Page 14 of Beneath the Flames
Rhydian huffed in annoyance, muttering under his breath, “This is what you get for saving a human.”The ice in his glare had goosebumps rising on my arms, even more than the frozen air.“Eroth is one of the kingdoms of Avalea.TheLand of Flames and Sorrow, as I said before.”
Avalea?I’d taken plenty of history classes growing up, but I couldn’t recall learning about a country by that name.
“It’s not a country, nor is this Earth,” Rhydian said, as if he’d heard my thoughts.But that was impossible.No one could do that.My mind was already overloaded by the current situation, so I decided not to ask about it.My sole focus needed to be on getting home to my family.That was all that mattered.
“Never heard of it.”I blew out a frustrated breath.Whenever my father was in an unrelenting mood, sometimes flattery loosened his strings enough to ease a tense moment.I swallowed and changed direction.
“I’m really very grateful, Rhydian, that you saved my life from the other kidnapper.”I took a breath, trying to force the words past my lips.“But as great as all this is…” I gestured at the dark cave and the creepy volcanoes outside.“I need to go home.”
Rhydian’s stare was full of wrath.“You can’t.You’ve seen too much.”
I massaged my forehead.“You’ve said that multiple times now.The problem is you won’t explainwhatI saw or why it’s such a big deal.”My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my teeth clacking painfully together from the cold.If I didn’t get warm soon, I’d have a serious problem with frostbite.“I’ll forget what I saw and never tell a soul.Besides, I couldn’t explain it even if I wanted to.Just take me back home.”
“You act like it’s that simple.”
“It should be,” I retorted.
Rhydian shook his head.“Well, it’s not.”
“And why not,Rhydian?”I spat his name like a curse, instantly regretting it.Dread filled every inch of me, and I backed up several steps.My entire body braced itself.
He straightened at my angry words, but whatever he saw in my own reaction had him pausing, watching me carefully.When he finally responded, his low voice had my bones trembling with his next words.
“Because once a human enters Avalea, the only escape is death.”
The only way out of here is death?
Oh, well, that’s just great.
Though I probably should have assumed as much when I saw all the volcanoes and lava.This place was the epitome of death.Maybe I’d call itDeath Incarnateinstead of Eroth.
I struggled to maintain eye contact with Rhydian as I processed this information, refusing to let him see the fear his words elicited in me.I called on that familiar numbness I always summoned when dealing with my father, trying to shut off my fear.I hid my angry fists beneath my armpits, and swallowed the panic disguised as bile working its way up my throat.There was no lie in his eyes, and that realization had my fear skyrocketing.
It truly was unfair.I would either die here in a place I was brought to against my will, or I would die if I tried to leave.Either way, it appeared death was certain, and now my familywould suffer without me there to take the brunt of my father’s wrath.What would he do to my mom when I didn’t come back?What would he do to Lila and Joey?They were still so young.I had sheltered them as much as I could, but without me there to protect them…
The groceries should have been the furthest thing from my mind at that point, but I couldn’t stop thinking about them sitting in the back of my car.The money spent on them was wasted—even if I somehow got back, the heat would have spoiled everything inside—and now my mom wouldn’t have what she needed.Then what would my father do?How much time had passed since Rhydian kidnapped me?Had my father already poured out his wrath for my disobedience?
I finally tore my eyes from Rhydian’s and paced back and forth through the cave, trying to get some warmth into my bones while my mind spun in circles.Gold-ringed eyes followed me wherever I walked, his gaze like a brand, sizzling away on my skin.
Surely there had to be a way out of here that left my heart beating, that allowed me to get back home to my family.I would do anything, give anything.There clearly was no chance of convincing my kidnapper to let me go.Maybe there was someone else in this world that would help me.
We couldn’t be the only two people in this strange place.Right?
I just needed to follow along with whatever this Rhydian wanted until I found someone else who would help me.There had to besomeonehere who would know how to send me home.I was going to make a break for it the first chance I had.
As I replayed his words for the umpteenth time, a thought occurred to me.
“Wait.Youleft this place and you’re alive.If what you saidis true, then what does that make you?”
Rhydian smirked.“Clearly not human.”
“You look human to me.”
“An unfortunate side effect of the Veil.”
“Veil?”
He huffed out a breath, clearly frustrated by all my questions.“My true form is hidden from you beneath a Veil.Otherwise, you’d faint at the mere glimpse of me.All humans do.”
