She yanked off the cloth, casting dust motes into the air. It was taller than her, the frame ornate and gilded with flowers.
Alora’s heart raced as she stared at her reflection, contemplating if she wanted to do this. Either path would likely end in her doom, but at least she would decide that.
No one else.
Closing her eyes, she hummed. Softly at first. Then louder.
Alora…that same voice called her name again.Sing to me.
Something shifted. The air pulled. Like a tether tightening. The shadows shifted around her, crawling over the room. Her throat tightened, fear crawling up her spine. But she didn’t stop because she would rather fall to the shadows than into Calveron’s clutches.
She spotted a shrouded object sitting on a bureau. Pulling the sheet away, Alora uncovered her mother’s old harp. Still here, as if it had waited for this moment.
Heart pounding, Alora took it into her hands. Her fingers plucked the string with familiarity. Then she sang, her voice trembling on every line.
Tread not the path where the black winds bite
Beneath the peak where sun meets night
For there he waits with eyes of flame
The hollow shadow with many names
The shadows gathered around her, making the candlelight sputter.
Speak your wishes, your grief
And shadowed hands may grant relief
But mark this truth and pay your dues
For once he wakes, he wakes for you.
The haunting melody curled through her throat like a hand taking hold.
Blood shall burn and time shall bend
The wish you make may birth your end
So hush your cry beneath the stone
For he has heard and comes alone.
Her voice harmonized into a poignant hum as the song took over her body. She swayed, every eerie note lilting as she strummed the strings.
But mark this curse, and hold your breath
For what you wake may hunger death.
Blood shall burn and time shall rend
The cry you give may call your end
The glass surface of the mirror rippled like water. Then an eerie howl of wind surged through the windowless room, knocking over the dresses.
And the candle went out.
Shadows roared around her, clawing at her as if to drag her into the darkness. Alora screamed, dropping the harp
