Page 86 of Soul of Thorns
I may never see the sea again. Or the star scattered sky. But Rev is here, waiting for me. His beautiful silver eyes are worth every star in the sky.
And I also have the admiration of my ancestor. I may never take my rightful place, but he believes I am worthy of it. And for now, that will have to be enough.
After one long, deep breath, I recall a conversation I’d almost forgotten in all that’s happened since. The spirit of the gates. The keeper of the curse.
Keep on the right path.
Maybe she meant what I’d initially assumed, that I should be careful and choose correctly. Or maybe it was a hint.
I examine both paths again. One has thorns which seems correct, in an obvious kind of way. The streaks of magic are obviously leading me that way, but something in my gut says they are not my allies.
I turn instead to the right archway, smooth black stone with geometric sharp edges leading me lower down the mountain. I step closer to the archway and smooth whispers make themselves known through the archway. I can’t make out any of the words, but they sound just like the shadow sprites.
Dainty, high pithed, and kind. Not at all like the urgency and harshness of those behind me.
Convinced, I leap through the archway and bound down the path without even considering looking back. Darren squeals, rushing to catch up with me.
I smile. Finally, he’s at least a little flustered.
Less than five hundred feet down the hill, the pathway ends abruptly. I skid to a stop, staring out at the drop-off. Then, I turn to a gaping hole in the side of the mountain.
Steam streams from the hole, billowing up in white clouds. I swallow and step inside.
Rev
Ican feel the heartbeatof the ancient beast we call the Night Terror. The very ground beneath my cheek pulses with it.
Boom-boom. Boom-boom. Boom-boom. Picking up speed with every second.
Her voice remains smooth, but I can feel it—she’s terrified.
A bitter laugh bubbles up in my chest, and the vines grip my neck again. “What is it you’d like to say, my slave.”
“I may be your captive, but I am not a slave. I will never do as you wish.”
Her grip tightens over my windpipes, and I wretch. My vision blinks black, the breath is gone from my lungs. She crushes me then drops me back on the ground in a heap.
