Page 6 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“The nightshade salad is one of Drew’s favorite things to eat. It’s harmless, with dark leafy greens, fresh berries, and crumbled cheese. Lastly, the shadow fish may look scary, but the murky red water gives it a rich, oily flavor that’s quite good. We usually eat it grilled like this.”

“Are you going to eat anything?” I ask, wondering if he poisoned my food, but would he have any reason to do that?

“Yes, I figured you could use the company. Here, I’ll show you how I like to eat it.” Soren grabs two bowls and fills each with some salad then tops them with a handful of noodles and a few chunks of fish. “It tastes best all mixed together, trust me,” he says, handing me one of the bowls and a fork.

I watch him start shoveling food into his mouth, and my nerves instantly relax. I start eating the food and am surprised by how good it tastes. There’s a bit of spice from the noodles and sweetness from the berries, creamy chunks of cheese, and the fish is rich and oily, making everything go down smoothly.

“Have you known Drew for a long time?” I ask between bites.

“All my thirty years of life,” Soren replies.

“Do you work here at the castle? Are you like her assistant or something?”

Soren pauses, looking over at me. “‘Or something’ would be more accurate,” he says, cryptically. Interesting. I knew there was something between them. I sensed a weird sexual tension. We finish eating in silence, and even Chepi devours his bowl of food.

“Do you mind showing me back to my room?”

“Sure, I’d be happy to.”

As we walk, Soren tells me more about the castle and the surrounding area. Apparently, the Lamia realm is known for its natural hot springs, which have anti-aging properties. He also tells me about the different kinds of creatures that live in the forests here, some of which are dangerous.

We finally reach my room, and Soren departs. Someone tidied up my chamber while I was out. The bed has fresh sheets and clean blankets on it, no blood, a welcome surprise after last night. I prop up all my pillows and make a cozy spot to continue reading. Chepi quickly falls asleep at the end of the bed until a knock sounds at the door.

Chapter

Three

“It’s me again.” Soren pops his head back in, and I sit up to see he’s carrying a small wooden trunk. “Drew is having a dinner party tonight and wants you to attend. I’m supposed to drop this off for you and let you know I’ll be back to escort you to dinner later.”

“Er, thank you.” I take the wooden trunk from him and close the door, placing the trunk on the end of my bed. I unlatch it and lift the lid to find some black fabric with a black bow tied around it folded neatly inside. I pull the fabric bundle out and untie the bow, carefully unfolding the fabric. The most exquisite gown lies inside. It’s woven from the most opulent champagne silk, bedecked with intricate patterns of rose-gold gems that shimmer in the candlelight.

With delicate hands, I lift the dress, its luxurious fabric smooth as liquid silk against my skin. Admiring its breathtaking design and craftsmanship, I can’t suppress the thrill it incites. What kind of dinner party is this?

I peek back inside the trunk, and in the corner a tiny envelope lies nestled beside a pair of heels, their sparkles matching the dress. I grab the piece of parchment, tearing it open to reveal a cryptic message, “Wear me.” I chuckle at the mysterious note, wondering what surprises await me at dinner tonight. Why would Drew send me such a dress? So unusual. This better not be some scheme on Nyx’s part trying to earn my forgiveness, because it would take a lot more than sending me a fancy dress. If he didn’t leave the Lamia Realm, Drew would have said so this morning. There was a time when I thought Nyx was a good communicator who made me feel so safe and happy. That seems like so long ago now. So much has happened that I don’t even feel like the same person anymore. That girl gawking at the mysterious man in Tempest Moon over dinner seems like a stranger to me now.

It’s still early, and I have plenty of time until I need to get ready for dinner. I climb on the bed and settle into the pillows. I put the book on Fae magic aside and grab the sac to look at the other book. I meant to look at it before, but everything about the Fae magic was so interesting that I got distracted.

Drew was kind of cryptic earlier when she spoke about the second book. I hesitantly pull it from the sack and give it a look. It’s old and dusty, the cover fashioned from aged leather, supple and worn with time. The vibrant black hue has faded to a rich, dusky shade with faint creases and subtle wrinkles. The cover appears to be blank, but on closer inspection the spine reveals faded, gilded lettering in an ancient script, possibly inlaid with remnants of tarnished gold leaf.

I open the book, and I’m not sure why but an unusual feeling spreads across my skin and up the back of my neck, like I’m being watched. This book appears far older than the other, the delicately yellowed pages, their edges rough and uneven from years of use. The aroma that emanates from the book carries the scent of aged parchment and a faint hint of herbs. I’m not sure it’s even possible, but I swear an energy seems to pulsate from the book, as if the very essence of magic still lingers within its pages.

I shake my head and sit up straighter, trying to ignore the odd feeling that washes over me as I begin reading.

As shadows descended upon the land, the last known dark Sorcerer emerged as a formidable force, unmatched in command over the realms of dark magic. The very presence radiated an air of arcane supremacy, a palpable aura that both mesmerized and terrified all who beheld it.

Through the forbidden rituals they undertook, the Sorcerer unlocked depths of power that were dormant within the darkest recesses of the magical realm. They harnessed energies that defied comprehension, weaving spells of unrivaled potency and devastation. Not even the strongest of Fae magic was a match for this. The Sorcerer even possessed an innate ability to manipulate the very essence of shadows, shaping them with a mere flicker of the fingers.

Among the extraordinary repertoire of abilities, the dark Sorcerer possessed the unnerving talent of veiling within the ethereal shroud of darkness itself, moving silently through the night, undetectable and unseen, leaving behind only a lingering chill as evidence.

The Sorcerer’s command over elemental forces was equally formidable. Flames danced on fingertips without the need for kindling. The very earth trembled, tearing open with a wave of the hand. Even the winds answered the Sorcerer’s call, delivering messages on unseen whispers.

But perhaps the most chilling of these abilities was the art of ensnaring and manipulating the minds of others. The dark Sorcerer possessed a sinister charisma, a power to bend the wills of unsuspecting souls to their desires. Whispering dark secrets into the minds of enemies sowed seeds of doubt and discord that festered like a poison.

The mastery of dark magic was unparalleled, leaving a legacy of destruction and awe. Legends speak of this power as a force that eclipsed the sun, casting the world into an everlasting night, where the wicked thrived and the righteous trembled in fear.

Let the tales of this dark Sorcerer serve as a testament to the immeasurable power that can be attained through the shadows. But beware, for such power comes at a grave cost, entwining the wielder in an inescapable web of darkness.

Well, that was a disturbing passage if I ever read one. I don’t know if there’s a chill in the room or if I’m unsettled by the book, but I seek comfort under the covers and continue reading.