Page 43 of The Rowan's Stone
Use that which makes you unique.
“Use your blood,” Astor murmurs, reading the parchment over my shoulder. He waves a hand toward the pentagram. “Place a few drops in the center.”
I hand him the parchment and dig a Killian blade out of my bag. Walking to the center of the pentagram, I glance at Astor, and he confidently nods. I wince as I slice my palm. Closing my hand into a fist, I squeeze until blood drips through my fingers and onto the floor. I don’t know how many drops are needed, but I don’t want to have to do it again.
The blood is absorbed into the floor immediately, and a second later, the pentagram lights up and the air buzzes with magic. I try to step out of the circle, but I can’t. Uneasy, I can only wait for the spell to activate. The cadre stands outside the circle, surrounding me, with tense expressions on their faces and their hands held loosely at their sides, ready for anything.
The wall on the far side of the chamber starts rolling back, the rock grinding loudly against the floor and ceiling for several minutes until it finally stops. The minute the pentagram goes dark, Astor picks me up and carries me outside the circle. More hands reach over and pull me several feet away from the pentagram. Looking up into Daire’s icy blue eyes, I notice his unease with the situation and give him a hug.
“I could do with a little less drama,” I say, only half joking. “I’m guessing they’re hiding more than a bunch of old journals.”
Astor walks over to the recently revealed chamber and peers into it. “You would be right. Come see.”
Daire refuses to let go of me, so together, we walk over to join Astor. At the entrance, we stop and stare at the contents in the hidden chamber. Gleaming wooden chests, about five feet wide and three feet tall, sit side by side, untouched by time or dirt, as if they were placed here only hours ago.
“There must be ten chests in here,” I murmur, not wanting to break the quiet atmosphere. “I wonder what they contain.”
“We don’t have a lot of time before it’s dark. We could scan through a few of them today and come back tomorrow?” Theron suggests, his practical nature and need for a plan taking over.
I’m already shaking my head no. “I’m not leaving until it’s all out of here. Who knows if the spell activates only once? And with the barriers down, would I be able to recreate the spell to get them back up? It’s too precarious.” I glance at them. “We have two days, right? I suggest we send Glynnis and her grandsons home, and camp out here until we’ve gone through everything. Then we load it up and send it back to The Abbey via a portal.”
“I agree,” Astor interjects. “This is old magic, and the spells are unique to this situation and this place. It’s too unpredictable. We need to stay and get this done. It’s probably our only shot.” He smiles when I shoot him my silent thanks.
Theron grimaces, and Valerian closes his eyes in resignation.
Daire volunteers to get us supplies, water, and food to camp out, and Fallon offers to help him.
Theron and Astor discuss the best process to open and catalog every chest, then proceed to reorganize the space to make it the most efficient.
Walking over to Valerian, I squeeze his arm. “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t want us to stay long, but we can’t leave. Let’s go talk to Glynnis.”
He gives a long sigh and pulls me into his arms. “I’m beginning to believe I’m a stupid dragon, lass. I should have told them the truth and dealt with it upfront. Now we’re stuck here, and I can only hope we get everything done and get out in time. After this, I’m going to change a few things around here, starting with the council. I’ve been holding off the changes for centuries, but it’s time.” He leans down and gives me a lingering kiss. “And I’m going to tell everyone you’re mine. I’ve missed you so damn much. I feel like we haven’t gotten to spend much time together lately.”
“You’d better,” I retort. “Or you’re going to spend the next thousand years sleeping by yourself.” My hand cups his jaw, and I run a thumb across the dark circles under his eyes. “And I missed you too.”
He stares at me in horror and raises his hands. “I surrender.” He gives me another kiss. “Let’s go chat with Glynnis.”
When we get outside, we notice it’s almost dark. Glynnis and her grandsons meet us in the middle of the field. “I think Agnes managed to save a lot of the MacAllister history. Their story will be told and their history read.” I grab her hand. “Without you, this would have all been lost to time and magic. I can’t thank you enough for wearing the medallion and showing me the way. Agnes truly had a best friend in you.”
Tears roll down her face. “Maybe she can rest now, and I can remember the happier times we spent together.” She looks around for the rest of our group. “Are you going to stay here?”
Valerian steps up. “We need to get everything out of the cave, but it’s going to take us a couple of days. If you wouldn’t mind holding off on your report to the council until we’re done, I’d be grateful to you and your family.” He waits for her to answer.
“Those damn busybodies? Hell, it would be a pleasure,” she replies. “Are you ever going to do something about them?” Her grandsons try to drag her off, but she waves them away.
“Yes, ma’am,” Valerian agrees wryly. “It’s a great time for change.”
She pulls me in for a hug. “Good. And you take care of this mate of yours.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Valerian repeats.
Valerian takes my elbow and pulls me to the side of the field while we watch Glynnis and her grandsons change into dragons and fly away.
“I like her,” I state firmly. “You should put her on the council. I also like the deference her grandsons gave to you. Maybe they can join your guard.” I leave him standing there, contemplating my words.
25
ARDEN
