Chapter Eight
Rain was amazed.They found the bloodstones in a large chamber at the far end of the first tunnel they’d taken and didn’t need to backtrack to try the other—or to explore any of the half dozen offshoots they’d seen. They’d briefly ventured down one transecting pathway because of the dim glow emanating from it and had come across the witch’s living quarters. A high-up hole in therock ceiling let in light and air and let out smoke from the kitchen fire. A long rope ladder hung from above and a clever drainage culvert ran underneath the hole and toward a descending passageway. The rope ladder was an encouraging discovery that relieved them both, although emerging on the clifftop would mean a lengthy walk back to the horses.
Their torches became unnecessary as they approacheda wall nearly covered in bloodstones. The red crystals grew from heated fissures in the rock and glowed with a crimson thermoluminescence.
“The gemstone is aptly named, it seems.” Daric swept his gaze around the cavern.
Rain grimaced. “I feel as though the wall will spurt blood if we pull one out.”
“There’s a gruesome thought,” Daric said.
The wall pulsed with heat and light, almost a heartbeat.
“And I agree,” he murmured.
“The witch said we wouldn’t get one without her, but this wasn’t that difficult to find.” Rain glanced from side to side, looking for clues. “That makes me nervous.”
Daric studied the cavern as well, touching the bloodstone wall with tentative fingers. “Could the gems be cursed?”
Rain groaned at the possibility. She was thoroughly sick of curses.
She doubted thatshe—Spring—had been cursed, but rather thought a nefarious spell had been cast over Leathen. As far as she knew, she’d forgotten all about Leathen and skipped right over it with her weather from around the time of Daric’s birth.
“According to the book you found, the Blood of Braylian is used for breaking curses,” Daric said. “Can it alsobecursed?”
“I don’t know. What else could the witch havemeant?” Rain asked.
Daric shrugged. “It could have been a bluff. Let’s dig one from the rock and find out.”
Rain wasn’t sure that sorcerers bluffed. At the crone’s age, could she even still think clearly enough for that?
Daric took out his dagger and started chipping at the base of a crystal.
Rain hovered near his shoulder. “Daric, be careful. I have a bad feeling about this.”
He tossed hera reassuring grin. “Then be prepared to defend me, my lady. I know you’re capable.”
He could tease, but Rain couldn’t smile. Her tongue stung with the acidic taste of worry.
Daric worked at the gem, chiseling and wiggling until it loosened. Slowly, he pulled the glowing crystal from the wall. Rain held her breath. The wall pulsed with inner light and the bloodstone throbbed in return, almostsentient. Daric held it out to her—and the crystal exploded into a monster.
Rain gasped and threw herself back from the towering creature. Daric leaped in front of her. It lunged, and a snap of razor-sharp teeth sent them scrambling in different directions.
“Rain!” Daric rolled under a swiping claw to get back to her.
The monster’s furious roar slammed into Rain. Chilled to the bone, she drewher dagger. Demonic eyes rolled in a reptilian head. Its scales were blood-red. She’d never seen anything like it.
Daric swung his knife. It was all he had for a weapon. Rain sent out vines to tangle around the beast’s legs. It somehow evaded capture, and her creepers fell to the ground, useless.How could that happen?
She blew her strongest gale, but it did nothing. The wind just bounced backat them, whirling around her and Daric.
True helplessness swamped her, dredging up more fear than she’d felt in years. She’d adapted. She’d thrived as a human. She’d even retained some of her magic. Now, she knew dread again—for herself and for Daric.
Rain drew her knife. Her hand trembled, and she gripped it harder. Terror had a distinct flavor. It tasted like waking up from the dark and realizingyou were still in a nightmare.
“Run, Rain! I’ll hold it off!” Daric’s dagger whistled through the air in front of the monster.
And leave him? Never.
