Chapter 6 #2
Damnit. Maybe it wasn’t just his magic.
Her body began to tingle and the world around her faded and spun.
It was like her body was lighter than air and being pulled apart then back together again.
Then, it reformed again, but now inside the cave.
It only took a matter of moments to transport from the water to the cave and she had to find her bearings.
She still gripped Rafe’s shirt as she tried to figure out where exactly they were.
“You don’t have to hold onto me anymore.”
“What?” Finley blinked a few times then pushed away from him. “I had to be sure we weren’t moving anymore.”
Rafe smirked. “Whatever you say, Captain.”
The sound of her title on his lips was far too appealing.
The scent was even stronger here, and everything from the ragged walls to stringy plants that stuck out of the ground had a slight green tint to it as though the smell permeated the very essence of the cave. There was no other sign of life, except…
A soft jingle of iron chains echoed across the walls. Finley and Rafe both paused to listen. Rafe even seemed to sniff the air.
“It was over this way,” he said and tilted his head toward a narrow pathway to the left. “Follow me.”
They tip toed through, needing to go single file with the walls being so close together in the pathway and stalactites hung so low there were moments Finley had to duck to avoid being stabbed in the head.
Another jingle of chains and a soft scrape against the ground of someone shuffling to the side. Finley’s hands almost shook with anticipation. But she couldn’t get too excited. Not until she saw Ai with her own eyes.
“Finley?”
The pathway opened into a small cavern with starlight lanterns floating around in the water.
Spectral shadows flickered across the green hazy walls.
There, pressing herself to the side, was Ai and a chain of iron trapping her to the ground.
Her clothes were dirty and her usually straight and smooth hair was knotted and tangled but she appeared unharmed.
Finley couldn’t contain her relief and pushed past Rafe and rushed to her side.
Finley bombarded her best friend with a hug that would crush or suffocate someone else, but Ai was used to these outbursts and just patted Finley’s back.
“How did you get here? And Rafe?” Ai looked back and forth between Finley and the shapeshifter. Her brows furrowed as though she saw something that didn’t quite make sense. “What’s going on?”
From her pocket Finley pulled out the tool she’d used on her own chains. “How do you think? Let’s get you free.”
She worked quick and updated Ai on what the plan was. Ai gave Finley a doubtful look, but even she had to admit they didn’t have many options at this point.
“Any idea where the Shadow Slayers are?” Finley asked once Ai could move freely again.
“Closer than you’d think.” Ai led them to the other side of the cave where a pile of rocks lay. “Rafe, can you help with these?”
She started to push the rocks away and Rafe followed her lead.
Little by little, they uncovered a long plain looking box.
But anyone who was in touch with magic could feel the power radiating from it.
Finley could feel the magic of the Shadow Slayers whenever she was near them, as though they called out to her.
Even when they’d been in Rose’s possession, Finley had to resist the urge to reach out and grab them for her own.
Which she had eventually. They might not have been in a fancy box covered in gold and jewels, but it was treasure all the same.
Finley knelt before the box and opened the lid. She pulled out the sword and grasped it as though it was an extension of her own arm. With these, she could do anything. Finley had power with The Mystic and all her fleets of ships. But with these weapons? The possibilities were endless.
“Why would Amelia allow these to be so poorly hidden?” Rafe asked. “Aytigin had many protections and spells protecting them in Luana’s Castle. It wasn’t particularly easy to get them out.”
“It’s not as though she’s had much time or resources for that,” Finley answered. “But her lack of preparation is our gain.”
“Or maybe she knew it would be a good trap.” Her cousin’s voice echoed across the cave.
Finley’s blood stilled. Damn. Caught too soon. Not that it mattered as Finley had planned to approach her next. Still, she hated to be caught off guard.
The trio turned to face Amelia, and at her side was a tall man with dark hair and gleaming green eyes.
Finley vaguely remembered him from their initial capture, but at that time she hadn’t noticed the magic radiating off him.
It was like an orb of power had settled around him and made a home in his being.
She hadn’t felt anything like it before.
Then, with them was another person that made Finley grip the hilt of the sword even tighter.
It would take everything in her to not slice the woman in half right then and there.
Amelia’s mother Mariah. Finley’s aunt. The one who had cursed her all those years ago.
Finley forced a fake smile across her face. “How good of you to join us.”
Amelia raised a brow. “For us to join you?”
“Of course. You’ve saved me the effort of having to try and seek you out,” Finley said. “I was going to tell you my offer to help you with your little endeavor. But I knew you wouldn’t let the Shadow Slayers go easily, so I wanted to grab those first. You understand.”
“Little endeavor?” Mariah smirked. “Do you understand the extent of what we’re wanting to do here? This is far bigger than your boat you know.”
Boat. It was a ship. The grandest ship in all the realm. But she was trying to get under Finley’s skin. Get a rise out of her.
Finley sighed, bored. “Yes, yes, you want to take over the throne and rule for yourself. How original.”
The trio before them exchanged glances and smiles with each other that made her want to rip all their throats out.
The man spoke next. His voice was deep and lyrical like a flowing river.
“Amelia’s son taking the throne and acting as his regents is a key part of our plan, of course.
But for too long, sorcerers and sorceresses have been neglected and abused.
It’s high time they received the recognition and respect they deserve. Don’t you agree?”
Finley could have groaned. A big mission for justice? She was actually a little disappointed. “I haven’t met any sorcerers or sorceresses I’ve liked. You all seem like asses to me so… I’m fine with how things are. Thanks.”
“Even though our blood runs through your veins as well?” Amelia asked.
Finley tightened her grip on the sword. Barely.
The distance in their relation was so slight Finley could hardly call herself a sorceress.
Yes, her magic may be a little more powerful and natural than others, but like other mortals she needed a tattoo given at her dedication ceremony.
Finley and her mother only had theirs for show and to blend in the people. Finley was mortal, not a sorceress.
“We are nothing alike,” she answered through gritted teeth.
Amelia only smiled at her like a shark about to attack its prey. “We’re more so than you think. But please, tell me dear cousin, what is your offer for our ‘small’ endeavor?”
She folded her hands and placed them in front of her as though she were a courtly lady awaiting orders from a queen.