking both ways. Nothing. My face scrunched, air huffing from my nose as I clicked my door back in place.
I stared into my room, not truly seeing anything despite the soft morning light spilling in. Confusion and exhaustion cloaked me as my scar tapped at the skin of my nape incessantly. Massaging my pounding temples, I stumbled to the bed.
With a groan, I leaped onto my mattress and turned onto my side, curling my limbs inwards. I squeezed my eyes shut, thinking my twisted, crumpled bedsheets now seemed more in order than the chaos stalking my every waking moment.
