Page 93 of A Bond So Deadly

I run my hands along the walls. I’m not really sure what I’m looking for. Galen had said the bookshelf only appeared recently, so I guess I’m hoping we’ll find a clue or something that will tell us where the oracle went. Galen suggested that the journals only appeared because it may have sensed me on him, and a small part of me wonders if he was right.

I move closer to where the secret bookshelf was positioned, hoping that something else might be revealed, but when nothing happens, I deflate a little. “I guess there really is nothing else in here.”

Sighing, I turn to leave, but Elgen stops me. “Wait, girl.”

“Did you see something?” I whip my head back around.

“No,” she replies, “But this feels peculiar. I have a strange feeling that there’s a door there.”

“A door?” I arch a brow, blinking at the smooth stone wall. “It doesn’t look like there’s anything there to me.”

“Yes, a door,” Tarlaz agrees, nodding emphatically. “I sense it, too.” He jumps down from my shoulder. The shadow can’t go far from me, but as he moves toward the wall, a cracking sound fills the air, and the cave begins to tremble.

“Guys, what is happening?” I blurt.

My mates are at my side in an instant, their shadows wrapping around me protectively, and I gape as a section of the wall shifts to the side revealing a dark passageway. It’s right where the bookcase had been.

A gust of air rushes into the cave, and I cough as I breathe in the dust, waving my hand in front of me. “Holy smokes! Do you think that’s been there the whole time?”

Galen’s brow creases. “Going by the breeze, I’m guessing this is another exit. One which the oracle went to great lengths to keep hidden.”

“But why would the oracle need a secret escape tunnel?” I question.

No one answers, and Galen enters the passageway first. Which suits me just fine, because I wasn’t about to volunteer. Raith goes next, and I follow him, seriously hoping that there aren’t any terrifying creatures waiting for us in the dark.

The tunnel bends and light appears up ahead.

“Okay, are we going to talk about how weird that was?” I say to Elgen and Tarlaz. “I mean, how did you guys even know this exit was here?”

“We could feel the magic,” Elgen replies. “Couldn’t you?”

“No. I thought the room was empty.”

We reach the end of the tunnel. The exit is half-hidden by vines, but Galen clears them away, and I happily move out into the sunlight. I’ve only taken a few steps from the tunnel when Elgen’s next words make me freeze.

“I recognize this place,” she says softly, and it’s the first time I’ve ever heard her sound afraid. “Oh Tarlaz.”

The forest turns to shades of gray and white, and the land changes around me. I’m standing in the same place, but the trees are different and bell-shaped flowers bloom near the exit of the tunnel. I turn to ask my guys what’s happening, but they’re not here, and it takes me a startling moment to realize I’m seeing a memory, but it’s not one of mine.

“This is one of your memories, isn’t it Elgen?” I ask tentatively.

“Yes,” she rasps. “Somehow, being here has triggered me to remember this moment, and I suppose that by being linked, you also get to witness.”

“Not only Elgen’s memory,” Tarlaz adds. “I too find this familiar.”

“Both of you?” I reply. “But how can that be?”

“Quiet,” Elgen hisses. “Someone’s coming.”

I stand silently, and we watch transfixed as a figure moves from the secret tunnel, brushing aside the vines that cover the exit, and moving out into the forest. They’re wearing a long black cloak that conceals their head, and the only feature I can make out is their bony, clawed hands. Is that the oracle?

The cloaked figure strides forward, but before they reach the trees, they stop abruptly, twisting their head to the side like they’ve heard something. Shadows pool in front of them, and Queen Krosia steps into view, clicking her tongue. She’s wearing a less extravagant set of armor, but otherwise she looks the same.

“Oh darling, you didn’t really think you could run from me, did you?” she taunts, cruelty flashing in her eyes. “I would have thought the wise and powerful oracle wouldn’t be afraid of anything,” she mocks.

So, it’s the oracle… I clench my jaw, because I get the feeling this isn’t going to be a fun memory. What is Queen Krosia doing? A sickening feeling washes over me, and I wonder if I’m about to find out just why no one has seen the oracle in so long.

“We’ve told you all we can,” the oracle rattles in an ancient voice, and bumps prickle on my skin. I know that voice… Elgen.