Chapter 25
Iremain surrounded by total darkness, hoping my eyes will adjust so I can see where I am. I know I heard Rohhit a few times before, but that stopped once I got the tattoo.
The tattoo.
The creature tore my left shoulder apart. The protection has been shattered.
Oh Gods. Kalix.
“Rohhit?” I speak aloud this time.
My voice escapes my mouth, feeling like needles shooting through my throat. I try to swallow, but the pain and dryness are overwhelming.
“Briar, I don’t have much time, so I need you to listen,” Rohhit’s voice echoes in panic.
“Wait, how is this possible?” I interrupt.
“We are vessels—Realm Walkers. Carobon has completely taken over my body, but I can still hear him—his plans. You need to locate the Forgotten Archives. Have you heard of it?”
“Yes, it’s here in Andorwood," I respond quickly.
“The answers lie within, Briar, about how to eliminate Kalix and Carobon for good. A ship is making its way to Andorwood, carrying resurrected creatures. Carobon, Calia, and Nolan have been working tirelessly since you departed from the mainland. They are trying to rebuild Cammon. It isn’t good.
They are coming to Andorwood to destroy what the Archives hold. You need to be prepared to protect it."
“We know, and we are as best we can be.” I pause. “Rohhit, are you alright?”
“For now.”
“Keep holding on,” I beg. “Don’t stop trying.”
“Each day gets harder to hold on. I feel myself slipping, like I’m getting farther away from my own mind each day.”
The darkness starts to overwhelm my senses, and I can barely hear Rohhit anymore. I feel like I’m blinking, but my eyes don’t move. I try to lift my arm once more, but it feels stuck, as if it’s being weighed down.
“Rohhit,” I shout. “Can you hear me?”
“You need to leave, Briar. You can’t stay here. Follow Silas’s voice.” His voice, barely a whisper, slithers into my mind. “Follow your tether.”
Tether.
He must have a tether.
“No. Wait. Please tell me how I can save you.”
“The Archives,” a soft voice fades into the darkness.
A bright white light shines in my face, mingling with dark streaks of shadow. The light pulses with a light yet dark energy as I hear him.
“Briar, don’t give up on me.”
I feel as if my body is being lifted off the ground, but no matter how hard I squint, I can’t see anything.
I struggle against the pull, desperate to hold on a little longer.
I need to talk to Rohhit. I can’t leave him in this darkness.
Silas’s voice grows louder and more frantic, as if he’s also searching for me in the dark.
I yield and let the silver string of light draw me toward his voice. The white light fades away, and everything becomes silent.
Agasp of air fills my lungs, and my body slowly starts to feel whole again.
My legs aren’t numb, I can hear things normally, and the pain from my shoulder comes crashing back into my body.
My eyes remain shut as I feel two strong arms wrap around my body.
Silas’s scent fills my nose, and I inhale deeply once more.
I must be dreaming.
“She’s breathing, again.” I hear his voice.
“Thank fucking Gods,” Larkin responds.
I lay there, wrapped in his warmth, before I dare open my eyes. A gentle hand brushes a fallen strand of hair from my face.
“Open your eyes,” Silas speaks to me this time. “Please open your eyes, my love.”
I slowly open my eyes. The cave's dimness confuses me for a moment, so I sift through my last memories to grasp where I am. Silas’s face comes into focus, and I blink rapidly to clear my vision.
His handsome face is smeared with thick black blood, and his eyes are filled with both rage and concern, but when our eyes lock, that all disappears.
“Hey,” he whispers.
I softly smile. “Hey.”
“I asked you not to do anything stupid,” Silas grins.
“I didn’t, technically.”
He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “Sarcastic, even on your deathbed.”
My lips quiver, but I smile.
“Unfortunately, since you got hurt, I have to kill Larkin now for a few reasons,” Silas speaks again. “I’ve recently been filled in on everything.”
“Look, Silas.” I hear Larkin huffing from a few yards away. “I feel fucking terrible as it is. It would almost be a favor if you killed me right now.”
“Don’t kill him,” my voice rasps.
A heavy exhale escapes Larkin’s throat as I shift my gaze around the small pocket I occupy, deep inside Death’s Opening.
“No, you definitely can,” Larkin responds.
The surrounding caverns remain silent except for the faint sound of water trickling deeper through the winding tunnels. Silas continues to stroke my head, giving me time to collect myself. With each passing second, my senses return to my body, and the trembling begins to ease.
“How are you here right now?” I ask.
“I felt you slipping away. I was with my mother and Fenmore when it started.” His jaw tenses. “My chest felt like a boulder was being pressed down on it, then I heard you scream, as if my nightmares were becoming reality. I started shifting as fast as I could to find and reach you.”
