Page 197 of Crimson Promises
Mesmerized, Aurora and I began to move towards it.
Once we were mere feet away, the ground tremored beneath us. The thorny vines and hedges surrounding the clearing began to move, writhing like serpents. They grew, twisted, and turned, creating a thick wall around the flower, shielding it from our sight.
The twisted undergrowth appeared almost sentient. Forming a living barrier around the flower, it morphed into a maze with walls of green so dark they seemed almost black. An unwelcome chill ran down my spine. From my peripheral, Aurora hesitated, her breath catching as the weight of our task settled in.
As we cautiously ventured to the entrance of the maze, the immediate drop in temperature was palpable.
Tall hedges enclosed us immediately, swallowing the sounds of the outside world. It felt eerily reminiscent of that underground cell, the weight of the dark pressing upon me.
Our elbows brushed as we took tentative steps, ready to combat any threat at a moment's notice. About fifty yards into the maze, we reached a fork in the road. We looked at each other.
Aurora's voice wavered, but her eyes held determination. "We should part ways here. I'll veer right; you tackle the left."
I immediately protested, "No. We can't separate. We're stronger together."
She met my gaze, desperation, and urgency evident. "Time's against us. This might be our only chance."
Closing the distance between us, I pulled her into an embrace. Breaking away, I steeled myself and ventured left.
An unsettling emptiness permeated the pathway. Drawing on my inner power, I conjured an orb, letting it hover above, its glow piercing the encroaching gloom. Yet, the path ahead remained devoid of threats.
Every so often, I'd glance over my shoulder, a prickling sensation warning me of unseen eyes.
I reached another fork in the road, deciding to go right this time, hoping it would cross me with Aurora.
Again, the path seemed unblocked, bereft of barriers I anticipated encountering. Was the maze luring me into a false sense of security?
Then, as if on cue, I heard shuffling right behind me. I started to run; whatever was behind me was gaining on me.
As I turned a corner, I saw a Nightshade Fae. Its tall, lithe frame was adorned in armor of intertwining, dark vines that appeared alive, pulsating softly with each beat of the fae's heart. Its skin was a deep, iridescent blue that seemed to absorb the dim light around it. A cascade of long, raven-black hair spilled over its back, tinged with shades of deep purple, and its wings peeked over its shoulders. They looked like delicate lacework, though, upon closer inspection, they resembled the intricate patterns of spider webs, speckled with dewdrops that shimmered like tiny stars.
The fae's eyes, however, were its most captivating feature: bottomless pools of inky blackness dotted with specks of luminescent blue that mirrored the night sky, full of malevolence that sent a chill down my spine.
The Nightshade Fae, rumored to be one of the most lethal inhabitants of the fae realm, was known to possess the power to manipulate shadows. It could meld into darkness and could control the very essence of the night, using it as both shield and weapon. But its most feared ability was its venomous touch, where a single graze could send its victim into an endless nightmare, trapped in their darkest fears.
Lucifer warned me of them last time he had summoned me to Hell. I had been lucky enough to avoid them—until now.
I took a guarded stance. The fae tilted its head, considering me with those deep, endless eyes. A hunter surveying its prey.
The creature moved first, a blur of motion. Shadows sprang to life, snaking towards me, trying to bind me. Reacting quickly, I summoned a barrier of radiant light, pushing back against the creeping dark. But the fae's command over the shadows was unparalleled, and they persisted, trying to seep through any crack in my defenses.
Myilliciumdagger flashed as I lunged, aiming for the creature's heart. But the fae melded into the shadows, materializing behind me. Its clawed hand sought my throat. I dodged away, narrowly escaping the venomous touch that would have trapped me in my worst nightmares.
Each movement from the Nightshade Fae was graceful yet deadly. The creature manipulated the very essence of the night, casting a deeper gloom within the maze, challenging the light I had managed to summon. I felt the weight of the shadows pressing down on me.
Knowing I couldn't let the creature touch me, I focused on defensive maneuvers. But the fae was relentless. It sent tendrils of darkness towards me, aiming to ensnare, to drag me into the abyss it hailed from.
I grit my teeth. My stores of magic were depleting quickly. I wouldn’t be able to hold them off for much longer.
The fae lunged again, and this time, its claws grazed my arm. Instantly, a flood of memories assaulted me–every loss, every failure, every heartbreak. I was thrown into a familiar, sparsely decorated bedroom.
Against one wall, a bed with a simple wooden frame commanded attention. The mattress was covered with a neatly arranged patchwork quilt, each piece lovingly sewn together from scraps of fabric that told stories of well-worn memories. A couple of threadbare pillows rested against the headboard.
The lone window was dressed in curtains that seemed to have weathered time's embrace. A small desk stood opposite the bed, its surface shabby and scratched. A single chair was tucked under it. On the desk, a modest vase held a few wildflowers, their delicate beauty contrasting with the room's frugality. The room was lit by a single lamp on a makeshift bedside table crafted from stacked crates. A handwoven rug graced the floor.
I had done my best to forget this place.
The memory of this room was tattooed in my mind. A familiar voice traveled through the hallway and bounced off the walls. I blew out a series of short breaths. This couldn’t be happening. Not now.
