“It’s a good thing I don’t lie often, then.” I shook my shoulders to release the tension. It only increased the strain. “Let’s go.”
Together, we stepped into the darkness.
Only it wasn’t as silent as I’d feared.
Down below, at the base of the double stairs which had been carved right out of the menacing rock surrounding us, wasSolkar’s Heart, the last remains of the fallen star which had created the crater.
It still had light, though, purple and otherworldly.
That strange hum barely clung to it.
Everything was restrained, as if the Heart didn’t want to share any of its life with us anymore.
The clatter and children’s wails grew louder up above.
The masked attackers hadn’t breached the crypt yet.
But they would soon.
Both of us unsure, Ryker and I raced down the stairs, only stopping once we reached the fallen star.
Its glow blistered and rattled, hissing at us in greeting.
For a moment, it felt like an angry cat, turning its back to us to be left alone.
“We’re not welcome here,” I whispered.
“It tried to drown Dax and almost killed you in an avalanche.” Ryker narrowed his eyes. “We’re even.”
Still holding hands, we chanced one look at the other, before pressing our free palms against the stone.
It sizzled instantly.
I gritted my teeth and summoned my own power out to greet it.
This time, the purple light didn’t mix in with the blue. I was being completely and totally ignored once more. Beside me, Ryker’s jaw ticked with frustration, the Heart not delving into his veins, either.
“We’re in danger,” I whispered.
Nothing.
No whisper.
No light engulfing me.
No pulse underneath my fingers.
“It’s your duty to help us,” Ryker said.
The words had barely left his mouth when the Heart boomed to life. No longer simmering, it exploded into a blinding light.
A sharp, grating thrum drummed into my chest.
Within it, I no longer heard cries.
I heard condemnation.
How Ryker had gone to war against the Serpents instead of fighting the Northern Clans.
