Page 67 of Wind and Water
“What do you mean?”
She tosses the stone. “I guess I always expected hell to be fire and brimstone with screaming souls in torment. This is just a dank prison with that humming sound and nothing more.”
“I haven’t given it much thought, but this would be a perfect hell for me if you were not here.”
Looking at me for the first time in a long time, she asks, “What does that mean?”
“Coire or hell is different for each person. It would be torture for me to be closeted for all eternity in a place like this. With you here, I’m not worried about my state. I’m focused on how to save you.” I wish I had more eloquent words to tell her how I feel.
“Humming.”
“What about it? Is it driving you as nuts as it is me?” She uses her wind magic to lift one of the small stones and swirls it around above her hand.
“Your magic works here.” It’s impressive that she’s learning to use it without imminent death knocking on our door.Humming…I search my memory. “Didn’t one of the young centaurs say that all they heard in their dark prison was a constant humming?”
She looks around. “Are we in the obelisk?”
“Maybe under it.” My heart leaps that after all these days trapped and unable to find a way out, we’ve deduced something that might be useful.
“Does that help us?” A glimmer of hope shines in her eyes.
“I’m not certain, my love, but it’s more than we knew a moment ago and something our captors probably don’t want us to know.”
“Why not?” She wipes her dirty hands on her equally filthy jeans.
“Obelisks are conduits. They are designed to draw power from the underworld and channel it for the user’s purposes. I’m only guessing, but Venora might be using this one to bolster her magic.” I wish I had access to all the books in the library at home. All my years of avoiding study in favor of training for battle, and now I would give anything to read about the dangers and uses of obelisks.
“But, if she’s drawing power, why can’t you get your magic to work here?” She scrunches her nose.
Sitting close, I place a pebble in her palm. “My magic is in the light. I would have to sully my soul to use the power of this place. Honestly, I wouldn’t even know how to do such a thing. My power is replenished by the sun. If I overextended my resources down here, I would die.” I shrug. “If I were certain doing so would get you to safety, I wouldn’t hesitate, but so far, I haven’t found a way.”
She spins the stone in her palm with wind magic. Controlling the elements is strong magic that I’ve only seen performed by the oracle. Wren closes her fingers around the stone. “Is my magic evil?”
“No.”
“But if my magic were in the light, it would be weaker down here. I don’t feel weak. Other than lacking water and an abundance of air, I can do the things I did on the surface. I’ve even learned some control. Doesn’t that mean my magic is dark?” She drops the pebble as if it might burst into flames at any moment, and it pings off the floor.
“I’m not an expert, but I don’t think human magic is the same as elven magic. It feels different.” When Wren uses magic, the sensation is different; it is neither light nor dark, but something else. I can’t explain it.
“There is no human magic, Liam. If my people knew what I could do, they would label me a freak. Some people would think the devil was working through me. I’d be shunned or worse.” She kicks the pebble away.
In the time that I’ve known Wren, I’ve grown in so many ways. She pointed out long-held prejudices I’d considered normal. It never occurred to me that she’d lived her life on the other end of similar disdain. “You are exceptional, Wren. Living in a world where magic is rare forced you to hide your gifts and kept you from learning all you are capable of. We will study your magic together. There is much to learn.”
She dashes aside a tear and nods.
The metallic thunk of the door opening forces us to abandon the conversation. It’s too soon for more food to be coming. My heart races as we stand. Hoping the old gods are listening, I pray that I can protect Wren from whatever comes through.
Ciaran strides in with ten demon servants, each carrying a spear two times taller than their height. I know they’re strong, but how can they properly wield the weapons? “You will come with me. If you attempt anything foolish, one of you will die.” He smirks at me.
I would be the one to be sacrificed. I wasn’t supposed to be here at all. It’s not surprising that he’ll use my life and well-being as a way to keep Wren in line. “Where are you taking us?”
“Think of it as a tour of your new land.” Ciaran laughs as the demons surround us and turn back toward the door. The sound is stiff, metallic, and rings with insanity.
As soon as we step toward the open door, the foul stench of sulfur fills my nose, making me gag. After the initial shock, mybody adjusts, and I’m able to push aside my natural reaction to the unpleasant gases of this place.
Wren gasps for air and clutches her throat. Her eyes are wide with panic as she tries to draw air into her lungs. She coughs and retches.
I grip her shoulders. “Easy. I’ve got you.”
