Page 24 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

Before I can process this, Colton chimes in. “What about the Lycan blood ceremony? My father mentioned Lyra might start exhibiting the Lycans’ abilities.”

That takes me by surprise. Of course, Colton, being Granger’s son, would be privy to more about my situation than I’d anticipated. I know Nyx trusted Granger, and, gods, he shared more with him then I would have liked.

“Yes, I believe Granger is correct,” my father admits. “However, the open consumption of Lycan blood is a rarity these days. Perhaps Anika might have more insight. I’ll speak with her later.” He appears thoughtful, his brow furrowing as if contemplating a deeper enigma.

Attempting to steer the conversation back to the present, I ask, “So what’s your plan for initiating my training?”

His features shift, a determined glint igniting in his eyes. “We begin here and now. I need to assess your current abilities.”

“And how do you plan to do that?” I ask.

He maintains a steady gaze as he answers, “I intend to put you through a simulation. It won’t be reality, but it will certainly feel that way. You must be prepared for that.”

I swallow hard, my body thrumming with nervous energy. Chepi chitters anxiously in my arms, prompting me to glance down at him. “It’s okay, boy.”

“Euric,” Colton interrupts, stepping forward, “if it’s not real, how will we monitor her progress?”

Euric’s response is calm and assured. “I can project an illusion for her to experience, but through the same conduit of power we will be able to observe her progress. Essentially, we will be peering through a window into her trial.”

He then pivots his attention back to me, his gaze softened, offering an encouraging smile.

“Lyra, I’ve been preparing for this far longer than you. I understand this might seem overwhelming, but this trial is specifically designed to test your magical instincts, your resourcefulness, and your mental strength. Although it will feel like you’re alone, you won’t be. Colton and I will be observing from here, and Chepi should remain with us as well. This is only the first of many trials I have ready for you.”

Gods, Fae magic never ceases to amaze me. The fact that he’s crafted a simulation for me feels impossible, yet here we are. I’m determined to prove to them I can handle this. I press a kiss onto Chepi’s head before releasing him. He immediately flies over to Colton, ready to watch whatever this is from the sidelines. “So how do we begin? What should I do?”

I watch as my father extends his hand, eyes glowing intense as a ripple of energy arcs from him and a white veil appears. “Once you step through this portal, the simulation will begin. We will be able to watch you through this veil, which will act as a one-way window. We will be able to see and hear what is happening, but we cannot intervene until I end the simulation. Do you understand?”

“I understand.” I nod, trying to swallow down the anxious feeling starting to fester in my chest. “But what happens if I fail?” I ask, the uncertainty clear in my voice.

“Then everything I’ve devoted my life to—and yours—will have been for nothing,” my father replies, his words amplifying the tightness in my chest.

“I did some training with Colton the other day,” I tell him, attempting to redirect the conversation to less daunting prospects.

“I heard about that,” he says with a dismissive tone. “If that’s the extent of your abilities, we might as well give up now.” His blunt assessment provokes me, and my eyes narrow in response.

“It’s not,” I say firmly, my gaze still locked onto his.

“Well then,” he challenges, “show me what you can do.”

I look over at Chepi and Colton one last time. Before I can second guess myself, I jump into the veil.

Chapter

Ten

Acool tingle brushes across my skin, and for a fleeting second darkness engulfs me before a sudden burst of light blinds me. I feel weightless as my vision clears and look down to find I’m descending into a maze of sorts. As far as I can see, a giant labyrinth of illuminated hallways spans out all around me. My body slowly lowers, dropping down into the center of the maze until my feet hit the ground.

The walls of the maze are not made of stone or foliage. They shimmer and light up with moving images—images of me, my life. Vibrant moving pictures of my past, my present, and potential futures… It’s as if time itself has been melted down and shaped into tangible, glowing walls.

One moment, I see my own face reflecting back at me, a face full of childhood innocence, then the scene shifts, and now it’s the determined gaze of the woman I’ve become. Occasionally, the images morph and don’t make sense, but when the image of myself with stirring black eyes and shadow tendrils veining across my skin appears I know it must be showing me possible futures. Or maybe it’s pulling from my mind, and since I’ve seen this image through the echosphere it’s projecting it here. I can’t be sure, but either way it’s no less disturbing. They’re so vivid, so real, that it feels like I could step right into them.

The maze breathes with life, teeming with dream-born flora and fauna. I tread on a carpet of luminescent grass that pulses beneath my feet. Flowers bloom around me with each step I take, and trees tower above. But I follow their tall branches up and see only darkness. There is no sky, no stars, only utter darkness beyond this maze of dreams.

I keep walking, assuming my goal is to reach the exit somewhere. It looked like I was dropped right in the center of the maze, so I need to work my way to the outside. I try to ignore the images flashing around me, but it’s impossible when I see myself as a child.

I have to pause to see what I’m doing, because it’s something I don’t remember. I watch as Lili brushes my hair on one wall. I must be no older than five. I turn to my right and on the other wall see Nyx. Oh, gods, he’s on top of me, inside me. I feel my face flush and quicken my steps. Please let Colton and my father not be able to see what I see in the walls.

I keep a fast pace, trying to escape the images that are starting to surround me. Images of Nyx, not just images but sounds. I see him chained to the table in Samael’s throne room, blood splattered across his chest. I look down, and the pulsing grass has changed into pulsing images that seem to appear and disappear as fast as the air I breathe into my lungs. I see Nyx carrying me out of Tempest moon after Samael locked me in my room, then I see him devouring me in Drew’s hive while his voice echoes all around me. “Who’s the liar now, Lyra?”