chapter six
THE HOLLOW ECHO OF THE horses’ hooves mingles with the sound of dripping water as we venture through the narrow passage—barely a hand or two wider than our knees when mounted. For the past bell, we’ve been moving through a dense mist, everything below my chest invisible to me. It feels as though I’m floating within a cloud, only the gentle rocking of the horse beneath me reminding me there is solid ground below.
“How long will it be like this?” I shout into the deep gray blanket, tugging on the rope Llyr insisted I tie around my waist, connecting me to him. The mist has turned from grayish white to a deep gray bordering on black in the past bell.
“Hard to say,” comes the answer, his voice muffled by the fog, creating a distant impression. “We should be clear of it in a couple bells.” There’s a brief pause. “And, Laïna, be wary of your thoughts from now on. As we go deeper, the mist can become quite...deceptive.”
His words cause my gaze to fly in all directions, but there’s nothing to see. “What exactly do you mean by ‘deceptive’?”
“Stay focused,” he says. “Do not let your thoughts wander. Keep your mind fixed on our target: the way out on the other side.”
Right. “And if I do?”
“You do not.” His words leave no room for the alternative.
“But—”
“No more talking.” There’s a slight pause. “The mist is soulless, Laïna. It belongs to the Void, and it feeds on dark emotions. Fear, despair, betrayal, anger, hate... It corrupts your soul. Devours it. And with every soul it consumes, it grows stronger. So stay silent and maintain your focus.”
That doesn’t help. What is this Void he’s talking about? The repulsive feeling of dark magic washing over me is enough to sicken me to my core, and although I want to ask why he knows so much about this mist, I wisely remain quiet. This is neither the time nor the place to get worked up. Instead, I heed his advice, pushing back any dark thoughts, all while keeping my breath slow and steady.Freedom. My heart flutters.Freedom awaits you on the other side.With that in mind, I hum a quiet tune to myself to stay centered.
It doesn’t take long before the mist—now swirls of black—leaves me feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I reach out my arms so I can brush the walls on either side to orient myself, and to my surprise, I can now barely grace each side with my fingertips. The passage has widened.
Fascinated, I watch as lighter gray swirls of mist form on the dark blanket in front of me, creating mesmerizing patterns as they wisp and curl. It feels like I’m suspended in a dream where reality and illusion intertwine. A little like those dreams I have.
Worthlesssss. The mist caresses my cheek and wraps itself around me.
I frown. What was that? Did it speak to me?
There is a soft laugh.Worthlesssss...You will allllwayss be worthlesss,Laïna.
I rub at my chest, the familiar hollowness settling in, and the mist curls itself around my chest, tightening its grip, making it even harder to breathe.
They all betray you in the end.Its whispers brush across my ear, creating shivers all over my body.Emma. Your sister in all but blood, yet her master was more worthy of her love than you. The darkness tightens its hold and curls its way into my mouth, down my throat.Even your mum abandoned you—butInever will.
I can’t breathe. Stars blur and swim before my eyes, a dizzying swirl of light against the inky blackness. I clutch at my throat, desperate for air, my chest burning.
It strokes my cheek.Shall I take your pain away? All you need to do is surrender your life to me.It laughs again, the sound like tinkling bells echoing through the pass.There is freedom in death, Laïna. Freedom. Isn’t that everything you want?
Yes. Yes, that is what I want. Freedom.
“Laïna?” the voice is familiar, yet distant.
No more betrayal. No more pain.
Closing my eyes, I give in and let the darkness have me.
“Laïna!” The voice is insistent. “Breathe.” There’s a tug around my waist. “Whatever it is you are hearing, do not listen! Do you hear me? Donotlisten.”
I feel another firm tug, but I’m not sure who’s pulling. Maybe it will pull me toward eternal sleep. I’m so tired. To sleep forever—that’s what I want.
Someone slaps me hard across my cheek once. Twice.
I blink a couple times, momentarily unsure of my surroundings and who is speaking.
“Breathe, Laïna,” the voice says again, more calmly.
I gasp as my body convulses. Coughing, I fall forward toward Maeve’s neck, a burning sensation in my lungs, my whole body shivering.
