“I need a distraction,” I grumble.
“Of what kind?” asks Rynthea.
“I don’t know. Just talk about something—anythingso I’m not thinking mean things about myself.”
“Okay…uh…” She pauses, eyes bouncing around the jungle. “Did you know Torjack is the last male minotaur in Thelanor?”
I blink rapidly, surprised. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. From what I’ve heard, there are three other female minotaurs in Thelanor. But Torjack is the last male. If he dies before he has a child, there won’t be any more to continue the lineage.”
“Wow.” I step over a steaming puddle. “So youreallyneed to keep him healthy and alive, then.”
“I do. I can’t let it end with us,” she says. “If he mates with one of the other females, we’ll carry on. When I get some treasure, we can build our own sanctuary for minotaurs. Torjack can have a shit ton of kids, and I’ll have my own—hybrids of some kind, since there aren’t any more males—and we’ll grow in numbers again. We can teach the young how to fight and protect themselves like I was taught, so they can grow up and know how to defend themselves. No more horns being stolen. No more being used. No more living in fear. Instead, people will learn to respect us.”
“That would be great for the minotaurs.”
“It would. I dream about it often.” She releases a rare, happy sigh. “A place where we’ll be safe. A place of our own. A haven. I can imagine it being like Immalon. Closed off from the rest of the world. A place of peace and happiness.”
I smile, watching her eyes drift, seemingly lost in thought.
“The first thing I’ll buy is a place of my own.” Algar squeezes in between me and Rynthea. “I’ll have one of those little built-in bath basins for Zephra to swim in. She’ll have all of her favorite meals and snacks. She’ll live the life.”
I laugh. “And what aboutyourlife?”
“I’ll pay off a few debts I owe. Who knows? As long as my Zephra’s happy, I’m happy. All I need is a roof over my head and food in my belly. Nothing else matters…but having a shit ton of coin does help.”
One of Thane’s orbs levitates past my head, highlighting the steam wafting up from the floor of the jungle. Why is it so hot in this area, anyway? All the volcanoes are outside the crater, yet it feels like we’re walking right over one.
“I just want one of those stones,” I say after some time.
Rynthea veers left. “And soon you’ll have one.”
We hike, lost in our own thoughts for a while, until Rynthea breaks the silence. “Look.” She points ahead and, through a thin gap in the trees, is the temple.
Half of it is in ruins, heaps of tan stone crumbled on the ground, and the roof in even worse shape. As we move closer, I spot a dark, hollow arch that must lead to the inside of the temple.
This landmark should be a gloomy, depressing sight. But there is a stream of light shining on it, making it a beacon in the dark, as if even the skies know it’s a special place.
Without another word, Rynthea jogs toward the temple. Algar limps after her. I can’t help but stand still a moment, soaking in the accomplishment of making it here and bracing myself for what’s to come.
I’ll get the stone.
I’ll free Analla.
I’ll go back to my old, peaceful life.
Drink tea. Read books. Bake. Rest.
The mere thought of it brings me so much peace of mind.
Thane walks up alongside me, and the heat of his body sends warm currents through me. “Things change once we’re in there,” he murmurs in my ear.
I turn to look him in the eye. “Everythingchanges.”
He tugs his mask down, revealing his sculpted, rosy lips. He studies my features like he always does, but there’s something off about his demeanor. His shoulders seem more tense. Isn’t he at least a little relieved that we’ve made it this far? And his eyes look…worried.
He’s been like this all morning—a bit distant and quiet. I assumed he was mentally preparing himself for The Shallows…but now, I’m not so sure.
