All I have to do is get one of the stones, save Analla, and return to my life of peace and comfort. It seems simple enough…as long as I force myself to believe anything is possible.
I take off my specs and wipe the sea spray off of the lenses using my tunic. Sitting up straight, I slide them back on and squint at something on the horizon.
It’s small, only a dark disruption poking up from the sea, but I know exactly what it is—The Shallows.
Chapter 49
As we draw near, the indistinct bump on the horizon becomes a mass of dark treetops and mountains with sharp points. The sharp points look like black volcanoes as swirls of smoke hover at the tips.
A sudden fog envelops us, as if the treacherous island is welcoming us to the slaughter.
I keep my breath steady as Thane decreases the speed of the boat and shifts the hull slightly to the left.
Quiet.
That’s all I can think as we sail along. Not even the ocean makes much noise. The water becomes murkier, but I still spot glowing fish with pointed teeth scuttling by. Ironically, they’re avoiding the bold light emanating from Thane’s hand.
As we close in, the scent of sulfur permeates the air. There is another smell, too—rot. Dead bodies, possibly.I cringe at the thought.
Thane pulls his hand back into the boat when the shore comes into view through the haze. We drift to the shoreline and hit land with a bump. Hesitantly, we look around before climbing out and lugging the boat onto the sand. As I scan farther down the beach, I realize our boat isn’t the only one beached. There are countless others, all haphazardly lining the shore—paint chipped, wood broken, their owners now ghosts.
A graveyard of boats. The sight of them fills me with dread and doubt.
How many people have come here to do the exact same thing we’re about to do? How many had arrived overflowing with ambition and dreams? How many assumed they would be lucky enough to survive?
“Try not to focus on that,” Rynthea says, tipping her head toward the boats, as if she’s read my mind.
I clear my throat and turn with her to focus on the looming jungle ahead. The treetops aren’t green. They’re black, like their leaves have been permanently charred. Beneath our feet, sand intertwines with thick black veins of hardened lava, as if this island is flesh and blood.
“From what I remember on the map, the Temple of Elphar is directly in the center of The Shallows,” Thane announces, throwing up a glowing compass. It hovers in front of him, revealing the location we’re in, as well as the location of the temple. The temple is a blinking gold dot that isveryfar away. So much land to cover.
“And the treasure?” Rynthea inquires.
“Most likely buried somewhere near or inside the temple. I’ll be able to detect it better when we get closer.” Digging into his pocket, Thane pulls out Frevella’s Kelvanite Sphere. “Drusako,” he whispers, rubbing it with his fingers four times. The sphere comes to life, bursting with green light. As I move in closer, I see that the light forms an arrow. It’s pointing ahead…toward the jungle.
Of course it is.
“Let’s go,” Thane commands, already marching forward.
Rynthea and I look at each other at the same time. She shakes her head but follows his lead. I stay close to Algar, my fingers wrapped around the dagger sheathed at my hip.
When we reach the edge of the jungle, Thane lifts a hand, and a bolt of gold bursts forth. It cuts through a thick cluster of vines and damp leaves, leaving behind a dark, gaping hole. The others disappear into the new trail. I can’t help but give the ocean one last look, knowing this may be the last time I see it.
I draw in a breath and follow them into darkness.
“Algar, I need you to hold this.” Thane hands him the sphere.
Algar frowns. “Whyme?”
“Because I need both of my hands. One for my sword and the other for magic in case anything comes up.”
“Oh. Right. Suppose that makes sense.” Algar holds on tight to the sphere while looking ahead. “Well, it’s telling us to keep going straight.”
“We have to make this quick,” Rynthea murmurs, surveilling the dark gaps of the jungle. “Remember, Frevella told you the sphere will only last us an hour.”
“How long will it take to reach the temple?” I ask.
“About an hour…if we’re lucky.” Thane sends up four orbs of light to surround us. He moves with caution, his sword raised in front of him, mask up, eyes vigilant.
