Page 81 of Soul of Thorns
“Nothing!” I yell.
He did tell me that the mountain will give us visions. There will be spirits here more powerful than even wraiths. The ancient and powerful beings that once ruled the earth but have lost their dominion. Those the Night Bringer and Terror have defeated in their time.
They are trapped, their power contained under the rock making up this mountain. The closer we get, the more we’ll feel their power—even be influenced by it.
I push all of it from my mind. I can’t focus on what I’m leaving behind, on what may be happening to Rev.
I run faster, barely able to hold my magic in check. Yes, I could move quicker if I shadow walk, but my magic is already low and I’ll need every ounce I can cling to.
That’s all there is now, all I can allow—pain and determination. I run because I must. I try to use the pain to my advantage; I try to become the pain. But it weighs on me. Heavier and heavier, tearing at the light inside.
My mind spins, but I force my feet onward. The stones grow larger, darker in color. There’s a path to my right and a sharp cliff straight ahead. It would take a great amount of effort and some risk, but I could skip the path to climb the hard way. And I would if I knew for sure the spell book was at the top of the mountain. It may not be.
I pause for only a moment to consider before turning to take the long way around. Anxiety crawls over my skin, unsure I made the right choice. But if there is one thing I’ve learned about the Schorchedlands, it’s that it wants you to follow a specific path. If you deviate, you pay the price.
There is a right way. Sometimes, it’s the obvious and easy way. Sometimes, it’s unexpected.
I follow the path laid out for me and push my doubt back once again.
The air grows cooler and cooler as our altitude rises.
A murmur of voices begin seeping through the stone.
Have you come to complete your mission, slave of the great darkness?the hushed voice whispers over my skin like the wind.
Do you do his bidding? Or your own?
I shiver. Some of the voices are low, some kind, some sinister. I ignore them and continue up the slope, calves burning.
You belong to him.
Youarehim.
“No.” The word rushes from my lips between breaths.
“What?” Darren asks.
“Not talking to you,” I spit.
“Then who—oh.” He floats along with ease, spending no effort whatsoever. It irks the hell out of me that I’m killing myself—maybe literally—to complete this task and it’s nothing to him. He just continues with no care in the world.
Raw anger bubbles in my belly.
He’s manipulating you.
He convinced you to abandon your mate.
No, I think.I did that. I know it was my choice. The wraith was willing to follow me wherever I went, and he was surprised it wasn’t to Rev.
He was pleased.
I curl my lip in annoyance. Despite the chill working its way through my clothes and sending shivers over my body, sweat drips down my back.
This is his fault. He did this to you.
Black rage presses over my mind, causing throbs of pain over my brain.
“Tell me what they’re saying, child. Say the words aloud if you must. Overcome them.”
