Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
“I thought it was important you hear it.”
“It was. Thank you, Agatha.”
“Who have you told about the contents in this tome?” Zander asks, his voice lowered.
“Only those standing right here.”
“It must remain this way.” He levels her with a hard look. “No one from Mordain is to know.”
I open my mouth to argue that Solange and Allegra should be informed.
“Yes, of course, Your Highness. I understand the danger this information presents for Her Highness where my people are concerned. I will keep this with me at all times.” She clutches the book against her chest. “Best be on your way to whatever it is you are doing today. We will keep searching for answers to that other question.” With a bright smile, as if the information she divulged wasn’t loaded with doom, she marches in the direction of the library.
“What are the chances that the nymph elders would demand the end of the casters for their help?” Zander asks Lucretia.
“I cannot speak for them.”
“Guess,” Jarek hisses, his teeth bared as he glares down at her.
“To ask them to leave after they have given you so much would require a substantial sacrifice.” Anger zags across her face.
And what other way do the nymphs barter but in lives …
My chest tightens. What if all else fails and I’m forced to make that bargain? Aminadav’s horn still sits in my satchel, waiting for our darkest hour. But what consequences will that bring and will they be worse than what the nymphs offer?
Zander heaves a sigh. “Let us go now. We have a cave to collapse.”
I’ve only ever seen the rift from high above, looking down as Caindra flew over. Now I cling to her claw as she dives into the chasm, my stomach in my throat at the bottomless pit below and the anticipation of falling into it. Valk and Xiaric follow closely behind, carrying Jarek, a stone caster, and two Shadows Solange chose for this mission.
“There!” Zander shouts and points to the left.
Earlier, when he described this harebrained plan of his and I told him he was insane, he insisted this was the best way—the only way—but that the dragons would not fit within the opening in the cliff wall. I see now that he was right.
“Dear God,” I moan, arming myself with my affinities and bracing as Caindra swoops.
With a deafening screech of warning, she tosses us in. Zander rolls and has two swords drawn in seconds. I’m not nearly as graceful, smashing my knee against a rock. By the time I’ve hobbled to my feet with a wince, Jarek and the stone caster—a small man with a receding hairline and a face full of terror that matches what I feel—are behind us. Not five seconds later, the Shadows land with smooth precision, nothing but their glowing eyes visible.
The cave is empty.
Jarek steps in deeper to investigate, nudging a half-eaten carcass with his toe. “I was expecting a battle.”
“Be thankful we do not have one, and hopeful that one does not find us. This way.” The Shadows hang back while Zander leads us around the corner, to the nymph door.
“This is it?” The stone caster frowns as he cocks his head this way and that, studying the nymphaeum scrawl.
“Yes, and it must not be accessed. If they come through, I want nothing but an impenetrable wall waiting for them, something even a key caster cannot unravel,” Zander orders.
I offer a wide smile, trying to balance Zander’s clipped tone. “Solange said you were the best Mordain has.”
“I am,” the caster says without missing a beat. “How much time do I have?”
“Until a beast crawls up here and tries to kill us.” Jarek’s head is on a swivel. “If you could finish before then, that would be ideal.”
The stone caster’s eyes widen with panic.
I shoot Jarek a warning glare. “The dragons are watching the rift for any threats, but if you could work quickly, that would be much appreciated.”
“I will start now, but I need room.”
We step back and watch as he bows his head, as if in prayer. And then his hands begin moving, the sleeves of his beige cloak billowing with the motion. It reminds me of a person working through a Rubik’s cube, his wrists twisting this way and that, back and forth.
Perfectly cut cubes begin sliding out from the cave floor, stacking and clicking into place around the nymph door, surrounding it snuggly with first one layer and then another, and then the next. Quickly, the door within begins to disappear.
“This is amazing.” Gesine said stone casters were a rare and fascinating breed.
Zander folds his arms. “Yes. I can’t say I have ever had the opportunity to watch one of them work. It is fascinating.”
The sudden clash of steel breaks our admiration.
“Protect him!” Zander shouts, rushing around the bend with Jarek, their swords drawn. A flurry of sounds erupt, and the shouts and grunts multiply to concerning numbers.