18. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
Astrid
The map crinkles between my fingers, the old delicate paper louder against the quiet chirps of a cricket filled night. Em holds the mosstern over my shoulder effectively illuminating the ancient page in the early morning light. I didn’t think I would ever be thankful for a mosstern until now. It seems we've come out on the opposite side of the palace.
“We have to go that way.” I point toward the declining path that leads to the edge of the forest. “Effie is waiting for us on the other side of these woods. We can head there and regroup.” I roll up the map and tuck it gently back into my bag.
With that, I start down the steep incline, Embla close behind. It’s an easy, enjoyable walk with the wind coming in from the ocean, and the steady rise of the sun. We’re about halfway down when a big dark cave gapes at us from the domed wall of Demendia.
My curiosity piques as I take a step closer to it. I run my hands over the runes that line the edge of the opening. Even squinting, I can barely make them out. But I can feel how deep the carvings were dug into the stone. Why are these so familiar? Then I remember. My hand dives into my trousers pulling the note I found in the dungeons. “Em, it's the same as the writing on the note. Maybe there’s an answer to one of our questions.” I square my shoulders before I step through the mouth of the cavern. The glow of the mosstern follows me as Embla keeps close on my heels. The green glow bounces off crystal walls lighting up the vaulted ceiling.
“What is this place?” Embla’s voice cuts through the room, echoing around me. Standing in the middle is an altar with a perfectly circular black stone nestled on top. Behind the altar are eight stone faceless humanoid figures and skulls make up the wall behind them.
“Some kind of forgotten temple, maybe with the altar,” I whisper to keep my voice from bouncing.
“What do you think this stone is?” Embla asks, approaching the altar, studying the circular crystal.
“The Pillars of Renathia,” I read from a plaque hung on the altar. “I’ve never heard of them.” Are they ancient gods of civilizations past? I step up beside Embla, the impulse to snatch the orb off the altar and hide it from everyone overwhelms me. I can’t stop the thoughts as they form. It would be so easy to just take the stone and disappear. I shake my head, relieving myself momentarily. I can’t leave Embla, I remind myself. But the overwhelming sense of possession presses on my mind as I gaze into the round , gleaming, black stone. White pinpricks that look like stars sparkle across its surface.
“I think it’s mine,” my voice is deep with need as I reach my hand toward it. The tips of my fingers meet the smooth warm surface. A pleasant electrifying warmth shoots up my arm into my chest. I gasp, snatching my arm away to cradle it against my chest.
“You okay?” Embla asks, shooting me a concerned look.
“I’m fine.” I turn to meet my sister’s gaze and find her standing in a cloud of pinks and yellows. I rub my eyes with the palms of my hands, and the colors dissipate. Fear curls in my stomach at what this could mean for me and what happens after we find the cure. No one, not even Em can know about this if I’m ever going to get back into the city and bring a cure to my people. I cautiously poke the orb, before lifting it and adding it to my duffle. The feeling of having done this before pulls at my mind, but I can’t dredge up the memory as hard as I try. Goosebumps cover my skin as I follow Embla out of the cave.