Adonis spun back around, his long robes slapping against the wall behind him as they twirled around him with the quick movement. “I’ve never heard of something like that. How well do you trust these people? Are you sure they aren’t lying to you?”
Kamira looked down at her clasped hands resting on her lap. Even though it hadn’t been long, she had formed a deep kinship with the crew of theCursed Soul.They had welcomed her with open arms and saved her life. She was certain they weren’t lying to her—they really did believe they were cursed—it was just figuring outhowthey were cursed that was the problem. “I trust them with my life. They are telling the truth.”
Adonis arched his brow and then frowned. “Well, if they truly can’t go on land, is it possible this Sorceress is controlling the water or atmosphere around them and their ship? You could possibly help counter it, push back against her sorcery.”
“I’ve tried, but there is nothing to fight against. As far as I can tell, there is no sorcery being used against them. I tried to move the ship to shore, but it wouldn’t go past a point. It was like there was a barrier my sorcery couldn’t get through. Nothing I’ve done has worked.”
She watched as her brother's face contorted into many expressions as he attempted to understand what she was saying. “This Sorceress must be very powerful.”
“She is,” Kamira confirmed.
He was quiet for a long time, eyebrows drawn together, deep in thought, and then he turned so quickly Kamira’s nausea threatened to make another appearance. “Come with me.”
She didn’t question him, only followed him out the door and down a long narrow stone hallway that ended at a ‘T’. He took the left corridor, which turned out to just be another long stone tunnel, dimly lit with pockets of deep shadow every few feet. “Where are we going?” she whispered.
“You’ll see. I want to show you something.” He continued on, turning right, then left, until on the final left turn, they wound up at the top of some questionable looking stone steps that spiraled around an ominous curve. “Careful, the steps are narrow,” Adonis said before disappearing into the darkness, the sounds of his footfalls growing distant.
“Blazing biscuits,” she sighed before placing her hands on the cold walls on either side of the stairwell and slowly following him down. The steps weren’t only narrow, but surprisingly steep, to the point that she had to step down one foot at a time onto the next stair.
“Are you coming?” Adonis’ voice echoed up to her.
“Calm down, I’m coming. I would prefer not to fall to my death, thank you.” She quickened her pace, noticing a bizarre glow illuminating the final few steps. When she finally stepped off the final step and looked up, she sucked in a breath and her eyes went wide in wonder.
They were in a cavern, rocks piled like stepping stones around them, stalactites hanging from the ceiling like ice cycles of mineral and stone. But what had taken her breath away was what was in its center—a luminous pool of violet water sat there, unmoving. Kamira almost didn’t think it was real, and then it dawned on her. This was the Spring.
She took a few steps closer, almost entranced by its strangeness. “Why is it glowing like that? And why is it purple?”
“The Brothers believe it was created by the old gods.”
Kamira laughed. “The old gods? Sure, just like they created you and me, and everything else in Emmoria. There is a logical explanation for everything, Adonis.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s probably some plant or something in the cave feeding into the water.”
Adonis chuckled, shaking his head. “You haven’t changed a bit, Kamira. Still as skeptical as always.”
“You can’t tell me you actually believe in the existence of the old gods.” She raised a brow. “What do youreallythink causes it?” She knelt, looking suspiciously at the luminescent water from a different angle.
“I believe whatever the Brothers tell me to believe.”
Kamira balked, shooting up to a standing position and glaring at her brother. “You seriously follow them so blindly? What happened to you these past years, Adonis? You’re no follower.”
He rolled his eyes. “I do what they need me to in order to have free access to the waters.”
Kamira frowned. “Why?”
Adonis took a cup from a small table just next to the entryway they came through and plunged it into the eerie water. “Here, drink it and you will see.”
She scrunched her face in disgust. “No way! I’m not drinking that.” She pushed the cup away.
“Trust me, it will be worth it. Drink.” Adonis held out the glowing liquid to her once more.
She narrowed her eyes at him before hesitantly taking the cup and staring at its contents, swirling it around. “What does it do?”
“Just taste it and see, Kamira. Trust me, you will love the results.”
She frowned. “What exactly do you mean byresults? Am I going to grow a third arm or something? Because that really doesn’t sound like the kind ofresultsI would enjoy.”
“Blazing stars, Kamira! Just drink it!” Adonis yelled, pushing the glass up to her mouth.
The violet liquid splashed onto her lips, and she swallowed. It tasted sweet, like honeyed water. “Adonis!” she roared, tossing the cup onto the rocks beneath her feet. “I didn’t want to…” but she froze as the strangest sensation traveled through her, starting in her throat and coursing down to her toes and into her hands like a strong current. She stumbled backward, gripping her stomach as it bubbled. “What’s happening?”
