Gwen came to a halt and shot Scarlett a dubious look over her shoulder. “Sometimes adults have a tougher time, but you never know until you try.”
Scarlett stared at her, annoyed at the vague answer. “Why is it harder for adults?”
“Emotional baggage,” said Gwen in a singsong voice.
Scarlett frowned but left it at that. She had so many questions, but she didn’t want to ask Gwen any of them if she was going to get cryptic responses back. Had anyone ever walked away from the temple empty-handed?
Her internal worries were silenced as they came to an ancient-looking staircase at the end of the hallway. They descendedbehind Gwen to a circular door, which Gwen yanked open. On the other side was a torchlit room. Several large oil paintings were on the far wall, and a balustrade lined a ramp up to another doorway on the left side of the room. It looked harmless, yet the windowless room gave off an ominous feeling.
Gwen stood to the side. “Good luck, you two!”
“Thanks, Gwen.” Beni walked through the door without a backward glance.
“On you go,” said Gwen to Scarlett, who was still hesitating as she worried about all the things that could go wrong.
Scarlett steeled herself. She could do this. She jogged to catch up to Beni, who’d already stopped to look at a painting. The air was colder inside, and an old, earthy smell hit her as she halted next to her brother, her jaw dropping as she looked at the painting. It wasn’t just a striking image of the Forest Temple and Mont Noir; there were people in the paintings who appeared to be moving as if they were alive. The little figures glowed like they were exuding moonlight. The people in the largest painting of the Forest Temple were dressed in tunics and laurels similar to what Scarlett had worn for her graduation months ago.
“These must be ancient,” Scarlett said, full of awe.
“Hello,” said Beni. He stood as close as he could to the Forest Temple painting without actually touching it. Several of the figures turned to look at him. A couple of them moved toward Beni and Scarlett, and to Scarlett’s shock, they became clearer and larger as they approached.
The painting unsettled her. “Come on, Beni. Let’s keep moving.” She grabbed Beni’s arm. “Let’s get to the mirror.”
“Sorry—I have to go.” Beni waved farewell to the painting as Scarlett hurried them up the ramp toward the door. The figures ceased their approach and waved back at him.
Scarlett let out a bemused laugh at the ease with which Beni moved through the ancient space. She was glad he didn’t seemnervous. Was this what Gwen had meant about this being harder for adults? But her laughter faded as they moved into the next room.
The only way forward appeared to be through an archway hung with streamers of tattered beige cloth—so many she wouldn’t be able to avoid touching them. The fabric moved as if there were a breeze coming from the other side, but of course there couldn’t be a breeze. They were underground.
She only had to walk a few feet forward to get beyond the archway, but Scarlett was overcome with dread. Beni didn’t hesitate before stepping into the arch. His footsteps slowed, and Scarlett began to panic as he halted halfway through the passageway.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine… but I can hear a voice,” said Beni.
Concern for her brother overcame her fear, and Scarlett hurried forward. The air around her was electric as she joined him in the arch.
“True love is unconditional. Don’t lie, even for love. Serve me through your love. I choose your desires for you.”
She halted as the words touched a nerve. Her mind flashed to her father. Her father and Alastair. The two most important men from her past whose love had always seemed entirely conditional.
“Stop striving for love that is conditional and give love unconditionally,” the voice replied.“Unconditional love is your birthright. To give and to receive.”
Scarlett forced herself forward as her mind raced. Whose voice was that? And how had it—or they—cut right to the darkest fears of her heart?
“Can you let go of your own insecurities, or will you forever serve the happiness of others? You’ve lied for years, to yourself and to those closest to you.”The accusatory voice jabbed right atthe most sensitive part of her soul.“How can you connect with the divine if you can’t be honest?”
Scarlett tried to follow Beni, but she was frozen in place as if the voice had taken control of her body. She began to panic. Beni had moved out of sight. He was alone.Shewas totally alone.
“Answer me.”
“I want to be honest,” she said out loud, terror coursing through her. “I regret lying to make other people comfortable.”
“Really? Then speak the truth. Or I’ll not let you go forward.”
She could hear the pounding of her own blood in her ears. “I… I don’t want to go back to Soleil, but I’m obligated to return and finish what my father started. Is it lying if I return to help others?”
“Self-sacrifice for the good of others is holy, but you must not lie to yourself. That was a good truth. Speak another one.”