I blink up at him. “Is that my blood?”
“Yes.” He pauses, looking at Larkin. “And the creatures that hurt you.”
I sit up slightly. “Larkin said we couldn’t fight that thing.”
He glances at Larkin again. “He was right to say that. It could have been much worse if you had tried to.”
Larkin stands and approaches where I rest in Silas’s arms. His tall frame is slightly slumped, and his white hair appears dull.
Silas watches him closely, and I can feel the anger radiating from his body.
It doesn’t take long for me to realize that Larkin likely informed Silas about everything, driven by fear, shame, and a hint of trepidation.
“I’m so sorry.” Larkin hangs his head. “So much of this is my fault.”
I shake my head. “Larkin, it’s not your fault Barlowe died.”
His expression turns to shock.
I attempt to sit up, and Silas helps me. My left arm hangs limply beside me, but it’s gradually healing. I look around and see a few ritual items alongside the Rigils Larkin drew. I notice blood trickling from his hand, and I realize that he cut himself to strengthen the ritual to save me.
“It’s Thatcher’s fault that my brother is dead, not yours.” I pause, still struggling to speak loudly. “I want you to know that. You thought you were helping a friend, and I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t have done the same.”
Larkin lowers his head and crouches next to where I sit. “I’m sorry, Briar. I wasn’t lying when I said I would do whatever I can to protect you for the rest of my life.”
I nod and say, "Thank you.”
“You’re still on my shit list, Spiridon,” Silas cuts in.
I turn my attention to Silas. “Leave him alone."
Silas casts a sly grin my way, with a wink.
“Did I die?” I cut my eyes at both of them.
“Almost,” Larkin says. “You stopped breathing for a minute.”
“Try five,” Silas barks.
“That’s about the time he shifted here.”
I sit up higher this time and try to get to my feet.
I stumble a little, and Silas is there to catch me.
I stand on shaky legs, but at least I’m upright.
My clothes are drenched in dark blood, my hair is tangled, and a chill courses through my body.
My shirt barely clings to my shoulder, and Silas removes his, wrapping it around me.
“There’s something else,” Larkin says, his mouth forming a thin line.
“What?”
Silas wraps his arm around my waist to keep me upright. “Your tattoo is gone. The creature’s claw went straight through it, slicing the ink in half.” He glances at my back. “Hopefully a bit will still protect you, but you are going to have one insane scar, my love."
“I figured it was gone,” I admit.
Larkin angles his head. “What do you mean?”
“When I…passed out,” I start.
“You mean died?” Larkin cuts in.
“Semantics,” Silas snaps.
“Yes, when I died, I heard Rohhit again.” I pause, waiting for their reactions. “He’s alive, Silas. He’s still in his body.”
Silas rubs his hand through his hair.
“He can hear Carobon. Carobon is working with Calia and Nolan to rebuild Cammon. The ship is heading to Andorwood to destroy the Archives. Whatever’s in there is important, and we have to get there first.”
A sharp claw drags its point along my mind, and I flinch, earning a look from both men.
The tattoo is severed, and Kalix is back, silently taunting me.
Silas says, “My mother told me that ancient texts are stored there, dating back to before and shortly after the Great Battle. Many records concerning the Great Wiitches were burned, resulting in the loss of a lot of information. However, there was a group of individuals who collected everything they could and established the Forgotten Archives to keep the information safe in case it was ever needed again.”
“So, that’s why something dark guards it,” I add.
“Exactly. What’s inside was meant to be burned, forever lost to the flames. Not even my mother knows exactly what’s in there. She’s been fortunate enough to be granted access, but has always been driven out by the lurking shadows within.”
“Did she know anything else?” Larkin asks.
“I didn’t get much information beyond that because, well, you know. But Fenmore stayed back to continue the conversation."
“We should head back,” Larkin says. “We need to get into the Archives.”
Realization hits me, suddenly. “Yara. What time is it?”
“When I left the castle, it was late afternoon. Since it’s dark outside, I’d guess it’s nearly 8 P.M.,” Silas responds.
“We were supposed to meet her in your room.” I stumble toward the small exit leading back into the opening. “We need to leave right now.”
“First of all, you aren’t rushing anywhere.
” Silas raises his hands. “Secondly, Maines and Oak will be in my room in case she shows up early. Fortunately, we prepared for situations like this to happen to you, Briar.” Silas grimaces.
“We can head to the castle, but it’s going to be at a slow pace.
I won’t push your body right now. You nearly died. ”