Page 103 of Unseen Eye
“Could be,” Cal replies with a wink. “Told you showers are great for thinking. Ready?” He reaches out and takes my hand.
I nod, and in the next heartbeat, we’re standing in the very place I’d dreamed of. The cave is even more breathtaking in person—the blue is deeper, richer, with light dancing off the walls in a mesmerizing display.
“These are sapphire,” Cal says, his voice reverent as he gestures to the walls. “Legend says they were formed from the tears of an ancient nymph who once guarded these waters. Her sorrow from the death of her child imbued the stones with a unique magic, making them a conduit for revealing truths.”
I reach out, running my fingers along the cool surface of a sapphire. “They’re beautiful,” I whisper, awe threading through my voice.
“They are,” Cal agrees, his gaze fixed on the shimmering stones. “And they hold more power than most realize. The waters below... they reflect the deepest parts of your soul. They’re not just any waters; they’re a bridge to the truths we hide, even from ourselves.”
As we walk through the cave, I try to shake off the eerie familiarity. “It’s almost creepy how accurate my dream was,” I joke. “If I can learn to start dreaming about hidden treasure, I might just become a full-time treasure hunter.”
Cal laughs. “I’d like to see that. ‘Eva: Treasure Hunter Extraordinaire.’ Just make sure you take me along on your adventures.”
I laugh, some of the tension easing. “Only if you swear to be my trusty sidekick.”
“Deal,” he says and grins, squeezing my hand as we approachthe cave’s exit.
Stepping out, I’m awestruck all over again. The cave perches atop a mountain, surrounded by waterfalls that defy logic.
“Good thing I’m not afraid of heights,” I mutter, taking in the surreal scene. “This is... unreal.”
Cal’s expression mirrors mine. “It really is. I guess I didn’t appreciate it enough the first time.”
“You came,” a voice like sandpaper suddenly echoes, making me jump. Cal’s hand finds the small of my back, steadying me as I nearly stumble backward.
“Was that really necessary?” I shout, spinning to face the nymph I know must be behind this.
“Evangeline, daughter of Kora, you have arrived.”
“Yes,” I reply, still slightly annoyed at her for scaring me.
Eldra’s gaze shifts to Cal. “Callon, son of Drystan, we meet again.”
Cal inclines his head. “Eldra,” he acknowledges. “What do you want with Eva?”
Eldra chuckles, a sound like dry leaves rustling in the wind. Her eyes flicker between us, lingering on Cal’s protective hand at my back. “You worry too much, Callon,” she says, amusement dancing in her tone. “I mean no harm to Evangeline. Quite the opposite, actually.”
Cal’s grip on me loosens slightly, though he doesn’t remove his hand. “Then why summon her here? Why now?”
Eldra steps closer. “Because this is the first time I could reach her. Daughter of Kora, you stand on the brink of a great decision. The Waters of Truth will reveal what you need to see, what you must understand to move forward.” Her eyes lock onto mine, intense and unyielding. “Are you ready to face your deepest truths, Evangeline?”
My heart pounds as the weight of her words sink in, but I know this is something I have to do. “Lands of icy chill,” I repeat fromthe prophecy, flashing Cal a cheeky grin to mask my nerves.
He raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips, but his eyes are serious. “What do you know about the prophecy?” he asks Eldra.
Eldra’s expression darkens, all humor vanishing. “Evangeline is the key,” she replies. “Only through her can the wrong be righted. She must confront the truth to unlock her full potential and change the fate of this world.”
Her glowing eyes bore into mine. “Are you ready?”
“I am,” I say, though doubt begins to creep in. For someone about to learn some profound truth about herself, I’m not nearly as excited as I thought I’d be. I plaster on the same grin to bolster my confidence. “So, what do I do?”
“Jump,” Eldra responds simply.
I glance at Cal, who nods. “Just jump,” I echo. “Why does that seem too easy?”
“The waters will take care of the rest,” Eldra assures me.
I start removing my daggers, handing them to Cal one by one. “No point in getting these wet.” I take a minute to braid my hair, securing it with a tie. “Are you jumping too?” I ask Cal, noticing he hasn’t moved closer to the edge.
