Chapter 32
Thirty-two
Zellie
My assumptions of the side of the planet being a flat, smooth surface were incredibly off-based.
Jagged points poke against me painfully as I press myself into the surface, my arms shaking with exertion as I repeatedly slam my hands against the ash gray surface, attempting to wedge my spikes into the side.
The trek is long and gruesome down the escarpment, each step a meticulous, thought-out effort.
A biting wind shrieks against me as I search for secure wedgings to place my feet, dangling by my straining arms. I reach into the undercurrent of magic flowing through me, summoning a wall of air to surround me.
The wind calms to a light breeze, allowing me to exhale and concentrate on the rough climb.
Whose bright idea was this, anyway? Oh, that’s right.
Mine. Seb’s voice carries through the whisper wisp, alerting me that I’ve almost reached the curved inward slope finalizing the descent.
It’s only then that I make the horrific mistake of looking down.
Galatea is circular, as most planets are, meaning there is no fucking bottom when you’re dangling off the side of it.
My chest constricts as I look down, down, down into the space beyond.
How strong is this dome that blocks us in?
If I fell, would I fall straight through and be lost in orbit, seconds away from a painful death?
I shudder, gripping the side of Galatea firmly.
Focus, Zell. I continue working until the bottom of my shoe slips off the jagged surface.
Braving a second glance down, I’ve reached the alcove.
Relief flows through my body like a long sigh, and I shimmy my bottom half down until Orion and Seb pull me in.
I’m taking in our surroundings when Lando jumps down into the space.
The alcove is dimly lit, wide enough for the four of us to fit comfortably.
Two orb lights sit on each side of an arched doorway, the frame reminding me of those I faced in the Gemini Games. Let’s hope these aren’t as dangerous.
“Where are the guards?” My voice is barely a whisper but manages to fill the space.
“Change of shift, they should be out within the next forty-five seconds.” Lando answers, removing the pair of gloves he used to climb.
He nudges his head towards the corner of the alcove.
“Get behind the door and we’ll surprise them.
” Deciding I much prefer Orion bossing me around than him, I comply, the four of us shuffling into a small crowded grouping.
“As quiet as possible, we don’t want to alert anyone on the inside.
” Lando crouches as two men engaged in conversation approach the door on the opposite side.
It swings open towards us and Lando pounces, taking the first man down.
The second lets out a surprised yelp before turning and seeing us.
His pistol is raised within seconds, but I strike faster.
My dagger is out and I lunge, causing the guard to lose his footing and his shot.
Determined, he reaches for me but I dodge out of his grasp, circling him like prey.
Seb jostles the ground beneath his feet and he missteps, falling.
Using the blunt end of the dagger, I strike his temple with all of my newfound strength, rendering him unconscious.
Noting Lando and Orion have done the same with their target, I ask the group, “What do we do when they wake up?”
“Pray we’re already out of here.” Lando wipes his brow. “Time to move.”
Seb cracks the door, peeking inside before gesturing us to follow.
Stealthy as night, we walk on silent steps into an open antechamber, embedded in rock, carved into the cliff itself.
Dark shadows cast eerie movements throughout the room.
Orion points towards the back of the room, then directs his fingers in an upward movement.
The stairs to the upper levels, then. Him and Lando stalk in that direction, while Seb and I turn to find the rough, worn steps spiraling downward.
We descend slowly, taking cautious steps.
The air is still, so quiet that I can hear our breathing.
There’s a deep tug within my gut, a beckoning calling to me.
“Do you feel that?” I breathe the words, afraid of my voice echoing through the cramped space.
“Feel what?”
Another tug. “That.”
He shakes his head as he reaches the last step, leaning his shoulder against the wall to peer into the area. “Clear.”
The room is a hoard of valuables. Shimmering rubies, gleaming gold, and burnished silver objects are tucked into crevices and stacked upon each other. So at odds with the achromatic rock damp space, the jewels, crowns, coins and other ornate objects call to us with their shine.
“Wow,” Seb lowly chuckles, “they really like their riches.”
I stroll the perimeter, using my dagger to poke amongst the treasures, lifting and searching for something, anything, that would be helpful against the Kosmos. “All completely useless,” I mutter on a sigh.
“But definitely important to them, otherwise it wouldn’t be here. Good to keep in mind for the future.” He’s not wrong. “Lando, Orion, how are you guys doing up there? Any trouble?”
“One guard, so be alert for one down there. Found some gemstones, we’re guessing the moonstone is around here. Keep you posted.” Orion’s voice crackles through the whisper wisp. That’s promising, at least.
“Let’s check out the bottom level,” I suggest, irritated that nothing helpful can be found on our current floor. As I head for the stairwell leading down, the pull inside of me strengthens, making me gasp.
“You okay?”
“Yes—it was that feeling again. I think there’s something important down there.”
“Then let’s go.”