Page 178 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
Instead, right before my eyes, as the middle of the table descended between the flames, the star sculpture fractured straight down the largest ray. The wall split open and slid to the side with an ancient growl.
A gust of metallic, earthy wind hit my face, chilling it.
It smelled forbidden.
Itsoundedforbidden.
A drumming beat slithered out of the darkness.
No, not drums.
A strange, otherworldly sound ripped from the depths of the earth.
It sounded like a crystalized heartbeat, sharp and organic at the same time.
“Ryker,” I began, adrenaline pumping through me. “What in the underworld is that?”
He stuck out his arm toward me as if he was inviting me to dance, not join him in the bowels of the crater. “You have to trust me enough to let me show you.”
Did I?
Could I?
I had to, because curiosity was gnawing at me.
So I took his hand and let him lead me inside the darkness. Only the dark wasn’t empty. That same strange purple light pulsed dozens of feet underneath us. Menacing and beckoning at the same time. The crystal heartbeat scratched at my ears and made my eyes water.
We stood at the top of a double set of stairs carved straight out of the sleek rock surrounding us.
“What is this place?” I whispered as if afraid I’d disturb the thump.
“The secret protecting Solkar’s Reach.” He squeezed my hand. “Are you ready?”
No. “Lead the way.”
We rushed down the stony stairs, delving into the ground. With each step, the air turned more metallic, like someone had spilled the blood of an entire battalion as a sacrifice for whatever waited for us below.
My heart began to beat in tune with the razor-sharp thrum. Like it had slithered inside and tried to control me.
My own power swirled, rising up to meet it.
Not violently.
Not like facing a tresspasser or an invader.
Apprehensive. Curious. Watching and waiting for a strike or a caress.
Still, tears began to stream down my cheeks, lured out by the hum that grew louder.
If Ryker hadn’t been holding my hand so steady, I probably would have been shaking–and pretending this whole place wasn’t scaring me. But I felt very mortal in this hollow in the ground that felt endless. Eternal. Godlike.
We finally reached the bottom of the stairs. A stone path continued, circling a rock which didn’t look of this world.
“Ryker…” I gulped, drawing closer to his firm body. “Whatisthat?”
The dark rock was alive with purple veins that pulsed like a bleeding wound.
In and out.
