Page 88 of Soul of Thorns
Caelynn
The steam burns myskin, and I cry out but keep pushing forward. This is the right way, I’m sure of it.
You think you are so clever, don’t you child?
I ignore the hissing voice inside my mind. I’d know his voice anywhere.
I’ve dreamt of it every day since I was young.
A few more steps and the burning steam clears, revealing a perfectly sculpted round room with purple lights flickering on the ceiling. In the center of the room is a platform holding a large, leather-bound book.
I did it.That’s my first thought. I found the damn spell book. The book that would save the world from the plague. The book that the Night Bringer so desperately wants.
Eyes pinned to the thick, black leather, I approach the book with careful footsteps. Will there be one last test? One more trial to complete?
I pause, fingers just inches from gripping the powerful pages in my hands.
“What’s wrong?”
My eyes flash to the wraith, Darren. I had forgotten he was even here.
“Take it,” he instructs, his voice full of awe.
Should I? I know the Night Bringer and Terror want me to have the book. They want me to use it to free them. Doubt flits through my mind.
Maybe I calculated incorrectly. Maybe they manipulated me again. That wouldn’t be so surprising.
We will kill him.
I pull in a breath.
One finger on that book and your mate’s heart will stop.
I pull in breaths through clenched teeth.
“Tell me,” Darren says softly. He knows I’m hearing more.
“This Night Bringer,” my voice breaths. “He says they’ll kill Rev if I take the book.”
“Doesn’t a threat show you are doing the right thing?”
“The right thing for who?” I whisper.
I try not to let my fear take over, to let my grief show, but I know I fail. I know because of the way Darren looks at me.
Pity and fear. Pain and sadness.
