Page 18 of Of Blooming Embers
A subtle brush of Gavrel’s biceps against mine brought me back to the present. He wasn’t looking at me as we forged ahead, but the corners of his eyes were soft. Comforting.
He was holding back, allowing me to shuffle my memories back in place. Allowing me to acclimate to the onslaught of feelings thrashing around my skull. Giving me the space to soothe myself while letting me know he was here.
Kaden was the sun. Shining. Conspicuous. I’d always counted on his constant comfort and warm presence. My head leaned to one side, neck stretching with the motion. I peeked at Gavrel, considering him. He’d always been around as well, discreetly watching over those he cared for like an unwavering shadow. He wanted Kaden to shine and was content with lingering in the background.
I breathed in and then out to the count of four again, allowing the crisp, clean air to soothe me as we trekked through the reeds and mud. As my pulse calmed, a final, shaky puff of air pushed from between my lips.
Gavrel and I would have to address our past. It bubbled beneath my skin, yearning to unleash itself. The compulsion to do just that was almost as intense as my ember wanting to drain others dry. A prickle stroked in an upward curve along my nape as if it was smiling against my skin.
Within the hour, a mesmerizing array of hydor lilies scattered over the clouded surface of Lotus Loch.
My scar tingled as we walked along the edge. Tentatively, I allowed my ember to trickle out, its energy sighing with relief as it wavered around me, unveiling the spectacular halos dancing around the water, mountains, and flora.
A sparkling haze twinkled above each flower, but as my eyes traversed the pool, their auras sparked and popped the closer they got to a section not far from the shore.
Pointing, I gulped. “There.”
Without question, Gavrel stepped into the water. The bloomsswayed around him, and his tattoo glowed as he held his hand out to me.
I breathed in and exhaled as I placed my palm in his. Lapping at my skin, the wet chill seeped into my clothes and bones as we trudged deeper. The briny liquid was so murky, it devoured any part of me that was immersed, my top half bobbing with the flowers.
The silty bottom sucked at my boots as we pushed forward, and as we grew closer to the crackling lotus, a humming energy crescendoed—a watery drone that vibrated among us.
Briefly, Gavrel turned his attention to me, one eyebrow raised, head tilting.
The water was waist-high, but with our next step, my aura and Gavrel’s rune exploded with brilliance. We plunged into the icy depths, the muck no longer meeting our feet. The cloudy liquid pressed into me from all sides, its grip yanking me down.
I gasped before my head submerged, and salty liquid filled my throat. Trying to propel myself upward, my hand ripped from Gavrel’s as I flailed.
The memory of me almost drowning as a child intruded my thoughts. My heart thrashed about, lungs screaming. Buzzing filled my skull, and despite sinking into the gloomy depths, a scorching light pulsed over the insides of my scrunched eyelids.
Not caring if it hurt, I opened my eyes, seeking a way to save myself. A stinging burn swept across my pupils before a massive shadow swooped past my left. Without warning, something tangled around my calves, wrenching.
Trying to escape as the squirming shackles tug me sideways, I jerked to my right but didn’t get very far. I pulled my dagger from its sheath, and within a few seconds, the blade severed my restraints with a squishy snap.
Milky claret swirled around me as I sheathed my weapon, panic vibrating within every fiber of my body. My ember rammed against my flesh, urging me to tear at the water to my right.
An obscured blaze of light whirled into the opaque depths. Frantically, I pushed ahead and heeded my gift’s counsel.
Just as my fingers stretched toward the vortex, the current pulling me in, the glint of massive, needle-like teeth snapped precariously near my left. A muffled scream tore from me, and a burst of bubbles fled my mouth, the maelstrom greedily gobbling them up.
The dim outline of the creature’s bulbous form lunged at me again, as its bulging, phosphorescent eyes locked onto me. I could just make out numerous eel-like tentacles writhing and stretching from the beast’s rotund mass, reaching for me.
I shut my eyes tight, not wanting to see the creature any clearer as it dragged me into its jaws. My heart slowed, and my lungs jerked, no longer able to withstand the lack of oxygen.
All at once, my whirling thoughts stilled, and absolute acceptance washed over me.
Pain was fleeting.
Perhaps the Fates were offering me a way to find Kaden and Mama.
After all, death was just another part of the journey.
7
DOOMBARKS
SERYN
