“Where are you right now, little umbra?”
Killian’s voice floats in the darkness, rough from sleep.
“Right here,” I answer curtly.
“Or rather a million miles away,” he murmurs, reaching out to clasp my hand in his. “What’s wrong?”
“You mean besides a raging war, an ancient Goddess making us jump through fucking hoops and killer trials?” I ask deflectively, brushing off hisintimate gesture as I use the wall for support to stand. “All is peachy. Come on, we’ve yet to reach the second trial, and time is running against us.”
I don’t wait for his response as I lead the way through the winding tunnel, praying in vain to whatever Gods might listen that I don’t fail myself and everyone else.
The deeper we go into the entrails of Saunoque, the hotter it becomes. I’ve long shed the fur-lined cloak and gloves that did barely anything to protect me from the blizzard’s bite outside, and as sweat trickles down my spine—fusing my fighting leathers to my flesh like a damp layer of second skin, I’m considering shedding them altogether.
But, walking blindly in these pitch-black tunnels clad only in undergarments seems like a gamble I’m not ready to face. Not only because of the unknown trials ahead of us, but also because of the vampire walking behind me.
Killian’s been trying to spark a conversation for hours now, and I’ve been ignoring his attempts with unwavering determination.
I don’t want to talk about our situation, and I don’t want to fight.
All I need are answers from an immemorial being who’s playing games with us.
“Umbra, slow down,” he says as I pick up the pace, stumbling into an empty space ahead.
The tight tunnel suddenly widens into a vacant chamber similar to the first one, all polished granite and stifling heat.
Another ominous message etched in stone awaits us.
Truth unites; truth divides
What shall be devoured in the light of it?
“This bitch really enjoys being vague,” I huff in annoyance.
Killian’s already inspecting the walls for any cracks or sharp points on the surface.
“There’s nothing on this side,” he says, eyes roaming every corner. “Check on the other side.”
“It’s obviously not going to be the same as last time,” I answer, rolling my eyes, just as the entrance where we came from vanishes, and a low tremor shivers through the cave. The walls echo with a muted rumble as water pours from the seams between the stones. It spills over the rock, cold enough to erase the heat of the tunnels, deceptively refreshing.
At first, it’s nothing.
Ankle-deep water creeps around us until it starts to rise dangerously fast, and it becomes blatantly clear that this chamber is meant to be a watery grave.
“Fuck, we’re going to drown,” I say with a start as realization hits me.
“Technically vampires don’t drown; more like lose consciousness until we’re able to breathe again,” Killian corrects me, as if that piece of information would appease my growing anxiety in any way.
“Great. I’ll die and you’ll faint underwater for eternity. Just a random Tuesday.”
The water reaches our waists now, the floor vanishing beneath black swill that climbs, swallowing our bodies like a hungry beast. There’s no time to squabble, to panic, to do anything but search for the clue hidden in those damn words carved deep in the wall.
I start treading water; the level rising with each passing second, pushing our bodies toward the ceiling in a desperate search for precious oxygen. Soon there will be no air left, no answers, no salvation.
“Think, Killian, if the sacrifice of truth demanded our blood, what of ours can truth devour?”
“What?” He blinks at me, perplexed, while reaching out to touch the ceiling, scanning it like he did with the walls.
The water surges even higher, slapping against my face, and we’re moments away from being swallowed whole. Panic claws at my chest with razor-sharp talons, but I can’t afford to succumb to it. The trial demands precision; the answer glaring at me from just outside of reach.
