Page 139 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“The Bone Cavern,” Dawson said.
“What the hell is the Bone Cavern?”
“Aeris Academy has a long and twisted history. Some claim it’s haunted—that the veil to the underworld is thinner here.” His voice was steady despite the fact they were surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of skulls. “The Bone Cavern is an ossuary, holding the remains of novices who ventured too far into forbidden magic, paying the ultimate price when their elemental power wasn’t enough.”
A shiver trailed up Alaire’s spine at the thought. There hadn’t been any mention of dark or forbidden magic in Aeris Academy’s lore from the books she’d read at Australe Library. The Consortium cleaning up their bloodstained history, if she had to guess.
Stepping forward, the floor creaked. Bones cracked beneath their boots, remnants of people and fae who’d once been alive. The thought made her want to vomit.
“I’m not sure Solflara and Beck are here,” Dawson murmured, staring into the abyss of the cavern.
“Of course they are. What else would make that sound? It was Solflara. It had to be. We haven’t been able to feel our bonds. Something is going on, Dawson, and I’m not leaving without her.”
Even if this place reeks of death.
“This place is steeped in forbidden magic. It could’ve been a residual audio illusion spell from House Cerebral to lure others in.”
Alaire shook her head.
“I don’t even hear it anymore,” he said, tilting his head.
The screech was fainter now.Has my mind been playing tricks on me?
“Stay close,” Dawson ordered, voice firm.
The cavern widened as they moved forward. Something brushed against her back, but she didn’t dare look. The temperature dropped, goosebumps prickling her skin.
A loud, piercing screech rang through the cavern. It went on and on. Warning or war cry—she couldn’t be sure. She quickened her pace, unwilling to waste more time.
The stench worsened the deeper they went. Dawson stopped suddenly, every muscle rigid.
Alaire moved to stand alongside him. His eyes narrowed into the gloom, face a mask of rage.
What are his fae senses detecting?
Wind rattled around the skulls lining the walls.
“What’s happening?”
He leaned down, breath hot against the sensitive skin behind her ear. “We have company.”
Cold dread crawled up her spine. Her heart pounded like a bird trapped in a cage.
“Dawson, what is it?” She fought to keep panic from seeping into her tone.One of the many times I wish I had fae senses.
He didn’t answer right away, gaze darting from shadow to shadow. She couldn’t see it, but she felt its presence, all the same. The air grew colder. His silence spoke volumes.
She kept her blades raised.
“Bloodravagers,” he finally bit out.
Never heard of them.
Before she could ask, a guttural growl reverberated off the walls.
Something stepped into view. Alaire’s blood ran cold.
Its gaunt, skeletal frame was covered in grey mottled skin stretched tight over bones. Yellow eyes glowed, rimmed with crimson. When it noticed them staring, it snapped its jaw, razor-sharp teeth gleaming.
