Page 85 of Pawns of Fate
“What?”
“This is an ancient holy site for druids. Scholars have theorized that they are some kind of spiritual or mana well. No one knows exactly how they work. I figured it had something to do with effectively channeling the energy of the crystals, though our findings today would indicate otherwise. At any rate, thesestructures dramatically increase the effectiveness of spells.”
“Is that why you defaced it?”
Lysander frowned. “I used my available resources. No one will mind that I etched a few spells onto some old rocks.”
Rose wasn’t sure that the spirit at the center of the pillars or anyone who revered this place as a holy site would agree with him, which raised an important question.
“Kagon doesn’t mind? He’s a druid.”
“It was Kagon’s idea. Well, at least the one in the swamp.” Lysander leaned in to whisper, “I’m not sure that he loves what I’ve done here, but this site is far more powerful.”
Rose thought about the being of light she’d just seen and hoped there weren’t more out there, haunting the ruins of Albion, especially not if people like Lysander were abusing their power.
Lysander snapped his notebook closed. “Really, you’ve just discovered something fascinating. It’s a pity we don’t have more time for research.” He grabbed Rose’s arm and began to tinker with the spell rune until it actuated. “Now that we know my spell works, access the plane again.” He interlaced his fingers with Roses and looked at her with eyes full of madness. “Increase my mana flow.”
“No,” Rose cried as she pulled her hand out of Lysander’s. “I can’t resist thatthing.Don’t make me see all of that again.” Her heart started to pound so loudly she was sure the whole world could hear it.
“This must be why Viscount Robson was so reluctant to use this power in all the historical accounts. He said it was drainingon the senses. Such a shame.” Lysander turned his head away from Rose and yelled, “Kagon! Bring Nicholas.”
NICHOLAS
A gloved handsmacked his face a few times, then forced him to drink some medicinal-tasting water that cleared the fog from his mind. A man with wild, golden eyes told him to get up. This was Kagon, the druid, if Nicholas remembered correctly. The man untied his feet and released the ropes holding him to the rock slab.
Nicholas looked around the small cavern and tugged at the ropes that still bound his wrists. Rose was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s my wife?” Nicholas barked.
“We’re going to her,” Kagon said, voice almost a whisper.
“What have you done to her?”
“I haven’t done anything,” Kagon replied. Was that guilt in his voice? This shapeshifter had poisoned him and enabled a kidnapping. But he felt guilty? Nicholas didn’t believe it.
They marched down a dark tunnel. Star crystals bloomed from the walls and grew thicker as they went. From the cool flow of air, Nicholas could sense a large cavern up ahead even as they plunged downward, deeper into the earth.
A feminine scream echoed through the tunnel. Nicholas’sblood boiled.
“Let me go!” Furious, he yanked on the rope, but Kagon was much larger than him and anticipated his protest, so he simply pulled Nicholas along.
The tunnel opened into a cavern larger than a cathedral. A dozen pillars stood in a circle at the center of the room, and Lysander had Rose pinned to one of the pillars. Nicholas felt the world grind to a halt as fury overtook him. If his blood had been boiling before, his entire being was on fire now.
Nicholas pulled on the rope again, but Kagon was rooted to his spot, staring at Lysander tormenting Rose with disbelief plain on his face.Stupid druid,Nicholas thought. Why act surprised now?
“Stop staring and bring him here,” Lysander yelled across the cavern. “I’m going to cut off his arm.” He brandished a wicked-looking knife.
If Kagon’s venom hadn’t killed him, Nicholas was certain that blade would do the trick.
He looked over at the strange druid who had led him here. A thousand emotions played at Kagon’s features, but guilt stood out the most to Nicholas. Part of him felt skeptical. But then he looked at Rose, bound by shadows, and decided to take any chance fate threw his way.
“You could help us,” Nicholas whispered to Kagon. “Our blood doesn’t have to be on your hands.”
Kagon continued to stare. Shadows whipped across the cavern floor and grabbed Nicholas by the ankles, pulling him down and dragging him to Lysander and Rose.
The shadows pinned Nicholas to the pillar next to his wife, then forced him to hold out an arm. Nicholas struggled, even releasing a few sparks of his lightning magic, but it wasn’t enough. The shadows overpowered him, and Lysander raised his knife with an unhinged glee.
“Lysander, stop!” Kagon’s deep voice called out.
